US20070151496A1 - Device and method for removing kelp/debris from a keel - Google Patents

Abstract

A kelp removing system is provided. The system may comprise a kelp remover and an access tube. The access tube is pre-installed on the hull of the boat adjacent to and exterior of the keel for providing access to the leading edge of the keel from within the boat. A proximal end of the access tube is located above the water level such that the water does come into the boat through the access tube and flood the boat. The kelp remover is insertable into the access tube with a blade in a retracted position. Once the kelp remover is inserted into the access tube, the blade may be traversed to the extended position exposing a sharp edge. The blade is rotated against the leading edge of the keel by rotating the handle. The handle is lifted up while applying pressure on the keel leading edge with the blade. In this manner, kelp tangled on the keel is cut off of the keel.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• Not Applicable
STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
• Not Applicable
BACKGROUND
• The present invention relates generally to a device and a method for removing kelp and debris from a keel of a boat.
• The keel of a sail boat is a rigid, relatively flat piece of material attached to the lowest part of the hull and is used to give the sail boat greater directional control and stability. Keels on large sail boats may also behave as foils which use the forward motion of the sail boat to generate lift to counter the lateral force from the sails. Simply put, the keel increases the competitive advantage of the sail boat.
• During a race or leisurely ride, a sail boat may cross the path of kelp which typically floats on the surface of the sea water. Kelp will become tangled with the keel which reduces the sail boat's performance. For example, the boat may no longer be able to point, the rudder may flutter or the helm's feel may change. In this instance, a visual inspection of the keel through a keel window may determine whether there is kelp tangled on the keel.
• There are generally three methods of removing kelp from the keel. The first method involves a long slender stick. The stick method is quick and effective but the operator may not be able to reach the kelp with the stick. The reason is that kelp usually floats. As such, when kelp is tangled onto the keel, the kelp tends to float to the upper most portion of the keel directly under the hull of the boat. For example, it may be difficult to reach the top of the keel because the operator's arms are not sufficiently long such that the stick may be extended out and away from the hull. In use, the operator lays on the deck with the stick in hand. With the operator's arms extended out and away from the boat, the operator lays the stick on the water next to the hull. The water moves the stick under the boat and up against the keel. The operator prys the stick up against the hull of the boat to scrape the kelp down and off of the keel. Hopefully, the stick is positioned above the kelp. If not, then the kelp at the upper most portion of the keel remains on the keel, and thus, unfortunately, the stick method may not be able to remove kelp from the upper most portion of the keel.
• The second method involves a rope which may reach the upper most portion of the keel. The rope method may be utilized to remove kelp from the keel when the stick method is ineffective. The rope is tossed out to leeward until the rope is fully extended along and behind the boat. The rope is moved under the knuckle at the bow of the boat to position the rope at the upper most portion of the keel. The operator's hand is raised a foot then lowered while making his/her way to the aft. The rope moves down the keel to remove the kelp from the keel. Unfortunately, this method requires time for the operator to slowly push the kelp off of the keel. Also, this method may require two people to remove the kelp.
• The third method involves sailing backwards to release the kelp from the keel. Unfortunately, this maneuver requires a great deal of skill and practice.
• In sail boats with fixed keels, a blade may be integrated with the keel. The blade may be located within the leading edge of the keel. The blade may be rotated from a stored positioned to a cutting position. In the stored position, the blade is tucked inside of the keel. In the cutting position, the blade is rotated out and may be traversed along the entire vertical length of the keel to cut the kelp off of the keel. In use, the operator will traverse the blade to the bottom portion of the keel. The blade is traversed to the cutting position. The blade is then traversed up the leading edge of the keel with a pully system integrally built into the keel and the boat. As the blade is traversed up the leading edge of the keel, kelp is cut off of the keel. Unfortunately, prior art movable blades are only used on boats with fixed keels and are not employed on boats with removeable keels or trailable boats.
• Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved device and method for removing kelp from a boat keel.
BRIEF SUMMARY
• The kelp removing system discussed herein addresses the deficiencies in the prior art identified above, discussed below and other deficiencies known in the art.
• The kelp removing system discussed herein may have a kelp remover and an access tube. The kelp remover may have a trigger, a handle, a shank, a blade and a blade linkage system. The trigger is operative to traverse the blade between a retracted position and an extended position via the blade linkage system. The blade has a sharp upper leading edge which is operative to cut kelp when the blade is traverse vertically along the keel leading edge. Moreover, the blade is aligned to the handle to indicate the angular location of the blade when the kelp remover is inserted into the access tube and below the boat hull.
• The access tube may be attached to the hull of the boat. The access tube provides access to the keel from within the boat. The access tube may define a first distal end and a second distal end. The first distal end may be located above a water level of the boat. In this manner, sea water does not overflow into the boat through the access tube. The second distal end may be located adjacent the keel. The access tube may be positioned adjacent a leading edge of the keel such that the blade edge may be rotated tangentially adjacent the keel leading edge, as shown inFIG. 8. Also, the access tube is vertically aligned to the keel which also has a vertical orientation such that as the kelp remover is slid up and down within the access tube, the blade follows the keel leading edge and cuts kelp off of the keel.
• In a method of employing the kelp remover, the access tube is installed on the boat hull adjacent to the leading edge of the keel. While sailing, kelp may become tangled on the keel. To employ the kelp remover to remove the kelp from the keel, an operator traverses the blade to the retracted position. The kelp remover is inserted into the access tube. The operator traverses the blade to the extended position. The operator rotates the blade against the leading edge of the keel by rotating the handle and/or the trigger. The operator lifts the handle traversing the blade's sharp leading edge against the keel leading edge to cut kelp off of the keel. The operator cyclically traverses the blade up and down the vertical leading edge of the keel until all of the kelp is removed from the keel.
• After all of the kelp is removed from the keel, the operator traverses the blade to the retracted position. The operator then removes the kelp remover from the access tube and stores the kelp remover for future use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
• FIG. 1 is a side view of a kelp remover with the blade in a retracted position;
• FIG. 2 is a side view of the kelp remover with the blade in an extended position;
• FIG. 3 is a front view of the kelp remover ofFIG. 1;
• FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the blade and blade linkage system ofFIG. 3;
• FIG. 5 is a side view of the blade linkage system illustrating the undercenter relationship of a second pivot point with respect to a travel axis defined by a first pivot point and a third pivot point;
• FIG. 6 is a side view of the blade linkage system at an intermediate position as the blade is traversed to either the extended position or the retracted position;
• FIG. 7 is a side view of the blade linkage system with the blade at the extended position; and
• FIG. 8 is a cross sectional top view of the kelp remover and keel showing the blade rotated into position adjacent the keel to cut the kelp off of the keel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• Referring now to the drawings which are for the purposes of illustration and not limitation,FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a side view of akelp remover10. Thekelp remover10 has ahandle12 attached to ashank portion14, atrigger16, ablade18 and ablade linkage system20. Thetrigger16 is linked to theblade18 via theblade linkage system20 and may traverse theblade18 between a retracted position as shown inFIGS. 1 and 5 and an extended position as shown inFIGS. 2 and 7. Theblade18 is traversed to the extended position when the operator is ready to cut the kelp off of thekeel22. To move thekelp remover10 into position to cut the kelp off of thekeel22 thedistal end24 of theshank portion14, while theblade18 is in the retracted position, is inserted into anaccess tube26 which is attached to thehull28 of the boat. Theaccess tube26 is positioned adjacent to thekeel22 and provides access to thekeel22. Once thekelp remover10 is inserted into thetube26, thetrigger16 is actuated to traverse theblade18 to the extended position, as shown inFIG. 2. Thehandle12 may be rotated to dispose theblade18 edge tangentially against the leading edge of thekeel22, as shown inFIG. 8. Also, thehandle12 may be raised and lowered to traverse theblade18 against the length of thekeel22 leading edge, and more importantly, the upper portion of the leading edge of thekeel22 due to kelp floating to the keel upper portion. Kelp tangled on thekeel22 will be cut by theblade18 and removed therefrom. In this manner, a simple yet effective system/device is shown for removing kelp from a boat keel. No special skill is necessary. The operator merely inserts thekelp remover10 into theaccess tube26 pre-positioned adjacent to thekeel22, traverses theblade18 to the extended position, rotates theblade18 adjacent the leading edge of thekeel22, cuts the kelp off of thekeel22, removes thekelp remover10 from theaccess tube26, and stores thekelp remover10 for future use.
• Theshank portion14 of thekelp remover10 may have a hollow cylindrical configuration which may completely houses theblade18 and theblade linkage system20 when theblade18 is in the retracted position such that insertion of theshank14 into theaccess tube26 is easy, safe and efficient. The operator of thekelp remover10 does not have to align any other part with theaccess tube26 to fully insert theshank portion14 into theaccess tube26. When theshank portion14 is inserted into theaccess tube26, theblade18 is adjacent to thekeel22. Theshank portion14 is sufficiently long such that theblade18 may be raised and lowered against the entire vertical length of thekeel22. The diameter of theshank portion14 may be sized and configured to fit within theaccess tube26. In particular, the outer diameter of theshank portion14 is sufficiently smaller compared to the inner diameter of theaccess tube26 such that there is no excessive slack or play between theshank portion14, and theaccess tube26 and theshank portion14 is allowed to slide within theaccess tube26.
• Thehandle12 may be attached to theproximal end36 of theshank14. Thehandle12 may have a cylindrical configuration (seeFIG. 3) and be attached perpendicularly with respect to the shank14 (seeFIG. 1). Also, thehandle12 may be aligned to the leading edge of theblade18 when theblade18 is in the extended position. In this manner, the operator knows the rotational orientation of theblade18 even though theblade18 may be out of sight underneath thehull28. Additionally, a top side of thehandle12 may haveindicia32 to indicate the angular orientation of theblade18 such that the angular position of theblade18 is known after thekelp remover10 is inserted into theaccess tube26. Thehandle12 may be sized and configured to be graspable by a human hand.
• Thetrigger16 may be attached to a rigidelongate bar34. Aproximal end36 of theelongate bar34 may be attached to thetrigger16 having a bulbous configuration such that the operator may push thetrigger16 down or pull the trigger up without undue stress on the operator's fingers. Thetrigger16 is operative to translate theblade18 between the retracted and extended positions via theblade linkage system20. When thetrigger16 is in the up position (seeFIG. 1), theblade18 is in the retracted position. Also, when thetrigger16 is in the down position (seeFIG. 2), theblade18 is in the extended position.
• Theblade linkage system20 may be defined by three links having three pivot points. The first link is theelongate bar34 that extends from thetrigger16. The second link is theblade18. Theelongate bar34 and theblade18 is attached to each other at thefirst pivot point38. Thethird link40 is pivotally attached to theblade18 at thesecond pivot point42. Also, the third link is pivotally attached to thedistal end24 of theshank14 defining thethird pivot point44.
• More particularly, thedistal end46 of theelongate member34 may have a slot48 (seeFIG. 4) which is pivotally pinned to theblade18. Theblade18 may have a flat configuration with asharp blade edge50 which is oriented in the upward direction when theblade18 is traversed to the extended position. Eachtime52 of the third link may be disposed on opposite sides of theblade18. Also, first distal ends of the third link may be pivotally pinned to a middle portion of theblade18 as shown inFIGS. 2 and 6. Second distal ends of thetimes52 may be attached to abase54. The base54 which is fixedly attached to theshank portion14 distal end may have two slots for receiving each of thetimes52 of the third link.
• The operator may push down on the bulbous portion of thetrigger16 to traverse theblade18 from the retracted position to the extended position. In particular, the first and third pivot points38,44 may define a travel axis56 (seeFIG. 5) of theelongate member34 when thetrigger16 is pushed down or pulled up by the operator. When the operator pushes down on thetrigger16, thefirst pivot point38 is moved closer to thethird pivot point44. Also, thesecond pivot point42 is moved laterally outward from thetravel axis56 to traverse theblade18 to the extended position, as shown inFIGS. 5-7. The downward force pushes thesecond pivot point42 outward because thesecond pivot point42 is undercenter with respect to the first and second pivot points38,42. When the operator pulls up on thetrigger16, thefirst pivot point38 is drawn away from thethird pivot point44. Also, thesecond pivot point42 is moved laterally toward thetravel axis56. The undercentered relationship of thesecond pivot point42 with respect to thetravel axis56 is maintained when theblade18 is in the retracted position because aback surface58 of theblade18 is in contact with aninner surface60 of theshank14, as shown inFIG. 5. Theinner surface60 of theshank14 limits the pivotal range of theblade18 to pivot such that thesecond pivot point42 is not aligned to or inwardly offset with respect to thetravel axis56 which would possibly lock theblade18 in theshank portion14.
• As best shown inFIG. 5, thesecond pivot point42 is outwardly offset with respect to thetravel axis56 defined by the first and third pivot points38,44. With slight downward pressure on thetrigger16, theblade18 may be traversed to the extended position as shown inFIG. 7. Theblade18 is fully traversed to the extended position when thedistal end62 of theelongate bar34 contacts or is adjacent to thebase54. At this point, thetrigger16 and theelongate bar34 cannot be traversed downward any further. Also, theblade leading edge50 is preferably perpendicular to thetravel axis56. In the extended position, theblade18 cannot be or it is difficult to retract theblade18 back into theshank14 via a downward force applied to thedistal end62 of theblade18. Rather, the weight of theelongate bar34 and the downward pressure applied to thetrigger16 maintains theblade18 in the extended position as thekelp remover10 and more particularly theblade18 is traversed upward along thekeel22 leading edge to cut the kelp off of the keel leading edge.
• At the upper most stroke of theblade18, theblade18 may contact the bottom of thehull28 thereby possibly cutting or damaging theboat hull28. To prevent any such damage, thehull28 bottom may have akickplate64 fabricated from non-corrosive material to prevent theblade18 from damaging theboat hull28 while theblade18 is being traversed upward to cut the kelp off of thekeel22. More particularly, thekickplate64 may extend about the periphery of theaccess tube26 such that theblade18 does not damage theboat hull28. Also, thekickplate64 may extend in front of the leading edge of thekeel22.
• Theaccess tube26, as discussed above, provides access to thekeel22. Theaccess tube26 may be preinstalled through thehull28 of the boat. More particularly, theaccess tube26 may have a straight cylindrical configuration with a hollow center. Thebottom end66 of theaccess tube26 may be attached to thehull28 of the boat near the front leading edge of thekeel22. In this manner, when thekelp remover10 is inserted into theaccess tube26 and theblade18 traversed to the extended position, theblade18 may be rotated tangentially against the leading edge of thekeel22. Theaccess tube26 may be sufficiently long such that theupper end68 of theaccess tube26 is clearly above thewater level70 when the boat is in water. This prevents water from entering the boat interior via theaccess tube26.
• In use, thekelp remover10 may be operative to remove kelp from a leading edge of thekeel22 without significant disruption from the operations of the boat. For example, thekelp remover10 may be employed while the boat is in full forward motion. Also, thekelp remover10 may be operated by a single person.
• To remove kelp from thekeel22, the operator may check to ensure that theblade18 is in the retracted position. With theblade18 in the retracted position andblade18 andblade linkage system20 fully disposed within theshank14, the outer diameter of theshank14 is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of theaccess tube26 such that thekelp remover10 shank may be inserted into theaccess tube26. The operator may insert the distal end of thekelp remover10 shank into theaccess tube26. The top side of thehandle12 may have anarrow32 and thehandle12 may be aligned to theblade18 to indicate the angular location of theblade18 when theblade18 is in the extended position under thehull28. The user knows whether theblade18 is in the retracted position or the extended position based on the height of the bulbous portion of thetrigger16 with respect to thehandle12. If the bulbous portion of thetrigger16 is up, then the blade19 is in the retracted position. Alternatively, if the bulbous portion of thetrigger16 is down, then theblade18 is in the extended position. With the bulbous portion still in the up position, the operator may press down on thetrigger16 to traverse theblade18 to the extended position.
• As theblade18 is traversed to the extended position, theblade18 and the third link folds out of theshank14 through anaperture72 formed at the distal portion of theshank14, as shown inFIG. 4. Thesecond pivot point42 is undercenter with respect to the first and third pivot points38,44 (i.e., the travel axis56) to buckle theblade18 outward of theshank14 due to the downward pressure applied to thetrigger16, as shown inFIG. 5. When theblade18 is fully extended, the leading edge of theblade18 is preferably perpendicular to thetravel axis56, as shown inFIG. 2. The operator rotates thehandle12 until thearrow32 indicates that theblade18 is adjacent the leading edge of the keel22 (seeFIG. 8) and until the operator confirms the same based on the feel of theblade22 contacting thekeel22 leading edge.
• The operator then cyclically lifts thehandle12 up and pushes thehandle12 down while applying rotational pressure to handle12 to maintain theblade18 against thekeel22 leading edge to cut the kelp off of thekeel22 leading edge. The operator continues to cut the kelp off of the leading edge until all of the kelp is removed from the leading edge of thekeel22. Thereafter, the operator lifts thetrigger16 to the up position to traverse theblade18 back to the retracted position. When theblade18 is in the retracted position, theblade18 and theblade linkage system20 are confined within theshank14 such that theshank14 may be removed from theaccess tube26 in an easy, safe and efficient manner.
• In an aspect of thekelp remover10, the trigger15,shank14, handle12 andblade18 do not rotate with respect to each other about thetravel axis56. In particular, as discussed above, thebase54 is fixedly engaged to thedistal end24 of theshank14. For example, thebase54 may be swaged or welded to thedistal end24 of theshank14. Thebase54 provides twoslots48 which receive and are pivotally pinned to thetimes52 of the third link. Thetimes52 of the third link are disposed on opposed sides of theblade18 and pivotally pinned thereto. Theblade18 is then received into and pivotally pinned to theslot48 formed in thedistal end46 of the rigidelongate member34. Accordingly, theslots48 and pins fix the rotation movement about thetravel axis56 between thetrigger16,shank14, handle12, andblade18.
• In another aspect of thekelp remover10, the same is independent of thekeel22. In the prior art, theblade18 was made integral with thekeel22. However, only fixed keels or large sail boats had keels with integral blades. Smaller boats or trailable boats could not incorporate the integral blades in the keel because the keel had to be removed when being trailered. Smaller boats had to rely on the stick, the rope or backward sailing methods discussed in the background to remove kelp from the keel. Thekelp remover10 discussed herein permits smaller boats with removable keels to efficiently cut kelp off of thekeel22 with thekelp remover10.
• The kelp remover and/or the access tube may be fabricated from stainless steel or other suitable material.
• Optionally, it is contemplated that theblade18 may be biased to the retracted position. For example, a torsion spring may be attached to the third link and thebase54. If theblade18 is biased to the retracted position, then theblade18 does not become exposed during storage creating a hazardous sharp object.
• The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. For example, the kelp remover may be employed in powerboats with stabilizers. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.

Claims (13)

1. A device for removing kelp from a keel, the device comprising:

a handle sized and configured to be graspable by a human hand;

a trigger attached to the handle;

a rigid push/pull rod attached to the trigger;

a blade attached to the trigger via the rigid push/pull rod, the blade being traversable between a retracted position and an extended position via actuation of the trigger;

wherein the blade is disposable adjacent to the keel to remove the kelp off of the keel.

2. The device ofclaim 1 further comprising a blade linkage system actuatable by the trigger, the blade linkage system having a three pivot point system, and the three point pivot system is undercenter such that the blade is traversable to the extended position from the retracted position.

3. The device ofclaim 1 wherein the handle is aligned to the blade for indicating an angular position of the blade.

4. The device ofclaim 1 wherein the blade is pushable in a downward direction against the keel and is pullable in an upward direction against the keel to cut the kelp off of the keel.

5. A boat comprising:

a hull;

a keel attached to the hull;

an access tube defining a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being disposable inside the hull and above a water level of the boat, the distal end being disposable adjacent to an exterior of the hull of the boat and the keel, the tube providing a passageway from an interior of the boat to the keel; and

a kick plate attachable to the hull of the boat for protecting the boat hull; and

a device comprising:

a handle sized and configured to be graspable by a human hand;

a trigger attached to the handle; and

a blade attached to the trigger, the blade being traversable between a retracted position and an extended position via actuation of the trigger;

wherein the blade is disposable adjacent to the keel through the access tube to remove the kelp off of the leading edge.

6. (canceled)

7. The system ofclaim 6 wherein the kick plate circumscribes the distal end of the access tube.

8. A method for removing kelp from a leading edge of a keel of a boat, the method comprising the steps of:

a) installing an access tube on the boat adjacent the leading edge of the keel and exteriorly of the keel for providing access to the keel from an interior of the boat;

b) inserting a kelp removing device into the access tube;

c) extending a blade of the kelp removing device;

d) traversing the blade adjacent to the keel leading edge;

e) moving the blade up the keel leading edge to cut kelp off of the keel leading edge;

f) moving the blade down and against the keel leading edge;

g) retracting the blade; and

h) removing the kelp removing device from the tube.

9. The method ofclaim 8 wherein step c) comprises the step of pushing a trigger downward to traverse the blade to an extended position.

10. The method ofclaim 8 wherein step d) comprises the steps of:

i) rotating a handle of the kelp removing device; and

ii) stopping rotation of the handle when a contact force between the blade and the keel leading edge is transferred to a trigger through a rigid push/pull rod connecting the blade and the trigger.

11. The device ofclaim 2 wherein the blade has a distal portion and a proximal portion, a second pivot point positioned between the distal and proximal portions of the blade such that the blade remains in the extended position when kelp is being pushed off of the keel with the blade distal portion.

12. The device ofclaim 5 wherein the keel is removable from the hull.

13. The device ofclaim 5 wherein the keel is fixed to the hull.

Images