1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to boats and, more specifically, to an adjustable wake-forming apparatus attachable to a boat stern providing means for generating waves of a particular form for water sport activities. The attachment is comprised of a pair of blades fastened to the transom by a plurality of struts. The present invention provides for the use of the wave maker on boats having either an inboard or outboard engine.
Each of the provided designs places the blades in a spaced away relationship to the engine propeller. Operatively, the blades have a top edge and curvilinearly diverging bottom edge with anterior and posterior ends linearly skewed causing a plow-like movement through the water.
The inboard engine design of the wavemaker is comprised of anteriorly hinged blades with struts serving as means for attachment to the boat stern, as well as means for effecting a wave form. A posteriorly fixed strut extends between the blades whereby the fore to aft blade skew angle can be varied. Extending from the opposing boat stern sides is a pair of struts, one over the other with the top ones incorporating means for varying the length while the bottom ones having a fixed length provide means for changing the blade pitch. Also extending between the boat stern and anterior blade top is a strut also incorporating length adjusting means whereby the blade depth can be changed.
The outboard engine wavemaker design is comprised of blades positioned on each side of the engine with struts serving as means for attachment, as well as means for effecting a wave form. A posteriorly fixed strut extends between the blades whereby the fore and aft blade skew angle can be varied. Mounted on opposing boat stern sides is a bracket having a threaded post with a pair of struts of fixed length mounted thereon, one over the other providing means for adjusting the depth of the blade relative to the water.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are other devices designed for effecting a wave pattern. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 818,887 issued to Hoeglauer on Apr. 24, 1906.
Another patent was issued to Bosnich on Apr. 28, 1970 as U.S. Pat. No. 3,508,511. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 3,670,685 was issued to Milessa on Jun. 20, 1972 and still yet another was issued on Nov. 12, 1974 to Kaufer as U.S. Pat. No. 3,847,104.
Another patent was issued to Wordell, Sr. on Feb. 22, 1977 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,008,677. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 4,057,027 was issued to Foster on Nov. 8, 1977. Another was issued to Hark on Sep. 27, 1983 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,406,162 and still yet another was issued on Apr. 17, 1984 to Arena as U.S. Pat. No. 4,443,202.
Another patent was issued to Foster on Nov. 19, 1985 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,945. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,092 was issued to Price on Nov. 23, 1999. Another was issued to Buswell on Jul. 23, 1969 as U.K. Patent No. GB1,159,269 and still yet another was issued on Jul. 8, 1981 to Hark as U.K. Patent No. GB1592451. Another was issued to Buzzi, et al. on Mar. 12, 1980 as U.K. Patent No. GB2028746 and still yet another was issued on May 21, 1980 to Levi as U.K. Patent No. GB2033324.