Appeal No. 2003-1640
Application 09/634,692
a first pair of symmetrical guide members defined by the respective first and second sides
of the rudder housing and located at upper portions of each respective side;
a pair of symmetrical hub holes defined by the first and second sides of the rudder
housing for receiving a rudder shaft; and
a push rod slidingly engageable with the first pair of symmetrical guide members.
16. A foot operated steering assembly for use in a watercraft having a forward end and an aft
end that includes a rudder to thereby define an axis, the assembly comprising:
a first track segment;
a first foot brace slidingly engageable with the first track segment comprising a track
portion;
a first toe control pivotally linked to the first foot brace whereby the toe control is pivotal
about an axis substantially orthogonal to the forward-aft axis; and
a first foot brace adjusting means for permitting a user to slidingly modify the location of
the first foot brace in the first track segment.
20. The steering assembly of claim 16 further comprising a first rudder control cable having a
first end and a second end wherein the first end is linkable to a rudder system and the second end
is linkable to a mechanical ground wherein a portion of the cable contacts the first toe control and
is deflectable thereby during operation of the steering assembly.
23. The steering assembly of claim 20 further comprising a rudder trim adjustment assembly
having a housing defining a volume and at least one cable hole, and a rotatable hub sized to fit
within the housing volume and having a first cable retention hole defined thereby and means for
permitting a user to selectively rotate the hub, wherein the second end of the first cable is
locatable in the first cable retention hole defined by the hub and tension in the cable can be
increased or decreased by the trim adjustment assembly by rotation of the hub if the first end of
the first cable remains stationary.
25. In a watercraft having a cable operated rudder system comprising a rudder linked to a
mechanical ground; a first cable extending from the rudder to a rudder control assembly also
linked to a mechanical ground; and a second cable extending from the rudder to the rudder
control assembly, a rudder trim adjustment assembly mountable to a mechanical ground,
comprising:
a housing defining a volume and at least one cable hole; and
a hub sized to fit within the housing volume and having at least one cable retention hole
defined thereby and means for permitting a user to selectively rotate the hub wherein at least the
first cable engages the hub and the hub remains stationary during operation of the rudder system.
The appealed claims, as represented by the above claims, are drawn to a rudder system
suitably illustrated by a portion of the rudder assembly defined by the limitations specified in
appealed independent claim 1, and a portion of the foot operated rudder steering assembly
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Last modified: November 3, 2007