Underwater protective system to inhibit marine growth

Abstract

A protective system for underwater installation on the propeller of a boat inhibits marine growth from fouling the propeller. The system includes a flexible material sized and shaped so as to be capable of being wrapped around the front and rear surfaces of the blades of a propeller and gathered so as to substantially surround the propeller. A fastening member such as a clamp or clip is affixed to the flexible material for maintaining the flexible material in the gathered state. The system further includes a link (such as a piece of line) having one end attached to the fastening member and a free second end. The link is of sufficient length such that when the flexible material is gathered about the propeller and maintained in place with the fastening member, the free end of the link extends to a location proximate to the boat at or above the waterline of the boat (such as to the transom or deck of the boat, or to a dock against which the boat is tied) wherein the link can be retrieved by a user of the boat. The link and fastening member are constructed and arranged wherein a tug on the link by the user releases the gathered flexible material permitting the retrieval of the link, and the fastening member and the flexible material as a unit from the propeller without the aid of a diver.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]A. Field[0002]This invention relates generally to marine equipment protective devices, and more particularly to a protective cover for propellers, transducers and other underwater components to protect against marine growth.[0003]B. Description of Related Art[0004]Underwater components, particularly propellers and connected propeller shafts, transducers and the like, are susceptible to the development of marine growth when submerged in sea water. Such growth can include barnacles, sea grass, slime, etc. (collectively referred to has “marine growth”). Marine growth that attaches to propellers remains attached even when the propeller turns to propel the boat at typical cruising speeds. Marine growth can significantly reduce the efficiency of the boat's propulsion system. Accordingly, countermeasures to ameliorate marine growth attaching to propellers have been proposed.[0005]These countermeasures can take a variety of forms. One is to hire a diver to s...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The patent describes an underwater protective system for boats that prevents marine growth on the propeller. The system includes a flexible material that is wrapped around the blades of the propeller and gathered to surround it. The flexible material is maintained in place with a fastening member, which can be a clamp or clip. A link is attached to the flexible material and the fastening member, which can be easily retrieved by the user of the boat. The link and fastening member are designed to release the flexible material from the propeller when the user pulls on the link. The system can be fitted to different size propellers and can also be used to protect other underwater components of the boat. The protective system can be manufactured and sold as a unit or as separate components that the user can assemble."

Problems solved by technology

Underwater components, particularly propellers and connected propeller shafts, transducers and the like, are susceptible to the development of marine growth when submerged in sea water.

Marine growth can significantly reduce the efficiency of the boat's propulsion system.

However, they are not suitable for propellers for inboard engines in which the propeller is typically several feet (or more) below the surface of the water.

None of the designs of the prior art address the problems of fouling of propellers of larger vessels in which the propeller is submerged substantially below the waterline, or provide an effective protective system for such a vessel which can be readily released by the user from a position on deck, without requiring the services of a diver.

Images