U.S. patent application number 16/110183 was filed with the patent office on 2020-02-27 for personal watercraft.
The applicant listed for this patent is KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Toshio Araki, Toru Sato.
Application Number | 20200062354 16/110183 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 69584294 |
Filed Date | 2020-02-27 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200062354 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Araki; Toshio ; et
al. |
February 27, 2020 |
PERSONAL WATERCRAFT
Abstract
A personal watercraft includes a front end section lying on a
front portion of a deck, the front end section having a tapered
shape, a first section lying in a region posterior to the front end
section, and a second section lying in a region posterior to the
first section, the second section including a surface inclining
outward in a body width direction from a front to a rear by an
angle larger than an angle of inclination of the first section.
Inventors: |
Araki; Toshio;
(Kakogawa-shi, JP) ; Sato; Toru; (Akashi-shi,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA |
Kobe-shi |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
69584294 |
Appl. No.: |
16/110183 |
Filed: |
August 23, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B 32/70 20200201;
B63B 1/06 20130101; B63B 32/20 20200201; B63B 34/10 20200201 |
International
Class: |
B63B 35/81 20060101
B63B035/81; B63B 35/85 20060101 B63B035/85 |
Claims
1. A personal watercraft comprising: a body including a deck,
wherein a front end section of the deck has a tapered shape; a
first section of the deck lies in a region posterior to the front
end section; and a second section of the deck lies in a region
posterior to the first section, the second section having a surface
inclining outward in a width direction of the body from front to
rear by an angle larger than an angle of inclination of a surface
of the first section.
2. The personal watercraft according to claim 1, wherein the deck
includes a cover attached to the deck in the region posterior to
the front end section, and the cover constitutes a part of the
second section.
3. The personal watercraft according to claim 2, wherein a part of
the cover protrudes from the first section when the body is viewed
from the front.
4. The personal watercraft according to claim 2, wherein the cover
protects a speaker.
5. The personal watercraft according to claim 1, wherein the deck
includes a foot rest space for placement of an operator's foot
during operation, and the second section lies in a region anterior
to the foot rest space.
6. The personal watercraft according to claim 1, wherein the
surface of the second section inclines upward from the front to the
rear by an angle larger than an angle of inclination of the surface
of the first section.
7. The personal watercraft according to claim 1, wherein each of
the first section and the second section includes a ridge line
extending along the inclination of the surface.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a personal watercraft
configured to be operated on the water by an operator.
Description of Related Art
[0002] Conventionally, a personal watercraft is widely used for
leisure activities, sports, or rescue operations. The personal
watercraft often has a deck having a front end in a tapered shape
for achieving a good design. Examples of such a personal watercraft
include a type disclosed in JP 2007-261545 A.
[0003] However, forming the front end of the deck into such a
tapered shape urges water to run along a body rearward from the
front end and thus to head for an operator during operations of the
personal watercraft.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
personal watercraft configured to reduce water heading for an
operator.
[0005] A personal watercraft according to a first aspect of the
present invention includes: a front section lying on a front
portion of a deck, the front end section having a tapered shape; a
first section lying in a region posterior to the front end section;
and a second section lying in a region posterior to the first
section, the second section having a surface inclining outward in a
body width direction from a front to a rear by an angle larger than
an angle of inclination of the first section.
[0006] According to the configuration described above, the deck
includes the first section lying in the region posterior to the
front end section and the second section lying in the region
posterior to the first section and having the surface inclining
outward in the body width direction from the front to the rear by
an angle larger than an angle of inclination of the first section.
Therefore, water running along the first section may be redirected
significantly outward in the body width direction by the second
section. Therefore, the water running rearward along the front end
section of the deck may be redirected outward in the body width
direction, and water heading for the operator may be reduced.
Accordingly, the operator may operate the personal watercraft
without being subject to splash of water, and thus the operator may
perform a comfortable operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a partial broken side view of a personal
watercraft according to an embodiment.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the personal watercraft in
FIG. 1 illustrating the periphery of a front end section of a
deck.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the personal watercraft illustrated
in FIG. 1 illustrating the periphery of the front end section of
the deck.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the personal watercraft in FIG. 1
illustrating the periphery of the front end section of the deck
with a cover removed.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a front view of the personal watercraft in FIG. 1
illustrating the periphery of the front end section of the
deck.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to the drawings.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a partial broken side view of a personal
watercraft 1 according to an embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1,
the personal watercraft 1 includes a body 2, and the body 2
includes a hull 3 and a deck 4 that covers the hull 3 from the top.
The personal watercraft 1 includes a seat 5 on the body 2 and is
operated by an operator sitting astride on the seat 5. The deck 4
includes deck floors (foot rest spaces) 4a for placement of
operator's feet. An engine E, which is an example of a prime mover,
is accommodated in an interior space of the body 2.
[0014] An output shaft 6 of the engine E extends rearward in the
body 2. An output end of the output shaft 6 is coupled to a
propeller shaft 8 via a coupling member 7. A waterjet pump P is
disposed on the rear portion of the hull 3 at a center in a lateral
direction, and the propeller shaft 8 is coupled to a pump shaft 9
of the waterjet pump P. In other words, the pump shaft 9 rotates in
conjunction with the rotation of the output shaft 6. The pump shaft
9 is provided with an impeller 10, and a stator vane 11 is provided
at a position posterior to the impeller 10. The impeller 10 is
covered with a pump casing 12 having a cylindrical shape, and the
pump casing 12 surrounds the impeller 10.
[0015] A water intake 13 opens in the bottom of the body 2. The
water intake 13 and the pump casing 12 are in communication with
each other via a water passage 14. A pump nozzle 15 is provided at
the rear portion of the body 2 and connected to the pump casing 12.
The pump nozzle 15 has a diameter decreasing rearward, and includes
a jetting port at a rear end. A steering nozzle 16 is secured to
the jetting port of the pump nozzle 15 by a lateral pivotal
connection.
[0016] The personal watercraft 1 pressurizes and accelerates water
taken through the water intake 13 in the bottom of the hull 3 by a
rotational force of the impeller 10 of the waterj et pump P driven
by the engine E. The stator vane 11 rectifies the flow of the water
and causes the water to be jetted rearward from the jetting port of
the pump nozzle 15 through the steering nozzle 16. In other words,
a reaction force of the water jetted from the waterj et pump P
through the steering nozzle provides the personal watercraft 1 with
a propulsive force.
[0017] A handle bar 19 to be gripped by an operator for steering is
provided on a front part of the deck 4. An operation device (not
illustrated) is provided on a right grip 20 of the handle bar 19.
Operation of the operation device by the operator can move forward
and accelerate the personal watercraft 1. The handle bar 19 is
connected to the steering nozzle 16 via a steering cable (not
illustrated). The steering nozzle 16 pivots rightward and leftward
in conjunction with rightward and leftward turning operations of
the handle bar 19. The direction of the personal watercraft 1 may
be changed by the pivotal motion of the steering nozzle 16, and
thus the steering of the personal watercraft 1 is achieved.
[0018] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a front end
portion of the body 2. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the front end
portion of the body 2. The body 2 has a front end section 4b lying
on a front region of the deck 4, and the front end section 4b has a
tapered shape. Accordingly, the shape of the front region of the
deck 4 has a streamline, which improves the design of the body
2.
[0019] A hatch cover 23 is mounted on the deck 4 at a position
posterior to the front end section 4b. The hatch cover 23 is
rotatably attached to the deck 4 via a hinge (not illustrated)
provided on a front side. Below the hatch cover 23, a space for
storage is provided. In the embodiment, the hatch cover 23 is
assumed to be also included in the deck 4.
[0020] A bumper 24 is attached on an outer peripheral edge of the
front end section 4b of the deck 4. The bumper 24 protects the
periphery of the front end section 4b of the deck 4.
[0021] In the embodiment, the deck 4 includes straight sections
(first sections) 4c extending rearward in a relatively straight
line in regions posterior to the front end section 4b, and inclined
sections (second sections) 4d in the regions posterior to the
straight sections 4c. The inclined sections 4d have surfaces
inclining outward in a body width direction from a front to a rear
by an angle larger than an angle of inclination of the straight
sections 4c. In the personal watercraft 1 of the embodiment, a
certain area extending from the front end section 4b by a certain
distance in the fore-and-aft direction of the body 2 is formed as
the straight sections 4c, and the inclined sections 4d are formed
in regions posterior to the straight sections 4c.
[0022] Covers 21 are attached to the deck 4 at positions posterior
to the front end section 4b. In the embodiment, two covers 21 in
total are attached to the deck 4, one for each side portion on both
sides of the deck 4. In the embodiment, the covers 21 are provided
for protecting speakers 22. The covers 21 are attached to the deck
4 to cover outer sides of the speakers 22. The covers 21 covering
the speakers 22 protect the speakers 22 from water and other
foreign substances.
[0023] The personal watercraft 1 of the embodiment is provided with
a music player (not illustrated) to allow a passenger to enjoy the
music on the water. Sounds from the music player come out from the
speakers 22. In this manner, the personal watercraft 1 of the
embodiment is provided with the speakers 22 for outputting sounds
from the music player.
[0024] The two covers 21 are attached to the deck 4 at the
positions posterior to the front end section 4b. In the embodiment,
the covers 21 are removably attached to the deck 4. Therefore, when
there is no need to listen to the music, the personal watercraft 1
may be operated with the speakers 22 and the covers 21 for covering
the speakers 22 removed.
[0025] In the embodiment, parts of the covers 21 are formed into a
shape continuing from the deck 4. The covers 21 also constitute
parts of the inclined sections 4d.
[0026] A plan view of the front region of the deck 4 with the
covers 21 removed is illustrated in FIG. 4. As illustrated in FIG.
4, since the inclined sections 4d are formed also on a portion of
the deck 4 other than the covers 21, the deck 4 includes the
inclined sections 4d even when the covers 21 are removed.
[0027] In the embodiment, the removable covers 21 constitute parts
of the inclined sections 4d. Therefore, by replacing the covers 21
with covers 21 having a different degree of inclination, the degree
of inclination of the inclined sections 4d may be changed with the
covers 21. Therefore, the degree of inclination of the inclined
sections 4d may be adjusted by selecting the covers 21.
[0028] In the embodiment, the body 2 is configured to make parts of
the covers 21 protrude from the straight sections 4c when the body
2 is viewed from the front.
[0029] A front view of the deck 4 is illustrated in FIG. 5. As
illustrated in FIG. 5, the covers 21 protrude from the straight
sections 4c outward in the body width direction and upward when the
body 2 is viewed from the front.
[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the deck 4 is provided with the
deck floors 4a for placement of feet when the operator is seated on
a seat 5. Therefore, the operator operates the personal watercraft
1 with his or her feet rested on the deck floors 4a. In the
embodiment, the inclined sections 4d are formed in regions anterior
to the deck floors 4a. Therefore, the inclined sections 4d are
formed in the region anterior to a region for placement of
operator's feet during operation.
[0031] The surfaces of the inclined sections 4d incline upward from
the front to the rear by an angle larger than an angle of
inclination of the straight sections 4c. The straight sections 4c
and the inclined sections 4d include ridge lines 4e along the
inclination of the surfaces.
[0032] When the operator operates the personal watercraft 1
configured as described above, the personal watercraft 1 slides on
the water. During normal sliding, a front region of the body 2
lifts and thus the front end of the body 2 is less subject to
splash of water. However, at the time of traveling between waves or
turning, water may head for the front end of the deck 4. When water
hits against the front end section 4b of the deck 4 while the
personal watercraft 1 is sliding in such a case, the water runs
rearward along the surface of the deck 4.
[0033] In the embodiment, the deck 4 includes the straight sections
4c extending rearward in a relatively straight line, and the
inclined sections 4d having surfaces inclining outward in the body
width direction from the front to the rear by an angle larger than
an angle of inclination of the straight sections 4c. Water on the
surface of the straight sections 4c runs rearward along the
surface. When the water passes by the straight sections 4c and
reaches the inclined sections 4d, due to the inclination of the
surfaces of the inclined sections 4d facing outward in the width
direction, the water then redirects toward the outside in the body
width direction. Therefore, the water running rearward along the
straight sections 4c of the deck 4 is redirected outward in the
width direction of the body in the inclined sections 4d.
[0034] Since the water running rearward along the straight sections
4c of the deck 4 may be directed outward in the width direction of
the body 2 (hereinafter, simply referred to as the body width
direction), water heading for the operator may be reduced.
Accordingly, the operator may operate the personal watercraft 1
without being subject to much splash of water, and thus the
operator may comfortably perform the operation.
[0035] In the embodiment, the covers 21 are configured to be
removably attached and are formed as parts of the inclined sections
4d when being attached to the deck 4. Since the covers 21 are
configured as parts of the inclined sections 4d, the inclined
sections 4d may be formed easily at positions of attachment of the
covers 21 by the attachment of the covers 21. Therefore, according
to the configuration of the embodiment, parts of the inclined
sections 4d may be formed easily on the deck 4.
[0036] In addition, since the body is configured to make parts of
the covers 21 protrude from the straight sections 4c when the body
2 is viewed from the front, water running along the straight
sections 4c positively reaches the cover 21 when the water runs
rearward from the front end section of the deck 4 along the body 2.
Therefore, water hits efficiently against the covers 21. The water
reaching the covers 21 runs along the inclined sections 4d and is
redirected outward in the body width direction. Therefore, the
amount of water which may be redirected outward in the body width
direction may be increased, and thus the water may be redirected
efficiently.
[0037] In the embodiment, the cover 21 is configured to protect the
speakers 22. Therefore, the configuration of the covers 21 for
protecting the speakers 22 and the configuration of the surface
inclined significantly toward the outside in the body width
direction for redirecting water are commonly achieved. Therefore,
the space in the interior of the body 2 may be used efficiently and
thus a reduction in size of the personal watercraft 1 is
achieved.
[0038] In the embodiment, the inclined sections 4d are formed in
the regions anterior to the deck floors 4a. Therefore, water
heading for the deck floors 4a may be redirected significantly
outward in the body width direction. Therefore, entry of water onto
the deck floors 4a may be prevented or reduced. Accordingly, the
operator will have less occasion to feel uncomfortable due to entry
of water onto the deck floors 4a for placing his or her feet.
[0039] In the embodiment, the surfaces of the inclined sections 4d
are inclined upward from the front to the rear by an angle larger
than the angle of inclination of the straight sections 4c.
Therefore, water may be redirected significantly not only outward
in the body width direction, but also upward by the inclined
sections 4d. Therefore, water running along the deck 4 may be
redirected further positively and the amount of water heading for
the operator may be reduced further positively. Specifically, since
the surfaces of the inclined sections largely incline upward, water
running along the deck 4 splatters upward. The water splattered
upward splashes toward a level higher than the operator, and thus
the operator is much less subjected to splash of water.
[0040] In addition, formation of the ridge lines on the straight
sections 4c and the inclined sections 4d along the inclination of
the surface makes water run efficiently along the ridge lines.
Efficient routing of water along the ridge lines helps to
positively redirect the water on the inclined sections 4d and
positively reduce water heading for the operator.
[0041] In the embodiment, the straight sections 4c lie proximity to
the front end section 4b and the inclined sections 4d lie in the
region posterior to the straight sections 4c. However, the present
invention is not limited to the embodiment, and the straight
sections 4c and inclined sections 4d may be provided at different
regions. The straight sections 4c and the inclined sections 4d may
take other configuration as long as the inclined sections 4d lie in
the region posterior to the straight sections 4c and anterior to
the operator for redirecting water heading for the operator.
[0042] In the embodiment, the speakers 22 output the music from the
music player. However, the speakers 22 are not limited to the mode
described in the embodiment. The speakers 22 may be configured to
output sounds or voices from media other than the music player. For
example, the speakers 22 may output sounds and voices from radio
broadcasting or even the sounds and voices from wireless
network.
[0043] In the embodiment, the covers 21 are configured to protect
the speakers 22. However, the covers 21 are not limited to the mode
in the embodiment. The covers 21 may be configured to protect other
items. The covers 21 may not be configured to protect something,
but may be mounted on the deck 4 for providing the inclined
sections 4d. The personal watercraft 1 does not have to be provided
with the covers 21.
[0044] In the embodiment, water is redirected by the shape of the
surface of the deck 4 to avoid water from heading for the operator.
However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.
The surface of the deck 4 may be configured to redirect water to
avoid water from heading for a passenger other than the operator.
Alternatively, the surface of the deck 4 may be configured to
redirect water to avoid water from heading both for the operator as
well as the passenger other than the operator.
* * * * *