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From: Alex Ferguson <a.ferguson_at_chem.canterbury.ac.nz>
subject: [Paddlewise] "Prior art" or "can you patent it?"
Date: Tue, 12 Nov 2002 13:23:09 +1300
The subject of 'prior knowledge' (spontoons) rises and interesting question 
over the statement by Kajak Sport -

http://www.kajaksport.com

http://www.kajaksport.com/englanti/perasinlaitteet.html

Their statment is -
~~~~~~~~~~
KS Navigator rudder System
The Navigator Rudder system is so unique and innovative that it is 
patented. It is ultra light, elegantly designed minimal moving parts, 
trouble free and easy to use even in difficult conditions.
~~~~~~~~~~

Their 'innovative' rudder system has been in production by 2 firms in New 
Zealand for about 10 years. A third company built one and gave up on it and 
the original designer used his for a while. His dates back to about 1989.

So it is not just the "inflated air bag man" patenting old ideas.

BTW the web site shows the rudder being retracted and one great advantage 
of the stowage system is that the pull-up string locks the rudder in the 
stowed position and there is no need to try and centralise the rudder 
during retraction.

Alex
.
.
Alex (Sandy) Ferguson
Chemistry Department
University of Canterbury
New Zealand


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From: Peter McConnell <pmcconne_at_bigpond.net.au>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] "Prior art" or "can you patent it?"
Date: 12 Nov 2002 21:41:24 +1100
On Tue, 2002-11-12 at 11:23, Alex Ferguson wrote:
> The subject of 'prior knowledge' (spontoons) rises and interesting question 
> over the statement by Kajak Sport -
> 
> http://www.kajaksport.com
> 
> http://www.kajaksport.com/englanti/perasinlaitteet.html
> 
> Their statment is -
> ~~~~~~~~~~
> KS Navigator rudder System
> The Navigator Rudder system is so unique and innovative that it is 
> patented. It is ultra light, elegantly designed minimal moving parts, 
> trouble free and easy to use even in difficult conditions.
> ~~~~~~~~~~
I have not used a boat with a rudder for many years but TK1s and Surf
skis had rudders that tilted years ago although not stowed.
I believe that there use was banned on surf skisas they could do unique
damage to a mans nether reaches if he was assisting someone launching
there ski

                                       regards Peter
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From: Alex Ferguson <a.ferguson_at_chem.canterbury.ac.nz>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] "Prior art" or "can you patent it?"
Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2002 10:55:53 +1300
>TK1s and Surf skis had rudders that tilted years ago although not stowed.
>I believe that their use was banned on surf skis as they could do unique
>damage to a mans nether reaches if he was assisting someone launching
>their ski.

I thought all surf skis had their rudders fixed (non retracting) and 
mounted under the hull about 1/2 to1 metre from the stern. I've never seen 
a surf ski with a stern mounted rudder.

Alex
.
.


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From: Kirk Olsen <paddlewise_at_fastmail.fm>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] "Prior art" or "can you patent it?"
Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2002 02:31:37 UT
On Wed, 13 Nov 2002 10:55:53 +1300, "Alex Ferguson"
<a.ferguson_at_chem.canterbury.ac.nz> said:
>
> I thought all surf skis had their rudders fixed (non retracting) and 
> mounted under the hull about 1/2 to1 metre from the stern. I've never
> seen a surf ski with a stern mounted rudder.

I've got one in my garage...

http://www.surfskis.com/models.html
Has pictures of about 6 different models with stern rudders.  I believe
all of the boats with undermount rudders can be custom ordered with a
rear rudder.

Kirk


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From: Alex Ferguson <a.ferguson_at_chem.canterbury.ac.nz>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] surf ski rudders
Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2002 15:59:44 +1300
[Kirk wrote]

>I've got one in my garage...

US designed?

>http://www.surfskis.com/models.html
>Has pictures of about 6 different models with stern rudders.

Note that the Spectrum was designed "down under", has a built-in surf ski 
bow-lifter and the under hull rudder. I'd be interested to know who 
designed it and whether it is a take-off of a Burton.

I also see the Javelin and Blade are under hull ruddered.

 > all of the boats with undermount rudders can be custom ordered
 > with a rear rudder.

For racing rather than rescue?

Alex
.
.


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From: Kirk Olsen <paddlewise_at_fastmail.fm>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] surf ski rudders
Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2002 08:02:40 -0800
On Wed, 13 Nov 2002 15:59:44 +1300, "Alex Ferguson"
<a.ferguson_at_chem.canterbury.ac.nz> said:
> >I've got one in my garage...
> 
> US designed?

To the best of my knowledge.  Its from the same manufacturer as the
reference.
The original owner used mine for a couple 1100(?) mile races, the
Finlandia Challenge.

> >http://www.surfskis.com/models.html
> >Has pictures of about 6 different models with stern rudders.
> 
> Note that the Spectrum was designed "down under", has a built-in surf ski 
> bow-lifter and the under hull rudder. I'd be interested to know who 
> designed it and whether it is a take-off of a Burton.

> I also see the Javelin and Blade are under hull ruddered.
> 
>  > all of the boats with undermount rudders can be custom ordered
>  > with a rear rudder.
> 
> For racing rather than rescue?

Probably.  A local has a Blade with a rear rudder.  He ordered it with
the
rear rudder to avoid shallow water problems when racing.  The stern
rudder
makes these turn brutally slowly.  The blade/inferno would be a horrid
rescue craft.

Kirk
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