CA1080047A - Foot propelled water vehicle - Google Patents

Foot propelled water vehicle

Info

Publication number
CA1080047A
CA1080047A CA301,940A CA301940A CA1080047A CA 1080047 A CA1080047 A CA 1080047A CA 301940 A CA301940 A CA 301940A CA 1080047 A CA1080047 A CA 1080047A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
vehicle
individual
interior
water
hard
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA301,940A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Larry G. Mikulecky
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA301,940A priority Critical patent/CA1080047A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1080047A publication Critical patent/CA1080047A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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  • Vehicle Waterproofing, Decoration, And Sanitation Devices (AREA)

Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure FOOT PROPELLED WATER VEHICLE
A foot propelled water vehicle includes a hard-shelled body having a generally annular periphery. They body has a seat cavity integrally formed with the body such that an individual may recline within the seat so that the individual's legs extend over a side. By kicking, the individual may propel the vehicle.
The vehicle further includes a hollow interior for stowing equip-ment and a plurality of selectively openable and closeable hatches for permtting access into the interior.

Description

Background and Summary of the Invention The present invention reIates to water vehicles, and more particularly to a noveI, foot-propelled water vehicle of generally annular peripheral configuration having a seat for accommodating an indiviudal. The individualls feet may depend from a vehicle side so that the vehicle may be propeIled through . - .
the water by kicking action of the individua:L. Such a water vehicle finds particular utility in the use and enjoyment of water for recreational purposes such as river drifting, fishing, etc.
Water vehicles are, of course, well kno~n for recrea-tional use. Such water vehicles may take the form of inflatable rubber devices upon which an indlvidual or individuals may sit or lie and propel the vehicle ~y kicking. Typical examples of the craft are the well known inflata~le air mattresses and innertubes.
Such craft provide enjoyment and ready mobility on water but suffer from several drawbacka. For instance, both air mattresses and innertubes result in an individual user getting a substantial portion of the individual's body wet. If an individual sits within an innertube, the backside becomes at least partially submerged in water. Likewise, the so-called inflatable air mattress presents no barrier to an individual ~ecoming wet.
Other types of water craft have been developed which are directed to providing mobility and safety. A typical example ~ :
is illustrated in U. ~. Patent 2,894,270 wherein there is dis-closed a so-called ~ater saddle including an inflatable outer ~ ;
mem~er having an internal cavity with two openings so that the legs of an occupant can pass therethrough. However, with the legs of an occupant so inserted into the water~ the openings still permit water to pass ~etween the outer edges of the open-ings and the individual's legs such that water could at least partially fill the seat cavity. This vehicle is also contem-1. ~ ' ;"
.. . , - . , . ~, - ,. . . ~ . . .

plated as being constructed of inflatable material and thus subject to puncture or other damage if the vehicle is used in areas having submerged branches or rock outcroppings. Such areas may be located in those water bodies especially attractive for fishing.
Another example of a watercraft is described in U. ~
Patent 2,803,839 wherein is disclosed a buoyant chair including a buoyant tube in generally retangular configuration to which is secured a flexible main body portion which serves as a seat. The ~ ' main body portion is secured to the inflatable ring by means of a peripheral tube arrangement. While the vehicle so described ;~
provides a small watercraft by which an individual may propel forwardly by kicking action, the vehicle is constructed s~lch that water may contact the individual's backside because of space between the outer inflatable member and the flexible seat.
The present invention is directed to overcoming the '~
aforementioned problems, as well as others, exemplary of the prior art. Accordingly, the present invention is directed to providing a relatively small, hard-shelled water vehicle within which an individu~l may sit or partially recline'such that the individual's legs extend over a vehicle ~ront side so that kicking action of the feet propel the vehicle. Further, the present invention provides a water vehicle in which a contoured seat is integrally formed therewith for permitting the major ~;
portion of a seated individual's weight to be situated somewhat over the central portion of thé vehicle to thereby promote stability.
~ nother object of the present invention is to provide a hard-shelled water vehicle in which the seat o~ the vehicle i5 provided with inclined front and rear portions arranged to accom-modate the majority of an individual's body out of the water.
Thus, only an individual's feèt and a small portion o~ the lower ~8(3~4~7 leg will become wet.
Still another object o$ the present invention is to provide a hard-shelled wa~er vehicle which may be constructed as ~, a single unit having a hollow interior so that equipment and gear may be stored therewithin. Further to this end, the hard-shelled ~
construction of the water vehicle permits the location of a ~ , plurality of water tight hatches which provide access into the ~
vehicle's interior. ' ' Still another object of the present invention is to ''I'''' provide a hard-shelled water vehicle which has a generall~ annu-lar con~iguration, somewhat similar to an innertube so that an '- ~'~
individual may enjoy much the same mobility and pleasure of '`
operating an innertube without having the individual's backside ~' and upper legs become wet.
~ further object of the present invention is to provide a hard-shelled water vehicle which permits attachment thereto of '~ ,' , devices for holding fishing poles or other equipment. ;, , ' Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hard-shelled water vehicle having an interior which may be filled with flotation material to enhance buoyancy. ~; ' These and other objects and advantages will become ' ''-apparent as ~urther consideration is given to the following '"
detailed description and the accompanying drawing. ' Br'ief D'escript'ion of the' Dra~ings ~.
Novel features of the self-propelled water vehic~e in accordance with the present in~ention will be more readily under- -' stood from a consideration of the following description taken together with the accompanying dra~ings, in which a preferred embodiment is illustrated with the various parts thereof identi- ' fied by suitable reference charaeters in each of the views, in which:
Fig. 1 is a top plan view o~ a self-propelled water ' ' ' .. . ,: . ' . , . ., .,,, . , ,', ' ' ' ! ' ' ', . ' ', ', '.' .' ' ' , , . ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '. ~

~ ~ 8~ ~ ~ 7 -vehicle of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the water vehicle illustrating a vehicle user in seated position for fishing; and Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional side e:Levation view of the vehicle taken along lines 3-3 of Fig. 1.

' - . .
Detailed Des;criptiQn of the Invention Turning no~ to the drawings, and referring initially to Figs. 1 and 2, the foot propelled water vehicle according to the present invention is generall~ designated at 10. The vehicle 10 includes a body having a generally annular periphery. The pre-sent invention contemplates that the vehicle 10 will be a hard~
shelled body having curved sides 12 extending from a top portion of the vehicle 10 to a botto~ 14. The bottom 14 is formed as a generally fla~ bottom surface and presents minimal hydrodynamic drag. A seating cavity or seat 16 i9 integrally formed with the body and de~ines a continuous sur~ace having a generally U or V- ;
shaped profile. This construction is shown in outline in Fig. 2 and in cross section in Fig. 3.
As shown in Fig. 3, the vehicle 10 may be constructed ~;
of one piece, and includes a hollo~ interior 18. The seat 16 includes front and rear inclined portions 20, 22, respectively contoured so that the weight of an individual sitting or reclining in the vehicle 10 is ¢oncentrated primarily in a central portion 21. As such, stability is insured which is important for a small water vehicle of this type. The front portion 20 is sloped or inclined somewhat less with respect to the horizontal than the rear portion 22. Thus, an individual as shown in dotted outline 4.

- ~ .
~ 7 in Fig. 2 may seat himself in the vehicle with his legs extending over a front of the vehicle so that he may propel himself and the vehicle by kicking his feet in the ~ater.
Extending upwardly from the rear portion 22 is an ex- -tension or back rest 24. The back rest 24 i.s also integrally formed with the vehicle shell and provides additional reclining surface for an indi~idual. Other features of ~he present inven- -~
tion include a towing ring 26 secured to the front o~ the vehicle 10 and a plurality of hatches 28, 30 and 32. The hatches 28, etc. may also be constructed of the same material as the vehicle : '' 10 and connected by means of hinges and clasps to the vehicle 10 over an appropriate opening cut in the vehicle shell. For in-stance, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, an opening 19 is shown formed in the vehicle 10 such that the hatch 30 may be connected b~
means of a hinge 31 in order ta be pivotally connected to the vehicle 10. Thus, the hatch 30 ma~ be opened in the direction of arrows A (see Fig. 2~ and retained in closed position by means of a clasp 33. The seIectively openable and closeable hatches permit ready access into the interior 18 for stowage of fishing tackle and other gear. While only three hatches are shown in the drawings, it can be appreciated that the hatches ma~ be situated on the vehicle as particular needs ma~ dictate.
Another ~eature of th~ present invention resides in the use of upright supports 31- which are secured to side portions of the vehicle 10 so that fishing poles, hand paddles or other elon-gate objects may be secured to the vehicle 10. As shown in Figs.
1 and 2, an elongate object such as a fishing pole P is situated on top of the supports 31 and ~a~ be secured thereto b~ means of elastic tie downs or rope, etc. While the vehicle 10 has been described as being constructed of a single shell, it must be appreciated that the ~ehicle could be constructed of two halves which are sandwiched together. In either method of construction, ., . ' ;' . .

5.

08~ 7 the hollow interior 18 could be readily provided. Furthermore, the interior 18 could be at least partially provided ~ith flota- -tion material such as balsa, foam, etc., to enhance buoyancy.
From the above description it should be readily appar-ent that the present Invention provides a multitude of advantages for use as a recreational water vehicle. For instance, the ~act '~
that the vehicle 10 is of rela~vely small size and is construct- -' ed of a material to provide a hard shell, permits the vehicle 10 to be used in areas adjacent to shorelines for fishing, b:ird hunting, etc. The vehicle 10 is very mobile and the hard-shell construction prevents rocks or snags from puncturing the vehicle as would occur with known inflatable devices. Injury to a vehicle user would thereby be prevented. Additionally, the hard-shelled construction permits attachment of various accessaries or equlp-ment such as the aforementioned towing ring 26 and the upright supports 31. In addition, oar locks 34 could be provided so that ~' the vehicle 10 could be readily ro~ed or paddled ~rom one area to another.
With respect to the hollo~ interior 18, it can be appreciated that the hatches 28, etc. provide a water-tight seal so that radioæ or other electronic gear could be stowed within the interior 18 in additon to stowage ~or ~ishing tackle, etc. ' The hatches 28, etc. provlde ready access to the interior 18 and could additionaLly be provided with locks to prevent unauthorized ' access thereinto. Equipment such as depth finders, transducers, etc. could be attached to the vehicle lO or sto~ed in the inter-ior 18. ;
The U or V-shaped seat not only provides for comfortable ''' and semi-reclining positiQning of a vehicle user, but also situates the user's weight so that such weight is directed sub- ' ' ~"
stantially along the vehicle''s central, vertical axis. By dis- '~
tributing the weight as such,' a high degree'of stability Is 6. "

~LQ8Q04~7 insured. 5tability in such a small craft is important when it is realîzed that the vehicle 10 may be used in large bodies of ~ater for fishing. In addition, the vehicle 10 of the present invention conceivably could be used as an emergency or rescue device such as a small lifeboat for individual use. Thus, the vehicle 10 may be used on the open sea and the interior 18 may be provided with various survival gear and emergenc~ aids.
The vehicle 10 is contemplated as being constructed of fiberglass reinforced plastic, but could be cons~ructed of any relatively hard material which would provide buoyancy. Further-more, to provide additional buoyancy or to insure flotation even if the outer shell were punctured the interior 18 ma~ be provided with foam material or a balsa core to insure flotation.
Additionally, i~ is to be noted that the bottom 14, being formed as a flat surfac~, presents minimal hydrodynamic drag. The bottom 14 and the annular periphery permit the vehicle 10 to be readily directed or positioned in the water b~ action of a user's feet.
While the invention has been shown and described with re~erence to the foregoing preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope Qf the invention as defined in the appended claims.
For instance, while the drawings show a vehicle 10 sized to accommodate only a single individual, a larger craft providing seating for more than one individual could be cons~ructed using the principles of the present invention.
- . . ~ .
. . .

7.

Claims (3)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A foot propelled water vehicle comprising: a hard-shelled body having a generally flat bottom, a generally circular periphery and curved sides, an upper surface curving from said sides inwardly to form a central V-shaped seating cavity, the space between said bottom and said upper surface defining the body interior, at least a portion of which is hollow, said seating cavity being integrally formed with said body and defining a continuous surface having downwardly inclined front and rear portions, said front portion being inclined at an angle less with respect to the horizontal than said rear portion, said cavity being sized and positioned to accommodate a seated individual therein with the individual's feet extending over the side of said body adjacent said front portion with the individual's weight substantially centered along the vehicle's central, vertical axis, and at least one opening provided on the periphery of said upper surface communicating with said hollow portion of said interior and being covered by an openable hatch cover permitting selective access to said interior.
2. The vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein said interior portion is at least partially filled with flotation material.
3. The vehicle as defined in claim 1 wherein said rear portion includes an extension dimensioned above said curved sides, said extension providing additional surface for an indivi-dual to lean against.

8.
CA301,940A 1978-04-25 1978-04-25 Foot propelled water vehicle Expired CA1080047A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA301,940A CA1080047A (en) 1978-04-25 1978-04-25 Foot propelled water vehicle

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA301,940A CA1080047A (en) 1978-04-25 1978-04-25 Foot propelled water vehicle

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1080047A true CA1080047A (en) 1980-06-24

Family

ID=4111338

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA301,940A Expired CA1080047A (en) 1978-04-25 1978-04-25 Foot propelled water vehicle

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1080047A (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108267127A (en) * 2018-03-07 2018-07-10 中国葛洲坝集团第工程有限公司 Bathymetric surveying system and method

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108267127A (en) * 2018-03-07 2018-07-10 中国葛洲坝集团第工程有限公司 Bathymetric surveying system and method
CN108267127B (en) * 2018-03-07 2024-05-03 中国葛洲坝集团第一工程有限公司 Underwater topography measurement system and method

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