CA2037633A1 - Water vessel - Google Patents
Water vesselInfo
- Publication number
- CA2037633A1 CA2037633A1 CA 2037633 CA2037633A CA2037633A1 CA 2037633 A1 CA2037633 A1 CA 2037633A1 CA 2037633 CA2037633 CA 2037633 CA 2037633 A CA2037633 A CA 2037633A CA 2037633 A1 CA2037633 A1 CA 2037633A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- vessel
- visor
- platform
- waterline
- viewer
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
- B63C11/00—Equipment for dwelling or working underwater; Means for searching for underwater objects
- B63C11/48—Means for searching for underwater objects
- B63C11/49—Floating structures with underwater viewing devices, e.g. with windows ; Arrangements on floating structures of underwater viewing devices, e.g. on boats
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
- Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
- Tents Or Canopies (AREA)
Abstract
A B S T R A C T
A water vessel comprising a platform to support an operator and floatation means to support the platform above water level and a viewer to allow the operator to look both underwater and ahead above the waterline. The viewer comprises a curved visor, part of which is submerged below the waterline and part of which is above the waterline, a housing to support the visor, a hood to shield the visor from ambient light and glare and a viewing port through which the operator may observe both the underwater environment and the surface environment ahead. The vessel may be operated by a joy stick which controls two motor driven propellers mounted on each side of the platform below the waterline and are protected by a tubular housing and front and rear guards.
A water vessel comprising a platform to support an operator and floatation means to support the platform above water level and a viewer to allow the operator to look both underwater and ahead above the waterline. The viewer comprises a curved visor, part of which is submerged below the waterline and part of which is above the waterline, a housing to support the visor, a hood to shield the visor from ambient light and glare and a viewing port through which the operator may observe both the underwater environment and the surface environment ahead. The vessel may be operated by a joy stick which controls two motor driven propellers mounted on each side of the platform below the waterline and are protected by a tubular housing and front and rear guards.
Description
2 ~
This invention relates to water vehicles for observation and recreation purposes. More particularly, it relates to small vessels intended to carry one or more people on the surface of a body of water and to permit viewing of the underwater environment~
Many water vessels have been developed to travel on the surface of the water propelled by manual power, paddles, sails or motors thereby providing a wide variety of outdoor and recreational activities. Only a few, rather expensive vessels of the submarine type, allow people to travel beneath the water and observe the sea life and ocean floor or lake bottom below. A small number of craft have attempted to achieve a compromise between these two types by providing a boat which travels on the water surface but allows people on board to view the underwater through an underwater window, such devices being commonly referred to as a "glass bottomed boat".
Most of the "glass bottom" type of vessels are intended for taking large numbers of tourists who wish to see coral and other underwater phenomena and are not in the nature of personal recreation vehicles. In addition, most of the known devices have the undesirable limitation that they only permit viewing vertically downward into the water.
This limitation means that the user cannot look visually forward or in surrounding directions and the operator cannot look underwater and pay attention to where the vessel is going at the same time.
It is, therefore, the purpose of this invention to provide a water vehicle or vessel which will carry one or two or three people on the surface of the water and allow the occupants to observe a wide range of views both above and below the waterline. It is also the purpose of this invention to provide a vessel which will enable a single operator to control its propulsion while observing the underwater environment, beneath and ahead of the vessel, while paying attention to where the vessel is going.
It is also the purpose of this invention to provide a vessel which permits clear viewing of the underwater by creating an interface between the water and a clear, transparent window so that underwater vision is enhanced in the same manner that would be provided by a diver's mask or goggles.
These objects and other advantages are sought to be provided by the present invention which comprises a water vessel having a platform for supporting an operator and flotation means, such as pontoons associated with the platform to support the platform at or above the surface of the water and viewing means mounted on the platform comprising a curved visor, part of which is submerged beneath the waterline to permit observation of the underwater environment and part of which extends above the waterline to permit viewing ahead of the vessel. Ideally, the viewer includes a housing pivotally mounted to the platform providing means to support the visor and having a hood to shield the visor from the glare of ambient light and having a port through which the operator can look through the visor. The viewing port of the viewer may be provided with a flexible mask with an opening through which the operator can look while the mask shields the viewe~ from ambient glare.
~7 The vessel may be provided with propulsion means such as a pair of motor driven propellers mounted on each side of the platform below the waterline. The propellers are ideally encased in a longitudinal tube with guards on the forward and rearward end to protect the propeller and motor and to prevent injury to swimmers.
The vessel may be provided with a joy stick to control the motors for forward, reverse or steering operations.
The viewer may be pivotally mounted so that it can be tilted from an operating position in which the visor is partially submerged to an upper position in which the visor is above the waterline. It may be advantageous to provide that the portion of the visor above the waterline, in the operating position, be tinted to minimize glare from ambient light.
The invention may be best understood by a description of one embodiment thereof with reference to the drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a side elevation view of an embodiment incorporating the present invention;
Figure 2 is a plan view of the embodiment illustrated in Figure l;
Figure 3 is a front elevation of the embodiment illustrated in Figure l;
Figure 4 is a rear elevation of the embodiment shown in Figure l;
In the illustrated embodiment, a platform 2 is provided which presents a deck capable of supporting one or more of a small number of people. Integrally molded with the deck 2 are a pair of pontoons 4 and 6 respectively running along each side of the platform from the stern 8 to approximately the bow to provide floatation and seaworthiness.
J ~
In the stern section of the pontoons, various hollow compartments may be provided such as battery compartment 10, control box 12 and a storage compartment 14.
As best seen in Figure 4, the junctions of the deck and pontoons are shaped to receive a circular housing 16 and 18 respectively, surrounding motor driven propellers 20. The motors 21 are intended -to be powered by the batteries in the compartments 10 and controlled by the control box in compartment 12 in response to operation of an operator's control or joy stick 22.
As contemplated by this inventor, the pontoons will sink into the water to a point, depending on the weight or load carried by the vessel, were the propellers 20 are underwater. The platform 2, depending on the buoyancy and load, will either float near the surface of the water or be suspended by the buoyancy of the pontoons slightly above the water surface.
The bow of the vessel, as best illustrated in Figure 3, is specifically designed to permit the occupants and or operators of the vessel to view the underwater environment below and ahead of the vessel while maintaining attention in the forward direction to avoid running into objects on the surface.
To accomplish this capability, the vessel is provided with a viewer 24 mounted at the bow of the platform 2.
The viewer comprises a housing 26 which is pivotally mounted on either side to the platform or pontoons by means of a pair of axles 28.
The housing supports a curved visor 30 which is substantially semi-circular in both its horizontal and vertical cross sections.
~3~ J
~ The viewer also has a viewing port 32 on the upper rearward portion of the housing through which an operator may look into the viewer and through the visor. This viewing port may be open or a simple glass or clear plastic window.
It may also be provided with a flexible rubber or plastic shade 33 with an opening large enough to surround the eyes of the operator so as to exclude ambient light and to provide a soft cushion agalnst the viewer's face.
The viewer 24 also has a hood 34 forming the top of the viewer, which is preferably opaque so as to exclude ambient light from above which might reflect off the inside of the visor and diminish visibility -through the viewer.
The pivotal mountings 28 allow the viewer to be tilted up above the level of the platform or to be lowered into the water in its operating position. In this operating position, a substantial part of the visor will be submerged below the water level so as to provide an interface which permits viewing of the underwater environment, similar to a diver's mas~ or water goggles. However, ideally, a portion of the visor will also remain above the water line to allow the occupants and the operator constant or frequent observation of the forward direction to avoid collisions.
By means of a vessel such as that illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the present invention may be used for scientific observation or recreational purposes.
A small version may be used by a single operator lying on the platform 2 so as to look through the window 24 and observe a wide angle of vision to either side and ahead, both below the water level and above. Not only does the operator have a wide angle of observation, both horizontally and vertically, but the clarity of vision is enhanced by the fact that the visor 26 forms a transparent interface with the water and the hood 28 eliminates most of the glare originating from overhead which might distract the viewer's vision.
As presently contemplated, the power source might be a pair of 12 volt batteries and steering control can be accomplished by using the joy stick to operate four electrical relays to control the motors in forward and reverse directions to propel the vessel as well as steer it.
The platform and pontoons may be fabricated by thermal forming in two halves. The cavity will, ideally, be filled with polyurethane foam or the like for strength and flotation~
The thrusters are shown enclosed in circular tubes and should be closed by a gridwork at the front and bacX
to prevent injury to swimmers and to prevent damage to the propellers or motors.
It may also be considered advisable to provide a tinted area of the visor corresponding to the portion above the waterline so as to minimize glare from ambient light since the vessel would normally be used during bright sunlight.
It will, of coursel be realized that numerous modifications and variations of the il].ustrated embodiment might be employed without departing from the inventive concept herein.
This invention relates to water vehicles for observation and recreation purposes. More particularly, it relates to small vessels intended to carry one or more people on the surface of a body of water and to permit viewing of the underwater environment~
Many water vessels have been developed to travel on the surface of the water propelled by manual power, paddles, sails or motors thereby providing a wide variety of outdoor and recreational activities. Only a few, rather expensive vessels of the submarine type, allow people to travel beneath the water and observe the sea life and ocean floor or lake bottom below. A small number of craft have attempted to achieve a compromise between these two types by providing a boat which travels on the water surface but allows people on board to view the underwater through an underwater window, such devices being commonly referred to as a "glass bottomed boat".
Most of the "glass bottom" type of vessels are intended for taking large numbers of tourists who wish to see coral and other underwater phenomena and are not in the nature of personal recreation vehicles. In addition, most of the known devices have the undesirable limitation that they only permit viewing vertically downward into the water.
This limitation means that the user cannot look visually forward or in surrounding directions and the operator cannot look underwater and pay attention to where the vessel is going at the same time.
It is, therefore, the purpose of this invention to provide a water vehicle or vessel which will carry one or two or three people on the surface of the water and allow the occupants to observe a wide range of views both above and below the waterline. It is also the purpose of this invention to provide a vessel which will enable a single operator to control its propulsion while observing the underwater environment, beneath and ahead of the vessel, while paying attention to where the vessel is going.
It is also the purpose of this invention to provide a vessel which permits clear viewing of the underwater by creating an interface between the water and a clear, transparent window so that underwater vision is enhanced in the same manner that would be provided by a diver's mask or goggles.
These objects and other advantages are sought to be provided by the present invention which comprises a water vessel having a platform for supporting an operator and flotation means, such as pontoons associated with the platform to support the platform at or above the surface of the water and viewing means mounted on the platform comprising a curved visor, part of which is submerged beneath the waterline to permit observation of the underwater environment and part of which extends above the waterline to permit viewing ahead of the vessel. Ideally, the viewer includes a housing pivotally mounted to the platform providing means to support the visor and having a hood to shield the visor from the glare of ambient light and having a port through which the operator can look through the visor. The viewing port of the viewer may be provided with a flexible mask with an opening through which the operator can look while the mask shields the viewe~ from ambient glare.
~7 The vessel may be provided with propulsion means such as a pair of motor driven propellers mounted on each side of the platform below the waterline. The propellers are ideally encased in a longitudinal tube with guards on the forward and rearward end to protect the propeller and motor and to prevent injury to swimmers.
The vessel may be provided with a joy stick to control the motors for forward, reverse or steering operations.
The viewer may be pivotally mounted so that it can be tilted from an operating position in which the visor is partially submerged to an upper position in which the visor is above the waterline. It may be advantageous to provide that the portion of the visor above the waterline, in the operating position, be tinted to minimize glare from ambient light.
The invention may be best understood by a description of one embodiment thereof with reference to the drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a side elevation view of an embodiment incorporating the present invention;
Figure 2 is a plan view of the embodiment illustrated in Figure l;
Figure 3 is a front elevation of the embodiment illustrated in Figure l;
Figure 4 is a rear elevation of the embodiment shown in Figure l;
In the illustrated embodiment, a platform 2 is provided which presents a deck capable of supporting one or more of a small number of people. Integrally molded with the deck 2 are a pair of pontoons 4 and 6 respectively running along each side of the platform from the stern 8 to approximately the bow to provide floatation and seaworthiness.
J ~
In the stern section of the pontoons, various hollow compartments may be provided such as battery compartment 10, control box 12 and a storage compartment 14.
As best seen in Figure 4, the junctions of the deck and pontoons are shaped to receive a circular housing 16 and 18 respectively, surrounding motor driven propellers 20. The motors 21 are intended -to be powered by the batteries in the compartments 10 and controlled by the control box in compartment 12 in response to operation of an operator's control or joy stick 22.
As contemplated by this inventor, the pontoons will sink into the water to a point, depending on the weight or load carried by the vessel, were the propellers 20 are underwater. The platform 2, depending on the buoyancy and load, will either float near the surface of the water or be suspended by the buoyancy of the pontoons slightly above the water surface.
The bow of the vessel, as best illustrated in Figure 3, is specifically designed to permit the occupants and or operators of the vessel to view the underwater environment below and ahead of the vessel while maintaining attention in the forward direction to avoid running into objects on the surface.
To accomplish this capability, the vessel is provided with a viewer 24 mounted at the bow of the platform 2.
The viewer comprises a housing 26 which is pivotally mounted on either side to the platform or pontoons by means of a pair of axles 28.
The housing supports a curved visor 30 which is substantially semi-circular in both its horizontal and vertical cross sections.
~3~ J
~ The viewer also has a viewing port 32 on the upper rearward portion of the housing through which an operator may look into the viewer and through the visor. This viewing port may be open or a simple glass or clear plastic window.
It may also be provided with a flexible rubber or plastic shade 33 with an opening large enough to surround the eyes of the operator so as to exclude ambient light and to provide a soft cushion agalnst the viewer's face.
The viewer 24 also has a hood 34 forming the top of the viewer, which is preferably opaque so as to exclude ambient light from above which might reflect off the inside of the visor and diminish visibility -through the viewer.
The pivotal mountings 28 allow the viewer to be tilted up above the level of the platform or to be lowered into the water in its operating position. In this operating position, a substantial part of the visor will be submerged below the water level so as to provide an interface which permits viewing of the underwater environment, similar to a diver's mas~ or water goggles. However, ideally, a portion of the visor will also remain above the water line to allow the occupants and the operator constant or frequent observation of the forward direction to avoid collisions.
By means of a vessel such as that illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the present invention may be used for scientific observation or recreational purposes.
A small version may be used by a single operator lying on the platform 2 so as to look through the window 24 and observe a wide angle of vision to either side and ahead, both below the water level and above. Not only does the operator have a wide angle of observation, both horizontally and vertically, but the clarity of vision is enhanced by the fact that the visor 26 forms a transparent interface with the water and the hood 28 eliminates most of the glare originating from overhead which might distract the viewer's vision.
As presently contemplated, the power source might be a pair of 12 volt batteries and steering control can be accomplished by using the joy stick to operate four electrical relays to control the motors in forward and reverse directions to propel the vessel as well as steer it.
The platform and pontoons may be fabricated by thermal forming in two halves. The cavity will, ideally, be filled with polyurethane foam or the like for strength and flotation~
The thrusters are shown enclosed in circular tubes and should be closed by a gridwork at the front and bacX
to prevent injury to swimmers and to prevent damage to the propellers or motors.
It may also be considered advisable to provide a tinted area of the visor corresponding to the portion above the waterline so as to minimize glare from ambient light since the vessel would normally be used during bright sunlight.
It will, of coursel be realized that numerous modifications and variations of the il].ustrated embodiment might be employed without departing from the inventive concept herein.
Claims (9)
1. A water vessel comprising;
- a platform to support an operator;
- flotation means associated with said platform to support said platform above the surface of the water;
- a viewer mounted on said platform, said viewer means comprising;
- a curved visor positioned so that when said platform is floating on the water, a portion of said visor is submerged below the waterline to permit viewing of the underwater environment and a portion of said visor extends above the waterline to permit observation above the waterline.
- a platform to support an operator;
- flotation means associated with said platform to support said platform above the surface of the water;
- a viewer mounted on said platform, said viewer means comprising;
- a curved visor positioned so that when said platform is floating on the water, a portion of said visor is submerged below the waterline to permit viewing of the underwater environment and a portion of said visor extends above the waterline to permit observation above the waterline.
2. A vessel as claimed in Claim 1 including a housing mounted to said platform and adapted to support said visor, said housing including a hood to shade said visor from ambient light and a viewing port to permit the operator to look through said visor.
3. A vessel as claimed in Claims 1 and 2 in which said viewing port has a flexible mask with a central opening to permit the operator to look into the viewer.
4. A vessel as claimed in Claims 1, 2 and 3 in which said flotation means comprises a pair of pontoons extending longitudinally along each side of the platform.
5. A vessel as claimed in Claims 1,2 and 3 including propulsion means mounted to said platform below the waterline.
6. A vessel as claimed in Claim 5 in which said propulsion means comprises a pair of motor driven propellers surrounded by a cylindrical tubing, having guards at each end thereof, said motor driven propeller means being mounted on each side of said platform respectively.
7. A vessel as claimed in Claim 5 in which said propulsion means is controlled by a joy stick adapted to advance, reverse or steer the vessel.
8. A vessel as claimed in Claims 1, 2 or 3 in which said visor is tinted in the area above the waterline.
9. A vessel as claimed in Claims 1, 2 and 3 in which said viewer is mounted by means which permit said viewer to be pivoted from an operating position in which said visor is partially submerged in the water to a position in which said visor is raised above the water.
Priority Applications (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2037633 CA2037633A1 (en) | 1991-03-06 | 1991-03-06 | Water vessel |
| AU13483/92A AU1348392A (en) | 1991-03-06 | 1992-03-02 | Water vessel |
| PCT/CA1992/000093 WO1992015482A1 (en) | 1991-03-06 | 1992-03-02 | Water vessel |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2037633 CA2037633A1 (en) | 1991-03-06 | 1991-03-06 | Water vessel |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2037633A1 true CA2037633A1 (en) | 1992-09-07 |
Family
ID=4147139
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2037633 Abandoned CA2037633A1 (en) | 1991-03-06 | 1991-03-06 | Water vessel |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU1348392A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2037633A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1992015482A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR1454694A (en) * | 1965-11-04 | 1966-02-11 | Catamaran with protruding glass hull for underwater vision | |
| US4276851A (en) * | 1979-08-10 | 1981-07-07 | Coleman Jess A | Underwater cruise device |
| FR2565195B1 (en) * | 1984-05-29 | 1986-09-05 | Gass Andre | SEMI-SUBMERSIBLE MARINE VEHICLE |
| FR2607101A1 (en) * | 1986-03-18 | 1988-05-27 | Rache Marc Bernard | Semi-submersible apparatus allowing observation, photography and/or shooting of films of underwater flora and fauna relatively close to the surface, and constituting a new form of moving about (walking) over and under the water |
| FR2606359A1 (en) * | 1986-11-07 | 1988-05-13 | Lepeu Jean Laurent | Floating, lightweight and semi-submersible nautical craft |
| US4840592A (en) * | 1987-02-13 | 1989-06-20 | Anderson Allen B | Power driven underwater viewing platform |
| US4946412A (en) * | 1988-07-11 | 1990-08-07 | Nissan Shatai Company, Limited | Swimming aid |
-
1991
- 1991-03-06 CA CA 2037633 patent/CA2037633A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
1992
- 1992-03-02 AU AU13483/92A patent/AU1348392A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1992-03-02 WO PCT/CA1992/000093 patent/WO1992015482A1/en active Application Filing
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO1992015482A1 (en) | 1992-09-17 |
| AU1348392A (en) | 1992-10-06 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |