FR2502110A1 - Conversion unit for motorised sailboard - has base with rear support for motor and rudder also floats behind seat - Google Patents

Abstract

The add-on unit for a sailboard, enables the board to be motor driven when there is no wind. It has a flat base with a vertical support at the rear and a seat near the front. A rudder is attached to the support, clear of the water, and the support is used as a mounting for an engine. In front of the support is a cross member with a float at each end, and ahead of this member, behind the seat, is a slot for a keel. Ahead of the seat is a vertical support for an arm to control the rudder. Cables attached to the arm pass around pulleys positioned at each side, the front and the rear for connection to the rudder.

Description

 The present invention relates to a mechanical propulsion mode for windsurfing floats having a removable fin.

 Currently, the mode of propulsion of windsurfing uses the force of the wind. But, when the wind is nonexistent or very weak, windsurfers can no longer indulge in their favorite sport.

 To overcome this drawback, the invention aims to provide an alternative mechanical propulsion mode. This propulsion is obtained using a light motorized device, easily transportable, replacing the sail according to the circumstances, placing without special adaptation on all types of windsurfing floats having a removable, economical drift, reduced dimensions.

The motorized device is made up of three parts a - a support frame for the whole device made of plywood
marine, wood, plastic, metal or any other material, characterized by
its mobility allows it to be adapted to all types of floats
having a removable fin, characterized in that only one
drift ensures the attachment of the device to the float.

b - an engine support on which is fixed an engine, a propeller (fixed on
the motor shaft) and a rudder characterized in that
- the propeller is located outside the liquid element and fitted with a housing
protection,
- the rudder is also located out of the water: this aerial fin
allows to direct the device by opposing the air flow created by
the propeller; appropriate devices, cables, rods or any other
system transmit direction changes.

c - two floats connected by a tube; it is fixed on the chassis
by two quick mounting screws.

The appended drawings given by way of example will allow a better understanding of the assembly of the invented device.
On board A, Figure I is a top view of the support frame of the device; Figure II is a side view.

 The frame (1A) is placed on the board's float. In its central part, an opening (2A) allows the passage of the fin (Plate B 1B) which fixes the assembly on the float.

 At the rear of the chassis, the power unit consisting of the engine, the propeller and the rudder is fixed on the engine support (Figure III, 3A).

 This engine support is fixed using four screws (4A) quick mounting on shims secured to the chassis (5Aj.

 The motor is fixed to the support (3A), in its central part (5A) by four bolts.

 The propeller is fixed on the shaft of this engine.

 The rudder is held (Figure IV, 6A) by a reinforcement 07A,.

This is fixed on the engine support (3A) using two bolts.

 In the center of the chassis (1A3 a little in front of the fin, a comfortable, removable seat (8A) is placed on a support secured to the chassis! 9A).

 Placed in front of the pilot, on his right, a handle to start the engine, on his left a handle of throttles.

 In front of the pilot, a "joystick" control (10A) is connected to the rudder (6A) by an appropriate device sliding on four pulleys (11A).

 Just attach to the chassis: 1Ajt using two quick mounting screws, a tube (board C, Figure I lCj support of two floats' 2Cj placed at its ends.

Security device
a protection (plate B, figure Il 2B) surrounding the propeller,
a circuit breaker connected to the pilot interrupts operation
of the engine in the event of a fall (or according to the wishes of the pilot).

 During operation, the engine drives the propeller, which generates a large current of air. The rudder 'aileron) opposing this allows changes of direction.

 In one version, the pilot connected to a circuit breaker can at any time interrupt the operation of the device. The pilot as well as the possible bathers are assured of a total protection (protection of the propeller ensured, circuit breaker connected to the pilot allowing an immediate stop of the boat.

 We can therefore consider the advantages of this mode of propulsion which can be adapted to any flat-bottomed boat.

Benefits which are:
. reduced dimensions and reduced weight of the motorized device,
. safety of the pilot as well as bathers.

Claims (1)

 - CLAIMS -  -I- Motorized device for a windsurfing float composed of a support frame for the assembly on which the propulsion unit, seat and float system are fixed, characterized by the fact that only a drift inserted in an opening made in the center of the chassis fixes the assembly on the float.  -Il- Motorized device living room claim I characterized in that the power unit comprising: engine, propeller, rudder, was fixed on Ie chasais by four fast montaga screws.  -LII- Motorized device according to claim II characterized in that the propeller is located out of the water.  -IV- Motorized device according to claim II characterized in that the aerial fin rudder, ast controlled by the pilot by an appropriate transmission system.  -V- Motorized device according to claim I consisting of drun  float system characterized by the fact that the support tube for  two floats are fixed on the chassis by two quick-curing screws