GB1582284A

GB1582284A - Underwater craft

Info

Publication number: GB1582284A
Application number: GB2339977A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Ford Ltd J & J
Current assignee: Ford Ltd J & J
Priority date: 1978-05-26
Filing date: 1978-05-26
Publication date: 1981-01-07

Description

(54) AN IMPROVED UNDERWATER CRAFT (71) We, J AND J FORD LIMITED, of 17 Moor End Close, Eaton Bray, Luton, Bedfordshire, LU6 2HP, a British Company, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- The present invention relates to an underwater craft more particularly suitable for leisure pastimes.

The object of the invention is to provide an underwater craft having a high degree of stability and manoeuvrability and which can be readily controlled by power derived from an operator.

The present invention consists in an underwater craft comprising an elongated frame adapted to support an operator, means providing directional control of the craft positioned adjacent the front end of the support member and adapted, in use, to be controlled by the hands of the operator, means providing stability of the craft, and.

oppositely rotatable propellers positioned, respectively, at the front and rear of the frame and operatively connected to drive means mounted on said support frame and adapted, in use, to be actuated by the feet of said operator to impart power to said propellers.

In the accompanying drawings:- Fig. 1 is a side view of an underwater craft according to the present invention, and Fig. 2 is an enlarged side view of the steering head assembly shown in Fig. 1.

In carrying the invention into effect, according to one convenient mode, by way of example, the underwater craft comprises an elongated operator support frame 10 formed by telescoping tubes 12, 14, the front tube 12 having a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures 16 which align with an aperture 18 in the rear tube 14 to receive a fastening member (not shown) which maintains the tubes 12, 14, in the required adjusted position for any given height of operator. It will be appreciated that this arrangement also enables the support frame 10 to be shortened to facilitate carriage. The tubes 12, 14 are formed of metal or rigid plastics material and a saddle or similar member (not shown) is provided for the operator 20.

The front end of the tube 12 is provided with a steering head assembly 22 having t;ansversely extending control bars 24 which, in use, are grasped by the hands of the operator 20 and are operatively connected to the front end. of the tube 12 by spaced links 26 (only one shown) which are pivotally connected to a bracket 28 by means of a horizontally disposed spindle 30. The bracket 28 is swingably mounted on the front end of the tube 12 by means of a vertically disposed spindle 32.

Propellers 34, 36 are, respectively, rotatably mounted on the front and rear ends of the support frame 10 and are driven via a drive shaft 38 formed by telescoping portions 40, 42, bevel gearing 44, cranks 45, and pedals 46, the latter being provided with straps 48 and rotated by the feet of the operator 20. The rear end of the drive shaft portion 40 is of squared configuration and slidably received in a similarly shaped bore formed in the front end of the drive shaft portion 42. The portion 42 is itself in two parts with the bevel gearing 44 interposed therebetween. The portions 40, 42, and steering head assembly are provided, respectively, with bearings 50, 52, and 54 mounted on the underside of the support member 10 and rotatably support the drive shaft 38.A flexible or constant velocity drive shaft joint 56 is provided adjacent the front end of the drive shaft 38 to permit pivotal movement of the steering head assembly 22.

Due to the bevel gearing 44, rotation of the pedals 46 causes the drive shaft portions 40 and 42 and associated propellers 34 and 36 to rotate in opposite directions, but as the propellers are of opposite pitch, they impart a forward thrust to the craft.

The contra-rotation of the propellers pre vents roll of the craft about its longitudinal axis.

In operation, an upward tilting of the steering head assembly 22 about the hori zontal spindle 30 results in a corresponding lift of the craft in the water and viceversa to control the degree of submersability thereof. Pivotal movement of the steering head assembly 22 about the vertical spindle 32 provides a positive steering control.

An expanded polystyrene or other suitable material buoyancy fairing 58 is provided ad jacent the front end of the craft on which the operator 20 can rest his head. Buoyancy blocks 60 and 62 of polystyrene or poly urethane are also provided at the front and rear of the craft.

In a modified construction the craft may be provided with hydroplanes for controlling the degree of submersability of the craft and a rudder effecting steering thereof, both hydroplanes and rudder being controlled by the operator 20 from the control bars 24.

If desired, the craft may be provided with a dynamically shaped cowling which accommodates the operator 20.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An underwater craft comprising an elongated frame adapted to support an operator, means providing directional con trol of the craft positioned adjacent the front end of the support member and adapted, in use, to be controlled by the hands of the operator, means providing stability of the craft, and oppositely rotatable propellers positioned, respectively at the front and rear of the frame and operatively connected to drive means mounted on said support frame and adapted, in use, to be actuated by the feet of said operator to impart power to said propellers.

2. A craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein said directional control is effected by a steering head assembly pivotally mounted adjacent the front end of said support member.

3. A craft as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pivotal connection includes a bracket pivotally connected to the steering head assembly and support member by a horizontally disposed spindle and vertically disposed spindle, respectively.

4. A craft as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said drive means includes pedal operated cranks operatively connected through bevel gearing to said oppositely rotatable propellers.

5. A craft as claimed in claim 4, wherein one propeller is mounted on the front of one drive shaft portion, and a second propeller is mounted at the rear of another drive shaft portion, said propellers being of opposite pitch.

6. A craft as claimed in claim 5, wherein said support member and said drive shaft portions are formed, respectively, by two telescoped portions which permits the length of the craft to be adjusted.

7. A craft as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein said one drive shaft is provided with a constant velocity joint positioned adjacent the steering head assembly to permit pivotal movement of the latter.

8. A craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the directional control means is a rudder and hydroplanes.

9. An underwater craft substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

the pedals 46 causes the drive shaft portions 40 and 42 and associated propellers 34 and 36 to rotate in opposite directions, but as the propellers are of opposite pitch, they impart a forward thrust to the craft.

The contra-rotation of the propellers pre vents roll of the craft about its longitudinal axis.

In operation, an upward tilting of the steering head assembly 22 about the hori zontal spindle 30 results in a corresponding lift of the craft in the water and viceversa to control the degree of submersability thereof. Pivotal movement of the steering head assembly 22 about the vertical spindle

32 provides a positive steering control.

An expanded polystyrene or other suitable material buoyancy fairing 58 is provided ad jacent the front end of the craft on which the operator 20 can rest his head. Buoyancy blocks 60 and 62 of polystyrene or poly urethane are also provided at the front and rear of the craft.

In a modified construction the craft may be provided with hydroplanes for controlling the degree of submersability of the craft and a rudder effecting steering thereof, both hydroplanes and rudder being controlled by the operator 20 from the control bars 24.

If desired, the craft may be provided with a dynamically shaped cowling which accommodates the operator 20.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An underwater craft comprising an elongated frame adapted to support an operator, means providing directional con trol of the craft positioned adjacent the front end of the support member and adapted, in use, to be controlled by the hands of the operator, means providing stability of the craft, and oppositely rotatable propellers positioned, respectively at the front and rear of the frame and operatively connected to drive means mounted on said support frame and adapted, in use, to be actuated by the feet of said operator to impart power to said propellers.
2. A craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein said directional control is effected by a steering head assembly pivotally mounted adjacent the front end of said support member.
3. A craft as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pivotal connection includes a bracket pivotally connected to the steering head assembly and support member by a horizontally disposed spindle and vertically disposed spindle, respectively.
4. A craft as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said drive means includes pedal operated cranks operatively connected through bevel gearing to said oppositely rotatable propellers.
5. A craft as claimed in claim 4, wherein one propeller is mounted on the front of one drive shaft portion, and a second propeller is mounted at the rear of another drive shaft portion, said propellers being of opposite pitch.
6. A craft as claimed in claim 5, wherein said support member and said drive shaft portions are formed, respectively, by two telescoped portions which permits the length of the craft to be adjusted.
7. A craft as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein said one drive shaft is provided with a constant velocity joint positioned adjacent the steering head assembly to permit pivotal movement of the latter.
8. A craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the directional control means is a rudder and hydroplanes.
9. An underwater craft substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.