GB2165803A - Water-going vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

A water-going vehicle comprising a planing board 1 and an integral motor and propeller unit 6 attached to the board 1. The motor and propeller unit 6 is totally surrounded by the board in the plane of the board, with the propeller 7 positioned under the board 1. Optionally, the board may be provided with a keel fin 23 and a rudder assembly <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improved water-going vehicle This invention relates to a water-going vehicle primarily for recreational purposes.

According to the present invention there is provided a water-going vehicle comprising a planing board for supporting a load and a motor with a propeller (screw or equivalent displacer) for propelling the board over water, characterized in that the motor and propeller are attached to the board, totally surrounded by the board in the plane of the board, with the propeller positioned under the board.

Typically a water-going vehicle in accordance with the present invention would be for carrying one or two persons.

The inboard positioning of the motor allows it to be located forward of the conventional rearward position for an outboard motor. Thus a user may easily position himself correctly on the board in order to achieve the optimum trim for the board.

This is especially important during the start of planing when the user should locate himself towards the rear of the board. However even when the board is being propelled at lower speeds, achieving the optimum trim for the board allows the most efficient use to be made of the motor power being employed.

In the interests of stability, a preferred embodiment of the present invention has the motor located with its centre of gravity below the board.

Control means for the motor and support structure for a user to enable him to locate himself when lying, sitting, kneeling or standing can be provided on the upper surface of the board. Advantageously the motor and propeller may comprise an integral assembly which is detachable as a whole from the board.

A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a plan view of a board for a vehicle in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the board shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an end view of the board shown in Figure 1 and; Figure 4 is a side view of the board shown in Figure 1 complete with a motor and propeller unit installed.

Referring initially to Figures 1-3 of the drawings.

The board 1 is formed from expanded polystyrene with a skin of marine plywood which is finished with an appropriate varnish, paint or proofant.

However it must be appreciated that the board may be formed from other suitable materials such as glass reinforced plastics resin or moulded plastic materials. The board 1 is of a conventional planing shape with the lower surface 2 having an upwardly inclined front portion 3 and a substantially planar upper surface 4. The front portion of the board is tapered in plan.

Generally centrally of the board and towards the front end thereof, there is positioned an aperture 5 to receive a motor unit 6 (only shown in Figure 4).

The aperture 5 is appropriately dimensioned for the selected motor unit 6 but, as illustrated, is generally rectangular and elongate in the forward direction of the board 1.

The illustrated board 1 is arranged to accommodate a proprietory motor and caged propeller unit 6 (see Figure 4) fixed in an inboard position, that is surrounded by the board in the plane of the board 1, with the propeller 7 under the board. The unit 6 is designed as a semi-bouyant entity for a swimmer/diver to hold onto and be dragged through the water; to this end two handles 8 are provided. If the board 1 is to be capable of planing on water a motor of sufficient power must be selected. However it must be appreciated that the present invention does not preclude the use of a motor which is not sufficiently powerful to drive the board into the planing position.

A flange 9 (see Figure 1) extends into the aperture 5 from the forward part of the board 1 and a generally U-shaped strap 10 extends between the two larger sides of the aperture 5. The strap 10 is pivotable in the direction shown by the arrow A, so that it may be laid flat with the board for storage.

A rectangular flap 11 is hinged to the board along one of the long sides of the aperture 5. The flap 11 is dimensioned to extend across the aperture 5 and may be pivoted in the direction of arrow B, between the position shown in Figure 1, where it lies flat with the upper surface 4 of the board 1 and the position where it extends across and bridges the aperture 5, wherein it may be engaged by a catch 12.

With reference to Figure 4, when the motor unit is in place it rests upon the flange 9 and strap 10 with the flap 11 engaged by the catch 12 extending across above the motor unit to prevent the latter from being forced upwardly out of the aperture 5.

A throttle control linkage 13 extends from above the upper surface 4 of the board 1, through a bracket mounted on the board to engage the throttle control of the motor unit 6, when the latter is in place.

An L-shaped tube 14, formed from metal is attached to the board 1 by brackets 15. The brackets 15 engage the horizontal limb of the tube 14 such that said limb is spaced from the board. A rearward end part 16 of the horizontal limb of the tube 14 is arranged to engage the air intake of the motor unit 6 when the latter is in place. Thus the upright limb of the tube 14 provides a raised air intake for the motor.

A rudder assembly 17 comprises an upright fin 18 fixed to an upright shaft 19, the shaft 19 carries a horizontally extending control head 20 and is journalled to the front end of the board 1 by a bracket 21. The fin is located below the board and the control head 20 lies above the board.

A control line 22 is attached by its end parts to the control head 20. The first end part of the line 22 is attached to a first side of the head 20, forward of the shaft 19. The line 22 extends through first and second guide-eyes 23 and 24, fixed to the upper surface 4 of the board 1 and returns to the control head 20 where the second end part of the line 22 is fixed to a second side of the head 20 forward of the shaft 19.

An upright keel 23 is fixed to the underside of the board 1 at the rear end part thereof to compliment the fin 18 of the rudder assembly 17.

Both the keel 23 and the rudder assembly 17 may be removed for storage or transportation.

A recess 24, formed in the rear end of the board 1, accommodates a bracket 25 for engaging a mooring line and anchor line, or a safety line, the remote end of which may be attached to a user.

In use the motor unit 6 is engaged in the aperture 5, resting on the strap 10 and bracket 9, with the flap 11 closed across its upper surface as shown in Figure 4. The throttle control linkage 13 is engaged to the motor throttle control and the air intake of the motor is attached to the rearward end part 16 of the horizontal limb of tube 14. The board should be placed in water with the motor unit 6 substantially submerged and a user, once he has started the motor, should position himself towards the rear of the board 1 onthe upper surface 4. The direction and speed of the board 1 may then be controlled by the user via the control line 22 and the throttle control linkage 13. The inboard location of the motor unit 6 allows the user to adjust the trim of the board in the water by shifting his body weight.The control line 22 also provides means to enable the user to locate himself upon the board.

Additionally the horizontal limb of the tube 14, being spaced from the upper surface 4 of the board 1 provides a hand hold for a user. Furthermore the motor and propeller unit 6 may be removed from the board 1 for repair or use by a swimmer/diver and, easily reinstalled while the board is in use floating on water.

Optionally the rudder assembly 17 and keel 23 may be removed and the board 1 steered through the user shifting his body weight on the board, using skills similar to those required for surfing, water ski-ing or sail boarding. When used without a rudder assembly 17 the control line may be tied by its ends directly to the eyes 23 and 24 to provide the user with a hand hold.

The throttle control linkage may be of the presettable type, or may be fitted with a return spring as a conventional accelerator. Means may be provided for causing the board to execute a circling motion when released from control or for causing the motor to cut out in these circumstances.

For storage and transportation the motor unit 6 may be removed along with the keel 23, rudder assembly 17 and tube 14 and, the strap 10 folded flat so that the board occupies minimal space.

Optionally the board 1 may be provided with a mounting arrangement for the motor unit 6 (not shown) which allows the latter to be swivelled in order to steer the board 1. Further modifications may include the provision of straps and hand rails on the upper surface 4 of the board 1 and a hand held throttle control linked to the motor by a flexible cable arrangement.

Claims (6)

1. A water-going vehicle comprising a planing board for supporting a load and a motor with a propeller (screw or equivalent displacer) for propelling the board over water, characterized in that the motor and propeller are attached to the board, totally surrounded by the board in the plane of the board, with the propeller positioned under the board.

2. A water-going vehicle as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that the motor is located with its centre of gravity below the plane of the board.

3. A water-going vehicle as claimed in claim 2 characterized in that the motor and propeller comprise one integral assembly which is detachable as a whole from the board.

4. A water-going vehicle as claimed in claim 3 characterized in that the board carries control means for engaging the throttle control of the motor.

5. A water-going vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the board further comprises a rudder assembly provided with a control means therefor.

6. A water-going vehicle substantially hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.