GB2225759A

GB2225759A - Collapsible telescopic paddle

Info

Publication number: GB2225759A
Application number: GB8827651A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adrian Wild
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-11-26
Filing date: 1988-11-26
Publication date: 1990-06-13
Also published as: GB8827651D0

Abstract

A collapsible, telescopic, double bladed paddle comprises an outer tube 1, tubes 2, 3 telescopically received within the outer tube 1 and flexible membranes 4, which act as blades, attached to and collapsible within said tubes. The tubes 2, 3 can be locked to the outer tube when they are in their extended position and the membranes have integral transverse stiffeners 12, 13, which interfit with the tubes 2, 3 to prevent relative rotation between the membranes and the tubes. Longitudinal tension between the membranes is provided by a cord 6. <IMAGE>

Description

This invention relates to a Collapsible Telescopic Paddle.

Paddles have been used by man to propel boats since the first dug-out canoes appeared. They comprise of a flat blade/s which provide resistance against the water whilst the attached handle enables the user to keep clear of the waters surface and also gain sate mechanical advantage through leverage.

Paddles are by their simplicity very reliable and provide an ideal and commonly used auxiliary means of propulsion, but have the inherent disadvantage of being relatively bulky and difficult to stowaway.

According to the present invention there is a tubular handle which contains two telescopic tubes which when extended increase the paddles length, within the telescopic tubes flexible ttntranes with integral transverse rigid stiffeners are stored, by rolling the material membrane around the stiffeners.

These itnbranes are extended and tensioned to provide rigid flat blades which are prevented frorn rotating in relation to the outer tube by the means of locking systems securing membrane, and stiffeners to the telescopic tube whilst that is secured to the outer tube when the paddle is in use.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 shows a crosssectional view of the paddle in its collapsed state.

Figure 2 shows in cross-section the flexible membrane extended with the telescopic tube partially withdrawn from the outer tube.

Figure 3 shows in cross-section the flexible membrane extended with the telescopic tube inserted in the pocket within the membrane and the telescopic tube fully extended in relation to the outer tube.

Figure 4 illustrates the paddle in its extended form with the telescopic tubes locked and the flexible membranes extended and tensioned.

Referring to the drawing the collapsible telescopic paddle comprises of an outer tube 1. With its ends sealed by plugs 7 and 8, within the outer tube. Telescopic tubes 2 and 3, flexible meebranes 4 and 5, and tensioning cord 6 are stored, there is also means for locking the telescopic tubes to the outer tube when extended (not shown).

To extend the paddle the end plugs 7 and 8 are pulled out from the outer tube 1, this in turn withdraws membranes 4 and 5. By means of connecting cords 9 and 10. The membranes are then unrolled and telescopic tubes 2 and 3 are inserted into pockets 14 with stiffeners 12 and 13, being engaged within slots 11, to prevent rotation of flexible membranes 4 and 5, in relation to the telescopic tubes 2 and 3. Longitudinal tension is provided by tensioning cord 6 which connects the paddle membranes and is in tension when the telescopic tubes 2 and 3 are fully extended and locked to outer tube 1, by a catch or similar means (not shown).

The paddle is now ready for use, and additional feature is achieved by arranging the locking means of one telescopic tube to provide two positions enabling the blades to be set in-line or at 90 degrees to each other to facilitate different paddling styles.

To collapse the paddle the steps described above are carried out in the reverse sequence.

Claims

1. A Collapsible paddle comprising a tubular handle in which are stored extension tubes with a means of locking securely to handle, flexible paddle blades with means of attachment to extension tubes and a mechanism to provide rigidity to the flexible paddle blades when extended for use.

2. A collapsible paddle as claimed in Claim 1 wherein locking means are provided within the handle and extension tubes to control the sliding of the extension tubes in relation to the handle.

3. A collapsible paddle as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the locking means is provided at the ends of the handle and extension tubes to provide two locked positions of the paddle blades.

4. A collapsible paddle as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the mechanism to provide rigidity is adapted to lock the paddle blade to the extension tube.

5. A collapsible paddle as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the locking means is adapted to co-operate with the mechanism to provide rigidity of the paddle blade in order to tension the flexible paddle blade when extended for use.

6. A collapsible paddle as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the stored parts are provided with a means of extraction from the tubular handle.

7. A collapsible paddle substantially as described herein with reference to figures 1-4 of the accompanying drawings.