GB2239641A - Multi-purpose underwater propelling device - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-purpose underwater propelling device comprises a front cover 1, a main body 2, a guiding ring 3 and a propelling cylinder 4. The front cover 1 is provided with connections 11-14 for an external electric power source and an electric motor control etc. The interior of the main body has radial fins 23 to support a battery 24 and the aft portion of the body is connected to the guiding ring via stop-shaped interconnecting surfaces 25, 31 for a water-proof connection. The guiding ring 3 houses an electric motor 32 to drive a propeller 33. The propeller is located inside the propelling cylinder 4 with only a small clearance. The propelling device may be used to low a diver or maybe attached to the underside of an inflatable rubber raft (Fig 4-1, not shown), wherein a removable steering linkage (53) is utilised to control a rudder (44).

Description

MULTI-PURPOSE UNDERWATER PROPELLING DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a multi-purpose underwater propelling device, which can be conveniently used for diving by grasping on it or can be attached on the bottom side of a raft for driving the raft. It can be easily dismentled, reassembled, and carried, as well as it is cheap and safe.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Underwater and water surface sports are so popular in the world nowaday, such as, diving, boating, water skiding etc, the players not only can use them to serve exercise purposes, they can also watch underwater scenery. Unfortunately, in present time, all rafts having a propelling device openly marketed are too big, too heavy, too expensive and can not be ealily dismentled, reassembled, and carried, in addition they can not be utilized in reef area. Though diving does not necessarily need the above said equipments, but it is prohibited by law if a person does not posses a license, further more, even a licensed diver spents more physical energy during his diving, if he loses his physical strength he will be involved in danger.

From the above statements it can be seen that the traditional water sport equipments still exit so many shortcomings need to be improved, especially efforts should be aimed to device cheaper, safer, reliable, and compact equipments.

With this understanding, the inventor deviced the present invention through his cumulated years of sales and manufacturing experiences of water sport equipments and continuous testing and improvement works.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The primary object of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose underwater propelling device which can be easily dismentled, reassembled and carried as well as it is cheaper.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose underwater propelling device which can be attached to a rubber raft, in addition it is easy to operate.

Still object of the present invention is to provide a mulfi-purpose underwater propelling device which also can be attached to a rubber raft except the rider can operate it both in sitting position and lying down position with head out of water surface during diving.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose underwater propelling device which can be grasped by the diver for diving to save physical energy, meanwhile provide underwater illumination to facilitate underwater work or observation.

These and others objects of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification taken in conjuction with the enclosed drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the present invention.

FIG. 3-1 is an enlarged sectional view of the check value for the present invention.

FIG. 4-1 is the first embodiment for the present invention, showing the control linkage provided at the bottom side of a raft which control the rudder of the raft.

FIG. 4-2 shows a transparent window is provided on the raft just below the rider face so that underwater scenery can be observed by the rider.

FIG. 5-1 is the second embodiment for the present invention, in which the prow of the raft is provided with a life ring while it's stern is provided with two buoys, FIG. 5-2 shows the rider use it to swin.

FIG. 6 is the third embodiment, showing a top view.

FIG. 7 is the fourth embodiment, showing a top view.

FIG. 8 shows that the present invention is used in water surface sport.

FIG. 9 is the fifth embodiment, showing that the rider grasps on it for diving.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, it can be seen that the present invention, multi-purpose underwater propelling device D, is a bomb-shaped structure which comprises of mainly a front cover 1, a main body 2, a guiding ring 3, and a propelling cylinder 4. The invention can be attached on the bottom side of a raft 5.

Please refer to FIG. 1 to 3, the front cover 1 of the device D is a semi-ellipsoidal structure which has axially control dent 11, indicating dent 12, charging dent 13 and external connection dent 14. In which, the bottom end of the control dent is provided with a circular plate 111 and is covered by a bowl-shaped rubber water-tight cover 112, also a ring plate 113 is used to fighten the cover 112 -onto the bottom end of the control dent 11. Of which, the cover 112 is flexible, and under the top end 112a hereof 'is extended outwardly and formed into a inner space 112b, also a screw nut 114 is provided inside the inner space 112b.A control switch 115 is fitted on the center of the circular plate lllj an actuating handle 115a of the control switch 115 extends outwardly and it is connected to the cover 112 via the screw nut 114. The main body of the control switch 115 is mounted in a switch box 116 which is formed by the internal portion of the control dent 11. The out-going paths on the switch box 116 for electric leads connected to the control switch 115 are sealed by thermo-plastic material. Furtheremore, around the outer periphery of the circular plate 111 and on the bottom end surface of the control dent 11 it is provided with a water sealing protrusion 117 to attain better water-tight effect.

The bottom end of the indicating dent 12 is provided with a circular power indicating plate 121 for indicating battery power status.

The bottom end of the charging dent 13 is provided with a circular concavity 131, and terminal 132 for electric power connection are provided at bottom end hereof, the front end of the circular concavity 131 is provided with water-tight cover 133. When a water-tight plug 134 is inserted into the charging dent 13 after the water-tight cover 133 is removed, the charging dent 13 can be used to provide power for underwater illumination or to be used as a power source for other purposes, but the main function of the dent 13 is to be used as the charging current inlet port for charging the internal battery.

The bottom end of the external connection dent 14 is provided with a circular concavity 141 too, and an electric connection terminal 142 are provided on bottom end hereof. A water-tight cover 143 is also provided on the top end hereof. The external connection dent 14 is used to connect a remote control cable which extends to the prow of a raft for remotely switching power ON and OFF of the propelling device D when the device D is attached to the bottom side of the raft at stern. The rear end of the front cover 1 is provided with several protruding locking bosses 15 for locking it onto the main body 2.

The main body 2 is a cylinclrical structure which front end is locked onto the rear end of the front cover 1, and which aft portion is formed into an ellipsoidal shape.

A locking ring 25 which section is L-shaped, having several connecting holes 251, is fixed on the rear end of the body 2. The outer surface of the main body 2 is provide axially with a hanging seat 21, the front end of the hanging seat 21 is provided with an opening which is latitudinally provided with two hores 211. On the onter surface of the main body 2 further is provided with an elongated protrusion 22 axially, and at both ends of the protrusion 22 there are respectively provided with a screw bore 221 for mounting an U-shaped handle 222. The internal space of the main body 2 is provided with plurality of'fin plates 23 and a water-tight battery unit 24 which is supported by the fin plates 23. Of which, each of the fin plates 23 is radially extended from the inner wall of the main body 2 toward the center of the main body 2, thus a rectangular internal space is formed to receive a battery unit 24, which hold the battery firmly against any movements, since there still exists a large amount of internal spaces inside the main body 2 after the battery unit 24 is installed, therefore, the body 2 can provide buoyancy for the underwater propelling device D as well as reduce the total weight for easy carry-to-go. A cheek valve 26 is provided at the rear end of the main body 2 for releasing hydrogen and water vapor generated during battery charging cycle, the front portion of the check valve 26 is provided with serrations 261 and covered by a flexible rubber tube 262 for watertight.The rear end of the valve 26 is sealed by a watertight rubber ring 263, also the check valve 26 is provided with a releasing, passage 264 internally with sidewise outlet openings near the front portion thereof.

The battery unit 24 comprises of either one 12V, 9AH battery or two 12V, 6,5 AH batteries, the space requir requirement of the later is the same as the former. If a 12V, 9AH battery is used, it can last 1,5 hours after charging, and drive the propelling device D at a speed of 4 to 5 miles per hour. During charging, the external charging power goes into the battery unit 24 Via the terminal 132 of the charging dent 13, the power status can be viewed from the indicating plate 121 of the indicating dent 12.

The guiding ring 3 is fixed on the ellipsoidal rear end of the main body 2 with it's axle ring 31 engaged on the locking king 25 of the main body 2, and the interconnecting surfaces inbetween these two rings 25, 31 are formed into step-shaped surfaces to achieve watertight and firm connection purposes. An electric motor 32 is mounted inside of the axle ring 31, and the outer surface of the motor 32 is provided with two annual troughs 321 for fitting in respectively water-tight rubber rings 322 to achieve water-tight purpose while clamping the motor 32 tightly inside of the axle ring 31. The output axle of the motor 32 is provided with a propeller to drive the underwater propelling device.

The space between the guiding ring 3 and the axle ring 31 is provided with plurality of radial guiding plates 34, which extend forwardly with an inclination angle from the axle ring 31 toward the inner wall of the guiding ring 3 for forming into plurality of passages to guiding water easily flowing into the guiding ring 3 after leaving the side of the main body 2. A protruding plate 35 is provided on the top surface at the front portion of the guiding ring 3, the proturding plate 35 is provided with a trough bore 351.

The propelling cylinder 4 is fixed on the rear end of the guiding ring 3, on the outer surface of the propelling cylinder 4 along axle direction is provided with plurality of elongated stabilizing fins 41 to reduce water resistance as well as to strenghten the structure of the propelling cylinder 4. The propelling cylinder 4 is used mainly to house the propeller 33 for preventing the rider from injured, also inbetween the outer periphery of the propeller 33 and the-inner wall of the propelling cylinder 4 there exists only a small clearance so that the propeller 33 can be operated efficiently.In the internal space at the rear portion of the propelling cylinder 4, the is provided with plural-.ty of radial diversing plates 42, also on the rear end of the propelling cylinder 4 at two proper symmetrical locations, top and bottom, there are provided with an upper bore 43a and a lower bore 43b respectively for mounting a detachable remote control rudder 44 to allow the propelling device D to be used as a driving device of a raft.

Please refer to FIG 4-1, when the underwater propelling device D is used to driving an inflatable rubber raft 5, it is mounted on the bottom side of the sfern portion of the raft 5 by engaging a downward extending hanging plate 51 and a hanging rod 52 respectively into the hanging seat 21 of the main body 2 and the protruding plate 35 of the guiding ring 3, and is finally locked with the seat by pin 212. At the bottom side of the raft 5 is also provided with a steering linkage 53, the rear end of the linkage 53 pivotally provided with a horizontal stern rod 531, and the other end of the stern rod 531 is fixed to the bottom end of a rudder rod 441 of the rudder.The front end of the control linkage 53 is pivotally provided with a horizontal prow rod 532, the other end of the prow rod 532 is fixed on the bottom end of a vertical portion 541 of a rudder controller 54 fixed at the prow of the raft 5. The vertical portion 541, after extending upwardly through the prow of the raft 5, is provided with a horizontal steering handle 542 as shown in FIG. 4-2. A rider can control the movement direction of the raft 5 only by rotating the handle 542 of the rudder controller 54 no matter the rider is staying in sit-down position or lie-down position.

Also on the topside of the handle 542 is provided with a magnetic switch 55 having cable connection to the external connection dent 14 of the propelling device D which controls the motor 32 START and STOP.

Please refer to FIG. 5-1, the present invention can be mounted on an inflatable raft 6 which comprises of a life ring 61 as the prow, a long buoy 62 as the hull and stern, a rubber hanging bag 63 for hanging the propelling device D.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the present invention, of which, the prow of a raft 7 is provided with a transparent viewing window 71 for observing the underwater scenery. The stern of the raft 7 is provided with two buoys 72 to compensate the additional buoyance of the propelling device D. As shown in FIG. 5-2, when the former raft 6 is used, the body of the rider will submerge in water with head lifting up from the water surface, thus any rider can play with it even they do not have a license. As to the latter raft 7, the rider can observe the underwater scenery through the viewing window 71 without submerging in water.

Please refer to FIG. 7, 8, a raft 8 is provided with a motorcycle which has handles 81 for pulling the rider to go.

As shown in FIG. 9, since the present invention, the underwater propelling device D, is a compact and light equipment (8kg with battery), while its interior is provided with plenty hollow spaces, therefore, a diver can grasp on it for diving by the propelling power and buoyance force, if it is reguired, the charging dent 13 can be used to connect an underwater illuminating device for underwater observation. After properly assembled, the propelling device D is completely water-fight, and all external electric connections are fitted by water-tight cables and plugs, thus it is completely safe.

In order to reduce the weight, and cost as well as increase safty, compactness for easy carrying, high grade water resistant and strong plastic materials are used to construct the underwater propelling device.

Obviously, many modification may be made without departing from the basic spirit of the present invention.

Accordingly, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than has been described specifically herein.

Claims (12)

1. A multi-purpose underwater propelling device, comprising: a front cover, having a semi-ellipsoidal shape, along the axle direction being provided with a control dent, an indicating dent, a charging dent and an external connection dent, the rear end hereof being provided with several protruding locking bosses; a cylindrical main body, connected to the rear end of the front cover, which rear portion being formed into an ellipsoidal shape, a locking ring with L-shaped section being fixed on the rear end hereof, the interior therein provided with plurality of radial fin plates and a battery unit, and the rear end thereof provided with a releasing check valve, wherein, the radial fin plates extending radially toward the center from the inner wall of the main body;; a guiding ring, connected to the rear end of the main body, which central portion provided with an axle ring which engaging on the locking ring of said main body, the out surface of the guiding ring provided with a protruding plate, and the interconnecting surfaces inbetween said locking ring and the axle ring being formed into step-shape for water-tight, also inside of the axle ring being provided with an electric motor, while the output axle of the motor provided with a propeller; a propelling cylinder, connected to the rear end of the guiding ring for housing the propeller, inbetween the outer periphery of said propeller and the inner wall of the propelling cylinder provided with a very small clearance, the rear interior portion hereof just behind the propeller being provided with plurality of radial diversing plates; and an inflatabe rubber raft, attached downwardly with the under water propelling device; When the above said components being assembled into the propelling device, once the motor started in water surrounding, water will be draw into the guiding ring and ejected out from the rear end of the propelling cylinder to drive the propelling device to move in water.

2. The multi-purpose underwater propelling device as claimed in claim 1, in which the control dent being provided with a control switch protected outside by a bowl-shaped rubber cover, the cover outwardly extending and forming an inner space being provided with a screw nut herein, said screw nut screwed on an actuating handle of the control switch.

3. The multi-purpose underwater propelling device as claimed in clain 1, in which both of the charging dent and the external connection dent being provided respectively with a circular concavity and a terminal herein, said terminals being on the bottom ends of the circular concavities respectively, and being covered respectively with a water-tight cover outward.

4. The multi-purpose underwater propelling device as claimed in claim'1, in which the main body being provided with an elongated hanging seat on outer surface thereof (along axle direction), the haning seat being provided with an opening and a through locking bore at front end; the main bady along the axle direction also provided with a protrusion for the attachment of a handle.

5. The multi-purpose underwater propelling deivce as claimed in claim 1, in which the main body being provided with a rectangular hollow space by the fin plates for housing the battery unit mainly and being used to provide byoyance.

6. The multi-purpose underwater propelling device as claimed in claim 1, in which the check valve being provided with plurality of serrations at front portion hereof and covered by a soft rubber tube, and the rear end of said check valve being provided with a rubber water-tight ring; the check valve being provided with a center releasing passage internally with sidewise openings near the front portion thereof.

7. The multi-purpose underwater propelling device as claimed in claim 1, in which the outer surface of the electric motor being provided with several annual troughs for the placement of water-tight rings.

8. The multi-purpose underwater propelling device as claimed in claim 1, in which the guiding ring and the axle ring provided with plurality of radial guiding plates or fins therebetween, and the base portion of each plate extending forwardly.

9. The multi-purpose underwater propelling device as claimed in claim 1, in chich the propelling cylinder being provided with plurality of elongated stabilized fins on the outer surface thereof the rear end of the cylinder at symmetrical positions being provided with an upper bore and a lower bore for accomodating a a rudder rod of a rudder.

10. The multi-purpose underwater propelling device as claimed in claim 1, in which the bottom side at the stern portion of the raft being provided with a downward extending hanging plate for engaging in the hanging seat of the main body, and a downward extending hanging rod for engagine in the protruding plate of the guiding ring.

11. The multi-purpose underwater propelling device as claimed in claim 1, in which the bottom side the raft being provided longitudinally with a steering linkage; the rear end of the linkage pivoted with a horizontal stern rod, the other end of the stern rod being fixed on the bottom end of the rudder rod; the front end of the steering linkage is pivoted with a horizontal prow rod, and the other end of the prow rod being fixed on the botton endof a vertical rod of a rudder controller fixed at the praw of the raft, the vertical rod, after extending upwardly through the prow portion of the raft, being provided horizontally with a steering handle at top end hereof.

12. The multi-purpose underwater propelling device as claimed in claim 10, in which the steering handle being provided with a magnetic switch connected to the external connection dent of the front cover via a water-tight cable.