GB2272412A

GB2272412A - Pedal powered water apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2272412A
Application number: GB9224002A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kin Ming Chau; Anthony Man Ho Chau
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-11-16
Filing date: 1992-11-16
Publication date: 1994-05-18
Anticipated expiration: 2012-11-16
Also published as: CN2179331Y; GB2272412B; GB9224002D0

Abstract

Pedal powered water apparatus (10) comprises a body (11) adapted for a user to ride on, said body (11) having front and rear parts (12 and 13), a manually operable rudder (14) provided at the front part (12) of the body (11) for the user to steer the apparatus (10), a foot-operated propelling mechanism (15) for the user to propel the apparatus (10), and buoyant means (17) for maintaining the apparatus (10) afloat in water. As shown the propelling mechanism comprises a pair of crank pedals driving one or more propellers through gearing. Alternatively the propelling mechanism may comprise a wheel-like driving paddle (32 Figs 7 - 10, not shown). <IMAGE>

Description

WATER PROPELLING APPARATUS The present invention relates to water propelling apparatus for a user to ride on to travel on water for sport as well as pleasure.

According to the invention, there is provided water propelling apparatus which comprises a body adapted for a user to ride on, said body having front and rear parts, a manually operable rudder provided at the front part of the body for the user to steer the apparatus, a foot-operated propelling mechanism for the user to propel the apparatus, and buoyant means for maintaining the apparatus afloat in water.

It is preferred that the body is generally flat and is arranged to be propelled in a substantially vertical position.

Advantageously, the rudder includes two handles provided on opposite sides of the rudder.

It is preferred that the propelling mechanism includes an axle and a pair of pedals, each pedal being connected to a corresponding end of the axle by a crank.

In a first preferred embodiment, the propelling mechanism includes at least one propeller pointing rearwards and a driving wheel in drive engagement with said at least one propeller.

More preferably, the propelling mechanism includes a pair of said propellers provided on opposite sides of the driving wheel.

In a second preferred embodiment, the propelling mechanism includes a driving paddle having an axle.

It is preferred that the driving paddle comprises a plurality of equi-angularly spaced blades.

More preferably, the blades are curved and extend radially outwards from the axle.

In a specific construction, the buoyant means is provided at both the front part and the rear part of the body.

It is preferred that the buoyant means is provided by a chamber.

More preferably, the or each chamber is occupied by closed cell buoyant material.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front end perspective view of a first embodiment of water propelling apparatus in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the water propelling apparatus of Figure 1, driven by a user in water; Figure 3 is a fragmentary front end perspective view of the water propelling apparatus of Figure 1, with a rudder thereof in a different orientation; Figure 4 is a fragmentary partially broken side view of a rear part of the water propelling apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional plan view of the rear part of the water propelling apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a fragmentary rear end perspective view of the water propelling apparatus of Figure 1;; Figure 7 is a side view of a second embodiment of water propelling apparatus in accordance with the invention, driven by a user in water; Figure 8 is a fragmentary rear end perspective view of the water propelling apparatus of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a fragmentary partially broken side view of a rear end of the water propelling apparatus of Figure 7; and Figure 10 is a sectional end view of the water propelling apparatus of Figure 7.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings, there is shown a water propelling apparatus 10 embodying the invention, which apparatus 10 comprises a elongate body 11 having a front part 12 and a rear part 13, a rudder 14 provided at the front body part 12, and a propelling mechanism 15 provided at the rear body part 13. The body 11 is generally flat and is arranged to travel in water in a generally vertical or upright position. At the top of each of the front and rear body parts 12 and 13, there is provided a laterally expanded chamber 16, in which closed cell buoyant material 17 is contained in order to impart sufficient buoyancy to the apparatus 10 and to allow the apparatus 10 to remain upright in water.

The rudder 14 is pivotally mounted for a certain degree of turning about a vertical axis, and is provided with a pair of handles 18 to enable a driver to steer the apparatus 10.

Reference is now also made to Figures 4 to 6 of the drawings. The propelling mechanism 15 is formed by a vertical driving wheel 19 and a pair of propellers 20 pointing rearwards. Each side of the driving wheel 19 is provided around its periphery with a ring of gear engagement teeth 21, and each propeller 20 includes an end pinion 22. The propellers 20 are located on opposite sides of the driving wheel 19, with their end pinions 22 in mesh with the teeth 21 on the corresponding sides of the driving wheel 19. A sleeve 26 is provided as an end extension of the rear body part 13, embracing the propellers 20 and thereby to define a passage for water to be driven by the propellers 20. The propelling mechanism 15 further includes a pair of pedal 23 connected by respective cranks 24 to opposite ends of a driving axle 25 passing fixedly through the driving wheel 19.

In use, as illustrated in Figure 2, a driver is to ride on the apparatus 10, leaning down onto the middle portion of the body 11 so as to grip the handles 18 for turning the rudder 14 to steer the apparatus 10 and to step on and press the pedals 23 to propel the apparatus 10 forwards.

Referring now to Figures 7 to 10 of the drawings, showing a second water propelling apparatus 30 embodying the invention, which has a construction similar to that of the first apparatus 10, except the propelling mechanism now designated as 31.

The propelling mechanism 31 is provided by a wheel-like driving paddle 32 having five equi-angularly spaced blades 33 radially extending outwards from a fixed driving axle 34. The blades 33 are strengthened by a central disc-like web 38. Opposite ends of the axle 34 are provided with cranked pedals 35. The rear end of the body of the apparatus 30 opens to form an outlet 36 for water to leave the driving mechanism 31, whereas both sides of the rear end body wall adjacent the driving paddle 32 are apertured to provide two side inlets 37 for water to enter the driving mechanism 31. The blades 33 are curved in the direction of rotation of the driving paddle 31 so as to enhance the propelling effect.

The water propelling apparatus 30 operates in the same manner as the apparatus 10.

The invention has been given by way of example only, and various modifications of and/or alterations to the described embodiments may be made by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as specified in the appended claims.

Claims

1. Water propelling apparatus comprising a body adapted for a user to ride on, said body having front and rear parts, a manually operable rudder provided at the front part of the body for the user to steer the apparatus, a foot-operated propelling mechanism for the user to propel the apparatus, and buoyant means for maintaining the apparatus afloat in water.

2. Water propelling apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body is generally flat and is arranged to be propelled in a substantially vertical position.

3. Water propelling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the rudder includes two handles provided on opposite sides of the rudder.

4. Water propelling apparatus as claimed in any one of claim 1 to claim 3, wherein the propelling mechanism includes an axle and a pair of pedals, each pedal being connected to a corresponding end of the axle by a crank.

5. Water propelling apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the propelling mechanism includes at least one propeller pointing rearwards and a driving wheel in drive engagement with said at least one propeller.

6. Water propelling apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the propelling mechanism includes a pair of said propellers provided on opposite sides of the driving wheel.

7. Water propelling apparatus as claimed in any one of claim 1 to claim 4, wherein the propelling mechanism includes a driving paddle having an axle.

8. Water propelling apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the driving paddle comprises a plurality of equiangularly spaced blades.

9. Water propelling apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the blades are curved and extend radially outwards from the axle.

10. Water propelling apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the buoyant means is provided at both the front part and the rear part of the body.

11. Water propelling apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the buoyant means is provided by a chamber.

12. Water propelling apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the or each chamber is occupied by closed cell buoyant material.

13. Water propelling apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 or Figures 7 to 10 of the accompanying drawings.