MXPA00000689A - Novel watercraft - Google Patents

Abstract

A novel watercraft, which may include a hull with a keel, having a propulsion device extending below the water line comprising a pair of flappers (46, 48) each adapted to oscillate through an arcuate path in a generally transverse direction with respect to the central longitudinal dimension of the watercraft, and a device (18, 20) operatively associated with the propulsion device for applying input force to the propulsion device.

Description

NOVEDOSA BOAT FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to novel means of propulsion for boats BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Several means operated by pedals have been proposed for propulsion boats, kayaks and other vessels. For example, in the Kiker U.S. Patent No. 3,032,001, a pedal-powered propulsion apparatus is described; U.S. Patent No. 4,318,700 refers to a paddlewheel operated vessel having pedals to adjust to the feet of a seated occupant; Daoud's US Patent No. 4,474,502 shows a surf board having a handlebar, passenger seat and pedal, very similar to a bicycle, with propulsion provided by a gear system applied to a rotating propeller; Fanelli US Patent No. 4,511, 338 refers to a removable device for converting said vessel into an aquatic bicycle; U.S. Patent No. 5,183,422 discloses a pedal boat having a paddlewheel transmission wheel; US Patent No. 5,194,024 to Shiracki discloses a surf board driven by a propeller; Gagnier US Patent No. 5,453,031 refers to a propulsion device for a bearing canister and the US Patent No. 5,460,551 relates to a pedal-operated kayak wherein the rotary pedals are connected via an articulated system to a propeller.

Stolzer's US Patent No. 3,095,850 discloses a 'paddle boat operated by the feet where the paddle is transversely bored with spades or rotated through the stem of the boat, the paddle slope is inverted on each back of the paddle. direction of the trajectory to provide propulsive force in both directions of the pallet trip. The US Stolzer Patent No. 4,960,396 refers to a modification in which a rigid flat blade blade is used. The devices are limited according to the propulsive force that it provides.

The Boston Globe on May 13, 1997, reports a mechanically-powered propulsion system for boats developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that employs as the ultimate means of propulsion, a pair of fins "like the legs of the penguins" for a movement of the boat similar to the walk of said animals, holding both arms straight with open hands and later joining the arms in a movement of applause at the moment in which a penguin rotates the hands. The system includes four different motors to produce the flutter and turn functions, all guided by a computer and complex circuits.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention includes: (1) a novel vessel having propulsion means extending below the water distribution network, comprising a pair of fins, each adapted to oscillate through a curved path in a generally transverse direction with respect to the dimension longitudinal central of said vessel and means operatively associated with said propulsion means to apply input force to said propulsion means. (2) A novel device adapted to be placed in a boat, said device includes propulsion means that extend below the water distribution network, comprising a pair of fins, each adapted to oscillate through a curved path in a direction generally transverse with respect to the central longitudinal dimension of said vessel and means operatively associated with said propulsion means for applying output force to said propulsion means. (3) A novel vessel that includes a hull with a keel and has propulsion means extending below said keel, comprising a pair of fins, each adapted to oscillate through a curved path in a generally transverse direction with respect to to the central longitudinal dimension of said helmet and means within said helmet operatively associated with said propulsion means for applying force of entry to said propulsion means. (4) The invention further comprises a novel device adapted to be placed in a vessel having a hull and a keel, said device includes propulsion means adapted to be partially received in a compartment in said hull and to extend below said keel, comprising a pair of fins, each adapted to oscillate through a curved path in a generally transverse direction with respect to the central longitudinal dimension of said hull and means operatively associated with said means inlet to said propulsion means.

Preferably, the means for applying propulsive force include pedals to which human energy can be applied by means of the feet. It also includes the use of human energy or a combination of energy pf is and hands.

In preferred embodiments, the fins are adapted to simultaneously reverse the direction at the opposite ends of the curved path.

Generally, this invention is applicable to boats including Kayaks, Boats, Catamarans and the like. The vessel may, but not necessarily, include a hull that has a keel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES Figure 1 is a side view of a Kayak equipped with the device of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the Kayak of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a section taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1, Figure 4 is a section taken along line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a section taken along line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a section taken along line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a section taken along line 7-7 of Figure 4.

Figure 8 is a partial section of an alternative embodiment of this invention, similar in location to Figure 4.

Figure 9 is a section taken along line 9-9 of Figure 8.

A preferred modality is a pedaled Kayak driven by the action of a "penguin" with two transversely oscillating fins or sails. As the force of the pedals increases the less restricted end of the fin or sail rotates to assume a shape similar to a propeller. As the fins or sails oscillate, they change their slope or shape until they reach the end of their curved movement, that is, they simultaneously invert the direction of the movement at the opposite ends of their curved trajectory. This action of candle is something similar to what happens when they turn in a boat of candles in which the candles exert, in both directions of their movement, a component driven forward.

By analyzing the drawings in more detail, they illustrate an embodiment of the invention in the form of a Kayak which generally has an elongated hull 10, for example, by the broken molding of a plastic such as polyethylene. The cockpit 12 has a seat 14 located such that the user's hip is substantially below the upper control 16 of the Kayak. The cockpit 12 contains a set of pedals 18 and 20 adapted to be pushed, first one and then the other, by the user's feet. The helmet 10 is also provided with a rudder 22 and a tiller 24.

The pedals 18 and 20 are operatively connected by the pedal axes 26 and 28 respectively, to the propulsion means extending upwards through two vertically disposed compartments 30 and 32 in the center of the bottom of the helmet 10, the upper compartment 30 is a little larger than the lower behavior 32. The bottom of the lower compartment 32 has an opening 34.

The drums 36 and 38 are rotatable with respect to the longitudinal fixed axis of steel 40 which is transported in the lower compartment 32.

The rotating drums 36 and 38 carry the rigid masts 42 and 44 extending radially and respectively. The masts project in a generally downward direction so that they always remain in the water and do not come into contact with the lower surface of the hull. The masts support the sails or fins 46 and 48 respectively, on its front edges. Each of the sails is rotatable with respect to its mast, so that the edge of the flap opposite the leading edge can move from one side to the other with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the drums 36 and 38. This action gives as result that both fins exert a forward force or drive the boat in both directions of the transverse movement of the fins, providing superior efficiency and speed. The travel extent or movement of the trailer edges is limited by the adjustment provided by the main tensioning sheets 50 and 52.

The support arm (mast 42) of the sail or fin is fixed to the front of the front drum and the second sail support arm or fin 44 is fixed to the front of the rear drum 38. On the back of each sail or fin , the main tensioning blade connects to its respective drum and is adjustable in its extension or length to alter the tension in each of the sails or fins 46 and 48.

The two drums 36 and 38 are normally in the water. The drums 36 and 38 are preferably made of a treated plastic such as the Delron. When the drums 36 and 38 rotate on the fixed longitudinal steel shaft 40, the Delron inner part and the outer part of the steel shaft form a course.

Generally, when the two support arms (masts) 42 and 44 of the sails or fins are in the same plane with each other, the pedal axes 26 and 28 are in the same plane with each other, although, of course, these two planes are perpendicular to each other. Perpendicularity is not important for the function of the invention.

Figures 1 to 7 show the most preferred embodiment of the means for providing driving force where the cable connections are exclusively used. This modality has a total of five cables, three cables, 54, 56 and 58, in the front (with the front in the direction of the Kayak's stem), and two cables, 60 and 62 in the back. The small pulley 64, which is on the front with its cable 58 helps reduce excessive tension they run individually from one of the upper metallic rr ^ ros, referred to as pedal holders and cable guides, 66 and 68, each transport an axis of pedals 26 and 28, to one of the Delron 36 or 38 drums. Therefore, the two cables 54 and 60 run from a metal pedal bracket and a cable guide 66 to the front and back of the Delron drums 36 and 38 respectively. The other two cables 56 and 62 run from the second upper pedal and cable guide bracket 68 to the Delron 36 and 38 drums. These cables have forged ends that are riveted to the Delron drums 36 and 38, as shown in the Figure 6. The tabs 70 on the pedal and cable guide holders 66 and 68 act as cable restrictors and serve to hold the cables in place on the guides.

The pedals and their axes 26 and 28 are connected to the pedal support and cable guides 66 and 68. The pedal support and cable guides 66 and 68 have Delron inserts so that the pedal axes, the pedal supports and the cable guides can rotate back and forth in a stationary transverse manner or opposite the axis 72 which is fixedly welded to the upper part of the support structure 74 in the form of a suspended support cover, the lower part of said support structure 74 carries the longitudinal axis 40, which, in turn, transports the two drums of Delron 36 and 38 to which the sail or fin arms (masts) are fixed. 9 ^ More: '^ iß? ^^ The perforations 76 in each pedal axis are provided by sliding pivots which can be pulled in and out of the perforations 78 which are arranged transversely and in the upper part of each of the metal pedal brackets and cable guides 66 and 68 to adjust and accommodate the different lengths of the human leg.This provides an effective and very simple adjustment mechanism for different lengths of the human body.The pedals can be pivoted in one of the five places corresponding to the various adjustments.

The small front pulley 64 rotates on a fixed axis 80 whose axis is supported by brackets 82 welded to the support structure 74 in the form of a hanging support cover with screws. The small front pulley 64 is preferably made of polyethylene although Delron can also be used. The nylon washers act as spacers to keep the front pulley 64 in position.

Various cable systems can be used. A system that allows all four cables 54, 56, 60 and 62 to be adjusted independently by tapering or disengaging the threaded ends 84, seems to be the best suited to work. Adjusting the exact length of the fin and travel of the pedal, as well as the size and rigidity of the fins, is a function of the characteristics of the vessel and can be carried out by those skilled in the art.

Figures 8 and 9 show an alternative mode in which there is no front pulley and in addition, only 4 cables, three of which, namely 86, 88 and 90 can be seen in Figures 8 and 9. These cables are connected to the chains 94 that run through the teeth ^ i ^ átí ^^^? iif ^^ ^ ^^ of wheel 96 and turn the metal drums (instead of Delron) 98. Except as can be seen, the modality of Figures 8 and 9 is the same in terms of construction and operation is referred to according to the first embodiment discussed above with respect to Figures 1 to 7.

The invention also includes the case where the cables are replaced by a meshing mechanism.

Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, and 9 show how the device is attached to the body of the Kayak by bolts T 100.

The present invention provides great speed to the Kayak with minimal effort The present invention provides a boat whose use is more fun. The device is also highly utilitarian and can be easily removed from one vessel and placed in another. The stability of the Kayak is also improved with the fins in the water.

It is usually not necessary to achieve more than one side-by-side cycle of the fins through the curved path for the forward and reverse cycle of the pedals when the ratio of fin rotation vs. the cycle of the pedals increases to a ratio of 3 1, the pedals move 35.5 cm. while the fins rotate almost 200 degrees In this relation, the resistance of the pedals is great and therefore the cadence is slow. Generally, a higher ratio allows the use of smaller fins.

The fins can be manufactured in a fiberglass mold that produces a bilateral glass fiber candle. The characteristics of flexion and rotation are ideal. Similar candles can be formed by vacuum production. The fins can also be made of flexible plastic or rubber. By using a flexible plastic it is possible to eliminate the need for a separate mast. On the contrary, the fins can be in the form of fins of molten tubes that can be articulated or rotated to form an angle of attack to provide a forward or propulsion impulse.

The invention is defined by the following claims.

Claims (20)

1. CLAIMS 1. A novel vessel having propulsion means extending below the water distribution network characterized in that it comprises a pair of flexible fins each adapted to oscillate through a curved path in a generally transverse direction with respect to the central longitudinal dimension of said vessel and means operatively associated with said propulsion means to apply input force to said propulsion means so that as said inlet force is applied, said flexible fins can rotate to form an angle of attack to provide forward momentum with respect to the longitudinal dimension of the vessel while moving in both directions along said curved path.
2. 2. The vessel according to claim 1, wherein the force applied to said propulsion means is energy of human feet and / or hands.
3. 3. The vessel according to claim 1, wherein said fins are adapted to simultaneously reverse the direction at the opposite ends of said curved path.
4. 4. The vessel according to claim 1, wherein each of said fins, is transported by a mast with each of said fins being sufficiently rotatable with respect to said mast, so that the fin produces a forward impulse with respect to to the longitudinal dimension of said vessel as it moves in both directions along said curved path.
5. Tfc 5. The vessel according to claim 1, wherein said flexible fins oscillate through a curved path in a generally transverse direction with respect to a
6. 6. The vessel according to claim 1, wherein said means for applying propulsive force includes a pair of pedals and pedal axes operatively associated with said propulsion means.
7. 7. The vessel according to claim 1, wherein said vessel is a Kayak.
8. 8. The vessel according to claim 1, wherein said pair of fins is each transported by a support that rotates with respect to a common longitudinal axis.
9. 9. The vessel according to claim 1, wherein said means for applying propulsive force, includes a pair of pedals and pedal axes operatively associated with said propulsion means and further wherein said pair of fins is each transported by means of a support that rotates with respect to a common longitudinal axis.
10. 10. The boat according to claim 9, wherein said pair of pedals and pedal axes are transported by a common transverse axle.
11. 11. The boat in accordance with the r ^ fr rca ^ i 9, where the means for applying propulsive force include cables or a combination of a cable with chain and wheel tooth.
12. 12. A novel device adapted to be placed in a vessel, said device including propulsion means that extend below the water distribution network, comprising a pair of flexible fins, each adapted to oscillate through a curved path in a direction generally transverse with respect to the central longitudinal dimension of said vessel and means operatively associated with said propulsion means for applying input force to said propulsion means, whereby the input force is applied to said flexible fins so that they can rotate and forming an angle of attack to provide forward momentum with respect to the longitudinal dimension of the vessel as it moves in both directions along said curved path.
13. 13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the force applied to said propulsion means is energy of human feet and / or hands.
14. 14. The device according to claim 12, wherein said fins are adapted to simultaneously reverse the direction at the opposite ends of said curved path.
15. 15. The device according to claim 12, wherein each of said fins is transported by a mast with each level said fins being sufficiently rotatable with respect to said mast, so that the fin produces a forward impulse with respect to the longitudinal dimension of said hull as it moves in both directions along said curved trajectory.
16. 16. The device according to claim 12, wherein said device is adapted to be received in a vessel, such that said flexible fins oscillate through a curved path in a generally transverse direction with respect to an axis that is at or below of the bottom of the boat.
17. 17. The device according to claim 12, wherein said means for applying propulsive force includes a pair of pedals and pedal axes operatively associated with said propulsion means.
18. 18. The device according to claim 12, wherein said pair of fins is each transported by a support that rotates with respect to a common longitudinal axis.
19. 19. The device according to claim 12, wherein said means for applying propulsive force includes a pair of pedals and pedal axes operatively associated with said propulsion means and further, wherein said pair of fins are each transported by means of a support that rotates with respect to a common longitudinal axis.
20. 20. The device according to claim 19, wherein said. Pair of pedals and pedal axles are transported through a common transverse axle. Propelling force includes cables or a combination of cable with chain and wheel tooth. / *, & "HÉÉ A novel boat that can include a hull with a keel, having a propulsion device comprising a pair of fins, each addated to oscillate through a curved trajectory in a generally transverse direction with respect to the dimension longitudinal central of the vessel and a device operatively associated with the propulsion device to apply input force to the propulsion device.