US2097931A

US2097931A - Fish tail propeller

Info

Publication number: US2097931A
Application number: US120812A
Authority: US
Inventors: Martin Harry Clayton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1937-01-15
Filing date: 1937-01-15
Publication date: 1937-11-02
Anticipated expiration: 1954-11-02

Description

Nov. 2, 1937. H. c. MARTIN FISH TAIL PROPELLER Filed Jan. l5, 1937 rlll lll.. Iillllll H n ww um Nm Pm .EN NN Patented Nov. 2, 1937 UNITED STATES EATENT OFFCE 17 Claims.

My invention relates to propellers for boats and particularly to that type used to propel and steer small boats by hand.

Primarily my invention has for its object t provide a portable hand propeller which may be folded and carried in a small space and yet one which is easily mounted on a boat for use. Further it is an object of the invention to provide a device which propels the boat and at the same time serves as a tiller and which accomplishes both purposes with a minimum loss of effort.

Still further it is an object of the invention to provide a device with all of the above mentioned features and also with a simplified means for reversing the propeller blade when it becomes necessary to backwater.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part generally pointed out hereinafter.

To the attainment of the aforesaid objects and ends, the invention still further resides in those `iovel details of construction, combination and Lrrangement of parts, all of which will be rst fully described in the following detailed description, then be pointed out in the appended claims, references being had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing the device mounted on the stern of a boat, a portion of the stern of a boat being shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a detail elevational view of the coupling plate which carries the eye bolts and wing nuts.

Fig. 3 is a detail elevational View of the face of the coupling plate which is slotted.

Fig. 4 is a detail View showing some of the more important structures in cross section.

Fig. 5 is a detail side elevation showing a modified form of the propeller blade.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the reversing and stroke checking mechanism.

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional View of the ,stud 33 showing the lubricating duct.

In the drawing in which like numerals of ref erence designate like parts in all of the figures, I indicates the operators handle which is Welded to the ere part of the main beam, said beam being indicated by 2. 3 designates the rear section of the main beam which has a coupling plate Welded thereto. The plate 9 has hinged eye bolts and nuts indicated by 5 and dowel pins indicated by 6,

The beam 2 carries a similar coupling plate 'l which is slotted at 8 to receive one of the bolts 5 of plate 4 and has an aperture 4I to receive the other bolt 5, also plate 'I had indications 9 to receive the dowel pins 6, in plate 4. These coupling plates allow the device to be readily taken apart for carrying. In practice the eye bolt 5 which passes through the aperture 4| is merely loosened thus allowing the two parts of the device to be hingedly folded. Mid-way of the beam 2 is located a lug I0 which serves as a pivot for the beam. The lug |D operates within the sleeve I2 and is held in place by pin II. The sleeve I2 is pivoted at I3 on the arm I4.

I4 is a part of the bracket I5 which is secured to the boat Il', by a clamp screw I6. An arm I8 extends from the sleeve l2 and allows `for the raising or lowering of the device by means of the adjusting screw I9. The reversing mechanism is controlled from the boat by means oi a rod 29 attached to a handleZI which is pivoted at 22. A spring clasp 23 is provided to hold the handle 2| in place. The beam 3 has welded to one end a sleeve 24 within which another sleeve 29 operates. The reversing mechanism consists of a plate having two arms, one of which extends in the same direction as the beam and the other at right angles thereto.- The one indicated by 28 has astud 3U to which the spring 3| is attached, the other arm is indicated by 34 and has the rod 29 attached thereto.

The

parts

28, 29, 30 and 34 can be made in one piece. The propeller blade 25 has a shaft 26 which is notched at 21. The bar 36 which is secured to the propeller shaft 26 by a bolt 35 serves to limit the stroke by reason of the fact that 36 can only move the distance between the adjustment screws 31. The adjustment screws 3l are adjustable within the up-turned ends of the bracket 40.

The spring 3| is attached to the stud 39 at one end and to the link 32 at the other end. The link 32 is swivelly connected to the bar 36 by the stud 33. The stud 33 is shown in detail and has a grease duct 45 therein. The two grease cups are indicated by 38 and 39. A spring 43 is provided to keep the beam in a straight line behind the boat and is attached to the beam 2 by a stud 44 and to the sleeve I2 by a stud 42. The device is operated by a person seated in the stern of the boat who grasps the handle vI and moves it back and forth. This action causes the propeller blade to move back andforth in the water with a motion similar to that made by the tail of a swimming fish. The propeller blade is reversed by raising the reversing handle 2| up and 'out of the clasp 23 past the center of the beam and then forced downwardly until the @Tm 3431s all the way over to the opposite side.

'I'he handle 2| is then clamped down into the clasp 23. The spring 3| serves to keep the propeller in a straight line with the beam and the spring 43 serves to keep the beam in a straight line with the boat thus acting as a rudder when the boat is drifting with the Wind.

The spring 3| also acts to bring the propeller blade around in line with the beam so that the return stroke begins Without loss of motion.

Since all of the working parts except the propeller blade are above Water, very little effort is lost. The top of the propeller blade, Working about two inches below the surface of the Water with a stroke of about 15 past center each Way, noiselessly propels the boat at a fair gait.

What I claim is:

1. In a fish-tail propeller, a support, means to mount said support over the end of a boat, a beam pivotally mounted in said support cna vertical axis, one end of said beam extending into the boat and the other end extending to the rear of the boat and carrying a vertical sleeve, a propeller blade having a shaft pivotally journalled in said sleeve, a lever journalled on an axis coincident With that of said propellers shaft, resilient means connecting said lever with said propeller blades shaft and continuously tending to maintain the propeller blade in line with said beam.

2. In a fish-tail propeller, a support, means to mount said support over the end of a boat, a beam pivotally mounted in said support on a vertical axis, one end of said beam extending into the boat and the other end extending to the rear of the boat and carrying a vertical sleeve, a propeller blade havingla shaft pivotally journalled in said sleeve, a bell-crank lever journalled on an axis coincident with that of said propellers shaft, resilient means connecting said bell-crank lever with said propeller blades shaft and continuously tending to maintain the propeller blade in line with said beam;

3. In a fish-tail propeller, a support, means to mount said support over the end of a boat, a beam pivotally mounted in said support on a vertical axis,one end of said beam extending into the boat and the other end extending to the rear of the boat and carrying a vertical sleeve, a propeller blade having a shaft pivotally journalled inc said sleeve, a lever journalled on an axis coincident with that of said propellers shaft, resilient means connecting said lever with said propeller blades shaft and continuously tending to maintain the propeller blade in line With said beam and means to turn said lever through an arc of 180 to reverse the position of said propeller blade.

4. In a sh-tail propeller, a support, means to mount said support'overthe end of a boat, a beam pivotally mounted in said support on a vertical axis, one end of said beam extending into the boat and the other end extending to the rear of the boat and carrying a vertical sleeve, a propeller blade having a shaft pivotally journalled in said sleeve, a bell-crank lever journalled on an axis coincident With that of said propellers shaft, resilient means connecting said bell-crank lever with said propeller blades shaft and continuously tending to maintain the propeller blade in line with said beamand means to turn said lever lthrough an arc of 180 to reverse the position of said propeller blade.

5. In a fish-tail propeller, a support, means to mount said' support over the end of ka boat, a

beam pivotally mounted in said support on a vertical axis, one end of said beam extending into the boat and the other end extending to the rear of the boat and carrying a vertical sleeve, a propeller blade having a shaft pivotally journalled in said sleeve, a lever journalled on an axis coincident with that of said propellers shaft, resilient means connecting said lever with said propeller blades shaft and continuously tending to maintain the propeller blade in line with said beam and means to limit the movement of said propeller blade in opposition to the maintaining tendency of said resilient means.

6. In a fish-tail propeller, a support, means to mount said support over the end of a boat, a beam pivotally mounted in said support on a vertical axis, one end of said beam extending into the boat and the other end extending to the rear of the boat and carrying a Vertical sleeve, a propeller blade having a shaft pivotally journalled in said sleeve, a bell-crank'lever journalled on an axis coincident With that of said propellers shaft, resilient means connecting said bell-rank lever With said propeller blades shaft and continuously tending to maintain the propeller blade in line with said beam and means to limit the movement of said propeller blade in opposition to the maintaining tendency of said resilient means.

'7. In a fish-tail propeller, a support, moans to mount said support over the end of a boat, a beam pivotally mounted in said support on a vertical axis, one end of said beam extending into the boat and the other end extending to the rear of the boat and carrying a vertical sleeve, a propeller blade having a-shaft pivotally journalled in said sleeve, a lever journalled on an axis coincident With that of said propellers shaft, resilient means connecting said lever with said propeller blades shaft and continuously tending to maintain the propeller blade in line with said beam and means to turn said lever through an arc of 180 to reverse the position of said propeller blade and means to limit the movement of said propeller blade in opposition to the maintaining tendency of said resilient means.

8. In a fish-tail propeller, a support, means to mount said support over the end of a boat, a beam pivotally mounted in said support on a vertical axis, one end of said beam extending into the boat and the other end extending to the rear of the boat and carrying a vertical sleeve, a propeller blade having a shaft pivotally journalled in said sleeve, a bell-crank lever journalled on an axis coincident with that of said propellers shaft, resilient means connecting said bell-crank lever with said propeller blades shaft and continuously tending to maintain the propeller blade in line With said beam and means to turn said lever through an arc of 180 to reverse the position of said propeller blade, and means to limit the movement of said propeller blade in opposition to the maintaining tendency of said resilient means.

9. In a fish-tail propeller, a support, means to mount said support over the end of a boat, a beam pivotally mounted in said support on a vertical axis, one end of said beam extending into the boat and the other end extending to the rear of the boat and carrying a vertical sleeve, a propeller blade having a shaft pivotally journalled in said sleeve, a lever journalled on an axis coincident with that of said propellers shaft, an arm secured at one end to said propeller blades shaft, a spring connecting the other end of said arm to said lever in virtue of Which said propeller blade may swing on its pivot against the action of said spring.

10. In a sh-tail propeller, a support, means to mount said support over the end of a boat, a beam pivotally mounted in said support on a vertical axis, one end of said beam extending into the boat and the other end extending to the rear of the boat and carrying a vertical sleeve, a propeller blade having a shaft pivotally journalled in said sleeve, a lever journalled on an axis coincident with that of said propellers shaft, an arm secured at one end of said propeller blades shaft, a spring connecting the other end of said arm to said lever in virtue of which said propeller blade may swing on its pivot against the action of said spring and adjustable means to limit the swing of said propeller on its pivot.

11. In a fish-tail propeller, a support, means to mount said support over the end of a boat, a l5 beam pivotally mounted in said support on a vertical axis, one end of said beam extending into the boat and the other end extending to the rear of the boat and carrying a vertical sleeve, a propeller blade having a shaft pivotally journalled in said sleeve, a lever journalled on an axis coincident with that of said propellers shaft, an arm secured at one end to said propeller blades shaft, a spring connecting the other end of said arm to said lever in virtue of which said propeller blade may swing on its pivot against the action of said spring and means to turn said lever through an arc of 180 to reverse the position of said propeller blade.

12. In a sh-tail propeller, a support, means to mount said support over the end of a boat, a beam pivotally mounted in said support on a vertical axis, one end of said beam extending into the boat and the other end extending to the rear of the boat and carrying a vertical sleeve, a propeller blade having a shaft pivotally journalled in said sleeve, a lever journalled on an axis coincident with that of said propellers shaft, an arm secured at one end of said propeller blades shaft, a spring connecting the other end of said arm to said lever in virtue of which said propeller blade may swing on its pivot against the action of said spring and adjustable means to limit the swing of said propeller on its pivot and means to turn said lever through an arc of 180 to reverse the position of said propeller blade.

13. In a fish-tail propeller, a support, means to mount said support over the end of a boat, a beam pivotally mounted in said support on a vertical axis, one end of said beam extending into the boat and the other end extending to the rear of the boat and carrying a vertical sleeve, a propeller blade having a shaft pivotally journalled in said sleeve, a lever journalled on an axis coincident with that of said propellers shaft, an arm secured at one end to said propeller blades shaft, a spring connecting the other end of said arm to said lever in virtue of which said propeller blade may swing on its pivot against the action of said spring and means to turn said lever through an arc of 180 to reverse the position of said propeller blade, said last named means comprising a rod connected to said lever and extending to the boat and manipulatable by the user, and means to hold the rod and thereby hold the lever in either of its two operative positions.

14. In a fish-tail propeller, a support, means to mount said support over the end of a boat, a beam pivotally mounted in said support on a vertical axis, one end of said beam extending into the boat and the other end extending to the rear of the boat and carrying a vertical sleeve, a propeller blade having a shaft pivotally journalled in said sleeve, a lever journalled on an axis coincident with that of said propellers shaft, an arm secured at one end of said propeller blades shaft, a spring connecting the other end of said arm to said lever in virtue of which said propeller blade may swing on its pivot against the action of said spring and adjustable means to limit the swing of said propeller on its pivot and means to turn said lever through an arc of to re- Verse the position of said propeller blade, said last named means comprising a rod connected to said lever and extending to the boat and manipulatable by the user, and means to hold the rod and thereby hold the lever in either of its two operative positions.

15. In a sh-tail propeller, a support, means to mount said support over the end of a boat, a beam pivotally mounted in said support on a vertical axis, one end of said beam extending into the boat and the other end extending to the rear of the boat and carrying a vertical sleeve, a propeller blade having a shaft pivotally journalled in said sleeve, a lever journalled on an axis coincident with that of said propellers shaft, resilient means connecting said lever with said propeller blades shaft and continuously tending to maintain the propeller blade in line with said beam, said beam being comprised of sections detachably coupled together for purposes described.

16. In a fish-tail propeller, a support, means to mount said support over the end of a boat, a beam pivotally mounted in said support on a vertical axis, one end of said beam extending into the boat and the other end extending to the rear of the boat and carrying a vertical sleeve, a propeller blade having a shaft pivotally journalled in said sleeve, a lever journalled on an axis coincident with that of said propellers shaft, resilient means connecting said lever with said propeller blades shaft and continuously tending to maintain the propeller blade in line with said beam, said support comprising a clamp, a vertical sleeve pivotally mounted on the clamp to turn about a horizontal axis, an arm carried by said last named sleeve and an adjusting screw carried by said last named arm for adjusting the position of said last named sleeve and thereby adjusting the position of said propeller blade with respect to the surface of the water.

17. In a fish-tail propeller, a support, means to mount said support over the end of a boat, a beam pivotally mounted in said support on a vertical axis, one end of said beam extending into the boat and the other end extending to the rear of the boat and carrying a vertical sleeve, a propeller blade having a shaft pivotally journalled in said sleeve, a lever journalled on an axis coincident with that of said propellers shaft, resilient means connecting said lever with said propeller blades shaft and continuously tending to maintain the propeller blade in line with said beam, and means continuously tending to maintain said beam in a straight line with the boat.

HARRY CLAYTON MARTIN.