US2685270A - Passenger-operated boat - Google Patents

Description

E. J. PIERACCIONI rr PIERAC 2685279 Aug. 3 1954 PASSENGER-OPERATED BOAT 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 16, 1950 Au g. 3, 1954 E. J. PIERACCIONI DIT PIERAC 2685,27!)

PASSENGR-OPERATED BOAT F'iled Nov. 16, 1950 4 SheetsSheet 2 E. J. PIERACCIONI DIT PIERAC Aug. 3, 1954 PASSENGER-OPERATED BOAT 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 16, 1959 8 1954 E. J. PIERACCIONI DIT PIERAC 2 PASSENGER-OPERATED BOAT Filed NOV. 1.6, 1950 4 SheetsSheet Patenten] Aug. 3, 1954 PASSENGER-OPERATED BOAT Eugene J. Pieraeciom assignor te 0000 Ri I corporation of Puerto Ri dit Pierac, Santurce. P. R. nc. Santurce, P. R. a 00 Application November 16, 1950, Serial Ne. 195,998

Claims.

This invention relates to a pleasure beat propelled by means operated by at least one of the passengers through a system of pedal actuated paddle means carried by endless belts. More especially the invention relates te a pleasure beat having a pair of fleats er hulls of the well known catamaran type.

One important object of the invention is te provide a beat of this character wherein the user may propel the beat with a minimum of eifert.

A secend important object of this invention is to provide a construction in such a beat as will aiord the user the greatest possible comfort and thus fully enjoy operation of the beat.

A third important object of the invention is te provide a nevel construction of the hulls of such a beat.

A fourth important object of the invention is te provide nevel means for preventing damage te the hulls of such a beat.

A fifth important object of the invention is te provide a nevel frame er chassis connecting the hulls of the beat.

A sixth important object of the invention is to provide an improved arrangement of body and means to support the same in such a beat.

A seventh important object of the invention is to provide an improved form of paddle arrangement for the beat whereby less of the propelling effect of the paddles on the water engaged therby is prevented.

An eighth important object of the invention is to provide a nevel pedal operated driving means for the paddles of such a beat.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a nevel and adjustable seat arrange-- ment in such a beat whereby comfort of the users is assured.

With the above and other objects in view, as will be presently apparent, the invention consists in general of certan nevel details of construction and combination of parts herenafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and partioularly claimed.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views, and

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the complete boat;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the beat with certain parts breken away better te illustrate the invention;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail section on the line 3-3 of Fg. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, showing the means for connecting the sections of one of the hulls;

Fie. 6 is a section on line 6 of Fig. 2, showing the cushioning means useci at the ends of the hulls;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the beat seats, showing the means for adjusting the seat frame;

Fig. 8 is a detailed section on line 8-8 of Fig. 1.

In the construction of the beat in accordance with this invention there is provided a pair of hulls eaoh having a cylindrical tubular middle section 19 whieh is open at beth ends, anda hollow forward section ll and hollow after section I2 of conoidal form. The major ends of the sections ll and 12 are of equal diameter with the ends of the section 10. In order to secure the sections of each hu1l together there is provided fer each joint a sleeve I3 which fits snugly in the abutting ends of the sections and is then secured as by the blind riveting I4. At one of its ends the sleeve is provided with a closure I5 dividing the hull member into three compartments which are rendered watertight by packing I6 carried in a circumferential groeve formeel exteriorly of the sleeve.

The abutting end of each of the sections II and I2 is c1esed by a plate |1 having a peripheral flange I 8 formed te fit closely within the section. Mounted en each end of each hull is a hollow bumper er shock absorber I9, preferabiy formed of stifi but flexible rubber and shaped te form a rounded centinuation of the hull shape. Aeross the bumper I9 extends a transverse brace 20 wherein is screwed the threaded end of a bolt '2l whieh passes through a suitable opening in the plate 11 and thus secures the bumper firmly in place. Aleng the bottom of each hull are seeured spaced brackets 22 wherete is secured a keel strip 23 whic h strengthens the huil and assists in preventing damage and pessible floeding.

The two hulls are connected by tie-bars 24 which extend between the hulls and termin'ate at their ends in arcuate portions. One arm of each areuate portion extends upwardly and around the respective hull te lie across the top thereof, this arm being indicated at 25'. This arm, for purposes te be presently described has a flat top. Each arcuate pertion also has a lewer arm 26 which extends downwardly from the respective tie-bar 24 and bears against the inbeard side of the hull. Preferably these tie-bars are lecated at the junction of the middle portion of the hun with the end portion, In order tion 26. On the threaded portion of the angle 225 are provideel the nuts 2 ancl 28, the letter being preferably a hand operated nut.

Supported by the tie-bars 24 between the hulls is a body 29. At each side of this body is a running board 35 which the arcuate part of the tie-bar at 25. With this arrangement the hand operated nuts 28 serve to held the running boards 30 securely in place. The body 25 is provided with a bottom 31 having rests on the fiat portions of a belt openin 32 adiacent eaeh end. Between these belt openings there is provided an inverted channel member 33. At the forward end of this channel member is located a orwarol transverse shaft 34 while at the after end is smlarly located an after transverse shaft 35. The for ward transverse shaft is supported from the bottom 31 by means of brackets 36 having their lower end. slotted as at 3? so that this shaft 3, while prevented frorn vertical movement has a eertain freeclom to slide toward and from the adjacent tie-bar. The shaft is similarly supported in brackets 35 but it is not necessary that these brackets should be slotted though this may be done if found. desrable. On each of the shafts 34 and 35 is ixedly mounted a set of belt pulleys 39 whch are preferably provided with substantially V-shaped peripheral grooves. In these grooves is supported a set of belts 4G which are corresponclingly shaped to snit the grooves in the pulleys. The lower run of each belt m extends through the channel member 33 at a considerable distanoe upwardly of the lower edges of this channel member. Each of the shafts 34-35 is journaled in a yoke il from which a pull-bar 32 extends to pass through a suitable opening in the adjacent tie-bar. 0n the threaded end of each pull-rod 32 is mounted a hand nut 43 and by the rotaton of this nut in one directon 01 the other the tension of the belt may be regulated. Extending transversely of the belts and attaehed to each of said belts is a series of paddles 44, the paddles being preferably evenly spaced along the beits. These padolles 44 have side wings 45 so that the paddles, in moving through water, tend to keep the water from spreading by reason of these side wings. Furthermore, the padclles extend from the beits to such an extent that they substantially divide the spaee be1ow the lower run of the belt to the edges of the channel 33 into separate pockets from whieh the water will be held against escape to any appreeiable extent. Supported in the body adjacent the forward end thereof is a transverse partition 46 which carries on its after side a set of triangular braekets 41 having at ther after ends journal bearings 13. In the journals 48 is a crank-shaft 45 whereon are mounted pedals 50. The pedals for one operator are 180 from each other, while the pedals for the second operator ar spaced .9 irom the first set of pedals. It is, therefore, clear that there are four pedals on the crankshaft and that an operating force is applied for each quarter revolution of the crankshaft. It may be stated that the crankshaft or the crankshaft operating forces are at 90 from eachother. It may here be noted that this boat is intended for two passagers so that this crankshaft is so formed as to permit rotaton by either or both of the passengers. On the eranksnaft is fixed a pair of belt pulleys, termed for convenience driving pulleys 51. On the forward transverse shaft 34 is fixed a pair of driven pulleys 52 and the driving pulleys are operatively conneeted to the driven pulleys by belts 53. Slidably mounted on the floor 31 is a frame preferably of rod metal and having frames 5=l whch are connected at their forward upper ende by a transverse member 55 and at their orward lower ends by a transverse member 56. Adjaeent each end of the lower member 56 is a sleeve 5l' having a slotted adjusting bar 58 extending aft-ward and a hand screw 59 extends through the slot of this member 58 in to the bottom of the body so that when the screw 59 is screwed down the frame will be held against movement. 'he rear upper ends of the frame sdes 54% are eonnected by a bar 59 braced at its center te the forward bar 55 by a bar 6%. The bar 5%! is hollow and through this bar extencls a rod 61 whch supports the lower side members 62 of a frame back: having these side members connected t0 each other by a transverse rnember 63. Fixed to the 1ower frame is a plate 64% of substantially segmental form and this plate is provided with a series of openings 65 adjacent its edge wherein is adapted to selectively engage a pin 55 carried by en arm 51 fixed to the frame side 52 By this means the back frame may be rockecl to any desired angular relationship with the bottom frame and there held. In order to provide for the comfort of those using this boat the seat proper is formeel of a strip of canvas or webbing 58, one end of which is engaged around the transverse member 55 of the seat frame. With this construction the occupants of the boat may lie in a cornfortably reclining' position and may adjust the seat the most convenient distance from the crankshaft for ease in operating the latter.

'Ihe boat may, of course, be provded with any suitable steering gear to operate a rudder 69.

It is now to be observed that this pleasure boat is so constructed and arranged that it may be operated by one or two persons with the greatest of ease, minimum loss of propulsive eiort, and. in perfectly comfortable positon.

While one specific form of the invention has been here shown and described, it is obvious that many minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the present boat without ma.- terially departing from the essential features thereof. t is not, therefore, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown ancl described, but it is wished to include all forms which properly corne within the shape claimed.

What is claimecl is:

1. In a boat eonstruction, a pair of twin hollow hulls each eonssting of a mclship section,

' a forwarcl section, and an after seetion arranged in axal. alinement, sleeves fitting witnin said sectiens at the junction of the miclshi g section and the remaining seetions and fixedly seeured at each sice of the respeetive junction, a closure for one en ei each sleeve divicling the huil into separate oompartments, and tie-bars extending athwartships between saicl hulls and seeured at their ende thereto, eaeh of said tie-bars having areuate ends inelucling en arm extending up- Wardly ancl across the top of a respeetive huil and a second arm extending downwardly of said hull, an angle member secured to the respeotive closure with one leg extending upwardly and the other laterally in an inboard direction, the legs having ends extenolng through the walls of the respeetive sleeve and hull, and through said arme, and seouring elements on the projeeting portion of said arrns.

2. In a boat oonstruction, a pair of twin hollow hulls each consisting of a 1nidship seotion, a

forward secton, and an after section arranged in axial alinernent, sleeves fitting within said sec tions at the junotion of the miclship seotion and the remaining seotions and fixedly secured at each side of the respective junction, a closure for one end of each sleeve dividing the hull into separate compartments, and tie-bars extending athwartshps between said hulls and secured at their ende thereto, each of said tie-bars having arcuate ends including an arm extendng upwardly and across the top of a respeetive huil and a second arm extending downwarclly of said huil, an angle member secured to the respective closure with one leg extending upwardly and the other laterally in an inboard direotion, the legs having projecting ends extending through the walls of the respeotive sleeve and huil, and. through said arms, seouring elements on the projecting portion of said arms, a body supported on said tie-bars between said hulls, and running boards extending from the sides of said body over the hulls, the projecting ends of said upright legs extending through said running boarcls and said seeuring elements engaging the upper surlace of said boards.

3. In a boat construction, a pair of twin hulls, tie-bars extending between said hulls and se cured thereto to holcl the hulls in parallel relation, a body supported on said tie-bars between said hulls, said body having a bottom provided with a pair of spaced parallel belt openings, an inverted channel member extendng between said belt openings, transverse shafts supported in said body, belt pulleys fixed on said shafts, beits extending around said pulleys, the lower run of said belts extendng through said channel adjacent the bottom of the body, transversely extendin-g paddles fixed to said belts in spaced relation therealong, yokes in which said transverse shaits are respectively journalled, pull rods each extencling through the center of a respective yoke and a respective tie-bar, manually operable securing elements on said pull I0ds fo1 adjusting the tenson of said belts, and. means to move said pulleys.

4. In a boat construction, a pair of twin hulls, tie-bars extending between said hulls and secured thereto to hold the hulls in parallel relation, a body supported on said tie-bars between said hulls, said. body having a bottom provided with a pair of spaced parallel belt openings, an inverted channel member extending between said belt openings, transverse shafts supported in said body, belt pulleys fixed on said shaits, belts extending around said pulleys, the lower run of said belts extending through said channel adjacent the bottom of the body, transversely extenoling paddles fixed to said belts in spaced relation therealong, yokes in which said transverse shafts are respeotively journalled, pull rode each extendng through the center of a respective yoke and a respective tie-bar, manually operable securing elements on said pull rods for adjusting the tenson of said belts, upright brackets supported in the forward end of the body and havng journal bearings at their af.ter ends, a crank shaft journalled in said bearings, pedals on said crank shaft, a driving pulley fixed on said crank shaft, a clriven pulley fixed on the forward transverse shaft, and a belt trained around said driving and driven pulleys.

5. In a boat construction, a pair of twin hol- 10W hulls each consisting of a miclship section, a forwarcl section and. an alter section, sleeves fitting within said sections and fixeolly secured therein, a elosure for one end of each sleeve dividing the huil into separate compartments, and tie-bars extending athwartships between said hulls and secured at their ends thereto, each of said te-bars having ends including an arm extending upwardly and across the top of a respeotive huil and a second arm extencling downwardly of said hulls, an angle member secured to the respective closure with one leg extencling upwardly and the other laterally in an inboard. clirection, the legs having ends extending through the walls of the respeotive sleeves and hulls and through said arms, and securing elements on the projecting portions of said arms.

6. In a boat construction, a pair of twin hollow hulls each consisting. of a miclship section, a forwarcl seetion and an after section, sleeves fitting within said sections and fixedly secured therein, a closure for one end of each sleeve divicling the huil into separate compartments, tie bars extenoling athwartship between said hulls and secured at their ende thereto, each of said tie bars having ende including an arm extencling upwardly and across the top of a respective huil and a second arm extending downwardly of said hulls, an angle member secured to the respectve closure with one leg extending upwardly and the other laterally in an inboard directon, the legs having projecting ends extencling through the walls of the respective sleeves and hulls and through said arme, securing elements on the projeoting portions of said arms, a body supported on said te bars, and runing boards extencling over the hulls, the projecting ende of said upright legs extending through said running boards and. said securing elements engaging the upper surface of said boards.

7. In a boat construction, a pair of twin hulls, tie bars extending between said hulls and secured thereto, a body supported on said tie bars, said body having a bottom provided with a pair of spaced parallel belt openings, an inverted channel member extending between said belt openings, transverse shafts supported in said body, belt pulleys fixed on said shafts, belts extenoling around said pulleys, the lower run of said beits extendng through said channel adjaeent the bottom of the body, transversely extending paddles fixed to said belts, yokes in which said transverse shafts are respectively journaled, pull rods each extending through the center of a respectve yoke and a respeotive tie bar, manually operable means on said pull rode or adjusting the tension of said belts, and means to move said pulleys.

8. In a boat construction, a pair of twin hulls, tie bars extending between said hulls and secured thereto, a body supported on said tie bars, said body having a bottom provided with a pair of spaced parallel belt openings, an inverted channel member extending between said belt openings, transverse shafts supported in said body, belt pulleys fixed on said shafts, belts extendng around said pulleys, the lower 1un of sad be1ts extendng through sad channel adjacent the bottom of the body, transversely extendng paddles fixed te sad be1ts, yokes in whch sad transverse shafts are. respectively journaled, pull rods each extendng through the center 0 a respective yoke and a respectve te bar, manually operable means on sad pull rods for adjustngthe tenson of sad be1ts, and means to move sad pulleys, uprgnt brackets supported in the orward end. of the body and havng iournal bearngs at ther after ends, a crankshaft journaled in sad bearngs, peda1s on sad erankshafts, and belt and puley means connecting sad crankshaft to sad transverse shaft.

9. In a beat construction, a plurality of hul1s each consstng of a pluraty of sectons, sleeves fitting wthin sad sectons and. fxed1y secured theren, a c1osure or one end of each sleeve dvdng the hul1 into separate compartments,

and te bars extendng athwartshps between said hu11s and securedat ther ends thereto, each of sad te bars havng ends ncluding en arm extendng upwardly and across thettopof a tespective hun and a. second:arm extendng downwardly of sad hu1ls, an ang1e member secured to the respeetve closure wth one leg. extending upwardly and the other laterally in an nboard directon, the 1egs havng endsextendng through the wals of the GSDBCJV:SGGVES ancl hul1s and through sad arme, and securing elements on the projectng portions of sa.d arms- 10. In a boat constructon, a plurality of hu1ls each conssting of a pluralty of sectons, s1eeves fitting within said sectons and fixedly secured theren, a closure for one end of each sleeve dvdng the hu11 nto separate compartments, and tie bars extendng athwartshps between sad hu1s and secured at ther ends thereto, an angle member securecl to the respectve c1osure wth one leg extendng upwardy and the other lateraly in an inboard drecton, the legs having ends extendng through the wa11s of the respectve sleeves and hu11s and through said te bars, and seeurng elements en sad te bars.

Reerences Cited in the file of this patent UNI'IED STA'IES PATEN'IS Number Name Date 1047758 Dam Dec. '17, 1912 1,051,833 Durand Jan. 28, 1913 1,93,196 Lombard Apr. 14, 1914 1,190569 Maxwell July 11, 1916 1,Z'15,312 Stee1e May 28, 1929 1,731,492 I-aase Oct. 15, 1929 2263,911 Wison Nov. 25, 1941 2401,453 Be11 et al. June 4, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 186,139 Swtzerland Nev. 16, 1936

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