US3007432A - Water going line carrier - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 7, 961 P. F. STILL WATER GOING LINE CARRIER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 9, 1960 HVVENTOR PAUL l.: ST/LL H/S TTO/PNEVS Nov. 7, 1961 P. F. STILL. 3,007,432

WATER GOING LINE CARRIER Filed Dec. 9, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5I 5a 56 52 59 c 48 INVENTOR PAUL E ST/LL WW1/Zd@ H/S T TOPNEVS Unid Staf@ Patent O ,v x 3.001,43@ `WATER GOING LINE CARRIER Praducts, santa clara, Calif., a eorporafior ef Canfornia vFiled De`c. 9,1960, Ser. No. 75,011

Claims.- (Cl. 115-'6.1)

This invention relates `to a motor driven Yvessel and control means therefor and more particularly to certain novel improvements therein.

Various typse of devices havebeen proposed hereto"- -fore for towing fish lines or the like 'along the surface of water. A few of these Adevices have vcontrol means for aifecting steerability and others disclose means for controlling the drive. While Vthese vdevices are 'effective or Vthe purpose intended the rst entails dual lines operable by the user to facilitate right and left directioning and the othere require an additional line for controlling, more particularly stopping, the drive means. Moreover, this last mentioned drive control is eiectiveonly after the device is preset to 'drive the craft forward and once 'this has been changedby the control means forward motion 'cannot be 're-establishedwithout drawing the device back to the user `so that he can again preset it.

The present invention has as its principle object to provide 'in line towing devices a programmer facilitating a control cycle which "can lbe repeated by manipulation 'of a single control line. In connection 'with this 4'o bicc't it -is a yfurther object to provide a single Lrneans Within ythe -sealed vessel for accomplishing drive,`s`topl fnd steerability by manipulation of but "single control line.

It is another object of venton to provide an electrically operated, battery driven, compact line cai-rying device 'adapted to be lselfp''ropcll'ed lalong the surface of water. In connection with this object it is an object to provide such adevice with a forward drive or propeller and a self sealing drive shaft driven frorn within the craft. It is another object to provide in fa pullertype propeller arrangement for such craft, ya forwardly eittending' drive housing having a course directing curved contour relative to fore and aft so as to compensate for erovercome due to prevailing water conditions 'and currents.

In connection with theforeigoing object it is another object to provide in a craft of the type herein described, 'a novel means for 'eXcluding'the intake of water along the drive shaft Without the use of packing.

I't is another object of the presentin'vention to Aprovide means 4in the form of a stabilizing iin for counteracting torque created by the propeller.

Another object is to provide'baking means which normally assume non-braking condition during forward fno# tion of the device in -water and which automatically affortisr a braking action or resistance to backward move'- rnent 'of the vessel when such movement occurs upon manipulation of the control line.

These 'andother objects and advantages 'ofthe present 'invent-ion win become apparent in the following description when read in the lightof the drawings in whicl FIG. 1 i's a longitudinal section through a self propelled line puller embodying the present invention.

FIG. v2 is an elevational view of the aft end of the craft as s ee'ii froin the left in FIG. '1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged transverse section through FIG. l taken substantially along line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary detail section of the aft compartment of the craft as seen in FIG. .l showing the control means therefor.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the aft portion of the craft 3,007,432 Patented Nov. 7, 1961 ICC . 2 `and its rudder, parts being broken away for purposes of illustration; and

FIG. 6 `is an enlarged detail section of the propeller, screw, `drive shaft and housing at the fore end of the craft.

Referring to FIG. l the line puller or craft, designated 10, comprises a vessel 11 Vhaving a sealed chamber 1,2.within which is carried a inotor a source of power in the form of batteries B-B'; acontrol means C including a switch S for closing a circuit D between the batter-ies and the motor and a programmer P for "effecting fa cycle of operation laterto be eitplained.

The motor M which 'is at the fore end of the compartment or chamber 12 has a drive shaft `le'x'tenling for; vvardly therefrom through a housing andconnected to -a propeller 15 at the forward extreniity thereof.

The control means which is at the aft end of compertinent or chamber 12 has one end of a manually operable control lin/r;l 16 extending rearwardly therefrom through a rudder R. The opposite of the vcontrol line f6 is in possession of the operator or user of `the craft 10 and may be -reeled up on a winch or other suitable means such as aii'shing reel (not shown).

The batteries B which are of lesser diameter than the 'vessel :11 are lsecured in clips 17 in Contact and alignment with each 'other within 'a fraaie 1s. The frameis issecured at the base or' keel line of the vessel so as to provide ballast therefore assuring buoyancy of the craft on adesired plane.

The vessel 11 is in the Vform of a tube 2t)` vhaving a rounded fore end 21 terminating in acylindrical neck 22. 'The aft or' normanyepen and ze of the tube zo has an outwardly extending flange 24. A cap-like cov'er 2 5 lis stretch lfitted over the flange 2 4 to close the open end -23 of the tube in a watertight manner. v

As best seen in FIGS. l and 5 the cap-like cover 25 is formed as a part of the rudder R, the entire body'of which is resilient, it being made of relatively st-it but pliable; yieldable material such as rubber or any one of the well known polyester materials of like character which tends to assume its normal lform and shape. This forms a part of the steering means of the present invention and will therefore be explained in detail hereinafter.y

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5 the control means C is secured in place Within- Athe tube or vessel A1v1 on an aft part of the frame 18. To this end a rearward extension 26 of the frame 18 is ben t up slightly from the door of thet'ube `20. A bolt 27 extending through the extension 126 serves to secure a back plate 28 to the frame 18. This provides a ground contact for the aft battery, and a trunnion bracket 2.9 for the pro'- grammer P. The back plate 28 is a metal stamping from which a lower foot portion 30 extends rearwardly over and in contact with the rearwardextension 26 of frame 18. vA leaf spring amr 3 1 overlies the foot portion 30 and is secured wit h the latter to the rearward extension by the bolt 27. `As best seen in FIG. 4 the bolt 27 i s insulated from the frame 18, foot 30,and leaf spring 31 to provide one contact of the switch S. The leaf spring 31 is formed so as to overlie the round head top 32 of the bolt 27 and thereby forms the 4other contact of the switch S. 'Alsoinsulated from the iframe 18 but in electrical contact with the bolt 27 is a condctor tab or washer 33 which has one end ,of an electrical lconductor` wire 34 solderedthereto 'I'his wire 34 meanders forwardly within the tube 20 and has its opposite end soldered to one lead of the electric inotor M. The other lead 'of motor M connected to a conductor 35 having its opposite end soldered to -a center contact 36 secured to an upturned tore end 37 of the frame 18 and insl'ated therefrom in a conventional manner. This foregoing constitutes the circuit D under the conclosing of the switch or for shutting olf the motor'when the switch is open. Y

trol of the switch S for energizing the motor M upon Y Closing and opening of the switch S is eifected `bythe l programmer P which is manually operated by the control means C underthe iniluence of the control Vline 16. IThe trunnion bracket 29.y comprises a pair of arms 38 and 39 bent back from the back plate k28 of which they are a part. -These arms .3S-39' are spaced from each other, equidistant from axial center of the tube 20 and l have a pinion shaft 40 Ajournaledat their ends substantially transverse to the'said axis. A step-uprmechanisrn in the form of a ratchet and cam unit 41 is Ymounted on the Vshaftl40 for step byV step turning relative thereto.

One side of the unit 41 has diametric grooves 42Y within which a kinked 'portion 43 oftheadjacent arm 39 of the cam seat-to provide meansfor holding the ratchet and cam unit at predetermined positions other than when theratchet Vis turned. It will be noted that the end of shaft 40 extends through and beyondV the arm 39 so that the arm 39 can llex outwardly during turning ofthe unit'41.'

The unit 41 has a dual ratchet 44-44, one on each side of la central cam 45 which is operatively associated r with the switch arm end 46 of the leaf spring 31,*previously mentioned. As best seen in FIG. 4 this end 46 of the leaf spring tends to bear against the cam 45 and to bepressed downwardly by the high side of the'same to hold the switch arm in circuit closing contact with` declivity being of such depth radially as to allow the leaf Y spring arm 31 to rise, due to its own resiliency. In this lmanner the leaf spring contact 3-1 moves away from the round head of the'bolt 2 7 `to open the switch S and thereby cut olf ilow of current vfrom the batteries B-'B to the motor M. This would constitute the lastV o r normal position of the switch when thevessel is non use. To start: the motor M the ratchets 44-44'f must be moved Yat least one step (one quadrant) to dispose the high side of the cam 45 in contact with the switch arm 31 to press the latter against the bolt head 32 to close the switch S. Since the high side ofrthe cam extends three quadrants (SA) the circumference the switch will remain closed until quadrant IV is again Vpositionedl to dispose the declivity thereof in contact with the leaf spring 31. j Y

The ratchets 44-744 are operatively associatedwith a` pawl 48. This pawl is broader than the cam 45 soas to spanA the latter and engage the teeth on opposite sides thereof as illustrated'in FIGS.' 3 and 5. The pawl 48 is a downturned end on a llexible paddle shaped base '49 having its fore end secured to a'rod 50. yThis rod 50 extends through a pair 'of aligned openings 51-'52 formed in th legs 53-54 respectively of a Ushaped guide frame 55 formed as a part ofthe baclr plate 28. The rod 50 has a compression spring 56 thereon between the legs 53'-54 of the U-shaped guide frame 55. This ySpring 56 has its aft end rbearing against the aft leg of the-*frame 55andV its fore end bearing against a .washer 57 -mounted on the rod 50 and blocked against forward=mo`vement relative thereto by a cotter pin 5,8. In this manner, the rod `50, and with it the pawl 48, is urged forwardly relative to the guide frame 55, to the position shown in'FIG. 1. IThis forward lmovementY is limited by' a flange head 59 at the juncture of the rod with the paddle base 49. Y As best seen in FIGS. 1 and'4 thecontrol line 16 is secured Vto the paddle basel 49. YWhen the Vcontrol line 16 is pulled rearwardly the paddle 49, pawl 48A and rodV 50 are drawn rearwardly to thepositionshown in VFIG. f4'against the actionof the spring 56. In thismanner "the pawl 48 is drawn over the top quadrant teeth of the ratchets 44'-44, the latter beingV held stationary by the ratchet holding means (groove 4Z-and lcinkedY portion 43 of the arm 39)'. Here it should be noted that the openingz 52 inthe aftleg 54 of the VU-shaped guide frame 55 is a vertical slot'so that thepawl 48 can Y rise Vas it glidesfover themarcuate teeth of the ratchet. Now when the control line is released, thegspringSG expands to normal thereby pulling the pawl 48 forwardly into the position shown in.FIG. l.V The pawl which was engaged behind the'uppermost teeth of the ratchets 44-44 therebyturns the ratchet one quadrantal step.

Each'quadrantal step of the ratchet establishes-a particular phase of "operation of the programmer For purpose of clarity the cycle of operation of the 'programmerP is as follows: Y

Step Drive Steering Y Y Motor on Rudderneadaheaa. Y

Motor On Rudder-Lett Motor,0n... Radda-Right.

Motor Off- RudderDeadAhead.

I TheV steering-of the vessel '.is also controlled by Athe programmer. `.To this end the unit 41 has 'a Vpair of arms vl and' rfcarried by the :right and'left ratchetsfl-lV and 44 respectively. These arms l and r are disposed to the sides of'the pawl48 and `paddle 49 v(FIGS. 3 I v and 5) -soas to turn'fwith the` unit 41 in the Yspaces'be- Ytween the pawl 48-49yand the armsY 38 and 39 of the trunnion l29.' These arms 'l and r therefore turn freely Y with' the Vunit 41. the trunnion Y29 and engageV Vnothing excep t,the- 'cover 25, at the aft fend of the tube 20Y and then. only whenl such 'arm l orr extends rear wardly fromv the ,t'r'unniom The arm l whichfis .anale rea hand ratchet' Misdieposed in the quadrant l] ofthe r'atchets. When the 'control line 16 is pulled to advance the ratchet unit another itep the arm r is the -iirst to engagerthecap or cover 25 as illus-r f trated'in FIG. 5." When this occurs the relatively stiff but pliable material from which the cover is made, tlexes outwardly from the left side of the cover causing the'rud-` der R to assume'n'ght rudder position asl shown in full Vvlines 1FIG. 5. ,"Ihispcausesthe craft or vesselltorturn-,toV

and the arm'r nowengagesthe cover but ,onthe other (right) side of center (see dotted lines FIG'. 5). Thus 1t will he seen that therudder R, by its own resiliency returns v,from right rudder position to center and asthe arm r engages the right side of 'theY cover, the rudderR is flexed rto the left ofcenter (see dot-dash or left rudderlpositiorr g FIG. 5). lIt should here R'for return'to center positionor deadi aheadposition( Consequently when the cable`16`is pulled again (a new cycle of operation of the programmer P) the'ratchet unit steps up on 'quadrant to -again dispose the high side of cam 45 against leaf'spring 31 to close switch S and turn 011 the motor.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that with but a single cord or control line (16) the drive meansof the on the 'righthand ratchet y be noted that throughout steps pI, Hand IIIthe high side of the cam45 is in engagement with the water level.

vessei can be started and stopped and the vessel steered at .the will of the person manipulating the control line.

As best seen in FIGS. l, 2 and 5 the control line 16 extends through a central tubular section 60 of the rudder R. This tubular section 60 terminates in a reduced neck 61 which is cemented to a flexible tube 62 to provide va water seal. The tube 62 is long enough to assure a long surface seal between the inner walls of the tubel 62 and the nylon leader which is the terminal end of the control line 16. In this manner a water tight seal is provided so as to prevent water from entering the chamber 12.

The body ofthe cylinder 20 has a stabilizing iin or keel 65 extending downwardly therefrom. This iin 65 is' oiset at an anglel of approximately 45 to vertical to counteract torque created by the propeller 15. This tin 65 is far enough forward on the tube 20 to leave space for a brake 66. The brake 66 is a flat ybaie plate hingedly connected as at V67 to thetube 20 transversely thereof and adjacent theaft end of the iin 65. "I'he arrangement is such that during forward movement of the vessel 11 in water, the plate 66 vm'll assume a horizontal position and glide 'through the water. However upon any backward movement of the vessel in the water, as when the control line 16 is pulled, thek plate 66 will swing down into against the aft end of the iin 65 and thereby provide resistance and therefore a braking actionv to backward movement of the vessel in the water. Thus it will be appreciated that valthough the return spring 56 on the pawl arrangement requires a fair tug in order to step up the ratchet unit 41, the baflie plate 66 affords Suflicient resistance to assure full stroke operation of the programmer each time the control line 16 is pulled. n

Referring now to the fore end of the vessel as seen in 'FIG. l and detailed in FIG. 6, it will Vbe noted that the drive shaft 13 is a twistedcable which tits snugly in a polyethylene tube 73 mounted with the housing 14. The foreend of this cable 13 is suitably anchored in and secured to the hub of propeller 1S. The propeller 15 rests against `of the tube 1s.

, As previously mentioned the housing 14 for the drive shaft 13 has a curved contour. Moreover, as seen in FIG.

l the entire housing 14 is rotatable relative tothe neck portion 22 at the fore end 21 of the vessel 11. This allows for 360 adjustment of the curved housing to compensate for torque of the propeller and to overcome water conditions such as side currents as for example when the device is used in a stream.V

As seen in FIG. 1 the housing can be set with its curved contour disposed upwardly to Ihold the propeller high or at Should the craft tend to turn from straight forward even though the rudder is set for dead ahead, the housing can' be turned into a position which will compensate for such tendencies of the vessel to go oi course.

Should the device 10 be used in a stream, in order to overcome the cross currents or downstream flow, the housing 14 can be turned to any position necessary to compensate for such current conditions.

While I have described my improvements for a line towing device in specic detail it will be appreciated that it may be susceptible to modifications, alterations and/ or variations without departing -from the spirit of my invention therein. I therefore desire to avail myself of all modications, alterations and/ or variations as Ifairly come within the purview of the appended claims. n

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is: l p

1. In a water going line carrier of the propeller driven type having a tubular body providing a sealed chamber confining a motor` and a battery in a circuit with a switch 'an elet-:tricl motor, batteries in circuit with the motor for controlling said circuit; a programmer within said chamber comprising a step-up mechanism having cam means alternately engageable with said switch for opening and closing the same, and a manually operated control line extending into said chamber and secured to said stepup mechanism for advancing the same.

2. In a water going line carrier of the propeller driven vessel type having the form of a sealed chamber confining a motor connected to the propellerI and a battery in a circuit with the motor including a switch for controlling said circuit; a programmer Within said chamber comprising a ratchet having cam means operatively engaging said switch for opening and closing the same, a spring urged pawl forad'vancing said ratchet in steps, and a manually operated control line entering the chamber of said vessel and secured to said pawl for pulling the latter against the action of its spring for advancing said ratchet. v

3. In a water going line carrier of the propeller driven type having a tubular body providing a sealed chamber confiningy a motor and a battery in a circuit with a switch for controlling said circuit; a resi-lient rudder,'a pro'- grammer within said chamber comprising a ratchet having cam means operatively engageable with said switch for opening and closing the same, a left and-y a right tiller arm spaced segmentally from each other on said ratchet and alternately engageable with said rudderffor flexing the same to the left and the right respectively, a spring urged pawl for advancing said ratchet in seg'- rnental steps, vand a manually operated control line extending into said chamber and secured to said pawl for pulling the latter against the action of its spring for advancing said ratchet.

4.1In a water going line carrierof the type having a tubular body providing a sealed chamber confining anda switch in said circuit for controlling the latter; a

housing at the fore end of said tubular body, a propeller at the fore end of said housing, adrive shaft connected topsaidpropeller and said motor, and a programmer in said chamber comprising a step-up mechanism including a cam' engageable with said switch for opening and closing the same, and a manually operated control line eX- tending into said chamber and secured to said step-up mechanism for advancing the same to thereby engage and disengage said cam with said switch at the option of the user manipulating said control line.

5. In' a water going line carrier of the type having a tubular body providing a sealed chamber confining an electric motor, batteries in circuit with the motor and a switch in said circuit for controlling the latter; a resilient rudder at the aft end of said tubular body, a drive shaft housing at the fore end of said tubular body, a propeller at the fore vend Vof said housing, a drive shaft connected to said propeller and said motor, and a programmer in said chamber comprising a step-up mechanism including a cam engageable with said switch for opening and closing the same, a manually operated control line extending into said chamber and 'secured to said step-up mechanism for advancing the same to thereby engage and disengage said cam with said switch at the option of the user manipulating said control line, and tiller arms on said step-up mechanism spaced circumferentially of e'ach other for alternately engaging and disengaging said resilient rudder for flexing the same to right and left alternately for changing the course of said water going carrier.

6. In a water going line carrier of the 'type having a tubular body providing a sealed chamber confining an electric motor, batteries in circuit with the motor and a switch in said circuit for controlling Vthe latter; a rudder 'at the aft end of said tubular body comprising a resilient motor, a'nd a programmer in said chamber comprising a step-up mechanism including a pawl and ratchet, a cam `on one segment of` said ratchet engageable with said switch, when said ratchet is in one of; itsrstepped` positions, for opening and closing the same,'a tiller arm on each of the next two segments of saidratchet and al-V ternately engageable withsaid resilient hollow tail-like n for flexing the latter rightgand left respectivelylrelative to said tubular body,4 and-a manuallyvoperated control line extending through said hollow tail-like tin lnto said chamber and secured to said pawl for advancing said ratchet one segmental step each-time-the usermanipulates said-control line.V Y

7.V In a waterrgoing line carrier 'of-thettype having l,a Y

. tubularbody providing a sealed chamber Aconfining, an

electric motor, batteries Yin circuit withthemotor and a switch in vsaid circuit for controlling the latter; ,arudder at the aft end of said tubular body comprisingV a resilient hollow tail-like tin, a propeller at. the foreend of said body, a drive shaft yconnected'to said propeller and lsaid motor, and a programmer in said chamber comprising Ya .step-up mechanism including a pawl and ratchet, a c am on one .segment of said ratchet' engageable with said switch Ywhen said ratchet is in one of its stepped positions for closing said switch, a tiller arm on each of the next two segments of said ratchet. and alternately engageable with said resilient hollow tail-like fin for flexing the latter right andleftrespectively relative to said tubularl body, a manually operated control line extending through said hollow tail-like fin into said chamber and secured to said pawl for advancing said ratchet one segmental step each Y Y Y i8 segments of said ratchet and alternately engageable with saidY resilient hollowtail-liken for flexing the latter right ,and `left respectively ;relative .to said ktubular body, Va manually operated control line .extending'through said hollow tail-likeV n into V said chamber and secured to said` .pawl for advancingy said'ratchet onesegmental step each timejtheuser Vmanipulates said control line, a stabilizing keel-'like linen ,saidV body"Y setY atanV angle Vof'at ,least 5 degrees ofi verticalto counteract torque fcreatedrby said propeller, andA a bale plate hinged on saidtubu'lar` body transversely of said leel-likeiin' and freeto glide through Vthe', water during forward movement of said'gbodyf'under .i the iniluence of said propeller and for abutting Vthe aft endY Vof said `keel-likein .for resisting backward movement of saidbody when Vthe latter is pulled rearwardly upon manipulation of said control'line.

10. jIn a water going carrler i viding aisealed'chamber confining an electric rmotora time lthe user manipulates said control line, and a brake Y,

mechanism on said tubular body facilitating unrestricted Y forward movement thereof under the influenceof -said propeller and resisting backward movement of said body Y when pulledrearwardly upon manipulation of said control line.

8. In a water going line carrierof the type .having aY tubular body providing a sealed chamber confining an electric motor, batteries in circuit with the motor and a `switch in said circuit for controlling Vthe latter; arudder at the aft end of said tubular body comprising a resilient hollow tail-'like iin, -apropeller at the lfore end of said body, a drive shaft connected to said propeller and Ysaid motor, and aprogrammer in said chamber comprising a step-*up mechanism including a pawl and ratchet, acam on one segment of said ratchet engageable with said 1 switch when said ratchet is in one .of its stepped positions lfor closing said switch, a tiller arm on each of the nent twov segments of said ratchetA and alternately engageable with said resilient hollow tail-like iin for exingthe :latter right and left,Y respectively relative to saidV tubular b'o'dy, a manually operated control line extending through said hollow tail-like tin into said chamber and secured to said pawl for advancing said ratchet one segmental step each time the user manipulates said control line, a keel-likern on said body and a baffle plate hinged on said tubular body transversely'of said keel-like iin and free to glide through the water during forward movement of Vsaid body under the influence of said propeller and for abutting the aft endy body,l a drive shaft connected Ato saidpropeller and said.

motorand a programmer in said chamber comprising a step-up mechanism including a pawl and ratchet,A a cam on one segment of said ratchet engageable with said switch when said ratchet is in one of its stepped positions for closing said switch, a tiller ann on each of the next twoV Vbattery in circuit with said motor and a normally open switch forcontrolling said circuit; a step-up mecha-y nism within saidl chamber having a cam movable into and out of engagementwith said switch for closing and opening the latter, a control line operatively connected to said step-up mechanism for advancing the same when said control'line is manually pulled, a drive lshaft; housing projectingl forwardly from said tubular body including Aa passage, a propeller at the fore end of said housing, and

a drive shaft connecting said propellerY to said motor `coml- Vprising a twisted cable snugly t within said'jpassage whereby the helical'trend of said cable cooperates the internal wall of said passage to. force incomingwater Voutwardly of said passage during'rotationV of said cable.

l1. In a water going carrier'havinga'tubular'body profviding sealed chambnereomiaing an @keine morena battery in circuit jwith said 'motor and with va normally open switch forV controlling said circuit;`a step-upmechanism Vwithin said chamber havinga cam movable into and out of engagement with saidJ-switchVV for closingand open-V ing the latter, alcontrol lineoper'a'tively'connected to said step-up mechanism for Vadvancing the i same when said control lineris manually pulled, a drive shaft housing pro- `jectingl forwardly from Ysaidtubular body Vincludinga passage, a propeller at the fore Vend o f said housing, a

flexible drive shaft connecting saidY propeller to said motor, said drive shafthousin'g having a Vcurved Ycontour diverging 'relative to the fore to aft axisof said tubular body for counteracting'torque created, by said propeller.V

v12. In a water going carrier having a tubular bodyV providing fa sealedchamber yconfining an electric'moton a'V battery inrcireuit withy said motor'and with a normally open switch for controlling vsaid 'circuitgfa step-up'mecha nism within said chamber having a camV movable intoand out of engagement with said switch for closirigfand openi ingthe Vlatter, a control line operatively-connectedtogsaid step-upimechanism foradvancing thesame when 'said control line is manually pulled; a drive shaft housing pro- Jectlng forwardly from said tubular body including a passage,.a propeller at-the fore end of said housing, a flexible drive shaftv connecting said` propeller to said motor,'said` drive shaft housing 'having' a curved 4contour diverging relative to the fore to aft axisV of said tubular body for counteracting torque created by said propeller, said drive shaft housing being turnable relative to said tubular body facilitating setting 0f the curved contourof said drive shaft housing to compensate for drift and sideV currents in the water in which said vesselis traveling. Y

13'. In a water going line Vcarrier of the type Yhaving a tubular body providing a sealed chamber confining an electric motor, batteries in circuit with the motor and a normallyopen switch in saidcircuit for controlling the latter; aresilientirudder at thefaft end of said tubularbody, ay driveshaft housing at the fore end of said tubular bodya propeller-at=the fore end ofsaid-housing,

. a drive shaftv connected to said propeller and said motor, a programmer Iirrsaid ,cliamben.comprising kastep-up having a tubular body pro- 9 1- Y mechanism including a cam movable into and out of engagement with said 'switch for closing and opening the same, a manually operated control line extending into said chamber and secured to said step-up mechanism for advancing the same, tiller -arms on said step-up mechanism spaced circumferentially of each other and from said cam for alternately engaging and disenga'g'ing said resilient rudder for exing the same to right and left alternately for changing the course of said water going carrier, said drive shaft housing having a curved contour diverging relative to the fore to aft -axis of said tubular body for counteractng torque created by said propeller.

14. In a water going line ca-r-rier of the type having a tubular body providing a sealed chamber confining an electric motor, batteries in circuit with the motor and a normally open switch in said circuit for controlling the latter; Ia resilient rudder at the aft end of said tubular body, a drive shaft housing at the fore end of said tubular body, a propeller at the fore end of said housing, a drive shaft connected to said propeller and said motor, a programmer in said chamber comprising a step-up mechanism including a cam movable into and out of engagement With said switch for closing and opening the same, a manually operated control line extending into said chamber and secured to said step-up mechanism for advancing the same, tiller arms on said step-up mechanism spaced circumferentially of each other and from said cam for alternately engaging and disengaging said resilient rudder for exing the same to right and left alternately for changing the course of said water going carrier, said drive shaft housing being turnable relative to said tubular body facilitating setting of the curved contour of said drive shaft housing to compensate for drift and side currents in the water in which said vessel is travcling.

l5. In a Water going line carrier of the propeller driven type having a tubular body providing a sealed chamber confining a motor and a battery in a circuit with a switch for controlling said circuit; a resilient rudder, a programmer within said chamber comprising a ratchet having ya segmental cam operatively engageable with said switch for opening and closing the same, a left and a right tiller arm on said ratchet each spaced segmentally from each other and from said cam and alternately engageable with said rudder for flexing the same to the left and to the right respectively, -a spring urged pawl for advancing said ratchet in segmental steps, a manually operated control line extending into said chamber and secured to said pawl for pulling the latter against the action of its spring for advancing said ratchet, a drive shaft housing projecting forwardly from said tubular body including a passage, a :propeller at the fore end of said housing, and a drive shaft connecting said propeller to said motor comprising a twisted cable snugly t within said passage whereby the helical trend of said cable cooperates with the internal wall of said passage to force incoming water outwardly of said passage during rotation of said cable.

16. In a water -going line carrier of the propeller driven type having a tubular body providing a sealed chamber confining a motor and a battery in a circuit with a switch for controlling said circuit; a resilient rudder, a program-mer within said chamber comprising ya ratchet having a segmental cam operatively engageable with said switch for opening and closing the same, a left and a right tiller arm on said ratchet each spaced segmentally from each other and from said cam and alternately engageable with said rudder for flexing the same to the left and to the right respectively, a spring urged pawl for advancing said ratchet in segmental steps, a manually operated control line extending into said chamber and secured to said pawl for pulling the latter against the action of its spring for advancing said ratchet, -a drive shaft housing projecting forwardly from said tubular body including a passage, a propeller at the fore end of said housing, a drive shaft connecting said propeller to said motor comprising a twisted cable snugly vfit within said passage whereby the helical trend of said cable cooperates with the internal wall of said passage to force incoming Water outwardly of said passage during rotation of said cable, said drive shaft housing having a curved contour diverging relative to the fore to aft axis of said tubular body for counteracting torque created by said propeller. y

17. In ra water going line carrier of the propeller driven type having :a tubular body providing a sealed chamber confining a motor and la battery in a circuit with a switch for controlling said circuit; a resilient rudder, a programmer within said chamber comprising a ratchet having a segmental cam operatively engageable with said switch for opening `and closing the same, a left and a right tiller arm on said ratchet each spaced segmentally from each other and from said cam and alternately engageable with said rudder -for flexing the same to the left and to the right respectively, a spring urged pawl for advancing said ratchet in segmental steps, a manually operated control line extending into said chamber and secured to said pawl for pulling the latter against the action of its spring for advancing said ratchet, a drive shaft housing projecting forwardly from said tubular body including a passage, a propeller at the fore end of said housing, and a drive shaft connecting said propeller to said motor comprising a twisted cable snugly fit within said passage whereby the helical trend of said cable cooperates with the internal wall of said passage to force incoming Water outwardly of said passage during rotation of said cable, said drive shaft housing being turnable relative to said tubular body facilitating setting of the curved contour of said drive shaft housing to compensate for drift and side currents in the water in which said vessel is traveling.

18. In a water going line carrier of the propeller driven type having a tubular body providing a sealed chamber confining a motor and a battery in -a circuit with a switch for controlling said circuit; a programmer within said chamber comprising a step-up mechanism having cam means alternately engageable with said switch for opening and closing the same, a manually operated control line extending into said chamber and secured to said stepup mechanism for advancing the same, and a brake mechanism on said tubular body facilitating unrestricted forward movement thereof under the influence of said propeller and resisting backward movement of said body when pulled rearwardly upon manipulation of said control line.

19. In a water going line carrier of the propeller driven vessel type having the form of a sealed chamber confining a rnotor connected to the propeller and a battery in a circuit with the motor including a switch for controlling said circuit; ra programmer within said chamber comprising a ratchet having cam means operatively engaging said switch for opening and closing the same, a spring urged pawl for advancing said ratchet in steps, a manually operated control line entering the chamber of said vessel and secured to said pawl for pulling the latter against the action of its spring for advancing said ratchet, a keel-like lin on said body and a bale plate hinged on said tubular body transversely of said keel-like iin and free to glide through the water yduring forward movement of said body under the influence of said propeller and for abutting the aft end of said keel-like fin for resisting backward movement of said body when the latter is pulled rearwardly upon manipulation of said control line.

20. In a water going line carrier of the type having ya tubular body providing a sealed chamber confining an electric motor, batteries in circuit with the motor and a switch in said circuit for controlling the latter; a resilient rudder at the aft end of said tubular body, a propeller at the fore end of said tubular body connected to said motor, a programmer in said chamber comprising a stepup mechanism including a cam engageable with said switch for opening and closing the same, a manually operated control line extending into said chamber and .se-

cured to said steplup mechanism for advancing the same to thereby engage and disengage said cam with said switch at the option of the userr'nanipulatingsaid control line, tiller arms on said step-up mechanism spaced circumferencially of each other for alternately engaging and 4disengaging said resilient rudder for flexing the sameto right and left alternately for changing the'course of s aid water going carrier, a stabilizing keel-like fin on said body` set Y at an angle of at least 5 degrees 01T `vertical to counteract torque created -by saidpropeller, and a Ibate plate hinged Ward movernentfof saidihody when thelatter is pulledv rearwardly upon manipulation of` said controlline.

o References Cited in theleof this patientv Y UNITED STATESYlPATIJ'I" SV l293,735 i i V'Hender'son Feb; 19,; i884YV 533,318 f Pohlman Jan. 29, Y1:; 95

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