US3099319A

US3099319A - Feathered paddle mechanism with eccentric

Info

Publication number: US3099319A
Application number: US124294A
Authority: US
Inventors: Clinton D Town
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-07-05
Filing date: 1961-07-05
Publication date: 1963-07-30
Anticipated expiration: 1980-07-30

Description

July 30, c TOWN I FEATHERED PADDLE MECHANISM WITH ECCENTRIC Filed July 5, 1961 C'lz'nfon D. Town IN V EN TOR.

Ml/W

3,ll99,319 FEATHERED PADDLE MECHANISM WITH ECCENTREC Clinton D. Town, W5 SE. Rush St, Portland, Greg. Filed Early 5, 1961, Ser. No. 124,24 3 Claims. ((Ci. Till-151) This invention relates to propulsion mechanism for boats, and more particularly to a propulsion mechanism with paddles having means for feathering the paddles as they are moved.

Paddle-type propulsion mechanisms have a number of peculiar advantages. For instance, they may be constructed with a relatively shallow draft, and still operate efiiciently. Further, they are not as susceptible to encumbrance with weeds and grasses as propeller-type mechanisms. To increase the efliciency of paddle-type propulsion mechanisms, some constructions have included means for feathering the paddles, on their movement in and out of the water, whereby they remain substantially upright at all times. This reduces slapping of the water and other effects that result in loss of power. A paddletype propulsion mechanism, with means for feathering the paddles, is disclosed in U.S. 2,918,892, entitled Boat and Propeller Mechanism. Generally, this invention concerns improvements in mechanisms of the type disclosed in the above referred-to patent.

A general object of the invention is to provide an improved paddle-type propulsion mechanism, where the paddles, as well as the means for feathering them, are carried entirely on a straight axle or shaft, such shaft extending transversely of the boat and being suitably mounted at its ends. As a result of the construction, skewing tendencies in the paddles are substantially eliminated. Mass and interbracing of the parts in the propulsion mechanism may be considerably reduced.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a propulsion mechanism with paddles, where a straight shaft supports the paddles and the means for feathering them, and power is supplied to the paddles by discs supporting the ends of the paddles, each disc being power driven and mounted on the shaft with their centers aligned. In this way power is applied evenly to both sets of ends of the paddles without subjecting the paddles to twisting strains.

Yet another object is to provide a paddle-type propulsion mechanism, including feathering mechanism, that features a regulator disc journaled on an eccentric mounted in a stationary position on one end of the shaft that supports the propulsion mechanism.

Still another object of the invention is to provide novel cover structure for the paddle feathering mechanism.

In the description of the invention that follows, two embodiments are disclosed. A feature of one embodiment is the provision of a dead axle or shaft supporting a paddle mounting, and means for feathering the paddles, with an eccentric carried directly by the dead axle by fixing it to the axle, such providing a mounting for a regulator disc journaled on the eccentric that is part of the feathering mechanism. In the other embodiment, a live axle supports the paddle mounting, and the eccentric is mounted in a stationary position on the axle by means accommodating rotation of the axle relative to the eccentric.

The features and objects discussed above, as well as others related to the invention, will become more fully apparent as the following description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top, plan view of propulsion mechanism constructed according to one embodiment of the invention, with portions broken away, and showing paddles in the mechanism, their mounting, and the means for feathering them;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the propulsion mechanism illustrated in PEG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a top, plan view of a modified form of the invention, with portions removed.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to *iGS. 1 and 2, a propulsion mechanism is indicated generally at ill. The mechanism is supported on

horizontal beams

12 and 14, that are part of and extend longitudinally along a boat hull. The space between the beams is open, and mechanism it} is carried by the beams with bottom portions thereof submerged in the water that floats the hull.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in H68. 1 and 2, propulsion mechanism 16 comprises an elongated dead axle or shaft 2%, extending transversely of

beams

12 and 14. Thus, the shaft has its ends fixed to the beams by brackets 22.

Iournaled on shaft 2%, between the brackets 22, is an elongated sleeve 26. The mounting for the sleeve on the shaft is such that the sleeve is prevented from shifting axially on the shaft. Adjacent each end of sleeve 26, and secured thereto, as by screws 28, is a circular mounting disc or plate, such being indicated at 36, 32.

Plates 3%, 32 support a series of paddles 34, which are between the plates and equally circumferentially spaced about sleeve 26 and axle 29. Each paddle comprises a blade portion 35, and is fixedly secured by clamps 38 to a spindle th. The spindles have opposite ends journaled in mounting plates 3%), 32.. One set of ends of the spindles have radially offset portions, indicated at Ma.

The propulsion mechanism is actuated by means of a pulley 42 secured to an end of sleeve 25, and a driven belt 44. Belt 44 is rotated by suitable power-operated means (not shown). their ends mounted on plates, each of which is secured to a driven sleeve, is important, as it means that the paddles are pulled through the water evenly and without skewing or twisting tendencies.

Offset portions Alia of the paddle spindles are axially outwardly of plate 32. A regulator disc or plate is indicated at 4 6, and the offset portions of the paddle spindles are journaled in plate id at points equally circumferentially spaced about the perimeter of plate 46.

Fastened to shaft 20, as by welding, and outwardly in an axial direction from plate 32, is an eccentric 50, also referred to herein as an eccentric bearing member. The eccentric comprises a disc bounded by a circular bearing surface, the center axis of which is offset radially from the longitudinal axis of the axle (to the right of the longitudinal axis of the axle in the figures).

Regulator disc 46 has a circular bore 52 (see FIG. 2) at the center therof. The disc is journaled on the eccentric, with the eccentric received within bore 52. Rotation of the regulator disc is thus about an axis offset from the longitudinal axis of the axle.

At 56 there is indicated a shroud plate or disc, having substantially the same diameter as plates 3ft, 32. The shroud plate is journaled on axle or shaft Ztl outwardly of regulator disc 46. A cylindrical cover 58 fastened at one end to plate 32 and at its other end to plate or disc 56' connects the shroud plate and plate 32. The shroud plate and cover constitute cover structure for the regulator disc.

The operation of the propulsion mechanism described should be obvious. On movement of belt 44, sleeve 26 is rotated on axle 2d, and

mounting plates

30, 32 are also rotated. This causes movement of the paddles in a circular path or sweep about the longitudinal axis of the sleeve and axle. eca-use of the connection of the paddle The fact that the paddles have spindles with the ofiset regulator disc, as the

mounting plates

30, 32 are rotated, the offset ends of the paddle spindles are maintained in the same relative position, which is to the right of the main portion of the paddle spindles in FIGS. 1 and 2. The result is that the paddles, throughout their movement, are maintained in an upright position. The shroud plate and cover rotate as a unit With plate 32, with the shroud plate and cover protecting the regulator disc, the offset ends of the spindles, and their mountings in the regulator disc.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 3, and reference is now made to that figure, a live axle 6i replaces the dead axle of the first embodiment discussed. The axle is suitably journaled at its ends. Thus, the upper end illustrated in FIG. 3 is journaled as in a bracket 62 secured to beam 12, and the lower end is journaled in a stationary sleeve 66 secured to beam 14. Plates '70, '72, corresponding to plates 34?, 32 of the first embodiment, are secured directly (as by Welding) to axle or shaft 60.

Paddles 74 are mounted on plates 7 0, 72 between plates 7%), 72. These include paddle spindles 76, with ofiset ends 75a. Ends 76a are journaled in a regulator disc or plate 78, similar to plate or disc 46.

In this embodiment of the invention, as in the first, an eccentric is provided, such being indicated at St The eccentric is mounted in a stationary position on the axle. Thus, the eccentric is fixedly joined to stationary sleeve 66.

At 82 there is indicated a shroud plate, similar to plate 56 described in connection with the first embodiment of the invention. A cover connecting the shroud plate and plate 72 is shown at 83.

Completing the description of the mechanism, axle 60 is rotated by a pulley 84 joined to the axle, and a powerdriven belt 86 trained over the pulley.

The operation of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3 is substantially the same as the operation of the first mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. On rotation of the axle or shaft 6%), plates 7%, 72 are revolved, with paddles 74 moved on rotation of the plates in a circular path or sweep. The regulator disc rotates with plates 7%, 72, maintaining the offset ends of the paddle spindles in the same relative position. Thus, the paddles 'are kept upright at all times.

In both embodiments, it should be noted that a straight shaft extending entirely through the propulsion mechanism is used, and that the paddles are moved through the water by means connected to opposite ends of the paddles and with the paddles balanced thereon. In both embodiments the power for moving the paddles does not come from the regulator disc, and the regulator disc only follows, so to speak, the paddles, because of the connec tions of the paddle spindles with the regulator disc. Consequently the offset ends 'of the paddle spindles are not subjected to any appreciable twisting stresses in the propulsion mechanism. Also important is the fact that the outer margin :of the regulator disc is spaced from the shaft not farther than the outer margins of the discs: or plates mounting the paddles. This makes possible the type of cover structure described for the regulator disc. Should the cover structure be omitted, the fact that the d discs mounting the paddles have relatively large diameters means that some degree of protection is afforded the regulator disc.

It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In boat propulsion mechanism, an elongated dead axle and means mounting the ends of the axle, sleeve means journaled on said axle, plural paddles circumferentially spaced about said axle and sleeve means, means connecting the paddles and sleeve means with the paddles movable in circular sweeps about the axle, an eccentric bearing member and means mounting it in fixed position on said axle adjacent an end thereof, a regulator member journaled on said heating member, and means connecting each paddle and said regulator member with the regulator member and paddles movable together and the regulator member operable to feather the paddles on movement of the paddles.

2. Boat propulsion mechanism comp-rising an elongated axle, means mounting the ends of the axle, a pair of mounting discs spaced longitudinally on the axle and mounted thereon, plural paddles spaced circumferentially about said axle and between and mounted on said mounting discs, a shroud disc to one side of one of the mounting discs and mounted on the axle, a bearing disc mounted on the axle between the shroud disc and said one mounting disc, said bearing disc having a circular bearing surface with an axial center offset radially from the longitudinal axis of the axle, a regulator disc journaled on the bearing surface of said bearing disc, means connecting the regulator disc and each of the paddles whereby the paddles are feathered by the regulator disc, and a cover for the regulator disc and its connection with the paddles, said cover extending between and being secured to said one mounting disc and said shroud disc.

3. In a boat having a hull, propulsion mechanism for the boat comprising an elongated axle shaft and means adjacent each end of the shaft securing it in a stationary position on the hull, a rotatable sleeve journaled on said shaft intermediate the ends thereof, a pair of paddlemounting members spaced longitudinally on said sleeve and secured thereto, plural paddles circumferentially spaced about said sleeve disposed between and journaled on said mounting members, means for rotating said sleeve joined to said sleeve adjacent one of its ends and spaced outwardly toward the said one end of said sleeve from said mounting members, rotation of said sleeve being operable to move said paddles in circular sweeps about said axle shaft, an eccentric bearing member fastened to said axle adjacent the end of said sleeve opposite its said one end, a regulator member journaled on said eccentric bearing member, and means connecting each paddle and said regulator member whereby the regulator member is operable to feather the paddles on movement of the paddles.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 729,397 Nowak May 26, 1903 1,844,406 McOrosky Feb. 9, 1932 1,893,62l Hansen Jan. 10, 1933

Claims

1. IN BOAT PROPULSION MECHANISM, AN ELONGATED DEAD AXLE AND MEANS MOUNTING THE ENDS OF THE AXLE, SLEEVE MEANS JOURNALED ON SAID AXLE, PLURAL PADDLES CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED ABOUT SAID AXLE AND SLEEVE MEANS, MEANS CONNECTING THE PADDLES AND SLEEVE MEANS WITH THE PADDLES MOVABLE IN CIRCULAR SWEEPS ABOUT THE AXLE, AN ECCENTRIC BEARING MEMBER AND MEANS MOUNTING IT IN FIXED POSITION ON SAID AXLE ADJACENT AN END THEREOF, A REGULATOR