US3721208A

US3721208A - Vehicle and apparatus for moving the vehicle through a fluid

Info

Publication number: US3721208A
Application number: US00173450A
Authority: US
Inventors: L Lampert; A Joyal
Original assignee: MINIJET SPORTSCRAFTS Inc
Current assignee: MINIJET SPORTSCRAFTS Inc
Priority date: 1971-08-20
Filing date: 1971-08-20
Publication date: 1973-03-20
Anticipated expiration: 1990-03-20
Also published as: JPS4830296A

Abstract

The vehicle comprises a buoyant body and moving means within the body for moving the body through a fluid. The moving means includes a chamber having an intake port and an outlet port, and propelling means in the chamber for drawing the fluid into the chamber through the intake port and for propelling the fluid out of the chamber through the outlet port to propel the vehicle. A motor is provided for operating the vehicle. An air inlet passage communicates with the chamber adjacent the upstream end of the propelling means and closure means is provided which is selectively operable to open and close the air inlet passage to prevent the propelling means from drawing fluid into the chamber through the intake port when the closure means is in the open position.

Description

]March 20, 1973 United States Patent 1 Lampert et al.

[ VEHICLE AND APPARATUS FOR Primary Examiner-Milton Buchler MOVING THE VEHICLE THROUGH A Assistant Examiner-Jesus D. Sotelo FLUID Attorney-Paul Fields [75] Inventors: Laurence L. Lampert; Arthur B.

- Joyal, both of New York, N.Y.

[73] Assignee: Minijet Sportscrafts Inc., New York,

[22] Filed: Aug. 20, 1971 Appl. No.: 173,450

the fluid out of the chamber through the outlet port to propel the vehicle. A motor is provided for operating the vehicle. An air inlet passage communicates with the chamber adjacent the upstream end of the 1m 6 1 UN H11 1& W6 "A M l m mM WW WW WW "n5 "m mmhu uuc -r ""8 Hue s .L C .M I8 I cl UhF HD 0 0 555 lZliI.

References Cited propelling means and closure means is provided which is selectively operable to open and close the air inlet UNITED STATES PATENTS passage to prevent the propelling means from drawing fluid into the chamber through the intake port when the closure means is in the open position.

3,324,822 Carter 15/70 3,369,518 2/1968 Jacobson................................l15/70 21 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMARZO I975 3,721, 208 sum 1 or 3 0 4o VENTORS 58 6 LAURENCE L.LAMPERT ARTHUR B. JOYAL ATTORNEY.

PAIENTEUMARZO I975 3.721.208

SHEET 3 OF 3 INVENTORS LAUREN LAMPERT ARTHU JOYAL ATTORNEY.

VEHICLE AND APPARATUS FOR MOVING THE VEHICLE THROUGH A FLUID This invention relates generally to a watercraft and, more particularly, pertains to a craft for towing a swimmer or the like and novel means for propelling the same.

Presently, there are many devices commercially available for towing a swimmer through the water. However, for the most part, these devices are expensive to manufacture and are usually complicated in construction and require continuous maintenance.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an improved watercraft.

A more specific object of the invention is the provision of a watercraft which is simple in construction and efficient in operation.

Another object of the invention resides in the novel details of construction which provide a watercraft of the type described which is inexpensive in cost.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a watercraft or the like having novel means for propelling the craft.

A more specific object of this aspect of the invention is to provide apparatus for propelling a vehicle which is easily controlled by the operator of the vehicle.

Another object of the invention is the provision of propelling apparatus for a craft which is adapted tobe disabled upon release of the craft by the operator thereby causing the craft to idle.

Accordingly, an apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention for propelling a vehicle connected thereto through a fluid comprises a chamber having an intake port and an outlet port. Propelling means is provided in the chamber for drawing the fluid into the chamber through the intake port and propelling the fluid out of the chamber through the outlet port to thereby propel the vehicle connected to the apparatus. A motor is in driving connection with the propelling means and an air inlet passage communicates with the chamber. Closure means is provided which is connected to the air inlet passage and is selectively operative between an air inlet passage open and an air inlet passage closed position to prevent the propelling means from drawing the fluid into the chamber when the closure means is in the open position.

Other features and advantages of the present invention become more apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a craft constructed according to the present invention which incorporates the novel propelling apparatus;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the craft shown in FIG. 1, with parts broken away and other parts in section;

FIG. 3 is a detailed sectional view, to an enlarged scale, of the control portion of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the craft shown in FIG. 1, with parts broken away;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged top plan view, with parts broken away and in section, ofa modified embodiment of an apparatus constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a detailed view, to an enlarged scale, of the bilge pump connection arrangement constructed according to the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a detailed sectional view of the bilge pump control constructed in accordance with the present invention.

A craft constructed according to the present invention and incorporating the novel propelling apparatus of the present invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 10 in the Figures and includes a body 12 having an upper half 14 and a lower half 16. The craft is streamlined so that it will meet minimum resistance as it travels through a fluid such as water and tapers from a wide rear end inwardly and forwardly to the bow 18.

In practice, the body 12 is fabricated from a lightweight plastic material such as fiberglass or the like and is buoyant so that the body will float on the water.

Formed in the body 12 at the port and starboard sides of the craft adjacent the rear thereof are

tubular chambers

20 and 22. The

chambers

20 and 22 form a part of the propelling apparatus of the present invention which is designated generally by the reference numeral 24. As shown in FIG. 1, the body 12 further includes a rearwardly extending central raised section 26 and

recesses

28 and 30 on either side thereof. Extending transversely across the recess 30 between the central section 26 and the side wall of the recess 30 0pposite thereof is a conduit 32. Similarly, extending transversely across the recess 28 between the central section 26 and the opposite wall of the recess 28 is a handle 34. The conduit 32 similarly forms a handle so that the conduit 32 and the handle 34 may be grasped by the person to be towed so that the craft can easily tow the operator. The

recesses

30 and 28 provide sufficient clearance for the hands of the operator so that the conduit 32 and the handle 34 may be easily grasped by the operator.

The propelling apparatus 24 includes moving means designated generally by the reference numeral 36 which is adapted to move the craft. The moving means include the chamber 20 which is provided with an intake port 38 and an outlet port 40. The intake port 38 is located in the bottom section or half 16 of the craft and includes longitudinally extending bars 42 across the opening thereof which is adapted to prevent the operators extremities from entering the opening and to decrease turbulence in the fluid entering through the intake port. The chamber 20 further includes a reduced diameter opening 44 at the end thereof which receives a bearing seat 46. Received within the bearing seat 46 is the end of a shaft 48 suitable supported by bearing 51 which is sealed by respective bearing seals 50 at the ends thereof. The rear end of the shaft 48 is rotatably received in a support 52 having radially extending vanes or blades 54 which are adapted to engage the walls defining the chamber 20 to centrally locate the shaft therein so that the shaft is coaxial with the chamber. The vanes function to convert radial flow of a fluid into an axial flow.

Fixedly received on the shaft 48 is an impeller 56 which is located just forward of the support 52. A nozzle 58 is received in the outlet port 40 and includes interior curved wall section 60 which facilitates flow of the fluid through the outlet port. Fixedly received on the forward end of the shaft 48 beyond the bearing seat 46 is a pulley 62. The pulley 62 is in driving connection with a pulley 64 mounted on the output shaft 66 of motor 68 via a belt 70.

The motor 68 is conventional in construction and may comprise a gasoline powered motor having a starter handle 72 (FIG. 1), a choke control 74 and an accelerator control 78. The motor is received within an opening 80 in the upper half 14 of body 12 and is supported within the body by appropriate brackets (now shown). The motor is protected by an upstanding shroud 82 having a rear end formed of a screen material 84 to facilitate cooling of the motor. The shroud may be removably connected to the upper half 14 of the body by any conventional means.

It is to be noted that an identical moving means 36 is provided on the other side of the craft which includes the chamber 22 and is connected to the pulley 64 via a belt 70. However, this moving means is not shown in detail since it is identical in construction to the arrangement described hereinabove.

A through bore 86 is provided in the wall of the chamber and receives a hollow rigid tube 88 therein. The flexible tube 90 is received over the outwardly extending portion of the tube 88 and is clamped thereto in sealing engagement therewith by a clamp 92. The bore 86, as shown in FIG. 2, is positioned immediately adjacent the upstream end of the impeller 56, as noted in greater detail hereinbelow. The tubes 90 from each of the moving means 36 are connected together by a T- connector 94 the shunt portion of which is connected to the conduit 32 by a flexible elbow 96. As shown in FIG. 2, the'conduit 32 has a sealed end 98 and an open end 100 which extends into the elbow 96. Provided in the external portion of the conduit 32 is an opening 102. The opening 102 and the associated conduit and tubes provide an air inlet passage to the chamber 20 so that air may enter the chamber 20 when the opening 102 is in the open state.

However, the opening 102 is adapted to be closed by a member 104. That is, as shown in greater detail in FIG. 3, the member 104 comprises a flexible and resilient member having one end rigidly secured to the conduit 32 by rivets 106. The member 104 extends about the conduit 32 for approximately three-quarters of the circumference thereof and is normally spaced from the opening 102 as shown by the solid line drawing of FIG. 3. However, when pressure is applied to the flexible and resilient member, the member is adapted to be moved into sealing engagement with the conduit 32 as shown by the dashed line drawing of' FIG. 3 so that the member 104 effectively seals the opening 102 to prevent the entrance of air into the chamber 20. In order to insure sealing of the opening 102, the inner surface of the member 104 receives a' pad 105 fabricated from rubber or the like the dimensions of which are larger than the opening 102 to effect an airtight seal. To facilitate movement of the member 104 the end portion thereof 108 extends outwardly so that the member may easily be manipulated by the thumb of the operator. To be more specific, a reference to FIG. 1 shows that the member 104 is positioned near the central section 26. Accordingly, when the operator places his hand around conduit 32 the thumb will be in a position to engage the portion 108 of the member 104 to close the opening 102.

In operation, the craft 10 is placed in the water and the starter handle :72 and the choke control 74 are operated to start the motor 68. The accelerator 78 may then be adjusted to obtain the proper speed of the motor 68.

The motor 68 will cause the impeller 56 to rotate via the driving connection with the shaft 48. Assuming the opening 102 to be closed, no air will enter the chamber 20 (or the chamber 22) through the bore 86. Accordingly, the movement of the impeller 56 will cause water to be drawn into the chamber 20 through the intake port 38 in the conventional manner. The rotating impeller 56 will cause this water or fluid to move rearwardly past the vanes 54 which reduce turbulence and change circular to axial flow and out through the outlet port 40 via the nozzle 58 and curved wall 60. Thus, the craft 10 will move forwardly as the water exits through the port and starboard chambers. The operator who grasps the

handles

32 and 34 will therefor be towed by the craft and can easily steer the craft in any direction he desires. Additionally, his speed may easily be controlled by controlling the position of the accelerator 78 which is easily accessible since it is positioned adjacent the handle 34.

However, when it is desired to stop or permit the craft to idle, the operator releases the pressure on the member 104 to permit the same to resume its normal position as indicated by the solid lines in FIG. 3. Accordingly, the opening 102 will open to permit air to reach the chamber 20 (and the chamber 22) through the conduit 32, elbow 96, T-connector 94, tube and the tube 88. Since the air is substantially. less dense than the water being drawn into the chamber 20 through the intake port 38, the entrance of the air through the air inlet passage will break the vacuum at the upstream end of the impeller 56 thereby preventing any more water from being drawn into the chamber through the intake port 38. As a result, the craft 10 will no longer be propelled and will stay substantially in the same place.

When it is desired to permit the craft 10 to again resume its potion, the operator places his thumb on the portion 108 of the member 104 and presses the same radially inwardly to to the dotted line position of FIG. 3. This effectively seals the opening 102 to shut off the air supply to the chamber 20 through the air inlet passage. Accordingly, a vacuum will again be produced at the upstream end of the impeller 56 to cause water to be drawn intothe intake port 38 and be propelled outwardly through the outlet port at the downstream end of the impeller 56.

Accordingly, a novel craft for movement through'a fluid and a propelling apparatus therefore have been disclosed which incorporates a simple and inexpensive control for the craft which permits the craft to idle without the necessity of providing either a clutch for the craft or for turning the motor off when it is desired to permit the craft to either idle or stop.

Additionally, the present invention provides a simple and efficient manner to pump water from the interior of the craft 10. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a depending rigid tube is connected to the T-connector 104. Connected to the other end of the tube 150 is a length of flexible and resilient tubeing 152 which provides a conduit having a passage therein. The other end of the tubing 152 is open and is located at the lowest interior point in the bottom or lower half 16 of the body 12. A portion of the tubing 152, however, extends through an inverted U-shaped bracket 154 which, together with a drain plug 156 control flow of a fluid through the tubing.

More specifically, the drain plug 156 is threadedly engaged in a threaded opening 158 which is positioned at the lowest point in lower half 16 of the craft 10. Received in the head 160 of the plug is an annular recess 162 which receives an O-ring 164 therein. When the plug 156 is in position to close the opening 158, the O-ring 164 is compressed between the lower half 16 of the body 12 and the head 160 of the plug to effectively seal the opening 158 and prevent the entrance of water therethrough.

As shown in FIG. 7, the bracket 154 includes outwardly extending arms 166 which are connected to the bottom of the lower half 16 by rivets 168. The bracket 154 is positioned over the plug 156 with the bight of the bracket in facing relationship to an insert 170 in the plug 156, the insert 170 having a flat head 172. Provided in the respective legs of the inverted U-shaped bracket 154 are opposed apertures 174 through which the tubing 152 extends.

The bracket 154 and insert 170 in the plug 156 are sized and positioned so that when the plug 156 is in sealing engagement with the outer surface of the body 12, the head 172 of the insert will compress the tubing 152 against the bight of the bracket 154 to effectively pinch the tubing 152 closed or, to put this another way, to effectively seal the passage in the tubing or conduit.

In operation, since the drain plug 156 is located at the lowest point on the body 12, any bilge water or water trapped inside the body 12 may easily be emptied on dry land by removing the plug 156 and permitting the bilge water to drain through the opening 158. However, when it is desired to pump bilge water while the craft is in operation, the member 104 is operated in the usual manner to seal the opening 102 whereby a vacuum exists in the tubes 90 due to the action of the impeller 56, as noted above.

The plug 156 is then loosened so that the tubing 152 is no longer compressed between the insert 170 and the bight of the inverted U-shaped bracket 154. Thus, the vacuum created by the impellers 56 will be communicated to the open end of the tubing 152 via the tubes 90, the T-connector 94 and the tube 150 and through the now open passage in the tubing 152. Hence, since the open end of the tubing 152 is located at the'lowest point in the craft, the accumulated bilge water will be drawn through the circuit noted above and into the chambers 20 through bores 86 to be expelled through the nozzles 58. When the bilge water has thus been pumped out of the craft, the plug 156 is again tightened to pinch the tubing 152 closed.

In many instances it may be desirable to independently control the operation of each one of the moving means 36 so that, for example, the craft may easily be turned. Accordingly, the apparatus shown in FIG. 5 may be utilized in this application. Since the arrangement of FIG. 5 is substantially the same as the arrangement described above, similar characters indicate identical elements and only the differences will be described in detail.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5, the T-connector 94 is removed and each tube 90 connected with the

respective chambers

20 and 22 is closed by a respective seal 110. The conduit 32 communicates with the tube 90 associated with the chamber 20 at opening 112. In a similar manner, a conduit 132 is provided in place of the handle 34 and communicates with the tube 90 associated with the chamber 22 at an opening 114. Similarly to the closure member 104, closure member 1 16 is connected to the conduit 132 by rivets 1 l8 and is adapted to close an opening 120 in the conduit 132. The opening 120 normally permits air to enter the chamber 22 through the conduit 132 and the

tubes

90 and 88.

The operation of the device of FIG. 5 is similar to the operation of the device of FIG. 2 with the exception that each moving means is separately and selectively controlled. For example, if it is desired to turn the craft in a counterclockwise direction, the closure member 104 is opened to substantially disable the left-hand moving means as taken in FIG. 5. However, the closure member 116 is maintained closed so that water continues to enter the chamber 22 and exit therefrom. Hence, with the water continuing to exit through the chamber 22, the craft will move in a counter-clockwise direction. On the other hand, after the member 116 is opened and the member 104 is closed, the moving means associated with the chamber 22 will effectively be disabled and the craft will move in a clockwise direction since water will be exiting through the outlet port 40 associated with the chamber 20. If both

members

104 and 116 are released, .it is obvious that the craft will then idle. Again, is is emphasized that the craft will idle without the necessity for a clutch arrangement or for the necessity of turning the motor 68 off.

As an alternative arrangement, the opening 120 may be permanently sealed so that if the craft is accidentally released or the like thereby releasing the member 104 to permit air to enter through the opening 102 and thereby effectively disable the device associated with the chamber 20, the craft will continue rotating in a counter-clockwise direction due to the fact that water will always be exiting through the chamber 22. Accordingly, if the craft is accidentally released the craft will simply continue to rotate in a circle. Accordingly, a simple and inexpensive watercraft and apparatus for propelling the same has been described which is highly efficient in operation.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it willbe obvious that numerous omissions, changes and additions may be made in such embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for propelling a vehicle connected thereto through a fluid comprising a chamber having an intake port and an outlet port, propelling means in said chamber for drawing said fluid into said chamber through said intake port and propelling said fluid out of said chamber through said outlet port to thereby propel the vehicle connected to said apparatus, a motor in driving connection with said propelling means for operating said propelling means, an air inlet passage communicating with said chamber, and closure means connected to said air inlet passage and being selectively operable between an air inlet passage open and an air inlet passage closed position for preventing said propelling means from drawing the fluid into said chamber when in said open position.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, and pump means connected with said air inlet passage for pumping out fluid entrapped in said vehicle, said pump means comprising a conduit having a passage therein connected to said air inlet passage at one end and having the other end received in the interior of said vehicle, whereby said propelling means is operable to draw fluid into said chamber through said other end of said conduit when said closure means in the air inlet passage closed position.

3. Apparatus as in claim 2, in which said pump means includes sealing means intermediate the ends of said conduit for selectively sealing said passage in said conduit.

4. Apparatus as in claim 3, in which said conduit is flexible and resilient and said other end of said conduit is positioned substantially at the lowest point in the interior of said vehicle, and said sealing means includes a bracket having a portion adjacent said conduit, and a member adapted to be threadedly engaged with said vehicle and being operable to be moved between a conduit passage sealed position in which said conduit is compressed betweeri said braeket portion and said member and a conduit passage open position in which said conduit passage is opened.

5. Apparatus as in claim 1, in which said propelling means has a downstream end adjacent said outlet port and an upstream end adjacent said intake port, said air inlet passage including a transverse through bore in said chamber positioned adjacent the upstream end of said propelling means.

6. Apparatus as in claim 5, in which said propelling means includes a shaft rotatably supported in said chamber, and an impeller mounted on said shaft for propelling the fluid through said outlet port.

7. Apparatus as in claim 6, in which said shaft is coaxial with said chamber, said intake port including a through bore in chamber having an axis transverse to the axis of said chamber, said outlet port being positioned in facing relationship to said impeller.

8. Apparatus as in claim 5, in which said shaft is received in a rear bearing support, and a plurality of radially extending vanes between said rear bearing support and the walls defining said chamber in juxtaposition to said impeller.

9. Apparatus as in claim 1, in which said air inlet passage includes a transverse through bore in said chamber, a conduit extending outwardly from said through bore, and an opening in said conduit, said closure means comprising a cover adapted to seal said opening.

10. Apparatus as in claim 9, in which said cover comprises a flexible and resilient member connected to said conduit and having a portion normally in spaced relationship to said opening, said member being positioned to be flexed into engagement with said conduit to close said opening and seal said air inlet passage.

11. Apparatus as in claim 10, and a flexible and resilient member on said cover adapted to surround said opening when said closure meansis moved to the air inlet passage closed position to provide a seal about said opening.

12. A vehicle for movement through a fluid comprising a buoyant body; at least a first moving means in said body for moving said body with respect to said fluid; said moving means comprising a chamber in said body having an intake port and an outlet port, and propelling means in said chamber for drawing said fluid into said chamber through said intake port and for propelling said fluid out of said chamber through said outlet port to propel said vehicle, when operated; a motor supported by said body in driving engagement with said propelling means; an air inlet passage communicating with said chamber, and closure means connected to said air inlet passage and being selectively operable between an air inlet passage open and an air inlet passage closed position for preventing said propelling means from drawing the fluid into said chamber when in said open position.

13. A vehicle as in claim 12, in which said motor includes an accelerator for varying the speed of said motor to correspondingly vary the speed of said vehicle.

14. A vehicle as in claim 12, and a handle on said vehicle sized and positioned to be grasped by an operator whereby said operator is towed by said vehicle.

15. A vehicle as in claim 14, in which said handle extends transversely across at least a portion of said vehicle adjacent the rear thereof, said air inlet passage extending through said handle, and an opening in said handle, said closure means comprising a member on said handle normally spaced from and adapted to be moved into sealing engagement with said opening.

16. A vehicle as in claim 15, in which said propelling means includes an upstream end adjacent said intake port and downstream end adjacent said outlet port, said outlet port being positioned to cause said fluid to be propelled rearwardly of said vehicle when it exits therethrough, said air inlet passage communicating with said chamber adjacent the upstream end of said propelling means.

17. A vehicle as in claim 15, in which said first moving means is positioned at one side of said vehicle, and a second moving means positioned at the other side of said vehicle and in driving engagement with said motor.

18. A vehicle as in claim 17, and an air inlet passage communicating with said second moving means chamber and said handle for preventing fluid from being drawn through the intake port of said second moving means when said member is spaced from said openmg.

19. A vehicle as in claim 17, and an air inlet passage communicating with the chamber in said second'moving means, another handle extending transversely across at least a portion of said vehicle adjacent the rear thereof, said air inlet passage associated with said second moving means extending through said other handle, an opening in said other handle, and a member on said other handle normally spaced from and adapted to be moved into sealing engagement with the opening in said other handle, whereby when said member is spaced from said opening in said other handle the propelling means of said second moving means is moving means intake port.

end positioned at substantially the lowest point in said vehicle, and sealing means movable between a conduit passage open position to permit a fluid to be drawn therethrough when said closure means is in the air inlet passage open position, and a conduit passage closed position to seal said passage.

Claims

4. Apparatus as in claim 3, in which said conduit is flexible and resilient and said other end of said conduit is positioned substantially at the lowest point in the interior of said vehicle, and said sealing means includes a bracket having a portion adjacent said conduit, and a member adapted to be threadedly engaged with said vehicle and being operable to be moved between a conduit passage sealed position in which said conduit is compressed between said bracket portion and said member and a conduit passage open position in which said conduit passage is opened.

11. Apparatus as in claim 10, and a flexible and resilient member on said cover adapted to surround said opening when said closure means is moved to the air inlet passage closed position to provide a seal about said opening.

18. A vehicle as in claim 17, and an air inlet passage communicating with said second moving means chamber and said handle for preventing fluid from being drawn through the intake port of said second moving means when said member is spaced from said opening.

19. A vehicle as in claim 17, and an air inlet passage communicating with the chamber in said second moving means, another handle extending transversely across at least a portion of said vehicle adjacent the rear thereof, said air inlet passage associated with said second moving means extending through said other handle, an opening in said other handle, and a member on said other handle normally spaced from and adapted to be moved into sealing engagement with the opening in said other handle, whereby when said member is spaced from said opening in said other handle the propelling means of said second moving means is rendered inoperative to draw fluid through the second moving means intake port.

20. A vehicle as in claim 16, in which said intake port comprises a through bore communicating with said chamber and being positioned on the underside of said vehicle.

21. A vehicle as in claim 16, and pump means for pumping a fluid out of said buoyant body comprising a conduit having a passage therethrough and having one end connected to said air inlet passage and the other end positioned at substantially the lowest point in said vehicle, and sealing means movable between a conduit passage open posiTion to permit a fluid to be drawn therethrough when said closure means is in the air inlet passage open position, and a conduit passage closed position to seal said passage.