US3834343A

US3834343A - Articulated sculling oar

Info

Publication number: US3834343A
Application number: US00306489A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Hopkins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-11-14
Filing date: 1972-11-14
Publication date: 1974-09-10
Anticipated expiration: 1991-09-10

Abstract

Disclosed is a collapsible sculling oar designed for universal pivotal attachment to a boat, especially small watercraft, to impart motion thereto in a manner generally known as ''''sculling.'''' The oar includes a shaft portion extending generally horizontally over the boat, an adjustable handle removably mounted at one end of the shaft, and at least one adjustable blade-supporting arm removably mounted at the other end of the shaft and depending substantially vertically therefrom into the water, in spaced relation from the boat. The blade is arranged to move back and forth on the supporting arm through a predetermined arc of movement, a depressible protrusion being arranged on the arm to limit movement of the blades relative thereto and to permit displacement of the blade from one position to another for opposed sculling movement. A lever-operated locking mechanism is provided to halt movement of the blade on the arm and to lock the former into a predetermined position such as to constitute a ruddering effect of the blade. Dual blade embodiments are likewise disclosed.

Description

United States Patent [19] Hopkins 1 ARTICULATED SCULLING OAR [76] Inventor: Walter M. Hopkins, 1306 W.

Glenoaks Blvd., Glendale, Calif.

[22] Filed: Nov. 14, 1972 [21] Appl. No.2 306,489

115/29, 21, 22.1, 22.2, 22.3, 26.3, 25, 24.2; 416/69, 74, 70; 74/522, 523, 525, 543, 548, 551.3, 551.4, 480 B; 114/162; 287/58 CT [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 453,338 6/1891 Frostad ..-ll4/162 557,318 3/1896 Tenney 416/74 610,469 9/1898 Blashfield 74/551.4 1,925,912 9/1933 Strout 115/28 2,097,931 11/1937 Martin 115/30 2,365,415 12/1944 Kruse 115/28 2,747,425 5/1956 Chlau 114/162 2,809,604 4/1955 Meredith 115/28 R 2,826,164 3/1958 Hutchinson 115/29 2,926,544 3/1960 Carmichael 74/480 B 3,086,492 4/1963 Holley l15/24.1 3,214,187 10/1965 Fuerst.. 287/58 CT 3,505,901 4/1970 Stone 74/55l.4

[4 Sept. 10, 1974 Primary Examiner-Duane A. Reger Assistant Examiner-Galen L. Barefoot Attorney, Agent, or Firm-John E. Wagner {57] ABSTRACT Disclosed is a collapsible sculling oar designed for universal pivotal attachment to a boat, especially small watercraft, to impart motion thereto in a manner generally known as sculling. The oar includes a shaft portion extending generally horizontally over the boat, an adjustable handle removably mounted at one end of the shaft, and at least one adjustable bladesupporting arm removably mounted at the other end of the shaft and depending substantially vertically therefrom into the water, in spaced relation from the boat. The blade is arranged to move back and forth on the supporting arm through a predetermined arc of movement, a depressible protrusion being arranged on the arm to limit movement of the blades relative thereto and to permit displacement of the blade from one position to another for opposed sculling movement. A lever-operated locking mechanism is provided to halt movement of the blade on the arm and to lock the former into a predetermined position such as to constitute a ruddering effect of the blade.

Dual blade embodiments are likewise disclosed.

9 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures mcmauswww 3.8%84343 SHEH 30$ 3 1 ARTICULATED SCULLING OAR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to boat propelling means, and more particularly to a new, improved and collapsible sculling oar especially adapted for use with small watercraft and arranged to operate by the backand-forth movement of a blade or a plurality of blades, in a manner generally known as sculling.

Already known in the art are impuller devices mounted for universal pivotal movement to the stern, bow, or other support of the boat, and being generally of the character as described above. Known, for example, are propulsion devices which employ a rod terminating into a handle at one end thereof while the other end is angular and depends into the water, adjacent the boat, to pivotally support at least one blade or vane. The latter are arranged to be oscillated in conventional manner, generally horizontally in the line of movement of the boat, this being effected by oscillating the shaft back and forth in a horizontal plane. Usually incorporated are limited members which serve to limit the oscillating or back and forth movement of the blade or blades relative to the supporting arm, usually through an arc of 120", or a variation thereof. Additionally, and as a matter of choice, the blade or blades may be reversed as to propulsion direction. For example, one impeller installation is known and arranged suchv that when the vane or blade is oscillated, it will push the water sidewise or rearwardly to provide a forward drive for the vessel, and, by snapping the handle to an axially opposite direction, the blade or vane, likewise, axially turns through approximately 180 and provides a reverse drive, i.e., a backward drive. Obviously, complicated provisions have to be made to enable reversal .of the blade in response to reversal of the'handle such as to accomplish the aforementioned propulsion action of the impeller drive from forward to backward driving action. Positioning of the impeller device on or to the boat is a matter of choice, for example, the impeller may be positioned at the stern, at the bow or somewhere mid-ships between the stem or bow. Also, the impeller device may be arranged such as to permit relocation thereof from one driving position to another.

However, none of the conventional devices shows an arrangement which enables the blade or vane to be easily manually converted from a driving member to a ruddering device for steering the boat.

Due to the rather complicated construction of conventional impeller devices, easy disengagement and/or collapsibility of the various parts relative to one another, is practically impossible. For example, the handle, usually is not adjustable relative to the rod while, likewise, the rod is not adjustable with respect to the blade-supporting arm. As regards the blades or vanes, the latter, usually, are mounted in such a complex manner that it becomes a time-consumming affair to replace or adjust them. Adjustability of the blade or blades and shafts is important, particularly since boats are not uniformly designed. On occasion, the impeller device may have to operate under a condition where the boat hardly permits oscillation of the handle and, thus, adjustability of the handle or shaft would be necessary.

In case of breakage of any given part of such impeller devices, the entire device will have to be forcibly dismantled so as to enable replacement of the broken part or parts. A further obvious disadvantage is that such non-collapsible devices are not suitable or adapted for easy storage or carrying purposes.

BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing representative prior art, there remains a need for an improved easily collapsible sculling oar designed for universal pivotal attachment to the stern, bow, or other supporting structure of a boat, especially small watercraft.

A major object of the invention, therefore, is to provide such an oar which incorporates the advantages of compactness and of minimum weight, which may be readily manufactured at small expense and may be operated either by hand or foot at minimum effort, and which is adapted for use on boats or crafts of many kinds.

Another object is to provide such a sculling oar which is adapted for easy conversion from a motion imparting member to a hand operated rudder for steering the boat.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a sculling oar which incorporates an adjustable handle which provides the operator maximum comfort from a variety of positions within the craft.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a sculling oar which provides the feature of easy replacement or detachment of the sculling blade from the support arm of the oar.

According to the invention such sculling oar comprises a shaft which is adopted to extend generally horizontally over a boat transom and includes an angular blade support arm extending generally vertically into the water in spaced relation from the boat. A handle, within the craft, is arranged for oscillation of the shaft and includes positioning members for positioning the handle in a plurality of positions relative to the shaft. A mounting arrangement which may be of any conventional design, serves to attach the shaft to the boat for universal pivotal movement relative thereto. Pivotally mounted to the angular blade arm is at least one generally planar blade which is movable between predetermined limits-detined by an integral, internal slot in the blade and a protruding depressible pin on the supporting arm which travels between the extremeties of the slot to limit the lateral deflection of the blade relative to the arm. Depression of the pin enables reversal of the blade through from a first position to a position axially opposite the first position. Also, depression of the pin permits removal of the blade from the supporting arm, simply by sliding the blade downwardly from the arm. In similar fashion as the handle, also the supporting arm may be positioned at different angles relative to the shaft. Finally a lever-actuated latch mechanism is provided to manually selectively halt oscillating or sculling movement of the blade and lock the latterin a fixed position relative to the supporting arm such as ,to constitute a ruddering effect of the blade.

Dual blade embodiments also incorporate the advantages of the above described invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a known impeller device associated with a typical watercraft;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a sculling oar embodying the principles of the present invention, the oar being associated with a small boat;

FIG. 3 is an exploded side view of the sculling oar of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of the blade release and locking arrangement incorporated in the construction of FIG. 2, showing, in solid lines, the blade in locked or ruddering position and, in dotted lines, the blade in released or sculling position;

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the sculling oar of FIG. 3, associated with a multi-hull watercraft;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of a further embodiment of a sculling oar embodying the invention, illustrating a dual blade construction incorporating the blade release and locking arrangement of FIG. 4;

. FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the sculling oar of FIG. 6, illustrating the arrangement as mounted to the transom or hull section of a boat, the position shown being at a point during the travel of the blades in sculling movement; and I FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the sculling oar of FIG. 6 mounted to the bow of a boat in position for straightahead movement, the blades being reversed in this position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Now referring to the drawings in which like reference numerals index like parts, and with attention initially drawn to FIG. 1 there is shown a typical watercraft or small boat 10 of conventional design. Mounted to the transom 12 of the boat 10 for universal pivotal movement in a typical oar lock 14, is an impeller of the prior art generally indicated at 16. Impellers of this type are arranged for imparting motion to the boat 10*, in a manner similar to that which is known as sculling, comprises a shaft 18, a handle or tiller portion and a downwardly depending blade supporting arm 22. As shown, the arm 22 extends substantially vertically into the water, spaced from the boat 10. Pivotally and substantially vertically mounted on supporting arm 22, for swinging movement in a substantially horizontal plane, is a planar impeller blade 24. Conventionally, as the handle 20 is moved from the central axis Z in direction D, the blade is moved in direction E.

Pivotal mounting of the blade 24 on the supporting arm 22 may be effected in a number of ways, e.g., by

means of a blade retaining collars or sleeves, not shown, fixed at opposite ends of the blade to portion 22, or by other means. A pair of

divergent arms

26 and 28 may be provided and act as stops to limit the arc of movement of the blade relative to supporting arm 22.

In FIGS. 2 and 4, a preferred form of sculling oar according to the invention, is disclosed and indicated generally at 30. It is shown as associated with a typical watercraft 32, similar to that of boat 10 of FIG. 1. The sculling oar 30 comprises a shaft 34 which extends generally horizontally over the transom 36 of the boat 32 and is mounted thereto by means of a conventional oar lock 38'for universal pivotal movement relative tothe boat.

As shown, the shaft 34, at its inner end 40 is connected to a normally slightly upwardly curved handle 42 by means of a connecting portion 44 of the handle i '42 seen in FIG. 3. The inner end 40 of the shaft 34 is of a diameter slightly less than that of the handle connecting portion 44 and is slidably received therein. The handle 42 is position-adjustable relative to the shaft 34 by means of a positioning arrangement comprising a depressible pin member 46 engaging a plurality of holes 48 in handle 42 each adapted to receive the pin 46. In a preferred form, four holes 48 are provided at this end and with each of the holes spaced apart through about 90 relative to each other. As will be appreciated. this combination with the pin and holes permits the handle to be positioned at four different angles relative to the shaft.

The opposite end of the shaft 34 is connected to a shaft extension 50 including an angled arm portion 52 extending at approximately relative to the sh ft anddepending generally vertically into the water, FIG. 2. This arm portion 52 constitutes a supporting arm pivotally mounting at least one blade 54. The blade 54, as clearly shown in FIG. 4, is seen to comprise a generally planar blade section 56, a longitudinally extending blade support sleeve 58 pivotal about the arm '52 and an integral sheath-shaped portion 60 mounting the actual blade section 56 to the blade sleeve 58. The blade, preferably, is made of a plastic material and, preferably, is cemented in the slot defined between the two layers of the sheathshaped portion 60.

FOrmed into the blade sleeve 58, adjacent one end thereof, are a pair of radially opposed slots 68, best seen in FIG. 4 extending arcuately and transversely relative to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve 58. Arranged for travel within the slots and between the extremeties thereof is a protruding pin 72 depressibly mounted on the arm'52. The pin 72 serves a triple purpose:

I. Upon depressing the pin the blade 54 is free to be slidably removed from the arm 52, for example, for repair or replacement;

II. And again upon depressing the pin 72, the blade may be rotated through 180 from a first position to an axially opposite position relative to the arm 52, which, for example, is necessary when the boat is to be driven in reverse direction, or, is necessary for moving the boat in straight-ahead direction but with the sculling oar mounted at the bow of the boat. It will be understood that in rotating the blade from one position to the other, the pin is snapped through 100 from one slot, e.g., slot 68 to the other slot, in this case slot '70; and

III. The feature of the pin traveling between the extremities of the holes limits the oscillating movement of the blade 54 relative to the arm 52.

Similarly, and as has been described above, the adjustment of the handle 42 relative to the shaft 34 the extension 50 and supporting arm 52 are interconnected so that the extension 50 can be positioned in a plurality of positions relative to the shaft 34 by a depressible pin making holes 81. The holes 81 are spaced apart through approximately relative to each other and, upon depressing the pin 80 and snapping into one of the holes 81, the extension 50 is locked against movement relative to the shaft 34. In this manner, the extension 50 and arm 52 aregiven a desired angularity relative to the shaft 34. This may be of great importance, for example, where the boat encounters shallow waters and blade movement, about a vertical axis, is impossible. Under such conditions all that is required is to rotate the handle 42 and extension 50 90 relative to the shaft 34 in which case the blade 54 will oscillate about a horizontal axis in response to up and down movement of the handle.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, and as shown in FIG. 3, the arm 52 extends at approximately 110 relative to the extension 50 whereas the latter extends through about 160 relative to the shaft 34. Again, this is of importance in that if the angle between the extension 50 and the shaft 34 were more acute, the operation of the sculling oar would be difficult in rather shallow waters.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 illustrate a sculling oar incorporating a manually operable locking arrangement embodying the invention. This arrangement serves to place the blade 54 in a fixed or stationary position relative to the supporting arm 52. The locking arrangement is seen to comprise a conventional lever-operated over-center cam lock, generally indexed by reference numeral 82 and positioned on the shaft 34 within easy reach of the operator oscillating the handle 42. The cam lock 82, by means of a cable 84, is connected to an axially movable spring-biased locking pin 86 positioned on the arm 52 and adapted, upon placing the lever 88 of the cam lock 82 in pin locking position, position Y, FIG. 4, to place the locking pin 86 in a locking location in the slot 62 of the blade-connection 60, FIG. 3. In this condition, the blade 54 is prevented from lateral movement relative to the supporting arm 52 by means of the pin 86. In order to release the pin, and restore oscillation of the blade 54 relative to the arm 52, it is only necessary to move the lever 88 from its position Y to its position X, FIG. 4, in which case the pin 86 is retracted from its locking location by means of cable 84.

As can be seen from FIG. 4, a spring member 92 is provided to bias the locking pin 86 into its locking position upon placing the lever in its position Y. A housing 94 is provided to retain the spring 92 and to keep same in loaded condition for easy switching from position X to Y. The housing as shown, is affixed to the supporting arm 52, in this example, by means of rivets. At its outer ends, the cable 84 is provided with clasps or eyes connecting the locking pin 86 and the lever 88.

FIG. 5 shows the sculling oar of the invention incorporated in a multi-hull boat, merely for reasons as to show the applicability of the invention to a variety of boats, which may be single-hulled or multi-hulled. Operation of the sculling oar, likewise, is similar to that described with respect to FIG. 2. In the present illustration, however, the sculling oar of the invention operates between the respective hulls of the boat shown. In this case the oar may advantageously be secured far forward and the handle intermediate the oar lock and the blade.

In the construction illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the shaft 34 is provided with two blade supporting arms 52 extend generally outward in a V shape with the arms suitably secured to each other. In FIG. 6, for example, the arms 52 are welded together and form a joint section 102 with the arm portions at this joint extending parallel to each other. In FIG. 7 the arms are connected together by means of a triangular bracket 53 in any suitable manner. In FIG. 7 the arms 52 are positionadjustable with respect to each other to vary the angle 6. Similar to FIGS. 2-4 the handle 42 is positionadjustable with respect to the shaft 34 as described hereinbefore. Optionally incorporated in the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 is the cam-locking arrangement 83, described with regard to FIG. 2-4. Both arrangements, FIGS. 6 and 7, are shown to be mounted to the transom of a boat by means of any suitable oar lock which provides universal pivotal movement of the sculling oar on the boat.

As regards FIG. 7, the illustration shows the optimum travel limits for each blade to be 135. Examination will show, however, that the most efficient angle will depend upon the length of the shaft 34 and the length of the supporting member 52 which hold the blades 54. The angular relationship of the blades 54 to the axis (and hence the transom, line of movement, etc.) will vary as a product of these dimensions of length. The most efficient angle involves a total of -l30 of travel with the useful angle rangeof 90 to In operation as handle C is moved from L to R, blades A and B are moved from R to L. As shown by the solid arrows, maximum work force of blade B is exerted at midpoint of travel. While blade B is exerting maximum resistance to water at this position, blade A is nearly parallel to the arc of movement and exerts little pressure against water. As assembly progresses from R to L, blade B continues to present a broad decreasingly effective force. As limited, desired travel is reached and handle C is moved from R to L, blades A and B are arrested in their movement and are free to rotate to stop positions shown by dotted lines. Angles as shown in FIG. 7 allow water resistance to effectively move the blades to these stop positions without resistance. At this end, blade A now assumes the position of effective resistance to water while blade B presents little resistance on this return stroke. The net effect of this movement exerts a propulsive force which is transmitted to the boat structure through the pivot assembly.

FIG. 8 illustrates that the oar of FIG. 6 and 7 may similarly be bow mounted. The reversible nature of the blade mounting as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 makes this possible and practical.

Above, I have described a new light weight oscillating sculling oar which is adjustable in several modes and lockable for use as a rudder. The blade, locking mechanism and stop arrangements are all simple yet effective and cooperate in a novel fashion.

The above described embodiments of this invention are merely descriptive of its principles and are not to be considered limiting. The scope of this invention instead shall be determined from the scope of the following claims, including their equivalents.

What is claimed is:

l. Impeller for small boats, comprising:

a shaft adapted to extend generally horizontally over a boat transom and including an angular projection depending substantially vertically into the water and spaced from the boat;

a handle for oscillating said shaft and said angular projection thereof;

said shaft and handle including adjustable means for permitting said handle to be snapped from one offset position to a plurality of such positions with respect to said shaft;

means adapted to mount said shaft to the boat for universal pivotal movement;

at least one generally planar blade pivotally attached to said angular projection for oscillating movement relative to said angular projection in response to oscillation of said handle;

limit means on said angular-projection and said blade for limiting the oscillating movement of said blade between divergent limits, said limit means permitting said blade to snap from one oscillating position to another relative to said angular projection; and

manually operable control means on said shaft and said projection thereof for selectively halting oscillating movement of said bladeand for locking the latter into a predetermined position intermediate said divergent limits whereby to constitute a ruddering effect of saidblade;

wherein said blade constitutes a unitary member including a tubular mounting portion defining a slot extending transversely relative to the longitudinal axis of said mounting portion, and wherein said limit means comprises a stop member extending outward from said angular projection into said slot and movable therein between opposite ends thereof to limit the rotation of said blade.

2. Impeller for small boats, comprising:

a shaft adapted to extend generally horizontally over a boat transom and including an angular projection depending substantially vertically into the water spaced from the boat;

a handle for oscillating said shaft and said angular projection thereof;

means adapted to mount said shaft to the boat for universal pivotal movement;

at least one generally planar blade pivotally attached to said angular projection for oscillating movement relative to said angular projection in response to oscillation of said handle; I

limit means on said angular projection and said blade for limiting the oscillating movement of said blade between divergent limits, said limit means permitting said blade to snap from one oscillating position to another relative to said angular projection; and

manually operable control means on said shaft and said projection thereof for selectively halting oscillating movement of said blade and for locking the latter into a predetermined position intermediate said divergent limits whereby to constitute a ruddering effect of said blade;

wherein said blade includes a tubular mounting portion and defines a pair of v radially opposite slots extending transversely relative to the main axis of said mounting portion; and

wherein said limit means comprises a depressible stop member extending from said angular projection, said blade being arranged to be rotated relative to said mounting portion upon depressing said stop member such as to permit displacement of said blade through 180 from one direction to an axially opposite direction in which position said pin extends into the other one of said slots.

3. Impeller for small boats comprising:

a shaft adaptedto extend generally horizontally over a boat transom and including an angular projection depending substantially vertically into the water spaced from the boat; a

a handle for oscillatingsaid shaft and said angular projection thereof;

means adapted to mount said shaft to the boat for universal pivotal movement;

limit means on said angular projection and said blade" for limiting the oscillating movement of said blade between divergent limits, said limit means permitting said blade to snap from one oscillating position to another relative to said angular projection; and

wherein said shaft includes a tubular extension including said vertical arm portion depending therefrom; and

wherein said blade comprises a unitary member including an elongated sleeve rotatable about said vertical portion and defining a pair of radially opposite slots therein extending transversely relative to axis of said sleeve; and

wherein said vertical arm portion comprises a normally protruding pin member, depressible relative to said vertical arm portion and adapted to be selectively journaled betweenthe ends of said slots such as to limit oscillating movement of said blade relative to said arm portion.

4. Impeller for small boats comprising:

a handle for oscillating said shaft and said angular projection thereof;

means adapted to mount said sahft to the boat for universal pivotal movement;

limit means on said angular projection and said blade for limiting the oscillating movement of said blade between divergent limits, said limit meanspermitting said blade to snap from one oscillating position to another relative to said angular projection; and

wherein said shaft includes a tubular extension including a vertical arm portion depending therefrom; and

wherein said blade includes an integral elongated sleeve member rotatable with predetermined limits about said arm portion and defining a pair of radially opposed arcuately shaped slots therein extending transversely relative to the axis of elongation of said sleeve portion; and

wherein said vertical arm comprises a normally-protruding pin member, manually depressible relative to said vertical arm, said blade being arranged to be rotated relative to said vertical arm upon depressing said pin member such as to permit displacement of said blade through 180 from one direction to an axially opposite direction in which position said pin member extends into the other one of said slots.

5. A sculling oar comprising:

a shaft,

means for mounting said shaft to overhang the edge of a watercraft to be propelled,

an extension for said shaft including an angular depending portion and a tubular portion extending substantially vertically,

a blade secured about said tubular portion for rotatable movement about a substantially vertical axis,

first pin means within said tubular portion engaging stops integral with said blade for limiting angular movement of said blade,

second pin means extendable in and out of said blade and tubular portions of said extension for selectively locking and unlocking said blade for oscillatory movement about said tubular portion of said extension, and

means secured to said shaft for controlling said second pin means.

6. The combination in accordance with claim wherein v a pair of extensions are connected to said shaft and each having a respective blade secured thereto,

said pair of extensions having lateral angular displacement from each other to provide a pair of laterally displaced blades controlled by said shaft.

7. The combination in accordance with claim 5 wherein said extensions are angularly adjustable.

8. Impeller for small boats comprising:

a handle for oscillating said shaft and said angular projection thereof, said shaft and handle including adjustable means for permitting said handle to be snapped from one offset position to a plurality of such positions with respect to said shaft;

means adapted to mount said shaft to the boat for universal pivotal movement;

at least one generally planar blade pivotally attached 6 limit means on said angular projection and said blade for limiting the oscillating movement of said blade between divergent limits, said limit means permitting said blade to snap from one oscillating position to another relative to said angular projection; and

manually operable control means on said shaft and said projection thereof extending into the region of said handle for selectively halting oscillating movement of said blade and for locking the latter into a predetermined position intermediate said divergent limits whereby to constitute a ruddering effect of said blade;

wherein said blade includes a tubular mounting portion and defines a pair of radially opposite slots extending transversely relative to the main axis of said mounting portion, and wherein said limit means comprises a depressible stop member extending from said angular projection, said blade being arranged to be rotated relative to said mounting portion upon depressing said stop member such as to permit displacement of said blade through from one direction to an axially opposite direction in which position said pin extends into the other one of said slots; and

wherein said handle defines a plurality of openings therein spaced circumferentially, equidistant from each other, and

wherein said shaft end comprises a normally protruding depressible pin member and adapted to be snapped into any of said openings in said handle upon insertion of said handle into said shaft end such as to lock said handle in a desired position relative to said shaft.

9. Impeller for small boats comprising:

a handle for oscillating said shaft and said angular projection thereof, said shaft and handle including adjustable means for permitting said handle to be snapped from one offset position to'a plurality of such positions with respect to said shaft;

means adapted to mount said shaft'to the boat for universal pivotal movement;

manually operable control means on said shaft and said projection thereof extending into the region of said handle for selectively halting oscillating movement of said blade and for locking the latter into a predetermined position intermediate said divergent limits whereby to constitute a ruddering effect of said blade; and wherein said blade member includes an elongated tubular sleeve portion, integral with and pivotally mounting said blade member to said suspending arm portion,

ing pin; said locking pin being movable between a locking position in which said blade is locked in said cavity relative to said arm portion, and a released position in which said pin is retracted from said cavity.

Claims

1. Impeller for small boats, comprising: a shaft adapted to extend generally horizontally over a boat transom and including an angular projection depending substantially vertically into the water and spaced from the boat; a handle for oscillating said shaft and said angular projection thereof; said shaft and handle including adjustable means for permitting said handle to be snapped from one offset position to a plurality of such positions with respect to said shaft; means adapted to mount said shaft to the boat for universal pivotal movement; at least one generally planar blade pivotally attached to said angular projection for oscillating movement relative to said angular projection in response to oscillation of said handle; limit means on said angular projection and said blade for limiting the oscillating movement of said blade between divergent limits, said limit means permitting said blade to snap from one oscillating position to another relative to said angular projection; and manually operable control means on said shaft and said projection thereof for selectively halting oscillating movement of said blade and for locking the latter into a predetermined position intermediate said divergent limits whereby to constitute a ruddering effect of said blade; wherein said blade constitutes a unitary member including a tubular mounting portion defining a slot extending transversely relative to the longitudinal axis of said mounting portion, and wherein said limit means comprises a stop member extending outward from said angular projection into said slot and movable therein between opposite ends thereof to limit the rotation of said blade.

2. Impeller for small boats, comprising: a shaft adapted to extend generally horizontally over a boat transom and including an angular projection depending substantially vertically into the water spaced from the boat; a handle for oscillating said shaft and said angular projection thereof; said shaft and handle including adjustable means for permitting said handle to be snapped from one offset position to a plurality of such positions with respect to said shaft; means adapted to mount said shaft to the boat for universal pivotal movement; at least one generally planar blade pivotally attached to said angular projection for oscillating movement relative to said angular projection in response to oscillation of said handle; limit means on said angular projection and said blade for limiting the oscillating movement of said blade between divergent limits, said limit means permitting said blade to snap from one oscillating position to another relative to said angular projection; and manually operable control means on said shaft and said projection thereof for selectively halting oscillating movement of said blade and for locking the latter into a predetermined position intermediate said divergent limits whereby to constitute a ruddering effect of said blade; wherein said blade includes a tubular mounting portion and defines a pair of radially opposite slots extending transversely relative to the main axis of said mounting portion; and wherein said limit means comprises a depressible stop member extending from said angular projection, said blade being arranged to be rotated relative to said mounting portion upon depressing said stop member such as to permit displacement of said blade through 180* from one direction to an axially opposite direction in which position said pin extends into the other one of said slots.

3. Impeller for small boats comprising: a shaft adapted to extend generally horizontally over a boat transom and including an angular projection depending substantially vertically into the water spaced from the boat; a handle for oscillating said shaft and said angular projection thereof; said shaft and handle including adjustable means for permitting said handle to be snapped from one offset position to a plurality of such positions with respect to said shaft; means adapted to mount said shaft to the boat for universal pivotal movement; at least one generally planar blade pivotally attached to said angular projection for oscillating movement relative to said angular projection in response to oscillation of said handle; limit means on said angular projection and said blade for limiting the oscillating movement of said blade between divergent limits, said limit means permitting said blade to snap from one oscillating position to another relative to said angular projection; and manually operable control means on said shaft and said projection thereof for selectively halting oscillating movement of said blade and for locking the latter into a predetermined position intermediate said divergent limits whereby to constitute a ruddering effect of said blade; wherein said shaft includes a tubular extension including said vertical arm portion depending therefrom; and wherein said blade comprises a unitary member including an elongated sleeve rotatable about said vertical portion and defining a pair of radially opposite slots therein extending transversely relative to axis of said sleeve; and wherein said vertical arm portion comprises a normally protruding pin member, depressible relative to said vertical arm portion and adapted to be selectively journaled between the ends of said slots such as to limit oscillating movement of said blade relative to said arm portion.

4. Impeller for small boats comprising: a shaft adapted to extend generally horizontally over a boat transom and including an angular projection depending substantially vertically into the water spaced from the boat; a handle for oscillating said shaft and said angular projection thereof; said shaft and handle including adjustable means for permitting said handle to be snapped from one offset position to a plurality of such positions with respect to said shaft; means adapted to mount said sahft to the boat for universal pivotal movement; at least one generally planar blade pivotally attached to said angulAr projection for oscillating movement relative to said angular projection in response to oscillation of said handle; limit means on said angular projection and said blade for limiting the oscillating movement of said blade between divergent limits, said limit means permitting said blade to snap from one oscillating position to another relative to said angular projection; and manually operable control means on said shaft and said projection thereof for selectively halting oscillating movement of said blade and for locking the latter into a predetermined position intermediate said divergent limits whereby to constitute a ruddering effect of said blade; wherein said shaft includes a tubular extension including a vertical arm portion depending therefrom; and wherein said blade includes an integral elongated sleeve member rotatable with predetermined limits about said arm portion and defining a pair of radially opposed arcuately shaped slots therein extending transversely relative to the axis of elongation of said sleeve portion; and wherein said vertical arm comprises a normally protruding pin member, manually depressible relative to said vertical arm, said blade being arranged to be rotated relative to said vertical arm upon depressing said pin member such as to permit displacement of said blade through 180* from one direction to an axially opposite direction in which position said pin member extends into the other one of said slots.

5. A sculling oar comprising: a shaft, means for mounting said shaft to overhang the edge of a watercraft to be propelled, an extension for said shaft including an angular depending portion and a tubular portion extending substantially vertically, a blade secured about said tubular portion for rotatable movement about a substantially vertical axis, first pin means within said tubular portion engaging stops integral with said blade for limiting angular movement of said blade, second pin means extendable in and out of said blade and tubular portions of said extension for selectively locking and unlocking said blade for oscillatory movement about said tubular portion of said extension, and means secured to said shaft for controlling said second pin means.

6. The combination in accordance with claim 5 wherein a pair of extensions are connected to said shaft and each having a respective blade secured thereto, said pair of extensions having lateral angular displacement from each other to provide a pair of laterally displaced blades controlled by said shaft.

8. Impeller for small boats comprising: a shaft adapted to extend generally horizontally over a boat transom and including an angular projection depending substantially vertically into the water spaced from the boat; a handle for oscillating said shaft and said angular projection thereof, said shaft and handle including adjustable means for permitting said handle to be snapped from one offset position to a plurality of such positions with respect to said shaft; means adapted to mount said shaft to the boat for universal pivotal movement; at least one generally planar blade pivotally attached to said angular projection for oscillating movement relative to said angular projection in response to oscillation of said handle; limit means on said angular projection and said blade for limiting the oscillating movement of said blade between divergent limits, said limit means permitting said blade to snap from one oscillating position to another relative to said angular projection; and manually operable control means on said shaft and said projection thereof extending into the region of said handle for selectively halting oscillating movement of said blade and for locking the latter into a predetermined position intermediate said divergent limits whereby to constitute a ruddering effect of Said blade; wherein said blade includes a tubular mounting portion and defines a pair of radially opposite slots extending transversely relative to the main axis of said mounting portion, and wherein said limit means comprises a depressible stop member extending from said angular projection, said blade being arranged to be rotated relative to said mounting portion upon depressing said stop member such as to permit displacement of said blade through 180* from one direction to an axially opposite direction in which position said pin extends into the other one of said slots; and wherein said handle defines a plurality of openings therein spaced circumferentially, equidistant from each other, and wherein said shaft end comprises a normally protruding depressible pin member and adapted to be snapped into any of said openings in said handle upon insertion of said handle into said shaft end such as to lock said handle in a desired position relative to said shaft.

9. Impeller for small boats comprising: a shaft adapted to extend generally horizontally over a boat transom and including an angular projection depending substantially vertically into the water spaced from the boat; a handle for oscillating said shaft and said angular projection thereof, said shaft and handle including adjustable means for permitting said handle to be snapped from one offset position to a plurality of such positions with respect to said shaft; means adapted to mount said shaft to the boat for universal pivotal movement; at least one generally planar blade pivotally attached to said angular projection for oscillating movement relative to said angular projection in response to oscillation of said handle; limit means on said angular projection and said blade for limiting the oscillating movement of said blade between divergent limits, said limit means permitting said blade to snap from one oscillating position to another relative to said angular projection; and manually operable control means on said shaft and said projection thereof extending into the region of said handle for selectively halting oscillating movement of said blade and for locking the latter into a predetermined position intermediate said divergent limits whereby to constitute a ruddering effect of said blade; and wherein said blade member includes an elongated tubular sleeve portion, integral with and pivotally mounting said blade member to said suspending arm portion, said sleeve portion defining a cavity therein, and wherein said manually operable control means comprises a locking pin adapted to be relatively positioned within said cavity, a lever-member on said shaft, and means interconnecting said locking pin and said lever member for actuation or de-actuation of said locking pin; said locking pin being movable between a locking position in which said blade is locked in said cavity relative to said arm portion, and a released position in which said pin is retracted from said cavity.