US3855957A

US3855957A - Self-propelled boat

Info

Publication number: US3855957A
Application number: US00273380A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Gross
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-05-07
Filing date: 1972-07-20
Publication date: 1974-12-24
Anticipated expiration: 1991-12-24

Abstract

A self-propelled boat which utilizes a fin mounted on the lower end of an angularly moving, pivotally mounted shaft. The upper end of the shaft is connected with a cross piece which is engaged at its opposite ends by the feet of a boat occupant. The shaft is pivotally mounted to an upstanding post secured to the boat structure. The lower end of the shaft has a projection which is to be inserted into a standard swim fin and frictionally held thereby. The propelling mechanism can be applied to either a single-hull or twin-hull boat and can be positioned to propel the boat in either the fore or aft direction.

Description

Gross [451 Dec. 24, 1974 SELF-PROPELLED BOAT [76] Inventor: William J. Gross, 29105 Indian VaIley Rd., Palos Verdes Peninsula,

Calif. 90274 [22] Filed: July 20, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 273,380

Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 35,321, May 7, 1970, Pat. No.

[52] U.S. Cl 115/28 R [51] Int. Cl B63h l/36 [58] Field of Search 115/25, 26, 26.3, 28, 21, 115/22.2, 30, 31; 9/3( 9 29 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,925,912 9/1933 Strout 115/28 2,062,546 12/1936 Wells r 115/21 2,668,513 2/1954 Reynolds 115/29 2,779,077 l/l957 Kline 9/309 3,139,061 6/1964 Johnston 115/25 3,426,722 2/1969 Dragich 1 15/222 3,529,565 9/1970 Iglesias ll5/22.2

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,169,929 1 1959 France [15/26 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Popular Science, Pedals to Troll Boat, June 1955, page 151.

Primary Examiner-Duane A. Reger Assistant Examiner-Galen L. Barefoot Attorney, Agent, or FirmR0bert E. Geauque [5 7] ABSTRACT anism can. be applied to either a single-hull or twinhull boat and-can be positioned to propel the boat in either the fore or aft direction.

I 6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures SELF-PROPELLED BOAT This application is a division of patent application Ser. No. 035,321, filed May 7, 1970, now US. Pat. No. 3,695,211 entitled Self-Propelled Boat by the present inventor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Numerous self-propelled boats have utilized angularly movable, flexible fins to manually propel the boat. Other self-propelled boats have utilized a manually operated water wheel or propeller. In all such boats, either a chain drive or a complicated mechanical linkage has been utilized to power the propelling device, whether it be a fin, a water wheel or a propeller. Also, complicated attachments have been utilized to attach the propelling mechanism to the structure of the boat and consume unnecessary space in the boat. In the case of chain drives connected to feet-operated sprockets, special bearings must be provided for the moving parts of the propelling mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a self-propelled boat which can have either a single hull or a plurality of hulls, The propelling mechanism comprises an angularly movable shaft which extends from the occupant portion of the boat downwardly into the water. One end of the shaft is pivotally mounted to an upright post which is secured to the boat structure and the other end of the shaft mounts a propelling fin. A cross piece is attached to one end of the shaft and the ends of the cross piece are positioned to be engaged by the feet of an occupant of the boat. A seat for an occupant is located so that he can be in position to move the cross piece angularly back andforth with his feet. The other end of the shaft has a projection insertable into the opening in a standard swim fin. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide amanually operated boat having a propelling mechanism which is adaptableto various types of boats and which propels a boat by angular movement produced by the feet of an occupant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 3-3 of FIG. 2 showing in more detail the propelling mechanism of this invention.

' DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the single hull embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, boat 80 has cross

members

81, 82, and 83 which are normally provided to seat the occupants. A frame 84 comprises spaced

longitudinal members

85 and 86 connected by

end pieces

87 and 88. The frame is secured to cross

members

81 and 82 in any suitable manner, such as by screws 89. A seat 90 can be adjustably attached in any suitable manner to the frame 84 as by a bolt 86 passing through a plate 87. The propelling mechanism 90' comprises an upright cylindrical post 91 which is welded to a plate 92 extending between

frame members

85 and 86. The plate contains an opening for receiving a sleeve insert 93. The top of the post is closed by a plate 94 containing an opening for receiving a sleeve insert 95. The propelling shaft 98 mounts upper and

lower flange plates

99 and 100 having

openings

99a and 100a which can be located in alignment with the openings in

sleeve inserts

95 and 93. All the openings receive pivot pin 101 which pivotally mounts the shaft 98 for angular movement.

The end 102 of the shaft 98 mounts a horizontal, transverse cross piece 104 which has pads 105 at its opposite ends to be engaged by the feet of the occupant located in seat 90. The end 102 of shaft 98 connects with a substantially horizontal shaft section 103 which extends rearwardly over the transom 108 of the boat and connects with the'downwardly extending shaft end 109 terminating below the surface of the water. The

lower end 109 of the shaft mounts U-shaped tube 106 which extends transversely from the shaft into the opening in a swim fin 107. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the boat can be propelled in the forward direction by the occupant who sits facing in the aft direction and propels the boat by alternate foot movement, causing the fin 107 to move from one side to the other, as illustrated in the phantom line positions of FIG. 2. This propelling mechanism and seat position are particularly suitable for trolling; since the speed of the boat can be greatly reduced, there is no noise of a motor to disturb the fish and both of the occupants hands are free to operate his fishing equipment. I

With the propelling shaft 98 in the full line position of FIG. 2 and the occupant seated upon the seat 90, the feet of the occupant-can be placed upon the pads 105 and moved alternately back and forth to cause the shaft 98 to pivot angularly about the pin 101 into the dotted line positions illustrated in FIG. 2, thereby moving the fin 107 between its phanthom line positions shown in FIG. 2. The swim fin 107 can be flexible and the end of the fin will bend in a direction opposite to that of its angular movement as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2. Movement of the fin 107 will propel the boat forwardly at a speed depending on the rate of angular movement of the shaft 98. Also, the boat can be steered by the occupant while reciprocating the shaft with the feet while the center position of fin reciprocation is angularly positioned with respect to the axis of the boat. Therefore, it is not necessary to have a separate rudder in order to steer the boat.

It is apparent that the propelling mechanism of the present invention can be applied to various types of boat constructions and that suitable supports can firmly tie the propulsion mechanism to the boat structure. The invention is particularly suitable for small lakes and pools where boat speed is not of primary importance. The propelling mechanism provides an excellent means for exercise of the occupant. Because of the simplicity and compactness of the propelling mechanism, it can be disassembled and carried separately from the boat so that it can be applied to different boats.-

What is claimed is:

l. A mechanism for a self-propelled boat comprising:

a propelling mechanism and an occupants seat;

frame means for supporting said propelling mechamsm;

an upright support means attached to said frame means;

I to said horizontal shaft section. 2. A mechanism fora self-propelled boat comprising:

said propelling mechanism comprising a propulsion shaft carrying a cross member at one end and a propulsion fin at its other end, said propulsion fin being entirely constructed of a flexible material having memory to return to a straight configuration 5 when at rest;

pivotal mounting means for pivotally supporting said shaft on said upright support means;

foot engaging areas at opposite ends of said cross member for angular movement of said propulsion shaft by the occupant seated in said seat in order to move said fin angularly through the water and propel the boat;

said ends of said propulsion shaft are connected toface;

said propulsion fin having a cavity; and said connecting means comprising-a pro ection, said projection extending into said cavity, the elongated axis of said projection being substantially parallel a propelling mechanism and an occupants seat; v frame means for supporting said propelling mechanism;

an upright support means attached to said frame means;

said propelling mechanism comprising a propulsion a pivotal mounting means for pivotally supporting said shaft on said upright support means;

foot engaging areas at opposite ends of said cross member for angular movement of said propulsion shaft by the occupant seated in said seat in order to move said fin angularly through the water and propel the boat; '45

said ends of said propulsion shaft are connected together by a substantially horizontal shaft section, said one end extending downward to connect with said upright support means and said other end extending downward and including connecting means for connecting with said fin below the water surface;

4 the elongated axis of said projection being substan tially parallel to said horizontal shaft section.

3. In combination with a boat, said boat having a hull to rest horizontally within water, the occupant seat structure located within said boat and secured to said hull, said seat structure facing the stern of said boat, a propelling mechanism comprising:

an upright support means located within said boat and fixed relative to said hull;

a shaft connected to rotate about a rotation axis to said upright support means, said rotation axis being parallel to and displaced from the axis of said shaft adjacent said upright support means, said shaft including an elongated body extending from said upright support means and terminating in a connection means, an entirely flexible propulsion fin connected by said connecting means to said shaft, said body being substantially U-shaped with one end thereof -to extend downward to connect with the said upright support means and the other end extending downward to locate said fin below the water surface; substantially horizontal cross member secured to said shaft and located adjacent said upright support means, foot engaging areas at opposite ends of said cross member for angular movement of said propulsion shaft by the occupant seated in said seat in order to move said fin angularly through the water to propel the boat. 4. The combination as defined with claim 3 wherein:

said'elongated body of said shaft includes a substantially horizontal elongated section which forms the apex of the U-shaped configuration, said horizontal section permits extension of said body beyond the transom of said boat to have said connection means extend downward to locate said fin below the water surface.

5. The combination as defined in claim 4 wherein:

said fin having a cavity, said connection means includes a projection which extends into said cavity and is in frictional engagemnt with said fin, the longitudinal axis of said projection being substantially parallel to said horizontal elongated section of said body of said shaft.

6. The combination as defined in claim 5 wherein:

a frame means located within said boat is secured to said hull, said occupant seat and said upright support means each being directly secured to said frame means, said frame means comprises longitudinal support means which is located substantially in alignment with the axis of said hull, said seat being adjustably attached to said longitudinal support means for positioning therealong.

Claims

1. A mechanism for a self-propelled boat comprising: a propelling mechanism and an occupant''s seat; frame means for supporting said propelling mechanism; an upright support means attached to said frame means; said propelling mechanism comprising a propulsion shaft carrying a cross member at one end and a propulsion fin at its other end, said propulsion fin being entirely constructed of a flexible material having memory to return to a straight configuration when at rest; pivotal mounting means for pivotally supporting said shaft on said upright support means; foot engaging areas at opposite ends of said cross member for angular movement of said propulsion shaft by the occupant seated in said seat in order to move said fin angularly through the water and propel the boat; said ends of said propulsion shaft are connected together by a substantially horizontal shaft section, said one end extending downward to connect with said upright support means and said other end extending downward and including connecting means for connecting with said fin below the water surface; said propulsion fin having a cavity; and said connecting means comprising a projection, said projection extending into said cavity, the elongated axis of said projection being substantially parallel to said horizontal shaft section.

2. A mechanism for a self-propelled boat comprising: a propelling mechanism and an occupant''s seat; frame means for supporting said propelling mechanism; an upright support means attached to said frame means; said propelling mechanism comprising a propulsion shaft carrying a cross member at one end and a propulsion fin at its other end, said propulsion fin being entirely constructed of a flexible material having memory to return to a straight configuration when at rest; a pivotal mounting means for pivotally supporting said shaft on said upright support means; foot engaging areas at opposite ends of said cross member for angular movement of said propulsion shaft by the occupant seated in said seat in order to move said fin angularly through the water and propel the boat; said ends of said propulsion shaft are connected together by a substantially horizontal shaft section, said one end extending downward to connect with said upright support means and said other end extending downward and including connecting means for connecting with said fin below the water surface; said propulsion fin having a cavity; and said connecting means comprising a projection, said projection extending into said cavity and frictionally engaging the wall portions of said cavity, the elongated axis of said projection being substantially parallel to said horizontal shaft section.

3. In combination with a boat, said boat having a hull to rest horizontally within water, the occupant seat structure located within said boat and secured to said hull, said seat structure facing the stern of said boat, a propelling mechanism comprising: an upright support means located within said boat and fixed relative to said hull; a shaft connected to rotate about a rotation axis to said upright support means, said rotation axis being parallel to and displaced from the axis of said shaft adjacent said upright support means, said shaft including an elongated body extending from said upright support means and terminating in a connection means, an entirely flexible propulsion fin connected by said connecting means to said shaft, said body being substantially U-shaped with one end thereof to extend downward to connect with the said upright support means and the other end extending downward to locate said fin below the water surface; a substantially horizontal cross member secured to said shaft and located adjacent said upright support means, foot engaging areas at opposite ends of said cross member for angular movement of said propulsion shaft by the occupant seated in said seat in order to move said fin angularly through the water to propel the boat.

4. The combination as defined with claim 3 wherein: said elongated body of said shaft includes a substantially horizontal elongated section which forms the apex of the U-shaped configuration, said horizontal section permits extension of said body beyond the transom of said boat to have said connection means extend downwaRd to locate said fin below the water surface.

5. The combination as defined in claim 4 wherein: said fin having a cavity, said connection means includes a projection which extends into said cavity and is in frictional engagemnt with said fin, the longitudinal axis of said projection being substantially parallel to said horizontal elongated section of said body of said shaft.

6. The combination as defined in claim 5 wherein: a frame means located within said boat is secured to said hull, said occupant seat and said upright support means each being directly secured to said frame means, said frame means comprises longitudinal support means which is located substantially in alignment with the axis of said hull, said seat being adjustably attached to said longitudinal support means for positioning therealong.