WO1994005375A1 - Dispositif de remorquage individuel a la surface de l'eau - Google Patents

Dispositif de remorquage individuel a la surface de l'eau Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1994005375A1
WO1994005375A1 PCT/AU1993/000438 AU9300438W WO9405375A1 WO 1994005375 A1 WO1994005375 A1 WO 1994005375A1 AU 9300438 W AU9300438 W AU 9300438W WO 9405375 A1 WO9405375 A1 WO 9405375A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
towing device
person
water
water surface
towed
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU1993/000438
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ronald Geoffrey Ditchfield
Original Assignee
Hanson, Wayne, David
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB929218511A external-priority patent/GB9218511D0/en
Application filed by Hanson, Wayne, David filed Critical Hanson, Wayne, David
Publication of WO1994005375A1 publication Critical patent/WO1994005375A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B35/00—Swimming framework with driving mechanisms operated by the swimmer or by a motor
    • A63B35/08—Swimming framework with driving mechanisms operated by the swimmer or by a motor with propeller propulsion
    • A63B35/12—Swimming framework with driving mechanisms operated by the swimmer or by a motor with propeller propulsion operated by a motor

Definitions

  • TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a self powered aquatic device that will tow a person through and across a water surface where in use most of the persons body is essentially in the water below the surface, but where the head and arms are supported above the surface, in a manner that could be described as a powered alternative to swimming but with a higher speed capability.
  • a towing device is towing a person along as a separate entity
  • the necessity of the person being towed holding on to the device and consequently having their arms and chest submerged in the water while their head is raised and tilted upwards in order to see and breathe creates if any speed is involved, considerable drag or turbulence in the form of a "bow wave” around the upper chest and shoulders for the reasons already explained.
  • the "bow wave” becomes more pronounced and higher, having the effect of trying to drag the person being towed away from the device, tiring the persons arms in the process and causing the person to attempt to hold their head higher which creates an even more pronounced and higher "bow wave", the only solution being to reduce speed.
  • a related effect which also causes tiring is that in normal sea conditions where waves exist, the level of the towing device bobbing up and down and that of the person being towed is constantly changing in relation to each other. In choppy water conditions, these changing levels can also mean that the persons body can inadvertently partially block or get in the way of the propelling stream of water.
  • the principal object of the present invention is to go beyond simply motorising a swimmer at normal swimming speeds and emulate as far as possible the streamlining and effortless manner in which a dolphin moves and manoeuvres through water and to impart to the user of the towing device its sense of freedom, albeit only on the water surface.
  • the towing device body was kept the same or similar width as the user partly for hydrodynamic reasons, but also so that the towing device would roll easily, with a self levelling effect caused by the underslung weight, so that manoeuvring or steering would simply be a matter of leaning or applying body weight with the upper arms and shoulders to the relevant side, with very little conscious effort required.
  • a self powered water surface towing device that tows a person by their hands through and across a water surface, comprising a buoyant hydrodynamically streamlined body , motive power means, handlebars and control levers or other means of holding and controlling the towing device situated at or towards the forward end of the towing device and where the rear end of the towing device is adapted and shaped to blend hydrodynamically with the upper chest area of a person being towed and is such a width that the upper arms and shoulders of the person can be supported over and on top of the rear end of the towing device.
  • a motor or power means and a propulsion means are situated on the underside of the towing device below the water surface.
  • t e motui r --.ower means drives the propulsion means, which expels or drives a water jet or jets rearwards and underneath the body of the person being towed.
  • the towing device is such and is so shaped and adapted that together with the person being towed, they form an essentially single combined hydrodynamically streamlined shape, that diverts or guides surrounding water underneath or around the persons chest area in a smooth flow and as speed is increased the towing device and the person being towed ride progressively higher over or through the water surface and assume the angle of least resistance in relation to overall water drag.
  • the unique benefit believed to be added, mentioned earlier, which could be the present inventions most important advantage, is a variable stretching or extending force applied to the torso and spine of the person being towed. This is caused by the propulsion force of the towing device pulling the hands, arms, and shoulders of the person in a forward direction, the lack of, or neutrality of water drag around their chest area, so that the force of the water drag pulling rearwards on their lower body, from the waist down, caused by the propelling water jet and surrounding water, is substantially greater than any water drag on their upper body.
  • the force of the water drag on their lower body can be increased or decreased simply by varying the angle and position of their feet in relation to the propelling water jet, instead of just letting them trail in line. Coupled with the degree of relaxation and infinitely variable movement possible in water, either from steering from side to side or the movement up and down created by waves, the overall effect has been found to be of significant benefit in reducing back pain in a person who suffers with this condition.
  • the present invention provides a water surface towing device that is not limited by poor hydrodynamic efficiency, and therefore has the capability to travel considerably faster than prior art in a smooth relaxed manner, with effortless steering and significantly less overall physical effort required and since the head is always supported, with a high degree of safety. It is fun to use, and should prove to be a valuable therapeutic aid.
  • FIG.1 is a side view of the water surface towing device and a person holding the device in the normal operating position with a typical water level while stationary, indicated by the horizontal dotted line, and also the path of the propelling water jet, with the persons feet in the normal trailing position and also angled downwards to increase water drag on their lower body.
  • FIG.2 illustrates in perspective the water surface towing device.
  • FIG.3 shows a top view of the water surface towing device viewed from the rear, illustrating the chamfered and dished rear end shape.
  • FIG.5 is a side view of the self contained engine unit.
  • the self contained engine unit is a single cylinder internal combustion engine with a recoil starter 1 and a magneto 2 of orthodox design facing forwards and an enclosed propeller (not shown) mounted on the ainshaft facing rearwards, drawing in water at the front 3 and expelling a water jet rearwards through a tunnel 4.
  • the engine unit includes and is attached to a one piece molded plastic tank 5 that incorporates an air tank 6 with a snorkel 7 at the front, through which the carburetor breathes, and a separate fuel tank 8 at the back. Access to the spark plug 19 is through a hole molded in the center of the tank 5.
  • the engine unit also includes a cradle 9, that attaches the front of the tank 5 to engine mounts located at the bottom of the crankcase magneto housing 10.
  • This engine unit is of the type fully described in United States patent 3890920 and any further description is thought not to be necessary.
  • the main body 11 is a hydrodynamically streamlined component manufactured from a plastic foam which is light, durable, possesses a high degree of buoyancy, is rigid enough to maintain its shape, but is comfortable in use and energy absorbing in the event of a collision. It is one metre long, .4 metre wide at the rear, narrowing towards the front with a rounded streamlined nose, ihe rear is chamfered and dished in shape 12 to merge and blend with the upper chest area of the person being propelled. There is a large hole (not shown) aproximately in the middle, shaped to be a close fit over and around the fuel/air tank 5 of the engine unit.
  • top plate 13 manufactured from rigid plastic sheet fixed to the top of the main body 11 with four nylon screw type fixings 14.
  • the top plate has two holes (not shown), one that locates around the air tank threaded top 15 and the other that locates around the fuel tank threaded top 16. Screwing down the snorkel air tank cap 17, and the fuel tank cap 18, fixes the top plate 13 and therefore the main body 11, to the fuel/air tank 5 of the engine unit.
  • a top pad 20 made from the same material as the main body 11, which acts as a spacer between the main body and the handle bar assembly, covers the snorkel cap 17, the spark plug access hole, and the fuel cap 18.
  • the handlebar assembly consists of a set of handlebars 22, a control lever on each end 23 and 24, a support bracket on either side 25, a decorative central cover 28 and a control cable 26 and 27 from each control lever.
  • the support brackets are fixed to the handlebars at a slightly greater width than the width of the main body top pad 20.
  • the handlebar assembly is fitted to the towing device by pushing each support bracket 25 through a hole (not shown) in the forward end of the main body top plate 13, one on either side of the top pad 20, right through the main body 11, and sliding them into a spring loaded retaining clip 29 screwed and fixed on each side of the engine unit cradle 9.
  • the right hand control lever 24 and its control cable 26, are connected to the accelerator lever on the carburetor.
  • the left hand control lever 23 and its control cable 27, is a safety device that in the event of the person being towed, inadvertently letting go of the towing device, would either cause the towing device to go round in a continuous circling motion, or alternatively would stop the engine.
  • the preferred method would be to have the lever and cable connected to a spring loaded rudder (not shown) so that when the lever is pulled right back to the handlebar, the rudder would be in a straight line with the towing device, and if the lever was accidentally released, the rudder would spring to one side out of line causing the towing device to move in a continuous circle until retrieved by the user.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)

Abstract

Dispositif de remorquage aquatique automoteur, remorquant une personne par ses mains à la surface de l'eau et comprenant un corps à profil hydrodynamique flottant (11), un moyen motopropulseur (3), un guidon et des leviers de commande (23, 24) ou d'autres moyens permettant de maintenir et de commander le dispositif de remorquage, situés à l'avant ou vers l'avant dudit dispositif. L'extrémité arrière de ce dernier est conçue et profilée de façon à épouser de manière hydrodynamique la région du torse de la personne remorquée, et présente une largeur telle que le haut des bras et les épaules de la personne peuvent être soutenus au-dessus de ladite extrémité arrière du dispositif. Un moteur ou un moyen mécanique, ainsi qu'un moyen de propulsion (3) sont situés sur la surface inférieure du dispositif, sous la surface de l'eau, de sorte qu'en cours d'utilisation, ledit moteur ou moyen mécanique entraîne le moyen de propulsion qui expulse ou pousse un ou des jets d'eau vers l'arrière et sous le corps de la personne remorquée, la plus grande partie du corps de la personne, à partir du torse, se trouvant essentiellement sous la surface de l'eau mais sans être gênée par le dispositif, avec lequel elle est en contact. Le dispositif de remorquage est ainsi conçu et profilé qu'il présente, avec la personne remorquée, un profil combiné unique et hydrodynamique qui dévie ou guide l'eau environnante, au-dessous ou autour du torse de la personne, en un écoulement sans résistance.
PCT/AU1993/000438 1992-09-01 1993-08-30 Dispositif de remorquage individuel a la surface de l'eau WO1994005375A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB929218511A GB9218511D0 (en) 1992-09-01 1992-09-01 Personal water surface propulsion vehicle
GB9218511.5 1992-09-01
GB9309131.2 1993-05-04
GB939309131A GB9309131D0 (en) 1992-09-01 1993-05-04 Personal water surface propulsion device

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1994005375A1 true WO1994005375A1 (fr) 1994-03-17

Family

ID=26301522

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU1993/000438 WO1994005375A1 (fr) 1992-09-01 1993-08-30 Dispositif de remorquage individuel a la surface de l'eau

Country Status (4)

Country Link
AU (1) AU676174B2 (fr)
CA (1) CA2145743A1 (fr)
GB (1) GB2270282B (fr)
WO (1) WO1994005375A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2720653A1 (fr) * 1994-06-07 1995-12-08 Laurent Casters Embarcation motorisée pour le déplacement d'une personne couchée.
CN106143822A (zh) * 2016-07-07 2016-11-23 深圳市瑞脉科技有限公司 智能水下推进机器人

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2011019298A1 (fr) * 2009-08-10 2011-02-17 Prashchurovich Boris Anatolievich Moyen de transport flottant
FR2969116B1 (fr) * 2010-12-20 2013-06-21 Marc Vaudore Bodyboard a moteur thermique apte a evoluer dans les vagues
RU2658617C2 (ru) * 2016-11-23 2018-06-21 Николай Иванович Андреев Электросерфер

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1011381A (fr) * 1949-01-27 1952-06-23 Flotteur à propulsion pour le remorquage d'un baigneur
US3270707A (en) * 1963-11-06 1966-09-06 Aqua Dart Inc Aquatic device
US3324819A (en) * 1966-02-01 1967-06-13 Wilco Ind Inc Power actuated swim apparatus
US3442240A (en) * 1967-12-13 1969-05-06 Franklin J Wild Power swimming aid
GB1385200A (en) * 1971-08-26 1975-02-26 Francis A Tow-craft for swimmer
DE2555060A1 (de) * 1975-12-06 1977-06-08 Georg Herman Schwimmantriebsgeraet fuer wassersportler
FR2637558A1 (fr) * 1988-10-06 1990-04-13 Martin Jean Yves Engin motonautique tractant le ou les utilisateurs au planing sur l'eau
WO1992000124A1 (fr) * 1990-06-23 1992-01-09 Frank John Thompson Hancock Dispositif de propulsion pour nageurs

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3543712A (en) * 1968-10-07 1970-12-01 Av American Ventures Inc Buoyant swimming aid
US3548771A (en) * 1969-01-21 1970-12-22 Caryl C B Hastings Diving sled
US3890920A (en) * 1973-06-06 1975-06-24 Rockwell International Corp Controls for aquatic towing craft
GB1545222A (en) * 1977-12-05 1979-05-02 Mcleod G Motorized float
JPH0626625B2 (ja) * 1988-11-08 1994-04-13 建治 三村 人体用推進装置
US5158034A (en) * 1992-02-24 1992-10-27 Tontech International Co., Ltd. Automatic swimming board

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1011381A (fr) * 1949-01-27 1952-06-23 Flotteur à propulsion pour le remorquage d'un baigneur
US3270707A (en) * 1963-11-06 1966-09-06 Aqua Dart Inc Aquatic device
US3324819A (en) * 1966-02-01 1967-06-13 Wilco Ind Inc Power actuated swim apparatus
US3442240A (en) * 1967-12-13 1969-05-06 Franklin J Wild Power swimming aid
GB1385200A (en) * 1971-08-26 1975-02-26 Francis A Tow-craft for swimmer
DE2555060A1 (de) * 1975-12-06 1977-06-08 Georg Herman Schwimmantriebsgeraet fuer wassersportler
FR2637558A1 (fr) * 1988-10-06 1990-04-13 Martin Jean Yves Engin motonautique tractant le ou les utilisateurs au planing sur l'eau
WO1992000124A1 (fr) * 1990-06-23 1992-01-09 Frank John Thompson Hancock Dispositif de propulsion pour nageurs

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2720653A1 (fr) * 1994-06-07 1995-12-08 Laurent Casters Embarcation motorisée pour le déplacement d'une personne couchée.
WO1995033528A1 (fr) * 1994-06-07 1995-12-14 Laurent Casters Embarcation motorisee pour le deplacement d'une personne couchee
US5782664A (en) * 1994-06-07 1998-07-21 Casters; Laurent Motorized craft for propelling a person lying in a horizontal position
CN106143822A (zh) * 2016-07-07 2016-11-23 深圳市瑞脉科技有限公司 智能水下推进机器人

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2270282B (en) 1997-01-08
AU4483793A (en) 1994-03-10
GB2270282A (en) 1994-03-09
CA2145743A1 (fr) 1994-03-17
GB9318032D0 (en) 1993-10-20
AU676174B2 (en) 1997-03-06

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