WO2007003066A1

WO2007003066A1 - Watercraft

Info

Publication number: WO2007003066A1
Application number: PCT/CH2006/000347
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ulrich Gertsch
Original assignee: Ulrich Gertsch
Priority date: 2005-01-25
Filing date: 2006-06-27
Publication date: 2007-01-11

Abstract

Disclosed is a watercraft, on the hull (101) of which a drive system is installed that is driven by means of a pair of crank handles (120) in an upright position of the operator. The rotary movement of the crank (120) is transmitted to a wheel shaft (114) via a pinion (128, 115) and a chain (124) so as to drive a pair of paddle wheels (110). The driving arm (123) is configured and mounted in a special manner, which makes it possible to modify the position of said arm (123) anytime or lay the same flat for transport without having to change the tension of the chain (124). Foot loops (104, 105) allow the feet to be anchored such that an integral and powerful driving movement and thus optimal propulsion of the watercraft are ensured.

Description

water craft

The subject of the present invention is a watercraft, which is moved in a standing position of the driver by means of muscle power via a mechanical drive system.

There are already known watercraft of this type. The drive by means of rudder is mechanical in the broadest sense, but should not be considered here in detail, because the drive according to the invention represents a real mechanism with numerous components and acts completely different than the rudder or paddle. Also, the standing position of the driver or leader of a watercraft is known per se of special rowboats, ferries, gondolas or pontoon boats. But even in this regard, the inventive drive is significantly different and therefore not comparable. More modern ways to operate on a hull in a standing position sporty, windsurfing by means of a board-like hull on which a sail is mounted three-dimensionally movable and held or guided by the driver and the wave surfing, which also on a special board resp , Board is operated standing. While windsurfing requires the driver's muscular power to position the sail and maintain balance on board, the driving element is the wind. Muscle strength also plays an important role in wave surfing; But here it is the dynamics of big waves, which is used as the actual medium of motion. Both, just mentioned board sports have the disadvantage that they rely on the presence of natural forces and therefore in many places where suitable water is available, can not be exercised, just because the wind and the waves are missing. In addition, wind and wave surfing make very high demands on the three-dimensional sense of balance, which means for many people, endless and tedious practice and therefore cause these sports find only a limited number of followers. The aim of the present invention is to establish a new type of water sport, which on the one hand satisfies the need to exercise in a standing position using the whole body on the water, and on the other hand does not rely on the presence of wind and waves, so can be exercised almost anytime, anywhere. In addition, the learning phase should be as short as possible, so that a quick sense of achievement occurs. Finally, an attractive driving speed and a good maneuverability should be achieved. With these characteristics and functional characteristics, the prerequisites for a rapid development of width and thus a fast, commercial success are to be guaranteed.

These goals are to be achieved as follows. A first, preferred embodiment of the inventive watercraft is illustrated by means of Figures 1 to 4 and described hereafter. In a surfboard-like hull (101) a drive unit is mounted, which consists of a Schaufelradpaar (110, 110 ') and a connecting shaft (114) which is aligned at right angles to the longitudinal center axis of the hull (101). In the central region of the structure (107) of the boat body (101) is the support arm

(123) pivotally mounted on the axis (114) and next to this Lagerstellte a sprocket (115) on the same axis (114) fixedly connected to this axis. Along the support arm (123) along the drive chain (124) leads as a loop to the sprocket (128), which is rigidly mounted on the Kurbelachs (128). The support arm (123) is directed obliquely upward for the position of use or driving position and held by means of the adjustable support element (130). In the upper region of the support arm (123), the hand crank element (120) is mounted on the axis of rotation (122) in the support arm. This axis of rotation is parallel to the Schaufelradachse (114) and cooperates with this so that the over the upper pinion (128) running and then to the lower pinion (115) leading chain

(124) is moved by turning the crank (120) and the Schaufelradachse (114) via the pinion (115) in rotation. Practical experiments have shown that the speed ratio between the hand crank (120) and paddle wheel must be at least about 1: 2, on the one hand to achieve efficient movement of the vehicle (100) and on the other hand to keep the driver's effort in the reasonable range. Ie. a complete revolution of the hand crank element (120) should effect at least about two complete revolutions of the paddle wheels. This ratio can of course be changed in a known manner, for example by means of several differently sized sprockets and a chain change, as used in modern bicycles. As Fig. 2 clearly shows, it is expedient to provide the handles (125, 125 ') of the crank member (120) at a certain distance from each other. This distance corresponds ideally to about the shoulder joint distance of an average built man, and this distance can of course be made adjustable in a known manner. The physical effective length of the cranks, ie the distance between the axis of rotation (122) and the imaginary axis of connection of the handles must, according to experience, be at least as long as the normal crank length of the foot pedal system of an average bicycle. The paddle wheel (110) consists of the wheel disc (111), on each of whose sides a buoyancy body (118) is installed, and the blades (112) which are radially aligned and concentric with the axis of rotation. These shovels provide water propulsion, but have two more functions: thanks to the integrated buoyancy bodies (118), the wheels in the water act as stabilizers, and together with the steering wheel (152) integrated in the tail rudder they form a landing gear Entry and Auswessem is much easier.

The foot straps (104, 105) provided in the area of the standing surface (103) make it easier for the driver to maintain the balance and support the holistic use of the body in the sense of a kind of anchoring point for the feet. This means that the driver can, so to speak, hook himself into these footstraps in order to exert more tension or pressure on the hand cranks and thereby increase the efficiency of the drive. They also allow dynamic shifts of the center of gravity during the drive with the aim of thereby changing the position of the boat body so that the propulsion of the boat is enhanced, in cooperation with the paddle wheels whose immersion depth can be influenced by the body movements the driver on the hull. As described in the introduction, the object of the present invention is to produce the drive of the vessel in a standing position of the driver via a hand crank system (120). How the drive arm (123) for transport and storage can be folded small volume, it is apparent from Figs. 3 and 4. This is possible because this drive arm (123) is pivotally mounted on the wheel drive axle (114), as already described above, making the construction very simple, thus functionally reliable, light in weight and inexpensive 9, for the transport on the car roof and the storage, the wheels can be disassembled in a simple manner, this being ensured by the fact that the wheel axle (114) consists of three parts: the first part, the actual axle (114). is mounted in the body (107) of the hull (101) and protrudes slightly to the left and right of the hull 2. The second and third parts, both of equal length, are each fixed in the center of the paddle wheels, telescopically slidable into the main axle (114) A possible operation of the rudder can be found in the description of Figures 4 and 5. This is also true for the embodiment according to Fig. 1 to 4 applicable. The sequence of movement of the embodiment just described of the vessel according to the invention is shown in FIG. 10. Here is the holistic movement of the body clearly visible. Only in relation to the drive system that generates the propulsion in the water, the embodiment differs according to FIG. 4 and 5. Here, instead of the paddle wheels, a mechanical paddle system (210, 210 ') is provided, which dive parallelogram like into the water (202) and turn up again. It is expected that the propulsion of this system is more efficient than the paddle wheel, because the blades (212, 213, 214, 215) always move exactly vertically through the water and thus no spray losses, in contrast to the paddle wheel. On the other hand, this drive can not take over a driving function on land, so that the entry and emptying of the device is more difficult than with the paddle wheel. The body position and movement in Figs. 4 and 5 is identical to the embodiment according to Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 10. In more detail in Figs. 4 and 5 is the operation of the rudder (250). In the actual rudder blade (251), the steering roller 252 is rotatably mounted. The rudder is attached to a control axle, which leads vertically through the boost body (201) to its upper side (203) and is connected there to a bearing head (254). In this bearing head (254), the control rod (255) is attached, which opens further forward in a control head (256). This control head can be pushed through the driver's feet to the left or to the right, and this movement is transmitted in a known manner directly to the rudder (251). The movement sequence of the drive system (210, 210 ') is shown in FIG. 11.

The drive system according to FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown in detail in FIG. 9. The drive arm (123) consists of two tube elements (123a and 123b) Weilche at its upper end to the bearing housing (129) are firmly connected and formed at their lower ends as bearing bushes (123c, 123d) and on the hull in the hull (101) fixedly laminated bearing tubes (108, 108 ') are rotatably mounted. The spacer rail (126) represents the support of the bearing axis between the crank system (120) and the bearing axis (114) in its middle, most stressed area, and it is firmly connected to the bearing part (127). In the immediate vicinity of this bearing (127) is the chain sprocket (115), which is fixedly connected to the wheel axle (114) and rotated by moving the crank system (120) over the chain (124) causing the paddle wheels (110 ) to rotate and thus to drive the hull in the water brings. This whole support and bearing system provides a simple, reliable and cost effective solution, which is also characterized by low weight and good appearance. This bearing and support system according to FIG. 9 can also be used for other drive units, for example that according to FIGS. 4 and 5. The holistic movement sequence of the driver on the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2 is shown impressively in FIG. By such a drive, a variety of muscles in both the upper and in the lower body trained and also optimally activated the breathing. Of course, a minimal learning process is required to be able to ride in a standing position on the water. However, this is never comparable to the learning time of the winsurfing sport or even that of wave surfing, because in particular in the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2, the drive elements (110) have a stabilizing effect and thereby facilitate learning to a decisive extent. FIG. 11 clearly shows how the drive unit (210) according to FIGS. 4 and 5 functions. The vanes (211, 212) are in a vertical position during a full turn of the cranks (214, 215) each time, thereby having an optimum dip and escape angle to the water surface (202). Because no spray losses occur, a high drive efficiency is achieved. It is also important that this drive unit - in contrast to the paddle wheel - has a small volume and a low weight, which is very advantageous for transport and storage. In addition, a cost-effective production is guaranteed. It is understood that other drive units with the hand crank drive system described hereinbefore, which is operated in a standing position, can be combined.

The watercraft according to the invention is illustrated by means of various figures. Show it:

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment in the driving position and viewed from the side

Fig. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 in the driving position and in plan view

Fig. 3 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 in transport position and viewed from the side

Fig. 4 shows the embodiment according to FIG. 1 in transport position and in plan view

Fig. 5 shows a second embodiment in the driving position and viewed from the side

Fig. 6 shows the embodiment according to FIG. 5 in driving position and viewed in plan view Fig. 7 shows the embodiment according to FIG. 5 in transport position and viewed from the side

Fig. 8 shows the embodiment according to FIG. 5 in Tränsportposition and viewed in plan view

9 shows the drive system of the embodiments according to FIGS. 1 and 5, viewed in a section lying in the vicinity

Fig. 10 shows the movement sequence of the drive movement of the embodiment according to FIG. 1 in various positions viewed from the side

Fig. 11 shows a detailed view of the operation of the drive unit of the embodiment according to FIG. 5 in various positions viewed from the side.

Claims

claims

A watercraft comprising a hull (100) and at least one mechanical drive system attached thereto, characterized in that this system is set in motion and held by a hand crank (120), and that the hull (101) thereby moves in the water is, wherein the crank (120) is designed and stored so that it is actuated by the driver in a standing position primarily by the muscular strength of the hands and arms and supported by the use of the whole body.

2. Vessel according to claim 1, characterized in that the axis of rotation (122) of the hand cranks (120) transversely to the longitudinal center axis of the hull (101) and at a height above the standing surface of the hull (103), which at least about half the average, human body size measures.

3. Vessel according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the driver during the operation of the cranks (120) in the longitudinal direction of the boat (101) can move so that on the one hand supports the crank movement and on the other hand, the position of the hull (101) in Water can be influenced in such a way that the journey is accelerated.

4. A watercraft according to claim 2, characterized in that the feet of the driver in loops (104, 105) which are fixed on the hull (101) can be anchored and thereby the body use is strengthened during the crank movement.

5. Vessel according to claim 1 and at least one of claims 2 to

4, characterized in that the height of the hand crank axis (122) over the standing surface (103) of the hull (101) changeable and fixable in different positions by means of a telescopic support (130).

6. Vessel according to claim 1 and at least one of claims 2 to

5, characterized in that the position of the hand crank axis (122) with respect to the footing (103) on the boat (101) can be changed while driving by the driver.

7. Vessel according to claim 1 and at least one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the hand crank (120) on a support arm (123) is mounted, on which technical means are provided, which a transmission of the crank movement to another Axle (114), which is part of the mechanical drive system.

8. Vessel according to claim 7, characterized in that the transmission of the crank movement by means of a chain known type (124).

9. Vessel according to claim 7, characterized in that the transmission takes place by means of angular gears and propeller shaft.

A vessel according to claim 7, characterized in that the support arm (123) is pivotally mounted on an axis (114) transverse to the longitudinal axis of the boat, the center of which is identical to the axis forming part of the drive system (114), and that therefore a pivoting of this support arm (123) is possible without the distance between the crank axle (122) and drive axle (114), respectively. change the chain tension.

11.Wasserfahrzeugs according to claims 7 to 9, characterized in that between the number of revolutions of the hand crank (120) and that of the second axis (114) is a translation which reaches at least the ratio of 1: 2.

12. Vessel according to claim 11, characterized in that the ratio can be changed while driving.

13. Vessel according to claim 1 and at least one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that the two cranks (121) of the hand crank (120) function independently of each other and each crank via a transmission element (124) each having a second axis (1 ^ 4) or partial axis and each with a drive unit (110) cooperates, whereby an efficient control of the vessel in terms of a differential system can be achieved.

14. Vessel according to claim 1 and at least one of claims 2 to 11, characterized in that a rudder (150) on the hull (101) is provided, which has an actuating element (Fig. 3, 255, 256) which in the floor space area of the hull (103) and is designed so that it can be moved by the feet of the driver for the purpose of controlling the vehicle.

15. Vessel according to claim 1 and at least one of claims 2 to 13, characterized in that the drive system consists of at least two paddle wheels (110) of known type.

16. Vessel according to claim 15, characterized in that the wheel discs (113) of the paddle wheels (110) protrude so far with respect to the lower edge of the hull (101) that they can serve for ease of entry and Auswaßung of the vehicle.

17. Vessel according to claim 16, characterized in that the rudder according to claim 14, an integrated steering wheel (Fig. 3, 262) has, which together with the wheel tire (113) forms a chassis for entering and emptying.

18. Vessel according to claim 15, characterized in that the drive units (110) have integrated buoyancy bodies (118) which act as stabilizers and prevent capsizing.