WO2008131536A1

WO2008131536A1 - Personal watercraft kit

Info

Publication number: WO2008131536A1
Application number: PCT/CA2008/000781
Authority: WO
Inventors: Raymond Kendell; Werner Troxler
Original assignee: Hawryluk, Terry; Zimmer, Garry; Vandermeer, David; Todorovich, Don; Turcott, Stan
Priority date: 2007-04-27
Filing date: 2008-04-24
Publication date: 2008-11-06

Abstract

A watercraft is assembled from a kit of parts comprising a frame, a pair of pontoon members arranged to support a portion of the frame to float, a pair of drive wheels arranged to support a portion of the frame to float on the water, and an occupant seat. The drive wheels include paddles at circumferentially spaced positions thereabout to propel the body across the water in a forward direction. The kit according to the present invention permits a watercraft to be assembled at a point of use so that the kit can be more readily transported to remote areas, for example in the form of a backpack and the like. To further allow for ready transport, the pontoons and the drive wheels are inflatable for deflation when stored and components of the frame are collapsible.

Description

PERSONAL WATERCRAFT KIT

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Serial No. 60/914,378, filed April 27, 2007. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a personal watercraft for supporting a person for floating movement across a surface of a body of water, and more particularly relates to a personal watercraft propelled across the body of water by the user pedalling. BACKGROUND Various types of personal watercraft are known for supporting individuals on a body of water for movement thereacross. Examples can be found in the following patent documents. US Patent 4,303,033 belonging to King; US Patent 5,870,966 belonging to Christian; US Patent 5,088,944 belonging to Kats; US Patent 5,540,604 belonging to Dayton; US Patent 5,427,544 belonging to Foglia and Canadian Patent 2,435,969 belonging to McCrea.

In general, known designs of personal watercraft include large frames, large pontoons or heavy motors which are generally manufactured as an assembled watercraft of considerable size and weight that it is difficult for a single user to transport the watercraft into remote areas. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a watercraft kit for assembly into a watercraft for use on water, the watercraft kit comprising: a frame; at least one pontoon member arranged for connection to the frame to support a portion of the frame to float on water for movement in a forward direction; at least one drive wheel arranged for connection to the frame to support a portion of the frame to float on the water for movement in the forward direction; and an occupant seat arranged for supporting an occupant on the frame to face in the forward direction; said at least one drive wheel including paddles at circumferentially spaced positions thereabout, the paddles being arranged to propel the body across the water in the forward direction.

The kit according to the present invention permits a watercraft to be assembled from a frame, pontoons and drive wheels which comprise separate components arranged for assembly at a point of use so that the kit can be more readily transported to remote areas, for example in the form of a backpack and the like. To further allow for ready transport, the pontoons and the drive wheels may be inflatable for deflation when stored or transported. Components of the frame may also be collapsible, by providing a telescoping members for example a drive axle, or by arranging portions of the frame to be foldable into a storage position, for example a folding seat.

Preferably at least one of the pontoon members and the drive wheels comprises an inflatable member which can be deflated for storage or transport. When there is provided two drive wheels, preferably both comprise inflatable members.

When there is provided two pontoon members, preferably both comprise inflatable pontoon members.

The pontoon members are preferably arranged for selective detachment and reattachment to the frame.

Each pontoon member may include one or more pockets formed thereon which is arranged for selectively receiving a mounting portion of the frame therein when the pontoon member is attached to the frame.

When the pontoon member is inflatable, preferably the mounting portion of the frame is bent so as to be arranged to be retained within the respective pocket when the pontoon member is inflated. The drive wheels are preferably also arranged for selective detachment and reattachment to the frame.

The drive wheels may be supported on a common axle such that each drive wheel is arranged to be selectively removable from the frame by disconnecting a respective portion of the common axle. When there is provided a drive arranged for rotating the drive wheels supported on the frame, the drive wheels are preferably selectively separable from the drive when separating the wheel from the frame.

When there is provided a drive arranged for driving rotation of the drive wheels, each drive wheel is preferably independently engagable with the drive.

Preferably the drive is arranged for rotating the drive wheels in a skid steer configuration.

When the two drive wheels are supported on a common drive axle, preferably there is provided a clutch member associated with each wheel which is arranged for rotating the wheel with the axle when the clutch member is engaged and for permitting free rotation of the drive wheel relative to the axle when the clutch member is disengaged.

The drive may comprise a pair of foot operated pedals arranged to drive rotation of the drive axle and a pair of hand operated levers arranged for operating the clutch members respectively between their respective engaged and disengaged positions.

The drive wheels may be supported on a drive axle having telescoping sections.

The occupant seat may include a seat bottom and a seat back arranged to be foldable relative to the seat bottom into a storage position in which the seat back lays against the seat bottom. The paddles of the drive wheels are preferably formed of resilient material.

The paddles and the drive wheels may be formed of like materials which are bonded together.

The frame is preferably arranged to be carried on a back of a person with said at least one pontoon member and said at least one drive wheel being arranged to be deflated for storage within the frame.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a front end and a side of the watercraft.

Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating a rear end and a side of the watercraft.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the watercraft. Figure 4 a side elevational view of the watercraft.

Figure 5 is a rear elevational view of the watercraft. Figure 6 is an enlarged rear elevational view of the drive components.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the drive components at the rear axle.

Figure 8 is a partially sectional view of the drive axle.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of one of the clutching members. Figure 10 is a perspective view of a connection between the pontoons and the frame.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the accompanying figures there is illustrated a kit arranged for assembly into a personal watercraft generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The watercraft 10 is suitable for carrying a person across a body of water by floating on the body of water and by including a suitable drive for propelling the watercraft relative to the water. The kit of parts for assembly into the watercraft 10 can be readily assembled and disassembled for ease of compact transport of the watercraft into remote areas as may be desired.

The watercraft 10 generally includes a frame 12 having two side members 14 which extend in a longitudinal direction of the frame from a front end of the watercraft to a rear end of the watercraft. A front cross bar 16 is joined between the two side members in a generally outwardly curved path. A middle crossbar 18 joins between the two side members 14 at a central location therealong for additional structural support. The side members 14 taper inwardly towards one another towards the rear end of the watercraft where the two side members are joined by a rear crossbar 20. The front crossbar 16, the middle crossbar 18 and the rear crossbar 20 all extend in a lateral direction, parallel and spaced from one another so as to be generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the frame.

A portion of each side member 14 extends rearwardly beyond the rear crossbar, each for supporting a respective collar 22 at the rear end thereof which is spaced rearwardly from the rear crossbar 20. The collars 22 are oriented about a common axis extending horizontally therebetween so as to be perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the frame.

The frame further includes two rails 24 which are spaced apart in the lateral direction relative to one another while extending generally parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction from a center of the front crossbar 16 to extend upwardly and then rearwardly therefrom towards the rear of the watercraft. At a location spaced above the front crossbar, the rails then extend rearward, generally parallel to the side members forwardly towards the rear end of the frame where they then extend downward to be joined to the ends of the side members 14 respectively. The collars 22 are thus located at the intersection of the rails 24 with the two side members 14 respectively.

A seat 26 is provided on the rails 24 near the rear ends thereof spaced up above the side members 14 of the frame. The seat 26 is arranged to support an occupant thereon to face forwardly into a travel direction which comprises the forward longitudinal direction of the frame. The seat includes a seat bottom 28 supported generally horizontally on the rails and a seat back 30 hinged on the seat bottom 28 to fold between an upright position supporting the back of the user thereon and a storage position lying generally flat against the seat bottom 28.

Two pontoon members 32 are provided for supporting a forward portion of the frame floating on the body of water. The two pontoon members 32 each extend substantially a length of the frame while being elongate in the longitudinal direction thereof when mounted on the frame. The pontoon members

32 are arranged to be selectively supported on the frame for detachment and reattachment thereto as may be desired. Each pontoon member 32 comprises and inflatable tube having a generally cylindrical body and a forward end which tapers upwardly and forwardly for riding up onto the surface of the water. The pontoons

32 can be arranged to be separated from the frame when deflated for subsequent storage alongside the frame or within the perimeter volume defined by the frame members when storing or transporting the watercraft kit.

The pontoon members 32 each include a pair if mounting pockets 34 at spaced positions along the respective inner side thereof. Each pocket 34 comprises a panel of material similar to the material forming the cylindrical body of the pontoon so as to be bonded to the cylindrical body along the two side edges and the bottom edge of the panel. Accordingly a top end of the pocket 34 is open in each instance for receiving a mounting portion of the frame downwardly therein through the open top end to support the watercraft on the pontoons. The mounting portion of the frame comprises two mounting plates 36 located at spaced positions on each of the two side members 14 of the frame. Each mounting plate 36 is suitably sized for being received within the respective pocket 34 in the respective pontoon member. The mounting plates 36 are spaced apart from one another along each side member to match the spacing of the pocket of the respective pontoon member, while locating the pontoons to extend generally from an intermediate location of the frame near the rear end thereof to a location extending forwardly beyond the front end of the frame.

Each mounting plate 36 is generally curved to match the contour of the cylindrical body of the inflatable pontoon member 32 so that each plate has a generally concave outer surface and a generally concave inner surface facing the inner surface of the mounting plates 36 on the opposing side member 14. Once the plates are inserted within the respective pockets within the pontoon members and the pontoon members are inflated, the curved structure of the mounting plates serves to retain the plates within the respective pockets. For additional retention, a strap 38 is provided on each pocket 34 to extend over the respective side member 14 to which the plate is mounted to prevent the mounting plate from being removed from the respective pocket. Two drive wheels 40 are provided for connection to the frame at the rear end thereof to support a rear portion of the frame floating on the body of water. The two drive wheels 40 are supported on a common drive axle 44 which is received through the two collars 22 at the rear of the frame. The two drive wheels 40 are spaced apart at opposing ends of the common axle 44 so as to be located on opposing sides of the occupant seat received therebetween, while being positioned generally rearward therefrom. The wheels have a sufficiently large diameter to carry a substantial portion of the weight of the frame and the occupant thereon such that a top end of the wheel is located above the seat bottom of the seat.

Each wheel 40 comprises a cylindrical member defining a sealed chamber surrounding a tubular through hole for receiving the axle at the central axis thereof. The wheels 40 are formed of a suitable material to permit inflation and deflation thereof. The wheels can be detached from the frame for selective detachment and reattachment for storage and transport as may be desired.

Each wheel 40 includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced paddles 42 thereon which are formed of a dense rubber like material similar to that forming the wheels 40. Each paddle is accordingly generally stiff while permitting some flexing thereof when engaging hard objects. Each paddle comprises a flange projecting generally radially outwardly from the wheel with a wide base arranged to be bonded to the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body of the wheel. Each paddle extends generally in an axial direction substantially a full length of the wheel. The wheels 40 are each arranged to be rotatable on the common axle 44. A drive arranges the wheel to be selectively engaged or disengaged with rotation of the axle. The two drive wheels 40 are independently engagable with the drive axle for rotation therewith.

The axle 44 comprises plural sections which are telescopic relative to one another. More particularly the axle includes a central section 46 which is received through the collars at the rear end of the frame to span between the collars and outwardly beyond the collars at both ends thereof so that the central section 46 spans substantially the width of the frame between the two side members 14 at their widest point. The central section 46 of the axle remains supported for free rotation within the collars at the rear end of the frame.

The axle further includes two end sections 48 which are slidably received within opposing open ends of the central section 46 of the axle. Each end section 48 mounts one of the wheels thereon and extends in a longitudinal direction the length of the respective wheel in the axial direction plus approximately half a length of the central section 46. A stop 50 is provided centrally within the internal surface of the central section 46 of the axle to prevent each end section from being inserted into the central section beyond the central portion thereof.

In the assembled position, the end sections of the axle are inserted into the central section so that each overlaps the central section along the inner side thereof by approximately half the length of the central section. The wheels in this instance are supported to abut the opposing ends of the central section.

Once the end sections are fully inserted into the central section, a pin

52 is provided for insertion through cooperating apertures in each end section and the central section 46 so that the end sections and the central section are all rotated together as a common axle when the pin 52 of each end section is received therethrough and through the central section. A pin mount 54 is mounted on the outer surface of the central section in association with each end section so that both pin mounts are located between the two collars 22 receiving the axle therethrough. The pin mounts 54 serve to bias the pins inwardly into the cooperating apertures so as to bias the pins into locking engagement of the end sections relative to the central section. While the wheels remain rotatable on each end section, a retainer flange 56 is provided at the outer end of each end section 48 of the axle to retain each wheel between the respective retainer section 56 and the respective end of the central section 46 of the axle and prevent axial sliding movement thereof. As noted above, a drive provided to rotate the wheels 40 for propelling the watercraft in a forward direction inline with the longitudinal direction of the frame. The drive includes a driven gear 58 mounted centrally on the section 46 of the axle to span radially outward from the axle in all direction so as to be concentric therewith. The driven gear 58 is fixed on the axle for rotation therewith. The drive further includes a driving gear 60 fixed on a respective shaft which is in turn rotatably supported on the rails of the frame adjacent the forward end thereof, spaced up from the front crossbar.

The driving gear is supported for rotation about a respective horizontal axis of the shaft which is parallel to the axle at the rear of the frame. Pedals 62 are fixed to opposing ends of the shaft of the driving gear 60 for location on opposing sides of the rails. The seat is laterally centered on the rails so that a person can comfortably sit on the seat and locate one leg on each side of the rails for engagement with the two pedals respectively. A suitable chain connection (not shown) is coupled between the driven gear and the driving gear 60 so that pedaling motion of the user rotates the driving gear which in turn causes rotation of the driven gear 58 and the axle with which it is fixed.

Two clutching members 64 are provided for transferring drive from the central section of the axle to the wheels respectively. Each clutching member 64 is associated with a respective one of the wheels 40 and comprises a collar which is mounted for axial sliding movement on a respective end of the central section of the axle. A first end flange 66 is provided at the inner end of each clutching member for containing a spring 67 about the central axis between the fixed collar 22 of the frame and the first end flange 66 of the clutching member at each end of the central section of the axle. The spring 67 is maintained under compression so that the spring acts to bias the respective clutching member 64 outwardly in an axial direction into engagement with the respective wheel 40. A second end flange 68 is provided at the outer end of each clutching member 64 for selective engagement with the respective wheel 40. Each second end flange 68 includes a plurality of axially projecting teeth 70 at circumferentially spaced locations about an outer side of the flange. A similar annular flange (not shown) is located at the inner end of each wheel 40 with mating recesses therein for mating engagement with the teeth 70 of the respective clutching member in the engaged position thereof.

Each clutching member includes an axially extending slot 72 therein, between the first and second end flanges, which receives a pin 74 therethrough which is fixed onto the respective end of the central section of the axle. The pin ensures that the clutching member 64 is rotated with the axle at both ends of the central section 46 while permitting the clutching members to remain slidable in the axial direction into and out of engagement with the wheels respectively. Suitable linkages are provided for operating each of the clutching members 64 independent of one another to independently operate which of the wheels is engaged for rotation with the drive axle.

Each clutching linkage includes a pivot shaft 76 which is rotatably received within a respective sleeve supported at respective opposed ends of the rear crossbar 20. Each pivot shaft 76 is supported for rotation about a vertical axis lying perpendicular to a plane of the two side members of the frame. Two pivot arms are mounted on each pivot shaft 76 so that one arm 78 is located at the top end of the pivot shaft and one arm 78 is located at the bottom end of the pivot shaft. The two pivot arms 78 are fixed in orientation relative to the pivot shaft and are arranged to extend radial outward therefrom in a common direction parallel to one another. The pivot arms 78 extend generally horizontally in a rearward direction one above the other to terminate at respective rear ends 80 located above and below the axle respectively between the end flanges of the respective clutching member 64. The two pivot arms of each linkage are arranged for engaging the respective first end flange 66 at diametrically opposed sides thereof at an inner surface between the flanges of the clutching member. A wheel is supported at the free end 80 of each pivot arm 78 for rotatable engagement with the inner surface of the respective end flange. Each pivot shaft 76 further includes a crank arm 82 which extends radially outward from the axis of the pivot shaft at the top end thereof so as to be offset by approximately 90 degrees from the pivot arm 78 about the vertical axis of the pivot shaft. The crank arm 82 and the pivot arm 78 of each pivot shaft 76 are rotatable together in fixed relative orientation. Each linkage is operated by a respective lever 84 pivotally supported on a respective one of the rails adjacent the front end. Each lever 84 is pivoted on the respective rail at a location partway between opposing ends of the lever so that a bottom end of the lever projects beyond the pivot and connects to the crank arm 82 by a respective link member 86. The opposing top end of the lever 84 extends upwardly beyond the respective horizontal pivot to be diametrically opposite the bottom end coupled to the link member 86.

In order to operate each clutching member 64, the respective lever 84 can be pulled rearward at the top free end thereof which in turn causes the bottom end of the linkage to be pivoted forwardly, thus pulling the corresponding link member 86 and crank arm 82 coupled therewith to be also displaced forwardly. When the free end of the crank arm is displaced forwardly, the pivot shaft 76 associated therewith is rotated about its vertical axis to displace the free ends 80 of the respective pivot arms 78 inward in the axial direction of the axle so that the wheels at the free end thereof which are riding on the inner end flange 66 cause the associated spring 67 to be compressed. The resulting sliding movement of the clutching member causes the associated outer end flange 68 to be disengaged from the respective wheel so that the wheel then becomes free rotating on the respective end section of the axle.

Releasing the lever causes the biasing action of the spring on the drive axle to urge the clutching member 64 back into engagement with the respective wheel 40 so that the wheel again only rotates with the rotation of the drive axle. Throughout the engagement and disengagement of the wheel with the drive axle, rotation of the drive axle can be maintained by pedalling action of the user.

Accordingly when one wheel is disengaged, all of the power of the drive is directed to the other wheel which remains engaged to cause the vehicle to turn away from the driving engaged wheel. By independently engaging and disengaging the two wheels, the watercraft can effectively be steered by a skid steer configuration in which the user continues to pedal to drive rotation of the axle while the lever are operated by the two hands of the user respectively for steering the watercraft by engagement and disengagement of the drive wheels 40 respectively.

When it is desired to store the watercraft, the pontoons and the drive wheels can be both released from the frame and deflated. The end sections of the axle are disconnected from the central section by pulling the mounting pins connected therebetween. To further collapse the watercraft for storage, the seat back can be folded flat against the seat bottom. The deflated pontoons and drive wheels can be stored within the confines of the frame which may then be in turn strapped onto a user's back for use as a backpack for example. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame is arranged to be approximately two feet wide between the side members of the frame while being approximately four feet long between the front and rear ends thereof. Height between the rails and the side members which defines the overall height of the frame is approximately in the order of seven to eight inches. The wheels in this instance have approximately two foot diameter and are approximately 30 inches long so that the overall width of the assembled watercraft is in the order of seven to eight feet wide.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A watercraft kit for assembly into a watercraft for use on water, the watercraft kit comprising: a frame; at least one pontoon member arranged for connection to the frame to support a portion of the frame to float on water for movement in a forward direction; at least one drive wheel arranged for connection to the frame to support a portion of the frame to float on the water for movement in the forward direction; and an occupant seat arranged for supporting an occupant on the frame to face in the forward direction; said at least one drive wheel including paddles at circumferentially spaced positions thereabout, the paddles being arranged to propel the body across the water in the forward direction.

2. The kit according to Claim 1 wherein at least one of said at least one pontoon member and said at least one drive wheel comprises an inflatable member.

3. The kit according to either one of Claims 1 or 2 wherein said at least one drive wheel comprises a pair of drive wheels which both comprise inflatable members.

4. The kit according to any one of Claims 1 through 3 wherein said at least one pontoon member comprises two inflatable pontoon members and said at least one drive wheel comprises two inflatable drive wheels.

5. The kit according to any one of Claims 1 through 4 wherein said at least one pontoon member is arranged for selective detachment and reattachment to the frame.

6. The kit according to Claim 5 wherein said at least one pontoon member includes a pocket formed thereon which is arranged for selectively receiving a mounting portion of the frame therein when said at least one pontoon member is attached to the frame.

7. The kit according to Claim 6 wherein said at least one pontoon member is inflatable and the mounting portion of the frame is bent so as to be arranged to be retained within the respective pocket when said at least one pontoon member is inflated.

8. The kit according to any one of Claims 1 through 7 wherein said at least one drive wheel is arranged for selective detachment and reattachment to the frame.

9. The kit according to Claim 8 wherein said at least one drive wheel is supported on a common axle and said at least one drive wheel is arranged to be selectively removable from the frame by disconnecting a respective portion of the common axle.

10. The kit according to Claim 8 wherein there is provided a drive arranged for rotating said at least one drive wheel supported on the frame, said at least one drive wheel being selectively separable from the drive when separating the wheel from the frame.

1 1. The kit according to any one of Claims 1 through 10 wherein said at least on drive wheel comprises a pair of drive wheels arranged for selective detachment and reattachment to the frame and wherein said at least one pontoon member comprises a pair of pontoon members arranged for selective detachment and reattachment to the frame.

12. The kit according to any one of Claims 1 through 11 wherein said at least one drive wheel comprises a pair of drive wheels and wherein there is provided a drive arranged for driving rotation of the drive wheels, each drive wheel being independently engagable with the drive.

13. The kit according to any one of Claims 1 through 12 wherein said at least one drive wheel comprises a pair of drive wheels and wherein there is provided a drive arranged for rotating the drive wheels in a skid steer configuration.

14. The kit according to Claim 13 wherein the two drive wheels are supported on a common drive axle and wherein there is provided a clutch member associated with each wheel which is arranged for rotating the wheel with the axle when the clutch member is engaged and for permitting free rotation of the drive wheel relative to the axle when the clutch member is disengaged.

15. The kit according to Claim 14 wherein the drive comprises a pair of foot operated pedals arranged to drive rotation of the drive axle and a pair of hand operated levers arranged for operating the clutch members respectively between their respective engaged and disengaged positions.

16 The kit according to any one of Claims 1 through 15 wherein said at least one drive wheel is supported on a drive axle having at least one telescoping section.

17. The kit according to any one of Claims 1 through 16 wherein the occupant seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back arranged to be foldable relative to the seat bottom into a storage position in which the seat back lays against the seat bottom.

18. The kit according to any one of Claims 1 through 17 wherein the paddles of said at least one drive wheel are formed of resilient material.

19. The kit according to any one of Claims 1 through 18 wherein the paddles and said at least one drive wheel are formed of like materials which are bonded together.

20. The kit according to any one of Claims 1 through 19 wherein the frame is arranged to be carried on a back of a person with said at least one pontoon member and said at least one drive wheel being arranged to be deflated for storage within the frame.