Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
  • B63H1/00—Propulsive elements directly acting on water
  • B63H1/02—Propulsive elements directly acting on water of rotary type
  • B63H1/04—Propulsive elements directly acting on water of rotary type with rotation axis substantially at right angles to propulsive direction
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
  • B63B32/00—Water sports boards; Accessories therefor
  • B63B32/50—Boards characterised by their constructional features
  • B63B32/56—Boards convertible into vessels or other types of water sports boards, e.g. into sailboats, canoes or water-cycles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
  • B63H16/00—Marine propulsion by muscle power
  • B63H16/08—Other apparatus for converting muscle power into propulsive effort
  • B63H16/12—Other apparatus for converting muscle power into propulsive effort using hand levers, cranks, pedals, or the like, e.g. water cycles, boats propelled by boat-mounted pedal cycles
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
  • B63H—MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING
  • B63H16/00—Marine propulsion by muscle power
  • B63H16/08—Other apparatus for converting muscle power into propulsive effort
  • B63H16/20—Other apparatus for converting muscle power into propulsive effort using rotary cranking arm
  • B63H2016/202—Other apparatus for converting muscle power into propulsive effort using rotary cranking arm specially adapted or arranged for being actuated by the feet of the user, e.g. using bicycle-like pedals

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a muscle-propulsion system for boats.
• the present invention relates to a propulsion system capable of being used by surfboards, therefore capable of allowing both the traditional use and the use as a floating body of the aforementioned muscle-propulsion boats.
• One of the known solutions consists in the installation of suitable propulsion means activated by the muscular force of the lower limbs of a user, for example bicycles or similar vehicles, on floating bodies such as to allow a greater speed or employment with respect to the use of oars or paddles.
• suitable propulsion means activated by the muscular force of the lower limbs of a user, for example bicycles or similar vehicles, on floating bodies such as to allow a greater speed or employment with respect to the use of oars or paddles.
• Patent Application No. US2004/035344 A1 discloses a pontoon-type foldable rowing boat that includes inflatable pontoons and a sectional frame.
• the frame structure includes metal tubes that snap into anchors integrally formed on the sides of the pontoons.
• a removable seat is provided for the boat which is supported by a series of straps that allow to adjust the bow and stern sections of the seating surface with respect to the pontoons.
• a plurality of mounting positions can be provided for removable cranks and paddle wheels so that their position can be adjusted relative to the seat.
• a rudder for the boat is connected to the frame via a friction connection and includes a pivot mechanism that allows it to be folded into a position where it extends parallel to the boat.
• Patent Application No. CA2287594 A1 describes a propulsion system for a boat comprising a pair of paddles and a drive shaft which extends between the paddles to induce their joint rotation.
• a transmission mechanism is coupled to the transmission shaft and a pair of supports connects the transmission shaft to the boat on its opposite sides.
• the drive shaft is connected to the paddles by a releasable coupling to allow their ready disassembly.
• the paddles comprise a central hub and a plurality of small paddles coupled to the central hub and extending radially.
• the propulsion system can be separated into a plurality of individual sections and is therefore portable.
• the object of the present invention is to provide a muscle-propulsion system for boats capable of minimizing the aforementioned problems.
• the object of the present invention is to provide a muscle- propulsion system for boats capable of considerably reducing production costs as well as installation and maintenance times for its use.
• the purpose of the present invention is to provide a muscle- propulsion system for boats capable of ensuring high user comfort even for long- range handling and for a considerable time.
• the muscle-propulsion system for boats comprises a frame and a muscle- actuation device coupled to the frame and able to be actuated by the legs of a user for the movement in the water of the boat, wherein the frame comprises a seat arranged in a position opposite to the muscle-actuation device, wherein the muscle-propulsion system comprises a pair of fixed bushing, which are aligned mutually spaced along an axis of rotation, between which the muscle- actuation device is interposed and coupled to the fixed bushing in such a way as to rotate with respect to the axis of rotation, wherein the muscle-actuation device comprises a pair of opposite cranks and a pair of pins of rotation coupling the opposite cranks to the fixed bushing, wherein a first oar and a second oar are respectively operatively coupled in a removable way to the pins of rotation at the portions which protrude from the fixed bushing, wherein the muscle-propulsion system is characterized in that it comprises a device for adjusting the spacing of the muscle-actu
• the aforementioned spacing allows, therefore, to adapt the system object of the present invention with respect to the dimensions of any user.
• the locking elements comprise at least a locking device provided with an abutment element adapted to be arranged within the locking seats for maintaining the position of the device for adjusting the spacing, and wherein the locking elements comprise at least one pre-tensioned elastic device operatively connected with the abutment element to keep it in a working position in contact with the locking seat and able to move the abutment element in a rest position not in contact with the locking seat.
• the abutment element comprises a fixed pin and an abutment sleeve movable with respect to the fixed pin.
• the fixed pin has a diameter smaller than the locking seats, and wherein the abutment sleeve has a diameter greater than the locking seats.
• the muscle-actuation device is made of a single tubular element which is folded in such a way as to define the opposite cranks having an “S” shape and the pins of rotation.
• the muscle-actuation device is made of a plurality of tubular elements which are connected to each other in such a way as to define the opposite cranks having an “S” shape and the pins of rotation.
• the realization of the structure of the muscle-actuation device has a reduced production cost, as well as a reduced assembly time.
• the seat is provided with a backrest for the user.
• the backrest is rotatable with respect to the seat.
• the muscle-actuation device is rotatable with respect to the frame able to be arranged from an operative position spaced from the frame, wherein it can be operated by the user, to a non-operative position at the frame, wherein it cannot be operated by the user, and vice-versa.
• the frame is of the tubular type.
• the first oar and the second oar respectively have a length equal to or less than the extension of the frame perpendicular to the axis of rotation in such a way as to allow the arrangement within the perimeter of the frame when the first oar and the second oar are disassembled.
• first oar and the second oar are able to be telescopically coupled to pins of rotation in such a way as to define a predetermined spacing from the frame.
• the first oar and the second oar respectively comprise a locking sleeve able to be telescopically coupled to the pins of rotation, and wherein the sleeves and the pins of rotation respectively have through openings made at a predetermined distance to allow mutual locking of the telescopic coupling.
• the muscle-propulsion system comprises a rudder hinged to the frame, and wherein the rudder is of the telescopic type so as to allow the arrangement within the perimeter of the frame when not in use.
• the telescopic rudder therefore allows its simple use as well as the reduction of overall dimensions when not used.
• the aforementioned objects are further achieved by a muscle-powered boat in accordance with the present invention.
• the muscle-powered boat comprises:
• a muscle-propulsion system able to be actuated by the legs of a user for the movement of the surfboard in water
• the muscle-powered boat is characterized in that the muscle-propulsion system is according to the features of the present invention.
• FIG. 1 is a side plan view of the preferred embodiment of the muscle- propulsion system for boats in accordance with the present invention, when arranged in operating conditions;
• FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the muscle-propulsion system for boats of Figure 1, when placed in operating conditions.
• FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the muscle-propulsion system for boats of Figure 1, when arranged in operating conditions.
• the muscle-propulsion system 1 for boats comprises a frame 11, a muscle- actuation device 21 and a seat (not shown to allow a better visualization of the muscle-propulsion system itself), as described in greater detail below.
• either the muscle-actuation device 21 and the seat are coupled to the aforementioned frame 11 arranged in opposite positions with respect to the latter.
• the frame 11 has a substantially rectangular shape, the dimensions of which must ensure correct support for the boat to which it will be coupled. Noticeably, conformations different from the rectangular one can be used and fall within the inventive concept of the present invention.
• the frame 11 is of the tubular type, or made from a single bent tubular element, or a plurality of interconnected tubular elements, to obtain the desired conformation.
• the frame 11 comprises four tubular elements interconnected in pairs at their respective ends so as to define the aforementioned rectangular conformation, wherein a pair of tubular elements has a shorter length than the respective remaining pair.
• the seat is arranged at one of the ends of the frame 11 and, in particular, at one of the shorter length tubes.
• the seat also has a tubular structure that guarantees the user's tightness, as well as a flexible element that guarantees seating comfort.
• the seat is equipped with a backrest 211 for the user, in any case not necessary for the technical functions of the invention. This allows to maximize user comfort during use, or during the movement of the boat.
• the backrest 211 is fixed with respect to the seat but according to an alternative embodiment (not shown) the backrest could be rotatable with respect to the seat in such a way as to allow the arrangement of the backrest superimposed on the seat itself thus reducing the volume occupied during transport.
• the muscle-actuation device 21, also coupled to the aforementioned frame 11, is adapted to be operated by the legs of a user for moving the boat in the water.
• the muscle-actuation device 21 comprises a pair of opposing pedal cranks 121, 221, designed to transmit the motion from the lower limbs to the entire muscle- actuation device 21, and a pair of pins 321, 421 of rotation which allows the coupling of the same muscle-actuation device 21 to the frame 11.
• the opposite pedal cranks 121, 221 are spaced apart in a fixed way and such as to define the maximum distance of one foot of the user from the seat when the other foot of the user is, at the same time, at the minimum spacing with respect to the same seat.
• the muscle-actuation device 21 is of the tubular type, i.e. made from a single bent tubular element, or a plurality of interconnected tubular elements, to obtain the desired conformation such as to define the opposite pedal cranks 121, 221 and the pins 321, 421 of rotation.
• the muscle-actuation device 21 is made up of a plurality of tubular elements connected together in such a way as to define the opposite pedal cranks 121, 221 and the pins 321, 421 of rotation.
• the plurality of tubular elements is interconnected in pairs at the respective ends so as to define an "S" shape, i.e. an opposed double "U", as illustrated in Figures 1-3.
• the tubular elements used for the definition of the muscle- actuation device 21 therefore comprise a pair of elements of reduced length which define the pedal cranks 121, 221, each respectively coupled perpendicularly to one of the ends of a tubular element of greater length and which allows the opposite arrangement.
• the free ends of each pedal crank 121, 221 are, in turn, coupled perpendicularly to a further tubular element whose length determines the alignment of the rotation axis R of the muscle- actuation device 21.
• the tubular elements that define the pins 321, 421 of rotation arranged outwards with respect to the portion occupied by the opposite cranks 121, 221 are coupled and aligned.
• the coupling of the muscle- actuation device 21 to the frame 11 is achieved by means of suitable fixed bushings 31, 41 arranged in opposite positions and such as to allow the interposition of the aforementioned muscle-actuation device 21 between them.
• the pair of fixed bushings 31, 41 are aligned and mutually spaced along the rotation axis R, wherein the muscle-actuation device 21 between them is coupled to the fixed bushings 31, 41 so as to be able to rotate with respect to the aforementioned R axis of rotation.
• Each of the fixed bushings 31, 41 is arranged at the end of a pair of tubular elements whose opposite ends are coupled to the frame 11, in spaced positions in such a way as to allow the interposition of the muscle-actuation device 21 between them.
• the pins 321, 421 of rotation are inserted in each of the fixed bushings 31, 41 in such a way as to allow the rotation of the opposed cranks 121, 221 with respect to the rotation axis R avoiding further movements of the frame 11.
• the realization of the structure of the muscle-actuation device 21 has a reduced production cost, as well as a reduced assembly time with respect to the frame 11.
• the muscle-actuation device 21 is rotatable with respect to the frame 11, this rotation being preferably possible by using suitable hinges (not shown) which define the coupling between the tubular elements which support the pins 321, 421 of rotation and the tubular elements that define the frame 11.
• the movement of the boat in the water is carried out by means of a pair of oars or paddles, in particular a first oar 51 and a second oar 61 which transfer the energy generated by the lower limbs into the water.
• the aforesaid oars 51, 61 are respectively operatively coupled in a removable way to the pins 321, 421 of rotation at the portions of the same which protrude from the fixed bushings 31, 41.
• the integral coupling of the first oar 51 and of the second oar 61 respectively to the fixed bushings 31, 41 to be made following the insertion of the pins 321, 421 of rotation, allows an integral movement in continuous rotation of the aforementioned elements generated by the alternate movement of the user’ s lower limbs.
• the first oar 51 and the second oar 61 respectively have a length equal to or less than the extension of the frame 11 perpendicular to the axis R of rotation so as to allow the arrangement within the perimeter of the frame 11 when the first oar 51 and the second oar 61 are disassembled.
• first oar 51 and the second oar 61 are adapted to be telescopically coupled to the pins 321, 421 of rotation in such a way as to define a predetermined spacing from the frame 11.
• the possibility of spacing the oars 51, 61 allows, therefore, to use the muscle- propulsion system 1 on boats of any width, allowing the oars 51, 61 to be positioned outside the footprint of the boat.
• the first oar 51 and the second oar 61 respectively comprise a locking sleeve adapted to be telescopically coupled to the pins 321, 421 of rotation.
• the sleeves and pins 321, 421 of rotation respectively have through openings made at a predetermined distance to allow the reciprocal locking of the telescopic coupling.
• the inclination of the seat is fixed, but it could equally be variable, and preferably kept on an inclined plane with respect to that defined by the structure of the frame 11.
• the seat plane preferably has an inclination such as to allow the axis R of rotation to lie on it, or such as to be arranged between the aforementioned rotation axis R and the plane defined by the rectangular shape, or different shapes, of the frame 11.
• tubular elements therefore allows to maintain a reduced weight and production cost for the entire muscle-propulsion system 1.
• the possibility of inclination both of the backrest 211 and of the muscle-actuation device 21 allows to considerably reduce the overall dimensions, in particular in consideration of the volume occupied during the transport phase when the muscle-propulsion system 1 is in non-operative conditions.
• the muscle-propulsion system 1 comprises a device for adjusting the spacing of the muscle- actuation device with respect to the seat, or to the positioning of the latter with respect to the frame 11.
• the aforementioned spacing therefore allows to adapt the muscle-propulsion system 1 in accordance with the present invention with respect to the dimensions of any user.
• the device for adjusting the spacing comprises a plurality of locking seats (not shown) arranged in succession on the frame 11 and a pair of locking elements 71, 81 of the muscle-propulsion device 21 to the frame 11.
• the locking elements 71, 81 are preferably of the tubular type.
• the locking elements 71, 81 are able to be arranged at one of the locking seats to define the spacing of the muscle-actuation device 21 with respect to the seat.
• the locking elements 71, 81 are preferably coupled to the tubular elements which support the fixed bushings 31, 41 each by means of a hinge which only allows their movement in relative rotation.
• the rotation of the locking elements 71, 81 thus makes it possible to prevent the coupling of the latter with the frame 11 (when the muscle-actuation device 21 is in non-operating conditions), or to intercept one of the locking seats which define the locking position with respect to the frame 11, i.e. the inclination either of the locking elements 71, 81 and of the entire muscle- actuation device 21 with respect to the same frame 11.
• a lower inclination of the muscle-actuation device 21 will therefore correspond to a smaller distance of the same from the seat to accommodate users of smaller dimensions and, at the same time, a greater inclination will correspond to a greater distance of the muscle-actuation device 21 from the seat and therefore the possibility of accommodating users of larger dimensions.
• the device for adjusting the spacing may not be present or may be made in different ways from what is illustrated in Figures 1-3 and herewith described.
• the locking elements comprise at least one locking device provided with an abutment element adapted to be arranged within the locking seats for maintaining the position of the spacing adjustment device.
• the locking elements comprise at least one pre-tensioned elastic device operatively connected to the abutment element to keep it in a working position in contact with the locking seat and able to move the abutment element into a rest position not in contact with the locking seat.
• the abutment element includes a fixed pin and a movable abutment sleeve with respect to the fixed pin.
• the fixed pin has a smaller diameter than the locking seats, and the sleeve has a greater diameter than the locking seats. This allows for an effective and light locking that does not affect the weight of the frame and the entire system.
• the muscle- propulsion system can comprise a rudder hinged to the frame, to allow the boat to rotate in the water.
• the rudder of the telescopic type in such a way that it can be arranged within the perimeter of the frame when not in use.
• the telescopic rudder therefore allows its simple use as well as the reduction of overall dimensions when not in use.
• the muscle-propelled vessel may comprise a surfboard (not shown), a muscle- propulsion system 1 , according to the present invention, as well as coupling means (not shown) of the muscle-propulsion system 1 to the surfboard.
• the surfboard is a boat used for surfing which is relatively light in weight but strong enough to withstand the weight of a user during the surfing of a wave.
• a modern surfboard is made of polyurethane or polystyrene foam, covered with fiberglass sheets mixed with epoxy or polyester resin. The result is a light board, with excellent floatation and maneuverability. It is possible, although less common, to build surfboards using carbon fiber or titanium fiber. The possible shapes and sizes are very varied but can divide the boards into two large branches, the longboards, usually at least 9 feet long with a rounded tip and very thick, and the shortboards, with a length of less than 7 feet very pointed tip and weight reduced.
• this is suitable for defining the floating body of the muscle-propelled boat to be made, i.e. the body on which the muscle-propulsion system 1 will be arranged in accordance with the present invention. Therefore, when the muscle-propelled boat is in non- operational conditions, the muscle-propulsion system 1 is not coupled to the surfboard since the latter can be used according to normal uses as a means by which to ride a wave or as a “stand up paddle”. In this case, the foldable elements of the muscle-propulsion system 1 could occupy a very small volume to ensure a simple and immediate transport.
• the muscle-propulsion system 1 is adapted to be operated by the legs of a user for moving the surfboard, or of the vessel which defines the floating body, in the water.
• the muscle-propulsion system for boats according to the present invention is therefore capable of considerably reducing the production costs as well as the installation and maintenance times for its use.
• the muscle-propulsion system according to the present invention is able to guarantee a high level of comfort for the user even for long-range movement for a considerable time, maintaining a high ease of operation with minimum energy expenditure.

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• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
• Rehabilitation Tools (AREA)
• Accommodation For Nursing Or Treatment Tables (AREA)

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Citations (7)

• 2021
  • 2021-05-03 DE DE212021000383.4U patent/DE212021000383U1/de active Active
  • 2021-05-03 CH CH13812022A patent/CH718821A4/de not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 2021-05-03 WO PCT/IB2021/053675 patent/WO2021234486A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (7)

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