Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Recreational Floatation Device with Manual Rotational Propulsion
System
05
Background of the Invention
Field of the Invention.
The present invention relates to recreational floatation devices and more
particularly to an apparatus which allows a user to either stand, glide, sit
or lay down
above the surface of the water during propulsion.
Description of the Prior Art.
Recreational floatation devices of a wide variety of designs and
configurations is
known in the art. Side-wheeler paddle system is also known for more than a
century
mainly powered by steam engine. However, the combination of a recreational
flotation device equipped with manual rotational propulsion system, which
enables a
user to either stand, glide, sit or lay down above the surface of the water
while
propelling has not being disclosed before. However, the following patents are
considered related;
Patent no.6595813, inventor: Gregory Lekhtman, July 22, 2003.A feet- propelled
water vehicle including a buoyant body having a user supporting platform
attached to
a rigid frame secured to a pair of pontoons. A pair of propelling paddle
defines a
corresponding effectuating section and a corresponding blade section, the
supporting
platform defines flexible foot contacting regions for transferring the weight
shifting
action of an intended user to the effectuating sections of a corresponding
propelling
paddle.
Patent no. 5702274, entitled, Flotation Device Propelled by Human Power Ski
machine inventor; Robert D. White, Dec. 30, 1997.
Patent no. 5385497 Water Exerciser Inventor Jack S. Chu Jan, 31, 1995
apparatus for supporting a human in water includes floats for resting on the
water
and a structure for supporting the human
Patent no. 5236381 Manually Powered Water Ski, Inventor: John Keogh Aug,
17,1993. Equipment for movement upon the surface of water comprised of stiff
buoyant skis to support the user. Thrust is provided by one or more fins
affixed to the
bottom of the skis,
Patent no. 4985006 Aquatic Recreational Equipment Inventor: Roberto I. Brunet
Jan, 15, 1991.
Patent no. 3809003 Mechanically Propelled Water Craft Inventor: Janos Foldvari
May, 7 1974
Patent no. 3487806 Water Jet Powered Vessel Inventor: Kuno M.Y. Chiu. Jan. 6,
1970. A see-saw type of pedal is provided.
Patent no. 3358636 Self Propelled Water Vehicle Inventor; A.J.Curtiss Etal
March, 21, 1966.
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In this respect the new recreational floatation device according to the
present
invention substantially depart from the conventional concepts and designs of
the
05 prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus which allows a full body
exercise
while on the device above the water surface.
Summary of the Invention
The prior art disclosed various designs and configurations of recreational
floatation devices and new means of propulsion system. However, most of these
apparatus has never found good commercial success, as such, there is always a
need for new and exciting recreational floatation device, the present
invention
fulfills these need. The general purpose of the present invention is to
provide a
new and improved recreational floatation apparatus and method which has all
the
advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages;
To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a new and improved
floatation device which allows a user to either stand, glide, sit or lay down
above
the water surface while propelling the apparatus manually, comprising in
combination a buoyant hull having a flat top, a flat bottom, a narrow bow and
a
wide stern, the inside of the hull is filled with Styrofoam or other similar
material, the outside is made of plywood board then covered by fiber-glass or
other similar material. A sliding track which is generally rectangular in
shape
having a pair of outer guiding rails and a middle double-sided guide rail all
together
welded by a cross support at one short end, while the opposite end remains
open to
accept various ancillary devices, the sliding track easily screwed down onto
the top
of the apparatus. A stabilizing keel having a front portion, a rear portion
and a
sliding and attachment portion with an automatic locking pin, the attachment
portion
is welded cross-way onto the upper portion of the keel, a receiver connector
portion
generally rectangular in shape, having a pair of outer guiding rails welded
together
by a cross support at one end, while the opposite end remains open to accept
the
connecting portion of the keel, the receiver connector portion will be
permanently
attached to the bottom of the apparatus. A plurality of detachable stabilizers
having a
female connector portion which is welded to the top of a round support, the
connector has one end attached beyond the middle of the support, and the
opposite
end extend to a point of the circumference, a inside threaded material is
inserted
from the middle at bottom of the support and extend through the top of the
female
connector and is welded in place, a bolt with a wing at one end is used to
advance a
rim when connected through the threaded hole from the bottom of the round
support,
a round air tube is placed between the bottom of the support and locked in
place by
the upward advancement of the rim. A pair of quick detachable lateral
rotational
propellers are provided, a shaft with a hole in the middle is inserted through
a one
way rotational clutch bearing and protrude both sides, one protruded side
short and
the opposite side long, propellers are welded onto the long side along the
same
direction as the protrusion, the short side is locked by a round collar, a
lever is
welded onto the outer covering portion of the clutch bearing, the lever is
equipped
with a pivoting portion, and an upper telescopic portion with a handle on top.
An
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automatic locking system which is enclosed having a hole in the middle, and a
sliding clip with guides on both sides, the clip is a flat piece of material
having a
05 narrow slot for locking position and a wide opening for releasing, the
locking
system is welded to the outer portion of the shaft with the hole of said shaft
aligned
with the hole of the locking system. The protruded shafts connected from the
inside
of the apparatus is retractable, comprising a pair of shafts with one end
having ring
groove around the circumference close to said end, the opposite end placed
within
a round tube with a common size of the locking nut which is attached to the
opposite end of the shaft with the ring groove, a spring is placed at the end
of the
locking nut within the round tube with the end of said round tube locked off,
the
opposite end of the tube narrowed to prevent the shaft from coming out, the
spring
keeps the shaft within an extended position which is easily retractable
manually, flat
base is welded to the bottom of the round tube and provide holes to attach the
system inside the apparatus.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of
the
invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be
better
understood, there are of course, additional features of the invention that
will be
described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims.
In this respect, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its
application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the
components
set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.
The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and
carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology
and
terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not
be
regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that
the
conception upon which this disclosure is based, may readily utilized as a
basis for
the designing of other structures, methods and system for carrying out the
several
purposes of the present invention. It is important therefore, that the claims
be
regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not
depart
from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide new and improved
recreational floatation device with manual rotational propulsion system which
have
all the advantages of the prior art floatation devices of a wide variety of
designs
and configurations and none of the disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide new and exciting
floatation device which allows a user to either stand, glide, sit or lay down
above
the water surface on the apparatus while propelling manually.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide new recreational
floatation device which can be used on the Lake and Pond for fishing,
exercising
and sun bathing, and can also be used in a local swimming pool.
It is even a further object of the present invention to provide new
recreational
floatation device which are susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with
regard
to both materials and labor, and which accordingly are then susceptible of low
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prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such floatation device
economically available to the buying public.
05 Still yet, an object of the present invention is to provide new and
improved
recreational floatation device which provide in the apparatuses and methods of
the
prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some
of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which
allows a lateral rotational propulsion system, which allows a user to either
stand,
glide, sit or lay down during propulsion.
Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide new recreational
floatation device with manual rotational propulsion system, to be used on the
Lake,
Pond and swimming pool. The present invention comprising a hull having a flat
top and a flat bottom, a narrow bow and a wide stern. Connecting means are
provided onto the flat top to accept various ancillary devices, attachment
means
are provided under the flat bottom to accept a detachable keel. Further means
are
provided onto both sides close to the front and rear of the apparatus to
accept quick
detachable stabilizing system. Further means are provided laterally to accept
a
quick detachable manual rotational propulsion system, levers are connected to
the
propellers, by thrusting said levers forward and pull backward within a
continuous
sequence, this action engages the propellers for rotation which further
propels the
device which is further easily steer able.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with various
features
of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out particularly in
the
claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure, for a better
understanding
of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained
by its
uses, references should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive
matters in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth
forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following
detailed description thereof.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the new invention, a recreational floatation
device with manual rotational propulsion system.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the new apparatus in use, with a user in a
gliding
position above the surface of the water.
Fig. 3 is a partial perspective view of the hull, with cut-away for
description
purposes.
Fig. 4 is a combination of parts which makes up the lateral stabilizers.
Fig. 5 is a combination of a keel and its attachment.
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a sliding track to be attached onto the flat
top of
the new apparatus.
Fig. 7 is a shoe ancillary device to be attached to the sliding track for
standing
and gliding.
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Fig. 8 is a flat ancillary device to be attach to the sliding track for
sitting and lying
down.
05 Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the attachment shaft, with cut-away showing
the
spring which keeps the shaft in an extended position.
Fig. 10 is a combination of anchor and stretchable material to performed
exercise
on the apparatus while in the water.
Fig. l 1 is a combination of a connecting rod and the cut-away view showing
the
operation of the locking pin.
Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a detached rotary propulsion system.
Fig.13 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the combination of parts
which
makes up the rotary propulsion system.
Fig.l4 is a perspective view of the inside of an automatic locking system to
be
attached on the outer end of the propulsion system, and Fig. 15 is a cut-away
view
of the fms attached to a shaft for description purposes.
Description of the preferred Embodiment
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to Fig. 1 thereof, the
new and
improved recreational floatation device with manual rotational propulsion
system
embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally
designated by the reference numeral 77 will be described.
Specifically, It will be noted in the various figures that the device relates
to a new
and improved recreational floatation device, to be used on the Lake, Pond and
swimming pool. In its broadest context, the device comprising a hul177 having
a flat
top, a flat bottom, a narrow front and a wide rear. Ancillary devices
connected onto
the top. Stabilizing component inserted through the side and protrude close to
the
front and back for connection thereon. Rotary propulsion system detachably
connected to protruded shaft laterally, and a keel attached to the bottom of
the device.
such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to
each
other so as to attain the desired objective.
The central component of the present invention is the hull 77. The hull is
preferably formed from wood covered by fiber glass material, the inside of the
hull
is sealed with Styrofoam material, the hull can also be made of a one piece of
material within a mould with fiber glass or other rigid and water proof
material.
The hull 77 FIG. 3 have a pair of sides 4 made of plywood, notches I 1 are
formed
close to the front and the rear, the notches on both sides are connected
crossway by
metallic square tube 37, cross brace 35 is spaced and screwed to the side to
maintain
shape, cross brace 35b is spaced and screwed to the side maintain shape and
further
allow clearance to mount a support 36 a thicker piece of board long way, the
keel
support FIG. 5 can attach to said support 36 by screws, connected to the
bottom of
the apparatus.
Cross brace 34 a thick piece of board is placed flat, then spaced and screwed
to the
side to maintain shape of the hull and further provide support to mount the
shaft 31,
the shaft is made from stainless steel or aluminum, a pair of shaft is used,
each is
attached separately onto the top of said cross brace 34 within guiding
bearings 33 and
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anchor 73 using screws. FIG 9 a spring keeps the shaft within an extended
position
and is easily retractable manually. A piece of plywood board 76 is cut to the
shape
05 of the hull then is placed on top 1 of the hull 77 and screwed down onto
the corners
and the cross brace, the hull can then be turned up side down and Styrofoam
material 51 can be applied to seal the inside to provide buoyancy, fiberglass
material
can then cover the entire hull only leaving the notch 11 open, the hull is now
complete at this point it can be used as a canoe.
Next provided is a rotary propulsion system FIG 12, 13 and 15 made from
aluminum or stainless steel a clutch bearings 21 with a one way rotation is
forced
within a cover 93, a lever lower section 25 is welded to said cover 93, an
outside
shaft 20 is frictionally inserted through the opening of the clutch bearing 21
with
protrusion on both sides, one side short and the opposite side long, fins 19
and
the fin base 112 are welded long way at spaced position around the long
protruded
side. At the end of said long protruded side an automatic locking system FIG
13 and
14 is welded cross way the edge 97 of shaft 20 so as to partially enclosed the
propeller fins, said automatic locking system enclosed within a round shape
made
from aluminum or stainless steel, and comprises a clip 99 supported by a pair
of
guides 100. The clip have a locking slot 102 to lock onto the shaft groove
ring 32,
a release opening 103 is at the bottom of locking slot 102, a keeper slot 104
have
a stop pin 105 to allow the clip to move up and down within a measured
distance,
a pin 106 inserted through the upper portion of the clip and protrude the
front and
the back, the back protrusion connected to a spring 107 which keeps the clip
in a
down ward position to maintain locking. A finger can be used to move the front
protrusion upward to provide release. Spacers 101 are placed close to the
circumference of the circle, the cover 108 can enclosed the clip with the
center
hole 102b aligned with the insertion from shaft head 98 and hole 109 locked
with
stop pin 105, the cover can then be welded around its perimeter The opposite
short
protruded side of the shaft 20 is locked off with a collar 94 which is
fastened by set
screw 95. some of the propeller fins can be welded directly to the shaft and
others
can be attached to the base 112 welded to the shaft 20 and the fin 19
connected
through hole 110 having a nut 74 attached over the hole at one side, a bolt
can then
insert through the hole on the fm and threaded through the nut onto the base
112.
The lever consisting a lower section 25 and an upper section 23 connected by
a bolt 27 which extend and protrude the opposite side to form a stop bar 75
which
will prevent the lever to rotate in the water when not in use. The lever upper
section
23 further provides a telescopic position 113 at the upper end and uses a
locking
pin 24 to maintain and support adjustment. A handle 22 is welded to the top
portion
of the telescopic position. The propulsion system is now complete, and can
easily
attach to the protruded shaft. The shaft 31 inserted the hole of shaft 20 from
the side
with the collar attached, a finger is used to open the clip to allow the shaft
31
groove 32 to be aligned with said clip locking slot 102 which will be
automatically
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rebound by the spring connected from the back which lock the system in place.
whenever a user thrust the levers forward and pull backward with both hands
05 repetitively in any manner, example while standing, gliding, sitting or
lying down
the propellers will rotate only in one direction, repetitively thrusting only
one lever
the apparatus will steer to the opposite side. To detach the propulsion system
from
device pull the clip upward and slide the system horizontally outward.
Next provided, the stabilizer comprising a round support 16 made of aluminum
or plywood board covered with fiberglass material, a round air tube 17 is
provided
also a rim.
Next provided, the sliding track made of aluminum or stainless steel to be
connected on the top of the device.
Next provided, the keel attached beneath the bottom of the device and is
easily
detachable.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the
optimum
dimensional relationship for the parts of the invention, to include variation
in size,
material, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are
deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all
equivalent
relationship to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the
specification
are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles
of the
invention, further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily
occur to
those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the
exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable
modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of
the
invention.
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l 10 )
Numbers and Description
01. Top 41. Keel connector 82. Hole
02. Bow (front) 42. Keel connector front 83. Elastic
03. Stern (back) 43. Locking pin 84. Attachment
04. Side 44. Release ring 85. Handle
05. Bottom 45. Pin housing 86. Spring
06. Guide rail 46. Keel slot 87. Channel (top)
07. Guide rail 47. Guide 88. Channel (bottom)
08. Track 48. Keel rail 89. Stop bar
09. Foot holder 49. Stop bar 90. Pin head
10. Foot posititioning 50. Keel bottom 91. Weld seam
11. Inside slot 51. Styrofoam 92. Weld seam
12. Female slot 52. Tube stem 93. Cover (bearing)
13. Male slot 53. Hole 94. Collar
14. Locking pin 54. Rim 95. Set screw
15. Hole threaded 55. Stem outlet 96. Edge (bearing)
16. Stabilizer support 56. Thumb screw 97. Edge (shaft)
17. Air tube 57. Threading 98. Shaft head
18. Stop bar 58. Wing 99. Clip
19. Propeller fin 59. Rim 100. Guide
20. Outside shaft 60. Rim bottom 101. Spacer
21. Clutch bearing 61. Screw 102. Hole
22. Lever handle 62. Connector 103. Opening
23. Lever upper portion 63. Direction 104. Slot
24. Locking pin 64. Connector 105. Stop pin
25. Lever lower position 65. Opening 106. Pin
26. Keel 66. Back 107. Spring
27. Bolt 67. Front 108. Cover
28. Opening 68. Guide 109. Hole
29. Life vest 69. Stop Nut 110. Hole
30. Foot 70. Spring 112. Base for Fin
31. Inside shaft 71. Round Tube 113. Telescopic
32. Groove ring 72. Stop Bar 114. Anchor support
33. Anchor 73. Anchor
34. Anchor support 74. Nut
35. Cross support 75. Stop pin
35b. Cross support 76. Plywood board
36. Keel support 77. Hull
37. Inside slot body 78. Detached fin (not shown)
38. Hole 79. Bolt for detached fin (not shown)
39. Keel front 80. "D" ring
40. Keel rear 81. Bearings
