Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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. . . .
WATER PROPELLED PERSONAL CRAFT
The present invention relates to a water propelled vehicle capable of flight.
BACKGROUND
Recreational water sports that involve powered vehicles are quite popular. For
example,
personal water crafts (PWCs) that allow one or more riders to sit on the
personal water
craft and travel over water have become quite popular and you can often see
them being
used at lakes, oceans or other bodies of water. There are also many types of
water sports
that involve a tow vehicle such as a boat or PWC towing a person over the
surface of the
water with the person riding on water skis, a wakeboard, etc.
The popularity of these water based activities is likely a result of many
different factors.
However. all these activities tend to involve relatively warm weather and
getting wet.
Additionally, the fact that if a person were to fall in the water the water is
much more
forgiving then if they were to fall on land, likely has something to do with
the popularity
of these activities.
More recently, there have been some devices, such as the personal propulsion
device
described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,900,867 to Li, that combine water sports with the
ability of
the user's operating the device to be lifted into the air like they were
flying. The Li
device for instance discloses a personal propulsion device that includes a
body unit that a
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. . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
person is strapped into and then uses jets of water to allow the operator to
be propelled
into the air above a surface of a water suspended in the air by these jets of
water. The use
of this device over water not only provides a source of propulsion (the water
in the lake,
ocean, etc. being pumped to the device to create the jets of water being
discharged from
the device), but if the operator crashes the device, their crash into the
water is much softer
than if they were to crash into the ground.
However, the device described by Li does have disadvantages. It is quite
cumbersome
and requires the operator to be strapped to the body unit, preventing them
from easily.
releasing themselves from the device. Additionally, if the person were to
crush into the
0 surface of the water, although it would be softer than crashing into
ground, the operator
would almost certainly find themselves underwater and strapped to the body
unit.
Additionally, the controls of the body unit may seem foreign to a new operator
and it
might take some time for a new operator to get the hang of operating the
device.
1 5 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In an aspect, a vehicle that can ride on a surface of water and be propelled
into the air
above the surface of the water is provided. The. vehicle can include: a main
body; a board
provided on the bottom of the main body; a seat; an inlet for receiving a
pressurized
incoming water stream from a water source; a main nozzle positioned to direct
a flow of
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water beneath the board; handlebars having a first handle conduit and a second
handle
conduit, each handle conduit ending in a nozzle for discharging a flow of
water out of the
handle conduit and rotatable relative to the vehicle; and conduits supported
by the main
body, the conduits connected to the inlet and positioned to route a first
portion of the
incoming water stream to the main nozzle and a second portion of the incoming
water
stream to the handlebars.
The vehicle allows a rider to simply climb on the vehicle, placing a leg over
either side of
the seat and hold onto handles on the handle bars. A pressurized water stream
is supplied
to the vehicle from a water source, such as through a hose connected to the
outlet of a
to personal water craft, and this pressurized water source is routed to a
number of outlets on
the vehicle, including one directed beneath the vehicle and two directed out
the ends of
the handlebars. The rider can rotate the handlebars to alter the direction of
thrust created
by the water being discharged out the ends of the handlebars, allowing the
rider to control
the direction of propulsion, causing the vehicle to move backwards forwards
and even be
Is propelled up into the air.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A prefeiTed embodiment of the present invention is described below with
reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
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17i0 1 illustrates a perspective view of the vehicle;
Fia:2 illustrates a top view of the vehicle;
illustrates a side view of the vehicle;
F.10: 4 illustrates a bottom view of the vehicle;
,
F1.5 illustrates a side section view of the vehicle taken along line AA in
.FIG.4;
F1,0...:6 illustrates a straightening vane for use in a main outlet of the
vehicle;
F.I0;4 illustrates a top sectional view of the handlebars along line BB' in
FI041;
F1.0i::$ illustrates nozzle straightening vane for use in the handle tube of
the
vehicle; and
FIG.:9 illustrates the vehicle connected to a personal watercraft.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
illustrate a water propelled vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 can be used on a body
of
water such as a lake, pond, ocean, etc. and connected to a pressurized water
source to
allow the bike to be propelled into the air, a significant distance above the
surface of the
water using this pressurize water to create thrust. The rider can direct some
of this thrust
to control the height and direction the vehicle 10 is propelled.
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. . . . . . ..... . . .
. . . . . .
The vehicle 10 can have frame 80, a main conduit 20, a second conduit 30, a
board 40, a
seat 50 and handlebars 60. The frame 80 can be used to support the main
conduit 20,
second conduit 30 and the board 40 in position relative to one another. The
seat 50 can
be provided extending at an angle upwards from the second conduit 30 to
provide the
rider with a place to sit while they are operating the vehicle 10. Typically,
the seat 50
will be provided with padding for the comfort of the rider. The seat 50 can be
positioned
so that the rider can straddle the seat 50 with one foot on either side of the
vehicle 10. A
plate 90 can he provided so that the rider can rest their feet on the plate 90
while he or she
is operating the vehicle 10. The board 40 can be positioned on the bottom of
the vehicle
in 10 so that it comes in contact with the water surface and can aid in
keeping the vehicle 10
floating on the surface of the water when the rider is not propelling the
vehicle 10
upwards into the air.
The vehicle 10 can be propelled by pressurized streams of water that exit
generally below
the board 40 of the vehicle 10 and through the ends of the handlebars 60
creating thrust to
propel the vehicle 10. The thrust generated by the water stream directed
generally below
the vehicle 10 can help keep the vehicle 10 floating on the surface of the
water when the
rider is not using the additional thrust of the water streams being discharged
from the
handlebars 60 to propel the vehicle 10 upward into the air. The rider can
rotate the
handlebars 60 relative to the main body 80 of the vehicle 10 to control the
direction of the
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streams of water being discharged from the handlebars 60 and cause the bike to
be
propelled backwards, forwards, upwards and even downwards.
Referring to F10:,$, the main conduit 20 can be used to take an incoming water
stream 52
and direct a first portion 54 of the water stream 52 through the main conduit
20 and
below the vehicle 10. A second portion 56 of the water stream 52 is routed
through the
second conduit 20 to the handlebars 60. The main conduit 20 can have an inlet
22 and an
outlet 24. The inlet 22 can be connected to a pressurized water source (not
shown) so
that the water stream 52 is introduced into the main conduit 20 through the
inlet 22 of the
main conduit 20. The main conduit 22 can then direct this water flow 52 so
that the first
11) portion 54 of the water flow is directed through the length of the main
conduit 20 to exit
out the outlet 24 of the main conduit 20, directed generally beneath the
vehicle 10 to
create thrust and keep the vehicle 10 positioned on the surface of the water.
The main
nozzle 24 can also be directed slightly rearwardly so the thrust created by
water flowing
out the main nozzle 24 also tends to propel the vehicle 10 slightly forwards
in addition to
upwards.
A main nozzle 25 can be provided on the outlet 24 of the main conduit 20 to
increase the
thrust created by the pressurized second portion 54 of the water stream
exiting the main
tube 20. The main tube 20 can be curved so that the main nozzle 25 is directed
below the
vehicle 10 so that the thrust created by the water exiting the main nozzle 25
propels the
bike 10 generally upwards and keeps the bike 10 on the water surface.
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A main straightening vane 150 can be provided at the outlet 24 of the main
conduit 20 to
smooth out the flow of the first portion 54 of the water stream before it is
discharged out
the main nozzle 25 to increase the thrust produced as it exits the main nozzle
25. 11044
illustrates the main straightening vane 150 in isolation. The straightening
vane 150 can
include a number of vane members 152 that extend radially outwards from a
spindle 154.
As water flows through the straightening vane 150 and along the vane member
152. the
straightening vane 150 and the vane members 152 straighten out the flow of the
water
and reduce turbulence in the flow of water exiting the main nozzle 25. The
spindle 154
can narrow to a point 156 on a downstream side of the spindle to try and
minimize the
impact the spindle 154 has to the flow of water as it passes through the
straightening vane
150 and past the point 156.
Referring again to F10.4 the main conduit 20 can also direct the second
portion 56 of
the water stream 52 to the handlebars 60 where this second stream 56 will be
discharged
out through the handlebars 60, creating thrust which can be directed by the
rider to propel
s the vehicle 10, forwards, backwards and upwards into the air.
The second conduit 30 has an inlet end 32 and an outlet end 34 and can be used
to route
the second portion 56 of the water stream 52 out of the main conduit 20 and up
to the
handlebars 60. The inlet end 32 of the second conduit 30 can be positioned so
that it
passes into the first conduit. 20 so that a second portion 56 of the incoming
water stream
52 is routed through the inlet 32 of the second conduit 30 where it is routed
by the second
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conduit 20 to the outlet end 34 of the second conduit 30. The outlet end 34 of
the second
conduit 30 can be connected to a manifold 36 that splits this second portion
56 of the
water stream 52 into a first conduit 38A and a second conduit 38B to direct
this second
portion 56 of the flow of water through these two conduits 38A, 38B and into
the
3 handlebars 60.
The position of the inlet end 32 of the. second conduit 30 in the main conduit
20 and the
size of the inlet end 32 and second conduit 30 can determine how much of the
water
stream 52 is the first portion 54 and how much is the second portion 56.
Referring to FIOS. 2 and 7, the handle bars 60 can comprise handle conduits
61A, 61B
pivotally connected at first ends 62A, 62B to the first and second conduits
38A, 38B of
the manifold 36. In this manner, the second portion 56 of the incoming water
stream 52
that passes through the second conduit 30 and into the manifold 36 is split up
and
directed into the handle conduits 61A, 61B, where it will flow through the
lengths of the
handle tubes 61A. MB before being discharged through handle nozzles 65A, 65B
on
second ends 63A, 63B of the handle conduits 61A, 61B.
Each handle conduit 61A, 61B is rotatably connected to the first and second
conduits
38A, 38B so that the handle conduit 6IA, 61B can be rotated relative to the
rest of the
vehicle 10. Each handle conduit 61A, 61B can curve along its length so that
the handle
nozzles 65A, 65B discharge in planes that lie generally parallel to center
line XX.
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Additionally, the rotation of the handle conduits 61 allows the handle nozzles
65A, 658
to rotate through these planes, thereby allowing a rider to rotate the handle
tubes 61A,
61B so that water can be discharged from the handle nozzles 65A, 65B in up to
a 360'
circle that is generally parallel to the center line XX'. controlling the
direction of
propulsion from the thrust provided by the handlebars 60.
A nozzle straightening vanes 160 can be provided proximate the ends 63A, 64B
of the
nozzle conduits 61A, 618 to smooth out the flow of water being discharged out
the
handle nozzles 65A, 65B to increase the thrust produced by it.
Fig.f011ustrates one of
the nozzle straightening vanes 160 in isolation. The straightening vane 160
can include a
number of vane members 162 that extend radially outwards from a spindle 164.
As water
flows through the straightening vane 160 and along the vane member 162, the
straightening vane 160 and the vane members 162 can straighten Out the flow of
the
water and reduce turbulence in the flow of water exiting the handle nozzle
65A, 658.
The spindle 164 can narrow to a point 166 on a downstream side of the spindle
to try and
minimize the impact the spindle 164 has to the flow of water as it passes
through the
straightening vane 160 and past the point 166.
Referring again to FIGS,: 'land 7, handles 68A, 68B can be provided extending
from the
handle tubes 61A, 61B so that a user can grasp the handles 65A, 65B and use
them to
rotate the handle tubes 61A, 61B and direct the flow of water discharging from
the
nozzles 65A, 658 on the ends of the handle tubes 61A, 618.
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Referrin2 to F101.0, the vehicle 10 is shown connected to a personal water
craft 200 so
that the personal water craft 200 can supply the vehicle 10 with a pressurize
stream of
water. Personal water crafts are commonly available under such names as Jet
SkiTM, Sea-
DooTm. etc. A rider sits on top of the personal water craft 200 while an
inboard engine
drives a pump jet to take water in, compress it and force it out an outlet 204
as on the
back of the personal water craft 200 as a pressurized stream of water to
create thrust to
propel and steer the personal water craft 200 However, FI.Q.;:.;:07 shows a
hose 210
connected at a first end 212 to the outlet 204 on the personal watercraft 200
and a second
end 224 of the hose 220 is connected to the inlet end 22 of the main conduit
20 on the
to vehicle 10. In this manner, instead of the pressurized stream of water
being used to
propel the personal watercraft 200, the stream of water is instead routed
through the hose
210 to provide the vehicle 10 with a source of pressurized water which it will
then
redirect out the main nozzle 24 and the handle nozzles 658. An person
operating the
personal watercraft 200 can increase or decrease amount of the stream of water
being
IS routed to the vehicle 10 by use of the throttle of the personal
watercraft 200.
In operation, a rider will sit on the vehicle 10 so that he or she is sitting
on the scat 50
with his or her legs on either side of the main body 80. The rider grasps the
handles 65A,
658 on the handlebars 60 and can rest his or her feet on the plate 90 or the
board 40.
When a pressurized stream of water is discharged from the outlet 104 on the
personal
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watercraft 200 this pressurize stream of water is routed through the hose 210
and to the
main conduit 20 of the vehicle 10.
Once in the main conduit 20 the water stream 52 is divided into the first
portion 54 which
is directed out the main nozzle 24 aimed below the board 40 and the second
portion 56 of
the water stream 52 is directed into the secondary conduit 30 where it is
directed to the
handlebars 60 and discharged out the handlebar nozzles 65A, 65B.
The water being discharged out the main nozzle 24 can be used to create enough
upward
thrust so that the board 40 is maintained on the surface of the water by just
the thrust
coming from the main nozzle 24.
The rider can rotate the handle tubes 61A, 61B to control the direction the
streams of
water are exiting from the handle nozzles 65A, 65B and thereby control the
vehicle 10.
By aiming the handle tubes 61A, 61B so that the handle nozzles 65A, 65B are
directed
downwards, the rider increase the upward thrust created by the streams of
water behina
discharged out of the vehicle 10, causing the vehicle 10 to be propelled into
the air. By
aiming them backwards, the rider can propel the vehicle 10 forwards and by
aiming them
forwards, the rider can propel the vehicle 10 backwards. If the rider rotates
the handle
tubes 61A, 61B in different directions so that one handle nozzle 65A, 65B is
directed
forwards while the other is directed backwards, the rider can cause the
vehicle 10 to spin.
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The rider can also aim the handle nozzles 65A, 65B so that the vehicle dives
under the
surface of the water.
The rider can also use his or her weight to tilt the vehicle 10 to either
side, changing the
direction of thrust from the main nozzle 24 and the handle nozzles 65A, 65B to
propel the
bike to either side.
An operator on the personal watercraft 200 can control the amount of the
stream of water
being supplied to the vehicle 10 thereby controlling the amount of water being
discharged
out of the vehicle 10 and the thrust created by the stream of water. If the
operator of the
personal watercraft 200 simply stops the stream of water (by letting of the
throttle of the
personal watercraft 200), the vehicle 10 will stop being supplied with a
pressurize source
of water.
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the
invention.
Further, since numerous changes and modifications 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 such suitable changes or
modifications in
structure or operation which may be resorted to are intended to fall within
the scope of
the claimed invention.
