ARRANGEMENT APPLIED TO A MOVABLE FLOAT

Information

  • Patent Application
  • 20180319465
  • Publication Number
    20180319465
  • Date Filed
    May 05, 2017
    7 years ago
  • Date Published
    November 08, 2018
    5 years ago
  • Inventors
    • Meneguci; Wilson
Abstract
A movable float configured for self-propulsion by a user; the float including a board and hydrofoils; the board is mounted on hydrofoils at their ends with struts connecting the hydrofoil to the board. The movable float contains also a rope with a handle, a rudder and fairings.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to a novel movable float, especially of a self-propelled movable float consisting of hydrofoils, struts and a board, which is prominent due to its stability on water and to the possibility of displacement only by repetitive movements of the user.


FIELD OF APPLICATION

The field of application is the nautical floats, more specifically, nautical floats for entertainment, sport, leisure and fun for children and adults.


BACKGROUND

Currently there are a variety of different types of floats available in the related art. For example, some related art floats may allow floating and movement along the art with an emphasis on non-motorized aquatic activities, such as: surfboards, buoys, and water “noodles” among others that do not include a self-propulsion mechanism.


Due to their characteristics, related art floats have several drawbacks. For example, related art floats that may be stable are static, without any mechanism that allows human propulsion or movement on water. By contrast, related art floats that allow for human propulsion may not be stable and generate discomfort in use due to try to maintain balance and keep the float stable object, which can be nearly impossible for certain floaters.


Accordingly, some related art manufacturers have sought to develop products that may be easy to handle, practical and efficient. For example, some related art such as DOCUMENT: PI0602054-2 FILING DATE: May 16, 2006 TITLE: MOVABLE FLOATING OBJECT describes a closed, hollow body for floating that is shaped like a “Jet-ski”. This document further describes the float having a lower portion with two curved floats and a keel that are fixed together through a snap-pin fitting and locking system. Further, this related art describes the float having a spring system below the seat which, with the downward pressure of the user's feet, promotes vertical oscillation allowing the fins to move up and down to move the float forward by pushing water backward.


However, this related art float requires the user remain in a seated position and the propulsion system is highly complex requiring springs, fins, shells and other various components subject to constant maintenance.


BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The present application relates to a movable float, for example, a self-propelled movable float comprising hydrofoils, struts and a board, which may provide stability on water and which may be moved along the water by repetitive movements of the user.


Advantages of the New Model

In brief, the float claimed has the following most prominent advantages:

    • Ensures flotation and movement on the water by simple user movements;
    • Propulsion is executed by the user;
    • Simple construction;
    • Allows steering control;
    • Light product;
    • Provides water entertainment;
    • Easy to handle;
    • Weather resistant
    • Can be manufactured in various sizes, depending on requirements.





DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Accompanying drawings are provided to aid understanding of example implementations of the present application, as listed below.



FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a movable float according to an example implementation;



FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the movable float according to an example implementation;



FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of the movable float according to an example implementation;



FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the movable float according to an example implementation, with another example implementation of the hydrofoils.



FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the movable float according to an example implementation, with another example implementation of the hydrofoils.



FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of the movable float according to an example implementation, with another example implementation of the hydrofoils.



FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the movable float according to an example implementation, with another example implementation of the hydrofoils.



FIG. 8 illustrates atop view of the movable float according to an example implementation, with another example implementation of the hydrofoils.



FIG. 9 illustrates a bottom view of the movable float according to an example implementation, with another example implementation of the hydrofoils.



FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of the movable float according to an example implementation, with another example implementation of the hydrofoils.



FIG. 11 illustrates atop view of the movable float according to an example implementation, with another example implementation of the hydrofoils.



FIG. 12 illustrates a bottom view of the movable float according to an example implementation, with another example implementation of the hydrofoils.



FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of the movable float according to another example implementation.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description provides further details of the figures and example implementations of the present application. Reference numerals and descriptions of redundant elements between figures are omitted for clarity. Terms used throughout the description are provided as examples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the use of the term “automatic” may involve fully automatic or semi-automatic implementations involving user or operator control over certain aspects of the implementation, depending on the desired implementation of one of ordinary skill in the art practicing implementations of the present application.


Example implementations of the present application may provide, generally, a movable float, for example, a self-propelled movable float having hydrofoils, struts and board that may be stable on the water and may also allow propulsion based on repetitive movements of the user. In some example implementations, the described structure of the movable float may allow an unusual form of locomotion on water in a simple and practical way that may be used by both children and adults without major difficulties. For example, some example implementations may allow a movable float to be displaced along water by simple movement of the user (e.g., moving their body to the left and the right alternately, without removing the feet from the surface of the board), generating the necessary movement for the hydrofoils work of the hydrofoils in the water, similarly ensuring static stability.



FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a movable float 1 according to an example implementation. FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the movable float 1 according to an example implementation. FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of the movable float 1 according to an example implementation. As illustrated, the moveable float 1 may be self-propelled movable float having a board (2) with two pairs of hydrofoils (4 and 4′) connected to the board (2) by pairs of struts (3 and 3′). More particularly, the illustrated movable float (1) includes a board (2) which is mounted on pairs of hydrofoils (4 and 4′) by pairs of struts (3 and 3′) connected to the ends of the hydrofoils (4 and 4′). The struts 3 and 3′ may be fixed to the board (2) and the hydrofoils (4 and 4′) by any type of existing fastener that may be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art. In some example implementations, each strut (3 and 3′) may have a crescent, or “half-moon” shape. This shape may allow slight flexibility when the user moves their body to the left and to the right alternately, without removing the feet from the surface of the board. This movement may generate the movement of the hydrofoils (4 and 4′) to work in the water, causing the movement of the float (1). As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the hydrofoils (4 and 4′) may have a wing shape, which may assist with movement of the float (1) along the water.



FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a movable float 1 according to another example implementation. FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the movable float 1 according to another example implementation. FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view of the movable float 1 according to another example implementation. Some aspects of the example implementation of FIGS. 4-6 may be similar to the example implementation of FIGS. 1-3 and similar reference numerals may be used. As illustrated, the moveable float 1 may be self-propelled movable float having a board (2) with two pairs of hydrofoils (5 and 5′) connected to the board (2) by pairs of struts (3 and 3′). More particularly, the illustrated movable float (1) includes a board (2) which is mounted on pairs of hydrofoils (5 and 5′) by pairs of struts (3 and 3′) connected to the ends of the hydrofoils (5 and 5′). The struts 3 and 3′ may be fixed to the board (2) and the hydrofoils (5 and 5′) by any type of existing fastener that may be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art.


In some example implementations, each strut (3 and 3′) may have a crescent, or “half-moon” shape. This shape may allow slight flexibility when the user moves their body to the left and to the right alternately, without removing the feet from the surface of the board. This movement may generate the movement of the hydrofoils (5 and 5′) to work in the water, causing the movement of the float (1). As illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, the hydrofoils (5 and 5′) may have a “trapezoidal-like” shape, which may assist with movement of the float (1) along the water.



FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a movable float 1 according to another example implementation. FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of the movable float 1 according to another example implementation. FIG. 9 illustrates a bottom view of the movable float 1 according to another example implementation. Some aspects of the example implementation of FIGS. 7-9 may be similar to the example implementation of FIGS. 1-3 and similar reference numerals may be used. As illustrated, the moveable float 1 may be self-propelled movable float having a board (2) with two pairs of hydrofoils (6 and 6′) connected to the board (2) by pairs of struts (3 and 3′). More particularly, the illustrated movable float (1) includes a board (2) which is mounted on pairs of hydrofoils (6 and 6′) by pairs of struts (3 and 3′) connected to the ends of the hydrofoils (6 and 6′). The struts 3 and 3′ may be fixed to the board (2) and the hydrofoils (6 and 6′) by any type of existing fastener that may be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art.


In some example implementations, each strut (3 and 3′) may have a crescent, or “half-moon” shape. This shape may allow slight flexibility when the user moves their body to the left and to the right alternately, without removing the feet from the surface of the board. This movement may generate the movement of the hydrofoils (6 and 6′) to work in the water, causing the movement of the float (1). As illustrated in FIGS. 7-9, the hydrofoils (6 and 6′) may have a “trapezoidal”-like shape, which may assist with movement of the float (1) along the water.



FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a movable float 1 according to another example implementation. FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of the movable float 1 according to another example implementation. FIG. 12 illustrates a bottom view of the movable float 1 according to another example implementation. Some aspects of the example implementation of FIGS. 10-12 may be similar to the example implementation of FIGS. 1-3 and similar reference numerals may be used. As illustrated, the moveable float 1 may be self-propelled movable float having a board (2) with two pairs of hydrofoils (7 and 7′) connected to the board (2) by pairs of struts (3 and 3′). More particularly, the illustrated movable float (1) includes a board (2) which is mounted on pairs of hydrofoils (7 and 7′) by pairs of struts (3 and 3′) connected to the ends of the hydrofoils (7 and 7′). The struts 3 and 3′ may be fixed to the board (2) and the hydrofoils (7 and 7′) by any type of existing fastener that may be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art.


In some example implementations, each strut (3 and 3′) may have a crescent, or “half-moon” shape. This shape may allow slight flexibility when the user moves their body to the left and to the right alternately, without removing the feet from the surface of the board. This movement may generate the movement of the hydrofoils (7 and 7′) to work in the water, causing the movement of the float (1). As illustrated in FIGS. 10-12, the hydrofoils (7 and 7′) may have a semi-circumference shape, which may assist with movement of the float (1) along the water.



FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of the movable float 1 according to another example implementation. Some aspects of the example implementation of FIG. 13 may be similar to the example implementation of FIGS. 1-3 and similar reference numerals may be used.


As illustrated, the moveable float 1 may be self-propelled movable float having a board (2) with two pairs of hydrofoils (9 and 9′) connected to the board (2) by pairs of struts (10 and 10′). More particularly, the illustrated movable float (1) includes a board (2) which is mounted on pairs of hydrofoils (9 and 9′) by pairs of struts (10 and 10′) connected to the ends of the hydrofoils (9 and 9′). The struts 10 and 10′ may be fixed to the board (2) and the hydrofoils (9 and 9′) by any type of existing fastener that may be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art.


In some example implementations, each strut (10 and 10′) may have a crescent, or “half-moon” shape. This shape may allow slight flexibility when the user moves their body to the left and to the right alternately, without removing the feet from the surface of the board. This movement may generate the movement of the hydrofoils (9 and 9′) to work in the water, causing the movement of the float (1). As illustrated in FIG. 13, the hydrofoils (9 and 9′) may have a semi-circumference shape, which may assist with movement of the float (1) along the water.


Additionally, in FIG. 13, the float (1) also includes a rope (11) which includes a handle (12) provided on the float (1) to enable the user to direct or steer the float (1). The rope (11) may be connected to a rudder (L) located at the rear of the float (1) to allow control the float (1). Additionally, the float (1) may also further include fairings (13) at its lateral ends, which may assist the stability of the float (1) on water.


Thus, this invention involves novelty and inventive act thanks to the flotation and to the displacement of the float (1) on water via a simple movement by a user, which, added to industrial applicability makes it worthy of the patent privilege.

Claims
  • 1. (canceled)
  • 2. The movable float according to claim 17, further comprising a rope coupled to a rudder, the rudder configured to control a direction of the movable float.
  • 3. The movable float according to claim 17, further comprising a handle coupled to the rope.
  • 4. The movable float according to claim 17, further comprising a fairing coupled to the board.
  • 5. The movable float according to claim 17, wherein the hydrofoil has a wing shape.
  • 6. The movable float according to claim 17, further comprising a rope coupled to a rudder, the rudder configured to control a direction of the movable float.
  • 7. The movable float according to claim 17, further comprising a handle coupled to the rope.
  • 8. The movable float according to claim 17, further comprising a fairing coupled to the board.
  • 9. The movable float according to claim 17, wherein the hydrofoil has a trapezoidal shape.
  • 10. The movable float according to claim 17, further comprising a rope coupled to a rudder, the rudder configured to control a direction of the movable float.
  • 11. The movable float according to claim 17, further comprising a handle coupled to the rope.
  • 12. The movable float according to claim 17, further comprising a fairing coupled to the board.
  • 13. The movable float according to claim 17, wherein the hydrofoil has a semi-circumference shape.
  • 14. The movable float according to claim 17, further comprising a rope coupled to a rudder, the rudder configured to control a direction of the movable float.
  • 15. The movable float according to claim 17, further comprising a handle coupled to the rope.
  • 16. The movable float according to claim 17, further comprising a fairing coupled to the board.
  • 17. A moveable float configured for self-propulsion by a standing user's repetitive movements side to side, the float comprising: a board, anda hydrofoil fixedly connected to opposite sides of the board and extending laterally outwardly.
  • 18. The moveable float of claim 17, wherein a second pair of hydrofoils are fixedly connected to the board in longitudinally spaced relationship to the first pair of hydrofoils fixedly connected to said board.
  • 19. A method of a user standing on a float board self-propelling the float board through the water comprising the user moving their body to the left and to the right alternatively without removing the feet from the surface of the board.