Patent Application
20160068230
No applicable.
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A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to a buoyancy vehicle. More particularly, the invention relates to a buoyancy vehicle that is operable to navigate on a fluid from a sitting and/or reclined position.
The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.
The following is an example of a specific aspect in the prior art that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. By way of educational background, another aspect of the prior art generally useful to be aware of is that a boat is a watercraft of any size designed to float on water. Small boats are typically found on inland lakes or in protected coastal areas.
It is known that buoyancy is an upward force exerted by a fluid that opposes the weight of an immersed object, such as a boat. In a column of fluid, pressure increases with depth as a result of the weight of the overlying fluid. Thus a column of fluid, or an object submerged in the fluid, experiences greater pressure at the bottom of the column than at the top. This difference in pressure results in a net force that tends to accelerate an object upwards. Consequently, a boat having a flat planar or tubular composition can float on a body of fluid.
Typically, a sailing board for windsurfing utilizes a mast on a single surfboard allowing the mast to assume any inclined attitude. Further, a sail is a surface, typically made of fabric and supported by a mast, whose purpose is to propel a sailing vessel. An operator of a boat must access and control the sail for propelling and navigating the boat on the fluid.
In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional techniques are not perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.
The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.
The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein.
Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations of the invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.
It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a reference to “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or means and may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods, techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods, techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the present invention. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known in the art, and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein.
Although Claims have been formulated in this Application to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention.
Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present Application or of any further Application derived therefrom.
References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” “various embodiments,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.
Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.
The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.
The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.
Devices or system modules that are in at least general communication with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices or system modules that are in at least general communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.
A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present invention.
As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerations and compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal manufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may configured according to the needs of the particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the needs of the particular application.
The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
There are various types of buoyancy vehicles for navigating a fluid that may be provided by preferred embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, the buoyancy vehicle may include a buoyant vehicle that is operable to navigate on a fluid from a sitting position. The buoyancy vehicle provides facilitated access and operational control to propulsion and guidance systems that can be operated from a sitting or reclined position. In this manner, a user who cannot stand or perform rigorous physical activity may operate the buoyancy vehicle.
In some embodiments, the buoyancy vehicle may have a foundation comprising of at least one buoyant member configured to float on the fluid with sufficient buoyancy to support the vehicle and at least one operator. The at least one buoyant member may be substantially flat and elongated. In one embodiment, the at least one buoyant member includes a pair of elongated surfboards adjacently disposed parallel to each other. However, any buoyant material or number of buoyant members may be used. The buoyant member may have a forward end that points towards the directional movement of the vehicle, and a rear end.
In some embodiments, the buoyancy vehicle may include a frame portion that attaches to the at least one buoyant member. The frame portion may be generally tubular and sufficiently lightweight and/or hollow, so as to enhance the buoyancy of the vehicle. The frame portion may include a grid of intersecting tubular frames that reinforce each other to enhance structural integrity of the vehicle, including withstanding rough operating conditions and supporting the weight of the operator. The frame portion may join with the at least one buoyant member at a frame junction.
In some embodiments, a center board may retractably extend from a bottom surface of the frame portion. The center board may join with the frame portion through a cord. The cord allows the center board to be raised to operate in shallow waters, to move the center of lateral resistance, to reduce drag when the full area of the center board is not needed, or when removing the vehicle from the fluid, as when trailering.
In some embodiments, the buoyancy vehicle may include a seat that is configured to support an operator and/or a load. The seat may position in a generally central location on the frame portion, such that the navigational system may be accessed easily. The seat may include a fastening end that joins with the frame portion. The fastening end may include four brackets that fasten to adjacent tubular frames on the frame portion. In one embodiment, T-fittings or pipe clamps may provide simple fasteners for securing the seat to the frame portion. The seat may include a hinge that enables pivoting, swinging, and lateral movements relative to the frame portion. These movements provide additional flexibility to the operator, who may not have full capacity to operate and move about the vehicle.
In some embodiments, the buoyancy vehicle may include a propulsion portion configured to utilize wind, physical force, or engine power to propel the vehicle. In one embodiment, the propulsion portion may include a sail that catches the wind for propelling the vehicle. In one embodiment, the sail may have a generally rear facing curve to enable less push over from the wind. The generally rear facing curve is configured to catch sufficient draft from the wind, so as to propel the vehicle in the desired direction. The sail may be at least partially attached at the edges to a mast that extends from the frame portion. The mast may be pivotally coupled to assume any inclined attitude by a mast support fixed at substantially center of the frame portion.
In some embodiments, at least one sail cord may be used to control the direction of the sail relative to the mast. The sail cord helps navigate the vehicle. A sail locking mechanism helps secure the sail into a desired position while sailing. These components may be operated while sitting in the seat. In another possible embodiment, the propulsion portion may include a pair of oars that attach to the periphery of the vehicle and transform the physical force applied by the sitting operator into propulsion.
In some embodiments, the buoyancy vehicle may include at least one buoyant member 102 configured to float on the fluid with sufficient buoyancy to support the vehicle and at least one operator. The buoyancy vehicle may include a frame portion 104 that attaches to the at least one buoyant member. The frame portion may join with the at least one buoyant member through at least one frame junction 106. In some embodiments, a seat 108 that is configured to support an operator and/or a load. The seat rests on the frame portion and is configured to rotate, swivel, and slide along the frame portion for facilitating operation of the vehicle while seated or reclined in the seat. At least one propulsion portion 110a, 110b propels and navigates the vehicle. The propulsion portion may be easily accessed and operated from the seated or reclined position on the seat.
In some embodiments, the buoyancy vehicle may include a frame portion that attaches to the at least one buoyant member. The frame portion may be generally tubular and sufficiently lightweight and/or hollow, so as to enhance the buoyancy of the vehicle. The frame portion may include a plurality of tubular frames 210 that form a grid. The tubular frames may intersect to reinforce each other for enhancing the structural integrity of the vehicle. In one embodiment the tubular frames may include hollow pipes having a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) composition. However, other materials may include, without limitation, bamboo, wood, fiberglass, and light polymers. The rigid, yet lightweight construction may help withstand rough operating conditions and supporting the weight of the operator. The frame portion may join with the at least one buoyant member through at least one frame junction.
In some embodiments, a center board 200 may retractably extend from a bottom surface of the frame portion. The center board may join with the frame portion through a center board cord. The center board cord 202 allows the center board to be raised and lowered for operation in shallow waters, for moving the center of lateral resistance, for reducing drag when the full area of the center board is not needed, or when navigating the vehicle from the fluid, as when trailering. In some embodiments, the center board cord may include a bungee cord having sufficient resiliency to allow the center board to rise up when beaching the craft or clearing an obstacle and automatically drop back down when in deeper water.
In some embodiments, the buoyancy vehicle may include a seat that is configured to support an operator and/or a load. The seat may position in a generally central location on the frame portion, such that the navigational system may be accessed easily. The seat may include a fastening end 204 that joins with the frame portion. The fastening end may include four brackets that fasten to adjacent tubular frames on the frame portion. However, in another embodiment, the frame portion may include at least one seat fastener 208, such as T-fittings or pipe clamps that serve as simple fasteners for securing the seat to the frame portion. The seat may include a hinge 206 that enables pivoting, swinging, and lateral movements relative to the frame portion. The seat may also be height adjustable. These movements provide additional flexibility to the operator, who may not have full capacity to operate and move about the vehicle. However, in some embodiments, the hinge may be locked to restrict movement.
In one embodiment, the propulsion portion may include a draft conversation portion that catches the wind for propelling the vehicle. The draft conversation portion may have a generally rear facing curve 308 to enable less push over from the wind. The generally rear facing curve is configured to catch sufficient draft from the wind, so as to propel the vehicle in the desired direction. The rear facing curve is also configured to maximize the drag and air pressure differences that cause the draft conversation portion to provide propulsion functionalities.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that the sail may be efficacious for propelling the buoyancy vehicle in one of two ways. When the vehicle is going in the direction of the wind, i.e. downwind, the draft conversation portion (sails) may be set merely to trap the air as it flows by. Sails acting in this way are aerodynamically stalled. Drag, always parallel to the wind, contributes the predominant driving force. The other way the sail may propel the vehicle occurs when the vehicle is traveling across or into the wind. The sails acting as airfoils propel the boat by redirecting the wind coming in from the side towards the rear. By the law of conservation of momentum, the wind moves the sail as the sail redirects downwash air backwards. Air pressure differences across the sail area result in forces on sails including drag and lift. A component of the lift is the main driving force. In any case, the operator may direct the navigation from the sitting position in the seat.
In some embodiments, the draft conversation portion may be at least partially attached at the edges to a mast 302 that extends from the frame portion. A plurality of connection junctions 312, such as O-rings or eyelets may receive the edges of the sail. A dowel 314 may form a framework for the draft conversation portion. In one embodiment, the dowel may include a wooden dowel inside a PVC pipe. The mast may be pivotally coupled to assume any inclined attitude by a mast support fixed at substantially center of the frame portion. The operator may easily access and manipulate the mast while in the seat, as needed. A mast control portion 310 may help facilitate the hinged and pivoting movements of the mast. The mast control portion may include a locking spar and a sail handle.
In some embodiments, at least one sail cord 304 may be used to control the direction of the sail relative to the mast. The sail cord helps navigate the vehicle. A sail locking mechanism helps secure the draft conversation portion into a desired position while sailing. These components may be operated while sitting in the seat. In another possible embodiment, the propulsion portion may include a pair of oars that attach to the periphery of the vehicle and transform the physical force applied by the sitting operator into propulsion.
In one alternative embodiment, the vehicle is navigated with a directional propeller that is powered by a solar panel. In another alternative embodiment, the seat is automated to extend from the boat for loading and unloading the operator. In yet another alternative embodiment, the frame portion comprises a storage compartment for storing the draft conversation portion or the paddle or oars. In yet another alternative embodiment, the seat is a wheelchair that rolls on and off the vehicle through a ramp.
It will be further apparent to those skilled in the art that at least a portion of the novel method steps and/or system components of the present invention may be practiced and/or located in location(s) possibly outside the jurisdiction of the United States of America (USA), whereby it will be accordingly readily recognized that at least a subset of the novel method steps and/or system components in the foregoing embodiments must be practiced within the jurisdiction of the USA for the benefit of an entity therein or to achieve an object of the present invention. Thus, some alternate embodiments of the present invention may be configured to comprise a smaller subset of the foregoing means for and/or steps described that the applications designer will selectively decide, depending upon the practical considerations of the particular implementation, to carry out and/or locate within the jurisdiction of the USA. For example, any of the foregoing described method steps and/or system components which may be performed remotely over a network (e.g., without limitation, a remotely located server) may be performed and/or located outside of the jurisdiction of the USA while the remaining method steps and/or system components (e.g., without limitation, a locally located client) of the forgoing embodiments are typically required to be located/performed in the USA for practical considerations. In client-server architectures, a remotely located server typically generates and transmits required information to a US based client, for use according to the teachings of the present invention. Depending upon the needs of the particular application, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, in light of the teachings of the present invention, which aspects of the present invention can or should be located locally and which can or should be located remotely. Thus, for any claims construction of the following claim limitations that are construed under 35 USC §112 (6) it is intended that the corresponding means for and/or steps for carrying out the claimed function are the ones that are locally implemented within the jurisdiction of the USA, while the remaining aspect(s) performed or located remotely outside the USA are not intended to be construed under 35 USC §112 (6
All the features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.
It is noted that according to USA law 35 USC §112 (1), all claims must be supported by sufficient disclosure in the present patent specification, and any material known to those skilled in the art need not be explicitly disclosed. However, 35 USC §112 (6) requires that structures corresponding to functional limitations interpreted under 35 USC §112 (6) must be explicitly disclosed in the patent specification. Moreover, the USPTO's Examination policy of initially treating and searching prior art under the broadest interpretation of a “mean for” claim limitation implies that the broadest initial search on 112(6) functional limitation would have to be conducted to support a legally valid Examination on that USPTO policy for broadest interpretation of “mean for” claims. Accordingly, the USPTO will have discovered a multiplicity of prior art documents including disclosure of specific structures and elements which are suitable to act as corresponding structures to satisfy all functional limitations in the below claims that are interpreted under 35 USC §112 (6) when such corresponding structures are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patent specification. Therefore, for any invention element(s)/structure(s) corresponding to functional claim limitation(s), in the below claims interpreted under 35 USC §112 (6), which is/are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patent specification, yet do exist in the patent and/or non-patent documents found during the course of USPTO searching, Applicant(s) incorporate all such functionally corresponding structures and related enabling material herein by reference for the purpose of providing explicit structures that implement the functional means claimed. Applicant(s) request(s) that fact finders during any claims construction proceedings and/or examination of patent allowability properly identify and incorporate only the portions of each of these documents discovered during the broadest interpretation search of 35 USC §112 (6) limitation, which exist in at least one of the patent and/or non-patent documents found during the course of normal USPTO searching and or supplied to the USPTO during prosecution. Applicant(s) also incorporate by reference the bibliographic citation information to identify all such documents comprising functionally corresponding structures and related enabling material as listed in any PTO Form-892 or likewise any information disclosure statements (IDS) entered into the present patent application by the USPTO or Applicant(s) or any 3rd parties. Applicant(s) also reserve its right to later amend the present application to explicitly include citations to such documents and/or explicitly include the functionally corresponding structures which were incorporate by reference above.
Thus, for any invention element(s)/structure(s) corresponding to functional claim limitation(s), in the below claims, that are interpreted under 35 USC §112 (6), which is/are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patent specification, Applicant(s) have explicitly prescribed which documents and material to include the otherwise missing disclosure, and have prescribed exactly which portions of such patent and/or non-patent documents should be incorporated by such reference for the purpose of satisfying the disclosure requirements of 35 USC §112 (6). Applicant(s) note that all the identified documents above which are incorporated by reference to satisfy 35 USC §112 (6) necessarily have a filing and/or publication date prior to that of the instant application, and thus are valid prior documents to incorporated by reference in the instant application.
Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing a buoyancy vehicle that is operable to navigate on a fluid from a sitting according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Various aspects of the invention have been described above by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. The particular implementation of the buoyancy vehicle a buoyancy vehicle may include a buoyant vehicle that is operable to navigate on a fluid from a sitting position may vary depending upon the particular context or application. By way of example, and not limitation, the buoyancy vehicle a buoyancy vehicle may include a buoyant vehicle that is operable to navigate on a fluid from a sitting position described in the foregoing were principally directed to a lightweight boat with sails and oars that includes a seat from which a disabled or weak operator can operate the boat implementations; however, similar techniques may instead be applied to road and air vehicles that have specialized seats for handicapped or younger operators, which implementations of the present invention are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims. It is to be further understood that not all of the disclosed embodiments in the foregoing specification will necessarily satisfy or achieve each of the objects, advantages, or improvements described in the foregoing specification.
Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.
The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.
The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b) requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret the scope or meaning of the claims. The following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.
The present Utility patent application claims priority benefit of the [U.S. provisional application for patent Ser. No. 61/875,444 entitled “Vehicle Debris Shield filed 9 Sep. 2013 under 35 U.S.C. 119(e). The contents of this related provisional application are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes to the extent that such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith or limiting hereof.
