Motorized, Steerable, Electric Personal Watercraft

Abstract

A motorized, steerable, electrically-operated personal watercraft that includes a hull with a bow, stern, top deck surface, underside surface, and a support and steering console. The deck is configured to allow a user to lie prone on the deck with the user's chest located on or proximate the console. There are left and right steering control devices located at the left and right of the console, respectively. The steering control devices are configured to be manipulated by the left and right hands of the user. Motive power and steering are both provided through an electrically-powered water jet, which may be but need not be located at the stern. The water jet is mounted to a fixture that is configured such that the outlet nozzle of the jet can be turned left and right, in order to steer the craft to the left and right. Jet nozzle steering is accomplished by manipulation of the left and right steering controls. User-operable kill switches also located at the left and right of the console must be operated in order to operate the jet.

Description

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to a small watercraft that is configured to be used by one person, most often a child.

Children like to play in the water near shorelines. Boogie boards can be fun to sit or lie on, but can be unwieldy, and difficult for children to move. This can be especially true in moving water.

SUMMARY

All examples and features mentioned below can be combined in any technically possible way.

Featured in this disclosure is a motorized, steerable, electrically-operated personal watercraft (sometimes termed herein a “watercraft” or “craft”). In one aspect, the watercraft includes a hull with a bow, stern, top deck surface, underside surface, and a support and steering console. The deck is configured to allow a user to lie prone on the deck with the user's chest located on or proximate the console. Left and right user-manipulable steering control devices are located at the left and right of the console, respectively. The steering control devices are configured to be manipulated by the left and right hands of the user. Motive power and steering are both provided through an electrically-powered water jet at the stern. The water jet is mounted to a fixture that is configured such that an outlet nozzle of the jet can be turned left and right, in order to steer the craft to the left and right. Jet outlet nozzle steering is accomplished by manipulation of the left and right steering controls.

Examples may include one of the above and/or below features, or any combination thereof. The left and right steering control devices may comprise left and right steering lines that are coupled to the jet such that they can move the outlet nozzle. The left and right steering control devices may each further comprise a steering lever that is configured to be squeezed by the user. The steering lines may be connected to the steering levers so that when a lever is squeezed the connected line is pulled. The left line may be configured such that when the left lever is squeezed the water jet nozzle is turned so as to cause the watercraft to turn left. The right line may be configured such that when the right lever is squeezed the water jet nozzle is turned so as to cause the watercraft to turn right.

Examples may include one of the above and/or below features, or any combination thereof. The water jet may be configured to operate at a single speed. The left and right steering control devices may comprise mechanically-operated devices. There may also be lines that are coupled to the steering control devices and coupled to the outlet nozzle of the jet.

Examples may include one of the above and/or below features, or any combination thereof. The left and right steering control devices may comprise an electrically-operated device. The electrically-operated device may comprise a motor that is configured to move the outlet nozzle of the jet. The electrically-operated device may further comprise a motor controller that is configured to cause the motor to move the outlet nozzle of the jet.

Examples may include one of the above and/or below features, or any combination thereof. The motorized, steerable, electrically-operated personal watercraft may further comprise left and right power controls that are configured to control an application of electrical power to the jet. The left and right steering control devices may each comprise a paddle that is configured to be squeezed by the user. The left and right steering control devices may each comprise a button that is configured to be pressed by the user. The motorized, steerable, electrically-operated personal watercraft may further comprise a battery that is located in a waterproof compartment within the hull and is configured to supply power to operate the jet.

In another aspect, a motorized, steerable, electrically-operated personal watercraft includes a hull with a bow, stern, top deck surface, underside surface, and a support and steering console located proximate the bow. The deck is configured to allow a user to lie prone on the deck with the user's chest located on or proximate the console. Left and right user-manipulable steering control devices are located at the left and right of the console, respectively. The steering control devices are configured to be manipulated by the left and right hands of the user. Motive power and steering are both provided through an electrically-powered water jet at the stern. The water jet is mounted to a fixture that is configured such that the outlet nozzle of the jet can be turned left and right, in order to steer the craft to the left and right. The jet outlet nozzle steering is accomplished by manipulation of the left and right steering control devices. Left and right user-operable kill switches are located at the left and right of the console, respectively. The kill switches must be operated in order to provide electrical power to the water jet. Left and right steering lines are coupled to the steering control devices and coupled to the nozzle of the jet.

Examples may include one of the above and/or below features, or any combination thereof. The left and right steering control devices may each comprise a lever that is configured to be squeezed by the user, wherein the steering lines are connected to the steering levers so that when a lever is squeezed the connected line is pulled, and wherein the left line is configured such that when the left lever is squeezed the water jet nozzle is turned so as to cause the watercraft to turn left and the right line is configured such that when the right lever is squeezed the water jet nozzle is turned so as to cause the watercraft to turn right.

In another aspect, a motorized, steerable, electrically-operated personal watercraft includes a hull with a bow, stern, top deck surface, underside surface, and a support and steering console located proximate the bow. The deck is configured to allow a user to lie prone on the deck with the user's chest located on or proximate the console. Left and right user-manipulable steering control devices are located at the left and right of the console, respectively. The steering control devices are configured to be manipulated by the left and right hands of the user. Motive power and steering are both provided through an electrically-powered water jet at the stern. The water jet is mounted to a fixture that is configured such that the outlet nozzle of the jet can be turned left and right, in order to steer the craft to the left and right. Outlet nozzle steering is accomplished by manipulation of the left and right steering control devices. Left and right user-operable kill switches are located at the left and right of the console, respectively. The kill switches must be operated in order to provide electrical power to the water jet. An electrically-operated motor is configured to move the jet and a motor controller that is responsive to the left and right steering control devices is configured to cause the motor to move the outlet nozzle of the jet.

Examples may include one of the above and/or below features, or any combination thereof. The motorized, steerable, electrically-operated personal watercraft may further comprise a battery that is located in a waterproof compartment within the hull and is configured to supply power to operate the jet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a watercraft, FIG. 1B is a top view of the watercraft, and FIG. 1C is a bottom view of the watercraft.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a power and steering control system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another power and steering control system.

FIG. 4 illustrates a power and steering scheme for the right hand.

FIG. 5 is a partial, schematic view of a steering control system.

FIG. 6 is a partial view of a steering control for one of the user's hands.

FIG. 7 is a partial view of a power and steering control for one of the user's hands.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary motorized, steerable, electrically-operated personal watercraft 10, FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C has a hull 12 with a bow 14 and stern 16, top surface 18, and underside surface 20. The top is relatively flat from the stern up to a support and steering console 13. The top or deck is configured to allow a user (who is typically but not necessarily a child) to lie prone on the deck. The user's chest is located proximate (e.g., on or close to) console 13, with the hands engaged with the left and right power and steering controls, which are located at console regions 15 and 17, respectively. The deck can have a desired shape and configuration that provides a secure comfortable surface for the user to lie on. A non-limiting example of the deck configurations are shown in the drawings.

In an implementation, motive power is provided by a water jet. The jet comprises a pump and an outlet nozzle. The nozzle is configured to be moved left and right, to steer the craft left and right. Steering control can be accomplished in any desired manner, for example by either mechanical or hydraulic controls or by electrical controls. In a non-limiting implementation there is a system that prevents power from being applied to the pump (and so preventing motion) unless the user is in proper position on the craft. One non-limiting manner of accomplishing this is by the use of kill switches that must be engaged by both hands in order for the pump to turn on. There are also power and steering controls. These features are further illustrated and described.

Power and steering control system 30, FIG. 2, is for a craft with a water jet 32 that includes a pump 36 and a movable water outlet nozzle 34. Power is provided to pump 36 by rechargeable battery 38 (which may be located in a watertight hold below hatch 19, FIG. 1A). Right kill switch 40 and right steering control 44 are located such that they can both be operated by the right hand of the user; one location is console region 17, FIG. 1A. Left kill switch 42 and left steering control 46 are located such that they can both be operated by the left hand of the user; one location is console region 15, FIG. 1A. There are other ways to accomplish a kill switch, such as a switch that is closed when the user is lying on the deck, or another manner of detecting the presence of a person lying on the deck. There are myriad types of steering controls that can be used, as further explained below.

Power and steering control system 49, FIG. 3, is for a craft with an electrically steered (motorized) water jet nozzle 52. Power and steering control are provided by power source/controller module 50. Right kill switch 40 and right steering control 44 are located such that they can both be operated by the right hand of the user; one location is console region 17, FIG. 1A. Left kill switch 42 and left steering control 46 are located such that they can both be operated by the left hand of the user; one location is console region 15, FIG. 1A. Steering in this case is accomplished using a motor controller that is effective to cause the motorized nozzle to turn left or right, in response to use of the left and right steering controls.

An exemplary power and steering control 60 for the right hand is shown in FIG. 4. Hand 68 sits on console extension 62 that is configured such that the fingers can wrap over the bow-facing end and curl underneath, to contact and thus operate paddle-type steering control surface 66. Button (kill switch) 64 is pressed by the thumb. In order to operate the craft, both the left and right buttons must be pressed. Steering left and right is accomplished with the left and right steering controls.

In an implementation, power and steering are both provided through an electrically-powered water jet 32. Jet 32 is mounted (preferably at the stern) such that its outlet nozzle 34 can be moved left and right. FIG. 5 illustrates nozzle 34 mounted to pivot 35 such that it can be pulled or pushed left and right, in the direction of arrow 116. Nozzle 34 can be moved by a connection between the left and right steering controls and the nozzle, indicated schematically by control lines 112 and 114, or by another equivalent connection. Control lines 112 can be electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic, for example. Jet 32 is of a traditional construction for personal water craft such as jet skis and so is not further described in detail. Pump 36 of jet 32 is fed with water via water intake 66 (FIG. 1C).

Jet steering can be accomplished via left and right steering lines that run from left and right steering levers to the left and right sides of the jet, as shown in the drawings. The steering lines are connected to the steering levers so that when a lever is squeezed the line is pulled—much like the lever-operated brakes mounted to the handlebars of some bicycles. Depending on how the nozzle pivot is mechanically configured, the left steering line can connect to the left side or the right side of the jet. But in either case, the configuration works such that when the left side steering line is pulled, the jet pivots or turns in a way that pushes the watercraft to the left. The right side works the same way, but in reverse.

In the preferred embodiment the jet causes the craft to operate at a single relatively low speed. There can be multiple speeds however, with the speeds being preset or not. A single speed may be perhaps under five miles per hour, or eight miles per hour, for example. The top speed can be determined and set via the type and size of the jet and the like, as would be apparent to those skilled in the field. Thus, speed control is in one example effectively a jet on/off control. Alternatively, the jet can be of variable speed and the speed can be controlled in any known manner, as in the case of a jet ski.

In order to provide maximum safety, the craft preferably cannot be operated unless both the left and right throttle controls (kill switches) are operated simultaneously. In this non-limiting example these controls are buttons that operate electrical switches. Once the switches are closed (by pushing the two buttons in with the thumbs, for example), power is fed from a rechargeable battery to an electrical motor that pumps water through the jet. The battery can be located under a waterproof hatch at the bow, as shown in the drawings. The battery and motor can both be 24 volt DC devices. Other voltages could be used. Steering is then accomplished via the steering levers.

One location of the throttle buttons is shown in FIGS. 1A and 4, where the buttons are at the end of support structures that fit comfortably into the hand, as shown. The support structures can be generally cylindrical, like bicycle handlebar hand grips. In an alternative construction of the steering system the buttons are located at the inner ends (i.e., the ends closest to the craft midline) of overhang structures 62 (FIG. 4) that are at the left and right sides of the console. The overhang structure can be thin enough that the hand can sit on and the fingers can go underneath it as shown, such that the structures can act as hand grips to help the user stay in place on the craft.

The throttle controls can in some examples also accomplish steering: hold the right button in to go right, the left button in to go left, and both buttons in to go straight. The buttons can control a jet steering system in order to accomplish this control. For example, the right button can cause the jet to turn such that the craft turns to the right, and vice-versa for the left button. With such button steering control, however, the buttons likely could not also act as kill switches.

The connections between the user-manipulable steering control devices (e.g., levers or paddles or buttons) and the jet pivot can be mechanical or hydraulic, or can be electrical, with a motor used to move the jet where the motor controller is responsive to the throttle/steering control buttons. When a mechanical connection such as control cables is used, levers or other mechanisms with greater range of motion than buttons are preferably used buttons. Other acceleration and/or steering control systems are contemplated and are within the scope of the present disclosure.

An exemplary lever steering control device 80 is shown in FIG. 6, Lever 84 can pivot relative to support 82, and so move in the direction of arrow 85. This pulls cable 86, which is coupled to lever 84 and the jet nozzle in a way that turns the nozzle left or right, as described above. Another exemplary lever steering control device 90 is shown in FIG. 7, Paddle 94 can pivot relative to support 92, and so move in the direction of arrow 95. This pulls cable 99, which is coupled to paddle 94 and the jet nozzle in a way that turns the nozzle left or right, as described above. Exemplary button 98 carried by support structure portion 96 is the kill switch.

In another steering option a gyroscope or another watercraft level sensing device or system is located and configured such that it can detect when the user leans to the left or right, and the jet steering system has a controller that moves the jet to the left and right and so reacts to the sensed tilt. This allows the device to be steered passively by the user leaning to one side or the other.

More generally, in certain implementations there are both power controls (e.g., water jet on/off switches) and steering controls for each hand. In implementations with a thumb-activated switch and a finger-activated paddle, the thumb switches could be the on/off switches (which could be but need not be “kill”-style switches where the jet will turn on only when both switches are pushed simultaneously) and the paddles could be the steering controls. Or, the thumb switches could be the steering controls and the paddles could be the jet on/off or kill switches. An advantage of this latter control scheme is that the user would need to grip the craft with both the right and left hands in order to push in the paddle-style jet on/off or kill switches, and this would help the person's stability and balance on the craft, which may increase the user's comfort and safety.

There are numerous possibilities of hulls shapes and sizes and configurations that support one person in a prone position other than those shown, all of which are within the scope of this disclosure.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that additional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts described herein, and, accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the claims to be made in the non-provisional application.

Claims

1. A motorized, steerable, electrically-operated personal watercraft, comprising: a hull with a bow, stern, top deck surface, underside surface, and a support and steering console, wherein the deck is configured to allow a user to lie prone on the deck with the user's chest located on or proximate the console; andleft and right user-manipulable steering control devices located at the left and right of the console, respectively, wherein the steering control devices are configured to be manipulated by the left and right hands of the user;wherein motive power and steering are both provided through an electrically-powered water jet at the stern, wherein the water jet is mounted to a fixture that is configured such that an outlet nozzle of the jet can be turned left and right, in order to steer the craft to the left and right, wherein jet outlet nozzle steering is accomplished by manipulation of the left and right steering controls.

2. The motorized, steerable, electrically-operated personal watercraft of claim 1, wherein the left and right steering control devices comprise left and right steering lines that are coupled to the jet such that they can move the outlet nozzle.

3. The motorized, steerable, electrically-operated personal watercraft of claim 2, wherein the left and right steering control devices each further comprise a steering lever that is configured to be squeezed by the user.

4. The motorized, steerable, electrically-operated personal watercraft of claim 3, wherein the steering lines are connected to the steering levers so that when a lever is squeezed the connected line is pulled.

5. The motorized, steerable, electrically-operated personal watercraft of claim 4, wherein the left line is configured such that when the left lever is squeezed the water jet nozzle is turned so as to cause the watercraft to turn left.

6. The motorized, steerable, electrically-operated personal watercraft of claim 5, wherein the right line is configured such that when the right lever is squeezed the water jet nozzle is turned so as to cause the watercraft to turn right.

7. The motorized, steerable, electrically-operated personal watercraft of claim 1, wherein the water jet is configured to operate at a single speed.

8. The motorized, steerable, electrically-operated personal watercraft of claim 1, wherein the left and right steering control devices comprise mechanically-operated devices.

9. The motorized, steerable, electrically-operated personal watercraft of claim 8, further comprising lines that are coupled to the steering control devices and coupled to the outlet nozzle of the jet.

10. The motorized, steerable, electrically-operated personal watercraft of claim 1, wherein the left and right steering control devices comprise an electrically-operated device.

11. The motorized, steerable, electrically-operated personal watercraft of claim 10, wherein the electrically-operated device comprises a motor that is configured to move the outlet nozzle of the jet.

12. The motorized, steerable, electrically-operated personal watercraft of claim 11, wherein the electrically-operated device further comprises a motor controller that is configured to cause the motor to move the outlet nozzle of the jet.

13. The motorized, steerable, electrically-operated personal watercraft of claim 1, further comprising left and right power controls that are configured to control an application of electrical power to the jet.

14. The motorized, steerable, electrically-operated personal watercraft of claim 1, wherein the left and right steering control devices each comprise a paddle that is configured to be squeezed by the user.

15. The motorized, steerable, electrically-operated personal watercraft of claim 1, wherein the left and right steering control devices each comprise a button that is configured to be pressed by the user.

16. The motorized, steerable, electrically-operated personal watercraft of claim 1, further comprising a battery that is located in a waterproof compartment within the hull and is configured to supply power to operate the jet.

17. A motorized, steerable, electrically-operated personal watercraft, comprising: a hull with a bow, stern, top deck surface, underside surface, and a support and steering console located proximate the bow, wherein the deck is configured to allow a user to lie prone on the deck with the user's chest located on or proximate the console;left and right user-manipulable steering control devices located at the left and right of the console, respectively, wherein the steering control devices are configured to be manipulated by the left and right hands of the user;wherein motive power and steering are both provided through an electrically-powered water jet at the stern, wherein the water jet is mounted to a fixture that is configured such that an outlet nozzle of the jet can be turned left and right, in order to steer the craft to the left and right, wherein jet steering is accomplished by manipulation of the left and right steering control devices;left and right user-operable kill switches located at the left and right of the console, respectively, wherein the kill switches must be operated in order to provide electrical power to the water jet; andleft and right steering lines that are coupled to the steering control devices and coupled to the nozzle of the jet.

18. The motorized, steerable, electrically-operated personal watercraft of claim 18, wherein the left and right steering control devices each comprise a lever that is configured to be squeezed by the user, wherein the steering lines are connected to the steering levers so that when a lever is squeezed the connected line is pulled, and wherein the left line is configured such that when the left lever is squeezed the water jet nozzle is turned so as to cause the watercraft to turn left and the right line is configured such that when the right lever is squeezed the water jet nozzle is turned so as to cause the watercraft to turn right.

19. A motorized, steerable, electrically-operated personal watercraft, comprising: a hull with a bow, stern, top deck surface, underside surface, and a support and steering console located proximate the bow, wherein the deck is configured to allow a user to lie prone on the deck with the user's chest located on or proximate the console;left and right user-manipulable steering control devices located at the left and right of the console, respectively, wherein the steering control devices are configured to be manipulated by the left and right hands of the user;wherein motive power and steering are both provided through an electrically-powered water jet at the stern, wherein the water jet is mounted to a fixture that is configured such that an outlet nozzle of the jet can be turned left and right, in order to steer the craft to the left and right, wherein jet steering is accomplished by manipulation of the left and right steering control devices;left and right user-operable kill switches located at the left and right of the console, respectively, wherein the kill switches must be operated in order to provide electrical power to the water jet; andan electrically-operated motor that is configured to move the outlet nozzle of the jet and a motor controller that is responsive to the left and right steering control devices and is configured to cause the motor to move the outlet nozzle of the jet.

20. The motorized, steerable, electrically-operated personal watercraft of claim 19, further comprising a battery that is located in a waterproof compartment within the hull and is configured to supply power to operate the jet.