Patent Application
20150072576
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The present invention relates to the field of human powered watercraft.
Man has long desired to possess a simply structured watercraft which would allow him to use his weight and leg strength, as by a pedaling operation, to power the craft. Various devices have been proposed, but these have various inadequacies. Some turn a screw propeller which usually provides little water-moving surface, and this is inefficient using the limited power available to a single person. Some rotate a large wheel, but these are bulky. It has not heretofore been possible to provide a simple and easily transportable structure which would allow limited foot movement to provide an extended powered path through the water.
Individually propelled water crafts such as rowing boats, paddle boats, etc., are known. There are water crafts and vessels which include paddles operated by rotating pedals on crank arms similar to the operation of a bicycle.
Water cycles have heretofore been proposed of the type that are manually operated by a pedal driven propeller assembly. Some of these cycles utilize front propeller drives wherein the craft is pulled through the water with the operator facing forwardly. One such cycle is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,083,382 wherein a pedal operated front propeller drive assembly is supported on a pair of pontoons and an operator's seat is located rearwardly thereof for foot engagement of the pedal drive. Steering is accomplished by a rudder assembly and steering rod. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,459,116 and 4,648,846 also disclose a water craft structure that is pedal driven. These devices utilize propeller drive assemblies that pivot on a vertical axis to accomplish steering.
There has also been an attempt to make skis that one can use on the water. In the past this concept of utilizing floating skis has not been successful simply because it is difficult to keep the skis oriented and pointing in one direction and unless the water is very still, progression on the water does not occur. If the skis comprise floats then by moving them backwards and forwards there is no resultant force to move the skier in the desired direction.
Kayaks are traditionally propelled by the use of a paddle (or oar), which is manipulated by the hands and arms of a user. One disadvantage of using a paddle for propulsion is that the blade of the paddle is an inefficient means of providing thrust. Further, the user of the kayak has limited power available in the arms and hands relative to the legs, and therefore the user will tend to tire easily. Because of both the inefficient nature of the paddle and the limited power available through the arms and hands of the user, the traditional kayak has a limited boat speed, particularly when traveling for an extended distance. Another disadvantage with the use of a paddle is that the paddle requires the use of both hands for paddling, steering, and other manipulation. Thus, both hands of the user are occupied at all times that propulsion is provided to the kayak, and the user is unable to grasp and hold items while providing propulsion to the kayak. Therefore, the user is unable to move materials about in the cockpit, or to engage in non-kayak specific activities such as photography or fishing.
In alternative approaches, such as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,968,274 and 5,194,024, pedals and propellers have been attached to catamaran-type, pontoon watercraft, and even to surfboards. However, the catamaran-type designs are bulky, typically require disassembly and assembly for transport to and from a body of water, and are difficult to return to upright in the event the watercraft capsizes.
These watercraft also are typically capable of attaining only very limited speeds. Thus, there has gone unmet a need for a watercraft providing a stable platform, an ability to stand upright and superior speed and endurance. The present invention provides these and other related advantages.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a stand-up pedal board wherein propulsion is provided to the stand-up pedal board by applying alternating downward force to foot pedals to swing a fin side to side through transfer of energy from foot pedal shafts rotating around a T brace, swinging the bottom of the T brace, with the forward end of the fin rotating around a connector.
A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:
Before the invention is described in further detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims.
Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed with the invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges is also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the invention.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, a limited number of the exemplary methods and materials are described herein.
It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited. The publications discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, if dates of publication are provided, they may be different from the actual publication dates and may need to be confirmed independently.
The present invention provides a pedal-powered board wherein the propulsion of the board is provided by a fin. Because a fin is significantly less complex than a propeller system and is a significantly more efficient means of providing propulsion than a paddle blade, and because the legs of a user are stronger than the arms of a user, the propulsion system provides a significantly improved, more efficient means of moving a kayak through the water than a tradition paddle. In accordance with this feature of the invention, a user of the stand-up pedal board tires less easily and is able to reach a desired destination more quickly. Further, the provision of a pedal propulsion system frees the hands of a user for activities other than providing propulsion even though the board is underway.
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It should be further understood that the examples and embodiments pertaining to the systems and methods disclosed herein are not meant to limit the possible implementations of the present technology. Further, although the subject matter has been described in a language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.
Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.
Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.
