Marine propulsion – Oar or paddle
Patent
1987-02-03
1988-10-11
Basinger, Sherman D.
Marine propulsion
Oar or paddle
440 13, B63H 1604
Patent
active
047768215
ABSTRACT:
The present invention improves the efficiency of high performance rowing in shells. The oarsman faces forwards and uses "L" shaped oars with hydrofoil blades. The conventional handle loom section ends at the "L" at the outboard end of the usual outrigger. The "L" is supported by a special oarlock pivoted in the usual manner outboard by the outrigger. The blade loom section of the oar trails the oarlock and carries at its aft end a downwards projecting hydrofoil blade which is angled diverging forwards relative to the opposite blade. A teter pivot, horizontal in the oarlock, is angled to generally bisect the right angle of the "L" and supports of offset center of gravity of the "L" shaped oar. This pivot provides for raising and lowering the blade to the water by the handle in the conventional manner. The action of the hydrofoil blades in the water is to swing laterally outwards during the power stroke and to be raised from the water on the return stroke. Small pontoon floats having bottoms shaped for hydrodynamic planing, mounted to the outriggers below the oarlocks stabilize the narrow hull, since the span of the oars is too narrow and the hydrofoil blade cannot plane on the water, the oars cannot stabilize the boat as in conventional shells. The narrow span of the oars reduces the aerodynamic drag of headwinds, the forwards facing of the oarsman replacing the backwards facing of conventional shells simplifies guiding the boat, and the hydrofoil action is more efficient than paddle action of conventional oar blades. These advantages more than offset the hydrodynamic drag of the small planing pontoons.
REFERENCES:
patent: 655234 (1900-08-01), Howe et al.
"Calhoun Bow Facing Oars", Brochure-undated Calhoun Boat Works, Tiptonville, Tennessee.
"Forwards-Facing Oar Solves Boating Problem", Article (3/3/85), R. R. Rimmey, 103 Race St., Millheim, Penn.
Basinger Sherman D.
Doherty John R.
Swinehart Edwin L.
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