Marine propulsion – Operator powered drive for propelling means
Patent
1980-12-09
1982-10-12
Blix, Trygve M.
Marine propulsion
Operator powered drive for propelling means
440 94, B63H 1612
Patent
active
043537030
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
This invention relates generally to nautical propulsion devices for small crafts, and more particularly to pedal-operated propulsion devices making it possible to propel a craft while lying down or being seated thereon by a paddling action produced by pedal rotation of a crankshaft.
Paddle propulsion devices are already known, as evidenced by the French Pat. No. 935,110 (Stringa) and the French Pat. No. 2,389,531 (d'Elloy). The Stringa patent employs a complex mechanism of chains and pinions in order to impart a circular vertical translation movement to the paddles. A movement of this type is not conductive to efficient propulsion. The d'Elloy patent brings about a considerable improvement in the efficiency of propulsion and simplifies the mechanism therefor.
However, the mechanisms disclosed in these prior patents both have the disadvantage of requiring that the paddles be rather close to the frame which supports the mechanism. The use of these mechanisms is therefore limited, for all practical purposes, to crafts provided with floats. These prior art mechanisms are therefore not adapted to operate with other small craft available on the market, such as those of the pneumatic type.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, the main object of this invention is to provide a simple and practical nautical propulsion device for small craft which operates efficiently and reliably.
More particularly, an object of the invention is to provide devices of the above type in which the mechanism for actuating the paddles is mounted on a frame and which makes it possible to arrange the paddles at a distance therefrom sufficient to render the devices usable with practically all types of small craft available on the market, including the pneumatic type.
Briefly stated, these objects are attained in a paddle-operated propulsion device in accordance with the invention which may be fastened to the front or rear of a small boat such as a pneumatic raft on which one can lie down in order to paddle.
This propulsion device essentially comprises a frame provided with means for attachment to the craft. This frame, for example, may be a tubular rectangular frame to which there are connected fixed supports for a pedal crank system, and bent bars articulated either at one end to the pedal crank system and bearing at the other end propulsion paddles as well as connecting rods connected at one of their ends to each of the two paddle-holder bars and at their other common end to a point of the pedal crank system support, or to the top of the pedal crank system support frame and to the base of the connecting rods articulated in the vicinity of the axis of the pedal.
In accordance with one characteristic of the invention, the length of these connecting rods is such that together with the bent bars bearing the paddles they form a deformable quadrilateral in such a manner that when each pedal describes a circle, the bend of each paddle-holding rod and the corresponding paddle describe a vertical curve of elliptical form. In this way the rotation of the pedal crank system causes a continuous, uniform movement of the propulsion paddles.
OUTLINE OF DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the invention as well as other objects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following detailed description to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a view in perspective view of the first embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a geometrical diagram showing the movement of the paddles;
FIG. 3 is a view similar to the preceding view of the second embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a view in perspective of a third embodiment of the means of fastening the propulsion device; and
FIG. 5 shows a detail in elevation of the device of the preceding figure.
DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
As shown in the drawings, the propulsion device, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises a rectangular tubular frame 1 provided with fastening plates 2 and 3 or other means for attachment to a craft (not shown). On each side of this frame ther
REFERENCES:
patent: 515682 (1894-02-01), Hoeft
patent: 2940415 (1960-06-01), Schwarzer
patent: 3614939 (1971-10-01), Dib
Avila Stephen P.
Blix Trygve M.
Ebert Michael
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