Marine propulsion – Operator powered drive for propelling means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-13
2001-04-03
Morano, S. Joseph (Department: 3617)
Marine propulsion
Operator powered drive for propelling means
C440S012620, C440S026000, C440S027000, C440S029000, C440S030000, C114S062000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06210242
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to watercraft, and more particularly to occupant-powered watercraft.
2. Description of the Related Art
The popularity of pedal-type watercraft has increased in recent years, due at least in part to individuals who are both health-conscious and concerned for their personal safety on the roadways. Bicycling, although quite popular, is high on the list of most dangerous activities. With increased congestion on roadways and its accompanying hazards, many cyclists have turned to the waterways where the workout of a bike ride is combined with wide open spaces and its accompanying scenery. Moreover, recent laws banning motorized personal watercraft due to environmental concerns have also contributed to the increasing popularity of pedal-powered watercraft.
One type of pedal-powered watercraft is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,381 issued to Willems on Jan. 3, 1989. The watercraft in this patent includes a floating body upon which a pedal assembly and recumbent seat are mounted. The seat can be adjusted toward or away from the pedal assembly to accommodate different sizes of users. An endless drive chain, reduction gearing, and a drive shaft connect the pedal assembly to a propeller. In one embodiment of this patent, the propeller and drive shaft extend downwardly and rearwardly from the floating body. A tandem seating arrangement is also shown.
Another type of pedal-powered watercraft is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,551 issued to Beres on Oct. 24, 1995. In this patent, the pedal-powered watercraft is shaped as a kayak with an integrally molded seat. A pedal assembly is connected to a propeller through a transmission and drive shaft arrangement. A front storage compartment as well as a rear storage compartment are provided.
Pedal-powered watercraft similar to the above types have hulls that are inherently unstable in the water. Great skill is required to keep the vessel from capsizing, especially during mounting, dismounting, pedaling, and turning operations. Many potential users, especially those that pursue recreation only occasionally or those that lack confidence in the water, may thus be apprehensive about using such watercraft.
Prior art pedal-powered watercraft also suffer in their inefficiency to translate rotational motion of the pedals into watercraft speed. Many users find that their legs become tired before completing the time interval needed for an ideal cardiovascular workout, while the distance traveled is somewhat less than exhilarating. Increasing the rotational speed of the pedals often does little toward increasing the speed of watercraft movement. As an example, typical pedal-powered watercraft having a pair of side-by-side pedal assemblies only travels approximately 1-2 mph in the water, despite increased rotational speed of the pedals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a pedal-powered watercraft that overcomes the problems associated with the prior art.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a pedal-powered watercraft that is relatively stable in the water.
It is an even further object of the invention to provide a pedal-powered watercraft that has improved efficiency of occupant effort to watercraft velocity.
According to the invention, an occupant-powered watercraft comprises a unitary hull having an upper wall extending from a bow portion to a stern portion of the watercraft with a pair of spaced hollow sponsons located on either side of the upper wall. Each sponson extends along the length of the hull and has an inner wall connected to an outer wall by a bottom wall and front and rear walls to thereby form a hollow interior. The inner walls of the sponsons are integrally joined to opposite sides of the upper wall. The upper wall together with the inner walls of the sponsons form a tunnel that opens generally downwardly and extends from the bow portion to the stern portion of the watercraft. A deck is connected to the hull and includes elongate opening that defines a cockpit area for receiving an occupant. A seat is located in the cockpit area and a pedal assembly is connected to the hull forwardly of the seat. The pedal assembly includes a pair of rotatable pedals. A propeller is operably connected to the pair of pedals for rotation of the propeller in response to rotation of the pedals. With this arrangement, forward movement of the watercraft from rotation of the propeller causes water to enter into the tunnel at the bow portion and exit the tunnel at the stern portion.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and appended claims, and upon reference to the accompanying drawings.
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Howard Harry
Howard Tara Ann
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld L.L.P.
Morano S. Joseph
Vasudeva Ajay
Wirthlin Alvin R.
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