Marine propulsion – Towing – Ground wheel or poler
Utility Patent
1999-01-08
2001-01-02
Morano, S. Joseph (Department: 3617)
Marine propulsion
Towing
Ground wheel or poler
C114S22100A
Utility Patent
active
06168480
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to boating accessories, and more specifically relates to push poles used to manually propel boats.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Owners of small, shallow hulled boats often use their boats for traveling through shallow waterways. When afloat, a boat owner may wish to move his boat without causing a significant disturbance around the boat which could disturb marine life in the immediate area surrounding the boat. A push pole is preferred because propelling boats with oars or propellers would cause too much of a disturbance. When poling a boat through shallow waters, the soft mud on the floor can yield and the push pole can become lodged within the floor. If the push pole sinks deep enough within the mud a boat operator may not be able dislodge the push pole from the waterway floor. The key to effective poling is having a push pole with a foot capable of releasing from the floor of a body of water. Depending upon the softness of the mud and the design of a pole's foot, poling a boat without an adequate pole is difficult.
Generally, a push pole includes an elongated straight pole and a foot mounted on one end of the pole. The foot may include two prongs disposed in an inverted V-shape, or a generally planar triangular member. Though effective, many of the prior art push poles are expensive. Towards this end, boat owners who desire to use push poles would benefit from a less expensive, but durable push pole which floats if dropped in the water and, is capable of effectively releasing from the muddy floor of a body of water.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive yet durable push pole capable of propelling a boat and then being easily released by the boat's occupant from the muddy floor of a body of water. The push pole generally includes an elongated straight pole member having a first end toward which a user may grasp the push pole and a second end distal the first end. A foot is mounted to the second end of the elongated pole member. The foot consists of two prongs where a first prong extends coaxially in relation to the elongated pole member. A second prong is mounted to the second end of the elongated pole member and has a generally arcuate shape. Each of the first and second prongs has a spade-like terminus for insertion in the floor of a waterway. The first prong has a spiraled configuration between the spade-like terminus and the elongated pole member for an efficient release from the floor of the waterway.
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Holland & Knight LLP
Morano S. Joseph
Sanks Terry M.
Wolter Robert L.
Wright Andrew D.
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