U.S. patent application number 11/062102 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-10 for water-borne craft.
Invention is credited to Caplan, Paul, Levison, Barrie.
Application Number | 20050247248 11/062102 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32482753 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050247248 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Caplan, Paul ; et
al. |
November 10, 2005 |
Water-borne craft
Abstract
The present invention provides a water-borne craft comprising a
flotation board for personal use (e.g. one or two man use) wherein
the board has towards its leading edge/nose a portal formed in the
board through which a user lying prone on the board may view
underwater, the board being further provided with paddle means for
propulsion of the board by a user while lying face down/prone on
the board.
Inventors: |
Caplan, Paul; (Exmouth,
GB) ; Levison, Barrie; (St. Albans, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Bradley N. Ruben, PC
Suite 5A
463 First St.
Hoboken
NJ
07030-1859
US
|
Family ID: |
32482753 |
Appl. No.: |
11/062102 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
114/66 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B 32/50 20200201;
B63B 32/53 20200201 |
Class at
Publication: |
114/066 |
International
Class: |
B63B 001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 6, 2004 |
GB |
0410077.2 |
Claims
1. A water-borne craft comprising a flotation board for personal
use wherein the board has towards its leading edge/nose a portal
formed in the board through which a user lying prone on the board
may view underwater, the board being further provided with paddle
means for propulsion of the board by a user while lying face
down/prone on the board.
2. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the paddle
means are hand-operated.
3. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the paddle
means comprise one or more paddles and the or each paddle is
mounted to the board via a respective shaft extending substantially
longitudinally of the board and whereby the paddle may slide along
the shaft forwardly or rearwardly of the board.
4. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 3, wherein the or each
paddle is arranged to pivotally collapse toward the underside of
the board as the paddle is moved forwardly in the water.
5. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 3, wherein the or each
paddle is formed with a scoop-like shape, having at least side
walls projecting from opposing side edges of a main planar portion
of the paddle.
6. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 3, wherein the or each
paddle has a handle extension extending toward the user from the
plane of the board upwardly from the sliding mount that mounts the
paddle to the shaft.
7. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the board is
further provided with a foot rest means at its rear end/tail
whereby a user may lie on the board with their feet against the
foot rest to stabilise themselves when using the hand-operated
propulsion means.
8. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 7, wherein the foot rest
is adjustably mounted to the board whereby it may be adjusted to
suit different heights of user of the board.
9. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
hand-operated propulsion means has two independently operable
paddle means, one toward its left-hand side and one towards its
right-hand side.
10. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the board is
provided with one or more cushioning pad means on its upper surface
on which the user may lie for the user's comfort and to raise the
user slightly from the level of the board to better operate the
paddle means and suitably also facilitating viewing through the
viewing port.
11. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the board
has substantially no fin on its underside/hull.
12. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the board is
assembled of two or more major longitudinal sections that are
coupled together in use.
13. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 12, wherein the
releasable coupling of the longitudinal sections of the board
comprises a pin-in-slot coupling.
14. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the board
is adapted to be coupled to one or more lateral board sections or
boards.
15. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 12, wherein the
coupling together of two or more major longitudinal sections of the
board comprises a hinge.
16. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 15, wherein the hinge
is formed in protrusions from the underside of the board and where
a fore end of an aft section overlaps an aft end of a fore section
of the board.
17. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 16, wherein the fore
end of the aft section and aft end of the fore section are
releasably bolted together in use.
18. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 2, wherein the hand
operated paddle means or propulsion means comprises at least one
hand operated rotary propeller.
19. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the paddle
means comprise at least one rotary propeller.
20. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 19, wherein the at
least one rotary propeller comprises at least one vane spanning an
annulus whereby the propeller may serve also as a wheel by means of
which the board may be wheeled over the ground.
21. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the viewing
port in the board has upper and lower transparent viewing panels
wherein the upper viewing panel is mounted via a hinge mounting
whereby it may be tilted open by a user of the board.
22. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the viewing
port or a viewing panel of the viewing port is demountable for
replacement or maintenance.
23. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the board
has drainage flutes/channels around the viewing port at an upper
end of a turret of the viewing port and which drainage
flutes/channels are inclined to drain water away from the viewing
port.
24. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the board is
provided with a plurality of alternative footrest positions
comprising multiple prominences located proximate the aft of the
board.
25. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the footrest
prominences are formed in one or more wells/recesses in the
board.
26. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 25, wherein drainage
channels are formed in the wells to drain water entering the wells
to drainage holes that pass through the board for discharge of
water.
27. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 19, wherein the
propeller is mounted on a shaft of a crank handle and is
demountable from the shaft of the crank handle.
28. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 27, wherein the
propeller is mounted to the shaft of the crank handle by a snap-fit
arrangement having resilient retention means whereby manipulating
the resilient retention means may release the propeller from the
shaft of the crank handle.
29. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the board
has sockets or other engagement means thereon that co-operatively
engage in use with legs of a canopy.
30. A water-borne craft as claimed in claim 29, further in
combination with a canopy.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention concerns water-borne craft and in
particular concerns personal craft of the floating board type such
as surf/body boards or which are otherwise known as water-sports
boards.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] When holidaying at sheltered beach resorts around calm,
clear-watered areas, leisurely water based pursuits such as
snorkelling are particularly popular pastimes. By contrast, in more
turbulent coastal areas with strong winds and waves, water-sports
such as wind-surfing, kite-surfing, surf boarding or body/boogie
boarding are, appropriately, more popular.
[0003] Surf boarding and body boarding are active sports that
exploit hydrodynamic features of specially streamlined full body
length, finned or shortened, finless flotation boards,
respectively, to enable a user to ride incoming waves. In the more
basic form of the body/boogie board, the finless shortened-length
flotation board initially supports the upper body of a swimmer
whose legs are submerged to propel the board through the water
until a good surfing zone is reached at which point the user can
haul themselves more fully onto the board's deck, suitably lifting
their feet from the water to then ride the surf. Given that these
sports require a level of fitness and skill they are not ideally
suited to all, but their appeal is widespread.
[0004] The present invention seeks to provide an innovative design
of flotation board that is suitable for use by a wide range of
different individuals irrespective of physique and skill, which may
be used primarily for exercise and fun and which is not simply for
use by sports enthusiasts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a water-borne craft comprising a flotation board for
personal use (e.g. one or two man use) wherein the board has
towards its leading edge/nose a portal formed in the board through
which a user lying prone on the board may view underwater, the
board being further provided with paddle means for propulsion of
the board by a user while lying face down/prone on the board.
[0006] Particularly preferably the paddle means are
hand-operated.
[0007] In a first embodiment the paddle means comprise one or more
paddles and the or each paddle is mounted to the board via a
respective shaft extending substantially longitudinally of the
board and whereby the paddle may slide along the shaft forwardly or
rearwardly of the board. Suitably the or each paddle is arranged to
pivotally collapse toward the underside of the board as the paddle
is moved forwardly in the water. Preferably the or each paddle is
formed with a scoop-like shape, having at least side walls
projecting from opposing side edges of a main planar portion of the
paddle. Suitably the or each paddle has a handle extension
extending upwardly from the point of sliding mounting of the paddle
to the shaft toward the user from the plane of the board.
[0008] The board suitably is further provided with a foot rest
means at its rear end/tail whereby a user may lie on the board with
their feet against the foot rest to stabilise themselves when using
the hand-operated propulsion means. The foot rest is suitably
adjustably mounted to the board whereby it may be adjusted to suit
different heights of user of the board.
[0009] Suitably the hand-operated propulsion means has two
independently operable paddle means, one toward its left-hand side
and one towards its right-hand side. The user may thereby
alternately operate the right and left-hand paddle means or even
operate them simultaneously and can use differences in operation of
the right and left-hand paddle means to serve as a means of
steering the board.
[0010] In further preferred refinements of the board, it is
provided with one or more cushioning pad means on its upper surface
on which the user may lie for the user's comfort and to raise the
user slightly from the level of the board to better operate the
paddle means and also facilitating viewing through the viewing
port. Where cushioning means are provided this suitably comprises a
plurality of pads or pad regions spaced apart lengthwise of the
board.
[0011] Since the board is designed for relatively low speed use and
is broad it is relatively stable, thus to facilitate hand-powered
manoeuvring it suitably has substantially no fin on its
underside/hull.
[0012] Particularly preferably the board is assembled of one or
more major longitudinal sections that are coupled together in use.
Decoupling of the longitudinal sections enables the board to be
stowed in a much more compact state for storage or travel. For
example, by forming the board in two sections of substantially
equal length, a fore portion and an aft portion, these may be
stacked one on top of another to occupy a space half the length of
the assembled board. The releasable coupling of the longitudinal
sections of the board may comprise a pin-in-slot coupling.
[0013] In a further refinement, the board may be coupled to one or
more lateral board sections to provide a side stabilisation effect
in the manner of a catamaran or similar. Lateral releasable
coupling of board sections may also be used as a means for
providing tandem configurations of board for two or more users to
work together. Thus, for example, paired coupled boards may be used
for training purposes or for two or more people to share propulsion
of the assembled boards. Laterally coupled sections/boards may be
releasably coupled in a pin-in-slot manner as per the longitudinal
section couplings.
[0014] Particularly preferably the coupling together of two or more
major longitudinal sections involves complementary shaped portions
on each section and particularly preferably the coupling comprises
a hinge. Suitably the hinge is formed in one or more protrusions
from the underside of the board, suitably where a fore end of an
aft section overlaps an aft end of a fore section of the board.
Furthermore, the fore end of the aft section and aft end of the
fore section are suitably releasably bolted together in use.
[0015] Preferably the hand operated paddle means or propulsion
means comprises at least one hand operated rotary propeller.
Preferably the rotary propeller comprises at least one vane
spanning an annulus whereby the propeller may serve also as a wheel
by means of which the board may be wheeled over the ground.
[0016] Preferably the viewing port in the board has upper and lower
transparent viewing panels, suitably formed as a viewing turret,
wherein the upper viewing panel is mounted via a hinge mounting
whereby it may be tilted open by a user of the board to mop the
underside of the panel clean of condensation etc and/or to
facilitate tipping of water out from within the port. Preferably
the viewing port or a panel of the viewing port is demountable for
replacement or maintenance.
[0017] Suitably the board has drainage flutes/channels around the
viewing port at an upper end of a turret of the viewing port and
which drainage flutes/channels are inclined to drain water away
from the viewing port.
[0018] Preferably the board is provided with a plurality of
alternative footrest positions comprising multiple prominences
located proximate the aft of the board. Suitably the footrest
prominences are formed in one or more wells/recesses in the board.
Drainage channels may be formed in the wells to drain water
entering the wells to drainage holes that pass through the board
for discharge of water.
[0019] Preferably the hand operated paddle means or propulsion
means comprises at least one hand operated rotary propeller.
[0020] Suitably the rotary propeller comprises at least one vane
spanning an annulus whereby the propeller may serve also as a wheel
by means of which the board may be wheeled over the ground.
[0021] Suitably the board has drainage flutes/channels around the
viewing port at an upper end of a turret of the viewing port and
which drainage flutes/channels are inclined to drain water away
from the viewing port.
[0022] Preferably the board is provided with a plurality of
alternative footrest positions comprising multiple prominences
located proximate the aft of the board and suitably the footrest
prominences are formed in one or more wells/recesses in the board.
Preferably drainage channels are formed in the wells to drain water
entering the wells to drainage holes that pass through the board
for discharge of water.
[0023] Suitably the propeller is mounted on a shaft of a crank
handle and is demountable from the shaft of the crank handle,
preferably by a snap-fit arrangement having resilient retention
means whereby manipulating the resilient retention means may
release the propeller from the shaft of the crank handle.
[0024] Preferably the board has sockets or other engagement means
thereon that co-operatively engage in use with legs of a canopy to
protect the board user from over-exposure to the sun
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be
more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to
the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above of a first preferred
embodiment of water craft;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the water craft showing
one paddle at its forward-most position of stroke and fully
extended while the other paddle is at its rear-most position of
stroke and collapsed against the underside to begin a forward
stroke;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the water craft;
[0029] FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 but of the
fore and aft longitudinal sections of the water craft disassembled
from each other for storage or transport;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a detail view of the nose/fore end of the craft
from above, showing the pivotal sliding mount of the paddles to the
board;
[0031] FIG. 6 is a plan view from above of a second preferred
embodiment of the water craft having rotary paddles and with a
hinge mechanism for collapsing together a front and rear sections
of the craft for storage or transport;
[0032] FIG. 7 is plan view of the underside of the second preferred
embodiment of water craft;
[0033] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the FIG. 6 craft;
[0034] FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of the FIG. 6 craft;
[0035] FIG. 10 is a rear elevation view of the FIG. 6 craft;
[0036] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the FIG. 6 craft folded to
its stowed state;
[0037] FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the folded stowed FIG. 6
craft;
[0038] FIG. 13 is a perspective view from above of a third
preferred embodiment of the water craft;
[0039] FIG. 14 is a plan view of a drive shaft and crank handle
assembly of the FIG. 13 craft;
[0040] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the FIG. 13 craft from the
underside;
[0041] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the craft from above
illustrating the canopy installed;
[0042] FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of the craft with canopy
installed; and
[0043] FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the craft showing a modified
cushion located on the craft.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0044] Referring to the figures, the illustrated water craft is a
full body length flotation board 1, akin to a surf board but having
a relatively very broad fore end/nose 2 and having an overall deck
3a shape in plan that is broader than a surf board (and broader
even than a body board) and which is broadest close to the nose 2,
unlike a body board. At the tail end 4 of the board 1 is a footrest
5 for the user to press their feet against while lying stretched
out in a face-down/prone position on the board 1.
[0045] The craft is not hydro-dynamically optimised for surfing in
the manner of a surf board or a body board. It is broadened to be
adapted for manual mechanised propulsion at the fore end 2 and to
enable the user to view the underwater environment and manoeuvre
themselves conveniently while doing so. The board is designed for
relatively low speed use and being broad it is relatively stable,
thus to facilitate hand-powered manoeuvring it has no fin on its
underside/hull 3b, unlike a surf board.
[0046] The fore end/nose 2 edge of the craft is suitably of the
order of at least 60 cm in width for use by smaller individuals or
maybe a metre or more in width for larger individuals. The nose 2
edge itself is relatively gently curved forwardly and not sharply
tapered unlike a surf board. The width of the fore end/nose 2 of
the board 1 is broad enough to accommodate a central viewing portal
10 formed extending through the board 1 and further to incorporate
sliding paddles 20 that are hand operable to propel the board 1
through the water.
[0047] The viewing portal 20 is formed by a rectangular aperture
extending downwardly right through the board 1 and which is glazed
at its bottom with a pane or laminated panel 11 of glass, acrylic,
polycarbonate or other suitable transparent and robust glazing
material. The pane 11 is deeply recessed into the board 1 and thus
the sides of the aperture 1 provide a simple viewing cowl effect to
cut down on glare from overhead sun and from the surrounding sea
surface. A further extended or separate cowl/hood arrangement may
also be added to the board 1 if desired, for more details on which
see the embodiments of FIGS. 6 to 12 and 13 to 18.
[0048] As shown, the propulsion mechanism comprises a pair of
paddles 20, 20' that are provided, one on each side of the port 10
and to be operated by the left and right hand of the user,
respectively. Each paddle 20, 20' is formed as a scoop, having a
substantially planar, rectangular panel with opposing upstanding
lateral walls 20a, optionally with an upturned terminal lip, to
enhance the propulsion force applied by the paddles 20.
[0049] The paddles 20, 20' are each hingedly mounted to the board 1
by a longitudinally sliding hinge mount 21, 21'. The hinge mounts
21, 21' each incorporate a collar 22,22' that slides along a
respective shaft 23, 23' extending longitudinally of the board and
built into the board 1. The shafts 23, 23' are substantially
parallel to each other and accommodated in respective elongate
rectangular apertures 23,23' that extend right through the board 1.
Handles 25, 25' are provided extending upwardly from the apertures
23,23', being fitted to the top of each respective mounting collar
22,22'.
[0050] The simple propulsion mechanism is relatively easy to
operate and is relatively versatile in use. A user lying prone,
i.e. face down, on the board is supported by cushioned padded areas
26a,b,c of the board and rests/presses their feet against the
position-adjustable foot rest 5 at the tail end 4 of the board 1.
The foot rest 5 is position-adjustable by virtue of a peg-in-socket
locking mechanism to enable the foot rest 5 to be advanced
forwardly or moved rearwardly to accommodate different heights of
individual user.
[0051] With the user in place, they are in a position to easily
view through the viewing port and to easily reach the handles
25,25' of the propulsion mechanism that extend upwardly from the
mounting collars 22, 22'. By gripping each handle 25, 25' and
moving the respective handle/paddle 20,20' forwardly, the paddle is
collapsed by the water pressure toward the underside 3b of the
board 1 and thus presenting a relatively low surface area for
minimising drag as it is moved forwardly to its forwardmost
position. The user then pulls back on the handle 25,25', moving the
collar and paddle 20,20' rearwardly along the respective shaft
23,23' and in the process the paddle on its hinge is dragged by
water pressure to its fully extended position that is substantially
orthogonal to the board 1 and which thereby optimises the
propulsive force applied. When each paddle again reaches it
rearmost position of movement along the shaft the user repeats the
operation cycle, moving handle and paddle forwardly and with it
collapsing against the underside of the board 1 in the process.
[0052] By having independent respective paddles 20,20' on each side
of the board 1, the user has the freedom to operate one separately
of the other and thereby steer the craft to move left or right or
pursue a substantially circular motion. The paddles may be used
alternately or simultaneously if desired. Accordingly, the
propulsion and manoeuvring of the craft is straightforward.
Although the means of propulsion would be tiresome to operate for a
protracted period of time were travel the only purpose of the
craft, since the craft's primary role is as a means of viewing the
underwater world, this is in practice not a problem and the
combination of features of the craft of the present invention is
optimal for its purpose.
[0053] The board 1 may be formed of fibreglass or other lightweight
composites, using the same or similar materials as those used in
surf board or body board construction. However, not only is the
shape and configuration of the board radically different from a
conventional surfboard, it is also adapted to be modular in
construction having fore and aft longitudinal sections/modules 1a,
1b that are releasably coupled together to enable the board to be
stowed in a much more compact state for storage or travel. As can
be seen in FIG. 4, a pair of rectangular section rods/pins 6
projecting from the rear end edge of the fore section 1a are
configured to securely locate into corresponding sockets 7 in the
fore end edge of the aft section 1b. The arrangement suitably has a
push fit/friction fit action whereby the sections will not come
apart in use.
[0054] In a corresponding development for use of two or more boards
in tandem/as a catamaran arrangement, although not illustrated, a
similar releasable coupling means may be provided on the
sides/rails 27 of the board 1. With further regard to the
sides/rails 27 of the board 1, it will be further noted from the
drawings that these are each provided with a raised rim 27a to give
even greater strength to the construction of the board 1 and the
resulting greater height of the rail 27 will further facilitate
side-by-side joining of boards 1.
[0055] Referring now to FIGS. 6 to 12, these show a second
preferred embodiment of the water craft and of which the flotation
board 1' is formed as a plastics moulding that is suitably formed
of EPP by a rotational moulding process. It comprises a fore
section 1a' and aft section 1b' similarly arranged to the first
preferred embodiment but both specially shaped to be coupled
together and being hinged together by a hinge 30 at the junction
between the fore and aft sections 1a' and 1b'. Use of two
longitudinal sections shaped to couple together in construction of
the board affords substantial economy and much greater flexibility
in moulding of the board.
[0056] The co-operating elements of the hinge 30 are suitably
integrally moulded from the respective fore and aft sections 1a',
1b'. The pivoting axis of the hinge 30 is configured on the
underside of the board 1' in inter-digitating downwardly protruding
extensions 31a, 31b of the board 1'.
[0057] The sections 1a', 1b' may thus be folded together so that
their underside surfaces are brought into closely adjacent
substantially plane parallel relationship to each other providing a
compact stowed state and in which the underside of the board is
protected. The underside of the board 1' further has integrally
moulded fore and aft small fin-shaped feet protrusions 33 on which
the craft may be rested on the ground giving ground clearance.
[0058] When in its operative state as illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 9,
the board 1' is locked in that state by overlapping of a fore edge
34 of the aft section 1b' with an aft edge 35 of the fore section
1a' and where those two edges 34, 35 are secured in their
overlapping arrangement by a securing bolt means--here a moulded
plastics bolt 37a having an external thread, which extends down
through corresponding threaded apertures 36, 37 in the respective
edges 34, 35.
[0059] Again, for ease of handling of the device for transport and
storage, it is suitably provided with a handle at one or both ends
and is illustrated in FIG. 6 as having a handle cut-out region 38a
at the aft end of the aft section 1b'. Further handle cut-outs 38b
are provided on the fore end of the aft section 1b' and which is on
its upper surface extended forwardly to provide the overlap with
the aft end of the fore section 1a'. By means of these handle
cut-outs 38 in the fore edge 34 of the rear section 1b' of the
board 1', the user may more readily handle and carry the board 1'
in its folded state. A hole 38c is provided at the nose end of the
board's fore section 1a' for tethering the board with a rope or the
like and a cup-holder recess 73 is also provided in the fore
section 1a'.
[0060] In further substantial distinction over the first preferred
embodiment, the second preferred embodiment is provided with a pair
of rotary hand driven propellers 40 on the fore section 1a', either
side of the viewing port 10'.
[0061] Each respective propeller 40 is formed of a unitary plastics
moulding comprising an annulus 41 with four vanes 42 arranged in a
cross traversing the annulus 41 and projecting from a planar
cross-shaped web traversing the annulus 41.
[0062] The annulus 41 not only strengthens the propeller 40 but
also enables it to have dual functionality, serving as a wheel by
means of which the board 1' may be trundled over the ground if
needed, either while the board is extended and inverted or while
the board is folded.
[0063] Each propeller 40 is mounted to the board fore section 1a'
by an axle shaft 43 that extends through a hole through a raised
cradle mount 27b formed from a raised portion of the sides/rails
27' of the board 1'. A respective crank handle 44 is provided
coupled to each of the shafts 43 of the respective propellers 40 to
enable the user to operate the respective propeller 40 by rotating
the crank handle 44. The upper face/deck of the board 1' is
provided with a recessed zone 74 immediately below each crank
handle 44 to provide extra clearance for the user's hands.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 14, this illustrates the preferred
structure of the axle shaft 43/crank handle 44, showing that it is
suitably formed with a unitary plastics moulding skeleton 45 having
a flattened S-shaped form and one end of which is adapted to
function as the axle shaft 43, having a rectangular/acircular
sleeve 46 mounted thereover and the other end providing the crank
handle 44 with a circular cylindrical handle sleeve 47 thereon. The
tubular handle sleeve 47 is push-fitted on to the skeleton 45 by
sliding over a resilient member/collett fingers 48 at that end of
the skeleton 45 until the sleeve 47 abuts an annular stop flange 49
having passed behind retention shoulders 50 of the collett fingers
48. The collett fingers 48 thus resiliently deform to allow the
sleeve 47 to be mounted in place and as they spring back into
position they retain the sleeve 47 in place. Conversely, the sleeve
47 may be demounted by squeezing together the collett fingers 48
and backing the sleeve 47 off the skeleton 45.
[0065] At the propeller end of the drive shaft skeleton 45, a
similar arrangement is provided for demountably securing the axle
shaft sleeve 46 in place. Here too collett fingers 48 on the
skeleton 45 can resiliently deform to allow the axle shaft sleeve
46 to be push mounted on to that end of the skeleton 45 before
springing back into place to retain the sleeve 46. From FIG. 14 it
will be seen that a further sleeve is provided on the skeleton 45
and which is mounted on the skeleton 45 ahead of the axle shaft
sleeve 46, this further sleeve is a bush collar 51, which press
fits into the hole of the cradle mount 27b at the front of the
board 1. This bush 51 is suitably fitted when the board 1 moulding
is warmed so that the moulding contracts around the bush sleeve 51
but may be adapted to be removable when it needs replacing. The
nylon bush 51 abuts up against an annular stop flange 49' on the
skeleton 45. The bush 51 has a circular cylindrical inner surface
and surrounds a circular cylindrical outer profile of the skeleton
45 whereby the skeleton 45 may rotate within the bush 51. The same
is true of the handle sleeve 47 which is able to rotate around the
skeleton 45 since it too has a circular cylindrical bore and where
that portion of the skeleton 45 has a circular cylindrical outer
profile.
[0066] The axle shaft sleeve 46 differs from the other two sleeves
47, 51 in that it is rectangular or acircular in external profile
but also in internal profile and is thus keyed to the drive shaft
skeleton 45 to rotate therewith but not thereabout. The propeller
40 has a correspondingly rectangular shaped hub recess that mounts
over the rectangular external profile of the drive shaft sleeve 46,
keying the propeller 40 to the drive shaft sleeve 46 and hence to
the axle shaft skeleton 45 so that cranking revolutionary movement
of the hand end 44 of the skeleton 45 will cause the skeleton 45 to
revolve within the bush 51 and will cause the propeller 40 to
revolve about its axis.
[0067] The construction of the axle shaft/drive shaft assembly
having resiliently deformable retention means 48 at each end
enables demounting of the propeller from the axle shaft 45 to
further facilitate storage or transport of the board 1 if the axle
shaft further needs to be demounted for compactness or to
facilitate maintenance or replacement of those working parts. The
handle sleeve 47 is also demountable for maintenance or
replacement.
[0068] Turning now to the viewing port 10', this differs from the
viewing port of the first embodiment by having a raised cowl 60
formed as an integral part of the moulding of the board 1' and
which has a rectangular shape in plan but in profile is inclined
downwardly in the aft direction of the board. The viewing port 10'
is configured as a viewing turret and as viewed in plan from above
as in FIG. 6 the sides of the cowl 60 all taper downwardly.
Furthermore, as viewed from the underside as in FIG. 7, it will be
seen that the viewing port 10' underside substantially conforms to
the tapering cowl walls 60 of the top surface and thus has a
relatively broad aperture area at the base compared to the upper
aperture area of the viewing port 10'. In this embodiment, the
viewing port 10' has two glazing panels--one 11a' sits at the top
of the viewing port 10' turret spanning the aperture of the viewing
port 10' and the other of which 10b' is mounted to the base of the
viewing port spanning the wide basal aperture area and is
substantially flush with the underside of the board or somewhat
recessed into it.
[0069] Suitably each viewing panel 11a, 11b is of glass, acrylic or
transparent polycarbonate or similar and the lower panel 11b is
preferably held in place to the underside of the board by threaded
bolts around its perimeter and suitably is sealed against ingress
of water from below by use of clear silicone all around the
perimeter and use of a gasket around the perimeter. By use of bolts
and other demountable fixing means, the lower panel 11b may be
removed for maintenance or replacement if necessary but is less
readily demountable than the propellers since it is not intended to
be routinely demounted.
[0070] The upper panel 11a suitably is mounted within the viewing
turret structure on the inner rim just below the upper edge of the
cowl 60 and is suitably seated against a gasket but is hinge
mounted in place by a hinge that passes through hinge aperture 61
in the turret on each side of the viewing port 10 (see FIG. 13).
This hinge mounting of the upper viewing panel 11a enables it to be
tilted upwardly for access within the chamber of the viewing turret
to facilitate removal of any condensation. If any significant
volume of water has entered the turret this may be drained from it
by inverting the board while opening the upper viewing panel at its
hinge.
[0071] Generally, any water landing on the upper viewing panel 11a
will run off it and drain from the viewing cowl 60 via drainage
flutes 63 around the perimeter of the upper viewing panel at the
inner rim 62 of the viewing cowl 60. The incline of the upper end
of the cowl from front to rear facilitate drainage.
[0072] Additional drainage features in the construction of the
board include the camber of the upper board surface as can best be
seen in FIG. 10. The top surface of the board 1' is relatively
somewhat higher closer to the median longitudinal axis of the board
1' and slopes gently toward the lateral edges of the board 1'. The
board may also be arranged to slope somewhat toward the rear and is
provided with further drainage features at the rear end.
[0073] Unlike the first embodiment, the second (and third
embodiment) are provided with integrally moulded
footwells/footrests 5' positions. A pair of footwells 65 is
provided in the aft section 1b' one each side of the longitudinal
median line of the board and each incorporates a plurality of
footrest prominences 66. The multiple prominences/ridges or blocks
66 provide the user with a range of different foot positions to
suit the height of the user and to enable the user to achieve
optimal comfort and mechanical advantage when lying on the board
prone and using the hand propulsion system.
[0074] As can best be seen with respect to the third embodiment of
the invention shown in FIG. 13, the board aft section 1b' is
suitably provided with an enhanced drainage arrangement at the
footwells 65 by provision of drainage flutes/channels 67 running
along a lateral edge of each footwell 65 and inclined at a slope
that is illustrated as being from front to rear and where at the
rear end of each channel 67 there is a drainage hole 68 through the
board to allow any water entering the footwells to be discharged
through the bottom of the board (see FIGS. 15 and 17).
[0075] The third illustrated embodiment of the invention,
illustrated in FIGS. 13 to 18, technically differs most notably
from the second embodiment by, in addition to the drainage channels
67 in the footwells 65 at the rear of the board, having mounts 69
for a canopy. Whereas the propellers here have three vanes, the
craft suitably has at least three vanes on each propeller and
preferably four or more.
[0076] Canopy 70 is illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17 as held on a
support structure above the prone user on the board. The support
structure here comprises a leg structure 71, 72 on each side of the
canopy to couple to the corresponding side rail of the board 1'.
Each leg structure comprises a pair of legs 71a,b: 72a,b hinged
together at mid height to be collapsible in a scissor action for
storage, each leg being hingedly mounted to the canopy at its upper
end for this purpose. The lower end of each leg has an inwardly
angled portion to push-fit into a corresponding socket 69 in the
corresponding side/rail 27 of the board.
[0077] The provision of a demountable and stowable canopy for use
with the board is particular valuable to protect the user from
excessive sun exposure. The use of the board of the present
invention can be addictive and users may expose themselves to more
sun on their back than is wise but the ability to counter this
through use of the canopy enables the user to enjoy the board fully
while protected from the sun.
* * * * *