U.S. patent application number 13/011482 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-21 for underwater personal propulsion device.
Invention is credited to MATTHEW J. THIESSEN.
Application Number | 20110174209 13/011482 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44276591 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110174209 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
THIESSEN; MATTHEW J. |
July 21, 2011 |
UNDERWATER PERSONAL PROPULSION DEVICE
Abstract
The underwater personal propulsion device is placed between the
diver's lower legs to allow hands-free operation of the device by
the diver. The device includes a pair of footrests extending
laterally from its lower end, and a pair of braces or pads
extending from the sides of the device to allow the diver to brace
the device between his or her lower legs. A series of straps, e.g.,
bungee cords, extend from the upper end of the device to the
diver's waist belt, e.g., the conventional weight belt, or to
attachments or straps extending therefrom. Power control is
provided by a controller installed on the diver's belt or,
alternatively, by a foot or lower leg control. The device is easily
aimed or steered by manipulation of the diver's legs, thereby
allowing the diver to maneuver while his or her hands remain free
for other operations.
Inventors: |
THIESSEN; MATTHEW J.;
(Kapolei, HI) |
Family ID: |
44276591 |
Appl. No.: |
13/011482 |
Filed: |
January 21, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61282315 |
Jan 21, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
114/315 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63C 11/46 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
114/315 |
International
Class: |
B63C 11/46 20060101
B63C011/46 |
Claims
1. An underwater personal propulsion device, comprising: a motor
and power source housing having a forward end; an intake screen
extending from the motor and power source housing opposite the
forward end thereof; an outlet shroud extending from the intake
screen; a waist harness removably attached to the forward end of
the motor and power source housing; and diametrically opposed first
and second footrests extending from the outlet shroud.
2. The underwater personal propulsion device according to claim 1,
further including diametrically opposed first and second calf pads
extending from the motor and power source housing.
3. The underwater personal propulsion device according to claim 1,
wherein the waist harness comprises: a waist belt; a plurality of
straps extending from the waist belt; and an elastic cord removably
secured to each of the straps, each of the elastic cords extending
between one of the straps and the forward end of the motor and
power source housing.
4. The underwater personal propulsion device according to claim 1,
further including a power control disposed upon the waist harness,
the power control being adapted for communicating electrically with
a drive motor disposed within the motor and power source
housing.
5. The underwater personal propulsion device according to claim 1,
further comprising a power control disposed at the outlet shroud,
the power control being adapted for communicating electrically with
a drive motor disposed within the motor and power source housing,
the power control having a control shaft extending therefrom, one
of the footrests extending from the control shaft of the power
control.
6. The underwater personal propulsion device according to claim 1,
further including: diametrically opposed first and second calf pads
extending from the motor and power source housing; and a power
control disposed at the motor and power source housing, the power
control being adapted for communicating electrically with a drive
motor disposed within the motor and power source housing, the power
control having a control shaft extending therefrom, one of the calf
pads extending from the control shaft.
7. An underwater personal propulsion device, comprising: a motor
and power source housing having a forward end; an intake screen
extending from the motor and power source housing opposite the
forward end thereof; an outlet shroud extending from the intake
screen; a waist harness removably attached to the forward end of
the motor and power source housing; and diametrically opposed first
and second calf pads extending from the motor and power source
housing.
8. The underwater personal propulsion device according to claim 7,
further including diametrically opposed first and second footrests
extending from the outlet shroud.
9. The underwater personal propulsion device according to claim 7,
wherein the waist harness comprises: a waist belt; a plurality of
straps extending from the waist belt; and an elastic cord removably
secured to each of the straps, each of the elastic cords extending
between one of the straps and the forward end of the motor and
power source housing.
10. The underwater personal propulsion device according to claim 7,
further including a power control disposed upon the waist harness,
the power control being adapted for communicating electrically with
a drive motor disposed within the motor and power source
housing.
11. The underwater personal propulsion device according to claim 7,
further including: diametrically opposed first and second footrests
extending from the outlet shroud; and a power control disposed at
the outlet shroud, the power control being adapted for
communicating electrically with a drive motor disposed within the
motor and power source housing, the power control having a control
shaft extending therefrom, one of the footrests extending from the
control shaft.
12. The underwater personal propulsion device according to claim 7,
further including: diametrically opposed first and second calf pads
extending from the motor and power source housing; and a power
control disposed at the motor and power source housing, the power
control being adapted for communicating electrically with a drive
motor disposed within the motor and power source housing, the power
control having a control shaft extending therefrom, one of the calf
pads extending from the control shaft.
13. An underwater personal propulsion device, comprising: a motor
and power source housing having a forward end; an intake screen
extending from the motor and power source housing opposite the
forward end thereof; an outlet shroud extending from the intake
screen; diametrically opposed first and second footrests extending
from the outlet shroud; and diametrically opposed first and second
calf pads extending from the motor and power source housing.
14. The underwater personal propulsion device according to claim
13, further including a waist harness removably secured to the
forward end of the motor and power source housing.
15. The underwater personal propulsion device according to claim
14, wherein the waist harness comprises: a waist belt; a plurality
of straps extending from the waist belt; and an elastic cord
removably secured to each of the straps, each of the elastic cords
extending between one of the straps and the forward end of the
motor and power source housing.
16. The underwater personal propulsion device according to claim
14, further including a power control disposed upon the waist
harness, the power control being adapted for communicating
electrically with a drive motor disposed within the motor and power
source housing.
17. The underwater personal propulsion device according to claim
13, further including a power control disposed at the outlet
shroud, the power control being adapted for communicating
electrically with a drive motor disposed within the motor and power
source housing, the power control having a control shaft extending
therefrom, one of the footrests extending from the control shaft of
the power control.
18. The underwater personal propulsion device according to claim
13, further including: diametrically opposed, first and second calf
pads extending from the motor and power source housing; and a power
control disposed at the motor and power source housing, the power
control being adapted for communicating electrically with a drive
motor disposed within the motor and power source housing, the power
control having a control shaft extending therefrom, one of the calf
pads extending from the control shaft.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/282,315, filed Jan. 21, 2010.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to scuba and other
diving equipment, and particularly to an underwater personal
propulsion device for propelling a diver underwater, the device
being configured and adapted for hands-free operation by the
diver.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Conventionally, free divers (i.e., divers not tethered to a
boat or other platform by an air line and/or other attachment) have
resorted to their own muscular power as applied to swim fins, etc.
for propulsion when underwater. While personal muscle power may be
adequate for many circumstances, there are many other circumstances
(e.g., commercial and military diving) where human muscle power is
relatively limiting insofar as the ability of the diver to carry
out the desired task or mission.
[0006] As a result, a number of different propulsion devices have
been developed for underwater use by divers. While some of these
devices are relatively sophisticated and complex, e.g., relatively
large submersible craft in which the diver rides, many others are
relatively simple handheld devices having a propulsion system by
which the diver is pulled through the water. A number of such
devices have been developed and sold commercially under such trade
names as the Sea-Doo.RTM. SeaScooter.TM. and the X-treme
Scooters.RTM. X-160 sea scooter. Such devices enable the diver to
conserve his or her energy, and greatly facilitate the movement of
the diver through the water.
[0007] A problem with such devices is that they require the use of
the diver's hands to hold and control the device. While this may
not be a problem most of the time, it most certainly interferes
with other operations the diver may need to perform from time to
time, e.g., operating a camera or other equipment, etc. Yet, there
are times when the operation of such an underwater propulsion
device in a virtually continuous manner is necessary, e.g., while
attempting to maintain position in a river or ocean current. When
such a handheld device must be operated essentially continually
during a dive, the diver obviously finds it difficult to use his or
her hands to carry out some other essential task.
[0008] As a result, a relatively few underwater personal propulsion
devices have been developed that allow hands-free operation by the
diver. None of these devices has been found entirely suitable.
Thus, an underwater personal propulsion device solving the
aforementioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The underwater personal propulsion device comprises a
self-contained motor and power supply driving a shrouded impeller.
The motor is selectively controlled by the operator, e.g., by a
belt-attached control or, alternatively, by a foot control situated
on a footrest extending from the base of the device, or by a lower
leg-actuated control extending from the side of the device. The
motor is preferably electric, having an electric battery providing
power for the motor. Other power principles may be used as desired,
e.g., a pneumatic motor powered by a compressed air tank, etc.
[0010] The device is adapted or configured for carriage between the
lower legs of the diver, the lower end of the device having a pair
of footrests extending laterally therefrom. Additional rests or
braces are preferably provided to each side of the device. The
diver braces the calves of his or her legs against these braces for
additional stability and control. The upper end of the device is
secured to a waist belt (e.g., the diver's weight belt, etc.) by a
series of straps or cords, e.g., elastic (bungee) cords secured to
the belt by quick-release fasteners.
[0011] The diver using the device clips the upper end of the device
to his or her waist belt, places his or her feet upon the
footrests, and braces the calf braces between his or her calves.
The diver may then apply power to the device by means of the
control, the device providing hands-free propulsion for the diver.
Directional control is easily accomplished by orienting or
maneuvering the legs to aim the device in the desired direction.
The device is quickly and easily detached from the diver by
releasing the quick-release clips or attachments connecting the
device to the diver's belt, allowing the diver to maneuver freely
without being encumbered by the device.
[0012] These and other features of the present invention will
become readily apparent upon further review of the following
specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is an environmental left rear perspective view of a
diver using the underwater personal propulsion device according to
the present invention, showing the general operation of the
device.
[0014] FIG. 2 is an environmental front perspective view of the
underwater personal propulsion device according to the present
invention, showing further details thereof.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a partial side elevation view of the underwater
personal propulsion device according to the present invention,
showing an alternative motor control by means of a pivoting
footrest.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the underwater
personal propulsion device according to the present invention,
showing an alternative motor control by means of one of the calf
brace pads.
[0017] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] The underwater personal propulsion device enables the user
to keep his or her hands free for other operations while using the
propulsion device for propulsion underwater. FIGS. 1 and 2
illustrate a first embodiment of the underwater personal propulsion
device 10 and show its various features. The device 10 includes a
motor and power source housing 12 having a forward end 14, the
motor and power source housing further including a conventional
motor and power supply. The motor may be electric with an
electrical battery power supply, or pneumatic, being powered by a
supply of compressed air or other gas.
[0019] The motor and power source housing 12 further includes an
intake screen 16 extending opposite the forward end 14, and an
outlet shroud 18 extending from the intake screen 16 opposite its
attachment to the motor and power source housing 12. The drive
motor installed within the motor and power source housing 12
selectively drives a conventional impeller located within the
outlet shroud 18 to propel the device 10.
[0020] A waist harness 20 secures the propulsion device 10 to the
diver D, generally as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The waist harness 20
includes a waist belt 22 having a plurality of relatively short
straps 24 extending therefrom, and some form of quick-release
fastener extending from the distal end of each strap 24, e.g., a
D-ring extending from the distal end of each strap 24 with a
carabiner, snap hook, or the like removably secured to the D-ring.
A corresponding cord, strap, or line, e.g., an elastic or bungee
cord 26, is removably attached to each of the straps 24 by means of
the quick-release fastener extending therefrom. Each cord 26
extends to an attachment fitting 28 (eye, etc.) disposed upon the
forward end 14 of the motor and power source housing 12. Each of
the elastic cords 26 may extend from one of the strap 24
attachments through the attachment fitting 28 and thence to an
opposite strap 24 attachment, or shorter cords 26 may extend from
each of the strap 24 attachments to terminate at the attachment
fitting 28 of the propulsion device 10.
[0021] It will be seen that while the waist harness 20 and its
attachment cords 26 to the propulsion device 10 act to stabilize
the device, they do nothing to hold the device 10 to prevent
longitudinal movement thereof relative to the diver. Accordingly,
the propulsion device 10 is provided with diametrically opposed
first and second footrests 30a and 30b extending from the outlet
shroud 18. The diver rests his or her feet upon these footrests
30a, 30b, essentially "standing" upon the base of the propulsion
device 10. When power is applied thereto, the device 10 pushes
longitudinally toward the diver, generally as shown in FIG. 1 of
the drawings, the weight or mass of the diver being propelled
forwardly along the line of thrust provided by the propulsion
device 10 as the diver stands upon the footrests 30a, 30b.
[0022] Additional stability may be provided by diametrically
opposed first and second calf pads 32a and 32b extending from the
sides of the motor and power source housing 12. The diver braces
the calves of his or her legs against these pads 32a, 32b, for
additional support and security. Moreover, the contact points
provided by the two footrests 30a, 30b and the two calf pads 32a,
32b enable the diver to twist or turn his or her lower legs to
redirect or orient the direction of the propulsion device 10 as
desired, while simultaneously keeping his or her hands free for
other tasks.
[0023] Various means may be provided for selectively controlling
the motor output or speed of the propulsion device 10. FIG. 2
illustrates a waist belt mounted control 34 communicating
electrically with the motor within the housing 12 by means of a
connecting electrical cord or cable 36. This may be sufficient for
the diver in circumstances where the power or speed need only be
adjusted infrequently, but it does require the diver to reach to
the belt 22 to manipulate the control 34 from time to time, thus
requiring the diver to relinquish the use of that hand from any
other task being undertaken at the time.
[0024] Accordingly, alternative power control means are illustrated
in FIGS. 3 and 4 that enable the diver to operate the power control
without using his or her hands. In FIG. 3, a rotary power control
38 (rheostat, multiple contact switch, etc., shown in broken lines
in FIG. 3) is disposed at or just within the outlet shroud 18, the
rotary control 38 having a control shaft 40 extending generally
radially from the shroud 18. One of the footrests, e.g., the first
footrest 30a, is rigidly mounted upon the control shaft 40. Thus,
when the footrest 30a is pivoted, as shown in broken lines in FIG.
3, the control shaft 40 of the power control 38 is also pivoted,
thereby changing the power setting of the motor of the propulsion
device 10. The footrest 30a thus operates somewhat similarly to the
accelerator pedal in an automobile, so that any diver who has some
experience driving a motor vehicle becomes readily acclimated to
the footrest control system of FIG. 3.
[0025] FIG. 4 provides an illustration of another hands-free means
of power control of the device 10, wherein one of the lower legs or
calves of the diver is used to reposition one of the calf pads. A
rotary power control 38 substantially identical to the footrest
controlled power control 38 of FIG. 3 is installed within the motor
and power source housing 12. Its control shaft 40 extends outwardly
and generally radially from the motor and power source housing 12.
The first calf pad 32a is affixed to the control shaft 40.
Swiveling or pivoting the calf pad 32a about the rotary axis of the
control shaft 40 operates the rotary power control 38, thus
changing the power output of the motor contained within the motor
and power source housing 12. The power control 38 and its control
shaft 40 may be oriented differently than shown in FIG. 4, e.g.,
with the rotary axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the
housing 12, thus allowing the calf pad 32a to be rocked fore and
aft to control the power control 38 and motor.
[0026] Accordingly, the underwater personal propulsion device 10 in
its various embodiments will prove to be quite valuable to the
diver who has occasion to use his or her hands for photography,
tool manipulation, etc. while simultaneously needing some form of
thrust or propulsion to maintain position or to travel through the
water. The various alternative means of controlling the power
output of the motor, i.e., foot or lower leg control, further
facilitate hands-free activities by the diver while simultaneously
allowing the diver to control the propulsion device as desired.
[0027] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *