U.S. patent application number 14/267893 was filed with the patent office on 2015-11-05 for paddleboard with reciprocating direct drive and rudder controls.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jonathon M. Honeycutt, Thomas Anthony La Rovere. Invention is credited to Jonathon Maurice C. Honeycutt, Thomas Anthony La Rovere.
Application Number | 20150314847 14/267893 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54354660 |
Filed Date | 2015-11-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150314847 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
La Rovere; Thomas Anthony ;
et al. |
November 5, 2015 |
PADDLEBOARD WITH RECIPROCATING DIRECT DRIVE AND RUDDER CONTROLS
Abstract
An apparatus and method of use is disclosed for a water-sport
paddleboard incorporating user foot driven reciprocating mechanical
features to produce propulsion over the surface of a body of water.
Means is provided to enable forward and reverse propulsion and
steering while in standing or sitting positions.
Inventors: |
La Rovere; Thomas Anthony;
(Santa Ynez, CA) ; Honeycutt; Jonathon Maurice C.;
(Naples, FL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
La Rovere; Thomas Anthony
Honeycutt; Jonathon M. |
Naples |
FL |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54354660 |
Appl. No.: |
14/267893 |
Filed: |
May 1, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
440/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63H 1/34 20130101; B63B
32/00 20200201; B63B 34/26 20200201; B63H 16/18 20130101; B63H
2001/346 20130101; B63H 16/02 20130101; B63H 16/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B63H 16/02 20060101
B63H016/02; B63B 35/79 20060101 B63B035/79 |
Claims
1. A paddleboard watercraft apparatus incorporating features and
components to enable propulsion of said paddleboard and a user over
the surface of a body of water by means of exerting user driven
reciprocal foot motion longitudinally over the top surface of said
paddleboard wherein: a) one or more nominally parallel longitudinal
slots through the paddleboard are provided, b) one or more foot
pads are installed on the top surface of said paddleboard and
guided by said slots, c) a propulsion mechanism incorporating a
thrust paddle is directly connected by means of a swivel below said
paddleboard to said foot pad through said slots.
2. An apparatus of claim 1 installed within said slots and connects
said foot pads and said propulsion assemblies to thereby provide
the means to ratio-metrically increase the travel distance and
speed of said propulsion mechanism relative to the motion of said
foot pad.
3. An apparatus of claim 1 including a handle or handles mounted to
and positioned on said paddleboard to assist or enable the user to:
a) enhance balance b) and/or steer direction
4. An apparatus of claim 1 to enable said thrust paddle to travel
into a protected park position located at the forward end of each
said slot.
5. An apparatus of claim 1 to provide propulsion through water
whereby said propulsion mechanism includes a paddle that effects
thrust by means of the following factors: a) is driven in a
nominally longitudinal reciprocating motion, b) said face area is
nominally aligned normal to the direction of travel c) incorporates
a swivel joint at the top end to allow said paddle to pivot from
approximately horizontal (zero degrees) to vertical (ninety
degrees) as said mechanism is driven to provide thrust and
alternatively to pivot up to a nominal horizontal position to
minimize drag while moving in the direction of travel, d)
incorporates a means to restrict its arc of motion to extend beyond
a nominal vertical angle.
6. An apparatus of claim 1 to provide propulsion through water
whereby said propulsion mechanism includes a paddle to effect
thrust by means of the following factors: a) is driven in a
nominally longitudinal reciprocating motion, b) face area providing
thrust is nominally aligned normal to the direction of travel c)
incorporates a swivel joint along a vertical axis to allow said
paddle to pivot as said mechanism is driven to provide thrust and
alternatively to minimize drag while moving in the direction of
travel, d) incorporates a means to restrict motion to align normal
to direction of travel.
7. An apparatus of claims 5 and 6 to provide a means to control the
thrust direction provided by said paddle face thereby enabling a
reverse direction of said paddleboard.
8. The apparatus of claims 5 and 6 wherein said propulsion
mechanisms may be driven independently or connected to enable
simultaneous reciprocation.
9. An apparatus of claims 5 and 6 whereby said propulsion mechanism
paddle is includes a set of one or more elastomeric one-way shutter
valves that opens and closes in response to direction of water
flow, thereby closing to provide thrust and opening to minimize
drag,
10. An apparatus of claims 5 and 6 whereby said propulsion
mechanism paddle includes a set of one or more louver plates that
pivot to provide thrust and pivot to minimize drag.
11. An apparatus of claim 1 whereby a rudder incorporated within
said paddleboard is controlled in nominal horizontal orientation by
means of: a) rotating a said foot pad, or b) a foot actuated switch
located at a particular position upon said paddleboard, or c) a
hand actuated switch located upon said handle.
12. An apparatus of claim 1 whereby thrust direction of said paddle
face is controlled by means of: a) rotating said foot pad, or b) a
foot actuated switch located at a particular position upon said
paddleboard, or c) a hand actuated switch located within said
handle.
13. An apparatus of claims 1 through 12 whereby the means is
provided to enable the user to actuate said propulsion mechanisms
while in a seated posture.
14. An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said footpad includes the means
to secure the user's foot in position that may include a: a)
mechanical swivel, or b) elastomeric pad.
15. An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said propulsion mechanism
includes the means to adjust friction or the position of said
propulsion mechanism to a specified position along said slot.
16. An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said nominally parallel
longitudinal slots may be adjusted in angular orientation in the
horizontal plane.
17. An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said force multiplier mechanism
provides a ratiometric increase in the speed and length of travel
of said propulsion mechanism as driven by said foot pad.
18. An apparatus of claim 1 wherein said paddleboard includes
adjustability of slot pair orientation angles in the horizontal
and/or vertical planes to thereby enable the user to set a desired
stride thrusting angle.
19. A method of claim 1 for use for a foot driven watercraft
paddleboard incorporating features and components to enable
propulsion of said paddleboard and a user over the surface of a
body of water by means of exerting user driven reciprocal foot
motion longitudinally over the top surface of said paddleboard
whereby physical exertion of the user resembles that of a Nordic
cross country skier in that: a) posture stance is nominally erect
facing in the direction of forward travel, b) rearward leg/foot
motion produces thrust to propel said paddleboard forward, c)
forward leg/foot motion exertion experiences minimal effort.
20. A method of claim 13 for use for a foot driven watercraft
paddleboard incorporating features and components to enable
propulsion of said paddleboard and a user over the surface of a
body of water by means of exerting user driven reciprocal foot
motion longitudinally over the top surface of said paddleboard
whereby physical exertion of the user resembles while in a seated
position facing forward. a) extending leg/foot motion forward
produces thrust to propel said paddleboard, b) retracting leg/foot
motion exerts minimal user effort,?
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority of Provisional application
No. 61/818,424 filed May 1, 2013.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of Invention
[0003] This invention relates to an apparatus and methods of use
for a reciprocating foot actuated propulsion drive and steering
rudder system for water sport paddle-type boards.
[0004] 2. Definition of Prior Art
[0005] The history of constructing personal watercraft out of
planks or wood (or "boards") dates back to at least their earliest
recorded use by the Hawaiian natives first described in 1769 by
Joseph Banks on the HMS Endeavour during the first voyage of
Captain James Cook. Such "boards" were used to ride upon waves
close to shore in an activity that came to be known as "surfing,"
which was performed in the standing position. More recently, modern
"surf-boards" have been combined with long-shafted paddles to
create a recreational activity or sport called "paddle-boarding"
or, more specifically, "Stand-up Paddle Boarding." (The origin of
the designation "stand-up" is unclear since there is no board-type
device which allows one to paddle while sitting down, thereby
necessitating a distinction. Also, the use of the term "boarding"
is slang apparently intended to reference an activity performed
with a board-type of device, e.g., snow-board, wake-board,
body-board, etc.).
[0006] In general, the construction of so-called "paddle-boards" is
substantively similar to that of modern surfboards with the
earliest paddle-boards constructed as simply longer, thicker and in
some cases wider (and therefore more buoyant) versions of ordinary
surfboards. The contemporary paddle-board reflects man's continued
fascination with and interest in being on the water upon a
relatively small "board" that is portable, relatively easy to
operate and which is powered by human effort and therefore suitable
as a form of personal (or individual) recreation and exercise.
[0007] Relative to the modern surfboard, the addition of a
long-shafted paddle suitable for use in the standing position comes
as an apparent answer to dissatisfaction with the limitations of
the traditional surfboard in terms of comfort, body positioning,
and the use of the human body as an engine of propulsion. As per
its often used name, "stand-up paddle-board," the modern
paddle-board liberates the user from having to lay down prone on
the board, where visibility and comfort are limited, and from being
forced to use arms and legs to paddle in the fashion of a turtle,
with poor efficiency and a highly restricted amount of actual
propulsion in terms of the distance-covered, propulsion speed
relative to the user effort required. In contrast, the paddle-board
enables the use of a more efficient paddle than users' hands and
feet: namely, an actual or "real" paddle with a relatively large,
propulsion-maximizing blade; it also enables the user to leverage
(albeit, inefficiently) his/her own body weight to produce more
powerful paddle strokes; and places the user in a standing position
where he/she obtains a better visual vantage to survey and with
which to interact more responsively with the aquatic environment.
For these reasons, the advent of the modern paddle-board has
attracted great interest and, due to its ease-of-use and comfort
characteristics, has drawn growing numbers of people into the water
on these stand-up surf-type boards.
[0008] Surfboard and Paddle-Board Locomotion
[0009] For all of the advantages paddle-boards offer over
surfboards as a personal water craft, photographs of paddle-board
users reveal surprising but serious deficiencies in their design
relative to their utilization of the human body as an engine of
propulsion. The first of these is the use of the upper body
limbs--the arms and hands--to produce propulsion or, to put it in
biomechanical perspective, locomotion. Locomotion is genetically
engineered into the design of the human body as a function of the
lower body, specifically the legs and feet. The muscles, bones and
joints of human legs and feet are specifically designed to carry
and balance the human body during movement and to power human
locomotion for both travel and the whole range of movements in
which human beings engage during the normal activities of daily
living.
[0010] As with its predecessor, the surfboard, contemporary
paddle-boarding (referring to the activity of operating a stand up
paddle-board) reassigns the function of locomotion to the hands and
arms which, instead of serving as biological paddles as they do
with surfers and swimmers, are given actual paddles to hold,
operate and row with. Using a paddle thus effectively transfers the
natural locomotive function of the lower body (for which the lower
body is designed) to the upper body, giving the muscles, bones and
joints of the hands, arms, chest, back and upper body a workload
that is poorly matched to human anatomy. The inefficiency in this
reallocation of locomotive function from lower to upper body is
hence only a modest improvement over the traditional surfboard.
[0011] Human Biomechanics
[0012] Understanding the human biomechanics of paddling a large
surfboard-type of device is easily accomplished by observing people
engaged in paddle-boarding, from beginners to seasoned or highly
experienced "experts." From such observation, a number of pertinent
facts become readily apparent.
[0013] Photographs of "paddle-boarders" (referring to people
operating paddle-boards) obtained from the promotional materials of
retailers typically show a person standing with feet apart (and
often positioned near the side-edges of the board) in a straddle
stance, leaning forward and at the same time laterally in order to
pull a paddle through the water on either the left or right of the
paddle-board. Pulling and leveraging the paddle through the water
while, at the same time, balancing oneself on the board on the
unsteady surface of the water seems to virtually require
maintaining an awkward straddle stance and using only the upper
body to add weight to the paddling effort. As we shall presently
demonstrate, this arrangement results in an inefficient harnessing
of human effort and energy, commensurately low propulsion power,
and limitations on achievable speed and distance as functions of
user fatigue.
[0014] Biomechanical Inefficiency of Stand-Up Paddling
[0015] Regarding efficiency, paddling a paddle-board requires two
hands on a paddle and two arms exerting the biomechanical effort
required to execute a paddle-stroke. Paddling in a standing
position also recruits and significantly engages the muscles of the
chest, neck and abdomen, as the user twists his/her body to the
right or left to pull the paddle from its entry-point in the water
ahead of the user to its exit--point behind the user. From the
beginning of the paddle stroke, where the user is typically leaning
forward to project the paddle toward its water entry-point, to the
end of the paddle-stroke where the user's upper body is twisted
away from the center of his/her body toward the paddle, the lower
body and specifically the muscles bones and joints of the legs,
ankles and feet, are additionally recruited for the purpose of
balancing the user through, and leveraging body weight into, the
paddle-stroke. A single paddle stroke thus recruits the main
musculature of the arms and torso for primary power-generation
while also engaging the main muscles of the lower body for support
and balance. The net result is a single paddle stroke of modest
propulsive power which moves the paddle-board forward but also, at
the same time, laterally--as an unintended consequence of paddling
on either the right or left side--movement which must later be
corrected by paddling on the opposite side of the board. Hence,
paddle-board propulsion is generated by the user executing a series
of paddle-strokes, typically consisting of 3 to 5 strokes on one
side followed by a similar number of strokes on the other side.
[0016] As a source of propulsion-power, stand-up paddling is
limited by the excess and consequently fatiguing demands it places
on the human body relative to the amount of propulsion achieved.
The effect on paddle-board operators is commonly manifest in (a)
shortened paddling sessions, wherein users execute a series of
paddle strokes and then rest before re-commencing; (b) effort
inhibition, in which users paddle slowly and infrequently (and
hence move slowly and only over a short distance) due to perceived
excess effort; and (c) in the awkward, frozen and hence
additionally fatiguing straddle stance, which surreptitiously
recruits muscles for balance-maintenance and weight leverage during
paddling, thereby draining additional human energy.
[0017] The paddleboard that is the subject of this patent
application remedies many of the biomechanics inefficiencies of
stand-up paddle-boarding. Of first importance is the fact that
propulsion is generated not by the two-handed pulling of hand-held
paddles, but by the single, natural rear-ward movement of the
user's leg and foot atop an unobtrusive footpad which traverses
from front to back (and from back to front on the return stroke) in
a motion that simulates the sliding and gliding of cross-country
skiing Through the slot-tracks which run all the way through the
board, each of two foot pads are directly connected to pivoting
paddle blades which, on the propulsion back-stroke, automatically
swivel into a position of maximum resistance at a nominal vertical
angle of 90 degrees (relative to the horizontal plane of the board)
and move directly against the water; and on the forward (or return)
stroke, pivots to the angle of least resistance, at nominal 0
degree angle, allowing a nearly effortless recovery stroke. This
direct-drive feature means that, in the propulsion stroke of the
locomotion cycle, virtually all of the of the user's energy is
transferred from the foot-pad on the top of the board directly to
right and left paddles below, with little if any energy loss such
as occurs with indirect drive mechanisms like that seen in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,368,507.
[0018] Of greatest importance in the design of the present
invention is the biomechanically appropriate and efficient use of
human body to power propulsion exploiting the natural locomotive
function of the lower body, comprising the muscles of the legs,
feet, hips and buttocks. The higher efficiency and effectiveness of
locomotive power generated by the lower body owes to the fact that
(a) these bones and muscles groups are larger and designed to carry
the full weight of the body; (b) the assistive interaction of lower
body components with gravity; and (c) the fact that the human body
is easily capable of extended periods of locomotion as lower body
muscle do not easily fatigue. Relative to (b) above, gravity
provides assistance in the down and/or backward stroke of the legs,
so that little energy is expended whilst the weight of the body,
being perched above the legs is also easily and naturally added to
leg-strokes motions. Hence, energy used in gravity-resistance
effort in the leg-stroke is expended primarily on the up or forward
stroke.
[0019] In the user's first and beginners-level experience with the
paddleboard, it will be important to learn how to maintain balance.
A handle is thus provided to be held as the user slides his/her
feet back and forth on the foot-pads provides balance-stability and
requires little additional expenditure of user energy. With
experience the handle may or may not be used. In any case, unlike a
conventional paddle-board, which requires the operator to assume
and maintain a straddle-stance position during paddling, the
present invention enables the user to move and indeed, requires
regular, rhythmical movement of the legs, thus avoiding the fatigue
caused by the frozen straddle-stance used in typical
paddle-boarding.
[0020] The present invention is not the first floatation device
aiming to harness the energy of the lower body for provide power
for propulsion. U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,507 describes a
paddle-floatation device which also uses the legs for power to
produce propulsion. The device described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,368,507, however, requires the user to assume a prone position
that makes leg-generated propulsion inefficient, more difficult
and, as a practical means of propulsion, ineffective and exhausting
for the user. For example, the device described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,368,507 places the legs in contact with the water and thereby
creates resistance or "drag." The prone position required by this
device also forfeits the substantial benefits and considerable
energy savings of gravity-assistance in producing power in the down
and/or backward part of the leg-stroke of a person standing
upright, as when using the present invention. Additionally, the
leg-stroke applied against the pedals is simultaneously applied
against the water which provides resistance against both the paddle
and the legs and feet. Finally, in using the subject device of U.S.
Pat. No. 5,368,507, the body of the user will be frozen in the
prone position and completely deprived on the dual benefits of
movement on the device (which reduces stress and fatigue) and the
elevated, standing vantage point offering 360 degrees of view.
[0021] The present invention is the only board-type floatation
device, operated in the upright and walking position, which
efficiently harnesses the lower body as an engine of propulsion.
Relative to human anatomy, human males generally enjoy a
substantial genetic advantage over females in upper-body strength.
Where lower-body strength is concerned, however, gender differences
in strength are far smaller. The present invention provides a
lower-body propulsion system will therefore tend to have an
equalizing effect on the propulsive power generated by men versus
women. This could foreseeably result in recreational environment in
which men and women are more equally represented, as with
bicycling. The biomechanics of harnessing the lower-body as an
engine of propulsion also favor children who also have less
upper-body strength. Hence, it is conceivable that water-walking
board will be become a shared recreational activity of families and
users of multiple generations.
[0022] Finally, lower body aerobic exercise is the exercise people
most recognize the need for and therefore most seek. It is also the
exercise most recommended for its health enhancement,
rehabilitation and health maintenance benefits by medical
professionals. The health benefits of exercising the lower body
affect virtually every bodily system from the bones and muscles to
the cardiovascular and endocrine systems. The proven health
maintenance and prophylactic benefits of lower body exercise have
been clinically demonstrated in promoting fitness and proportionate
body weight and in the prevention of type II diabetes,
cardiovascular diseases of all kinds, arthritis and even mental
health. By assigning propulsion power-generation to the lower body
and thereby leveraging the natural biomechanics of walking, the
Water-Walker Board provides a highly optimized fit for a personal
water craft designed for recreational pleasure, fitness, health
prophylaxis, health enhancement and fun across genders, cultures
and generations.
SUMMARY
[0023] In accordance with the present invention is described are
several apparatus embodiments and methods of use for a watercraft
paddleboard primarily propelled by means of reciprocating
propulsion mechanisms driven by the leg and foot motion of the
user.
DRAWING FIGURES
[0024] FIG. 1. Paddleboard top, side and bottom view
[0025] FIG. 2. Propulsion mechanism with paddle
[0026] FIG. 3. Four paddles embodiments [0027] a. Solid thrust face
with horizontal pivot [0028] b. Two solid thrust faces pivot on
center vertical pivot [0029] c. Shutter valve [0030] d. Horizontal
louvers
[0031] FIG. 4 Force multiplier [0032] a. Forward no thrust position
[0033] b. Rearward motion for thrust
[0034] FIG. 5. Seated propulsion [0035] a. Foot pad in retracted
position for no thrust [0036] b. Foot pad in extended position for
thrust
REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS
[0036] [0037] 100 Paddleboard [0038] 101 Paddleboard propulsion
slot [0039] 201 Foot pad [0040] 203 Foot pad connecting fin [0041]
204 Propulsion paddle swivel [0042] 205 Propulsion paddle [0043]
300 Handle [0044] 301 Handle support mount [0045] 304 Steering
rudder [0046] 401 Seat [0047] 403 Foot peddle support [0048] 502
Large pulley [0049] 503 Small pulley [0050] 504 Foot pad cable
[0051] 505 Propulsion cable
DESCRIPTION
Preferred Embodiment
[0052] In typical operation, the user places each foot onto said
foot pad 201 as shown in FIG. 1 and reciprocates leg/foot motion in
an alternating manner, similar to that of a Nordic cross country
skier, thereby causing each propulsion unit in turn to move forward
and backward. Depending on the paddle design utilized as per FIG.
3, propulsion thrust is generated to motivate said paddleboard
forward as the foot pad is moved rearward thereby causing said
paddle to swivel such that the orientation face of said paddle is
vertical and normal to the direction of travel. Conversely, while
said paddle is moved forward, motion against the water causes it to
swivel upward into a horizontal orientation thereby presenting
minimal resistance. Steering direction may be effected in
proportion to the power expended against each paddle over a unit of
time as with a conventional paddle; that is more power exerted
against the right paddle directs said paddleboard to steer leftward
and vice versa.
[0053] Referring to FIG. 1, a primary embodiment includes a
paddleboard watercraft resembling a conventional paddleboard 100
incorporating a pair of parallel, longitudinally oriented slots 101
through said paddleboard and extending in length as determined to
conveniently accommodate the stride length of a user.
[0054] Referring to FIG. 2, a propulsion mechanism assembly is
comprised of a foot pad 201, a fin 203 that supports connection to
a thrust propulsion paddle 205 by means of a swivel joint 204. As
shown, the right side propulsion assembly illustrates said paddle
in a horizontal orientation forward while the left side propulsion
assembly illustrates said paddle in the downward, vertical
thrusting position. Said functional components including said foot
pad 201, fin 203 and the none-rotating part of swivel joint 204 can
be manufactured conveniently as a one part mold, or as individually
fastened components.
[0055] Said foot pad 201 is designed to support the entire weight
of a user. Low friction glide material or rollers may be utilized
to minimize friction with the top surface of said paddleboard 100
as said foot pad is driven in a reciprocating manner longitudinally
by the action of the user's leg/foot. Said fin 203 is designed to
maintain smooth linear tracking within said slot and provide a
bearing surface of said propulsion assembly within said slot
101.
[0056] FIG. 3 illustrates four different paddle embodiments. In
each of these embodiments, said paddle may be restrained to the
vertical thrusting position by means of a vertical support or by
limiting the rotation angle within said swivel.
[0057] FIG. 3a provides a solid thrust surface designed with a
horizontal swivel. One disadvantage of the embodiment of 3a is that
propulsive thrust is not produced until the paddle is rotated from
its horizontal to vertical position thereby requiring the foot pad
to travel a distance approximately the distance of the arc length
of the paddle as it swings down from its horizontal to vertical
position and is proportional to the length of said paddle thereby
wasting stroke length before engaging thrust against the water.
[0058] FIG. 3b provides a solid thrust surface designed with a
vertical swivel. This embodiment enables a longer and narrower
paddle face aspect and thereby reduces the foot pad travel distance
before producing thrust. A disadvantage is that an additional
horizontal swivel is required in order to allow said paddle to
swing to a horizontal orientation as it may be moved into a parking
position optimally located at the forward end of said slot 101.
[0059] FIG. 3c provides a shutter type one way valve. This
embodiment is designed such that water may flow through said valve
unimpeded in one direction whilst blocking flow in the opposite
direction of movement and thereby producing thrust. In such a
design, said paddle could be fixed with its face oriented normal
toward the direction of travel in a nominal vertical orientation
would and thus not require said paddle to swivel into a nominal
horizontal orientation while the paddle is moving in the forward
stroke. Said check valve design could be implemented by a number of
means including a set of elastomeric hinged shutter petals arranged
in circular or rectilinear arrays within and supported by a paddle
frame. This embodiment also requires an additional swivel in order
to pivot horizontally when moved into said parking position.
[0060] FIG. 3d provides a set of horizontally pivoting louver
panels that rotate downward to vertical thrusting position. Since
the vertical dimension of each louver is minimized, the travel
distance of said foot pad is proportionally reduced to effect
propulsion thrust. This embodiment also requires an additional
swivel in order to pivot horizontally when moved into said parking
position.
[0061] The size and aspect of a paddle dimensions can be altered to
accommodate the user's physical ability to exert thrusting power as
proportional to said paddle area.
[0062] In order to increase propulsion given the limited user
stride distance, an additional embodiment incorporates a force
multiplier mechanism assembly 500 mounted within said slot 101.
Said force multiplier provides a ratiometric force advantage to
increase the speed, distance and thereby thrust power of said
propulsion paddle 205. As illustrated in FIG. 4., said force
multiplier includes a set of pulleys and cables which attach to
said foot pad and said paddle mechanisms. A large pulley 502 and a
small pulley 503 are mounted at each end of said housing 501. Said
large and small pulleys can be manufactured together on a common
spindle as convenient and rotate together accordingly. A foot pad
cable 504 is looped around each small pulley 503 and attaches to
said foot pad 201. A propulsion cable 505 is likewise looped around
each large pulley and attaches to said paddle 205. Therefore, as
said footpad 201 is translated in a reciprocating manner, the
attached propulsion paddle 205 is driven to translate according to
the ratio of diameters of said pulleys 502 and 503; i.e., if pulley
502 is twice the diameter of pulley 503, said paddle will be driven
to translate twice as fast and cover twice the distance of the
motivating foot pad thereby producing twice the propulsive power.
Beneficially and likewise, said paddle returns with minimal
resistance to its forward position twice as fast in concert with
said foot pad travel. Said force multiplier components may be
assembled within a housing 501 as a module to enable removal and
replacement within said slot, or be permanently installed within
said paddleboard 100.
[0063] Direction of said paddle motion depends on selective
fastening or connection of said foot pads or said propulsion paddle
swivel with the loop side of its associated cable contained within
said force multiplier. A means to selectively control direction can
thereby be implemented by means of an operator switch located on
said paddleboard or on said handles to select the appropriate cable
loop connection and also re-orient the direction of said paddle in
order to effect propulsive thrust.
[0064] In an additional embodiment, a handle 300 as shown in FIG. 1
may be conveniently attached to said paddleboard 100 to provide the
user with a means to assist in keeping balance on said paddleboard.
Said handle may be designed in various shapes as convenient, and
may be attached to said paddleboard by a handle mount 301 designed
to be inserted into mounting holes of said paddleboard. Said handle
and handle mount may incorporate the means, such as handle
adjustment clamps to lock telescoping height adjustment and swivel
and lock pins to allow said handle to be positioned in a nominally
vertical position or stowed downward horizontally on the deck of
said paddleboard.
[0065] In yet another embodiment, said handle mount 301 may
incorporate a steering rudder protruding downward to thereby
connecting to said handle 300 to enable steering of said
paddleboard by the user.
[0066] In yet another embodiment, said propulsion mechanism
includes the means to adjust the friction of movement and/or the
ability to lock said propulsion mechanism to a position within said
slot as desired to enhance use of said paddleboard when surfing are
beaching said paddleboard.
[0067] In yet another embodiment, said propulsion mechanisms may be
stowed in a protective park position at the forward end of said
slots with said paddle in a nominal horizontal orientation, held in
place by a feature molded or attached to the bottom of said
paddleboard as convenient.
[0068] In yet another embodiment, said slots 101 may be oriented
longitudinally at an angle skewed from parallel to provide a more
advantageous biomechanical posture for performance users thereby
allowing leg/foot motion to diverge while thrusting rearward.
[0069] The implementation of divergent slots can be designed to be
adjustable over a range of angles or with specific angles as
suitably chosen by the user. In the case of divergent slots, each
said foot pad necessarily include means to allow the user's foot to
rotate to accommodate the divergent motion by means such as
elastomeric compliance or by means of a rotating support pad.
[0070] In yet a further embodiment said paddleboard 100 may
incorporate a plurality of pairs of slots the angles between said
slot pair may be set at different angles diverging rearward
according to user selection for biomechanical leg thrust angle and
in a manner to allow a pair of said propulsion assemblies to be
installed as convenient.
[0071] It yet another embodiment as shown in FIG. 5., said
paddleboard 100 may incorporate a seat assembly 401 to enable the
user to propel said paddleboard while in a seated, face forward
posture utilizing the same or adapted said propulsion assembly.
Said seated system incorporates a seat assembly 401, foot peddle
assembly 403 and utilize a mechanical system similar to the force
multiplier embodiment previously described. Said seated position
system is designed to include a part of the means to enable said
propulsion assembly 200 to move backward as the user extends his
leg forward in a biomechanically natural and advantageous manner.
Said seat assembly 401 can include a cable pulley installed with a
finlike structure that extend into and locks within said slots 101
thereby enabling the seat position to be adjusted to the user
accordingly.
[0072] Materials and techniques for fabrication of the apparatus
includes a number of conventional options as determined by design
to optimize tradeoff factors such as capital costs, performance,
efficiency, size, deployment strategies, configuration,
environmental considerations, etc.
[0073] While various embodiments of the present invention have been
described above, it should be understood that they have been
presented by way of example only, and not of limitation. Likewise,
the various diagrams may depict an example architectural or other
configuration of the invention, which is done to aid in the
understanding of the features and functionality that can be
included in the invention. The invention is not restricted to the
illustrated example architectures or configurations, but can be
implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and
configurations. Additionally, although the invention is described
above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and
implementations, it should be understood that the various features
and functionality described in one or more of the individual
embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the
particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead
can be applied, alone or in some combination, to one or more of the
other embodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments
are described and whether or not such features are presented as
being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope
of the present invention should not be limited by any of the
above-described exemplary embodiments.
[0074] Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations
thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as
open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing:
the term "including" should be read to mean "including, without
limitation" or the like; the term "example" is used to provide
exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or
limiting list thereof; and adjectives such as "conventional",
"traditional", "normal", "standard", "known" and terms of similar
meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a
given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but
instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional,
normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known nor
at any time in the future. Likewise, a group of items linked with
the conjunction "and" should not be read as requiring that each and
every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather
should be read as "and/or" unless expressly stated otherwise.
Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction "or" should
not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but
rather should also be read as "and/or" unless expressly stated
otherwise. Furthermore, although items, elements or components of
the invention may be described or claimed in the singular, the
plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless
limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The presence of
broadening words and phrases such as "one or more", "at least",
"but not limited to" or other like phrases in some instances shall
not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required
in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent.
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