GB1583292A

GB1583292A - Mechanical drive for propulsion of an appliance in liquid

Info

Publication number: GB1583292A
Application number: GB5212/78A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: LASER O
Current assignee: LASER O
Priority date: 1977-02-12
Filing date: 1978-02-09
Publication date: 1981-01-21
Also published as: ES233895U; ES233895Y; IT7819965A0; FR2380184A1; DE7704302U1; IT1092392B; NL7801503A

Description

(54) A MECHANICAL DRIVE FOR PROPULSION OF AN APPLIANCE IN LIQUID .(71) 1, OTTO LASER, of 3546 Vöhl- Asel, Zum Homberger Born 62, Federal Republic of Germany, a citizen of the Federal Republic of Germany, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to a propulsion system for a water borne vehicle, and to a vehicle comprising such a system.

As is known the drive for smaller vehicles is provided either by paddles or oars which are operated by muscle power. It is also known to provide the drive with the aid of bucket wheels.

The force, which as a rule is generated by muscle power, is relatively high, particulatly because the efficiency of such drives is very small.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a propulsion system for a water borne vehicle comprising a stabilizing member which is pivotable for steering, and a drive means comprising an arm which is pivotable about one end thereof, and a member mounted on the other end of the arm and pivotable relative thereto within a limited angular range.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a water borne vehicle comprising a propulsion system as described above.

The limitation of the pivotal range, which is required for the attainment of a thrust force, may for example be attained by ensuring that the member, for example, a fin co-operates with abutments. The abutments may in that case be arranged on the pivot arm.

The pivoting motion of the arm may be generated through a turning moment with alternating direction, which may preferably be provided by a vertical axle, on which a crossbar is fixedly arranged.

When therefore the vertical axle is driven by an alternating turning moment, for example, by the crossbar being moved to and fro by a foot -actuation, a corresponding motion also takes place of the arm and member. Since the pivotal range of the member is limited, pulses are thus generated, which cause propulsion of the vehicle in the water.

It is of course also possible that the mem- ber is pivotable because it is elastically arranged at the end of the arm.

Such a propulsion system may be provided on a conventional boat; it may however also be arranged on an air mattress or other forms of floating appliances.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :-- Pigs. 1 and 2 show in detail a drive means as used in the invention; Figs. 3 and 4 show a propulsion system embodying the invention and connected to a bathing boat; and Figs. 5 and 6 show a propulsion system embodying the invention and connected to a floating appliance.

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows a mechanical drive means which consists of a pivot arm 1, which may be set into a horizontal pivoting motion through a vertical rotary axle 2. A fin 3 is hinged at 4 to this pivot arm 1 and is movable to and fro in horizontal plane so that it can execute a pivotal motion.

Abutments 4a and 4b are provided on the pivot arm 1 so that the pivotal motion of the fin 3 is limited. Arranged on the vertical rotary axle 2 is a cross bar 6, by means of which an alternating turning moment may be exerted on the rotary axle 2 by the exertion of an appropriate foot force at 7 and 8, respectively. When the rotary axle 2 is moved to and fro in this manner, then the pivot arm 1 makes a corresponding pivotal motion.

Thereby, a corresponding force is applied to the fin 3 by the surrounding water and the movement thereof is limited to a certain extent by the abutments 4a and 4b so that a propulsion of the water vehicle is attained.

The springs 5 and Sa, which connect the pivot arm with the fin, provide damping of the fin motion and a more rapid return to the respective opposite position.

To attain the optimum flowing away of the water, i.e. without formation of eddies, the fin possesses a shape which becomes progressively wider from a narrow end at 3a to a wide end at 3b. With symmetrical construction, a trapezium shape would result.

Figs. 3 and 4 show the propulsion system connected to a bathing boat 9. The drive for the propulsion of this bathing boat is arranged underneath the boat and includes the fin 10, which is hinged to the pivot arm 11 and also connected thereto by means of springs 12. The axle 13 is vertically arranged on the pivot arm 11 and reaches into the seating region of the boat where it connects with a cross bar 14 carrying pedals 15 and 16. The axle 13 is rotatably journalled in a carrier spar 15a which is fastened to the boat hull. When the pivot arm 11 is moved to and fro, the fin 10 is forced by the pressure of water thereon to make a corresponding motion about the hinge axis 10a To translate motion of the fin 10 into thrust force, the pivotation is limited so far as is required for the attainment of an optimum thrust force.

The limitation of the pivotal motion of the fin may, for example, take place thereby, that the fin abuts against abutments which are arranged on the pivot arm 11 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The pivotation of the fin 10 is damped by the spring force of the spring 12, whereby the fin is brought more gently and rapidly into its oPpOsite position on a change of the pivotal direction of the pivot arm 11.

The rearward stabilising surface 16 and the forward stabilising surface 17 are mounted on the carrier spar 15a for stabilisation in the lonr-ritndinal direction. The forward stabilising surface is constructed as a rudder which can he actuated by a rudder tiller 18.

An immediate chane in direction can be attained through this kind of steering.

Figs. 5 and 6 show the mechanical drive connected to a floating appliance 27, on which the user may lie down. The vertical axle 19, to which the pivotal fin drive is fastened, is connected to a frame 20, which consists of the two parallel stays 21 and 22, which are connected with each other throuh cross stavs 23 and 24. The cross stay 23 is fastened to the vertical axle 19. The foot sllnnorts 25 and 26 are arranged on the lonqitudinal stavs 21 and 22. When the foot sunDorts 25 and 26 are appropriately operated a correqDonding pivotal motion of the axle 19 tykes place to thereby cause a correbsnonding actuation of the fin 28.

A stabilising surface 29 pivotable about a rotary axle 30 is provided at the forward end of the floating appliance 27, and it is moved by means of an actuating lever 31.

Members 32 and 33 represent buoyancy bodies.

The embodiments described herein when properly constructed have the advantage that an easier and more comfortable propulsion in the water may be obtained without greater force effort, especially without greater muscle power effort, thereby providing a greater manoeuvrability.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. A propulsion system for a water borne vehicle comprising a stabilizing member which is pivotable for steering, and a drive means comprising an arm which is pivotable about one end thereof, and a member mounted on the other end of the arm and pivotable relative thereto within a limited angular range.

2. A propulsion system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the member is hinged to the arm.

3. A propulsion system as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, and provided with abutments to limit the pivotal motion of the member.

4. A propulsion system as claimed in claim 1, - comprising resilient means connecting the member to the pivot arm.

5. A propulsion system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a further stabilizing member.

-6. A propulsion system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the drive means is located between the pivotable stabilizing member and the further stabilizing member.

7. A propulsion system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pivot arm is provided with means to transmit an alternating turning moment.

8. A propulsion system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the means to transmit the alternating turning moment comprises an axle and a crossbar fixedly supported thereon.

9. A propulsion system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the member comprises a fin shaped to become wider in the trailing direction of the vehicle.

10. A propulsion system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs.

1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

11. A propulsion system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs.

5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.

12. A waterborne vehicle comprising a propulsion system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

13. A waterborne vehicle substantially as

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. of the fin motion and a more rapid return to the respective opposite position. To attain the optimum flowing away of the water, i.e. without formation of eddies, the fin possesses a shape which becomes progressively wider from a narrow end at 3a to a wide end at 3b. With symmetrical construction, a trapezium shape would result. Figs. 3 and 4 show the propulsion system connected to a bathing boat 9. The drive for the propulsion of this bathing boat is arranged underneath the boat and includes the fin 10, which is hinged to the pivot arm 11 and also connected thereto by means of springs 12. The axle 13 is vertically arranged on the pivot arm 11 and reaches into the seating region of the boat where it connects with a cross bar 14 carrying pedals 15 and 16. The axle 13 is rotatably journalled in a carrier spar 15a which is fastened to the boat hull. When the pivot arm 11 is moved to and fro, the fin 10 is forced by the pressure of water thereon to make a corresponding motion about the hinge axis 10a To translate motion of the fin 10 into thrust force, the pivotation is limited so far as is required for the attainment of an optimum thrust force. The limitation of the pivotal motion of the fin may, for example, take place thereby, that the fin abuts against abutments which are arranged on the pivot arm 11 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The pivotation of the fin 10 is damped by the spring force of the spring 12, whereby the fin is brought more gently and rapidly into its oPpOsite position on a change of the pivotal direction of the pivot arm 11. The rearward stabilising surface 16 and the forward stabilising surface 17 are mounted on the carrier spar 15a for stabilisation in the lonr-ritndinal direction. The forward stabilising surface is constructed as a rudder which can he actuated by a rudder tiller 18. An immediate chane in direction can be attained through this kind of steering. Figs. 5 and 6 show the mechanical drive connected to a floating appliance 27, on which the user may lie down. The vertical axle 19, to which the pivotal fin drive is fastened, is connected to a frame 20, which consists of the two parallel stays 21 and 22, which are connected with each other throuh cross stavs 23 and 24. The cross stay 23 is fastened to the vertical axle 19. The foot sllnnorts 25 and 26 are arranged on the lonqitudinal stavs 21 and 22. When the foot sunDorts 25 and 26 are appropriately operated a correqDonding pivotal motion of the axle 19 tykes place to thereby cause a correbsnonding actuation of the fin 28. A stabilising surface 29 pivotable about a rotary axle 30 is provided at the forward end of the floating appliance 27, and it is moved by means of an actuating lever 31. Members 32 and 33 represent buoyancy bodies. The embodiments described herein when properly constructed have the advantage that an easier and more comfortable propulsion in the water may be obtained without greater force effort, especially without greater muscle power effort, thereby providing a greater manoeuvrability. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. A propulsion system for a water borne vehicle comprising a stabilizing member which is pivotable for steering, and a drive means comprising an arm which is pivotable about one end thereof, and a member mounted on the other end of the arm and pivotable relative thereto within a limited angular range.

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6. A propulsion system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the drive means is located between the pivotable stabilizing member and the further stabilizing member.

1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.

13. A waterborne vehicle substantially as

hereinbefore described with reference to Figs.

1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A waterborne vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs.

5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.