US3323482A

US3323482A - Hand operated propeller drive for boats

Info

Publication number: US3323482A
Application number: US501271A
Authority: US
Inventors: Donald W Sanborn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1965-10-22
Filing date: 1965-10-22
Publication date: 1967-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 1984-06-06

Description

Jlme 1967 D. w. SANBORN HAND OPERATED PRQPELLER DRIVE FOR BOATS ME A w... 43

Filed Oct. 22, 1965 INVENTOR. ONALD ANESORN ATORNEY United States Patent 3,323,432 HAND OPERATED PROPELLER DRIVE FOR BOATS Donald W. Sanborn, Itox 262, Laheview, Oreg. 97630 Filed Oct. 22, 1965, Ser. No. 501,271 4 Claims. (Cl. 115-24) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in hand operated propeller drives for boats.

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a propeller drive as described having structure facilitating efiicient driving of the propeller.

A more particular object is to provide propeller drive means as described which has an arrangement of parts which form a stabilized hand operated drive and one which is readily maneuverable in the hand propelling of the boat.

Briefiy stated, the invention comprises apparatus which may be attached to a small boat and which employs hand crank means for operating a propeller. The apparatus includes a main frame which supports a bracket for attachment to the boat and also support means for the journaled operation of the hand crank and the propeller. The parts are arranged to provide for stability of the apparatus when hand driven.

The invention will be better understood and additional objects will become apparent from the following specification and claims, considered together with the accompanying drawings, wherein the numerals of reference indicate like parts and wherein:

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view, partly broken away, of the present hand operated propeller drive for boats;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged, vertical sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, horizontal sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary elevational view taken on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIGURE 1.

Referring now in particular to the drawings, the present hand operated propeller drive comprises an upright frame or plate having a forwardly disposed, integral cross member 12 from which depends a spindle 14. Spindle 14 is arranged for journaled engagement in an upright socket 16 having a right angle bracket arm 18 integrated therewith. Bracket arm 18 threadedly supports a pair of screws 20 having enlarged abutment ends 22 on one end and pivoted operating levers 24 on the other end. Integrated with the socket 16 is an abutment plate 26, and as apparent in FIGURE 1 wherein a boat 28 is shown in phantom lines, the frame It] is adapted to be clamped on the transom of the boat by fitting the bracket over said transom. The abutment plate 26 and the screws 20 then engage opposite sides of the transom, and by tightening the screws the apparatus is securely anchored to the boat. The spindle support of the frame 10 in the socket 16 allows for pivotal movement of said frame relative to the boat.

integrally supported on the upper end of frame 10 in longitudinal disposition therewith is a socket 3G in which is journaled a horizontal portion 32 of a hand crank 34, the crank portion 34 being disposed forwardly of the socket so as to be disposed interiorly of the boat and available for operation by an operator in the boat.

The horizontal portion 32 of the crank projects rearwardly from the socket 30 and has a bevel gear 36 secured thereon. This bevel gear meshes with a bevel gear 38 on a vertical shaft 40 journaled in a socket member 4-2 integrated in depending relation with rear portion of frame 10. In a preferred structure, the exposed.

gears

36 and 38 are contained in a box-like housing 43 open at its rearward end.

Socket member 42 carries at its lower end a propeller housing 44 in which is journaled a propeller shaft 46. Propeller housing 44 is formed of two

parts

44a and 44b releasably held together by studs 47. Shaft 46 has a propeller 48 secured on one projecting end thereof and also has secured thereto interiorly of the housing a bevel gear 56) meshing with a bevel gear 52 secured on the lower end of shaft 4t? which projects into the housing 44. Thus, upon operation of the crank 34 the propeller is rotated in a drive function in either direction.

Threadedly mounted in the spindle socket 16 is a set screw 54 the outer end of which carries a pivoted operating lever 56. As seen in FIGURE 3, the set screw 54 projects interiorly of the socket 16 and is arranged to engage the spindle 14 whereby to anchor the spindle and therefore the drive portion of the apparatus in a stationary position. Or, if desired, the set screw 54 may be only partially tightened on the spindle whereby to allow forced turning movement of the drive apparatus.

In accordance with the present invention there is thus provided a hand operated propeller apparatus for attachment to a small boat. A particular feature of this apparatus is the location of the pivot support point for the apparatus, namely, one which is disposed at a forward part of the frame. That is, as will be seen in FIGURE 1, the principal portion of the propeller drive mechanism projects rearwardly from the pivot point 16, and when the hand crank 34 is operated the short lever association between the crank and the pivot point 16 prevents appreciable wobbling back and forth of the pivoted portion. With the propeller suspended in Water the lateral resistance thereon will also stabilize the pivoted portion and the operator can rotate the crank freely without appreciable wobble. The present device also has as a feature thereof a hand operated boat drive mechanism which is simplified in construction and readily operable by a single operator.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herein shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A hand operated propeller drive apparatus for boats comprising a bracket for mounting said apparatus on a boat, frame means pivotally mounted on said bracket, drive shaft means rotatably supported. on said frame means, a propeller on one end of said drive shaft means arranged for driving disposition in the water, and crank means on the other end of said drive shaft means for rotatably operating said propeller, said bracket having forward and rearward portions and having means on the forward portion thereof for pivotally mounting said frame means thereon.

2. A hand operated propeller drive apparatus for boats comprising a bracket for mounting said apparatus on a boat, frame means pivotally mounted on said bracket, drive shaft means rotatably supported on said frame means, a propeller on one end of said drive shaft means arranged for driving disposition in the water, and crank means on the other end of said drive shaft means for rotatably operating said propeller, said frame means having forward and rearward portions and the pivot connection thereof with said bracket being located adjacent the forward portion of the frame means whereby to provide a leverage which stabilizes the frame: when said crank means is rotated.

aszaaea 3. A hand operated propeller drive apparatus in combination with a boat comprising a bracket on said apparatus mounting the latter on the boat, frame means pivotally mounted on said bracket, the pivot connection between said frame means and said bracket comprising a socket and spindle connection disposed interiorly of the boat, drive shaft means rotatably supported on said frame means, a propeller on one end of said drive shaft means arranged for driving disposition in the Water, and crank means on the other end of said drive shaft means for rotatably operating said propeller.

4. The hand operated propeller drive apparatus of claim 3 including set screw means on said socket engageable with said spindle for controlling pivotal movement of said frame means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner.

ANDREW H. FARRELL, Examiner.

Claims

1. A HAND OPERATED PROPELLER DRIVE APPARATUS FOR BOATS COMPRISING A BRACKET FOR MOUNTING SAID APPARATUS ON A BOAT, FRAME MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID BRACKET, DRIVE SHAFT MEANS ROTATABLY SUPPORTED ON SAID FRAME MEANS, A PROPELLER ON ONE END OF SAID DRIVE SHAFT MEANS ARRANGED FOR DRIVING DISPOSITION IN THE WATER, AND CRANK MEANS ON THE OTHER END OF SAID DRIVE SHAFT MEANS FOR ROTATABLY OPERATING SAID PROPELLER, SAID BRACKET HAVING FORWARD AND REARWARD PORTIONS AND HAVING MEANS ON THE FORWARD PORTION THEREOF FOR PIVOTALLY MOUNTING SAID FRAME MEANS THEREON.