Boat propeller and guard device

Abstract

A boat propeller and guard device for protecting marine wildlife from being hurt by coming into contact with boat propellers. The boat propeller and guard device includes a propeller having a hub and fins extending radially from the hub; and also includes flexible guard members each being securely and removably attached along an outer edge of a respective fin; and further includes strips of fastening members being attached to the flexible guard members for fastening the flexible guard members to the fins.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to boat propellers and guards for the propellers and more particularly pertains to a new boat propeller and guard device for protecting marine wildlife from being hurt by coming into contact with boat propellers.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] The use of boat propellers and guards for the propellers is known in the prior art. More specifically, boat propellers and guards for the propellers heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

[0005] Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 4,251,189; U.S. Pat. No. 6,106,235; U.S. Pat. No. 5,928,042; U.S. Pat. No. 5,066,254; U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,620; U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,884; and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 265,674.

[0006] While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new boat propeller and guard device. The prior art includes propellers having cages being disposed about the propellers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new boat propeller and guard device which has many of the advantages of the boat propellers and guards for the propellers mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new boat propeller and guard device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art boat propellers and guards for the propellers, either alone or in any combination thereof. The present invention includes a propeller having a hub and fins extending radially from the hub; and also includes flexible guard members each being securely and removably attached along an outer edge of a respective fin; and further includes strips of fastening members being attached to the flexible guard members for fastening the flexible guard members to the fins. None of the prior art includes the combination of the elements of the present invention.

[0008] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the boat propeller and guard device in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0009] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a new boat propeller and guard device which has many of the advantages of the boat propellers and guards for the propellers mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new boat propeller and guard device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art boat propellers and guards for the propellers, either alone or in any combination thereof.

[0011] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new boat propeller and guard device for protecting marine wildlife from being hurt by coming into contact with boat propellers.

[0012] Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new boat propeller and guard device that is easy and convenient to attach to the fins of propellers

[0013] Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new boat propeller and guard device that prevents marine wildlife and swimmers from being accidentally cut up by a boat propeller.

[0014] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0016] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a new boat propeller and guard device according to the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the guard member of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 2 thereof, a new boat propeller and guard device embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

[0019] As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 2, the boat propeller and guard device 10 generally comprises a propeller 11 having a hub 12 and fins 13 conventionally extending radially from the hub 12. Each of the fins 13 has rounded corners and an enlarged outer portion.

[0020] Flexible guard members 14 are securely and removably attached along outer edges of the fins 13. Each of the flexible guard members 14 includes an elongate pad member being made of a poly-foam material and having a generally planar underside 15 and also having an outer side 16 with rounded longitudinal corners. Each of the flexible guard members 14 further includes a longitudinal slot 17 being conventionally disposed in the underside 15 and extending a length of the flexible guard member 14 and engageably receiving the outer edge of a respective fin 13. Each longitudinal slot 17 has a generally inverted U-shaped lateral cross-section. Each of the flexible guard members 14 has a first end being disposed near the hub 12 and has a second end also being disposed near the hub 12.

[0021] Strips of fastening members 18,19 are conventionally attached to the flexible guard members 14 for fastening the flexible guard members 14 to the fins 13. The strips of fastening members 18,19 are disposed in the longitudinal slots 17 and are adhered to end and side walls defining the longitudinal slots 17. Each of the strips of fastening members 18,19 includes a strip of adhesive tape 18 and a protective cover 19 being removably disposed upon the strip of adhesive tape 18.

[0022] In use, the user removes the protective covers 19 from the strips of adhesive tape 18 and places the flexible guard members 14 about and along the outer edges of the fins 13 with the outer edges of the fins 13 being received in the longitudinal slots 17 and with the strips of adhesive tape 18 adhering to the fins 13 so that the flexible guard members 14 are securely attached to the fins 13.

[0023] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

[0024] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0025] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the boat propeller and guard device. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A boat propeller and guard device comprising:

a propeller having a hub and fins extending radially from said hub;

flexible guard members each being securely and removably attached along an outer edge of a respective said fin; and

strips of fastening members being attached to said flexible guard members for fastening said flexible guard members to said fins.

2. A boat propeller and guard device as described in claim 1, wherein each of said fins has rounded corners and an enlarged outer portion.

3. A boat propeller and guard device as described in claim 2, wherein each of said flexible guard members includes an elongate pad member being made of a poly-foam material and having a generally planar underside and also having an outer side with rounded longitudinal corners.

4. A boat propeller and guard device as described in claim 3, wherein each of said flexible guard members further includes a longitudinal slot being disposed in said underside and extending a length of said flexible guard member and engageably receiving said outer edge of a respective said fin.

5. A boat propeller and guard device as described in claim 4, wherein each said longitudinal slot has a generally inverted U-shaped lateral cross-section.

6. A boat propeller and guard device as described in claim 5, wherein each of said flexible guard members has a first end being disposed near said hub and has a second end also being disposed near said hub.

7. A boat propeller and guard device as described in claim 6, wherein said strips of fastening members are disposed in said longitudinal slots and are adhered to end and side walls defining said longitudinal slots.

8. A boat propeller and guard device as described in claim 7, wherein each of said strips of fastening members includes a strip of adhesive tape and a protective cover being removably disposed upon said strip of adhesive tape.