Personal device for moving in water

Abstract

A device for moving on water has two elements formed as skis in form of floats, lever means connecting the floats with one another, and elastic accumulating means associated with the lever means, so that energy is accumulated when one of the floats is stalled and is given back when another of the floats moves forward.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to devices for moving on water.

Devices for walking on water are known. Such devices are usually formed as flows. Sometimes, poles with floats are used to maintain equilibrium. Since during movement on water there is no stationary friction, it is difficult to maintain equilibrium on the floats when the person stands. Also, the speed of movement is relatively low since the weight of floats is, due to water content about 100 liter, relatively high and therefore inertia forces during walking are higher than inertia forces during normal walking on land. It is believed that this why the devices have not been broadly used. It is therefore advisable to improve the existing devices for moving on water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a personal device for movement on water, which eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art.

In keeping with these objects and with others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in a device for moving of water, which includes two skis formed as floats; means for connecting said floats with one another; and elastic energy accumulators associated with said connecting means for accumulating energy and then releasing it.

When the device is designed in accordance with the present invention, it is much more efficient than the existing devices.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the present invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c are a side view, a plan view and an end view of a device for moving on water in accordance with the present invention in an active position;

FIGS. 2a and 2b are a side view and a plan view of the device for moving on water in accordance with the present invention in a passive position;

FIGS. 3-5 are a front view, a side view and an enlarged fragment of energy accumulating means of the inventive device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A device for moving on water in accordance with the present invention has two elements which are formed substantially as floats 1 in form of skis. They are provided with mounts for shoes or feet 12, which are arranged on a platform 6. The floats 1 are connected with one another by levers 4, interconnected by elastic energy accumulators 3 which will be explained later on. The levers 4 are fixed in active position by locks 5.

For increasing efficiency of the floats 1, they are provided with displaceable blades 20. When one of the floats 1 moves backwards, the blades under the action of water pressure assume an open position, which is fixed by stops 21 relative to the floats 1. The displaceable blades 20 are located in chambers 22 and assist a user to push from water.

Conventionally during corresponding movements of mechanical parts, the drive which in the present invention is a user, has to overcome losses on account of their inertia. In order to reduce the losses of this type, the device for moving on water in accordance with the present invention is provided with the above mentioned elastic energy accumulators 3, which are connected with the floats 1 by the levers 4.

During movement in a stable mode, the elastic energy accumulators 3 accumulate energy when one of the floats 1 stalls, and give away the energy when the other of the floats 1 is accelerated. The elastic energy accumulators 3 provide one degree of freedom in active mode to prevent spreading of the floats 1 toward the sides, so as to maintain an allowed distance between them in a transverse direction.

Chambers 11 for regulation of a water displacement and a position of the center of gravity of the floats can be provided inside the floats. They can be filled with water. Additional chambers are identified with reference numerals 7. Holders 9 are attached to the platform 6 through connecting elements 8.

The speed of movement is proportional to the rigidity of the elastic energy accumulators and also depends on the ability of the user to compensate losses connected with the movement in water. The displaceable blades 20 freely swing relative to the skis 1. They can be made with desired floating ability for easy collapsing, displacement, and low wear. The stops 21 can be formed by dampers to reduce noise during movement.

The chambers 7 are formed as compartments for auxiliary equipment, such as for example a battery for power supply, communication means and/or illumination and signaling, audio and/or video equipment, devices for attaching fishing rods, navigation instruments, motors, tankers, and communication means. The chambers 7 are formed as sealed compartments and provided with covers 13.

The floats 1 can be provided with rudder blades 29 for changing direction of movement. The rudder blades 29 can swing around axles 15 placed on a plate 14, to prevent damage that can be caused by obstacles. When the rudder blades 29 reach some obstacles, for example a sea bottom, they will automatically be taken out by generated forces, from the holder plate 24. The rudder blades 29 are mounted in bearings supported by swinging blades 17 and a holding blade 24.

The direction of movement of the floats 1 can be chosen by moving a handle 26 to a desired position. This will cause turning of the levers 27 with the rudder blades 29 mounted on a rudder shaft 25 by links 10. When the rudder blades 29 are moved in opposite direction, this can be used to slow down the floats.

The handles 26 can be turned into inwards position in a passive mode shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b.

The floats of the device in accordance with the present invention can be provided with a frame 18 and covered by a skin 23. The inner space of the skis 1 can be partitioned by walls 19 to improve safety. It can be also filled with a foam. The skin 23 can be made of multi-layered panels.

The levers 4 can be fixed in a position which coaxial with the axes of the elastic energy accumulators 3 so as to make possible an increase of distance between the floats 1 in the passive position. This provides for expansion of the area of use of the device. In the passive position, platforms 30 can be provided on the floats 1 so as to place on it an equipment, such as a sail, seats, loads, etc. The platforms 30 are mounted in the holders 31.

FIGS. 3-5 show details of the elastic energy accumulator. Each energy accumulator has a shaft 41 which is connected with a cover 49 by a flange 47 welded to a connector 45 and screws 48. A spring holder 43 with a spring 44 is arranged at an opposite end of the shaft 41. A bearing 50 is located on the spring holder 43. A base 42 is connected with a connector 52 by a flange 51 and the screws 8. The opposite end of the spring is connected to the base. The connectors 45 and 52 connect the base 42 and the cover 49 with the levers 4.

When the levers 4 turn relative to one another, the base 2 and the shaft 1 are turned, which leads to a winding or unwinding of the springs 43 so as to accumulate energy or to release energy correspondingly.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in personal device for moving in water, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

Claims

1. A device for moving on water, comprising two elements formed as skis in form of floats; lever means connecting the floats with one another; and elastic accumulating means associated with said lever means, so that energy is accumulated when one of the floats is stalled and is given back when another of the floats moves forward.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said elastic accumulating means include spring means.

3. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said lever means include at least two levers connecting said floats with one another and associated with said elastic energy accumulating means.

4. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said floats has a plurality of movable blades, formed so that when a respective one of said floats moves rearwardly, said blades under the action of water assume a substantially vertical position.

5. A device as defined in claim 4; and further comprising stop means for stopping said blade in said substantially vertical position.

6. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said floats has a chamber for accommodation of accessories.

7. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said floats has a chamber for regulation of water content and a position of a center of gravity.

8. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said floats has a mount for shue or feet.

9. A device as defined in claim 1; and further comprising with driving means connected to the floats for making a turn.

10. A device as defined in claim 1; and further comprising rudders with driving means which can be put into opposite direction to make said floats to stall.