Rotary Cranking Arm Patents (Class 440/26)
  • Patent number: 5011441
    Abstract: A main body member is supported by transverse supports on a pair of pontoons. The main body member supports an operator's seat, a cargo rack, a pedal drive propeller assembly, and a rudder. The main body member has longitudinal slots in its surfaces that are associated with longitudinal interior sockets for adjustable engagement with the seat, the cargo rack, a support extension for the pedal drive propeller assembly, and the transverse supports. By means of such adjustable engagement, attachable portions are capable of longitudinal adjustment for establishing the desired trim of the cycle on the water with the operator or operators supported on the seat. Also, the support extension for the pedal drive propeller assembly is capable of longitudinal adjustment to accommodate the stature of the operator or operators after the plane of buoyancy has been established. Furthermore, seat and propeller assemblies for one or two persons are capable of being substituted one for the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: Recreation Industries Company
    Inventors: John J. Foley, Ralph M. Eide, Ranald I. Macdonell
  • Patent number: 4943251
    Abstract: A pedal operated drive system for a canoe includes a main drive assembly in the canoe including a main drive shaft, an intermediate drive shaft extending rearwardly of the main drive shaft to a point beyond the canoe stern, and a propeller shaft behind the canoe, supported pivotally on the intermediate shaft. A lower region of the propeller shaft, below water when the canoe is afloat, supports a propeller. A series of drive rods including a main drive rod, intermediate drive rod and a propeller drive rod, form a driving engagement between the propeller and a pedal and crank assembly on the main drive assembly, for rotating the propeller responsive to rotating the pedal and crank assembly. Each of the drive rods is rotatably contained within its associated shaft. Universal connections between the rods allow them to be positioned at angles with respect to one another, an obtuse angle between the main drive rod and intermediate drive rod being employed to lower the center of gravity of the drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Thomas E. Lerach, Abraham Meron
  • Patent number: 4891024
    Abstract: A marine propeller equipped drive unit is provided for support from the transom of a boat in generally the same manner an outboard motor is supported from a boat transom and a pedal crank assembly is provided for mounting within a boat forward of a transverse seat thereof to be operated by the legs of a person supported from the seat, the pedal crank assembly including an output shaft and the drive unit including an upper end input shaft and there being provided an open drive shaft assembly extending between and operably connecting the output shaft to the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Inventor: Robert J. Benjamin
  • Patent number: 4832631
    Abstract: A manually powered pair of crank operated flat paddles used by a swimmer combines a rotary and paddling motion. One paddle is rotated to engage the water while the opposite paddle is disengaged and provides flotation only. The opposite paddle is then rotated to engage the water while the first paddle is disengaged. This apparatus combines support with propulsion to assist the beginning swimmer. The motion of the swimmer's arms using this device mimics a normal swimming stroke and aids the learning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Inventor: Marvin N. Gag
  • Patent number: 4795381
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vessel which comprises a floating body upon which a seat for a person is mounted. The vessel is driven by human power through a treadle mechanism which drives a propeller.The treadle mechanism comprises two actuating elements which are each pivotable and are driveable by arms or legs and which are coupled by a driving shaft through a freewheel clutch. By avoiding the death centers which are present in a cycle treadle mechanism, human power is used efficiently.By making the floating body a gliding body the water resistance is reduced, so that together with the efficient propulsion mechanism a high travelling speed through the water is reachable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Inventor: Karel Willems
  • Patent number: 4676755
    Abstract: Pedal operated mechanisms are disclosed for propelling watercraft, with one embodiment of the invention comprising a modification for a canoe and a second form of the invention comprising a mechanism that can be secured to a surfboard. A novel flexible driveshaft is disclosed for transmitting power from the pedals to a propeller. A canoe can easily be modified to incorporate the first form of the invention, and the second form of the invention is easily secured to a surfboard or like craft. Both forms of the invention can be easily removed from the craft, once installed, and the craft converted back to its original use. In the case of the canoe, the invention provides for exercise of different parts of the body in different modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1987
    Inventor: Erse Yagan
  • Patent number: 4668196
    Abstract: A manually powered boat for use as desired by one, two, three or more operators is disclosed. Balanced floatation is maintained regardless of the number of occupants/operators. The boat includes a buoyant hull, a centered, rotatable propulsion assembly enclosed in a housing, and a seat for at least three persons. Cranks for operating the propulsion assembly are included on each side of the housing. Foot pedals are arranged on the cranks to enable operation by a single operator/occupant while sitting in the center of the boat and straddling the housing. Alternately, two persons may sit on either side of the boat. For a three or more person operation, the pedals are positioned to allow adjacent legs and feet of persons seated side-by-side and immediately adjacent one another to be extended and moved in unison for comfort and coordination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Assignee: Leisure Life Limited
    Inventors: Charles E. Billmayer, Robert P. Koch
  • Patent number: 4576580
    Abstract: A pedal powered watercraft is disclosed in which a centrally disposed longitudinally extending frame carries a centrally positioned pedal housing having one pedal on each side of said frame with one of a pair of longitudinally extending laterally horizontal boards mounted on each pedal. The frame carries a pair of vertically spaced apart stops constituted by horizontal bars extending outwardly from the frame on each side of the watercraft at the forward end of thereof. The boards extend forwardly of the pedals beyond the bars with these bars being positioned so that the upper bars are below the upper surface of the boards when the pedal carrying the same is at the upper limit of its path of movement, and the lower bars are above the lower surface of the boards when the pedal carrying the same is at the lower limit of its path of movement. This causes the forward end of both boards to point in such a direction that the tilt of both boards moves the craft forwardly when the upper board is depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1986
    Inventor: Arnold G. Gulko
  • Patent number: 4511338
    Abstract: A water bicycle and a detachable device for converting a sail board into a water bicycle. The water bicycle has a flotation member and a frame removably mounted to the flotation member. Pedals are rotatably mounted to the frame. Paddle wheels are provided on either side of the frame and are interconnected with the pedals so as to be rotatably driven by the pedals. A steering handle is rotatably mounted to the frame and is interconnected with the paddle wheels to selectively steer the water bicycle by raising and lowering the paddle wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1985
    Inventor: Noel Fanelli
  • Patent number: 4496325
    Abstract: A paddle boat comprising a plurality of floats, collapsible driving and propelling apparatus, folding steering apparatus, the driving and propelling apparatus and steering apparatus adapted for mounting onto the floats during use of the paddle boat, particularly wherein the driving and propelling apparatus includes a paddle adapted to remain in a substantially vertical orientation during movement of the boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Inventor: Edward Tweg
  • Patent number: 4379701
    Abstract: A buoyant apparatus propelled by a human operator has a pair of side by side annular floats and a pontoon rotatably mounted at the corners of a triangular frame. A pair of platforms are each mounted on the upperside of one of the annular floats. A plurality of paddles are mounted on the undersides of the floats at circumferentially spaced locations. The rotational axes of the floats converge upwardly, and the buoyancy of the floats is such that a person can be buoyantly supported in the water by the apparatus with the outboard portions of the floats raised out of the water sufficiently to result in forward propulsion when the person rotates the adjacent inboard portions of the floats rearwardly. This rotation may be done by the person engaging and rearwardly pushing the inboard portions of the platforms with his or her feet while sitting or standing. Alternatively, the floats may be rotated through a pedal drive operated by the person in a sitting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1983
    Inventor: Constant V. David
  • Patent number: 4318700
    Abstract: A watercraft has two pontoons interconnected by framework which supports a propelling unit adjacent its bow end. The unit includes a paddle wheel between the two pontoons with exposed pedals to be engaged by the feet of a seated occupant. A rudder is attached to the stern end of the framework to an intermediate portion of which a seating unit is attached adjacent which the rudder control is located. An outboard motor may be attached to the rear end of the framework and the seating unit, constructed to enable the watercraft to accommodate two persons seated back-to-back, is adjustable lengthwise of the framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1982
    Inventor: Charles D. Price
  • Patent number: 4285674
    Abstract: An attachment for a bicycle is disclosed, permitting use of the bicycle in water, with relatively efficient propulsion and steering, and also on land, without removal of the attachment. Floats of the attachment are positioned on either side of the bicycle, connected by frame members which are removably attached to forward and rearward portions of the bicycle frame. The front wheel of the bicycle is provided with a solid circular disc, closing the space within the rim, so that the front wheel acts as a rudder in water when steered. Connected to the rear wheel spokes are a series of impeller cups or vanes which strike the water in the bottom of their stroke of movement to drive the bicycle forward. The floats may be of a lightweight foam material, or may be inflatable. For use as an exercising device, the bicycle may be provided with a resistance device engaged against the rear wheel, and the bicycle may be elevated on blocks, via the floats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1981
    Inventor: Thomas S. Chew
  • Patent number: 4241688
    Abstract: A device useful for exercising in a swimming pool or other body of water which allows the person to be supported in a substantially seated upright position in the body of water such that the neck, head and upper shoulders of the person remain out of the water, allowing the person to exercise the legs, arms and torso while neutrally buoyant. The device is constructed of a buoyant body that is contoured to be stable and recessed laterally to be comfortably straddled by a person exercising, and includes a smaller forward portion and a larger (in volume) rear portion upon which the person is seated while in the water. The particular shape of the device is such that the center of buoyancy of the body is positioned to substantially be disposed forward of the vertical spine (near the center of gravity) of the user for balance and stability in the water. The user, may thus sit upon the body and freely move his legs and arms for exercise in a seated, upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1980
    Inventors: Ralph A. Mansolill, Kathryn R. Mansolill