Paddle Wheel Patents (Class 440/90)
  • Patent number: 11566596
    Abstract: A buoyant wave energy device is disclosed that incorporates an open-bottomed tube of substantial length in which is partially enclosed a first body of water that oscillates in response to wave action. The device incorporates a buoy to which an upper end of the tube is connected and inside of which is trapped a second body of water of substantial mass. A differential phase in the oscillations of the water trapped in the tube, and the oscillations of the buoy of augmented mass, result in the periodic compression of a pocket of air trapped at the top of the tube, and in the subsequent expulsion of pressurized air through a turbine, thereby generating electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Lone Gull Holdings, Ltd.
    Inventors: Garth Alexander Sheldon-Coulson, Brian Lee Moffat, Daniel William Place
  • Patent number: 10065469
    Abstract: The invention relates to amphibious and “ground affect” vehicles. The invention incorporates a special wheel consisting of a box portion affixed to a disc or wheel portion. A vehicle with such wheels can roll on most surfaces with easy transition from one medium to another. For example, it can roll from the terrain, onto the water and then back to the land. Such wheels enable vehicles to roll on top of the snow and other surfaces where conventional wheels cannot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Inventor: Joseph Mitchell Pilcher, III
  • Patent number: 9180931
    Abstract: A paddle wheel yacht includes a ship body and a ship power device that is arranged on the ship body and consists of a propeller driven by a main engine. The propeller consists of two paddle wheels. The lower edges of the paddle wheels are lower than the bottom surface of the ship body and are symmetrically arranged on the two sides of the ship body. Paddles are uniformly distributed on the outer edges of the paddle wheels in the radial direction and continuously flap the water surface down-backward at high speed when the paddle wheels rotate at high speed. Only the tail part of the ship body contacts with the water surface and the ship body slides on the water surface, so as to avoid large water resistance and obviously improve the propulsion efficiency to realize the high speed and economical navigation of the ship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: CHONGQING YUNHAN MARINE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Liang Hou, Yuhan Hou, Fengqin Jia
  • Publication number: 20130000537
    Abstract: A paddle wheel yacht includes a ship body and a ship power device that is arranged on the ship body and consists of a propeller driven by a main engine. The propeller consists of two paddle wheels. The lower edges of the paddle wheels are lower than the bottom surface of the ship body and are symmetrically arranged on the two sides of the ship body. Paddles are uniformly distributed on the outer edges of the paddle wheels in the radial direction and continuously flap the water surface down-backward at high speed when the paddle wheels rotate at high speed. Only the tail part of the ship body contacts with the water surface and the ship body slides on the water surface, so as to avoid large water resistance and obviously improve the propulsion efficiency to realize the high speed and economical navigation of the ship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Liang Hou, Yuhan Hou, Fengqin Jia
  • Publication number: 20120244760
    Abstract: A method for propulsion of a marine vessel, a liquid-directing system and a marine propulsion system are presented. Water-directing scoops are moved in a rearward direction while the scoops are dipping into the water. The scoops may be arranged about a hub. Water is scooped using a bottom edge and lower sides of each of the scoops. Each scoop has an open-faced concave interior and directs scooped water towards a centerline and towards a water exit region of the scoop. The water exit region remains above the local or apparent waterline while the water is scooped, directed and ejected. Water is ejected from the water exit region of the scoop in the rearward direction and at a relative exit velocity that is greater than a relative entrance velocity of water being scooped. Rearward ejection of the water expresses a forward thrust of the propulsion system. Other liquids may be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: Donald L. Ekhoff
  • Publication number: 20120094554
    Abstract: A watercraft propulsion system is disclosed, including: a mechanical drive assembly capable of coupling to and being driven by a power source element of a propeller-based watercraft engine; and a pair of paddle drums coupled to and driven by the mechanical drive assembly, thereby propelling the watercraft through a body of water. For example, the mechanical drive assembly is adapted to couple to a drive shaft power source element, while or to an electrical wiring power source element within a positioning shaft. The paddle drums include blades capable of producing thrust via contact with a solid bottom surface containing the body of water, and/or with a top surface of the body of water. When applied to outboard engines, surface drive engines, air cooled marine engines and trolling motors, this system allows for navigation of extremely shallow water without damaging equipment, scarring lake beds or destroying native grasses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventor: David A. Drinkard
  • Publication number: 20110045718
    Abstract: A marine propulsion system comprises a propulsion wheel that is rotary driven and that includes an arrangement of water-channeling members located to extend only partially below the water level. As a member is partially submerged, water is collected, compressed, accelerated, and ejected as a water jet. An ejection end of each member may be specifically designed to achieve desired thrust characteristics. The water-channeling members may be non-complex, such as being cup-shaped or spoon-shaped, but may include complex curvatures in order to achieve desired thrust characteristics. A hull may be used to precondition the water level presented to the water-channeling members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventor: Donald L. Ekhoff
  • Patent number: 7604521
    Abstract: A floating exercise rowing machine with two elongated floating assemblies that are kept at a parallel and spaced apart relationship with respect to each other by two transversal frame assemblies and a longitudinally extending frame assembly. The frame assemblies support a seat assembly mounted at the middle of the floating exercise machine. A propulsion mechanism that includes a bar that is pivotally mounted to the frame assembly with a coaxially extending actuating end that moves reciprocally between two extreme positions to cause, through linkage arms, the rotation of sprockets that in turn impart a rotational movement to a transversal axle that supports two paddle wheels at the ends. A steering mechanism permits a user to steer the floating machine with his/her hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Inventor: Marcio Ferez
  • Publication number: 20090029608
    Abstract: A watercraft comprises a hull, and a propulsion system coupled to the hull. The propulsion system comprises at least two propulsion discs, at least two drive inputs, and a differential coupled to the drive inputs. Each drive input is coupled to a respective one of the propulsion discs. The differential includes a power control input and is configured to vary a delivery of power from the drive inputs to the propulsion discs in accordance with the power control input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventor: David Lekhtman
  • Patent number: 7448930
    Abstract: A paddlewheel thruster for propelling a marine vessel is provided with a trimming device to automatically trim the paddlewheel independently of the vessel. Automated trimming primarily achieved by means of a buoyant rudder and a fin and an articulated paddlewheel support. Augmentations including the use of sensors and control regulators are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Inventor: Peter Diggins
  • Patent number: 7445530
    Abstract: An amphibious vehicle for one or more operators is equipped with four buoyant amphibious propulsion wheels, the wheels having a number of collapsible pockets disposed about the surface of the wheel. Each pocket comprises an opening oriented in the direction of rotation of the wheel and an outlet means distal to the opening for draining the pocket. Methods for using the amphibious wheel are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Inventors: Todd Munshaur, Steven Van Osdell
  • Publication number: 20080176465
    Abstract: A watercraft comprises a hull which is bouyant in water, and a propulsion system coupled to the hull for for propelling the hull in the water. The propulsion system comprises a propulsion disc and at least one drive input coupled to the propulsion disc. The propulsion disc is rotatable by the drive input about an axis of rotation and comprises a cavitation-reducing ring and a plurality of paddles extending radially outwards from the cavitation-reducing ring, The cavitation-reducing ring is configured to reduce cavitation in the water during rotation of the propulsion disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventor: David Lekhtman
  • Patent number: 7381109
    Abstract: Water craft achieving better hydrodynamic performance, greater stability and increased versatility. The improvement over the water craft in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,595,815 is achieved by the use of a new configuration of the active hulls and the stationary hull, the modification of the active hulls and the stationary hulls and the addition of a pair of the modified active hulls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Inventor: Ching Yin Au
  • Publication number: 20080006198
    Abstract: An apparatus with two configurations: a deployed configuration forming a watercraft that floats in water and a folded configuration that allows for transport of the apparatus. The apparatus includes multiple modules. One module is a planar sheet of corrugated material with a plurality of joints that allow the sheet to assume the shape of a hull when in the deployed configuration and to assume a box-shape when in the folded configuration. Another module is a paddle assembly that is releaseably connected to a pair of sidewalls when the sheet is in the deployed configuration. The paddle assembly is foldable such that it fits within the box-shape when the sheet is in the folded configuration. The planar sheet is foldable around a plurality of joints or hinges that are configured to fold two ways, thereby allowing the sheet to assume the two configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventor: Joseph Angelini
  • Patent number: 7270513
    Abstract: Apparatus for generating power from a water current in a body of water comprises a longitudinally extending flotation platform for maintaining the apparatus afloat in the body of water and a water turbine operatively carried by the platform for generating power in response to water current in the body of water. The platform is configured to enhance the flow of water current over the turbine blades and, as well, to enable a number of like platforms each with an associated turbine or turbines to be arrayed in a cooperative manner. The water turbine may comprise a turbine rotor with a plurality of relatively narrow, flexible elongated blades arranged in circumferentially spaced rows extending along the rotor. In each row, the blades are distanced from each other in succession by a space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventors: Colin Regan, Johann Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 7247070
    Abstract: A portable ice rescue craft includes a plurality of locking raft sections that are foldable for storage and transport. A drive unit includes a drive wheel driven by an electric motor via a drive belt. The drive wheel may include a plurality of spikes configured to engage ice and a plurality of paddles that are centripetally urgeable outward to pull the rescue craft through water. A forward raft section may include a pair of outboard pontoons to provide stability and minimize lateral rocking. An aft raft section includes at least one rudder. A pair of rudders may be mounted to a plate on a pivoting, biased system. The rudders automatically fold upwardly when the ice rescue craft is on ice or land. The rudders automatically activate downwardly when the ice rescue craft is in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventor: Steven D. Boice
  • Patent number: 7090553
    Abstract: A paddle wheel propulsion system includes a paddle wheel mounted for rotation about its horizontal axis for propelling a vessel, and for unlimited rotation about a vertical axis perpendicular to its horizontal axis for steering the vessel. The paddle wheel is also supported for limited vertical movement relative to the vessel. Reversible power drive is provided for independently controlling movement of the paddle wheel about its vertical and horizontal axes and for elevating and lowering the paddle wheel. Improved paddles are concave on both sides to provide maximum efficiency in both direction of rotation about the horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Inventor: Donald S. Seiford, Sr.
  • Patent number: 7040941
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vessel propulsion system and, more specifically, to a vessel propulsion system with improved efficiency and which leads to reduced wave formation, which comprises a propulsion device immersed at least partially in water and which rotates about at least one axis of rotation essentially extending perpendicularly to the propulsion device, as well as a cover partially enclosing the propulsion device, whereby the cover and the propulsion device together form a water conveying flow channel when the propulsion device is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Schmitt Kugelantriebe GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Schueller
  • Patent number: 6814636
    Abstract: A marine outdrive attachable to the transom of a boat having a conventional inboard engine and transmission. Said drive includes an aft support member extending rearwardly and pivotably attached to the transom whereby hydraulic actuators control vertical elevation of said member. Said member supports an axle upon which is journalled a cylinder with a plurity of contiguous and articulated blades, suitably attached so as to produce thrust when cylinder is rotated about the axle in a radial manner and said blades are brought into contact with water. Said cylinder is operably connected to the transmission in a conventional manner, which is operably connected to the engine in a conventional manner. Said blades are operably connected to an eccentric load cam within said cylinder that controls said blade angle throughout rotation, whereby delivered thrust can be continuously adjusted while underway. Said blades having unique shape and attributes whereby said blade's ability to produce thrust is optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Inventor: Gregory Lynn Nolen
  • Publication number: 20040048528
    Abstract: A high speed paddle wheel catamaran includes a hull configuration having a main hull portion with at least one defined cavity area in a lower surface of the main hull and opposing side pontoons depending from the main hull portion. The depending side pontoons correspond in orientation to a longitudinal axis of the catamaran. A paddle wheel assembly for the vessel includes a rotatable cage hub mounted on each pontoon. A plurality of vane members are rotatably mounted between the opposing cage hubs and adjacent an outer perimeter thereof. Each vane member is selectively rotated to one of a lift or thrust position according to an arcuate location of the vane as it passes through the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas J. Gieseke
  • Patent number: 6595815
    Abstract: Watercrafts comprising rotatable hulls that serve as propulsors. The hulls are rotors with paddle surfaces and are arranged three-dimensionally to gain the capability of actively diverting water toward the side and the rear, for the purpose of drastically reducing frontal drag and the capability of minimizing friction drag on their wetted surfaces. Watercrafts with rotatable hulls are essentially amphibious.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventors: Ching Yin Au, Lawrence Au
  • Publication number: 20030032348
    Abstract: Watercrafts comprising rotatable hulls that serve as propulsors. The hulls are rotors with paddle surfaces and are arranged three-dimensionally to gain the capability of actively diverting water toward the side and the rear, for the purpose of drastically reducing frontal drag and the capability of minimizing friction drag on their wetted surfaces. Watercrafts with rotatable hulls are essentially amphibious.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventors: Ching Yin Au, Lawrence Au
  • Patent number: 6450111
    Abstract: There is provided a combined pressure and thrust fan consisting of a solid circular disk with a plurality of radially spaced airfoil-shaped blades. The selective direction of airflow over an aft sector of the fan provides net thrust. The fan may be mounted in an air cushion vehicle with appropriate ducting or vanes to cause the major portion of the airflow to move radially through the aft sector. The fan according to the invention may also be used as an immersed propulsion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Inventor: Graham G. Cocksedge
  • Patent number: 6447352
    Abstract: A paddle drive system comprising: a slow speed hydraulic motor drive having at least one bearing which is axial, radial or both axial and radial; and a shaft secured to the at least one bearing of the hydraulic motor; and at least one, and preferably two paddlewheels, secured to said shaft, each paddlewheel comprising: a plurality of diaphragm plates, each diaphragm plate secured on one end to said shaft; a plurality of radial arms, each arm having a first end and a second end, said radial arms secured to said diaphragm plate on said first end; and at least one bucket secured to said second end of said plurality of radial arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Halter Marine, Inc.
    Inventor: W. Philip Nuss
  • Publication number: 20020098751
    Abstract: Kireev's conception of the high speed movement includes method and apparatus, which comprises the hull or platform (1) with the multiple supporting pylons located at the bottom of hull (1) with the Kireev's Rolling Floating Propellers (KRFP)(3) on axles (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventor: Grigoriy Kireev
  • Patent number: 6379205
    Abstract: A rescue clamp rescues precariously located victims, such as swimmers in water, such as seas, rivers, streams, ponds or swimming pools, climbers in deep ravines, persons on top of a burning building or persons fallen down a well. The rescue clamp includes an orifice clamp into which a victim inserts the hand and forearm. A handle trigger is grabbed by the victim's hand, to cause the clamp to snugly engage and grip around the victim's wrist or forearm. The rescue clamp grips the wrist or forearm by off-centered hour glass shaped jaws that rotate in unison to reduce the size of the orifice therebetween. To facilitate rotation, there is an eccentric off-center cam motion of the clamping jaws contributing to a grasping action in general. The clamping jaws automatically tighten around a victim's wrist or forearm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventor: Lutz Wallasch
  • Patent number: 6379206
    Abstract: A rescue clamp rescues precariously located victims, such as swimmers in water, such as seas, rivers, streams, ponds or swimming pools, climbers in deep ravines, persons on top of a burning building or persons fallen down a well. The rescue clamp includes an orifice clamp into which a victim inserts the hand and forearm. A trigger is activated by being in spring loaded physical contact with a user's forearm or is activated when a trigger handle is grabbed by the victim's hand, to cause the clamp to snugly engage and grip around the victim's wrist or forearm. The rescue clamp grips the wrist or forearm by off-centered hour glass shaped jaws that rotate in unison to reduce the size of the orifice therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventor: Lutz Wallasch
  • Patent number: 6247981
    Abstract: A manually powered recreational watercraft comprises a hull and a pair of paddle wheels independently mounted on opposed sides of the hull. Each paddle wheel comprises a plurality of vanes circumferentially distributed on a semi-spherical hub having an inboard flange. Each paddle wheel has a buoyant structure to provide additional lateral floatation stability to the watercraft. The vanes, the hub and the inboard flange of each paddle wheel are configured so that, upon rotation of the paddle wheel, water bubbles trapped between submerged adjacent vanes are channeled upwardly to the water surface whereat the bubbles burst and provide audible sounds. Safety hand grips are provided in the underside of the hull to help a user to pull himself on the hull in the event that the watercraft capsized. A floating windshield is mounted to the hull so as to be automatically separated therefrom upon capsizing of the watercraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Farley Ice Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Farley, Pierre Farley
  • Patent number: 6241321
    Abstract: An all terrain wheel for a wheelchair includes an integral wheel body having an annular rim, a central hub, and an array of struts extending radially between the hub and the rim. An outer face of the rim includes a circumferential groove sized and configured for fitted receipt of an inflatable inner tube and tire assembly on the rim. The outer face extends axially on opposite sides of the groove to outboard and inboard circumferential edges, forming an outboard rim portion with an integral handrail and an inboard rim portion, thereby providing an enlarged ground engaging surface which discourages sinking of the wheel into sand, mud, snow, grass and like soft terrain. Transverse ribs on the outer rim face provide traction as well as a thumb grip when manually propelling the wheel. A flat face of the struts is disposed generally transverse to the plane of the wheel so that the struts function as paddles for providing propulsion in water as the wheel is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Inventor: Brian Gagnon
  • Patent number: 6083062
    Abstract: A lightweight, collapsible boat comprises twin parallel hulls, a frame and human-powered paddlewheels outboard of the two hulls. The boat's frame is capable of being collapsed and packed into a bundle for carrying as a backpack. The drive comprises a pedal drive for turning a short drive axle which is independently and releasably coupled to paddlewheel driveshafts. Steering of the boat is accomplished by selective engaging and disengaging of the left and right couplings The frame comprises a steering column, an operator's seat support, rear hull spacing members and front hull spacing members which support the driveshafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventors: Lester A. Treloar, Richard Brooks
  • Patent number: 5989081
    Abstract: A pedal boat comprises an integrally molded hollow hull having an upper surface where water passengers can be seated. The hull is provided with drain holes to conduct water away from the pedal boat. A steering assembly and paddle wheel assembly are mounted to the hull. Each paddle of the paddle wheel assembly has a terminal portion which is displaceable between a rest position, wherein the terminal portion extends at an angle to the plane of the paddle to provide a more vertical entrance angle of the paddle in the water, thereby reducing the noise factor, and a loaded position in the water, wherein the terminal portion extends in the plane of the paddle to provide a greater thrust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Step Jet Corporation
    Inventor: David Lekhtman
  • Patent number: 5881831
    Abstract: A multi-terrain amphibious vehicle adapted for travel across surfaces of various type and attributes is provided. The vehicle includes a chassis assembly (10) which extends in a longitudinal direction; a plurality of propulsion members rotatably coupled to that chassis assembly for propelling the vehicle across a given surface; and, a control mechanism for controlling the rotational velocities and phases of the propulsion members. The propulsion members each rotate about an axis that extends in a direction substantially normal to the longitudinal direction. Each propulsion member includes, for engaging the given surface, at least a first perimeter segment and a second perimeter segment coaxially disposed in angularly offset manner about its rotation axis. The first perimeter segment has an arcuate contour and extends radially farther from the rotation axis than does the second perimeter segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Intelligent Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: William B. Harvey
  • Patent number: 5850801
    Abstract: A water craft assembly comprising a towboat (1) and a barge (2) pushed and steered by the towboat (1) and which is designed and constructed for use in shallow water with an optimal cargo-carrying capacity, and wherein the towboat includes a paddle wheel drive mounted in its stern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignees: Hans Grimmig GmbH, Schiffswerft Oberelbe GmbH
    Inventor: Dieter Grimmig
  • Patent number: 5785564
    Abstract: A self-propelled water craft includes a hydrofoil-bladed wheel assembly which allows an individual to propel the water craft through the water at a relatively high speed. The assembly comprises an open frame with attachment means for securing to a stern of the water craft's boat hull, a drive shaft rotatably mounted on the open frame, at least one bladed wheel permanently secured to the shaft to rotate with the shaft, and a hydrofoil mounted on the open frame directly below the bladed wheel. The blades are mounted on the periphery of each wheel and are angled backwardly. The blades are also curved. As the blades move through water they force water flow over the hydrofoil in a manner which propels the water craft forwardly and provides the proper lift to the water craft so as to lessen water resistance against the boat hull.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Inventors: Hans J. Von Ohain, Christopher H. Von Ohain
  • Patent number: 5755602
    Abstract: A nautical propulsion device for amphibious vehicle wherein the rims 2 of the driving wheel tires 1 are provided with vanes 3 rotating with the wheels. Each of these wheels comprises, in the region where the liquid leaves the vanes 3, an open delivery channel 4 adjacent to and facing this region, and a delivery pipe 5 with its outlet facing backwards with respect to the desired travelling direction. If the driving wheels are also guiding wheels, the vehicle may be steered through the water simply by turning the wheels without any other drive being required. The wheels act as pumps using the reactional fare to propel the vehicle during nautical use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Inventor: Slawomir Klukowski
  • Patent number: 5501072
    Abstract: A thrust propulsion mechanism (10) for a boat (12) includes an outlet conduit (22) extending athwartships from a first outlet port (16) to a second outlet port (16') in the hull (18). A paddle-wheel impeller (24) is mounted within the hull for rotation about an axis of rotation (34) by a reversible motor (30). A circumferential paddle (58) portion of the paddle-wheel impeller extends into an aperture (26) defined centrally in the top wall of the outlet conduit. An inlet conduit (20) extends athwartships from a first inlet port (14) to a second inlet port (14'), and intermediate thereof supplies water to the center of the paddle-wheel impeller. Water is discharged from the paddle-wheel impeller through one of the outlet ports, dependent on the direction of rotation of the paddle-wheel impeller, to create thrust by a combined paddle-wheel and centrifugal pump action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Pumpeller, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitchell A. Plancich, Merall L. Thompson
  • Patent number: 5453031
    Abstract: A hand propulsion device for a paddle wheel boat has a cranking mechanism of handles turning a sprocket. The sprocket drives a chain, which is mounted between the first sprocket and a second sprocket. The chain, in part, turns the second sprocket, which turns an axle and then, in turn, turns the paddle wheel. The device allows handicapped person, who cannot drive the boat with foot power, to operate a paddleboat and enjoy water recreation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Inventor: David L. Gagnier
  • Patent number: 5427554
    Abstract: A recreational water craft of uncomplicated design and construction is provided herein which is adaptive to be manually powered by one or more crew members or readily converted from manual power to sail (or supplement by sail) without loss of stability or increase in complexity of operation. This water craft possesses the attributes of a tri-hull and/or catamaran vessel, wherein the crew is supported and operates such vessel from a centrally located platform or main float which is connected to, and flanked on either side by, an outrigger float or pontoon. Each outrigger float is further provided with a vertical extension or riser to which is mounted an independently operated and manually powered paddle wheel. The paddle wheels, upon mounting to the riser, are positioned in the open wells located to the port and starboard sides of the platform and inboard of each of the outrigger floats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Inventor: Silvino R. Foglia
  • Patent number: 5381752
    Abstract: A paddle boat includes wheels at the sides of the boat. The paddle wheels have vanes and a central rim. The rim is used to propel the boat on land. The boat has seats in front of and behind peddles used to drive the wheels. The peddles have front and back faces which upwardly extend toward one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Inventor: Donald Eerdmans
  • Patent number: 5312164
    Abstract: A vehicle propelling assembly to propel a vehicle in a given direction comprises a pair of propelling members (19a, 19b) each having a body portion (20a, 20b) which rotates about a rotation axis extending substantially at right angles to the direction of travel of the vehicle. Body portions (20a, 20b) extend along a plane which is substantially in alignment with the rotation axis and include a curved ground or fluid engageable portion (22a, 22b). The vehicle propelling members (19a, 19b) can be mounted to ends of an axle assembly (15) which can be secured to a vehicle through a coupling assembly comprising a ball and socket assembly (25) and connecting struts (30, 31), which are pivotally connected at one end to axle assembly (15) and at the other end to a connecting member (32) which itself is pivotally mounted for movement about a vertical axis. The coupling arrangement accommodates the various forces acting on the axle assembly upon rotation of the propelling members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignee: Snowmist Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Bruce M. Nichols
  • Patent number: 5248271
    Abstract: A built-up watercraft includes a body consisted of three base boards hinged together and bilaterally supported on two floats by two wings, two propeller runners bilaterally coupled to a transmission mechanism mounted on the body at the back, a rudder assembly fastened to the body below the transmission mechanism, a steering wheel assembly mounted on the body at the front and driven to adjust the direction of the rudder assembly. The three base boards of the body and the wings are folded up and formed into the shape of a case as the watercraft is not in use. Connecting tubes are made on the wings and the body for permitting a plurality of watercrafts of the same structure to be connected in series as well as in parallel by flexible connecting rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Inventor: Yung-Pao Chu
  • Patent number: 5226843
    Abstract: An amphibian bicycle including a bicycle body, two pairs of air tubes, air tube supporting members, a direction controller, a plurality of wheel webs, a front brake locking member, a rear brake pad lifting member, and a ratchet gearing stopper, whereby on water operations, the front brake locking member locks front wheel movements, and rear wheel movements are allowed by the rear brake pad lifting member and the ratchet gearing stopper. For the land operations, the air tubes, air tube supporting members, the direction controller, the wheel webs are separated from the amphibian bicycle, and the front brake locking member, the rear brake pad lifting member, and the ratchet gearing stopper are operated to allow front and rear wheel movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Inventor: Oi C. Yun
  • Patent number: 5213528
    Abstract: A paddle wheel for propelling a water craft. The paddle wheel includes a plurality of oppositely disposed paddles which are rotatable with a supporting shaft. Each of the paddles are formed with side and end plates with a rounded portion between the outer edges of the sides. The bottom half portion of the paddles is filled with concrete and the upper half is filled with air or evacuated. Thus, the paddles remain in a vertical position as the paddle wheel rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Inventor: Donald S. Seiford, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5205767
    Abstract: The main rotor (1) located at the bow (3) of the hull (4) is transverse to a vertical plane through the axis of the hull and consists of two or more units of cylindrical wheels (5), which are equipped with blades (17). Each unit of cylindrical wheels (5) is provided with its own independent braking device (13). Longitudinal channels (30 and 31) are made on the bottom (29). These channels have different cross-sections along the axis of the hull. To be more precise, their cross-sections decrease from bow (3) and stern (32) to the bottom center (29). Secondary propelling and maneuvering devices consist of secondary rotors (2), water-jets or similar components which are housed on the bottom (29) in pairs of two.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Inventor: Lucio Potocnik
  • Patent number: 5149118
    Abstract: An all-terrain wheelchair comprising a frame constructed of tubular air-filled frame members to enable the wheelchair to be amphibious. A pair of rear drive wheels are rotatably mounted on the rear of the frame and are controlled by ratchet arms operatively connected thereto. A front wheel is rotatably mounted on the frame at the forward end thereof. If additional floatation is required, floatation tanks may be secured to the frame. A paddle wheel is operatively secured to each of the rear wheels when the wheelchair is being used in the water to provide propulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Inventor: Stuart G. Oxford
  • Patent number: 5110313
    Abstract: A separable blade assembly for a rubber raft, which can be easily disassembled and conveniently carried, including two blade members, two rod members, and a bolt member. The two blade members can be associated to form a blade assembly and the two rod members can be inserted through central holes of the blade members and connected by the bolt member for driving the blade assembly. When mounted on a rubber raft, one can step on two pedals of the rod members to consequently rotate the blade assembly and move the raft forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Inventor: Tsai J. Po
  • Patent number: 5071378
    Abstract: A boat impeller wheel includes a rotating shaft, and a plurality of supporting rods extending radially from the rotating shaft. An impeller vane is mounted rotatably on each of the supporting rods. When any one of the impeller vanes leaves water's surface, it can rotate about the corresponding supporting rod to a position appropriate for minimizing the splashes from the impeller vanes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Inventor: Cheng-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 4979916
    Abstract: The present invention provides a paddle assembly particularly designed for attachment to a canoe. The paddle assembly comprises a plurality of paddle members at opposite ends of the assembly, a central crank with sideways extending drive shafts to the paddle members, a pair of spaced apart gunwale clamps through which the drive shafts are rotatably fitted and an adjustable cinch strap between the gunwale clamps for wrapping beneath the canoe and cinching the gunwale clamps down onto the canoe to secure the paddle assembly in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 25, 1990
    Inventor: Tom LeBlanc
  • Patent number: 4926777
    Abstract: An aquatic wheelchair having a main flotation body of thermoplastic material of closed cell construction including a seat portion and an integral backrest portion. Flotation paddle wheels are connected to the seat portion and a flotation stabilizer wheel assembly is detachably connected to the backrest portion. The flotation paddle wheels are constructed and arranged to facilitate the grasping thereof by the user for manually propelling the wheelchair not only on soft terrain but also in water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Inventor: Frederick B. Davis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4925410
    Abstract: A conventional tilt mechanism for an outboard motor which includes a series of trim position notches and an uppermost trailering position notch includes a tilt position locking mechanism which is manually operable to lock the motor in the trailering position to positively prevent downward movement therefrom, either intentionally or inadvertently as a result of a shock load or jarring of the motor. The tilt locking mechanism is incorporated completely into one of the clamping members of a conventional tilt mechanism such that it does not interfere whatever with conventional operation of the tilt mechanism when in the unlocked position or with movement of the motor to the trailering position when in the locked position. However, downward movement of the motor when the mechanism is in the locked position is absolutely precluded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: James C. Boda