US3648644A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pontoon vessel
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-04-13
•
Granted: 1972-03-14
•
Expires: 1990-04-13
Abstract
Abstract A pontoon vessel comprising a molded horizontal platform having longitudinal pontoons secured to its underside. A pedal-operated belt extends longitudinally between the pontoons and carries transverse paddles for imparting movement to the vessel. The belt is located within a central elevated enclosure bounded by recessed wells, all formed integrally with the platform. A special tensioning arrangement is provided for the pedal-operated belt. The belt has paddles, as well a symmetrical rudder, all lie within the elevational boundries of the pontoons. A seat for the user of the vessel straddles the elevated enclosure.
Inventors
- 👤 Leedice S Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:48
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63H; B63H16/00; B63H16/08; B63H16/12; B63H1/00; B63H1/30; B63H1/34; B63H2001/342; B63H2001/344
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
225 words
A pontoon vessel, comprising: a horizontal platform; a pair of longitudinal flotation pontoons parallel to one another and spaced transversely apart, said pontoons being mounted to the underside of said platform at the respective transverse sides thereof; a pedal-operated paddle assembly mounted to said platform along its longitudinal centerline between said pontoons, including: a longitudinal endless belt movably carried by front and rear pulleys rotatably mounted on said platform by shafts centered about front and rear transverse horizontal axes respectively, said belt including a horizontal lower flight extending between said pulleys parallel to and elevationally above the lower surfaces of the pontoons; a plurality of substantially rigid paddles spaced along the length of said belt and extending outwardly therefrom in parallel transverse positions along said lower flight; manually operated pedals operatively connected to a first one of said pulleys; said platform including: an elevated downwardly-open longitudinal enclosure protruding upwardly from said platform and located above the belt along the centerline of said platform, said enclosure including upright longitudinal side walls along the respective sides of the belt; and a pair of upwardly open longitudinal recesses protruding downwardly from said platform and extending alongside said enclosure, the respective recesses being partially bounded by the respective side walls of the enclosure; said platform, enclosure and recesses being integrally molded as a unitary structure extending between said pontoons.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
225 words
A pontoon vessel, comprising: a horizontal platform; a pair of longitudinal flotation pontoons parallel to one another and spaced transversely apart, said pontoons being mounted to the underside of said platform at the respective transverse sides thereof; a pedal-operated paddle assembly mounted to said platform along its longitudinal centerline between said pontoons, including: a longitudinal endless belt movably carried by front and rear pulleys rotatably mounted on said platform by shafts centered about front and rear transverse horizontal axes respectively, said belt including a horizontal lower flight extending between said pulleys parallel to and elevationally above the lower surfaces of the pontoons; a plurality of substantially rigid paddles spaced along the length of said belt and extending outwardly therefrom in parallel transverse positions along said lower flight; manually operated pedals operatively connected to a first one of said pulleys; said platform including: an elevated downwardly-open longitudinal enclosure protruding upwardly from said platform and located above the belt along the centerline of said platform, said enclosure including upright longitudinal side walls along the respective sides of the belt; and a pair of upwardly open longitudinal recesses protruding downwardly from said platform and extending alongside said enclosure, the respective recesses being partially bounded by the respective side walls of the enclosure; said platform, enclosure and recesses being integrally molded as a unitary structure extending between said pontoons.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The vessel set out in claim 1 wherein said side walls of said enclosure are located transversely adjacent the sides of said paddles along the belt, said side walls being extended longitudinally alongside the belt substantially coincident with the length of the belt between said pulleys.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
The vessel set out in claim 1 wherein said side walls of said enclosure are located transversely adjacent the sides of said paddles along the belt, said side walls being extended longitudinally alongside the belt substantially coincident with the length of the belt between said pulleys; said shafts mounting the front and rear pulleys being supported by and between said side walls.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
82 words
The vessel set out in claim 1 wherein said side walls of said enclosure are located transversely adjacent the sides of said paddles along the belt, said side walls being extended longitudinally alongside the belt substantially coincident with the length of the belt between said pulleys; said side walls terminating along a lower edge parallel to and substantially coplaner with the lower flight of said belt, said paddles along the lower flight of said belt being projected downward beyond the side walls.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
94 words
The vessel set out in claim 9 wherein said side walls of said enclosure are located transversely adjacent the sides of said paddles along the belt, said side walls being extended longitudinally alongside the belt substantially coincident with the length of the belt between said pulleys; said side walls terminating along a lower edge parallel to and substantially coplaner with the lower flight of said belt, said paddles along the lower flight of said belt being projected downward beyond the side walls and terminating above the elevation of the lowermost surfaces of the pontoons.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A vessel as set out in claim 1 wherein said pedals are mounted to oppositely directed perpendicular crank arms fixed to the respective ends of the shaft mounting said first one of said pulleys.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A vessel as set out in claim 6, further comprising: adjustable tension means operatively connected between the platform and the remaining one of said pulleys.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
125 words
The apparatus set out in claim 7, wherein said adjustable tension means comprises: a bracket pivotally connected to said platform about a transverse horizontal axis parallel to said pulley axes and positioned inwardly from the belt; a pulley support slidably mounted in said bracket along an axis perpendicular to the bracket pivotal axis, said pulley support including transverse bearing means rotatably carrying said remaining one of said pulleys; biasing means operatively connected between said pulley support and bracket for urging along its slidable axis in a direction toward said bearing means; and releasable positioning means on said platform in the pivotable path of movement of said bracket and pulley support for selectively securing said pulley support in a fixed angular position about the bracket axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A vessel as set out in claim 1, further comprising: a seat straddling said enclosure at a location rearward and elevationally above said pedals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus as set out in claim 9 further comprising: outwardly projecting longitudinal brackets pivotally mounted to the respective sides of said elevation Enclosure about a transverse pivotal axis; means on said seat for longitudinal slidable engagement of said brackets; and means on the underside of said seat intermediate said brackets for frictionally engaging the elevated enclosure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US956533A
Cited
US2685270A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-14 | 1975-09-13 | 1976-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-14 | 1979-09-13 | 1980-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-14 | 1983-09-13 | 1984-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |