US3695211A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-propelled boat
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-05-07
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Granted: 1972-10-03
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Expires: 1990-05-07
Abstract
Abstract A self-propelled boat which utilizes a fin mounted on the lower end of an angularly moving, pivotally mounted shaft. The upper end of the shaft is connected with a cross piece which is engaged at its opposite ends by the feet of a boat occupant. The shaft is pivotally mounted at its upper end to flange plates attached to an upstanding post secured to the boat structure. The lower end of the shaft has a projection which can be inserted into a standard swim fin and the heel strap of the swim fin can wrap around the lower shaft end to retain the swim fin. The propelling mechanism can be applied to either a single-hull or twin-hull boat and can be positioned to propel the boat in either the fore or aft direction.
Inventors
- 👤 William J Gross
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 21:19
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63H; B63H1/00; B63H1/30; B63H1/36; B63H16/00; B63H16/08; B63H16/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A self-propelled boat comprising: a propelling mechanism and an occupant''s seat; frame means for supporting said propelling mechanism and said seat; an upright support means attached to said frame means; said propulsion mechanism comprising a propulsion shaft carrying a cross member at one end and a propulsion fin at its other end; pivotal mounting means for pivotally supporting said shaft on said upright support means; foot engaging areas at opposite ends of said cross member for angular movement of said propulsion shaft by the occupant seated in said seat in order to move said fin angularly through the water and propel the boat; said other end of said propelling shaft has a projection extending transversely therefrom; a swim fin having a cavity and said projection extending into said cavity and frictionally engaging the wall portion of said cavity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A self-propelled boat comprising: a propelling mechanism and an occupant''s seat; frame means for supporting said propelling mechanism and said seat; an upright support means attached to said frame means; said propulsion mechanism comprising a propulsion shaft carrying a cross member at one end and a propulsion fin at its other end; pivotal mounting means for pivotally supporting said shaft on said upright support means; foot engaging areas at opposite ends of said cross member for angular movement of said propulsion shaft by the occupant seated in said seat in order to move said fin angularly through the water and propel the boat; said other end of said propelling shaft has a projection extending transversely therefrom; a swim fin having a cavity and said projection extending into said cavity and frictionally engaging the wall portion of said cavity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A self-propelled boat as defined in claim 1 wherein said boat has spaced hulls and said ends of said propulsion shaft are connected by an intermediate angular section; said upright support means and said shaft being located between said hulls.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
157 words
A self-propelled boat comprising: a propelling mechanism and an occupant''s seat; frame means for supporting said propelling mechanism and said seat; an upright support means attached to said frame means; said propulsion mechanism comprising a propulsion shaft carrying a cross member at one end and a propulsion fin at its other end; pivotal mounting means for pivotally supporting said shaft on said upright support means; foot engaging areas at opposite ends of said cross member for angular movement of said propulsion shaft by the occupant seated in said seat in order to move said fin angularly through the water and propel the boat; said upright support means mounts upper and lower flange plates having aligned openings therein, upper and lower transverse flanges on said one end of said propelling shaft having apertures therein aligNable with the openings in said flange plates; and pin means projecting through all said aligned openings and apertures for pivotally supporting said shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
157 words
A self-propelled boat comprising: a propelling mechanism and an occupant''s seat; frame means for supporting said propelling mechanism and said seat; an upright support means attached to said frame means; said propulsion mechanism comprising a propulsion shaft carrying a cross member at one end and a propulsion fin at its other end; pivotal mounting means for pivotally supporting said shaft on said upright support means; foot engaging areas at opposite ends of said cross member for angular movement of said propulsion shaft by the occupant seated in said seat in order to move said fin angularly through the water and propel the boat; said upright support means mounts upper and lower flange plates having aligned openings therein, upper and lower transverse flanges on said one end of said propelling shaft having apertures therein aligNable with the openings in said flange plates; and pin means projecting through all said aligned openings and apertures for pivotally supporting said shaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
A self-propelled boat as defined in claim 3 wherein said flanges on said shaft have a second pair of aligned apertures on the opposite side of said shaft from said first aligned openings; said second pair of openings being alignable with such openings in said flange plates to receive said pin means and locate said fin for propulsion of said boat in the reverse direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
127 words
A self-propelled boat comprising: a propelling mechanism and an occupant''s seat; frame means for supporting said propelling mechanism and said seat; an upright support means attached to said frame means; said propulsion mechanism comprising a propulsion shaft carrying a cross member at one end and a propulsion fin at its other end; pivotal mounting means for pivotally supporting said shaft on said upright support means; foot engaging areas at opposite ends of said cross member for angular movement of said propulsion shaft by the occupant seated in said seat in order to move said fin angularly through the water and propel the boat; said upright support means comprises a cylindrical tube open at its upper end for receiving and supporting the lower end of a sail mast.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
127 words
A self-propelled boat comprising: a propelling mechanism and an occupant''s seat; frame means for supporting said propelling mechanism and said seat; an upright support means attached to said frame means; said propulsion mechanism comprising a propulsion shaft carrying a cross member at one end and a propulsion fin at its other end; pivotal mounting means for pivotally supporting said shaft on said upright support means; foot engaging areas at opposite ends of said cross member for angular movement of said propulsion shaft by the occupant seated in said seat in order to move said fin angularly through the water and propel the boat; said upright support means comprises a cylindrical tube open at its upper end for receiving and supporting the lower end of a sail mast.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
107 words
A self-propelled boat comprising: a propelling mechanism and an occupant seat; upright support means secured to said boat; said propulsion means comprising a propulsion shaft carrying a cross member at one end and a propulsion fin at its other end; said shaft being mounted for angular movement by said upright support means; foot engaging areas at opposite ends of said cross member for angular movement of said propulsion shaft by the occupant seated in said seat in order to move said fin angularly through the water and propel the boat; and said one end of said shaft is open to receive the end of a sail mast.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
107 words
A self-propelled boat comprising: a propelling mechanism and an occupant seat; upright support means secured to said boat; said propulsion means comprising a propulsion shaft carrying a cross member at one end and a propulsion fin at its other end; said shaft being mounted for angular movement by said upright support means; foot engaging areas at opposite ends of said cross member for angular movement of said propulsion shaft by the occupant seated in said seat in order to move said fin angularly through the water and propel the boat; and said one end of said shaft is open to receive the end of a sail mast.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-03 | 1976-04-03 | 1976-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-03 | 1980-04-03 | 1980-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-03 | 1984-04-03 | 1984-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |