Patent ID: 9272761
Filing Date: 2016-03-01
CPC Classification: B63B,B63H

Claim Text:
1. An apparatus for floatation and propulsion of a user on a body of water with the user in a standing position, the apparatus comprising: a starboard pontoon and a port pontoon each configured to receive a foot of a user for supporting the user on a body of water; a mechanical system connecting the pontoons to each other such that the pontoons are disposed parallel to each other, the mechanical system allowing the pontoons to articulate generally vertically relative to each other and relative to the mechanical system, each pontoon having at least one up position, at least one down position and a neutral position between the up and down positions, the mechanical system allowing coordinated articulation of the pontoons such that when one pontoon is in an up position, the other pontoon is in a down position and when one pontoon moves upwardly the other pontoon moves downwardly, the pontoons being generally vertically aligned when the pontoons are each in the neutral position; and a propulsion system comprising a propeller and; a linkage coupled to the mechanical system that drives the propeller as the pontoons articulate; or a motor operable to drive the propeller, wherein a power output of the motor is controlled by the articulation of the pontoons; whereby the propulsion system is responsive to the vertical articulation of the pontoons.