Patent ID: 9616983
Date: 2017-04-11
CPC Classifications: A63H,B63H

Claim:
1. A method of propelling a vibration-powered device floating on an upper surface in a liquid, said method comprising: providing a device having a body with an internal water-resistant cavity and an external surface, the body further having a longitudinal axis, a front end portion and a rear end portion, a top side and a bottom side; providing a flotation member, the flotation member having a recess configured to directly secure to a portion of the external surface of the body, the flotation member having a shape configured to substantially maintain a portion of the top side of the body above the surface of the liquid and further configured to substantially maintain a portion of the bottom side of the body below the surface of the liquid when the flotation member is secured to the portion of the external surface of the body; vibrating a vibration mechanism disposed within the internal water resistant cavity and the vibration mechanism having a rotational motor adapted to rotate an eccentric load; and oscillating a free distal end of a propulsion fin upward and downward in response to the actuation of the vibration mechanism, and wherein said fin having a proximal end opposite the free distal end and the proximal end being connected to the body, said fin having a top side adapted to be disposed at least partially above the surface of the liquid, said fin having a bottom side adapted to be disposed at least partially below the surface of the liquid.