Abstract:
A peddle-actuated water propulsion device includes a seat with lower body harness, a support tube, a pair of crank-type pedals, and a propeller within a protective screen guard. The pedals are in mechanical communication with the propeller. The propeller is configured to accept a plurality of differently sized blades and may be positioned at a user-selected angle.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/212,905, which was filed Sep. 1, 2015, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to devices for propelling people through water. More particularly, the present invention relates to pedal-actuated water propulsion devices. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Skis, jet skis, surfboards, boogie boards, and the like are all great for fun in the water. They provide countless hours of entertainment and become even more enjoyable as the user becomes more skilled. However, the cost to buy and operate such products is quite high and accidents are not uncommon. Other devices such as surfboards only work at certain times on certain bodies of water which not everyone has access to. Additionally, not everyone has the skills to operate some specialized watercraft such as canoes. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a water-based recreational craft that can be made available at relatively low cost, is inexpensive to operate, can be used by almost all people, and is suitable for almost all bodies of water. Such a water-based recreation craft could provide unique water recreation in a manner that is simple, easy, and effective. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The principles of the present invention provide for a water-based recreational craft that can be made available at relatively low cost, is inexpensive to operate, can be used by almost all people, and is suitable for almost all bodies of water. Such a water-based recreation craft provides unique water recreation in a manner that is simple, easy, and effective. 
     A pedal-powered water propulsion vehicle that is in accord with the present invention includes a seat assembly having a seat that is attached to an adjustable seat frame, an enclosed crank housing that is attached to the seat frame, and drive system within the crank housing. The drive system includes a first driven gear that is coupled to a second driven gear. Also included is a pedal-operated crank for applying rotational force to the first driven gear and to the second driven gear, a drive shaft assembly having a first drive shaft that is turned by the second driven gear, and a propeller that is turned by the drive shaft assembly. The propeller is capable of moving a user on the seat through water. 
     In practice the seat frame may include an outer support tube that is attached to the seat and an inner support tube that is engaged within the outer support tube and that is attached to the crank housing. The outer support tube can be made selectively vertically adjustable relative to the inner support tube. A locking mechanism may be included for locking the outer support tube relative to the inner support tube. 
     In practice there will be a first pedal and a second pedal that are attached to the crank. The drive shaft assembly may further include a second drive shaft having a first end that is mechanically coupled to the first drive shaft using an angularly adjustable universal joint. That first drive shaft is beneficially located within a first drive shaft housing that extends from the crank housing. The first drive shaft housing may extend from the crank housing at a first adjustable angle, which may be locked. The second drive shaft is preferably located within a second drive shaft housing that extends from the first drive shaft housing at a second adjustable angle, which may also be locked. 
     A propeller guard may be attached to the second drive shaft housing, preferably such that the propeller guard encompasses the propeller. The first driven gear can a bevel gear and the second driven gear can also be a bevel gear. The seat assembly might also include a pelvic harness and a pair of waist straps having a buckle. 
     A water propulsion vehicle that is in accord with the present invention includes a seat assembly having a seat that is attached to a seat frame, an enclosed crank housing that is attached to the seat frame, a first bevel gear within the crank housing that drives a second bevel gear within the crank housing, and a crank for applying rotational force to the first bevel gear to drive the second bevel gear. Also included is a first pedal and a second pedal that are attached to the crank, a first drive shaft turned by the second bevel gear, a second drive shaft turned by the first drive shaft; and a propeller turned by the second drive shaft. The propeller is capable of moving a user on the seat through water. 
     That seat frame includes an outer support tube attached to the seat and having outer support tube apertures, an inner support tube slidingly received within the outer support tube, the inner support tube having inner support tube apertures, and a spring-loaded button attached to the inner support tube for locking the inner support tube relative to the outer support tube such that the height of the seat with respect to the crank can be adjusted. 
     The first pedal may include a hydrodynamic-shaped toe clip and a heel strap. The first drive shaft tube can be used to enclose the first drive shaft. That first drive shaft tube then may be angularly affixed to the crank housing via an adjusting bracket. The first drive shaft and the second drive shaft can be coupled together using a universal joint. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of a pedal-actuated water propulsion device  10  that is in accord with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the pedal-actuated water propulsion device  10  of  FIG. 1  taken along section line A-A of  FIG. 3 ; and, 
         FIG. 3  is another perspective view of the pedal-actuated water propulsion device  10  of  FIG. 1  but depicting various positions of the propeller  100 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  pedal-powered water propulsion device 
               20  seat assembly 
               22  seat 
               24  pelvic harness 
               25  fastener 
               26  upper frame member 
               28   a  first waist strap 
               28   b  second waist strap 
               30   a  first buckle 
               30   b  second buckle 
               40  outer support tube 
               42  seat adjustment aperture 
               44  spring button 
               46  inner support tube 
               60  enclosed protective crank housing 
               62  crank 
               64   a  first foot pedal 
               64   b  second foot pedal 
               66  toe clip 
               67  heel strap 
               68   a  first bevel gear 
               68   b  second bevel gear 
               80   a  first drive shaft tube 
               80   b  second drive shaft tube 
               81   a  first drive shaft 
               81   b  second drive shaft 
               82  tightening device 
               83  axle 
               84  knob 
               86  universal joint 
               90  housing slot 
               92  housing aperture 
               94  adjusting bracket 
               96  lock bolt 
               100  propeller 
               102  propeller guard 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 . However, the invention is not limited to the specifically described and illustrated embodiment. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under the scope of this invention. 
     In the figures like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Additionally, the terms “a” and “an” as used herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one (1) of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a pedal-powered water propulsion device  10  that has a shape somewhat similar to a unicycle. The pedal-powered water propulsion device  10  implements a unique system for propelling a seated user through the water. The pedal-powered water propulsion device  10  enables that seated user to propel themselves across various bodies of water such as, but not limited to: ponds, lakes, oceans, and the like. The pedal-powered water propulsion device  10  includes a seat assembly  20  and pedals  64   a  and  64   b  which enable the seated user to manually turn a propeller  100 . In practice, the pedal-powered water propulsion device  10  and at least some, possibly all, of a seated user&#39;s torso will be submerged. 
     Refer now to  FIGS. 1 and 2  respectively for side perspective and sectional views of the pedal-powered water propulsion device  10 . The pedal-powered water propulsion device  10  includes the seat assembly  20 , an outer support tube  40 , an inner support tube  46 , an enclosed protective crank housing  60 , a crank  62 , a first foot pedal  64   a , a second foot pedal  64   b , an angularly adjustable first drive shaft tube  80   a , a first drive shaft  81   a , a universal joint  86 , a second drive shaft tube  80   b , a second drive shaft  81   b , a tightening device  82 , and a propeller  100 . 
     Referring now primarily to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a housing slot  90  and a locking device  92  enable the drive shaft tubes  80   a  and  80   b  as well as the propeller  100  and a propeller guard  102  to be set a various angles of propulsion relative to the seated user while that seated user is either on or diving below the surface of the water. 
     The seat assembly  20  provides hard or semi-rigid plastic sections that are preferably integrally molded together. Alternatively, the various seat assembly  20  sections can otherwise be assembled together. As shown in the various figures the seat assembly  20  includes a seat  22 , a pelvic harness  24 , and a pair of waist straps  28   a ,  28   b.    
     The pelvic harness  24  includes a plurality of bow-shaped members, each having a first end affixed to a perimeter edge of the seat  22  and each extending upwardly therefrom. The bow-shaped members of the pelvis harness  24  are spaced apart to allow for the insertion of a user&#39;s legs therethrough and to provide for a comfortable seated position. The opposing second end of each of the bow-shaped members is affixed to an upper frame member  26 . It is preferred that the pelvic harness  24  has an opening at the front end to allow ingress and egress of a user. The upper frame member  26  is preferred to reside in a horizontal plane and adapted to be located midway between a waist and an armpit of an average sized adult human. 
     The upper frame member  26  is configured to partially enclose a user&#39;s waist in a horizontal plane. The upper frame member  26  is joined to the terminating ends of the pelvic harness  24 . While the illustrated embodiment of the device  10  shows opposing ends of the upper frame member  26  joined by a first waist strap  28   a  and second waist strap  28   b  it should be understood that other methods of closing may be utilized with equal benefit. Beneficially, the first waist strap  28   a  and the second waist strap  28   b  are made of flexible nylon or another flexible fabric and have respective latching side-release-type first buckle  30   a  and second buckle  30   b . The waist straps  28   a ,  28   b  and buckles  30   a ,  30   b  are preferably length-adjusting so as to allow the pedal-powered water propulsion device  10  to conform to various sizes of seated users. 
     The seat assembly  20  is vertically adjustable to fit different sized seated users. Vertical adjustment is provided by an outer support tube  40  that slidingly receives with an inner support tube  46 . The outer support tube  40  extends downward from the bottom of the seat  22  and is preferably integrally molded thereto. Alternatively, another method of attachment may be used. The outer support tube  40  includes a plurality of seat adjusting apertures  42  that are arranged in a row along a side of the outer support tube  40 . The inner support tube  44  includes a correspondingly positioned spring button  44 . When the desired height of the seat assembly  20  with respect to the foot pedals  64   a ,  64   b  is determined it can be fixed by engaging the spring button (or a friction clamping or a similar device)  44  into a desired seat adjusting aperture  42 . 
     By comparing  FIGS. 1, 2, and 3  it can be seen that the housing slot  90  and locking device  92  enable the seat assembly  20  to change angles relative to elements  80   a ,  80   b ,  82 ,  84 ,  100  and  102  to allow a seated user to obtain various angles of propulsion when either on or below the water surface. 
     The inner support tube  46  is beneficially rigidly affixed to a subjacent enclosed protective crank housing  60 . The enclosed protective crank housing  60  is similar to the crank housing of a bicycle which enables a crank to apply rotational forces the foot pedals. In this case the enclosed protective crank housing  60  enables a seated user to apply rotational force to a “Z”-shaped crank  62  that connect to the foot pedals  64   a  and  64   b . The enclosed protective crank housing  60  is a cylinder-shaped enclosure that supports and protects a centrally located first bevel gear  68   a . The first bevel gear  68   a  is rigidly affixed at an intermediate position to the crank  62 . The crank  62  extends from the enclosed protective crank housing  60  to the foot pedals  64   a ,  64   b . The foot pedals  64   a ,  64   b  are rotatingly mounted to the ends of the crank  62  as in a conventional bicycle. Beneficially, each foot pedal  64   a  and  64   b  includes a hydrodynamic-shaped toe clip  66  to aid in retaining the user&#39;s feet upon the foot pedals  64   a ,  64   b  during use, as well as a heel strap  67  to retain a heel of a user therein. By hydrodynamic it is meant that the toe clips  66  are streamlined to move smoothly through the water. 
     The transmission of rotary forces applied to the crank  62  and to the first bevel gear  68   a  are used to rotate the propeller  100  via a mechanical drive train that includes the second bevel gear  68   b . The second bevel gear  68   b  engages with the first bevel gear  68   a . The second bevel gear  68   b  is integral to, or otherwise affixed to, the proximal end of the first drive shaft  81   a . The first drive shaft  81   a  is contained and guided within the first drive shaft tube  80   a . The first drive shaft tube  80   a  is angularly and adjustably affixed to the crank housing  60  via an adjusting bracket  94 . The relative angle between the crank housing  60  and the first drive shaft tube  80   a  may be selected and secured by a seated user to enable that user to be propelled in a desired direction and at a desired attitude in the water (best seen in  FIG. 3 ). 
     The rotational forces of the first drive shaft  81   a  are transmitted to the propeller  100  via the second drive shaft  81   b  which is coupled to the first drive shaft  81   a  in an orbitally-adjustable manner via the universal joint  86 . The pedal-powered water propulsion device  10  enables angularly adjusting the first  81   a  and second  81   b  drive shafts relative to each other via the universal joint  86 . This also enable pivoting the first drive shaft tube  80   a  and second drive shaft tube  80   b.    
     The first drive shaft tube  80   a  and the second drive shaft tube  80   b  are pivoted together by a tightening device  82  that includes an axle  83  and a knob  84 . The tightening device  82  allows the second drive shaft  81   b  and the propeller  100  to move along a vertical plane relative to the seated user (see arrows in  FIGS. 1 and 3 ). Angular adjustment of the propeller  100  is accomplished by adjusting the relative angle between the first drive shaft tube  80   a  and the second drive shaft tube  80   b . The first drive shaft tube  80   a  and the second drive shaft tube  80   b  are axially attached via the tightening device  82  and its axle  83  and knob  84 . The tightening device  82  is affixed to opposing walls of the first  80   a  and second  80   b  drive shaft tubes. The tightening device  82  is envisioned as being similar to a conventional toothed or friction-type bicycle seat mount and is locked to secure the angle of the propeller  100  by using the knob  84 . 
     The distal end of the second drive shaft tube  80   b  is envisioned to include an integrally-molded hemispherical propeller guard  102  having an open bottom. The propeller guard  102  protectively surrounds the propeller  100  using an open mesh construction that allows water flow. The propeller guard  102  protects the propeller  100  from damage or clogging by debris in the water. 
     It is envisioned that various models of the pedal-powered water propulsion device  10  would be made available with various sized propellers  100  and propeller guard  102 . Such would enable proper fit for children and adults. It is also envisioned that the pedal-powered water propulsion device  10  may be sold in various attractive colors and patterns based upon a user&#39;s preference. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the crank housing  60  positions the first drive shaft tube  80   a  via the housing slot  90  formed or machined along the forward and rearward facing curved surfaces of the crank housing  60 . The housing slot  90  slidingly receives an adjusting bracket  94  of the first drive shaft tube  80   a , thereby allowing the adjusting bracket  94  to slide within the housing slot  90  to enable the affixed first drive shaft tube  80   a  to extend from the crank housing  60  at varying angles. The angular position of the first drive shaft tube  80   a  is secured via engagement of a lock bolt  96  with one (1) of a plurality of equally-spaced housing apertures  92  that are drilled or molded into the crank housing  60 . The housing apertures  92  are arranged parallel to the adjacent housing slot  90 . The corresponding lock bolt  96  is envisioned to threadingly engage a correspondingly positioned housing aperture  92  to secure the relative positions of the crank housing  60  and first drive shaft tube  80   a.    
     The housing slot  90  extends around the front, bottom, and rear curved surfaces of the crank housing  60 . This allows the first drive shaft tube  80   a  and the propeller  100  to be selectively positioned as desired. It is envisioned that the first drive shaft tube  80   a  may be secured at positions such as, but not limited to, directly rearward (parallel to the water surface), angled rearwardly downward, straight down, angled forwardly downward, directly forward, and the like. Furthermore, it is envisioned that a seated user may rotate the foot pedals  64   a ,  64   b  in a reverse direction if desired. It is further envisioned that the pedal-powered water propulsion device  10  may be designed to enable easy installation of various alternate first drive shaft tubes  80   a  having various lengths, different diameter propellers  100  and the like to the housing  60  to fit user preferences. It is also envisioned that the pedal-powered water propulsion device  10  may be designed to enable folding of the first drive shaft tube  80   a  toward the seat assembly  20  for convenient storage. 
     Additional positioning of the propeller  100  is accomplished by adjusting an angle between the first drive shaft tube  80   a  and second drive shaft tube  80   b  using the tightening device  82  as previously described in  FIG. 2 . 
     Finally, it should be understood that adjusting and securing the propeller  100  height and angle relative to the seat  22  and with other parts of the pedal-powered water propulsion device  10  and its foot attachments  66   a  and  66   b  are not limited to the particular embodiment illustrated herein. Other ways may be used to accomplished the same things. Furthermore, it is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and while only one (1) particular configuration is shown and described that is for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     In an alternate configuration of the seat assembly  20 , a plurality of fasteners  25  can be affixed to interior surfaces of the upper frame member  26 , capable of enabling a removable fastening of a user-supplied shoulder harness for additional restraint and safety. Such a plurality of fasteners  25  is beneficial for supporting a user having mobility issues, like the elderly, handicapped, or other similar situations. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the pedal-powered water propulsion device  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 . The method of installing and utilizing the pedal-powered water propulsion device  10  may be achieved by: procuring a model of the pedal-powered water propulsion device  10  having a desired size and appearance; adjusting the spring button  44  to adjust the seat height; removing the lock bolt  96 ; adjusting the relative angle between the enclosed protective crank housing  60  and the first drive shaft tube  80   a  by moving the adjusting bracket  94  within the housing slot  90  until the desired angle is obtained; securing the angle of the first drive shaft tube  80   a  to the enclosed protective crank housing  60  by installing, threadingly engaging, and tightening the lock bolt  96  into a correspondingly positioned housing aperture  92 ; adjusting the angle of the propeller  100  by loosening the tightening device  82  using the knob  84 ; moving the second drive shaft tube  80   b  until obtaining a desired angle between the first drive shaft tube  80   a  and second drive shaft tube  80   b ; securing the angle of the drive shaft tubes  80   a ,  80   b  by tightening the knob  84 ; carrying the pedal-powered water propulsion device  10  into a body of water until the user is approximately chest deep in the water; inserting the user&#39;s legs through the openings in the pelvic harness  24 ; attaching the waist straps  28   a ,  28   b  by engaging the buckles  30   a ,  30   b ; adjusting the waist straps  28   a ,  28   b  until obtaining a comfortable fit; leaning forward or rearward as needed to stabilize the pedal-powered water propulsion device  10 ; inserting the user&#39;s feet into the toe clips  66  of the foot pedals  64   a ,  64   b  and heels into the heel straps  67 ; rotating the propeller  100  by rotating the pedals  64   a ,  64   b ; obtaining the desired direction of travel and angle of pitch by leaning and using one&#39;s arms and hands in a similar manner as swimming; and, benefiting from a propulsion-type water activity within a body of water afforded a user of the present invention  10 . 
     It is envisioned that a user would utilize or attach various weights and buoyancy devices readily available on the open market to help adjust the proper height of the pedal-powered water propulsion device  10  and user in the water during use. 
     The pedal-powered water propulsion device  10  can be used on the surface of the water with the user&#39;s head being out of the water or the pedal-powered water propulsion device  10  may be utilized with a user being completely submerged while using scuba or similar gear. When using the pedal-powered water propulsion device  10  when completely submerged propulsion may be enhanced by alternating between forward and rearward pedaling of the pedal-powered water propulsion device  10 . 
     While specifically envisioned as a recreational device to move a single person through the water, the pedal-powered water propulsion device  10  can also serve a useful purpose for military or rescue operations. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.