Abstract:
A personal water craft is a device having a unitary hull body that includes a substantially horizontal planar deck for supporting an occupant in a pronate position and a shell integral with the deck, wherein the shell is submersible into water. A cushioned pad is affixed adjacent to the deck, thereby providing a comfortable resting position for the occupant. A transparent viewing panel is affixed to the bow end of the hull, thereby forming a window for the occupant to look through. A joystick for controlling the direction of said personal water craft is also included, wherein the joystick is electrically coupled with a battery, a motor and a propeller.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS AND DISCLOSURES 
     The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/356,058 filed on Feb. 13, 2002. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to personal water craft, and more particularly to transparent hulled vessels. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Nautical devices for exploring and/or observing aquatic activity are known and generally consist of two broad categories: devices having transparent bottoms surfaces or devices that are submersible through displacement of ballast. However, each category include several drawbacks, to which the present invention is directed at overcoming. Included among the drawbacks is the intricate mechanical and electrical sophistication of submersible devices, requiring a great number of moving parts and possessing a size that is neither economical nor accommodating of the typical family recreationist. Furthermore, the prior art discloses devices that are not configured for use and control by a person placed in a prone position. 
     A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,043, issued in the name of Wippermann, discloses a viewing boat with a viewing cabin beneath the surface of the water, wherein the cabin has large viewing windows looking to the outside and forward from the vessel, with the viewing cabin being a transparent vessel; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,774, issued in the name of English et al., discloses an underwater viewing craft comprising a motor propelled floating portion with two hulls in a catamaran style and an elevated bridge connecting the two hulls; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,494,472, issued in the name of Rougerie, discloses a nautical craft with a generally tubular hull, flattened laterally, with a horizontal main axis and a succession of portholes on each of its longitudinal flanks; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,841,896, issued in the name of Fury, discloses a beach submarine comprising a body with two ballast tanks moveable between an upper and lower position, respectively, so that the body is positioned for diving or beach use, respectively; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,5481,148, issued in the name of Bloomfield, Ill., discloses a glass bottom boat, wherein the boat is a catamaran having a pair of laterally spaced apart longitudinally extending displacement hollow hulls with a generally horizontal connecting deck structure extending between the hulls; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,423,695, issued in the name of Rougeie, discloses a floatable and unsinkable natural craft comprising a hull with longitudinal sides, stabilization and buoyancy means and a passenger compartment; 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,351,035, issued in the name of McLean, discloses a controlled undersea vessel comprising a floodable hull structure, an electromagnetic energy permeable capsule mounted to the hull structure and an electromagnetic energy means positioned within the capsule; and 
     U.S. Pat. No. 1,786,091, issued in the name of Stiles, discloses a boat for inspection of submarine growth comprising spaced pontoons, a hull structure mounted onto the pontoons with a well formed between the pontoons, an observation window and a transverse partition member for deflecting water. 
     Consequently, a need has been felt for providing an apparatus and method which overcomes the problems cited above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a personal water craft device having a unitary hull with a deck, a shell, a transparent viewing panel and a means for controlling the movement and direction of the water craft. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a personal water craft device having a joystick electrically coupled with an electric source, a motor(s) and a propeller(s). 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a substantially flat deck and a cushioned pad and surface for allowing a user to lie in a prone position while navigating the water craft. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a personal water craft device having a contoured surface and a cushioned pad conformed to the surface, thereby allowing a user to relax in a reclined seating position. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a contoured surface and cushioned pad that is adjustable between a substantially flat position and a reclined seating position. 
     Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, a personal water craft device is an elongated nautical vessel having a unitary hull body, wherein the hull body has a deck integral with a shell. The deck includes a substantially flat surface for allowing pronate positioning of the user. The deck may include a cushioned pad and a contoured surface, wherein the contoured surface may have a reclined setting position. The shell may have a curvilinear or rectilinear form, while including a pair of hulls that are positioned about the lateral margins of the shell. Between the pair of hulls, at least one motor and propeller combination are affixed to the shell, wherein the motor drives the propeller and provides movement thereto. A second motor and propeller combination may be provided to provide increased power and control of the personal water craft device. A transparent viewing panel is affixed to the bow end of the water craft, adjacent to the deck, thereby allowing a user to view the water surface and below the water surface. A joystick is provided for steering the water craft. The joystick is in electrical communication with at least one battery, the motor(s) and the propeller(s). 
     Other objects of the present invention include providing a device that is portable, lightweight and easily serviced and maintained. 
    
    
     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 perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a transparent hulled personal water craft according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 4 is a starboard side elevational view of the preferred embodiment, the port side elevational view being a mirror image thereof; 
     FIG. 5 is a deck side plan view of the preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 6 is a keel side plan view of the preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the transparent hulled personal water craft, wherein the water craft includes a solar panel positioned in an upper surface; 
     FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of the alternate embodiment; 
     FIG. 9 is a starboard elevational view of the alternate embodiment, the port side elevational view being a mirror image thereof; and 
     FIG. 10 is a deck side plan view of the alternate embodiment. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the FIGS. 1 through 10. 
     1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
     Referring now to FIG.  1  through FIG. 6, a personal water craft  10  is shown in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The personal water craft  10  comprises a unitary hull body  12  having a deck  14  and a shell  16  integral with the deck  14 . Toward the bow end of the personal water craft  10  is a transparent viewing panel  18 . Adjacent to the transparent viewing panel  18  and affixed to the deck  14  is a joystick  20  operably integral with an electric source  22  and at least one driving mechanism  24 . The joystick  20  provides user control of the personal water craft  10  while navigating water. The electric source  22  provides electrical current to the driving mechanism  24  and  26  and provide maneuvering power to the personal water craft  10 . 
     The unitary hull body  12  may include a variety of shapes and sizes, including the curvilinear form of the shell  16  depicted in FIG.  1  through FIG. 10, or a rectilinear form of the shell  16  contemplated but not depicted within the figures. The deck  14  is envisioned as having a substantially horizontally planar configuration from bow to stem (front to back). However, it is also envisioned that the deck  14  may have a contoured surface  28  wherein the bow end of the deck  14  is elevated slightly above the surface  28  of the deck  14  while the remaining portion of the surface  28  descends below the surface of the deck  14  (see FIG.  9 ). Such a configuration provides a reclined setting position instead of a prone resting position. Optionally, the deck  14  may be adjustable between a prone position and a reclined setting position, thereby providing desirable versatility to the comfort of the user. The unitary hull body  12 , including the deck  14  and the shell  16 , may be manufactured from several materials, including fiberglass, plastic, corrosion resistant metal or other suitable surfaces for aquatic activity. In addition, an elongated cushioned pad  30  may be provided along the deck  14  and surface  28  for further comfort. The elongated cushioned pad  30  conforms to the contoured surface  28  of the deck  14  regardless of the configuration, such as the prone resting position or reclined setting position described above. The elongated cushioned pad  30  may be manufactured from several materials provided that the material is flexible, cushioned and resilient to withstand repeated usage. Among materials suitable for such use are foam with a vinyl covering, air, gel, or other soft materials. 
     Externally, the shell  16  comprises a pair of linearly elongated hulls  32  and  34  that lie parallel to the deck  14  and are positioned approximately along the lateral margins M 1  and M 2 , respectively, of the unitary hull body  12 . The pair of hulls  32  and  34  are integral with the shell  16 , and include a starboard side hull  32  and a port side hull  34 . The pair of hulls  32  and  34  provide buoyancy and directional control of the personal water craft  10  while in operation, and are configured to have a wider leading end near the bow (front) of the personal water craft  10  while tapering to a narrow trailing end near the stern (back) of the personal water craft  10 . Between the pair of hulls  32  and  34  is at least one driving mechanism  24  envisioned to be a propeller housing  36 , a propeller  38  and a motor(s)  50 . The propeller housing  36  protects the propeller  38  from physical damage that might occur during operation or storage, and may include a solid integral housing with an aperture  44  for the propeller blades, or may have a wire cage configuration. The propeller  38  is in electrical communication with the joystick  20 , a motor  50  and the electric source  22 . A second driving mechanism  24  may be included, and is envisioned to be a second propeller housing  40  and a second propeller  42 , also in electrical communication with the joystick  20 , a motor  50  and electric source  22 . In a two-propeller configuration, the first and second propellers  38  and  42  are respectively positioned adjacent to the pair of hulls  32  and  34 , and toward the stem (back) of the personal water craft  10 . 
     Internally, the shell  16  is substantially hollow so as to provide buoyancy to the personal water craft  10 . Alternatively, materials or substances may be included within the internal structure of the shell  16  to enhance or enable buoyancy, such as air or cork. The shell  16  further acts as a housing for the electrical wiring and attendant components for the joystick  20 , electric source  22  and the driving mechanism(s)  24 , thereby protecting the electrical wiring and components from environmental elements. 
     The transparent viewing panel  18  may have a variety of sizes and shapes, including the bubble-shape depicted in FIG.  1  through FIG.  10 . The panel  18  is manufactured from a transparent material, such as PLEXIGLAS®, glass, acrylic, hardened plastic or other transparent materials suitable for viewing. The panel  18  is affixed to the bow end of the personal water craft  10  and partially covers the deck  14 . The panel  18  is partially submerged below the surface of the water so that an operator or user may peer through the panel  18  into the water and observe any aquatic activity that may be occurring. 
     The joystick  20  is affixed adjacent to the bow end of the deck  14  and may have a variety of configurations, provided that the joystick  20  is movable about 360° of rotation and sufficiently controls the direction of the personal water craft  10  while in operation. The joystick  20  is configured so that moving the joystick  20  forward corresponds to forward movement of the personal water craft  10 , and moving the joystick  20  backward corresponds to backward movement of the personal water craft  10 . Movement of the joystick  20  between the diametric positions of “forward” and “backward” correspond to rudder movement in the direction of the joystick  20  controller. 
     The joystick  20  and propellers  38  and  42  are provided electricity via an electric source  22 , envisioned to be a battery  44  or a plurality of batteries  44 . The battery(ies)  44  is/are housed within a battery storage compartment  46  formed in the deck  14  beneath the contoured surface  28  and cushioned padding  30  (if so provided). The battery(ies)  44  are electrically coupled with the electrical wiring of the joystick  20  and propellers  38  and  42 . Optionally, and as seen in FIG.  7  through FIG. 10, a solar panel  48  may be provided on the top portion of a canopy  50  affixed to the deck  14 . The canopy  50  is intended to cover a substantial portion of the deck  14 . The solar panel  48  may either serve as the sole source of electricity or may act in concert with the battery(ies)  44 . 
     The personal water craft  10  is intended to accommodate at least one person, but is preferably configured to accommodate at least two people lying in a prone position along the deck  14 . It is anticipated that the battery(ies)  44  is removable from the battery storage compartment  46  and rechargeable in a manner commonly known in the art, such as to a separate electrical supply source. It is further anticipated that the personal water craft  10  may be available in a variety of styles and colors suitable for aquatic navigation, and may have a variety of indicia, including popular cartoon characters, sports logos, and other signifying marks. 
     2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
     To use the present invention, a user may lie prone on the deck  14  and the contoured surface  28  and padding  30  (if included). The user will use the joystick  20  to directionally control the movement and course of the personal water craft  10 . The user may look through the transparent viewing panel  18  to observe surface objects or impediments during travel. The user may also look through the transparent viewing panel  18  to observe aquatic activity occurring as the personal water craft  10  travels along the water surface. 
     The foregoing description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiment and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.