Boat propeller guard

What is provided is a propeller guard apparatus that may be readily configured to a variety of different boat motors. Described embodiments of the propeller guard apparatus comprise a cylindrical housing configured to circumferentially enclose a propeller from all sides in order to protect humans, pets, and aquatic wildlife from being entangled or cut by the propeller. Described embodiments of the propeller guard apparatus also comprise a protective structure, such as a skid plate comprising of at least two pieces of metal attached from the cylindrical housing to an end of the outer casing to form a folded T-shaped configuration. This type of configuration serves to protect the propeller from damage caused by submerged objects and aquatic wildlife found in shallow water. Also, the folded T-shaped configuration may push vegetation, weeds, manatees, and other aquatic wildlife away from the path of the moving boat and its propeller.

FIELD

This patent application relates to a boat propeller guard apparatus for improving the safety of humans and animals and for protecting aquatic wildlife.

BACKGROUND

Numerous injuries and deaths occur each year when people and animals unintentionally contact an operating boat motor propeller. Due to its position on a motorized boat and the fact that a boat motor propeller spins at a very high RPM during use, it often poses a significant safety risk to any person or animal in proximity to the propeller. For example, spinning boat motor propellers have caused serious injuries to boat passengers, water skiers, swimmers, scuba divers, and aquatic wildlife, such as manatees. Manatees are particularly susceptible since they spend a large portion of the day swimming in shallow waters.

Even though there are several boat motor propeller guards, cages, and/or shields designed to reduce the number of accidents and injuries caused by rotating propellers, they often don't address other serious safety problems to people, the aquatic wildlife, and to the propellers, themselves. Some boat motor propeller guards increase the frequency of blunt force trauma to people and aquatic wildlife due to their larger size and specific shape. Despite limiting the harm caused by propeller blade lacerations, many conventional propeller guards often cause blunt force trauma to people and aquatic wildlife swimming below the guards due to the keel or skeg projecting below the propeller.

In other instances, some conventional propeller guards merely comprise ring-like structures that do not fully encapsulate the propellers from all sides. As a result, rocks, weeds, fishing lines, and other debris may become entangled within the propeller, which cause damage to the propeller and impede the function of the boat. Even if no damage is caused to the propeller, the entanglement is likely to cause drag that will slow the boat and limit its range of operation. Propeller guards that have attempted to solve this problem require the use of bulky, permanent structures and additions that may not be easily removed or modified in a boat.

Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus that protects people, animals, aquatic and plant wildlife from inadvertently contacting a moving boat propeller, while simultaneously preventing blunt force trauma related impacts caused by a moving boat. Beneficially, such an apparatus would be easily attached to and removed from conventional boat motors.

SUMMARY

What is provided is a propeller guard apparatus that may be readily configured to a variety of different boat motors. The propeller guard may be provided pre-attached to a boat or provided separately from the boat and then physically attached to the boat at a later time. The propeller guard may be easily attached to and removed from the boat as desired by its user.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the boat propeller guard apparatus comprises a cylindrical housing configured to circumferentially and fully enclose a propeller; an outer casing attached to the propeller and the cylindrical housing; a protective structure attached at one end to the cylindrical housing and at another end to the outer casing, the attachment to the outer casing is opposite from the propeller; and an impact restraint coupled to the outside of the protective structure through an attachment mechanism, the impact restraint is substantially parallel to the protective structure. The circumferential enclosing of the propeller by the cylindrical housing helps protect swimmers, water skiers, scuba divers, pets, and aquatic wildlife from encountering or being entangled by the propeller.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the boat propeller guard comprises a cylindrical housing configured to circumferentially enclose a propeller, the cylindrical housing comprises a plurality of holes on the outer surface of the cylindrical housing; an outer casing attached to the propeller and the cylindrical housing; a protective structure attached at one end to the cylindrical housing and at another end to the outer casing, the attachment to the outer casing is opposite from the propeller; and an impact restraint coupled to the outside of the protective structure through an attachment mechanism, the impact restraint is substantially parallel to the protective structure.

In some embodiments, the skid plate comprises of at least two pieces of metal attached from the cylindrical housing to an end of the outer casing to form a folded T-shaped configuration. This type of configuration provides structural support to the skeg and the boat by completely encapsulating the skeg. In addition, the skid plate serves to protect the skeg and propeller from damage caused by rocks, logs, stumps, weeds, fishing lines, gill nets, and other submerged objects and/or aquatic wildlife that may be encountered in shallow water. The attachment of the skid plate to the outer casing may form a folded T-shaped configuration in order to push vegetation, weeds, debris, and other aquatic wildlife away from the path of the moving boat and its propeller, instead of merely plowing straight through the aquatic wildlife and vegetation and cutting the same. The outer casing is attached to an impact restraint using with the use of springs in order to absorb and transfer the shock experiences by any impact of the propeller guard apparatus with a thing or object.

Described embodiments of the propeller guard apparatus also include a screen configured to allow the substantially free flow of water while preventing objects such as vegetation, marine, and human life from coming in contact with the propeller and boat motor. The screen may comprise of a thick, durable material that provides strength and stability. In addition, the screen may comprise flexible, elongated members, such as strings or mesh formed from metals, plastics, or composites. In some embodiments, the elongated members of the screen may be arranged in a crisscrossed pattern.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Throughout this specification, reference to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least on embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrases “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language throughout this specification may, but does not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment.

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the examples as defined in the claimed subject matter, and as an example of how to make and use the examples described herein. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that claimed subject matter is not intended to be limited to such specific details, and may even be practiced without requiring such specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the examples defined by the claimed subject matter.

As used herein, the terms “folded T-shape configuration” and “substantially folded T-shape configuration” refer to a configuration in which one piece of metal is folded over another piece of metal to form a T-shape.

Referring toFIG. 1,FIG. 1shows an exemplary embodiment of perspective view of a propeller guard apparatus100attached to a boat motor120. The propeller guard apparatus100can be attached to any suitable type of boat. Examples of suitable types of boats include, but are not limited to, boats that have one or more outboard motors, boats that have one or more inboard/outboard motors, and boats that have one or more propellers. The propeller guard100can be sold pre-attached to a boat or separate from the boat and then physically attached to the boat at a later time.

The propeller guard apparatus100comprises a cylindrical housing140configured to circumferentially and fully enclose a propeller130(shown inFIGS. 4 and 5) from all sides. Instead of enclosing the propeller130with a mere ring-like structure that contains large openings on various sides of the propeller130, the cylindrical housing140may completely circumferentially enclose the propeller130. The complete circumferential enclosing of the propeller130by the cylindrical housing140helps protect swimmers, water skiers, scuba divers, pets, and aquatic wildlife from encountering or being entangled by the propeller130.

The propeller guard apparatus100also comprises a protective/support structure, such as a skid plate150. In some embodiments, the skid plate150comprises of at least two pieces of metal attached from the cylindrical housing140to an end of the outer casing170. The assembly and attachment of the skid plate150to the boat provides structural support to the skeg by completely encapsulating the skeg so that it is no longer exposed. As a result, assembly and attachment of the skid plate150also provides structural support to the rest of the boat. In addition, the skid plate150serves to protect the skeg and propeller from damage caused by rocks, logs, stumps, weeds, fishing lines, gill nets, and other submerged objects and/or aquatic wildlife that may be encountered in shallow water. Instead of impacting these objects, the skid plate150may glide over the top of a submerged object and/or aquatic wildlife, such as manatees, without damaging the components of the boat or without harming the submerged object, the aquatic wildlife, or people. In addition, the skid plate150can minimize resistance or interference with the steering operations of the boat motor120.

The skid plate150is attached to an impact restraint180along the bottom and back of the skid plate150(on opposite side of the propeller) through an attachment mechanism, such as springs190, shocks, rubber, plastics, and the like. The impact restraint180extends longitudinally up the back of the boat comprising the propeller guard apparatus100. In some embodiments, the impact restraint180is a shock absorber that may be constructed from materials, such as steel, polymer, carbon fiber, fiberglass, rubber, plastic, and aluminum. The width of the impact restraint180varies. In some embodiments, the width of the impact restraint180is between about 1.5 inches to about 4 inches.

The springs190may be readily replaced/interchanged from the skid plate150depending on the operator's desired location and frequency of the springs190. As such, the number and location of springs190connecting the skid plate with the impact restraint180may vary. In some embodiments, the springs190are welded to the skid plate150and the impact restraint180. The impact restraint180is meant to absorb and transfer any shock received from the impact of the propeller guard apparatus100with a thing or object. The shock is transferred in such a way that it protects both the object that was hit and the boat motor.

The propeller guard apparatus100may be formed of any material that allows the propeller guard apparatus100to function as intended in an aquatic environment. In some embodiments, the propeller guard apparatus100can comprise one or more materials, including, but not limited to light-weight metallic based material, such as steel alloys, aluminum alloys, titanium alloys, or the like. Also, the propeller guard apparatus100may be formed of composite materials including carbon fiber, fiberglass, or high-impact plastics. Depending on the type of material used, the propeller guard apparatus100may be pressed, injection molded, rotation molded, spun, extruded, or rolled to form a protective layer.

Referring toFIG. 2,FIG. 2shows an exemplary embodiment of a side perspective view of the propeller guard apparatus100connected to the boat motor120. The propeller guard apparatus100may be any suitable size that allows it to fulfill its intended purposes. In some embodiments, the propeller guard apparatus100is sized to be substantially equal in size or larger than the circumference of the lateral-most edges of the propeller130when the propeller130(as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5) is spinning. The propeller guard apparatus100helps prevents objects from damaging, or being damaged by, the sharp edges of the propeller130.

In situations where the boat encounters aquatic wildlife, such as a manatee, the propeller guard apparatus100will help reduce the potential harm to both the manatee and the boat. In addition to shielding the blades of the propeller130from unintentional contact with the manatee, the skid plate150on the propeller guard apparatus100provides a rounded, smooth surface with no sharp corners or edges that may lacerate the manatee. Due to the specific design of the skid plate150, the skid plate150has rounded and smooth edges that allow a manatee to be deflected away from the boat in a manner that does not cause blunt force trauma or other permanent damage to the manatee.

The propeller guard apparatus100may be easily attached to and removed from the boat motor120through a variety of techniques, including sliding clamps, clips, standard nuts and bolts, such as cap head bolts, adhesives, rubber attachments, and the like. In some embodiments, smooth cap head bolts can be used to readily attach and detach the propeller guard apparatus100from the boat motor120. Consequently, there is no need to drill permanent holes into portions of the boat surrounding the propeller130or to use other permanent techniques, such as welding and other functionally similar fastening means.

Referring toFIG. 3,FIG. 3shows an exemplary embodiment of a back perspective view of the propeller guard apparatus100connected to the boat motor120. The skid plate150and the outer casing170assembly form a folded T-shaped configuration. This T-shaped configuration forms a rounded, smooth end that does not come to a point. Due to this configuration, the propeller guard apparatus100helps limit the amount of vegetation and aquatic wildlife that gets pushed into the propeller130and potentially causes damage to both the propeller130and the boat. The impact restraint180attaches to the folded T-shaped configuration using the springs190to absorb and transfer the shock experienced by any impact of the propeller guard apparatus100with a thing or object.

Referring toFIG. 4,FIG. 4shows another exemplary embodiment of a back perspective view of the propeller guard apparatus100connected to the boat motor120. In this embodiment, the cylindrical housing140comprises holes400, such as vertical slits or elongated drill holes to allow a greater amount water to pass into and out of the area within the cylindrical housing140surrounding the propeller130. The holes300may be angled in the same direction as the rotation of the propeller130. Each hole300has a width of at least about ⅛ of an inch. The number, frequency, and arrangement of the holes300varies depending on the need of the operator of the propeller guard apparatus100. The holes300allow water to flow in and out of the cylindrical housing140to prevent significant buildup of water in the cylindrical housing140at any one time. Such buildup of water may cause obstruction and/or limit the thrust power of the propeller guard apparatus100.

In some embodiments, a casing screen (not shown), such as, but not limited to a mesh screen, may be placed over the holes400to prevent unwanted debris, aquatic wildlife, or objects from entering into the holes400and potentially damaging the propeller130. Examples of some of these objects may be fishing hooks, boat/vessel components, and the like.

Referring toFIG. 5,FIG. 5shows an exemplary embodiment of a perspective view of the propeller guard apparatus100having a screen160. The screen160is configured to allow the substantially free flow of water while preventing objects such as vegetation, marine, and human life from coming in contact with the propeller130and boat motor120. The screen160may comprise flexible, elongated members, such as strings or mesh formed from metals, plastics, or composites. In some embodiments, the elongated members of the screen160may be arranged in a crisscrossed pattern. In other embodiments, the elongated members of the screen160may be woven. The elongated members may be formed from any suitable technique, including welding, bolting and molding. The screen160may be formed of a variety of durable and strong materials, including stainless steel.

Referring toFIG. 6,FIG. 6shows an exemplary embodiment of a top perspective view of the propeller guard apparatus100engaged in an aquatic environment. The attachment of the skid plate150to the outer casing170may form a folded T-shaped configuration in order to push vegetation, weeds, debris, and other aquatic wildlife away from the path of the moving boat and its propeller130, instead of merely plowing straight through the aquatic wildlife and vegetation and cutting the same. As a result, the propeller guard apparatus100disclosed herein helps protect aquatic indigenous species by limiting the amount of vegetation and aquatic wildlife that gets pushed into the propeller130. The T-shaped configuration may help minimize the potential damage caused to aquatic wildlife, such as manatees, by pushing the aquatic wildlife down and away from the propeller guard apparatus100in a manner that prevents laceration and greatly reduces the blunt force trauma to the wildlife.

It will, of course, be understood that, although particular embodiments have just been described, the claimed subject matter is not limited in scope to a particular embodiment or implementation. Likewise, an embodiment may be implemented in any combination of systems, methods, or products made by a process, for example.

In other instances, features that would be understood by one of ordinary skill were omitted or simplified so as not to obscure claimed subject matter. While certain features have been illustrated or described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes or equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that claims are intended to cover all such modifications or changes as fall within the true spirit of claimed subject matter.