WIND POWERED VEHICLE

Abstract: A wind powered vehicle having a platform (10) and a sail (152) mounted by a mast (90) to an upper surface (12) of a platform. A pair of elongated runners (14 and 16), such as snow skis, water skis, skates pontoons or the like are pivotally secure to opposite sides of the platform so that the runners are spaced apart and parallel to each other. The platform (10) is pivotal with respect to the runner between a first and second position. In its first position, one runner is spaced forwardly of the other runner and both runners tilt about their axis in the same direction. In the second position, the other runner is spaced forwardly of the first runner and both runners are tilted about their longitudinal axis in the opposite direction. An improved sail system (15) is also disclosed in which a sail (152) is mounted at a midpoint to the upper end of the mast (90) and pivotal substantially 180<o> along two perpendicular axes as well as vertical about the mast (90).

Description: WIMP POWERED VEHICLE Background of the Invention I. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to wind powered vehicles and, in particular, to a wind powered vehicle with an improved steering and sail system. II. Description of the prior Art There are a plurality of previously known wind powered vehicles including, for example, sailboats, sail boards, land vehicles and the like. These previously known devices, however, all suffer from a number of common disadvantages. One such disadvantage of these previously known vehicles is that such sail board vehicles oftentimes utilize only the weight distributibn of the rider in order to steer the vehicle. As such, the rider must move from side to side, avoiding the sail in order to steer the vehicle in the desired direction. Such steering, however, is not only inaccurate, but is also difficult to perform so that such vehicles are suitable mainly for young, athletic persons. A still further disadvantage of these previously known devices is that the sail systems utilized for such devices are very limited in the number of different positions in which they can be adjusted. Consequently, such sail systems are incapable of imparting the maximum thrust and control to the vehicle. Furthermore, the adjustment of the previously known sails from one position and to another is also difficult to perfbrm. Summary of the Present Invention The present invention provides a wind powered vehicle with an improved sail system which overcomes all of the above mentioned disadvantages of the previously known vehicles. In brief, the wind powered vehicle of the present invention comprises a platform having a sail system mounted to its upper surface. A pair of elongated runners are pivotally secured to opposite sides of the platform so that these members are spaced apart and generally parallel to each other. Furthermore, the runners can comprise snow skis, a wheelled system, pontoons or skates or the like. In addition, the runners are detachably mounted to the platform so that the runners can be interchanged with each other. The pivotal attachment between the platform and the runners allows the platform to pivot between a first and second position with respect to the runners. In this first position, one runner is spaced longitudinally forwardly of the other runner and, simultaneously, both runners are tilted outwardly * about their longitudinal axis in the direction of the first runner. In doing so, a turn in one direction is achieved. Conversely, with the platform in its second pivotal position, the * second runner is spaced longitudinally forwardly of the first runner and both runners are tilted about their longitudinal axis in the opposite direction thereby effecting a turn in the opposite direction. Regardless of the pivotal position of the platform with respect to the runners, however, the runners are maintained in a spaced apart and generally parallel relationship to each other. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a control lever accessible to a rider supported on the upper surface of the platform controls the pivotal position of the platform with respect to the runners. Alternatively, the platform can be moved between its pivotal position by the rider exerting rotational torque about a vertical axis on the platform with his or her feet. The present invention also provides an improved sail system which is mounted to the upper surface of the platform. In brief, the sail system comprises an elongated mast having its lower end secured to the platform so that the mast extends vertically upwardly from the platform. An elongated boom is pivotally secured at a midpoint to the other or upper end of the mast so that the boom is pivotal about a horizontal axis.. An elongated spar extends perpendicularly across the boom adjacent the upper end of the mast while a sail is attached around the outer periphery of the boom and spar. Furthermore, the spar is rotatable about the longitudinal axis. Preferably, the spar is rotatable between two limits which are at least 150 apart from each other. Controls means, which will be subsequently described in greater detail, are then employed both to adjust the pivotal position of the boom and the rotational position of the spar and also to lock the boom and spar in their adjusted positions. Consequently, the pivotal movement of the boom together with the rotational movement of the spar enable the sail to assume a plurality of different orientations with respect to the vehicle as required by the wind conditions in order to obtain maximum propulsion and control . Brief Description f the Drawing A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein like refrence characters refer to like parts throughout the several views and in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention and with parts removed for clarity; FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the invention taken substantially along line 3-3 in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a top view taken substantially along line 4-4 in FIG. 2; 'FIG. 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B are diagrammatic views illustrating the operation of the preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the sail system for the preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic view as viewed along arrow 9 in FIG. 6; FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic side view of the sail system for the preferred embodiment of the invention; FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view illustrating a portion of the sail system bf a preferred embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view illustrating a further portion of a preferred embodiment of the invention and with parts removed. Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment of the Invention With reference first to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the wind vehicle of the present invention is thereshown and comprises a platform 10 having an upper surface 12. A sail system 15 which will be subsequently described in greater detail is mounted to the upper platform surface 12 in order to propel the vehicle. Still referring to FIG. 1, a pair of elongated runners 14 and 16 are secured to opposite sides of the platform 10 in a fashion which will also be subsequently described in greater detail. The runners 14 and 16 are illustrated in FIG. 1 as snow skis. It will be understood, however, that the term "runners" as used in this patent shall also mean a wheelled arrangement, pontoons, skates, water skis or the like for engaging difference ground supporting surfaces. With reference nbw to FIGS. 2-4, the platform 10 includes an upper portion 20 having a downwardly extending leg 22 on each side and adjacent its forward end 24 (FIG. 1) . Each leg 22 is pivotally secured by a pivot pin 26 to an elongated runner support 28 (FIG. 2) so that one platform 10 can pivot about the pivot pin 26 with respect to the runner supports 28. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, these p.ivot pins 26 are. spaced apart and parallel to each other and are angled rearwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the runner support 28 and thus with respect to the longitudinal axis of each runner 14 and 16. Still referring to FIGS. 2-4, an inverted U-shaped cross link 30 having a base leg 32 and two free legs 34 is positioned underneath the platform 10 adjacent its rear end 38 so that the top surface f the base leg 32 abuts against and supports the bottom surface 52 of the platform upper portion 20. In addition, the free legs 34 of the cross link 30 are secured by a ball joint 40 to the runner support 28 at a position longitudinally spaced from the front pivot pin 26. Furthermore, the cross link 30 is dimensioned so that its free legs 34, and thus the ball joints 40, are spaced apart from each other by a distance equal to the spacing of the front pivot pins 26 so that the pivot pins 26 together with the ball joints 40 form a parallelogram. In doing so, the cross link 30 together with the pivotal attachment of the pivot pins 26 between the platform 10 and runner supports 28 maintain the runner supports 28, together with the attached runners 14 and 16, spaced apart and parallel to each other. With reference still to FIGS. 2-4, an elongated control lever 50 extends underneath the bottom surface 52 of the platform 10 from a position adjacent the front end of the platform 24 towards the rear end 38 of the platform 10. The control lever 50 includes a looper portion 54 which extends behind the rear end 38 of the platform 10 and over the top surface 12 of the platform 10 adjacent its rear end 38. The forward end of the control lever 50 is pivotally mounted to the platform 10 about a vertical axis by a pivot pin 60 at a position in between the front pivot pins 26. Similarly, a mid portion Of the control lever 50 is pivotally secured by a ^ ball joint 62 to the center of the base leg 32 of the cross link 30. Consequently, the control lever 50 is pivbtal between the position shown in phantom line in FIG. 3. Conventional stops 63 (FIG. 3) limit the pivotal swing of the lever 50. In order to pivot the control link 50, preferably a roller 64 is rotatably mounted by conventional means * to the looped portion 54 of the control lever 50. This roller 64 frictionally engages the upper surface 12 of the platform 10 and is also accessible to a rider supported by the platform 10. Consequently, the rider, by rotating the roller 64 with his hands or feet pivots the control lever 50 about the pivot pin 60. Preferably, the upper surface 12 of the platform 10 is a traction surface both for the safety of the rider as well as ensuring a firm friσtional engagement between the roller 64 and the platform surface 12. With reference now to FIG. 6, both the top (FIG. 6A) and rear (FIG. 6B) view of the vehicle are shown with the control lever 50 at its center position, i.e. equidistantly spaced between its right most position as shown in FIG. 5 and its left most position as shown in 7. With the control lever 50 in its center position, the front ends 70 of the runners 14 and 16 are spaced apart and parallel to each other. - Furthermore, the bottom surface 72 of each runner 14 and 16 (FIG. 6B) are generally flat or coplanar with " each other and thus parallel to the plane of the platform 10. With reference now to FIG. 5, as the control lever 50 is pushed towards its right most pivotal position, thus pi otting the platform 10 in a clockwise direction, the coaction between the cross link 30 and the control lever 50 forces the runner 14 longitudinally forwardly of the runner 16 while maintaining the runners 14 and 16 spaced apart and parallel to each other. Furthermore, due to the skewed pivotal connection by the pivot pin 26 between the platform 10 and the runners supports 28, the runners supports 14 and 16 tilt about their longitudinal axis to a position shown in FIG. 5B in which the bottom surface 72 of the runners 14 and 16 tilt outwardly in the direction of the runner 14. In doing so, the vehicle will turn rightwardly as indicated by arrow 74. With reference now to FIG. 7, with the control lever 50 moved to its left most position thus pivoting the platform 10 in the counterclockwise direction with respect to the runners 14 and 16, the coaction between the control lever 50 and the cross link 30 forces the runner 16 longitudinally forwardly of the runner 14 as shown in FIG. 7A. Simultaneously, the runners 14 and 16 tilt aobut their longitudinal axis about their opposite direction from FIG. 5B, as shown in FIG. 7B, thus forcing the vehicle to turn leftwardly as shown by arrows 76. * As previously described, the position of the control lever 50, and thus the position of the runners 14 and 16 is preferably controlled by the rider rotating the roller 64 on the control lever 50 in the desired direction. Alternatively, however, the rider can pivot the platform 10 along with the control lever 50 by simply applying rotational torque with his or her feet to the platform and about a vertical axis. With reference again to FIG. 2, preferably the runners 14 and 16 are detachably secured to the runner supports 28 in any conventional fashion, such as by thread fasteners 79. Furthermore, these runners 14 and 16 can be replaced by other types of runners for different types of ground support surfaces. For example, the runners 14 and 16 can be replaced by runners having ground engaging wheels for using the vehicle on a ground support surface. Similarly, the runners 14 and 16 can be replaced by pontoons for use on water, an elongated skate for use on ice and the like. Consequently, the term runner as used in this application shall incorporate all of these different types of runners. With reference again to FIGS. 5-7, the degree of tilting of the runners 14 and 16 about their longitudinal axis, (FIG. 5B and FIG. 7B) is directly proportional to the angle of the pivot pin 26 with respect to the runner supports 28 (FIG. 2) . Consequently, the greater the angle 80, the more tilting of the runners 14 and 16 as the platform 10 is pivoted about a vertical axis. With reference now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a stringloaded flexible sheet 190 is preferably secured to the platform 10 or crosslink 30 so that the sheet extends behind the platform 10 and so that the spring maintains the sheet above the ground support surface. The rider, however, by stepping on the sheet can force the sheet against the ground support surface to slow the vehicle when desired. With reference now to FIGS. 8-10, although any sail system 15 can be used to propel the vehicle, in the preferred form of the invention, the sail system 15 comprises an elongated vertical mast 90 having its lower end 92 secured to the top 12 of the platform 10 preferably adjacent its front end 24 (FIG. 2) . Furthermore, the mast 92 is preferably detachably secured to the platft)rm 10 for more compact transportation of the vehicle when not in use. As best shown in FIG. 11, bracket support 180 is rotatably secured about a vertical axis to the upper end 96 of the mast 90 by a swivel pin 182. A bracket 92 having a throughbore 94 is secured to the bracket support 180 by a pivot pin 98. The pivot pin 98 allows the bracket 92 to pivot about a horizontal axis and perpendicular to the axis of the bracket throughbore 94. Similarly, the wivel pin 182 of the bracket 92 to rotate about a vertical axis as shown by arrow 1 84 . With reference now to FICS. 8, 10 -l 11, an elongated boom 100 extends through _ : e bracket throughbore 94 and is secured to the bracket 92 against both rotation and axial sliding by any conventional means 93 to the bracket 94. With reference now particularly to FIG. 10, the bracket pivot pin 98 allows the boom 100 to pivot between the position shown in solid line and the position shown in phantom line. A control bar 102 having a lower part 104 and an upper part 106 is attached between the mast 90 and the first part 104 of the control bar is secured by an adjustable swivel clamp 108 to the mast 90 adjacent its lower end while an adjustable swivel clamp llø attached one end of the control other part 106 to the boom 100 at a position s p aced from the bracket 92. The other ends of the control bar parts 104 and 106 are telescopically received together while a conventional clamping sleeve 112 lockingly clamps the control lever parts 104 and 106 •together at any desired telescopic position. The clamp adjustments 108 and 110 enable the amount of pivoting of the boom 100 with respect to the telescopic extension or retraction of the control bar 102 to be varied as desired and the swivel clamps 110 and 108 enable the boom 100 to swivel or rotate together with the bracket 92 about the swivel pin 182. With reference now to FIG. 11, a second bracket 116 includes a sleeve 118 which is rotatably mounted to boom 100 adjacent the bracket 92. In addition, the bracket 116 includes a tubular section 120 having an axis perpendicular to the axis of the sleeve 118. In order to rotate the bracket 116 about the axis of the boom 100, a driven worm gear 122 is positioned around the boom 100 and keyed to the bracket 116 in any conventional fashion so that the driven worm gear 133 rotates in unison with the bracket 116. A ~ drive worm gear 124 is then rotatably mounted to the first bracket 92 so that it meshes with the driven worm gear 122 and so that rotation of the worm gear 124 rotates the second bracket 116. In addition, the worm gears 122 and 124 are preferably non reversible, i.e. rotation of the worm gear 124 drives the worm gear 122 but not vice versa . With refference now to FIG. 11 and 12, in order to rotatably drive the worm gear 124, an elongated closed loop strand 130 frictionally engages a pulley 132 secured to the worm gear 124 and, at its other end, extends around a pulley 123 secured to the mast 90 (FIG. 12) . A sleeve 136 is longitudinally slidably mounted to the mast 9ø by rollers 130 and is secured to a point on the strand 130 by a cleat 140 or other means. Consequently, as the sleeve 136 is slid along the mast 90, it rotatably drives the strand 130 to rotatably drive the worm gear 124 in the desired fashion. Furthermore, since the worm gears 122 and 124 are non reversible, it is unnecessary to lock the sleeve 136 to the mast 90 in order to maintain the rotationally adjusted position of the bracket 116. With reference now to FIGS. 8, 9 and 11, an elongated spar 150 is positioned through the bracket tubular section 120 and secured at a midpoint to the bracket 116. Consequently, rotation of the bracket 116 rotates the spar 150 about the axis Of the boom 100 between the positions shown in solid and phantom line in FIG. 9. Preferably, the angle of rotation of the bracket 116 with its attached spar 150 at least 150 . With reference now to FIG. 8, a sail 152 constructed of a flexible material is secured around the outer periphery of the spar 150 and boom 100 in any conventional fashion. Preferably, however, a rope 154 is slidably mounted to the outer periphery of the sail 152 which allows the sail 152 to be tightened around the spar 150 and boom 10-0 and then secured in place to a cleat 156. Alternatively, however, the sail 152 can be replaced by an airfoil, like a wing of an airplane, which is more rigid in construction. Since the pivotal action fo the spar 150 would allow such an airfoil to be used regardless of the wind direction. From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention provides a wind powered vehicle which can be easily and effectively steered by the control lever or by applying torque to the platform. Furthermore, the sail assembly 15 of the present invention can be easily positioned to an infinite number of different orientations wi h respect to the platform 10 in order to accommodate any type of wind situation. In addition, since the spar 150 rotates about the top Of the mast, the position of the sail 152 can be readily adjusted by a rider standing on the platform 10. Having described my invention, however, many modifications thereto will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains without deviation from the spirit of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims. I claim:

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A wind powered vehicle comprising: a platform, a sail mounted to an upper surface of said platform, a pair of elongated runners, means for pivotally attaching said runners to opposite sides of said platform so that said runners are spaced apart and parallel to each other, said platform being pivotal between a first position and a second position, means responsive to the pivotal position of said platform for longitudinally moving said runners with respect to each other so that, wi h said platform in said first position, one of said runners is spaced forwardly of the other runner and so that, with said platform in said second position, the other runner is spaced forwardly of said one runner. 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said attaching means comprises means for tilting said runners about their longitudinal axes as said platform moves between said first and second position. 3. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said attaching means pivotally secure opposite sides of said platform about an axis skewed with respect to the longitudinal axis of said runners. 4. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said moving means comrpisεs a cross link, means for pivotally securing one end of said cross link to one runner and pivotally securing the other end of said cross link to the other runner at a position longitudinally spaced from said attaching means. 5. The invention as defined in claim 4 and comprising means for slidably mounting said platform and said cross link together. 6. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said cross link extends under a portion of said platform. 7. The invention as defined in claim 4 and comprising an elongated control lever, means for pivotally securing one end of said control lever to said platform and means for pivotally securing a midpoint of said control lever to said cross link. '8. The invention as defined in claim 7 and comprising a roller attached to the Other end of said control lever, said roller frictionally engaging said platform and accessible to a person supported on an - uμper surface of said platform. 9. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said control lefer is subtantially parallel to said runners, and wherein said other end of said control lever is positioned above said upper surface of said platform so that said roller engages said upper platform surface, said roller being rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to said members. 10. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said runners each comprise a ski. 11. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said runners each comprise a pontoon. 12. The invention as defined in claim 1 and comprising at least two longitudinally spaced wheels secured to a lower surface of each runner. 13. The invention as defined in claim 1 and comprising means for detachably securing said runners to said platform. 14. The inventin as defined in claim 1 and comprising means for braking said vehicle, said braking means comprising a sheet, means for flexibly securing said sheet to and behind said platform in between said runners. 15. A sail system for a wind powered vehicle ** > compri.si.ng: ■** a mast and means for securing one end of said 4 mast to said vehicle so * that said mast extends 5 vertically, 6 an elongated boom, 7 means for securing a midpoint of sai'1 boom to 8 " the other end of said mast, 9 an elongated spar, 10 means for rotabably mounting a midpoint; of said 11 spar to said boom about an axis substantially parallel 12 to said boom, 13 wherein said boom and said spar are 14 substantially perpendicular to each other, and 15 a sail attached across said spars and said 16 boom. 1 16. The invention as defined in claim 15 and 2 comprising means for pivotally mounting said boom to 3 said mast about a substantially horizontal axis. 1 17. The invention as defined in claim 16 and 2 comprising means for locking said boom at a plurality of 3 different pivotal positions with respect to said mast. 18. The invention as defined in claim 17 wherein said locking means comprises a tube having two parts. One end of one part being secured to of said mast, one end of the other part being securing to said boom at a position spaced from said pivotal mounting means, the other ends of said parts being axially slidably secured together, and means for locking the other ends Of said tube parts together at a plurality of axially adjusted positions. 19. The invention as defined in claim 18 and comprising means for longitudinally adjustably securing said one end of siad other t ' ube part to said boom. 20. The invention as defined in claim 15 wherein said rotatable mounting means comprises: a first bracket secured to the other end of said mast, said boom extending through said first bracket, a drive gear rotatably mounted to said first bracket and in mesh with a driven gear mounted to said second bracket so that rotation of said drive gear rotates said second spar, and means for rotatably driving said drive gear. 21. The invention as defined in claim 20 wherein said drive and driven gears are cooperating non reversing worm gears. 22. The invention as defined in claim 20 wherein said drive gear driving means comprises a pulley mounted to said mast, a flexible closed loop strand extending around said pulley, and a further pulley attached to said drive gear, and a slide secured at a midpoint to said flexible member and slidably mounted to said mast. 23. The invention as defined in claim 15 wherein said spar is rotatable with respect to said mast between the rotational limits, said limits being at least 150 apart from each other. 24. The invention as defined in claim 15 and coprising means for swivelly mounted said boom to said mast about the longitudinal axis of said mast. DWS/cms

Inventors: KELLER ROBERT N, KELLER, ROBERT, N.
Applicants: KELLER ROBERT N, KELLER, ROBERT, N.
Application year: 1985
Main classification: B63H9
IPC codes: B63B35