WIND PROPELLED WATERCRAFT

Abstract: A wind propelled watercraft (50) includes a floating disk (52) for supporting a user on a body of water. Also included is a pair of sails (78) for driving the user on the floating disk by way of wind. The floating disk has an inwardly-facing groove (68) for receiving the user's toes and is provided with a generally part-spherical bottom face (54). The sails (78) extend between the arms and the body of the user, whereby the user can spill wind by lowering the arms.

Description: WIND PROPELLED WATERCRAFT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to wind propelled watercraft. Wind propelled watercraft, sometimes termed kiteskis, are known from various prior documents including U.S. Patent No. 5,366,182; U.S. Patent No. 4,708,076; U.S. Patent No. 4,220,299; U.S. Patent No. 4,669,407; U.S. Patent Des. 310,596; U.S. Patent No. 3,085,254; U.S. Patent No. 1,110,710; Canadian Patent No. 1,325,647 and German Patent Application No. 2925378. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention in its various aspects is defined in the independent claims below, to which reference should now be made. Advantageous features are set forth in the appendant claims . Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below which take the form of a wind propelled watercraft construction which can be utilized for driving a user aboard a float on a body of water by way of a sail assembly worn by the user. One preferred embodiment comprises a floating disk having a bottom face with a generally part-spherical or at least generally continuously curved configuration. A top face of the floating disk is equipped with a generally planar circular configuration. The top face and bottom face of the base may be coupled along a periphery thereof for defining a hollow interior. The top face of the base has a recess formed in concentric relationship therewith. The recess includes a bottom plate with a planar circular configuration and having an upper roughened surface. The top face further has an annular flange integrally coupled to an upper peripheral edge of the recess. Such annular flange extends radially inwardly from the upper peripheral edge of the recess in coplanar relationship with the top face of the disk. The annular flange is spaced from the bottom plate of the recess thereby defining an annular groove . Also provided is a sail assembly including a waist strap. A pair of vertically oriented parallel shoulder straps each have a bottom end coupled to the waist strap. A torso strap is coupled to upper portions of the shoulder straps in parallel with the waist strap. A pair of wrist straps are also included. The sail assembly further includes a pair of sails each having a generally triangular configuration. Each sail is equipped with a linear top edge having an outboard end coupled to one of the wrist straps. A linear inner edge of each sail has a top end coupled to the torso strap and a central portion coupled to the waist strap. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a new wind propelled watercraft according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a top view of the base of the watercraft of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a side view of the base of the watercraft of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the base of the watercraft of Figure 1 taken along line 4-4 shown in Figure 2. Figure 5 is a side view of a second embodiment of a wind propelled watercraft in accordance with the invention, with the base of the watercraft shown in section. Figure 6 illustrates a first modified base shape. Figure 7 illustrates a second modified base shape. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to Figures 1 to 4 thereof, a new wind propelled watercraft embodying the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described. The wind powered watercraft designated as numeral 10 includes a floating disk 12 forming a base and having a bulbous bottom face 14 with a generally part-spherical configuration at least over its central portion. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in this first embodiment the bottom face is more rounded at a central extent thereof and tapers in more of a horizontal or straight-line fashion toward a periphery thereof. A top face 16 of the floating disk has a generally planar circular configuration. As shown in Figure 4, the top face and bottom face of the base are coupled along a periphery thereof for defining a hollow interior. When coupled, the periphery of the top face and bottom face define an easily handled annular grip region 18. The floating disk may be constructed from fibreglass or any other suitable buoyant material. As shown in the various Figures, the top face of the base 16 has a recess 20 formed in concentric relationship therewith. The recess includes a bottom plate 22 with a planar circular configuration and an upper roughened i.e. slip-resistant surface 24. The diameter of the bottom plate 22 of the recess 20 is approximately half that of the floating disk. The top face of the disk 12 further has an annular flange 26 integrally coupled to an upper peripheral edge of the recess 20. As shown in Figure 4, such annular flange extends radially inwardly from the upper peripheral edge of the recess in coplanar relationship with the top face of the disk. The annular flange is spaced from the bottom plate of the recess thereby defining an annular groove 28. In operation, a user is supported by the disk in a body of water. For stabilization purposes, the user may insert his or her toes within the annular groove, as seen in Figure 1. Also provided is a sail assembly 29 including a waist strap 30. Also included is a pair of vertically oriented parallel shoulder straps 32 each having a bottom end coupled to the waist strap. A torso strap 34 is coupled to upper portions of the shoulder straps in parallel with the waist strap. As shown in Figure 1, a pair of wrist straps 36 are also included. It should be noted that the waist and torso straps are each removably coupled in a closed loop configuration at a side portion thereof . The sail assembly further includes a pair of nylon sails 38 each having a generally triangular configuration with an arcuate outer edge. With reference still to Figure 1, each sail is equipped with a linear top edge having an outboard end coupled to one of the wrist straps 36. A linear inner edge of each sail has a top end coupled to the torso strap 34 and a central portion coupled to the waist strap 30. As shown in Figure 1, the waist strap is preferably a component of a pair of trunks. Ideally, a bottom end of the inner edge of each sail is further connected to a lower portion of the trunks prior to use as shown at 40. In an alternative arrangement, the sails may simply be attached to a conventional full-body swimming suit (wet-suit) . By this structure, the user may be propelled about on the body of water by way of wind. During use, the user acts as a mast of the watercraft. Manoeuverability may be achieved by simply varying the orientation of the sails by the user moving their arms. The watercraft illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 has a number of advantages which make it a practical craft compared with the prior art. The sail is of manageable size, and is not out of proportion to the ability of the user to control it in a still wind. If the user does get into difficulties, they can very easily drop their hands to their sides and immediately the force on them from the sails is virtually eliminated, allowing them to recover their stability. If even then they are uncertain, they can simply sit down on the disk 12 and await rescue in comparative safety. That is to say the linear top edge of the sail is capable of being attached to the user' s arm to be held alongside the user' s arm and the linear inner edge of the sail is capable of being attached to the user' s body to be held alongside the user's body. The sails can thereby be moved between an extended position by the user extending their arms away from the body as shown, in which extended position the user provides the sole support for the sails while the sails fill with wind, and a collapsed position by the user placing their arms by the side of their body, in which collapsed position the sails spill the wind. When the arms are up and the sails are full of wind, the pressure from the wind is applied to the user' s body at a plurality of points, thus being distributed between the arms, torso, and hips. This makes it easier for the user to stand against the wind and allow the craft to move with the wind. The sail is almost an integral part of the body and is spread between the arms and body in a relatively natural way. As is seen from the foregoing, the new watercraft has no need for a mast or other structure for supporting the sails. The user provides the sole support for the sails. The mast is replaced by the human body which stands inside the disk and holds the disk firmly by feet or toes inserted into the foot grips provided by the groove 20 on the disk. The wind energy is transferred from the sails directly to the body, and then from the body to the floating disk, thus propelling the disk. The circular nature of the floating disk makes it possible for the body to stand on it and balance itself easily even when the disk is in a static position. The foot or toe grip provides a further means by which the body is firmly attached to the disk when the craft is moving. At the same time the body is free to move in any direction, both horizontally and vertically, manipulating the sails according to the nature of the wind and thus making the disk move in a desired direction. The human body, the sails and the disk thus form an integral sailing system, in which there is no separation between the sailing craft and the sailor. As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present watercraft, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. Various modifications may be made to the arrangement illustrated. More specifically, the wrist straps 36 could be replaced by a handle in the fabric of the sail or by a simple length of cord that is held by the user, rather than being permanently attachable to the user's wrist. This allows the user to release the sail completely when required, for example when returning to a support craft or the like. Another modification is that the attachment point 40 to the bottom of the trunks could be replaced by a thigh strap which passes round the " users thighs, thus avoiding the need to wear special trunks, which may not be attractive to all users. The sails and the swimsuit can be constructed as a composite article. A second wind powered watercraft embodying the invention will now be described with reference to Figure 5 of the drawings, which is a side view of the watercraft with the user thereon and showing the base in section. The second wind powered watercraft 50 has a floating base 52 which is generally disk-shaped in plan. The base 52 has a convex bottom face 54 which is part-spherical over substantially all of its extent except for the peripheral portion thereof where it bends more sharply to meet smoothly with a top face 56 of the floating disk. The periphery of the disk where the top and bottom faces join forms an annular grippable portion 58 by which a user may easily transport the disk. In this embodiment the base is solid rather than hollow and is constructed from solid polystyrene covered with a suitable hard plastic material. Such type of construction is well-known for making surfboards and the like and need not be further described. The top face 56 of the circular base 52 has provided on it a circular rigid substantially L-section ring 60 arranged so as to form an inwardly-facing groove 68 concentrically on the base. The diameter of the ring 60 is approximately half that of the base 52. The size of the groove 68 is, as with the first embodiment, such that the user may conveniently insert their foot or toes to give them greater stability on the base. The groove is fixedly open and thus easily accessible to the user' s foot as they move on the disk. That portion 64 of the top face 56 of the disk which is within the ring 60 is rendered non-slip by being roughened or by having a thin sheet of rubber matting adhered to it. Considering the use of the base, the curved bottom face 54 allows balance and flexibility. Because of its continuously curved, and indeed part-spherical, shape over its greater part, it is equally happy to sit at any angle in the water over a wide range of angles. This lends the disk improved balance and flexibility. Some departure from a strictly part-spherical shape may achieve much the same result, but in any event the bottom face should be smoothly continuously curved, rather than triangular in section so as to avoid having two stable portions with a relatively unstable region between them. The composition of the material forming the base may be non-uniform or the base may be weighted, to assist the stability of the base. The shape of the base 12 of the first embodiment of Figures 1 to 4 may desirably be part-spherical similar to the base 52 of the second embodiment. The shape of the base may be modified as shown in Figure 6 to have a convex rather than flat upper surface, with the toe-receiving groove either below that surface, as shown in Figure 6, or above the top surface, similarly to Figure 5. Reverting to Figure 5, in the second embodiment the user wears a neoprene wet suit 70 which is provided with attachment points for the pair of sails. The sails 78 are again of nylon and each are of generally triangular shape. The top edge 80 of each sail is substantially continuously attached to the arms of the wet suit by means of a suitable elongate fastening. The fastening may consist of a zipper, a hook-and-loop type fastening (e.g. Velcro™) , or a series of hooks and eyes. Likewise the inner edge 82 of each sail is substantially continuously attached to the body and upper leg portion of the wet suit by similar fastenings. The watercraft of the second embodiment is used in similar manner to the first embodiment. As with the first embodiment, the user has a high degree of control due to the ability to drop the arms and spill the wind out of the sails, completely or partially. Another modified base shape is illustrated in Figure 7. Here the base shape is bowl-shaped with the bottom face thereof having a less-curved central region, more-curved annular portion, and less-curved peripheral region. The watercraft described and illustrated may be easily and efficiently manufactured and transported, and is of durable and reliable construction. It can be produced at relatively low cost. It is easy to manage in a variety of wind conditions and is relatively safe to use. The sails are easy to manipulate. With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the dimensional relationships for the parts of the watercraft, as well as the size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, can be varied from the specific examples described. Indeed, numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art. For example, the material of which the base is made could alternatively comprise wood, rubber, other plastics, or metal, instead of fibreglass or covered polystyrene, or could be formed of combinations of these. It should be noted that the features of the two embodiments may be used in combinations other than those shown and particularly described.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A wind propelled watercraft system comprising: a floating disk (12;52) of generally circular configuration with a bottom face (14; 54) of generally continuously-curved configuration coupled at its periphery to a top face (16; 56) to provide a grippable annular periphery (18; 58) to the disk, the top face being provided with means (26; 60) defining an inwardly-facing fixed groove (28; 68) for receiving the toes of a user and a slip-resistant surface (24; 64) being formed inwardly of the groove; and a sail assembly (29; 78) for driving the user on the floating disk by way of wind, the said assembly comprising a pair of generally triangular sails (38; 78) each having a top linear edge (80), an inner linear edge (82), and an outer periphery, the top linear edge being provided with first attachment means whereby in use the top linear edge is held alongside the user' s arm, and the inner linear edge being provided with second attachment means whereby in use the inner linear edge is held alongside the user's body, and wherein the sails (38;78) can be moved between an extended position by the user extending their arms whereat the user provides the sole support for the sails and the sails can fill with wind, and a collapsed position by the user placing their arms by the side of their body whereat the sails spill the wind. 2. A wind propelled watercraft system according to claim 1 wherein the bottom face (14; 54) of the floating disk is generally part-spherical. 3. A wind propelled watercraft system according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the sails are secured to the user by way of a plurality of straps (30,32,34,36). 4. A wind propelled watercraft system according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the sails (78) are secured to the user by being attached by the first and second attachment means to a suit (70) worn by the user. 5. A wind propelled watercraft system according to claim 4 wherein the first and second attachment means are substantially-continuous attachment means. 6. A wind propelled watercraft system comprising, in combination: a floating disk (12) including a bottom face (14) and a top face (16) with a generally planar circular configuration coupled to the bottom face for defining a hollow interior, the top face having a recess (20) formed in concentric relationship therewith and including a bottom plate (22) with a planar circular configuration and an upper slip-resistant surface (24), the top face (12) further having an annular flange (26) integrally coupled to an upper peripheral edge of the recess and extending radially inwardly therefrom in coplanar relationship with the top face of the disk and spaced from the bottom plate of the recess thereby defining an annular groove (28) for receiving toes of a user; and a sail assembly (29) including a waist strap (30), a pair of vertically oriented parallel shoulder straps (32) each having a bottom end coupled to the waist strap, a torso strap (34) coupled to upper portions of the shoulder straps in parallel with the waist strap, and a pair of wrist straps (36), the sail assembly further including a pair of sails (38) each having a generally triangular configuration with a linear top edge having an outboard end coupled to one of the wrist straps (36) , and a linear inner edge having a top end coupled to the torso strap (34) and a central portion coupled to the waist strap (30) . 7. A wind propelled watercraft system comprising: a floating disk (12; 52) including a curved bottom face (14;54) and a top face (16;56) with a generally planar circular configuration coupled to the top face to provide a grippable annular periphery (18; 58), the top face being provided with a recess (20; 60) formed in concentric relationship therewith and including a bo " ttom plate (22; 62) with a plane circular configuration and an upper slip-resistant surface (24; 64), the top face further having an annular flange (26; 60) integrally coupled to an upper peripheral edge of the recess and extending radially inwardly therefrom in coplanar relationship with the top face of the disk and spaced from the bottom plate of the recess thereby defining an annular groove (28; 68) for receiving the toes of a user; and a sail assembly (29; 78) for driving the user on the floating disk by way of wind. 8. A wind propelled watercraft system according to claim 7 wherein the sail assembly includes a pair of sails (38;78) to be worn by the user. 9. A wind propelled watercraft system according to claim 8 wherein the sails are secured to the user by way8 of a plurality of straps (30,32,34,36). 10. A wind propelled watercraft system according to claim 7, 8 or 9 wherein the sail assembly includes a pair of sails (38; 78) attached to arms and torso of a body of the user. 11. A wind propelled watercraft system comprising, in combination: floating means (12) for supporting a user on a body of water; and a sail assembly (29) including a waist strap (30), a pair of vertically oriented parallel shoulder straps (32) each having a bottom end coupled to the waist s " trap, a torso strap (34) coupled to upper portions of the shoulder straps in parallel with the waist strap, and a pair of wrist straps (36) , the sail assembly further including a pair of sails (38) each having a generally triangular configuration with a linear top edge having an outboard end coupled to one of the wrist straps, and a linear inner edge having a top end coupled to the torso strap and a central portion coupled to the waist strap, wherein the sails are attached at a bottom end thereof to a bottom periphery of a pair of trunks. 12. A wind propelled watercraft system according to claim 11 wherein the floating means includes a disk (12) . 13. A wind propelled watercraft system according to claim 11 or 12 wherein the floating means has means (26) for securing to feet of a user. 14. A wind propelled watercraft system according to claim 13 wherein the means for securing to feet of a user forms a fixedly-open annular groove (28) . 15. A wind propelled watercraft system according to claim 13 wherein the means for securing to feet of a user includes a recess (20) with a roughened upper surface (24) . 16. A wind propelled watercraft system according to any of claims 11 to 15 wherein the floating means includes a disk with a bulbous bottom face (14) .

Inventors: ARAEEN RASHEED, ARAEEN, RASHEED
Applicants: ARAEEN RASHEED, ARAEEN, RASHEED
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B63B35
IPC codes: B63B35, B63H9