Abstract:
A jet-powered oar system for a paddleboard designed to help paddle boarders travel long distances without feeling fatigue includes a propulsive oar and a restraining mechanism. The propulsive oar propels the paddle board without physical input from the paddle boarder. The restraining mechanism retrofits onto an existing paddleboard and retains the propulsive oar. The propulsive oar utilizes an oar shaft, an oar paddle, an impeller pump assembly, a primary battery pack, a kill switch, and an attachment collar. The oar shaft and the oar paddle can be used to physically propel the paddle board. The impeller pump assembly permits motorized propulsion of the paddle board when the paddle boarder succumbs to fatigue. The primary battery back stores electrical energy for powering the impeller pump assembly. The kill switch stops the paddle board from moving. Finally, the attachment collar couples the propulsive oar onto the restraining mechanism.

Description:
[0001]    The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 62/361,834 filed on Jul. 13, 2016. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to jet-powered oar system for a paddle board. More specifically, the present invention comprises a propulsive oar, an impeller pump assembly integrated into the propulsive oar for generating forward thrust, and a restraining mechanism that retrofits onto an existing paddle board and secures the propulsive oar to the paddle board. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Paddle boarding is a growing sport that provides a unique mix of physical exercise and a recreational experience. Paddle boarding allows paddlers to travel vast distance and experience the natural beauty of waterways such as rivers and oceans. Conventional paddleboards require paddlers to physically propel the paddleboards using oars. This can be used to exercise the body, build strong arms, and promote cardiovascular health. 
         [0004]    The fact that paddle boarding exercises the body and allows paddlers to travel vast distances also causes problems. Sometimes paddlers can overextend themselves and travel further than they initially planned to. Other times, paddlers may feel excessive fatigue which prevents them from paddling back to where they started. It is also possible that paddlers may encounter an unexpected emergency that hinders their ability to physically propel the paddle board. For example, muscle cramps make it physically painful to move the effected limbs. 
         [0005]    Nature is another unpredictable element that can prevent the paddler from reaching the desired destination. Thunderstorms can generate turbulent waves that make it virtually impossible to control the paddle board. This can cause the paddleboard to capsize and put the paddler in life-threatening situations. In these situations, it is imperative to get back to shore as soon as possible, 
         [0006]    Given these reasons, a way to propelling the paddle board independent of the paddler is needed. The present invention is a self-powered propulsion system that can be retrofitted onto an existing paddle board. The present invention utilizes a propulsive oar integrated with an electrically powered impeller pump assembly that propels the paddle board faster than physically possible. The present invention can help an exhausted paddler travel to the desired destination or escape from a dangerous situation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the restraining mechanism. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a horizontal perspective view of the propulsive oar. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the propulsive oar and the restraining mechanism mounted onto a paddle board in the preferred manner. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a detail view of taken about circle  5  in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of the impeller pump assembly. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of the strap in the open position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
         [0015]    In reference to  FIG. 1 , the present invention relates to a jet-powered oar system that is retrofittable onto a conventional paddle board. The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a propulsive oar  1  and a restraining mechanism  2 . The restraining mechanism  2  selectively mounts the propulsive oar  1  to a conventional paddle board. The propulsive oar  1  uses an electrically powered propulsion system that propels the paddle board without physical input from the paddler. Alternately, the paddler can detach the propulsive oar  1  from the restraining mechanism  2  and use the propulsive oar  1  to physically propel the paddle board. 
         [0016]    In reference to  FIG. 3 , the propulsive oar  1  further comprises an oar shaft  11 , an oar paddle  12 , an impeller pump assembly  13 , a primary battery pack  14 , a kill switch  15 , and an attachment collar  16 . The oar paddle  12  is terminally connected to the oar shaft  11  which positions the oar paddle  12  below the water line. Moving the oar paddle  12  against the flow of the water, pushes the paddle board forward. This allows the present invention to move forward. The attachment collar  16  is laterally connected around the oar shaft  11 . This prevents the propulsive oar  1  from detaching from the paddle board. Forward motion generated by the propulsive oar  1  is thus securely transferred to the paddle board. The impeller pump assembly  13  is integrated into the oar paddle  12 . A rotation axis of the impeller pump assembly  13  is positioned parallel to the oar paddle  12 . Water flows into impeller pump assembly  13 , is accelerated, and expelled at a higher velocity. The change in momentum of the water is used to propel the propulsive oar  1  and the attached paddle board forward. 
         [0017]    Referring again to  FIG. 1 , in the preferred implementation of the present invention, the primary battery pack  14  is integrated into the oar shaft  11  and positioned offset from the oar paddle  12 . It is important to prevent moisture permeating through the battery, thus the primary battery pack  14  is positioned away from the waterline. The primary battery pack  14  is electrically connected to the impeller pump assembly  13  through the kill switch  15 . Electrical energy transmits from the primary battery pack  14  to the impeller pump assembly  13  through the kill switch  15 , which can stop the transmission and disable the impeller pump assembly  13 . A handle is positioned on the oar shaft  11 , opposite the oar paddle  12 . The kill switch  15  is positioned proximal to the handle allowing the paddler to quickly actuate the kill switch  15  while holding on to the propulsive oar  1 . Various additional control devices may be incorporated in the handle. For example, a navigation system may be incorporated into the handle to help paddlers navigate. 
         [0018]    In reference to  FIG. 4 , the restraining mechanism  2  comprises a strap  21  and a length-adjustable outrigger  22 . In order to attach the length-adjustable outrigger  22 , the strap  21  is laterally positioned around the paddle board. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the strap  21  is made of vinyl, but the strap  21  can be made of any flexible and waterproof material. The strap  21  is retrofitted onto an existing paddle board and the length-adjustable outrigger  22  is attached thereon. The length-adjustable outrigger  22  is laterally positioned along the strap  21 . This allows the length-adjustable outrigger  22  to span the width of the paddle board. Consequently, the length-adjustable outrigger  22  is tensionably mounted to the strap  21 . The length-adjustable outrigger  22  is used to rigidly connect the propulsive oar  1  to the paddle board, minimizing the movement from the desired position. Once mounted on the strap  21 , the length-adjustable outrigger  22  is locked into position. The attachment collar  16  is terminally mounted to the length-adjustable outrigger  22 , offset from the center of the paddle board. Once mounted, the length-adjustable outrigger  22  positions the attachment collar  16  to the side of the paddle board which allows the paddler to easily insert the propulsive oar  1  into the attachment collar  16 . 
         [0019]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , the restraining mechanism  2  further comprises a pair of lockable braces  25 . The pair of lockable braces  25  secure the attachment collar  16  to the length-adjustable outrigger  22 . For this purpose, the pair of lockable braces  25  is terminally connected to the length-adjustable outrigger  22 . The pair of lockable braces  25  are positioned opposite to each other along the length-adjustable outrigger  22 . This submerges the oar paddle  12  under the water line, allowing the impeller pump assembly  13  to harness the water and generate thrust. The attachment collar  16  attaches into a selected brace from the pair of lockable braces  25 . This arrangement permits the paddler to place the propulsive oar  1  on either side of the paddle board. In one possible embodiment of the present invention, each of the pair of lockable braces  25  comprises a hinge mechanism. The pair of lockable braces  25  can open and close by pivoting on the hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism allows the pair of lockable braces  25  to lock into position around the attachment collar  16 . 
         [0020]    In reference to  FIG. 2 , the restraining mechanism  2  further comprises a first turnbuckle  23  and a second turnbuckle  24 . Both the first turnbuckle  23  and the second turnbuckle  24  preferably include two threaded eye bolts screwed into opposite ends of a metal frame. One eyebolt may have left-handed threads while the other may have right-handed threads. The distance between the eyebolts can be adjusted by turning the metal frame a certain direction. For example, turning the metal frame clockwise may drive the eyebolts apart, while turning the metal frame counter-clockwise may bring the eyebolts together. The ends of the eyebolts are fashioned with hooks that latch onto mounting points on the strap  21  and the length-adjustable outrigger  22 . On one side, this allows the strap  21  to terminally mount to the length-adjustable outrigger  22  by the first turnbuckle  23 . On the other side, the strap  21  is terminally mounted to the length-adjustable outrigger  22  by the second turnbuckle  24 , opposite to the first turnbuckle  23 . Alternate embodiments of the present invention may utilize a separate restraining mechanism  2  than the one disclosed. For example, one end of the strap  21  may be integrated into the paddle board and the other end may connect to the length-adjustable outrigger  22  via a single turnbuckle. 
         [0021]    As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the length-adjustable outrigger  22  comprises a first elongated member  221  and a second elongated member  222 . Using a first elongated member  221  and a second elongated member  222  allows the present invention to span paddle boards having different widths. The first elongated member  221  and the second elongated member  222  are telescopically engaged to each other. Both the first elongated member  221  and the second elongated member  222  are mounted inside a center retaining base. This allows the paddler to adjust the length of the first elongated member  221  and the second elongated member  222  and to securely mount the length-adjustable outrigger  22  onto paddle boards having varying widths. 
         [0022]    In reference to  FIG. 7 , the strap  21  comprises a strap body  211  and a hook-and-loop fastener  212 . A first strap end  216  of the strap body  211  and a second strap end  217  of the strap body  211  are attached to each other by the hook-and-loop fastener  212 . The hook-and-loop fastener  212  secures the connection between the strap  21  and the paddle board. Mounting points, in the form of loops, allows the first turnbuckle  23  and the second turnbuckle  24  to fasten onto the strap  21 . The first turnbuckle  23  and the second turnbuckle  24  then secure the length-adjustable outrigger  22  onto the strap  21 . In alternate embodiments, a buckle may enable the strap  21  to adjustably fasten onto a paddle board. The buckle enables the strap  21  to tighten around paddle boards having various widths. 
         [0023]    As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , the present invention father comprises a variable speed control  3 . The variable speed control  3  is integrated into the oar shaft  11 , opposite the oar paddle  12 . Electrical communication channels embedded into the oar shaft  11  allows the variable speed control  3  to electrically connect with the impeller pump assembly  13 . In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the variable speed control  3  modulates the power supplied by the primary battery pack  14 . This in turn control how much thrust is generated by the impeller pump assembly  13 . A simple lever mechanism allows the paddler to physically interact with the variable speed control  3 . 
         [0024]    As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , the kill switch  15  is positioned adjacent to the variable speed control  3 . Similar to the variable speed control  3 , a physically actuatable lever mechanism controls operation of the kill switch  15 . In one possible embodiment of the present invention, the kill switch  15  breaks electrical circuit between the impeller pump assembly  13  and the primary battery pack  14 . The kill switch  15  can be used as an emergency stop mechanism that abruptly stops the paddle board and prevents a collision with an obstacle. 
         [0025]    In reference to  FIG. 5 , the present invention further comprises a secondary battery pack  5 , an electrical distribution hub  6 , a first cord  7 , and a second cord  8 . The secondary battery pack  5  is mounted onto the paddle board. Once the power is drained from the primary battery pack  14 , the secondary battery pack  5  allows the impeller pump assembly  13  to continue operating. As such, the secondary battery pack  5  includes high capacity energy storage that electrically powers the propulsive oar  1  for a prolonged period of operation. Consequently, the secondary battery pack  5  is much heavier that the primary battery pack  14  must be placed outside the propulsive oar  1 . Preferably, a waterproof external housing  133  houses the secondary battery pack  5 . The external housing  133  prevents water or moisture penetrating into the secondary battery pack  5  and interfering with the electrical circuitry. 
         [0026]    Referring once more to  FIG. 5 , the electrical distribution hub  6  is laterally mounted around the oar shaft  11 . Electrical energy supplied by the secondary battery pack  5  travels to the primary battery supply via the electrical distribution hub  6 . As a result, the secondary battery pack  5  is electrically connected to the electrical distribution hub  6  by the first cord  7 . Further, the electrical distribution hub  6  is electrically connected to the impeller pump assembly  13  by the second cord  8 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electrical distribution hub  6  is a socket. The second cord  8  may be integrated into the electrical distribution hub  6 . In order to transfer electrical energy from the secondary battery pack  5  to the propulsive oar  1 , the first cord  7  inserts into the socket. This creates an electrical connection between the first cord  7  and the second cord  8  and enables power to flow from the secondary battery pack  5  into the impeller pump assembly  13 . 
         [0027]    As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , an adhesive strip  9  affixes the first cord  7  on top of the paddle board. The preferred adhesive strip  9  utilizes a plurality of peel and stick tapes placed on the top surface of the paddle board. However, any adhesive fastening mechanism can be used in alternate embodiments. The first cord  7  is laterally connected along the adhesive strip  9 . 
         [0028]    In reference to  FIG. 6 , the preferred embodiment of the impeller pump assembly  13  comprises an impeller  131 , a motor  132 , and a housing  133 . The housing  133  further comprises an inlet  143  and an outlet  144 . Water flows into the housing  133  via the inlet  143  and exits through an outlet  144 . The motor  132  further comprises a rotor  141  and a stator  142 . In order to drive the impeller  131 , the stator  142  is held static in relation to the rotor  141 . In addition, the impeller  131  is fixedly attached to the rotor  141 . The inlet  143 , the impeller  131 , and the outlet  144  are coaxially positioned to the rotation axis of the impeller pump assembly  13 . The inlet  143  harnesses the incoming flow of water and directs it in front of the impeller  131 . This maximizes the cross-sectional area of the impeller  131  in contact with the incoming flow. 
         [0029]    Referring again to  FIG. 6 , the impeller  131  is positioned in between the inlet  143  and the outlet  144 . As the water flows through the housing  133 , the impeller  131  accelerates the flow rate between the inlet  143  and the outlet  144 . The impeller  131  is rotatably mounted within the housing  133 . Spinning the impeller  131  creates an area of low pressure behind the impeller  131  and accelerates the flow of water through the impeller pump assembly  13 . Change in flow rate between the inlet  143  and the outlet  144  determines the thrust generated by the impeller  131 . This thrust propels the paddle board forward. The stator  142  is mounted within the housing  133 . To enable the motor  132  to operate while remaining submerged under water, both the rotor  141  and stator  142  may be contained in a watertight enclosure within the housing  133 . This allows the motor  132  to mount behind the impeller  131  positioned below the water line without the danger of a short. The rotor  141  is torsionally connected to the impeller  131 . As a result, when electrical current is applied to the stator  142 , the rotor  141  and the impeller  131  start to spin together. 
         [0030]    Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.