Abstract:
A device for propelling a vessel through water that includes an elongated handle; a grip at one end of the elongated handle; a paddle-shaped frame at an opposite end of the handle; a pair of blades that are pivotally supported at opposed respective sides of the frame and that have an open position and a normally biased closed position; and a cam supported by the frame and operated from the grip end of the handle. The cam is constructed and arranged to control the position of the blades so that in one position thereof the blades are partially opened allowing the blades to pivot, and in another position thereof the blades are nested against the frame so that the blades are maintained in the closed position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates in general to a device for propelling a vessel and pertains, more particularly, to a paddle, oar or the like device used to propel a boat or a canoe. The present invention relates even more particularly to a device that is arranged so that it can be used as a normal paddle or can be reconfigured for use without being withdrawn from the water. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the use of a conventional paddle such as used with a boat or canoe, in use, the paddle has to either be withdrawn from the water at the end of each stroke or has to be manually turned at the end of a stroke. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for propelling a vessel employing foldable blades and in which the paddle can be maintained in the water during both the initial stroke of the paddle and a return stroke. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved paddle construction that can be formed for operating as either a normal paddle configuration or one in which the blades are automatically deployed upon the beginning of each propelling stroke. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To accomplish the foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention there is provided a device for propelling a vessel through water, that comprises an elongated handle; a grip at one end of the elongated handle; a paddle-shaped frame at an opposite end of the handle; a pair of blades that are pivotally supported at opposed respective sides of the frame and that have an open position and a normally biased closed position; and a cam supported by the frame and operated from the grip end of the handle. The cam is constructed and arranged to control the position of the blades so that in one position thereof the blades are partially opened allowing the blades to pivot, and in another position thereof the blades are nested against the frame so that the blades are maintained in the closed position. 
     In accordance with another aspects of the present invention including a cam shaft that extends from the grip to the cam, and wherein the grip is rotated to, in turn, rotate the cam shaft and cam in order to move the cam between the one and another positions; including a spring mechanism supported in the frame and coupled to each of the blades; wherein the cam is positioned at the frame at a location so that, in the one position, the blades are maintained partially spaced from the frame to enable the force of the water against an inner surface of the blades in order to deploy the blades outwardly; wherein the cam has a lobe that, in the one position, contacts and limits the closed position of the blades so that there is a space between a free end of the blades and the frame to enable the force of the water against an inner surface of the blades in order to deploy the blades outwardly; wherein the cam also has a non-lobe surface so that, in the another position of the cam, the blades are fully closed against the frame; including a spring mechanism comprising a pair of springs fixed in position within the frame and a pair of linkage mechanisms, each link mechanism including two linkages coupled between the spring mechanism and a blade; and wherein the two linkages are arranged in a crisscross pattern having one connected to one blade and the other connected to the other blade of the pair of blades. 
     In accordance with another version of the present invention there is provided a paddle device for propelling a vessel through water, and including a handle that is for grasping by a user; and a framework at a distal end of the handle. The framework has opposed respective sides and also having opposed respective edges. A pair of blades are pivotally supported at opposed respective sides of the frame, each having inner and outer surfaces, and that are constructed and arranged for a pivoting motion between an extended position in which, from the force of the water against the inner surface of the blades, the blades are deployed outwardly to an inline relationship so as to propel the vessel, and a withdrawn position in which, from the force of the water against the outer surface of the blades, the blades fold inward to a position nested toward the framework, and a stop is supported by the framework and constructed and arranged to maintain the blades partially spaced from the framework to enable the force of the water against the inner surface of the blades in order to deploy the blades outwardly. 
     In accordance with other aspects of the present invention the stop comprises a cam, the handle has an elongated handle shaft and further including a grip at a proximal end of the elongated handle shaft and a cam shaft controlled from said grip to rotate said cam to a first position which contacts and limits the closed position of the blades so that there is a space between a free end of the blades and the frame to enable the force of the water against an inner surface of the blades in order to deploy the blades outwardly; the cam is also controlled to a second position so that the blades are fully closed against the framework; wherein, in the second position, there is no space between a free end of the blades and the framework; including a spring mechanism supported in the frame and coupled to each of the blades; wherein the spring mechanism comprising a pair of springs fixed in position within the frame and a pair of linkage mechanisms, each link mechanism including two linkages coupled between the spring mechanism and a blade; wherein the two linkages are arranged in a crisscross pattern having one connected to one blade and the other connected to the other blade of the pair of blades; and wherein the cam has a lobe that, in the one position, contacts and limits the closed position of the blades so that there is a space between a free end of the blades and the frame to enable the force of the water against an inner surface of the blades in order to deploy the blades outwardly, and the cam also has a non-lobe surface so that, in the another position of the cam, the blades are fully closed against the frame. 
     In accordance with still another version of the present invention there is provided a paddle device for propelling a vessel through water, comprising: an elongated handle that is for grasping by a user; a framework at a distal end of the handle; said framework having opposed respective sides and also having opposed respective leading and trailing edges; a pair of blades that are pivotally supported at opposed respective sides of the frame, each having inner and outer surfaces, and that are constructed and arranged for a pivoting motion in which, from the force of the water against the inner surface of the blades, the blades are deployed outwardly to an inline relationship so as to propel the vessel; and a stop supported by the framework and constructed and arranged to maintain the blades partially spaced from the framework to enable the force of the water against the inner surface of the blades in order to deploy the blades outwardly. 
     In accordance with further aspects of the present invention the stop comprises a cam, the handle has an elongated handle shaft and further including a grip at a proximal end of the elongated handle shaft and a cam shaft controlled from said grip to rotate said cam to a first position which contacts and limits the closed position of the blades so that there is a space between a free end of the blades and the frame to enable the force of the water against an inner surface of the blades in order to deploy the blades outwardly; the cam is also controlled to a second position so that the blades are fully closed against the framework, and wherein, in the second position, there is no space between a free end of the blades and the framework; and a spring mechanism is supported in the frame and coupled to each of the blades, and wherein the spring mechanism comprising a pair of springs fixed in position within the frame and a pair of linkage mechanisms, each link mechanism including two linkages coupled between the spring mechanism and a blade. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       It should be understood that the drawings are provided for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to define the limits of the disclosure. The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the embodiments described herein will become apparent with reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the device of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of the grip end of the device with the grip being in a first position; 
         FIG. 3  is a fragmentary perspective view of the cam used with the device; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of the device with portions cut away to illustrate the internal mechanism including a spring and linkage mechanism; 
         FIG. 5  is a frontal view of the device illustrated in  FIGS. 1-4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view like that illustrated in  FIG. 1  but with the handle grip rotated 45 degrees so that both of the blades are slightly rotated outwardly; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective illustration at the grip with the grip turned 45 degrees; 
         FIG. 8  is a fragmentary perspective view like that illustrated in  FIG. 3  and showing the corresponding rotation of the cam through 45 degrees; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view like that illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 6  with the grip rotated through a full 90 degree angle; 
         FIG. 10  is an illustration of the grip having been rotated through the full 90 degrees; 
         FIG. 11  is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the positioning of the cam having now been rotated through 90 degrees; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view at the frame end of the device illustrating the opening of one of the two propelling or movable blades  24 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a frontal view with much of the construction cut away to illustrate the portion of the spring and linkage mechanisms; 
         FIG. 14  is a left side view of the paddle framework; 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic plan view illustrating the two blades having been moved to an open or deployed position; 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic illustration showing water flow about the framework when the blades are fully closed; 
         FIG. 17  is a schematic illustration showing the water flow causing the blades to be partially opened; 
         FIG. 18  is a schematic plan view illustrating the two blades opened to a fully deployed position; 
         FIG. 19  is an illustration of an initial stroke of the device with the blades opening to facilitate the propelling; 
         FIG. 20  is an illustration similar to that shown in  FIG. 19  but with the stroke being made in the opposite direction closing both blades; and 
         FIG. 21  is an exploded perspective view of the components comprising the device of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference is now made to the drawings for an illustration of the principles of operation of the device of the present invention. This device is illustrated primarily in the form of a paddle that can be used in propelling a canoe. However, the principles of the present invention can be applied in a variety of applications for propelling a vessel. The device of the present invention is meant to be operated so that when the paddle is moved in a first direction such as illustrated in  FIG. 19 , both blades  24  open; only one blade is illustrated in  FIG. 19 . See also  FIGS. 15 and 18  for an illustration of the two blades  24  extending to an open position in which they extend essentially orthogonal to the plane P of the paddle framework. The paddle is intended to be moved in the direction of the leading and trailing edges  22 ,  25 . The return stroke is illustrated in  FIG. 20  wherein the blades  24  are moved in a direction so than an outer surface thereof has the water directed thereat causing the blades to fold inwardly, such as toward a position shown in  FIG. 17 . The net result is that in one stroke the blades are moved outwardly for propelling the vessel and in a return stroke the blades are moved inwardly so as to not interfere with the motion of the basic skeletal framework as it passes back through the water. In that way the paddle can stay in the water during the return stroke with minimum resistance because the direction is that along the plane P. 
     Reference may also be made to the illustrations of  FIGS. 16-18 . In  FIG. 16 , one can consider that to be the basic configuration of the paddle framework in which there is minimum resistance as the framework is returned in the backstroke. On the other hand,  FIG. 18  illustrates the force imposed by the water as arrows  44  against the blades  24  in order to provide a propelling of the vessel.  FIG. 17  shows an intermediate position with the blades  24  about to be opened at the beginning of a first forward stroke. 
     The device  10  is basically comprised of a handle shaft  12 , at a proximal end thereof, a grip  14 , and at a distal end thereof, the paddle framework  20 . The grip  14  is rotatable between positions initially as shown in  FIG. 2 , through a 45 degree angle to the position shown in  FIG. 7  and to a fully 90 degree position illustrated in  FIG. 10 . In this regard, it is noted in  FIG. 3  that the cam  40 , which is attached to the grip by means of the camshaft  42 , thus assumes different corresponding positions. In  FIG. 3  the cam  40  is nested within the framework; in  FIG. 8  the cam  40  is shown partially rotated outwardly; and in  FIG. 11  the cam  40  is shown with its lobe  41  fully extending to a position orthogonal to the general plane P of the paddle framework. In this regard, and with regard to the grip  14 ,  FIG. 2  also shows an adaptor  15  and a pivot member  16 . Refer also, for example, to  FIG. 4  that illustrates the camshaft  42  coupling with the cam  40 . Refer also to the component diagram of  FIG. 21  showing the camshaft  42  that extends from the grip down to the cam  40  and beyond for full support thereof within the framework. These different positions of the cam  40  are discussed in further detail hereinafter with regard to the different modes of operation of the device. 
     The two blades  24  are normally urged toward a nested position and when the grip is in the position illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , wherein the cam  40  is not extending outwardly at all, then the two blades  24  rest in direct contact with the framework. This provides a contour much like that illustrated in  FIG. 16  in which the framework structure has leading and trailing edges but does not have any gap for enabling an opening of either of the blades, upon initiation of a stroke. Thus, in that position, the paddle of the present invention, such as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5  functions much like a normal canoe paddle. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 7 and 8  to simply illustrate that the grip  14  can be rotated either to a 45 degree position but would normally be rotated from the position shown in  FIG. 2  to a position such as illustrated in  FIG. 10  wherein the cam  40  is positioned with its lobe  41  extending outwardly as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . This position is also illustrated in the cutaway view of  FIG. 12 . Refer also to the perspective view of  FIG. 6  wherein one of the blades  24  is shown partially opened at a gap  50  by means of an extension  21  of blade  24  engaging against the lobe  41  of the cam  40 . In other words, in that particular position the blades  24  are not allowed to be fully nested against the framework and instead are positioned so that there is a small gap  50  as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , as well as in  FIG. 17 . This gap  50  is important in providing a space so that as the paddle is moved through the water, such as illustrated in  FIG. 17 , the water, illustrated by arrows  44 , causes the blades to open.  FIG. 17  shows the initial opening of the blades  24  while  FIG. 18  shows the full deployment position of the blades  24 . In a view such as  FIG. 12  only one of the blades  24  is shown on one side of the framework while a further blade is shown pivoted outwardly as viewed from through the framework. The two blades are clearly illustrated in  FIGS. 15 and 18  fully deployed. 
     Reference is now made to further details relating to the spring mechanisms and associated linkage mechanisms that are used for controlling the positioning of both of the blades  24 . In this regard, reference may be made to, for example,  FIGS. 4, 5, 12, 13 and 21 . The spring mechanisms include a pair of springs  30  that are appropriately supported within a groove  32  in the framework. By way of example,  FIG. 12  shows the two spring mechanisms  30  in position while  FIG. 21  shows the spring mechanisms  30  exploded away from the framework. The spring mechanisms each include a fixed leg  33  and a movable leg  31 . The linkage mechanisms attach to the free end of the movable leg  31 . 
     The drawings also illustrate the linkage mechanisms  34  associated respectively with each spring mechanism  30 . These linkage mechanisms include separate links  35  and  36 . Reference to  FIG. 12  clearly illustrates that the linkages  35  and  36  connect from a free end of the leg  31  of the spring to the respective blades  24  where they are firmly attached to each of the blades  24 . This attachment is also shown, for example, at  52  in  FIG. 18  wherein each linkage has a termination at the blade end. The linkages  35 ,  36  are also preferably arranged in a crisscross pattern as clearly shown in, for example,  FIG. 12 , wherein the linkages cross each other about the cam shaft  42 . In this way the combination of the spring and linkage mechanisms provide a biasing force toward a closed position of both blades. The force of the water when the paddles is stroked overcomes this force to open each blade. The forces imposed on each blade by these mechanisms is preferably substantially equal so that the blades open at the same water counter force. Thus, the springs  30  function as stroke limiting devices when the blades are deployed outwardly such as to the position illustrated in  FIG. 18 . 
     At the very distal end of the framework there is also provided a blade tip  26 . Refer, for example, to  FIGS. 12 and 21 . The tip  26  is attached at the bottom end of the framework by means of a pair of bolts  27  and associated nuts  28 .  FIGS. 18 and 21  also illustrate a hinge pin  29 . There would be a hinge pin associated with each of the blades  24  functioning to allow a hinging of each of the blades  24 . This is also schematically illustrated at  29  in  FIG. 18 . Either separate hinge pins or a common hinge pin to both blades may be employed. In the illustrated embodiment a common hinge pin is used for both blades. 
     Thus, when the grip is in the position as illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , there is a gap  50  provided between each of the blades and the framework. Again, this gap is shown at  50  in  FIGS. 6 and 17 . By providing a slight gap along the edge of each blade, as the blade is moved in a direction opposite to the arrows  44  in  FIG. 17  the blades automatically deploy to the position shown in  FIG. 18  against the bias of the spring mechanisms. This stroke direction is also illustrated by the arrow  45  in  FIG. 19 .  FIG. 20  illustrates the paddle being then moved in the opposite direction but without being rotated. This causes an immediate closure of both of the blades  24  from the position shown toward the right in  FIG. 20  to the center position. Thus, the device can be moved back and forth through the water without requiring it to be rotated and also without requiring it to be withdrawn from the water. An initial backward stroke, as shown in  FIG. 19 , causes the blades to open as water is forced against the blade surface and into the blade gap  50 . In the action depicted in  FIG. 20  the stroke is reversed and then moved in the opposite direction, and the blades close providing a relatively unimpeded path through the water. This action occurs without rotating the paddle and without the need for removing the paddle from the water. As also indicated previously, if the grip is in the position illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 , then there is no gap  50  that is provided and the paddle can be used in the normal manner. The gap  50  can have a minimum gap dimension of say ½ inch, just enough to allow water flow into the skeleton framework. In the open position the framework is essentially open enabling the free flow of water through the framework, while at the same time causing the force of the water to pivot both blades to an open position such as illustrated in  FIG. 18 . 
     The blade edge  25  is assembled to the paddle frame preferably by means of a dove tail joint. With reference to  FIG. 21 , the part  23  may be glued into the part  22 . The rear fixed blade assembly  22 ,  23  is also secured to the paddle frame by means of a dove tail joint. 
     In a further alternate embodiment of the present invention, rather than providing a grip that is rotated, the grip can be stationary and rather than providing a rotating cam, there is provided a stationary stop which would resemble the cam position shown in  FIG. 11 . In this way there would always be a slight gap between each of the blades in the supporting framework. Again, the use of the spacing gap  50  in this embodiment provides the action previously described herein. 
     Having now described a limited number of embodiments of the present invention, it should now be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous other embodiments and modifications thereof are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.