Abstract:
The disclosure depicts and describes flotation device including a deck, and a chaira seat on the deck. A well extends downwardly from the deck, and a ledge extends upwardly from the deck. The deck has an aperture positioned adjacent the ledge; additionally, the invention includes a motor having a power head and tiller positioned above the deck, a shaft passing through the aperture, and a propeller adjacent the terminal end of the shaft.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is a propelled flotation device. The invention includes a deck having a chair positioned on the deck. A well extends downwardly from the deck, and a ledge extends upwardly from the deck. Moreover, an aperture is formed in the deck adjacent the ledge. The invention also includes a motor having a power head and tiller positioned above the deck, and a propeller positioned on a terminal end of a shaft that extends to a second end positioned below the deck. The shaft passes through the aperture in the deck so that the propeller, positioned adjacent the terminus of the shaft, will penetrate the surface of water. 
     A clamp couples the motor to the deck, preferably by affixing the shaft of the motor to the ledge that is formed on the deck. In a preferred embodiment of the device, the chair has a seat back rotatably coupled to the deck and selectively positionable between a down position wherein the seat back is generally parallel the deck, and an upright position wherein the seat back is generally orthogonal the deck. The chair may also have a bottom positioned on the deck. 
     In one embodiment, the device includes a cover positionable over the well. However, in another embodiment, the underneath surface of the seat bottom bears ridges extending downwardly from its underneath surface to frictionally engage within the battery well, enabling the seat portion of the chair to serve as a well cover. 
     The inventive device works well in combination with a standard annular ring, such as a foam (i.e., Styrofoam) ring or a typical inflatable inner tube with a central opening. In this embodiment, the deck and central opening are cooperatively formed such that the deck engages the inflatable ring and covers the central opening. However, other configurations for a flotation device are certainly possible. 
     The motor has a shaft that extends through the central opening in the in the annular ring and also through the deck as well. The inventive device also preferably includes a clamp affixing the motor (at its shaft) to the deck (at the ledge) such that the motor is selectively positionable between an in-use position wherein the shaft is extends orthogonally downward from the deck and a stowed position wherein the shaft is adjacent and/or parallel the deck. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a battery positioned within the well and configured to empower the motor. In the preferred embodiment, a pair of lead cables connect the battery to the motor by passing through apertures formed on the well. Alternatively the device may be propelled by a fuel-driven motor, and a fuel tank may be stowed within the well. In this alternate embodiment, fuel lines will pass through openings in the well and connect the tank in the well to a fuel-driven motor. 
     Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded and perspective view detailing the inventive flotation device. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the flotation device in an assembled condition. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective and exploded view isolating the battery well and chair assembly, according to the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view isolating an alternate embodiment of the battery well. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of the battery well. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded and perspective view of a first embodiment of the inventive device  10 . The device  10  includes a deck  12  configured to cover the inner void  16  of an annular ring  14 , such as an inflatable tube that is shown. The deck  12  includes a battery well  18  depending downwardly from a top surface and configured to receive a battery  32 . The deck further includes a hole  21  formed between the battery well and a ledge  20  that is positioned near the front end of the deck  12 . This hole  21  should be large enough to allow the propeller  42  of a motor  34  to pass therethrough as the device  10  is assembled. Although shown as a hole  21  confined to a front portion of the deck  12 , the hole  21  may extend to the battery well  18 . This alternate configuration (although not shown) of an elongate hole  21  that meets the battery well  18  eases the task of passing the propeller  42  through the deck  12 . 
     The device  10  also includes a motor  34 , such as an electric motor having a tiller  36  and a clamp  38  positioned on a shaft  40 . The shaft  40  terminates with a propeller  42 , which will dip below the surface of the water when the device is in use. In that regard, the shaft passes through the hole  21  in the deck  12  such that the propeller  21  engages the water, and the tiller  36  of the motor  34  is available to enable one to steer the device  10 . In the preferred embodiment shown, the motor  34  is an electric motor empowered by the battery  32  that is stored within the battery well  18 . Lead cables  31  pass through a hole  19  in the battery well and the hole  21  in the deck  12  in order to establish electric communication between the battery  32  and the motor  34 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , a ledge  20  is formed on the deck near the hole  21 . In order to affix the motor  34  to the deck  12 , the clamp  38  is affixed to the ledge  20 . Of course, the clamp  38  is configured to retain the shaft  38  of the motor  34  generally perpendicular to the deck  12 , yet allow an operator to transmit steering torques through the shaft via the tiller  36 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the device  10  further includes a chair  22  positioned on the deck  12 . The chair  22  includes a back  24  and a seat  26  that are coupled to one another. In a preferred embodiment, the back  24  and seat  26  are rotatably coupled to one another by a rod  28  that passes through each. In this embodiment, the chair  24  is attached to the deck by passing the rod  28  through ears mounted on the deck  12 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the bottom  26  of the chair  22  may be equipped with ridges  30  that are cooperatively formed to mate with the battery well  18 , such that the bottom  26  acts as a cover for the battery well  18 ; of course, the seat  26  is selectively positionable between a closed position (wherein the ridges  30  of the seat  26  engage within the battery well  18 ) and an open position by rotating the seat about rod  28 . 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded and perspective view of a second embodiment of the inventive device  10 . Similar to the first embodiment shown, the device  10  includes a deck  12  configured to cover the inner void  16  of an annular ring  14 , such as an inflatable tube that is shown. The deck  12  includes a battery well  18  depending downwardly from a top surface and configured to receive a battery  32 . The deck further includes a hole  21  is positioned near the front end of the deck  12 . In the second embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the hole  21  extends to a front portion of the battery well  18 . This alternate configuration eases the task of passing the propeller  42  through the deck  12 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the device  10  also includes a motor  34 , such as an electric motor having a tiller  36  and a clamp  38  positioned on a shaft  40 . The shaft  40  terminates with a propeller  42 , which will dip below the surface of the water when the device is in use. In that regard, the shaft passes through the hole  21  in the deck  12  such that the propeller  21  engages the water, and the tiller  36  of the motor  34  is available to enable one to steer the device  10 . In the preferred embodiment shown, the motor  34  is an electric motor empowered by the battery  32  that is stored within the battery well  18 . Lead cables  31  pass through a hole  19  in the battery well and the hole  21  in the deck  12  in order to establish electric communication between the battery  32  and the motor  34 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 2 ; a ledge  20  extends upwardly from the deck  12  and is positioned near the hole  21 . In order to affix the motor  34  to the deck  12 , the clamp  38  is affixed to the ledge  20 . Of course, the clamp  38  is configured to retain the shaft  38  of the motor  34  generally perpendicular to the deck  12 , yet allow an operator to transmit steering-torques through the shaft via the tiller  36 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the device  10 , shown in an assembled condition. As shown, the deck  12  covers a void portion of an inflatable annular ring  14 . Of course, other configurations and styles of flotation devices are also within the scope of the inventive concept. For example, instead of using the deck  12  in combination with an inflatable annular ring  14  as shown, a foam annular ring would also be suitable, as would a pair of parallel floatables (like a pontoon arrangement) are also well-suited for the spirit of the invention. Additionally, a typical raft would work, provided the raft is provided with an opening allowing a motor shaft to engage the water. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 3 , a chair  22  is mounted to the deck such that the seat  26  covers (and is secured within) the battery well (viewable in  FIG. 1 ; see also  FIG. 4 ). The motor  34  is clamped to a ledge  20  that is positioned in a forward portion of the deck  12 . A clamp affixes the shaft  38  to the ledge  20  in such a manner that allows relative rotation, thereby allowing an operator to transmit steering torques to the propeller  22  by selectively turning the tiller  36  of the motor  34 . 
     The preferred embodiment of the device  10  uses an electric motor  34 ; however, a motor  34  powered by fuel is also within the scope of the invention. In the preferred embodiment, the seat  26  of the chair  22  covers a battery well which houses a dry cell that is in electric communication with the motor. In this embodiment, the lead cables provide electromotive force to the motor  34 . Analogously, however, a fuel tank may be positioned beneath the seat  26  of the chair  22  with a fuel line passing from the tank in the well to the motor  34 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view isolating the chair  22  and the battery well  18 . In preferred embodiments, the battery well  18  and the deck (shown previously) comprise a unitary, monolithic, one-piece structure. However, the battery well  18  may optionally comprise a separate part that is insertable into the deck  12 . The battery well  18  receives and retains a battery  32 . In a preferred embodiment, the battery  32  comprises a 12-Volt cell, such as a typical automobile battery. Lead cables  31  attach at a first end to terminals of the battery  32 , then pass through an opening  19  and connect at a second end to the motor (see FIGS.  1 , 2 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the lower surface of the seat  26  of the chair includes ridges  30  that are cooperatively formed to frictionally engage within the upper perimeter  17  of the battery well  18 . A frictional fit is preferred, as this will allow the seat  26  to act not only as a cover for the battery well  18 , but it will also create a more stable device by holding the seat in place on the deck. As shown, the chair  22  comprises a seat  26  and a back  24  that are rotatably coupled to one another by means of a rod  28 , which is affixed to the deck, usually by means of ears extending upwardly from a top surface of the deck (see  FIGS. 1-3 ). 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view that isolates a second embodiment of the battery well  18 . In this embodiment, the well  18  bears an slot  19 ′ that extends from an upper edge to the bottom edge of the front wall  59 . The slot  19 ′ also extends at least partway along the bottom  57  of the battery well  18 . 
     The embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  allows one to extend battery cables (see  FIG. 3 ) from the well  18 , through the slot  19 ′ and to the motor (FIGS.  1 , 2 ). Once the cables are threaded through the slot  19 ′, a cover  71  is inserted into the well so that it fits into the slot  19 .′ The cover  71  may also include a portion  73  extending outwardly from the battery well  18  in order to cover an opening in the deck (See FIGS.  1 , 2 ). 
     Having described and illustrated the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the above and foregoing is for illustration and demonstration only. The descriptions herein are not intended to limit the breadth of this invention. The breadth and scope of the invention shall be limited only by claims.