Patent Publication Number: US-10766587-B2

Title: Human powered watercraft or land vehicle

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/164,718, filed on Oct. 18, 2018 which is a continuation in part application of PCT Application Number PCT/US2017/028160, filed on Apr. 18, 2017 which is an international application and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/325,009, filed on Apr. 20, 2016, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT RE:FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND 
     The various embodiments an aspect described herein relate to a device for powering a small human powered watercraft or land vehicle through reciprocal pedal motion. 
     Small human powered watercraft is powered by a user peddling his or her feet like a person pedals a bicycle. The user may sit down and have his or her feet oriented generally horizontal to an upper surface of the water. As a user pedals, the user&#39;s feet must be lifted up in order to complete the circular peddling motion. Unfortunately, the user will become tired from having to lift his or her feet up. Other deficiencies in the prior art also exist. 
     Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved device for propelling a small human powered watercraft or land vehicle. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The various aspects and embodiments described herein address the deficiencies identified above, discussed below and those that are known in the art. 
     The device may be mounted to a small human powered watercraft or land vehicle. The device may be used to rotate an output shaft when the user pedals left and right foot pedals reciprocally in a linear fashion or through a partial circular motion, not 360° in a circular motion. When the left pedal is pushed forward, the output shaft is rotated in a first direction. Additionally, when the right pedal is pushed forward, the output shaft is also rotated in the first direction. Two one-way bearings in the device allow a user to impart rotational motion onto the output shaft in the same direction during both the forward stroke of the left pedal and the forward stroke of the right pedal. The device may also be mounted to a small human powered land vehicle in order to rotate a wheel of the land vehicle to move the land vehicle forward. 
     More particularly, a human powered vehicle operative to rotate a propeller or rotate a wheel by reciprocating left and right pedals is disclosed. The vehicle may comprise the following components: a frame; a left pedal operative to reciprocate linearly or through a partial curved trajectory; a right pedal operative to reciprocate linearly or through a partial curved trajectory; a left rack attached to the left pedal so that reciprocating the left pedal reciprocates the left rack; a right rack attached to the right pedal so that reciprocating the right pedal reciprocates the right rack; a left shaft; a right shaft; a left pinion engaged to the left rack so that the left pinion reciprocates with the left rack, the left pinion attached to the left shaft; a right pinion engaged to the right rack so that the right pinion reciprocates with the right rack, the right pinion attached to the right shaft; a left beveled gear attached to the left shaft; a right beveled gear attached to the right shaft; a main shaft; an upper one way bearing; an upper beveled gear attached to the main shaft with the upper one way bearing; a lower one way bearing; a lower beveled gear attached to the main shaft with the lower one way bearing; a transmission box attached to the frame, the transmission box having an input shaft and an output shaft, the input shaft operative to rotate the output shaft, the main shaft being coupled to the input shaft; and the propeller or the wheel attached to the output shaft. 
     The upper and lower one way bearings may be attached to the main shaft engage the shaft in the same rotational direction and freely rotate in the opposite rotational direction. 
     The propeller and not the wheel may be attached to the output shaft. Alternatively, the wheel and not the propeller may be attached to the output shaft. 
     The linear reciprocation of the left and right pedals may be straight or curved and is not circular 360°. 
     The left and right racks may be straight. 
     The left and right racks may be rotationally attached to the frame. 
     In another aspect, a human powered vehicle operative to spin a propeller or rotate a wheel by linearly reciprocating left and right pedals is disclosed. The vehicle may comprise the following components: a frame of the human powered vehicle; a main shaft; a left pedal operative to reciprocate linearly or through a partial curved trajectory and impart rotation to the main shaft; a right pedal operative to reciprocate linearly or through a partial curved trajectory and impart rotation to the main shaft; an upper one way bearing; an upper transmission device attached to the main shaft with the upper one way bearing; a lower one way bearing; a lower transmission device attached to the main shaft with the lower one way bearing; a transmission box attached to the frame, the transmission box having an input shaft and an output shaft, the input shaft operative to rotate the output shaft, the main shaft being coupled to the input shaft; and the propeller or the wheel attached to the output shaft of the transmission box. 
     The frame of the vehicle may be a land vehicle frame. Alternatively, the frame of the vehicle may be a human powered watercraft frame. 
     In another aspect, a method for propelling a small human powered vehicle is disclosed. The method may comprise the steps of pushing a left pedal forward but not in a circular motion to rotate a first bearing or pulley attached to an output shaft in a first rotational direction; actively engaging the output shaft with a first one way bearing which is used to mount the first bearing or pulley to the output shaft, the first one way bearing allowing for free rotation in a second opposite rotational direction but not in the first rotational direction; rotating the output shaft through the first bearing and the first one way bearing during the pushing the left pedal step; pushing a right pedal forward but not in a circular motion to rotate a second bearing or pulley attached to the output shaft in the first rotational direction; actively engaging the output shaft with a second one way bearing which is used to mount the second bearing or pulley to the output shaft, the second one way bearing allowing for free rotation in the second opposite rotational direction but not in the first rotational direction; rotating the output shaft through the second bearing and the second one way bearing during the pushing the right pedal step; imparting rotational energy to a propeller or a wheel when the left pedal is pushed forward and when the right pedal is pushed forward. 
     The human powered vehicle may be a watercraft and the propeller may be rotated upon pushing the left and right pedals forward. Alternatively, the human powered vehicle may be a land vehicle and the wheel may be rotated upon pushing the left and right pedals forward. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a partial cross-sectional front view of a device for propelling a small human powered watercraft or land vehicle; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional top view of the device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional right side view of the device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional right side view of the device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the device; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional right-side view of the device shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the device shown in  FIG. 6  with a housing and propeller removed therefrom; 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the device shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of the device shown in  FIG. 6  showing only a first of two belts for driving a propeller shaft which is hidden from view; 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of the device shown in  FIG. 6  showing only a second of two belts driving the propeller shaft which is hidden from view; 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged top view of the two belts driving the propeller shaft; 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged perspective view of the two belts for driving the propeller shaft. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the device; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the device shown in  FIG. 13  with a part of the housing removed therefrom; 
         FIG. 15  is a right-side view of the device shown in  FIG. 13  with the housing removed therefrom; 
         FIG. 16  is a top view of the device shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the device shown in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a top view of the device shown in  FIG. 15  illustrating a first drive belt and a first driven belt which rotates a propeller shaft; 
         FIG. 19  is a top view of the device shown in  FIG. 13  illustrating a tensioning belt; 
         FIG. 20  is a top view of the device shown in  FIG. 13  illustrating a second drive belt and a second driven belt which rotates the propeller shaft; and 
         FIG. 21  illustrates a perspective view of the first and second driven belts that rotates the propeller shaft. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, a device  10  for rotating an output shaft  12  to power either a propeller  14  of a small human powered watercraft or a wheel of a small human powered land vehicle is shown. The device  10  allows a person to reciprocally push left and right foot pedals  16 ,  18 . The push stroke for both the left and right foot pedals  16 ,  18  rotates the output shaft  12  in the same direction so that the propeller  14  can push the small human powered watercraft forward or rotate the wheel of the small human powered land vehicle and push the vehicle forward. Pushing the left pedal  16  does not rotate the output shaft  12  in the opposite direction compared to when the right pedal  18  is pushed. This is accomplished through first and second one-way bearings  20 ,  22  which are actively engaged to the output shaft  12  to provide rotation in the same direction to the output shaft  12 . Either the first one-way bearing  20  is actively engaged to provide rotation to the output shaft  12  when the left pedal  16  is pushed forward and the second one-way bearing  22  is actively engaged to provide rotation to the output shaft  12  on the right pedal  18  is pushed forward, or alternatively, the first one-way bearing  20  is actively engaged to provide rotation to the output shaft  12  when the right pedal  18  is pushed forward and the second one-way bearing  22  is actively engaged to provide rotation when the left pedal  16  is pushed forward. The output shaft  12  may be connected to a transmission box  24  that converts the rotational movement of the output shaft  12  into usable energy. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the propeller  14  may be attached to the transmission box  24  and receive the rotational energy of the output shaft  12  so that the propeller  14  is rotated and the small human powered watercraft is moved forward or in the direction of the propeller  14 . Alternatively, a wheel of a small human powered land vehicle may be attached to a transmission box which is attached to the output shaft  12  to receive the rotational energy of the output shaft  12  so that the wheel is rotated and the small human powered land vehicle is moved forward or in the rotational direction of the wheel. For example, the device  10   a  may be mounted to a frame of a bicycle or a one or more wheeled human powered land vehicle. The pedals of the device may be aligned so that a user can reciprocate the pedals up and down with his/her feet. The pedals  16   a ,  18   a  when traversed up and down rotate an output shaft in the device  10   a . The output shaft of the device  10   a  is connected to a transmission box  24   a . An output shaft of the transmission box  24   a  may be connected to a wheel of the wheeled human powered land vehicle to rotate the wheel and propel the land vehicle forward. 
     The small human powered watercraft may be a canoe, one or two manned pedal boat or pedal kayak, or the like. The small human powered vehicle may be a bicycle, an elliptical bicycle, or the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a front cross-sectional view of the device  10  and gearbox  24  which may be utilized on a small human powered watercraft is shown. The device  10  may have left and right pedals  16 ,  18 . The left and right pedals  16 ,  18  may be spaced apart by a distance  25  that is about equal to or slightly more than shoulder width apart. For example, the distance  26  may be between 10 inches to 30 inches and is preferably between 17 to 25 inches. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the left and right pedals  16 ,  18  may be pushed in the direction of  26 . When the left pedal  16  is pushed forward in the direction  26 , the right pedal  18  is traversed backward in the direction  28  through a series of gears in the device  10 . With the right pedal  18  traversed backward fully, the right pedal  18  may now be pushed forward in the direction  26 . When the right pedal  18  is pushed in the direction  26 , the left pedal  16  is pushed backward fully in the direction  28  through a series of gears in the device  10 . Each time the user pushes either one of the left or right pedals  16 ,  18 , the output shaft  12  of the device  10  is also rotated in the same rotational direction so that through the transmission box  24 , the propeller  14  or wheel is rotated in the same direction as well. Although the description describes the pedals  16 ,  18  as being fully depressed forward or fully traversed backward before the other pedal  16 ,  18  is depressed forward, the device  10  still operates to rotate the output shaft  12  in the same direction even if the stroke of the pedals  16 ,  18  is cut short. 
     The left and right pedals  16 ,  18  may be attached the left and right racks  30 ,  32 . Left and right racks may have teeth that receive first gears  34 ,  36 . As the racks  30 ,  32  are reciprocated in the directions  26 ,  28 , the gears  34 ,  36  are reciprocated rotationally about rotational axis  38  in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction. When the left pedal  16  is pushed forward in the direction  26 , the gear  34  rotates in the counterclockwise direction from the view shown in  FIG. 3 . Through a series of gears in the device  10 , the right foot pedal  18  is traversed backward in the direction  28 . The gear  36  rotates in the clockwise direction from the view shown in  FIG. 3  in order to push the right rack  32  and the foot pedal  18  in the backward direction  28 . Conversely, when the right pedal  18  is pushed forward in the direction  26 , the gear  36  rotates in the counterclockwise direction from the view shown in  FIG. 3 . Through a series of gears in the device  10 , the left foot pedal  16  is traversed backward in the direction  28 . The gear  34  rotates in the clockwise direction as shown in  FIG. 3  in order to push the left rack  30  and the foot pedal  16  in the backward direction  28 . 
     The gear  34  and the gear  38  may be fixed to each other so that rotation of the gear  38  rotates gear  34 , and vice versa. To this end, the gear  34  and the gear  38  may be pinned or rotationally fixed to shaft  42 . The shaft  42  may rotate within bearing  46  which may be mounted in housing  50 . Similarly, the gear  36  and gear  40  may be fixed to each other so that rotation of the gear  36  rotates gear  40 , and vice versa. To this end, the gear  36  and gear  40  may be pinned or rotationally fixed to shaft  44 . The shaft  44  may rotate within bearing  48  which may be mounted in housing  50 . The shafts  42 ,  44  may each define a rotational axis and the rotational axes of the shafts  42 ,  44  may be coaxially aligned to each other. 
     The gear  52  and bevel gear  54  may be mounted to shaft  56 . Also, the gear  52  and the bevel gear  54  may be rotationally fixed to each other so that rotation of either gears  52 ,  54  rotates the other gears  54 ,  52 . Additionally, the gear  58  and bevel gear  60  may be mounted to shaft  62 . Also, the gear  58  and the bevel gear  60  may be rotationally fixed to each other so that rotation of either gears  58 ,  60  rotates the other gears  60 ,  58 . The shafts  56  and  62  may be mounted to the housing  50  by way of bearings  64 ,  66 . 
     The output shaft  12  may be disposed between the bevel gears  54 ,  60 . Also, each of the bevel gears  54 ,  60  may engage first and second bevel gears  68 ,  70  which are mounted to the output shaft  12  by way of first and second one-way bearings  20 ,  22 . By way of example and not limitation, the one-way bearings  20 ,  22  may be mounted to the output shaft  12  so that the one-way bearings  20 ,  22  freely rotate when the one-way bearings  20 ,  22  are rotated in the counterclockwise direction but are engaged when the one-way bearings  20 ,  22  are rotated in the clockwise direction from the view shown in  FIG. 2 . In this manner, as each of the left and right foot pedals  16 ,  18  are pushed in the direction of arrow  26 , reciprocally at different times, the output shaft  12  is rotated only in the clockwise direction (see  FIG. 2 ) regardless of which one of the pedals  16 ,  18  is being pushed forward  26 . Conversely, the one-way bearings  20 ,  22  may be mounted to the output shaft  12  so that the one-way bearings  20 ,  22  freely rotate when the one-way bearings  20 ,  22  are rotated in the clockwise direction but are engaged when the one-way bearings  20 ,  22  are rotated in the clockwise direction from the view shown in  FIG. 2 . In this manner, as each of the left and right foot pedals  16 ,  18  are pushed in the direction of arrow  26 , reciprocally at different times, the output shaft is rotated only in the counterclockwise direction (see  FIG. 2 ) regardless of which one of the pedals  16 ,  18  is being pushed forward. For purposes of discussion, the one-way bearings  20 ,  22  are discussed as if they were mounted to the output shaft  12  so that the one-way bearings  20 ,  22  are engaged when the one-way bearings  20 ,  22  are rotated in the clockwise direction, but may be mounted so engagement occurs during counterclockwise rotation. 
     When the user wants to propel the small human-powered watercraft or the small human powered vehicle forward, the user begins to pump the left and right foot pedals  16 ,  18  reciprocally in directions  26 ,  28 . The user may push the foot pedal  16  in the direction  26  which rotates gear  34  in the counterclockwise direction. Gears  38 ,  34  are mounted to a common shaft  42  so that counterclockwise rotation of the gear  34  causes gear  38  to rotate counterclockwise as well. Gear  38  rotates gear  52  in the clockwise direction. Gear  52  and gear  54  are rotationally fixed to shaft  56  so that clockwise rotation of gear  52  rotates bevel gear  54  in the clockwise direction as well. First and second bevel gears  68 ,  70  are engaged to bevel gear  54 . Rotation of the bevel gear  54  in the clockwise direction rotates the first bevel gear  68  in the clockwise direction  72  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The second bevel gear  70  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction  74 . The first bevel gear  68  is mounted to the first one-way bearing  20 . Since the first bevel gear  68  is being rotated in the clockwise direction, so is the first one-way bearing  20 . The first one-way bearing is actively engaged to the output s haft  12 . The first bevel gear  68  through the first one-way bearing  20  rotates the output shaft  12  in the clockwise direction. The first bevel gear  68  is forcing rotation of the output shaft  12 . The second bevel gear  70  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction and so is the second one-way bearing  22 . The second bevel gear  70  is freely spinning because of the second one-way bearing. 
     The first and second gears  68 ,  70  are also engaged to bevel gear  60 . Clockwise rotation of the first bevel gear  68  and counterclockwise rotation of the second bevel gear  70  rotates the bevel gear  60  in the counterclockwise direction from the view shown in  FIG. 3 . Bevel gear  60  and gear  58  are rotationally fixed to each other on shaft  62  so that gear  58  also rotates in the counterclockwise direction. Counterclockwise rotation of the gear  58  rotates the gear  40  in a clockwise direction. The gear  36  is pinned to shaft  44  as is gear  40  so that the rack  32  is traversed in the backward direction  28 . The foot pedal  18  is pushed backward. When the left foot pedal  16  is pushed fully forward, the right foot pedal  18  is pushed fully backwards. 
     The user may now reciprocate the left and right foot pedals  16 ,  18 . The user may push the right foot pedal  18  in the direction  26  which rotates gear  36  in the counterclockwise direction. Gear  40  is mounted to the common shaft  44  as is gear  36  so that counterclockwise rotation of the gear  36  causes gear  42  to rotate in the counterclockwise direction as well. Gear  40  rotates gear  58  in the clockwise direction. Gear  60  and gear  58  are rotationally fixed to shaft  62  so that clockwise rotation of gear  58  rotates gear  60  in the clockwise direction as well. First and second bevel gears  68 ,  70  are engaged to bevel gear  60 . Rotation of the bevel gear  54  in the clockwise direction rotates the first bevel gear  68  in the counterclockwise direction  74  from the view shown in  FIG. 2 . The second bevel gear  70  is rotated in the clockwise direction  72 . The first bevel gear  68  as discussed above is mounted to the first one-way bearing  20 . Since the first bevel gear  68  is being rotated in the counterclockwise direction, so is the first one-way bearing. The first bevel gear through the first one-way bearing  20  rotates freely about the output shaft  12  in the counterclockwise direction. The second bevel gear  70  is rotated in the clockwise direction and so is the second one-way bearing  22 . In this regard, the second bevel gear through the second one-way bearing  22  forcibly rotates the output shaft  12  in the clockwise direction. In this regard, whenever the user pushes either of the first or second foot pedals  16 ,  18  in the direction  26 , the output shaft  12  is rotated in the clockwise direction. 
     Because the first and second gears  68 ,  70  are also engaged to the bevel gear  54 , counterclockwise rotation of the first bevel gear  68  and clockwise rotation of the second bevel gear  70  rotates bevel gear  54  in the counterclockwise direction from the view shown in  FIG. 3 . Bevel gear  54  and gear  52  are rotationally fixed to each other on shaft  56  so that gear  52  also rotates in the counterclockwise direction. Counterclockwise rotation of the gear  52  rotates the gear  38  in a clockwise direction. The gear  34  is pinned to shaft  42  as is gear  38  so that the rack  32  is moved in the direction of arrow  28 . The foot pedal  16  is pushed backward. When the right foot pedal  18  is pushed fully forward, the left foot pedal  16  is pushed fully backwards. 
     As a user pushes the foot pedals  16 ,  18  forward in a reciprocal fashion, the output shaft  12  receives rotational power under both forward strokes of the left and right foot pedals  16 ,  18  to rotate in the clockwise direction to drive either a propeller for a small human powered watercraft or a small human powered land vehicle. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the device  10  may be mounted to a hull  80  of the small human powered watercraft. The output shaft  12  may be connected to an input shaft  82  of the transmission box  24 . The output shaft  12  and the input shaft  82  may be connected to each other with a flexible coupling  84  so that any misalignment between the input shaft  82  and the output shaft  12  is not detrimental to the transmission of rotational power from the output shaft  12  to the input shaft  82 . Rotation of the input shaft  82  also rotates bevel gear  86  and bevel gear  88 . Output shaft  90  is rotated by rotation of the beveled gear  88 . The propeller  14  may be mounted to the output shaft  90 . 
     The transmission box  24  may be mounted to a rotatable cylinder  87  that may project through the hull  80  of the small human powered watercraft. The transmission box  24  may be secured to the rotatable cylinder  87  so that rotation of the rotatable cylinder  87  also rotates the transmission box  24  as well as the propeller. The rotatable cylinder  87  may be rotated about a vertical axis which may be coaxial aligned to a rotational axis of the output shaft  12 . The user may rotate the direction of the propeller  14  with the handle  92 . Handle  92  rotates bar  94 . Bar  94  rotates gear  96  which in turn rotates gear  98  and gear  100 . The rotatable cylinder  87  may be physically secured to gear  100  so that the rotatable cylinder  87  rotates in the same direction as gear  100 . If the user wants to propel the small human powered watercraft in the opposite direction, the user may rotate the handle  92  until the propeller is located on the opposite side. The user may rotate the handle  92  to guide the small human powered watercraft left and right by redirecting the propeller in the appropriate direction. 
     The output shaft  12  may be oriented in a generally vertical direction. Moreover, the rotatable cylinder  87 , as discussed above may be coaxially aligned with the output shaft  12 . The output shaft  12  and the rotatable cylinder  87  may also be oriented in a generally vertical direction with respect to the surface of the water. In this regard, as the rotatable cylinder  87  is rotated, the propeller  14  can also provide propulsion in the direction of the propeller  14  360° about the output shaft  12 . In this regard, the propeller can be rotated 180° so that the small human powered watercraft can be propelled backwards. Moreover, it is contemplated that there may be stops placed in the system so that the propeller  14  and the transmission box  24  can rotate through a limited range of angles such as 90°, 70°, 60°, 50°, 45° from center. The center being a position of the propeller  14  so that the small human powered watercraft is propelled straightforward. 
     The device  10 , transmission box  24  and the system for rotating the transmission box  24  to direct the propeller in a certain direction to propel the small watercraft in a particular direction has been described in terms of utilizing gears. However, it is also contemplated that the transmission of power may be accomplished with belts and pulleys both fixed and continuously variable (e.g. continuously variable transmissions). By way of example and not limitation, the transmission of rotational movement between the gears  96 ,  98  may also be accomplished by replacing the gears  96 ,  98  with pulleys  96   a ,  98   a  and attaching a belt between the pulleys  96   a ,  98   a . Gears  40 ,  48  and gears  38 ,  52  may be replaced with pulleys and a belt attached between the pulleys  40   a ,  58   a ,  38   a ,  52   a  in order to transmit rotational movement. All of the gears or just some of the gears may be replaced with pulleys and a belt mounted to the pulleys in order to transmit rotational movement. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the rack  30 ,  32  is shown as being a linear, straight rack  30 ,  32 . The rack  30 ,  32  engages the gears  34 ,  36 . However, it is also contemplated that the rack  30 ,  32  may be curved and engage the gears  34 ,  36 . Even though the rack  30 ,  32  may be curved, the pedals  16 ,  18  are not traversed through a circular motion 360° but only a portion of the 360°. In this manner, the rotational movement of the pedals  16 ,  18  may have a radius which is greater than that which could be accommodated if the pedals  16 ,  18  were traversed through a circular motion 360°. By allowing for a curved reciprocating motion of the pedals  16 ,  18 , a more ergonomic motion may be designed in order to accommodate the biomechanical aspects of the user. For example, when the user pumps his or her feet forward, the knees rotate about the hips and there is both a forward as well as a vertical motion at the user&#39;s knees. The curved racks  30   a ,  32   a  may have a radius in order to account for the natural vertical motion due to the biomechanics of the human body. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5-21 , second and third embodiments of the device are shown which are belt driven compared to gear driven as shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . However, it is also contemplated the device may be driven through a combination of gear(s) and belt(s). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5-12 , the second embodiment of the device  10  is shown. The device  100  is described in relation to  FIGS. 5-12 . Instead of beveled gears shown in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the device  100  may utilize one or more double-sided timing belt. The system of belts may include a main drive belt  102  (see  FIG. 8 ) which rotates a propeller shaft  104  (see  FIGS. 7 and 8 ) in the direction  108  which, in turn, rotates a propeller  106  (see  FIG. 6 ) in the direction  110  as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The main drive belt  102  may be wrapped around a series of pulleys  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  123 ,  118 ,  120 ,  122 . The drive belt  102  rotates pulleys  120 ,  118  in opposite direction which, in turn, drives driven belts  124 ,  126  which, in turn, alternately rotates the propeller shaft  104  in the clockwise direction  108  each time one of the left and right foot pedals is pushed forward. 
     More particularly, the device  100  may have a housing  128 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . The housing  128  may have upper and lower halves. Only the lower half is shown in  FIG. 5  and the upper half is removed for the purposes of being able to view the belt system of the device  100 . The upper and lower halves of the housing  128  may have locating holes  130  ( FIG. 5 ) which receive shafts  132  to position the pulleys  112 - 122 ,  123  in their respective locations within the housing  128 . The pulleys  112 - 122 ,  123  may rotate about the shafts  132 . The pulleys  112 - 122 ,  123  may be fixed vertically on shaft  132  (see  FIGS. 6 and 7 ) but as discussed above may rotate about the shaft  132 .  FIG. 6  illustrates vertical positions of the pulleys  112 - 122 ,  123  within the housing  128 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , the left and right pedals  16 ,  18  may be attached to left and right brackets  134 ,  136 . With the user&#39;s left and right feet on the left and right pedals  16 ,  18  and ready to push the left and right pedals  16 , 18  in the direction of arrows  138 ,  152 , the user is ready to propel the vehicle (e.g., watercraft, water vehicle, kayak and land vehicle) forward. When the user pushes the right pedal  18 , the right bracket  136  is traversed along guide rails  140 ,  142  ( FIG. 7 ). Moreover, the main drive belt  102  is secured to the right bracket  136  at location  144  (See  FIG. 8 ). As the right bracket  136  is traversed along the direction of arrow  138 , the belt  102  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction. Simultaneously, pulleys  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  122  are rotated about their respective shafts  132  in the counterclockwise direction while pulleys  123 ,  120  are rotated in the clockwise direction. 
     In the arrangement of pulleys  112 - 122 ,  123 , pulleys  118 ,  120  are always rotated opposite directions. When the pulley  120  is rotated in the clockwise direction, the pulley  118  will rotate into counterclockwise direction. Conversely, when the pulley  118  rotates into clockwise direction, the pulley  120  will rotate in the counterclockwise direction. Only when the pulley  120 ,  118  is rotated in the clockwise direction will the driven belt  124 ,  126  attached to that clockwise rotating pulley  120 ,  118  rotate the pulley  115 ,  117  and the propeller shaft  104  in the clockwise direction. Referring now to  FIGS. 9, 11 and 12 , when the pulley  120  rotates in the clockwise direction  144 , the pulley  117  is driven or rotated in the clockwise direction  144  via transmission of rotational power through belt  124 . The pulley  117  is mounted to propeller shaft  104  with a one-way bearing that is engaged only during clockwise rotation. Thus, propeller shaft  104  is rotated in the clockwise direction. However, as discussed above, the pulley  118  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction  146  (see  FIG. 12 ) when the pulley  120  is rotated clockwise direction  144  (see  FIG. 12 ). This is permitted because the pulley  115  is fitted with a one-way bearing and mounted to the propeller shaft  104 . This means that when the pulley  115  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction  146 , the one-way bearing  148  is freewheeling or disengages the pulley  115  from the propeller shaft  104 . Conversely, when the pulley  115  is rotated in the clockwise direction  144 , the one-way bearing  148  is engaged so that clockwise rotation of the pulley  115  rotates the propeller shaft  104  in a clockwise direction. 
     When the right pedal  18  and right bracket  136  are pushed all the way down the guide rails  140 ,  142 , the left pedal and left bracket  134 ,  16  are traversed in the opposite direction  150 . 
     With the left pedal  16  in the retracted position, the user may now push the left pedal in the direction of the arrow  152  (see  FIG. 8 ). In doing so, the belt  102  which is attached to the left bracket  134  at location  154  traverses the belt  102  in the clockwise direction. This, in turn, rotates pulleys  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  122  in the clockwise direction while pulley  120 ,  123  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 , when pulley  118  is rotated in the clockwise direction, the driven belt  126  is rotated in the clockwise direction as well. This, in turn, also rotates the pulley  115 . The pulley  115  may be mounted to the propeller shaft  104  with a one-way bearing which is engaged only when the pulley  115  is rotated in the clockwise direction. Hence, the propeller shaft is rotated in the clockwise direction. As discussed above, the pulleys  118 ,  120  are rotated in opposite directions. When the pulley  118  is rotated in the clockwise direction, pulley  120  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction. In the counterclockwise direction, the bearing  156  (see  FIG. 12 ) which mounts the pulley  117  to the propeller shaft  104  is not engaged so that the pulley  117  can rotate in the counterclockwise direction. 
     The following discussion is in relation to a variant of the second embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5-12 . In lieu of one-way bearings  148 ,  156  (See  FIG. 12 ) being used to mount the pulleys  115 ,  117  to the propeller shaft  104 , an alternate variant to the second embodiment may include a situation where the one way bearings are located or used to mount the pulleys  118 ,  120 . In this regard, pulleys  115 ,  117  may be fixed to the propeller shaft  104  so that the pulleys  115 ,  117  only rotate in the clockwise direction which in turn rotate the propeller shaft  104  in the clockwise direction  108 . Because the pulleys  115 ,  117  are now pinned to the propeller shaft  104 , one-way bearings may be incorporated into the pulleys  118 ,  120  and more particularly, upper pulley  168  and lower pulley  162 , as shown in  FIG. 12 . In this regard, as the right pedal  18  is pushed in the direction of arrow  138 , the main drive belt  102  rotates in the counterclockwise direction. When the main drive belt  102  rotates in the counterclockwise direction, the pulley  118  rotates in a counterclockwise direction while the pulley  120  rotates in the clockwise direction. A one-way bearing  158  (See  FIG. 12 ) may mount a lower pulley  162  of the pulley  118  to its shaft  132 . This allows for disengagement between an upper pulley  160  of the pulley  118  from a lower pulley  162  of the pulley  118  to allow the main drive belt  102  to continue to rotate the lower pulley  162  of the pulley  118  in the counterclockwise direction. However, because the propeller shaft  104  can only be rotated in the clockwise direction to move the vehicle forward, the one-way bearing  158  disengages the upper pulley  160  of the pulley  118  from its shaft  132  the lower pulley  162  of the pulley  118 . In other words, the lower pulley  162  of the pulley  118  is separate from the upper pulley  160  of the pulley  118 . The upper pulley  168  may be pinned to the shaft  132  on which it is mounted while the lower pulley  162  of the pulley  118  incorporates the one-way bearing so that when the lower pulley  162  is rotated in the clockwise direction does it rotate shaft  132  and the upper pulley  160 . When the lower pulley is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the lower pulley is disengaged from the shaft. The shaft  132  does not rotate and does not rotate the upper pulley  160  of the pulley  118 , and thus does not turn the belt  126 . Instead, the driven belt  124  rotates the propeller shaft  104  in the clockwise direction which translates such rotational movement to the pulley  115  and the belt  126  and the upper pulley  160  of the pulley  118  is rotated in the clockwise direction while the lower pulley is rotated in the counterclockwise direction. 
     Referring now to pulley  120 , the same also has upper and lower pulleys  168 ,  170 . These upper and lower pulleys  168 ,  170  may be separated from each other so that they can rotate in opposite directions when needed just like upper and lower pulleys  160 ,  162  of pulley  118 . More particularly, the lower pulley  170  may be pinned to the shaft  132  upon which it is mounted. In contrast, the upper pulley  168  may be mounted to the shaft  132  to which it is mounted with a one-way bearing. As discussed above, when the right foot pedal  18  is traversed in the direction of arrow  138 , pulley  120  is rotated in the clockwise direction. This means that the upper pulley  168  of the pulley  120  is rotated in the clockwise direction. The one way bearing of the upper pulley  168  of the pulley  120  is engaged and rotates shaft  132  and also rotates the lower pulley  170  of the pulley  120 . 
     Conversely, when the left foot pedal is in the retracted position and pushed in the direction of arrow  152  (see  FIG. 8 ), the main drive belt  102  rotates in the counterclockwise direction. However, the pulley  120  rotates in the counterclockwise direction while the pulley  118  rotates in the clockwise direction. In this regard, referring now to  FIG. 12 , the main drive belt  102  rotates the upper pulley  168  of the pulley  120  in the counterclockwise direction. However, it does not rotate the lower half  170  of the pulley  120  in the counterclockwise direction because the one-way bearing, which is mounted to the lower pulley  170  of the pulley  120  is disengaged. In fact, the lower pulley  170  of the pulley  120  rotates in the clockwise direction through the rotational translation from the pulley  118 , to the driven belt  26 , to the pulley  115 , to the propeller shaft  104 , to the pulley  117  then to the driven belt  124 . As discussed above, when the main drive belt  102  rotates in the clockwise direction, the pulley  118  rotates in the clockwise direction as well. In this regard, the pulley  152  rotates in the clockwise direction and is pinned to the shaft  132  which rotates in the clockwise direction. Because the one-way bearing  158 , which mounts the upper half  160  of the pulley to the shaft  132 , the upper pulley  168  of the pulley  118  is rotated in the clockwise direction. Such clockwise rotation of the upper pulley  168  of the pulley  118  rotates the driven belt  126  in the clockwise direction as well as pulley  115  and the propeller shaft  104 . 
     The belt system shown in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 5-12  utilize a double-sided timing belt for the main drive belt  102 . However, it is also contemplated that if the pulleys had sufficient friction with the belt so that there is minimal slippage between the belt and the respective pulleys, a timing belt would not be needed but other types of belts could be used including but not limited to flat belts, V groove belts, etc. Moreover, although a double-sided timing belt is shown for the driven belts  124 ,  126  it is also contemplated that such driven belts  124 ,  126  may utilize a single-sided timing belt or, in the alternative, a friction belt such as a flat belt or V groove belt. Additionally, it is contemplated that the pulleys  115 ,  117 ,  118 ,  120  may utilize a continuously variable transmission pulley instead of its fixed diameter pulleys as shown in the drawings. This allows the user to adjust the speed of the propeller for each stroke of the pedals  16 ,  18 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 13-21 , the third embodiment of the device  200  is shown in which a single timing belt may be used. In  FIG. 16 , when the right pedal  18  and the right bracket  136  are in the position shown in  FIG. 16 , the user can traverse the right pedal  18  and the right bracket  136  in the direction of arrow  138 . In this instance, a first drive belt  202  ( FIG. 18 ) is rotated about pulley  204  (See  FIGS. 18 and 21 ). The pulley  204  is also connected to pulley  206  with driven belt  208 . The pulley  206  is attached to the propeller shaft  104  with a one-way bearing  210 . When the pulley  206  is rotated in the clockwise direction, the one-way bearing  210  is engaged so that the rotation of the pulley  206  in the clockwise direction also rotates the propeller shaft  104  in the clockwise direction as well. Still referring to  FIG. 21 , the pulley  210  is also mounted to the propeller shaft  104  with a one-way bearing  212 . However, when the pulley  210  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the one-way bearing  212  is disengaged. The pulley  210  rotates in the counterclockwise direction when the right bracket  136  is traversed in the direction of arrow  138  because the first drive belt  202  is also connected to the left bracket  134 . The left bracket  134  is traversed to the retracted position in the direction of arrow  150  (see  FIG. 16 ) as the right bracket  136  is traversed in the direction  138 . The left bracket  134  drives the second drive belt  214  (See  FIG. 20 ) which is wrapped around pulley  216  (See  FIG. 21 ) rotates in the counterclockwise direction which rotates the pulley  210  in the counterclockwise direction. However, because of the one-way bearing  212  that mounts the pulley  210  to the propeller shaft  104  is disengaged, such counterclockwise direction is allowed. The pulleys  204 ,  216  are allowed to freely rotate about the shaft  132  in the counterclockwise direction. 
     Conversely, when the left bracket  134  is in the retracted position and the left pedal  16  pushed in the direction of arrow  152 , referring now to  FIG. 20 , pulley  216  is rotated in the clockwise direction, which in turn, through the driven belt  218  (see  FIG. 21 ), the pulley  210  is rotated in the clockwise direction. As the pulley  210  which is mounted to the propeller shaft  104  with the one-way bearing rotates in the clockwise direction, its one way bearing engages and rotates the propeller shaft  104  in the clockwise direction as well. When the left bracket  136  is traversed in the direction of arrow  152 , this also retracts the right foot pedal and right bracket  134  back to the retracted position. The drive belt  202  for the right foot pedal  18  and right bracket  134  rotates the pulley  204  in the counterclockwise direction. This in turn rotates the pulley  206  in the counterclockwise direction through the driven belt  208 . However, because the pulley  206  is mounted to the propeller shaft with the one-way bearing and is not engaged when rotated in the counterclockwise direction, such opposite rotation of the pulleys/belt  204 ,  206 ,  208  from the pulleys/belt  216 ,  210 ,  212  is allowed. 
     The following discussion is in relation to a variant of the third embodiment where a single belt is used and the one way bearings are used to mount pulleys  220 ,  222 . Referring now to  FIG. 21 , it is also contemplated that the one-way bearings may in lieu of being used to mount the pulleys  206 ,  210  to the propeller shaft  104 , be used to mount upper pulleys  220 ,  222  to its respective shaft  132 . In this regard, the upper pulleys  220 ,  222  may be separated from the lower pulleys  224 ,  226  so that they  220 ,  224  and  222 ,  226  can rotate in opposite directions to each other. More particularly, the upper pulleys  220 ,  222  can rotate in opposite direction from the lower pulleys  224 ,  226 . The pulleys  206 ,  210  may be pinned to the propeller shaft  104  so that rotation of the pulleys  206 ,  210  rotate the propeller shaft  104 . Also, the lower pulleys  224 ,  226  may also be pinned to the shaft  132 . The upper pulleys  220 ,  222  of the pulleys  216 ,  204  may be engaged to the shaft  132  with one-way bearings  228 ,  230  (See  FIG. 21 ). 
     When the right bracket  136  is traversed in the direction of  138 , the upper pulley  220  of the pulley  204  is rotated in the clockwise direction. The one-way bearing  228  is engaged and rotates the shaft  132  which in turn rotates the lower pulley  224  of the pulley  204  in the clockwise direction. The driven belt  208  rotates the pulley  206  in the clockwise direction and because the pulley  206  is pinned to the propeller shaft  104 , the propeller shaft is rotated into clockwise direction. However, as discussed above, when the right bracket  136  is traversed in the direction of  138 , this in turn rotates the upper pulley  222  of the pulley  216  in the counterclockwise direction. However, because the upper pulley  222  of the pulley  216  is mounted to each shaft  132  with a one-way bearing, and the one-way bearing is disengaged, the upper pulley  222  of the pulley  216  can be rotated in the clockwise direction. The upper pulley  222  of the pulley  216  does not rotate the lower pulley  226  of the pulley  216 . In fact, when the propeller shaft  104  is rotated in the clockwise direction, this rotates the pulley  210  and the lower pulley  226  of the pulley  216  in the clockwise direction. The upper and lower pulleys  222 ,  226  of the pulley  216  are now rotated in opposite directions. 
     Conversely, when the left bracket  136  is in the retracted position then traversed in the direction of arrow  152  (see  FIG. 20 ), the drive belt  214  (see  FIG. 20 ) rotates the upper pulley  222  of the pulley  216  in the clockwise direction. Because the upper pulley  222  of the pulley  216  is rotated in the clockwise direction and the one-way bearing on the upper pulley  222  is now engaged, such rotation also rotates the shaft  132  which imparts such rotation into the lower pulley  226  of the pulley  216 . Through the driven belt  218 , such rotational forces is applied to the pulley  210  which is pinned to the propeller shaft  104  to rotate the propeller shaft in the clockwise direction. As discussed above, when the left bracket is traversed in the direction of arrow  152 , this also rotates the upper pulley  220  of the pulley  204  in the counterclockwise direction through the drive belt  202  attached to the right bracket  136 . The one-way bearing  228  of the upper pulley  220  of the pulley  204  is disengaged and does not translate such rotational movement to the lower half  224  of the pulley  204 . At this moment, the upper and lower pulleys  220 ,  224  of the pulley  204  are rotating in the opposite directions. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 19 , a tensioning belt  234  is shown. The tensioning belt  234  moves the left and right brackets  134 ,  136  in sync with each other so that when the right bracket  134  is traversed forward, the left bracket  136  is traversed backward, and vice-versa. For example, in the position shown in  FIG. 19 , if the user were to pull on the left bracket  136  so that the left bracket is traversed toward the retracted position, this would move the right bracket  134  forward. When the right bracket  134  is all the way forward and the user now pulls on the right pedal  18 , the tensioning belt  134  would traverse the left bracket  136  forward. 
     The above discussion of the various devices described the propeller shaft  104  as being rotated in a particular direction either clockwise or counterclockwise. For example, in the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 5-21 , the propeller shaft  104  is described as being rotated in the clockwise direction. However, the entire system can be rotated in opposite direction by flipping the direction of the one way bearing and the blades of the propeller so that a counterclockwise rotation of the propeller shaft would lead to a forward movement or forward thrust from the propeller for the water vehicle. 
     Moreover, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 13 , the devices  100 ,  200  may be mounted to a hole at a hull of a water vehicle including but not limited to a watercraft, kayak or boat. The device  300  represent the hull of the water vehicle where  302  is the top hull and  304  is the bottom hull. Between the  302  and  304  may be a sealed compartment used to ensure flotation of the water vehicle on the water. A tapered hole may be constructed between  302  and  304  so the propeller can be inserted into the water. The device  300  is mounted to the water vehicle tightly with a locking mechanism attached to the top hull  302  or bottom hull  304 . Additionally, the devices  10 ,  100 ,  200  are foot powered propeller. In this regard, the water vehicle may have a seat  306  both behind the device  100 ,  200 . The user may sit on the seat  306  allowing his or her feet to reciprocally push the left and right foot pedals in order to rotate the propeller to drive the water vehicle in the forward direction. 
     Similar to the first embodiment, the second and third embodiments and their variants may implement a rotatable cylinder  87 . The rotatable cylinder  87  may be rotated to steer the water vehicle. The propeller may provide propulsion in the direction of the propeller 360° about the output shaft. The propeller may be rotated 180° so that the water vehicle or watercraft can be propelled backwards. Moreover, it is contemplated that there may be stops placed in the system so that the propeller and a transmission box can rotate through a limited range of angles such as 90°, 70°, 60°, 50°, 45° from center. The center being a position of the propeller so that the water vehicle is propelled straightforward. 
     It is also contemplated that the devices  100 ,  200  may be mounted to a land vehicle. The propeller shaft may be considered an output shaft which is connected to an output shaft, connected to a transmission box which is connected to a drive shaft of a land vehicle or connected directly to the drive shaft of the land vehicle. 
     The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein, including various ways of Transmitting rotation of motion from one shaft to another. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.