Patent Publication Number: US-10308336-B1

Title: Watercraft propulsion system

Description:
PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C SECTION 119(E) &amp; 37 C.F.R. SECTION 1.78 
     This nonprovisional application claims priority based upon the following prior U.S. Provisional Patent Application entitled: Watercraft and Propulsion System, Application No. 62/740,362 filed Oct. 2, 2018 in the name of Chris Vermeulen, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to watercraft propulsion systems, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a watercraft propulsion system that can be operably coupled to a vessel such as but not limited to a surfboard wherein the propulsion system includes an operational mode and a standby mode and wherein the standby mode inhibits access to the impeller of the propulsion system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Personal water craft (PWC) vehicles have enjoyed immense popularity in recent years. PWCs generally allow one, two or more riders to sit, kneel or stand on the craft and to ride across the surface of a body of water. The popularity of PWCs is also attributable to the considerations that they are less expensive than traditional power boats, are more easily transported over land by smaller trailers, and storage and maintenance of the PWCs is generally simpler than with full size power boats. Other popular personal watercraft include vessels such as but not limited to surfboards and powered surfboards. Alternative models of surfboards are gaining in popularity such as but not limited to hydrofoil surfboards. The purpose of hydrofoils on surfboards is typically to enable higher speeds, ability to ride waves faster and longer, and provide a smoother experience by the hydrofoil lifting the surfboard above the choppy and turbulent surface water. 
     Powered surfboards and hydrofoil surfboards have begun to enter the market. These devices typically utilize a jet propulsion system that is operably coupled to either the bottom surface of the surfboard or to the hydrofoil assembly. One issue with existing technology is the exposure to the impeller/propeller of the propulsion system. All designs of jet propulsion system employ the use of an impeller/propeller that functions to provide an intake of water and than direct the water outward as a stream of that is operable to propel the watercraft. Access to the impeller/propeller is often uninhibited, which presents a safety hazard to a user especially for a watercraft where a user is consistently proximate the propulsion system such as but not limited to a powered surfboard. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a watercraft propulsion system wherein the propulsion system is configured to have a standby mode and an operational mode wherein in the standby mode the impeller is inaccessible. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the present invention to provide a watercraft propulsion system operably coupled to a watercraft such as but not limited to a surfboard wherein the surfboard has a standard bottom hull design or further has a hydrofoil assembly secured to the bottom thereof. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a watercraft propulsion system coupled to a watercraft such as but not limited to a surfboard wherein the propulsion system is a jet propulsion system. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a watercraft propulsion system configured to be secured to a watercraft such as but not limited to a surfboard wherein the propulsion system includes a first housing and a second housing. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a watercraft propulsion system wherein the first housing includes a first portion and a second portion and wherein the first housing has an intake aperture intermediate the first portion and second portion. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a watercraft propulsion system configured to propel a watercraft such as but not limited to a surfboard wherein the first housing has disposed therein a motor, a shaft and an impeller. 
     Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a watercraft propulsion system wherein the second housing is configured to receive therein the first housing. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a watercraft propulsion system configured to operate a watercraft such as but not limited to a surfboard wherein the second housing is movably secured to the first housing. 
     An alternate object of the present invention is to provide a watercraft propulsion system wherein the second housing further includes a first portion, a second portion and an intake aperture intermediate thereto. 
     Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a watercraft propulsion system wherein in the operational mode the intake aperture of the second housing is aligned with the intake aperture of the first housing so as to allow water flow thereinto. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a watercraft propulsion system coupled to a watercraft such as but not limited to a surfboard wherein in the standby mode the first housing and second housing are slidably positioned such that the intake apertures are not aligned inhibiting access to the interior volume of the first housing. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a watercraft propulsion system wherein the impeller is inaccessible in the standby mode and wherein the watercraft is being propelled by a source other than the watercraft propulsion system. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a bottom view of an exemplary watercraft having the propulsion system of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 2  is perspective view of an exemplary watercraft having the propulsion system of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the propulsion system of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the propulsion system and the position of the first housing and second housing in the operational mode and standby mode of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a watercraft propulsion system  100  constructed according to the principles of the present invention. 
     An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention. 
     It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic. 
     Now referring to the Figures submitted as a part hereof, the watercraft propulsion system  100  includes a housing assembly  5 . The housing assembly  5  includes a first housing  10  and a second housing  30 . As will be further discussed herein, the first housing  10  is movably coupled to the second housing  30 . The first housing  10  is manufactured from a durable suitable material such as but not limited to aluminum. The first housing  10  includes a first portion  12  and a second portion  14  integrally formed having support members  13  intermediate thereto. The first housing  10  is cylindrical in shape and it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the first housing  10  could be manufactured in alternate sizes. The first housing  10  has a diameter that is configured so as to allow the first housing  10  to be movably disposed within the interior volume  31  of the second housing  30 . The first portion  12  of the first housing  10  includes an interior volume  9  that is of suitable size to accommodate a motor  50  therein. The motor  50  of the watercraft propulsion system  100  is a direct current electric motor that is powered by a power source such as but not limited to a lithium ion battery. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the motor  50  could have various output ratings so as to achieve the desired objective of propelling a watercraft to which the watercraft propulsion system  100  is operably coupled. 
     The support members  13  are positioned perpendicular to the first portion  12  and second portion  14  of the first housing  10  and are diametrically opposed. The aforementioned orientation of the support members  13  forms a first aperture  18  and a second aperture  19  wherein the first aperture  18  and second aperture  19  allow water to flow into the interior volume  9  of the first housing  10  an subsequently be directed towards impeller  60 . While the embodiment illustrated herein has two support members  13  diametrically opposed on the first housing  10 , it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the first housing  10  could have as few as one support member  13  or more than two support members  13  and as such create as few as one aperture or more than two apertures providing water flow into the interior volume  9  of the first housing  10 . It should be further understood within the scope of the present invention that the first aperture  18  and second aperture  19  could be formed in numerous alternate sizes so as to provide a desired volume of water flow therethrough. The impeller  60  is a conventional marine impeller that is configured to provide an intake of water through the first aperture  18  and second aperture  19  and direct a stream of water outwards from the housing assembly  5  through nozzle  4 . The impeller  60  is rotatably coupled to the motor  50  utilizing shaft  59 . Rearward from the impeller  60  is impeller guard  62  wherein the impeller guard  62  is formed from a durable material such as but not limited to metal and is structured to inhibit access to the impeller  60  from the rear  3  of the housing assembly  5 . 
     Secured to the outer surface  7  of the second portion  14  of first housing  10  is alignment rod  45 . Alignment rod  45  is manufactured from a durable material such as but not limited to metal and extends outward from and is perpendicular to the second portion  14  of the first housing  10 . While not particularly illustrated herein, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the first housing  10  includes a second alignment member diametrically opposed on the second portion  14  of the first housing  10 . The alignment rod  45  is configured to couple with slot  80  of the second housing  30  and is operable to ensure maintenance of axial alignment of the first housing  10  and second housing  30  during the movement of the second housing  30  as is further discussed herein. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the first housing  10  could have no alignment rod  45  or more than 2 alignment rods. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the second housing  30  could be movable with respect to the first housing  10  in either a linear or rotational direction. 
     The second housing  30  is formed in a mateable shape so as to receive therein the first housing  10 . The second housing  30  includes first portion  37 , second portion  32  having structural members  33 ,  34  therebetween. The first portion  37 , second portion  32  and structural members  33 ,  34  are integrally formed utilizing suitable durable techniques. A first aperture  36  and second aperture  37  are present intermediate the first portion  37  and second portion  32  and are configured to be of similar size as the first aperture  18  and second aperture  19  of the first housing  10 . The first housing  10  is movably mounted within the second housing  30  wherein in the operational mode of the present invention the first housing  10  is positioned within the second housing  30  so as to provide alignment of the first aperture  18  and second aperture  19  of the first housing  10  and the first aperture  36  and second aperture  37  of the second housing  30 . In the operational mode, the motor  50  is applying power to the impeller  60  resulting in rotation thereof. The alignment of the first aperture  18  and second aperture  19  of the first housing  10  and the first aperture  36  and second aperture  37  of the second housing  30  provides water flow into the housing assembly  5  and as such provide power to propel a watercraft  99  to which the watercraft propulsion system  100  is operably coupled. While not particularly illustrated herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the second housing  30  could have secured thereto proximate the first aperture  36  and/or the second aperture  37  water introduction members. The water introduction members would be movable intermediate a first position and a second position wherein the purpose of the water introduction members would be to assist in the direction of water into the first aperture  36  and second aperture  37  during the operational mode of the present invention. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the water introduction members could be formed in alternate shapes and sizes so as to accomplish the desired task of increasing the water flow into the first aperture  36  and second aperture  37 . 
     In the standby mode of the present invention, the first housing  10  is moved to a position such that the first aperture  36  and second aperture  37  of the second housing  30  are blocked by the second portion  14  of the first housing  10 . In this position no power is being applied to the impeller  60  and as a result the first housing  10  has slidably moved to the aforementioned position inhibiting access to the impeller  60  and the first aperture  36  and second aperture  37  of the second housing  30 . It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the standby mode is provided so as to increase the operational safety of the watercraft  99  to which the watercraft propulsion system  100  is operably coupled. Additionally, as a preferred watercraft  99  for the watercraft propulsion system  100  is an exemplary surfboard  98 , in the standby mode the exemplary surfboard could be powered by a wave so as to provide increased usage for the power source providing electrical power to the exemplary surfboard. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the watercraft propulsion system  100  could be operably coupled to various types of watercraft  99 . Furthermore, the watercraft propulsion system  100  could be operably coupled to a watercraft  99  having a hydrofoil assembly  96 . 
     As previously stated herein, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the first housing  10  and second housing  30  could be movable with respect to each other in either a linear or rotational direction. Mechanical elements to facilitate the aforementioned directional movements of the second housing  30  with respect to the first housing  10  are contemplated within the scope of the present invention. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the first housing  10  and second housing  30  are sized so as to provide access to the first aperture  36  and second aperture  37  of the second housing  30  thus allowing water to flow thereinto in the operational mode of the present invention. Additionally, in the standby mode of the present invention the first aperture  36  and second aperture  37  of the second housing  30  is substantially closed so as to inhibit water flow thereinto and access to the impeller  60 . 
     In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the claims.