Patent ID: 8257121

Claim:
A boat propeller shield, comprising: a shield member being sized and shaped to cover a face of a boat propeller, the shield member comprising a plate defining a plurality of vents; a connection mechanism to pivotally attach the shield member to the boat in a manner that allows the shield member to pivot over the propeller's face into an engaged position when the boat is at rest or moving in reverse though water and to pivot away from the propeller's face into a disengaged position as the boat moves forward and water is forced against a proximal face of the shield member that faces towards the propeller when the shield member is in the engaged position, wherein the connection mechanism comprises an angled arm having a pivot point at its first end, wherein a second end of the angled arm is coupled to the shield member, and wherein the angled arm is bent at an angle between its first and second end; and a hydroplane member that is disposed at, and extends from, the proximal face of the shield member so as to extend towards the propeller's face when the shield member is in the engaged position.