Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   A personal air propulsion device of sophisticated design is needed to power an individual over a chosen surface. The surface might be ice, snow, water, land, pavement, or any surface chosen. The device should provide lightweight air propulsion from an internal combustion engine powering a fan. The fan drive should be stepped up from the speed of the engine&#39;s crankshaft such that increased fan speed provides greater thrust than would direct drive. Air should be guided into the device in a laminar fashion. Air should be expelled from the device in a way that further increases thrust. The fan drive of the device should be housed to avoid potential injury and to provide greater thrust. Air inlets and outlets should be screened to prevent the intrusion of foreign objects. The device should offer lighting for night use, with battery backup for the lights. The device should offer hand controls. 
   Further, the device should offer safety features whereby it can either be manually turned off in an instant or turned off automatically should a user fall. The present invention fulfills these needs. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to propulsion devices, and more specifically to a personal air propulsion device for use by an individual in snow skiing, skating, bicycling, or the like. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The general purpose of the personal air propulsion device, described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a personal air propulsion device with many novel features that result in a personal air propulsion device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by prior art, either alone or in combination thereof. 
   To accomplish this, the improved personal air propulsion device comprises a backpack frame, the exemplary frame of plastic or aluminum. The front of the frame is padded for the comfortable receipt of a user&#39;s back. A padded shoulder harness with a single buckle is attached to the front of the frame. 
   In one example, the invention offers arm rests that extend forward from the frame and are disposed below a user&#39;s arms. Armrests are adjustable to fit a wide range of user sizes. Handles are disposed toward the forward and upward end of each armrest. Controls for motor on/off and motor speed are fitted within one handle. A light switch is disposed within the opposite handle. Optional lights are mounted to either side and on top of the propeller drive housing. Lights are mounted atop light stalks. Lights provide for forward facing headlights and rearward facing red tail lights. 
   The propeller drive housing is mounted to the back of the back pack frame. The housing contains a drive pulley mounted to the motor output, a slave pulley, and the belt that rotatably connects the two. The drive belt partially encircles the drive pulley and extends downward to partially encircle the slave pulley. The slave pulley is removably attached to a propeller axle. In one example, the pulleys are sized to drive the propeller axle at twice the speed of the engine&#39;s crankshaft. Pulley sizes are varied in other examples. The propeller drive housing is accessible through the front of the backpack frame for adjustment of the pulley system. The propeller axle is supported at the backpack frame by an axle front bearing. Extending back into the propeller surround, the propeller axle is supported by a propeller axle stabilizer bearing mounted within the center of the propeller stabilizer. The propeller stabilizer is mounted within the propeller surround and thereby provides stability for the propeller axle and the propeller. 
   The propeller is mounted at the rear of the axle. One example of the invention uses a two-blade propeller. In yet a further example, the fan is of typical turbine fan design. Air intake shrouds are to the front of and on either side of the propeller surround. Intake shrouds further comprise a protective screening to prevent clothing and other foreign objects from being drawn into the propeller. Air is drawn into the intake shrouds via air intake cones which provide for greater and more laminar air intake. Air is pulled through the propeller surround by the propeller and exits via the air outlet cone. The air outlet cone is provided for greater directional air flow and thrust. 
   The gasoline engine is mounted above the propeller surround. One example utilizes a 2-cycle gasoline engine. Alloys such as aluminum are exemplified, to insure light weight of the invention. The fuel tank is of non-leak design. The drive belt is a V-belt in one example. A further example of the personal air propulsion device utilizes a toothed belt. 
   In yet a further example, the user handles are affixed atop ski poles. Controls for the motor and lights remain in the handles. Flexible wires connect the handles to the back pack motor and lights. In an additional example, the motor control is via unplugable wire such that excessive movement of the handle away from the backpack affects motor kill. In this way, accidents affect the kill switch to the motor. In yet a further example, the motor and light controls are sent and received via airwave signal to the back pack from the handles. 
   A further optional safety feature of the personal air propulsion device utilizes a pendulum emergency stop device that is housed in a small encasement mounted against the fuel tank. Other examples mount the pendulum device in various locations. The location is not critical. The orientation of the pendulum requires that the pivot be uppermost oriented, at the 12:00 position. If a user falls, a pendulum needle makes contact with a right or left contact post within the housing. Pendulum contact stops the engine. 
   The personal air propulsion device utilizes aluminum, plastics, composites, and a combination thereof to best achieve light weight and inexpensive production. 
   Thus has been broadly outlined the more important features of the personal air propulsion device so that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. 
   Numerous objects, features and advantages of the personal air propulsion device will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the personal air propulsion device when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
   In this respect, before explaining the current embodiments of the personal air propulsion device in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustration. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
   Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the personal air propulsion device. It is therefore important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   Objects of the personal air propulsion device, along with various novel features that characterize the invention are particularly pointed out in the claims forming a part of this disclosure. For better understanding of the personal air propulsion device, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, refer to the accompanying drawings and description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of the personal air propulsion device on a user, the device equipped with arm rests with controls. 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the personal air propulsion device, the device equipped with ski poles with controls. 
       FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the personal air propulsion device of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a front elevation view of the invention of  FIG. 3  taken along the line  4 — 4 . 
       FIG. 5  is a rear elevation view of the invention in  FIG. 3  taken along the line  5 — 5 . 
       FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of the invention of  FIG. 4  taken along the line  6 — 6 . 
       FIG. 7  is a front cross sectional view of the pulley system components of the invention in  FIG. 6  taken along the line  7 — 7 . 
       FIG. 8  is a rear cross sectional view of the propeller and propeller stabilizer of the invention of  FIG. 6  taken along the line  8 — 8 . 
       FIG. 9  is a lateral cross sectional view of the light stalk and related components of the invention in  FIG. 5  taken along the line  9 — 9 . 
       FIG. 10  is a rear cross sectional view of the pendulum mechanism of the invention in  FIG. 3  taken along the line  10 — 10 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference now to the drawings, and in particular  FIGS. 1 through 10  thereof, the preferred embodiment of the personal air propulsion device employing the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference number  10  will be described. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , the invention  10  is worn by a user  60 . User&#39;s arm  62  rest upon arm rest  38 . User&#39;s hand  61  grasps handle  39 . Arm rest  38  extends forward from vertical backpack frame  33 . Shoulder harness  37  adjustably secures backpack frame  33  to user  60 . Light stalk  42  extends upwardly from the top of frame  33 . Propeller surround  20  extends backward from backpack frame  33 . Air in  49  is proximal to user  60 . Air out  50  exits air outlet cone  23 . User  60  glides atop skis  65 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , user  60  grasps handle  39 . Handle  39  further comprises light switch  40  atop handle  39 . Wire  80  connects light switch  40  to light stalk  42 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , invention  10  is comprised of vertical backpack frame  33 . Backpack frame  33  is covered in front by padding  34 . Arm rest  38  extends forward from the lower part of backpack frame  33 . Handle  39  projects upwardly from the forward end of the top of arm rest  38 . Handle  39  is topped by light switch  40 . Propeller drive housing  32  extends backwardly from backpack frame  33 . Propeller surround  20  extends back from propeller drive housing  32 . Air intake shroud  22  communicates with propeller surround  20 . Air intake shroud  22  is laterally outward from propeller surround  20 . Air intake shroud  22  is fronted by air intake cone  21  for enhancing laminar airflow of air in  49  into invention  10 . Air leaves propeller surround  20  via air outlet cone  23  as air out  50 . Engine  11  is atop propeller surround  20 . Engine  11  is mounted to the upper rear of propeller drive housing  32 . Pull start  15  provides for starting engine  11 . Engine intake  12  is atop engine  11 . Exhaust  13  exits upwardly from the rear of engine  11 . Fuel tank  14  supplies engine  11 . Light stalk  42  extends upwardly from propeller drive housing  32 . Headlight lens  44  faces forward. Taillight lens  46  faces backward. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , the front of the invention  10  comprises padding  34  for cushioning a user  60  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ). Shoulder harness  37  adjusts to a user via a single buckle  90 . Access door  35  provides for access to the pulley system ( FIG. 7 ). Light stalks  42  extend upwardly from the invention  10  to reveal headlight lenses  44 . Arm rests  38  are forwardly topped by handles  39 . Handle  39  on the user&#39;s right side further comprises throttle  70 . Kill button  41  is atop handle  39  of the right side of the invention  10 . Light switch  40  is atop handle  39  on the left side of invention  10 . Air intake cones  21  are revealed laterally outside the boundaries of the backpack. Air intake screens  47  prevent the intake of undesired objects (not shown) into invention  10 . The top of engine  11  is visible about the backpack padding  34 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , the back view of invention  10  comprises rearmost air outlet cone  23 . Air outlet screen  48  is visible within cone  23 . Air outlet cone  23  exits rearward from propeller surround  20 . Air intake cones  21  flare outwardly and provide for enhanced laminar entry of air. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , backpack frame  33  is rearwardly attached with propeller drive housing  32 . Backpack frame  33  centrally contains axle front bearing  30 . Bearing  30  forwardly and rotationally contains propeller axle  26 . Propeller axle  26  is rearwardly rotationally contained within propeller axle stabilizer bearing  27 . Propeller axle stabilizer bearing  27  is housed within the center of propeller stabilizer  28 . Propeller stabilizer  28  is fixed in a plurality of spots about the interior of propeller surround  20  at propeller stabilizer mounts  29 . Propeller  19  spins in the vertical plane to the rear of propeller stabilizer  28 . Propeller  19  is fixed to propeller axle  26 . Engine  11  is mounted to propeller drive housing  32 . The drive pulley  24  is horizontally forward from engine  11 . The drive pulley  24  rotates in the vertical plane. Propeller axle  26  is affixed with slave pulley  25 . Slave pulley  25  is directly aligned with and below drive pulley  24 . Drive belt  31  drives slave pulley  25  from rotation of drive pulley  24 . Fuel line  16  supplies engine  11  from fuel tank  14 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , toothed drive belt  31  is driven by drive pulley  24  to drive slave pulley  25  and hence propeller axle  26 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 8 , propeller axle  26  is freely rotationally housed within propeller axle stabilizer bearing  27 . Propeller axle stabilizer bearing  27  is supported by propeller stabilizer  28 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 9 , the light stalk  42  supports and houses the light assembly  45 . The light assembly  45  contains headlight  43  and taillight  52 . The clear headlight lens  44  protects the headlight  43 . The red taillight lens  46  protects taillight  52 . Battery  51  provides backup power to lighting mechanism  45 . The powering wires  82  are powered by engine  11 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 10 , the pendulum mechanism  72  provides for the emergency stop device of invention  10 . The pendulum mechanism  72  is mounted toward the rear of the invention  10  against the fuel tank  14 . The pendulum mechanism  72  internal components are contained as shown in  FIG. 10 . Pivot  78  is within the upper portion of pendulum mechanism  72 . Contacts  76  are positioned to either side of pendulum  74 . The pendulum  74  swings freely from the pivot  78 . As noted from arc arrow  75 , excessive lateral motion of pendulum  74  will meet either contact  76 , depending upon the direction of lean of the invention  10 . Contact of pendulum  74  to contacts  76  causes the emergency stop mechanism to kill the engine  11 . 
   With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the personal air propulsion device, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and the manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
   Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Technology Category: 1