Patent Document

[0001]    The current application is a continuation-in-part (OP) application of a U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 15/000,692 filed on Jan. 19, 2016. The U.S. non-provisional application 15/000,692 claims a priority to a U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/104,490 filed on Jan. 16, 2015. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to motorized watercraft. More specifically, the present invention is a solar powered watercraft which uses at least one conduit stringer to structurally reinforce the floating board, while also providing an electrical infrastructure. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Paddle boards and surfboards are widely used for activities on the water. Both require that the user exert large amounts of energy in order to propel the board. As a result, users are generally limited in terms of how long they can stay on the water and how far they can travel before exhaustion sets in. In contrast, motorboats and sailboats generally require little to no physical exertion. However, various laws and regulations are being put in place to limit pollution that is caused by the use of motor boats, thus putting restrictions on their use. Sailboats avoid the problem of pollution, but they require favorable weather conditions if they are to be operated. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, there is a present need for a water craft that can aid or replace user propulsion while also operating without releasing pollutants into the surrounding body of water. The present invention is a motorized watercraft that is powered using one or more solar panels which may be supplemented with energy from a battery or other form of attachable power source. The various electrical components of the present invention are wired through at least one conduit stringer which, not only, allows power and data to be transferred throughout the watercraft, but also acts as a structural reinforcing member which allows the invention to flex without breaking. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a top right perspective view of the present invention, showing the remote control. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a top left perspective view of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a bottom right perspective view of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a right side view of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is an electrical schematic diagram of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a schematic drawing of the present invention showing the electrical connections which are made through the at least one conduit stringer. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
         [0013]    With reference to  FIGS. 1-3  and  FIG. 6 , the present invention is a motorized watercraft that is used to propel a user across the water. The present invention comprises a floating board  1 , a control unit  9 , at least one electrically accessible system  35 , a power source  15 , and at least one conduit stringer  18 . The floating board  1  is a buoyant platform that is used to keep a user afloat while on the water. The floating board  1  comprises a hull  2 , a deck  3 , a fore end  4 , and an aft end  5 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the floating board  1  resembles a paddleboard; however, other shapes may alternatively be used. The fore end  4  and the aft end  5  are positioned opposite to each other across the floating board  1 . The deck  3  is connected adjacent and along the hull  2 . The deck  3  provides a platform upon which a user may stand, sit, or lay. The hull  2  is used to displace water in order to create a buoyant force which is large enough to keep the user afloat. The control unit  9  provides a means of regulating the propulsion system  10  and various other features of the present invention. The control unit  9  is mounted adjacent to the deck  3 , opposite to the hull  2 . This arrangement is necessary to keep the control unit  9  out of the water and prevents the control unit  9  from interfering with the flow of water across the hull  2 . The electrically accessible system  35  is mounted to the floating board  1  and may be a propulsion system, lights, or any other electrically powered feature which may be beneficial for the user. The power source  15  is electrically connected to the control unit  9  and the control unit  9  is electrically connected to the electrically accessible system  35  through the conduit stringer  18 . This arrangement allows the control unit  9  to manage how the electrically accessible system  35  is used. Further, this arrangement protects the electrical connection between the electrically accessible system  35  and the control unit  9  from water damage. 
         [0014]    In reference to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 7 , the conduit stringer  18  is integrated into the floating board  1 . The conduit stringer  18  traverses from the fore end  4  to the aft end  5  and strengthens the floating board  1 . The conduit stringer  18  also allows the floating board  1  to flex without breaking. Moreover, the conduit stringer  18  provides a path through which electrical connections can be made. When using more than one conduit stringer  18 , the conduit stringers  18  are distributed across the floating board  1 . This is done to maximize the strength of the floating board  1  and provide electricity to the electrically accessible system  35 . 
         [0015]    In reference to  FIG. 3 , the present invention further comprises a plurality of stabilizing fins  19 . The plurality of stabilizing fins  19  is mounted adjacent to the hull  2  and positioned opposite to the deck  3  and is used to help the user maintain control of the present invention while on the water. The plurality of stabilizing fins  19  is positioned adjacent to the propulsion system  10  and positioned opposite to the aft end  5 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, plurality of stabilizing fins  19  comprises two fins; however, any number of stabilizing fins  19  may be used in alternative embodiments. 
         [0016]    In reference to  FIG. 3 , the at least one electrically accessible system  35  comprises a propulsion system  10 . The propulsion system  10  is used to supplement or replace human exertion to propel the floating board  1  across the water. The propulsion system  10  is mounted into the hull  2 , opposite to the deck  3 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the propulsion system  10  is positioned adjacent to the aft end  5 . This arrangement allows the user to easily steer the floating board  1 . 
         [0017]    In reference to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 5 , the propulsion system  10  comprises a motor  11 , a propeller  12 , and a propeller guard  14 . The motor  11  is mounted into the hull  2  and positioned opposite to the deck  3 . Specifically, a shaft of the motor  11  is mounted into the hull  2 . The motor  11  is used to rotate the propeller  12  and is electrically connected to the control unit  9 . In order to protect the electrical connection between the motor  11  and the control unit  9 , a waterproof seal is positioned about the shaft of the motor  11  within the hull  2 . The propeller  12  is used to accelerate water in order to generate thrust for the floating board  1 . The propeller  12  is operatively coupled to the motor  11  such that as the motor  11  rotates, the propeller  12  rotates. A central axis  6  of the floating board  1  traverses from the fore end  4  to the aft end  5 . The motor  11  is mounted along the central axis  6  and a rotation axis  13  of the propeller  12  is positioned parallel to the central axis  6 . This arrangement causes the propeller  12  force water away from the fore end  4 , thus pushing the present invention forward. The propeller guard  14  is connected about the motor  11 . The propeller guard  14  encircles the propeller  12  in order to prevent the user from sustaining an injury as a result of contacting a spinning propeller  12 . Furthermore, the propeller guard  14  helps to prevent the propeller  12  from getting tangled in seaweed or striking against land, rocks, or debris. 
         [0018]    In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the propulsion system  10  is a water jet system. The water jet system comprises a water pump and a duct. The duct is integrated into the hull  2  and the water pump is mounted within the duct. The water pump accelerates water through the duct to create a fast-moving jet of water that is used to accelerate the floating board  1 . The water pump is electrically connected to the control unit  9 . This allows the control unit  9  to be used to regulate the rate in which water is pumped through the duct. 
         [0019]    In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the power source  15  comprises a battery  16  and a solar panel  17 . The battery  16  is mounted within the control unit  9  and is used to provide power for various components of the present invention. In reference to  FIG. 1 , the solar panel  17  is mounted adjacent to the deck  3  and positioned opposite to the hull  2 . The solar panel  17  is positioned adjacent to the fore end  4  and is used to recharge the battery  16 . Under most situations, the user will be situated adjacent to the aft end  5  of the floating board  1 . Because the solar panel  17  is positioned adjacent to the fore end  4 , the amount of sunlight that is blocked by the user is minimized. The solar panel  17  is electrically connected to the control unit  9  through the conduit stringer  18 . Because the electrical connection between the solar panel  17  and the battery  16  is made the conduit stringer  18 , any necessary wires are kept away from the user and are shielded from water. The battery  16  is electrically connected to the control unit  9  so that the control unit  9  may be used to regulate how much power is directed to various components of the present invention. 
         [0020]    In reference to  FIG. 4 , the present invention further comprises a first mounting rail  20  and a second mounting rail  21 . The first mounting rail  20  and the second mounting rail  21  are embedded into the deck  3  and are used to mount attachments to the deck  3 . The first mounting rail  20  and the second mounting rail  21  are positioned offset from the fore end  4  and are positioned offset and equidistant from the central axis  6 . This arrangement ensures that the any attachments mounted to the floating board  1  are centered and do not cause the floating board  1  to tip. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first mounting rail  20  and the second mounting rail  21  are L-track rails; however, various other types of rails may be used. The control unit  9  is mounted to the deck  3  by the first mounting rail  20  and the second mounting rail  21 . Furthermore, the first mounting rail  20  and the second mounting rail  21  may be used to mount a seat, a fishing rod holder, a cooler, a fish finding device, or various other peripheral attachments. 
         [0021]    In reference to  FIGS. 1-2 , the at least one electrically accessible system  35  further comprises a first lateral light  22  and a second lateral light  23 , which are used to make the present invention visible at night and in poor weather conditions. The floating board  1  comprises a port side  7  and a starboard side  8 . The port side  7  and the starboard side  8  are positioned opposite to each other across the floating board  1 . The port side  7  and the starboard side  8  are positioned in between the fore end  4  and the aft end  5 . The first lateral light  22  is mounted into the port side  7  and the second lateral light  23  is mounted into the starboard side  8 . In the preferred embodiment, the first lateral light  22  and the second lateral light  23  are given corresponding colors which follow boating and watercraft regulations. This arrangement makes it easy for people on other watercraft to identify the present invention and discern the orientation of the present invention. The first lateral light  22  and the second lateral light  23  are electrically connected to the control unit  9  through the conduit stringer  18 . This arrangement allows the user to easily toggle the first lateral light  22  and the second lateral light  23  on and off. 
         [0022]    In addition to the first lateral light  22  and the second lateral light  23 , the at least one electrically accessible system  35  further comprises a front light  24  and a plurality of rear lights  25 . In reference to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 4 , the front light  24  is mounted into the fore end  4  and the plurality of rear lights  25  is mounted into the aft end  5 . The front light  24  is used to illuminate the area in front of the present invention and is also used to make the present invention easily visible from the front side. The plurality of rear lights  25  is distributed across the aft end  5  and is used to make the aft end  5  of the floating board  1  easily visible. The front light  24  and the plurality of rear lights  25  are electrically connected to the control unit  9  through the conduit stringer  18 . Similar to the first lateral light  22  and the second lateral light  23 , the front light  24  and the plurality of rear lights  25  may be regulated by the control unit  9 . 
         [0023]    In reference to  FIG. 3 , the at least one electrically accessible system  35  further comprises a plurality of hull lights  26 . The plurality of hull lights  26  are mounted into the hull  2 , opposite to the deck  3  and are used to illuminate the area directly below the floating board  1 . This is useful when fishing under low-light conditions. In order to maximize their effectiveness, the plurality of hull lights  26  is distributed across the hull  2 . In order to prevent water damage, the plurality of hull lights  26  is electrically connected to the control unit  9  through the conduit stringer  18 . Similar to the other light options of the present invention, the plurality of hull lights  26  may be easily turned on or off by the user through the control unit  9 . 
         [0024]    In reference to  FIG. 5 , the present invention further comprises an electrical junction box  34 . Because the propulsion system  10 , the first lateral light  22 , the second lateral light  23 , the front light  24 , the plurality of rear lights  25 , and the plurality of hull lights  26  are wired through the floating board  1 , and the control unit  9  is mounted external to the floating board  1 , a waterproof connection between floating board  1  and the control unit  9  is necessary. The electrical junction box  34  is electrically connected in between the conduit stringer  18  and the control unit  9 . The electrical junction box  34  is mounted into the deck  3  and is positioned in between the control unit  9  and the aft end  5 . This configuration allows the control unit  9  to be easily connected to and disconnected from the electrical junction box  34  to perform maintenance if needed. 
         [0025]    In reference to  FIG. 1 , the present invention further comprises a cleat  27 . The cleat  27  is mounted adjacent to the deck  3  and positioned opposite to the hull  2 . The cleat  27  is positioned adjacent to the fore end  4  and is used to secure the floating board  1  to a dock, to land, or to another watercraft. The cleat  27  may also be used attach a kite to the floating board  1 . 
         [0026]    In reference to  FIGS. 1-2 , the present invention further comprises a first grip  28  and a second grip  29 . The first grip  28  is externally layered over the port side  7  and the second grip  29  is externally layered over the starboard side  8 . The first grip  28  and the second grip  29  are used to prevent the user from slipping off the floating board  1 . Moreover, the first grip  28  and the second grip  29  help to make the floating board  1  easier to hold onto while the user is carrying the floating board  1  or while the user is getting onto or off of the floating board  1 . 
         [0027]    In reference to  FIG. 6 , the present invention further comprises a gyroscopic kill switch  30 . The gyroscopic kill switch  30  is electronically connected to the control unit  9  and is housed within the control unit  9 . The gyroscopic kill switch  30  is used to prevent the propulsion system  10  from running if the floating board  1  is detected to have tipped over. In the preferred embodiment, the gyroscopic kill switch  30  cuts power to the propulsion system  10  if the floating board  1  tips more than 45′; however, any other angular threshold may alternatively be used. Furthermore, in its preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a kill cord. Similar to the gyroscopic kill switch  30 , the kill cord is used to cut power to the propulsion system  10  under certain situations. The kill cord is attached into the control unit  9  and may be tethered to the user. The control unit  9  is configured to stop the propulsion system  10  if the kill cord is removed from the control unit  9 . A removal of the kill cord from the control unit  9  is meant to signify that the user has fallen off the floating board  1 . Accordingly, the propulsion system  10  is turned off to prevent injury as well as limit how far the floating board  1  travels from the user. 
         [0028]    In reference to  FIG. 4 , the present invention further comprises a control panel  31 . The control panel  31  is mounted into the control unit  9  and is electronically connected to the control unit  9 . The control panel  31  allows the user to control the propulsion system  10 , the first lateral light  22 , the second lateral light  23 , the front light  24 , the plurality of rear lights  25 , and the plurality of hull lights  26 . Moreover, if the user attaches additional electronic equipment to the floating board  1 , the control panel  31  may be used to regulate such equipment. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control panel  31  comprises a plurality of switches for each of the aforementioned components; however, other configurations, including the implementation of a touch screen, may alternatively be used. 
         [0029]    In reference to  FIG. 1 , the present invention further comprises a remote control  32  and a wireless communication module  33 . The wireless communication module  33  is electronically connected to the control unit  9  and is housed within the control unit  9 . The wireless communication module  33  is communicably coupled to the remote control  32 , allowing user to regulate the propulsion system  10 , the first lateral light  22 , the second lateral light  23 , the front light  24 , the plurality of rear lights  25 , and the plurality of hull lights  26 , while standing on the deck  3 . The remote control  32  may be used in conjunction with the control panel  31  or may, alternatively, be used instead of the control panel  31 . 
         [0030]    Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Technology Category: 7