Propulsion means for recreational aquatic boat

Abstract

A paddle stick for propulsion of a recreational water craft utilizing the arms in an athletic sequence similar to that of cross country skiing, the paddle stick formed of a shaft having an upper handle end and a lower end having a flotation device secured thereabout, the shaft member further extending below the flotation device in a threaded configuration for receipt on the threaded shaft of a biasing means in the form of a coil spring and a threaded stopper cap superimposed over the biasing means to adjust the tension thereon, the lower end of the shaft in pivoting relationship with a paddle shaft angularly displaceable with respect to said handle shaft about said pivot point, said paddle shaft having a plurality of radially outwardly extending paddle blades freely rotatable on the paddle shaft.

1 . A propulsion means for a recreational aquatic vehicle in the form of a manually operated paddle stick, said paddle stick comprising:
 a shaft member having an upper end and a lower end, and an intermediate threaded portion, said upper end formed with a handle member and said lower end being formed with a paddle blade;   an inflatable float disposed between said upper and lower ends of said shaft member and maintained in position by upper and lower stop members secured to said shaft member;   there being disposed below said inflatable float, a hemispherical cap threadedly engaged to said intermediate threaded portion of said shaft member within a centrally disposed threaded aperture of said hemispherical cap, said hemispherical cap having a plurality of ribbed grooves about its lower periphery for selected engagement with a portion of said pivotal lower shaft member during paddling, said hemispherical cap member having a biasing means in the form of a coil spring positioned on said shaft member between said hemispherical cap and a lower spring rest formed on said shaft member, said hemispherical cap member rotatably adjustable on said threaded portion of said shaft member to adjust coil spring compression between said hemispherical shaft member and said lower spring rest;   a paddle blade secured to said lower end of said shaft member, said paddle blade comprising four blades disposed about said shaft member in 90 degree perpendicular relationship, said blades maintained in relative relationship while paddling in cooperation with said inflatable float, said coil spring compression and said positioning of said lower shaft member in a selective ribbed groove of said hemispherical cap.