Water vessel using self-propelled water wheel

Abstract

A water toy includes a pair of floatable hulls arranged in spaced apart orientation in a generally longitudinal direction relative to the toy. A water wheel support is coupled to the hulls and has inner sides positioned on either side of the water wheel. A water wheel axel spans laterally between the inner sides and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of which the hulls are oriented. A water wheel is mounted on the axel and rotates forwardly about a rotating axis such that lower paddles of the water wheel dip into the body of water forwardly of the axel and push rearwardly as the water wheel rotates to thereby propel the water toy forwardly through the water. A water container is mounted above the water wheel and provides fluid through an aperture to the water wheel to thereby drive the paddles of the water wheel about the rotating axis.

1 . A self-propelled water toy for use within a body of water, comprising:
 a floatable vehicle body; and   propulsion means mounted to said vehicle body and configured to propel the floatable vehicle body through water responsive to the physical flow under gravity of a fluid, stored within the floatable vehicle body, against the propulsion means and thence to the body of water.   
     
     
         2 . The water toy of  claim 1 , wherein the propulsion means includes a water wheel rotatably positioned on said floatable vehicle body below the fluid stored within the floatable vehicle body and having a lower portion extending below a water line when the toy is floated on the body of water, wherein fluid drops onto the water wheel and rotates the wheel through the water to thereby propel the floatable vehicle body through the body of water. 
     
     
         3 . The water toy of  claim 2 , wherein the floatable vehicle body includes:
 a pair of floatable hulls arranged in spaced apart orientation in a generally longitudinal direction relative to the toy;   a water wheel support coupled to the hulls and having inner sides positioned on either side of the water wheel; and   a water wheel axel spanning laterally between the inner sides, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of which the hulls are oriented, wherein the water wheel is mounted on the axel and rotates forwardly about a rotating axis such that lower paddles of the water wheel dip into the body of water forwardly of the axel and push rearwardly as the water wheel rotates to thereby propel the water toy forwardly through the water.   
     
     
         4 . The water toy of  claim 3 , further comprising a container of water positioned above the axel and having a discharge outlet defined at or near a bottom thereof such that water discharged from the outlet falls onto the water wheel and turns the water wheel about the rotating axis, wherein rotation of the water wheel causes propulsion of the body through the water in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotating axis. 
     
     
         5 . The water toy of  claim 4 , wherein the container is centered above the rotating axis of the water wheel. 
     
     
         6 . The water toy of  claim 4 , wherein the water wheel includes a plurality of paddles spaced about a periphery of the water wheel, wherein each of the paddles includes:
 a planar peripheral portion adapted to impart a forward reaction to the water toy when the paddles enter the body of water; and   a bucket portion asymmetrically shaped to retain water within the bucket as the paddles of the water wheel rotates forwardly into the water and shed water as the paddles of the water wheel exit the body of water.   
     
     
         7 . A floatable water toy, comprising:
 a body having a lower portion configured to remain substantially submerged within water and an upper portion;   a water wheel installed along a rotating axis within the upper portion of the body such that at least a lower portion of the water wheel extends below a water line when the body is floated within water;   a container of water positioned within the upper portion of the body above at least an upper portion of the water wheel and having a discharge outlet defined at or near a bottom thereof such that water discharged from the outlet falls onto the water wheel and turns the water wheel about the rotating axis, wherein rotation of the water wheel causes propulsion of the body through the water in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rotating axis.   
     
     
         8 . The water toy of  claim 7 , wherein the container is centered above the rotating axis of the water wheel. 
     
     
         9 . The water toy of  claim 7 , wherein the water wheel includes a plurality of paddles spaced about a periphery of the water wheel, wherein each of the paddles includes:
 a planar peripheral portion adapted to impart a forward reaction to the water toy when the paddles enter the body of water; and   a bucket portion asymmetrically shaped to retain water within the bucket as the paddles of the water wheel rotates forwardly into the water and shed water as the paddles of the water wheel exit the body of water.   
     
     
         10 . A floatable toy and adapted to float on water, comprising:
 two hulls;   a container for water and means mounting said container on and between said hulls;   a discharge outlet connected to said container at or near the bottom thereof;   said mounting means being constructed and arranged to maintain said container at all times clear of the surface of water on which said toy floats even when said container is filled with water; and   a water wheel rotatably positioned between said hulls on a rotating axis and below said container and having a lower portion extending below a water line when the toy is floated on the water, wherein water drops through the discharge outlet onto the water wheel and rotates the wheel through the water to thereby propel the body through the water.   
     
     
         11 . The water toy of  claim 10 , wherein the container is centered above the rotating axis of the water wheel. 
     
     
         12 . The water toy of  claim 10 , wherein the water wheel includes a plurality of paddles spaced about a periphery of the water wheel, wherein each of the paddles includes:
 a planar peripheral portion adapted to impart a forward reaction to the water toy when the paddles enter the body of water; and   a bucket portion asymmetrically shaped to retain water within the bucket as the paddles of the water wheel rotates forwardly into the water and shed water as the paddles of the water wheel exit the body of water.