Underwater personal propulsion device

Abstract

The underwater personal propulsion device is placed between the diver's lower legs to allow hands-free operation of the device by the diver. The device includes a pair of footrests extending laterally from its lower end, and a pair of braces or pads extending from the sides of the device to allow the diver to brace the device between his or her lower legs. A series of straps, e.g., bungee cords, extend from the upper end of the device to the diver's waist belt, e.g., the conventional weight belt, or to attachments or straps extending therefrom. Power control is provided by a controller installed on the diver's belt or, alternatively, by a foot or lower leg control. The device is easily aimed or steered by manipulation of the diver's legs, thereby allowing the diver to maneuver while his or her hands remain free for other operations.

1 . An underwater personal propulsion device, comprising:
 a motor and power source housing having a forward end;   an intake screen extending from the motor and power source housing opposite the forward end thereof;   an outlet shroud extending from the intake screen;   a waist harness removably attached to the forward end of the motor and power source housing; and   diametrically opposed first and second footrests extending from the outlet shroud.   
     
     
         2 . The underwater personal propulsion device according to  claim 1 , further including diametrically opposed first and second calf pads extending from the motor and power source housing. 
     
     
         3 . The underwater personal propulsion device according to  claim 1 , wherein the waist harness comprises:
 a waist belt;   a plurality of straps extending from the waist belt; and   an elastic cord removably secured to each of the straps, each of the elastic cords extending between one of the straps and the forward end of the motor and power source housing.   
     
     
         4 . The underwater personal propulsion device according to  claim 1 , further including a power control disposed upon the waist harness, the power control being adapted for communicating electrically with a drive motor disposed within the motor and power source housing. 
     
     
         5 . The underwater personal propulsion device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a power control disposed at the outlet shroud, the power control being adapted for communicating electrically with a drive motor disposed within the motor and power source housing, the power control having a control shaft extending therefrom, one of the footrests extending from the control shaft of the power control. 
     
     
         6 . The underwater personal propulsion device according to  claim 1 , further including:
 diametrically opposed first and second calf pads extending from the motor and power source housing; and   a power control disposed at the motor and power source housing, the power control being adapted for communicating electrically with a drive motor disposed within the motor and power source housing, the power control having a control shaft extending therefrom, one of the calf pads extending from the control shaft.   
     
     
         7 . An underwater personal propulsion device, comprising:
 a motor and power source housing having a forward end;   an intake screen extending from the motor and power source housing opposite the forward end thereof;   an outlet shroud extending from the intake screen;   a waist harness removably attached to the forward end of the motor and power source housing; and   diametrically opposed first and second calf pads extending from the motor and power source housing.   
     
     
         8 . The underwater personal propulsion device according to  claim 7 , further including diametrically opposed first and second footrests extending from the outlet shroud. 
     
     
         9 . The underwater personal propulsion device according to  claim 7 , wherein the waist harness comprises:
 a waist belt;   a plurality of straps extending from the waist belt; and   an elastic cord removably secured to each of the straps, each of the elastic cords extending between one of the straps and the forward end of the motor and power source housing.   
     
     
         10 . The underwater personal propulsion device according to  claim 7 , further including a power control disposed upon the waist harness, the power control being adapted for communicating electrically with a drive motor disposed within the motor and power source housing. 
     
     
         11 . The underwater personal propulsion device according to  claim 7 , further including:
 diametrically opposed first and second footrests extending from the outlet shroud; and   a power control disposed at the outlet shroud, the power control being adapted for communicating electrically with a drive motor disposed within the motor and power source housing, the power control having a control shaft extending therefrom, one of the footrests extending from the control shaft.   
     
     
         12 . The underwater personal propulsion device according to  claim 7 , further including:
 diametrically opposed first and second calf pads extending from the motor and power source housing; and   a power control disposed at the motor and power source housing, the power control being adapted for communicating electrically with a drive motor disposed within the motor and power source housing, the power control having a control shaft extending therefrom, one of the calf pads extending from the control shaft.   
     
     
         13 . An underwater personal propulsion device, comprising:
 a motor and power source housing having a forward end;   an intake screen extending from the motor and power source housing opposite the forward end thereof;   an outlet shroud extending from the intake screen;   diametrically opposed first and second footrests extending from the outlet shroud; and   diametrically opposed first and second calf pads extending from the motor and power source housing.   
     
     
         14 . The underwater personal propulsion device according to  claim 13 , further including a waist harness removably secured to the forward end of the motor and power source housing. 
     
     
         15 . The underwater personal propulsion device according to  claim 14 , wherein the waist harness comprises:
 a waist belt;   a plurality of straps extending from the waist belt; and   an elastic cord removably secured to each of the straps, each of the elastic cords extending between one of the straps and the forward end of the motor and power source housing.   
     
     
         16 . The underwater personal propulsion device according to  claim 14 , further including a power control disposed upon the waist harness, the power control being adapted for communicating electrically with a drive motor disposed within the motor and power source housing. 
     
     
         17 . The underwater personal propulsion device according to  claim 13 , further including a power control disposed at the outlet shroud, the power control being adapted for communicating electrically with a drive motor disposed within the motor and power source housing, the power control having a control shaft extending therefrom, one of the footrests extending from the control shaft of the power control. 
     
     
         18 . The underwater personal propulsion device according to  claim 13 , further including:
 diametrically opposed, first and second calf pads extending from the motor and power source housing; and   a power control disposed at the motor and power source housing, the power control being adapted for communicating electrically with a drive motor disposed within the motor and power source housing, the power control having a control shaft extending therefrom, one of the calf pads extending from the control shaft.