Combination hand-held multi-directional propulsion device, and powered oar/paddle for rowboat, canoe, kayak, and the like

Abstract

A multi-functional modular device includes: a shaft; electric motor(s); propeller(s); battery(s); and paddle blade(s) being removably attachable to the shaft for levering of a boat. With the blade(s) attached to the shaft and motor(s) de-energized, the device is usable for manual levering, and with the motor(s) energized, propeller thrust selectively assists in levering to propel the boat. Propeller thrust in a direction opposite to a propulsive direction from levering reduces work required per stroke, reducing the total levering power per stroke. Alternatively, using the thrust in the same direction as propulsive levering increases total propulsive power per stroke, but requires greater strength/work output by the rower/paddler. Removing the blade permits the propeller and motor to be statically submerged and clocked for directional propulsion. A hinged kayak paddle embodiment is adapted for pure levering, and is convertible to a propulsion device by releasably attaching an electric pod motor to the blade(s).

1 . A paddle for alternate use in manual levering or thrust-assisted propulsion of a paddlesports boat, said paddle comprising:
 a shaft;   at least one blade, a portion of said at least one blade being fixedly secured to said shaft proximate to an end of said shaft;   at least one electric motor pod, said at least one electric motor pod comprising an electric motor configured to rotate a propeller fixed to a shaft of said motor pod; said at least one electric motor pod comprising a means for releasably mounting said motor pod to said at least one blade;   a source of electric power;   a switch, said switch being moveable between a first position and a second position, and wherein said switch being in said first position is configured to be closed to electrically connect said source of electric power to said electric motor pod, and wherein said switch being in said second position is configured to be opened to electrically disconnect said source of electric power from said electric motor pod.   
     
     
         2 . The paddle according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one motor pod is configured to be releasably mounted to said at least one blade to have an axis of said propeller shaft be generally co-planar with said at least one blade. 
     
     
         3 . The paddle according to  claim 2 , wherein said source of electric power comprises one or more batteries, said one or more batteries comprising one or more of: a disposable battery; a rechargeable battery; and a marine battery. 
     
     
         4 . The paddle according to  claim 3 , wherein when said one or more batteries comprises said marine battery, said marine battery is coupled to said device using an electrical cable and a quick connect plug. 
     
     
         5 . The paddle according to  claim 4 , wherein when said one or more batteries comprise a rechargeable battery, said rechargeable battery comprises a lithium ferrous phosphate battery. 
     
     
         6 . The paddle according to  claim 5 , wherein said at least one electric motor comprises a brushless motor. 
     
     
         7 . The paddle according to  claim 6 , wherein said at least one electric motor comprises a water submersible brushless outrunner motor, 
     
     
         8 . A hinged paddle for alternate use in manual levering of a kayak or propulsion of a kayak, said hinged paddle comprising:
 a first shaft;   a second shaft; a first end of said second shaft being pivotally attached to a first end of said first shaft;   a securing means for releasably inhibiting pivoting by said pivotal attachment of said second shaft to secure the axis of said second shaft to be at a desired angle relative to the axis of said first shaft;   a first blade, a portion of said first blade being fixedly secured to said first shaft proximate to a second end of said first shaft; and   a second blade, a portion of said second blade being fixedly secured to said second shaft proximate to a second end of said second shaft.   
     
     
         9 . The hinged paddle according to  claim 8  wherein said securing means is configured for securing said axis of said first shaft to be parallel to said axis of said second shaft, with said second end of said first shaft being distal from said second end of said second shaft, to be configured for paddling. 
     
     
         10 . The hinged paddle according to  claim 9  wherein said securing means is configured for securing said axis of said first shaft to be parallel to said axis of said second shaft, with said second end of said first shaft being proximate to said second end of said second shaft, to be configured for storing of said paddle. 
     
     
         11 . The hinged paddle according to  claim 10  further comprising:
 a first electric motor pod, said first electric motor pod comprising an electric motor configured to rotate a propeller fixed to a rotatable shaft of said motor; said first electric motor pod being configured for releasable mounting to a portion of said first blade; 
 a source of electric power; and 
 a switch, said switch being moveable between a first position and a second position, and wherein said switch being in said first position is configured to be closed to electrically connect said source of electric power to said first electric motor pod, and wherein said switch being in said second position is configured to opened to electrically disconnect said source of electric power from said first electric motor pod. 
 
     
     
         12 . The hinged paddle according to  claim 11 , wherein said first motor pod is releasably mounted to said first blade to have an axis of said propeller shaft be generally co-planar with said first blade. 
     
     
         13 . The hinged paddle according to  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a second electric motor pod, said second electric motor pod comprising an electric motor configured to rotate a propeller fixed to a rotatable shaft of said motor; said second electric motor pod being configured for releasable mounting to a portion of said second blade with an axis of said propeller shaft of said second motor pod being generally co-planar with said second blade; and   wherein said switch being in said first position is configured to electrically connect said source of electric power to said second electric motor pod, and wherein said switch being in said second position is configured to disconnect said source of electric power from said second electric motor pod.   
     
     
         14 . The hinged paddle according to  claim 13  wherein said securing means is configured for securing said axis of said first shaft to be approximately perpendicular to said axis of said second shaft, to be configured for propulsion by said propeller of said first electric motor pod and for propulsion by said propeller of said second electric motor pod. 
     
     
         15 . The hinged paddle according to  claim 14 , wherein said source of electric power comprises one or more batteries, said one or more batteries comprising one or more of: a disposable battery; a rechargeable battery; and a marine battery. 
     
     
         16 . The hinged paddle according to  claim 15 , wherein when said one or more batteries comprises said marine battery, said marine battery is coupled to said device using an electrical cable and a quick connect plug. 
     
     
         17 . The hinged paddle according to  claim 16 , wherein when said one or more batteries comprise a rechargeable battery, said rechargeable battery comprises a lithium ferrous phosphate battery. 
     
     
         18 . The hinged paddle according to  claim 17 , wherein said at least one electric motor comprises a brushless motor. 
     
     
         19 . The hinged paddle according to  claim 18 , wherein said at least one electric motor comprises a water submersible brushless outrunner motor.