Paddleboard with reciprocating direct drive and rudder controls

Abstract

An apparatus and method of use is disclosed for a water-sport paddleboard incorporating user foot driven reciprocating mechanical features to produce propulsion over the surface of a body of water. Means is provided to enable forward and reverse propulsion and steering while in standing or sitting positions.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A paddleboard watercraft apparatus incorporating features and components to enable propulsion of said paddleboard and a user over the surface of a body of water by means of exerting user driven reciprocal foot motion longitudinally over the top surface of said paddleboard wherein:
 a) one or more nominally parallel longitudinal slots through the paddleboard are provided,   b) one or more foot pads are installed on the top surface of said paddleboard and guided by said slots,   c) a propulsion mechanism incorporating a thrust paddle is directly connected by means of a swivel below said paddleboard to said foot pad through said slots.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus of  claim 1  installed within said slots and connects said foot pads and said propulsion assemblies to thereby provide the means to ratio-metrically increase the travel distance and speed of said propulsion mechanism relative to the motion of said foot pad. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus of  claim 1  including a handle or handles mounted to and positioned on said paddleboard to assist or enable the user to:
 a) enhance balance 
 b) and/or steer direction 
 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus of  claim 1  to enable said thrust paddle to travel into a protected park position located at the forward end of each said slot. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus of  claim 1  to provide propulsion through water whereby said propulsion mechanism includes a paddle that effects thrust by means of the following factors:
 a) is driven in a nominally longitudinal reciprocating motion, 
 b) said face area is nominally aligned normal to the direction of travel 
 c) incorporates a swivel joint at the top end to allow said paddle to pivot from approximately horizontal (zero degrees) to vertical (ninety degrees) as said mechanism is driven to provide thrust and alternatively to pivot up to a nominal horizontal position to minimize drag while moving in the direction of travel, 
 d) incorporates a means to restrict its arc of motion to extend beyond a nominal vertical angle. 
 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus of  claim 1  to provide propulsion through water whereby said propulsion mechanism includes a paddle to effect thrust by means of the following factors:
 a) is driven in a nominally longitudinal reciprocating motion, 
 b) face area providing thrust is nominally aligned normal to the direction of travel 
 c) incorporates a swivel joint along a vertical axis to allow said paddle to pivot as said mechanism is driven to provide thrust and alternatively to minimize drag while moving in the direction of travel, 
 d) incorporates a means to restrict motion to align normal to direction of travel. 
 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus of  claims 5  and  6  to provide a means to control the thrust direction provided by said paddle face thereby enabling a reverse direction of said paddleboard. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claims 5  and  6  wherein said propulsion mechanisms may be driven independently or connected to enable simultaneous reciprocation. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus of  claims 5  and  6  whereby said propulsion mechanism paddle is includes a set of one or more elastomeric one-way shutter valves that opens and closes in response to direction of water flow, thereby closing to provide thrust and opening to minimize drag, 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus of  claims 5  and  6  whereby said propulsion mechanism paddle includes a set of one or more louver plates that pivot to provide thrust and pivot to minimize drag. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus of  claim 1  whereby a rudder incorporated within said paddleboard is controlled in nominal horizontal orientation by means of:
 a) rotating a said foot pad, or 
 b) a foot actuated switch located at a particular position upon said paddleboard, or 
 c) a hand actuated switch located upon said handle. 
 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus of  claim 1  whereby thrust direction of said paddle face is controlled by means of:
 a) rotating said foot pad, or 
 b) a foot actuated switch located at a particular position upon said paddleboard, or 
 c) a hand actuated switch located within said handle. 
 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus of  claims 1  through  12  whereby the means is provided to enable the user to actuate said propulsion mechanisms while in a seated posture. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said footpad includes the means to secure the user's foot in position that may include a:
 a) mechanical swivel, or 
 b) elastomeric pad. 
 
     
     
         15 . An apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said propulsion mechanism includes the means to adjust friction or the position of said propulsion mechanism to a specified position along said slot. 
     
     
         16 . An apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said nominally parallel longitudinal slots may be adjusted in angular orientation in the horizontal plane. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said force multiplier mechanism provides a ratiometric increase in the speed and length of travel of said propulsion mechanism as driven by said foot pad. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said paddleboard includes adjustability of slot pair orientation angles in the horizontal and/or vertical planes to thereby enable the user to set a desired stride thrusting angle. 
     
     
         19 . A method of  claim 1  for use for a foot driven watercraft paddleboard incorporating features and components to enable propulsion of said paddleboard and a user over the surface of a body of water by means of exerting user driven reciprocal foot motion longitudinally over the top surface of said paddleboard whereby physical exertion of the user resembles that of a Nordic cross country skier in that:
 a) posture stance is nominally erect facing in the direction of forward travel, 
 b) rearward leg/foot motion produces thrust to propel said paddleboard forward, 
 c) forward leg/foot motion exertion experiences minimal effort. 
 
     
     
         20 . A method of  claim 13  for use for a foot driven watercraft paddleboard incorporating features and components to enable propulsion of said paddleboard and a user over the surface of a body of water by means of exerting user driven reciprocal foot motion longitudinally over the top surface of said paddleboard whereby physical exertion of the user resembles while in a seated position facing forward.
 a) extending leg/foot motion forward produces thrust to propel said paddleboard, 
 b) retracting leg/foot motion exerts minimal user effort,?