Activity Board Propulsion Device and Method

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an approach to propelling an activity board. The approach involves, for example, a propulsion device comprising a driver transitionable between a first position and a second position, a motor operatively connected to the driver, and a power source operatively connected to the motor. The driver, when in the first position, is above a plane of an activity board and when in the second position, is below the plane of the activity board. A mount may apply a force to the driver. The approach also involves, for example, an activity board comprising a mount coupled to the activity board, a driver connected to the mount, the driver driven by a motor, and a power source operatively connected to the motor. The activity board comprises a top surface and a bottom surface configured to traverse a terrestrial surface. The driver is transitionable between a first position and a second position and, when in the first position, is located above the bottom surface, and, when in the second position, is located below the bottom surface. The approach further involves, for example, a method for propelling an activity board comprising transitioning a driver from a first position to a second position characterized by the driver engaging a terrestrial surface and actuating a motor operatively connected to the driver, the motor coupled to the activity board via a mount. The motor is powered by a power source mounted to the activity board.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A propulsion device comprising:
 a driver transitionable between a first position and a second position;   a motor operatively connected to the driver; and   a power source operatively connected to the motor;   wherein the driver, when in the first position, is above a plane of an activity board;   wherein the driver, when in the second position, is below the plane of the activity board; and   wherein a mount applies a force to the driver.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising an arm connecting the driver to the mount; wherein the mount comprises a spring that applies the force to the arm, said force sufficient to cause the driver to engage a surface below the plane of the activity board. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the motor is located within the driver. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the driver is a paddle wheel. 
     
     
         5 . An activity board comprising:
 a mount coupled to the activity board;   a driver connected to the mount, the driver driven by a motor; and   a power source operatively connected to the motor;   wherein the activity board comprises a top surface and a bottom surface configured to traverse a terrestrial surface;   wherein the driver is transitionable between a first position and a second position;   wherein the driver, when in the first position, is located above the bottom surface; and   wherein the driver, when in the second position, is located below the bottom surface.   
     
     
         6 . The activity board of  claim 5 , wherein the motor is located within the driver. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the driver is a paddle wheel. 
     
     
         8 . The activity board of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 an arm connecting the driver to the mount; and   a spring that applies the force to the arm.   
     
     
         9 . The activity board of  claim 5  further comprising a toe end opposite a heel end, the toe end separated from the heel end by a length of the activity board. 
     
     
         10 . The activity board of  claim 9  further comprising a stiffening member traversing from a location proximate the heel end and extends toward the toe end. 
     
     
         11 . The activity board of  claim 9 , wherein
 the motor is located between the toe end and the heel end; and   the driver is located beyond the heel end in a direction opposite the toe end.   
     
     
         12 . A method for propelling an activity board comprising:
 transitioning a driver from a first position to a second position characterized by the driver engaging a terrestrial surface; and   actuating a motor operatively connected to the driver, the motor coupled to the activity board via a mount;   wherein the motor is powered by a power source mounted to the activity board.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the motor is located within the driver. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the terrestrial surface comprises snow, sand, dirt, or water. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising:
 an arm connecting the driver to the mount; and 
 a spring that applies a force to the arm sufficient to cause the driver to engage the terrestrial surface. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the activity board further comprises a toe end opposite a heel end, the toe end separated from the heel end by a length of the activity board. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the activity board further comprises a stiffening member traversing from a location proximate the heel end toward the toe end. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein
 the motor is located between the toe end and the heel end; and   the driver is located beyond the heel end in a direction away from the toe end.