Vehicle Shove-Off Device

Abstract

A self-sufficient launch device mounted to the body of a water vehicle that applies a pressing force to a surface to launch the vehicle into the water, comprising at least two force creating devices adapted to create the pressing motion required to launch the vehicle, an extendable and retractable rod that extends towards the surface upon activation, a contact pad connected to the rod that interacts with, and applies force directly to, the surface on which the vehicle is located, a power supply that enables the movement of the at least two force creating devices, and a control system adapted for remote operation of the device.

1 . A self-sufficient vehicle launch device mounted to a water vehicle, the device applying a pressing force to a surface to propel the vehicle in the opposite direction, the vehicle launch device comprising:
 a) at least two force creating devices, each force creating device adapted to be mounted directly to the water vehicle, each force creating device adapted to provide a pressing motion against the surface that propels the vehicle in the opposite direction of the movement of each force creating device;   b) an extendable and retractable rod operatively attached to the at least two force creating devices, the rod extending toward the surface upon activation of the force creating devices, the rod retracting while not in use;   c) a flexible contact pad connected to a free end of the rod, the contact pad adapted to interact with, and apply force directly to, the surface upon which the water vehicle is located to propel the vehicle upon the extension of the rod;   d) a power supply source operatively connected to at least one of said two force creating devices; and   e) a control system operatively connected to the power supply source, the control system being remotely operable to power the at least two force creating devices.   
     
     
         2 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein said at least two force creating devices comprise,
 at least one adjusting linear actuator configured to adjust an approach angle of the water vehicle; and   at least one approach linear actuator.   
     
     
         3 . The device as in  claim 2 , wherein said adjusting linear actuator is equipped with a mechanical device connected to the power source, the mechanical device adapted to drive the motion of the adjusting linear actuator. 
     
     
         4 . The device as in  claim 2 , wherein said adjusting linear actuator connects to the water vehicle by a mounting bracket with a pivot joint, the pivot joint adapted to allow the adjusting linear actuator to rotate around a z-axis. 
     
     
         5 . The device as in  claim 2 , wherein said approach linear actuator is adapted to adjust an approach angle of the water vehicle to the surface. 
     
     
         6 . The device as in  claim 5 , wherein said approach linear actuator connects to the water vehicle by a fixed joint allowing adjustment of the approach angle. 
     
     
         7 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein said power supply comprises a 12 VDC power supply. 
     
     
         8 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein said power supply operatively connects to a mechanical device that drives the interaction between the at least two force creating devices. 
     
     
         9 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein said device is mounted to one of the side, top, and bottom of the water vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein said contact pad is connected to the rod by one of a fixed, swivel, and ball and joint attachment. 
     
     
         11 . The device as in  claim 1 , the rod adapted to retract while not in operation and extend upon device activation, the length of the rod being one of less than or equal to an overall length of the device in the retracted position. 
     
     
         12 . The device as in  claim 1 , wherein said control system comprises,
 a processor;   a power supply operatively connected to the processor; and   an activation switch operatively connected to the power supply, the activation switch allowing remote operation of the device.