CONTROL LEVER FOR HUMAN-POWERED WATERCRAFT WITH STEERABLE PROPULSION MEANS

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of human-powered watercraft. More particularly the present invention relates to human-powered watercraft utilizing pedal powered drive mechanisms with steerable lower propulsion assemblies.

With recent developments in pedal powered small watercraft, the need has arisen for a practical means of steering a pedal powered watercraft with a steerable lower propulsion assembly that is simple, robust, and does not require continuous manipulation by the operator.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

The field of design related to the integration of steering control with pedal driven propulsion mechanisms for small watercraft that have a steerable lower propulsion assembly is relatively new with few offerings.

Patent to Maresh (U.S. Pat. No. 10,913,521) describes a drive mechanism driven by conventional pedal cranks and incorporating a rotatable lower gearbox and propeller for 360 degree propulsion. Steering is accommodated by a hand grip mounted about the lower shaft. Other means are suggested such as an auxiliary gear train or pulley system.

Patent to Dow et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 11,447,221) discloses a 360 degree rotatable drive mechanism incorporating reciprocating flexible fins for propulsion. Steering is provided by a lever, belt, and spur gears.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In its preferred embodiment, the present invention comprises a lever with a hand grip at its proximal end that is pivotally attached to a cable spool at its distal end. The aperture of the cable spool that accepts and constrains the lever is of a slotted form and includes a biasing means to cause the lever to rest at one end of the slotted aperture. The cable spool is constrained to rotate within a housing bracket that includes a series of detents to index the lever for hands free operation. When a change of heading is desired, a lateral force sufficient to overcome the biasing force is applied by the operator thus freeing the lever from the detents. The lever is then free to rotate the cable spool within a range of motion defined by the slotted aperture in the housing bracket. Rotation of the spool winds and unwinds counter wound cables in equal increments. The other end of the cables are counter wound about a receiving cable spool attached to the steerable lower propulsion assembly integral to the drive mechanism. The operator may direct thrust in a range of 180 degrees in either direction from a 0 degree heading and lock in a heading by releasing the lever to rest in a detent. The method in which this is accomplished, as well as other features, advantages, and capabilities of the present invention will become apparent from the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood when consideration is given to the following detailed description referencing the annexed drawings wherein. Like reference numerals have been assigned to relevant parts and are utilized throughout the drawings for clarity. Additionally, many identical parts are given their own unique part number for ease of description and understanding of their operation and function. The control lever of the present invention is indicated by the numeral 102.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a watercraft equipped with a steerable propulsion assembly and the control lever assembly for steering.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the control lever assembly.

FIG. 3 is a front orthogonal view of the control lever assembly with the lever engaged with the indexed detents.

FIG. 4 is a front orthogonal view of the control lever assembly with the lever disengaged from the indexed detents.

FIG. 5 is an isometric exploded view of the control lever assembly.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the control lever assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For a fuller understanding of the nature, application and function of the present invention, reference should be directed to the following detailed description taken in context with the accompanying drawings. Referring first to FIG. 1 for a better understanding of the general construction and application of the preferred embodiment. A control lever assembly 102 is fastened to a watercraft hull 101 equipped with a drive mechanism 103 having a steerable propulsion assembly 104. The control lever assembly 102 is mounted in comfortable reach of the operator's seat 107 and operably coupled to lower gear case 105 by cables 108 and 109. In its center position control lever assembly 102 directs thrust generated by the propeller 106 to propel the water craft straight ahead. The operator may change heading by forcing the control lever laterally inward and then fore or aft.

Referring now to FIG. 2 which is a perspective view of the control lever assembly 102. The housing bracket 110 provides means of mounting the control lever assembly to the watercraft hull 101 as well as a means of functionally constraining the components of the control lever assembly 102. Fasteners 130 secure the control lever assembly to the hull of the craft 101. Cable housing adjusting barrels are provided to fine tune the cable 123, 124 tension for precise directional control. A cushioned hand grip 113 is provided for operator comfort.

For a better understanding of the operation of the control lever assembly, reference is directed to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 which clearly show the two operating states of the control lever assembly 102. FIG. 3 depicts the control lever assembly 102 in a constant heading state. It can be clearly seen that that control lever 112 is securely nested in a detent 128 and prevented from rotational movement about the axis of shoulder bolt 118 by teeth 129. Referring now to FIG. 4 which depicts the control lever assembly 102 in a continuously variable heading state. It can be clearly seen that that control lever 112 is disengaged from detent 128 and clear of teeth 129, thus it is free to rotate about the axis of shoulder bolt 118. Rotation of control lever 112 about the axis of shoulder bolt 118 causes rotation of cable spool 111, in turn right cable 123 and left cable 124 lengths are effectively lengthened or shortened in direct correlation to the degree of rotation.

FIG. 5 is an isometric exploded view of the control lever assembly 102. A hand grip 113 is friction fit to control lever 112. Cable spool bushings 120 are inserted into each side of the bore in the cable spool 111 and cable ends of cables 123, 124 are inserted into their retaining bores. The cable spool assembly is then mounted to the housing bracket by cable spool shoulder bolt 121 and cable spool retaining nut 122. Control lever bushings 117 are installed in control lever 112 and the assembly is inserted in the aperture of cable spool 111. The control lever 112 is secured to the cable spool 111 by control lever shoulder bolt 118 and control lever retaining nut 119. Biasing spring 114 is inserted through the threaded aperture in cable spool 111 and captivated between biasing spring seat 116 and biasing spring cap 115. Right and left cable housing adjusting barrels are threaded through adjusting barrel lock nuts 127 and then threaded into the housing bracket 110.

For a fuller understanding of the mechanism of the present invention reference is made to FIG. 6 which is a cross sectional view of the control lever assembly shown in FIG. 3. Control lever 112 is pivotally mounted to cable spool 111 with bushings 117 and shoulder bolt 118. Cable spool 111 includes a slotted cavity providing limited freedom of rotation to control lever 112 and also includes a threaded aperture for receipt of a spring cap 115 to house spring 114 thus biasing control lever 112 towards a rest position in contact with the cavity wall and nested in a detent of housing bracket 110. The control spool 111 is rotationally mounted to the housing bracket 110 by bushings 120, shoulder bolt 121, and cable spool retaining nut 122.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative of the principles of the present invention in its preferred embodiment. Further, various modifications may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof and it is desired, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereon as are imposed by the prior art and which are set forth in the appended claims.