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A self-propelled boat (10) to be used by a boater to maneuver himself along the surface of a body of water, especially in shallow water where the use of a motorized boat or a deep bottom boat is impossible or otherwise impractical. The self-propelled boat (10) includes a body (12) to carry the boate

A self-propelled boat (10) to be used by a boater to maneuver himself along the surface of a body of water, especially in shallow water where the use of a motorized boat or a deep bottom boat is impossible or otherwise impractical. The self-propelled boat (10) includes a body (12) to carry the boater and provide buoyancy. A seat (14) is provided on which the boater may be seated, the seat (14) being provided with a position adjuster (88) for fixing the seat (14) at selected positions along the longitudinal axis of the boat (10). A propulsion system (16) is provided such that the boat (10) may be maneuvered along the surface of the water. The propulsion system (16) includes a pair of foot mounts (146, 148) for engaging the feet of the boater to oscillate selected cords (132L, 132R, 138), the cords (132L. 132R, 138) being connected such as to form a loop. Bow and stern pulleys (98, 106) are provided for holding the cord (132) in place. As the cord (132) is oscillated, at least the stern pulley (106) is simultaneously oscillated. The stern pulley (106) then serves to oscillate a shaft (108) to which a flexible fin (154) is attached. Thus, as the fin (154) is oscillated, the boat (10) is propelled in reaction in a similar manner as a fish is propelled.

대표청구항 ▼

A self-propelled boat for maneuvering about the surface of a body of water, said self-propelled boat being powered by the legs of a boater, said self-propelled boat comprising: a body means for supporting said boater above said water surface, said body means including at least top and bottom members

A self-propelled boat for maneuvering about the surface of a body of water, said self-propelled boat being powered by the legs of a boater, said self-propelled boat comprising: a body means for supporting said boater above said water surface, said body means including at least top and bottom members and starboard and port side walls, said starboard and port side walls defining a stern and a bow; boater seat means carried by said body means for providing a seat within which said boater may be positioned, said boater seat means being selectively positioned about said body means proximate said top member; propulsion means for selectively propelling said self-propelled boat, said propulsion means being engaged by feet of said boater such that said self-propelled boat is powered by said boater, and said propulsion means selectively turning said boat so as to propel said boat in a selected direction, said propulsion means including a water displacement means at least partially submerged in said body of water, and an oscillating means for engaging said water displacement means, said water displacement means including at least a fin fabricated from a durable, flexible material, and said oscillating means including at least a stern pulley pivotally attached proximate said stern, a bow pulley pivotally attached proximate said bow, at least one stern pulley engaging cord at least partially entrained about said stern pulley, at least one bow pulley engaging cord at least partially entrained about said bow pulley, and at least first and second foot engaging means, said stern pulley and said bow pulley each pivoting in a substantially horizontal plane, said at least one stern pulley engaging cord and said at least one bow pulley engaging cord being connected in an end-to-end fashion to substantially form a loop, said first and second foot engaging means being oppositely disposed along said loop such that said oscillating means may be actuated for reciprocal travel, said first and second foot engaging means being substantially limited to reciprocating linear travel in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said self-propelled boat defined between said stern and said bow; and tensioning means including at least a portion of said at least one bow pulley engaging cord for biasing said loop in a taut fashion.