Water running tunnel hull ski

Abstract

The disclosed invention is a user-propelled device with no moving parts. The user places a single ski on each foot, the skis being independent from one-another. As the user strides the natural motion of his legs causes the skies to rise and fall with respect to the surface of the water. This rising and falling motion, and the resulting weight shift of the user, engages and disengages a plurality of paddles. Through this natural motion, the paddles are engaged when the foot is moving backward with respect to the user, and disengaged when moving forward with respect to the user. The result is forward motion with a natural gait, with automatic paddle engagement and disengagement.

Claims

1. A personal water propulsion device for use on a water surface, the device comprising: a tunnel hull ski formed from two or more hulls, each hull having a cross-sectional shape, a top, and a bottom; a multiplicity of fixed curved scoops affixed to the two or more hulls, the multiplicity of fixed curved scoops substantially along a centerline of the tunnel hull ski; a compartment formed by each adjacent pair of fixed curved scoops of the multiplicity of fixed curved scoops; and one or more air exhaust gaps at the top of each of the two or more hulls of the tunnel hull ski; whereby the one or more air exhaust gaps allow air to escape from each compartment as the tunnel hull ski descends into the water, thus permitting water to flow in-between the fixed curved scoops.

2. The personal water propulsion device of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional shape of each hull is substantially a right triangle.

3. The personal water propulsion device of claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional shape of each hull tapers toward the bottom of each hull to form a downward hull taper.

4. The personal water propulsion device of claim 1, wherein each fixed curved scoop has a cupped shape.

5. The personal water propulsion device of claim 1, wherein each fixed curved scoop includes a lower tip, the lower tip angled toward a rear of the tunnel hull ski.

6. The personal water propulsion device of claim 1, wherein the one or more gaps are unobstructed, allowing air to freely flow into and out of the compartments.

7. The personal water propulsion device of claim 1, wherein the one or more air exhaust gaps are sized to limit the rate at which air is permitted to flow out of the compartments, thereby limiting the rate at which the device will descend into the water.

8. A device for moving across water, the device comprising: a left water ski and a right water ski; the left water ski and the right water ski each having a cross-sectional shape, the first hulls and the second hulls being triangular, and a plurality of fixed curved scoops affixed between the first hull and second hull of each ski, the plurality of fixed curved scoops having a convex side facing forward; one or more air penetrations that allow air to flow out of a space between any two fixed curved scoops; whereby as a user shifts weight from the left water ski to the right water ski, the left water ski rises, lifting the left plurality of fixed curved scoops out of the water, allowing the left water ski to glide forward, and correspondingly causing the plurality of fixed curved scoops of the right water ski to sink into the water, allowing the user to push off using the right ski.

9. The device for moving across water of claim 8, wherein the cross-sectional shape of each hull is substantially a right triangle.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein a 90-degree corner of the right triangle is placed at a top and outside corner of each hull.

11. The device for moving across water of claim 8, wherein the cross-sectional shape of each hull tapers toward the bottom to form a downward hull taper.

12. The device for moving across water of claim 8, wherein each fixed curved scoop includes a lower tip, the lower tip angled toward a rear of the tunnel hull ski.

13. The device for moving across water of claim 8, wherein the one or more air penetrations are unobstructed, allowing air to freely flow into and out of the compartments.

14. The device for moving across water of claim 8, wherein the one or more air penetrations are undersized to throttle the flow of air, limiting the flow, and thereby limiting the rate at which the device will enter the water.

15. A device for self-propulsion across water or snow, the device comprising: two hulls; each hull having a length and a width; the two hulls in a fixed position with respect to each other; the hulls having a space between each other, the space forming a tunnel along the entire length of the hulls; a multiplicity of fixed curved scoops; the multiplicity of fixed curved scoops affixed to the hulls; the multiplicity of fixed curved scoops within the tunnel formed by the hulls; whereby the rising and falling motion of the two hulls causes the multiplicity of fixed curved scoops to engage and disengage with the water or snow, thus adapted to allow a user to move forward across a surface of water or snow.

16. The device for self-propulsion of claim 15, the device further comprising: air exhaust gaps; the air exhaust gaps allowing air to enter and exit a space created by the hulls and fixed curved scoops; thereby permitting the device to descend into the water or snow without being inhibited by trapped air.

17. The device for self-propulsion of claim 15, the device further comprising: air flow control orifices; the air flow control orifices allowing air to enter and exit a space created by the hulls and fixed curved scoops at a speed dictated by an orifice size; whereby smaller air flow control orifices limit air flow, thus slowing the speed at which the device will enter the water or snow, and larger air flow control orifices allow greater air flow, thus increasing the speed at which the device will enter the water or snow.

18. The device for self-propulsion of claim 15, wherein each of the fixed curved scoops is substantially C-shaped, with the concave portion of the C-shape facing a rear of the tunnel.

19. The device for self-propulsion of claim 15, wherein each fixed curved scoop includes a bottom tip, the bottom tip of each paddle being slanted toward a rear of the tunnel.

20. The device for self-propulsion of claim 15, wherein: each hull is substantially an upside down right triangle, and a 90-degree angle of each upside down right triangle is located at an upper outside corner of each hull.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a first embodiment of the device.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the first embodiment of the device.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the first embodiment of the device, rendered partially transparent to show the paddles.

(5) FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate the cycle of the paddles moving in and out of the water during use of the device.

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the device.

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates a first cross-section of the device located at the foot well.

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates a second cross-section of the device located just behind the foot well.

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates a rear view of the device.

(10) FIG. 9 illustrates a third cross-section of the device at a typical traction paddle.

(11) FIG. 10 illustrates a top view of the first embodiment of the device.

(12) FIG. 11 illustrates a bottom view of the first embodiment of the device.

(13) FIG. 12 illustrates a top transparent view of the device.

(14) FIG. 13 illustrates a rear isometric view of the first embodiment of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(15) Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

(16) Referring to FIG. 1, an isometric view of a first embodiment of the device is shown.

(17) The tunnel hull ski 1 is shown in water 80. The water's surface 82 is shown against the second hull 12 of the tunnel hull ski 1. The first hull 10 is shown on the far side of the figure. Referring to the sides of the tunnel hull ski as first and second is arbitrary and used only for consistency in description.

(18) For clarity, the figures show only a single ski. But for proper use two skis are required, one for each of the user's feet.

(19) The ski front 14 includes a front scoop 40, into which incoming water 80 passes during use, passing out at the rear discharge 42 (not shown) at ski rear 16.

(20) The upper ends of the traction paddles 50 are shown, visible through the air exhaust gap 60.

(21) A portion of the foot well 70 is shown, ready to accept an adapter/boot 74 (not shown) to be worn by a user.

(22) Referring to FIG. 2, a side view of the first embodiment of the device is shown.

(23) First hull 10 of tunnel hull ski 1 is shown, with the ski front 14 and ski rear 16. Optional carry/mounting handle 76 is shown in front of the foot well 70 (not shown).

(24) Referring to FIG. 3, a side view of the first embodiment of the device is shown with the foreground hull rendered transparent to provide a view of the interior paddles.

(25) The multiplicity of traction paddles 50 is shown, the space between each pair of traction paddles 50 forming compartments 56. The lower portion of each traction paddle 50 optionally includes a rearwardly curved tip 52 to minimize the rearward force of waves that enter the front of the tunnel hull ski 1.

(26) The ski rear 16 includes a rear paddle 58 that is wider and taller than a typical traction paddle 50, but has a similar profile and performs the same function.

(27) The foot well 70 optionally includes partial paddles 54, which are shorter in height due to the depth of the foot well 70.

(28) An optional collar 72 is shown around the foot well 70, intended to minimize the introduction of water into the foot well 70 during use.

(29) The foot adapter/boot 74 is shown within the foot well 70, which secures the user's foot to the foot well 70 during use.

(30) Referring to FIG. 4, the cycle of the paddles moving in and out of the water during use of the device is illustrated via four phases.

(31) FIGS. 4A and 4B depict the relationship of traction paddles 50, and the water's surface 82, during the cycle of motion experienced by each tunnel hull ski 1. FIG. 4A shows a partial side view of the ski and depicts the waterline location during each phase in the movement cycle. FIG. 4B shows a bottom view of the ski with hatches indicating the area of ski hull that is submerged during each phase in the movement cycle.

(32) The Phase I images depicts a ski 1 under minimal load, as when a user is lifting his foot to step forward. The ski 1 has risen with respect to the water 80 such that the water's surface 82 coincides with low-load waterline A. In this position the traction paddles 50 are above the water's surface, thus creating no resistance to forward motion. A small additional gap ideally exists between the lower tip of the traction paddle 50 and the water's surface 82, allowing small waves to pass.

(33) The Phase II images depict a ski 1 under normal load, such as when the user is splitting his weight equally between his two feet. The ski descends into the water 80 such that the water's surface 82 coincides with the mid-load waterline B. The traction paddles 50 are partially engaged.

(34) The Phase III images depict a ski 1 under full load. This occurs when the user has shifted substantially all his weight to his non-advancing legthe leg he pushes from. With the user's full weight applied, the ski 1 descends into the water 80 such that the traction paddles 50 are nearly submerged in entirety beneath the water's surface 82. This is the power position, or fixed position, used to plant the non-advancing leg in the water to allow the user to lift and extend the advancing leg forward.

(35) The Phase IV images again depicts a ski 1 under normal load.

(36) During use of a pair of skis, this cycle repeats for each ski as the user strides to advance forward.

(37) Referring to FIG. 5, a front view of the device is shown, depicting the front of the tunnel hull ski 1. The front scoop 40 is shown, and the tapering frontal profile of each hull 10/12.

(38) Referring to FIG. 6, a first cross-section of the device is shown. The cross-section of the foot well 70 is shown, with partial paddle 54 protruding from below.

(39) Referring to FIG. 7, a second cross-section of the device is shown. A traction paddle 50 is shown with its trapezoidal shape.

(40) Referring to FIG. 8, a rear view of the device is shown, depicting the rear of the tunnel hull ski 1. The rear paddle 58 and rear discharge 42 is shown, and the tapering end of each hull 10/12.

(41) Referring to FIG. 9, a generic cross-section of the device with its tapered profile is shown.

(42) The profile of the first hull 10 and second hull 12 are important to operation of the tunnel hull ski.

(43) Each hull 10/12 is made of numerous sides. Such sides include the inner wall 20, outer wall 22, and upper wall 24. The outer wall 22 and inner wall 20 meet at the curved tip 26.

(44) The inwardly tapering shape is shown as the downward hull taper 28. In the preferred embodiment, the downward hull taper 28 has an upper section with a shallow taper 30, and a lower section with a steep taper 32. These two tapers meet at a taper transition point 34.

(45) It is the tapering without reduction of the outer width that allows the tunnel hull skis 1 to minimize frontal cross-sectional area displacing water during the advancing step without reducing lateral stability.

(46) Referring to FIG. 10, a top view of the first embodiment of the device is shown. Each pair of traction paddles 50 has an air exhaust gap 60. The air exhaust gap 60 may be a continuous slot, or individual gaps associated with each compartment 56.

(47) Referring to FIG. 11, a bottom view of the first embodiment of the device is shown. The compartments 56 formed by pairs of traction paddles 50 are shown. Without the air exhaust gap 60, one can see how air becomes trapped within the compartment, and inhibits the ability of the ski 1 to descend into the water 80.

(48) Referring to FIG. 12, a transparent top view of the device is shown. The tapering shapes of the front scoop 40 and rear paddle 58 are shown.

(49) Also indicated are the cross-sections shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the front view shown in FIG. 5, and the rear view shown in FIG. 8.

(50) Referring to FIG. 13, a rear isometric view of the device is shown. The largest traction paddle 58 and discharge 42 are shown at the ski rear 16, bridging the first hull 10 and second hull 12. The upper ends of the traction paddles 50 are shown within the continuous air exhaust gap 60. Roughly midway between the ski front 14 and ski rear 16 sits the foot well 70.

(51) Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.

(52) It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.