Control Lever for Human-Powered Watercraft with Steerable Propulsion Means

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.

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.

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.

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 tofor a better understanding of the general construction and application of the preferred embodiment. A control lever assemblyis fastened to a watercraft hullequipped with a drive mechanismhaving a steerable propulsion assembly. The control lever assemblyis mounted in comfortable reach of the operator's seatand operably coupled to lower gear caseby cablesand. In its center position control lever assemblydirects thrust generated by the propellerto 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 towhich is a perspective view of the control lever assembly. The housing bracketprovides means of mounting the control lever assembly to the watercraft hullas well as a means of functionally constraining the components of the control lever assembly. Fastenerssecure the control lever assembly to the hull of the craft. Cable housing adjusting barrels are provided to fine tune the cable,tension for precise directional control. A cushioned hand gripis provided for operator comfort.

For a better understanding of the operation of the control lever assembly, reference is directed toandwhich clearly show the two operating states of the control lever assembly.depicts the control lever assemblyin a constant heading state. It can be clearly seen that that control leveris securely nested in a detentand prevented from rotational movement about the axis of shoulder boltby teeth. Referring now towhich depicts the control lever assemblyin a continuously variable heading state. It can be clearly seen that that control leveris disengaged from detentand clear of teeth, thus it is free to rotate about the axis of shoulder bolt. Rotation of control leverabout the axis of shoulder boltcauses rotation of cable spool, in turn right cableand left cablelengths are effectively lengthened or shortened in direct correlation to the degree of rotation.

is an isometric exploded view of the control lever assembly. A hand gripis friction fit to control lever. Cable spool bushingsare inserted into each side of the bore in the cable spooland cable ends of cables,are inserted into their retaining bores. The cable spool assembly is then mounted to the housing bracket by cable spool shoulder boltand cable spool retaining nut. Control lever bushingsare installed in control leverand the assembly is inserted in the aperture of cable spool. The control leveris secured to the cable spoolby control lever shoulder boltand control lever retaining nut. Biasing springis inserted through the threaded aperture in cable spooland captivated between biasing spring seatand biasing spring cap. Right and left cable housing adjusting barrels are threaded through adjusting barrel lock nutsand then threaded into the housing bracket.

For a fuller understanding of the mechanism of the present invention reference is made towhich is a cross sectional view of the control lever assembly shown in. Control leveris pivotally mounted to cable spoolwith bushingsand shoulder bolt. Cable spoolincludes a slotted cavity providing limited freedom of rotation to control leverand also includes a threaded aperture for receipt of a spring capto house springthus biasing control levertowards a rest position in contact with the cavity wall and nested in a detent of housing bracket. The control spoolis rotationally mounted to the housing bracketby bushings, shoulder bolt, and cable spool retaining nut.

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.