Propulsion system for a watercraft

Abstract

A propulsion system for a watercraft including a motor and a drive connected to the motor. At least one belt is carried by the drive. The belt includes at least one paddle extending outwardly from the belt.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This is a non-provisional application based upon U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 508,946, entitled “MANATEE DRIVE”, filed Oct. 6, 2003.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a propulsion system for watercraft, and, more particularly, to a belt propulsion system for watercraft. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Motorized watercraft typically have a rotating propeller that is part of a motor, such as an outboard motor, that motivates the watercraft through the water. Typical propellers for recreational watercraft have two, three or four blades, and are rated in terms of the overall diameter of the propeller and the pitch of the blades. A thirteen pitch propeller moves through approximately thirteen inches of water in a single rotation. The pitch of the propeller is due in part to the angle of the blades relative to the propeller shaft. As the prope...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a propulsion system for a watercraft which is safer for human and marine life.

[0015] Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a propulsion system for a watercraft which has minimal or no impact on the draft of the watercraft.

[0016] Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a propulsion system for a watercraft that can be retrofitted to existing watercraft.

[0017] Yet another advantage is that, because the propulsion system of the present invention can be configured to only protrude below the bottom of the watercraft the distance of the length of the paddles, the watercraft can be operated in shallow water that will float the boat.

[0018] Yet another advantage is that, because the propulsion system of the present invention is traveling in the same direction as the watercraft, and there are no sharp rotating propeller blades protruding below the bottom of the watercraft, there is less chance for injury to human and marine life, including swimmers.

[0019] Yet another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a propulsion system for a watercraft that is compatible with known hull configurations.

Problems solved by technology

A sharp, rigid and rotating blade coming into contact with a solid or semi-solid material can damage the material or the propeller or both.

Therefore, an object or entity below the waterline can be inadvertently struck with the rotating propeller with dire consequences, due at least in part to the watercraft's pilot not seeing the object.

Consequently, there are unfortunate and tragic accidents to human and marine life reported every year.

Even though manatees can be 2.5 to 4.5 m (8 to 14 ft) long depending on the species, and can weigh 200 to 600 kg (440 to 1300 lb), because of their coloration manatees are difficult to see.

Since they inhabit shallow waters for a variety of reasons as described above, and given the high traffic areas where the manatees are found such as the ICW, manatees are frequently hit and injured by the propellers of prop driven watercraft.

This can be a disadvantage when fishing in shallow waters, for example, or when landing the watercraft in a shallow area such as a beach.

Jet boats are known which provide thrust for watercraft motivation via a jet of water and therefore do not neet a propeller with its corresponding disadvantages; however, the intake for the jet can become clogged.

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