US3889308A

US3889308A - Floating paddle

Info

Publication number: US3889308A
Application number: US416066A
Authority: US
Inventors: Henry Persson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-11-15
Filing date: 1973-11-15
Publication date: 1975-06-17
Anticipated expiration: 1992-06-17

Abstract

A method and apparatus is provided for the construction of a plastic floating paddle for use while swimming and/or boating. This paddle has a main body member and extending portions which provide the paddle blades. The blades have their inner ends concealed and retained in a through passageway formed in the main body and in this passageway the ends interlock with each other. When and after the paddles are interlocked the main body is retained on and in fixed relationship with the shank portions of the paddles by shoulders formed on each of the blade shanks.

Description

United States Patent i191 Persson June 17, 1975 FLOATING PADDLE [75] Inventor: Henry Persson, Bloomfield, NJ.

Field of Search 9/301, 307, 311, 3l2, 313; ll5/6.l, 21; 416/74; 403/339-340, 393, 347; D8/229; Dl2/2l5 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,506,979 5/1950 Varnum 403/339 2,718,644 9/1955 Barr 9/3ll 2,941,219 6/1960 Irving .1: 9/313 9/l962 Martin 9/3ll 5/1970 Eriksen 9/307 Primary Examiner--Trygve M. Blix Assistant Examiner-Jesus D. Sotelo Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Ralph R. Roberts [57] ABSTRACT A method and apparatus is provided for the construction of a plastic floating paddle for use while swimming and/or boating. This paddle has a main body member and extending portions which provide the paddle blades. The blades have their inner ends concealed and retained in a through passageway formed in the main body and in this passageway the ends interlock with each other. When and after the paddles are interlocked the main body is retained on and in fixed relationship with the shank portions of the paddles by shoulders formed on each of the blade shanks.

2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures FLOATING PADDLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention With reference to the classification of art as estab lished in the United States Patent Office the present invention relates to the general Class entitled, Boats, Buoys and Aquatic Devices" (Class 9) and the subclasses therein entitled, swimming aids (subclass 301) and arm or hand attached or held" (subclass 2. Description of the Prior Art Floats, life jackets, paddles with blades at both ends and the like are well known. The use of a foam plastic with a smooth skin for devices used with and in water sports is also well known. The present invention uses a similar concept to provides a combination float and paddle wherein the central float member is molded or shaped with a molded bore into which the shanks of the paddle members are inserted. The distal end of each paddle is contoured to provide engaging lugs so arranged that in a particular orientation the ends will align and slide by each other until locking hook-like portions engage like relief shouldered recesses to form a locked arrangement defying disassociation, the disengagement being achieved by destruction of the central float member.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION tion float and paddle which, as a floating paddle assembly, is adapted for use as a swimming aid or float or alternately as a paddle for propelling a water craft such as a canoe.

' It is a further object of this invention to provide, and

it does provide, a floating paddle and a method of making such a paddle.This assembly includes a center float i portion having an ellipsoid shape formed with an axial passageway therethrough. A pair of like blade members have their shank ends sized to be slidably retained in said axial passageway and these ends also are shaped to provide an aligned interlock when brought together.

The blades are made from molded plastic material of a composition insuring that the blades also float.

The method of this invention provides a means for the manufacture and assembly of a novel and useful floating paddle. This method of manufacture and the floating paddle produced therefrom includes an ellip- ,soid main body using a floating or buoyant material which is more-or-less in coincidence with the major axis of this main body. These paddles when fully inserted through this hole in the main body have engaging portions formed on their ends which when brought into inserted and mating condition engage cooperative engaging means and are interlocked thereby providing a retaining'means for maintaining the paddles in an oriented condition in the main body.

' When assembled this floating paddle provides a A unique and novel float useful in water sports such as swimming and a practical apparatus as a paddle in water energencies. When this floating paddle is used in water sports and particularly as a swimming assist it not only assists the user in keeping afloat but also may be manipulated as an aid in propelling oneself through the water. The floating paddle may also be used as a paddle for water craft such as a canoe. When used as a paddle for propelling said water craft and in the event of an accident in which the user is thrown into the water from said water craft the floating paddle may be used as a life preserver and aid in getting the user to safety.

In addition to the above summary the following disclosure is detailed to insure adequacy and aid in understanding of the invention. This disclosure is not limited to the concept shown no matter how it may later be disguised by variations in form or additions of further improvements. For this reason there has been chosen a specific embodiment of a floating paddle for use in water sports and with a water craft and showing a preferred means for interlocking the paddle portions. This specific embodiment and an alternate interlocking means has been chosen for the purposes of illustration and description as shown in the accompanying drawing wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 represents a plan view of the assembled float showing an ellipsoid main body and a pair of extended paddle portions;

FIG. 2 represents a fragmentary front elevation of the blade end of the float.

FIG. 3 represents a sectional view in enlarged scale of a preferred interlocking means for the ends of the paddles, and

FIG. 4 represents a sectional view in an enlarged scale of an alternate interlocking construction for the ends of the paddles.

In the following description and in the claims various details are identified by specific names for convenience. These names, however, are intended to be generic in their application. Corresponding reference characters refer to like members throughout the several figures of the drawing.

The drawing accompanying, and forming part of, this specification discloses the details of construction for the purpose of explanation but the invention may be incorporated in other structural forms than shown.

Description of the Embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 3 The floating paddle as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a main body 10 having extending paddle members 11 mounted therein. This main body 10, as depicted, is ellipsoid in shape with its ends 12 flattened to provide a flat shoulder surface substantially as shown. A through hole 14, which is more-or-Iess in coincidence with the major axis of this ellipsoid shape, is sized to provide a sliding fit for the shaft portions 16 of each of the paddle members 11. The main body 10 is contemplated to be molded or otherwise manufactured from a low density plastic which will provide floatation in water. The main body could be of hollow sealed constuction if more economical.

The paddles 11 are made in the same manner and preferably of the same material as the main body. Each paddle 11 is adapted to float in water and has a blade 7 portion 20 attached to the shank portions 16. lntermediate the ends of the paddles and at approximately the center is formed a shoulder 22 which when the shanks are inserted and assembled within the bore 14 are in close proximity to or are in engagement with flat ends 12 on the body. In its assembled condition each shank extends inwardly and continues past the shoulder for a distance sufficient for engagement with and interlocking with the other paddle shank inserted into the other end of the through hole 14 so as to engage a like paddle.

A preferred interlocking means, as shown in FIG. 3, is provided on each of the ends of the paddle shafts. In this preferred means the interlocking is achieved by projections having hook-like portions formed on the distal end of each of the shanks 16. Each hook-like projection is formed with a tapered relief 24 terminating at a forward end 26 which is blended into a radial portion 27 which forms an arc of approximately ninety degrees. A plane portion 28 extends inwardly from radial portion 27 and terminates at an undercut which includes a stop lip 29 and a horizontal plane 30. This undercut extends outwardly toward blades '20 until it reaches an end 32. The undercut provides a recess 33 into which the hook portion of the other paddle extends when the blade shank portions are inserted into the passageway and are assembled. to member 10.

Alternate End Locking As Seen In FIG. 4

The alternate embodiment as shown in FIG. 4 represents a paddle shank 50 having a male projection portion 52. Said male projection portion 52, as shown, has a rectangular cross section with upper-and lower surfaces 54 and 56 which taper slightly diminishing from right to left. The projection 52 terminates at a substantially vertical plane 58. In surface 54 is formed an undercut 59 defined by transverse ends 60 and 62 connected by substantially horizontal plane 64.

Attached to the other paddle shank 70 is a U-shaped projection which includes one leg 72 extending from end surface 74. This end has an outer circular surface compatible with the diameter of bore 14. This terminates at plane 76 which is adapted to mate with sloped surface 56. The other leg 81 is hook-like and has a tapered radiused outer surface 80 which terminates at a radiused end 82 which blends into ramp surface 84.

This ramp surface is disposed at an angle of about twenty degrees with the axis of the shaft. This ramp terminates at an abutting stop surface 86, which stop surface extends to the undersurface of the hook which is substantially horizontal and is identified as 88.

Assembly of the Floating Paddle The assembly of the floating paddle of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 is accomplished by inserting the end of shanks 16 of each of the paddles 11 into opposite ends of through hole 14 of the main body 10. The paddles 11 are aligned with the blades and the hook ends disposed as shown in F IG. 3. A force is applied along the axis of the paddle shank 16 and in a direction toward the center of the main body 10. The hook projections when aligned at 180 to each other are brought into contact with each other and further insertion of the shanks of the paddles 11 cause the radial portions 27 to act as cams causing the hookprojections to deflect from their normal axis. As and when the deflection occurs, the relieved side portions approach the bore side wall allowing said hook-like projections to pass one another until insertion is completed with shoulder 22 engaging ends the relief and move to their formed condition whereat they like FlGQ3 andare interlocked. When interlocking has occurred the main body is retained by shoulders 22 and with the hooks engaged. the paddle members 11 cannot be removed unless. body 10.-is opened as by splitting.

Similarly, the alternate interlocking means of FIG. 4 is effected when the shank portions of the paddle are properly aligned. This alignment is achieved when the hook-like member 81 is brought into alignment with plane 56 and plane or surface 54 is aligned with ramp 84. Insertion to the full depth causes the hook-like projection to be deflected by surface 84 engaging the forward surface of plane 54 until the hook end enters into the recess 59. As seen in FIG. 4, the hook-like projection is interlocked into undercut 59 thereby effecting a positive interlock.

Operation of the Assembled Floating Paddle The assembled floating paddle may be used as a swimming aid and as a simple float by the user grasping the paddle shanks l6 and with the assembly providing the desired buoyancy. Where desired, the user can manipulate the paddle as a propelling means for swimming and as so utilized assists swimming. The floating paddle is manipulated as follows: the body of the floating paddle has sufficient buoyancy so that the paddle at least partially-floats on the'water and one of the extended paddle shank portions is grasped in each hand. The user raises and lowers each paddle and alternately pushes and pulls with each hand. The paddle portions are moved in a circular manner with submergence of the paddle blade in the water occurring on the pulling stroke and the raising the paddle blade above the water occurring on the pushing stroke. This repeated sequence providesa propelling and paddling motion during swimming. I

As a propelling means for water craft such as a canoe, the float is used as a paddle in the conventional manner. In the event of an accident the floating paddle can be used as a survival aid and a means for propelling oneself to safety.

While the bore 14 and the shanks 16 have been above-described as circular, it is, of course, contemplated that shaped bores such as hexagonal, rectangular or square can also be used. The float body 10 is preferably of a foam plastic with a skin which is abrasion resistant. The paddle members are also of a vmolded foam plastic and are semirigid, however, the

hook ends are sufficiently resilient so as to able to be deflected in the manner of a flat spring member and then snap back into position. The plastic used forthe method, metal leaf spring members may be molded into the hook end portions. Once the floating paddle assembly is assembled the interlocks prevent disasse'mbly unless the body 10 is destroyed then the paddle members may be used with a new body.

The method of making and assembling the abovedescribed floating paddle includes forming a main body of a foamed plastic and preferably by molding. This forming further includesforming' a passageway through the body-with the ends of the passageway having flat ends to provide engaging surfaces. This method further includes, forming substantially like paddles whose shank ends are eachlformed with hook-like configurations which with the paddles assembled in the body are adapted to be brought to an engaged and interlocked condition and when interlocked cannot be disengaged except by separating the body portion. The forming of each paddle includes providing a shoulder on the intermediate portion of the shank so that with the paddles in installed condition the shoulders on the shanks of the paddles retain the float body substantially midway of the paddle assembly.

Terms such as up. down. bottom, top, front, back, in. out, and the like are applicable to the embodiment shown and described. These terms are merely for the purposes of description and do not necessarily apply to the position in which the floating paddle may be constructed or used.

It is understood the invention is not limited to the depicted apparatus and that changes may be made within the scope of theaccompanying claims and protection is sought to the broadest extent the prior art allows.

What is claimed is:

1. A floating paddle for use'while swimming, boating and the like, said paddle including: (a) a main body member of buoyant material and formed with a through passageway; (b) a pair of paddle members of substantially like configuration and of buoyant material each having a shank portion whose ends and adjacent portions are sized to slidably enter and be retained in the through passageway provided in the main body member; (c) latching means cooperatively formed on each of the shank ends of paddles, said latching means includes a male projection portion formed on the end of one paddle shank, said male projection portion having a rectangular cross section having at least two sloped sides which taper slightly toward the distal end,

, the projection terminating on one side at its inner end tcrlock of the paddle shanks within the through passageway of the paddle body member. and (d) retaining means cooperatively formed on said shank portions of the paddles and the main body to establish and maintain said body at a determined linear position on said shank portions as and after the paddles are brought into interlocked condition.

2. The method of forming and assembling a floating paddle for use in swimming, boating and the like, said method including the steps of: (a) forming a main body of buoyant material and substantially axially therethrough a passageway of determined size and configuration: (12) forming a pair of paddle members of substantially like configuration and of buoyant material, each paddle formed with a shank portion whose end and adjacent portions are formed to slidably enter and be retained in the passageway through the main body; (6) forming the ends of the shanks of the paddles to provide cooperative latching and interlocking means on each shank end, the achieved interlock occurring when the ends are fully inserted into the passageway of the float body, said forming of a latching means on each of the ends of the paddles further including forming a male projection portion on the end of one paddle shank, said male projection portion formed with a rectangular cross section having at least two sloped sides which taper slightly toward the distal end and in one of the sides of the projection and at its inner end forming an undercut and forming the other paddle shank with its distal end having a U-shaped projection which includes one leg adapted to mate with one of the sloped sides of the male tapered projection on the other paddle shank end and forming the other projection portion of the U-shape with a hook-like projection disposed to engage the opposite sloped side until full engagement is achieved whereat the hook-like portion enters the undercut in the other shank member end to achieve an interlock of the paddle shanks within the through passageway of the paddle body member, and (d) forming a retaining means on the shank portions of the paddle, said retaining means cooperating with the passageway and the float body to establish and maintain said body at a determined linear position on said shank portions as and when the paddles are in interlocked condition.

Claims

1. A floating paddle for use while swimming, boating and the like, said paddle including: (a) a main body member of buoyant material and formed with a through passageway; (b) a pair of paddle members of substantially like configuration and of buoyant material each having a shank portion whose ends and adjacent portions are sized to slidably enter and be retained in the through passageway provided in the main body member; (c) latching means cooperatively formed on each of the shank ends of paddles, said latching means includes a male projection portion formed on the end of one paddle shank, said male projection portion having a rectangular cross section having at least two sloped sides which taper slightly toward the distal end, the projection terminating on one side at its inner end with a formed undercut; the other paddle shank having its distal end formed with a Ushaped projection which includes one leg adapted to mate with one of the sloped sides of the male tapered projection of the shank end of the other paddle and with the other projection portion of the U-shape having a hook-like projection adapted to engage the opposite sloped side of the male tapered projection until full engagement of the ends is achieved whereat the hook-like portion enters the undercut in the other shank member end to achieve an interlock of the paddle shanks within the through passageway of the paddle body member, and (d) retaining means cooperatively formed on said shank portions of the paddles and the main body to establish and maintain said body at a determined linear position on said shank portions as and after the paddles are brought into interlocked condition.

2. The method of forming and assembling a floating paddle for use in swimming, boating and the like, said method including the steps of: (a) forming a main body of buoyant material and substantially axially therethrough a passageway of determined size and configuration: (b) forming a pair of paddle members of substantially like configuration and of buoyant material, each paddle formed with a shank portion whose end and adjacent portions are formed to slidably enter and be retained in the passageway through the main body; (c) forming the ends of the shanks of the paddles to provide cooperative latching and interlocking means on each shank end, the achieved interlock occurring when the ends are fully inserted into the passageway of the float body, said forming of a latching means on each of the ends of the paddles further including forming a male projection portion on the end of one paddle shank, said male projection portion formed with a rectangular cross section having at least two sloped sides which taper slightly toward the distal end and in one of the sides of the projection and at its inner end forming an undercut and forming the other paddle shank with its distal end having a U-shaped projection which includes one leg adapted to mate with one of the sloped sides of the male tapered projection on the other paddle shank end and forming the other projection portion of the U-shape with a hook-like projection disposed to engage the opposite sloped side until full engagement is achieved whereat the hook-like portion enters the undercut in the other shank member end to achieve an interlock of the paddle shanks within the through passageway of the paddle body member, and (d) forming a retaining means on the shank portions of the paddle, said retaining means cooperating with the passageway and the float body to establish and maintain said body at a determined linear position on said shank portions as and when the paddles are in interlocked condition.