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A motorized propulsion device for swimmers and scuba divers which is to be attached to the user's forearms. The battery, motor, propeller and propeller shroud are arranged in a compact, linear, hydrodynamic manner. The watertight housing may have one or more integrally shaped nesting protuberances to comfortably accommodate the user's forearm and thereby prevent slippage. The front end surface of the housing has a control panel within reach of the user's fingers.

Inventor: Michael Borges
Primary Examiner: Clifford T. Bartz
Current U.S. Classification: 114/338; 415/221; 416/63; 416/170.00R; 440/6; 440/67; 440/70; D21/804
International Classification: B63B 2100

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Citations

Cited PatentFiling dateIssue dateOriginal AssigneeTitle
US1512391Jun 11, 1923Oct 21, 1924PADDLE
US1579529Apr 15, 1925Apr 6, 1926 HASCHKE
US2543078May 31, 1946Feb 27, 1951EXPENDABLE PULLER
US2722021Oct 12, 1951Nov 1, 1955 KEOGH-DWYER
US3034467Oct 13, 1958May 15, 1962PESTRONK
US31287391964COMBINED PROPELLING AND BREATHING
US3329118Mar 23, 1966Jul 4, 1967BATTERY OPERATED PROPULSION UNIT FOR SWIMMERS
US3422787May 31, 1967Jan 21, 1969PROPULSION SYSTEM FOR SWIMMERS
US3441952Dec 4, 1967Apr 29, 1969HAND HELD PROPULSION UNIT
US3635188Aug 8, 19691972UNDERWATER PROPULSION DEVICE
US3685480Apr 14, 19701972PERSONAL UNDERWATER VEHICLE
US3789792Feb 3, 19721974MOTORIZED SWIMMING AID
US3916814Sep 4, 19741975UNDERWATER PROPULSION DEVICES
US3995578Oct 3, 1975Dec 7, 1976Scuba divers propulsion unit
US4220110May 1, 1978Sep 2, 1980Underwater propulsion unit

Referenced by

Citing PatentFiling dateIssue dateOriginal AssigneeTitle
US4843998Dec 11, 1987Jul 4, 1989Submersible drive means
US4938722Jun 29, 1989Jul 3, 1990Fisherman's float propelling system
US5024178Feb 14, 1990Jun 18, 1991Underwater propulsion device
US5105753Feb 27, 1990Apr 21, 1992Multi-purpose underwater propelling device
US5482485Aug 22, 1994Jan 9, 1996Aquatic maneuvering device
US5704817Apr 16, 1996Jan 6, 1998Water surface propulsion device
US5947782Nov 12, 1997Sep 7, 1999Motorized tubular flotation apparatus
US6036555Mar 19, 1998Mar 14, 2000One-hand held float drive
US6341993Sep 5, 2000Jan 29, 2002Motorized swim fin
US6823813Sep 5, 2003Nov 30, 2004Leg-mounted propulsion device for swimmers and divers
USD643084Oct 27, 2009Aug 9, 2011Mayhem UK LtdHand held underwater propulsion device

Claims

1. An underwater propulsion device for an individual of the type in which a battery-driven motor in a housing operates a propeller, in which the improvement comprises:

A single housing containing the battery and motor lying along the line of maximum thrust of the propeller, said single housing also containing a control switch on the forward end, and
a plurality of strap attachments to attach the housing of the device along the forearm of the user, and
switch means on the forward surface of the housing, located within reach of the user's fingers on the forearm to which the device is attached for switching the motor on and off, and
a shroud around the propeller which serves the threefold purpose of protecting the user, preventing fouling of the propeller, and increasing the efficiency of the propeller.

2. An underwater propulsion device for an individual of the type in which the shaft of a battery-driven motor in an otherwise sealed housing passes through a rotary seal to operate an external propeller, comprising:

A single housing containing the battery and motor lying along the line of maximum thrust of the propeller, said single housing also containing a control switch on the forward end, and
at least one protuberance on the housing for nesting the device along the forearm of the user, and
switch means on the forward surface of the housing located within reach of the fingers belonging to the forearm to which the device is attached, for switching the motor on and off, and
a plurality of strap attachments to attach the housing of the device along the forearm of the user, and
speed control means located within reach of the fingers of the forearm to which the device is attached, and
a shroud around the propeller, said shroud being spaced from the housing and mounted to the housing.

3. An underwater propulsion device for an individual in which the shaft of a battery-driven motor in an otherwise sealed housing passes through a rotary seal to operate an external propeller, comprising:

A single housing containing the battery and motor lying along the line of maximum thrust of the propeller, said single housing also containing a control switch on the forward end, and
at least one protuberance on the housing for nesting the device along the forearm of the user, and
a plurality of strap attachments to attach the housing of the device to the forearm of the user, and
switch means on the forward surface of the housing located within reach of the fingers belonging to the forearm to which the device is attached, for switching the motor on and off, and
speed control means located within reach of the fingers of the forearm to which the device is attached, and
a shroud around the propeller, said shroud being mounted on the housing, and
propulsion water inlet means protruding beyond the surface of said single housing, located between the aft end of the housing and said shroud.

4. An underwater propulsion device as described in claim 1, further comprising:

an electric lamp located in the forward portion of the watertight housing, and
second switch means for connecting said electric lamp to the battery.

5. An underwater propulsion device as described in claim 3, further comprising:

an electric lamp located in the forward portion of the sealed housing, and
second switch means for connecting said electric lamp to the battery.

Drawings