Solar powered raft with guidance system

• US 6,000,353 A
• Filed: 06/01/1998
• Issued: 12/14/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Douglas F De Leu
• Original Assignee: Douglas F De Leu
• Inventors: De Leu, Douglas F.
• Primary Examiner(s): BASINGER, SHERMAN D
• Application Number:
  US09/087,961
• Time in Patent Office: 561 Days
• Field of Search: 441/35, 441/130-132, 440/6, 440/63, 114/61.1, 114/61.22, 114/61.24
• US Class Current: 114/61.1
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 1/121 comprising two hulls B63B1/107 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2209/18 solar energy
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 34/50 Body-supporting buoyant devices, e.g. bathing boats or water cycles swimming aids A63B31/00
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 20/12 Means enabling steering
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 2021/171 making use of photovoltaic energy conversion, e.g. using solar panels
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 21/17 by electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B63H 25/10 with mechanical transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 70/5236 Renewable or hybrid-electric solutions

Abstract

A pontoon raft having a hand controlled steering mechanism and solar cells for powering an outboard electric motor. The raft has an adjustable lounge chair located between the pontoons, for supporting an occupant in a seated or reclined position.

Claims

1. A solar powered raft comprising;

a pair of pontoons interconnected in fixed spaced relationship to each other, each of said pontoons having a substantially flat upwardly facing surface adapted for use as arm rest, at least one of said pontoons having a control panel mounted upon said substantially flat surface of said at least one of said pontoons, and carrying at least one solar photovoltaic cell;

a chair suspended between said pontoons and having a seat and an adjustable back, said seat being maintained in substantial horizontal alignment therewith;

propulsion means positioned rearwardly of said chair and between said pontoons, for propelling the raft across and atop a body of water;

first control means upon said control panel and interconnected with said propulsion means and said solar photovoltaic cell for controlling the speed of the raft; and

second control means adjacent said control panel for controlling the course of the raft, and comprising;

a shaft having a first end and a second end, there further being a first bearing at said first end and a second bearing at said second end, said bearings rotatably supporting said shaft;

a control stick for manually controlling said shaft by rotation thereof, said control stick projecting upwardly from said shaft proximate said first end of said shaft and perpendicularly thereto, said control stick frictionally lockable upon said pontoon for releasably securing the position thereof;

a rod projecting downwardly from said shaft proximate said second end of said shaft and lying in the same plane as said control stick; and

a trace having a first end, a second end, a first universal joint and a second universal joint, said first end connected using said first universal joint to said rod and said second end connected using said second universal joint to said propulsion means for transmitting motion from said rod to said propulsion means.

2. The raft according to claim 1, wherein said propulsion means comprise an electric motor, a vertical drive shaft and a propeller, said motor being in driving engagement with said propeller via said vertical shaft.

3. The raft according to claim 2, there being means interconnecting said electric motor with said photovoltaic cell so that said electric motor is powered by said at least one solar photovoltaic cell.

4. The raft according to claim 3, including at least one battery located within one of said pontoons, for delivering power to said electric motor.

5. The raft according to claim 4, there further being means for allowing said battery to be recharged by said solar photovoltaic cell.

6. The raft according to claim 5, including conductive wiring for interconnecting said solar photovoltaic cell, said battery, said first control means, and said electric motor, said wiring being located within at least one of said pontoons whereby said pontoon shields said wiring from water.

7. The raft according to claim 1, further comprising a tube attached between said pontoons and being disposed perpendicularly thereto, whereby said propulsion means is supported by said tube, said tube being adapted to receive said vertical shaft of said propulsion means.