[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to devices for assisting in docking boats, and, more particularly, concerns a portable boat thruster for use with small boats.

[0003] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] A boat thruster assists a boater in positioning a boat particularly in docking. A typical boat thruster provides a side-directional thrust force for positioning the boat. Boat thrusters counter the drift current of the boat. Even with conventional boat thrusters mounted on boats, these do not always provide an easy way to dock a boat. Such conventional boat thrusters typically involve positioning a fixed a motorized propeller beneath the water line adjacent the boat, where rotation of the propeller blade can be controlled to counteract the unwanted lateral movement of the boat. However, permanent modifications to the boat are normally necessary in order to attach these boat thrusters to existing boats that were built without this device in mind.

[0005] Boat thrusters and submersed propeller devices are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,208,978 one boat thruster for a water vessel is attached to a boat with a submersible pumping unit for producing lateral thrust. The submersible pumping unit is mounted on the exterior of the hull at the boat. This is limited in its ease of position about the hull.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,024,038 discloses a side thruster for a small boat, which includes a valve, four water passageways fixed beneath the boat, and a pump. A diverter controls the flow through a desired port to thrust the boat in a desired position.

[0007] US20040266280A1 discloses another device provides a propulsion device assembly for producing an air flow to provide thrust, an exhaust air duct for expelling the air flow from the propulsion device assembly above or below the water line, pivoting apparatus for pivoting the boat thruster in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions, a support for supporting the propulsion device assembly, and a mounting assembly for mounting the boat thruster to the boat of the boat.

[0008] While prior devices the above devices may provide side-directional thrust movement for boats, improvement in the art are desired. More particularly, there is a need for a portable boat thruster that can be easily disposed in a desired location about the boat without the risk of injury to the thruster device or the boat and increased ease of use.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an improved boat thruster for a small boat.

[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide a hand held boat thruster that can be easily deployed at any location about the boat.

[0012] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a boat thruster that is low cost device.

[0013] Accordingly, the invention is directed to a boat thruster which includes a hand held control unit with a switch operably connected thereto, a shaft extending from the handle and connecting to propulsion device which is operably connected to the switch. The propulsion device can include a propeller for example which can be powered by a suitable power source such as a battery which is also operably connected to the switch.

[0014] A housing is preferably disposed about the propulsion device and can include a one or more intake ports on one side of the propulsion device with an outlet on the other side of the propulsion device through which the flow path is directed. A number of outlets can preferably be disposed on a distal end of the housing opposite the outlet. In this regard, the user can simply set the bumper against a boat hull and pivot the propulsion device in a desired direction.

[0015] The shaft may be of fixed length or include telescoping aspect and secured in place by a lock collar for allowing the thruster to be set to a desired length. Preferably, the propulsion device can include a motor, a propeller which can be electrically direct driven or mechanically indirectly driven. In accordance with the present invention, an improved boat thruster that is portable and may be easily disposed on a side of the boat of a small boat in a body of water is provided.

[0016] While objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will become evident as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings described below.

[0017] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The drawings are only for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. The invention may take form in various components and arrangements of components, and in various steps and arrangements of steps, the preferred embodiments of which will be illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an embodiment of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of another embodiment of the invention

FIG. 3 is an end view of the invention.

[0021] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of a housing in the disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 5 depicts a front end view of yet another embodiment of the invention.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a back end view of the embodiment in FIG. 5.

[0024] FIG. 7 is a side view of the embodiment in FIG. 5.

[0025] It is to be understood that the specific devices illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Therefore, specific examples and characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in FIGS. 1 -3 an improved boat thruster in embodiments 10, 10’, 10” , 10”’ which can be used with a boat 12. The boat 12 includes hull 14 configured to reduce drag through the water. The hull 14 of the boat 12 is submerged in a body of water.

[0028] In a first embodiment, the boat thruster 10 includes a hand held control unit 16 operably connected to a propulsion device 18. The propulsion device 18 is comprised of a motor 20, and a propeller 22 operably directly connected to a motor shaft 24. The hand held control unit 16 is connected to the propulsion device 18 by way of a shaft 26 which here is shown generally perpendicular or normal to a central axis A of the propeller 22.

[0029] The control unit 16 includes a power source 28, such as a rechargeable battery, which is operably connected to a rheostat switch 30 and connected trigger 32 which is preferably disposed in a handle 34. A head 36 of the control unit 16 can include a main on/off switch 38 actuated by an external actuator 40 wherein the main on/off switch 38 is operably connected to the rheostat switch and power source 28.

[0030] In this embodiment, a conductive line runs through the shaft 26 and is operably connected to the motor 20. With actuating the switches 38 and 30 in the on position, the trigger 32 can control the speed of the motor 20 and in turn propeller 22.

[0031] Disposed about the motor 20 and propeller is a housing 42 which includes first end 44 in which the propeller is operably disposed and a second end 46 in which the motor 20 can be disposed and preferably includes at least one opening surface 48 through which fluid (water) can pass. The housing 42 can be generally cylindrical with the first end 44 remaining open at a terminal point 50 and can be configured with the propeller 22 to be a size to maximize thrust within the housing 42. FIG. 4 depicts another embodiment of the housing 42’. Here, the housing includes a narrowing end 44’ and a larger end 46’ which is thought to aid thrust as a result of fluid flow increase from a larger to smaller volume throughput.

[0032] A bumper 52 can be provided at a terminal point 54 of the second end 46. The bumper 52 can be made of rubber or other suitable material to provide good tack against the boat hull 14 and minimize damage to the hull 14 and here is shown with a slightly arcuate exterior surface 53 to aid in pivoting the propulsion device 18. The bumper 52 can thus be positioned at a desired point against the hull 14. With the propeller 22 driving current and fluid flow from the second end 46 through the first end 44, a dynamic thrust force is achieved and hence aids the boater in maneuvering the boat 12. While the bumper 52 is shown on the end 46, it is envisioned that there could be one or more bumpers laterally disposed on the housing 42. As depicted in FIG. 4, the bumper 52’ can be arcuate or doughnut shaped which can serve to more easily locate the bumper 52’ on the hull 14.

[0033] The embodiment in FIG. 2 differs in that the motor 20’ can be disposed in the head 36 of the control unit 16. A drive shaft 56 is operably connected to the motor 20’ and connecting to a gear box 58 which in turn operably connects to the drive shaft 24 of propeller 22. The housing 42 can be likewise made of a suitable material to minimize potential damage to the hull 14. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the such materials could be made from plastics if desired.

[0034] The boat thruster 10, 10’, 10”, 10”’ thus produces the necessary sidedirectional thrust force for maneuvering the boat 12. The propulsion device 18 is sized to provide a thrust force that is suitable for the boat 14 against which it will be used. Further, in this configuration, the boat thruster 10, 10’ is configured to not be subject to damage from hitting objects in the water.

[0035] The parts of the boat thruster 10, 10’, 10” that are exposed to the water are made from corrosion resistant material, such as stainless steel, plastic, rubber and/or fiberglass. The boat thruster 10, 10’ may be treated with a corrosion resistant coating, such as paint.

[0036] It is envisioned that the shaft 26 could be telescoping to provide for adjustments to the length and may be easily secured in place by means of a lock collar or other similar locking mechanism known to those skilled in the art. Thus, an advantage of the improved boat thruster constructed in accordance with the embodiments of the invention is that it can be easily disposed in the water with dynamic use in docking a boat.

[0037] FIGS. 5-7 depict yet another embodiment in the disclosure. Here, hand held control unit 116 operably connected to a propulsion device 118. The propulsion device 118 is comprised of a motor 120, and an impeller 122 operably connected to a motor shaft 124 by way of a gear box mechanism 125. The drive shaft 124 can be retained by support bearing 127 at end 147. The hand held control unit 116 is connected to the propulsion device 118 by way of a shaft 126 which here is shown generally perpendicular or normal to a central axis of the propeller 122.

[0038] The control unit 116 includes a power source 128, such as a battery, and is operably connected to a trigger switch 130 disposed in a rear handle 134 and delivers power to motor 120 via line 129 which runs through the shaft 126 and is operably connected to the motor 120. A forward handle 136 of the control unit 116 is also provided to assist in the operation and control of the device 10”’. The control unit 116 has an arm 138 which can be telescoping includes a hinge 140 and is connected to shaft 126 via a threaded bolt and knob 142. With actuating the trigger switches 130 in the on position, one can control the speed of the motor 120 and in turn impeller 122.

[0039] An extension section 127 can be suitably disposed about shaft 126 and include an adjustable locking connector 131 . In this way the control unit 116 and propulsion device 118 can be relatively fixed in position for the particular watercraft.

[0040] A bumper 152 can be provided rearwardly as before described at end 146. The bumper 152 can be made of rubber or other suitable material to provide good tack against the boat hull 14 and minimize damage to the hull 14. Disposed within the end 146 adjacent the bumper 152 is a float 153 which can be of a suitable buoyant foam material. The float 153 maintains the propulsion device 118 at a level in water to maintain some components above water. Bottom of end 146 includes an intake gate 149 to let water into and move through end 147 which includes a grill 157 to prevent debris or otherwise prevent unwanted access to the impeller 122.

[0041] The bumper 152 can thus be positioned at a desired point against the hull 14. With the impeller 122 driving current and fluid flow from the second end 146 through the first end 147, a dynamic thrust force is achieved and hence aids the boater in maneuvering the boat.

[0042] The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalence thereof.