CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit provisional application no. 62/446,417, filed January 2017, for a Paddle with Rotor by the inventor herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a paddle having a paddle blade that employs auto-gyro principles. Such a paddle may increase paddling efficiency, have a reduced or more compact stowage position, are/or be more ergonomic and thus reduce paddler fatigue, among other features. In addition, the present invention relates to paddles for use with recreational watercraft such as stand-up paddle boards, canoes, kayaks, row boats, and others.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various paddle-based recreational activities are known, including stand-up paddle boarding, canoeing, rowing and kayaking. A conventional paddle has a handle, shaft and blade. The blade is typically wide and thin, and a personal watercraft is propelled by a user extending the blade forward (blade face perpendicular to the line of direction of travel) , inserting the blade into water, and pulling the blade rearward, thereby thrusting the watercraft forward. Conventional wooden paddles are typically made by gluing together many pieces of wood, machining those joined pieces to form a "paddle shape" and then treating the shaped paddle with a substance to reduce absorption of water. Conventional paddles may also be formed of carbon fiber, light-weight metal, plastic, fiberglass, and combinations of these materials. Regardless, each of these paddles as a typical paddle shape with a broad paddle face .

There is a need, however, for a paddle that improves paddling efficiency to thereby permit a user to paddle faster or for a longer period of time. There is also a need for a paddle that is conveniently stowed and transported. Furthermore, there is a need for a paddle configured such that in use, strain on a user' s joints and body is reduced, i.e., paddling may be achieved in a manner that is more ergonomic and/or efficient (for a given paddler) .

The present invention also involves auto-gyro or auto-rotation principles and techniques. Auto-gyro may refer to the use of an unpowered rotor. Auto-gyro aircraft are known that include an engine for thrust and an auto- gyro for lift. Helicopters use auto-gyro to achieve a safe landing when their engine has failed. The inventor herein is unaware of the use of auto-gyro or the like in paddles that propel watercraft. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a paddle having a movable blade that improves paddling efficiency and/or effectiveness. It is another object of the present invention to provide a paddle that incorporates auto-gyro principles to improve paddle performance.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a paddle that may be readily and conveniently stowed and transported. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a paddle that achieves a low resistance "return" path through water, allowing a user to bring the paddle forward through the water as opposed to lifting it out. These and related objects of the present invention are achieved by use of a paddle having a movable blade as described herein.

The attainment of the foregoing and related advantages and features of the invention should be more readily apparent to those skilled in the art, after review of the following more detailed description of the invention taken together with the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figs. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a paddle in accordance with the present invention in a "stowed" position and an "in-use" position, respectively.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a paddle having an auto-gyro paddle blade in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a "kayak" style paddle in accordance with the present invention.

Figs. 5 and 6 are side views of another embodiment of a rotary blade paddle in accordance with the present invention .

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the paddle of Figs showing rotation.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a blade member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, perspective views of paddle 10 are shown with the paddle blade 40 in a "stowed" position and an "in-use" position, respectively, in accordance with the present invention. Paddle blade 40 is preferably configured for auto-gyro functioning. Paddle 10 may include a handle 12 and a shaft 14.

Suitable paddle handles and shafts are known in the art. The shaft may be generally longitudinally disposed and the handle may extend generally laterally from the shaft. The fingers of a user wrap around the laterally disposed "axis" of the handle and permit a user to accurately orient the blade 40 in water. More specifically, handle 12 is oriented with shaft 14 such that the orientation of the handle relative the shaft is consistent with the orientation of blade 40 relative to shaft 14, permitting a user to orient blade 40 in water by orienting handle 12 to a desired position above the water. Blade 40 is located at the bottom end of shaft 14 (substantially opposite handle 12) . In Fig. 1, blade 40 is covered by a sliding cover 18 and thus is shown in phantom lines. In Fig. 2, sliding cover 18 is pulled back and the blade is exposed. Sliding cover 18 affords a compact and convenient shape for stowage and transport. The cover may be releasably, lockably fixed in a given position and biased towards open or closed. Fig. 1 also shows that shaft 14 is preferably hollow and thus light weight.

In the embodiment of Fig. 2, blade 40 has two blade members 42,44, which are described in more detail below with reference to Figs. 3-4. While two blade members are shown, it should be recognized that more than two may be provided without deviating from the present invention. Blade 40 is preferably coupled to rotate freely relative to shaft 14. A rotary coupling member or mechanism 46 (which may be a pin or rod or ball-bearings or other) may couple the blade to the shaft. Suitable coupling members/mechanisms are known in the art. The axis of rotation 45 of blade 40 is shown in Fig. 2 with a dashed line .

Blade 40 is preferably configured with shaft 14 and handle 12 so that when the paddle is extended forward and inserted into water, blade 40 is oriented substantially perpendicular to the line of travel of the device, for straight forward travel (as is the case with a conventional paddle) . As the paddle is pulled backwards, the pulling force is exerted on the rear "face" of each blade member. This pulling force by the user results in a pushing force onto the faces of the blade members. The blade members are preferably arranged with an auto-gyro configuration such that the push force on their faces causes rotation which in turn causes "lift" that resists the pulling force, thereby facilitating propulsion.

As a result of this auto-gyro or auto-rotation configuration, greater paddling efficiency is achieved, yet with a smaller, more lightweight and more easily stowed paddle blade arrangement.

Referring to Fig. 3, a perspective view of another embodiment of a paddle 110 in accordance with the present invention is shown. Fig. 3 illustrates the lower portion of paddle 110, thus illustrating blade 140 which is preferably configured for auto-gyro functioning.

Blade 140 may be similar to blade 40 of Fig. 2, and may have two blade members 142,144 and be coupled for free (and unpowered, thus "auto") rotation about an axis 145 as the blade is pulled through water. Fig. 3 illustrates a blade shape in which the blade members are substantially straight and broad. The blade members 142,144 each have a face 141,143, respectively, that has an auto-gyro orientation that initiates or causes the blade members to rotate when pulled through water (i.e., when a push force is exerted on the faces as described above) . Arrow R indicates this rotation (when paddle 110 is pulled generally from left to right, in the perspective of Fig. 3, in a path substantially parallel with the axis of rotation . The blade face is preferably substantially flat (see Fig. 8), though may be otherwise configured without departing from the present invention. Auto-gyro blade or "foil" arrangements are known in the art. The desired angle of attach may vary based on factors known to influence auto-gyro foil shape (temperature, weather, shape of foil, etc.), without departing from the present invention . Referring to Fig. 4, another embodiment of a paddle

240 in accordance with the present invention is shown. Paddle 240 includes blade 140 of paddle 110 (of Fig. 3), yet on both ends of shaft 214, thus forming what is typically known as a "kayak" paddle, i.e., blades on both end of a shaft.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, side views of another embodiment of an auto-gyro paddle 310 in accordance with the present invention are shown. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of paddle 310. Note that Figs. 5-7 show a lower portion of the paddle.

Paddle 310 includes a blade 340 having first and second blade members 342,344 (only blade member 342 is shown in Figs. 5-6; blade member 344 is shown in Fig. 7) . The blade members are coupled to a mounting member 350 that is coupled via rotary shaft 346 to handle shaft 314. The rotary shaft 346 defines an axis of rotation 345 (similar to axes of rotation 45, 145) . In use, mounting member 350 rotates freely about shaft 314 (in a manner similar to the hub of blade 40 rotating about rotary coupling mechanism 46) . In contrast to blade members 42,44,142,144 of Figs. 1-3 that have fixed positions relative to their hubs, blade members (or foils) 342,344 are pivotally movable between a rearward pull (auto-gyro function) position and a forward return position. Fig. 5 illustrates the pull position, in which the face 341 of member 342 is generally perpendicular to the direction of travel, T. Force exerted on auto-gyro oriented face 341 causes the blade members to rotate as paddle 310 is pulled through water. Arrow R of Fig. 7 indicates this rotation.

Mounting member 350 may include two stop pins 355,357. Pin 355 stops blade member 342 in a position for auto-gyro function (i.e., initiating rotation and enhancing resistance and hence propulsion) . In Fig. 5, paddle 310 is being pulled rearward, in the direction of arrow A (substantially opposite arrow T) and the blade members are in an "auto-gyro position." In Fig. 6, paddle 310 is being pushed forward, in the direction of arrow B (the same as arrow T) and the blade members are in a "return position."

Forward movement of the paddle causes the blade members 342,344 to pivot rearward until they contact stop pin 357. In this position, the blade members generally present a low profile and low resistance to forward movement .

Hence, paddle 310 of Figs. 5-6 has blade members that are movable between a pull position (the auto-gyro orientation of Fig. 5) in which the watercraft is propelled and a return position in which they present a low profile and low resistance to forward movement. This configuration allows the return of paddle 310 (to commence a new pull stroke) without lifting the blade 340 out of the water. The ability to propel the device without lifting the blade out of water may be particularly beneficial to paddlers with shoulder or back problems (or the like) as it may cause less aggravation. The return stroke may also be quicker as the paddle need not be lifted vertically out of water, moved forward, and then moved vertically downward into position for the next stroke. This arrangement also facilitates use of paddles that descend further into water than conventional paddles.

Referring to Fig. 8, a cross-sectional view of a blade member 442 is shown. Any of blade members 42,44,142,144,342,344 may be configured as blade member 442. Blade member or foil 442 may have an auto-gyro shape from leading edge 461 to trailing edge 462. In a preferred embodiment, this is a hydrofoil auto-gyro shape. The face 441 may be substantially flat. Fig. 8 illustrates a preferred orientation and indicates the direction of travel, T, and the direction the blade is being pulled, A. It can be seen that blade member is oriented with a negative angle of attack. Foils for auto-gyro function are known in the art .

Referring to Fig. 5, it can be seen that the orientation of blade member 342 may be angled (other than the angle of attach) from the central axis of shaft 314. Many conventional paddles have a similar offset angle between the shaft and paddle blade to improve efficiency. Furthermore, rotary shaft 346 may be coupled to shaft 314 with a limited pivotal range of movement to allow the faces to better track or engage (i.e., for auto-gyro function) the water through which they are being pulled. While the invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification, and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention following, in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth, and as fall within the scope of the invention and the limits of the appended claims.