AU631706B2

AU631706B2 - Underwater viewing craft

Info

Publication number: AU631706B2
Application number: AU68244/90A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Michael John Gollop
Original assignee: JODSON Pty Ltd
Current assignee: JODSON Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1990-12-19
Filing date: 1990-12-19
Publication date: 1992-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 2010-12-19
Also published as: AU6824490A

Description

i 1706 COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA 6 7 0 6 Patent Act 1952 r n M D T. V TiM R S^ *f J. L- J SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

Class Int. Class Application Number Lodged t C VI Complete Specification Lodged Accepted C #0 Published 0* 00 o Priority: Related Art ,Name of Applicant JODSON PTY. LIMITED S"Address of Applicant 1st Floor, 1015-1023 Old Princes t'l Highway, Engadine 2233, Australia Actual Inventor Michael John Gollop ,Address for Service F.B. RICE CO., Patent Attorneys, 28A Montague Street, BALMAIN. 2041.

Complete Specification for the invention entitled: "Underwater Viewing Craft" The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us:- I The present invention relates to an underwater viewing craft intended for use by an individual in viewing underwater scenes such as coral reefs.

The viewing of underwater scenes is normally carried out either by the use of scuba-diving equipment or by the use of a mask and schnorkel. The object of the present invention is to provide an alternative which is less demanding in terms of effort and technique and is particularly suitable for use by people such as tourists oo 10 who wish to experience the pleasures of underwater viewing °P individually but without the necessity for the training 0 and experience required of the methods described above.

o .o The present invention consists in an underwater viewing craft comprising a boardlike body of material 15 capable of supporting in the water a person lying in a prone position on the body, an area of transparent material formed in the body through which the underwater area beneath the craft may be viewed by a person on the oQ craft, there being secured to the underside of the body a o° 20 propulsion unit powered by an internal combustion engine, constructed and arranged to operate underwater, the body carrying tanks for fuel and air connected to the internal 0C0ttn _e6-to -tO -o-he- r&vtc AK 0' combustion engine, a schnorkel pipe projecting upwardly from the upper surface of the body through which air for 4i 25 the internal combustion engine can be drawn, means in the Sschnorkel pipe prevent the accidental ingress of water and means on the board operable by a user to control the propulsion unit.

In order that the invention may be better understood a preferred form thereof is hereinafter described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a craft according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view from above of the craft of :3

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2 Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view from below of the craft of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is the side elevation of the craft, of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the craft of Fig. 1; and Fig. 6 is a rear elevation of the craft of Fig. 1.

The craft illustrated in the accompanying drawings consists of a boardlike body 10 which is made from a light 10 weight buoyant material such as foam polystyrene covered .o with a suitable coating resistant to the action of petrol, o o ultraviolet light and other agencies likely to affect it.

9 B Towards the forward end of the body 10 is a viewing window 0 90 o 00 11 set into the body and made of a clear transparent material such as polycarbonate. The proportions of the board are such that a person lying prone on the board will have his head opposite the viewing window. With this in mind it is contemplated that the craft would be made in a oo ,1 variety of different sizes for use by men, women or 20 children.

9 Attached to the underside of the board is a propulsion unit 12 which may consist of a propeller 13 driven by an internal combustion engine designed for operation under water such as that manufactured by "Arkos'" S 25 of Brescello, Italy. The propulsion unit is secured firmly to the board and is also supported by the skid rail 14 which also acts to protect the propulsion unit. Fins project from the underside of the board 10, and these assist in retaining directional stability of the craft when under power.

The skid rail 14 is carried forwardly of the craft to constitute a handle 16 by which the craft may be carried, the handle being preferrably covered with a layer of "Neoprene" rubber. Mounted on the handle 16 is a throttle control 17 and electric starter control 18 which is 3 connected to an electric starter included in the propulsion unit.

On the upper surface of the board 10 is a housing which contain a fuel tank (not seen) for supplying fuel to the propulsion unit and an air tank (not seen) for supplying air to the propulsion unit to which is connected the schnorkel tube 21. The housing also contains a battery (not seen) which is connected to the starter of the propulsion unit and also to a built-in charger contained in the propulsion unit. With the upper end of ,4 the schnorkel tube 21 is a valve system 22 which allows air to enter the tube but prevents water from entering in •the event of the upper end of the schnorkel tube being submerged.

In use a user lies on the board, in a prone position, with his head opposite the viewing window 11 and holds onto the handle 16. The propulsion unit is started by means of the starter 18 and subsequently controlled by r means of the throttle control 17 which can be operated while holding handle 16. Propulsion units of the order of 2-10 H.P. may be used according to the speed that it is desired the craft should attain. However, it is contemplated that underwater viewing will be carried out at a relatively slow speed.

t The embodiment of the invention described is given by way of example only as constituting a preferred form of the invention within the scope of the succeeding claims.

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Claims

1. An underwater viewing craft comprising a boardlike body of material capable of supporting in the water a person lying in a prone position on the body, an area of transparent material formed in the body through which the underwater area beneath the craft may be viewed by a person on the craft, there being secured to the underside of the body a propulsion unit powered by an internal combustion engine, constructed and arranged to operate underwater, the body carrying tanks for fuel and air connected to the internal combustion engine, a schnorkel o-onne-+,fl -kt e ar- a t-k e, pipe projecting upwardly from the upper surface of the body through which air for the internal combustior engine can be drawn, means in the schnorkel pipe prevent the accidental ingress of water and means on the board operable by a user to control the propulsion unit.

2. A craft as claimed in claim 1 wherein the propulsion unit includes a propeller driven by the internal combustion engine.

3. A craft as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 including a skid rail extending beneath the body and acting to support and to protect the propulsion unit.

4. A craft as claimed in claim 3 wherein the skid rail is extended forwardly of the body to form a carrying handle.

A craft is claimed anyone of the preceding claims wherein a housing is provided on the upper surface of the body to contain air and petrol tanks connected to the propulsion unit, a schnorkel tube being connected to the air tank and having on its valve means to prevent the ingress of water. i

6. An underwater viewing craft substantially as described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. DATED this 17th day of December 1990 Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: F.B. RICE CO. t i I t t 1 i 'I