959,272 Index at acceptance Tnternational Classification 10 ry 2 25 35 40 PATENT SPECIFICATION DRAWINGS ATTACHED Bb B63 h) 959.272 Date of filing Complete Specification (under Section 3 (3) of the Patents ‘Act, 1949) Sept. 6, 1960. ‘Application Date Sept. 9, 1959. Application Date May 2, 1960. Complete Specification Published May 27, 1964. © Crown Copyright 1964. No, 30764)59. No, 15317/60. -B7 A(8D3, X10); B7 VGI1, 40, 47) COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Improvements in Water-borne Craft I, Atsxsanpze Wozwtax, of Polish nation- ality, of 174, Becontree Avenue, Dagenham, Essex, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray thet a patent may be granted 10 me, andthe method by which it is t0 be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statemes “The present invention relates to water-borne craft for personal use and suitable particularly for diversion, amusement and/or exercise and it has for its object 10 provide a group or assembly of articles which may be used in various ways; for example component parts thereof may be used separately for different purposes. ‘The invention consists in a water-borne craft comprising a pair of elongated buoyant mem- bers having intermediately positioned means adapted to accommodate the two fect of a user to form a pair of skis, a vessel adapted 10 be positioned between said members with the prows, of the three components approxi- mately coincident, and means interconnecting ssid three components for limited relative ‘movement. The vessel may be provided with means to accommodate a mast which may carry a. sail and/or it may have @ propeller driven cither by man-power or by an inboard or outboard motor. "The features of the invention ate shown by ‘way of example on the accompanying drawing ts applied t0 several embodiments, wherein Fig. 1 is a general view of the parts as- sembled, ‘Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of an alternative arrangement, Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the arange- meat of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 is a sketch showing one form of drive for a propeller, Figs. 5 10 7 show a sk-stick in various func~ sional positions, Figs. 8 and 9 are side and plan views of 1 further embodiment of the invention Fig. 10 isa detail view in. perspective showing the interconnection of the compon- ent parts Fig. 11 and 12 are views showing alternative forms of ski-stick Figs, 13 and 14 are side elevation ond plan view respectively of a legging fiting, Fig. 15 shows an alternative method of ‘connection of certain of the component part Fig. 16 is a section on the line A—A of Fig. 9, and ‘Fig. 17 shows in diogremmatic form an- other set of component. parts assembled to form a canoe-tike craft. ‘As, shown in Figs. 1 to 3. the complete set of main parts are in coupled assembly and Comprise a centrally positioned water-borne vessel 8, which may be of similar shape and Size to ¢ canoe. It may comprise a rigid frame Covered in the nocmal manner inthis art with a flexible skin or covering, or with a relatively Sift covering. When a flexible skin is used the frame itself may be arranged to be readily taken part and reassembled in accordance with well-known practice. The other main parts 9 fare long and narrow and are suited tachment to the uscr’s feet, and thus may be regarded as water skis, and will be so referred to hereinafter. They may be of similar con- struction to the vessel 8, are located on etch side of the vessel 8 and are provided with foot holes 10. Each of the water ski components 9 is relatively long and narrow as indicated in the drawing, and is eultuble for supporting fuser by hig two feet directly on the water surface, thus providing equipment which in ‘the colloquial sense may be regarded as appro- priate for “walking on water”. The vessel 8 and the water skis 9 are flexibly connected at one end and may be detached when required; as shown two plies of 50 0 6 610 6 5 5 50 55 959,272 fiexible material 11 are folded ia U-form around the prow of the vessel 8 and are fixedly connected one to the other along a ver- tical fold and to the vessel at the prow tip. ‘The prow of each ski 9 fits between the plies 1 and is camected. to the lis by menns of a pivot pin 12. This arrangement permits ‘movement in all directions so that the com plete assembly shown on Fig. 1 adjusts itself to the wave formation on the water surface and gives stability to the parts when used in this form, In this case rudders 13 may be fitted to the rear parts of the skis and are linked by cables 14 to a suitable steering control, not shown, ‘on the vessel 8. These rudders’ may be re- moved when the skis 9 are detached from the vessel 8 ‘The skis themselves may be formed in any convenient manner and they may comprise a flexible skin held or stretched over rigid frames, the frames themselves bei readily taken apart so that the sl folded into small compass. The foot holes 10 ray be formed in separate unit assemblies, In some case adjustment of the foot hole assem- es 10 to secure correct balance is desirable since different position may be required according to whether the skis are utilised on their own or are linked with the vessel 8. ‘When connected with the vessel a control system is utilised consisting of a cable or rope 1S detachably fixed at one end to a. hook of the like 16 at the front of cach ski, the cable or rope passing through a guide loop 161 adapted to be mounted at diferent positions in any of a series of apertures 19 in the skis 9. The other end of the cable or rope is de- tachably fixed at 17 to the side of the vessel 8. The cable 15 may inchude 2 tension spring 18 and it will be seen that the function of ‘these pars isto tend to draw the sks 9 towards the vessel while permitting spring controlled ‘outward pivotal movement when required. ‘The vessel may be provided towards the frat witha ostet 20 adaped wo acommo. date 2 detachable mast suitable for carrying 4 small sail and if desired said socket 20 may serve as @ guide for a driving cable 21 looped around a pulley attached t0 the mast and extending rearwardly and then dowa- ‘wardly over guide pulleys 22 for operating a tiving unit shown in Fig. 4 for a propeller 3. ‘This unit may be housed within a fin, 24 which may be removable from the vessel when required. The propeller 23 may for example be driven by a flexible shaft 25’part of which extends vertically and is linked to a rotatable ‘vertical spindle 26 carrying a driving cross pin 27 and rotatably mounted driving ratchets 28, 29 engaged by the cables 21 and driven in’ “opposite directions thereby. ‘The cable 21 is of endless form the direction being reversed by an idler pulley 30 so that for ane direction of movement of the cable 21 one ratchet 28 drives the pin 27 in one direction while the other ratchet 29 rotates in the other direction. Teeth on the ratchet elements are adapted to engage the driving pin 27 and, for example as shown in Fig. 4, when the cable 21 is being moved upwardly the ratchet 28 engages the driving pin 27 and drives the spindle 26 in the anticlockwise direction as seen from above, When the direction of travel of the rope is reversed the other ratchet 29 comes into operation and drives the pin 27 80 as to continse the rotation of the spindle 26 in the same direction, Springs 31. serve to maintain the ratchets 28, 29 in engagement with the driving pin 27 so that one of them is always operative while the other may free-whecl. ‘A. projecting stub 33 on the spindle 26 is adapted for connection +0 a driving motor should this be required, said motor being for ‘example mounted on the rear ledge 34 of the vessel, Alternatively, the whole unit 24 can tbe removed and 2 normal type of outboard ‘motor unit fitted in place thereof. Tn the arrangement shown manual handles 35 are provided which may be con- nected to short lengths of cable 36 which are spliced at suitable points to the cables 21. An ‘occupant of the vessel 8 may now actuate the handles 35 to propel the vessel by man power. ‘When the vessel 8 is used on its own a suit- able rudder attachment can be fitted for steer- ing purposes or the whole unit 24 may be rotatable about an approximately vertical axis for steering purposes. It will, however, be understood that the drive unit 24 may be re- moved when it is desired to use the vessel 4s a canoe and, of course, it may also be used with a paddle or as a punt and in some cases a single paddle or oar may be used fom the rear with a reciprocating movement. OF course, when the vesel 8 is fitted with 4 driving propeller 23, whether operated by ran power or by a motce or when a separate outboerd motor is used, this vessel may. be employed as @ tug or tractor in front of a user carried by the water skis 9, 2 trailing cable. or rope being held by the persons using the skis and in some cases it is pocsible to provide a remote control for the motor oper- ated by the person on the skis so. that the vessel itself need not be occupied. The equip- ment shown may be utilised in a. variety of ways for amusement and diversion... When the skis 9 are utilised in the manner of water skis it is convenient to make use of a pro- peller device in the nature of a skistick, ex- amples of which are shown on Fig. 5 to 7. ‘These devices comprise an clongated body part of the shafe 36 which may have a wrist loop 37 and handle portion 38 at one end and at the other end an inflatable body. 39 which may adopt the various configurations shown in Figs. $to 7 to provide various oper- ating characteristics. A sleeve 40 is slidable 6 80 95 100 105 0 us 120 125 13010 15 20 5 35 5 959,272 ‘upon the shaft 36 and is adapted to be fric- tionally held by a tapered joint. By seting the sleeve 40 to the positon shown in Fig. 5 the body 39 is approximately spherical and may be inflated through a suitable connection 41 at the free end of the shaft 36, By moving the collar 40 towards the free end of the shaft the body 39 is distorted to a shape providing fa greater cross-sectional area as seen along the axis of the shaft (See Fig. 6), while by ‘moving the collar 40 in the opposite direction the rather more flattened form shown in Fig. 7T may be obtained. Inflation can be performed ty the mouth cr by means of a suitable and in the latter case the end of the shaft 36 may be provided with a screwed connec- ‘on and @ stitable non-return valve to permit fnflation, or alternatively the sir may be re- tained in the body 39 by means of detach able plug adapted to be inserted into the bore fon completion of inflation, the plug, being frictionally held in position although it may be positively held by a screw joint or other suitable: means. ‘Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate in outline form pos- sible alternative arrangements of the com. ‘ponent. parts. In Fig. 2 the vessel 8 is of pproximately parallel sided form while inthe fase of Fig. 3 the vessel § is of tapered form na manner corresponding to that shown on Fig. 1. In both cases the skis 9 are shown pressing firmly against the sides of the vessel although it will be understood that they are adapted to be swung outwardly under the Control of the cables 15 and springs 18 within certain limits; while, as already stated, the component parts may be detached and uti- lised separately. It will be realised that the three components together are relatively light ‘and can be readily transported, for example fon an automobile, and the_group of compon- tents provide a wide range of diversions, amuse- ments or games for the user and his friends and also for sporting events. ‘Figs. § to 10 illustrate a group of com- ‘ponent parts representing a second embodiment Gf the invention. In this case again the three iain components are shown in the assembled position although it is to be understood that {hey can be used separately if desired. In this case agtin a centrally positioned vessel 8 is flanked on each side by skis 9 which are longer than the vessel 8 and are provided with foot- holes 10. The prow of the vessel 8 is of the form indicated in greater detail in Fig. 10 ‘andcomprises rearwardly facing pocket-like members 45 of flexible material adapted to accommodate the prow tips of the skis 9, these pocket-lke elements being rigidly or pivotally fixed to the prow of the skis 9 by means of a suitable fixing bolt or bolts 46. The vessel 8 is provided at each side to- ‘wards the rear with a vertically positioned guide 47 with a vertical arctuately curved slot 48, these guides facing the sides of the skis 9. ‘A preferably detachable connector pin ot screw ‘bolt 50 is adapted to traverse the slot 48 and is engaged by a suitable housing in the Skis 9, this structure permitting cach ski 9 to swing up ot down by virtue of the fexi- bility of the pocket material 45, approximately about an axis represented by the bolt 46. Con- ‘ol of this swinging movement is obtained by the provision of 2 pulley 51 freely rotat- able on the connector pin 50 and serving to support a cable 52 one end of which is an- chored at 33 10 the vessel 8 adjacent the bottom of the guide 47 while the other end extends horizontally as shown on Fig. 9 and Tinked to a spring 54 the far end of which fs connected to the rear end of the ski 9. as shown at 55, Tt will be seen that the spring 54 ig extended further 25 each ski rises in relation to the vessel 8 thus providing a measure of control which allows for swing- ing movement independently of each ski 9 according to the wave movement of the water surface, but it provides a measure of control Timiting unnecessary swinging movement. “The connector pins 50 ate so arranged chat outwardly swinging movement of the skis 9 about a vertical axis is prevented so that these components are held relative to the vestel 8 fn the position shown in the drawings. Never- theless, however, the assembly of component parts js readily dotachable when required by Getaching the connector pins 50 whereupon the skis 9 aze freed and can be removed from the pocket 45 after disconnecting the cables 52 tnd the springs 54, thus permitting the skis 9'to be used on their own. The vessel 8 may tbe arranged with a manual or power drive as scaly deibed with eens 0 1 If desired a seating member 56 may be provided which is shown in the full line position in Fig. 9 inthe out-of-use position {ut can be moved to the in-use postion shown jn chain dot Hines where the seat is placed $0 that the user be seated above the vesiel 8. ‘The seating member 56 is fixedly mounted on 1 cross bar $7 which can be accommodated in an outof-the-way position as shown in full fines or can be fixed to bracket members 58 on the skis 9 where the seating member is positioned ina convenient position for opera- tional use. ‘As stated foot-holes 10 are provided so that ‘each foot of the user can be accommodated in one of these holes as best shown in rather diagrammatic form in Fig. 8, the foot being shown at 60. The foot-hole 10 is provided neat the base of the ski with a tread plate 61 ‘on which the foot of the user rests and is pro- vided with suitable guide means for accom- rodating and locating the foot. Tis obviously important to provide means for preventing water entering the foot-hole since apart from discomfort, there would be danger of the buoyancy being adversely 1m 6 95 100 105 ne us 15 13010 Fey 20 5 30 35 50 © 959,272 affected, The foot-hole is accoxdingly of the shape shown in Figs. 9 ond 14 in plan, having comparatively small but elongated eatry zone 101 of sialler dimensions than the tread plate 61, the foot being placed in position toes down so thet the entry hole 101 need not fhe very much larger than the lower part of the legs. As shown in Figs. 13 and 1d 2 flexible guiter 63 is preferably provided bor- dering the entry aperture 101, the gaiter being of elongated form at the base corresponding to the top of the entry hole 101, while at the top it is approximately circular and embodies a fastening device at the upper rim adapted to grip on to the user's leg as best indicated on Fig. 8. The detachable fastening means at the upper rim may comprise @ draw string 65 in and extending feom a hem and having & ing 66 adapted to be engaged with a pro- jecting hook 67 to form a quick release fas. ‘ening. ‘When the skis 9 are not in use in the manner indicated the gaiters 63 may be removed and replaced by a simple cover over the foot holes 10 to prevent unvianted ingress of vate. ‘The preferred shape in cross-section of the skis 9 is that indicated in Fig. 16, each ski having a substantially vertical yall 91, substantially horizontal upper surface 92 and outer side surface 93 which is downwardly tapering and approximately of a shape. con ventionally ‘used for water-borne craft. in ‘marine practice. Figs, 11 and’ 12 show alternative formas of ski stick which may be adopted either to assist propulsion or for playing sports ot similar diversions. In the case of Fig. 11a circular and comparatively thick disc 71 which may be formed essentially of a foam plastic of the grade commonly referred to as.“ buoyancy Plastic” is flanked on each side by trun cated coned members 72 of similar material held in preferably clamped condition by fas- tening ferrules 73 and/or by pointed tip mem. ber 74 on the shaft 36, which may carry a suitable handle 38 at one end together with the usual wrist stip 37. The three components 71 and 72 may be Toomaed of separate pieces of plastic or may be formed in one plece and the disc member 71 may be convex on one face and concave on the other face as indicated in chain dot lines. The components 71. and 72 may be enclosed by an impervious skin of suitable sheet plastic which may also be de~ signed to give an appropriate degree of stiff ness to these parts. Alternatively the dise ‘member 71 and the parts 72 may each be independently covered with an impervious sheet of moulded plastic or each component can be 80 coated where they are formed in separate parts or the assembly of the parts 71 and 72 may be enclosed between two seperate ‘and appropriately shaped coverings. joined about the periphery of the member 71, What- ever arrangement is adopted the result is the provision of a light and easily manipulated stick which may be effectively employed by the user to give a propulsion effect over’ the sutface of the water In the alternative form of stick shown in 12 a shaft portion 36 includes a hand grip 38 at one end at and the other end there is a separate inflatable unit comprising a preferably inherently spherical shell-like ine Aatable member 75 with a diametral tube 76 moulded integrally therein or attached thereto by welding techniques as commonly employed. in the plastic handling industry. ‘This tubular member 76 extends to the out. side and is adapted to be fixed on the shaft bby means of a clamp ring 77, which by adjus ment on the shaft 36, permits the spherical portion to adopt various configurations in the manner indicated on Figs. 5 to 7 of the drawings An inflator connection 78 may be. pro- vided at any suitable point, for example on the peripheral wall as indicated on Fig. 12. IF desired 2 suitable and preferably adjustable ‘mass 79 may be provided on the shaft 36 for regulating the balance and “fest” of the stick when held by the user. Te will, of course, be understood that the hand grip 38 in Fig’ 12 may be replaced by an identical assembly to thet shown at the lower end on the drawing, giving a double ended member with a spherical or near-spherical attachment at each end which ‘may be used in the manner of @ paddle or may be wsed for various games involving several players supported on skis 9 on the water surface as already described. In some cases it may be required to pro- ‘vide for some form of connection between the two skis 9, bot without using the vessel 8 and for this purpose as shown in Fig. 15, tach component 9 may be provided with pro- jecting arms 81 supporting vertically posi- ‘oned plates 82 which, when the two arranged side-by-side’ at a suitable distance from one another, lie in facial contact one with the other end can be connected by suits able fastening means which either hold’ the ‘wo plates in facial contact but permit rela- tive movement, or fixedly connect the two plates 82 one to the other giving in the latter case a simple type of Catamaran craft for personal use, the two Catamaran hulls being ceupied by the two feet of the user, Fig. 17 indicates in outline form an alter- native arrangement of the three main com- Bonents # and 8, a6 shown for example on "ig. 1 or on Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings In this case the water-borne vessel 8 and the skis 9 are so designed and proportioned that when placed side-by-side in the manner indi cated the overall configuration is that of a enventongl. ype of watercraft whichis of relatively efficient hydrodynamic form and can be propelled with minimum exertion. In this ‘case the components parts may be ftmly fas. 0 B 95 100 105 0 us 120 135 13010 5 30 35 45 Leamington Spa: Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Offes by thy Bublished at The Patent Office, 25, ig 939,272, tended if required by means of suitable fas- fening means indicated in conventional form at 85, while of course the components can be detached and used separately if desired. Tn all the embodiments described the ‘com- plete craft is compact and by adopting modern production technigues can be made light and {ransportable while the component parts can be disassembled when requited and in some circumstances could be used by two people ‘WHAT I CLAIM IS:— 1. A water-borne craft comprising a, pair of clongated buoyant members having inter~ mediately positioned means adapted to accom- odate the two feet of a user to form a pair Gf skis, a vesel adapted to. be positioned be- trreen said members with the prows of, the Ehree components approximately coincident, fand means interconnecting said three compon- nts for limited relative movement 2, A water-bome craft according to claim 1 further comprising detachable stesting means associated with each of suid skis, 3. A watr-obrae craft scoring 0 lin 1 comprising propulsion means associated with said. vessel. 4. A water-borne craft according to claim 3 wherein said propulsion means is operated by.a power unit, ‘5° A water-borne craft according to claim 3, wherein said propulsion means is manualiy ‘operated by a rope or ropes manipulated by ‘the user of the craft, said rope or ropes being adapted to drive a propeller through separate one-way driving means operative on alternate driving movements imparted by the user 50 that said propeller means always operates in the same direction. %. A water-borne craft according to claim 1 comprising fesible pocket-tike members dis. posed at the forward end of the vessel, said ecket-like “members serving to accommo- Bate the forward ends of the skis and pivotal connector means connecting said pocket-ke embers to said skis. "7. A water-bome craft according to claim 1 including a cable connecting a ski to the ‘ysel to regulate the movement between them, Southampton Bull and guide means for said cable on the ski Said ‘means being adjustably positioned on said ski. 8. A water-borne craft according to claim 1 comprising a prow member fixed to the front ofthe vessel, said prow member including rear- ‘wardly directed pockets of flexible material ‘adapted to receive the prows of the skis and rans interconnecting said skis and said vessel in a manner to prevent disengagement of the skis from said pockets. 9. A water-borne craft according to claim 8 comprising @ guide member on the vessel having a substantially vertical slot therein, & guide pin traversing said slot, suid_ guide pin ‘being fixed to a ski to permit vertical move- rent of said ski to a limited extent relatively 40 the vessel while preventing splaying move- ment between said vessel and ski, © pulley mounted on said guide pin, a cable traversing said pulley and connected at one end to said vessel and at the other end to a spring and means connecting said spring to the trailing end of the ski to regulate the free movement ‘between the skis and the vessel. 10. A water-borne craft according to claim 1 comprising a displaceable seat member mounted on a cross-bar the cross-bar being adapted to be movably attached to the two skis adjacent a seat hole in the vessel, said seat being adapted to be moved to a storing position supported on one ski. i. A water-borne craft comprising pair longated skis adapted to be associated es- ppectively withthe feet of a user, a vessel adap- fed to be positioned between said skis, foot- hholes in said skis, said foot-holes inclading tread plate at a comparatively low level in suid skis and having a relatively narrow mouth entry adapted to fit around the legs of the user and gaiter-ike members adapted to be fited. water-tightly to the legs of the wser to prevent ingress of water. Te. Water borne craft substantially as here~ in deseribed and ilustrated, WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE, Chartered Patent Agents. ution Press-—1964, 50 35 6 0 B 80 5 s ondon, W.C2, from which copies may be obtained,959272 COMPLETE SPECIFICATH This drowing is o reproductie 2 SHEETS ‘the Original on @ reduced ¢ Sheet 1959772 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION This drawing is 0 reproduction of 2 SHEETS "the Original on @ reduced scale Sheet 2