Paddle with a non-linear shaft
The non-linear shaft paddle design addresses inefficiencies in conventional paddles by positioning the blade under the boat, reducing yaw and enhancing straight-line propulsion through ergonomic alignment.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024573985
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-06-24
- Filing Date
- 2023-06-23
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-10
AI Technical Summary
Conventional paddles for boats, particularly stand-up paddle boards, cause significant yaw and inefficiency due to the straight shaft design, which interferes with the paddle stroke and requires frequent hand switching, exacerbating unwanted lateral movement.
A paddle with a non-linear shaft that allows the blade to be placed under the boat, minimizing interference with the board and positioning the user's hands near the center line, using materials like carbon fiber for rigidity and efficiency.
The non-linear shaft design reduces unwanted yaw and enhances paddling efficiency by allowing the blade to be positioned close to the boat's center line, improving straight-line propulsion.
Smart Images
Figure 2025521486000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 355,067, filed Jun. 23, 2022, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 355,292, filed Jun. 24, 2022, both of which have the same inventor as the present invention and the same invention title "Under Board Paddle".
[0002] The present invention relates to a paddle for a human-powered boat, and more particularly to a paddle for a paddle board or the like.
Background Art
[0003] Conventional paddles used to propel boats, including stand-up paddle (SUP) boards, have a straight shaft connected to the blade. The user stands on the board, grasps the shaft with both hands, and applies force to the paddle. As is common in the case of boats propelled by paddles or oars, the paddle blade is in contact with the water on the side of the boat throughout the paddle stroke. In a boat where the user paddles only on one side of the boat at a time, placing the paddle blade on the side of the board is disadvantageous because it causes significant yaw with each paddle stroke. This yaw is unproductive and inefficient when the user wants to move straight forward.
[0004] Furthermore, on a SUP board, the user must switch the hand position to switch paddling from one side of the boat to the other. Thus, SUP users often paddle multiple consecutive strokes on one side and then switch to do the same on the other side, which exacerbates unwanted yaw and lateral movement. Even when the paddle blade is placed as close as possible to the SUP board during the paddle stroke, the effect of preventing unwanted yaw is not sufficient. The reason is that even if one tries, the straight paddle shaft may frequently contact the board, which may interfere with the paddle stroke and gradually damage the board.
Summary of the Invention
Means for Solving the Problems
[0005] The present invention is a paddle with a non-linear shaft that allows the paddle blade to be placed under the boat during a paddle stroke. Since the non-linear shaft is not obstructed by the side of the boat, the blade can be placed very close to or directly below the center line of the boat. On the other hand, the hand of the user holding the paddle shaft will also be positioned near the same center line on the boat. This configuration has the effect of enabling the user to operate a virtual straight paddle passing through the hull to minimize unnecessary yaw while paddling the boat very close to the center line of the boat.
[0006] Recent materials have made it possible to make paddles with non-linear shafts hard and light, and thus are sufficiently effective and practical for use. The present invention can be used for stand-up paddle boards, kayaks, and other boats propelled by paddles or oars, especially for boats that are usually operated by paddling only on one side of the boat at a time.
[0007] These objects and related objects of the present invention are achieved by the use of a paddle with a non-linear shaft described herein.
[0008] The realization of the aforementioned and related advantages and features of the present invention should become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art by considering the following more detailed description of the present invention in conjunction with the drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0009]
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[0010] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment of a paddle 100 according to the present invention is shown. This embodiment is designed for a stand-up paddle (SUP) board 130. The paddle 100 includes a shaft 110 and a blade 120. In this embodiment, the shaft 110 has a substantially straight linear portion 111 and a curved portion 112. The blade 120 is coupled to the end of the curved portion 112, and the curvature of the curved portion 112 may be substantially in the same plane as the plane in which the blade 120 optimally fits (best fit plane).
[0011] To enable the user to direct the blade efficiently with respect to the water, a handle structure, gripping structure, surface structure, or other structure 115 extending laterally from the shaft is preferably provided at or near the top of the linear portion or further downward. This handle structure or gripping structure 115 preferably extends perpendicular to the line in the straight-ahead direction (when paddling the paddle straight ahead), and may vary from perpendicular by + / −10 degrees, 15 degrees, 20 degrees, or more than 25 degrees without departing from the present invention. This is the amount of change in the yaw angle when the paddle axis is vertical. The gripping structure 115 may be configured in various arrangements including the formation of a surface along the shaft that defines a given orientation of the blade when held by the user (i.e., the alignment between the fashioned surface and the blade).
[0012] When the user propels the board 130 using the paddle 100 while standing, sitting, kneeling, or otherwise supported on the board 130, the user grasps the straight portion 111 with both hands and applies a force to row through the shaft 110. During a normal paddle stroke, the blade 120 is inserted into the water in front of the user's position on the side of the board 130 and then pulled backward relative to the board 130 to advance the board forward. At the end of the stroke, the blade 120 is removed from the water and moved forward above the water surface to start the next stroke. During the stroke, the straight portion 111 is above the board 130, the curved portion 112 curves around the board 130, and the blade 120 is below the board 130 (which is understood in FIG. 2). This has the effect of enabling the user to operate a virtual straight paddle passing through the board during the paddle stroke and also enables the blade 120 to be guided very close to or directly below the centerline of the board, thereby significantly reducing unwanted yaw.
[0013] In one embodiment, a virtual line or "paddle axis" passing through the straight portion 111 or through the hand of the user grasping the portion 111 of the straight portion 111 to perform a paddle stroke may intersect the central region 121 of the blade 120. To advance the boat forward, the blade 120 may have a "face" configured to provide (substantially) maximum resistance to the contact surface with the water or movement in the water. This face may be provided on both sides of the blade 120 so that it can be used on both the left and right sides.
[0014] When the paddle axis is vertical, the orientation of the face and the blade below it may be vertical, but without departing from the present invention, the pitch angle can vary from vertical by + / −10 degrees, 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees, or even more. Similarly, the face (and / or blade) may be oriented perpendicular to the line of movement in the straight-ahead direction, but the face / blade may vary in yaw angle by + / −10 degrees, 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees, or even more (similar to the gripping structure 115).
[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, the paddle may extend laterally on both sides of the paddle shaft and may also extend in a direction perpendicular to its lateral extension. The first shaft portion 111 may have a diameter thinner than that of the blade or (when not circular) other horizontal cross-sectional dimension Ds. For example, the blade may extend in a direction perpendicular to the lateral extension, and its dimension may be a multiple of Ds, such as 2 times, 3 times, 4 times, 5 times, or 6 to 10 times or more of Ds.
[0016] The shape of the curved portion 112 in this embodiment is selected to conform to the shape of an average SUP board. In particular, paddles for wider or narrower boards ideally have a shaft shape suitable for the style of the boards they are intended for. In FIGS. 1 to 2, the shaft 110 has a straight portion 111 and a curved portion 112 so that during the paddle stroke, the user's hand and the blade 120 can be positioned near the center line of the board 130. However, other embodiments can have different shapes without departing from the present invention. For example, the curved portion 112 may be replaced by two or more short straight portions joined at an angle to each other, or the straight portion 111 may be replaced by one or more non-linear shaft portions for ergonomic or decorative purposes.
[0017] The curved or displaced portion 112 may have a blade that optimally fits across it. The blade may likewise have such a plane. In one embodiment, the planes in which they optimally fit may be parallel or in the same plane. In still other embodiments, such an arrangement may vary in pitch and yaw with respect to each other (when the paddle shaft is vertical). The amount of this variation may be + / −10 degrees, 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees, or even larger without departing from the present invention.
[0018] The shaft 110 is made of a hard material so that it does not warp significantly during the paddle stroke. Carbon fiber is an example of a suitable material that is also very lightweight. The rigidity of the material enables the scooping force applied to the straight portion 111 to be efficiently transmitted to the blade 120 via the curved portion 112.
[0019] This embodiment shows that the present invention is used to propel a SUP board, but the paddle of the present invention can also be used on other paddles or boats propelled by oars.
[0020] Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the paddle 200 according to the present invention. This embodiment is designed for a kayak 230. The paddle 200 includes a shaft 210 and two blades 220. The shaft 210 has a substantially linear straight portion 211 and two curved portions 212 coupled to both ends of the straight portion 211. The blades 220 are coupled to each curved portion 212. The user holds the straight portion 211 and paddles the paddle alternately once on each side of the kayak 230. During the paddle stroke, the curved portion 212 that is in contact with the water at that time conforms to the shape of the cross-section of the kayak 230, which enables the blade 220 to be arranged in a similar manner under the kayak 230 as the SUP paddle in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-2.
[0021] Although the present invention has been described in relation to its particular embodiments, it will be understood that further modifications are possible. This application generally follows the principles of the present invention and is within the scope of known or conventional practices in the technical field to which the present invention pertains, applicable to the essential features described heretofore, and includes any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present invention that depart from the present disclosure but are within the scope of the present invention and the appended claims.
Description of Reference Numerals
[0022] 100 Paddle 110 Shaft 111 Straight Portion, First Shaft Portion 112 Curved part, displacement part 115 Gripping structure, handle structure, surface structure 120 Blade 130 Stand-up paddle board, board 200 Paddle 210 Shaft 211 Straight part 212 Curved part 220 Blade 230 Kayak
Claims
1. A paddle for propelling a boat, comprising: a shaft having a gripping portion and a displacement portion, the gripping portion including a first gripping structure defining a paddle axis and configured to orient the shaft in a given position, the displacement portion including a shaft extending laterally away from the paddle axis; a blade coupled to a distal end of the displacement portion and extending laterally from both sides of the paddle axis as seen in a rear cross-sectional view in a state of a straight-ahead paddle stroke with the paddle axis oriented vertically; and the blade further extending in a direction perpendicular to the lateral extension portion, the paddle.
2. The paddle according to claim 1, wherein the paddle axis intersects the blade when the paddle axis is vertical and seen in a rear cross-sectional view in a state of a straight-ahead paddle stroke of the paddle.
3. The paddle according to claim 1, wherein a plane in which the blade optimally fits has a pitch angle of less than + / −25 degrees from the vertical when the paddle axis is vertical.
4. The plane in which the displacement portion optimally fits and the plane in which the blade optimally fits are arranged in one of the following arrangements: on the same plane, parallel, and when the paddle axis is vertical, the yaw angles vary with respect to each other up to + / −30 degrees. The paddle according to claim 2, arranged in one of the above.
5. The plane in which the displacement portion optimally fits and the plane in which the blade optimally fits are arranged in one of the following arrangements: on the same plane, parallel, and when the paddle axis is vertical, the pitch angles vary with respect to each other up to + / −30 degrees. The paddle according to claim 2, arranged in one of the above.
6. The gripping portion has a front face facing forward and a rear face facing rearward, and the first gripping structure has an adaptation surface extending laterally between the front face and the rear face from the paddle axis and having a defined alignment with the blade when the paddle axis is substantially vertical and the paddle is arranged for a straight-ahead paddle stroke with respect to a given boat. The paddle according to claim 1.
7. The extension portion of the blade perpendicular to the lateral extension portion of the blade extends more than twice the horizontal cross-sectional dimension Ds of the gripping portion. The paddle according to claim 1.
8. The extending portion of the blade perpendicular to the lateral extending portion of the blade extends more than four times the horizontal cross-sectional dimension Ds of the gripping portion, the paddle according to claim 1.
9. The displacement portion is vertically below the portion where the displacement portion extends from the paddle shaft and extends laterally rearward toward the paddle shaft, the paddle according to claim 1.
10. A paddle device for a person to propel a boat, A first shaft portion defining a paddle shaft and configured to be oriented by a user for execution of a paddle stroke when gripped, A second shaft portion coupled to the first shaft portion and extending away from the paddle shaft and configured to conform around the boat during a forward stroke by a user on the boat, A blade coupled to one end of the second shaft portion arranged in line with the first shaft portion, Comprising, The paddle shaft is vertical and when viewed in a rear cross-sectional view of the paddle in a straight-ahead paddle stroke state, the paddle shaft intersects the blade, the paddle device.
11. The plane in which the displacement portion optimally fits and the plane in which the blade optimally fits are in the following arrangements: On the same plane, Parallel, and The angle varies up to + / −30 degrees with respect to each other, The device according to claim 10, arranged in at least one of them.
12. The plane in which the displacement portion optimally fits and the plane in which the blade optimally fits are arranged such that when the paddle shaft is vertical, the yaw angles vary up to + / −30 degrees with respect to each other, the device according to claim 11.
13. The plane in which the displacement portion optimally fits and the plane in which the blade optimally fits are arranged such that when the paddle shaft is vertical, the pitch angles vary up to + / −30 degrees with respect to each other, the device according to claim 11.
14. The first portion has an adaptation surface disposed within the first portion so as to indicate by touch the orientation when gripped by a user, The first portion has a defined alignment with the blade such that by arranging the adaptation surface in a predetermined orientation, an arrangement of the blade in a similar orientation is achieved, The device according to claim 10.
15. The first shaft portion has a front face facing forward and a rear face facing rearward, and the first gripping structure has an adaptation surface that extends laterally between the front face and the rear face from the paddle shaft and has a defined alignment with the blade when the paddle shaft is substantially vertical and the paddle is arranged for a straight-ahead paddle stroke with respect to a given vessel, the apparatus according to claim 10.
16. When viewed in a rear cross-sectional view having the paddle shaft in a vertical and straight-ahead paddle stroke condition, the first shaft portion and the blade are configured such that the blade extends laterally from both sides of the paddle shaft, and the blade further extends in a direction perpendicular to the lateral extension. The apparatus according to claim 1.
17. The extension of the blade perpendicular to the lateral extension of the blade extends by at least three times the horizontal cross-sectional dimension Ds of the first shaft portion, the apparatus according to claim 16.