A human-powered boat with a tail-shaped horizontal wing propulsion system.
The tail-fin type horizontal wing propulsion system in human-powered boats uses a buoyancy body and rear-mounted propulsion wing to generate thrust based on weight shifts, addressing the challenges of long-distance travel and water maneuverability.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-09-05
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-17
AI Technical Summary
Existing human-powered boats lack a mechanism that allows riders to efficiently generate propulsion force using an underwater wing, making long-distance travel difficult and stopping and restarting on water challenging.
A tail-fin type horizontal wing propulsion system is designed with a buoyancy body, a pedal system connected to a handle, and a rear-mounted propulsion wing that swings underwater to generate thrust based on the rider's weight shifts, incorporating features like elastic members and pivotable connections to enhance propulsion efficiency.
The system enables easy long-distance travel and smooth stopping/restarting on water by utilizing the rider's weight for propulsion, facilitating efficient and enjoyable operation.
Smart Images

Figure 2026048169000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a tail fin type horizontal wing propelled human-powered boat.
Background Art
[0002] Conventionally, there are known aquatic mammals that generate mainly propulsion force by vibrating a rear underwater wing up and down.
[0003] There is no known boat that stands up and the rider uses their weight to vibrate the underwater wing up and down.
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] The present invention aims to provide a tail fin type horizontal wing propelled human-powered boat that supports weight with a buoyancy body, mainly uses an underwater wing arranged at the rear for propulsion force, enables easy long-distance travel by selecting a propulsion wing suitable for the rider, and is easy to stop and restart on water.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0005] (1) A buoyancy body arranged on the water surface, a pedal directly or indirectly connected to the buoyancy body and on which the rider stands upright, a handle directly or indirectly connected to the pedal, extending upward and grasped by the rider, a propulsion wing formed in the shape of a tail fin, arranged underwater behind the pedal, sinking when the rider steps on the pedal, moving to the water surface side when the rider removes their weight from the pedal, pushing the handle forward and moving the center of gravity forward, and swinging underwater to generate propulsion force. A tail fin type horizontal wing propelled human-powered boat equipped with these components.
[0006] (2) The buoyancy bodies are arranged on the left and right sides of the footboard, and further comprising a crossbeam connecting the left and right buoyancy bodies, a footboard support member whose tip is pivotably connected to the crossbeam and extends to the rear, with the footboard connected to the rear end, and a propulsion wing support member whose tip is pivotably connected to the crossbeam and the footboard support member and extends to the rear, with a propulsion wing connected to the rear end, and the handle is pivotably connected at its base to the crossbeam and the footboard support member, and the handle, footboard support member and propulsion wing support member are integrally formed and pivot integrally around the connection part with the crossbeam in accordance with the rider's movements, the tail-fin type horizontal wing propulsion human-powered boat according to claim 1.
[0007] (3) A buoyancy body is positioned on the left and right sides of the footboard, and a crossbeam connects the left and right buoyancy bodies, the footboard is connected to a central crossbeam positioned below by an elastic member, and a handle fixed to the footboard and a propulsion wing support member extending to the rear and having a propulsion wing attached to its rear end are used to swing the propulsion wing up and down by the pendulum motion of the rider shifting their weight back and forth, as described in claim 1.
[0008] (4) The buoyancy body includes side floats positioned on the left and right sides of the footboard, and a central float positioned between the left and right side floats and extending in the front-rear direction, further comprising propulsion wing support members whose tips are pivotably connected to the left and right sides of the central float, extending rearward, and to which propulsion wings are connected at the rear end, the handle having its base end connected to the central float, the footboard being connected to the central float via an elastic auxiliary member, and further connected to the intermediate position of the propulsion wing support member by a footboard support member, as described in claim 1.
[0009] (5) A tail-fin type horizontal wing propulsion human-powered boat according to claim 1, wherein the buoyancy bodies extend in the front-rear direction and are positioned on the left and right sides of the footboard, the footboard is connected at both ends at a position midway between the left and right buoyancy bodies, the handle is connected at its base to the footboard, and the propulsion wings are connected to the rear ends of the left and right buoyancy bodies, respectively. [Effects of the Invention]
[0010] According to the present invention, a human-powered boat with a tail fin-type horizontal wing propulsion system is provided, which supports its weight with a buoyancy device, primarily uses underwater wings positioned at the rear for propulsion, allows for easy long-distance travel by selecting propulsion wings suited to the rider, and facilitates stopping and restarting on the water. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0011] [Figure 1] This figure illustrates a first embodiment of the present invention: a tail-fin type horizontal-wing propulsion human-powered boat. Figure 1(a) is a plan view of the tail-fin type horizontal-wing propulsion human-powered boat. Figure 1(b) is a side view illustrating the use of the tail-fin type horizontal-wing propulsion human-powered boat. [Figure 2] This figure illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention, a tail-fin type horizontal-wing propulsion human-powered boat. Figure 2(a) is a plan view of the tail-fin type horizontal-wing propulsion human-powered boat. Figure 2(b) is a side view illustrating the use of the tail-fin type horizontal-wing propulsion human-powered boat. [Figure 3] This figure illustrates a third embodiment of the present invention, a tail-fin type horizontal-wing propulsion human-powered boat. Figure 3(a) is a plan view of the tail-fin type horizontal-wing propulsion human-powered boat. Figure 3(b) is a front view of the tail-fin type horizontal-wing propulsion human-powered boat. Figure 3(c) is a side view of the tail-fin type horizontal-wing propulsion human-powered boat. [Figure 4] This figure illustrates a fourth embodiment of the present invention, a tail-fin type horizontal-wing propulsion human-powered boat. Figure 4(a) is a plan view of the tail-fin type horizontal-wing propulsion human-powered boat. Figure 4(b) is a side view illustrating the use of the tail-fin type horizontal-wing propulsion human-powered boat. [Figure 5] This is a diagram illustrating a propulsion wing support member A, which is an embodiment for carrying out the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a diagram illustrating a propulsion wing support member B, which is an embodiment for carrying out the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0012] [First form] Figure 1 illustrates a tail-fin type horizontal-wing propulsion human-powered boat, which is a first embodiment for carrying out the present invention. Figure 1(a) is a plan view of the tail-fin type horizontal-wing propulsion human-powered boat. Figure 1(b) is a side view illustrating the use of the tail-fin type horizontal-wing propulsion human-powered boat.
[0013] The first form, a tail-fin shaped horizontal-wing propulsion human-powered boat, consists of a buoyancy body 8 positioned on the water surface, a crossbeam 6 connecting the left and right buoyancy bodies, and a footboard support member 7 whose tip is pivotably connected to a footboard support member 7 on which the rider stands, a handle 4 directly connected to the footboard and extending upward for the rider to grasp, and a propulsion wing 2 shaped like a tail fin and positioned in the water behind the footboard. When the rider steps on the footboard, it sinks, and as the rider lifts their weight from the footboard, pushes the handle forward, and shifts their center of gravity forward, the propulsion wing moves towards the water surface, swings in the water and generates thrust.
[0014] In this embodiment, the "tail fin-like shape" refers to a shape that mimics the tail fin of an organism that propels itself through water, such as a whale, dolphin, or fish.
[0015] Furthermore, a simple, tail-fin-type horizontal-wing propulsion human-powered boat without auxiliary members is obtained, in which the rider grasps the handle 4, shifts their weight backward, steps down on the footboard 1 to sink the footboard support member 7, the propulsion wing support member 3, and the propulsion wing 2, and at the same time the rider releases their weight from the footboard, pushes the handle and performs a full-body movement to push their body forward, causing the footboard support member 7, the propulsion wing support member 3, and the propulsion wing 2 to face the water surface.
[0016] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating a propulsion wing support member A, which is an embodiment for carrying out the present invention.
[0017] The propulsion wing support member A is formed by drawing a parallelogram extending from the pivot base member 15, which has a pivot axis 5. Despite the arc motion of the propulsion wing support member 3, the angle of the pivot base member 15 does not change, and the elevation angle adjustment piece 9 at the other end is kept at the same angle, thereby maintaining the elevation angle of the propulsion wing 2 at an appropriate angle relative to the water flow from the front.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a propeller support member B which is a form for implementing the present invention.
[0019] Inside the propeller support member pipe of the propeller support member B, one end is attached to the elevation adjustment piece, the other end has a two-axis structure of a swing shaft 5 and an eccentric shaft, and has a slide hole. With the swing shaft base member, the movable inner shaft member 16 is moved back and forth, and the elevation adjustment piece 9 also has a two-axis structure and can be adjusted to the same angle as the swing shaft base member 15, so that the elevation angle of the propeller 2 with respect to the water flow can be maintained at an appropriate angle.
[0020] As a result, it is expected that the outer shape of the propeller support member 3 will be simpler and the resistance of water in water will be reduced.
[0021] Also, when the boat turns, the rider steps on the pedal 1, holds the handle 4, and uses the whole body together with the body weight to turn the boat by tilting the boat and the propeller 2 inward.
[0022] In addition, the tail fin type horizontal propeller has a substantially symmetric wing cross-section, both wing tips are flexible, and as the wing moves up and down, the wing tip parts on both sides bend, kicking water backward. In the middle part, the lift generated by the wing cross-section with an appropriate elevation angle can be used as the propulsive force.
[0023] In addition, since the tail fin type horizontal propeller has a substantially symmetric wing cross-section and both wing tips are flexible, it is expected to form a bend due to deformation by water pressure and reduce the wing tip turbulent flow caused by the vertical oscillating motion.
[0024] [Second Embodiment] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a tail fin type horizontal wing propelled human-powered boat which is a second form for implementing the present invention. FIG. 2(a) is a plan view of the tail fin type horizontal wing propelled human-powered boat. FIG. 2(b) is a diagram for explaining the usage state of the tail fin type horizontal wing propelled human-powered boat as seen from the side.
[0025] In the second form, the tail-fin type horizontal-wing propulsion human-powered boat generates thrust by swinging the propulsion wings 2 up and down through a pendulum motion caused by the rider shifting their weight back and forth. This motion is achieved by using a footboard 1 connected to an elastic auxiliary member 11 located on a central crossbeam 6 that connects the left and right buoyancy bodies, a handle 4 fixed to the footboard, and a propulsion wing support member 3 that extends rearward and has the propulsion wings 2 connected to its rear end.
[0026] The elastic support material 11 is a coil spring a or a leaf spring, or an elastic material b such as rubber, or the front and back are connected by an elastic material to bias the pendulum motion back and forth.
[0027] The narrow buoyancy body 10 has a pointed shape at both ends to minimize water resistance, and can also reduce water resistance during pitching caused by the back-and-forth pendulum motion.
[0028] Pendulum motion is an energy-saving movement that enables sustained long-distance travel.
[0029] [Third form] Figure 3 illustrates a third embodiment of the present invention, a tail-fin type horizontal-wing propulsion human-powered boat. Figure 3(a) is a plan view of the tail-fin type horizontal-wing propulsion human-powered boat. Figure 3(b) is a front view of the tail-fin type horizontal-wing propulsion human-powered boat. Figure 3(c) is a side view of the tail-fin type horizontal-wing propulsion human-powered boat.
[0030] The third form, a tail-fin type horizontal wing propulsion human-powered boat, includes side floats 13 positioned on the left and right sides of a footboard 1, and a central float 12 positioned between the left and right side floats and extending in the front-rear direction. The central float 12 is further equipped with propulsion wing support members 3 whose tips are pivotably connected to the left and right sides, extending rearward, and to which propulsion wings 2 are connected at the rear end. The handle 4 has its base end connected to the central float, and the footboard 1 is connected to the central float 12 via an elastic auxiliary material 11, and is also connected to the intermediate position of the propulsion wing support member 3 by a footboard support member 7. When the rider steps on the footboard 1, the elastic auxiliary material 11 is compressed and the propulsion wing support member sinks, and when the rider releases their weight, the elastic auxiliary material 11 is biased back towards the water surface, causing the propulsion wings to swing and generate thrust.
[0031] By adjusting the elastic support material 11, the strength of the rebound force and the range of the swing can be adjusted.
[0032] [Fourth form] Figure 4 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the present invention, a tail-fin type horizontal-wing propulsion human-powered boat. Figure 4(a) is a plan view of the tail-fin type horizontal-wing propulsion human-powered boat. Figure 4(b) is a side view illustrating the use of the tail-fin type horizontal-wing propulsion human-powered boat.
[0033] In the fourth form, a tail-fin type horizontal-wing propulsion human-powered boat, the buoyancy body 10 extends in the front-rear direction and is positioned on the left and right sides of the footboard 1, the footboard 1 is connected at both ends at the midpoint between the left and right buoyancy bodies, the base end of the handle 4 is connected to the footboard 1, the propulsion wings 2 are connected to the rear ends of the left and right buoyancy bodies, and the elevation adjustment pieces 9 are each connected to elevation adjustment float plates, so that it swings in the water to generate thrust.
[0034] The buoyancy device 10 has less buoyancy at the rear and sinks easily, allowing for easy pitching up and down movements. The footboard 1 is long from front to back, allowing the rider to brace their feet front to back and making it easier to sink the rear of the boat. Although it is possible to move the boat closer to the water surface on the footboard, the buoyancy at the rear of the boat is also used to create a force that pushes it towards the water surface.
[0035] Each of the thruster wing's elevation adjustment pieces 9 is connected to an elevation adjustment float plate 14, allowing the pieces to move forward and backward as the rear end of the boat sinks, thereby adjusting the elevation adjustment piece 9.
[0036] Although the vertical movement range of the second thruster is smaller compared to the other three configurations, even with minimal vertical movement, a relaxed and enjoyable motion can be experienced during cruising, except when starting off. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0037] 1 Treadboard 2. Tail-shaped horizontal thrust wings 3. Pusher wing support member 4 handles 5. Pivot axis 6 Cross beam material 7 Tread support member 8 Board-type buoyancy devices 9 Elevation adjustment piece 10 Narrow buoyant body 11 Elastic support material 12 Central float 13 Side floats 14. Elevation angle adjustment float plate (forward / backward movement) 15. Pivot shaft base member 16. Internal sliding shaft of the propulsion wing support member
Claims
1. A tail-fin shaped horizontal wing propulsion human-powered boat comprising: a buoyancy device placed on the water surface; a footboard directly or indirectly connected to the buoyancy device and on which the rider stands; a handle directly or indirectly connected to the footboard, extending upward and held by the rider; and a propulsion wing shaped like a tail fin, positioned in the water behind the footboard, which sinks when the rider steps on the footboard, moves towards the water surface when the rider lifts their weight from the footboard, pushes the handle forward, and shifts their center of gravity forward, swinging in the water to generate thrust.
2. The buoyancy bodies are positioned on the left and right sides of the footboard, and the boat further comprises a crossbeam connecting the left and right buoyancy bodies, a footboard support member whose tip is pivotably connected to the crossbeam and extends to the rear, with the footboard connected to its rear end, and a propulsion wing support member whose tip is pivotably connected to the crossbeam and the footboard support member and extends to the rear, with a propulsion wing connected to its rear end, and the handle is pivotably connected at its base to the crossbeam and the footboard support member, and the handle, footboard support member and propulsion wing support member are integrally formed and pivot integrally around the connection point with the crossbeam in response to the rider's movements, as described in claim 1.
3. The buoyancy bodies are positioned on the left and right sides of the footboard, and the buoyancy bodies on the left and right are further connected by a crossbeam, the footboard is connected to a central crossbeam positioned below by an elastic member, and the propulsion wings are swung up and down by the pendulum motion of the rider shifting their weight back and forth, using a handle fixed to the footboard and a propulsion wing support member that extends to the rear and has propulsion wings connected to its rear end, as described in claim 1.
4. The buoyancy body includes side floats positioned on the left and right sides of the footboard, and a central float positioned between the left and right side floats and extending in the front-rear direction, further comprising propulsion wing support members whose tips are pivotably connected to the left and right sides of the central float, extending rearward, and to which propulsion wings are connected at the rear end, the handle having its base end connected to the central float, the footboard being connected to the central float via an elastic auxiliary member, and further connected to the intermediate position of the propulsion wing support member by a footboard support member, as described in claim 1.
5. The tail-fin type horizontal wing propulsion human-powered boat according to claim 1, wherein the buoyancy bodies extend in the front-rear direction and are positioned on the left and right sides of the footboard, the footboard is connected at both ends at a position midway between the left and right buoyancy bodies, the base end of the handle is connected to the footboard, and the propulsion wings are connected to the rear ends of the left and right buoyancy bodies, respectively.