Oars for the development of rowing qualities and their method of use
The innovative oar design with angled handle portions and convex blades addresses inefficiencies in rowing by enhancing ergonomic performance and hydrodynamics, resulting in quieter and more efficient water navigation.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- US · United States
- Patent Type
- Applications(United States)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- PÄIJÄN BOATS OY
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-30
AI Technical Summary
Existing oars for boats are inefficient due to their straight-line design, leading to increased rowing resistance, noise, and suboptimal contact with water, and the fixed handle design restricts ergonomic rowing movements.
The oars feature a rectangular main shaft with movable handle portions at angled positions and a curved, convex blade portion, allowing for ergonomic rowing and improved hydrodynamic performance through adjustable attachment angles and materials like amorphous polyamide and flexible plastic.
The ergonomic design enhances rowing efficiency, reduces noise, and improves flotation and maneuverability, making the oars suitable for quiet and smooth navigation.
Smart Images
Figure US20260217352A1-D00000_ABST
Abstract
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to rowing boats, motorboats, canoes and the like and to the oars and their attachment methods.PRIOR ART
[0002] Oars for boats and the like and their attachment methods according to the prior art have been of various shapes. The oars are typically shaped as straight lines, and the method of attachment is generally a pin attachment to a boat-mounted attachment, as shown in FIG. 1. The shortcomings of the prior art oars are that the plain design of the oars does not form smooth and efficient shapes suitable for water, rowing and air resistance. This results in inefficiencies in rowing movements. In addition, the design does not optimally take into account the contact and separation of the oars and the water, resulting in extra noise when rowing.
[0003] The handle and associated parts, such as the grip, of the oars of prior art are fixed to prevent the handle from rotating during rowing. An example of this can be found at Oar Handle & Grips-Sweep & Scull|Custom Wood and Composite Oars (concept2.com). It is also the case that the oar end, i.e. handle side, of a prior art oar is in line with the main oar shaft on the rower's side.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The object of the invention is to provide rowing oars of a new shape which are ergonomic and efficient to use when moving on water. This is achieved with the oars according to the invention in order to develop rowing performance. The oars for both sides of the boat comprise a rectangular main shaft and, at the rowing end of the main shaft, at least two handle portions comprising an arm portion and a handle which is movable in a rotary manner relative to the arm portion, the first handle part being at an angle of between 1 and 10 degrees to the main shaft and the second handle part being at an angle of between 10 and 30 degrees to the main shaft, and the oars comprising, at the waterward end of the main shaft, a blade part with one or more holes and an attachment part on the main shaft for attaching the oars at a selected angle to the boat for rowing.
[0005] The invention further relates to a method of rowing, wherein the oars are adapted to receive a rowing grip from at least two handle portions, a first handle portion being at an angle of 1 to 10 degrees to the main shaft and a second handle portion being at an angle of 10 to 30 degrees to the main shaft, each handle portion comprising an arm portion and a handle, which is movable in the rowing grip in a rotary manner relative to the shaft portion, and, when rowing, a curved and convex blade portion with one or more holes and a mounting portion on the main shaft for attaching the oars at a selected angle to the boat for rowing, located at the waterward end of the main shaft.
[0006] The invention is based on the fact that the rowing end of the main shaft of the oar is provided with at least one handle portion at an angle of 10 to 150 degrees to the direction of the main shaft, said handle portion comprising an arm portion and a handle which is rotatably movable with respect to said arm portion. The invention is also based on the fact that the waterward end of the main shaft of the airfoil has a curved and convex blade portion and the main shaft has an attachment portion for attaching the oars to the boat at a selected angle for rowing.
[0007] The advantage of the invention is that the oars are ergonomic and enhance the effect of rowing movements when moving on the water. The water manoeuvring device has better flotation characteristics and carrying capacity than comparable boats of the same size and the like. The water manoevring device is unsinkable in all conditions. Both the oars according to the invention and the water manoevring device are suitable for quiet and smooth navigation on water.LIST OF FIGURES
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a boat-mounted oar attachment for rowing according to a known technique.
[0009] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a handle part according to the invention.
[0010] FIG. 3 shows a scheme of the handle part according to the invention from a perpendicular top view.
[0011] FIG. 4 shows an image of the handle part according to the invention perpendicularly from the side, without the handle as a top part.
[0012] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the rowing end of the oars according to the invention without the handle as a top part.
[0013] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the blade portion of the oars according to the invention from the first direction.
[0014] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the blade portion of the oars according to the invention from the second direction.
[0015] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the first direction of the rowlock of the oars according to the invention.
[0016] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the rowlock of the oars according to the invention from the second direction.
[0017] FIG. 10A shows the inner hull of a waterborne mobility device according to the invention.
[0018] FIG. 10B shows the outer shell of a waterborne mobility device according to the invention.
[0019] FIG. 11 shows a waterborne mobility device according to the invention.
[0020] FIG. 12 shows a sliding attachment member for attaching a sliding attachment member to a main shaft according to the invention.
[0021] FIG. 13 shows the attachment of the sliding attachment member to the main shaft according to the invention and the oval shape of the main shaft of the oars in cross-section.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] FIGS. 2 to 9 and 12 to 13 show oars according to the invention for developing rowing characteristics. Oars are typically used in boats and other waterborne vehicles as one or more pairs on either side of the boat. The oars are typically identical on each side of the boat. The oar comprises a rectangular main shaft 100 and at least one handle portion 102 at an angle of 10-150 degrees to the main shaft at the rowing end of the main shaft. FIGS. 2 to 5 show an exemplary shear pattern of the rowing end of the oars. The main shaft 100 is preferably a unitary portion extending from the main shaft shown in FIGS. 2-5 to a blade portion 108 (FIGS. 6-7) at one end of the oar.
[0023] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the oars may comprise at least one handle portion 102 at an angle of 10 to 90 degrees to the direction of the main shaft at the rowing end of the main shaft. In a preferred embodiment, shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, said angles may be from 10 to 30 degrees. Also, in one embodiment, the main shaft may be angled upwardly with respect to the rower by, for example, 3 to 13 degrees, preferably about 6 degrees. The handle portion 102 comprises an arm portion 104 and a handle 106 movable in a rotatable manner relative to the arm portion 104. This feature develops the functionality and ergonomics of the rowing motion. The handle portion 102 is preferably made of amorphous polyamide. The handle portion may have a hook structure or the like which may be used for suspension. The handle portion 102 may further comprise a handle structure superimposed on the grip 106. In a preferred embodiment, the handle portion 104 includes grooves 160 into which outwardly extending counter-measures on the grip 106 fit for rotational movement of the grip 106. The portions may also be reversed, i.e., the grooves are in the grip 106 and the counter structures are in the shaft structure.
[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the handle portion 102 may also be implemented as a folding structure. The main shaft 100 is preferably made of aluminium or other suitable material. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the oars may comprise, at the rowing end of the main shaft, two handle portions 102, the first handle portion being at an angle of 1 to 10 degrees to the main shaft and the second handle portion being at an angle of 10 to 30 degrees to the main shaft. In an embodiment of the invention, the handle portion 102 may also be in a vertical position relative to the main shaft 100.
[0025] FIGS. 6 and 7 show perspective views of a blade portion 108 of an oar according to the invention, which is attached to a waterward end of the main shaft 100. The oar blade portion 108 preferably comprises an aluminium profiled blade frame, the blade portion 108 having a flexible plastic filling moulded therein, for example a “Hytrel” thermoplastic polyester elastomer. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the oars may comprise one or more holes 117 in the blade portion 108, ranging in size from millimeters to centimeters in diameter, which develops hydrodynamic properties. For example, the shape of the hole may be slanted such that the mouth of the hole that receives the water resistance may be larger than the mouth of the hole that allows the water to pass through, i.e., the mouth of the hole that is rearmost in the rowing direction. Hydrodynamically, the resulting rotational movement of the water allows rowing efficiency to be developed. At least one hole may also be formed for locking so that the locking wire can pass through the hole 117.
[0026] The oars according to the invention comprise an attachment member 114 on the main shaft for attaching the oars to the rowing support at a selected angle relative to the boat for rowing. In accordance with exemplary FIGS. 8 and 9, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the oars comprise an attachment member 114 for slidably attaching the oars 114, for example by sliding movement, to a position suitable for a rower on the main shaft 100, and for attaching the main shaft 100 via the slidable attachment member 114 to the boat for rowing. Preferably, a groove 162 is formed in the main shaft to which the chains 119 of the sliding attachment member 114 are attached. The attachment to the boat may be achieved, for example, by means of a pin portion 164 (FIGS. 12 and 13) on a tap as shown in FIG. 1. The pin portion may be attached to the sliding attachment portion 114, for example, by screws through holes 172. The attachment of the sliding attachment member 114 to the main shaft 100 may be secured, for example, by square head screws and nuts through holes 170. The aforementioned position of the attachment member 114 on the oars can be changed, for example, when the rower changes. The pin portion 164 to be attached to the rowing machine is preferably made of Teflon-containing polyamide, which is a self-lubricating material for smoothing out movements and eliminating the sound bit.
[0027] The grip 106 is preferably circular in shape, which allows the blade angles to be adjusted for optimal rowing movements. For example, a soft-feeling handle can be attached to the handle by casting, which allows for a soft and comfortable rowing grip. 3D printing may be used to manufacture the blade portion 108, the rowlock 114 and the handle portion 102 of the blades and, if necessary, other parts. High performance adhesives may be used to attach the handle portion 104 and the paddle portion 108 to the main shaft 100. The attachment may be achieved, for example, by means of a dowel structure, for example, having rails of approximately mm to accommodate the adhesive. Between the blade 108 and the main shaft 100, the attachment piece may be of a material such as amorphous polyamide. The first end of the attachment piece comprises an attachment portion for attaching it to the blade structure, preferably by injection moulding over the blade 108 and the aluminium profiled blade frame. The aluminium profiled blade frame may have holes to which the fastener may be effectively attached during the injection moulding process. The attachment member comprises a plug structure at one end for gluing the attachment member to the main shaft 100. Other attachment solutions, such as mechanical ones, are also possible and may advantageously be used in combination with adhesives. In an embodiment according to the invention, the shaft portion 104 and the main shaft 100 may also be integral parts.
[0028] The length of the oars ranges from 150 cm to 350 cm, preferably from 230 cm to 270 cm. The length of the blade portion is between 40 cm and 70 cm, preferably between 50 cm and 60 cm. The width of the blade section can be, for example, 10 cm to 30 cm, without being limited to these dimensions.
[0029] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the oar blades 108 may have symmetrical shapes such that they are well suited for rowing in different directions. The shapes of the blades may be convex, whereby the surface that takes up water resistance is cup-shaped or concave, thus developing the efficiency of the rowing motion.
[0030] FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of the attachment of the sliding attachment member 114 of the oars according to the invention to the main shaft 100 and the oval shape of the main shaft 100 of the oars. The oval shape of the main shaft is a hydrodynamically sound shape that develops horizontal tensile strength in rowing motion. The oval shape also performs well when launching and recovering from the water, both in terms of hydrodynamics and quiet operation, which is an important feature, especially for fishing and hunting.
[0031] Another determining factor in the choice of materials for the oars of the invention is lightness, which allows ergonomic and efficient use and rowing manoeuvres.
[0032] In the method of using the oars according to the invention, the oars are adapted to take a rowing grip from at least one handle portion 102 located at the rowing end of the main shaft at an angle of between 10 and 150 degrees to the direction of the main shaft. The handle portion 102 comprises an arm portion 104 and a grip 106, which is rotatably movable in the rowing grip relative to the arm portion 104. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the oars are adapted to receive a rowing grip from at least one handle portion 102 located at a rowing end of the main shaft at an angle of 10-90 degrees to the direction of the main shaft. Most preferably, the oars are capable of having a rowing grip taken from at least one handle portion 102 located at the rowing end of the main shaft at an angle of 10 to 30 degrees to the main shaft direction. In one embodiment of the invention, the oars comprise at least two handle portions 102, a first handle portion 102 being at an angle of 1 to 10 degrees to the direction of the main shaft and a second handle portion 102 being at an angle of 10 to 30 degrees to the direction of the main shaft.
[0033] For rowing, a curved and convex blade portion 108 located at the waterward end of the main shaft and an attachment member 114 on the main shaft are used to attach the oars at a selected angle to the boat for rowing. In a preferred method of operating the oars, the attachment member 114 is a sliding attachment member 114 for a sliding attachment effect of the oars to the main shaft 100, and the main shaft 100 is attached to the boat via the sliding attachment member 114 for rowing. The attachment to the boat may be effected, for example, by means of a pin portion of a tap as shown in FIG. 1.
[0034] A waterborne mobility device, for example a boat, according to preferred embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS. 10A-10B and 11, comprises at least one outer mold 130 and at least one inner mold 132 according to the boat model to form a double hull structure. The moulds 130, 132 comprise a first hole 133a through which a high pressure injection of seal polyurethane is injected to fill the voids within the moulds 130, 132 and a second hole 133b through which air is evacuated from the voids during said injection. The boat comprises a rounded shape 137 of the stern of the boat and a shape of the bottom such that the bottom is at its widest at the front 139 of the boat to reduce water resistance. Said spaces filled with closed cell polyurethane include docking bellows 145 along the sides of the boat for stiffening the hull of the boat with said closed cell polyurethane. The boat may also preferably comprise a keel section comprising heavy material as a keel weight.
[0035] Said empty spaces prior to filling preferably are dock bellows 145 and benches 147. The boat according to the invention may comprise a flat central portion 149 at the bottom for increasing the maximum allowable dock weight. The boat may also have a recess 128 at the bow to provide a centre of gravity for maximum downwind ascent to shore.
[0036] The stern portion of the boat according to the invention may have a shaped profile to prevent the outboard motor from falling into the water. In addition, the boat may advantageously have semi-elliptical shaped boat edges 142 for deflecting waves away from the boat.
Claims
1. -12. (canceled)13. Oars for developing rowing performance, characterized in that the oars for both sides of the boat comprises a rectangular main shaft (100) and, at the rowing end of the main shaft, at least two handle portions (102) comprising an arm portion (104) and a grip (106) movable in a rotatable manner relative to the arm portion (104), and the first handle portion (102) is at an angle of 1 to 10 degrees to the direction of the main shaft (100) and the second handle portion (102) is at an angle of 10 to 30 degrees to the direction of the main shaft (100), and the oars comprise, at the waterward end of the main shaft (100), a blade portion (108) having one hole or more holes (117), the shape of the hole being slanted such that the mouth of the hole that is for receiving the water resistance is larger than the mouth of the hole that is rearmost in the rowing direction for allowing the water to pass through and a main shaft attachment member (114) for attaching the oars to the boat at a selected angle for rowing.
14. The oars according to claim 13, characterized in that the oars comprise at least one handle portion (102) at the rowing end of the main shaft at an angle of 10 to 90 degrees to the main shaft.
15. The oars according to claim 13, characterized in that the oars comprise a sliding attachment member (114) as an attachment member (114) for attachment by sliding movement to the main shaft (100), and for attaching the main shaft (100) via the sliding attachment member (114) to the boat for rowing.
16. The oars according to claim 13, characterized in that the oars comprise a curved and convex blade portion (108) at the waterward end of the main shaft (100).
17. The oars according to claim 13, characterized in that the handle portion (102) comprises an amorphous polyamide.
18. The oars according to claim 13, characterized in that the blade portion (108) of the oars comprises an aluminium profiled blade frame, and wherein the blade portion (108) has a flexible plastic core moulded therein.
19. A method of rowing characterized in that the oars are capable of taking a rowing grip on either side of the boat from at least two handle portions (102), a first handle portion (102) being at an angle of 1 to 10 degrees to the main shaft (100) and a second handle portion (102) being at an angle of 10 to 30 degrees to the main shaft (100), each handle portion (102) comprising an arm portion (104) and a grip (106), which is pivotally movable in the rowing grip in a rotational manner relative to the shaft portion (104), and, when rowing, a curved and convex blade portion (108) located at the waterward end of the main shaft and having one hole or more holes (117), the shape of the hole being slanted such that the mouth of the hole that receives the water resistance is larger than the mouth of the hole that is rearmost in the rowing direction allowing the water to pass through, and an attachment portion (114) on the main shaft for attaches the oars to the boat at a selected angle for rowing.
20. The method of rowing an oar according to claim 19, characterized in that the oar is adapted to have a rowing grip taken from at least one handle portion (102) located at a rowing end of the main shaft at an angle of 10 to 90 degrees to the main shaft.
21. The method of rowing an oar according to claim 19, characterized in that the method of using the oar comprises using a sliding attachment member (114) as an attachment member (114) for slidably attaching the oar to the main shaft (100), the main shaft (100) being attached to the boat for rowing via the sliding attachment member (114).
22. The method of rowing according to claim 19, characterized in that the waterward end of the main shaft (100) used for rowing has a curved and convex blade portion (108).