Abraham A Meron

US Patent:

49432516, Jul 24, 1990

Filed:

Aug 2, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/388610

Inventors:

Thomas E. Lerach - Shoreview MN
Abraham Meron - Hudson WI

Assignee:

Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha

International Classification:

B63H 1614

US Classification:

440 28

Abstract:

A pedal operated drive system for a canoe includes a main drive assembly in the canoe including a main drive shaft, an intermediate drive shaft extending rearwardly of the main drive shaft to a point beyond the canoe stern, and a propeller shaft behind the canoe, supported pivotally on the intermediate shaft. A lower region of the propeller shaft, below water when the canoe is afloat, supports a propeller. A series of drive rods including a main drive rod, intermediate drive rod and a propeller drive rod, form a driving engagement between the propeller and a pedal and crank assembly on the main drive assembly, for rotating the propeller responsive to rotating the pedal and crank assembly. Each of the drive rods is rotatably contained within its associated shaft. Universal connections between the rods allow them to be positioned at angles with respect to one another, an obtuse angle between the main drive rod and intermediate drive rod being employed to lower the center of gravity of the drive system.

US Patent:

52173984, Jun 8, 1993

Filed:

Apr 14, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/868225

Inventors:

Abraham Meron - Hudson WI
Masanori Sugita - Spring Lake Park MN

Assignee:

Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha

International Classification:

B63H 1618

US Classification:

440 26

Abstract:

A pedal operated catamaran includes a pair of side-by-side buoyant hulls, and a rigid frame releasably mounted to the hulls in one of two alternative positions, to maintain the hulls parallel to one another. The catamaran includes a propeller mounted for rotation with an elongated, longitudinal propeller drive shaft. A gear train drivably associates the propeller drive shaft and a crankshaft, for propeller rotation responsive to rotation of the crankshaft. The propeller drive shaft further is pivotally mounted to allow selective alternative latching of the propeller in a retracted position and in one of several operating positions, as controlled by a hand-operated lever. The latching mechanism allows on-the-fly adjustment of the propeller position. In the retracted position, the propeller is automatically angularly locked above the hulls, to facilitate car top carrying of the craft without disassembly.