US 2014/0109283 A1 · Personal Propulsion Device with Hands Free Control

Abstract

An improved personal propulsion device that imparts thrust directly to the user when operating a human powered vehicle to improve mobility thereof. The device allows hands free control of thrust magnitude and direction so both hands can grasp and control bicycle handlebars and brakes, watercraft paddles, ski poles or other apparatuses. In another embodiment, the device can be attached directly to the vehicle. The device can be provided with a collapsible shrouded propeller assembly comprising a shroud made up of interlocking panels that are each removably attached to the end of an elongated strut, with each the struts being pivotally and/or telescopically disposed relative to the propulsion mechanism. The panels can be slidably engaged with the struts. A gradiently flexible garment can be worn by a user and utilized with a gradiently flexible fairing attached to the user and a bicycle to improve aerodynamics when riding the bicycle.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A personal propulsion device, comprising:

propulsion means for imparting thrust;
one or more controls operatively connected to said propulsion means and configured to control a throttle, start/stop operation and/or thrust direction of said propulsion means;
control means for controlling of said propulsion means, including thrust magnitude and/or direction of thrust from said propulsion means;
and
a shrouded propeller assembly having a bearing block, a propeller operatively attached to said bearing block, a plurality of elongated support struts each having a proximal end attached to said bearing block and a shroud attached to a distal end of each of said support struts so as to dispose said shrouded propeller assembly in an extended condition with said shroud in spaced apart relation to said bearing block, said shroud having a plurality of duct panels, one of said plurality of duct panels connected to said distal end of one of said plurality of support struts,
wherein said device is configured to be worn by a user and to impart thrust directly to said user's back or to cooperatively engage a mounting means for securely mounting said device to a HPV instead of said user's back.

3 more elements

A personal propulsion device, comprising:

propulsion means for imparting thrust directly to a user's back;
one or more controls operatively connected to said propulsion means and configured to control a throttle, start/stop operation and/or thrust direction of said propulsion means;
control means for hands free controlling of said propulsion means, including thrust magnitude and/or direction of thrust from said propulsion means, said control means comprising a glove configured to receive one or more fingers therein, said glove operatively connected to said controls;
and
a shrouded propeller assembly having a bearing block, a propeller operatively attached to said bearing block, a plurality of elongated support struts each having a proximal end attached to said bearing block and a shroud attached to a distal end of each of said support struts so as to dispose said shrouded propeller assembly in an extended condition with said shroud in spaced apart relation to said bearing block, said shroud having a plurality of interconnected duct panels, one of said plurality of duct panels connected to said distal end of one of said plurality of support struts, each of said duct panels being removably attached to said one of said plurality of support struts so as to place said shrouded propeller assembly in a collapsed condition with each of said duct panels removed from said support struts.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Personal Propulsion Device with Hands Free Control

Life of this patent

Personal Propulsion Device with Hands Free Control

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20