US 5,194,029 AGranted

Floatable structure propelling mechanism

AssigneeJal Data Communications & Systems Co., Ltd.

InventorKoichi Kinoshita

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Abstract

A floatable structure propelling mechanism is combined with a floatable structure filled with helium gas to propel the floatable structure for flying in the air. The floatable structure propelling mechanism comprises a pair of lateral fins supported for swing motion respectively on the opposite sides of a middle portion of the floatable structure. The driving mechanism for driving the lateral fins for swing motion alternately in opposite direcitons in a vertical plane comprises a rotative driving unit provided near the lower surface of the middle portion of the floatable structure. The rotative driving unit includes a double crankshaft which is rotated by the driving unit, first connecting rods fixed to the lateral fins, respectively, and second connecting rods interconnecting the crank pin portions of the double crankshaft and the free ends of the first connecting rods, respectively. The lateral fins include a framework which permits flexing of each lateral fin to relax the fin and decrease resistance to air during upward motion. During downward motion, the framework of the lateral fins attains a rigid configuration to tension the lateral fin and provide improved lift for propelling the floatable structure for flying.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A floatable structure propelling mechanism for propelling a floatable structure in a rearward-to-forward direction, comprising:

a pair of lateral fins provided on respective lateral sides of said floatable structure and extending laterally outward away from the floatable structure;
hinge means secured to said lateral sides of the floatable structure for pivotally mounting said lateral fins to the lateral sides, respectively, each of said hinge means extending along each of said lateral sides in a direction parallel to said rearward-to-forward direction in a manner to allow each lateral fin to swing up and down about each hinge means;
each of said lateral fins having a forward frame extending laterally outward from each of said hinge means so as to be curved rearwardly as it extends outward, and a flexible film spread between each hinge means and the forward frame said forward frame including means to angle said forward frame during upward motion of each said lateral fin and relax said flexible film and to straighten said forward frame during downward motion of each said lateral fin and tension said flexible fin, such that each said lateral fin produces a lift and a propulsion thrust as each lateral fin is swung downwardly and upwardly;
and
rotative driving means mounted on said floatable structure, said driving means having a rotative drive source and connecting means operatively coupling said drive source to said lateral fins such that said drive source causes the lateral fins to swing about respective said hinge means.

2 more elements

A novelty floatable structure comprising:

a) an inflatable structure adapted to be filled with a gas lighter than air;
and
b) a floatable structure propelling mechanism for propelling said inflatable structure comprising:
a pair of lateral fins provided on respective lateral sides of said floatable structure and extending laterally outward away from the inflatable structure;
hinge means secured to said lateral sides of the inflatable structure for pivotally mounting said lateral fins to the lateral sides, respectively, each of said hinge means extending along each of said lateral sides in a direction parallel to said rearward-to-forward direction in a manner to allow each lateral fin to swing up and down about each hinge means;
each of said lateral fins having a forward frame extending laterally outward from each of said hinge means so as to be curved rearwardly as it extends outward, and a flexible film spread between each hinge means and the forward frame, said forward frame including means to angle said forward frame during upward motion of each said lateral fin and relax said flexible film and to straighten said forward frame during downward motion of each said lateral fin and tension said flexible fin, such that each said lateral fin produces a lift and a propulsion thrust as each lateral fin is swung downwardly and upwardly;
and
rotative driving means mounted on said inflatable structure, said driving means having a rotative drive source and connecting means operatively coupling said drive source to said lateral fins such that said drive source causes the lateral fins to swing about respective said hinge means.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.