US1248013A - Apparatus for walking on the water. - Google Patents

Description

L. RISSO.

APPARATUS FOR WALKING ON THE WATER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. I. 19l6- h s nnucnuznunuucunua lhmninr Y y a! ionrrnn earns LUIGI RISSU, F GENOA, ITALY.

APPARATUS FOR, WALKIN ON THE WATER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2?, 1917.

\ Application filed March 1, 1916. Serial No. 81,354.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, Luror Rlsso, a subject of the King of Italy, residingat Via Lazzaro Gagliardo 3, Genoa, Italy, have invented certain new v and useful Improvements in Apparatus for l/Valking on the ater, of which the following is a specification.

lhe present invention refers to a'portable non-submergible apparatus for walking on the water essentially consisting of two floats of prismatic shape arranged parallel to each other, in combination with a propeller which can be put in motion by the action of the feet of the person. The floats are formed by an impermeable cloth sustained by an inside frame. i

The apparatus differs from the known types by the special construction of the rains sustaining the cloth covering, by which construction the apparatus may be reduced to a very small volume fortransportation. i

The invention is illustrated in the drawings. Figure 1 is a partial longitudinal sectional view through one of the floats; J

Fig.2 a plan view ofthe whole apparatus; l

Fig.8 a vertical cross-section of the apparatus with propeller;

Fig. 4 a vertical longitudinal section through an end of the float with the means by which the float can be enlarged and reduced in size; i

V Fig. 5 a cross-sectional view of thefloat in reduced condition Fig. 6 shows a modified form of the pro peller; i

Fig. 7 is a detail of the connection of the center rod with the rods at the periphery of the float.

The structure or framework supporting the cloth covering of the float consists of a center rod 1 and rods 2 of wood arranged at the periphery of the float and. parallel to the center rod and converging toward the center rod at the two ends of the float, where they are joined by eyes with thehinges or ringed of the cones 3. On the outside of the rods 2 is fastened the impermeable cloth covering 5. The center rod 1 is connected with the rods 2 by means of four or more se ries of spokes 6 which connect with said rods by joints or eyes on either end, as in Figs.

1 and 7. By moving the center rod in a longitudinal direction the frame will be en'- larged or contracted and this according as the spokes may assume vertical or parallel positions. with respect to the center rod. Une of the end cones 3 is provided with a pin 7 which penetrates into the adjacent end of the center rod for siuoporting and guiding the same during its movement.

The other end cone rotatably carries a screw 8 which is threaded into the adjacent end of the center rod. By turning the screw the center rod will be drawn forward or pushed back and in this manner the prismatic body of the float will be contracted or distended.

The displacement of water by each float must be such that one float will be sufficient to support the weight of the person and further that in employing two floats these will bc'submerged in the water for about the half of their height. In the upper part of the float there is provided an opening for the introduction of the foot. Chis opening has an appendix or pocket 9 of impermeable cloth suitably secured to the exterior of the float and extending inwardly to the center rod. This appendix or pocket is watertight and carries a wooden board 10 which rests on the center rod and serves as a support for the foot of the person. When contracting the apparatus this board will be drawn outwardly from the float and the leather strip 11 fastened onitfor the reception of the foot will now ,serve toconnect the two floats together and to facilitate their transportation. It is understood that the support for the foot couldjust as well be arranged on the top of the float. Therudder or propeller consists of a simple rudder wheel with two blades 12 connected together by two longitudinal rods 13 to form a rectangular frame.

1f four blades are employed instead of two,

a second frame will be connected to the first one at right angles thereto. Into the rudder frame 13 penetrate at two symmetrical points two shafts 14 which rigidly connect on the upper part and behind the person on the floats. The connection of these shafts with the floats is effected by bolts and winged nuts as in Figs. 1 and 3. whereby the rudder may be very easily removed by hand.

By pressing with the feet first on the one and then on the other float the rudder will be put in rotation and a speed obtained which is proportional to the rotation of the rudder. In order to obtain a greater number of rotations the modified rudder device as shown in Fig. 6, may be used. In this figure the two shafts 15 fastened upon the floats are combined with a double crank shaft21 on which are rotatably arranged the two toothed wheels 16 which form one piece with the rudder wheel 13. The cranks of shaft 21 rotatably engage the shafts 15. Opposite the wheels 16 other wheels 17 of a larger diameter are keyed on the shafts 15. These toothed wheels could be substituted by pulleys. The two wheels on the same side of the rudder are connected by a chain 18. In conformity with the ratio of the diameters of a pair of wheels will be the ratio between the number of footsteps or pedal steps and the rotations of the rudder. If the wheels of one pair are of the same diameter as the corresponding wheels of the other pair the effect ofthe transmission will be the same. By removing the chain or belt 18 and connecting the shafts 15 to the rod 13 of the rudder, for instance by means of the bolts 19 having conical ends adapted when the bolts are screwed into therod '13 to engage conical depressions in the ends of the are moved, by the direct action of such wheels.

In the rudder device shown in Fig. '3 the shafts 14 are rigidly connected with the floatsand rotatably connected with the rudder, There is nothing to prevent connecting theseshafts rigidly with the rudder and supporting them rotatably on the floats. Thehexagonal shape of the float may also be substituted by any kind of polygonal shape. The mentioned materials as wood, metal and impermeable: cloth may be re placed by other materials as practical experience may indicate to be most suitable. 20 is a connecting rod hinged to the floats and serving tokeep the floats in a parallel position during working.

The present apparatus does not have any steering rudder as after a short practical e perience a person will be able by simply dlstortlng the body to guide the apparatus and to regulate the amount of submersion.

In order to make the apparatus more accessible for beginners a ,handrudder be employed and will certainly be useful in certain circumstances.

I claim 1. A portable and nonsubmergible appa' ratus for walking onthe water, comprismg two floats, each consisting of a covering of impermeable cloth supported by a framework of prismatic shape with pointed ends, said framework comprising a center rod connected by hinged spokes to longitudinal par allel rods, cones at the ends of said floats, and a hinged connection between said parallel rods and said cones.

v2. A portable and nonsubmergible appa-- ratus for walking on thewater, comprising two floats, each consisting ofa covering of impermeable cloth supported bya framework of prismatic shape with pointed ends,

said framework comprising a center rod coni nected by hinged spokes to longitudinal parallel rods, cones at the ends of said floats, a hinged connection between said parallel rods and said cones, a supporting and guid ing pin carried by one of said end cones and penetrating into the adjacent end of the center rod, and a screw rotatably carried by the other end cone and threaded into' the adjacent end of the center rod. r

3. A portable and nonsubmergible appa A. A portable and nonsubmergible apparatus for walking on the water, comprising a pair of floats, a shaft rigidly fastened on each float and combined with a double crank shaft, the cranks of which are rotatably supported on the ends ofthese shafts and the crank shaft traversing and rotatably. ar-

ranged in a rudder wheel, two toothed wheels rotatably arrangedon the crank shaft. and forming one piece with the rudder wheel, two othertoothed wheels keyed on the ends of the float shafts and screws provided on the rudder wheel for securing the float shafts thereto. f

5. A portable and nonsubmergible apparatus for walking onthe water, comprising a pair of floats, ashaft rigidly fastened on each float and combined with a double crank shaft, the cranks of which are rotatably supported on the ends of these shafts, and In testimony whereof I have signed my the crank shaft traversing and rotatably arname to this specification in the presence of ranged in a rudder Wheel, two toothed tWo subscribing Witnesses.

Wheels rotatably arranged on the crank shaft LUIGI RISSO. and forming one piece With the rudder Witnesses:

Wheel, and tWo other toothed Wheels keyed ADOLFO WEBER,

on the ends of the float shafts. MOZGARELEA DOMNEE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patento. Washington, D. 0.

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