Boat propeller and guard device

Abstract

A boat propeller and guard device for protecting marine wildlife from being hurt by coming into contact with boat propellers. The boat propeller and guard device includes a propeller having a hub and fins extending radially from the hub; and also includes flexible guard members each being securely and removably attached along an outer edge of a respective fin; and further includes strips of fastening members being attached to the flexible guard members for fastening the flexible guard members to the fins.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A boat propeller and guard device comprising: 
 a propeller having a hub and fins extending radially from said hub;    flexible guard members each being securely and removably attached along an outer edge of a respective said fin; and    strips of fastening members being attached to said flexible guard members for fastening said flexible guard members to said fins.    
     
     
         2 . A boat propeller and guard device as described in  claim 1 , wherein each of said fins has rounded corners and an enlarged outer portion.  
     
     
         3 . A boat propeller and guard device as described in  claim 2 , wherein each of said flexible guard members includes an elongate pad member being made of a poly-foam material and having a generally planar underside and also having an outer side with rounded longitudinal corners.  
     
     
         4 . A boat propeller and guard device as described in  claim 3 , wherein each of said flexible guard members further includes a longitudinal slot being disposed in said underside and extending a length of said flexible guard member and engageably receiving said outer edge of a respective said fin.  
     
     
         5 . A boat propeller and guard device as described in  claim 4 , wherein each said longitudinal slot has a generally inverted U-shaped lateral cross-section.  
     
     
         6 . A boat propeller and guard device as described in  claim 5 , wherein each of said flexible guard members has a first end being disposed near said hub and has a second end also being disposed near said hub.  
     
     
         7 . A boat propeller and guard device as described in  claim 6 , wherein said strips of fastening members are disposed in said longitudinal slots and are adhered to end and side walls defining said longitudinal slots.  
     
     
         8 . A boat propeller and guard device as described in  claim 7 , wherein each of said strips of fastening members includes a strip of adhesive tape and a protective cover being removably disposed upon said strip of adhesive tape.