Pedal drive and steering assembly for inflatable watercraft and watercraft combined with same

Abstract

A pedal assembly and steering assembly are disclosed for converting an inflatable, drop stitch paddle watercraft into a pedal watercraft. The pedal assembly includes a mounting plate and mounting bracket for supporting a geared drive shaft in an opening extending through the floor of the watercraft. The steering assembly includes a rudder connected to a tiller through push pull cables.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drive assembly for an inflatable watercraft, comprising:
 pedal drive means for rotating a propeller; and   coupling means for detachably coupling the pedal drive means to the inflatable watercraft.   
     
     
         2 . The drive assembly of  claim 1 , wherein pedal drive means includes a drive shaft having first and second opposite axial ends, first and second pedals mounted on respective first and second pedal support arms, the first and second pedal support arms being rotatably and coaxially connected to the first axial end of the drive shaft, and a propeller rotatably mounted on the second opposite end, and connected through the drive shaft to the first and second pedals, wherein rotation of the pedals imparts rotation of the propeller. 
     
     
         3 . The drive assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the coupling means includes a mounting plate fixedly connected to a medial portion of the drive shaft and extending substantially normal to the drive shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The drive assembly of  claim 3 , further comprising a mounting arm having a first end rotatably connected to the first axial end of the drive shaft, and a second end rotatably and detachably connected to the watercraft. 
     
     
         5 . The drive assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the watercraft includes a mounting hole extending through a bottom of the watercraft, and the coupling means further comprises a mounting flange having a sleeve portion extending into the mounting hole, and a rim portion extending circumferentially around the mounting hole. 
     
     
         6 . The drive assembly of  claim 5 , further comprising means for detachably connecting the mounting flange to the watercraft. 
     
     
         7 . The drive assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the mounting plate includes a window and is dimensioned to sealingly engage and cover the mounting hole. 
     
     
         8 . The drive assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the mounting flange and the mounting plate include complementary fastener means for detachably connecting the mounting plate to the mounting flange. 
     
     
         9 . The drive assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the complementary fastener means includes an open hinge provided at a proximal end portion of the mounting plate and a corresponding portion of the rim portion of the mounting flange, and a plurality of dogs provided around the rim portion of the mounting flange to engage corresponding portions of the mounting plate. 
     
     
         10 . The drive assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the mounting plate further includes a handle extending between the mounting plate and the drive shaft. 
     
     
         11 . The drive assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of straps connecting an upper portion of the back panel to a forward portion of the bottom panel. 
     
     
         12 . The drive assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the coupling means includes a base having a horizontally oriented flange that circumscribes an opening provided in the watercraft, a collar that extends into the opening, and base coupling means for detachably coupling the base to the watercraft. 
     
     
         13 . The drive assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the base coupling means includes complimentary fasteners connected to the collar of the base and to the watercraft around the periphery of the opening. 
     
     
         14 . The drive assembly of  claim 12 , further comprises a window dimensioned and sized to fit over the watercraft opening. 
     
     
         15 . The drive assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the base includes a plurality of dogs located around a periphery of the flange, and a receptacle formed on the flange at a forward portion there, and being adapted to receive a complimentary foot formed on a bottom portion of drive shaft. 
     
     
         16 . The drive assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the coupling means further includes a mounting arm having a first end rotatably connected to an upper end of the drive shaft, and a second end rotatably connectable to a mounting bracket connectable to the watercraft. 
     
     
         17 . The drive assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the mounting bracket includes a base fixedly connected to a floor of the watercraft forward of the opening, and a pair of spaced apart support arms extending upwardly from the base. 
     
     
         18 . A steering assembly for an inflatable watercraft comprising:
 a rudder adapted to mounted on a stern of the watercraft;   a tiller adapted to mount near a sitting position of a user;   cable means connecting the tiller to the rudder, and being operable to impart movement of the tiller to movement of the rudder.   
     
     
         19 . The steering assembly of  claim 18 , further comprising detachable mounting means for mounting the rudder to the watercraft. 
     
     
         20 . The steering assembly of  claim 19 , wherein the detachable mounting means includes a first mounting bracket, a first vertical pivot pin connecting the rudder to the mounting bracket for pivoting the rudder about a range of motion, and a second horizontal pin connecting the mounting bracket to a the stern of the watercraft for pivoting the rudder about a range of motion vertically between a vertical operative position and a horizontal inoperative position. 
     
     
         21 . The steering assembly according to  claim 20 , further including a second mounting bracket for connecting the first mounting bracket and rudder to the stern of the watercraft. 
     
     
         22 . The steering assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein the cable means includes a push pull cable connecting the tiller to the rudder. 
     
     
         23 . An inflatable watercraft comprising:
 a bottom panel made of inflatable drop stitch material and having a pedal port formed approximately midship through the bottom panel;   a starboard side panel made of inflatable drop stitch material and extending substantially vertically upwardly from the starboard side of the bottom panel;   a port side panel made of inflatable drop stitch material and extending substantially vertically upwardly from the port side of the bottom panel;   the bottom, starboard and port side panels forming a floor, a bow and a stern;   a pedal drive assembly detachably connected to the floor of the watercraft; and   a steering assembly detachably connected to the stern of the watercraft.   
     
     
         24 . The inflatable watercraft of  claim 23 , wherein the pedal drive assembly includes a drive shaft having first and second opposite axial ends, first and second pedals mounted on respective first and second pedal support arms, the first and second pedal support arms being rotatably and coaxially connected to the first axial end of the drive shaft, and a propeller rotatably mounted on the second opposite end, and connected through the drive shaft to the first and second pedals, wherein rotation of the pedals imparts rotation of the propeller. 
     
     
         25 . The inflatable watercraft of  claim 23 , further comprising an inflatable deck panel made of drop stitch material, and being detachably connected to upper edges of the port and starboard side panels along upper edges of the port. 
     
     
         26 . The inflatable watercraft of  claim 23 , wherein the steering assembly includes a rudder detachably connected to the stern of the watercraft, a tiller detachably connected to one of the upper edges of the port and starboard side panels, and push pull cables connecting the rudder to the tiller. 
     
     
         27 . The inflatable watercraft of  claim 26 , further comprising a mounting bracket for mounting the rudder to the stern of the watercraft, the mounting bracket having a first part permanently connected to the floor of the bottom panel at the stern, and a second part detachably connected to the first part. 
     
     
         28 . The inflatable watercraft of  claim 27 , wherein the second part further includes a first pin for pivoting movement of the rudder from side to side, and a second pin for pivoting movement of the rudder upwards and downwards.