Cargo Transport Device for Towing Behind Watercraft

Abstract

A cargo transport device for towing behind a watercraft features a watertight container and a connection member extending along a longitudinal axis between the container and the watercraft. The connection member includes a swivel such that the container and watercraft on opposite sides of the swivel can pivot freely about the longitudinal axis. This free pivoting allows relative rotation between the container and watercraft such that each can react to outside forces, for example those exerted by waves, independently. As a result, rolling of the container does not tend to induce rolling of the watercraft and so the ride quality of the watercraft is not significantly reduced by towing the device. The container has a streamlined shape narrowing towards opposite ends thereof to reduce resistance to motion through water.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present invention:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the watertight towable container of the cargo transport device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an overhead plan view of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an overhead plan view of the connection member of the cargo transport device connecting the container to a kayak.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the connection member of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the connection member connecting the container to a kayak.

Claims

1. A cargo transport device for towing behind a watercraft, said device comprising: a watertight towable container; anda connection member extending generally in a direction of a longitudinal axis from a first connection point for connection to the container to a second connection point for connection to the watercraft;the connection member comprising a swivel disposed between the first and second connections points and arranged to allow relative pivotal motion between portions of said connection member on opposite sides of said swivel about the longitudinal axis.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the container has a streamlined shape narrowing toward opposite ends thereof.

3. The device according to claim 1 wherein the streamlined shape narrows in a horizontal plane toward the opposite ends of the container.

4. The device according to claim 1 wherein the connection member is pivotable about a pivot axis extending transverse to the longitudinal axis at one or both of the first and second connection points to allow relative vertical movement therebetween.

5. The device according to claim 1 further comprising wheels supported on the container for rolling motion thereof along a ground surface.

6. The device according to claim 5 wherein the wheels are disposed proximate proximate one end of the container such that lifting of an opposite end engages the wheels with the ground surface.

7. The device according to claim 1 wherein the connection member comprises a fixed portion at the second connection point for fixed mounting on the watercraft.

8. The device according to claim 7 wherein the fixed portion of the connection member is riveted for attachment to the watercraft.

9. The device according to claim 7 wherein the fixed portion of the connection member is epoxied for waterproof attachment to the watercraft.

10. The device according to claim 7 wherein the connection member further comprises a detachable portion removably connected to the fixed portion for selectively disconnecting the watercraft and container.

11. The device according to claim 1 wherein the connection member is adapted at the first connection point to be selectively detachable from the container.

12. The device according to claim 1 wherein the connection member is connected to the container adjacent a first end thereof and the device further comprises a second connection member attached to the container adjacent a second end opposite the first end for connection to a second watertight towable container.

13. The device according to claim 1 wherein the watertight container is closable to define an enclosed space therein.

14. The device according to claim 1 in combination with a kayak extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the container of the device is less than or equal to the kayak in width measured transverse to the longitudinal direction in a horizontal plane.

15. The device according to claim 14 wherein the kayak and container are of substantially similar shape in at least the horizontal plane.

16. The device according to claim 1 wherein the first and second connection points of the connection member are joined by an elastic member such that the first and second connection points are spaced by a first prescribed distance when the elastic member is in a relaxed state and such that the first and second connection points are spaced by a second prescribed distance greater than the first prescribed distance and are biased towards the first prescribed distance when the elastic is in a stretched state.

17. The device according to claim 1 wherein a distance between the first and second connection points is substantially fixed.

18. A cargo transport device for towing behind a watercraft, said device comprising: a watertight towable container; anda connection member extending in a longitudinal direction from a first connection point arranged for connection to the container to a second connection point arranged for connection to the watercraft;a distance between the first and second connection points being substantially fixed.

19. A cargo transport device for towing behind a watercraft, said device comprising: a watertight towable container; anda connection member extending in a longitudinal direction from a first connection point arranged for connection to the container to a second connection point arranged for connection to the watercraft;the container having a streamlined shape narrowing toward opposite ends thereof in the longitudinal direction.

20. The device according to claim 19 in combination with a kayak extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the container of the device is less than or equal to the kayak in width measured perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction in a horizontal plane.