BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention. The invention relates generally to seats for small boats, and more particularly to ergonomic backrests for canoe seats that convert to assist in the carrying of a small boat or canoe.
Description of Related Art. Canoeing is a great solo sport that people enjoy around the world. However, the canoe itself has a rather long, heavy, and awkward shape that makes it difficult for a solo user to transport even when using a solo canoe that has a single seat A majority of time the user must transport the canoe over rough and uneven terrain to a river, stream, or lake they plan to enjoy. Such transport is particularly dangerous when a user attempts to carry the canoe without assistance.
Attempts to overcome this problem are seen in the prior art with limited success. Devices in the prior art are clamped onto gunwales or the seat of a canoe for transport, and removed and stored while paddling. Solo canoe portage devices of the prior art have several disadvantages including being too heavy (weighing nearly 4 lbs.), taking too long to mount and dismount from the canoe (˜30 seconds), and in a capsize event, they take too long to remove and securely store to prevent loss. Many of these devices require mounting the device and removal with each use. A majority of the prior art devices are not permanently mounted to the canoe and therefore have the disadvantage of being lost in the water during a capsize event.
What is needed is a backrest for a solo canoe bench seat that supports the user's low back while paddling. The backrest needs to be light, strong, adjustable, and fold out of the way for transport. The backrest should remain mounted to the canoe so it can be quickly deployed between a supportive backrest in a seated configuration and a low-profile storage configuration. What is needed is a backrest that works as a lumbar supportive seat in a seated configuration, as a canoe carrying yoke in a portage configuration, and tucks out of the way in a storage configuration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A novel ergonomic convertible backrest for a canoe bench seat addressing the needs discussed above is disclosed herein.
In one form, a convertible backrest is mounted to the bench seat of a canoe. The convertible backrest is useable as a portage device to carry a solo canoe on a person's shoulders and also serves as a backrest while paddling a solo canoe.
In one form, a convertible backrest is secured to a bench seat of a canoe utilizing a pair of lower pivot brackets.
In one form, a convertible backrest pivots about a pivot axis between a seated configuration whereby the convertible backrest is extended upwards serving as a back support while a user paddles a canoe, and a portage configuration whereby the convertible backrest is pivoted down and whereby the shoulder pads are configured to either rest on a user's shoulders for ergonomic portage of the canoe, and a storage configuration whereby the shoulder pads are tucked within the convertible backrest for storage.
In one form, the convertible backrest comprises a U-shaped back tube comprising two tube legs and a base extending between the two tube legs.
In one form, tube legs of the back tube have a thickened wall at the tube leg ends.
In one form, one tube leg of the U-shaped back tube is pivotably connected by a lower pivot bracket (hinge bracket) to a canoe bench seat at the tube leg end.
In one form, a second tube leg of the U-shaped back tube is pivotably connected to the canoe bench seat by a second lower pivot bracket at the second tube leg end.
In one form, the U-shaped back tube pivots about an axis A extending through a tube leg pivot hole at the end of the tube legs of the back tube and through the lower pivot bracket pivot holes that extend through the lower pivot brackets.
In one form, a first shoulder pad and a second shoulder pad are fixedly coupled to a pivot axle.
In one form, an upper pivot bracket extends from the back of the U-shaped back tube.
In one form, the upper pivot brackets are located near the junction of the base and tube legs of the U-shaped back tube.
In one form, each upper pivot bracket comprises an upper pivot hole.
In one form, the pivot axle is seated in the upper pivot hole of each upper pivot bracket along an axis B that extends through each upper pivot hole.
In one form, elastomeric cording holds the convertible backrest flat against the bench seat in a storage configuration such as when storing or transporting the canoe. Elastomeric cording also holds the shoulder pads in a deployed position when the canoe is inverted.
In one form, elastomeric cording secures the shoulder pads in a stored position between the tube legs of the U-shaped back tube when paddling.
In one form, the convertible backrest weighs in the range of 1.8-2.0 lbs.
In one form, the convertible backrest takes about 3 seconds to deploy.
In one form, the convertible backrest comprises a pivot strap fixed at and extending from a first lateral side of the bench seat, looping through a pair of pivot strap retainers on the back side of the U-shaped back tube and extending to a second lateral side of the bench seat where it is fixed.
In one form, the pivot strap comprises a slide buckle to adjust in fixation length for angulation adjustment of the U-shaped back tube.
In one form, a back support strap supports a user's back while paddling and spans between a first tube leg and a second tube leg of the U-shaped back tube.
In one form, the back support strap is secured by a back support strap retainer on the first tube leg and second tube leg of the U-shaped back tube.
In one form, a cylindrical back bumper is positioned over the base section of the U-shaped back tube to provide additional cushioned support to the user during paddling and for cushioned neck comfort when portaging.
In one form, the convertible backrest shoulder pads can vary in dimension, fabric covering, and cushion density.
In one form, the spacing of the upper pivot hole from the U-shaped back tube on the upper pivot brackets is adjustable to change the pitch of the deployed shoulder pads relative the the bench seat.
In one form, components of the convertible backrest are secured by various techniques known to those in the art including but not limited to fasteners including rivets, epoxy, MIG welds, and TIG welds.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily appreciated when considered in connection with the following detailed description and appended drawings, wherein each drawing is according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein, and wherein:
FIG. 1 depicts a top perspective view of a convertible canoe seat in a seated configuration as might be used during a canoe trip;
FIG. 2 depicts a top perspective view of the convertible canoe seat of FIG. 1 in a storage configuration;
FIG. 3 depicts a top perspective view of the convertible canoe seat of FIG. 1 in a portage configuration;
FIG. 4 depicts a top perspective view of the convertible canoe seat of FIG. 1 in a portage configuration and orientated as if the user was to use the device to portage a canoe;
FIG. 5 depicts a top perspective view of various aspects of a U-shaped back tube of the convertible canoe seat of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 depicts a top perspective view of a lower pivot bracket used to secure the U-shaped back tube of FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 depicts a top perspective view of the U-shaped back tube of the convertible canoe seat of FIG. 1 with shoulder pads folded down and held with elastomeric cording;
FIG. 8 depicts a top perspective view of the shoulder pad assembly of the convertible canoe seat of FIG. 1;
FIG. 9 depicts a top perspective view of a shoulder pad used in the shoulder pad assembly of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 depicts a perspective view as an example of a canoe seat on which the convertible canoe seat can attach;
FIG. 11 depicts a perspective view as an example of an alternative canoe seat to which the convertible canoe seat can attach.
FIG. 12 depicts a perspective view of a convertible backrest fixed to a bench seat of a canoe and further depicts positioning of a user while portaging the canoe overhead and supported on their when the convertible backrest is in a portage configuration.
FIG. 13 depicts a diagram of steps involved when transitioning a convertible backrest for use between a storage configuration, a seated configuration, and a portage configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
Select embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the Figures. Like numerals indicate like or corresponding elements throughout the several views. The terminology used in the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive way, simply because it is being utilized in conjunction with detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include several novel features, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or which is essential to practicing the invention described herein.
A novel ergonomic backrest convertible into a canoe carrying yoke addressing the needs discussed above is disclosed herein. It comprises a convertible backrest 100, pivotably secured to a typical canoe bench seat 102. In a seated configuration for use during canoe paddling, the convertible backrest 100 is extended upwards to provide ergonomic support of a user's low back when the user is seated on the canoe seat and paddling a solo canoe (FIG. 1). In a portage configuration, the convertible backrest 100 is folded down against the canoe's bench seat 102 with shoulder pads deployed and used as a portage device to carry a solo canoe on a person's shoulders (FIGS. 3-4). In a storage configuration, the convertible backrest 100 is folded down with shoulder pads 154 in a tucked position for storage and transport (FIG. 2). Elastic cording can be used to maintain a specific configuration. FIG. 4 illustrates the inverted position in which the convertible backrest 100 would be positioned with the user's head and neck positioned within the neck access 174, between the shoulder pads 154, shoulders against the shoulder pads 154, and the back of the user's neck against bumper surface 153, as the user easily carries the canoe 101 overhead on their shoulders.
Examples of canoe bench seats 102 common in the prior art are depicted in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11. These bench seats 102 span across a canoe 101 and are secured with fasteners to the canoe as depicted in FIG. 10 or fastened to seat hangers 170 on the sides of the canoe. The seating section of the bench seat can be a hard support or supported by bench seat webbing 106.
FIG. 1 depicts a convertible backrest 100, pivotably mounted to a common canoe bench seat 102. In this configuration, a seat padding base 112 such as a hard polymer can be secured over the bench seat with seat padding 110 with an upward facing padding face 111 secured on top of the seat padding base. A seat padding retainer 114 is utilized to secure the seat padding base 112 and seat padding 110 to the bench seat. The seat padding retainer 114 can be in the form of a clip (as illustrated in FIG. 1), or in other forms common in the art such as fasteners. The seat padding, seat padding retainer, and seat padding base are optional elements provided for comfort.
In the FIG. 1 embodiment, the convertible backrest 100 is secured to the bench seat 102 utilizing a pair of spaced lower pivot brackets 116. In this embodiment, the lower pivot brackets 116 (hinge brackets) are U-shaped (FIG. 6) with a lower pivot bracket fastening hole 118 extending through the pivot bracket anchor face 117 of the bracket to house a fastener 167 securing the lower pivot bracket to a top surface 103 or other surface of a bench seat 102. Aligned along an axis (axis A) through each bracket leg of the U-shaped lower pivot bracket 116 is a lower pivot bracket pivot hole 120 configured to house a pivot pin 169 or other fastener therethrough to create a pivoting relationship between the lower pivot bracket 116 and back tube 124. The upright bracket legs 119 of the lower pivot bracket define a saddle 122 within which a tube leg 129 of the U-shaped back tube 124 can be retained. On the base of the lower pivot bracket is a pivot bracket anchor face 117 used to secure against a top surface 103 the bench seat 102.
The convertible backrest 100 pivots about a pivot axis (axis A) between a seated configuration, storage configuration, and a portage configuration. In the seated configuration, the convertible backrest 100 is extended and secured upwards (in some embodiments roughly 90-120 degrees from horizontal) to serve as a back support while a user paddles a canoe as depicted in FIG. 1. In a storage configuration, the convertible backrest 100 and shoulder pads 154 are pivoted down against the canoe seat. In a portage configuration, the convertible backrest 100 is pivoted down against the canoe seat while the shoulder pads 154 are pivoted forward towards the front of the canoe with shoulder pads positioned to rest on a user's shoulders for ergonomic portage of the canoe over the user's head and shoulders as depicted in FIG. 12. The canoe is upside down in the portage configuration.
In this embodiment, as depicted in FIGS. 2-7, the convertible backrest 100 comprises a back tube 124 which in this case is U-shaped and comprises a base 127 section and two opposed tube legs 129 extending perpendicular from the base. The tubular walls of the opposed tube legs are thickened in some embodiments at the back tube ends. The base 127 is bent backwards (towards pivot axle 139) at first bend 128 on each side. Extending from and fixed to the backside of back tube 124 adjacent first bend 128 is a back support strap retainer 148 and a pivot strap retainer 150 each having a central orifice to hold the respective straps in the designated position on the back tube as they loop through.
A pivot strap 180 (depicted in FIG. 1) is fixed at and extending from a first lateral side of the bench seat, looping through the pair of pivot strap retainers 150 on the back side of the U-shaped back tube 124 and extending to a second lateral side of the bench seat 102 where it is fixed. The pivot strap comprises a slide buckle 178 to adjust fixation length of the pivot strap 180 for angulation adjustment of the U-shaped back tube 124 relative to the bench seat 102. Back support strap 146 is wider in width (i.e. 2 inches) and extends between the opposed back tube legs and housed in back support retainers 148. The back support strap 146 serves to provide the user an additional level of back support during paddling.
Each tube leg 129 of the back tube 124 is connected by the lower pivot bracket 116 (hinge bracket) to a canoe bench seat 102. As further noted in the Figures, a pair of spaced shoulder pads 154 are fixedly coupled to a pivot axle 139. A pair of spaced upper pivot brackets 136 extend from the back of the back tube 124. The upper pivot brackets 136 extend backwards (away from the user when seated) from the tube leg 129 of the back tube 124 just below the base 127 of the back tube 124. Each upper pivot bracket 136 comprises an upper pivot hole 138 whereby the pivot axle 139 is seated in the upper pivot hole 138 of each upper pivot bracket 136 along an axis B. In this embodiment, axis A and axis B are therefore substantially parallel.
A pivot axle bushing 140 (FIG. 8) can be used between the outer surface of the pivot axle 139 and the upper pivot hole 138 extending through the upper pivot bracket 136. A pivot axle stop 142, here in the form of a retaining pin, extends through the pivot axle 139 to retain the pivot axle within the two upper pivot brackets 136. The shoulder pads 154 are fixed to a shoulder pad support plate 158 using fasteners 167 although other known techniques in the art can be used. A shoulder pad support arm 160 is fixed to the shoulder pad support plate 158. Welds 164 or other known techniques such as fasteners can be utilized. The shoulder pad support arm 160 (FIG. 9) can include one or more fastener access holes 166 for driving fasteners 167 therethrough. In addition, the shoulder pad support arm 160 can include a shoulder cord retainer hole 168 for securing a shoulder cord therein. At one end of the shoulder pad support arm 160 is an axle fixation hole 162 extending therethrough for housing the pivot axle 139. A weld 164 or other known techniques such as fasteners or pins can be used to secure the pivot axle to the should pad support arm. In preferred embodiments, the shoulder pads are equally spaced from the midline of the pivot axle with a distance ‘S’ between them as illustrated in FIG. 8. Distance ‘S’ is suited in length for passage of a user's head therebetween.
A back bumper 152 illustrated in FIG. 1 is in the form of a foam cylindrical tube in this embodiment and is positioned over the base 127 section of the U-shaped back tube 124 to provide additional cushioned back support to the user during paddling and for cushioned neck comfort when using in the portage configuration.
Elastomeric cording 176 can be used to hold the convertible backrest 100 flat against the bench seat 102 in a storage configuration such as when storing or transporting the canoe on a vehicle (FIG. 2). Elastomeric cording 176 clipped about a cord retainer 172 can also be used to hold the shoulder pads 154 in a deployed position when the canoe is inverted during portage thereby keeping shoulder pad faces 155 generally facing and parallel to the ground (FIG. 4). In addition, elastomeric cording 176 extending from cord retainer holes 130 can be used to secure the shoulder pads 155 in a stored position adjacent the back support strap 146 so the shoulder pads don't freely swing when paddling as depicted in FIG. 7. Elastic cording can be used for other purposes in a convertible backrest. For example, in combination with cord retainers they can be used to secure a water bottle next to the seat.
The convertible backrest 100 embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 weighs in the range of 1.8-2.0 lbs. and requires only about 3 seconds to deploy it to a different configuration. The spacing of the upper pivot hole 138 from the U-shaped back tube 124 on the upper pivot brackets 136 is adjustable to change the pitch of the deployed shoulder pads relative the bench seat.
FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate various locations where components of the convertible backrest 100 can abut during various configurations. For example, interference can occur between the back support strap 146 and seat padding 110 (if present) at E1. At E2, interference can occur between a tube leg 129 of the back tube 124 and the bench seat 102 of the canoe 101. At E4, interference can occur between the shoulder pad support arm 160 and the back tube 124. At E3, interference can occur between the back bumper 152 and the seat padding 110.
A method of converting a solo canoe convertible backrest from a storage configuration (FIG. 2) to a seated configuration then to a portage configuration, and back to a storage configuration comprising the following steps. Obtaining a solo canoe having a convertible backrest with the convertible backrest having a U-shaped back tube with tube legs of the back tube pivotably secured to the bench seat of the solo canoe and wherein a shoulder assembly comprising a pair of spaced shoulder pads anchored to a pivot axle are pivotably coupled to the U-shaped back tube, and wherein the U-shaped back tube is pivoted down against the bench seat of the canoe with the spaced shoulder pads positioned between the tube legs (200). Clearing any cords securing the convertible backrest against the canoe bench seat (202). Pivoting the back tube to an upright position (204). Adjusting the length of a pivot strap (206) thereby securing the back tube at a preferred angle for seating comfort to complete the seated configuration (FIG. 1). Pivoting the shoulder pads about the axis of the pivot axle (208) such that the shoulder pads extend above the tube legs of the U-shaped back tube. Securing the shoulder pads in this deployed position with cording if present (210). Pivoting the U-shaped back tube towards the bench seat (212) to complete the portage configuration (FIG. 4). Releasing any cording holding the shoulder assembly in position. Pivoting the shoulder assembly towards the bench seat (216) until returned to the storage configuration (FIG. 2).
It is noted that the terms “substantially” and “about” and “generally” may be utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. These terms are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue.
The foregoing invention has been described in accordance with the relevant legal standards, thus the description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiment may become apparent to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the invention.
Patent Application
20230356810
