BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to watercraft storage systems, such as secure, self-service storage systems and structures for watercraft.
Related Art
Typical self-propelled watercraft (e.g., a canoe; kayak; standup paddle, SUP, board) racking systems have been in use for many years and were designed to store and organize the watercraft off the ground. For watercraft rental companies, typical racking systems were designed to keep several watercraft in an organized fashion outside their place of business. Traditional watercraft racks are stationary and are suitable to store dozens of watercraft prior to renting or leasing to customers. When using these racks, the watercraft are typically secured via a chain or cable in order to lock or secure the kayaks to the rack. Once the equipment is rented, rental companies unlock the chains or cables and physically remove the watercraft from the rack and hand off (or deliver) the watercraft to their customers. The rental company then provides the customer with other required equipment, such as paddles and life jackets, which is traditionally stored in the shop. If the rental company is not located right where the customer intends to use the watercraft, the customer must port the watercraft to another location, or as is often the case, the rental company will port the watercraft to another location for the customer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure describes watercraft storage systems, such as a self-service watercraft storage system, using specifically designed structures which secure the watercraft (or multiple watercraft), as well as other necessary equipment, so a user, such as a customer or renter, is able to obtain the watercraft and any other necessary equipment in the very location where the user intends to use the watercraft, even though the owner of the storage system may not exist or have a place of business in that location. The secure watercraft storage system described herein is particular relevant, though not exclusively relevant, to watercraft rental companies. Thus, at least one purpose of the present invention is to increase watercraft rental locations and allow watercraft enthusiasts to more efficiently rent and safely use the watercraft, and other necessary equipment. Another purpose is to allow renters to rent and obtain the watercraft, and other necessary equipment, even in the absence of a rental company attendant. Still another purpose is to allow watercraft enthusiasts to explore even more waterways, by placing the self-service watercraft rental systems in more desired locations. And, it is another purpose of the present invention to allow renters to rent the watercraft and use the watercraft without having to first transport the watercraft to other locations.
In general, this invention can be constructed from many types of material; however, the material should preferably be resistant to the weather conditions to which the system is exposed, and hardened to prevent damage, whether unintentional or otherwise. More importantly, the invention is designed to secure various types of watercraft and other necessary equipment, such as paddles, life jackets, helmets, and the like. In the case of watercraft rental systems, customers can pay for rental equipment online and receive a code to unlock the watercraft, as well as all of the other rental equipment needed to use and enjoy the watercraft.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a self-service watercraft system in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates securing and removing of a watercraft from the self-service watercraft system in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a view of the back side of a self-service watercraft system in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention.
FIG. 4 is a front view of a self-service watercraft system in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a top view of a compartment portion of a self-service watercraft system with the access hatch in a closed position in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention.
FIG. 6 is a top view of a compartment portion of a self-service watercraft system with the access hatch in an opened position in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention.
FIG. 7 is a front view of a self-service watercraft system with multiple watercraft in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 illustrates a self-service watercraft system (herein “the system”) in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the system comprises multiple storage locations, each one configured for securing a watercraft (e.g., a kayak) as well as other equipment that may be needed to use and enjoy the watercraft. While FIG. 1 illustrates three tiers 1, 2 and 3, with each tier comprising two storage locations, e.g., storage location 1a and storage location 1b, for securing a watercraft, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to a particular number of tiers or storage locations. For ease of discussion the following description will use the term “kayak” rather than watercraft. However, it will be readily apparent that the present invention is not limited to systems for Kayaks. Other types of watercraft such as canoes, paddleboards, and the like, can be used with a system as described herein below.
The system illustrated in FIG. 1 preferably comprises a base structure 5 and roof structure 10. It will be understood, however, that according to other embodiments, a base structure and/or roof structure may or may not be included in the system.
In certain exemplary embodiments, the system may be modular in that one or more of the components that make up the system can be removed or detached from the other system components. For example, the roof structure 10 may be removable, and each of the tiers 1, 2 and 3 may be detached from one another so that the structure can be easily transported to another location and easily reconstructed. The specific configuration for facilitating the removal of one or more components from one or more of the other components can be achieved by known means.
Each storage location, e.g., 1a and 1b, has a corresponding compartment for storing and securing other equipment that may be needed to use and enjoy the watercraft, such as life jackets, paddles, helmets, and the like. In FIG. 1, compartments 2c and 3c, associated with storage locations 2b and 3b, are clearly visible. It will be understood that each storage location preferably includes a corresponding compartment like compartments 2c and 3c. However, it is within the spirit of this invention that none of the storage locations include a corresponding compartment or some, but not all, of the storage locations include a corresponding compartment.
In a preferred embodiment, each compartment, such as compartment 3c, includes a hatch, or like structure, that lifts off or pivots open to allow a customer to access the interior of the compartment and retrieve the equipment stored therein. As stated, the equipment may include, but is not limited to, life jackets, paddles, helmets and the like. As such, the compartment must be configured, in terms of size and/or dimension, to accommodate this equipment. The hatch is configured such that it cannot be opened and, therefore, the contents of the compartment cannot be accessed while the watercraft is secured in the corresponding storage location. Thus, the hatch need not include any locking mechanism to secure the interior of the compartment, so long as the watercraft is secured in the corresponding storage location. This will become even more evident from the description below. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the hatch associated with compartment 3c is rotatably secured to the frame of the system, or to an outer side of the compartment by one or more hinges, for example, hinges 2d and 2e associated with compartment 2c. A customer can, once the watercraft is removed from the storage location, rotate the hatch outward or inward, depending on the configuration, to open, and therefore gain access to the interior of the compartment. Each hatch may include a hand or finger sized opening or recess to facilitate opening of the hatch to the compartment. In other embodiments, the hatch may be opened in a manner other than rotating.
Each compartment may be configured such that one or more sides has small openings to allow for continuous ventilation of the compartment. Thus, equipment that is wet, when stowed, can more easily dry, and avoid mold and mildew. In a preferred embodiment, the bottom side (not illustrated in FIG. 1) comprises openings to allow any water to drip out of the compartment. In one exemplary embodiment, the bottom side comprises a heavy duty mesh or netting to facilitate the drainage of any water, so as to allow the equipment stored in the corresponding compartment to more easily dry. This is best illustrated in FIG. 6, which is described in more detail below. In other exemplary embodiments, the bottom may comprise the same or similar material as the rest of the system structure, except that the bottom side is configured with a plurality of small openings to facilitate the drainage of any water, so as to allow the equipment stored in the corresponding compartment to more easily dry.
Each storage location is secured by a movable arm structure. In a preferred embodiment, the moveable arm structures are rotatable, and will thus be described as such herein below. It will be understood, however, that the arm structures are movable in a manner other than being rotatable. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the arm structures are labeled 1f, 2f and 3f. As illustrated, rotatable arm structures 1f and 2f are in an upright and locked position. Rotatable arm structure 3f is shown to be rotated to an opened and unlocked position. In this illustrated embodiment, the rotatable arm structure 3f rotates in a downward direction; however, in other embodiments, the rotatable arm structure could be rotated in directions other than downward. When the rotatable arm is in the upright and locked position, a kayak in the corresponding storage location(s) are, in turn, secure and cannot be removed from the system. This is more clearly illustrated in FIG. 2. As will be described in greater detail below, the kayak is secured in the storage location by virtue of the size of one or more dimensions of the kayak relative to the size of one or more dimensions of the storage location including the rotatable arm structure. As a result, only when the rotatable arm is in the open and unlocked position, can the kayak be removed from a corresponding storage location. And, once the kayak has been removed, the customer will be able to open the hatch and access equipment stored in the corresponding compartment, as will be described in more detail below.
In the embodiment of FIG. 1, there is one rotatable arm per tier securing both (all) storage locations of that tier. Thus, for example, rotatable arm if secures both storage locations 1a and 1b when in the upright and locked position. However, it will be understood that in other exemplary embodiments, each storage location could be independently secured by a corresponding rotatable arm that operates in the same manner as the rotatable arms illustrated in FIG. 1.
Still further, each rotatable arm is locked in the upright position by a locking mechanism. In FIG. 1, locking mechanisms 1g and 2g are illustrated as locking rotatable arms 1f and 2f, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, each locking mechanism may be remotely programmable via wireless communication (e.g., using cellular and/or WIFI technology). The locking mechanisms may be unlocked by entering an active code that is provided to the customer when the customer makes a reservation. The code may be made available for a period of time so that the customer can unlock a given locking mechanism prior to and/or during the reservation period, rotate the rotatable arm structure to the opened position, and remove the kayak from the corresponding storage location and any other equipment from the corresponding compartment. After a certain period of time, for example, at the end of the reservation period, or after the customer returns and secures the kayak and other equipment, the code for unlocking the locking mechanism may expire, and it can then be reset remotely when a next customer makes a reservation.
To make a reservation, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, a customer may do so online or over the telephone, and after doing so, the customer may receive a code to unlock a corresponding storage location. The customer may receive the code online once the reservation is complete, or opt to receive the code to another device, such as a mobile phone, via email and/or text message. The customer would then enter the code into the corresponding locking mechanism at the designated reservation time to access the watercraft and other equipment.
While it is not illustrated in FIG. 1, the back side of the system structure may look the same or similar to the front side, but for, the back side may not include rotatable arm structures. See e.g., FIG. 3. Thus, the kayak may project up to or even through the back side of the system structure. However, without the rotatable arm structure, the kayak cannot be removed from the back side of the system structure.
FIG. 2 illustrates securing and removing a kayak from the system in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As shown, a kayak 20 (outlined in dashed lines) is locked and secured in a storage location on the second or middle tier of the system. It is secured by virtue of the rotatable arm structure being in the upright and locked position, as shown, and due to one or more dimensions of the kayak being relatively greater than one or more corresponding dimensions of the storage location, including the opening in the rotatable arm structure. As illustrated, the width 200 of kayak 20 is greater than (i.e., exceeds in size) the opening 210 in the rotatable arm structure, thus preventing the kayak 20 from being removed through the front side of the system structure when the rotatable arm structure is in the upright and locked position. Further, the length 300 of kayak 20 is greater than (i.e., exceeds in size) the spacing 310 between the upright structures of the rotatable arm structure and the upright structures that make up the back side of the system (i.e., the back and front sides of the storage location), preventing removal of the kayak 20 through a side opening of the storage location when the rotatable arm structure is in the upright and locked position. FIG. 2 is intended to illustrate that only when the rotatable arm structure is in the opened position, can kayak 20 be removed from the storage location, even though the kayak is visible and otherwise exposed to the elements, so the kayak and the equipment can more easily dry out after being used.
FIG. 3 illustrates the back side of the system according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. As shown, and as explained above, the back side of the structure may allow a kayak (not shown) to project there through an opening in the back side of the structure. However, because there is no rotatable arm structure on the back side, the dimensions of the kayak do not permit the kayak to be removed via the back side. In alternative embodiments, the kayak may not project through any opening in the back side of the structure, and the back side of the structure may not require openings.
FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the system according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. In this illustration, the front view has three tiers, with two storage locations per tier. Each tier has a corresponding rotatable arm structure. In FIG. 4, all three rotatable arm structures are shown in an upright position, as if locked. In FIG. 4, each rotatable arm structure secures both or all of the storage locations on the corresponding tier. However, as explained above, each storage location of each tier can have its own independent rotatable arm structure that secures only the kayak and other equipment stored in that storage location. FIG. 4 also illustrates how the compartment hatch may, for example, swing or rotate to an opened position when a kayak is not present in the corresponding storage location.
FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a top view of a compartment for storing equipment that can be used with the kayak. The compartment shown in FIG. 5 is shown with the hatch in the closed position. In FIG. 6, the hatch is shown in an opened position. Further, the compartment shown in FIG. 6 has a bottom comprising mesh or netting which provides ventilation for the compartment. As explained above, this helps to dry any wet equipment and prevent formation of mold and mildew.
FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of the system with kayaks present in multiple storage locations. More specifically, kayaks are present in both storage locations of the upper tier and in both storage locations of the lower tier. There are no kayaks present in the storage locations of the middle tier; however, the compartments associated with the storage locations of the middle tier are visible with the hatch of each compartment rotated to an opened position.
While other embodiments than those described and illustrated herein are conceivable, those skilled in the art will appreciated that they still fall within the spirit of the invention, which is set forth in the claims that follow.
Patent Application
20220289350
