Kayak Paddle

Abstract

Disclosed is an improved kayak paddle with increased paddling efficiency, the paddle including one or more protrusions along the top and/or bottom edges of the paddle blades to impede the flow of water over the blades. In one aspect, the protrusions are on the top edges of the front faces of the blades and on the bottom edges of the rear faces of the blades to allow the same features to be facing the user upon a full one hundred eighty (180) degree rotation of the paddle about its axis. Alternate features such as integral drip ridges (minimizing water flow on a user's hands), integral leash ridges (for maintaining the location of the paddle rope or leash during use), paddle orientation indicators (to indicate the correct orientation of the paddle relative to the user during use), and reinforced blade tips (to increase blade buoyancy and minimize blade diving) may optionally be incorporated.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to kayak paddles. More specifically, the present invention relates to kayak paddles including features such as protrusions, drip ridges, leash ridges, and/or indicators.

Kayak paddles have long been known and widely used. Kayak paddles of various types go back to use by natives of areas such as Greenland, the Aleutian islands, North America, and Europe as a means of human propulsion for a single person, or multiple persons sitting in tandem, in a narrow watercraft commonly known as a kayak.

A kayak paddle commonly has two blades and a shaft between the blades. Kayak paddles are generally made of materials so as to be buoyant. By holding the shaft, each blade is intermittently placed in the water and then pulled through the water as a means of propulsion forward. The kayak paddle can also be pushed through the water intermittently as a means of propulsion in reverse. A kayak paddle may be used to turn a kayak by placing one end of a kayak paddle in the water and pulling or pushing multiple times on only one side of the kayak. A kayak paddle can also be used as a rudder to turn the kayak as it is drifting on the water.

A kayak paddle can also be used to maintain the stability of, or return a paddler and kayak to, an upright position by sweeping the kayak paddle across, or just below the surface of, the water. It should be noted that factors such as technique, body position, extension of the outstretched paddle blade, speed of the sweeping the paddle blade, and angle of the paddle when swept can determine the success for righting the paddler and kayak.

The narrow, thin, tapered style of traditional kayak paddles of Greenland, the Aleutian Islands, and North America have been widely successful due to a relatively low angled stroke in relation to the surface of the water, and the minimal air and/or wind resistance of the raised paddle due to its long narrow design. The narrow thin blades and low angle of stroke all combine to minimize stress on the upper body joints and muscles of the user during normal forward paddling usage.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated, in one aspect of the present invention, a kayak paddle is provided. The kayak paddle includes: a shaft having a longitudinal axis, a first shaft end, and a second shaft end; two blades, a first blade attached to the first shaft end, a second blade attached to the second shaft end, the two blades each including a top blade edge, a bottom blade edge, a front blade face, and a rear blade face; and a plurality of protrusions located on at least one of the front blade face and the rear blade face.

Briefly stated, in another aspect of the present invention, a kayak paddle is provided. The kayak paddle includes a shaft having a longitudinal axis, a first shaft end, and a second shaft end; two blades, a first blade attached to the first shaft end, a second blade attached to the second shaft end, the two blades each including a top blade edge, a bottom blade edge, a front blade face, and a rear blade face; two transitional sections, each of the two transitional sections located between one of the two blades and the shaft; and four protrusions, two substantially linear protrusions located on the front blade face of the two blades adjacent the top blade edge, and two substantially linear protrusions located on the rear blade face of the two blades adjacent the bottom blade edge, each of the four protrusions having a length slightly greater than one half of the length of one of the two blades.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments that are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a kayak paddle in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the kayak paddle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the kayak paddle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the kayak paddle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the blade depicted in FIGS. 1-4 taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the blade depicted in FIGS. 1-4 taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the blade depicted in FIGS. 1-4 taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the pairs of drip ridges of the paddle of FIGS. 1-7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the pair of leash ridges of the paddle of FIGS. 1-7;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of one of the indicators of the paddle of FIGS. 1-7; and

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a blade tip including a portion of one of the thickened sections of the paddle of FIGS. 1-7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain terminology may be used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “lower” and “upper” and “top” and “bottom” and “front” and “rear” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import.

Where a term is provided in the singular, the inventors also contemplate aspects of the invention described by the plural of that term. As used in this specification and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, e.g., “a tip” may include a plurality of tips. Thus, for example, a reference to “a method” includes one or more methods, and/or steps of the type described herein and/or which will become apparent to those persons skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods, constructs and materials are now described. All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Where there are discrepancies in terms and definitions used in references that are incorporated by reference, the terms used in this application shall have the definitions given herein.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 11, an exemplary kayak paddle 1 constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is depicted. In this exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a kayak paddle is provided that: 1) facilitates efficient usage, thereby reducing stress and fatigue on the paddler; 2) facilitates a low angle stroke; 3) impedes the ability of the water to run across the hands of the paddler; 4) facilitates the ability of the user to transport the paddle and/or use the paddle while it is attached to a leash or rope without interference with same; and 5) increases the buoyancy of the blade tips. However, alternate embodiments of the invention are envisioned in which one or more of these advantages are omitted without departing from the scope hereof.

Referring first to FIG. 1, in the depicted embodiment, paddle 1 includes, inter alia, shaft 2, two transition sections 3, and two blades 4. In the depicted embodiment, paddle 1 is made of a buoyant material such as a closed cell solid foam core surrounded by a carbon fiber and epoxy encapsulation sheathing, but other materials may be substituted without departing from the scope hereof including, without limitation, solid wood, a material having a wood core and non-wood sheathing, and a material having an air core surrounded by a sheathing. Exemplary sheathings include, but are not limited to, Kevlar®, fiberglass, and combinations thereof.

Also, the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIGS. 1 through 11 is configured as one solid piece formed to the shape described herein. However, alternate embodiments are envisioned in which paddle 1 is fabricated from one or more pieces intended to be assembled and disassembled by a user. For example, blades 4 may be removably attached to shaft 2 for compact storage or the like.

In the depicted embodiment, shaft 2 is substantially cylindrical with a substantially circular cross-section and has a length of approximately eighteen inches (18″) for a paddle having a length of approximately ninety inches (90″). However, shafts and/or paddles having varying shaped cross-sections and dimensions may be substituted including, without limitation, oval and square cross-sections.

Each blade 4 extends along the longitudinal axis of shaft 2, tapers outward vertically with the exception of blade tips 11 (See FIGS. 2 and 4), and tapers inward along its depth (See FIG. 3) as the blade extends distally. Each blade 4 includes, inter alia, proximal blade section 7 and distal blade section 9. Proximal blade section 7 interfaces to shaft 2 via a respective transitional section 3, the latter of which also extends along the longitudinal axis of shaft 2, tapers outward vertically (See FIGS. 2 and 4), and tapers inward along its depth (See FIG. 3) as the transitional section extends distally. This transition may be steep or gradual to create a hard or soft shoulder, respectfully.

Distal blade section 9 interfaces to shaft 2 via a respective proximal blade section 7 and transitional section 3, and it also extends along the longitudinal axis of shaft 2, tapers outward vertically with the exception of blade tips 11 (See FIGS. 2 and 4), and tapers inward along its depth with the exception of blade tips 11 (See FIG. 3) as the distal blade section extends distally.

Distal blade sections 9 each include front face 5 and rear face 6 as depicted in FIGS. 2 and 4, respectively. Each front and rear face 5 and 6, respectively, includes a protrusion 13. Protrusion 13 impedes the flow of water over blades 4, for example, when the user utilizes a stroke such as a forward canted stroke. This may occur, for example, when the top edge of the blade is tilted away from the user during a forward kayak propulsion stroke These impediments (protrusions) create more efficient paddling strokes, thereby reducing the number of strokes per time period required to achieve the same results. This also reduces the stress on, and fatigue of, the user.

Each protrusion 13 is substantially linear. For protrusions 13 located on front faces 5, substantially linear protrusion 13 extends substantially along top edge 17 of front face 5 in a manner in which protrusion 13 follows the tapering of the respective face and/or distal blade section 9. For example, in the depicted embodiment protrusion 13 has a length of approximately eighteen inches (18″) for a paddle 1 having an approximate length of ninety inches (90″) and the height H₁ from the midpoint of the blade surface to the top of protrusion 13 is approximately five-sixteenths of an inch (5/16″). However, varying dimensions may be substituted for protrusion 13 and/or paddle 1 without departing from the scope hereof. Similarly, as best seen in FIG. 4, for protrusions 13 located on rear faces 6, substantially linear protrusions 13 extend substantially along bottom edge 25 of rear face 6 in a manner in which protrusion 13 follows the tapering of the respective face and/or distal blade section 9.

One exemplary shape for protrusion 13 is best seen in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 as taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 2. In this exemplary embodiment, blade 4 has a substantially elongated oval cross-section (when protrusions 13 are omitted), both protrusions 13 have substantially triangular cross-sectional shapes, a first protrusion is inset slightly from top edge 17, and a second protrusion is inset slightly from bottom edge 25. Longitudinal outwardly facing surfaces 18 of protrusions 13 are angled inward and upward at an angle of approximately twenty two (22) degrees. Longitudinal inwardly facing surfaces 20 of substantially linear protrusions 13 are angled upward and outward at an angle of approximately forty five (45) degrees and include rounded transitions 27 at their bases. Also, although blade 4 is depicted as having a substantially elongated oval cross-section (when protrusions 13 are omitted), alternately shaped cross-sections may be substituted including, without limitation, diamond.

The opposite orientations of the protrusions on front face 5 and rear face 6 ensures that the protrusions are always in the same position relative to the user as the paddle is rotated along its longitudinal axis. Additionally, when a user rotates paddle 1 along its longitudinal axis while performing, for example, a forward canted stroke, these orientations of protrusions 13 ensure that there is always a protrusion at the top edge of the blade face facing the user as the front and rear faces have identical appearances as they are rotated along the longitudinal axis of the paddle. These orientations also increase the structural integrity of blades 4. Since the depicted kayak paddle is generally of the traditional narrow and thinly tapered design, this increased integrity acts to increase durability and minimize the stress placed upon the blades and consequently breakage thereof.

Another view of protrusion 13 is shown in FIG. 6, which is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 2. As seen in FIG. 6, protrusion 13 is substantially uniform throughout is length with the exception of an inward taper 39 at its distal end. In the depicted embodiment, the inward taper 39 tapers inward at an angle of approximately twelve and one half (12.5) degrees, however, alternate tapering angles may be substituted, or such tapering may be omitted, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, in the depicted embodiment, protrusion 13 ends at the same point from which a substantially triangular tip 11 begins as best seen in FIG. 6 and the front view of FIG. 2. However, alternate embodiments are envisioned in which tip 11 is omitted, tip 11 includes one or more protrusions such as an extension of protrusion 13, and/or tip 11 has a non-triangular shape including, without limitation, rounded or ovate.

As best seen in FIG. 11 and the cross-sectional view of FIGS. 6 and 7, in one embodiment of the present invention, distal blade section 9 includes reinforced section 29. Reinforced section 29 has an increased thickness relative to its surrounding thickness to provide additional buoyancy in the area of reinforced section 29, thereby minimizing the tendency of the blade 4 to dive deeper than intended by a user during a canted blade paddling stroke (which can throw off the user's stroke and efficiency) and to also assist with paddle stroke sweep surface recovery usage (i.e., in which a user utilizes a paddle to return his or her kayak to an upright position).

In the depicted embodiment, reinforced section 29 has a substantially diamond shape (See FIGS. 2, 4, and 11), and tip 11 has a substantially diamond shaped cross section (See FIG. 7), the latter of which causes slight ridges 31 to extend longitudinally throughout reinforced section 29 (FIG. 7 and FIG. 11). With a paddle made of a buoyant material, this reinforced section 29 increases buoyancy at the distal ends of paddle 1. The size, shape and thickness of these reinforced sections 29 may be varied without departing from the scope hereof. For example, although reinforced section 29 is depicted with a substantially diamond shape and cross-section, alternate shapes may be substituted including, without limitation, circular, rectangular, oval, and teardrop. Also, ridge 31 may be omitted without departing from the scope hereof

Referring back to paddle 1 as depicted in FIGS. 1 through 11, as best seen in FIG. 8, depicted is an enlarged view of a pair of drip ridges 33. In the depicted embodiment, drip ridges are integral to, and completely encircle the perimeter of, proximal blade sections 7. Also, drip ridges 33 have a substantially semi-cylindrical cross-section such that they have a rounded surface that is smooth to the touch. Each drip ridge 33 disrupts the downward flow of water along a raised paddle blade in order to prevent or minimize the ability of water to reach the user's hands, which are typically located on transitional section 3 or near thereto. In the depicted embodiment, each drip ridge has a radius of approximately one eighth inch (⅛″), and the pair is separated by a distance of approximately one (1) inch. The pair of drip ridges 33 are located about two thirds of the length of blade 4 from the distal end of blade 4. However, varying dimensions, locations, spacing, and shapes may be substituted without departing from the scope hereof.

Although the depicted embodiment shows two drip ridges 33, alternate quantities may be substituted, or such ridges may be omitted, without departing from the scope hereof. Embodiments are also envisioned in which drip ridges do not completely encircle the perimeter of proximal blade sections 7.

As best seen in FIG. 9, depicted is an enlarged view of a pair of leash ridges 35. In the depicted embodiment, leash ridges 35 are integral to, and completely encircle the perimeter of, shaft 2. Leash ridges 35 are approximately centrally located on shaft 2 and paddle 1 as a whole. Also, leash ridges 35 have a substantially semi-cylindrical cross section such that they have a rounded surface that is smooth to the touch. Leash ridges 35 allow a paddle leash or rope to be placed there between to facilitate leash of paddle 1 and to retain such leash or rope there between during use of paddle 1 such that the leash or rope does not interfere with the use thereof (or the user's hands). Such leashes or ropes are typically used to tie the paddle to the user during use of same in order to prevent loss of the paddle should the user lose his or her grip on same. Ridges 35 act to minimize sliding of the leash or rope in either direction, thereby allowing a user to maintain a better hold of the paddle during use and leash thereof. In the depicted embodiment, leash ridges 35 have a radius of approximately one eighth inch (⅛″), and they are separated by a distance of approximately three eights of an inch (⅜″), however, varying dimensions, spacing, locations, and shapes may be substituted without departing from the scope hereof

Although the depicted embodiment shows two leash ridges 35, alternate quantities may be substituted, or such ridges may be omitted, without departing from the scope hereof. Embodiments are also envisioned in which leash ridges 35 do not completely encircle the perimeter of proximal blade sections 7.

Turning now to FIG. 10, depicted is an enlarged view of indicator 37. In the depicted embodiment, two (2) indicators 37 are provided, one on the rear and one on the front of one of the two proximal blade sections 7 (See FIGS. 2 through 4). In the depicted embodiment, both indicators are located between drip ridges 33 and transition section 3 and are centered vertically such that they are approximately located on the longitudinal axis of paddle 1. Also, each indicator 37 is substantially semi-spherical such that it has a rounded surface that is smooth to the touch. Indicator 37 is a visual and tactile indicator that informs the user which of the two ends of paddle 1 is intended to be located to the right (or starboard) of the user during paddling. Such an orientation ensures that the user obtains optimal use of paddle 1 and its integral protrusions 13. That is, when a user is holding paddle 1 in front of him or her, the paddle will be oriented as shown in FIG. 2, with indicator 37 to the right and with protrusions 13 on the top edges.

In the depicted embodiment, indicators 37 have a diameter of approximately one half inch (½″) and are located approximately three quarters (¾) of the length of the blade from the tip of the blade, however, varying dimensions, locations, and shapes may be substituted without departing from the scope hereof. Although the depicted embodiment shows two indicators on opposing sides of blade 4, alternate quantities may be substituted, or such indicators may be omitted, without departing from the scope hereof. Embodiments are also envisioned in which indicators are a depression in the blade surface rather than a protrusion or such indicators are in the form of a ridge that encircles the perimeter of blade 4.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A kayak paddle comprising: a shaft having a longitudinal axis, a first shaft end, and a second shaft end;two blades, a first blade attached to said first shaft end, a second blade attached to said second shaft end, said two blades each including a top blade edge, a bottom blade edge, a front blade face, and a rear blade face; anda plurality of protrusions located on at least one of said front blade face and said rear blade face.

2. A kayak paddle wherein said plurality of protrusions includes four protrusions, two of said four protrusions located on said front blade face of said two blades adjacent said top blade edge, and two of said four protrusions located on said rear blade face of said two blades adjacent said bottom blade edge.

3. The kayak paddle according to claim 1 further comprising: two transitional sections, each of said two transitional sections located between one of said two blades and said shaft.

4. The kayak paddle according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of protrusions is substantially linear.

5. The kayak paddle according to claim 4, wherein said substantially linear protrusion section has a length slightly greater than one half of the length of one of said two blades.

6. The kayak paddle according to claim 1, further comprising: one or more drip ridges encircling the perimeter of one of said two blades in a location proximal to said protrusion.

7. The kayak paddle according to claim 1, further comprising: one or more leash ridges encircling the perimeter of said shaft and located centrally on said shaft.

8. The kayak paddle according to claim 1, further comprising: one or more reinforced sections located along a longitudinal axis of said paddle at a distal end of at least one of said at least two blades.

9. The kayak paddle according to claim 1, further comprising: one or more indicators located along a longitudinal axis of said paddle proximal to one of said plurality of protrusions.

10. The kayak paddle according to claim 1, wherein one or more of said plurality of protrusions is tapered at a distal end.

11. A kayak paddle comprising: a shaft having a longitudinal axis, a first shaft end, and a second shaft end;two blades, a first blade attached to said first shaft end, a second blade attached to said second shaft end, said two blades each including a top blade edge, a bottom blade edge, a front blade face, and a rear blade face;two transitional sections, each of said two transitional sections located between one of said two blades and said shaft; andfour protrusions, two substantially linear protrusions located on said front blade face of said two blades adjacent said top blade edge, and two substantially linear protrusions located on said rear blade face of said two blades adjacent said bottom blade edge, each of said four protrusions having a length slightly greater than one half of the length of one of said two blades.

12. The kayak paddle according to claim 11, wherein one or more of said four protrusions is tapered at a distal end.

13. The kayak paddle according to claim 11, further comprising: one or more drip ridges encircling the perimeter of one of said two blades in a location proximal to said protrusion.

14. The kayak paddle according to claim 11, further comprising: one or more leash ridges encircling the perimeter of said shaft and located centrally on said shaft.

15. The kayak paddle according to claim 11, further comprising: one or more reinforced sections located along a longitudinal axis of said paddle at a distal end of at least one of said at least two blades.

16. The kayak paddle according to claim 11, further comprising: one or more indicators located along a longitudinal axis of said paddle proximal to one of said four protrusions.