Paddle Clip and method for using same

Abstract

A paddle clip for a human powered watercraft, comprising a first flexible resilient portion having an opening and shaped so that the first portion, when flexed, fits around the gunwale or cockpit rim of the watercraft with a portion of the gunwale or cockpit rim received through the opening in the first portion; and a second portion including a flexible resilient clip portion for remove ably receiving a cylindrical shaft of an oar or paddle used by a human to move said watercraft. The paddle clip may further comprising at least one accessory clip for receiving an additional cylindrical shaft or an accessory. The paddle clip can be configured to be to install within two to five seconds, repositioned or removed from the watercraft without tools or hardware and without drilling holes or otherwise damaging the watercraft. The combination of the paddle clip and a watercraft. A method for using the paddle clip in a watercraft, with an oar or paddle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and other features of the present invention are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the article of manufacture in accordance with the invention in place, for use, on the gunwale or cockpit rim of the watercraft.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the invention in the closed position.

FIG. 3 is a cross section view of the embodiment of the invention in the expanded position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a portion of a kayak or similar watercraft 2 with a paddle 3 (the paddle shaft having a blade 4 on either end) or a canoe or similar watercraft with paddle (the paddle shaft having a blade on one end) incorporating an embodiment of a paddle clip 5 of the present invention in place on the gunwale or cockpit rim 6 of a kayak 2. The paddle 3 is clipped in place on the paddle clip 5 of, for example, the small boat or watercraft 2, such as a kayak, by a person who is entering, exiting, or otherwise occupied, so as not to immediately need the paddle.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the invention with the bottom portion of the invention which grips the gunwale in the closed position, and showing the top and main clip portion 7 of the paddle clip 5 where the paddle shaft 3 is placed. The lower portion 8 of the paddle clip, which can expand to surround a portion of the gunwale or cockpit rim of the watercraft, is in the closed, or non-flexed position having an opening 10 with a width of approximately 0.125 inches which, due to flexibility of the clip, may be increased in width from to approximately 2 inches. Opening 10 is defined by a first edge having a lip 11 and said second edge having a protrusion 12 extending generally toward said first edge.

The flexible members 13 and 14 defining the top or main clip portion 7 have flared ends, which extend in a general direction away from one another at their tops to facilitate placement of the shaft 3 of the oar or paddle between flexible members 13 and 14. This portion of the paddle clip has an entrance when not flexed of 0.75 inches, to 1.25 inches when flexed by the insertion of the shaft 3 of an oar or paddle. The portion that surrounds and securely holds the shaft 3 of the oar or paddle until it is removed, when the flexible members are again flexed, is preferably designed to securely receive an oar or paddle having a shaft with a diameter of 1.125 inches through 1.25 inches, although other dimensions may be necessary for shafts of different size.

FIG. 2 also shows accessory clips 9 adjacent to the main clip portion 7. The two additional accessory clips 9 preferably have an inside diameter of 0.750 inch and can flex for at least an additional 0.125 inch to securely hold other accessories, such as portions of fishing equipment.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the invention in the open position, showing the top portion of the paddle clip 7 is flexed by the insertion of the shaft 3 of an oar or paddle. The lower portion 8 of the paddle clip expanded to slide over the watercraft gunwale or cockpit rim in the open position having an opening of up to 2.00 inches. Also noted are the accessory clips. 9 adjacent to the main clip 7.

In use a paddle clip in accordance with the invention the paddle clip is held with both hands expanding the lower portion of the paddle clip and sliding the paddle clip around the watercraft gunwale or cockpit rim. Then the user releases the paddle clip to provide a secure hold on the watercraft.

The user then clips the paddle into the larger clip of the upper portion of the paddle clip by applying slight downward pressure. Attaching accessories to the smaller clip is done in the same manner.

The user then enters the watercraft and applies gentle upward pressure to release the paddle from the paddle clip for use.

The paddle clip may be slid in a clockwise or counterclockwise motion to reposition the clip on the watercraft gunwale or cockpit rim.

The paddle clip may also be removed by expanding the bottom portion of the paddle clip and sliding it off the gunwale or cockpit rim of the watercraft. The user would then be performing the reverse of the installing motion.

If left on the watercraft while paddling, the user may clip the paddle into the paddle clip to securely hold it while using both of their hands for another activity such as having a drink or fishing.

The ability of the paddle clip to be positioned anywhere on the gunwale or cockpit rim of the watercraft enables the user flexibility in securely fastening their paddle when not in use. The accessory clips are also able to securely hold other items while the user is paddling.

The paddle clips of the present invention may be made by injection molding of an appropriate polymer, such as a high strength plastic material or a hard rubber. The paddle clip may also be made from a thin spring-like metal. All of the parts described above may integrally formed as a single unit. If made of metal, the metal may be coated, for example by dip coating, with an appropriate polymer to prevent corrosion.

Although the present invention is described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present invention can be embodied in many alternate forms of embodiments. In addition, any suitable size, shape or type of elements or materials could be used. In addition, although the paddle clip of the present invention is shown on the gunwale or cockpit rim of a kayak, canoe or watercraft it will be understood that they may be used on many kinds of other edges where shafts or pipes are to be attached.

It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A paddle clip for a human powered watercraft, comprising: a first flexible resilient portion having an opening and shaped so that the first portion, when flexed, fits around the gunwale or cockpit rim of the watercraft with a portion of the gunwale or cockpit rim received through the opening in the first portion; anda second portion including a flexible resilient clip portion for remove ably receiving a cylindrical shaft of an oar or paddle used by a human to move said watercraft.

2. The paddle clip of claim 1, wherein said first portion is sized and shaped so as to be expanded when being positioned on the gunwale or cockpit rim, and to contract for an accurate fit about the gunwale or cockpit rim.

3. The paddle clip of claim 1, further comprising at least one accessory clip for receiving an additional cylindrical shaft.

4. The paddle clip of claim 3, wherein the at least one accessory clip has a flared opening to facilitate orientation when clipping in the oar or paddle.

5. The paddle clip of claim 1, comprising two accessory clips, each accessory clip being for receiving a cylindrical shaft, said accessory clips being disposed on opposite sides of said clip portion.

6. The paddle clip of claim 1, wherein said first portion and said second portion are integrally formed.

7. The paddle clip of claim 1, where in said first portion and said second portion are integrally formed of a material selected from the group consisting of a molded plastic, hard rubber or metal.

8. The paddle clip of claim 1, wherein said second portion is configured with respect to said first portion so that the cylindrical shaft of said oar or paddle is held in a direction generally parallel to the gunwale.

9. The paddle clip of claim 1, configured for connecting to the watercraft without tools or hardware.

10. The paddle clip of claim 1, configured for connection to the watercraft without drilling holes or otherwise damaging the watercraft.

11. The paddle clip of claim 1, configured to be to rapidly install, repositioned or removed from the watercraft.

12. The paddle clip of claim 11, which can be installed or moved to accommodate either right handed or left handed users.

13. The paddle clip of claim 1, wherein the clip portion has a flared opening to facilitate orientation when clipping in the oar or paddle.

14. The paddle clip of claim 1, where in said first portion is sized and shaped to fit a wide variety of watercraft gunwale or cockpit rim.

15. The paddle clip of claim 1, wherein said opening in said first portion is defined by a first edge and a second edge, said first edge having a lip and said second edge having a protrusion extending toward said first edge.

16. The paddle clip of claim 1, in combination with a watercraft, the first portion of the paddle clip being operatively positioned about the gunwale of the watercraft.

17. A method of using a paddle clip for a human powered watercraft, the paddle chip comprising a first flexible resilient portion having an opening and shaped so that the first portion, when flexed, fits around the gunwale of the watercraft with a portion of the gunwale received through the opening in the first portion; and a second portion including a flexible resilient clip portion for remove ably receiving a cylindrical shaft of an oar or paddle used by a human to move said watercraft, the method comprising: installing the first portion about the gunwale of the watercraft; andinserting the cylindrical shaft of the oar or paddle in the clip portion.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising removing the cylindrical shaft of the oar or paddle from the clip portion in order to use the oar or paddle.