This disclosure relates to the field of accessories to water vessels (watercraft) such as kayaks, surfboards, paddleboards, etc. where a paddle or oar is used.
This disclosure specifies a device to be attached to water vessels (watercraft) such as kayaks, surfboards, paddleboards, etc. where a paddle or oar is carried.
The combined vessel handle and paddle clip in one example comprises an exterior grasping surface and an interior surface configured to frictionally retain a paddle having a shaft.
In another example is disclosed a combined vessel handle and paddle clip comprising: a plurality of resilient arms each having an outer surface forming an exterior grasping surface; the plurality of resilient arms forming an interior surface with an inner diameter, the interior surface configured to frictionally retain a paddle; the plurality of resilient arms having distal ends forming an opening to the inner surface; the resilient arms configured such that a portion of the paddle will pass, spreading the distal ends of the resilient arms and be retained as the widest part of the paddle passes the distal ends of the resilient arms; the exterior grasping surface configured to be grasped by a user; a mounting surface at each longitudinal end of the grasping surface; and each mounting surface configured to mount the combined vessel handle and paddle clip to an exterior surface of the vessel.
The combined vessel handle and paddle clip as recited in another example comprises: the exterior surface of the vessel; a handle recess in the exterior surface of the vessel; and wherein the combined vessel handle and paddle clip is mounted to the recess of the vessel and thus substantially does not protrude outwardly of the surrounding exterior surface of the vessel beyond the handle recess.
The combined vessel handle and paddle clip may be arranged wherein the paddle clip inner diameter inward of the distal ends is configured to be substantially equal to a shaft outer diameter of the paddle.
The combined vessel handle and paddle clip may be arranged wherein each mounting surface comprises a surface defining a void configured to allow passage of a fastener therethrough, the fastener configured to mount the combined vessel handle and paddle clip to the vessel.
The combined vessel handle and paddle clip may be configured to comprising an offset distance or gap between the grasping surface and the exterior surface of the vessel.
In the field of watercraft, particularly small watercraft (vessels) such as kayaks (whitewater, sea, sit-in, and sit-on-top), canoes, rafts, paddleboards, stand-up-paddleboards, and similar vessels, it is often desired to keep the user's hands free while not holding a paddle or oar (paddle). Such activities include getting in and out of the vessel, fishing, sailing, etc.
Prior to invention of the disclosed vessel handle and paddle clip, a paddle when carried on the vessel was laid to rest on or in the vessel, or tied to the vessel, often getting in the way and not readily available as it needed to be untied to be used. When the paddle was simply laid to rest in or on the vessel, the paddle may be in the way of other activities, or may have fallen off of the vessel, possibly leaving the vessel user without means of propulsion back to the paddle or to other safety location.
Many of these vessels are small and light enough to be lifted and/or carried by one or more users. Thus, a carrying handle may be provided as a component of the vessel that may be grasped by the user(s) for lifting and/or carrying the vessel. Commonly these handles have opposing ends which are affixed to the hull of the vessel, with a grasping portion provided between the ends although other configurations may be conceived and implemented. These handles are often provided near the balance point of a single-user vessel, and at even positions along the vessel for more than one user. Thus it has been found they are often in a particularly beneficial position for attachment of components to be accessed by users.
Looking to
These drawings also show a paddle attachment system 100 comprising the vessel handle 102 with a paddle clip 104 for removable attachment of a paddle 200 as shown in
When the handle 34 is in a recessed position as shown, it may be desired to include a paddle recess 36 in the hull 32. The paddle recess extending longitudinally in this example from the handle recess 34 such that as the paddle 200, particularly the shaft 202 of the paddle 200 is secured into the paddle clip 104 portion of the handle 34, the hull 32 will not interfere with retention of the shaft 202. This also may substantially recess at least a portion of the shaft 202 portion of the paddle 200 from impact with other vessel, docks, or other external obstructions.
Generally, such paddles 200 will comprise the shaft 202 which is grasped by the user when used to propel the vessel 20 and a blade or blades 204a and 204b on the end(s) of the shaft 202. The blades 204 (204a and 204b) inserted in the water upon which the vessel floats and the paddle 200 moved by the user to propel the vessel.
Looking to
In this example, the handle 102 has a first end 106 and a second end 108 with a grasping portion 110 there between. The grasping portion 110 of this example is ergonomically shaped for ease and comfort for the user to grab and lift the vessel 20. In the example shown, the outer surface of the grasping portion 100 is substantially cylindrical as can be more easily seen looking at
The first end 106 and second end 108 of the handle 102 may also comprise surfaces defining voids 116/118 respectively. These voids 116/118 provided for passage of fasteners 120/122 respectively into the outer surface 38 of the vessel 20. These fasteners 120/122 may be screws, bolts, rivets, studs, etc. In another example the handle 102 may be adhered to the surface 38 by way of an adhesive. In yet another example, the handle 102 may be formed as a unitary structure with the outer surface 38 or other part of the vessel 20.
It can be seen in
Looking to the end view of the handle 102 shown in
While the present invention is illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments are described in detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications within the scope of the appended claims will readily appear to those sufficed in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicants' general concept.
This application claims priority benefit to U.S. Patent Application 62/535,185 filed on Jul. 20, 2017 incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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8915207 | Wirsig | Dec 2014 | B2 |
9499235 | Blavat | Nov 2016 | B1 |
D785540 | Olliges | May 2017 | S |
9663208 | Blavat | May 2017 | B1 |
20180186440 | Mech | Jul 2018 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62535185 | Jul 2017 | US |