An inflatable swim platform provides a versatile deployable structure on which a user can enter and exit the water from a vessel. Two or more inflatable dropstitch members are joined by a flexible connector along a longitudinal edge forming a hinge. When deployed the side surfaces along the longitudinal edge of each platform come into contact placing the connector panel in tension and a portion of the side surfaces in compression. An extension mechanisms possessing shape memory integrated into and spanning between the members is biased to the extended position aiding in deployment of the swim platform.

An inflatable swim platform provides a versatile deployable structure on which a user can enter and exit the water from a vessel. Two or more inflatable dropstitch members are joined by a flexible connector along a longitudinal edge forming a hinge. When deployed the side surfaces along the longitudinal edge of each platform come into contact placing the connector panel in tension and a portion of the side surfaces in compression. An extension mechanisms possessing shape memory integrated into and spanning between the members is biased to the extended position aiding in deployment of the swim platform.

This invention relates a removable seat for watercraft 10 of the type having a hull or underside 13 and a deck 14, and wherein the deck is connected to the hull by side portions or rails 15, and said deck includes retaining means in the form of one or more recesses 20 formed in or attached to the deck. The seat includes a seat base 112 and a backrest 111, and anchoring means 130 connected to structural means supporting said backrest, said anchoring means extending generally away from a lower portion of said backrest and a rear portion of said seat base, and wherein said anchoring means is locatable within a respective one of the retaining means 20. The seat is retained in an operative attitude by first releasable securing means connected to an upper part of said backrest and connectable to a location on the deck or the rails generally forward of the seat, and second releasable securing means connected to an upper portion of said backrest and connectable to a location on the deck or the rails generally rearward of said seat.

This invention relates a removable seat for watercraft 10 of the type having a hull or underside 13 and a deck 14, and wherein the deck is connected to the hull by side portions or rails 15, and said deck includes retaining means in the form of one or more recesses 20 formed in or attached to the deck. The seat includes a seat base 112 and a backrest 111, and anchoring means 130 connected to structural means supporting said backrest, said anchoring means extending generally away from a lower portion of said backrest and a rear portion of said seat base, and wherein said anchoring means is locatable within a respective one of the retaining means 20. The seat is retained in an operative attitude by first releasable securing means connected to an upper part of said backrest and connectable to a location on the deck or the rails generally forward of the seat, and second releasable securing means connected to an upper portion of said backrest and connectable to a location on the deck or the rails generally rearward of said seat.

An aid to assist mobility in standing upright from a seated position or inversely to aid in safely reaching a seated position from standing as it applies to the interior of a Sit-On-Top Kayak. Comprised of a nylon strap extending to the user from forward the vessel where it is anchored by a bolt or machine screw passing thru dense rubber based plugs inserted from above and below the deck of the boat utilizing pre-existing scupper holes, through holes, molded by various manufacturers into the hull of Sit-On-Top Kayaks. This sandwiches and compresses the plugs thus creating a secure semi-permanent but removeable anchoring point for the nylon strap. This allows for an easy installation with no alterations to the boats hull and provides the necessary leverage to aid in sitting or standing.

An aid to assist mobility in standing upright from a seated position or inversely to aid in safely reaching a seated position from standing as it applies to the interior of a Sit-On-Top Kayak. Comprised of a nylon strap extending to the user from forward the vessel where it is anchored by a bolt or machine screw passing thru dense rubber based plugs inserted from above and below the deck of the boat utilizing pre-existing scupper holes, through holes, molded by various manufacturers into the hull of Sit-On-Top Kayaks. This sandwiches and compresses the plugs thus creating a secure semi-permanent but removeable anchoring point for the nylon strap. This allows for an easy installation with no alterations to the boats hull and provides the necessary leverage to aid in sitting or standing.

A process and associated system for creating color effects using extrudable material, such as plastic and metal for example, are presented. Flows of first and second viscous materials of respective colors are provided and then combined in a predetermined pattern to form a stream of combined viscous material. A dynamic mixer is the then used to apply a predetermined dividing, overturning and combining motion to the stream of combined viscous material to partially mix the first viscous material and the second viscous material, such that upon exiting the dynamic mixer, the first material of the first color and the second material of the second color form a color pattern in the stream of combined viscous material. The dynamic mixer has elements configured for acquiring a specific radial orientation in a range of radial orientations that may be varied during the application of the dividing, overturning and combining motion to the stream of combined viscous material to cause variations in the color pattern in the stream of combined viscous material. Sheets of extruded material may be created using such process and system and used in the manufacturing of many different products including, but not limited to, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, garden furniture and many others. In some embodiments, the sheets may be characterized by color bands extending diagonally with reference to a longitudinal extent of the sheet.

In one example, a method includes positioning, within a mold, a device with a movable element that defines a portion of a volume, and the volume is contained within the mold, as part of a molding process, at least partly defining a molded watercraft by introducing plastic into the mold, disposing the plastic about the movable element, and with the movable element, excluding the plastic from the portion of the volume that is defined by the movable element so as to define a recess and an undercut that are integral with the watercraft and extend lengthwise with respect to a centerline of the watercraft, and the recess and undercut are integral, and communicate, with each other.

In one example, a method includes positioning, within a mold, a device with a movable element that defines a portion of a volume, and the volume is contained within the mold, as part of a molding process, at least partly defining a molded watercraft by introducing plastic into the mold, disposing the plastic about the movable element, and with the movable element, excluding the plastic from the portion of the volume that is defined by the movable element so as to define a recess and an undercut that are integral with the watercraft and extend lengthwise with respect to a centerline of the watercraft, and the recess and undercut are integral, and communicate, with each other.

A deep-drawn, marine hull having a sandwich structure with a cellulose-based core and watercraft utilizing same are provided. The hull includes an outer skin of a fiber-based thermoplastic and having a waterproof outer surface, a first sheet of thermoplastic adhesive, an inner skin of a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material and having a compartment-defining outer surface, a second sheet of thermoplastic adhesive and a shock absorbing, cellular core of a cellulose-based material and positioned between the skins The skins are bonded to the core by the first and second sheets and by press molding. Cells of the cellular core absorb energy of an impact at the outer surface of the outer skin by deformably crushing. Air trapped within cells which are not completely crushed or punctured by the impact provide the hull with buoyancy to allow the hull to float at the surface of a body of water.