Abstract
Disclosed are devices for attaching a seat to a stand-up paddleboard. The devices generally have an open C-shape that is designed and configured to accommodate the side rail of a stand-up paddleboard while maintaining flush contact with at least a portion of the bottom of the stand-up paddleboard. The present disclosure also relates to a system for attaching a seat to a stand-up paddleboard. The system includes the above-described device and a mechanism for connecting the device to a seat disposed on the stand-up paddleboard. The mechanism for connecting the device to a seat can be, for example, a strap or a hook. The connecting device can be varied to accommodate the location on the seat to which the connecting device is attached.
Claims
1. A device for attaching a seat to a stand-up paddleboard, the device having a generally open C-shaped configuration comprising: a first end and a second end having a total length therebetween, wherein the total length comprises: a first length starting at and comprising the first end connected to a second length through a first radius; the second length connected to a third length through a second radius; the third length connected through a third radius to a fourth length ending at and comprising the second end, wherein the first radius provides a substantially 90 angle between the first length and the second length, wherein the second radius provides an obtuse angle between the second length and the third length, and wherein the third radius provides an obtuse angle between the third length and the fourth length.
2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising an attachment location disposed proximal the second end and adapted to cooperate with a connecting device
3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the attachment location comprises an opening.
4. A system for attaching a seat to a stand-up paddleboard, the system comprising: a device having a generally open C-shaped configuration comprising: a first end and a second end having a distance therebetween, wherein the distance comprises: a first length starting at and comprising the first end connected to a second length through a first radius; the second length connected to a third length through a second radius; the third length connected through a third radius to a fourth length ending at and comprising the second end, wherein the first radius provides a substantially 90 angle between the first length and the second length, wherein the second radius provides an obtuse angle between the second length and the third length, and wherein the third radius provides an obtuse angle between the third length and the fourth length; and a connecting device attached to the device proximal the second end.
5. The system according to claim 4, further comprising an attachment location disposed proximal the second end and adapted to cooperate with a connecting device.
6. The system according to claim 3, wherein the attachment location comprises an opening.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a side view of one embodiment of the device according to the present disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows a bottom perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a device according to the present disclosure, with an embodiment of the first connecting device according to the present disclosure attached thereto.
[0021] FIG. 4 shows an overhead perspective view of the embodiment of a device according to the present disclosure shown in FIG. 3 attached to a cross-member of a folding seat disposed on the top of a stand-up paddleboard.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure as well as options thereof will now be described in conjunction with the Figures, in which like numerals denote like elements. With respect to the Figures that follow, certain angles are described. It will be understood that the described angels are such that adjacent lengths (as the term length is used in conjunction with the Figures) will be angled in such a way as to form a C-shaped configuration. Stated otherwise, each angle is either clockwise or counter-clockwise to its adjacent angles. In this way, the correct C-shaped configuration is formed.
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a device 10 according to the present disclosure. In FIG. 1, device 10 is a generally open C-shaped configuration 11 having a first end 12 and a second end 13. From first end 12, device 10 has a first length 14 that connects to a second length 15 through a radius R1. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, radius R1 provides an angle between first length 14 and second length 15 that is from about 85 to about 95, preferably from about 87 to about 93, and more preferably about 90. First length 14 can be from about 3 inches to about 5 inches, preferably from about 4 inches to about 5 inches, more preferably from about 5 to about 5 inches. In the specific embodiment shown in FIG. 1, first length 14 is 5 inches. Also, second length 15 can be any length sufficient to span the depth of the stand-up paddleboard, but is generally from about 3 inches to about 6 inches, preferably from about 4 inches to about 6 inches and most preferably from about 5 inches to about 6 inches. In the specific embodiment shown in FIG. 1, second length 15 is 5 inches. Second length 15 connects to third length 16 through a radius R2 that provides an obtuse angle between second length 15 and third length 16. Radius R2 provides an angle between second length 15 and third length 16 that is from about 135 to about 170, preferably from about 145 to about 165. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, radius R2 provides an angle between second length 15 and third length 16 that is about 160. Third length 16 connects to fourth length 17 through a radius R3 that provides an obtuse angle between third length 16 and fourth length 17. Third length 16 can be from about 2 inches to about 4 inches, preferably from about 2 inches to about 3 inches and most preferably about 3 inches to about 3 inches. In the specific embodiment shown in FIG. 1, third length 16 is 3 inches. Radius R3 provides an angle between third length 16 and fourth length 17 that is from about 135 to about 170, preferably from about 145 to about 165. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, radius R3 provides angle between third length 16 and fourth length 17 that is about 160. Fourth length 17 can be from about 2 inches to about 4 inches, and preferably from about 2 inches to about 3 inches. In the specific embodiment shown in FIG. 1, fourth length 17 is 3 inches.
[0024] Also, as shown in the embodiment in FIG. 1, first length 14 and fourth length 17 are not parallel to each other, with fourth length 17 disposed slightly away from parallel vis--vis first length 14. Moreover, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, first end 12 and a second end 13 are separated by a distance 18. Distance 18 can be from about 7 inches to about 9 inches, and preferably from about 7 inches to about 9 inches. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, distance 18 is 8 inches. Device 10 also has a thickness 19, that can depend on the material of which device 10 is made. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, thickness 19 is about inch. As mentioned above, device 10 can optionally include pads 21, with pads 21 preferably disposed on the sides of lengths 14 and 15 so as to contact the stand-up paddleboard to protect the surface of stand-up paddleboard from scratching.
[0025] FIG. 2 shows a bottom perspective view of device 10 and all elements are identical to device 10 shown in FIG. 1. Thus, everything that has been described with respect to FIG. 1 applies equally to device 10 of FIG. 2.
[0026] FIG. 2 shows device 10 in a perspective view, so that a width 20 of device 10 can be seen. In general, width 20 can be from about 2 inches to about 4 inches, preferably from about 2 inches to about 3 inches. In the specific embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, width 20 is 3 inches. Again, as with thickness 19, width 20 can depend upon the material of which device 10 is made.
[0027] Also shown in FIG. 2 are first opening 22 and second opening 23 that have been described above. First opening 22 is disposed proximal the second end 13 and passes through the fourth length 17, and first opening 22 is disposed and configured to cooperate with a first connecting device 32 (see, e.g. FIG. 3) configured to attach to an element of a seat. It should be recognized that first opening 22 is not required since a connecting device could be attached to device 10 by other means such as a rivet or screw. Second opening 23 is disposed proximal the first end and passes through first length 14, and second opening 23 is disposed and configured to allow device 10 to connect to another device 10 by a second connecting device (not shown) such as a strap or cord that spans the underside of the stand-up paddleboard. It should be recognized that second opening 23 is not required since second connecting device (not shown) could be attached to device 10 by other means such as a rivet or screw.
[0028] FIG. 3 shows device 10 that further includes an attachment location 31 disposed and adapted to cooperate with a connecting device 32. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, attachment location 31 comprises a slot 33 disposed proximal second end 13 and passing through fourth length 17. Attachment location 31 is thus disposed substantially opposite first length 14 such that when connecting device 32 is connected to a seat 40 (see FIG. 4), first length 14 is, preferably, urged flat against a bottom side of a stand-up paddleboard. As will be discussed in conjunction with FIG. 4, connecting device 32 in the embodiment shown is a strap suitable for wrapping around a horizontal or vertical element of seat 40. Although attachment location 31 is shown in FIG. 3 as slot 33 in fourth length 17 through which connecting device 32 is passed, it will be understood that attachment location 31 can be any one of a number of alternatives, such as a snap element attached to an upper surface of, or through, fourth length 17, a ring element attached to an upper surface of, or through, fourth length 17 or any other such element designed and configured to cooperate with one or both ends of connecting device 32. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, slot 33 is disposed proximal second end 13 of device 10. Slot 33 can be disposed at any distance from second end 13, but preferably is disposed from about inch to about 2 inches from second end 13, and preferably from about inch to about 1 inches from second end 13.
[0029] FIG. 4 shows device 10 of FIG. 3 connected with a horizontal element 41 (i.e. a side rail of seat 40) using connecting device 32. As shown in FIG. 4, connecting device 32 is an adjustable strap having an adjustment/locking buckle 42. As will be appreciated, connecting device 32 can also be engaged with a vertical element 43 (i.e., a leg of a seat 40) depending on preference and the style of stand-up paddleboard. Also, connecting device 32 can be folded back upon, and connected to, itself using a loop and hook fastener, such as Velcro (not shown in FIG. 4) for added security. As seen in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, radii R1, R2 and R3 are configured so that when connecting device 32 is connected to horizontal element 41, first length 14 is urged against the bottom side of the stand-up paddleboard. It will be understood that any number of devices 10 and connecting devices 32 may be used to secure seat 40 to a stand-up paddleboard. However, preferably, at least two such devices 10 and two such connecting devices 32 should be used to stabilize at least side-to-side movement of seat 40 on the top surface of the stand-up paddleboard.
[0030] It should be noted that the terms first, second, third, upper, lower, front, rear and the like may be used herein to modify various elements. These modifiers do not imply a spatial, sequential, or hierarchical order to the modified elements unless specifically stated. Also, it should be understood that where certain materials are mentioned as useful in making one or more of the elements of any embodiment of the present disclosure, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that the selection of material is a mere matter of design choice and/or of the necessary physical attributes of any particular element.
[0031] It should also be noted that terms such as substantially or about will be understood by those of skill in the art such that there is no lack of clarity or indefiniteness in their use. In any event, without being restricted to strict numerical parameters, will be understood that terms such as substantially or about as used herein should be understood to mean the stated amount or numerical identification plus or minus 10%, preferably plus or minus 5%, more preferably plus or minus 1%, and most preferably plus or minus less than 1%.
[0032] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made to the exemplary embodiments, and that equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
[0033] All of the patents and patent publications referred to herein are Incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth verbatim in this disclosure.
