STIFF HOLLOW ROD FOR USE TO PROPEL WATERCRAFT

Abstract

Hollow rod for propelling a watercraft, such as a stand-up paddleboard, comprising: a rigid hollow rod comprising a center section of reduced diameter cross-section suitable for gripping and manipulating by a user's hands; and two, preferably symmetrical, ends of larger diameter suitable for alternating insertion into the water, allowing the water and air to free-flow through the hollow rod, thus providing a means of propulsion as the user pulls on the inserted portion of the rod along the side of the watercraft.

Claims

1. An article of manufacture for manually propelling a watercraft, comprising: a hollow rod of annular cross-section having a high degree of rigidity along its length and comprising first and second ends adapted for insertion of each end alternatively into the water, said hollow rod further comprising a center section of reduced diameter of annular cross-section adapted to being gripped and manipulated by a user's hands during a stroking motion on either side, or both sides, of the watercraft while maintaining a free flow of water and air through the rod.

2. The article of manufacture of claim 1, further comprising: a soft padded layer on at least one end of said rod, wherein said soft padded layer is adapted to not impede the free flow of water and air through the hollow rod during use of the rod to propel the watercraft.

3. The article of manufacture of claim 2, wherein the soft padded layer is adapted to provide cushioning for pushing off from other surfaces while safely protecting such other surfaces.

4. The article of manufacture of claim 2, wherein said soft padded layer provides additional flotation for the hollow rod to allow easy retrieval from the water if the rod is dropped.

5. The article of manufacture of claim 2, wherein said soft padded layer provides a safer means of enabling jousting among users of stand-up paddleboards.

6. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein said hollow rod is comprised of at least two detachable portions, each hollow rod portion being rigidly and detachably interconnectable at a location along the length of the hollow rod upon assembly.

7. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the hollow rod is of circular cross-section.

8. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein said hollow rod is between 2.5 inches and 3.5 inches in diameter at a widest cross section diameter near each end of said hollow rod, and wherein said hollow rod is between 1 inch and 2 inches in diameter at a widest cross section diameter near a central portion of said hollow rod.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stiff hollow rod, showing the circular cross-section of the rod with tapering on the ends towards a middle section of preferably constant cross-section width of the middle section to provide comfortable and secure handholds;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-section view of the end of the stiff hollow rod of FIG. 1, where soft padding has been added enabling pushing off of other objects, or for jousting games between watercraft, such as stand-up paddleboard (SUP), users;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a stiff hollow rod provided in segmented portions with a known interconnection device near the middle of the rod and in use as a manual motivating device for propelling a user on a watercraft, such as an SUP, across the surface of water;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another alternative stiff hollow rod provided in three segmented portions with a known interconnection device at the interface of each segment, showing the circular cross-section of the rod with tapering on the ends towards a middle section of preferably constant cross-section width along the length of the middle section to provide comfortable and secure handholds.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0016] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, in accordance with one or more aspects of the invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising: a stiff hollow rod 100 comprising a central section 104 of reduced diameter adapted for gripping and manipulation by a user's hands, and two rod ends 102 of circular cross-section; which stiff hollow rod is hollow throughout its length, allowing for the free flow of water and air.

[0017] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2, it is noted that the stiff hollow rod 100 may further comprise a soft padded layer 106, which soft padded layer is firmly attached to at least one rod end 102, and is adapted to allow the free flow of water and air within the stiff hollow rod, while providing cushioning to protect other surfaces that may be contacted.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, there is provided an embodiment of a stiff hollow rod 100′ that is intended to be used by inserting one rod end 102′ into the water and pulling the stiff hollow rod with the user's hands located at a narrower hand engaging portion 104′ and pulling along the side of the watercraft in a stroking motion, then alternating by inverting the hands and the rod allowing inserting the other end 102′ of the stiff hollow rod into the water on the other side of the watercraft and pulling the stiff hollow rod along that side of the watercraft. This embodiment of the stiff hollow rod 100′ is segmented into two different portions 108, 110, the two portions being interconnected at a sleeve-like interface 120 between each portion with a spring-loaded ball and socket joint interconnection member 112 as is known in the art.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 4, there is provided an embodiment of a stiff hollow rod 100″ that is intended to be used by inserting one rod end 102″ into the water and pulling the stiff hollow rod with the user's hands located at a narrower hand engaging portion 104″ and pulling along the side of the watercraft in a stroking motion, then alternating by inverting the hands and the rod allowing inserting the other end 102″ of the stiff hollow rod into the water on the other side of the watercraft and pulling the stiff hollow rod along that side of the watercraft. This embodiment of the stiff hollow rod 100″ is segmented into three different portions 114, 116, 118, the three portions being interconnected at a sleeve-like interface 120 between each portion with a spring-loaded ball and socket joint interconnection member 112 as is known in the art.

[0020] While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described, it will be appreciated that one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize the inventive principles disclosed are not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, and that various aspects of the invention may be modified without departing from the true spirit of the invention as claimed. Thus, by way of example, it will be appreciated that this invention provides the SUP user with a motivating, or propulsion, device that is physically less strenuous to manipulate through water than a flat-bladed paddle because water is allowed to enter each end of the rod as it is dipped into the water, and this provides a dual motivating, or propelling, motion upon paddling or stroking that requires less effort for a given propulsion. Further, it will be appreciated that round, or circular, cross-sectioned ends of the stiff rod 100, 100′,100″ are not absolutely necessary for the invention to improve paddling efficiency, but the rod ends may be made with a slight elliptical shape as well without departing from the invention as claimed. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.