Kayak stabilizing device

Abstract

A stabilizing device includes a double-ended paddle having an intermediate coupling. The stabilizing device is inserted into a channel running perpendicularly through a hull of a kayak which is configured to accommodate the stabilizing device.

Claims

1. A stabilization device, comprising: a kayak hull comprising: a kayak top half; a kayak bottom half; a cockpit disposed within said kayak top half adjacent a widthwise centerline of said kayak hull; a keel disposed along said kayak bottom half contiguously along a lengthwise centerline of said kayak hull; and, a deck; wherein said kayak top half and said kayak bottom half are divided by a waterline when said kayak hull is positioned upon a water surface; a channel disposed through said kayak hull, further having a first channel end located at a first side of said kayak hull and a second channel end located at a second side of said kayak hull; wherein said channel is perpendicular to said lengthwise centerline; wherein said channel is adjacent said widthwise centerline opposite said cockpit; and, wherein said channel is disposed at said waterline of said kayak hull between said keel and said deck; a paddle adapted for insertion into said channel; wherein when said paddle is inserted into said channel, said kayak hull when positioned upon said water surface is steadied by movements of a user against clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation about said lengthwise centerline.

2. The stabilization device of claim 1, wherein said channel is cylindrical.

3. The stabilization device of claim 1, wherein said paddle further comprises a pair of blades, each disposed at distal ends of a shaft.

4. The stabilization device of claim 3, wherein said paddle further comprises: a first paddle section having a first distal paddle end and a first proximal joint end; and, a second paddle section having a second distal paddle end and a second proximal joint end; wherein said first proximal joint end and second proximal joint end are capable of being removably secured to each other.

5. The stabilization device of claim 4, wherein said first proximal joint end and said second proximal joint end comprises a joining means capable of being fit together at common joints.

6. The stabilization device of claim 5, wherein said joining means comprises a male threaded feature secured to said first proximal joint end and a female threaded feature secured to said second proximal joint end; wherein said male threaded feature and female threaded feature are configured to threadingly engage.

7. The stabilization device of claim 1, wherein said kayak top half further comprises a front hatch disposed therewithin and adjacent said cockpit.

8. The stabilization device of claim 7, wherein said kayak top half further comprises a back hatch disposed therewithin and adjacent said widthwise center line opposite said cockpit.

9. The stabilization device of claim 8, wherein said kayak top half further comprises a plurality of deck bungees disposed thereacross.

10. The stabilization device of claim 8, wherein said kayak hull further comprises a handle disposed at a bow and a stern thereof.

11. A stabilization device, comprising: a kayak hull comprising: a kayak top half; a kayak bottom half; a cockpit disposed within said kayak top half adjacent a widthwise centerline of said kayak hull; a keel disposed along said kayak bottom half contiguously along a lengthwise centerline of said kayak hull; and, a deck; wherein said kayak top half and said kayak bottom half are divided by a waterline when said kayak hull is positioned upon a water surface; a channel disposed through said kayak hull, further having a first channel end located at a first side of said kayak hull having a keyway and a second channel end located at a second side of said kayak hull; wherein said channel is perpendicular to said lengthwise centerline; wherein said channel is adjacent said widthwise centerline opposite said cockpit; and, wherein said channel is disposed at said waterline of said kayak hull between said keel and said deck; a paddle having a key adapted for insertion into said keyway of said channel; wherein when said paddle is inserted into said channel, said kayak hull when positioned upon said water surface is steadied by movements of a user against clockwise or counter-clockwise rotation about said lengthwise centerline.

12. The stabilization device of claim 11, wherein said channel is cylindrical.

13. The stabilization device of claim 11, wherein said paddle further comprises a pair of blades, each disposed at distal ends of a shaft.

14. The stabilization device of claim 13, wherein said paddle further comprises: a first paddle section having a first distal paddle end and a first proximal joint end; and, a second paddle section having a second distal paddle end and a second proximal joint end; wherein said first proximal joint end and second proximal joint end are capable of being removably secured to each other; wherein said key is disposed along a portion of said first paddle section; and, wherein said kayak hull is positioned upon said water surface and said key is inserted into said keyway, said pair of blades are oriented perpendicular to said water surface.

15. The stabilization device of claim 14, wherein said first proximal joint end and said second proximal joint end comprises a joining means capable of being fit together at common joints.

16. The stabilization device of claim 15, wherein said joining means comprises a male threaded feature secured to said first proximal joint end and a female threaded feature secured to said second proximal joint end; wherein said male threaded feature and female threaded feature are configured to threadingly engage.

17. The stabilization device of claim 11, wherein said kayak top half further comprises a front hatch disposed therewithin and adjacent said cockpit.

18. The stabilization device of claim 17, wherein said kayak top half further comprises a back hatch disposed therewithin and adjacent said widthwise center line opposite said cockpit.

19. The stabilization device of claim 18, wherein said kayak top half further comprises a plurality of deck bungees disposed thereacross.

20. The stabilization device of claim 18, wherein said kayak hull further comprises a handle disposed at a bow and a stern thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of a kayak 100 with a paddle 50 inserted through a channel 20 incorporated into a portion of a hull top 107 to function as a stabilization device 10 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective bottom view of a kayak 100 with a paddle 50 inserted through the channel 20 incorporated into a portion of a hull bottom 105 to function as the stabilization device 10 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a kayak 100 with the channel 20 incorporated in between a portion of a hull top 107 and hull bottom 105 to function as the stabilization device 10 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

(5) FIG. 4 is a section view along a line A-A as shown on FIG. 1 of the stabilization device 10 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

(6) FIG. 5 is an isolated view of a paddle 50 separated at a joint 65 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and,

(7) FIG. 6 is an isolated view of a channel first end 25 of the stabilization device 10 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTIVE KEY

(8) 10 stabilization device 20 channel 25 channel first end 30 channel second end 35 tube wall 40 cavity 45 keyway 50 paddle 55 shaft 60 blade 65 joint 70 first paddle section 75 male threaded end 80 second paddle section 85 female threaded end 90 key 100 kayak 105 hull bottom 107 hull top 110 bow 115 stern 120 keel 125 deck 130 cockpit 135 widthwise center line 140 lengthwise center line 150 water line 155 front hatch 160 back hatch 175 deck bungee 180 first carry handle 185 second carry handle

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(9) The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within FIGS. 1 through 6. However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under the scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one (1) particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope.

(10) The terms a and an herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one (1) of the referenced items.

(11) The present invention describes a stabilization device (herein referred to as the system) 10, which provides a means to stabilize a kayak 100 against capsizing in open water along water line 150 when a user attempts to depart from, or re-enter, a cockpit 130 of that kayak 100. While the preferred embodiment of this system 10 is promoted as being incorporated into the design of a new kayak 100, it is understood that a capable user may elect to install the various components, in part, or in whole, into an existing kayak 100 and remain within the teachings and the scope of this system 10. It should be noted that variability exists in the design of different models of kayaks 100 and that the sizes and styles of paddles 50 utilized as a propulsion tool is dependent upon certain biological data and the taste of a user. Therefore, a range of sizes, and/or styles, must be implicit in the preferred embodiments without limiting the scope of the invention.

(12) Referring now to FIG. 1, a top perspective view of an exemplary kayak 100 equipped with the system 10, FIG. 2, a bottom perspective view of an exemplary kayak 100 equipped with the system 10, FIG. 3, a side elevation view of an exemplary kayak 100 showing channel 20 and FIG. 4, a section view along line A-A, as seen in FIG. 1, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The system 10 includes a channel 20 built between a hull bottom 105 and a hull top 107 of a kayak 100 and a paddle 50 adapted for insertion into an interior cavity 40 of that channel 20. The kayak 100 is any watercraft falling into the classification of a sea, or touring kayak 100 fabricated of any material of current technology. The kayaks 100 of this classification are customarily provided with a cockpit 130 located along a hull top 107 between a bow 110 and a stern 115. A user occupies the cockpit 130 while navigating the kayak 100.

(13) The channel 20 is a cylindrical tube extending from a channel first end 25 to a channel second 30 fabricated into and between the hull bottom 105 and the hull top 107 of the kayak 100 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis thereof. It is understood that other geometric shapes, such as rectangular polygons, may be utilized without limiting the scope of the system 10. The channel 20 may be composed of a polymer, or other material, such as fiberglass or carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy, commensurate with the materials of construction of the kayak 100. The channel 20 has a tube wall 35 encircling an internal cavity 40. The channel 20 is configured to be attached between the hull bottom 105 and a hull top 107 in such a manner as to obviate the introduction of water into the hull bottom 105 and the hull top 107 at any time. The channel 20 is preferably located at a point just aft of the cockpit 130 opposite the widthwise center line 135 of the kayak 100 that is easily accessible to a user. The channel 20 is further located at approximately a level of water line 150 between a keel 120, disposed along a lengthwise center line 140 and a deck 125. A front hatch 155, comprising a cavity and lid within the deck 125 adjacent the bow 110, provides an interior storage cavity within the kayak 100. A back hatch 160, comprising a cavity and lid within the deck 125 adjacent the stern 115, likewise provides an interior storage cavity within the kayak 100. A plurality of deck bungee cords 175 are disposed across the deck 125 and provide a means of temporarily securing various and sundry items beneath the same. A first carry handle 180 is secured at the bow 110 while a second carry handle 185 is secured at the stern.

(14) Referring now to FIG. 5, an isolated view of a paddle 50 of the system 10, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The paddle 50 is configured to be a hand-held propulsion device having a broad, flat blade 60 disposed at either end of a central shaft 55. The paddle 50 is composed of a plurality of fiberglass reinforced epoxy pieces configured to be assembled at a joint 65. Other materials, such as a variety of polymers, Kevlar, or carbon fibers, may be utilized in the fabrication of the paddle 50 without limiting the scope of the system 10. In a preferred embodiment, the joint 65 is provided with a male threaded end 75 on a first paddle section 70 and a female threaded end 85 on a second paddle section 80. The paddle sections 70, 80 are configured to be assembled by engaging the male threaded end 75 entirely within the female threaded end 85.

(15) The paddle sections 70, 80 are assembled at the joint 65 and utilized in a standard fashion for the propulsion and steering of the kayak 100. As a stabilization device 10, the paddle 50 is disassembled at the joint 65 by removing the male threaded end 75 from the female threaded end 85. The first paddle section 70 is inserted into the channel first end 25 while the second paddle section 80 is inserted within the channel second end 30. The male threaded end 75 is reengaged into the female threaded end 85 within the cavity 40. The paddle 50 is oriented with the width of the blades 60 parallel to the surface of the water. In this manner, any tipping force, and subsequent moment, exerted by the user moving away from a center of gravity of the kayak 100 will be counteracted by a force exerted by the water upon the blade 60 of the paddle 50 on an opposite side.

(16) Referring now to FIG. 6, a channel first end 25 of the system 10, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. A portion of the internal cavity 40 of the channel 20 may be provided with a keyway 45 to positively secure the paddle 50 in a preferred configuration with the blades 60 oriented perpendicularly to the surface of the water line 150. This keyway 45 may be any geometric pattern formed into the cavity of the channel 20 that coincides with a similar pattern of a key 90 formed into the shaft 55 of the first paddle section 70. An exemplary key 90 is illustrated on the shaft 55 of the paddle 50 depicted in FIG. 5.

(17) The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by an enabled individual in a simple and straightforward manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the system 10, it would be installed as indicated in FIG. 1. The method of utilizing the system 10 has been detailed in the previous discussion.

(18) The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.