EaZup

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A kayak accessibility aid comprising: a handle strap of 1 nylon webbing; an anchoring device; compression plugs and rust resistant hardware.

2. The device of claim 1, further being an add-on accessory to aid users in safely standing or sitting in a sit-on-top kayak comprising: a 1 nylon web handle/strap extending to the user from forward the seated position; the strap to be configured with slide clasps on opposing ends, one allowing for adjustments to the overall length reaching back to the boater the other providing the capability to adjust the handle loop for the users comfort; the nylon strap will be anchored in place by looping through a hinged retainer clasp secured in place with stainless steel or equivalent hardware passing through a set of shaped compression plugs; wherein the anchoring device uses one compression plug inserted from the top of the boat and the second inserted from the underside of the boat inside the manufacturers blow molded hull utilizing one of the scupper holes in the hull, through which fasteners will pass and be tightened causing compression of the plugs which in turn securely hold the unit in place.

3. The invention of claim 1 is a kayak accessibility aid comprising: a handle strap of 1 nylon webbing that is adjustable by use of a slide on each end, one that adjusts for the users handle the opposing end that attaches to the anchor point and is adjustable for overall length which will vary based on the user's position and physical reach.

4. The invention of claim 1 further comprising: an anchoring system that the handle strap is secured to, wherein the 1 strap loops through a hinged metal loop comprised of the metal loop and a flange annulus which is secured as part of the anchoring system.

5. The invention of claim 1 further comprising: a bolt/machine screw 3.5 in length which anchors the device components together. A stainless-steel locking nut wherein attaches to the bolt/machine screw to secure the remaining elements of the device.

6. The invention of claim 1 further comprising: stainless steel washers wherein attaches to the said bolt/machine screw to aid in compression and adjustment of said device. One to be placed on the outside of each plug to aid in tightening and compressing the plugs.

7. The invention of claim 1 further comprising: a pair of conical shaped rubber-based plugs to be inserted into the scupper holes of a sit-on-top kayak. One to be inserted from the top another to be inserted from the bottom of the kayak.

8. The invention of claim 1 further comprising: a lock nut secured to the 3.5 bolt that tightens to secure and compress the system in place. Creating a secure connection without altering the hull in any fashion.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0004] FIG. 1

[0005] Object 10: Object 10 illustrates a bottom view of a blow molded kayak hull example of modern kayak models currently on the market. This illustration represents any of a number of sit-on-top kayaks from various manufacturers, consisting of a plastic or Ram-X type material and having through holes or scupper holes molded into the hull.

[0006] Object 9: Object 9 Illustrates an example of the placement of the scupper holes.

[0007] FIG. 1a

[0008] Object 10: Object 10 in illustration FIG. 1a represents a side view of a blow molded kayak hull in a typical sit-on-top kayak, consisting of a plastic or Ram-X type material and having through holes or scupper holes molded into the hull.

[0009] Object 9: Object 9 in FIG. 1a illustrates an example of the placement of the scupper holes. Object 11: Object 11: Illustrates the placement of the EaZup device, in its proper position and ready for use. Utilizing the pre-molded scupper hole as an anchor point for the EaZup device forward of the users seated position. Consisting of all components to be broken down in illustration FIG. 2.

[0010] FIG. 2

[0011] Object 1: Consisting of a 1 wide nylon strap extending from the EaZup anchoring hardware toward the user's seated position. This nylon strap having the ability to adjust via slide clasps, (object 2) making an adjustable hand loop on one end and additional length adjustment on the opposing end. Allowing for overall length adjustment accommodating current SOT kayaks. This adjustment allows for varying kayak formats and variations for user arm and torso length. Object 2: Represents slide clasps allowing for adjustments in the reach and comfort of the 1 Nylon user strap.

[0012] Object 3: Hinged 1 square metal loop attachment. The hardware consists of a square metal loop hinged through a flat bracket, having a hole in the flat bracket through which it is secured with a bolt extending through the anchoring device.

[0013] Object 4: Consisting of a stainless steel or equivalent rust resistant bolt or machine screw being 3.5 in length and 5/16 to diameter. Object 4 is the central element in the anchoring device.

[0014] Object 5: Consists of stainless steel or equivalent flat washers.

[0015] Object 6: Illustrates a side view of the solid compression plugs through which the anchoring bolt (object 4) passes. Upon installation the plugs compress into the scupper hole creating a firm anchor point. Consisting of a dense rubber or equivalent material with a 5/16- hole through the center. Being conical with measurements of diameter on the small end 1.5 thick following the contour to the large end at 1 in diameter.

[0016] Object 7: Represents the retainer nut. Consisting of a stainless steel or equivalent rust resistant locking nut. Object 7 is to be paired with object 4 to allow for the compression of the anchoring system completing a semi-permanent installation that can be installed or removed as desired.

[0017] Object 8: Represents an exploded and sliced side view of the hull of a blow molded sit-on-top kayak from various manufacturers.

[0018] FIG. 3

[0019] Object 1: Consisting of a 1 wide nylon strap extending back to the boater from the EaZup anchoring hardware forward the seated boater position. The nylon webbing includes two slide clasps shown in two positions.

[0020] Object 2A: Comprised of the aforementioned slide clasps.

[0021] FIG. 4

[0022] Object 6: Comprising a dense rubber or equivalent material plug with a 5/16- hole through the center. Being of a conical (wedge) shape with measurements of diameter on the small end 1.5 thick following the contour to the large end measuring in diameter.

[0023] Object 6A: Reflects an overhead view of the thicker end of the plug also showing the center hole where the anchoring software proceeds through the plug.

[0024] Object 6B: Represents a view of the bottom of the plug approximately of an inch in diameter again showing the center hole for the anchoring hardware.

[0025] FIG. 5

[0026] Object 3: Comprising a metal rectangular shaped ring passing through a flat metal plate which will be used to complete the anchoring system. The main anchoring bolt will pass through the plate securing the rectangular ring in place. The 1 webbing/strap loops through this ring securing it to assist the boater.

[0027] Object 3A: Comprising an overhead view of the hinged metal retainer that completes the anchoring system.

SUMMARY

[0028] The invention herein is a simple yet affective solution to the above-mentioned need as it pertains to SOT Kayaks. To aid in accessibility and mobility this device, EaZup is an aid to assist in standing or sitting in a Sit-On-Top (SOT) kayak. It has an adjustable strap that extends back to the user from a forward position in the kayak that aids the user by adding a source of leverage. The unique advantage of this device is that it does not require any alteration to the boat or the integrity of the hull. The strap and handle is anchored to the vessel utilizing one of the existing scupper holes molded into the hull by the manufacturer. Taking advantage of the scupper hole the anchoring system comprising rubber plugs and stainless-steel or equivalent hardware secures the adjustable nylon strap and handle in a semi-permanent fashion without the need of specialty tools or skills and without altering the hull in any way. A kayak accessibility aid comprising a handle strap of 1 nylon webbing with multiple adjustments for users of all sizes, extending to an anchoring point created with conical compression plugs and rust resistant hardware.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0029] As reflected in FIG. 1 and FIG. 1A EaZup utilizes the pre-existing scupper holes in SOT (sit-on-top) kayaks, commonly used for recreation to provides an easy to install aid to stand and sit, in sit-on-top kayaks by utilizing the manufacturer's molded through holes shown in FIG. 1. as a source of leverage. EaZup allows for flexibility in it's design as shown in FIG. 3 by allowing for multiple adjustment options. The anchoring component shown in FIG. 2 can be tried in various locations, added and removed at will, or even moved from boat to boat and the strap can be adjusted for various boaters as well. The anchoring component shown in FIG. 2 is also designed to be universal for sit-on-top kayaks.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Designed for recreational, sit-on-top kayaks, this product was born from practicality to assist kayakers of all ages, sizes, and capabilities in standing up and sitting down in a kayak. EaZup is an adjustable strap designed to be mounted forward of the boater where it adds effective leverage to the user aiding in balance and stability on the water or on the shoreline. Whether boarding the boat or departing, even standing or sitting on the water, as one might stand to fish, is made significantly smoother with added stability. EaZup is not the first strap designed to aid kayakers, however it is the first that allows for semi-permanent instillation in just a few minutes. Designed specifically for sit-on-top kayaks, EaZup utilizes the existing scupper holes, molded into the boat's manufacturing, to secure EaZup. Requiring NO DRILLING HOLES IN THE KAYAK. Requiring NO SCREWS PIERCING THE HULL OF THE KAYAK. Requiring NO ADDED BULKY BRACKETS. EaZup installs and can be removed in just minutes. No specialty or power tools required. User friendly, user installed and completely flexible for all EaZup makes kayaking accessible for many who could not otherwise get in and out of a kayak with stability.