U.S. patent application number 11/891083 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-12 for system and method for selectively securing articles to a hull of a watercraft.
This patent application is currently assigned to Legacy Paddlesports, LLC. Invention is credited to Joseph Walton, Andrew J. Zimmerman.
Application Number | 20090038529 11/891083 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40345285 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090038529 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Walton; Joseph ; et
al. |
February 12, 2009 |
System and method for selectively securing articles to a hull of a
watercraft
Abstract
A watercraft includes a hull having a sidewall, and a cavity
formed in the sidewall. The cavity includes an open end. An anchor
includes an insertion portion configured to be removably inserted
into the cavity through the open end. The anchor further includes a
movable retention element that removably retains the insertion
portion of the anchor in the cavity when the insertion portion is
inserted into the cavity.
Inventors: |
Walton; Joseph; (Trinity,
NC) ; Zimmerman; Andrew J.; (Greensboro, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOMBLE CARLYLE SANDRIDGE & RICE, PLLC
ATTN: PATENT DOCKETING 32ND FLOOR, P.O. BOX 7037
ATLANTA
GA
30357-0037
US
|
Assignee: |
Legacy Paddlesports, LLC
Greensboro
NC
|
Family ID: |
40345285 |
Appl. No.: |
11/891083 |
Filed: |
August 9, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
114/364 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63B 17/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
114/364 |
International
Class: |
B63B 17/00 20060101
B63B017/00 |
Claims
1. A watercraft comprising: (a) a hull having a first sidewall, the
first sidewall having a first upper edge; (b) a first cavity formed
in the first sidewall, the first cavity having a substantially open
first end; and (c) a first anchor comprising: (i) a first insertion
portion configured to be removably inserted into the first cavity
through the first end; and (ii) a first retention element
configured to removably retain the insertion portion in the first
cavity when the first insertion portion is inserted into the first
cavity.
2. A watercraft according to claim 1 wherein the first cavity is
proximate to the first upper edge.
3. A watercraft according to claim 1 wherein the first cavity
formed in the first sidewall includes a substantially open first
inboard face, and further comprising a retaining member extending
across at least a portion of the first inboard face.
4. A watercraft according to claim 1 wherein the first retention
element comprises a resilient catch that removably retains the
first insertion portion in the first cavity when the first
insertion portion is inserted in the first cavity.
5. A watercraft according to claim 3 wherein the first retention
element comprises a resilient catch that engages the retaining
member and thereby removably retains the first insertion portion in
the first cavity when the first insertion portion is inserted in
the first cavity.
6. A watercraft according to claim 1 and further comprising an
article attached to the first anchor, wherein when the first
insertion portion is received in the first cavity, the article is
thereby removably connected to the first sidewall.
7. A watercraft according to claim 1 wherein the hull further
comprises a second sidewall having a second upper edge, and further
comprising: (a) a second cavity formed in the second sidewall, the
second cavity having a substantially open second end; and (c) a
second anchor comprising: (i) a second insertion portion configured
to be removably inserted into the second cavity through the
substantially open second end; and (ii) a second retainer for
removably retaining the second insertion portion in the second
cavity when the second insertion portion is received in the second
cavity.
8. A watercraft according to claim 7, and further comprising an
article attached to the first and second anchors, wherein when the
first anchor is received in the first cavity and the second anchor
is received in the second anchor, the article is supported between
the first and second sidewalls.
9. A watercraft according to claim 8 wherein the article comprises
an extendable bar having a first end attached to the first anchor,
and a second end attached to the second anchor.
10. A watercraft according to claim 8 wherein the article comprises
an item selected from the group comprising of a seat, a platform, a
fishing rod holder, an oar holder, a cup holder, a boom, a strap, a
foot brace, and a cord.
11. A watercraft according to claim 7 wherein the first cavity and
the second cavity are substantially directly opposite from each
other in the hull.
12. A watercraft according to claim 1 and further comprising a
plurality of additional cavities formed in the first sidewall, each
additional cavity having a substantially open end.
13. An apparatus for removably attaching an article to a hull of a
watercraft, the apparatus comprising a body portion, a retainer
portion, and a connector portion attached to the body portion,
wherein the retainer portion is resiliently connected to the body
portion such that the retainer portion is capable of resilient
deflection toward the body portion.
14. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the retainer portion
includes a catch.
15. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the body portion and
retainer portion are elongated members connected at their lower
ends, and wherein the body portion and retainer portion form a
substantially V-shaped portion
16. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the connector
portion is attached to an upper end of the body portion.
17. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the body portion,
retainer portion and connector portion are constructed in a single
piece.
18. A system for selectively and removably attaching an article to
a hull of a watercraft, the system comprising; (a) a hull wall
having a plurality of spaced cavities therein; and (b) at least one
retainer member configured to be received in at least one of the
spaced cavities, the retainer comprising retention means for
selectively blocking extraction of the retainer from the cavity
when the retention means is received in the cavity.
19. A system according to claim 18 wherein the at least one spaced
cavity includes a retention element, and wherein the retention
means engages the retention element when the retainer is received
in the cavity, thereby selectively blocking extraction of the
retainer from the cavity when the retainer is received in the
cavity.
20. A system according to claim 18 wherein the retention element is
a bar, and wherein the retention means is a member that resiliently
engages the bar when the retainer is received in the cavity.
21. A system according to claim 18 wherein the retainer comprises a
one-piece clip, and wherein the retention means comprises a
resilient portion of the clip that resiliently engages a mating
portion the cavity.
22. A method for removably securing an article to a hull of a
watercraft, the method comprising: (a) providing at least one
cavity in a portion of the hull; (b) attaching an anchor to the
article, the anchor including at least one selectively movable
retention element; (c) engaging the anchor in the cavity such that
the retention element selectively prevents extraction of the anchor
from the cavity.
23. A method of claim 22 wherein the engagement of the anchor in
the cavity occurs without substantial forward or aftward movement
of the anchor relative to the hull.
24. A method of claim 22 further comprising removing the anchor
from the cavity by selectively moving the retention element.
25. A method of claim 24 wherein the removal of the anchor from the
cavity occurs without substantial forward or aftward movement of
the anchor relative to the hull.
26. A method of claim 22 wherein the article is pivotally connected
to the anchor to permit the article to pivot in multiple directions
when the anchor is engaged in the cavity.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention generally relates to watercraft, and more
particularly relates to a system and method for selectively and
removably attaching equipment, accessories, and other articles to a
watercraft's hull.
BACKGROUND
[0002] People use watercraft such as kayaks and canoes for
recreational activities, such as paddling and fishing. Modern
versions of such watercraft often include hulls constructed of
plastics or composite materials that are relatively strong, tough,
and lightweight. When constructed of a plastic material such as
polyethylene, the hulls of such watercraft can be formed using
modern molding processes, including rotational molding. Such
molding processes can yield a plastic hull having a relatively
complex shape in a unitary piece. Some modern paddle watercraft
include hulls having open cockpits in which occupants sit, while
others include a hollow hull having a top surface or "deck" on
which an occupant sits.
[0003] When using paddle watercraft for outdoor activities, persons
often carry various articles and gear for their use and comfort.
When a paddle watercraft is used for fishing, for example, fishing
rods and other fishing gear must be positioned on or within the
relatively small watercraft such that the gear does not interfere
with operation of the vessel. In particular, fishing rods
preferably should be positioned such that the rods do not interfere
with a person's paddling motion. Some modern fishing kayaks and
canoes include fishing rod holders that are screwed, bolted or
otherwise substantially permanently attached to a portion of the
watercraft for use in securing a fishing rod in a substantially
upright position. Accordingly, such upright and unmanned fishing
rods can be positioned such that the rods will not interfere with a
person's paddling or other activities. Though such a fishing rod
holder is useful in securing an unmanned fishing pole to a
watercraft, the fishing rod holder is secured at a fixed position
on the watercraft, and cannot be easily or readily relocated from
one location to another. Accordingly, there is a need for an
attachment system for selectively and removably securing a fishing
rod holder to a watercraft's hull at any one of a plurality of fore
and aft positions.
[0004] Modern paddle watercraft such as fishing kayaks and canoes
also typically include one or more seats mounted within or on their
hulls at an elevation that is at or slightly above the waterline.
This low seat position permits a seated occupant's center of
gravity to be as low as possible, thus maximizing the stability of
the watercraft on the water. Though such seats may be vertically
supported by a hull's bottom, the fore and aft position of a seat
typically is secured by connecting the seat to the hull using a
plurality of straps, bolts, or the like. Typically, such seats only
can be installed at a finite number of locations on a hull, thereby
restricting the number of available fore and aft seat positions
within a watercraft. Accordingly, there is a need for an attachment
system for removably securing a seat at substantially any fore or
aft position within an open watercraft. In addition, there is a
need for a seat attachment system that permits a seat to be easily
installed in and removed from a watercraft such that the seat can
be used as a beach chair, a camp chair, or the like.
[0005] Fishermen and paddlers also often have a need to secure
other types of gear, accessories and other articles within a
watercraft to prevent the items from falling overboard, tipping or
sliding. For example, a conveniently located cup holder mounted to
a watercraft's hull can be used to securely hold an open beverage
container. A convenient securing system also would be desirable for
retaining articles such as coolers, gear bags, tackle boxes, and
the like within a watercraft. Preferably, such an attachment system
would be sufficiently flexible to permit an article to be secured
to a hull of a watercraft at substantially any desired fore or aft
position. In addition, such an attachment system preferably would
permit a person to quickly and simply secure substantially any type
of article or device to a watercraft's hull, and to quickly and
easily release such a secured article from the hull.
SUMMARY
[0006] The invention includes a watercraft comprising a hull having
a sidewall. A cavity can be formed in the sidewall, and can include
a substantially open end. The invention can further include an
anchor having an insertion portion configured to be removably
inserted into the cavity through the open end. The anchor also can
include a retention element configured to removably retain the
insertion portion in the cavity when the insertion portion is
inserted into the cavity.
[0007] The invention also includes an apparatus for removably
attaching an article to a hull of a watercraft. The apparatus can
include a body portion, a retainer portion, and a connector portion
attached to the body portion. The retainer portion can be
resiliently connected to the body portion such that the retainer
portion is capable of resilient deflection toward the body
portion.
[0008] The invention further includes a system for selectively and
removably attaching an article to a hull of a watercraft. The
system can include a hull wall having a plurality of spaced
cavities therein. In addition, the system can include at least one
retainer member configured to be received in at least one of the
spaced cavities. The retainer member can include a retention means
for selectively blocking extraction of the retainer from the cavity
when the retention means is received in the cavity.
[0009] The invention also includes a method for removably securing
an article to a hull of a watercraft. The method can include
providing at least one cavity in a portion of the hull. The method
can further include attaching an anchor to the article that
includes at least one selectively movable retention element. In
addition, the method can include engaging the anchor in the cavity
such that the retention element selectively prevents extraction of
the anchor from the cavity.
[0010] These and other aspects of the invention will be understood
from a reading of the following detailed description together with
the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a watercraft having an
attachment system according to the invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the watercraft shown in FIG.
1.
[0013] FIG. 3 is an inside perspective view of a sidewall of the
hull of the watercraft shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0014] FIG. 4 is another inside perspective view of a sidewall of
the hull of the watercraft shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an anchor
use in the attachment system of the watercraft shown in FIGS.
1-4.
[0016] FIG. 6A is a partial cross-section of a sidewall of the hull
of the watercraft shown in FIGS. 1-4 with the anchor of FIG. 5
being inserted into an open end of a sidewall cavity.
[0017] FIG. 6B is a partial cross-section of a sidewall of the hull
of the watercraft shown in FIGS. 1-4 with the anchor of FIG. 5
partially inserted into a sidewall cavity.
[0018] FIG. 6C is a partial cross-section of a sidewall of the hull
of the watercraft shown in FIGS. 1-4 with the anchor of FIG. 5
fully inserted into a sidewall cavity.
[0019] FIG. 7A is an elevation view of a long telescoping rod for
use in the attachment system of the watercraft shown in FIGS.
1-4.
[0020] FIG. 7B is an elevation view of a short telescoping rod for
use in the attachment system of the watercraft shown in FIGS.
1-4.
[0021] FIG. 8 is an elevation view of one end of the telescoping
rod shown in either FIG. 6 or FIG. 7.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of the open
cockpit of the watercraft shown in FIGS. 1-4 and showing two
telescoping rods mounted between opposed sidewalls of the hull.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a platform removably
mounted between opposed sidewalls of the hull of the watercraft
shown in FIGS. 1-4.
[0024] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a fishing rod holder
clamped to a telescoping rod mounted between opposed sidewalls of
the hull of the watercraft shown in FIGS. 1-4.
[0025] FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a seat secured to the hull
of the watercraft shown in FIGS. 1-4 by two anchors like that shown
in FIG. 5.
[0026] FIG. 12B is a front perspective view of the seat shown in
FIG. 12A.
[0027] FIG. 13 is perspective view of a cup holder including an
anchor like that shown in FIG. 5.
[0028] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a strap having an anchor
like that shown in FIG. 5 secured to one end.
[0029] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative cavity
and anchor configuration.
[0030] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an oar holder having an
anchor like that shown in FIG. 5.
[0031] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a pair of watercraft joined
together by a pair of booms having a plurality of anchors like that
shown in FIG. 5.
[0032] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an
anchor clip for use in a system and method according to the
invention.
[0033] FIG. 19 is an outboard perspective view of an adjustable
foot brace assembly including a pair of anchor clips like that
shown in FIG. 18.
[0034] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the foot brace assembly
shown in FIG. 19 installed along a sidewall of a watercraft using
an anchor clip like that shown in FIG. 18.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] FIGS. 1 and 2 show one embodiment of a watercraft 10
according to the invention. In this embodiment, the watercraft 10
includes an elongated hull 16 having a bow 17, a stern 19, and a
pair of opposed upstanding sidewalls 13, 14 defining a
substantially open cockpit 11. The first sidewall 12 has a first
upper edge 13, and the second sidewall 14 has a second upper edge
15. The hull 16 can be constructed in a single piece of molded
plastic. Alternatively, the hull 16 can include two or more joined
portions constructed of plastic or any other suitable material,
such as a composite fiberglass material or the like. A seat 90 is
positioned in a substantially aft portion of the open cockpit 11. A
pair of foot braces 40 is mounted on opposed inboard surfaces of
the sidewalls 12, 14 forward of the seat 90. In the embodiment
shown, the foot braces 40 are slidably supported by rails 42 that
permit an occupant to selectively adjust the fore and aft positions
of the foot braces 40 along the rails 42. Such adjustable foot
braces 40 can be of a type well known in the art.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of spaced cavities 20 in the
opposed sidewalls 12, 14. The cavities 20 can be located proximate
to the upper edges 13, 15 of the sidewalls 12, 14. In the
embodiment shown in the figures, the cavities 20 are spaced about 6
inches apart in a fore and aft direction, and extend along
substantially the entire lengths of the opposed sidewalls 12, 14.
The sidewalls 12, 14 can include more or fewer cavities 20 than are
shown in the figures, and the cavities 20 can be formed closer
together or farther apart than shown in the figures. Indeed, the
watercraft 10 can include substantially any number of sidewall
cavities 20. The cavities 20 can be formed along the sidewalls 12,
14, including by molding, machining, or the like. In a preferred
arrangement, the cavities 20 are integrally molded in the sidewalls
12, 14. Alternatively, those portions of a sidewall 12, 14 that
include a cavity 20 can be constructed separately, and attached to
the sidewalls 12, 14 with an adhesive, one or more mechanical
fasteners, or any other suitable attachment means.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, each cavity 20 along the first sidewall
12 can have a corresponding cavity 20 along the second sidewall 14
that is diametrically opposite from the corresponding other cavity
20. Alternatively, the positions of the cavities 20 along the
second sidewall 14 can be staggered relative to the locations of
the cavities 20 along the first sidewall 12.
[0038] FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of the sidewalls 12, 14 and the
cavities 20 in the sidewalls. In this embodiment, the cavities 20
are elongated slots or pockets that extend substantially vertically
downward from the upper edges 13, 15 of the sidewalls 12, 14. Also
in this embodiment, each cavity 20 includes an open upper end 22, a
forward edge 23, an aft edge 25, a back wall 29, and a
substantially open inboard side or face 27. The cavities 20 can
other configurations and orientations, as long as the cavities 20
are capable of removably receiving an anchor 50 as described below.
In FIG. 3, a retainer bar 30 extends in a fore and aft direction,
and extends across at least a portion of the open inboard side 27
of at least one cavity 20. The retainer 30 can be mounted to an
inboard face of a sidewall 12, 14 by screws or other types of
mechanical fastener, or by any other suitable mounting means.
Preferably, each retainer bar 30 extends across at least a portion
of the open inboard faces 27 of at least two or more successive
cavities 20. As shown in FIG. 2, each retainer bar 30 can extend
across two or more adjacent cavities 20. As shown in FIG. 4, for
slots 20 located proximate to an adjustable foot brace assembly 40
having an elongated rail 42 mounted on a hull sidewall 12, 14, the
rail 42 can extend across the open inboard side 27 of one or more
cavities 20 in lieu of a retainer bar 30. Adjustable foot brace
assemblies 40 having elongated rails 42 mounted on a hull sidewall
are well known in the art.
[0039] FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of an anchor 50 for use in a
mounting system according to the invention. The anchor 50 is
configured to be securely and removably received in one of the
sidewall cavities 20 described above. In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 5, the anchor 50 is a clip including an elongated body portion
52, an elongated retainer portion 54, and a connector portion 56.
The body portion 52 and retainer portion 54 are connected together
at a hinge portion 51 at their respective lower ends. Thus, in this
embodiment, the body portion 52 and retainer portion 54 combine to
form a substantially V-shaped member. Also in this embodiment, the
connector portion 56 inwardly extends from an upper end of the
elongated body portion 52, and includes at least one hole or
opening 59 therein. The retainer portion 54 can include a ledge
portion 55, an extended portion 53, and a lip 57 that combine to
form a substantially C-shaped retainer recess 58. The anchor 50 can
be constructed in a single piece of a tough and resilient material.
For example, a one-piece anchor 50 can be constructed of an ABS
plastic material (a combination of acrylonitrile, butadiene and
styrene resins). Preferably, a selected plastic material is
resistant to ultra-violet light. When the anchor 50 is constructed
of a resilient material, the retainer portion 54 is capable of
resilient deflection toward the body portion 52 about hinge portion
51. Alternatively, the anchor 50 can be constructed of anodized
aluminum or another metal, or any other suitably tough and
resilient material.
[0040] As shown in FIGS. 6A-6C, the anchor 50 can be configured to
be downwardly inserted through the open top end 21 of a sidewall
cavity 20. In the embodiment shown, as the anchor is inserted into
the cavity 20, the retainer recess 58 engages a portion of a bar 30
or rail 42 that extends across the open inboard side 27 of the
cavity 20, thus securely retaining the anchor 50 within the cavity
20. As shown in FIG. 6A, the lower end of the anchor having the
hinge portion 51 can be downwardly inserted through the open top
end 21 of a sidewall cavity 20. As shown in FIG. 6B, as the anchor
is further inserted past the bar 30 or rail 42 extending across the
inboard face 27 of the cavity 20, the retainer portion 54 and body
portion 52 of the anchor 50 are wedged towards each other by the
bar or rail 30, 42 and the back wall 29 of the cavity 20. As shown
in FIG. 6C, once the ledge portion 55 of anchor 50 is inserted past
the lower edge of the bar 30 or rail 42, the resilient retainer
portion 54 springs away from the body portion 52 such that the bar
30 or rail 42 is received in the retainer recess 58 of the anchor
50. In this position, the ledge portion 55 is positioned below the
bar 30 or rail 42, and the lip 57 is positioned above the bar 30 or
rail 42.
[0041] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6C, the lip 42 blocks
further downward insertion of the anchor 50 into the cavity 20, and
the ledge portion 55 blocks upward extraction of the anchor 50 from
the cavity 20. In addition, fore and aft movement of the anchor 50
relative to the sidewalls 12, 14 is blocked by the fore and aft
edges 23 and 25 of the cavity 20 (see FIG. 3). In this embodiment,
once the anchor 50 is fully inserted in a cavity 20 as shown in
FIG. 6B, the connector portion 56 is positioned at an elevation
that is proximate to the open top end 22 of the cavity 20. As shown
in FIG. 6C, the connector portion 56 preferably extends at least
some distance above the open top end 22 of the cavity 20. To remove
an inserted anchor 50 from a cavity 20, the retainer portion 54 can
be manually deflected toward the body portion 52, thus disengaging
the ledge portion 55 from the bar or rail 30, 42, and thus
permitting the anchor 50 to be vertically extracted from the cavity
20. For example, a person can push the lip 57 of the anchor 50 in
an outboard direction toward the body portion 52 and away from the
bar 30 or rail 42 with one hand until the ledge portion 55
disengages from the bar 30 or rail 42, and with the same hand or
the other hand, grip and vertically extract the anchor 50 from the
cavity 20.
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 7A-14, the anchors 50 can be attached to
various accessories and articles to permit removable attachment of
the accessories and articles to the hull of a watercraft 10. As
shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, an anchor 50 like that described above
can be attached to each end of a rod 60, 70. In the embodiments
shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the rods 60, 70 are telescoping rods that
are adjustable in length. In FIG. 7A, a long telescoping rod 60
includes a tubular portion 62 having a first end 63 and a second
end 65. An extendable portion 66 is slidably received in the second
end 65, and includes a third end 69. A first anchor 50A is attached
to the first end 63 of the tubular portion 62, and a second anchor
50B is attached to the third end of the first end 69 of the
extendable portion 66. The overall length of the long rod 60 is
adjustable by sliding movement of the extendable portion 66 within
the tubular portion 65. As shown in FIG. 8, the first end 63 of the
tubular portion 62 and the third end 69 of the extendable portion
66 can be substantially flat, and can be attached to the connector
portion 56 of an anchor 50A, 50B by a bolt 3 and nut 5.
Alternatively, the ends 63, 69 of the rod 60 can be attached to the
connector portion 56 by any other suitable connecting means. The
bolted or pivoting connection shown in FIG. 8 is desirable because
the bolt 53 and nut 57 permit at least some relative rotational
movement between the anchors 50C, 50D and the rod ends 73, 79. Such
pivotal movement permits a rod 60 to be installed at an acute angle
relative to a sidewall, as shown in FIG. 2, as well as permits rod
60 to be engaged, if desired to two cavities on the same side of
the hull 16.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 7B, a short telescoping rod 70 is similarly
constructed to the long telescoping rod 60 described above, but can
have minimum and a maximum overall lengths that are shorter than
the long telescoping rod 60. As shown in FIG. 7B, the short
telescoping rod 70 includes a tubular portion 72 having a first end
73 and a second end 75. An extendable portion 76 is slidably
received in the second end 75, and includes a third end 79. A third
anchor 50C is attached to the first end 73 of the tubular portion
62, and a fourth anchor 50D is attached to the third end of the
extendable portion 76. The overall length of the short rod 70 is
adjustable due to sliding movement of the extendable portion 76
within the tubular portion 75. As shown in FIG. 8, the first end 73
of the tubular portion 72 and the third end 79 of the extendable
portion 76 can be substantially flat, and each can be attached to
the connector portion 56 of an anchor 50C, 50D by a bolt 53 and nut
57. Alternatively, the ends 73, 79 of the rod 70 can be attached to
the connector portion 56 of the anchor 50 by other connecting
means. As described above for the long rod 60, the bolted (as shown
in this embodiment) connection permits desirable pivotal movement
between the anchors 50C, 50D and the rod ends 73, 79.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 9, the telescoping rods 60, 70 can be
mounted between opposed cavities 20 in opposed sidewalls 12, 14 of
a watercraft 10, thus securely positioning the rods 60, 70 between
the sidewalls 12, 14. To install the telescoping rods 60, 70 as
shown in FIG. 9, the anchor 50 on each end of the rods 60, 70 can
be inserted into an associated cavity 20 as illustrated in FIGS.
6A-6C, and as described above. Once so inserted, the anchors 50
secure each end of each rod 60, 70 to an associated hull sidewall
12, 14. As shown in FIG. 9, the distance between opposed cavities
20 can vary along the length of the hull 16. In FIG. 9, the
distance "D" is larger than the distance "d" because the width of
the hull 16 and the distance between the opposed sidewalls 12, 14
and opposed cavities 20 is narrower near the hull's bow or stern.
Accordingly, a short rod 70 can be positioned forward of a long rod
60 in order to adapt the rods' lengths to the hull configuration.
In addition, because the rods 60, 70 can telescope in length, two
long rods 70 or two short rods 70 might be adapted to fit in a
parallel relationship like that shown in FIG. 9. In one embodiment,
the short rod 70 is sized to be transversely installed across
forward portions of a hull 16, and the long rod 60 is sized to be
transversely installed across middle and aft portions of the hull
16. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, a rod 60, 70 can be installed
between opposed sidewalls 12, 14 such that the rod 60, 70 extends
diagonally across a hull 16 when the anchors 50 are pivotally
connected to the ends of the rods 60, 70, as described above. As
described below, the rods 60, 70 can be used to mount various items
to a watercraft 10.
[0045] FIG. 10 shows a platform 80 mounted between portions of
opposed sidewalls 12, 14 of a watercraft 10 using a mounting system
like that described above. For example, a platform 80 can be
mounted atop one or more rods 60, 70 like those described above,
and the anchors 50 attached to the ends of the rods 60, 70 can be
inserted into cavities 20 in opposed sidewalls 12, 14 of the
watercraft 10. As also shown in FIG. 10, items such as a fishing
rod holder 90 can be mounted to such a platform 80 by securing the
fishing rod holder's base 92 to the platform 80. Substantially any
other desired item also can be attached to the platform 80 in a
similar manner.
[0046] In an alternative arrangement shown in FIG. 11, a base 92 of
a fishing rod holder 90 can be clamped to at least one rod 60, 70
that has been installed across a hull of a 20 watercraft 10 as
described above. As shown in FIG. 11, a clamp 94 can be attached to
the base 92 using suitable fasteners 97 to firmly clamp the fishing
rod holder 90 to the rod 60, 70.
[0047] As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, a mounting system like that
described above can be used to secure a seat 100 at a desired
longitudinal position within a hull 16 of a watercraft 10. In the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, a seat 100 includes a
tubular frame 102. In order to support and restrain the seat 100 in
the hull 16, a first anchor 50E can be attached to one portion of
the seat's frame 102, and securely engaged in a first cavity 20E
along the first sidewall 12 of the watercraft 10. In addition, a
second anchor 50F can be attached to a second portion of the seat's
frame 102, and securely engaged in a second cavity 20F along the
second sidewall 14 of the watercraft 10. For example, as shown in
FIG. 12B, each anchor 50E, 50F can be connected to the seat's frame
102 by an L-shaped bracket 101 by screws, bolts, or the like. In
the embodiment shown in FIG. 12A, the frame 102 can rest upon and
be vertically supported by the hull's bottom 17, and can be
restrained against longitudinal movement within the hull 16 by the
anchors 50E, 50F.
[0048] FIG. 13 shows a cup holder 300 attached to an anchor 50 like
that described above. In the embodiment shown, the cup holder 300
includes a cup-shaped holder portion 302 and a bracket portion 305.
The bracket portion can be connected to the connector portion 56 of
an anchor 50 by a mechanical fastener 307, or the like. By engaging
the anchor 50 in a conveniently located sidewall slot 20 of a
watercraft 10 like that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cup holder 300
can be securely mounted on a hull sidewall 12, 14 of the
watercraft, such that the cup holder 300 is available to retain a
water bottle, soda can, or the like.
[0049] FIG. 14 shows a strap assembly 400 having an anchor 50
connected to a first end 404 of a strap 402. As shown in FIG. 14, a
second end 406 of the strap 400 can include an attachment mechanism
408 such as a buckle, a snap, a clip, a hook-and-loop fastener, or
the like. The attachment mechanism 408 permits the second end 404
of the strap 400 to be connected to substantially any object or
article. Alternatively, the second end 406 of the strap 400 can be
tied to an object or article, or permanently connected to an
article such as by sewing, one or more permanent fasteners, or the
like. For example, the second end 406 of the strap 402 can be
removably or permanently attached to a handle of a cooler, the
handle of a fishing tackle box, the frame of a seat, or the like.
With the second end 406 of the strap 402 connected to an object,
the anchor 50 on the strap's first end 404 can be engaged in a
sidewall slot 20, thus removably securing a connected object to a
watercraft's hull. Similarly, an anchor can be connected to an
elongated cord that can be tied, looped around, or otherwise
connected to a secured item (not shown in the figures).
[0050] FIG. 16 shows an oar holder 500 having a clip portion 502,
and an anchor 50 connected to the clip portion 502 by a post 504.
The clip portion 502 forms a substantially U-shaped channel 506.
When the anchor 50 is inserted into a mating cavity along a hull
sidewall, the shaft of an oar can be inserted into channel 506 of
the clip portion 502 such that the oar is removably retained along
the hull sidewall. Preferably, the clip portion 502 is constructed
of a resilient material, and the channel 506 is shaped and sized
such that a substantially cylindrical shaft of an oar can be
received within the channel 506 and securely gripped by the clip
portion 502, and such that the oar can be easily selectively
removed from the gripping clip portion 502.
[0051] FIG. 17 shows a pair of booms 602, 604 having a plurality of
spaced anchors 50 attached along their lengths. A pair of spaced
anchors 50 is connected to each boom 602, 604 proximate to each end
of the booms 602, 604. As shown in FIG. 17, the anchors 50 on each
end of each boom 602, 604 can be inserted into aligned cavities 20
in two adjacent watercraft hulls 12A, 12B, thereby connecting the
two hulls 12A, 12B together in a side-by-side arrangement to form a
catamaran. Similarly, such booms 602, 604 can be used to connect an
outrigger or the like to a single watercraft hull 12 (not shown in
the figures).
[0052] An alternative configuration for a sidewall cavity 120 and a
mating anchor 150 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 15.
Unlike the sidewall cavity 20 described above, in this embodiment,
the cavity 120 formed in a hull sidewall 112 includes an inboard
wall 127. The inboard wall 127 includes a step 130. When the anchor
150 is fully engaged in the cavity 120, a ledge portion 155 of the
anchor 150 resiliently catches the step 130, thereby blocking
extraction of the anchor 150 from the cavity 120. To remove the
anchor 150 from the cavity 120, a retainer portion 154 of the
anchor 150 can be deflected toward a body portion 152 of the anchor
150 such as pushing the lip 157 in an outboard direction, thereby
disengaging the ledge portion 155 from the cavity's step 130, and
permitting the anchor 150 to be vertically extracted from the open
top end 128 of the cavity 120. A cavity 120 can be integrally
formed in a unitary molded watercraft hull, or can be formed in any
other manner, such as machining, or the like. Of course, a
watercraft according to the invention can include many other
configurations of cavities and mating clips that perform
substantially the same retention function as described above.
[0053] Another embodiment of an anchor 250 for use with a
watercraft 10 like that described above is shown in FIG. 18. In
this embodiment, the anchor 250 includes a retainer portion 254 and
a connector portion 256. As shown in FIG. 18, the retainer portion
254 can include a ledge portion 255 and a lip portion 257. As shown
in FIG. 19, two or more anchors 250 can be attached to a rail 42 of
an adjustable foot brace assembly 40. As shown in FIG. 20, the
spaced anchors 250 can be inserted into mating hull sidewall
cavities 20, and permit the foot brace rail 42 and foot brace
assembly 40 to be selectively and securely mounted at a desired
fore and aft location on a sidewall 13, 14 of a hull 16 of a
watercraft 10.
[0054] The invention has been described in terms of selected
embodiments having particular features. Persons of ordinary skill
in the art will recognize that various changes can be made to one
or more features of the specifically described embodiments without
departing from the invention. For example, though two specific
mating anchor and cavity configurations have been described above,
other alternative mating cavity and anchor configurations can be
used. All such changes and modifications are intended to be within
the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *