2 PIECE KAYAK

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001]One or more embodiments within the scope of this disclosure are directed to watercraft, examples of which include, but are not limited to, kayaks, paddleboards, and other human-powered watercraft.

[0002]For example, one or more example embodiments are directed to a watercraft that comprises two, or more, hull sections that can be selectively attached to, and detached from, each other. When the watercraft is to be used, the separated and detached hull sections, which may or may not comprise halves, can be reattached to each other through the use of one or more connectors. Among other things, such a watercraft configuration may enable convenient storage, and transport, of the watercraft when it is not in use.

BACKGROUND

[0003]Watercraft such as kayaks and paddleboards, while portable, can be difficult to store and transport due to their relatively large size. As well, such watercraft may be difficult to handle before and after use. For example, because such watercraft, even those with a molded and hollow construction, may be relatively heavy and unwieldy, it may be difficult for a solo operator to load the watercraft onto a roof rack, for example, and then remove the watercraft from the roof rack in preparation for use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004]In order to describe the manner in which at least some of the advantages and features of one or more embodiments may be obtained, a more particular description of embodiments will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of the scope of this disclosure, embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings.

[0005]FIG. 1 is a partial front perspective view of a kayak, according to one embodiment.

[0006]FIG. 2 is a detail view of a connector that releasably connects two parts of a kayak together, according to one embodiment.

[0007]FIG. 3 is a top view of the connector of FIG. 2.

[0008]FIG. 3-1 is a top view of another embodiment of a connector and latch.

[0009]FIG. 4 is another top view of the connector of FIG. 2.

[0010]FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of a latch, according to one embodiment.

[0011]FIG. 6 is a detail view of a connector, according to one embodiment.

[0012]FIG. 7 is a detail perspective view of a latch and a bracket, according to one embodiment.

[0013]FIG. 8 is a top view of a latch and a bracket, according to one embodiment.

[0014]FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of a portion of a 2 piece kayak that includes a bracket and a latch, according to one embodiment.

[0015]FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of a portion of a 2 piece kayak that includes a connector and a hook, according to one embodiment.

[0016]FIG. 11 is a partial bottom perspective view of a portion of a 2 piece kayak that includes a channel, according to one embodiment.

[0017]FIG. 12 is a partial bottom perspective view showing the engagement of a hook of one portion of a 2 piece kayak with a channel of another portion of a 2 piece kayak, according to one embodiment.

[0018]FIG. 13 is a side view showing the engagement of a hook of one portion of a 2 piece kayak with a channel of another portion of a 2 piece kayak, according to one embodiment.

[0019]FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view showing two kayak portions partially engaged with each other, according to one embodiment.

[0020]FIG. 15 is a side perspective view showing two kayak portions partially engaged with each other, according to one embodiment.

[0021]FIG. 16 is a side perspective view showing a pair of connectors for releasably connecting two portions of a kayak together, according to one embodiment.

[0022]FIG. 17 is a top perspective view showing a single connector for releasably connecting two portions of a kayak together, according to one embodiment.

[0023]FIG. 18 is a top perspective view showing a rotatable latch for releasably connecting two portions of a kayak together, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

[0024]One or more embodiments are directed to watercraft types including, but not limited to, kayaks and paddleboards. Such kayaks may take various forms including, for example, a sit-on-top kayak, or a sit-inside kayak. In one embodiment, a watercraft may comprise two hull sections that can be attached to each other in preparation for use, and then detached from each other, such as for transport and storage.

[0025]In another embodiment, a watercraft may comprise three or more hull sections, such that features such as a length and configuration, of the watercraft may be vary according to the number of hull sections attached together. The hull sections may be configured so that, for example, a middle section can be used, or not, according to user preference. In this way, the overall length of the watercraft can be adjusted as desired to suit different circumstances. Thus, and as discussed further below, a user may use all three sections in some cases, but only two sections in other cases.

[0026]In an embodiment, the various hull sections of a watercraft may be releasably attached together using various mechanisms, examples of which are disclosed herein. By way of illustration, three hull sections of a watercraft may comprise a bow hull section, a middle hull section, and a stern hull section. In a first configuration, all three hull sections may be attached to each other. In a second configuration, the middle hull section may be omitted, and the bow hull section and the stern hull section attached to each other. In this example, the first configuration with three hull sections may have a different length and configuration than the second configuration that only uses two hull sections.

[0027]In an embodiment, the various detachable hull sections of a watercraft may each be implemented as a respective blow-molded structure having a fully enclosed hollow interior. This configuration may help to preserve a degree of watertight integrity during use of the watercraft. For example, if one hull section of the watercraft is holed and takes on water, the other hull section(s) of the watercraft may help to keep the watercraft afloat. Further, the hull section that has taken on water can be detached from the other hull sections by the user, if necessary.

[0028]As the foregoing examples illustrate, a user may be able to customize aspects of a watercraft such as, for example, the length and the weight of the watercraft. As well, an embodiment can be easily disassembled for transport and storage, and then readily assembled for use. Various other features and aspects of one or more embodiments will be apparent from this disclosure, although no embodiment is required to possess any of such features and aspects.

A. General Aspects of Some Embodiments

[0029]In general, the watercraft and components disclosed herein may be constructed with a variety of elements and materials including, but not limited to, plastic (including blow molded plastic structures and elements) such as high density polyethylene (HDPE), including polycarbonates, composites, metals, and combinations of any of the foregoing. In an embodiment, a watercraft may take the form of a sit-inside kayak configured so that at least part of the body of a user is positioned within the hull of the kayak during normal use. In another embodiment, a kayak may have a sit-on-top configuration in which the user is positioned on top of the kayak during use.

[0030]Any embodiment of a kayak, paddleboard, or other watercraft, that includes a hull having a unified, single-piece construction, which is comprised of blow-molded, or otherwise formed, plastic may have an interior that is partly, or completely, hollow. Such embodiments may also include, disposed in the interior, one or more depressions, sometimes referred to as “tack-offs.” In such embodiments, these tack-offs may be integrally formed as part of a unitary, one-piece structure during a blow-molding process. The depressions may extend from a first surface, such as a first interior surface of the hull, towards a second surface, such as a second interior surface of the hull. The ends of one or more depressions may contact or engage the second surface, or the ends of one or more of the depressions may be spaced apart from the second surface by a distance.

[0031]In some instances, one or more depressions on a first interior surface may be substantially aligned with corresponding depressions on a second interior surface, and one or more depressions on the first interior surface may contact one or more corresponding depressions on the second interior surface or, alternatively, one or more depressions on the first interior surface may be spaced apart from corresponding depressions on the second interior surface. In still other instances, depressions that contact each other and depressions that are spaced apart from each other may both be present in a kayak or other watercraft. The depressions may be sized and configured to strengthen and/or reinforce the blow-molded plastic hull of the kayak or other watercraft. Finally, the depression, or depressions, can be any shape or size, and depressions of different respective shapes and/or sizes can be combined in a single watercraft.

[0032]As well, example embodiments may include one or more parting lines which may comprise vestigial hull sections of plastic present on a molded part after molding has been completed. In general, the vestigial hull sections of plastic comprise plastic that has escaped into a joint between hull sections of a mold. Additionally, or alternatively, a finished molded part may include visible indicia, such as parting lines for example, where vestigial hull sections of plastic have been removed from a molded part, such as by grinding for example. Thus, in an embodiment, one, some, or all, vestigial hull section(s) is/are omitted from the finished product.

[0033]The vestigial hull sections of plastic, and the corresponding parting lines, may be formed, and/or located at, a junction of the halves of a mold, or mold hull section, that is used to make the molded part. That is, the vestigial hull sections of plastic may be formed when two hull sections of a mold come together during a molding process.

[0034]Example embodiments may include elements such as parting lines. In some particular embodiments, a parting line may extend along part, or all, of a length of a molded element such as a hull of a watercraft. Embodiments may include one or more parting lines formed by compression molding, and/or one or more parting lines formed by blow molding.

[0035]Example embodiments may be created using a variety of production processes. For example, one or more hull sections of a watercraft may comprise a respective integral plastic blow-molded structure of a unified, single-piece construction. In other embodiments, one or more hull sections of a watercraft may be constructed using processes such as, but not limited to, injection molding, stretch blow molding, rotomolding, or twin sheet molding.

[0036]Example embodiments may comprise various types of mechanisms that may be employed by a user to selectively attach hull sections of a watercraft to each other. By way of illustration, and is discussed in further detail elsewhere herein, first and second watercraft hull sections may have complementary structures that releasably interlock with each other. These complementary structures may be integral with their respective watercraft hull sections. As another example, an embodiment may comprise one or more devices such as latches, or locking clips, that may be injection-molded or otherwise created, and that are configured and arranged to enable a user to readily attach, and detach, hull sections of a watercraft. An embodiment may comprise one or more interlocking ‘puzzle piece’ connectors that are configured to engage respective structures of two hull sections so as to releasably retain the two hull sections together.

B. Aspects of an Example Watercraft

B.1 Hull Configuration

[0037]With attention now to FIGS. 1-18, details are provided concerning various example embodiments, one or more of which may take the form of a paddleboard, or a sit-on-top kayak, or simply ‘kayak.’ Thus, the discussion of FIGS. 1-18 is presented by way of example, and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure or of any claims, in any way.

[0038]As shown in FIG. 1 for example, a kayak 100 may comprise multiple discrete hull sections, such as a bow hull section 102 and a stern hull section 104. The bow hull section 102 and the stern hull section 104 may, or may not, be the same length as each other. In the example of the kayak 100, the bow hull section 102 is shorter in length than the stern hull section 104 but in another embodiment, the bow hull section 102 may be longer than the stern hull section 104. As noted herein, but not shown in FIG. 1, an embodiment may comprise one or more middle or intermediate hull sections positioned between the bow hull section 102 and stern hull section 104.

[0039]In an embodiment, each of the bow hull section 102 and stern hull section 104 may be separately formed, such as by one or more blow-molding processes, and may each comprise a respective, unified single-piece construction. Each of the bow hull section 102 and stern hull section 104 may be made of plastic and comprise a respective hollow interior, which may be fully enclosed so that both the bow hull section 102 and stern hull section 104 float in water even if not attached to each other.

[0040]As also shown in FIG. 1, various features may be defined in/by one or both of the bow hull section 102 and the stern hull section 104. For example, foot rests 106 may be defined in the bow hull section 102, a storage area 108 may be defined in the stern hull section 104, and a seating area 110 may be cooperatively defined by both the bow hull section 102 and the stern hull section 104.

B.2a Connection of Hull Sections—Connector Mechanism

[0041]As shown in the examples of FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, one or more connectors 112, latches 114, and brackets 116, may be used to releasably connect the bow hull section 102 and the stern hull section 104 together. Each connector 112 may comprise various elements. For example, and as shown in the aforementioned Figures, a respective connector 112, latch 114, and bracket 116, are disposed on each side (port and starboard) of the watercraft 100 at a seam 118 (see FIG. 1) cooperatively defined by the bow hull section 102 and stern hull section 104. As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the connector 112 and the bracket 116 may define respective holes 112a and 116a that accommodate fasteners (not shown), such as screws or rivets for example, that may be used to secure the connector 112 and the bracket 116 to the watercraft 100.

[0042]With reference briefly to FIG. 3-1, an alternative embodiment of a latch, denoted at 114-1 is disclosed. Except as shown in FIG. 3-1, the latch 114-1 may be identical in structure and operation to the latch 114. As well, an alternative embodiment of a connector 112, denoted at 112-1 is disclosed in FIG. 3-1. Except as shown in FIG. 3-1, the connector 112-1 may be identical in structure and operation to the connector 112. As shown in FIG. 3-1, the latch 114-1 may include a ridge 115 that a user can use to push the latch 114-1 into engagement with the recess 112c-1 of the connector 112-1. The ridge 115 also enables the user to disengage, by pushing, the latch 114-1 from the recess 112c-1 of the connector 112-1.

[0043]The connector 112 and the bracket 116 may be received in respective recesses 120 and 122 defined by the bow hull section 102 and stern hull section 104, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. As best shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, the bracket 116 defines a channel 116b configured to receive a hook portion 112b of the connector 112. The hook portion 112b, when received in the channel 116b, retains the bow hull section 102 and the stern hull section 104 together by preventing fore-and-aft movement of the bow hull section 102 and the stern hull section 104, relative to each other.

[0044]As further indicated in FIGS. 2, 5, 7, and 8, the channel 116b is open at each end. As such, even when the hook portion 112b is received in the channel 116b, the bow hull section 102 and the stern hull section 104 are able to move laterally with respect to each other. This arrangement thus enables disengagement, and engagement, of the bow hull section 102 and the stern hull section 104 from/with each other by lateral movement of one or both of the bow hull section 102 and/or the stern hull section 104 relative to each other.

[0045]To prevent lateral movement of the bow hull section 102 and/or the stern hull section 104 relative to each other, such as when the watercraft 100 is being prepared for use, the latches 114 are configured to move from a first position (see FIG. 3), where such lateral movement is enabled, or not prevented, to a second position (see FIG. 4) where such lateral movement is prevented. In particular, and as shown in FIG. 2 for example, the latch 114 is able to move forward and occupy a recess 112c defined by the connector 112 and, when so positioned, the latch 114 prevents lateral movement of the bow hull section 102 and/or the stern hull section 104 relative to each other.

[0046]As best shown in FIG. 7, the latch 114 is retained in its vertical position, and confined to linear fore-and-aft motion, by virtue of its configuration, and the configuration of the bracket 116. In particular, the latch 114 includes two wings 114a that are retained underneath the bracket 116 so as to prevent the latch 114 from lifting out of the track 116c defined by the connector 116. As well, the track 116c prevents lateral motion of the latch 114.

[0047]In an embodiment, and with reference to the Figures, it can be seen that when the bow hull section 102 and the stern hull section 104 are separated from each other, each of them is configured to stand upright on a surface without additional support. For example, and as best shown in FIG. 10, the connectors 112 and hook 102a collectively define a tripod configuration that enables the bow hull section 102 to be stably stood up on end. In an embodiment, the connectors 112 and hook 102a may all extend the same, or about the same, distance past the surface of the bulkhead 102b.

[0048]As well, and with reference to the example of FIG. 11, the flat configuration of the bulkhead 104a similarly enables the stern hull section 104 to be stably stood up on end. Thus, the bow hull section 102 and the stern hull section 104 can be independently, and stably, arranged to stand up on one end. In this way, only a relatively small amount of floor space is needed to store the separated bow hull section 102 and stern hull section 104.

B.2b Connection of Hull Sections—Hull Section Features

[0049]With continued reference to the Figures, and particularly FIGS. 9-15, an embodiment may comprise various hull features that enable the bow hull section 102 and the stern hull section 104 to be releasably connected to each other. Turning first to FIGS. 9 and 11, a bulkhead 104a of the stern hull section 104 may be generally flat and planar in a configuration that has no features that protrude from, or are recessed into, the bulkhead 104a. The bottom of the bulkhead 104a extends downward, cooperating with an underside 104b of the hull to define a channel 104c. As shown in the Figures, the channel 104c is open at each end.

[0050]Turning next to FIGS. 10 and 12, 13, 14, and 15, the bow hull section 102 may comprise a hook 102a that extends outward below a bulkhead 102b, and is configured to be releasably received in the channel 104c, as best shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. The hook 102a and channel 104c are configured so that they can be engaged with, and disengaged from, each other, by lateral motion of the bow hull section 102 and/or the stern hull section 104 relative to each other. This lateral displacement is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. Similar to the bulkhead 104a, the bulkhead 102b (see FIG. 10) may be generally flat and planar in a configuration that has no features that protrude from, or are recessed into, the bulkhead 102b. To the extent that any such features may exist, they are configured and arranged such that they do not prevent or materially impair the lateral motion of the bow hull section 102 and/or the stern hull section 104 exemplified in FIGS. 14 and 15. Thus, the respective configurations of the bulkheads 102b and 104a enable lateral motion of the bow hull section 102 and/or the stern hull section 104 relative to each other.

[0051]In an embodiment, the hook 102a and/or channel 104c may be sized to provide an interference fit between those two elements such that those elements tend to resist motion with respect to each other, but can still be engaged and disengaged as needed by lateral movement of the bow hull section 102 and/or the stern hull section 104. For example, a width of the channel 104c may be slightly less than a thickness of the hook 102a, or vice versa.

[0052]As disclosed herein then, the structure of the bow hull section 102 and/or the stern hull section 104, namely, the hook 102a and channel 104c, along with the structure of connectors 112, latches 114, and brackets 116, enable the watercraft 100 to be assembled and disassembled by lateral movement of the bow hull section 102 and/or the stern hull section 104 relative to each other. As well, the connectors 112, latches 114, and brackets 116, enable the bow hull section 102 and the stern hull section 104 to be releasably locked in position relative to each other. In an embodiment, the configuration and arrangement of the hook 102a and the channel 104c may be such as to prevent counterclockwise rotation (viewed from the perspective of FIG. 14 for example) of the stern hull section 104 relative to the bow hull section 102.

C. Further Example Embodiments of Mechanisms for Connecting Hull Sections

[0053]With reference to FIGS. 16, 17, and 18, various additional example mechanisms are disclosed that enable two sections of a watercraft to be releasably attached to each other. In various embodiments, any or all of the mechanisms disclosed in these figures may be employed as alternatives, or in addition, to the example mechanisms disclosed in FIGS. 1-15. All of the aforementioned mechanisms are example structural implementations of a means for releasably connecting two hull portions of a watercraft.

[0054]In the example of FIG. 16, a watercraft 200 includes a stern hull section 202 and a bow hull section 204. The stern hull section 202 and bow hull section 204 may comprise respective elements 202a and 204a which, when positioned adjacent to each other as shown in FIG. 16, collectively define a structure that is sized and configured to releasably engage complementary structure(s) of a retention element 206. No particular configuration of the elements 202a, 204a, and retention element 206, is necessarily required, so long as the stern hull section 202 and bow hull section 204 cooperate to define a first complementary structure, cooperatively defined by the elements 202a and 204a, that is configured to releasably engage a second complementary structure defined by the retention element 206.

[0055]In an embodiment, the retention element 206 may be configured to releasably engage the elements 202a and 204a in a snap-fit arrangement, or interference fit. Additionally, or alternatively, the retention element 206 may be configured to releasably engage the elements 202a and 204a using a friction fit.

[0056]The elements 202a and 204a and the retention element 206 may be collectively configured so that when the elements 202a and 204a are locked together by the retention element 206, an outer surface of the retention element 206 is flush with respective outer surfaces of the stern hull section 202 and bow hull section 204. For example, the elements 202a and 204a may be recessed in the stern hull section 202 and the bow hull section 204, respectively. In this way, the retention element 206 may implement its functionality without adversely affecting the hydrodynamic performance of the watercraft 200. While the example of FIG. 16 discloses two retention elements 206, more, or fewer, retention elements may be employed in other embodiments. In an embodiment, the retention elements 206 may comprise plastic formed by injection molding, or compression molding.

[0057]Turning next to the example of FIG. 17, an example watercraft 300 may comprise two or more detachable portions, such as a bow hull section 302, and a stern hull section 304. As shown, the bow hull section 302 and the stern hull section 304 may cooperate to define one or more recesses 306, which may extend completely through the hull. The recess(es) 306 may be sized and configured to removably receive a respective ‘puzzle piece’ element 308 sized and configured to fit, possibly as an interference fit, in the recess 306. One or both of the bow hull section 302 and the stern hull section 304 may define recesses 310 that expose a portion of the element 308 when the element 308 is positioned in the recess 306, so that a user can grasp and remove the element 308.

[0058]With reference finally to the example of FIG. 18, an example watercraft 400 may comprise two or more detachable portions, such as a bow hull section 402, and a stern hull section 404. As shown, the watercraft 400 may comprise one or more latches 405 rotatably connected, in the illustrated example, to the bow hull section 402 and configured to engage corresponding structure 406 of the stern hull section 404. In this way, the bow hull section 402 and the stern hull section 404 can be readily attached to, and detached from, each other. The latch 405 may be made of plastic, metal, or other suitable material(s). In an alternative embodiment, one or more latches 405 may be rotatably connected to the stern hull section 404 and configured to engage corresponding structure of the bow hull section 402.

[0059]Finally, any of the embodiments of FIGS. 16, 17, and 18, may include, in addition to the illustrated mechanisms 206/202a/204a, 306/308/310, and 405/406, one or more connectors such as those shown in FIG. 2, for example. Thus, an embodiment may comprise various combinations of mechanisms and connectors for releasable retention together of a first section of a watercraft, and a second section of a watercraft.

D. Further Example Embodiments

[0060]Following are some further example embodiments. These are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, or of any claims, in anyway.

[0061]Embodiment 1. A watercraft, comprising: a first hull section having a hollow interior and comprising a unified single piece construction; a second hull section having a hollow interior and comprising a unified single piece construction, and the second hull section is configured to be removably connected to the first hull section; and one or more connector mechanisms configured and arranged to releasably connect the first hull section and the second hull section together.

[0062]Embodiment 2. The watercraft as recited in any preceding embodiment, wherein the watercraft comprises either a kayak, or a paddleboard.

[0063]Embodiment 3. The watercraft as recited in any preceding embodiment, wherein the first hull section and/or the second hull section each comprise a respective part line, and/or other physical artifact resulting from a blow-molding process.

[0064]Embodiment 4. The watercraft as recited in any preceding embodiment, wherein one the first hull section and the second hull section comprise a respective tack-off within their respective hollow interior.

[0065]Embodiment 5. The watercraft as recited in any preceding embodiment, wherein the watercraft further comprises an additional hull section configured to be positioned between first hull section and the second hull section, and configured to be releasably attached to one or both of the first hull section and the second hull section.

[0066]Embodiment 6. The watercraft as recited in any preceding embodiment, wherein the first hull section and the second hull section comprise respective complementary structures that are configured to engage/disengage with each other by lateral movement of the first hull section and/or the second hull section relative to each other.

[0067]Embodiment 7. The watercraft as recited in any preceding embodiment, wherein one of the connector mechanisms comprises a connector, latch, and bracket, and the connector is attached to the first hull section, the bracket is connected to the second hull section, and the latch is engaged with the bracket and configured to releasably engage the connector.

[0068]Embodiment 8. The watercraft as recited in embodiment 7, wherein the connector comprises a hook configured to engage a recess defined by the bracket.

[0069]Embodiment 9. The watercraft as recited in embodiment 7, wherein the latch is configured to be received in a recess defined by the connector, and when so received, prevents lateral movement of the first hull section and the second hull section relative to each other.

[0070]Embodiment 10. The watercraft as recited in any preceding embodiment, wherein the first hull section and the second hull section comprise respective complementary structures which, when engaged with each other, prevent longitudinal separation of the first hull section and the second hull section.

[0071]The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.