GB2361170A

GB2361170A - Combined kayak and paddle carrier

Info

Publication number: GB2361170A
Application number: GB0009259A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael David John Crossman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-04-15
Filing date: 2000-04-15
Publication date: 2001-10-17
Also published as: GB0009259D0

Abstract

A kayak carrying harness includes a pair of vertical back straps 4 secured onto two transverse boat straps 2 and 3 which hold the watercraft in a vertical position against the back of an individual whilst wearing the carrying harness. The harness comprises a pair of shoulder straps 5 which are adjustable in nature. For stability, a triangular construction 10 is incorporated into the design for stability of the watercraft during use. The waist straps 14 and boat straps 2 and 3 are adjustable, enabling the kayak carrier to be worn by individuals of various body sizes using a wide range and size of watercraft. When not in use, the kayak carrying harness is housed inside a carrying pouch 21, which can be utilised as a paddle carrier when used in conjunction with the harness if suspended from the lower boat strap 3.

Description

2361170 COMBINED KAYAK AND PADDLE CARRIER The present invention relates to

the portage and transportation of kayaks and small watercraft and, particularly, to a harness to be worn on the back of an individual for carrying a kayak or small watercraft and paddle. The present invention also retains the ability to be packed away into a small carrying pouch, enabling transportation inside the cockpit of a kayak or small watercraft.

When travelling by kayak or small watercraft it frequently is necessary to transport the craft overland.There are several problems which can arise when an individual seeks to transport a kayak or small watercraft by himselfThese problems relate to:

the initial lifting of the kayak or small watercraft to a comfortable carrying position; the subsequent ease,safety and comfort of the carrying and portage process;and the length of time an individual can physic ' ally withstand the discomfort which can arise when bearing the load by the usual over-the-shoulder method.

An existing carrying device for canoes employs a rigid frame structure attached to the body of an individual by means of a harness which, when assembled, transports the craft into a horizontal position over the head of an individual. These frame structures can be large, relatively heavy and cumbersome to carry. With the recent advent of smaller kayaks, known as playboats, which are typically around 3 metres in length, the present invention enables transportation of the kayak or small watercraft in a vertical position by means of a backpack-type harness system which is lightweight and fold-away by nature.

One object of the present invention is to provide a carrying harness which will be constructed and arranged so that carrying and portage operations can be executed with maximum ease and safety together with minimum effort. Accordingly, it is intended to provide a carrying harness which, by means of a strong but lightweight strapping system, allows reliable transportation of a kayak or small watercraft over all types of terram in the most efficient and safe manner.lt is also intended that the paddle be carried by the harness, also in a vertical position, which allows the individual a complete hands-free operation.

The present invention provides adjustable boat, shoulder and waist straps, together with adjustable side fastenings for carriage of a paddle. For safety and for ease of use, the present invention posseses quick-release catches incorporated into the design which allows the carrying harness to be quickly removed should circumstances predict this be necessary.

It is proposed all straps be constructed using a strong material, preferably webbing. It is also proposed all buckles, clasps and accessories be made of plastic.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a combined kayak and paddle carrier which is readily adjustable in width by way of buckle and clasp assemblies incorporated into the waist belt, shoulder straps and boat straps, so that any kayak or small watercraft may be carried by users of any size and height.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a pouch which carries the harness when not in use and becomes the carrier for the paddle when in use. It is preferred the pouch be made of a waterproof fabric such as nylon, with a material such as high density foam incorporated into the stitching on the back part of the pouch for floatation purposes.

A still further object of the present invention is that the pouch be constructed in such a way which allows drainage of water through the bottom section, either using holes incorporated into the design, or by way of using a waterproof mesh material stitched into the pouch at the base.

A still further object of the present invention is that the paddle pouch be secured to the bottom boat strap when in use by means of a strong plastic clip or similar device to secure in position ready for the paddle to be engaged into its carrying position. To ensure comfort for the individual using the present invention, it is proposed that shoulder pads be incorporated into the stitching of the adjustable shoulder straps.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide added strength and stability in relation to windy weather conditions and possible stem movement of the kayak or small watercraft by incorporating a triangular construction into the design.

A final object of the present invention is to provide further stability of the combined kayak and paddle carrier by the optional use of a strong strap which clips from the portage handle on the stem of the watercraft up to the bottom boat strap positioned under the cockpit. It is a final proposal that the present invention contain some reflective areas in the materials to aid visibility in poor light.

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon the consideration of the following detailed description of the presentlypreferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the combined kayak and paddle carrier of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the carrying harness, paddle pouch and its component parts in an assembled state, with a kayak and paddle mounted therein and in operational use thereof, FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the present invention showing the carrying harness in an assembled state worn by an individual with a kayak mounted therein and in operational use thereof, FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the present invention showing the carrying harness and paddle pouch in an assembled state together with the preferred positioning of its component pans; FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the preferred quick-release safety catch of the present invention in an open position; FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the preferred quick-release safety catch of the present invention in a closed position; FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the preferred padded shoulder strap of the present invention. Although the carrying harness includes a pair of shoulder straps, only one is shown to better illustrate the invention; FIGURE 7 is a perspective view of the preferred waist buckle of the present invention in an open position; FIGURE 8 is a front view of the preferred paddle pouch of the present invention, including a view of its component parts; FIGURE 9 is a cross-section view of the rear section of the preferred paddle pouch of the present invention,indicating the preferred structure of the integral floatation device and a view of its component parts; FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of the paddle pouch of the present invention in an assembled state when positioned onto the carrying harness; FIGURE 11 is a view of the paddle support strap of the present invention, in an open position, as affixed to the upper boat strap; FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of the optional adjustable steadying strap of the present invention and its component parts, prior to adjusting to fit and in position on the kayak.

Before explaining the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring now to the drawings, the invention will be described in greater detail. A combination kayak and paddle carder is shown in FIG. 1 in the position that it normally is worn by an individual. A kayak 7 is mounted in a vertical position in the carrying straps 2 and 3. The individual who would normally be wearing the carrying harness has been omitted from this drawing to better illustrate the invention and its component parts.

The carrying harness comprises a pair of vertical back straps 4 secured onto the two transverse boat straps 2 and 3; an upper boat strap 2 and a lower boat strap 3. In the illustrated embodiment, these straps 2 and 3 are made of a flexible fabric material, preferably webbing, or any other strong weather-resistant fabric. In the conventional manner, the carrying harness includes a pair of shoulder straps 5 which are secured to shoulder pads 6 by stitching. These shoulder pads 6 are, in turn, secured to the transverse upper boat strap 2 by stitching. At the front of the padded shoulder straps 5 are buckles 8 employed to adjust the length of the torso straps 9. These buckles 8 are preferably made of a strong plastic or nylon material. As shown in FIG.6 the shoulder straps 5 are looped through the uppermost rungs of the buckles 8 and brought underneath these loops so that the strap materials are doubled under. The ends of the straps 5 are secured by stitching so that the ends are situated underneath the shoulder straps 5, just above the area where the shoulder pads 6 end. The uppermost part of the shoulder straps 5 are also doubled under and are stitched to the shoulder pads 6.

As shown in FIG.3 the adjustable nature of the carrying harness is illustrated where the two vertical torso straps 9 thread through the buckles 8. These are fed under the lower rungs of the buckles 8, up through to the middle front of the adjustable buckles 8, over the lower rungs and back through the lower portion of the buckles 8. The ends of the torso straps 9 are pulled in a downward motion, as shown by the arrow 40, when worn by an individual, to adjust the fit and are locked in this adjusted position due to the gripping surface on the lower edge of the bottom rungs of the buckles 8.

The triangular construction 10 encompassed into the design of the carrying harness can clearly be be seen in FIG.3. It consists of the vertical torso straps 9, which descend vertically from the shoulder strap buckles 8, down to, orjust above, the transverse lower boat strap 3, where the torso straps 9 are secured by stitching. The torso straps 9 then follow the vertical back straps 4 up to a point 11 which is approximately two fifths up the vertical back straps 4 and are secured by stitching. The triangular construction is completed where the torso straps 9 return from the vertical back straps 4, across and up to the front of the torso straps 9 which, when worn by an individual, as illustrated in FIG.2, shows that the point at which the triangular construction ends will preferably be mid-way between the top of the shoulder pads 6 and the point 13 at which the torso straps 9 are secured to, or just above, the transverse lower boat strap 3 for optimum effect. This triangular construction 10 improves the strength and stability of the kayak 7 or small watercraft and lessens possible stem movement.

FIG.3 also illustrates the free-floating nature of the waist belt 14 of the carrying harness, which enables ease of use and comfort for persons of any height. The outside ends of the two waist belt straps which form the waist belt 14 are looped over the front of the lower portion of the torso straps 9 within the triangular construction 10 and are then secured by stitching. The inside ends of the waist belt straps 14 are fed through the components of the preferred waist buckle 16 and 17 as shown in FIG. 7. These components comprise of a waist buckle receiver 17 and a waist buckle carrier 16. The waist belt strap 14 which feeds through the waist buckle receiver 17 is secured by stitching and, by the nature of this stitching operation, is fixed in position. The adjustable nature of the waist belt strap 14 is clearly illustrated in FIG.7, whereby the waist belt strap 14 is threadded through the waist buckle carrier 16 and the end of this waist belt strap 14 is doubled over and stitbhed to prevent slippage through the waist buckle carrier 16. It is now possible to pull the waist belt strap 14 through the waist buckle carrier 16 to shorten the length of the waist belt strap 14. When the waist buckle carrier 16 is inserted into the waist buckle receiver 17 the waist belt strap 14 is locked and closed. The waist belt strap 14, which is fed through the waist buckle carrier 16, is longer than the waist belt strap 14 which is fed through the waist buckle receiver 17, although this has been omitted from the drawings to better illustrate the invention.

As shown in FIG.4and 5, the transverse upper boat strap 2 and the transverse lower boat strap 3 are adjustable in nature by way of quickrelease buckles 18, which are incorporated into the design of the combined kayak and paddle carrier. It is preferred these buckles 18 be made of a strong plastic or nylon material. Although there are two buckles 18 in use on the carrying harness, for the purpose of better illustrating the invention, only one is shown.

The quick-release buckles 18 have a dual purpose, relating to; a means of quickly releasing the carrying harness from the body of the kayak 7 or small watercraft, should the situation deem a quick exit be necessary, or as a means of using the buckles 18 to engage and disengage the craft into and from the carrying harness during normal operation.

The preferred method of using the carrying harness is to adjust to fit the transverse boat straps 2 and 3 around the girth of the kayak 7 or small watercraft and to simply slide the lower boat strap 3 and upper boat strap 2 off the stern of the craft. The craft can then be engaged into the harness by sliding the upper boat strap 2 back over the stem of the craft, followed by sliding the lower boat strap 3 over the girth of the craft and positioning the harness into the optimum position as shown in FIG.2. It should be noted that the cockpit of the craft is positioned away from the body of the individual also as shown in FIG. 2.

As illustrated in FIGA, the open end of the boat strap 2 is hot-cut at an angle to seal the material and to aid insertion into the quick-release buckle 18, as shown by the arrow 20, whilst in the open position. As shown in FIG. 5, once the boat strap 2 has been fed through the quick- release buckle 18, the buckle 18 is closed by pressing the toggle end of the lever 19 towards the body of the quick-release buckle 18 into the locked position.

Due to the differing girth sizes of kayaks 7 and small watercraft, the transverse upper boat strap 2 and the transverse lower boat strap 3 are of such a length as to allow for adjustments to be made to compensate for these anomalies.

As shown in FIG.2, when worn by an individual, the quick-release buckles 18 will be positioned to the left side of the body.

As illustrated in FIGA and 5, there is a toggle-type assembly 19 incorporated into the design of the quick-release buckle 18, which will be brightly coloured and, by nature of its size and form, easy to grasp. Also, due to its size and colour, it will be clearly visible.

The preferred embodiment of the paddle pouch 21 of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 10, illustrates that it is affixed to the transverse lower boat strap 3 by stitching through the lower boat strap 3 to the backflap 26 of the paddle pouch 2 1. When the carrying harness is worn by an individual, the paddle pouch 21 is situated to the right of the individual.

The paddle pouch 2 1, as detailed in FIG. 8, incorporates a drawstring section 2 5 at the top of the pouch 2 1, at the point where the backflap 26 of the pouch adjoins the lower boat strap 3. The drawstring cord 25 feeds through the loop of material 24 at the top of both the front and rear sections of the pouch 2 1. When the carrying harness is not in use, it is capable of being stowed away into the paddle pouch 21 and the drawstring cords 25 pulled and locked in position using the plastic locking device 27, through which the drawstring cords 25 are threadded. The plastic clip 28 suspended from the drawstring cord 25 serves to attach the paddle pouch 2 1, when in use as a bag for carriage of the harness, to the inside of the cockpit of the kayak 7 or small watercraft. This enables the carrying harness to be readily transportable. Although, as stated, the paddle pouch clip 28 is ideally suited to secure the carrying harness to the inside of the cockpit of the craft> it should be noted that its purpose is not limited to this use only. To use one other example, it is also possible to clip the pouch 21 onto the waist belt of the clothing of an individual.

The cross-section view, as shown in FIG.9, illustrates the floatation device 23 incorporated into the two layers of fabric 22 which make up the rear portion of the paddle pouch 2 1. This floatation device 23 is preferably made from a substance such as high-density foam or neoprene. The purpose of this device is to enable floatation of the paddle pouch 2 1, when in use as a bag for transportation of the carrying harness, should the individual become separated from the invention whilst in a body of water, such as a river or in the sea.

To assist in the drainage of water from the paddle pouch 2 1, the bottom corners 29 of the rear and front sections are left unstitched, thereby forming two holes through which water can pass.

The paddle pouch 21 of the present invention is preferably made from a strong waterresistant fabric such as nylon and the front and back sections fastened together by stitching, allowing, as stated, the bottom corners 29 to remain unstitched. Reflective material, or reflective areas, can also be incorporated into the design of the paddle pouch 21 and, possibly the carrying-harness itself Although the preferred embodiment of the paddle pouch 21 of the present invention is attached to the transverse lower boat strap 3 by stitching, as shown in the illustrations in FIG. 8 and FIG. 10, another methodof attaching the pouch 21 to the lower boat strap 3 will involve creating a loopof material out of the back flap 2,6 which will simply slide onto the lower boat strap 3, thus allowing different designs of the paddle pouch 2 1 to he inter changeable.

The preferredembodirnent of the paddle support strap 30 is shown in its operating position in FIG. 1 and in greater detail in FIG. 11 in an open position. The paddle support strap 30 is secured to the transverse upper boat strap 2 by stitching on the right side of the carrying harness when worn by an individual. It consists of a length of water-resistant fabric, preferably webbing, fastened to the upper boat strap 2 by stitching the centre portion, thus leaving the ends free. The preferred fastening is Velcro, with one section of Velcro 31 stitched to the outside portion of one of the free ends and another, mated section of Velcro 32, stitched to the middle inside portion of the other free end. This ensures that when the paddle 33 is in its engaged position in the paddle pouch 21 as worn by an individual, the top part of the paddle 33 is positioned inside the open paddle support strap 30, as shown in FIG. 11. Once the paddle 33 is in position, the end of the paddle support strap 30 with the Velcro 31 on the outside portion, wraps over and around the shaft of the paddle 33 then the other 8- end of the paddle support strap 30 with the Velcro 32 on its inside portion wraps over the first, thus ensuring that the surfaces of the Velero fastenings 3 1 and 32 are mated. The paddle support straps 30 are now secure in position around the paddle 33.

FIG. 12 illustrates the optional steadying strap 34 prior to adjusting to fit. The aim of this is to ensure extra stability of the kayak 7 or small watercraft when worn by an individual. The steadying strap 34 consists of a length of weather-resistant fabric, preferably webbing, with one end of the fabric looped 35 and stitched so that it can slide over the transverse lower boat strap 3. The other end is fed through a large strong plastic clip assembly 36, then fed through a plastic buckle 37. This end of the steadying strap 34 is then looped over one of the rungs of the buckle 37 and secured in position by stitching, thus securing it in place. The looped end 35 of the steadying strap 34 should be a little wider than the material used for the transverse lower boat strap 3 from where it is hung. This method by which the steadying strap 34 is hung from the lower boat strap 3, is achieved by means of feeding the lower boat strap 3 at its hot-cut end through the loop 35, prior to the hot cut end being fed through the quick-release buckle 18. When the carrying harness is in its operating position, with a kayak 7 or small watercraft mounted therein, the steadying strap 34 will ideally be in line with the centre of the cockpit area, furthest away from the back of the individual. Once the optimum position has been reached for the looped end 35 of the steadying strap 34 and the kayak 7 or small watercraft is not in place on the back of the individual, the buckle 37 and clip 36 and of the steadying strap 34 can be adjusted to fit. This is achieved by securing this end of the steadying strap 34, by means of the clip assembly3 6, over the portage handle 3 8 on the stem of the craft. To adjust the steadying strap 34 to its tightest and, therefore, most secure position, the buckle 37 can be moved up the length of the strap 34 until taut. By nature of the way the steadying strap 34 is fed through the buckle assembly 37 in the first instance, together with the grip surface on the rungs of the buckle 37, ensure that the steadying strap 34 is secured in its adjusted position.

9

Claims

1. A kayak or small watercraft-carrying device of a fold-away nature which is worn around the body of an individual, relating to a harness type system, allowing a kayak or small watercraft to be transported in a vertical manner on the back of an individual using additional straps from the harness which wrap around and are locked at, various points of the kayak or small watercraft.

2. A kayak or small watercraft-carrying device as claimed in claim 1 which provides adjustable boat, shoulder and waist straps, so that any kayak or small watercraft may be carried by users of any body size or height.

A kayak or small watercraft-carrying device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 where the pouch the device is housed in when not in use can be utilised ag'a paddle-carrying facility when used in conjunction with the carrying device.

4. A kayak or small watercraft-carrying device as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3 which utilises a triangular construction incorporated into the design of the harness section to aid stability of the kayak or small watercraft during usage.

5. A kayak or small watercraft-carrying device as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein high-density foam is incorporated into the device for floatation purposes.

6. A kayak or small watercraft-canying device as claimed in any preceding claims that incorporates quick-release buckles to aid removal of the kayak or small watercraft should circumstances deem this necessary.

A kayak or small watercraft-carrying device as claimed in any preceding claims, where a clip located at the top of the carrying pouch can be utilised to secure the pouch containing the harness device inside the cockpit of the kayak or small watercraft while using the craft.

8. A kayak or small watercraft-carrying device as claimed in any preceding claims which is made from webbing straps, weatherproof material and plastic components, or from a combination of these materials.

9.

A kayak or small watercraft-carrying device as claimed in any preceding claims has an optional steadying strap, which is secured to the lower of the straps used to hold the kayak or small watercraft in position while the other end of the steadying strap is secured to the portage handle on the stern of the craft.

10. A kayak or small watercraft-carrying device substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.