Patent ID: 9708038
Date: 2017-07-18
CPC Classifications: B63B,B63C

Claim:
1. An entry assistance system for paddle or oar powered watercraft comprising: a positioning unit for controlled placement of said paddle or oar powered watercraft adjacent a dock; a bench system mounted on said dock; said positioning unit comprising an elongate passage for positioning said paddle or oar powered watercraft adjacent said dock, and decking on opposite sides of said elongate passage; an entrance to said elongate passage; at least a first guide rail positioned on a first side of said passage and at least a second guide rail positioned on a second side of said elongate passage opposite said first side, said at least first and second guide rails each comprising an approach portion extending rearwardly of said positioning unit; each said first and second guide rails further comprising at least one grab bar extending generally horizontally along said first and second guide rails, said at least one grab bar being positioned on said first and second guide rails to be generally at a height where a user sitting in a paddle or oar powered watercraft could reach said at least one grab bar; said bench system comprising: a bench positioned adjacent a first side of said positioning unit; said bench having an elongate bench body having a front surface, a back surface, side surfaces, a top surface and a bottom surface which in combination delimit an interior of said elongate bench body, said top surface of said bench body defining a generally horizontal seating portion having a front edge and side edges; said front surface of said elongate bench body defining at least one slot spaced below said front edge of said generally horizontal seating portion and which opens into said interior, and at least one elongate slide having a generally planar top surface which is generally parallel to said elongate bench body top surface and elongate sides, said at least one elongate slide being movable through said at least one slot between a retracted position in which said at least one elongate slide is substantially received within said bench body interior and an extended position; said generally planar top surface of said at least one elongate slide being spaced vertically below said top surface of said bench body such that said at least one elongate slide moves in a substantially horizontal plane below a plane defined by said elongate bench body top surface, said at least one elongate slide being configured such that a user can sit on said at least one elongate slide and dangle legs over at least one of said elongate sides of said at least one elongate slide when in its said extended position; and a support member that supports said at least one elongate slide when in its extended position.