Abstract:
Disclosed is an improved seat for toddlers on a dinghy or other small watercraft. The seat preferably includes two parallel rods that are each secured to the port and starboard sides of the watercraft. Draped between the rods is a loosely hanging fabric sheet that extends from the rods down to an elevation below the rods, but above the floor of the watercraft. In the sheet are leg holes through which a toddler&#39;s legs may extend. The placement of the toddler&#39;s legs through the holes helps to secure the toddler into the watercraft and keeps the toddler from being jostled when the smaller watercraft is bumped by waves or the wake of a larger vessel.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a seat for a watercraft and more particularly to toddler seating on a dinghy. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    When moving slowly, passengers of an inflatable watercraft often sit on the inflatable side chambers of the watercraft or on a rigid seat that extends between the two inflatable chambers. Ropes or handles are often provided on top of the inflatable chambers to help passengers hold on to the watercraft. When moving more quickly, passengers often sit or kneel on the floor of the dinghy or an interior seat. These seating positions function well for adults and older children, but fail to provide a safe and comfortable seating arrangement for toddlers on the watercraft. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention provides an improved seat for toddlers on a dinghy or other small watercraft. The seat preferably includes two parallel rods that are each secured to the port and starboard sides of the watercraft. Draped between the rods is a loosely hanging fabric sheet that extends from the rods down to an elevation below the rods, but above the floor of the watercraft. In the sheet are leg holes through which a toddler&#39;s legs may extend. The placement of the toddler&#39;s legs through the holes helps to secure the toddler into the watercraft and keeps the toddler from being bumped when the small watercraft is jostled by waves or the wake of a larger vessel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  shows a first perspective view of an inflatable watercraft having a toddler seat. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  shows a second perspective view of an inflatable watercraft having a toddler seat. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of a personal watercraft with a toddler seat having parallel shafts secured to the tops of the port and starboard sides of the inflatable hull. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4A  shows an upper perspective view of an isolated toddler seat for a small watercraft. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4B  shows an upper perspective view of an isolated toddler seat for a small watercraft. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  shows an isolated side perspective view of an isolated toddler seat for a watercraft. 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  shows a rear perspective view of an inflatable watercraft with a toddler seat, wherein the shafts of the toddler seat are constructed from oars and at least one of the shafts is cushioned. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of a toddler seat used as a highchair. 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  shows a partial view of a toddler seat with rounded end caps on the shafts. 
           [0013]      FIG. 9A  shows an isolated view of a toddler seat with a cover in an undeployed configuration. 
           [0014]      FIG. 9B  shows an isolated view of a toddler seat with a cover in a deployed configuration. 
           [0015]      FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of a toddler seat with a cover in a canopy configuration. 
           [0016]      FIG. 11  shows a partial view of a toddler seat with extra fabric around the leg holes to prevent chaffing. 
           [0017]      FIG. 12  shows a partial view of a toddler seat with a line extending through both hollow shafts to prevent the shafts from excessively shifting while the dinghy is in motion. 
           [0018]      FIG. 13  shows a partial view of a toddler seat with three types of spacers acting to prevent the shafts from approaching each other. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 14A through 14C  show isolated elevational views of three types of spacers. 
           [0020]      FIG. 15  shows an isolated view of a toddler seat with spacers having rotatable legs in an undeployed configuration. 
           [0021]      FIG. 16  shows an isolated view of a toddler seat with spacers having rotatable legs in a deployed configuration to form a beach chair. 
           [0022]      FIG. 17  shows an isolated view of one of the spacers of  FIG. 16 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    The present invention may be used in any instance where safe and comfortable seating for toddlers is needed and is particularly suited for seating toddlers on a watercraft. However, for descriptive purposes, the present invention will be described in use with inflatable dinghies. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 1, 2, and 3  show an inflatable watercraft  5  with an inflatable hull  10  having a port side  15 , a starboard side  20 , and a bow side  25 . In the illustrated example, the port and starboard sides ( 15 ,  20 ) of the hull are each formed by individual air chambers constructed from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or chlorosulfonated polyethylene synthetic rubber. It should also be appreciated that the hull of the watercraft may be constructed from other materials such as wood, metal, or fiberglass. 
         [0025]    A transom  30  extends between the port side  15  and the starboard side  20  of the inflatable hull  15  near the aft of the watercraft, and an engine (not shown) may be secured to the transom. A floor  35  is bounded by the inflatable hull  10  and the transom  30 . Above the floor  35 , and between the port and starboard sides ( 15 ,  20 ) of the hull  10 , extends a board seat  40 . The board seat  40  is secured to the port and starboard sides ( 15 ,  20 ) of the hull  10  through a variety of fasteners (not shown), such that the board seat  40  may only be installed or removed with a fair amount of difficulty. 
         [0026]    Secured to both the port and starboard sides ( 15 ,  20 ) of the hull  10  is the toddler seat  45 . The toddler seat includes a fore shaft  50  or pole that extends substantially parallel to an aft shaft  55  or pole. Both shafts ( 50 ,  55 ) are secured to the apexes/tops  57  of both the port and starboard sides ( 15 ,  20 ) of the hull  10  and extend horizontally. In the illustrated example, the shafts ( 50 ,  55 ) extend substantially parallel to each other and also extend substantially parallel to the transom  30 , however it should be appreciated that the shafts may be oriented such that they are askew to the sides of the watercraft. In the illustrated example, the shafts are substantially uniform, however in other embodiments the shafts have unique shapes. For example, in one embodiment the fore shaft is constructed from a hollow PVC pipe while the aft shaft is constructed from a repurposed boat hook. By reusing items commonly found aboard vessels, the amount of storage space needed for the toddler seat is decreased. 
         [0027]    First and second fore fasteners ( 60 ,  65 ) secure the fore shaft  55  to the inflatable hull while first and second aft fasteners ( 70 ,  75 ) are used to secure the aft shaft  55  to the inflatable hull. In the illustrated example, the fasteners each have a PVC or chlorosulfonated polyethylene synthetic rubber base secured to the hull and a similarly formed strap extending over their respective shaft. The inventors also contemplate that hook and loop type fabric may be used to form the straps over the shafts. In yet another embodiment, one set of fasteners includes oar locks that may also be used in combination with oars to propel the watercraft when not being used for the toddler seat. In yet another embodiment, the fasteners are the rope or handholds included with the dinghy that are designed to be held by older children and adults when the dinghy is in motion. 
         [0028]    Loosely secured between both the fore and aft shafts ( 50 ,  55 ) is a sheet  80  having a first and second set of leg holes ( 85 ,  90 ). While the sheet may be constructed from a variety of different materials, in an exemplary embodiment the sheet is constructed from a woven acrylic fabric, a vinyl-coated polyester mesh, or another outdoor fabric adapted to be in a marine environment. 
         [0029]    In the illustrated examples, the sheet  80  is secured to the shafts by wrapping around the shafts (or circumscribing them), however other methods of securing the sheet to the shafts may be used. For example, in one embodiment, the sheet has thick seams along its fore and aft edges that are secured into tracks in the fore and aft shafts, respectively. In  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the sheet is secured to the shafts by circumscribing the shafts, however the sheet  80  also circumscribes a cushion  95  or pad that surrounds the fore shaft. The cushion helps to protect the toddler if they are jostled forward by a wave or other disturbance. In the example shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , only the fore shaft is cushioned, however it should be appreciated that cushioning both the fore and aft shafts is within the scope of the invention. In yet another embodiment, neither of the shafts is cushioned. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 4A and 5  show isolated views of the toddler seat  45  with an aft shaft  55 , and a cushion  95  around a fore shaft  50 . In  FIG. 4A , the leg holes of the first set of leg holes  85  are separated from each other by a first distance  100  while the second set of leg holes  90  are separated from each other by a second distance  105 . In the illustrated example, the first distance  100  is equal to the second distance  105 , however in alternate embodiments the first distance  100  will be smaller or larger than the second distance  105 . For example, the second set of leg holes  90  may be adapted for use by a child older than the one using the first set of leg holes. To accommodate the older and larger child, the leg holes of the second set  90  will have a larger separation from each other. The first and second set of leg holes ( 85 ,  90 ) are separated from each other by a third distance  110 . While it is generally expected that the first and second distances ( 100 ,  105 ) will be somewhat similar to each other, the third distance  110  is expected to generally be substantially larger than either the first distance  100  or the second distance  105  in some embodiments. In  FIG. 4B , the leg holes are equidistant from each other and the spacing between leg holes is the first distance  100 . In an exemplary example of the seat, the leg holes are circular and have a diameter of  3  inches such that the total area of each of the leg holes is about 7 square inches (3.14×(1.5 inches) 2 ≈7 square inches). In other embodiments, the leg holes have openings that are substantially larger than 7 square inches. In yet another embodiment, the holes have an opening size of at least 10 square inches. In yet another embodiment, the holes are roughly oval with a height of about 6 inches, a width of about 4 inches, and an area of about 20 square inches. 
         [0031]      FIG. 5  shows a side perspective view of an isolated toddler seat  45 . A first leg hole  115  is separated from the fore shaft  50  by a fourth distance  120  and separated from the aft shaft  55  by a fifth distance  125 . In the illustrated example, the fourth distance  120  is less than the fifth distance  125  such that the leg holes are not symmetrical with regards to the fore and aft shaft ( 50 ,  55 ). By having the leg holes located closer to the fore shaft  50  it is more comfortable for the toddlers to sit in a position where they sit facing forward and are able to see where the watercraft is going. In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5 , the fore and aft shafts ( 50 ,  55 ) are interchangeable with each other such that the toddler seat may be positioned with the leg holes located closer to the aft shaft. The cushion  95  around the fore shaft  50  does not extend to the fasteners ( 60 ,  65 ,  70 ,  75 ) so any shaft may be secured within any fastener. Having the toddlers face the rear of the watercraft may be advantageous when the pilot (located near the transom) wishes to maintain a careful watch of the toddlers. 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the sheet  80  has a first width edge  130  or side that extends a distance substantially equal to a second width edge  135 . The first width edge  130  and the second width edge  135  both extend from the fore shaft  50  to the aft shaft  55 . The fore shaft  50  and the aft shaft  55  are separated from each other by a distance  140  that is substantially less than the length of either the first edge width  130  or the second edge width  135 . In all of the illustrated examples of the toddler seat, the length of the first edge  130  is substantially greater than the distance  140  such that a toddler may be secured in the seat. In the illustrated example the length of the first edge  130  is at least twice the length of the distance  140 , and in other examples the first edge  130  is at least three times the length of distance  140 . 
         [0033]    The sheet  80  also has a fore length edge  145  or side located adjacent to the fore shaft  50  and an aft length edge  150  or side located adjacent to the aft shaft  55 . It should be appreciated that the length sides may be substantially rounded to match the shape of the shafts. In the illustrated example shown in  FIG. 5 , the fore and aft length edges ( 145 ,  150 ) have lengths that are similar to the separation of the sides of the hull such that the sheet nearly fully extends from the port side  15  of the inflatable hull  10  to the starboard side  20 . In an alternate embodiment, the lengths of the length edges are much less than the separation of the sides of the hull. For example, the inventors contemplate a toddler seat designed for a single toddler where the length of the sheet is not substantially larger than the width of a single leg hole set. 
         [0034]    In the illustrated example of  FIG. 5  the sheet is snuggly wrapped around both the fore and aft shafts ( 50 ,  55 ) however in other embodiments the loops in the sheet have diameters twice the size of the shafts that are threaded through the loops. While fabric loops or tubes are used to secure the sheet to the shafts in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, in other embodiments discrete hard plastic loops (similar to those found in shower curtains) are used to secure the sheet to the shafts. In yet another embodiment, the end loops of the sheet include zippers such that the sheet may be installed around the shafts when the shafts have already been secured to the dinghy. 
         [0035]    The sheet  80  includes a lowest point  131  that is a first vertical distance  132  from the fore and aft shafts ( 50 ,  55 ) and a second vertical distance  133  from the floor of the watercraft. In the illustrated example, the first vertical distance  132  is roughly equal to the second vertical distance  133  such that the lowest point of  131  of the sheet  80  is vertically midway between the shafts ( 50 ,  55 ) and the floor  35 . The lowest point is at least 6 inches below the two holes due to the sheet extending substantially below the two poles. A sheet that extends substantially below the two poles is one with sufficient droop such that a toddler sitting on the lowest point cannot fall forward or backward out of the seat. A seat that sags more than 6 inches below the bottom of the poles is one that extends substantially below both the poles. In another exemplary embodiment, the second vertical distance  133  is at least 6 inches and the lowest point  131  of the sheet  80  is only about a quarter of the way from the floor  35  to the shafts ( 50 ,  55 ). 
         [0036]    In the illustrated example, the fore shaft  50  extends a horizontal first length and has a fore cross section  136  that is perpendicular to the first length of the fore shaft. The aft shaft  50  has an aft cross section  137  that is perpendicular to the length of the aft shaft  55 . While the inventors contemplate embodiments where the fore and aft shafts ( 50 ,  55 ) have unique cross sections and unique lengths, in the examples illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 7 , the fore and aft shafts have substantially identical cross sections ( 136 ,  137 ) and substantially equal lengths. 
         [0037]    In the illustrated example, the sheet hangs down from the shafts a vertical distance that is roughly half the separation of the shafts from the floor of the watercraft. By positioning the low point of the sheet substantially above the floor of the watercraft, the toddlers are able to comfortably extend their feet onto the floor. Additionally, in some embodiments, the hull of the watercraft is constructed from inflatable chambers that act as a cushion relative to the floor of the watercraft. When the watercraft is impacted by a wave, the bottom of the sheet may slightly move towards the floor thereby cushioning the impact of the wave. A substantial separation between the bottom of the sheet and the floor of the watercraft allows for the toddlers to move up and down relative to the floor with a reduced risk of them impacting the floor following a large wave. 
         [0038]      FIG. 6  shows an embodiment where the shafts of the toddler seat are constructed from oars  155 . In addition to reusing other items commonly found aboard vessels, in the event of engine trouble, the toddler seat may be disassembled so that the adult can use the oars to propel the watercraft. The poles of the oars  155  are telescoping such that they may be more compactly stored when the dinghy is not in use. Additionally, telescoping shafts that are not oars may also be used.  FIG. 7  shows an example of the toddler seat being supported by two chairs to act as a highchair at a table. 
         [0039]      FIG. 8  shows an embodiment of the toddler seat with end caps  160  on both the fore and aft shafts ( 50 ,  55 ). In one embodiment, the shafts are constructed from hollow PVC tubes that are either an inch and a half or two inches in diameter and cut to match the width of the dinghy. When cut, the PVC tubing may left with relatively sharp ends that can scratch or damage the hull of a boat when the dinghy is secured alongside the larger vessel. To reduce the chance of damaging the boat, rounded end caps may be placed on the shafts. If both the caps and shafts are constructed from PVC, then the pieces may be secured together with a mixture of ketones (PVC cement), however if the end caps are made from rubber or foam then the inventors contemplate that other adhesives will be used. In another embodiment, the ends of the shafts are sanded down such that the ends are slightly rounded. 
         [0040]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  show an example of a toddler seat that includes a flexible cover  165  secured to the fabric loop around the aft shaft  55 . In  FIG. 9A , the cover  165  includes a hook and loop fastener strip  170  that is configured to be secured to a complimentary hook and loop fastener band  175  on the sheet  80 . When the cover  165  is not in use, the hook and loop strip and band ( 170 ,  175 ) are secured together to prevent the cover from flapping back and forth due to motion of the dinghy.  FIG. 9B  shows the cover in a use configuration where it extends from the aft shaft to the fore shaft. In an exemplary embodiment, there is a second hook and loop band near that fore shaft that connects with the hook and loop fastener strip  170  when the cover is in the use configuration. In yet another embodiment, the sheet is constructed from a woven vinyl mesh that allows water to pass through the seat while the cover is constructed from a water proof material so that items under the cover are protected from the rain. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the cover may also have a configuration where it acts as a canopy for the toddlers when the dinghy is in use. In the illustrated example, the cover  165  includes lines  180  that extend to upwardly rotated legs of spacers between the shafts. 
         [0041]      FIG. 11  shows a toddler seat that has padding  185  added around the leg holes in order to reduce chaffing on the toddlers&#39; legs when they are seated. In an exemplary embodiment, the padding  185  is constructed of a dyed acrylic fabric while the remainder of the flexible sheet is made from a vinyl-coated polyester mesh. 
         [0042]      FIG. 12  shows a toddler seat with a line  190  extending through both the fore and aft shafts ( 50 ,  55 ) and being secured to itself with a clasp  195 . In an exemplary embodiment, the shafts are constructed from hollow PVC pipes such that a standard nautical line may be threaded through them. As shown in  FIG. 12 , the line  190  may be looped through the shafts and secured to itself with a fastener/clasp  195  or with a knot. When the dinghy seat is used for extended periods of time and with larger children, the shafts may shift port or starboard relative to the rest of the dinghy. If they shift too far, the shafts may come out of the fore and aft fasteners potentially damaging the hull of the dinghy or injuring the toddlers in the seat. By looping the line through the shafts and around the fasteners, the shafts are better secured in the fasteners. The addition of a threaded line also makes removal of the seat somewhat more difficult and may be added by those wishing to make the seat a more permanent part of the dinghy. Alternatively, a bungee type engineered stretchable cord may be used between the shafts to better secure them in place. The inventors contemplate that the securing line will not be necessary in most instances while in use since the weight of the children in the seat will cause the shafts to press downward onto the hull of the dinghy, and the operator of the dinghy would easily notice a shift in the shafts. 
         [0043]      FIG. 13  shows a dinghy with three different types of spacers  200  limiting how close the shafts may move towards each other. Based on the design of the seat, when a toddler is sitting in the seat their weight will primarily cause the shafts to press downward on the hull of the dinghy, but since the sheet  80  is not pulling the shafts ( 50 ,  55 ) perfectly straight down there will be a small inwardly pulling force as well. To counter act the inwardly pulling force, a spacer or multiple spacers may be inserted between the shafts to keep them at a desired separation. For illustrative purposes,  FIG. 13  shows three different types of spaces that are also shown in  FIGS. 14A through 14C . The first spacer  205  has two full circular openings  210  through which the shafts may be slid. Since the spacer has features that fully circumscribe the shafts the spacer is able to keep the shafts well secured, but installing the spacer is a bit more difficult compared to the second spacer  215 . The second spacer  215  has two snap around openings  220  such that the spacer may be installed simply by downwardly pressing it against the shafts. The third spacer  225  is a hybrid of the first spacer  205  and the second spacer  215  in that it has one full circular opening  210  and one snap around opening  220 . 
         [0044]      FIGS. 15 through 17  illustrate a fourth type of spacer  225  that includes a horizontal bar  230  that spans between the two shafts along with a first leg  235  and a second leg  240  that rotate relative to the horizontal bar  230 . When the fourth spacer  225  is used in on a dinghy, the fourth spacer  225  has a configuration where the first and second legs ( 235 ,  240 ) are directly adjacent to the horizontal bar  230 .  FIG. 16  shows the spacers in a beach chair configuration when the first leg  235  and the second leg  240  have been rotated away from the horizontal bar  230 . By simply removing the toddler seat from the dinghy and rotating the legs, the seat can be used in a multitude of situations. 
         [0045]    The inventors contemplate several alterations and improvements to the disclosed invention. Other alterations, variations, and combinations are possible that fall within the scope of the present invention. Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described, those skilled in the art will recognize more modifications that may be made that would nonetheless fall within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to the specific examples described.