Abstract:
A container holding thwart for transferring force between the gunwales of a canoe. The thwart is provided with a frame defining an opening which releasably retains a container. The opening may either be of a closed configuration to retain a beverage container, or the like, or may be of an open configuration to retain a refuse bag. The openings may be of any size, shape, number or configuration.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates in general to an improved thwart for a canoe and, more particularly, to an improved thwart for holding a container.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     It is known in the art to provide beverage holders or the like which releasably couple to a thwart, gunwale or other part of a canoe to hold a beverage container while the canoe is in use. One drawback associated with such releasable beverage holders is the risk of damage associated with such beverage holders when the canoe is being transported, or in the event the canoe becomes capsized. Another problem associated with such prior art beverage holders is that they are often in the way, especially given the cramped quarters typically associated with canoes. If the beverage holders are placed close enough to the user to allow easy access to the beverage, the beverage container is often damaged or dislodged by the user while the user is engaged in directing or motivating the canoe. While the beverage container may be positioned away from the user, such placement eliminates the easy access to the beverage desired by the user. Additionally, such placement does not eliminate damage or dislodgement associated with portaging or capsizing the canoe.  
         [0005]     It would also be desirable to provide for unobtrusive retaining of other containers, such as bags or the like for holding empty beverage containers, trash, maps, food, emergency equipment, or the like. Prior art beverage holders are typically too small to accommodate such additional items, and placement of a container of such items on the floor of the canoe does not protect the items from water damage and/or loss associated with portaging or capsizing.  
         [0006]     Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a system for releasably engaging a container in a manner which keeps the container off of the floor of the canoe, within reach of the user, but out of interference with the user. It would also be desirable to provide a system for retaining a container which is resistant to damage and loss during portaging and capsizing the canoe.  
         [0007]     The difficulties encountered in the prior art discussed hereinabove are substantially eliminated by the present invention.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     In an advantage provided by this invention, a canoe with an improved thwart is provided which allows for retaining of a container off the floor of a canoe.  
         [0009]     Advantageously, this invention provides a canoe with an improved thwart which allows for retaining of a container out of the way of a user.  
         [0010]     Advantageously, this invention provides a canoe with a container retaining thwart which is resistant to damage and loss during portaging and capsizing of the canoe.  
         [0011]     Advantageously, this invention provides a canoe with a container retaining thwart which is of a low cost and simple manufacture.  
         [0012]     Advantageously, this invention provides a canoe with a container retaining thwart which is lightweight.  
         [0013]     Advantageously, this invention provides a canoe with a container retaining thwart which is easy to maintain.  
         [0014]     Advantageously, in the preferred example of this invention, a canoe is provided with a thwart assembly having a first arm and a second arm, and means for transferring tension from the first arm to the second arm. Means are also provided for retaining a container at least partially within the transferring means. Preferably, the first arm and second arm are coupled to a frame which defines an opening for releasably retaining the container. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]     The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates a top plan view of a canoe, incorporating improved thwarts of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates a bottom perspective view of an improved thwart of the present invention, incorporating two beverage holders;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates a side elevation of an improved thwart of the present invention, incorporating a beverage holder and a bag retainer;  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  illustrates a top elevation of the improved thwart of  FIG. 3 ; and  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  illustrates a top elevation of an improved thwart of the present invention, incorporating a circular bag retainer. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0021]     A canoe incorporating improved thwarts of the present invention is shown generally as ( 10 ) in  FIG. 1 . The canoe ( 10 ) is provided with two gunwales ( 12 ) and ( 14 ), spanned by a bow deck ( 16 ) and stern deck ( 18 ). Also spanning the gunwales ( 12 ) and ( 14 ) are a bow seat ( 20 ) and stern seat ( 22 ). The canoe ( 10 ) is also provided with a midship thwart ( 24 ) having a yoke ( 26 ) located near its center. The foregoing items are all known in the art and may be modified or adapted in any known manner.  
         [0022]     The canoe ( 10 ) is also provided with a bow thwart ( 28 ) and stern thwart ( 30 ). As shown in  FIG. 2 , the bow thwart ( 28 ) incorporates a first circular frame ( 32 ) and second circular frame ( 34 ). While the circular frames ( 32 ) and ( 34 ) may be constructed of any suitable material known in the art, and may be integrally formed in the thwart ( 28 ), the circular frames ( 32 ) and ( 34 ) may be constructed of a material different from the remaining portions of the bow thwart ( 28 ) and secured thereto by adhesive, fasteners or other securement means.  
         [0023]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the circular frames ( 32 ) and ( 34 ) define openings ( 36 ) and ( 38 ). Preferably the openings ( 36 ) and ( 38 ) are sized to accommodate a standard twelve ounce aluminum can. The openings ( 36 ) and ( 38 ) may, of course, be adjusted to accommodate any desired size or shaped container. It should be additionally noted that while in the preferred embodiment the openings ( 36 ) and ( 38 ) are circular, they may be provided of a rectangular, triangular, elliptical or other configuration to accommodate any desired size or shaped container. The openings ( 36 ) and ( 38 ) are preferably between one centimeter and one meter across their longest dimension, more preferably between two centimeters and twenty centimeters across their longest dimension, and most preferably between five centimeters and fifteen centimeters across their longest dimension.  
         [0024]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , provided across the openings ( 36 ) and ( 38 ) are retaining straps ( 40 ), ( 42 ), ( 44 ) and ( 46 ). The retaining straps ( 40 ), ( 42 ), ( 44 ) and ( 46 ) are preferably constructed of woven nylon 2.5 centimeters in width and 20 centimeters in length, but may be constructed of carbon fiber, elastic, mesh or any suitable material known in the art. The ends of the retaining straps ( 40 ), ( 42 ), ( 44 ) and ( 46 ) are preferably coupled to the circular frames ( 32 ) and ( 34 ) by screws or other securement means. If desired, the retaining straps ( 40 ), ( 42 ), ( 44 ) and ( 46 ) may be releasably secured to the circular frames ( 32 ) and ( 34 ) by hook and latch material, or any other similar releasable securement means known in the art. The retaining straps ( 40 ), ( 42 ), ( 44 ) and ( 46 ) are preferably sized to hold the containers ( 50 ) within the openings ( 36 ) and ( 38 ) while preventing the containers ( 50 ) from passing by the retaining straps ( 40 ), ( 42 ), ( 44 ) and ( 46 ). ( FIGS. 2-3 ). Preferably, the retaining straps ( 40 ), ( 42 ), ( 44 ) and ( 46 ) are sized to retain a container ( 50 ) within the openings ( 36 ) and ( 38 ) to a depth so that when the container ( 50 ) is full, the center of gravity of the container ( 50 ) is positioned below the top ( 52 ) of the circular frames ( 32 ) and ( 34 ).  
         [0025]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the circular frames ( 30 ) and ( 32 ) are coupled to a first arm ( 54 ) and a second arm ( 56 ) which, in turn, are coupled to the gunwales ( 12 ) and ( 14 ) of the canoe ( 10 ) in any manner known in the art. Preferably, the circular frames ( 32 ) and ( 34 ) are constructed of a material and dimensions suitable to transfer forces from the starboard gunwale ( 14 ) through the first arm ( 54 ) to the second arm ( 56 ), and to the port gunwale ( 12 ).  
         [0026]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the stern thwart ( 30 ) is provided with a circular frame ( 58 ) defining an opening ( 60 ). The stern thwart ( 30 ) is also provided with a pair of retaining straps ( 62 ) and ( 64 ), secured to the circular frame ( 58 ) in a manner such as that described above. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a container ( 50 ) may be provided through the opening ( 60 ) in the circular frame ( 58 ) to be retained by the retaining straps ( 62 ) and ( 64 ). As shown in  FIG. 3 , a retainer ( 70 ), such as hook and latch material, snaps or the like, is provided around the opening ( 68 ) defined by the bag frame ( 66 ). A mating retainer ( 72 ), such as hook and latch material, snaps or the like, is provided around the lip of a bag ( 74 ) securing into engagement with the retainer ( 72 ) of the bag frame ( 66 ) to secure the bag ( 74 ) in the opening ( 68 ). While the opening ( 68 ) and bag ( 74 ) may be of any suitable dimensions, the opening ( 68 ) is preferably sized to accommodate the desired size bag ( 74 ), which may be utilized to contain refuse ( 80 ), food, supplies, or any other desired material.  
         [0027]     An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown generally as ( 82 ) in  FIG. 5 . This alternative thwart ( 82 ) is provided with a first arm ( 84 ) and second arm ( 86 ), each coupled to a circular frame ( 88 ) defining an opening ( 90 ). As shown in  FIG. 5 , the opening ( 90 ) is preferably circular, with a diameter sized slightly larger than the container ( 50 ) described above. While the opening ( 90 ) may be constructed of any desired dimensions, the opening ( 90 ) is preferably between five and fifty centimeters across its largest dimension, more preferably between seven and twenty centimeters across its largest dimension, and most preferably between ten and twenty centimeters across its largest dimension. Additionally, while the opening ( 90 ) is shown as being of a circular configuration, the opening ( 90 ) may be constructed of any suitable configuration or dimension.  
         [0028]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the circular frame ( 88 ) is provided with ears ( 92 ) and ( 94 ) glued or otherwise secured thereto. While the ears ( 92 ) and ( 94 ) are preferably offset as shown in  FIG. 5 , to minimize their exposed profile, the ears ( 92 ) and ( 94 ) may be placed in any desirable position, including on or under the circular frame ( 88 ), first arm ( 84 ) or second arm ( 86 ).  
         [0029]     When it is desired to utilize the thwart ( 82 ), a bag ( 96 ) having a first handle ( 98 ) and second handle ( 100 ) is provided upward through the opening ( 90 ). The first handle ( 98 ) is then drawn upward and around the first ear ( 92 ) while the second handle ( 100 ) is drawn upward and around the second ear ( 94 ). The bag ( 96 ) is then pulled downward until the handles ( 98 ) and ( 100 ) engage the ears ( 92 ) and ( 94 ). Thereafter, the bag ( 96 ) may be utilized to store refuse or materials, or may be provided with a circular frame ( 88 ) and bag ( 96 ) sized to retain human waste.