Abstract:
An outrigger system for a paddle board uses an outrigger that is connected to the board via a pair of spaced apart extension arms that are angled upwardly above the water. A pair of plates is positioned onto opposing deck surfaces of the board and strapped together at either end and tightened so that boards of various sizes can be accommodated. The upper plate receives one end of the extension arm. Two such plate systems are provided with the lower plate spaced apart from the board surface via a riser system to help prevent plate twisting during board travel. One or two kick bars run between the two extension arms and provide a basis of side support for a rider who may be fishing and provide a rectangular frame for installing a deck between board and outrigger.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application number 61/663,018 filed on Jun. 22, 2012, which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a stand-up paddle board outrigger system that keeps the board stable during use during propulsion as well as when performing tasks other than propulsion such as fishing, hunting, SCUBA diving, or just relaxing on the water. The outrigger system holds various and diverse items thereon. 
     2. Background of the Prior Art 
     Stand-up paddle boarding has become an extremely popular sport in recent times. Unlike its cousin surfing, that relies on wave action for propulsion, stand-up paddle boarding uses the power of the rider to paddle through the water for locomotion using a paddle that is somewhat similar to a typical canoe paddle. Just like the boards used in surfing, stand-up paddle boards are elongate members designed to give substantial buoyancy to riders in the water. Stand-up paddle boards are generally larger due to their need to maintain buoyancy and stability for the rider during slow movement or even while still in the water. 
     Although stand-up paddle boards are very stable, especially the boards designed for leisure cruising as opposed to boards that are designed more for racing, these latter boards approaching surf board dimensions, stand-up paddle boards can tip and discharge their passenger into the water, especially if the water is not flat or near flat. This fact makes some would be paddle board riders hesitant to ride a board, especially if the would-be rider sees himself or herself as not being overly coordinated. 
     Additionally, many riders bring extra cargo on board the board. Typical cargo includes such items as an additional rider such as a small child or a dog, coolers full of refreshment, fishing equipment, SCUBA equipment, and hunting equipment, just to name a few. While a small cooler full of cold refreshment is usually accommodated on a stand-up paddle board relatively easily, stand-up paddle boards simply lack the storage capacity to hold large bulky items or numerous smaller items, especially the smaller boards used by smaller riders. Further, many riders like to perform additional activities while riding their board, chief among such activities is fishing. 
     Fishing presents certain challenges to a stand-up paddle board. One such challenge is the previously mentioned limited real estate available for storage of the items needed for fishing including the fishing equipment, and a cooler for the fish caught, possibly a second cooler for live bait and/or refreshment. Additionally, while casting the line and holding the rod while fishing presents few problems, as stand-up paddle boards are designed to be stable during non-movement of the board, when a fish is caught, especially one that is the size of more than one dinner, the rider may have difficulty remaining in a standing position on the board as there is little to brace the rider in fighting with the fish. Additional stability issues arise during the ministerial acts associated with fishing (or other activities) such as retrieving the bait, unhooking and storing the caught fish, etc., as there is little room on the board for a person to be able to move around while maintaining stability. While fishing is fun under most circumstances, many fishing people prefer to do so without taking an unexpected bath, especially if the body of water is cold. 
     What is needed is an outrigger system for a stand-up paddle board in order to substantially increase the stability, cargo capacity, and weight capacity of the board. Such an outrigger system must not require a permanent alteration to the stand-up paddle board and a single system must be able to accommodate stand-up paddle boards of various sizes, both in length and in beam. Such an outrigger system must be relatively inexpensive to produce. Such an outrigger system must minimize the additional drag the system introduces to the stand-up paddle board. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The stand-up paddle board outrigger system of the present invention addresses the aforementioned needs in the art by providing an outrigger system that quickly and easily attaches to a stand-up paddle board without the need to make any permanent alterations to the board. The stand-up paddle board outrigger system is essentially a one size fits all type of system so that the present invention is usable on boards of almost any size. The stand-up paddle board outrigger system is of simple design and construction and is produced using standard manufacturing techniques, making the device relatively inexpensive to obtain so as to be economically attractive to would-be purchasers of this type of device. The stand-up paddle board outrigger system is designed to reduce the drag on the overall boat generated by the extension arms of the outrigger and the outrigger itself. 
     The stand-up paddle board outrigger system is comprised of an outrigger and a pair of extension arms. Each extension arm has a first end that is attached to the outrigger and a second end that is removably attached to the paddle board via a strap system. The strap system comprises a top plate that is attached to the upper surface of the paddle board and a bottom plate that is attached to the lower surface of the paddle board. A first strap connects the top plate and the bottom plate and passes on the port side of the paddle board while a second strap connects the top plate and the bottom plate and passes on the starboard side of the paddle board. The top plate has at least two spaced apart first slits and the bottom plate has at least two corresponding spaced apart second slits such that the second strap passes through one of the first slits and one of the second slits. The length of the first strap is adjustable. The bottom plate is attached to the lower surface of the paddle board via a riser that extends between the bottom plate and the lower surface of the paddle board. A tubular receiver is attached to the top plate, the tubular receiver removably receiving the second end of the extension arm. The first end of the extension arm curves downwardly and outwardly and the second end of the extension arm curves downwardly and outwardly so as to raise the extension arm above the water whenever the extension arm is attached to the outrigger and the paddle board. The outrigger is curved upwardly at each end. The outrigger may be inflatable. At least one kick bar is rotatably connected to either the first end of each extension arm or to the second end of each extension bar. An angle bar is removably attachable to the kick bar and to the first end of the extension or the second end of the extension in order to maintain the kick bar is a desired angle of rotation. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the stand-up paddle board outrigger system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the stand-up paddle board outrigger system holding a typical accessory, namely an anchor. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of strap system of the stand-up paddle board outrigger system. 
         FIG. 4  is a close-up perspective view of cargo secured to the stand-up paddle board outrigger system. 
     
    
    
     Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, it is seen that the stand-up paddle board outrigger system of the present invention, generally denoted by reference numeral  10 , is comprised of three major subsystems, an outrigger  12 , a pair of strap systems  14 , and a connection frame  16 . 
     As seen, the outrigger  12  is a relatively thin elongate buoyant member that is several feet in length. The outrigger  12  is made from any appropriate buoyant material such as polyurethane, polystyrene, rotomolded plastic, etc., and may be coated in an appropriate resin as in known in the art, although the outrigger can even be inflatable. A pair of first tubular receivers  18  is secured to outrigger  12 , in spaced apart fashion, in any appropriate fashion that is applicable for the material used to make the outrigger  12  so that if the outrigger  12  is made from a hard material, the first tubular member  18  may be secured to the outrigger  12  via the illustrated connection bracket  20  that is bolted to an upper surface of the outrigger. As seen, the outrigger  12  is, advantageously curved upwardly relative to its bottom surface. 
     As seen, each strap system  14  is comprised of a top plate  22 , which is a relatively flat plate member that has a first upper surface  24  and an opposing first lower surface  26 . The top plate  22  has a first longitudinal slit  28  located proximate a first end there and at least one second longitudinal slit  30 , one such second longitudinal slit  30  located proximate an opposing second end of the top plate  22 . A series of latitudinal slit pairs  32  are provided so that one of each pair of latitudinal slits  32  is located proximate a first side edge of the top plate  22 , while the other of the pair is located opposite the first latitudinal slit  32  proximate an opposing second side edge. Extending diagonally upwardly from the top surface  24  of the top plate  22  is a hollow second tubular receiver  34 , located between the first longitudinal slit  28  and the nearest second longitudinal slit  30 . 
     A bottom plate  36  also has a second upper surface  38  and a second lower surface  40 . The bottom plate  36  has a third longitudinal slit  42  located proximate a first end thereon and at least one fourth longitudinal slit  44 , one such fourth longitudinal slit  44  located proximate an opposing second end of the bottom plate  36 . A pair of connection plates  46  is provided and each is attached to the second upper surface  38  of the bottom plate  36  by a riser  48 . Each connection plate  46  has a non-scuff layer  50  thereon. 
     A first strap  52  passes through the first longitudinal slit  28  of the top plate  22  and through the third longitudinal slit  42  of the bottom plate  36  and forms a closed loop via a size adjustment buckle  54 . A second strap  56  has a first end  58  that loops through one of the second longitudinal slits  30  of the top plate  22  and forms a closed loop there at in order to secure this first end  58  within the selected second longitudinal slit  30 , the closed loop formed via appropriate sections of cooperating hook and loop material (not illustrated) so that the first end  58  loops onto itself and is hook and loop secured in such position, or other closure means. The second strap  56  has a second end  60  that loops through a corresponding fourth longitudinal slit  44  of the bottom plate  36  and forms a closed loop there at in order to secure this second end  60  within the selected second longitudinal slit  30 , the closed loop formed via appropriate sections of cooperating hook and loop material (not illustrated), or other closure means. 
     Each strap system  14  is attached to the paddle board P by placing the first lower surface  26  of the top plate  22  onto the upper deck surface U of a paddle board P and placing the connection plates  46  against the lower surface L of the paddle board P. The top plate  22  is oriented such that the second tubular receiver  34  faces toward the outrigger  12 . If not already installed, the first strap  52  is passed through the first longitudinal slit  28  of the top plate  22  and the third longitudinal slit  42  of the bottom plate  36 . The first end  58  of the second strap  56  is secured to one of the second slits  30  of the top plate  22  and the corresponding fourth slit  44  of the bottom plate  36 . The selection of which second slit  30  and fourth slit  44  to use is dependent on the width of the paddle board P. The distance between the first slit  28  and the selected second slit  30  (and correspondingly, the third slit  42  and the selected fourth slit  44 ) must be no greater than the width of the paddle board P at the point of placement of the particular strap system  14  so that if a board P is relatively wide at the area of placement of the strap system  14 , the outermost second slit  30  and fourth slit  44  are used, however, if the board P is relatively narrow, one of the inside second slits  30  and corresponding fourth slits  44  is used. Once the top plate  22  and bottom plate  36  are in the desired position, the overall length of the second trap  56  is sized at one its ends (or both) and then the size adjustment buckle  54  is used to tighten the first strap  52  so as to tighten the top plate  22  and bottom plate  36  into a tight fitting relationship with the paddle board P. The non-scuff layer  50  on each connection plate  46  helps prevent scuff damage to the lower surface L of the paddle board P. The use of the risers  48  and connection plates  46  helps prevent the bottom plate  36  from twisting during paddle board P travel, as was found when a relatively flat bottom plate was placed directly against the lower surface L of the paddle board P. 
     The top plate  22  and bottom plate  36 , including the connection plates  46  and risers  48 , can be made from any appropriate light and sturdy material that is appropriate for use in water, possibly even a salt water environment, such as plastic. The second tubular receiver  34  can be made from a similar material including PVC, as can the first tubular receiver  18 . 
     The connection frame  16  comprises a pair of extension arms  62  that each have a central main bar  64 , a first connector bar  66  that extends downwardly and outwardly from one end of the main bar  64  and a second connector bar  68  extending downwardly and outward from an opposing end of the main bar  64 . The first connector bar  66  is removably received within one of the first tubular receivers  18  of the outrigger  12 . The second connector bar  68  is attached to the paddle board P by being removably received within the second tubular receiver  34 . 
     In order to use the stand-up paddle board outrigger system  10  of the present invention, the first connector bar  66  of is attached to outrigger  12  by being received within the first tubular receiver  18  while the second connector bar  68  is received within a second tubular receiver  34  of the strap system  14  that is attached to the paddle board P as previously described. The other extension arm  62  of the connection frame  16  is installed in similar fashion on the opposing end of the outrigger  12  and paddle board P. The paddle board P is ready for use with the outrigger  12  attached, the rider paddling between the installed extension arms  62 . Cargo C can be secured to one or both of the extension arms  62  and/or to the outrigger  12  in appropriate fashion. As the main bar  64  of the extension arm  62  is angled upwardly, the extension arms  62  provide little drag through the water, even if the water is choppy. The upwardly curved nature of the outrigger  12  helps minimize outrigger drag through the water. As seen in figure in  FIG. 4 , the cargo C can be lashed to the paddle board P by passing strapping through one or more of the latitudinal slit pars  32  on the top plate  22 . 
     As seen, one or two optional kick bars  70  can be attached to the connection frame  16 , on either the paddle board side, as shown, on the outrigger side, or on both sides. Each kick bar  70  comprises a long bar  72  and two pivot bars  74  one on each end of the long bar  72 . Each pivot bar  74  is pivotally connected to a respective one of either the first connector bar  66  or the second connector bar  68 . As such, the kick bar  70  is free to rotate about the two extension arms  62 . When the kick bar  70  is rotated so that the long bar  72  is generally flush with the main bar  64  of the extension arm  62 , the pivot bars  74  can each be pinned directly to their respective first connection bar  66  or second connection bar  68 , depending on whether the kick bar  70  is located outrigger side or paddle board side respectively, by passing a pin  76  through an opening (not separately numbered) on the pivot bar  74  and an aligned pair of corresponding openings  78  located on the first connection bar  66  or second connection bar  68 . In order to hold the kick bar  70  in a different desired position, a pair of angle bars  80  is provided and each angle bar  80  is pivotally connected to the first connector bar  66  or second connector bar  68 , as appropriate via the pin  76  passing through the openings  78  and an aligned opening on the angle bar  80 . The angle bar  80  is also pinned to the pivot bar  74  by passing another pin  76  through the opening on the pivot bar  74  and one of the series of openings  82  located along the length of the angle bar  80 , the particular opening  82  used depending on the position of the kick bar  70 . 
     The kick bar  70 , when installed on the paddle board P side, can be used as a brace when fishing or hunting or conducting other activates and can also be used to help secure cargo C. If kick bars  70  are located on both the paddle board side and the outrigger side, then each kick bar  70  can be positioned so that its long bar  72  is generally flush with the main bar  64  of each extension arm  62  and a canvas (not illustrated) can be spread over and secured to the extension arms  62  and kick bars  70  in order to provide a deck between the paddle board P and the outrigger  12 . 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to an embodiment thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.