Abstract:
An inflatable kayak having a multi-position footrest spaced from the seat of the kayak is disclosed. The multi-position footrest allows the kayak to accommodate operators of various sizes. The kayak may also include front and rear recessed cargo compartments which allow a significant quantity of cargo to be carried on the kayak without significantly raising the center of gravity of the kayak and without causing the kayak to become unbalanced.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates generally to inflatable watercrafts, and more particularly, to an inflatable sit-on-top kayak having a multi-position footrest.  
         [0003]     2. Technical Background  
         [0004]     Kayaks, for centuries a mode of transport, are also popular for recreational purposes. Traditional kayaks had a substantially rigid construction, making it difficult to portage the kayak a significant distance over rugged terrain or to load and carry the kayak atop motorized vehicles. Because many preferred sites for kayaking are located in remote regions that are inaccessible to motorized vehicles, the traditional construction of kayaks has proven to be disadvantageous for today&#39;s recreationist.  
         [0005]     In response to these disadvantages of traditional rigid kayaks, inflatable kayaks have been developed. Easily deflated and folded, inflatable kayaks offer lightweight and compact carrying ability, as well as ease of use when inflated at water&#39;s edge. One disadvantage of conventional inflatable kayaks, however, is an inability to accommodate users of varying sizes. In particular, it is important for the operator of a sit-on-top inflatable kayak to be able to brace his/her feet against a footrest to maintain balance and position while paddling and during maneuvers in the water. However, traditional inflatable kayaks either do not provide a footrest at all, or provide only a single non-adjustable footrest. A single fixed footrest may be adequate for a person of average height; however, the same configuration for a shorter- or taller-than-average person may be completely unreachable or may force the torso and legs into an uncomfortable bent position.  
         [0006]     Another disadvantage of conventional inflatable kayaks is their inability to haul a significant amount of cargo. This is particularly problematic for someone planning to hike from an easily accessible starting location to a remote destination, and then return to the starting location via kayaking. In this scenario, the recreationist must carry all his/her hiking and camping gear on the kayak. Because conventional kayaks are not equipped to carry this amount of cargo, the kayaker must carry the gear in a backpack while operating the kayak. Wearing such a loaded backpack while kayaking increases the risk of the kayak overturning due to the raised center of gravity of the floating unit (i.e., kayak, operator, and cargo).  
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
       [0007]     Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is directed to a sit-on-top kayak comprising an inflatable hull, a seat, and a plurality of inflatable footrests incrementally spaced from the seat.  
         [0008]     Another aspect of the present invention concerns an inflatable watercraft comprising an inflatable hull and a plurality of spaced-apart footrests. The hull includes an inflatable main body and an inflatable center section substantially surrounded by the main body. The center section includes a lower seat support member, a first recessed opening, and a second recessed opening. The lower seat support member, first recessed opening, and second recessed opening are spaced from one another. The footrests include a first set of footrests disposed in the first recessed opening and a second set of footrests disposed in the second recessed opening.  
         [0009]     In still another aspect, the present invention relates to an inflatable watercraft including an inflatable hull and an inflatable seat. The inflatable hull includes a front and a rear portion. The inflatable seat is positioned generally between the front and rear portions. The front and rear portions include respective recessed front and rear cargo compartments.  
         [0010]     In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to an inflatable sit-on-top kayak having an inflatable hull, a seat, and a plurality of inflatable footrests. The inflatable hull includes a front portion and a rear portion. The seat is disposed generally between the front and rear portions.  
         [0011]     The inflatable footrests are disposed generally between the seat and the front portion. One of the front and rear portions defines a recessed cargo compartment.  
         [0012]     The kayak of the present invention provides a number of advantages over other kayaks known in the art. For example, the kayak of the present invention accommodates operators of different heights. Further, the kayak of the present invention is configured to hold a significant amount of cargo without substantially raising the center of gravity of the combined kayak/operator/cargo unit.  
         [0013]     These and additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that description or recognized by practicing the invention as described herein.  
         [0014]     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide further understanding of the invention, illustrate various embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0015]     Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view showing the top of an inflatable sit-on-top kayak constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view showing the bottom of the inflatable sit-on-top kayak illustrated in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged partial sectional side view taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 1 , particularly illustrating the configuration of a plurality of recessed multi-position footrests;  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged partial sectional side view taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1 , particularly illustrating the configuration of a recessed front cargo compartment;  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged isometric view of a releasable fastener used to releasably couple a cargo net to the main body of the kayak, particularly illustrating the fastener in a decoupled position;  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged isometric view of the releasable fastener shown in  FIG. 5 , particularly illustrating the fastener in a coupled position;  
         [0022]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged partial sectional side view taken along line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 6 , particularly illustrating the fastener in the coupled position; and  
         [0023]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view showing the top of a two-passenger inflatable sit-on-top kayak constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0024]     Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , an inflatable sit-on-upon kayak  10  is illustrated as generally including an inflatable hull  12 , an inflatable seat  14 , and first and second sets of inflatable footrests  16   a,b . As used herein, the term “sit-on-top kayak” denotes a kayak that is configured so that the operator of the kayak sits on top of the kayak with his/her legs being exposed, as opposed to a sit-inside kayak where the legs of the operator are covered. Hull  12 , seat  14 , and footrests  16   a,b  are preferably formed of one or more sheets of a flexible, durable, air-impermeable material. Preferably, hull  12 , seat  14 , and footrests  16   a,b  are formed of the same type of material. The material of construction is preferably a fabric-reinforced flexible PVC, although any other suitable synthetic rubber or plastic may be used (e.g., polyethylene). When a plurality of sheets of material are used to construct kayak  10 , the sheets can be coupled to one another by any conventional method which results in the formation of an air-tight seam at the junction of the sheets. Heat welding is one acceptable method for creating such an air-tight seam.  
         [0025]     Inflatable hull  12  of kayak  10  includes an inflatable main body  18  and an inflatable center section  20 . It is preferred for main body  18  to substantially surround center section  20 . It is also preferred for main body  18  and center section  20  to be formed of separate bladders so that main body  18  and center section  20  can be separately inflated and deflated. Each bladder of kayak  10  is equipped with its own inflation valve of suitable configuration.  
         [0026]     Main body  18  of hull  12  includes a front portion  22  and a rear portion  24 . Hull  12  is elongated along an axis of elongation which extends from the tip of front portion  22  to the tip of rear portion  24 . Front portion  24  defines a recessed front cargo compartment  26  while rear portion  24  defines a recessed rear cargo compartment  28 . Front and rear cargo covers/nets  30 , 32  are releasably coupled to front and rear portions  22 , 24  of main body  18  via a plurality of releasable fasteners  34 . Front and rear cargo nets  32 , 34  cover at least a portion of front and rear cargo compartments  26 , 28 . A handle  36  is preferably permanently coupled to front portion  22  and facilitates manual manipulation of kayak  10 . In addition, a pair of oar holders  38  can be permanently coupled to main body  18  for holding an oar (not shown) when the oar is not in use.  
         [0027]     Center section  20  of hull  12  is disposed generally between front and rear portions  22 , 24  of main body  18 . Center section  20  defines first and second recessed openings  40   a,b . First set of footrests  16   a  is received in first recessed opening  40   a , while second set of footrests  16   b  is received in second recessed opening  40   b . Recessed openings  40   a,b  are spaced from one another in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of extension of the axis of elongation of hull  12 . Recessed openings  40   a,b  are spaced from seat  14  in a direction that is substantially parallel to the direction of extension of the axis of elongation of hull  12 . Recessed openings  40   a,b  are elongated in a direction that is substantially parallel to the direction of extension of the axis of elongation of hull  12 . Preferably, recessed openings  40   a,b  have a length in a range from about 12 to about 28 inches and a width in the range of from about 3 to about 12 inches. Most preferably, recessed openings  40   a,b  have a length in the range of from 18 to 36 inches and a width in the range of from 4 to 8 inches. Recessed openings  40   a,b  are separated from one another by a dividing wall  42  of center section  20 . A beverage-holding compartment  44  is preferably defined in dividing wall  42 .  
         [0028]     Center section  20  includes a recessed lower seat support member  46 , which defines a bottom portion of seat  14 . Recessed lower seat support member  46  provides a slightly recessed surface upon which the operator of kayak  10  can sit. Seat  14  includes an inflatable back support  48  and a pair of inflatable side supports  50   a,b . Back and side supports  48 , 50  are preferably interconnected to form a common inflatable bladder. Back support  48  and side supports  50   a,b  are rigidly coupled to center section  20  of hull  12  and extend generally upwardly therefrom. Back support  48  and side supports  50   a,b  are preferably rigidly coupled to one another, with back support  48  extending generally between side supports  50   a,b . Back support  48  and side supports  50   a,b  cooperate to form a generally U-shaped configuration that surrounds lower seat support member  46  on three sides and is open towards footrests  16   a,b . Thus, when the operator of kayak  10  sits on recessed lower seat support member  46  and braces his/her feet against footrests  16   a ,b, back support  48  inhibits rearward movement of the operator, while side supports  50   a,b  inhibit lateral movement of the operator.  
         [0029]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the bottom of kayak  10  is preferably equipped with front and rear fins  52   a,b  that are permanently coupled to hull  12  underneath the front and rear cargo compartments. It is preferred for the bottom of hull  12  to be formed of a single sheet  53  of durable material.  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , center section  20  of hull  12  presents an upper surface  54  that defines the top of center section  20 . Center section  20  preferably includes a generally horizontally-extending floor  56  in each recessed opening  40   a,b . Floor  56  defines the bottom of recessed openings  40   a,b . Thus, the depth of each recessed opening  40   a,b  is defined by the minimum vertical distance (d1) between upper surface  54  and floor  56 . It is preferred for the depth (d1) of each recess opening  40   a,b  to be at least about 2 inches. More preferably the depth (d1) of each recessed opening  40   a,b  is in the range of from about 3 to about 24 inches, most preferably in the range of from 4 to 12 inches. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, floor  56  is the top surface of bottom sheet  53  (shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ).  
         [0031]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , each individual footrest  58  of first and second sets of footrests  16   a,b  extend upwardly from floor  56  to a maximum height (d2). It is preferred for the maximum height (d2) of each individual footrest  58  to be at least about 2 inches. More preferably, the maximum height (d2) of each individual footrest  58  is in the range of from about 2.5 to about 12 inches, most preferably in the range of from 3 to 6 inches. Each individual footrest  58  is preferably recessed relative to upper surface  54  of center section  20  by a minimum depth (d3) of at least about 1 inch. More preferably, each individual footrest  58  is recessed by a minimum depth (d3) in the range of from about 1.5 to about 18 inches, most preferably in the range of from 2 to 6 inches.  
         [0032]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , it is preferred for each recessed opening  40   a,b  to receive at least 2 individual footrests  58 . More preferably, recessed opening  40   a,b  receives 2 to 6 individual footrest  58 . Most preferably, each recessed opening  40   a,b  receives 3 individual footrest  58 . It is also preferred for individual footrests  58  of the first set of footrests  16   a  to be an inflatable common bladder which is separate from the inflatable bladder forming the second set of footrests  16   b . Each individual footrest  58  is preferably formed of an inverted V-shaped or U-shaped top wall  59  that is sealingly coupled (e.g., by heat welding) to bottom sheet  53  along spaced-apart seams. It is further preferred, for each individual footrest  58  to include a pair of spaced-apart sidewalls  61  extending along and sealingly interconnecting top wall  59  and bottom sheet  53 .  
         [0033]     Footrests  58  are preferably incrementally spaced from seat  14  of kayak  10 . This incremental spacing of footrests  58  allows for kayak  10  to accommodate operators of various sizes. Top wall  59  of each individual footrest  58  presents a rear-facing foot-contact surface  60  that faces generally towards seat  14 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , foot contact surfaces  60  will not typically be defined by a flat surface due to the inflatable nature of footrests  58 . Thus, as used herein, “foot-contact surface” shall denote a surface portion of a footrest that faces generally towards the seat and whose normal vector extends at an angle of zero to 60 degrees from horizontal. For example,  FIG. 3  shows that foot contact surface  60   c  of footrest  58   c  includes the rear facing surface area of footrest  58   c  that is bounded at its lower edge by floor  56  and at its upper edge by an imaginary line representing the location where the normal vector of the foot-rest surface forms a  60  degree angle relative to floor  56 . Each footrest  58  includes a crest  69  which defines an uppermost point of the footrest  58 . In a preferred embodiment, each footrest  58  has an asymmetrical configuration (e.g., a teardrop shape) that presents a severely sloping portion  71  located on one side of crest  69  and a moderately sloped portion  73  (having a slope which is less severe than severely sloping portion  71 ) located on the other side of crest  69 . Preferably, severely sloping portion  71  faces generally towards seat  14  and defines foot-contact surface  60 . However, in an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the orientation of footrests  58  can be reversed so that moderately sloped portion  73  faces generally towards seat  14  and defines foot-contact surface  60 .  
         [0034]     Each foot-contact surface  60  should be configured to provide effective support/bracing for the foot of the kayak operator. Preferably, each foot-contact surface  60  is at least about 2 inches wide and at least about 2 inches high. More preferably, each foot-contact surface  60  has a width in the range of from about 3 to about 12 inches and a height in the range of from about 2.5 to about 12 inches, most preferably a width in the range of from 4 to 8 inches and a height in the range of from 3 to 8 inches. Each foot-contact surface  60  preferably presents a surface area of at least about 4 square inches. More preferably, the surface area of each foot-contact surface  60  is in the range of from about 6 to about 24 square inches, most preferably in the range of from 8 to 16 square inches. Foot contact surfaces  60  are spaced from one another in a direction that is substantially parallel to the direction of extension of the axis of elongation of hull  12 . Preferably, foot contact surfaces  60  are spaced from one another on about 3 to about 18 inch centers, more preferably about 5 to about 15 inch centers, and most preferably 7 to 12 inch centers.  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , front portion  22  of main body  18  includes a top sheet  63 . Top sheet  63  presents an upper surface  62  that defines the top of front portion  22 . Front portion  22  includes a front compartment based member  64  that defines the bottom of front cargo compartment  26  and a front compartment sidewall  65  that defines the sides of front cargo compartment  26 . Front compartment sidewall  65  is sealingly coupled to and extends between top sheet  63  and bottom sheet  53 . The perimeter of front compartment base member  64  is sealingly coupled to sidewall  64  at a location between top and bottom sheets  63 , 53 . It is preferred for front compartment base member  64  to be recessed relative to upper surface  62  by a minimum depth (d4) of at least about 0.5 inches. More preferably, front compartment base member  64  is recessed relative to upper surface  62  by a minimum depth (d4) in the range of from about 0.75 to about 12 inches, most preferably in the range of from 1 to 6 inches. It is preferred for the internal volume defined within front cargo compartment to be at least about 20 cubic inches. More preferably, the internal volume of recessed front cargo compartment  26  is in the range of from about 50 to about 500 cubic inches, most preferably in the range of from 75 to 150 cubic inches. Sidewall  65  preferably defines an opening  67  that allows air to pass therethrough so that the space defined between front compartment base member  64  and bottom sheet  53  is maintained at the same pressure as the rest of main body  18 . Rear cargo compartment  28  preferably has substantially the same configuration as front cargo compartment  26 .  
         [0036]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 5 - 7 , cargo nets  30 , 32 , which cover front and rear cargo compartments  26 , 28 , are releasably coupled to front and rear portions  22 , 24  of main body  18  via releasable fasteners  34 . Each releasable fastener  34  includes a male connector member  66  and a female connector member  68 . Male connector member  66  is permanently coupled to cargo net  30  via a loop  70 . Female connector member  68  is permanently coupled to main body  18  via heat welding or other suitable means. Male connector member includes a base  72 , a shaft  74 , and a head  76 . Shaft  74  extends from the bottom of base  72 , while head  76  is positioned on the distal end of shaft  74 . Female connector member  68  includes a broad upper wall  78 , a narrow lower wall  80 , and a ledge  82  defined between upper and lower walls  78 , 80 . Upper wall  78  defines a contoured slot  84  that includes a wide portion  86  and a narrow portion  88 .  
         [0037]     In operation, when releasable fastener  34  is shifted from the decoupled position (shown in  FIG. 5 ) to the coupled position (shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ), shaft  74  and head  76  of male connector member  66  are first inserted into wide portion  86  of contoured slot  84  until base  72  of male connector member  66  contacts female connector member  68 . Male connector member  66  can then be shifted relative to female connector member  68  in a manner which forces shaft  74  into narrow portion  88  of contoured slot  84 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , when shaft  74  is received in narrow portion  88  of contoured slot  84 , ledge  82  contacts head  76  of male connector member  66  and prevents male connector member  66  from pulling out of female connector member  68 . To decouple male and female connector members  66 , 68 , shaft  74  is simply slid from narrow portion  88  of contoured slot  84  into wide portion  86  of contoured slot  86 , and male connector member  66  is removed from female connector member  68 . It is noted that the fasteners  34  are similar to those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,568,012, which is assigned of record to the assignee of the present invention and is hereby incorporated by reference.  
         [0038]     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , in an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a two-person sit-on-top kayak  100  is provided. Two-person kayak  100  includes front and rear seats  102 , 104 , as well as front and rear sets of footrests  106 , 108 . The configuration of kayak  100  shown in  FIG. 8  does not include a rear cargo compartment due to overall length considerations; however, a rear recessed cargo compartment could be provided behind rear seat  104  if desired. The configuration of the hull, seats, and footrests of two-person kayak  100  (shown in  FIG. 8 ) are preferably substantially the same as the one-person kayak  10  (shown in  FIGS. 1-7 ).  
         [0039]     The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used as illustration only, and should not be used in a limiting sense to interpret the scope of the present invention. Obvious modifications to the exemplary embodiments, set forth above, could be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.  
         [0040]     The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of the present invention as it pertains to any apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.