Abstract:
A paddle support for a vessel, such as a kayak or canoe. The paddle support includes an upright support member of adjustable length and a retainer at the top portion of the upright support member for retaining a paddle. The upright support member has an elastic cord that allows the paddle to extend past a predetermined set height to allow a rower a greater range of operation motion, while allowing return to the predetermined set height upon release of an external force.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention relates to a paddle support for a vessel to allow a rower to rest a paddle while rowing the vessel or while at rest. More particularly, the paddle support includes an elastic portion that allows extension of the support to accommodate reach or extension of the paddle position while also allowing return to a predetermined height. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     The use of paddle supports and/or locks to assist in rowing a vessel is well known in the prior art. Typically, these devices provide support for an oar or a paddle and may also provide leverage to the rower during operation. These devices may be attached to the outer hull of the vessel, or they may be mounted on the floor of the vessel with a post that extends upward to engage a paddle or an oar at a height which facilitates the individual rower. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Paddle supports can be removably or permanently attached to a vessel during operation. This requires the paddle to be fixed in a position prior to operation. While this may provide the rower with both leverage and support, it also restricts the rower&#39;s range of motion when manipulating the paddle. If a rower accidentally removes the paddle from the support, he must then direct his time and attention to returning the paddle to the operating position within the support. Thus, these devices require the rower to make a conscious effort to return the paddle to the support before rowing may continue. 
     In addition, these devices do not allow the rower to reposition the support laterally without either removing and reattaching the support or making some other type of adjustment. Further, a rower may find it necessary from time to time to push the vessel away from fixed objects, such as rocks or peers, or to push debris away from the vessel itself In these situations, the necessity to remove and replace the paddle in the support may become problematic. This may be especially so when the vessel is moving rapidly through areas with many fixed objects, i.e., areas of rivers and streams containing rapids. Further, in other situations it may be necessary for the rower to shift his weight or move within the vessel in order to maneuver the vessel. For example, a rower maneuvering through an area of heavy surf in the ocean may need to lean forward or backward within the kayak to negotiate a wave. Likewise, the rower may also need to lean forward or backward when negotiating areas of rivers and streams containing rapids. In these situations, the ability of the rower to quickly and freely manipulate the paddle and adjust the reach of the paddle may be crucial in preventing injury to the rower as well as damage to the vessel. This is particularly true when the vessel is a kayak. 
     This invention provides an apparatus and method for supporting a paddle during operation of a vessel. The paddle support of this invention utilizes freestanding support sections that are telescopically attached to one another and removably attached to the paddle. The paddle support need not be attached to the vessel. This allows the rower to manipulate the paddle freely with the support attached. The paddle support is made up of a retainer at the top portion for retaining the paddle, an upright support section made up of telescopically connected support sections that may be adjusted or set to a proper height to facilitate the rower, and a base section that rests freely on the floor of the vessel. Further, in one exemplary embodiment, an elastic member can be located in a center of the separate support sections. The elastic member allows the rower to extend the paddle support beyond its overall length in various directions when the paddle support is attached to the vessel. This arrangement allows the paddle support to be manipulated either forward or laterally to facilitate the comfort of the rower, and to allow the rower to maneuver the paddle as necessary during operation. This is especially advantageous in situations involving fast moving water, such as rapids, or surf, and that the rower can quickly manipulate the paddle to push off of rocks and obstructions, or negotiate surf, returning just as quickly to rowing the vessel. 
     The paddle support of this invention may be adjusted in height to facilitate the comfort of the individual rower. This aids in reducing arm fatigue, by allowing the rower to operate the paddle in a range of motion which is most comfortable. It also allows the rower to rest the weight of the paddle in the rower&#39;s arms on the support during periods when the vessel is not being actively rowed. 
     In vessels such as canoes and kayaks, a rower may use a skirt to prevent water from entering the vessel. Typically, the skirt would cover the area between the rower&#39;s body and the edge of the inside of the vessel; for example, the exposed cockpit area of the kayak. Paddle support in the prior art are not particularly conducive for use with a skirt, because the support must either be attached a considerable distance from the rower&#39;s body, or must penetrate the skirt itself, creating a point where water may enter the vessel. In addition, because the supports of the prior art are in a fixed position and attached to the vessel itself, there is greater possibility of injury to the rower when operating in rough water conditions. 
     One exemplary embodiment of the current invention alleviates this condition, allowing for use of the paddle support with a skirt. In this embodiment, clamps may be removably attached to the rim of the cockpit area of a kayak. The clamps not only can support the paddle support but also can couple the paddle support and paddle to the vessel via elongated members. The clamps can be connected to a bottom portion of the paddle support via the elongated members. In addition, the clamps may allow for a quick release from the vessel when a predetermined force is applied. An example of this may be when the rower desires a quick exit from the vessel. On the other hand, when use of the clamps are not desired, the clamps can attach to the paddle support itself. This arrangement allows for compact storage of the paddle support. 
     The elongated members may be suspended across the cockpit area of a kayak or canoe when a skirt is utilized. The upright support portion of the paddle support may be located at the center portion of the vessel opening. When used in this manner, the clamps attach to the coaming or the edge of the vessel opening so as to provide tension across the elongated members with the base portion resting on the skirt. The elongated members may further be maintained in tension over the opening by a downward force exerted by the rower&#39;s arms, paddle, and paddle support all bearing down on the elongated members. In this way the support may be maintained close to the rower&#39;s body without interfering with a water tight skirt. 
     At least one of the elongated members may be provided with an extended portion to attach to the vessel. The extended portion acts as a back up leash in the event the clamps release from the vessel so that both the paddle support and paddle remain coupled to the vessel. 
     When the skirt is not used, the paddle support may alternatively rest on the bottom interior of the vessel or be suspended in tension across an opening above the base of the vessel via the elongated members and clamps. 
     Moreover, the base portion of the paddle support may also have a contact area of a material with a friction coefficient sufficient to reduce slippage. The contact area assists in providing a stable environment for using the paddle support, for example when the paddle support is placed on the bottom interior of the vessel. 
     In addition, an elastic member can be located within the central portion of the paddle support. The elastic member allows the rower to freely move the paddle such that he may extend the paddle past the overall length of the paddle support in an extended position and allowing the paddle to quickly return to the retracted rest position. The elastic member maintains the integrity of the paddle support by maintaining a connection between the retainer and the rest of the paddle support. In a preferred embodiment, the elastic member is located within the upper and lower support sections of the paddle support. One end of the elastic member is affixed to a lower portion of the lower support section while the opposing end is attached to the retainer at the upper portion of the upper support section. The arrangement and number of elastic members may vary. For example, the elastic member may be attached to an upper portion of the upper support section instead of the lower support section so as to allow greater mobility without having the upper and lower support sections from coming apart. Alternatively, the elastic member may also be non-elastic as long as the paddle is allowed to move past the set height when greater mobility is desired. However, this may not result in the ability to automatically return to the predetermined height. Thus, a greater freedom of movement may be achieved by virtue of the elastic member contained on the paddle support. 
     The height of the support may be varied by adjusting the overall length of the elongated member suspended over the opening and or adjusting the height of the paddle support itself. In various exemplary embodiments, the upper support section has holes for adjusting the height of the paddle support. The upper support section slidably fits within the lower support section. In a preferred embodiment, the upper support section has a plurality of predetermined spaced apart holes for height adjustment. A flexible plug is inserted into a hole for the desired height. Then, with the weight of the rower&#39;s arms and paddle bearing down on the paddle support, the upper section is pushed down within the lower section. When this occurs, the flexible plug is wedged between the upper and lower support sections so as to lock the paddle support from moving in a vertical direction and rotating about the longitudinal axis of the upper and lower support sections. 
     In another preferred embodiment for setting the height of the paddle support, a rigid plug member is provided. The plug member fits into the holes of the upper support section to allow the rower to adjust the overall height of the paddle support based on the location of the plug in the particular hole in the upper support section. The plug member in this embodiment prevents the upper support section from sliding further downward within the lower support section, while allowing the upper support section to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the upper support section. In this arrangement, the plug member provides the rower greater mobility by allowing the upper support section to move in an upward vertical direction when desired and to return to the set height via the elastic member. 
     Furthermore, the paddle support may be manufactured from any material that is lightweight to allow the paddle support to float in the water. In addition, the paddle support may be of any color that will allow for easy detection in the water. 
     Lastly, the apparatus and method of this invention allows for easy removal and storage of the paddle support. This in turn, facilitates the easy handling and transporting of the vessel, and that the entire paddle support apparatus is removed from the vessel leaving no outward projections which could hinder mounting and transporting on a vehicle. 
     These and other features and advantages of this invention are described in, or are apparent from, the following Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like elements are labeled with like numbers, and in which; 
     FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a typical vessel with rower, paddle, skirt and paddle support according to this invention; 
     FIG. 2 is another exemplary embodiment of a vessel paddle and paddle support of this invention; 
     FIG. 3 is an exemplary embodiment of the paddle support of this invention suspended over the opening of a vessel by an elongated member; 
     FIG. 4 is an exemplary embodiment of the paddle support of this invention having an elongated member attached at the basis of the support for suspending the device over the opening of a vessel; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a telescoping paddle support according to this invention; 
     FIG. 6 is an exemplary embodiment of the paddle support shown in an extended position; 
     FIG. 7 is an exemplary embodiment of this invention showing the clamps attached to the paddle support; 
     FIG. 8 is an exemplary embodiment of the paddle support showing an embodiment of the locking mechanism; 
     FIG. 9 is another embodiment of the locking mechanism; 
     FIG. 10 is an exemplary embodiment of a retainer and bushing for maintaining a paddle on a paddle support; 
     FIG. 11 is an exemplary embodiment of the paddle support on a canoe; and 
     FIG. 12 is an exemplary embodiment of the paddle support attached to a kayak. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the paddle support  100 . The paddle  20  is mounted to the top of the paddle support  100  by a retainer  50  at the upper portion of the paddle support  100 . The lower portion of the paddle support  100  is placed on top of skirt  35  while clamps  220  attach to both the skirt  35  and the coaming or rim  15  of the vessel  10 . With this arrangement water is prevented from entering the vessel  10  and also allowing the rower  30  to manipulate the paddle  20  in a full range of operational motion. The weight of the paddle  20  and the rower&#39;s arm on the paddle support  100  is ultimately distributed to the vessel  10 . 
     FIG. 2 is another exemplary embodiment of a vessel, paddle and paddle support of this invention. A longitudinal view of a typical vessel  10  is shown with the paddle support  100  shown in place resting on the interior bottom or base  60  of the vessel  10 . In this embodiment, the paddle support  100  is made up of a lower section  40  and an upper section  45 . However, it should be appreciated that in various exemplary embodiments, the paddle support  100  of this invention may be made up of an individual section or several sections without departing from the scope of the invention. The paddle support  100  has a lower ball section  100  connected to a base section  120  that rests on the bottom of the vessel  60 . According to one exemplary embodiment of the paddle support  100  of this invention, the base section  120  may be a suction cup. In other exemplary embodiments, the base section  120  may be a flat or rounded member that allows the paddle support to simply rest freely on the bottom of the vessel  60 . In this embodiment, the paddle support  100  is not attached to the vessel in anyway. This allows the rower to freely manipulate the paddle  20  with the paddle support  40  connected in anyway necessary without the encumbrance of having the paddle  20  physically attached to the vessel  10 . The vessel  10  has a rim  125  that may be used to connect the paddle support  100  to the vessel  10 . Those skilled in the art should recognize that the paddle support  100  may be used with a wide variety of vessels, and is not limited to the exemplary vessels shown. 
     FIG. 3 is an exemplary embodiment of the paddle support of this invention suspended over the opening of a vessel by an elongate member. As illustrated, paddle  20  is attached to the upper portion of paddle support  100 . In this embodiment, the paddle support  100  is suspended above seat portion  5  and over opening  25  of vessel  10  by the elongated members  200  which are attached to the rim  15  via clamps  220 . By adjusting the upper section  45  relative to the lower section  40 , the paddle support  100  may be placed in a desired position by the rower  30 . This also allows room for the rower&#39;s legs to fit below the elongated members  200 . In this manner, the weight of the paddle  20  and paddle support  100  may be supported by the rim  15  of the vessel  10 . The elongated members  200  may be of a flexible material that allows the paddle support  100  to rotate freely from the point of connection at the lower ball section  110 . 
     FIG. 4 is an exemplary embodiment of a paddle support according to this invention. As illustrated, paddle support  100  comprises a lower section  40  and upper section  45  that are telescopically connected. The upper section  45  has a plurality of spaced a part holes  130  for positioning the upper section  45  relative to the lower section  40  in order to adjust the paddle support  100  to the proper height for the rower  30 . Upper ball section  115  is connected to the top of the upper section  45 . Upper ball section  115  may also accommodate elastic member  125  (not shown). Attached to the upper ball section  115  is the retainer  50  for holding a paddle  20  (now shown). The retainer  50  is fastened to the upper ball section by fastener  55  as shown in FIG.  5 . The fastener  55  may be in the form of a screw or any other suitable type connecting means, such as a pin, bolt, nut, rod, hook and loop type fastener etc. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, a compass  75  is mounted to the top of the retainer  50 . However, in other exemplary embodiments, a clock, light or other such device may be mounted in lieu of a compass  75 . In addition, the compass  75  may be mounted at other portions of the paddle support  100  without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     The lower section  40  is connected to lower ball section  110 . Lower ball section  110  has a flexible portion that allows the paddle support  100  to pivot about lower ball  110 . Also lower ball  110  has ball opening  115  that accommodates elongated members  200 . The elongated members  200  pass through ball opening  115  and have at opposing ends clamps  220 . As mentioned above clamps  220  may be fastened to the rim or coaming  125  of vessel  10 . When a sufficient amount of tension is supplied to the elongated members  200 , paddle support  100  may suspend over opening  25  of vessel  10  as shown in FIG.  3 . Clamps  220  remain fixed to rim  125  but when a predetermined amount of force is applied, for example when rower  30  desires a quick exit, at least one of clamps  220  may easily release from the rim  125 . Lower section  40  has base  120  that is connected to lower ball section  110  is also connected to base  120 . Base  120  may be a flat or rounded member for resting the paddle support  100  on base  60  of vessel  10  as depicted in FIG. 2 or on skirt  35  as shown in FIG.  1 . Base  120  may alternatively be in the form of a suction cup for temporarily attaching the paddle support  100  to base  60  or skirt  35 . The elongated members  200  may be in the form of ropes, or can be manufactured from any suitable material such as plastic or elastic material. In addition, the clamps  220  may be flexible to facilitate attachment to the rim of the vessel, or they may be of a rigid material and tightened into place by adjusting the elongated members  200 . The elongated members may also be adjusted in length by the rower  30  to facilitate a desired placement of the paddle support  100  within the vessel  10 . 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the telescoping connection of upper and lower support sections of a paddle support according to this invention. As illustrated, upper section  45  and lower section  40  are telescopically connected such that upper section  45  freely moves within lower section  40 . The plurality of holes  130  located in upper section  45  accommodate plug  135  so as to allow the rower  30  to adjust upper section  45  to a desired height. An elastic member  125  has opposing ends that each respectively attach to upper section  45  and lower section  40 . This arrangement allows the elastic member  125  to provide tension to urge the upper section  45  towards the lower section  40 . In this way the elastic member  125  allows a rower  30  to extend the paddle support  100  as depicted in FIG.  6  and then return to the set height position. The rower may also set the desired tension by adjusting elastic member  125  between upper section  45  and lower section  40 . Elastic member  125  allows a greater range of motion for rower  30  to manipulate a paddle  20  during use. 
     Alternatively, the elastic member  125  need not be attached to the lower support section  40 . The elastic member  125  may instead be attached to the upper support section  40  at one end and the other end attached to retainer  50 . In this way the rower  30  will still be allowed a desired range of motion by allowing paddle  20  to be lifted off of the paddle support  100 . In this arrangement upper support section  45  and lower support section  40  need not separate as shown in FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 6 also shows leash  210  extending from clamp  220 . Leash  210  may be an extension of elongate member  200  and tethered to vessel  20 . If vessel  20  is capsized paddle support  100  and paddle  20  are prevented from drifting away from the vessel  20 . Alternatively, leash  210  may be used to retain the paddle support  100  in place when clamps  220  are fixed to rim  125 . To accomplish this, leash  210  may be wrapped around the rim  125  of vessel  10  so as to go around and behind rower  30  and tethered to the opposing clamp  220 . This additionally prevents clamps  220  from sliding along the rim  125 . 
     FIG. 7 shows the embodiment of the paddle support of FIG.  4 . In this view clamps  220  are retained on the lower support section  40 . This allows the paddle support  100  to be more compact for storage and also allows the rower  30  the option of not utilizing clamps  220  when using the paddle support  100  in the manner shown in FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of a locking mechanism for the paddle support. In this view an extra length of elastic member  125  or any other elastic member extends from the upper area of paddle support  100 . The extra length of elastic member  125  is then fed into one of the plurality of holes  130  depending on the desired height for the paddle support  100 . A force is then applied to the paddle support  100  so that the upper support section  40  slides to the desired height. The extra length of elastic member  125  is then wedged or pinched between upper and lower sections  40  and  45 . The extended portion of elastic member  125  locks or sets the paddle support to the desired height. Also, the wedging of the extended portion  125  prevents upper support section  45  from rotating within lower support section  40 . However, when a predetermined upward force is applied, the upper support section  45  telescopingly extends to allow for a greater range of motion. When the rower  30  desires to return the paddle  20  to the set height the elastic member  125  provides a sufficient amount of tension to return the upper support section  45  within lower support section  40  to the predetermined set height. 
     Instead of using the extended portion of elastic member  125  to set the height of the paddle support  100 , a plug  135  may be inserted into hole  130  in order to set the upper section  45  at the proper height relative to the lower section  40  as shown in FIG.  9 . Plug  135  may be kept in place with an elastic band  136  that wraps around the upper section  45 , or may be maintained in the hole via an interference fit. Elastic band  136  allows the plug  135  to be retained on either the upper support section  45  or lower support section  40 . In this embodiment, upper section  45  is allowed to rotate about lower section  40 . 
     FIG. 10 is an exemplary embodiment of an elastic strap  80  and bushing  70  in place on a detachable paddle  20 . As illustrated, bushing  70  are located on opposite sides of retainer  50 . Bushings  70  are circular “C” shaped rings. The “C” shape allows bushings  70  to deflect to accommodate various paddle shaft diameters and attach around the shaft of paddle  20 . The bushings may also be made be of any material that will deflect to the shape of the various paddle diameters. Elastic straps  80  are then placed over the bushings  70  in order to maintain the bushings  70  in place on either side of the retainer  50 . This arrangement allows the rower  30  to position the paddle  20  in a desired location on top of the paddle support  100  and prevents the paddle  20  from sliding in either direction relative to the retainer  50  during rowing. 
     For use with a non-detachable paddle  20  retainer  50  is un-strapped from paddle support  100  and then strapped around the desired area along the shaft of paddle  20 . As mentioned above bushing  70  are positioned on opposite sides of the retainer  50  along the paddle shaft to retain the paddle  20  in the desired position and to prevent the paddle  20  from sliding out of the retainer  50 . Further, any means may be used to prevent bushing  70  from sliding out the shaft of paddle  20 . For example, an elastic strap or adhesive tape may be used to retain bushing  70  to a desired position. 
     FIGS. 11 and 12 show the versatility of the paddle support  100 . FIG. 11 shows two paddle supports  100  being used with a canoe. FIG. 12 shows a single paddle support  100  being used with a kayak. 
     While this invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.