Abstract:
Portable stations, consoles, seats, storage containers, compartments and easy to attach and detach accessories and methods of using accessory devices and apparatus for use with standup paddle boards and decks on other watercraft. The stations can be formed from lightweight plastic, and are floatable. The stations have plural seats and storage compartments for gear, food, beverages, gloves and other items, and include holders to support fishing rods and posts for shade covers.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/959,711 filed Aug. 30, 2013. The entire disclosure of the application listed in this paragraph is incorporated herein by specific reference thereto. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to standup paddle boards (SUPs), and in particular to portable stations, consoles, seats, storage containers, and compartments and easy to attach and detach accessories and methods of using accessory devices and apparatus with standup paddle boards. 
       BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART 
       [0003]    Standup paddle boards (SUPS) have become increasingly popular with water sports enthusiasts as an alternative to kayaks, canoes, and other types of watercraft. The user generally stands on the SUP and uses a paddle to move the SUP through the water. However, the constant standing up makes the SUPs uncomfortable for users spending substantial time on the boards. Additionally, the plain board design of SUPS makes the boards difficult for users to pursue other activities, such as fish from the boards. Still furthermore, basic SUPS have no storage space for gear, or for supplies or for food and beverages. 
         [0004]    Various types of devices have been developed as an accessory for SUPS that attempt to modify the board for additional use. For example, attempts have been made to mount seats on the boards. 
         [0005]    U.S. Published Patent Application 2013/0189885 to Wood et al. and SUPSEAT from Oswego Oreg. show narrow diameter pedestal type seats for boards. However, these types of devices are generally cover small seat cushions on a pedestal and generally need for the user to balance themself on the small seat on top of the pedestal. These types of devices do not have closed storage for gear, such as clothing, food and beverages, and are limited to one seat, and appear to require metal parts that can rust in a water environment, and offer no shade for the user. Furthermore, fishing rods and the like would be difficult to safely store with these pedestal seats. 
         [0006]    Merely strapping a chair type seat would also not solve the problems, especially if the seat has metal components that can rust, and the larger seats may be both bulky and difficult to carry as well as be too heavy to be moved on and off the board. Also, the same problems would potentially exist as to the lack of storage space for gear, food and beverages, as well as not providing shade and be limited to a single seat. 
         [0007]    Other attempts have been made to use to strap foldable seat pads the boards. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,651,576 to Farber. Similarly, these folding seat cushions can have similar problems with no closed storage for gear, clothing, food and beverages, and are limited to one seat, and offer no shade for the user, and fishing rods and the like would be difficult to safely store. 
         [0008]    Further attempts have been made to try to mount portable coolers to the boards with or without a folding seat cushion. However, the coolers are generally intended to be used on land, and are bulky and difficult to attach to the board. The storage inside would be generally limited to a single compartment where it can be difficult to store both gear and clothing and food and beverages with each other. Furthermore, these types of devices are also generally limited to one seat per cooler, and offer no shade for the user, as well as offer no safe way of holding fishing rods, and the like. 
         [0009]    Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems with the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    A primary objective of the invention is to provide portable stations, consoles, seats, storage containers, compartments and easy to attach and detach accessories and methods of using accessory devices and apparatus with standup paddle board (SUP). 
         [0011]    A secondary objective of the invention is to provide portable stations, consoles, and methods of using accessory devices and apparatus with standup paddle board(SUP) for allowing any SUP enthusiast the luxury of sitting and/or resting while paddling. 
         [0012]    A third objective of the invention is to provide portable stations, consoles, and methods of using accessory devices and apparatus with standup paddle board (SUP) as an all-in-one accessory that sits atop any paddleboard to provide storage, stability and comfort. 
         [0013]    A fourth objective of the invention is to provide portable stations, consoles, and methods of using accessory devices and apparatus with standup paddle board (SUP) which is light, durable, and stackable. 
         [0014]    A fifth objective of the invention is to provide portable stations, consoles, and methods of using accessory devices and apparatus with standup paddle board (SUP) which is easy to clean, easy to transport, easy to install and is suitable for all paddleboard enthusiasts, from the novice to the seasoned SUP veteran. 
         [0015]    A sixth objective of the invention is to provide portable stations, consoles, and methods of using accessory devices and apparatus with standup paddle board (SUP) having many useful features including a built-in drink holder, storage tray, and plural large storage compartments. 
         [0016]    A seventh objective of the invention is to provide portable stations, consoles, and methods of using accessory devices and apparatus with standup paddle board (SUP) having a compartment with a sturdy hinged seat with seat pads. 
         [0017]    An eighth objective of the invention is to provide portable stations, consoles, and methods of using accessory devices and apparatus with standup paddle board (SUP) having compartments that can be used for storage, coolers, bait buckets, tackles boxes, other gear, clothing, food and beverages. 
         [0018]    A ninth objective of the invention is to provide portable stations, consoles, and methods of using accessory devices and apparatus with standup paddle board (SUP) with built-in rod holders for fishing enthusiasts. 
         [0019]    A tenth objective of the invention is to provide portable stations, consoles, and methods of using accessory devices and apparatus with standup paddle board (SUP) that can be affixed to the deck with straps such as tie-down straps for security and safety. 
         [0020]    An eleventh objective of the invention is to provide portable stations, consoles, and methods of using accessory devices and apparatus with standup paddle board (SUP) that can be easily removed from the SUP to provide seating and storage at the beach, by a lake, along a river, on picnics, for camping and the like. 
         [0021]    A twelfth objective of the invention is to provide portable stations, consoles, and methods of using accessory devices and apparatus with standup paddle board (SUP) that can provide cover for users from inclement weather. 
         [0022]    A thirteenth objective of the invention is to provide portable stations, consoles, and methods of using accessory devices and apparatus with standup paddle board (SUP), that is lightweight (made from plastic), waterproof, and floats. 
         [0023]    A fourteenth objective of the invention is to provide portable stations, consoles, and methods of using accessory devices and apparatus with standup paddle board (SUP) having two seats and two double storage lockers. 
         [0024]    A fifteenth objective of the invention is to provide portable stations, consoles, and methods of using accessory devices and apparatus with standup paddle board (SUP) having accessible fishing rod holders, glove boxes, and drink holders. 
         [0025]    A sixteenth objective of the invention is to provide portable stations, consoles, and methods of using accessory devices and apparatus with standup paddle board (SUP) that accepts t-tops for shade. 
         [0026]    The stations can be attachable and detachable by straps and the like to standup paddle boards (SUPs) and decks on other watercraft. 
         [0027]    The stations can be formed from plastic, and be lightweight and are floatable. The stations can have plural seats and storage compartments for gear and food and beverages, as well as have fishing rod holders, compartments for gloves and gears, and drinks. The stations can support posts for t-top shades. 
         [0028]    Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0029]      FIG. 1  is an upper rear left perspective view of the novel standup paddle board station. 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  is an upper front right perspective view of the station of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 3  is a left side view of the station of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 4  is a right side view of the station of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  is a front end view of the station of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  is a rear end view of the station of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 7  is an upper exploded view of the station of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 8  is a lower exploded view of the station of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 9  is an upper rear left perspective view of the removable backrest for the station of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 10  is an upper front left perspective view of the removable backrest for the station of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 11  is a front view of the backrest of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 12  is a rear view of the backrest of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0041]      FIG. 13  is a left side view of the backrest of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0042]      FIG. 14  is a right side view of the backrest of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0043]      FIG. 15  is another upper rear left perspective view of the station of  FIG. 1  with the backrest stored in a compartment. 
           [0044]      FIG. 16  is another upper front right perspective view of the station of  FIG. 1  with the backrest stored in a compartment. 
           [0045]      FIG. 17  is another upper rear left perspective view of the station of  FIG. 1  stacked on another station. 
           [0046]      FIG. 18  is another upper front right perspective view of the station of  FIG. 1  stacked on another station. 
           [0047]      FIG. 19  is a left side view of the stacked stations of  FIG. 17 . 
           [0048]      FIG. 20  is a right side view of the stacked stations of  FIG. 17 . 
           [0049]      FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view of the stacked stations of  FIG. 19 . 
           [0050]      FIG. 21A  is an enlarged view of a portion of the stacked stations from  FIG. 21 . 
           [0051]      FIG. 22  is an upper right perspective view of the station of the preceding figures strapped to a standup paddle board. 
           [0052]      FIG. 22A  is an enlarged view of a strap of  FIG. 22 . 
           [0053]      FIG. 23  is an upper front perspective view of the station strapped on the standup paddle board of  FIG. 22  with a stored cooler, beverages and rods in holders. 
           [0054]      FIG. 24  another upper front perspective view of the station strapped on the standup paddle board of  FIG. 22  with a stored cooler, beverages and a supported shade. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0055]    Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applications to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
         [0056]    In the Summary above and in the Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features (including method steps) of the invention. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the invention, and in the invention generally. 
         [0057]    In this section, some embodiments of the invention will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, and prime notation is used to indicate similar elements in alternative embodiments. 
         [0058]    A list of components will now be described.
     1  Station     10  main housing     10 B second main housing     12  front end     14  right side     16  left side     18  rear end     20  top     22  front compartment     23  lid     24  hinge     25  mid-wall portion     26  female sockets     28  rear compartment     30  bottom     40  side indentations/side openings     50  strap(s)     54  deck eye     55  peel and stick backing     100  backrest     110  front     120  rear     125  grip opening     130  side(s)     140  top     142  holder for rods     144  holder for beverages     150  bottom     152  male members     160  fishing rod(s)     170  beverage containers (can(s) and bottle(s))     180  cooler     190  T-top shade     192  support posts     195  pivotable shade cover     200  standup paddle board (SUP)     210  deck on SUP   
 
         [0096]      FIG. 1  is an upper rear left perspective view of the novel standup paddle board station  1 .  FIG. 2  is an upper front right perspective view of the station  1  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a left side view of the station  1  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  is a right side view of the station  1  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 5  is a front end view of the station  1  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 6  is a rear end view of the station  1  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 7  is an upper exploded view of the station  1  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 8  is a lower exploded view of the station  1  of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0097]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-8 , the station  1  can include a main housing  10  and a removable backrest  10 . The main housing can be formed plastic as one piece, such as injection molded plastic, and the like, and be lightweight and floatable. 
         [0098]    Housing  10  can have a convex curved front end  12  and generally planar rear end  18  with a generally planar right side  14  and planar left side  18 , with open bottom  30  and top  20 . Each of the corner edges of the main housing  10  can be rounded or curved. 
         [0099]    Along both the right side  14  and left side  16  can be plural indentations and/or side openings  40 , which are used for the strap(s)  50  which will be described in more detail later. 
         [0100]    The housing  10  can have a front compartment  22  having a removable lid  23  that can be attached by a hinge  24  to a side edge of the compartment  22 , and a rear compartment  28 . The rear compartment can have a width of up to approximately 14.9 inches wide by approximately 14.1 inches long. 
         [0101]    The station  10  can have a length of approximately 40.99 inches and a height of approximately 11 inches from bottom  30  to top  20 , and a width of approximately 14.9 inches between the left side  16  and right side  14 . 
         [0102]    The housing  10  with attached backrest  100  can have a height of approximately 21.08 inches between the bottom  30  of the housing  10  and top  140  of the backrest  100 . 
         [0103]    Referring to  FIGS. 7-8 , the backrest  100  can be attached a mid-wall portion  25  of the housing  10  by inserting male extending plug members  152  extending from a bottom of the backrest  100  into female receiving sockets  26  in the mid-wall portion  25  of the housing  10 . The connection can be a friction fit, or snap fit, and the like. 
         [0104]    Alternatively, the top of the mid-wall portion  25  can have upwardly protruding male member(s) that mateably insert into female socket openings through the bottom  150  of the backrest  100 . 
         [0105]      FIG. 9  is an upper rear left perspective view of the removable backrest  100  for the station  1  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 10  is an upper front left perspective view of the removable backrest  100  for the station  1  of  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 11  is a front view of the backrest  100  of  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 12  is a rear view of the backrest  100  of  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 13  is a left side view of the backrest  100  of  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 14  is a right side view of the backrest  100  of  FIG. 9 . 
         [0106]    Referring to  FIGS. 7-14 , the backrest  100  can also be formed from plastic, such as but not limited to injection molded plastic, and the like, and be generally hollow, and lightweight and floatable. 
         [0107]    The backrest  100  can have a generally flat bottom  150  with a pair of downwardly protruding male members  152  extending downward therefrom. 
         [0108]    Backrest  100  can have a generally flat vertical front side  110 , inwardly tapering rear side  120  with an elongated opening  125  that can be used for a grip for lifting and lowering backrest  100 . The backrest  100  can include generally upright sides  130 , and along upper portions of the sides  130  can be holder(s)  142  that can be used for storing fishing rods, and the like therein. The holder(s)  142  can be sockets molded into the upper curved rounded corners of where the sides  130  meet the top  140 . 
         [0109]    Inside of top  140  can be a molded compartment or another holder  144  that for additional storage, such as for storing gear and beverage containers, such as but not limited to cans and bottles within. Compartment  144  provides easy access for users of the station  1 . 
         [0110]      FIG. 15  is another upper rear left perspective view of the main housing  10  for the station  1  of  FIG. 1  with the backrest  100  stored in the rear compartment  28 .  FIG. 16  is another upper front right perspective view of the main housing  10  of the station  1  of  FIG. 1  with the backrest  100  stored in the rear compartment  28 . As shown in  FIGS. 15-16 , the detached backrest  100  can be stored inside of the rear compartment  28 , 
         [0111]      FIG. 17  is another upper rear left perspective view of the station  1  with main housing  10  of  FIG. 1  stacked on another main housing  10 B of another similar station.  FIG. 18  is another upper front right perspective view of the main housing  10  of the station  1  of  FIG. 1  stacked on another main housing  10 B of another station.  FIG. 19  is a left side view of the stacked main houses  10  and  10 B of the stations of  FIG. 17 .  FIG. 20  is a right side view of the stacked main houses  10  and  10 B of the stations of  FIG. 17 . 
         [0112]      FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view of the stacked main houses  10  and  10 B of the stations of  FIG. 19 .  FIG. 21A  is an enlarged view of a portion of the stacked main houses  10  and  10 B of the stations from  FIG. 21 , which shows one of downwardly protruding male members  152  mateably inserted into one of the female sockets  26  in the mid-portion  25  on top  20  of the main housing  10 . 
         [0113]    Referring to  FIGS. 17-21 , the perimeter outer edges of the top  20 B of the lower main housing  10 B curved inward so as to pass into the open bottom  30  of an upper main housing  10 . Front wall  12 B and rear wall  18 B have upper inwardly curved edges that can fit within the bottom opening  30  of the upper main housing  10 . Similarly, a top of another main housing (not shown) can fit in the bottom  30 B of the lower main housing  10 B for stacking three main housings. Further detail in  FIG. 21  shows the generally hollow interior of the housings  10  and  10 B, and side indentations/side openings  40 ,  40 B. 
         [0114]      FIG. 22  is a upper right perspective view of the station  1  of the preceding figures strapped to a standup paddle board (SUP)  200 .  FIG. 22A  is an enlarged view of a strap  50  of  FIG. 22 . 
         [0115]    Referring to  FIGS. 22 ,  22 A, each of the upper end(s)  52  of strap(s)  50  can be hooked into an inner edge of side indentation(s)  40 , with an opposite end  53  wrapped through a deck eye  54 , such as a buckle, and the like, and have a hook and loop fasteners. The deck eye  54  can be attached to a deck surface  210  by a fastener, such as a peel and stick backing  55  having with adhesive layer, and the like. Alternatively, the upper end(s)  52  of the strap(s)  50  can pass through side openings  40  and into the middle of housing  10  through an opposite side opening  40  in the housing, with another end of the strap(s) fastened to the deck surface  210  in a similar manner as the deck eye  54  and peel and stick backing  55 . 
         [0116]    Although the strap(s)  50  are shown attaching to side indentation edges or through sides of the housing, the straps can pass over the top surface portions of the housing to generally clamp the housing to the SUP deck. 
         [0117]      FIG. 23  is an upper front perspective view of the station  1  strapped on the standup paddle board  200  of  FIG. 22  with a stored cooler  180  in the rear compartment  28 , beverages  170 , such as cans and bottles, and the like stored in the compartment holder  144 . The compartment holder  144  can be used to store other items, such as but not limited to gear, clothing, keys, radios, phones, gloves, and the like. 
         [0118]    The bottom ends of fishing rods  160  can each fit into socket type holders  142  of the sides  130  of backrest  100 . 
         [0119]    Users of the station  1  can sit on the lid  23  covering front compartment  22  and/or can sit on a cooler  180  or other box or bag, or another lid that can be placed in or on rear compartment  28 . Up to two or more users can sit and rest against the front side  110  and/or rear side  120  of the backrest  100 . 
         [0120]      FIG. 24  another upper front perspective view of the station  1  strapped on the standup paddle board  200  of  FIG. 22  with a stored cooler  180  in the rear compartment  28 , beverages  170  in the top holder compartment  144  on the backrest  100 . A T-top shade  190  having a pivotable shade cover  195  can be supported on the station  1  by inserting the lower ends of posts  192  that fit into socket type holders  142  of the sides  130  of the backrest  100 . The T-top shade  190  can be tilted so that sitting user&#39;s are protected from the sun or inclement weather, such as but not limited to rain, and the like. 
         [0121]    The shade  190  can have a shade portion that is foldable similar to a foldable beach chair, and the shade  195  can pivot so as to help shade persons sitting underneath. Sides of the shade  195  can also telescope so as to increase or decrease the size. The posts  192  can be formed from plastic, metal, and the like, and telescope up and down to raise the shade  195  as needed. 
         [0122]    While the embodiment shows one lid  23  on the front compartment  22 , the rear compartment  28  can also have a detachable lid, and the like. Although the lid  23  is described as being hinged, the lid  23  can have lift handles, to be completely detachable. Also the lid  23  can be used to seal the inside of compartments  22  and  28 , so that the compartments  22 ,  28  can be used as storage lockers. 
         [0123]    The novel station can easily be detached and used on land for provide seating and storage at the beach, by a lake, along a river, on picnics, for camping and the like. 
         [0124]    Although the preferred embodiments show the station being attached to standup paddle boards, the station can be used with other watercraft, such as but not limited to kayaks, canoes, and on board decks on boats, and the like. 
         [0125]    While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.