Abstract:
A personal boat carrying apparatus is provided for supporting a kayak or similar boat on a user during a portage to make portaging a kayak easier and less uncomfortable. The apparatus is lightweight but durable and has a body with a curved and arched center portion for resting on the shoulders of a user carrying the kayak, and two opposite body ends. Each body end has a support arm which pivots from a closed position to one or more open positions. The pivoting support arm provides multiple open positions to allow the apparatus to support kayaks and similar boats of different widths and configurations. Each support may have a swiveling bracket for engaging the gunwale of the cockpit of the kayak or similar boat. When the support arms are in the closed position, the apparatus may be compactly stored in the boat or elsewhere.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present specification relates generally to boating accessories and more specifically relates to a personal boat carrying apparatus for assisting a person carry a kayak or similar boat such as during a portage. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Kayaks and similar types of boats are designed for use in bodies of water and are cumbersome to carry over land. Various wheeled trolleys and carts are available to assist users transport their boat to water without having to carry it on their shoulders. However, such wheeled devices are only suitable on substantially even terrain such as paved surfaces. In rougher terrain, the user must portage. Portaging refers to the practice of carrying one&#39;s boat over land, for example, to avoid an obstacle in a river or to carry one&#39;s boat from one body of water to another. 
     A typical kayak weighs about 45 to 55 pounds (excluding any gear of the user) and has an open space on the top of the boat called a cockpit in which the kayaker sits to navigate the kayak when it is in water. A fisherman&#39;s kayak is similar to a typical kayak except that the cockpit area is much larger to accommodate fishing gear. The kayak cockpit of both types of kayak is surrounded by a gunwale (which refers to the top edge of the side of the boat), but there is no aspect of the cockpit that is designed to assist the user carry the kayak over land. 
     Two people may carry a kayak over land using the handles at the front and back of the boat. However, a second person may not be available or convenient in every circumstance. Where no second person is available to assist with carrying a kayak, a kayaker would typically flip the kayak over and put it on one of his or her shoulders. Carrying the kayak in this fashion may be unstable and fails to evenly distribute the weight of the boat across the kayaker&#39;s musculature. Carrying a kayak in this manner is also tiring and uncomfortable for the portager, especially over long durations. 
     Accordingly, there remains a need for improvements in the art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a personal boat carrying apparatus that has a closed position in which the apparatus may be compactly stored or shipped and one or more open positions of which at least one is capable of engaging the boat in a manner to assist a person support the boat on top of their shoulders or upper back or both. The boat carrying apparatus of the present invention may make portaging a kayak or similar boat easier and less tiring and uncomfortable for the portager. Further, its collapsible configuration may make it both quick to deploy and to remove and store in the boat once the portage is complete. The compact profile of apparatus in the closed position may also make it less prone to being damaged while on a boating trip. 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, the present invention provides a personal kayak carrying apparatus for supporting a kayak on a user, the kayak carrying apparatus comprising: a body having a first body end, a second body end opposite the first body end, and a center portion between the first body end and the second body end, the center portion configured to rest on the user; a first support arm which pivots about a first hinge proximate to the first body end, the first support arm pivoting between a closed position and one or more open positions, wherein the first support arm is configured to engage a first location of the boat in at least one of the open positions; and a second support arm which pivots about a second hinge proximate to the second body end, the second support arm pivoting between a closed position and one or more open positions, wherein the second support arm is configured to engage a second location of the boat in at least one of the open positions. 
     According to a further embodiment, the present invention provides a personal boat carrying apparatus for supporting a boat on a user, the boat carrying apparatus comprising: a body having a first body end, a second body end opposite the first body end, and a center portion between the first body end and the second body end, the center portion configured to rest on the user; a first support disposed proximate to the first body end, the first support configurable to engage a first location of the boat; and a second support disposed proximate to the second body end, the second support configurable to engage a second location of the boat. 
     According to a further embodiment, the present invention provides a method of carrying a boat, the method comprising: engaging a first location of the boat using a first support; engaging a second location of the boat using a second support, wherein the first support and the second support are disposed at opposite ends of a body of an apparatus; and resting a center portion of the body on a person, such that the person can carry the boat. 
     Other aspects and features according to the present application will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, embodiments of the invention, and how they may be carried into effect, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a personal boat carrying apparatus in a closed position according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a back view of the personal boat carrying apparatus of  FIG. 1  in the closed position; 
         FIG. 3  is a left view of the personal boat carrying apparatus of  FIG. 1  in the closed position; 
         FIG. 4  is a right view of the personal boat carrying apparatus of  FIG. 1  in the closed position; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the personal boat carrying apparatus of  FIG. 1  in the closed position; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the personal boat carrying apparatus of  FIG. 1  in the closed position; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the personal boat carrying apparatus of  FIG. 1  in the closed position; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the personal boat carrying apparatus of  FIG. 1  in an open position; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a personal boat carrying apparatus of  FIG. 1  in a further open position; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of a personal boat carrying apparatus in use by a user carrying a kayak; and 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the personal boat carrying apparatus of  FIG. 10 , in which the gunwale of the kayak is shown in stippled lines. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals indicate like or corresponding elements in the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     According to an embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 11 , a personal boat carrying apparatus such as boat carrying apparatus  100  is generally configured to allow a user, namely a human, to support a boat, such as a kayak or fisherman&#39;s kayak or similar boat, above a surface. The boat carrying apparatus  100  may better distribute the weight of the boat over the user&#39;s musculature (as opposed to the boat being carried over one shoulder only) so that the user may better balance the boat while it is being carried as well as reduce the discomfort of carrying the boat over long durations. The boat carrying apparatus  100  may be used to assist the user to carry the boat over almost any surface capable of being traversed on foot with less difficulty and less discomfort than carrying the boat without the boat carrying apparatus  100 . As a preliminary matter, it should also be noted that the boat carrying apparatus of the present invention discussed herein may be embodied in configurations other than what is shown in  FIGS. 1 to 11  and used with other types of boats that may be carried by a person as long as there is a way for the first and second supports to engage the boat in a manner that allows the boat to be carried as described more particularly below. 
     According to an embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 11 , the boat carrying apparatus  100  may include a body  105 , a first support  110  and a second support  130 . The body  105  may be configured to rest on the user carrying the boat. The body  105  may have a center portion designed to rest on the user such that the body  105  is substantially evenly balanced on the shoulders of the user. According to an embodiment, the center portion of the body  105  may be curved in a contour around the neck of the user and arched higher towards the center so as to cause the apparatus to better rest across the upper back and shoulders of the user and provide increased comfort while carrying a boat. According to other embodiments, the center portion of the body  105  may be U-shaped, or may include a wider portion with an opening to accommodate the neck, or may be straight. According to yet further embodiments, the boat carrying apparatus  100  may be modified to distribute the weight of the boat onto another portion of the user&#39;s body such as the head, back, waist, or a combination of body parts, which may serve to reduce localized stress on the user. According to an embodiment, the boat carrying apparatus  100  may secure to the user such as by use of a harness so that the boat may be carried hands-free. According to an embodiment, the body  105  may include hooks on the outside of the body  105  to carry items and personal effects such as key chains or gear to portage. Carrying gear off of hooks on the body  105  of boat carrying apparatus  100  may make the boat easier to carry than when gear is stowed in the boat as gear stowed in the boat may affect the center of gravity of the boat (including the stowed gear) and may increase the forces necessary to stabilize the boat while being carried. 
     The body  105  may be constructed from materials which provide the mechanical strength and rigidity for supporting the boat on the user. According to an embodiment, the body  105  may be made of plastic, such as injection molded plastic. In other embodiments, the body  105  may include wood, aluminum, steel, plastics or composites, or a combination of suitable materials. 
     According to an embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 11 , the first support  110  may be disposed proximate to a first end of the body  105  and may be configured to engage a first location of the boat. According to an embodiment, the first support  110  may comprise a first support arm  120  extending from the body  105 , and the first support arm  120  may pivot from a first hinge  122  connected to the body  105 . According to an embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the first support arm  120  may pivot to more than one open position which may allow the boat carrying apparatus to be used with different sizes and configurations of boats. According to an embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 7 to 9 , at least one of the open positions (as shown in  FIG. 9 ) may include pivoting the first support arm  120  more than 90 degrees from the closed position shown in  FIG. 7 . The boat carrying apparatus  100  may include a strap  170 , as described further below, that may be attached to the body  105  and wrapped around the boat to assist in securing the boat to the boat carrying apparatus  100  which may reduce the likelihood of the boat shifting or disengaging off of the boat carrying apparatus  100  while the boat is being carried. According to one particular embodiment built as a prototype, the one or more open positions may span from about 14.73 inches to about 21.04 inches as measured from the first support bracket to the second support bracket. 
     According to other embodiments, the first support  110  may be connected to the body  105  using a nail, a screw, a clamping mechanism, pin or peg, or a combination thereof. In a yet further embodiment, the first support  110  may be integrally formed from the body  105 . 
     The first support  110  may be constructed from materials which provide the mechanical strength and rigidity for supporting the boat on the user. According to an embodiment, the first support  110  may be made from plastic, such as through injection molding. According to other embodiments, the first support  110  may include wood, aluminum, steel, plastics or composites, or a combination of suitable materials. 
     According to an embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 11 , the first support  110  further comprises a first support bracket  125  disposed on the first support arm  120 . The first support bracket  125  may be configured to engage a complimentary structure of the boat such as a gunwale  65  (also referred to as a gunnel, i.e. the top edge of the side of a boat) of the boat. For example, where the boat is a kayak, the first support bracket  125  may be configured to receive the gunwale  65  of the kayak&#39;s cockpit. According to an embodiment, the first support bracket  125  may swivel about a point at the center of its attachment with the first support arm  120  to permit the first support bracket  145  to rotate to an angle that may better receive the gunwale of the boat. 
     According to an embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 11 , a second support  130  may be disposed proximate to a second end of the body  105  opposite of the end where the first support  110  is disposed. The second support  130  may be similar in configuration to the first support  110  and may be configured to engage a second location of the boat. According to an embodiment, the second support  130  may be a mirror image of the first support  110 . 
     According to an embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 11 , the second support  130  may comprise a second support arm  140  extending from the body  105 , and the second support arm  140  may pivot from a second hinge  142  connected to the body  105 . According to other embodiments, the second support  130  may be connected to the body  105  using a nail, a screw, a clamping mechanism, pin or peg, or a combination thereof. In a yet further embodiment, the second support  130  may be integrally formed from the body  105 . 
     The second support  130  may be constructed from materials which provide the mechanical strength and rigidity for supporting the boat on the user such as those materials discussed above in connection with the first support  110 . 
     According to the embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 1 to 11 , the second support  130  further comprises a second support bracket  145  disposed on the second support arm  140 . The second support bracket  145  may be configured to engage with a complimentary structure of the boat such as a gunwale  65  of the boat. According to an embodiment, the second support bracket  145  may be configured to engage with a location along the gunwale  65  of a cockpit. According to an embodiment, the second support bracket  145  may swivel about a point on at the center of its attachment with the second support arm  140  to permit the second support bracket  145  to rotate to an angle that may better receive the gunwale of the boat. According to an embodiment, the first support bracket  125  and the second support bracket  145  may be configured to engage the boat at locations substantially opposite each other on the gunwale  65  of the cockpit of the boat to provide balanced support of the boat and to distribute the weight of the boat across the boat carrying apparatus  100 . 
     According to an embodiment, dimples may be set in the body  105  to aid in retaining the support arms  120  and  140  in the closed position as shown in  FIG. 7 . The dimples may provide enough resistance to prevent the support arms from swinging open in absence of the exercise of deliberate force by the user. Similarly, dimples may be employed to help retain the brackets  125  and  145  in their neutral orientation in the absence of a suitable threshold amount of force being exercised to reorient them. 
     According to further embodiments, other attachment points may support the boat and the locations of where the first support  110  and the second support  130  engage the boat may be modified such that the first and second support brackets  125  and  145  are not directly opposite each other. Furthermore, first support  110  and second support  130  may also be configured to engage other types of boats with different connection mechanisms. According to a further embodiment, the boat carrying apparatus may comprise more than two supports. 
     In further embodiments of the boat carrying apparatus  100 , one or both of the first support bracket  125  and the second support bracket  145  may be omitted and another mechanism for securing the support to a location on the boat may be used. For example, one or both supports may include a quick release mechanism configured to mate with a complimentary mechanism disposed on the boat, or one or both supports may be configured to be directly secured by employing a notch or other connection mechanism. 
     In use, as may be seen with reference to  FIG. 10 , the boat carrying apparatus  100  according to the embodiments described herein may be configured to engage a first location of the boat using the first support  110  and a second location of the boat using the second support  130 . The center portion of the body  105  may then be rested on the user such that the weight of the boat carrying apparatus  100  and the boat may be supported by the user. A particular embodiment built by the inventor was capable of handling loads of at least 120 pounds. 
     According to an embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the boat carrying apparatus  100  may comprise a securing mechanism such as a strap  170  that may be used to further secure the boat on the first support  110  and the second support  130  of the boat carrying apparatus  100 . Use of the strap  170  may reduce the likelihood of the boat shifting or disengaging off of the brackets  125  and  145  while the boat is being carried by the user. The strap  170  may be made from any suitable material which has sufficient strength to secure the boat on the first support  110  and the second support  130 , including nylon, plastics, metal, and cloth. Considerations to be taken in account when selecting the material for the strap  170  may include the weight of the boat, the specific design of the boat carrying apparatus, and manufacturing costs. 
     According to an embodiment, opposite ends of the strap  170  may be connected to opposite ends of the body  105 , respectively, such that the strap  170  is configured to wrap around the boat. The mechanism for connecting the strap  170  to the ends of the body  105  may include any mechanism capable of securely holding the strap in place, such as hook and loop fasteners, nails, screws, or nuts and bolts that pass through the strap  170 , clamping mechanisms, adhesives, or a combination thereof. 
     According to an embodiment, the length of the strap  170  between the attachment points may be adjusted from a loose to a tightened position so as to secure boats of different shapes and sizes to the boat carrying apparatus  100 . According to an embodiment, a buckle  175  disposed between the attachment points of the strap  170  may be used in providing this length adjustment. In other embodiments, the length may be adjusted using a plurality of buckles or the strap  170  may be configured to connect to the body  105  using an adjustable buckle at one or both of the attachment points. In yet another embodiment, the strap  170  may comprise an elastic material such as rubber or a synthetic polymer so that the length may be adjusted using the natural elasticity of the strap  170 . In a yet further embodiment of the strap  170 , it may be of a fixed length and designed to be used with a specific size and configuration of boat. 
     According to further embodiments, the securing mechanism may be any other suitable securing mechanism such as a clamp or rope. According to certain of such embodiments, the securing mechanism need not wrap around the entire boat and may engage a portion of the sides or bottom of the boat. 
     Moreover, the embodiments discussed above may include padding such as neoprene padding (not shown) on the curved center of the body  105  configured to cushion the body  105  against the user which may increase comfort. Furthermore, padding such as a rubber adhesive may be used on the brackets  125  and  145  to protect the boat against scratches. It is to be appreciated that the padding is not limited to any specific type of material and generally includes soft materials. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Certain adaptations and modifications of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the presently discussed embodiments are considered to be illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.