Abstract:
A collapsible kayak comprises a bow unit, a central unit, and a stern unit. The bow unit and the stern unit are both connected to the central unit with hinges, allowing the collapsible kayak to assume either an “in use” orientation or a “storage” orientation. While the collapsible kayak is in the “in use” orientation, the bow unit, the central unit, and the stern unit are held into a linear shape with removable clamps. While the collapsible kayak is in the “storage” orientation, the bow unit and the stern unit are folded back and locked into place with a securing device.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The presently disclosed subject matter is related to providing a watercraft that is collapsible, and more particularly, to a kayak having a stern section and a bow section removably attachable to a center section. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Recreational boating has earned a well-deserved spot of the list of favorite pastimes of countless people. The ability to get outside and enjoy warm weather, sunshine, and water make all kinds of boating truly enjoyable. Many people turn to the use of a kayak to get out on the water, especially when fishing or just exploring local waterways and lakes when camping. Unfortunately, even small versions of such watercraft must be transported by trailer or on the roof of a large car or truck. Then problems also arise on where to store such boats when they are not in use. Their odd size takes up a large amount of space in garages and storage sheds. Others may be forced to store them outside in the yard, thus sacrificing aesthetic appeal of their home. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which kayaks can be modified to address the above mentioned deficiencies, yet remain a fun and easy to use watercraft. 
     There have been attempts in the past to provide watercraft to address the aforementioned deficiencies. U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2008/0121166 in the name of Yaron et al. discloses a modular kayak. The parts of the Yaron et al. device interconnect with each other with a set of fasteners. 
     U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2009/0165695 in the name of Fritsch discloses a collapsible kayak, comprising two (2) halves of a kayak body folded together and further incorporating an inflatable sponson. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,263,827 issued in the name of Szigeti discloses a folding kayak, comprising a water-tight hinge-mounting to enable the kayak to fold upward. The Szigeti kayak also requires inflatable sides and at least one (1) tensioning frame. 
     Unfortunately, none of the aforementioned attempts at providing such a collapsible kayak having a fore and aft boat portions hingedly attached to a center portion and further having fore and aft seals and seat portions foldingly affixed to the kayak as taught within the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The principles of the present invention provide for a collapsible kayak comprising a bow unit, a central unit pivotally attached to said bow unit, and a stern unit pivotally attached to said central unit. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to provide such a collapsible kayak having a storage orientation when each of said bow unit and said stern unit is folded over said central unit, and having an in use orientation when each of said bow unit and said stern unit is unfolded away from said central unit. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to provide such a bow unit trapezoidal in shape and comprising a vertically tapered bow front end, a bow rear end having a bow seal located along a perimeter of the bow rear end, a bow top surface, a bow bottom surface, a bow cavity located near said bow rear end and accessible from the bow top surface, a locking pin positioned on the bow top surface and located between the bow cavity and bow front end, and a plurality of bow apertures extending between the bow rear end and bow cavity. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to provide such a central unit hexagonal in shape and comprising a central front end having a central front seal extending along a perimeter of the central front end, a central rear end having a central rear seal extending along a perimeter of the central rear end, a central top surface, a central bottom surface, a central cavity accessible from the central top surface, a seat located in the central cavity, a plurality of front central apertures extending between the central cavity and central front end, and a plurality of rear central apertures extending between the central cavity and central rear end. 
     Another aspect of the invention is to provide such a stern unit trapezoidal in shape and comprising a stern front end having a stern seal located along a perimeter of the stern front end, a stern rear end, a stern top surface, a stern bottom surface, a stern top cavity located near the stern front end and accessible from the stern top surface, a stern bottom cavity open to the stern bottom surface and stern rear end so the stern bottom cavity receives the bow unit when the kayak is folded to the storage orientation, a slot positioned on the stern top surface near the stern front end, the slot receiving the locking pin therethrough when the stern unit is folded over the bow unit, and a plurality of stern apertures extending between the stern front end and stern top cavity. 
     Yet another aspect of the invention provides for the seats to further comprise a seat back and a seat base pivotally coupled to the seat back, wherein the seat back is folded down and positioned on top of the seat base while the collapsible kayak is folded to the storage orientation. 
     Yet still another aspect of the invention provides for a plurality of front clamps and a plurality of rear clamps. When the collapsible kayak is unfolded to the in use orientation, the front clamps are positioned through the bow apertures and front central apertures so the bow unit is secured to the central unit and when the collapsible kayak is unfolded to the in use orientation, the rear clamps are positioned through the stern apertures and rear central apertures so that the stern unit is secured to the central unit. 
     Yet still another aspect of the invention provides a locking pin to be inserted through the slot to thereby secure the stern unit to the bow unit when in the storage configuration. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a collapsible kayak  10  while in an “in use” orientation; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of a collapsible kayak  10  while in an “in use” orientation; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of a collapsible kayak  10  while in an “in use” orientation; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a collapsible kayak  10  while in a “storage” orientation; 
         FIG. 5  is a close up view of a seat  60  of the collapsible kayak  10  while in an “in use” orientation; 
         FIG. 6  is a close up view of a bow seal  27 , a central front seal  36 , a central rear seal  37 , and a stern seal  48  of the collapsible kayak  10  while in an “in use” orientation; 
         FIG. 7  is a close up view of a plurality of front clamps  53  and a plurality of rear clamps  54  of the collapsible kayak  10  while in an “in use” orientation; and, 
         FIG. 8  is a close up view of a locking pin  26  of the collapsible kayak  10  while in a “storage” orientation. 
     
    
    
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 10 
                 collapsible kayak 
               
               
                   
                 20 
                 bow unit 
               
               
                   
                 21 
                 bow front end 
               
               
                   
                 22 
                 bow rear end 
               
               
                   
                 23 
                 bow top surface 
               
               
                   
                 24 
                 bow bottom surface 
               
               
                   
                 25 
                 bow cavity 
               
               
                   
                 26 
                 locking pin 
               
               
                   
                 27 
                 bow seal 
               
               
                   
                 28 
                 bow aperture 
               
               
                   
                 30 
                 central unit 
               
               
                   
                 31 
                 central front end 
               
               
                   
                 32 
                 central rear end 
               
               
                   
                 33 
                 central top surface 
               
               
                   
                 34 
                 central bottom surface 
               
               
                   
                 35 
                 central cavity 
               
               
                   
                 36 
                 central front seal 
               
               
                   
                 37 
                 central rear seal 
               
               
                   
                 38 
                 front central aperture 
               
               
                   
                 39 
                 rear central aperture 
               
               
                   
                 40 
                 stern unit 
               
               
                   
                 41 
                 stern front end 
               
               
                   
                 42 
                 stern rear end 
               
               
                   
                 43 
                 stern top surface 
               
               
                   
                 44 
                 stern bottom surface 
               
               
                   
                 45 
                 stern top cavity 
               
               
                   
                 46 
                 stern bottom cavity 
               
               
                   
                 47 
                 slot 
               
               
                   
                 48 
                 stern seal 
               
               
                   
                 49 
                 stern aperture 
               
               
                   
                 51 
                 front hinge 
               
               
                   
                 52 
                 rear hinge 
               
               
                   
                 53 
                 front clamp 
               
               
                   
                 54 
                 rear clamp 
               
               
                   
                 55 
                 wing nuts 
               
               
                   
                 60 
                 seat 
               
               
                   
                 61 
                 seat back 
               
               
                   
                 62 
                 seat base 
               
               
                   
                 63 
                 seat hinge 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 8 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , depicting a collapsible kayak (herein described as an “apparatus”)  10 , where like reference numerals represent similar or like parts. The apparatus  10  comprises a bow unit  20 , a central unit  30 , and a stern unit  40 . The bow unit  20 , central unit  30 , and stern unit  40  are all made of a sturdy and buoyant material, examples of which are plastic, fiberglass, or a synthetic fiber such as Kevlar. The apparatus  10  is designed in such a way to easily convert from an “in use” orientation to a “storage” orientation. 
     The bow unit  20  comprises a bow front end  21 , a bow rear end  22 , a bow top surface  23 , a bow bottom surface  24 , a bow cavity  25 , and a locking pin  26 . From a top perspective, the bow unit  20  is trapezoidal in shape. The bow front end  21  is vertically tapered. The bow rear end  22  features a bow seal  27  to prevent water from leaking into the apparatus  10 . The bow seal  27  is made of a watertight material such as rubber and is located along the perimeter of the bow rear end  22  (see  FIG. 6 ). The bow cavity  25  is located near the bow rear end  22  and is accessed from the bow top surface  23 . A plurality of bow apertures  28  extends through the area that separates the bow rear end  22  from the bow cavity  25  and is used for securing the apparatus  10  while in an “in use” orientation. The locking pin  26  is used to secure the apparatus  10  when the apparatus is in a “storage” orientation. The locking pin  26  is positioned on the bow top surface  23  in between the bow cavity  25  and the bow front end  21  (see  FIG. 8 ). 
     The central unit  30  comprises a central front end  31 , a central rear end  32 , a central top surface  33 , a central bottom surface  34 , and a central cavity  35 . From a top perspective, the central unit  30  is hexagonal in shape. The central front end  31  and the central rear end  32  feature a central front seal  36  and a central rear seal  37  respectively. The central front seal  36  and the central rear seal  37  are made of a watertight material such as rubber to prevent water from leaking into the apparatus  10 . The central front seal  36  is located along the central front end  31  and the central rear seal  37  is located along the perimeter of the central rear end  32  (see  FIG. 6 ). The central cavity  35  is accessed from the central top surface  34  and is designed to comfortably seat a user of the apparatus. A seat  60  is provided in the central cavity  35  (see  FIG. 5 ). A plurality of front central apertures  38  extends through the area that separates the central cavity  35  from the central front end  31 . A plurality of rear central apertures  39  extends through the area that separates the central cavity  35  from the central rear end  32 . 
     The stern unit  40  comprises a stern front end  41 , a stern rear end  42 , a stern top surface  43 , a stern bottom surface  44 , a stern top cavity  45 , a stern bottom cavity  46 , and a slot  47 . From a top perspective, the stern unit  40  is trapezoidal in shape. The stern front end  41  features a stern seal  48  to prevent water from leaking into the apparatus  10 . The stern seal  48  is made of a watertight material such as rubber and is located along the perimeter of the stern front end  41  (see  FIG. 6 ). The stern rear end  42  and the stern bottom surface  44  provide access to the stern bottom cavity  46 . The stern bottom cavity  46  is designed in a way to easily receive the bow unit  20  when the apparatus is in a “storage” orientation. The stern top cavity  45  is located near the stern front end  41  and is accessed from the stern top surface  43 . A plurality of stern apertures  49  extends through the area that separates the stern front end  41  from the stern top cavity  45  and is used for securing the apparatus  10  while in an “in use” orientation. The slot  47  is used to secure the apparatus  10  when the apparatus is in a “storage” orientation and is positioned so as to receive the locking pin  26  when the apparatus  10  is in a “storage” orientation. The slot  47  is positioned on the stern top surface  43  near the stern front end  41 . 
     The bow unit  20  is attached to the central unit  30  by a front hinge  51 . The front hinge  51  is positioned on the bow bottom surface  24  near the bow rear end  22  and is also positioned on the central bottom surface  34  near the central front end  31 . When the apparatus  10  is in the “in use” orientation, the front hinge  51  positions the bow unit  20  and central unit  30  so that the bow rear end  22  is directly adjacent to the central front end  31 . Also while in the “in use” orientation, the plurality of bow apertures  28  directly aligns and corresponds to the plurality of front central apertures  38 . While in the “storage” orientation, the front hinge  51  allows the bow unit  20  to lay on top of the central unit  30  in a way that central bottom surface  34  is directly adjacent to the bow bottom surface  24 . 
     The stern unit  40  is attached to the central unit  30  by a rear hinge  52 . The rear hinge  52  is positioned on the stern bottom surface  44  near the stern front end  41  and is also positioned on the central bottom surface  34  near the central rear end  32 . When the apparatus  10  is in the “in use” orientation, the rear hinge  52  positions the stern unit  40  and central unit  30  so that the stern front end  41  is directly adjacent to the central rear end  32 . Also while in the “in use” orientation, the plurality of stern apertures  49  directly aligns and corresponds to the plurality of rear central apertures  39 . While in the “storage” orientation, the rear hinge  52  allows the stern unit  40  to lay on top of the central unit  30  in a way that the central bottom surface  34  is directly adjacent to the stern bottom surface  44 . Further, the stern bottom cavity  46  allows the stern unit  40  to lay on top of the bow unit  20  while the apparatus is in the “storage” orientation. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a close up view of the seat  60  is provided. The seat  60  is positioned in the central cavity  35  and comprises a seat back  61 , a seat base  62 , and a seat hinge  63 . The seat back  61  and the seat base  62  are made of a cushioned material and lined with a comfortable, waterproof material. The seat back  61  is connected to the seat base  62  by the seat hinge  63 , allowing the seat back  61  to be folded down and on top of the seat base  62  while the apparatus  10  is in the “storage” orientation. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a close up view of the bow seal  27 , the central front seal  36 , the central rear seal  37 , and the stern seal  48  is provided. When the apparatus  10  is in an “in use” orientation, the bow seal  27  is in direct contact with the central front seal  36  and the stern seal  48  is in direct contact with the central rear seal  37 . When the plurality of front clamps  53  and the plurality of rear clamps  54  (see  FIG. 7 ) are tightly secured, the two (2) pairs of seals are secured tightly enough to prevent water from entering the apparatus  10  by means of any of the apertures. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a close up view of a plurality of front clamps  53  and a plurality of rear clamps  54  is provided. While the apparatus  10  is in the “in use” orientation, the bow unit  20  is secured to the central unit  30  by the plurality of front clamps  53 . The front clamps  53  are inserted into the plurality of bow apertures  28  and through the plurality of front central apertures  38 . The front clamps  53  are then secured with wing nuts  55 . Similarly, the stern unit  40  is secured to the central unit  30  by the plurality of rear clamps  54 . The rear clamps  54  are inserted into the plurality of stern apertures  49  and through the plurality of rear central apertures  39 . The rear clamps  54  are also secured with wing nuts  55 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a close up view of the locking pin  26  and the slot  47  is provided. While the apparatus  10  is in the “storage” orientation, the apparatus  10  is locked into place by the locking pin  26  and the slot  47 . As the stern unit  40  is folded into the “storage orientation,” the locking pin  26  is inserted through the slot  47 . The locking pin  26  is then turned perpendicular to the slot  47  in order to secure the apparatus  10 . 
     The method of utilizing the apparatus  10  can be achieved by performing the following steps: bringing the apparatus  10  in the “storage” orientation to an appropriate body of water for kayaking; setting the apparatus onto dry land so that the locking pin  26  is facing upward; turning the locking pin  26  so that it is parallel to the slot  47 ; lifting the stern unit  40  and setting it on the ground; lifting the bow unit  20  and setting it on the ground; turning the apparatus  10  over; inserting the front clamps  53  through the plurality of bow apertures  28  and the plurality of front central apertures  38 ; securing the front clamps  53  with the wing nuts  55 ; inserting the rear clamps  54  through the plurality of stern apertures  49  and the plurality of rear central apertures  39 ; securing the rear clamps  54  with the wing nuts  55 ; folding up the seat back  61 ; enjoying a fully functional kayak. 
     After finishing kayaking, the method of utilizing the apparatus  10  can be further achieved by returning the kayak to dry land; folding down the seat back  60 ; removing the wing nuts  55  from the rear clamps  54 ; removing the rear clamps  54 ; removing the wing nuts  55  from the front clamps  53 ; removing the front clamps  53 ; turning the apparatus  10  over; lifting the bow unit  20  and setting it on the central unit  30 ; lifting the stern unit  40  and setting it on the bow unit  20  and the central unit  30 ; turning the locking pin  26  so that it is perpendicular to the slot  47 ; and then safely and securely transporting the present invention  10 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.