Patent Publication Number: US-2016229498-A1

Title: Accessory mounting bracket for paddle boards

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Stand up paddle boarding is rapidly gaining popularity. It is an enjoyable and cost effective way to get out on the water and also provides an excellent core workout in the process. One of the problems paddle board users experience is the difficulty of bringing personal items along on their journey. The surface of the board inevitably becomes wet and property such as clothing, cell phone, wallet or other items are at risk of being exposed to water. A dry bag is an existing option for these items but is typically attached to the board by a bungee which makes accessing the bags contents difficult. Beverages are also a desired cargo aboard a stand up paddle board but a cooler on the board is at risk of falling overboard and/or spilling its contents in a rough water situation. 
     In addition, as more people become involved in the use of paddle boards a greater number of activities are enjoyed from them. Fishing from a paddle board allows for a rewarding and enjoyable experience. The user can pursue his game from a standing position which allows freedom of movement resulting in better casting ability and more effective hook sets. The standing position also allows the fisherman the ability to see more clearly into the water and at a much greater distance than similar conventional methods such as kayak fishing. In order to fish from a paddle board it is essential to have a simple means of securing the fishing rod while padding the board into position. Additional equipment and tackle is also often required for fishing. 
     For these reasons, a method of securely mounting a container or additional accessories to a paddle board is a desirable feature. The ability to safely and conveniently transport additional articles expands the range and uses of paddle boards. Users can bring more items with them allowing for traveling longer distances and more adventurous trips such as fishing, day trips or even camping. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION DETAILS 
     The device is a mounting apparatus used for securing or attaching accessories to a personal flotation vehicle or watercraft. The preferred flotation vehicle for the apparatus is a stand up paddle board. It could also be adapted to fit on personal flotation vehicles like a surf board, kayak, or canoe. The accessories may include items like a cooler, dry box, tackle box with rod holders, or an elaborate outrigger fish cradle system for landing big game fish. The accessories can be attached to the mounting apparatus via an integrated, proprietary attachment mechanism of molded interlocking grooves. The mounting apparatus itself as well as the various accessories will be made from high density polyethylene plastic. The process of rotational molding will be used to manufacture the components of this system. 
     The complete mounting apparatus is composed of two identical bracket assemblies. Each of the two assemblies consists of three separate but combinable parts. Each part has the basic nature of a square plastic tube with additional features. The first square plastic tube is hollow throughout and open on each end. The said tubular body is located in the center of the assembly. It is slightly larger in diameter and acts as a receiving or female end on each side for two additional square tubular components. These additional components are identical in nature and contain a hook shaped feature on the end that grips the sides of the watercraft in order to hold the mounting bracket assembly in place. The hook shaped features on the end of the outer tubes are study and shaped accordingly so that the bracket can be securely attached to the watercraft while causing minimal interference with water resistance. A non-slip rubber or similar material will be affixed to the inside of the hook where it makes contact with the board in order to increase the coefficient of friction for a more secure attachment. 
     Each of the two small square tubes slides snugly into the center tubular component at each end and both contain holes that align at various locations to accommodate a pin locking system. The pins may be inserted through the selected aligning holes to determine the distance between the two outer hooks. The pins can be removed by hand allowing the smaller tubes to slide freely within the larger tube. When the desired width is determined, the pins are replaced through the aligned holes at the new location and the bracket can be moved into the desired position on the watercraft. Each of the two identical mounting bracket assemblies may be adjusted in the same manner to accommodate the width of the watercraft on which it is being used. The said adjustability also allows the user to mount the brackets at varying locations on the watercraft to accommodate their specific needs. 
     Beneath the larger tubular component in the center of the assembly are two identical features that make contact with the top surface of the paddle board. These “feet” or “slides” accommodate a better and more universal fit by creating two points of contact with the top surface of the paddle board or watercraft. These feet also create a space between the mounting bracket tube and the board. This space allows water to easily drain from the surface of the board and provides a location that the users paddle can quickly and easily be stored by sliding the paddle end underneath the bracket until it is cinched into place by the bracket. 
     The top surface of the center tubular body also contains two additional features that allow attachment of the various accessories to the mounting assemblies. A molded interlocking shape is present that allows an accessory box with an accommodating groove to be slid onto the assembly ultimately tying three components together. The interlocking feature will consist of a shape such as a protruding upside down triangle. The various accessory boxes will have similarly shaped grooves molded into the bottom that may be slid over the protruding triangles for a secure attachment to the center tubular bodies and mounting apparatus. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1 : A sketch of the set of 2 brackets mounted to a paddle board. A sample accessory tackle box with rod holders is shown removed vertically from the mounting brackets. The tackle box screws securely to the threaded inserts molded into the center components of the mounting brackets. The right and left hook shaped components are adjusted to the desired width using the removable pin locking mechanism. Each of the two hooks grip the outer edges of paddle board holding them securely in place at the desired location. 
       FIG. 2 : A close up sketch of one of the two mounting bracket components. The smaller plastic tube of the hook shaped component slides freely into the center piece. The adjustable nature of the hook shaped component is shown by the pins holding it in the desired position. The two molded “feet” underneath the center piece serve to create two points of contact with the surface of the paddle board as well as lift the bracket off the surface of the board. 
       FIG. 3 : Side view of the center tube of the mounting apparatus. Holes are shown on the right and left side of the piece for the pins that are used to adjust the width of the apparatus. The three threaded inserts for mounting accessories are also shown in the center of the piece. 
       FIG. 4 : Side view of the left board hook component. Holes for the removable pin are shown in this view. The inside edge of the hook portion has a foam or rubber surface providing a higher coefficient of friction between the board and the hook. This allows for a more secure attachment. 
       FIG. 5 : Side view of right board hook component. Each of the two board hook components are identical. 
       FIG. 6 : Top view of the center tube component of the apparatus. Holes for adjustable pin are represented by dotted lines. The three inserts for mounting the tackle box or accessories are shown on the protrusion from the center tube.