Patent Publication Number: US-2005139140-A1

Title: Apparatus for evaluating paddled watercraft

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      (1) Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to an apparatus to enable initial users to evaluate paddled watercraft without placing the watercraft into the water, and for use by experienced paddlers in evaluating the handling characteristics of paddled watercraft of different configurations and handling characteristics.  
      (2) Description of the Prior Art  
      Currently, a new user of a given kayak design, whether a beginner with no previous experience who wants to learn how to paddle a kayak or an experienced kayaker wanting to evaluate the characteristics of one or more kayak designs, must do so by placing the kayak in the water. This requirement creates several problems.  
      First, if the individual is new to kayaking, simply having to get into a kayak that is in the water may be met with considerable trepidation, due to the fear of tipping over into the water. Instruction in the use of the kayak is also difficult since the instructor must remain on the dock or land, or launch a second kayak. Even if the individual is an experienced kayaker who wants to try out a new kayak, or compare the characteristics of two or more kayak designs, the need to transport the kayak or kayaks to the water is inconvenient, particularly in inclement weather.  
      Thus, there is a need for a means that would enable both beginning and experienced kayakers to evaluate a kayak&#39;s handling characteristics without the need to place the kayak into the water. This need also exists to a lesser extent with other types of paddled watercraft, such as canoes.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      This need is addressed by the apparatus of the present invention, which is comprised of a carriage that is adapted to support a watercraft on its upper surface. While the apparatus will be described for use with a kayak, it will be understood that carriages of similar configurations may be used to support canoes and other paddled watercraft, and that the following description, although referring to a kayak is equally applicable to apparatus for use with other watercraft.  
      The carriage has a curved lower surface adapted to be positioned transversely of the longitudinal axis of a kayak or other paddled watercraft, so that the carriage can roll or tilt from side-to-side in response to the motion of the paddler. Stops may be provided to prevent the carriage from rolling past a predetermined angle on either side. Preferably, the carriage is constructed in two sections, with the sections being positionable towards the front and rear of the watercraft. A center brace may be positioned between the sections to support the center of the watercraft.  
      The carriage is also preferably designed to accommodate watercraft of different sizes and handling characteristics. For example, a large kayak with a broad beam or width will normally have much greater stability and less tendency to roll, while a kayak with a narrow beam will have a greater tendency to roll. In order to provide realistic characteristics for kayaks of different configurations, the carriage preferably includes a vertically adjustable mount that is positionable beneath the kayak so that the height of the kayak, and thus its center of gravity, can be adjusted. The stability of the kayak is decreased as the height of the bottom of the kayak above the lower surface of the carriage increases, thereby providing a more realistic feel. The mounts may be rigid or flexible, e.g., instead of a fixed mount, the kayak may be held in position by straps, shock cords, or other resilient supports.  
      The carriage may also include a locking means to secure the watercraft hull onto the mount. The locking means should be adjustable to accommodate hulls of different widths, heights and curvatures. When using a multi-section carriage, the sections should be attached to each other in a spaced, parallel relationship by an appropriate carriage attachment means.  
      The carriage can rest directly on the floor of a building, such as in a kayak dealer&#39;s showroom. Preferably, however, the carriage is used in combination with a carriage base, with the base being positioned on the floor and the carriage being supported on the base. The base can be of different configurations, and basically serves as foundation for the lower surfaces of the carriage, facilitating a smooth tilting movement and avoiding damage to the floor. When the carriage is a two-section carriage, the carriage base may be comprised of, for example, a first track positionable beneath the first curved lower surface, a second track positionable beneath the second curved lower surface, and base attachment means for securing the first and second tracks in a spaced, parallel relationship.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a side view of a carriage forming part of the apparatus of the present invention, with a large kayak mounted onto the carriage.  
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the carriage shown in  FIG. 1 , with a smaller kayak mounted onto the carriage.  
       FIG. 3  is a top view of a carriage base forming a part of the apparatus of the present invention.  
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the combined carriage and base supporting a kayak.  
       FIG. 5  is a top view of the combined carriage and base supporting a kayak. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      In the drawings, which are for the purpose of illustrating the invention and are not intended to be to scale,  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a carriage, generally  10 , for use in kayak training. As shown in  FIG. 1 , carriage  10  supports a larger, more stable kayak, illustrated by profile L, while a smaller kayak with a narrower beam, illustrated by profile S, is shown supported by carriage  10  in  FIG. 2 . It will be understood that two or more carriages may be used as part of the present apparatus, with the carriages being separately adjustable to engage a kayak or other watercraft at separate locations along the longitudinal dimension of the watercraft.  
      Generally, carriage  10  includes a frame  12  having an upper surface  14  and a lower surface  16  that is curved along a part of its length beneath the central part of carriage  10 . In the preferred embodiment, the curvature is along 25°, with the radius of curvature being 2 feet. Other degrees of curvature, e.g., from about 20° to about 30°, with different radius of curvature, e.g., from about 1.5 ft. to about 2.5 ft., may also be used, depending on the watercraft dimensions and handling characteristics.  
      A kayak mount  20  extends upwardly from upper surface  14 . In the preferred embodiment, mount  20  is vertically adjustable with telescoping rods  22  that are extended and retracted by control knob  24  to move upper kayak receiver surface  26  up or down, depending on the size and characteristics of the kayak. It will be understood that other means for adjusting the relative height of the top surface of mount  20  may be employed. For example, replaceable top sections of different thicknesses can be used on receiver  26 , or intermediate sections can be inserted beneath the top section. Other alternatives will be apparent to one skilled in the art, the only requirement being that the kayak-supporting surface on top of the mount is adjustable to different heights.  
      Carriage  10  also includes adjustable clamps  30  and  32 , moveable horizontally inwardly and outwardly by control knobs  34  and  36 , respectively, to engage the sides of the kayak, thereby holding the kayak securely onto mount  20 . Kayak engaging faces  38  and  40  should be formed on a non-abrasive material that will not damage the kayak surface. Faces  38  and  40  inclined inwardly to better engage the curvature of the kayak.  
      Lower surface  16  includes a rail  42  used to engage a track within the carriage base to be described hereinafter. Tilting of carriage  10  beyond a predetermined angle may be prevented by outwardly projecting sides  44  and  46  of lower surface  16 . If desired, stops  48  and  50  may also be added for this purpose. The preferred embodiment of the invention includes two carriages that are joined in a spaced, parallel relationship by connecting rods  54  and  56 .  
      Carriage base, generally  60 , best illustrated in  FIG. 3 , is comprised of spaced, parallel carriage tracks  62  and  64 . Track  62  includes recess  66  to receive rail  42  of one carriage  10 . Stops  68  and  70  at the opposed ends of track  62  may be used in addition to, or instead of, stops  48  and  50 . Similarly, track  64  includes recess  72  for receiving rail  42  of a second carriage  10 , and stops  74  and  76 . Connecting rods  78  and  80  join tracks  62  and  64  in a spaced, parallel relationship beneath spaced carriages  10 . An optional intermediate support  82  with an upper watercraft support surface may be carried on track  84  of base  60  approximately midway between carriages  10  to support the center of the kayak.  
      As best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , carriage base  60  is positioned on a horizontal surface, e.g., the floor of a kayak dealer or a training site, and carriages  10  joined by connecting rods  54  and  56  are positioned on top of base  60  with rails  42  in recesses  66  and  72  of tracks  62  and  64 , respectively. A kayak  86  is positioned on the upper surfaces  26  of mounts  20  of carriages  10  and on center support  82 . Mounts  20  are vertically adjusted to move the top surface of mount  20  to a predetermined height, characteristic of the particular kayak&#39;s dimensions and handling characteristics. Clamps  32  and  40  of each carriage  10  is then moved inwardly to engage the sides of kayak  86 , securing kayak  86  onto mounts  20 .  
      The user then sits in kayak and, by moving from side to side can experience the characteristics of the particular kayak, including the ease with which the kayak tilts or leans to either side and “edges”, the ease of righting the kayak, etc. Since the apparatus is adjustable for kayaks of different sizes and handling characteristics, the user is thus able to compare the initial and secondary stability and other characteristics of different kayaks without needing to actually put the kayaks in the water. Students can also use the apparatus as “ground school” to learn how to handle the kayak before being on the water.  
      Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description. It should be understood that all such modifications and improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability but are properly within the scope of the following claims.