Patent Publication Number: US-9428253-B1

Title: Apparatus and method for converting stand up paddleboard to a sculling boat

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The current invention relates to an apparatus and method for adding a movable seat, rigger, oarlocks, and foot support to convert a stand up paddleboard (SUP) to a sculling boat. 
     2. Prior Art 
     The prior art includes various additions of seats to sailboards and other flotation devices. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,607 to Ross describes a multi-functional accessory arrangement for converting a sail board into a paddling craft, rowing craft or conventional sailing craft consisting of a sail board hull having a multi-functional seat including an associated back support adapted to be adjustable between a sailing/hiking position, rowing position and paddling position said seat connected to the sail board hull permitting movement of the seat between a forward position and an aft position, a multi-functional propulsion kit for selectively transforming the sail board into a sail boat, a row boat or a kayak board said kit including a hiking device connected to the chassis for use in counter balancing heeling of the hull responsive to the action of wind acting on the sail, a pedestal console for controlling the movement of the sail board including a centerboard, a manual steering device with rigging for controlling a sail, oar locks for use with oars and boom. 
     US Patent Publication No. 20120077396 to Lipman describes a paddled watercraft that is readily convertible between a stand-up paddleboard configuration and a seated paddling configuration. The watercraft includes a board with an operator body support assembly attached onto the top deck of the board, the body support assembly being capable of being reconfigured to support a person in a standing position for padding from a standing position, or to support a person in a seated position for paddling from a seated position. The watercraft can be converted from stand-up paddling configuration to a seated paddling configuration while underway on open waters. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     In one embodiment of the current invention, a stand up paddleboard is converted to permit sculling. While rowing, the rower sits in the boat facing backwards, towards the stern, and uses the oars which are held in place by oarlocks to propel the boat forward, towards the bow. The sport requires strong core balance as well as physical strength and cardiovascular endurance. In sculling, the rower has two oars, or sculls, one in each hand. 
     The two fundamental reference points in the rowing stroke are the catch, immediately prior to the oar blade&#39;s placement in the water, and the extraction where the rower removes the oar blade from the water. At the catch, the rower places the blade in the water, then applies pressure to the oar by simultaneously pushing the seat toward the bow of the boat by extending the legs. As the legs approach full extension, the rower pivots his torso toward the bow of the boat and then finally pulls the arms towards his chest. 
     In the recovery phase, the rower compresses the legs which moves the seat towards the stern of the boat. The leg compression occurs relatively slowly, which affords the rower a moment to “recover”, and allows the boat to glide through the water. A controlled slide of the seat is necessary to maintain momentum and achieve optimal boat run. 
     Sculling boats cost between $10,000 and $20,000 whereas a stand up paddleboard (SUP) and SwitchSUP™ rowing mechanism of the current invention will be in the $1,500-$2,500 range. 
     Sculling boats can be 24-30 feet long, making them difficult to travel with and to store. Stand up paddleboards can be as small as a backpack (inflatables) up to 14 feet in length, making them easy to transport and store. They are also significantly lighter than a sculling boat. 
     In one embodiment, the rowing mechanism for the stand up paddleboard will fold up into a bag the size of a golf club bag. The rigger detaches from the framework and breaks down into two pieces. This allows it to fit into the trunk of a car or a small apartment closet with ease. The stand up paddleboard and rowing mechanism, when broken down, will provide a “sculling boat” that can be checked onto an airplane, thereby allowing the user to take their hobby and workout with them when they travel. Due to the structure of stand up paddleboards, they are more stable than sculling boats, making them easier for beginners or those with poor balance to use. Sculling with the stand up paddleboard is much quicker on the water than the traditional method of paddling. 
     Despite the differences in size and stability, the same rowing workout of a sculling boat can be achieved with the SwitchSUP rowing mechanism attached to a stand up paddleboard. The stand up paddleboard becomes a dual-purpose boat, because you can stand up and paddle on it or row it as a sculling boat. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a prior art device of U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,607 to Ross 
         FIG. 2  is a prior art device of US Patent Publication No. 20120077396 to Lipman 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a converted paddleboard of the current invention showing a frame assembly, seat assembly, foot assembly, and rigger assembly removably attached to a stand up paddleboard. 
         FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of a portion of the frame positioned on the stand up paddleboard of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of a portion of the frame attached to the stand up paddelboard of  FIG. 3  with an attachment clamp. 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the seat of the converted stand up paddelboard of  FIG. 3  showing a seat assembly positioned in the seat tracks of the frame assembly. 
         FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of the seat assembly of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom perspective view of a roller seat frame of the seat assembly of  FIG. 3   
         FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of a foot assembly. 
         FIG. 10  is a top perspective view of a rigger assembly, foot assembly, frame assembly, and seat assembly secured to a stand up paddleboard. 
         FIG. 11  is a top perspective view of an example rowing device conversion kit attached to a stand up paddleboard. 
         FIG. 12  is a top perspective view of an example rowing device conversion kit with the rigger disassembled. 
         FIG. 13  is a front view of rigger parts being assembled. 
         FIG. 14  is a side perspective view of an assembled rigger showing a support gusset and gusset alignment pin. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT 
     The following element numbers referenced in the drawings are provided for convenience.
     Stand up paddleboard  80 
       top surface  81     rails  82 ,  83     
       rowing device conversion kit  100 
       frame assembly  120 
           foot frame member  121     head frame member  122     side members  124 ,  125 
               seat tracks  126 ,  127     
               SUP attachment clamps  130 
               SUP clamping region  132 
                   strap slot  134     
                   strap  135 
                   strap buckle  136     
                   
               foot plate support angle members  140 ,  141     
           seat assembly  160 
           seat  161 
               fender  162     
               roller seat frame  163 
               seat elevation support  164     seat track retaining bracket  165     
               wheels  166     locking mechanism  167 
               locking seat position knob  167     indexing seat-position holes  128     
               
           foot plate assembly  170 
           foot plate  171     bindings  172 ,  173     heal straps  174 ,  175     mirror  190     gusset  195     
           rigger assembly  180 
           rigger frame  182 
               side arms  183 ,  184 
                   spring pin hole  192     spring pin  193     
                   lower frame  185     oarlocks  186     gusset alignment pin  196     
               
           
       

     Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) and Rowing Device Frame Attachment 
     Stand up paddleboards can be constructed of multiple materials, and the thickness of the boards varies. Stand up paddleboards can be found in materials such as epoxy, fiberglass, inflatables, crosslink polyethylene, and soft-top. 
       FIG. 3  shows a Stand up paddleboard  80  with a top surface  81  and rails  82  and  83 . 
     In this embodiment, a rowing device conversion kit  100  is removably attached to the stand up paddleboard  80 . The rowing device conversion kit  100  comprises a frame assembly  120  with a foot frame member  121 , a head frame member  122 , and side members  124 ,  125 . The inward-facing portions of the side members serve as seat tracks  126  and  127 . 
     In this embodiment, the frame assembly is attached to the stand up paddleboard with four SUP attachment clamps  130  so that the SUP clamping region  132  of each attachment clamp engages a portion of one of the rails of the stand up paddleboard. In other examples, other numbers of clamps or other attachment means may be used. 
     There are several methods of attaching a support frame, such as a rowing device conversion kit frame assembly  120  to a stand up paddleboard. One method is to strap the rowing mechanism to the board by wrapping straps around the entire board. This can be awkward to install and creates drag in the water. The strap can also scratch or deform the board. 
     Another attachment method is to glue mounting tabs or brackets to the board. Glue will not adhere to certain types of boards and may fail after prolonged exposure to sunlight and heat on other boards. The glue requires a specific curing period before use and is a permanent installation, making it so the rowing mechanism is not adaptable from one board to another. Boards are typically lightweight and the tabs can be torn from the board while still adhered to the surface material, causing damage. 
       FIG. 4  is a side perspective view of a portion of the frame positioned on the stand up paddelboard of  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of a portion of the frame attached to the stand up paddelboard of  FIG. 3  with an attachment clamp. 
     In this embodiment, the SUP attachment clamps  130  are metal which is coated in non-slip, scratch resistant plastic or rubber, so that the clamps conform to the profile of the rails  82  and  83  of the stand up paddleboard  80 . In other examples, the SUP attachment clamps may be constructed of a plastic or reinforced plastic. The clamps are strapped to the frame assembly by wrapping straps  135  around the frame; tightening the straps; and buckling the straps with strap buckles  136 . A strap slot  134  is provided in each SUP attachment clamp. 
     The clamp attachment provides a universal attachment to all board-types and to varying thicknesses of the rails. It is not a permanent installation and, therefore, can be moved from board to board. It is simple to set up and does not require a curing period after installation. It does not create drag in the water. 
     This attachment method can be used to attach other items to the stand up paddleboard, such as outriggers, pontoons, SCUBA tank holders, tackle boxes, ice chests, kayak seats, seats, gear boxes, anchors, seats, duck or hunting blinds, and camping gear storage. 
     Seat Assembly 
       FIGS. 6-8  show details of a seat assembly.  FIG. 6  is a front view of the seat of the converted stand up paddelboard of  FIG. 3  showing a seat assembly positioned in the seat tracks of the frame assembly.  FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of the seat assembly of  FIG. 6 . There are several shortcomings associated with a traditional sculling seat. Wheels are exposed and cannot be locked into position, making it difficult to climb on from the dock and get centered into position. The seat often rolls backward or forward as the user is climbing onto the boat, depending on weight distribution and waves. Balance is paramount and, if the seat is missed, the rower may end up in the water. 
     In this embodiment, the seat  161  has a locking mechanism  167  to keep the seat in place as the user is climbing on or off the stand up paddleboard, thus allowing the user to enter and exit safely. 
     In one example, the locking mechanism  167  comprises a locking seat position knob  168  which engages one of a plurality of indexing seat-position holes  128  which are provided in a frame side member. The locking mechanism  167  can position the seat in several locations, thereby allowing the user to scull with the mechanism unengaged or row with a stationary seat in the engaged position. In other examples, a pin or a clamp maybe used to lock the seat into place. 
     When the mechanism is unengaged and the seat rolls on the tracks, the user works his or her legs, abdominals, arms, shoulders, and back. When the mechanism is engaged, the seat doesn&#39;t move, and the user works his or her arms, shoulders, back, and abdominals. 
     In this embodiment, the seat assembly  160  comprises a seat  161  supported on a seat roller frame  163  with a seat elevation support  164 . Wheels  166  are provided on the roller seat frame, so that when the locking mechanism is unengaged, the wheels roll in seat tracks  126  and  127 .  FIG. 8  is a bottom perspective view of a roller seat frame of the seat assembly of  FIG. 3 . A seat track retaining bracket  165  retains the seat relative to the seat tracks. 
     Exposed wheels are a hazard to user&#39;s hands and fingers, as well as to clothing. Clothing can be caught and damaged in the wheels as the seat rolls back and forth on the tracks and has potential to trap the rower to the boat. Fingers and hands can also be run over and crushed under the weight of the user. In this embodiment, the seat has integrally molded fenders  162 , protecting the user and his or her clothing from the wheels. 
     Foot Plate Assembly 
     In this example, the footplate is provided at a fixed position on the frame. To adjust the footplate on a traditional sculling boat, one must reposition the plate in relationship to the deck of the boat. In another example, the framework of the footplate can be lengthened, much like a wheeled suitcase handle extends, allowing varying heights of users to perform proper rowing technique in a comfortable position in relationship to the rigger and oarlocks. 
       FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of a foot assembly  170  showing a foot plate  171  attached to foot plate support angle members  140  and  141 . The foot plate includes bindings  172  and  173 , and heal straps  174  and  175 . 
     Exercise Assembly 
     In this example, the bindings are resistance bands with molded handles can be attached to the footplate on the mechanism. Bands come in different strengths, allowing the user to customize his or her workout. 
     Rigger Assembly 
       FIG. 10  is a top perspective view of a rigger assembly, foot assembly, frame assembly, and seat assembly secured to a stand up paddleboard. In this example, the rigger assembly  180  includes a rigger frame  182  with bent side arms  183  and  184  and a lower frame  185  which is secured the foot plate and rigger. Oarlocks  186  are provided on the side arms. 
       FIG. 12  is a top perspective view of an example rowing device conversion kit with the rigger disassembled so that the two arms  183  and  184  rest within the frame. In this example, a mirror  190  is supported from the foot plate. 
       FIG. 13  is a front view of rigger arms  183  and  184  being assembled. A spring pin  193  on arm  184  mates with a spring pin hole  192  is on arm  183 . The spring pin is depressed to disassemble the rigger. 
       FIG. 14  is a side perspective view of an assembled rigger showing a support gusset and gusset alignment pin. The rigger breaks down into two pieces  183  and  184 , for easy transport and storage. The two rigger pieces, when being put together for use, thread through two gussets  195 , one on each side of the foot plate assembly. They meet in the center and click together with a spring pin locking mechanism. Once the two pieces are locked together in the center, a gusset alignment pin  196  is pushed through holes in the gussets and rigger to hold the rigger at the appropriate angle for optimum rowing. The material of the rigger bracket, or gusset, can be manufactured out of aluminum or high density plastic that will not scratch the rigger material. 
       FIG. 11  is a top perspective view of an example rowing device conversion kit attached to a stand up paddleboard. 
     Methods of Assembly and Use 
     The rigger breaks down into two pieces, for easy transport and storage. The two rigger pieces, when being put together for use, thread through two gussets, one on each side of the foot plate assembly. They meet in the center and click together with a locking mechanism. Once the two pieces are locked together in the center, a pin is pushed through holes in the gussets and rigger to hold the rigger at the appropriate angle for optimum rowing. This connects the rigger to the rest of the sculling assembly, which includes the foot plate assembly, seat track and seat. Once the rigger is connected to the rest of the assembly, the entire assembly can be attached to the board with one of the attachment methods. The material of the rigger bracket can be manufactured out of aluminum or high density plastic that will not scratch the rigger material. 
     The removable rowing device conversion kit can also be used as a rowing machine without a stand up paddleboard, off the water. 
     In one embodiment, the rowing mechanism for the stand up paddleboard will fold up into a bag the size of a golf club bag. The rigger assembly detaches from the frame and breaks down into two pieces by removing a pin out of a coupling splice lock at the center of the rigger. Two additional pins must be pulled out of the rigger slide ports to the left and right of the foot support to complete the breakdown of the rigger. This allows it to fit into the trunk of a car or a small apartment closet with ease. 
     The stand up paddleboard and rowing mechanism, when broken down, will provide a “sculling boat” that can be checked onto an airplane, thereby allowing the user to take their hobby and workout with them when they travel. Due to the structure of stand up paddleboards, they are more stable than sculling boats, making them easier for beginners or those with poor balance to use. Sculling with the stand up paddleboard is much quicker on the water than the traditional method of paddling. 
     Despite the differences in size and stability, the same rowing workout of a sculling boat can be achieved with the SwitchSUP rowing mechanism attached to a stand up paddleboard. The stand up paddleboard becomes a dual-purpose boat, because you can stand up and paddle on it or row it as a sculling boat. 
     It is to be understood that the specific embodiments and examples described above are by way of illustration, and not limitation. Various modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill, and the scope of the invention is as defined in the appended claims.