Patent Abstract:
A water-tight, streamlined storage pack, removably attached to a kayak deck and accessible by a kayak operator during kayak operation. The present invention pack also provides lighting and fishing rod holders.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to kayaks, and in particular, to an accessory pack attached to the kayak deck in front of the kayak cockpit. 
   Kayaks have become increasingly popular as a method of marine transportation. A kayak is faster and more maneuverable than either a canoe or a rowboat and is not as restricted in use as a sailboat or a motorboat. During kayak operation, it is desirable for the kayak operator to bring with him or her various items such as drinking water, maps, food, fishing rods and fishing accessories, camping gear and other supplies. Items such as maps, cameras, GPS units, cellphones and walkmans, must also be kept dry. 
   On its own, the kayak does not have readily available internal storage space. What little internal storage space a kayak has is inaccessible during operation. Normal and safe operation of a kayak designed for sea or river operation involves the use of a device known as a spray skirt. The spray skirt, worn around the waist of the kayak operator and physically connected to the cockpit of the kayak, prevents water or spray from entering the cockpit opening. When the spray skirt is employed, the opening is thereby sealed. Any items inside the kayak are inaccessible. 
   The prior art has on occasion used dry wells formed in the rear deck of a kayak to provide externally accessible dry storage. However, the wells are generally positioned to the rear of the kayak operator and are inaccessible during kayak operation. The prior art has also provided deck rigging comprised of elastic bungee cords crisscrossed to deck loops on the front and/or rear decks of the kayak. A waterproof bag may then be tucked beneath the bungee cords. Accessibility during kayak operation, while difficult, is not impossible. However, the waterproof bags have a tendency to slip around under the cords. The irregular shape of the bags also affects the flow of air and water over the kayak deck increasing the difficulty of maneuvering the kayak. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a water-tight, streamlined storage pack, removably attached to a kayak deck and accessible by a kayak operator during kayak operation. The present invention pack also provides lighting and fishing rod holders. 
   These together with other objects of the invention, along with various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a kayak. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of a kayak showing prior art storage areas. 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of a kayak showing an invention accessory pack attached thereto. 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the invention accessory pack. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view, partly in section, of the accessory pack of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 6  is a front view of the accessory pack of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 7  is a rear view of the accessory pack of  FIG. 4 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like elements are indicated by like numerals, there is shown in  FIG. 1  a general depiction of a standard kayak  10 . The kayak  10  has a hull with a front (bow)  11 , a rear (stern)  12 , a top  13 , a bottom  14  and two sides  15 . The kayak front  11 , rear  12 , top  13 , bottom  14  and sides  15  define a hollow interior  16 . The kayak top  13  has at least one cockpit  17  opening through the kayak top  13  into the kayak hollow interior  16 . The kayak top  13  may be further defined as having a forward deck  18  between the cockpit  17  and the bow  11 , and as having a rearward deck  19  between the cockpit and the stern  12 .  FIG. 2  illustrates a kayak with prior storage areas. A dry well  2  is formed through the kayak rearward deck  19 . The kayak forward deck  18  has deck rigging  3  comprised of crisscrossed elastic bungee cords.  FIG. 3  illustrates an kayak accessory pack  20  constructed according to the principles of the present invention attached to a kayak forward deck  18 . 
   Referring to the drawings, especially  FIGS. 4 through 7 , there is illustrated an accessory pack  20  of the present invention generally adapted to being removably attached to the kayak forward deck  18 . The accessory pack  20  has a front  21 , a rear  22 , a top  23 , a bottom  24  and two sides  25 . The accessory pack front  21 , rear  22 , top  23 , bottom  24  and sides  25  define a hollow interior  26 . The accessory pack front  21  is that portion of the accessory pack nearest the kayak bow  11 . The accessory pack rear  22  is that portion of the accessory pack nearest the kayak cockpit  17 . The accessory pack top  23  may be divided into a forward portion  27  and a rearward portion  28 . 
   The top rearward portion  28  is comprised generally and substantially of a transparent lid  30  hinged along an approximate dividing line  31  between the top forward portion  27  and top rearward portion  28 . A latch  36  releasably joins the lid rearward edge  32  to the accessory pack top  23  near to the accessory pack rear  22 . A water tight seal  33  is attached to the lid  30  about the lid&#39;s perimeter  34 . The lid  30  has a recessed, round well  35  formed centrally therein near to the hinge line  31 , said well  35  adapted especially to hold a cup or bottle. The lid  30  is adapted to provide access to the accessory pack interior  26  by a kayak operator positioned in the kayak cockpit  17 . 
   The pack top forward portion  28  has an electric switch strip  40  mounted thereon, near to and parallel to the dividing line  31 , said strip containing a plurality of electric switches  41  adapted to control electric power from a battery  42  within the accessory pack interior  26 . The battery  42  is located within the accessory pack interior adjacent the accessory pack front  21 . A light  48  is attached to the pack interior  26 , said interior light  48  being electrically interconnected via a specific switch  41  to the battery  42 . Immediately forward of the strip  40  is a generally rectangular, flat peg board  43  fixedly attached to the pack top  23 . Immediately forward of the peg board  43 , two parallel, side-by-side, running lights  44  are attached to the pack top  23 , said lights  44  being electrically interconnected via specific switches  41  to the battery  42 . The top forward portion  27  also has two, angled, generally cylindrical, fishing rod holders  45 , each holder  45  protruding from the pack interior  26 , through the pack top  23  on each side of the peg board  43 . 
   The accessory pack  20  has a main light  46  centrally and adjustably attached to said accessory pack front  21  and electrically interconnected via a specific switch  41  to the battery  42 . A number of D-rings  49  are mounted about the accessory pack sides  25  and rear  22 , several of which are adapted to provide attachment of tie down, nylon web straps  47  about the kayak hull, thereby securing the accessory pack  20  to the kayak forward deck  18 . The D-rings  49  also provide means to remove the accessory pack  20  from the kayak  10  and use the accessory pack  20  as a backpack for portage. 
   The accessory pack bottom  24  may be laterally curved to better fit against the kayak forward deck  18 . It is also desirable to have a section of soft foam  29  attached to the accessory pack bottom  24 . The foam  29  provides an even better fit of the pack  20  against the forward deck  18  and prevents marring of the deck finish. 
   It is understood that the above-described embodiment is merely illustrative of the application. Other embodiments may be readily devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1