Abstract:
A watercraft stabilizer assembly includes a frame comprising a plurality of frame members connected together and a plurality of floats received on the frame. At least one clamp secures the frame to a watercraft. The clamp comprises clamp members that are securable together such that the frame and a portion of the watercraft are held together between the clamp members.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/719,935, filed Sep. 23, 2005. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to watercraft and, more particularly, to a stabilizer assembly for canoes that is lightweight, strong, and easy to assemble.  
         [0003]     Various types of watercraft such as canoes, kayaks, and the like, are inherently unstable and prone to tipping during use.  
         [0004]     There are several types of devices available to help stabilize the watercraft. A sponson, for example, typically includes inflatable sections that are strapped to a hull of the watercraft to provide buoyant stabilization. Disadvantageously, the inflatable sections are prone to puncture during use of the watercraft, and often do not provide a desired amount of stabilization.  
         [0005]     Other stabilizer devices include heavy frames that attach to sides of the watercraft and extend into the water. The frame supports floats that stabilize the watercraft and move across the water surface as the watercraft moves. Disadvantageously, these types of devices include many different frame pieces to assemble, are heavy, and are difficult to attach to the watercraft. Further, the relatively heavy weight offsets the stabilization benefits of the float, and the frame is susceptible to bending during assembly or during use.  
         [0006]     Accordingly, a lightweight and strong stabilizer assembly that is easy to assemble is needed.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     An example watercraft stabilizer assembly includes a frame comprising a plurality of frame members connected together and a plurality of floats received on the frame. In one example, the frame includes two frame members and in another example the frame includes four frame members. At least one clamp secures the frame to a watercraft, such as a canoe. The clamp comprises clamp members that are securable together such that the frame and a portion of the watercraft are held together between the clamp members.  
         [0008]     In another aspect, the watercraft stabilizer assembly includes a two-point support that secures the frame to the watercraft. In one example, the two point support includes a U-shaped member that supports the frame at a first point and a saddle member that supports the frame at a second point. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]     The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows.  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  shows selected portions of an example watercraft having a stabilizer assembly according to the present invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  shows a float received onto a frame of the stabilizer assembly that is shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  shows ends of a first frame member being received into ends of a second frame member during assembly of the stabilizer assembly.  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  shows an example clamp for securing a stabilizer assembly to a watercraft.  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  shows the clamp of  FIG. 4  in an assembled condition.  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 1  showing angling of the frame of the stabilizer assembly.  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view according to  FIG. 1  showing angling of the frame of the stabilizer assembly.  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  shows another embodiment of an example frame of a stabilizer assembly having four frame members.  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  shows another embodiment of an example frame of a stabilizer assembly having six frame members.  
         [0019]      FIG. 10  shows an optional quick release locking mechanism for securing frame members of the frame together.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0020]      FIG. 1  illustrates selected portions of an example watercraft  10 , such as a canoe. The watercraft  10  includes a stabilizer assembly  12  that stabilizes the watercraft  10  to provide resistance to tipping.  
         [0021]     In this example, the stabilizer assembly  12  includes a frame  14  having a first frame member  16   a  and a second frame member  16   b  that are secured together to form the frame  14 . Floats  18  are received onto and supported by the frame  14 . In the illustrated example, the frame  14  of the stabilizer assembly  12  is secured at four illustrated locations to the edges  20  of the watercraft  10  using clamps  22 .  
         [0022]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the float  18  is made of a buoyant material such as foam. In one example, the buoyant material is polystyrene, polyethylene, or other type of foam. In this example, the float  18  comprises a solid body  24  having an opening  26  extending along a longitudinal axis A of the float  18 . In one example, the opening  26  is drilled through the solid body  24 .  
         [0023]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , each float  18  is slidably received onto the first frame member  16   a . The frame members  16   a  and  16   b  have a generally uniform cross-section. In this example, the frame members  16   a  and  16   b  are nominally round. In this example, the ends  40  of the first frame member  16   a  have a reduced diameter cross-section that permits the ends  40  of the first frame member  16   a  to fit within corresponding ends  42  of the second frame member  16   b.    
         [0024]     In one example, the reduction in the cross-section of the ends  40  is achieved using a crimping process. In another example, the reduction in cross-section is achieved using a swaging process. Given this description, one of ordinary skill in the art will be able to recognize other methods of achieving a reduced cross-section for fitting the frame members  16   a  and  16   b  together.  
         [0025]     The ends  40  are received into the corresponding ends  42  of the second frame member  16   b  and form a joint  41  there between that secures the frame members  16   a  and  16   b  together. In the illustrated example, the floats  18  fit tightly between the frame members  16   a  and  16   b , which provides the benefit of reduced float  18  movement during use of the stabilizer assembly  12 .  
         [0026]     In one example, reducing the cross-sections of the ends  40  permits an interfere fit with the inner diameter of the corresponding ends  42  of the second frame member  16   b  to provide a tight fit. This provides the benefit of tightly securing the first frame member  16   a  and the second frame member  16   b  together during use of the stabilizer assembly  12  and further provides a simplified assembly method.  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIGS. 4-5 , once the frame  14  is assembled, it is secured to the edges  20  of the watercraft  10 . The clamps  22  include a U-shaped member  52  having threaded portions  54  that receive nuts  62  to secure the frame  14  to the edges  20 . A saddle member  57  includes a curved portion  59  that cradles the frame  14  and a support edge  61  (i.e. a pivot surface). A resilient lip  58  includes openings  60  that receive the threaded portions  54  of the shaped member  52 . The nuts  62  are threaded onto the threaded portions  54  and tightened to compress the resilient lip  58  against the saddle member  57 . In the illustrated example, the edge  20  of the watercraft  10  includes an inside lip  64  such that the nuts  62  are assembled inside of the watercraft.  
         [0028]     The tightening of the nuts  62  secures the frame  14  between the inside lip  64  and the U-shaped member  52 . As the nuts  62  are tightened, the support edge  61  of the saddle member  57  presses against the underside of the inside lip  64  to pivot the saddle member  57  upwards (relative to  FIG. 5 ). This pushes the curved portion  59  upwards against the frame  14  as the U-shaped member  52  forces the frame  14  downwards to provide a two-point support that evenly supports the frame  14  and keeps the frame  14  relatively parallel to the inside lip  64 . Thus, the clamp  22  provides an easy to assemble method of securing the stabilizer assembly  12  to the watercraft  10 . Further, the resilient lip  58 , which compresses during tightening of the nuts  62 , provides a constant tension on the U-shaped member  52  to maintain a securing force on the frame  14 . This provides a benefit of maintaining a tight clamping force against vibration or other environmental factors acting to loosen the clamp  22 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 6  illustrates the shape of the frame  14  according to the cross section shown on  FIG. 1 . In this example, the frame  14  extends at an angle α downwards toward a water surface  74 . In one example, the angle a is about 30°. An angle of 30° allows the frame  14  to extend away from the watercraft  10  and provides leverage to stabilize the watercraft  10 . If the angle a is made too large such that the portions of the frame  14  that extend downwardly toward the water surface  74  are closer to the watercraft  10 , the stabilization effect may be less. If the angle α is made smaller than 30° such that the portions of the frame that extend toward the water surface  74  are farther away from the watercraft  10 , the frame  14  may interfere with navigation of the watercraft  10  through relatively narrow waterways.  
         [0030]      FIG. 7  illustrates the frame  14  according to the cross-section shown in  FIG. 1 . In the illustrated example, the frame  14  bends at an angle θ. In one example, the angle θ is about 90°. An angle of about 90° positions the frame  14  and float  18  approximately parallel to the water level  74 .  
         [0031]     In another example, the frame  14  is made of a ¾″ metal conduit. In one example, the metal is a relatively lightweight and strong metal, such as aluminum, titanium, magnesium or other lightweight metal. The thickness of metal conduit is relatively thin to minimize the weight of the frame  14 . The combination of the relatively small diameter of the conduit, the relatively thin thickness, and relatively strong and lightweight material provides the benefit of a lightweight and strong stabilizer assembly  12 .  
         [0032]     In one example, the stabilizer assembly  12  can support a weight of an average adult without bending significantly. Further, assembling the frame  14  from only two frame members  16   a  and  16   b  minimizes the number of frame parts needed to assemble the stabilizer assembly  12 , which is a drawback of prior stabilizer systems. Thus, a user of the stabilizer assembly  12  can easily assemble the frame  14  and secure it to a watercraft  10  and likewise disassemble the stabilizer assembly  12  when not in use.  
         [0033]     In the above examples, the frame  14  includes only two frame members  16   a  and  16   b , however, in another example shown in  FIG. 8 , the frame  14  includes four frame members  16   c ,  16   d ,  16   e , and  16   f  that are secured together in the same manner as the frame members  16   a  and  16   b  using reduced cross-section ends  40  that fit within corresponding ends  42 . Given this description, one of ordinary skill in the art will be able to recognize which ends of the frame members  16   c ,  16   d ,  16   e , and  16   f  to form with reduced cross-sections to meet their particular needs.  
         [0034]     In another example shown in  FIG. 9 , the frame  14  includes six frame members  16   g ,  16   h ,  16   i ,  16   j ,  16   k , and  16   l  that are secured together in the same manner as the frame members  16   a  and  16   b  using reduced cross-section ends  40  that fit within corresponding ends  42 . In this example, the frame members  16   i  and  16   j  are linear pieces that extend across the width of the watercraft  10  and are clamped to the edges  20  of the watercraft  10  using the clamps  22 . The frame members  16   g  and  16   h  are secured together with one of the floats  18  and then secured to the frame members  16   i  and  16   j . The frame members  16   k  and  16   l  are likewise assembled. Thus, the clamps  22  and linear frame members  16   i  and  16   j  may remain assembled on the watercraft  10  even when the floats  18  and other frame members  16   g ,  16   h ,  16   k , and  16   l  are removed, which eliminates the need to completely disassemble and remove the entire stabilizer assembly  12  for storage or when the watercraft  10  is transported, for example.  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 10 , the joints  41  between any of the frame members  16   a - l  in the above examples optionally include a quick release mechanism  84  (i.e., a locking mechanism) to secure the frame  14  together. For illustration, the frame members  16   d  and  16   e  are shown.  
         [0036]     In this example, the quick release mechanism  84  includes a button  86  located at least partially within a recess  88  of the frame member  16   d . The recess  88  includes a notch  90  that defines a range of travel  92  of the button  86 . A resilient member  94 , such as a spring, is located between the button  86  and a wall  96  of the frame member  16   d . The resilient member  94  biases the button upwards in the figure through an opening  98  in the frame member  16   d . The button can be manually moved against the biasing force of the resilient member  94  such that the button  86  retracts into the recess  88 . The retraction allows the frame member  16   d  to be inserted into the frame member  16   e.    
         [0037]     In this example, the frame member  16   e  includes an opening  100  that corresponds to the button  86 . When the button  86  is aligned with the opening  100 , the resilient member  94  moves the button  86  through the opening  100  to lock the frame members  16   d  and  16   e  together. To disassemble the frame members  16   d  and  16   e , the button  86  is actuated against the biasing force of the resilient member  94  into the recess  88  such that the frame member  16   d  can be slidably removed from the frame member  16   e . Given this description, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize alternative arrangements and quick release mechanisms to meet their particular needs.  
         [0038]     Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.