Ships – Boats – boat component – or attachment – Canoe or kayak
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-22
2002-09-03
Basinger, Sherman (Department: 3617)
Ships
Boats, boat component, or attachment
Canoe or kayak
C114S345000, C114S363000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06443089
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to devices for use in boating sports. More specifically, the present invention relates to inventive inflatable hip grip and seat for insertion into a cockpit of a boat.
2. The Relevant Technology
Kayaking is a growing sport in the United States and throughout the world. There are a number of different types of kayaking and the boats and paddles associated therewith are designed for the particular type of activity engaged in. Thus, there are both calm water kayaks and white water kayaks along with sea or ocean kayak. For centuries, Eskimos have paddled Arctic waterways to hunt and fish in kayaks, a type of canoe built from skins stretched over a frame. Today's high-tech versions of the kayak, made from plastic, Kevlar and fiberglass, are still decked with a cockpit for the rider, who propels the boat with a double-bladed paddle.
The sport of kayaking is growing rapidly in popularity. It is believed to be second only to snowboarding in growth. Driving that growth is a recent revolution in hull design that has made doing tricks, such as wave surfing, squirts and spins, much easier. There are an estimated 1.3 million white water kayakers in the United States, 400,000 of whom can be considered “enthusiasts.” One of the reasons for the increasing popularity of the sport is that a kayaker can experience solitude and wilderness on the one hand and excitement on the other.
Recent developments in kayaks has fueled the increased interest in the sport. In some instances, kayak builders have followed innovations in surfboards to come up with boats that “plane,” riding on top of the water instead of in the water.
As kayaks have improved and developed, additional sports and activities are possible. Where traditional kayakers simply traveled a waterway, modern kayakers maneuver and perform tricks to improve and demonstrate their skills. To promote these types of activities, kayak rodeos are springing up around the country. Many of today's kayaks are specifically designed to be used in rodeos. These boats are generally small and sharply angled. These boats, however, are not ideally suited for river running in that they are too slow and do not track well. Thus, “park and play” is a growing phenomenon, while down-river running is declining in popularity. This marks a radical departure from the roots of these sports, which were born from the need to get from one place to another. Thus, innovation is allowing more people to enjoy kayaking and to do different things on a river.
Generally, the kayakers sit in an opening in the shell of the kayak. This opening is known as the cockpit. Once the kayaker is seated within the cockpit, a skirt is often placed over the cockpit to prevent the interior of the kayak from filling with water in the event of a roll. In modem kayaks, a contoured seat is generally provided within the cockpit to provide the kayaker with a more comfortable ride. The seat may be supplied with a pad for an even more comfortable seat.
An important element that is also located within the cockpit is the hip grip. The hip grips are generally made from a foam material that is fastened on the sides of the cockpit. The hip grips are positioned within the cockpit such that the hips of a seated kayaker are engaged by the hip grips. Thus, the hip grips connect the kayak to the boater's hips transferring the kayaker's body movements directly to the kayak. This connection increases the maneuverability of the kayak.
There are only a few sizes and configurations of hip grips currently available. The hip grips are generally wedge-shaped and made of a rigid, hardened foam material. Because the hip grips are available in only a few sizes, they must be customized to fit each user. A user will purchase a generically sized hip grip and then file and sand it to custom fit the intended user. The rigid wedge shape of most hip grips may cause pain and discomfort after a long run or frequent kayaking. This pain is caused because the rigid hip grips push into the hip contacting pressure points and causing bone compression.
Often, the customized hip grips are permanently glued to the inside of the cockpit with a waterproof glue. When kayaks are used by more than one user, the users may have vastly different sizes and body types. Because of the increased popularity of the sport, many kayaks are available for rent. Moreover, kayak equipment can be expensive and is frequently shared among family members or friends. The glued-in hip grips are not readily customizable to each potential user of the kayak.
Even among kayakers of the same general size, the fit of a hip grip is very personal. One kayaker may desire that his hip grips fit more snugly than another kayaker. Additionally, a kayaker may desire a different fit depending on the type of kayaking activity and his level of fatigue. When a kayaker is preforming tricks, it may be desirable to have a tight fitting hip grip to have increased control over the kayak. When a kayaker is on a longer trip such as a river run, a tight hip grip may be uncomfortable. Also, a kayaker may prefer a tight fit at the beginning of a run and a looser fit as he becomes fatigued. The presently available hip grips are not adjustable and do not allow for a user to change the fit for his individual preferences.
The popularity of water sports is not only limited to kayaking. Other types of small boats such as canoes, rafts, and row boats are very popular with recreationalists. These small boats are frequently used in the same rivers, lakes, and other waterways as kayaks. For example, boaters using canoes, rafts, and row boats run white water rapids. Because of the danger associated with white water running, these boaters, like kayakers, must have control of their boats at all times. A significant element of controlling a boat is the amount and strength of the contact between the boater and the boat. There is currently a lack of devices that can be inserted into these small boats to aid the boater with control of the boat.
The sport of kayaking could be improved by providing a hip grip that could be readily accommodate multiple users. It would be an additional improvement if the hip grip were adjustable to provide for the changing preferences of a kayaker. Another advancement would be made if the hip grip were easily removed from a kayak. It would to be a further advancement if the hip grip provided some give to prevent the pain generally associated with prolonged contact with a hip grip. It would be an additional advancement if the hip grip could be used to retain the hip portion of a boater in a small boat such as a canoe, a row boat, or a raft.
These and other advantages and improvements are provided by the present invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to novel hip grip for insertion into the cockpit of a boat such as a kayak, canoe or other small water craft. The hip grip has an inflatable bladder that may be positioned within the cockpit on an interior wall. The inflatable bladder may be positioned to retain the hip portion of a user.
An inflator may be provided to inflate the bladder. The inflator may be permanently connected to the bladder or may be attached to the bladder to inflate the bladder and disconnected from the bladder after the bladder is inflated.
When the inflator is connected to the bladder, the inflator is in fluid communication with the bladder. The inflator inflates the bladder infusing an inflation material into the bladder. Such inflation materials may include, but are not limited to a gas, a liquid, and a gel. The presently preferred inflation material is air because it is safe as easily manipulated. In addition, air within the bladders can serve as an emergency breathing supply to the kayaker in the event of capsizing. Moreover, when the inflation material is air or other inflation material that is less dense than water, the hip grip may also be less dense than water and additional buoyancy to the boat.
An inflated bladde
Goucher Gary K.
Goucher Tyler R.
Gunnell Lance F.
Basinger Sherman
Madson & Metcalf
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