US2007017431A1PendingUtilityA1
Watercraft
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Nov 29, 2001Filed: Dec 1, 2005Published: Jan 25, 2007
Est. expiryNov 29, 2021(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Alan Hopkins
B63B 34/20B63B 3/20B63B 43/14B63B 34/26
15
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Claims
Abstract
A watercraft ( 11 ) comprising a shell having an upper skin ( 13 ) adapted to support at least one person, a lower skin ( 15 ) defining a hull ( 23 ) for contact with the water, an aperture ( 24 ) extending through the upper and lower skin and defined by a sidewall ( 100 ) enclosure between the lower skin ( 15 ) and the upper skin ( 23 ) to maintain the integrity of the shell, wherein the aperture ( 129 ) removably secures a propulsion system ( 31 ) for propelling the watercraft ( 11 ), such that a cavity within the shell remains watertight to allow for practical functioning when the propulsion system ( 31 ) is removed.
Claims
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76 . A watercraft in the form of a sit on top kayak comprising:
a shell having an upper skin adapted to support at least one person, a lower skin defining a hull for contact with the water, and an aperture extending through the upper and lower skin at the stern of the kayak and defined by a sidewall enclosure between the lower skin and the upper skin to maintain the integrity of the shell and for releasably receiving a propulsion means, which assists in propelling the watercraft; the hull having a profile including a hollowed portion to induce and assist in maintaining the flow of water to a propulsion means, wherein the watercraft can be propelled by the at least one person using a conventional paddling motion regardless of whether the propulsion means is accommodated in the aperture.
77 . A watercraft according to claim 76 wherein the hollowed portion is in the form of a recessed portion and extends from the stern of the kayak towards the bow of the kayak.
78 . A watercraft according to claim 76 wherein an outlet of the propulsion mean comprises a nozzle for discharging a jet of water to propel the kayak, when the propulsion means is located in the aperture.
79 . A watercraft according to claim 76 such that when the propulsion means is in place, a lower end of the propulsion means is substantially flush with an under-side of the hull.
80 . A watercraft according to claim 76 further comprising a cylinder having at least one end closed and adapted to be positioned with respect to the aperture such that the cylinder provides an elevated platform when in position.
81 . A watercraft in the form of a sit on top kayak including:
a shell having a longitudinal extent, the shell comprising
an upper skin adapted to support at least one person,
a lower skin defining a hull for contact with the water, the hull having a profile including a recessed portion at the stern of the kayak and centrally located along the longitudinal extent, wherein the recessed portion induces and helps maintain the flow of water to a propulsion means, whilst reducing the drag upon the watercraft and protecting the propulsion means, the propulsion means assisting to propel the kayak and
an aperture in which the propulsion means is removably secured, the aperture extending through the upper and lower skin and being defined by a sidewall enclosure between the lower skin and the upper skin to maintain the integrity of the shell and ensure that the shell remains watertight,
wherein the watercraft can be propelled by the at least one person using a conventional paddling motion regardless of whether the propulsion means is accommodated in the aperture.
82 . A watercraft according to claim 81 wherein the profile of the hull further comprises at least one keel wherein the at least one keel extends deeper into the water than the propulsion means so as to assist with limiting adverse impacts associated with the propulsion means on the marine environment.
83 . A watercraft according to claim 81 wherein the hull has a shallow draft so as to limit impact on the marine environment and the propulsion means is configured to cooperate with the kayak to maintain the shallow draft.
84 . A watercraft according to claim 81 wherein the aperture is in the aft portion of the watercraft, adjacent the most rearward point of the stem, such that, when fitted, the propulsion means is aft of the rearmost operators position.
85 . A watercraft according to claim 81 wherein the propulsion means comprises a pump coupled to a motor to drive the pump.
86 . A watercraft according to claim 81 wherein a shroud is fitted over the propulsion means, to direct the water discharged into a central rearward position, substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the watercraft.
87 . A watercraft according to claim 81 wherein an inlet of the propulsion means is provided by an inlet of the pump through which water is drawn and an outlet of the propulsion means is defined by an outlet of the pump through which the water is discharged, the inlet and outlet protruding below or being substantially flush with the under side of the hull, such that the water drawn and discharged from the propulsion means is drawn and discharged substantially below the surface of the water.
88 . A watercraft according to claim 81 wherein the watercraft is fitted with a steering means for steering the watercraft when being propelled by the propulsion means.
89 . A watercraft according to claim 88 wherein the steering means comprises a moveable shroud for directing the water discharged from the propulsion means, allowing angular redirection of the discharged water to facilitate turning of the watercraft.
90 . A watercraft according to claim 81 wherein the recessed portion is in the form of a channel.
91 . A watercraft according to claim 81 wherein at least one floatation assembly is releasably mounted with respect to the watercraft.
92 . A watercraft according to claim 91 wherein the at least one flotation assembly comprises at least one support pontoon attached to a support arm wherein the support arm defines an adjustable element, which allows the assembly to be variably adjusted between an extended position and a retracted position.
93 . A watercraft according to claim 91 wherein the at least one flotation assembly is located so as not to interfere with the paddling motion.
94 . A watercraft according to claim 81 wherein the watercraft incorporates at least one storage compartment integral with the upper skin.
95 . A watercraft comprising:
a shell having an upper skin incorporating an aperture therein and adapted to support at least one person; a lower skin defining a hull for contact with the water; and a cavity between the upper and lower skin, the shell having a pocket therein extending from the aperture into the cavity; an insert adapted to be positioned with respect to the aperture such that in one position the insert is in an elevated position so as to provide an elevated platform, and in another position is in an inverted position such that the insert is substantially received in the pocket.
96 . The watercraft according to claim 95 wherein the insert is releasably lockable in position relative to the pocket.
97 . The watercraft according to claim 95 wherein the insert is cylindrical in shape.
98 . The watercraft according to claim 97 wherein when in the inverted position the insert is substantially flush with the upper skin.
99 . The watercraft according to claim 97 wherein when in the inverted position a first end of the insert extends above the upper skin.
100 . The watercraft according to claim 99 wherein the first end of the cylinder is closed, such as by a removable cover.
101 . The watercraft according to claim 100 wherein the first end provides a seat for the operator.
102 . The watercraft according to claim 100 wherein a second end of the insert has molded protrusions extending therefrom, assisting with the tracking of the watercraft and enabling the insert to be supported by the second end when placed on a surface.
103 . The watercraft according to claim 95 wherein a second end of the cylinder provides a seat when the insert is in the elevated position.
104 . The watercraft according to claim 95 further comprising at least one floatation assembly mounted on the shell.
105 . A watercraft comprising:
a shell having an upper skin incorporating an aperture therein and adapted to support at least one person; a lower skin defining a hull for contact with the water; and a cavity between the upper and lower skin; and a cylinder having at least one end closed and adapted to be positioned with respect to the aperture such that the cylinder is positionable to provide an elevated platform.
106 . The watercraft according to claim 105 wherein the cylinder is releasably locked with respect to the aperture.
107 . The watercraft according to claim 105 wherein the aperture extends inwardly from the upper skin terminating a distance from the lower skin and is defined by a bottom surface and a sidewall enclosure between the upper skin and the bottom surface to ensure the cavity remains watertight.
108 . The watercraft according to claim 105 wherein the aperture extends from the upper skin through to the lower skin and is defined by a sidewall enclosure between the lower skin and the upper skin to maintain the integrity of the shell and ensure the cavity remains watertight.
109 . The watercraft according to claim 108 wherein the aperture is adapted to removably secure a propulsion means for propelling the kayak, the propulsion means being configured to cooperate with the watercraft to maintain the shallow draft.
110 . The watercraft according to claim 109 wherein the cylinder can be placed in an elevated position when the propulsion means is in place.
111 . The watercraft according to claim 105 wherein the cylinder can be placed in an inverted position, whereby a first end of the cylinder is raised above the upper skin.
112 . The watercraft according to claim 111 wherein the first end of the cylinder is adapted to be closed, such as by a removable cover, to provide an elevated seat for the operator.
113 . The watercraft according to claim 105 wherein a second end of the cylinder is closed by a bottom wall having a surface contoured to mirror the profile of the hull such that when the cylinder is positioned in the inverted position the bottom wall and hull align to provide a substantially continuous surface.
114 . The watercraft according to claim 113 wherein the second end of the cylinder has molded protrusions extending therefrom, assisting with the tracking of the watercraft and enabling the cylinder to be supported by the second end when placed on a surface.
115 . The watercraft according to claim 105 further comprising at least one floatation assembly mounted on the shell.
116 . A watercraft comprising:
a shell having an upper skin incorporating a securing means therein, and adapted to support at least one person; a lower skin defining a hull for contact with the water; and a cavity between the upper and lower skin; and a body adapted to be releasably secured with respect to the securing means of the upper skin, whereby when the body is secured to the securing means the body provides an elevated platform.
117 . The watercraft according to claim 116 wherein the body is in the form of a cylinder having at least one end closed, the at least one end providing a seat when the body is secured to the securing means.Join the waitlist — get patent alerts
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