Capsize recovery apparatus

Abstract

A canoe capsize recovery apparatus that is attachable to the thwart of a canoe that can be deployed after the canoe has capsized by the occupants. The apparatus comprises a sliding frame member for sliding from a stored position to a deployed position.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A canoe capsize recovery apparatus comprising: a frame member for sliding attachment of said apparatus to a thwart, said frame member having a top side having a concave surface and a bottom side having a concave surface, a floatation member for attachment to said top side, first temporary attachment means for attaching the frame member to said thwart, a second temporary attachment means for attaching the floatation member to the frame member. 
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the bottom side concave surface is disposed upon a top surface of said thwart. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the top side concave surface accepts the shaft of said floatation member. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein said floatation member is a paddle. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the floatation member further includes a floatation aid disposed adjacent the distal end thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said floatation aid is an air-inflatable floatation bag. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  having a first storage configuration and a second deployed configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein when in said first storage configuration the frame member is disposed on the thwart adjacent to a gunnel opposite a deployment gunnel and the floatation member is disposed on a top side of the thwart. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein when in said deployed configuration the frame member is disposed adjacent said deployment gunnel and the floatation member is extended a full length from the deployment gunnel so that the distal end floatation aid is in the water thereby applying a buoyancy torque to the canoe. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said first temporary attachment means comprises a first buckle and a second buckle depending below the bottom side concave surface for attachment to the thwart. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  10  wherein said second temporary attachment means comprises a third buckle and a fourth buckle disposed upwards from the top side concave surface for attachment of the floatation member to the frame member.