Hand-rowing paddle

Abstract

This disclosure relates to paddles for use with a watercraft and is particularly adapted for use in a watercraft such as a kayak. Paddles according to the present disclosure include a moveable portion that allows other portions of the paddle to move in relation to one another such that a user can apply force and a smaller range of motion and utilize leverage to translate the force into a larger range of motion. In some embodiments, the paddles comprise a linear center portion that is connected at either end to two handgrip portions, which are in turn connected to two bladed distal ends. By utilizing the handgrip portions, a user can rotate the linear center portion about its central axis and cause the distal ends to also rotate in kind.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A paddle, comprising:
 a body, comprising at least two distal ends and at least one moveable portion, said distal ends configured to rotate about another portion of said body.   
     
     
         2 . The paddle of  claim 1 , wherein said moveable portion comprises a substantially linear connecting portion. 
     
     
         3 . The paddle of  claim 1 , wherein said moveable portion comprises a substantially circular connecting portion. 
     
     
         4 . The paddle of  claim 1 , wherein said moveable portion comprises a regular polygon-shaped connecting portion. 
     
     
         5 . The paddle of  claim 1 , wherein at least one distal end is connected to said moveable portion by a handgrip portion. 
     
     
         6 . The paddle of  claim 5 , wherein said handgrip portion is configured to allow a user to rotate said distal ends about another portion of said body without substantially changing said users grip position. 
     
     
         7 . The paddle of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of said handgrip portions comprises an outer handgrip portion positioned around an inner handgrip portion. 
     
     
         8 . The paddle of  claim 7 , wherein said outer handgrip portion is configured to rotate about said inner handgrip portion. 
     
     
         9 . The paddle of  claim 1 , wherein said moveable portion is configured such that a force applied to said moveable portion causes said distal ends to rotate about another portion of said body. 
     
     
         10 . The paddle of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said distal ends are connected to said moveable portion by a moveable joint. 
     
     
         11 . The paddle of  claim 10 , wherein the angle of said at least one distal end connected to said moveable portion by a moveable joint can be adjusted. 
     
     
         12 . A paddle, comprising:
 at least two distal ends; and   a moveable portion, comprising a substantially linear connecting portion, wherein said distal ends are configured to rotate about said substantially linear connecting portion.   
     
     
         13 . The paddle of  claim 12 , wherein at least one distal end is connected to said linear connecting portion by a handgrip portion. 
     
     
         14 . The paddle of  claim 13 , wherein said handgrip portion is configured to allow a user to rotate said distal ends about said substantially linear connecting portion without substantially changing said users grip position. 
     
     
         15 . The paddle of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of said handgrip portions comprises an outer handgrip portion positioned around an inner handgrip portion. 
     
     
         16 . The paddle of  claim 15 , wherein said outer handgrip portion is configured to rotate about said inner handgrip portion. 
     
     
         17 . A paddle, comprising:
 at least two distal ends;   a moveable center portion comprising a substantially linear connecting portion, wherein said distal ends are configured to rotate about said substantially linear connecting portion; and   at least two handgrip portions, each handgrip portion comprising a first and second handgrip end, wherein said first handgrip end is connected to one of said at least two distal ends and said second handgrip end is connected to said substantially linear connecting portion.   
     
     
         18 . The paddle of  claim 17 , wherein said at least two handgrip portions are configured to allow a user to rotate said distal ends about said substantially linear connecting portion without substantially changing said users grip position. 
     
     
         19 . The paddle of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of said handgrip portions comprises an outer handgrip portion positioned around an inner handgrip portion. 
     
     
         20 . The paddle of  claim 19 , wherein said outer handgrip portion is configured to rotate about said inner handgrip portion.