Knee Support System for Paddle Watercraft

Abstract

A three-point knee support system for a watercraft is described. Detachable adjustable shoulder straps and detachable adjustable hip belt straps from a backpack adapted to carry the uninflated or deflated watercraft in the situation where the watercraft is inflatable, are attached to three locations on each of the side walls of the watercraft for holding a paddler's or user's knee against that sidewall, in order to enable the paddler to more easily and accurately control the watercraft.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A knee support system for a watercraft comprising:
 a first strap having a first end and a second end, and a first side and a second side;   a first attachment member affixed to said first strap near the first end;   a first chosen length of webbing having a standing end and a free end;   a second attachment member affixed to the standing end of said first chosen length of webbing;   a first adjustment buckle affixed to said first strap near the second end for receiving the free end of said first chosen length of webbing, such that the distance between said first adjustment buckle and said second attachment member is adjusted by adjusting the free end of said first chosen length of webbing;   at least two strap attachment members disposed on the first side of said first strap;   a second strap having a first end and a second end, and a first side and a second side;   a third attachment member affixed to said second strap near the first end, such that said third attachment member is attached to one of the at least two strap attachment members disposed on the first side of said first strap;   a second chosen length of webbing having a standing end and a free end;   a fourth attachment member affixed to the standing end of said second chosen length of webbing;   a second adjustment buckle affixed to said second strap near the second end for receiving the free end of said second chosen length of webbing, such that the distance between said second adjustment buckle and said fourth attachment member is adjusted by adjusting the free end of second chosen length of webbing;   a forward attachment element fixedly mounted on said watercraft for receiving said first attachment member;   a rear attachment element fixedly mounted on said watercraft for receiving said second attachment member affixed to the standing end of said first chosen length of webbing; and   at least two attachment elements disposed on a panel fixedly mounted on said watercraft in between said forward attachment element and said rear attachment element, for attaching said fourth attachment member affixed to the standing end of said second chosen length of webbing to one of said at least two attachment elements;   whereby a user's knee is supported by adjusting either or both of the free end of said first chosen length of webbing and the free end of said second chosen length of webbing.   
     
     
         2 . The knee support system of  claim 1 , further comprising a first adjustable side release buckle affixed to said first chosen length of webbing between said first adjustment buckle and said second attachment member, for releasing said first adjustment buckle from said second attachment member. 
     
     
         3 . The knee support system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two strap attachment members are disposed on said first strap in the vicinity of the second end of said first strap. 
     
     
         4 . The knee support system of  claim 1 , wherein said first attachment member and said first adjustment buckle are disposed on the first side of said first strap. 
     
     
         5 . The knee support system of  claim 1 , wherein said third attachment member and said second adjustment buckle are disposed on the first side of said second strap. 
     
     
         6 . The knee support of  claim 1 , further comprising a first padding member disposed on the second side of said first strap. 
     
     
         7 . The knee support of  claim 1 , further comprising a second padding member disposed on the second side of said second strap. 
     
     
         8 . The knee support system of  claim 1 , wherein said first attachment member, said second attachment member, said third attachment member, and said fourth attachment member comprise G-hook webbing buckles. 
     
     
         9 . The knee support system of  claim 1 , wherein said first adjustment buckle and said second adjustment buckle comprise ladder lock buckles. 
     
     
         10 . The knees support system of  claim 1 , wherein said first adjustment buckle and said second adjustment buckle comprise ladder lock slider buckles. 
     
     
         11 . The knee support system of  claim 1 , wherein said first strap is adapted to serve as one shoulder strap on a backpack, and said second strap is adapted to serve as one waste band on a backpack. 
     
     
         12 . The knee support system of  claim 11 , wherein said watercraft comprises an inflatable watercraft, and said backpack comprises a volume into which said inflatable watercraft is inserted. 
     
     
         13 . A knee support system for a watercraft comprising:
 a first strap having a first attachment member affixed to a first end, a second attachment member attached at a first adjustable length to a second end of said first strap, and at least two strap attachment members affixed to said first strap between said first attachment member and said second attachment member;   a forward attachment element fixedly mounted on said watercraft for attaching said first attachment member;   a rear attachment element fixedly mounted on said watercraft for attaching said second attachment member;   a second strap having a third attachment member affixed to a first end, and a fourth attachment member attached at a second adjustable length to a second end of said second strap; and   at least two attachment elements disposed on a panel fixedly mounted on said watercraft in between said forward attachment element and said rear attachment element, for attaching said third attachment member to one of said at least two attachment elements, said fourth attachment member being attached to one of the at least two strap attachment members affixed to said first strap;   whereby a user's knee is supported by adjusting either or both of the first adjustable length and the second adjustable length.   
     
     
         14 . The knee support system of  claim 13 , wherein the at least two strap attachment members are disposed on said first strap in the vicinity of the second end of said first strap. 
     
     
         15 . The knee support of  claim 13 , further comprising a first padding member disposed on a side of said first strap. 
     
     
         16 . The knee support of  claim 13 , further comprising a second padding member disposed on a side of said second strap. 
     
     
         17 . The knee support system of  claim 13 , wherein said first attachment member, said second attachment member, said third attachment member, and said fourth attachment member comprise G-hook webbing buckles. 
     
     
         18 . The knee support system of  claim 13 , wherein said first strap is adapted to serve as one shoulder strap on a backpack, and said second strap is adapted to serve as one waste band on a backpack. 
     
     
         19 . The knee support system of  claim 18 , wherein said watercraft comprises an inflatable watercraft, and said backpack comprises a volume into which said inflatable watercraft is inserted. 
     
     
         20 . A kit comprising a backpack and an inflatable watercraft:
 said backpack comprising:
 a pack portion having a volume adapted to receive said watercraft; 
 a first upper shoulder strap attachment member; 
 a second upper shoulder strap attachment member; 
 a first lower shoulder strap attachment member; and 
 a second lower shoulder strap attachment member; 
   said shoulder straps comprising:
 a first strap having a first attachment member affixed to a first end, a second attachment member attached at a first adjustable length to a second end of said first strap, and at least two first strap attachment members affixed to said first strap between said first attachment member and said second attachment member; 
 a second strap having a third attachment member affixed to a first end, a fourth attachment member attached at a second adjustable length to a second end of said second strap, and at least two second strap attachment members affixed to said second strap between said third attachment member and said fourth attachment member; 
 a third strap having a fifth attachment member affixed to a first end, and a sixth attachment member attached at a third adjustable length to a second end of said third strap, said fifth attachment member capable of being attached to one of the at least two first strap attachment members; and 
 a fourth strap having a seventh attachment member affixed to a first end, and an eighth attachment member attached at a fourth adjustable length to a second end of said fourth strap, said seventh attachment member capable of being attached to one of the at least two second strap attachment members; and 
   said inflatable watercraft comprising:
 a forward attachment element fixedly mounted on said inflatable watercraft for attaching said first attachment member; 
 a rear attachment element fixedly mounted on said inflatable watercraft for attaching said second attachment member; and 
 at least two attachment elements disposed on a panel fixedly mounted on said inflatable watercraft in between said forward attachment element and said rear attachment element, for attaching said sixth attachment member to one of said at least two attachment elements, said fifth attachment member being attached to one of the at least two first strap attachment members affixed to said first strap; 
 whereby a user's knee is supported by adjusting any or all of the first adjustable length, the second adjustable length, the third adjustable length and said fourth adjustable length.