Multi-function, stowable, compound-blade paddle system

Abstract

A collapsible compound-blade paddle is herein disclosed. The paddle includes an elongated shaft, a blade housing, a paddle blade selectively receivable in and deployable from the blade housing, and a control mechanism for moving the paddle blade between extended and retracted positions. In certain embodiments, the paddle blade is capable of retracting into the housing by being formed from a plurality of blade sections that are pivotally coupled to one another. These sections are biased such that, when the paddle blade is extended, the paddle expands so that it can be used for paddling. When the paddle blade is retracted, these sections are pulled together so that they fit within the blade housing, and ultimately aligned to one another, and protected by, a protruding bumper.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A paddle comprising:
 a paddle shaft;   a paddle blade; and   a control mechanism operably engaged with the paddle shaft and the paddle blade, the control mechanism being operable to selectively retract and extend the paddle blade relative to the paddle shaft.   
     
     
         2 . The paddle of  claim 1 , wherein the paddle blade is a paddle blade assembly comprising a plurality of paddle blade sections movably connected to one another. 
     
     
         3 . The paddle of  claim 2 , wherein the paddle blade sections comprise:
 at least one outer paddle blade; and   a center paddle blade pivotally coupled to the at least one outer paddle blade.   
     
     
         4 . The paddle blade of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one outer paddle blade is biased outwardly from the center paddle blade. 
     
     
         5 . The paddle of  claim 1 , further comprising: a blade housing coupled to an end of the paddle shaft, the housing being configured to receive the paddle blade when the paddle blade is retracted. 
     
     
         6 . The paddle of  claim 5 , wherein the paddle blade is configured to be positioned substantially outside the blade housing when the paddle blade is extended. 
     
     
         7 . The paddle of  claim 1 , wherein the control mechanism is slidable along the paddle shaft to selectively retract and extend the paddle blade relative to the paddle shaft. 
     
     
         8 . The paddle of  claim 7 , wherein the control mechanism comprises a release button configured to release the control mechanism from a locked position. 
     
     
         9 . The paddle of  claim 1 , further comprising a push rod that is coupled to the control mechanism and the paddle blade at opposing ends thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The paddle of  claim 9 , further comprising a housing coupled to an end of the paddle shaft, and the push rod is configured to:
 pull the paddle blade into the housing when the control mechanism retracts the paddle blade, and   push the paddle blade substantially out of the housing when the control mechanism extends the paddle blade.