Convertible ergonomic solo canoe backrest and portage yoke for bench seats

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a convertible ergonomic backrest and portage yoke for use on a solo canoe bench seat. In preferred embodiments, the device comprises a U-shaped back tube that is pivotably connected to the bench seat. Extending from the upper back part of the back tube are a pair of spaced upper pivot brackets that hold a pivot axle substantially horizontal between them. Coupled to the pivot axle is a pair of spaced shoulder pads. In a seated configuration, the back tube is pivoted to an upright position. In a storage configuration, the back tube pivots downward to the canoe bench seat with shoulder pads positioned between the spaced tube legs of the back tube. In a portage configuration, the shoulder pad assembly is pivoted so that the shoulder pads extend outward from the back tube for ergonomic portage of the solo canoe above the user's shoulders.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A convertible backrest for a solo canoe comprising:
 a U-shaped back tube;   said U-shaped back tube comprising a pair of spaced tube legs;   said tube legs operable for pivotable coupling to a bench seat of a solo canoe;   a pair of spaced upper pivot brackets;   said upper pivot brackets extending from said tube legs;   a pivot axle;   said pivot axle disposed in and extending between said upper pivot brackets;   a pair of spaced shoulder pads;   said pair of spaced shoulder pads coupled to said pivot axle;   wherein said pair of spaced shoulder pads are angularly pivotable with respect to said U-shaped back tube.   
     
     
         2 . The convertible backrest for a solo canoe of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a pair of lower pivot brackets; 
 said each lower pivot bracket pivotably coupled to a terminal end of said U-shaped back tube and operable to fix to a bench seat of a canoe. 
 
     
     
         3 . The convertible backrest for a solo canoe of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a pair of spaced shoulder pad support arms; 
 said shoulder pad support arms extending radially from said pivot axle; and 
 wherein each shoulder pad support arm is coupled to a said shoulder pad. 
 
     
     
         4 . The convertible backrest for a solo canoe of  claim 3  further comprising:
 a base extending between said tube legs in said U-shaped back tube; 
 wherein said shoulder pad support arms abut said base in a portage configuration. 
 
     
     
         5 . The convertible backrest for a solo canoe of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a base extending between said tube legs in said U-shaped back tube; 
 a back bumper operable to cushion a user from said U-shaped back tube; 
 wherein said base extends through said back bumper. 
 
     
     
         6 . The convertible backrest for a solo canoe of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a back support strap; 
 said back support strap secured to said tube legs; and 
 wherein said back support strap extends between said tube legs. 
 
     
     
         7 . The convertible backrest for a solo canoe of  claim 1  wherein said pair of spaced shoulder pads are positioned between said tube legs in a seated configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The convertible backrest for a solo canoe of  claim 1  wherein said pair of spaced shoulder pads are positioned between said tube legs in a storage configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The convertible backrest for a solo canoe of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a base extending between said tube legs in said U-shaped back tube; 
 wherein said pair of spaced shoulder pads extend above said base in a portage configuration. 
 
     
     
         10 . The convertible backrest for a solo canoe of  claim 1  wherein said shoulder pads are spaced sufficient for positioning a user's head therebetween during a portage configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The convertible backrest for a solo canoe of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a bench seat of a solo canoe; 
 a shoulder pad face for engaging the shoulder of a user during portage; and 
 wherein said shoulder pad face abuts said bench seat in a stored configuration. 
 
     
     
         12 . The convertible backrest for a solo canoe of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a bench seat of a solo canoe; 
 a shoulder pad face for engaging the shoulder of a user during portage; and 
 wherein said shoulder pad face faces away from said bench seat in a portage configuration. 
 
     
     
         13 . The convertible backrest for a solo canoe of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a pivot strap; 
 said pivot strap extending from said U-shaped back tube; and 
 wherein said pivot strap limits pivot motion of said U-shaped back tube. 
 
     
     
         14 . The convertible backrest for a solo canoe of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a first bend in each said tube leg; 
 said U-shaped back tube comprising a base extending between said tube legs; 
 wherein consequent to said first bend in said tube legs, said base is offset from said tube legs. 
 
     
     
         15 . The convertible backrest for a solo canoe of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a back support strap; 
 said back support strap extending between said tube legs; 
 a shoulder pad face on said shoulder pads for engaging the shoulder of a user during portage; and 
 wherein said shoulder pad face abuts said back support strap in a seated configuration. 
 
     
     
         16 . The convertible backrest for a solo canoe of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a back support strap; 
 said back support strap extending between said tube legs; 
 a shoulder pad face on said shoulder pads for engaging the shoulder of a user during portage; and 
 wherein said shoulder pad face abuts said back support strap in a storage configuration. 
 
     
     
         17 . The convertible backrest for a solo canoe of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a bench seat of a canoe; 
 an elastic cord; 
 a cord retainer fixed to the bottom of said bench seat of said canoe; 
 said elastic cord coupled to said shoulder pads; and 
 wherein said elastic cord is bound by said cord retainer in a portage configuration to prevent said shoulder pads from pivoting downward. 
 
     
     
         18 . A method of converting a solo canoe convertible backrest from a storage configuration to a seated configuration comprising the steps of:
 obtaining a solo canoe having a convertible backrest with a U-shaped back tube with tube legs of the back tube pivotably secured to a bench seat of the solo canoe and wherein a shoulder assembly comprising a pair of spaced shoulder pads anchored to a pivot axle are pivotably coupled to the U-shaped back tube, and wherein the U-shaped back tube is pivoted down against the bench seat of the canoe with the spaced shoulder pads positioned between the tube legs;   clearing any cords holding the U-shaped back tube in the pivoted down position against the bench seat; and   pivoting the back tube to an upright position while the spaced shoulder pads remain positioned between the tube legs.   
     
     
         19 . A method of converting a solo canoe convertible backrest from a seated configuration to a portage configuration comprising the steps of:
 obtaining a solo canoe having a convertible backrest with a U-shaped back tube with tube legs of the back tube pivotably secured to the bench seat of the solo canoe and wherein a shoulder assembly comprising a pair of spaced shoulder pads anchored to a pivot axle are pivotably coupled to the U-shaped back tube, and wherein the U-shaped back tube is pivoted to an upright position in relation to the bench seat of the canoe with the spaced shoulder pads positioned between the tube legs;   pivoting the shoulder pads about the axis of the pivot axle such that the shoulder pads extend above the tube legs of the U-shaped back tube; and   pivoting the U-shaped back tube towards the bench seat.   
     
     
         20 . A method of converting a solo canoe convertible backrest from a portage configuration to a storage configuration comprising the steps of:
 obtaining a solo canoe having a convertible backrest with a U-shaped back tube with tube legs of the back tube pivotably secured to the bench seat of the solo canoe and wherein a shoulder assembly comprising a pair of spaced shoulder pads anchored to a pivot axle are pivotably coupled to the U-shaped back tube, and wherein the U-shaped back tube is currently pivoted down against the bench seat of the canoe with the spaced shoulder pads extending above the tube legs;   clearing any cords holding the U-shaped back tube in the pivoted down position against the bench seat; and   pivoting the shoulder assembly towards the bench seat whereby the shoulder pads are seated between the tube legs.