MULTIPLE-SIZED BOX STORAGE PONTOON RACK VESSEL

Abstract

A box storage pontoon rack vessel allows a paddler to carry more items without compromising the capacity restrictions and maneuverability of a kayak. The box storage can be made in a plurality of containers that can be made waterproof. The plurality of containers can be designed in multiple sizes to assist in storing various sized items in their own containers.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/605,110, filed Feb. 29, 2012, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to storage containers for watercraft and, more particularly, to a multiple-sized box storage pontoon rack vessel operable to provide additional waterproof storage for a person on a kayak.

A kayak has limited capacity restriction and limited packable space. A kayak loaded to maximum capacity has limited maneuverability and can be susceptible to capsizing or taking on water.

Items packed on conventional storage products are not stored in waterproof individual containers. The packed items in these conventional storage products can shift of even fall off if not strapped down properly. These products typically inhibit stability of maneuverability of the load vessel when packed to capacity.

As can be seen, there is a need for a storage product that can solve the limited capacity problems of a kayak without compromising the capacity restrictions and maneuverability of the kayak.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a box storage pontoon rack vessel comprises at least a first pontoon and a second pontoon; a rack spanning between and secured to the first pontoon and the second pontoon, the first pontoon spaced apart from the second pontoon a distance sufficient for a load vessel to fit therebetween; at least one rack slot formed from the rack; and at least one box having a box body bottom protrusion fitting into the at least one rack slot.

In another aspect of the present invention, a box storage pontoon rack system comprises at least a first pontoon and a second pontoon; a load vessel fitting between the first pontoon and the second pontoon; a rack spanning between and secured to the first pontoon and the second pontoon, the rack disposed over the load vessel; at least one rack slot formed from the rack; and at least one box having a box body bottom protrusion fitting into the at least one rack slot.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage pontoon rack vessel, used with a kayak, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the storage pontoon rack vessel of FIG. 1, with the boxes removed for clarity;

FIG. 3 is an exploded detailed perspective view of the storage pontoon rack vessel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary box of the storage pontoon rack vessel of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a storage pontoon rack vessel, used with a kayak, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a large box used in the storage pontoon rack vessel of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of a box lid of the large box of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a box storage pontoon rack vessel that allows a paddler to carry more items without compromising the capacity restrictions and maneuverability of a kayak. The box storage can be made in a plurality of containers that can be made waterproof. The plurality of containers can be designed in multiple sizes to assist in storing various sized items in their own containers.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 6, a kayak 10 often has limited space and capacity for carrying items. If the kayak 10 is overloaded, it can compromise safety and maneuverability for a paddler 12. The system of the present invention can solve this and other problems, as described in greater detail below.

The system of the present invention can include at least two pontoons 14, at least one on each side of the system. The pontoons 14 can be made with a plurality of rack securement strap slots 28. Typically, from 3 to 5 slots 28 can be formed in each of the pontoons 14 and two pontoons 14 are typically used in the system of the present invention. Rack straps 30 can secure a rack 20 to the pontoons 14, via the slots 28. Typically, the pontoons 14 are made from a lightweight plastic material, such as polyethylene. Once the rack 20 is secured to the pontoons 14, a base floating structure is formed. The rack straps 30 can be made from various materials, such as, for example, nylon.

In some embodiments of the present invention, two molded loopholes can be located on the bow and stern of the pontoons 14 to secure the pontoons 14 to the load vessel (such as kayak 10). A pontoon bow rope can be connected between bow loopholes in the bow end of the pontoons 14. A pontoon stern rope can be connected between stern loopholes in the stern end of the pontoons 14. A loop can be formed in a central region of both the pontoon bow rope and the pontoon stern rope. A bow rope (not shown) can connect the loop in the pontoon bow rope to a connection near the rear of the kayak cockpit. A stern rope (not shown) can connect the loop in the pontoon stern rope to a connection near the stern of the kayak. Of course, other methods can be used to connect the box storage pontoon rack vessel to the load vessel.

One or more boxes 16 can fit onto the rack 20. The rack 20 can be formed to create a plurality of rack slots 26. The rack slots 26 can define regions into which a box body bottom protrusion 46 of the box 16 can be inserted. Typically, the box body bottom protrusion 46 can fit into the rack slot 26 and the box body 34 can rest on a top surface of the rack 20. This configuration prevents the boxes 16 from sliding on the surface of the rack 20.

The boxes 16 can include a box lid 36 that fits onto a box body lid lip 44. In some embodiments of the present invention, a gasket can provide a seal between the box lid 36 and the box body lid lip 44, creating a waterproof box.

As shown in FIG. 2, for example, six rack slots 26 can be formed from the rack 20. Various numbers of rack slots 26, however, can be designed in the rack 20. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, for example the rack 20 can be designed with one large rack slot and a large box 18 can have a box body bottom protrusion 46 that fits into the rack slot of the rack 20. The large box 18 can be sized, for example, to accommodate a bicycle, thereby solving a problem of over land transportation for the paddler 12.

Similar to the boxes 16, the box 18 can include a box lid 40 that fits onto the box body lid lip 44. In some embodiments of the present invention, a gasket can provide a seal between the box lid 40 and the box body lid lip 44, creating a waterproof box.

As shown in FIG. 8, the box 18 could be designed with a plurality of box body bottom protrusions 46 to match the six rack slot design as shown in FIG. 2. This can allow using the large box 18 with the rack 20 designed for six small boxes 16, for example. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9, the lid 40 can be formed with a storage indentation 48.

In some embodiments, the box lids 36, 40 and the box body 34 can include one or more strap brackets 42. A box lid strap 32 can be secured between a strap bracket 42 in the lid 36, 40 and a strap bracket 42 in the box body 34 to secure the lid 36, 40 to the box body 34. Other mechanisms are contemplated within the scope of the present invention, in addition to the box lid straps 32. For example, a closure buckle could extend between the box lid 36, 40 and the box body 34 to secure the box lid 36, 40 to the box body 34.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A box storage pontoon rack vessel comprising:

at least a first pontoon and a second pontoon;

a rack spanning between and secured to the first pontoon and the second pontoon, the first pontoon spaced apart from the second pontoon a distance sufficient for a load vessel to fit therebetween;

at least one rack slot formed from the rack; and

at least one box having a box body bottom protrusion fitting into the at least one rack slot.

2. The box storage pontoon rack vessel of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of rack straps operable to secure the rack to the first pontoon and the second pontoon.

3. The box storage pontoon rack vessel of claim 2, wherein each of the first pontoon and the second pontoon include a plurality of rack securement strap slots operable to accept the rack straps therethrough.

4. The box storage pontoon rack vessel of claim 1, wherein the at least one box includes a box lid fitting over a lip formed in a box body.

5. The box storage pontoon rack vessel of claim 4, wherein the box lid and the box body include strap brackets.

6. The box storage pontoon rack vessel of claim 5, further comprising a box lid strap passing through the strap brackets and securing the box lid to the box body.

7. The box storage pontoon rack vessel of claim 1, wherein the at least one rack slots include six rack slots.

8. The box storage pontoon rack vessel of claim 7, wherein the at least one box includes six boxes, each having box body bottom protrusions fitting into each of the six rack slots.

9. The box storage pontoon rack vessel of claim 7, wherein the at least one box includes at least one multi-slot box having more than one box body bottom protrusion on a single one of the at least one multi-slot box.

10. A box storage pontoon rack system comprising:

at least a first pontoon and a second pontoon;

a load vessel fitting between the first pontoon and the second pontoon;

a rack spanning between and secured to the first pontoon and the second pontoon, the rack disposed over the load vessel;

at least one rack slot formed from the rack; and

at least one box having a box body bottom protrusion fitting into the at least one rack slot.

11. The box storage pontoon rack system of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of rack straps operable to secure the rack to the first pontoon and the second pontoon.

12. The box storage pontoon rack system of claim 10, wherein:

the at least one box includes a box lid fitting over a lip formed in a box body; and

the box lid and the box body include strap brackets.

13. The box storage pontoon rack system of claim 12, further comprising a box lid strap passing through the strap brackets and securing the box lid to the box body.