Kayak Retainer
A securement device for receiving a kayak to be inserted therein and held. The securement device may comprise a two-piece telescopic pole of adjustable length having a first loop fixed to one end of the pole and a second loop fixed to the opposed end of the pole. A lock enables locking of the pole to a length which effectively entraps a kayak which has been inserted into the two loops. The securement device may comprise a mount such as one or more legs which may bear holes for receiving fasteners. Each loop may be dimensioned and configured to receive one or more kayaks. The mount may comprise a plurality of first and second loops and a base enabling the securement device to stand vertically on a horizontal surface.
The present invention relates to a device for restraining and retaining a kayak for purposes of stowage and anti-theft security.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONA kayak is a personal watercraft having relatively long, slender configuration. A kayak may be stored on land and transported on a motor vehicle for example to a body of water. A kayak is not configured conveniently for cooperation with many environmental surfaces other than along the bottom. Therefore, stowing a kayak in any orientation other than lying on a horizontal surface presents problems.
A kayak, although big enough to receive one person when being used in the water, is sufficiently light so that it can be carried by one person. A kayak is therefore somewhat susceptible to being easily stolen if not secured.
There exists a need for an apparatus to assist in stowing kayaks in positions in orientations other than lying on a horizontal surface, and additional need for apparatuses capable of securing kayaks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention addresses the above stated needs by providing an securement apparatus which is easily fixed to a kayak and to an environmental surface. Once fixed, the kayak may be transported securely, or merely stowed with increased security against casual removal. To this end, the securement apparatus comprises a holder including a telescopic pole and a loop or a functional equivalent fixed to each end of the telescopic pole. The pole has mounting apparatus which enables the securement apparatus to be fixed to an environmental surface. The mounting apparatus may take several forms, for example, enabling horizontal mounting selectively to a motor vehicle and vertical mounting to a floor surface.
In a variation of the basic concept, the securement apparatus may accommodate plural kayaks to be mounted together by increasing the size of the loop to accept insertion of more than one kayak. Also, the telescopic pole may have many loops, thus establishing for example a carousel which accommodates many kayaks arrayed in parallel to one another.
It is an object of the invention to provide a practical, uncomplicated apparatus for securely engaging kayaks.
It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof by apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable, and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
For purposes of semantic description, the first section 14 may be said to have a proximal end 18 and an opposed distal end 20. Similarly, the second section 16 has a proximal end 22 (not visible in
A first loop 26 may be fixed to the distal end 20 of the first section 14, and a second loop 28 may be fixed to the distal end 24 of the second section 16. The loops 26, 28 may comprise a strong, flexible filamentary material such as metallic wire, or natural or synthetic fiber rope, for example. As an alternative to filamentary or flexible material, the loops 26, 28 may be rigid and formed monolithically from a material such as metal such as steel or aluminum, or may be fiberglass, plastic, or any other suitable material. Where the loops 26, 28 are formed from a rigid or flexible material which would be able to mar the surface of the kayak 2, the loops 26, 28 may have a suitable covering such as fabric to prevent such damage.
The securement apparatus 10 may include a lock disposed to secure the first section 14 at a selected position along the second section 16. The lock may comprise alignable holes 30, 32 formed respectively in the first section 14 and the second section 16, and a pin 34 which may be inserted through two aligned holes 30, 32 and secured by a padlock (not shown) the shackle of which may be passed through a hole (not shown) formed in the pin 34 or by another secure locking arrangement. Of course, other locking arrangements may be substituted where desired.
Kayaks such as the kayak 2 have tapered bodies such that the greatest diameter of the kayak is proximate the center of the kayak, or about halfway between the two opposed ends of the kayak. Therefore, the first loop 26 and the second loop 28 are each of sufficient diameter to accept insertion of one end of the kayak therein, yet of limited or sufficiently small diameter so as to prevent the kayak from passing entirely through the respective first loop 26 or second loop 28 and being pulled free of the securement apparatus 10. As depicted in
The securement apparatus 10 has been explained with respect to engagement of a kayak 2, but will be understood to also include a mount having engagement elements for engaging an environmental surface. Referring now to
The legs 136 may be so located on the pole 112 such that they are substantially centered along the pole 112 when a kayak is received within the loops 126, 128. This may promote balance of the weight of a kayak engaged by the securement apparatus 110, and may minimize torques imposed on the securement apparatus 110 while driving should the securement apparatus 110 be employed to secure a kayak to a motor vehicle.
Of course, vertical position refers to orientation of the pole 212 and to longitudinal orientation of a kayak such as the kayak 2, which could be stowed and secured using the securement apparatus 210.
The securement apparatus 410 may comprise a pole 412 and a lock having structural and functional characteristics of the pole 12 and lock of the securement apparatus 10 of
The openings 428 are dimensioned and configured to function as lower loops which would receive and retain kayaks in the same way as the loops 26 and 28 of the securement apparatus 10. As depicted in
While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the disclosed arrangements, but is intended to cover various arrangements which are included within the spirit and scope of the broadest possible interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all modifications and equivalent arrangements which are possible
Claims
1. A securement apparatus for securely engaging a kayak, comprising
- a pole including a first section having a proximal end and an opposed distal end, and a second section having a proximal end disposed proximate the proximal end of the first section and an opposed distal end, wherein the first section is disposed in adjustable relationship along the length of the second section, a lock disposed to secure the first section at a selected position along the second section;
- a first loop fixed proximate the distal end of the first section, and a second loop fixed proximate the distal end of the second section, wherein the first loop and the second loop are each of sufficient diameter to accept insertion of one end of a kayak therein and of limited diameter so as to prevent the kayak from passing entirely through the respective first loop or second loop; and
- a mount having engagement elements for engaging an environmental surface.
2. The securement apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first section of the pole is disposed in coaxial and telescoping relationship to the second section of the pole.
3. The securement apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mount comprises at least two legs which project from the pole, and wherein each said leg has an enlarged foot, thereby enabling the securement apparatus to be mounted parallel to a flat environmental surface.
4. The securement apparatus of claim 3, wherein the legs are centered along the pole.
5. The securement apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mount comprises a single leg projecting from the pole and is located at one end of the pole.
6. The securement apparatus of claim 5, wherein the leg projects to only one side of the pole.
7. The securement apparatus of claim 5, wherein the leg bears at least one hole passing entirely therethrough in a direction parallel to the pole, thereby enabling the securement apparatus to be mounted vertically on a horizontal environmental surface by a fastener which may be passed through the hole formed in the leg.
8. The securement apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first loop and the second loop are dimensioned and configured to receive at least two kayaks therein, wherein the kayaks are parallel and coextensive with respect to one another.
9. The securement apparatus of claim 2, wherein the pole is non-circular in cross section along its length, whereby the first section of the pole is constrained from rotating about the longitudinal axis of the pole relative to the second section.
10. The securement apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first section of the pole comprises square channel and the second section of the pole comprises square channel.
11. A securement apparatus for securely engaging a plurality of kayaks, comprising
- a pole including a first section having a proximal end and an opposed distal end, and a second section having a proximal end disposed proximate the proximal end of the first section and an opposed distal end, wherein the first section is disposed in adjustable relationship along the length of the second section, a lock disposed to secure the first section at a selected position along the second section;
- a plurality of first loops fixed to the distal end of the first section, and a plurality of second loops fixed to the distal end of the second section; and
- a mount having engagement elements for engaging an environmental surface.
12. The securement apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first section of the pole is disposed in coaxial and telescoping relationship to the second section of the pole.
13. The securement apparatus of claim 11, wherein the mount comprises a planar base which projects radially from the pole and is located at one end of the pole, thereby enabling a plurality of kayaks to be secured in an upright position projecting upwardly from a horizontal surface.
14. The securement apparatus of claim 11, wherein the mount bears at least one hole passing entirely therethrough in a direction parallel to the pole, thereby enabling the securement apparatus to be mounted vertically on a horizontal environmental surface and secured thereto by fasteners which may be passed through the hole.
15. The securement apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first loop and the second loop are dimensioned and configured to receive at least two kayaks therein, wherein the kayaks received within any one loop are parallel and coextensive with respect to one another.
16. The securement apparatus of claim 11, wherein the pole is non-circular in cross section along its length, whereby the first section of the pole is constrained from rotating about the longitudinal axis of the pole relative to the second section.
17. The securement apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first section of the pole comprises square channel and the second section of the pole comprises square channel.
18. The securement apparatus of claim 11, wherein wherein the first loops and the second loops are each of sufficient diameter to accept insertion of one end of a kayak therein and of limited diameter so as to prevent the kayak from passing entirely through the respective first loop or second loop into which the kayak was inserted.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 12, 2012
Publication Date: Mar 13, 2014
Inventor: John R. Hannan (Carmichael, CA)
Application Number: 13/612,519
International Classification: A47F 7/00 (20060101); A47F 5/00 (20060101);