PADDLE LOCKING DEVICE FOR WATERCRAFT PADDLES AND OARS

Abstract

Paddle locking devices for watercraft paddles which is a system to conveniently load and hold paddles, especially if the paddles are to be stored outside of the watercraft.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] Most watercraft require the use of paddles to move them around on the water. It has always been a major problem to store or otherwise move the paddles out of the way owing to the fact that watercraft in general have a limited amount of open space to move around in. Such watercraft, for example, includes such things as boats, kayaks, canoes, paddle boards and the like.

[0002] It would be a major improvement to have a system to conveniently load and hold paddles, especially if the paddles could be stored outside of the watercraft, even when the watercraft is moving.

[0003] The instant disclosure provides devices that overcome such problems.

THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] Thus, what is disclosed and claimed herein in one embodiment, is a paddle locking device for watercraft paddles. The paddle locking device comprises a housing. The housing has a top and a bottom wherein the top and bottom have elongated openings in them.

[0005] The housing has two ends, each end having an opening to accommodate a fastener in it. The top of the housing has an elongated cradle configuration. There is a magnet located in the housing.

[0006] In another embodiment, there is a combination of a paddle for watercraft and a paddle locking device as described just Supra, wherein, the paddle has a magnetic friendly metal segment attached to a handle of the paddle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a full top view of a locking device of this invention.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a full bottom view of a locking device of this invention.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a full side view of a locking device of this invention.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a full top view of one means of locking.

[0011] FIG. 5A is a top view of a second means of locking.

[0012] FIG. 5B is an end view of the second means of locking.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a full view of a kayak paddle showing the possible placement of the devices of this invention.

[0014] FIG. 7 is a full view of a canoe paddle showing the possible placement of a device on a canoe paddle.

[0015] FIG. 8 is a full top view of a kayak showing the locking of a paddle on the surface of the kayak.

[0016] FIG. 9 is a full side view of one method of securing an oar to the outside of a boat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0017] For purposes of this invention, the term "paddle" or "paddles" means any device that is used to propel a boat by hand without the aid of motors, such a paddles, oars, poles, rudders, and the like.

[0018] For purposes of this invention, the devices of this invention have a nominal size of approximately 2 inches long to 5 inches long and have a width of about inch to about 1 1/4 inches. Preferred are dimensions of about 3 inches long by about 3/4 inch and a thickness of about inch. The devices are nominally about 1/4 inch to about 3/4 inch in thickness. They can be manufactured from metal, wood, plastic and the like, it being preferred to manufacture from plastic.

[0019] Turning now to FIG. 1, there is shown one embodiment of a paddle locking device 1 of this invention wherein there is shown a housing 2. The housing has a top 3 and a bottom 4, the top having an opening 5 (see FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively).

[0020] Also shown in FIG. 1 are the fastener (not shown) openings 7 and 7' by which the device 1 is fastened to a water craft. The designation 8 in FIG. 1 shows the area of the cradle 9 configuration. FIG. 3 is a full side view of the device 1 showing the fastener openings 7 and 7' in phantom.

[0021] Shown in phantom in FIG. 2 is a magnet 10 which is encased in the housing 1. Turning now to FIG. 5A, there is shown a locking means 11 that is attached to a kayak paddle or canoe paddle, for example. The locking means 11 is a shallow concave strip of magnetic friendly metal that is attached to the kayak paddle or canoe paddle, or oar, by any means desirable as long as the locking means remains in place to store the paddles. The "shallow concave strip" is configured to fit the round surface of paddles and oars and the like. FIG. 5B shows a full end view of the locking means 11.

[0022] By the term "magnetic friendly metal", for purposes of this invention, it is meant that the metal is attracted to said magnet, for example iron or steel.

[0023] One means of attaching the locking means 11 to the paddle is to wrap the locking means 11 with a rubber wrap or Velcro.RTM. straps. Common Rubber bands will also suffice for this attachment. The means shown in FIG. 4 is a vulcanized rubber strip 12 that encases metallic discs 13 and this device can be used without the use of the locking means 11.

[0024] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate two methods of arrangement of the locking mean on the paddles or oars. FIG. 6 is an illustration of a kayak paddle 14 showing the placements 15 in place, while FIG. 7 shows one placement 16 on a canoe paddle 17.

[0025] In addition, FIG. 8 shows the use of the locking means 11 on a kayak 18 while FIG. 9 shows a canoe paddle 17 attached to a canoe 19 using a locking means 11.

Claims

1. A paddle locking device for watercraft paddles, said paddle locking device comprising: i. housing, said housing having a top and a bottom, said top having a first opening therein; ii. said housing having two ends, each end having a second opening to accommodate a fastener therein; iii. said top of said housing having an elongated cradle configuration; iv. a magnet located in said housing.

2. In combination, a paddle for watercraft and a paddle locking device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the paddle has a magnetic friendly metal segment attached to a handle of said paddle.

3. The combination as claimed in claim 2, wherein, said magnetic friendly metal is formed to fit a portion of the outside surface of a handle of said paddle and is attached thereto.

4. The combination a claimed in claim 3, wherein, the magnetic friendly metal is fixedly attached to said paddle.

5. The combination as claimed in claim 3 wherein, the magnetic friendly metal is removably attached to said paddle.

6. In combination, the combination as claimed in claim 2, wherein, in addition, the paddle locking device is attached to a watercraft.

7. The combination as claimed in claim 2, wherein, the paddle has a magnetic friendly metal segment attached to a handle of said paddle, wherein, there is a rubber band that wraps around said handle, wherein, said rubber band has encased in it a series of friendly metal segments.

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