Means and Apparatus for Ergonomic Water Paddle with Dynamic Rotating Grip

Abstract

An improved paddle apparatus for kayaks, canoes, or like water craft having a plurality of hand grips mounted to allow dynamic rotation relative to the paddle shaft to allow the wrist to remain in a natural position while paddling and still allow full power to be transferred from the blade into the water. Also a means of paddling whereby the operator can paddle with greater power and control on either side of the watercraft without breaking either handgrip. A further improvement includes using the handgrip in the position perpendicular to the paddle shaft to determine the blade position by feel and steer with greater torque. An alternative embodiment includes rotation of the grip itself, further reducing the twisting of the wrists and other joints.

Description

PRIOR ART REFERENCES [0001] U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,361 June 1987 Harvey [0002] U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,424 October 1998 Steinhour et al. [0003] U.S. Pat. No. 6,537,117 March 2003 Larson et al. [0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,851,132 December 1998 Merrill [0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,514,109 February 2003 Carlow [0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,617 December 2001 GunnellBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0007] 1. Field of the Invention [0008] The present invention relates to human powered propulsion through water using paddles or oars, particularly the sport of recreational or competitive canoeing or kayaking. More specifically the present invention relates to an improved system of paddling on either side of a watercraft with correct form for maximum power without breaking the hand grip. [0009] 2. Description of the Related Art [0010] Since ancient times man has used hand powered paddles for propelling floating craft through water. There are two main classes of paddles, single bladed and double bladed. Typically, a si...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

This unnatural twisting not only reduces efficiency, but also leads to fatigue.

Over extended periods of time it can lead to repetitive strain injury to the wrists, arms, and torso.

There are, however, several problems with the single bladed paddle.

This greatly reduces reaction time and creates an awkward position for the rower, which greatly reduces the power of the stroke and increases fatigue.

This creates inefficiency and hazard of dropping the paddle, especially in white water conditions, where actions need to be immediate and decisive.

This is particularly hard to do in a kayak as the body of the watercraft is close to the torso of the user.

Another disadvantage of the sin

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