Kayak-stability system

Abstract

A kayak stability system that stabilizes a kayak and supports a kayaker in water such that he or she can more conveniently enter or re-enter the kayak from the water. The device includes at least one sponson attached to the kayak and retractably moveable from a stored position along an exterior surface of a hull of the kayak to a deployed position over the water to provide added buoyancy to the kayak for stabilizing the kayak and a stability arm for supporting the kayaker in the water. At least one stabilizing arm is also pivotally attached to the kayak and retractably moveable from a stored position along a surface of the hull to a deployed position over the water in spaced relation to a corresponding sponson. A combination of the deployed sponson and stabilizing arm provides support to a kayaker to allow the kayaker to more conveniently enter or re-enter the kayak from the water.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates, generally, to a kayak and, more particularly, to a system for stabilizing the kayak and supporting a kayaker in water such that he or she can more conveniently enter or re-enter the kayak from the water.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] It is known in canoeing and, in particular, kayaking for a kayak moving in a body of water to tip, flip, capsize, or otherwise overturn. This, in turn, causes a corresponding kayaker to be dumped from a cockpit of the kayak into the water either via a “wet exit”—wherein the kayaker intentionally extracts himself or herself from the cockpit while he or she is submerged under the surface of the water—or otherwise. This is especially true in dangerous kayaking conditions, such as when it is extremely windy and, thus, the waters are perilously wavy. When the kayak overturns, the cockpit can become flooded. Upon being dumped, the kayaker must then rescue ...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0031]The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and / or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and / or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another...

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates, generally, to a kayak and, more particularly, to a system for stabilizing the kayak and supporting a kayaker in water such that he or she can more conveniently enter or re-enter the kayak from the water.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] It is known in canoeing and, in particular, kayaking for a kayak moving in a body of water to tip, flip, capsize, or otherwise overturn. This, in turn, causes a corresponding kayaker to be dumped from a cockpit of the kayak into the water either via a “wet exit”—wherein the kayaker intentionally extracts himself or herself from the cockpit while he or she is submerged under the surface of the water—or otherwise. This is especially true in dangerous kayaking conditions, such as when it is extremely windy and, thus, the waters are perilously wavy. When the kayak overturns, the cockpit can become flooded. Upon being dumped, the kayaker must then rescue ...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0031]The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and / or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. Also, as used in the specification including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and / or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another...

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