Family canoe and use of a family canoe

Abstract

Family canoe (100, 200) with a boat hull (1) having a floor (2) and with several seats (3, 3', 3', 3'''), wherein at least one seat (3, 3') is designed as an adult seat (4, 4') and at least one other seat (3'', 3''') is designed as a child seat (5, 5'), and the distance (A1) of the child seat (5, 5') to the floor (2) is greater than the distance (A2) of the adult seat (4, 4') to the floor (2), characterized in that the adult seat (4, 4') is designed as a kayak seat (6, 6') and the child seat (5, 5') is designed as a Canadian canoe seat (7, 7'), wherein at least one entry hatch (8, 8', 8'') is provided, wherein the entry hatch (8, 8', 8'') has an edge (13, 13', 13'') which is suitable for attaching a spray deck and the distance (A1) of the child seat (5, 5') to the ground (2) is smaller than the distance of the edge of the associated access hatch (8, 8', 8'') to the ground (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a family canoe with a boat hull having the features according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] In this publication, the term “family canoe” refers to a canoe suitable for simultaneous use by at least one child and at least one adult.

[0003] For the purposes of this publication, the term "canoe" refers to a boat that is propelled by paddles in the direction of vision. For the purposes of this publication, the term particularly includes kayaks and Canadian canoes.

[0004] Kayaks and Canadian canoes differ from each other in that the former are propelled by double paddles and the latter by single paddles.

[0005] Family canoes are already known. For example, DE 10 2018 009 055 A1 shows a Canadian canoe that, in the version with at least two seats, can be used as a family canoe.

[0006] US 7 121 225 B1 shows a sit-on-top kayak with an adult seat and one or two child seats. The child seat is placed on a recess on the top of the kayak.

[0007] US 2009 / 0 025 624 A1 shows a kayak with a platform that can be attached to the deck behind the seat hatch. This is intended to facilitate the transport of pets and other uses such as swimming, diving, or fishing. An outrigger may be provided. The platform can be configured to accommodate a seat.

[0008] US Pat. No. 5,540,176 A shows a spraydeck with a removable or replaceable chimney. Also shown is a spraydeck for an open Canadian canoe, which has two openings, one for each paddler, and a central opening. This central opening can be configured to allow access to the interior of the canoe without removing the spraydeck.

[0009] US Patent No. 2,815,517 A shows a rowing device that can be installed in a Canadian canoe. The rowing seat can be lower than the Canadian canoe benches.

[0010] DE 19 40 436 U shows a paddle that can be converted from a double paddle into a single paddle.

[0011] US 2019 / 0 389 541 A1 shows a folding kayak that can be converted between at least a single-seat configuration and a tandem configuration by installing a desired number of seat and footrest assemblies. At least some of the seat and footrest assemblies are installed in the folding kayak by strapping seat and / or footrest components to loops permanently attached to removable floorboards of the folding kayak. The removable floorboards are secured to the folding kayak using extruded interlocking profiles. A bench seat may also be mountable.

[0012] A disadvantage of common family canoes is that they are often not particularly smooth-handling and / or do not adequately meet the specific needs of the child or children. While single and double adult canoes are available in a wide variety of configurations that are also very smooth-handling, this is not the case with family canoes, especially those with three or four seats.

[0013] The invention aims to provide a family-friendly canoe. This object is achieved by the family canoe recited in claim 1.

[0014] The family canoe according to the invention is characterized by the fact that at least one seat is designed as an adult seat and at least one seat is designed as a child seat, and the distance of the child seat(s) from the ground is greater than the distance of the adult seat(s) from the ground. This accommodates the special needs of the child(ren). Seats with a greater distance from the ground, such as Canadian bench seats, offer several advantages. Getting in and out is easier, the position on the seat is more variable, there is greater freedom of movement, and the overview is better. These advantages are particularly appreciated by children.

[0015] These advantages of the raised seating position are offset by significant disadvantages in common canoes, particularly Canadian canoes, which limit their suitability for still waters and longer trips: The higher center of gravity caused by the higher seating position requires a boat shape with high initial stability, i.e. a wide canoe, which is detrimental to smooth sailing and, together with the greater distance of the paddle from the water surface, makes the use of a more effective double paddle more difficult and often necessitates the use of a single-blade paddle. The wind attack surface of a paddler sitting higher up is larger than that of a paddler sitting lower down. A foot rudder is either not feasible or difficult to implement. A canoe without a foot rudder is difficult to navigate, especially for inexperienced paddlers, and requires that the paddle cannot only be used for propulsion, but also to keep the canoe on course.

[0016] Surprisingly, it has been shown that when the distance of at least one child seat to the ground in a family canoe is greater than the distance of at least one adult seat to the ground, i.e. when two different seat shapes are combined in one canoe, the advantages of the seat with the greater distance to the ground still exist and are particularly valuable for children, while at the same time the disadvantages of this seat are not apparent or only to a lesser extent. This is because the higher center of gravity of the paddling child(ren) is not significant due to their lower weight, and the canoe can be slim and sleek, which benefits smooth sailing. Susceptibility to wind hardly increases at all, since the at least one child sitting higher up does not protrude, or only barely protrudes, above the adult(s) sitting lower down.A foot rudder can be attached to the adult seat, so there is no need to do without it, so that, as with a kayak, all of the paddling energy can still be converted into propulsion and does not have to be used partly to steer the canoe.

[0017] Having at least one seat with a greater distance from the ground, such as a Canadian canoe bench, also allows for a closer seating arrangement, as the paddler's legs aren't stretched as far forward. This creates the prerequisite for accommodating three or four seats in a row in a canoe of a suitable length for everyday use.

[0018] The family canoe is preferably suitable for simultaneous use by two adults and one child or for simultaneous use by two adults and two children, so it has a total of three or four seats.

[0019] Preferably, the at least one adult seat has a distance from the ground that is at least almost zero or the smallest possible or less than 10 cm or less than 15 cm.

[0020] Preferably, the at least one child seat has a distance of more than 10 cm or 15 cm from the ground. Preferably, the at least one child seat has a distance of less than 40 cm from the ground.

[0021] It's preferable that the child seat(s) rest off the floor. This allows the floor in this area to be used for storing luggage, for example.

[0022] Preferably, the adult seat or seats are at least supported on the floor.

[0023] The at least one adult seat is designed as a kayak seat, and the at least one child seat is designed as a Canadian canoe bench. In the embodiment with a total of exactly four seats, two kayak seats and two Canadian canoe benches are preferably provided.

[0024] The family canoe is preferably a mixture between a kayak and a Canadian canoe.

[0025] At least one access hatch is provided. The access hatch has a lip suitable for attaching a spraydeck. This lip can preferably be designed as a coaming or washboard.

[0026] The distance of the child seat(s) from the ground is less than the distance from the edge of the corresponding entry hatch to the ground. Therefore, at least one child seat is also positioned below the edge of the corresponding entry hatch. This prevents the child from sitting too close to the edge of the canoe. Furthermore, a spray deck can be used in the area of ​​the canoe seat, since the edge of the hatch is not covered by the child seat.

[0027] Preferably, a separate entry hatch is provided for the adult seat.

[0028] This allows the entry hatch of the adult seat to be closed particularly easily and effectively with a spray cover.

[0029] If several adult seats are provided, then a separate entry hatch can be provided for each adult seat.

[0030] It's best to provide exactly two child seats. Preferably, the two child seats are located in a shared access hatch. This reduces the distance between the two child seats, making the boat more compact. Furthermore, the shared access hatch, which is larger than individual hatches for each child seat, can be used for convenient luggage storage.

[0031] If two adult seats are provided, they should preferably be located at the front and rear.

[0032] Preferably, the child seat(s) is / are provided in the direction of the boat length in the middle of the family canoe, preferably between the adult seats.

[0033] This results in an even weight distribution with two child and two adult seats and the children can sit close together and communicate easily.

[0034] If the family canoe includes a foot rudder, the paddles can be used exclusively for propulsion. Preferably, actuation elements for the foot rudder are provided, which more preferably include pedals.

[0035] The length to width ratio of the family canoe is preferably at least 6. This ensures that the family canoe is easy to handle, i.e. can be paddled quickly and easily enough to be suitable for comfortably covering longer distances on still waters.

[0036] The length to width ratio can range between 6 and 10.

[0037] The family canoe should preferably have a width of at least 60 cm and a maximum of 90 cm.

[0038] The family canoe should preferably be at least 5 m and no more than 7 m long.

[0039] The family canoe can have a length of approximately 615 cm and a width of approximately 85 cm, thus a length-to-width ratio of approximately 7.2. In another embodiment, it has a length of approximately 590 cm and a width of approximately 76 cm, thus a length-to-width ratio of approximately 7.8.

[0040] The height of the family canoe in the area of ​​at least one adult seat should preferably be no more than 40 cm. It can be between 30 and 40 cm. This ensures low susceptibility to wind.

[0041] It is advantageous to provide exactly two child seats and, more preferably, exactly two adult seats.

[0042] If at least one spray deck is provided to provide a watertight seal between the entry hatches and the paddlers, the family canoe can be used safely even in rain and rough waves. Preferably, the spray deck has at least one chimney, as is already known per se. Preferably, the at least one chimney is cylindrical. In one embodiment of the family canoe with two child seats and two adult seats, three spray decks are provided, of which preferably two each have one chimney and one has two chimneys. The spray deck with two chimneys is then preferably provided for the child seats. In another embodiment of the family canoe with two child seats and two adult seats, exactly one spray deck is provided, with four chimneys.If more than one chimney is provided on a spraydeck, then this can be designed to be detachable from the spraydeck, so that the spraydeck can first be attached to the canoe - preferably at the coaming - and then, after the respective user has boarded, the chimney can be tightly connected to the spraydeck. The chimneys, for example for the child seats, can also be permanently connected to the rest of the spraydeck. The chimneys for the child seat(s) can also be designed so that, unlike conventional chimneys on spraydecks, they do not fit tightly against the respective child, but have a space around them. For the child, the spraydeck then "merely" acts as a raised edge of the entry hatch.While this doesn't guarantee a tight seal from the spray deck alone, it does increase the likelihood that the child will safely slide out of the chimney, i.e., the spray deck, in the event of a capsize. The chimney is preferably designed to be rigid, for example, made of PVC with a thickness of at least 300 or 600 g / m. 2 It stays upright even when not resting against the child, thus preventing waves from crashing into the canoe. If the chimney is at least 10 cm or 20 cm high, the canoe can be used safely up to considerable wave heights without the chimney having to be pressed tightly against the child.

[0043] Preferably, the at least one adult seat and the at least one child seat are designed for permanent use in the family canoe. Preferably, the at least one adult seat and the at least one child seat are designed for use while paddling. Preferably, the family canoe is designed for propulsion exclusively by paddling. Preferably, the at least one adult seat has a backrest. Preferably, the at least one child seat does not have a backrest. The child seat or seats can be connected to the upper half of the canoe, preferably exclusively. Preferably, all seats are aligned in the direction of travel of the canoe. Preferably, all seats are arranged one behind the other. Preferably, the hull is a single-hull hull. Preferably, the family canoe is not a catamaran. Preferably, the family canoe does not have an outrigger.Preferably, the hull has a cross-section with a continuously convex lower region.

[0044] The family canoe can have a solid hull, making it a rigid boat. If the canoe is a rigid boat, then it can be divisible. This can make it easier to transport, for example on a car roof. Preferably, one part of the canoe can be transported inside the other part. If the family canoe is a rigid boat, then the hull can comprise or be made of thermoplastic material, such as high-molecular-weight polyethylene. If the family canoe is a rigid boat, then the hull preferably comprises fiber-reinforced plastic. The fibers can be fibers made of polyethylene terephthalate, glass fibers, aramid fibers, carbon fibers, or mixtures thereof. The plastic can be a duromer, such as polyester resin, epoxy resin, or vinyl ester resin.

[0045] Instead of a rigid boat, the family canoe can also be a folding boat or an inflatable boat, such as a so-called “dropstitch” inflatable boat, or a hybrid boat.

[0046] The load capacity of the family canoe can be between 200 kg and 350 kg or between 200 kg and 450 kg. Due to the slightly higher center of gravity caused by at least one raised child seat, the family canoe can have a hard chine, a V-chine, and / or a round chine, which, while not particularly stable, further promotes smooth sailing. A U-chine is also conceivable. The family canoe can have at least one luggage hatch, which can be closed with a luggage hatch cover. The luggage hatch can be partitioned.

[0047] If more than one child seat is intended, all child seats can be designed as described in this publication. It is also conceivable that only one of the child seats will have these features. The same applies to the adult seats.

[0048] The invention also relates to the use of a family canoe according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the canoe is paddled simultaneously with a double paddle and a single paddle. Preferably, the canoe is paddled simultaneously with two double paddles and two single paddles.

[0049] Surprisingly, it has been shown that the two types of paddles, double paddle and single paddle, can be well combined in a single canoe.

[0050] The family canoe is preferably paddled by the child in at least one child seat using a single paddle, and by the adult in at least one adult seat using a double paddle. It has been shown that the at least one child can paddle well in sync with the adult(s) paddling with the double paddle. The child, paddling at half the speed of the adult in this way, is protected from overload and still makes a noticeable contribution to progress. If exactly two child seats and exactly two adult seats are provided, the family canoe is preferably paddled simultaneously with two double paddles and two single paddles.

[0051] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 a first embodiment in a view from above; Fig. 2 the first embodiment in a side view; Fig. 3 a second embodiment in a view from above.

[0052] The one marked 100, in Fig. The first embodiment of the family canoe according to the invention shown in Figure 1 has a solid hull 1 made of fiber-reinforced plastic. The hull has a bottom 2. The family canoe has exactly four seats 3, 3', 3'', 3'''.

[0053] At least one seat 3, 3' is designed as an adult seat 4, 4'. More precisely, in the illustrated embodiment, exactly two seats 3, 3' are each designed as adult seats 4, 4'.

[0054] At least one seat 3'', 3''' is designed as a child seat 5, 5'. More precisely, in the illustrated embodiment, exactly two seats 3'', 3''' are each designed as a child seat 5, 5'.

[0055] The two child seats 5, 5' are in the middle of the family canoe 100 and the two adult seats 4, 4' are located at the front and rear.

[0056] How Fig. 2 shows, the distance A1 of the two child seats 5, 5' to the floor 2 is greater than the distance A2 of the two adult seats to the floor 2. As Fig. 2 also shows, the two adult seats 5, 5' have a distance A2 to the ground 2 that is at least almost zero. The two adult seats 5, 5' are supported on the ground 2. The distance A1 of the two child seats 5, 5' to the ground in the illustrated embodiment is approximately 35 cm, and these are not supported on the ground 2, but are connected to it exclusively at the upper half of the canoe ( Fig. 2).

[0057] Fig. Figure 2 also shows that the two adult seats 4, 4', unlike the two child seats 5, 5', have a backrest 12, 12'.

[0058] All seats 3, 3', 3'', 3''' are aligned in the direction of travel F of the canoe 100 and arranged one behind the other.

[0059] The adult seats 4, 4' are each designed as kayak seats 6, 6', and the child seats 5, 5' are each designed as Canadian bench seats 7, 7'. The distance A1 of the child seats 5, 5' from the floor is smaller than the distance A3 of the edge of the corresponding entry hatch 8' from the floor 2.

[0060] At least one access hatch 8, 8', 8'' is provided, or more precisely, exactly three access hatches 8, 8', 8'' are provided. The access hatches each have a rim 13, 13', 13', which is designed as a coaming and is suitable for attaching a spray deck.

[0061] Such as Fig. 1 shows, each adult seat 4, 4' has its own entry hatch 8, 8'' and the two child seats 5, 5' are arranged in a common entry hatch 8'.

[0062] The Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 also show that the family canoe 100 comprises a foot control 9 and pedals 11 are provided as actuating elements for this.

[0063] The Family Canoe 100 has a width (B) of approximately 76 cm and a length (L) of approximately 590 cm. The height (H) of the Family Canoe 100 is between 30 and 40 cm in the adult seat area (4.4').

[0064] Three spray decks are provided (not shown in the figures), two of which have one chimney each and one of which has two chimneys.

[0065] The family canoe 100 has two luggage hatches, each of which can be closed by a luggage hatch cover 10, 10'. Both luggage hatches have a partition not shown in the figures.

[0066] In Fig.3 shows a second embodiment 200. Like reference numerals refer to like components. Reference is made to the above description. To avoid repetition, only the differences between the second embodiment 200 and the first embodiment 100 are described below: The second embodiment 200 of the family canoe has only one entry hatch 8, with exactly one edge 13 designed as a coaming.

[0067] And there's only one spraydeck (again, not shown in the figure). This one has four stacks. List of reference symbols: 100, 200 family canoe 1 boat hull 2 floor 3, 3', 3'', 3''' seats 4, 4' adult seat 5.5' child seat 6.6' kayak seat 7.7' Canadian bench 8, 8', 8'' entry hatch 9 Foot tax 10, 10' luggage hatch cover 11 pedals 12, 12' backrest 13, 13', 13' edge of the entry hatch A1 Distance of the child seat to the ground A2 Distance of the adult seat to the floor A3 Distance of the edge of the access hatch to the floor B Width of the family canoe L Length of the family canoe H Height of the family canoe

Claims

[1] Family canoe (100, 200) with a boat body (1) having a floor (2) and with several seats (3, 3', 3', 3'''), wherein at least one seat (3, 3') is designed as an adult seat (4, 4') and at least one other seat (3'', 3''') is designed as a child seat (5, 5'), and the distance (A1) of the child seat (5, 5') to the floor (2) is greater than the distance (A2) of the adult seat (4, 4') to the floor (2) characterized by that the adult seat (4, 4') is designed as a kayak seat (6, 6') and the child seat (5, 5') is designed as a Canadian canoe seat (7, 7'), wherein at least one entry hatch (8, 8', 8'') is provided, wherein the entry hatch (8, 8', 8'') has an edge (13, 13', 13'') which is suitable for attaching a spray deck and the distance (A1) of the child seat (5, 5') to the ground (2) is smaller than the distance of the edge of the associated entry hatch (8, 8', 8'') to the ground (2). [2] Family canoe according to claim 1, characterized bythat a separate entry hatch (8, 8'') is provided for the adult seat (4, 4'). [3] Family canoe according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that exactly two child seats (5, 5') are provided and that the child seats (5, 5') are arranged in a common entry hatch (8'). [4] Family canoe according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that exactly two adult seats (4, 4') are provided and the child seat (5, 5') or child seats (5, 5') are provided in the middle of the family canoe (100, 200) and the adult seats (4, 4') are provided at the front and rear respectively. [5] Family canoe according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the family canoe (100, 200) includes a foot rudder (9). [6] Family canoe according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the length (L) to width (W) ratio of the family canoe is at least 6. [7] Family canoe according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized bythat exactly two child seats (5, 5') and exactly two adult seats (4, 4') are provided. [8] Family canoe according to claim 7, characterized by that either three spray decks are provided, two of which each have one chimney and one of which has two chimneys, or that exactly one spray deck is provided, with four chimneys. [9] Use of a family canoe (100, 200) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the canoe (100, 200) is paddled simultaneously with a double paddle and a single paddle.

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