Kayak Accessory With Modular Rails For Secure Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Kayakers face challenges in accessing their belongings while paddling due to limited and insecure storage options, which can lead to inconvenience and risk of loss, especially when both hands are required for balance and operation.

Innovation Solution

A kayak accessory system with watertight compartments, cup holders, power bank cradles, and adjustable mounting rails that provide secure, accessible storage for valuables and marine accessories, allowing easy operation and minimizing distractions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If belongings are stored in molded storage compartments, then storage capacity is provided, but accessibility while operating the watercraft deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidaccessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions storage from interior compartments (3D space inside cockpit) to exterior mounting (2D surface on gunwale or transom), changing the spatial dimension of storage location to achieve both capacity and accessibility simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If belongings are stored in dry bag within cockpit, then accessibility is improved, but security and protection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidsecurity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the storage system into separate modular compartments (first compartment for electronics, second compartment for other items) that can be independently secured to the watercraft, providing both accessibility and security through organized segmentation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The compartments are pre-configured with securing mechanisms (straps, clips, or mounting brackets) that are ready to attach to the watercraft structure, ensuring security is built-in from installation rather than added later

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If belongings are kept in lap or between legs, then accessibility is maintained, but stability and balance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidbalance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts belongings from the user's body (lap, between legs) and relocates them to dedicated exterior storage compartments mounted on the watercraft structure, separating the user's balance function from storage function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of manufacture

If fishing rod mounts are placed in standard locations, then mounting is simplified, but usability and accessibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting simplicityVSAvoidusability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent provides adjustable fishing rod mount positions that can be dynamically reconfigured along the gunwale or on the transom, allowing users to optimize rod placement for different fishing conditions while maintaining simple mounting through standardized attachment points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11724782B2Watercraft accessory

Publication Date: 2023.08.15 TULLI PAUL A

AI summary

An accessory for providing storage for a watercraft includes a base extending in a longitudinal direction having an upper side, a lower side, a front side, a rear side, a left side, and a right side and a plurality of mounting rails extending along a perimeter of the upper side of the base along the front side, the rear side, the left side, and rear side thereof. The mounting rails project from the upper side of the base thereby defining a recessed platform space therebetween.