Kayak Deck Cavity for Tool-Free Accessory Mounting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing kayaks often require significant effort and risk of damage to modify their shells for attaching aftermarket accessories, and even pre-installed solutions necessitate hole creation during the molding process, making accessory mounting inefficient and inconvenient.

Innovation Solution

A system featuring a kayak shell with integrally formed cavities on the deck that receive and removably retain accessory mounts through rotational engagement, eliminating the need for drilling holes and using fasteners, allowing for tool-free and quick attachment of various accessories.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional accessory mounting brackets are used with screws passing through the shell, then accessories can be securely mounted, but the shell requires time-consuming modification with drilled holes which could damage the boat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure mountingVSAvoidtime-consuming modification

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The kayak shell is pre-formed during the molding process to include recesses and corresponding protrusions on accessory mounts, eliminating the need for post-manufacturing modification. The mounting features are prepared in advance as integral parts of the shell structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The conventional screw-and-hole mechanical fastening system is replaced with a snap-fit engagement system where protrusions on the accessory mount engage with recesses in the shell, allowing tool-free attachment without drilling or fasteners.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If pre-installed rails are added by the manufacturer to facilitate accessory attachment, then ease of attachment is improved, but holes still must be created in the shell after the initial molding process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of attachmentVSAvoidholes created after molding

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The accessory mounting features (recesses) are merged into the shell structure itself during the initial molding process, combining the shell formation and mounting feature creation into a single manufacturing step rather than separate operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting recesses are pre-formed in the shell during the initial molding process before the kayak leaves the factory, eliminating the need for subsequent hole-creation operations by the manufacturer or end user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the shell is modified to accommodate accessory mounting brackets, then accessories can be mounted, but the process is time-consuming and could lead to damaging the boat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessory mounting capabilityVSAvoidrisk of damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The accessory mounts are designed to be self-aligning and self-retaining, with protrusions that automatically engage with pre-formed recesses in the shell, eliminating the need for external tools or forceful installation that could cause damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The damaging screw-driven fastening system is replaced with a gentle snap-fit engagement where elastic protrusions flex and engage with recesses without requiring forceful insertion or risk of shell fracture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If conventional mounting methods are used, then accessories can be attached, but significant effort and time are required for modification and installation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessory attachmentVSAvoidtime required for modification

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

All mounting准备工作 are completed preliminarily during the shell molding process, so when the user wants to attach an accessory, the recesses are already prepared and ready for immediate engagement without any modification time required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The complex multi-step mechanical fastening process involving drilling, countersinking, and screw installation is replaced with a single-step snap-fit engagement that takes seconds and requires no tools or modification effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10202176B1Kayak with accessory receiver

Publication Date: 2019.02.12 PELICAN INTL USA LLC

AI summary

A watercraft is described that includes a shell defining a hull and a deck. The deck defines at least one cavity recessed into an upward facing surface of the deck. The at least one cavity is defined by a peripheral wall and a bottom wall. The at least one cavity is configured to receive and removably retain an accessory mount within the cavity.