Movable Watercraft Accessory Retainer for Deck-to-Hull Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fishing kayaks lack effective systems for securely retaining stake-out poles and sonar transducers, allowing them to move vertically with waves or tide changes while maintaining lateral stability, and often require complex mechanisms that are cumbersome or inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A retention system featuring a bracket and a movably attached retainer member that allows the stake-out pole or sonar transducer to be positioned parallel or perpendicular to the kayak's elongation, with adjustable locks to maintain stability and secure the accessory in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a stake-out pole is secured to the kayak using a ring that loosely surrounds the pole, then the kayak can move vertically with waves or tide changes, but the kayak cannot maintain lateral stability and the pole may move independently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical movement flexibilityVSAvoidlateral stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer member is designed to be movable between orientations rather than fixed, allowing it to adapt dynamically to different operational states. When the pole is inserted, the retainer member can rotate to engage locking features that provide lateral stability while maintaining the ability to move vertically with wave action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the engagement parameters between the retainer member and pole. The retainer member includes features that can transition from a loose surrounding state (allowing vertical movement) to a locked engagement state (providing lateral stability) through rotational movement and engagement of locking features with the pole surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a complex retention mechanism is used to secure the stake-out pole, then lateral stability is improved, but the device becomes cumbersome and difficult to operate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention stabilityVSAvoidattachment simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The retention system is divided into distinct functional segments: the bracket attached to the kayak, the movable retainer member, and the locking features. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall operation while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The retainer member incorporates self-locking features that automatically engage when the pole is inserted. The locking features work passively to maintain lateral stability without requiring continuous manual adjustment or complex operational mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the stake-out pole is positioned parallel to the kayak's elongation, then the pole is retained securely, but the operator cannot adjust the pole's position for different fishing configurations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepole retentionVSAvoidpole position adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer member is designed to be movable between orientations, enabling the pole to be positioned in multiple configurations. The retainer can rotate to different angular positions, allowing the pole to be oriented parallel to the kayak or at other angles depending on fishing needs, while maintaining secure retention in each position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The retention system serves multiple functions: it secures the pole laterally, allows vertical movement with waves, and enables angular adjustment for different fishing configurations. The movable retainer member provides universal adaptability for various operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Device complexity

If the retainer member is fixed in one orientation, then the structure is simpler, but the system cannot accommodate both parallel and perpendicular pole positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretainer structureVSAvoidpole orientation flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer member transitions from a fixed structure to a movable one that can rotate between orientations. This dynamic capability allows the system to accommodate both parallel and perpendicular pole positions while maintaining relatively simple construction through the use of a single movable component rather than multiple fixed structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250282451A1Accessory retention system for watercraft

Publication Date: 2025.09.11 BENNETT DONNY

AI summary

A retention system for an accessory for use with a watercraft such as a kayak has a bracket configured to be attached to a body of the watercraft and a retainer member attached to the bracket movably between a first orientation with respect to the bracket and a second orientation with respect to the bracket. The retainer member is configured to receive a mounting base, to which a sonar transducer can be mounted. The retainer member is attached to the bracket so that, when the bracket is attached to the body and the mounting base is received by the retainer member, then in the retainer member's first orientation, the mounting base is received by the retainer member so that the sonar transducer is adjacent the elongated body proximate the deck. In the retainer member's second orientation, the mounting base is received so that the sonar transducer is below the hull.