Submersible Kayak Rack Stabilizes Launch from Dock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Launching a kayak from a dock in deep water is challenging due to stability issues, requiring a second person or difficult balancing acts, especially for individuals with disabilities or limited mobility.
Innovation Solution
A dock-mounted kayak launching system with a submersible kayak rack that stabilizes the kayak using supporting arms, allowing for easy embarkation and disembarkation, and includes a lever mechanism for raising and lowering the rack between submerged and raised states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a kayak is launched from deep water, then the kayak can be launched from a dock, but the stability is lost making it difficult to embark
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dock-mounted support structure with supporting arms as an intermediary between the kayak and the deep water. This support structure provides a stable platform for the kayak during embarkation, eliminating the instability of deep water while maintaining the ability to launch from a dock. The support arms hold the kayak in a elevated position, creating a stable intermediate state during the embarkation process.
2Productivity
If a second person pushes the kayak out, then the kayak can be launched, but an additional person is required
Solution Approach 1:
The dock-mounted support structure enables solo kayak launch by providing self-service functionality. The support structure automatically holds and positions the kayak in the water, allowing the kayaker to embark independently without requiring assistance from a second person. The system serves itself by maintaining the kayak in a ready-to-launch position through the mechanical support of the arms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the supporting arms are raised for storage, then the kayak can be stored out of water, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting arms are designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing them to be adjusted between different positions. The arms can be lowered to support the kayak during launch and raised to elevate the kayak for storage out of the water. This dynamic adjustability provides versatility for both launch and storage functions while using a relatively simple mechanical linkage system connected to the dock mount.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides stable kayak support akin to shallow water conditions, enabling solo kayak launching and storage, while accommodating varying water heights and ensuring ease of use for individuals with mobility limitations.
Implementation Method 1
A dock-mounted support for the kayak that stabilizes the kayak on supporting arms while the individual embarks
Data Source
AI summary
A kayak launching system provides a vertical support pole and submersible rack arms extending out from a dock beneath the water. The rack arms may be lowered to allow a kayak to be positioned above them and then raised to stabilize the kayak during entrance or exit.