GB2172553A

GB2172553A - Removable cockpit liners for kayaks, canoes and other craft

Info

Publication number: GB2172553A
Application number: GB08507140A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frank Robert Goodman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-03-20
Filing date: 1985-03-20
Publication date: 1986-09-24
Also published as: DE3609389A1; GB8507140D0

Abstract

A removable cockpit liner for a canoe or kayak which forms a watertight seal at the cockpit coaming, preventing ingress of water into the craft. The surface shape of the liner provides a recessed seat for the occupant together with adjustable hip supports. The forward end of the liner provides a shock-absorbing platform footrest a together with a flexible concertina-shaped section b which can be adjusted and locked to the occupants required leg length by means of lines h accessible through a small waterproof hatch e located in the wall of the liner, behind the seat recess.

Description

SPECIFICATION Removable cockpit liners for kayaks, canoes and other craft It is known that in a canoe, kayak or other vessel or craft, it is advisable to make a cockpit occupied by the crew as small in volume as possible so that only a small amount of water can enter the vessel, thus preventing the swamping of the craft.

It is also known that for small craft that can be placed under severe strain by wind, water or collision with rocks, or other obstacles, it is advisable for the vessel to be particularly rigid in the area occupied by the crew so that if buckling or bending of the craft takes place, the section occupied by the crew will remain intact and free from bending, thus ensuring that the crew can escape from the cockpit of the craft without becoming trapped by deformation of the craft around that section of the hull and deck occupied by the crew.

It is also known that when small craft collide with rocks or other obstacles the crew can receive severe injury from impact with the foot support provided within the craft, and that these injuries can be reduced by allowing the foot-support to flex, 'spring' or 'give' on impact so that the shock to the crew's feet and legs id reduced.

To provide reduced volume to the cockpit and extra rigidity to the cockpit area it has been known for bulkheads to be provided at each end of the cockpit and also at the sides of the cockpit. Also the cockpit can be provided with a liner that is permanently fixed to the craft so that a water-tight seal is made between the liner and the rest of the craft to prevent the excessive ingress of water into the craft, and to ensure extra rigidity in the area of the cockpit. It is also known that a waterproof sack can be fitted to the cockpit coaming so that the crew can remain within the sack, but any water entering the sack with the occupant, cannot reach the rest of the cockpit.

It is also known that rigid cockpit liners that are permanently fastened to the cockpit have been designed. See A. W. Byde Patent Application No.

7928762 (British Patent).

It is the object of this invention to provide: In a kayak, canoe or other craft, a waterproof cockpit liner which the crew can occupy, which forms a separate unit from the rest of the craft, such that it is sealed to the craft only at the cockpit coaming or deck junction and this seal can be made watertight and also allows the cockpit liner to be removed from the craft if desired, and this liner has integral within its inner surface shapes to facilitate the comfortable occupancy of the crew and this liner shall also have an end integral with its surface that will provide a platform foot-support for the crew, and this end of the liner is adjustable to the feet of the crew by making the whole liner variable in length and adjustable by the crew, and also that the crew can adjust and maintain any required length of the liner by use of a mechanism accessible by the crew while occupying the cockpit liner, and that the liner also allows variations in its width such that the occupant can retain his position in the cockpit liner more easily.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Diagram I shows a kayak or other craft with a cockpit coaming surrounding an opening which provides accommodation for the crew. Both an elevation and plan are shown.

Diagram 2 shows sections of the cockpit shown in Diagram 1.

Diagram 3 shows cross-section of cockpit shown in Diagram 1.

Diagram 4 shows the removable cockpit liner in position in the cockpit.

Diagram 5 shows a section of the removable cockpit liner shown in Diagram 4 with detail of the crew sitting in the liner, his feet position at the end of the liner, the shaped inner surface to provide sitting comfort and the seal at the coaming of the cockpit.

Diagram 6 shows a section of the cockpit liner shown in Diagram 4.

Diagram 7 shows another section of the cockpit liner shown in Diagram 4.

Diagram 8 shows a suitable seal between the liner and the cockpit coaming that will prevent the ingress of water to the main body of the vessel, but will allow the cockpit liner to be removed from the craft if desired. Arrow A shows '0' ring seal.

Diagram 9 and 10 shows general form of liner both in perspective and section showing a. platform at end of liner to act as foot-support. b. corrugated shape of liner to allow the body of the liner to stretch to suit the length of the leg of the occupant. c. the shaped inner surface of the liner to provide comfort. m. shaping for comfort of the knees of the occupant. d. seal to provide watertight seal with cockpit coaming, but allowing removal of the liner when required. e. hatch rim in liner to allow access to body of the craft. f. fastening to retain rope to adjust length of liner to feet.

g. rope to adjust liner length. h. ends of rope accessable through water-tight hatch i. that can be fixed together or otherwise fastened or cleated to allow adjustment of leg length in the length of the liner while crew is in the cockpit liner. k. opening in the liner to allow occupancy of the crew.

Diagram 11 and 12 shows tabs that can be used for removing the liner from the craft, by pulling, and their modification to provide hip supports to the occupant. n. shows tab. o. shows space to allow different thickness of blocks to be trapped under the tab so that different hip widths can be accommodated. p. shows block trapped under tab to give correct width for hip support. q. Screw or other fastening to hold tab in position. d. seal to cockpit coaming. k. opening for occupant.

1. In a kayak, canoe or other craft, a waterproof cockpit liner which the crew can occupy, which forms a separate unit from the rest of the craft, such that it is sealed to the craft only at the cockpit

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Removable cockpit liners for kayaks, canoes and other craft It is known that in a canoe, kayak or other vessel or craft, it is advisable to make a cockpit occupied by the crew as small in volume as possible so that only a small amount of water can enter the vessel, thus preventing the swamping of the craft. It is also known that for small craft that can be placed under severe strain by wind, water or collision with rocks, or other obstacles, it is advisable for the vessel to be particularly rigid in the area occupied by the crew so that if buckling or bending of the craft takes place, the section occupied by the crew will remain intact and free from bending, thus ensuring that the crew can escape from the cockpit of the craft without becoming trapped by deformation of the craft around that section of the hull and deck occupied by the crew. It is also known that when small craft collide with rocks or other obstacles the crew can receive severe injury from impact with the foot support provided within the craft, and that these injuries can be reduced by allowing the foot-support to flex, 'spring' or 'give' on impact so that the shock to the crew's feet and legs id reduced. To provide reduced volume to the cockpit and extra rigidity to the cockpit area it has been known for bulkheads to be provided at each end of the cockpit and also at the sides of the cockpit. Also the cockpit can be provided with a liner that is permanently fixed to the craft so that a water-tight seal is made between the liner and the rest of the craft to prevent the excessive ingress of water into the craft, and to ensure extra rigidity in the area of the cockpit. It is also known that a waterproof sack can be fitted to the cockpit coaming so that the crew can remain within the sack, but any water entering the sack with the occupant, cannot reach the rest of the cockpit. It is also known that rigid cockpit liners that are permanently fastened to the cockpit have been designed. See A. W. Byde Patent Application No. 7928762 (British Patent). It is the object of this invention to provide: In a kayak, canoe or other craft, a waterproof cockpit liner which the crew can occupy, which forms a separate unit from the rest of the craft, such that it is sealed to the craft only at the cockpit coaming or deck junction and this seal can be made watertight and also allows the cockpit liner to be removed from the craft if desired, and this liner has integral within its inner surface shapes to facilitate the comfortable occupancy of the crew and this liner shall also have an end integral with its surface that will provide a platform foot-support for the crew, and this end of the liner is adjustable to the feet of the crew by making the whole liner variable in length and adjustable by the crew, and also that the crew can adjust and maintain any required length of the liner by use of a mechanism accessible by the crew while occupying the cockpit liner, and that the liner also allows variations in its width such that the occupant can retain his position in the cockpit liner more easily. The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Diagram I shows a kayak or other craft with a cockpit coaming surrounding an opening which provides accommodation for the crew. Both an elevation and plan are shown. Diagram 2 shows sections of the cockpit shown in Diagram 1. Diagram 3 shows cross-section of cockpit shown in Diagram 1. Diagram 4 shows the removable cockpit liner in position in the cockpit. Diagram 5 shows a section of the removable cockpit liner shown in Diagram 4 with detail of the crew sitting in the liner, his feet position at the end of the liner, the shaped inner surface to provide sitting comfort and the seal at the coaming of the cockpit. Diagram 6 shows a section of the cockpit liner shown in Diagram 4. Diagram 7 shows another section of the cockpit liner shown in Diagram 4. Diagram 8 shows a suitable seal between the liner and the cockpit coaming that will prevent the ingress of water to the main body of the vessel, but will allow the cockpit liner to be removed from the craft if desired. Arrow A shows '0' ring seal. Diagram 9 and 10 shows general form of liner both in perspective and section showing a. platform at end of liner to act as foot-support. b. corrugated shape of liner to allow the body of the liner to stretch to suit the length of the leg of the occupant. c. the shaped inner surface of the liner to provide comfort. m. shaping for comfort of the knees of the occupant. d. seal to provide watertight seal with cockpit coaming, but allowing removal of the liner when required. e. hatch rim in liner to allow access to body of the craft. f. fastening to retain rope to adjust length of liner to feet. g. rope to adjust liner length. h. ends of rope accessable through water-tight hatch i. that can be fixed together or otherwise fastened or cleated to allow adjustment of leg length in the length of the liner while crew is in the cockpit liner. k. opening in the liner to allow occupancy of the crew. Diagram 11 and 12 shows tabs that can be used for removing the liner from the craft, by pulling, and their modification to provide hip supports to the occupant. n. shows tab. o. shows space to allow different thickness of blocks to be trapped under the tab so that different hip widths can be accommodated. p. shows block trapped under tab to give correct width for hip support. q. Screw or other fastening to hold tab in position. d. seal to cockpit coaming. k. opening for occupant. CLAIMS

1. In a kayak, canoe or other craft, a waterproof cockpit liner which the crew can occupy, which forms a separate unit from the rest of the craft, such that it is sealed to the craft only at the cockpit coaming or deck junction and this seal can be made watertight and also allows the cockpit liner to be removed from the craft if desired, and this liner has integral within its inner surface shapes to facilitate the comfortable occupancy of the crew and this liner shall also have an end integral with its surface that will provide a platform foot-support for the crew, and this end of the liner is adjustable to the feet of the crew by making the whole liner variable in length and adjustable by the crew, and also that the crew can adjust and maintain any required length of the liner by use of a mechanism accessible by the crew while occupying the cockpit liner, and that the liner also allows variations in its width such that the occupant can retain his position in the cockpit liner more easily.

2. A removable cockpit liner as above which can be fastened to the craft at other points, in a temporary manner, so that it can be made rigid with the main body of the craft.

3. A removable cockpit liner that has provision within its length and integral within its surface to adjust to the length of the legs of the occupant so that the end of the cockpit liner forms a foot-support that can be held at a comfortable length for the occupant.

4. A removable cockpit liner that has provision for the comfortable seating or kneeling of the occupant.

5. A removable cockpit liner that has provision for a waterproof hatch-cover within its surface so that access to the interior of the craft is possible through the hatch-cover, without having to remove the liner from the craft.

6. A removable cockpit liner that has provision for adjusting its length to form a foot-support and this length can be adjusted and maintained in position by a mechanism accessible through the waterproof hatch-cover within the removable cockpit liner.

7. A removable cockpit liner where the tabs provided to facilitate removal of the cockpit liner from the craft are so modified that they provide a width adjustment facility to accommodate the hips or knees of the crew which can be of differing widths and sizes.

8. A removable cockpit liner that can be used in a variety of different kayaks, canoes or small craft where the shape of the hull is varied in design to meet the various types of water conditions or sport/recreation participation, so that only one cockpit liner is required to fit the several different hull and deck forms available.

9. A removable cockpit liner as described and illustrated in the diagram.