US20140230709A1

US20140230709A1 - Outrigger Deployment Mechanism

Info

Publication number: US20140230709A1
Application number: US14/185,276
Authority: US
Inventors: James Reynolds, JR.
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-02-21
Filing date: 2014-02-20
Publication date: 2014-08-21

Abstract

An outrigger deployment mechanism is provided. The outrigger deployment mechanism may include, one or more outrigger adjustment plates; one or more outriggers; one or more outrigger arms operably coupling the one or more outriggers to the one or more outrigger adjustment plates; one or more locking mechanisms operably engaged with at least one of the one or more outrigger adjustment plates and at least one of a corresponding one or more outrigger arms, wherein the one or more locking mechanisms are configured to lock the outriggers in various positions; and one or more adjustment mechanisms operably engaged with one or more of the one or more locking mechanisms and the one or more outrigger arms, wherein the one or more adjustment mechanisms are configured to position the outriggers.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention is generally related to an outrigger deployment mechanism. Specifically, the invention relates to an outrigger deployment system for a watercraft with a mechanism for deploying and locking the outriggers in multiple positions.

BACKGROUND

Typically, many watercrafts, such as kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddle boards (SUP), and the like can be unstable, especially in rough waters, when an occupant is attempting to stand (e.g., while fishing), getting into or out of the watercraft, or having multiple occupants. Attempts have been made to improve the stability in various watercrafts, including the use of outriggers or pontoons. However, in most instances the outriggers extend out from the watercraft and are in a fixed non-adjustable position. This is disadvantageous as it adversely affects the forward or rearward movement of the watercraft and makes the water craft wider, thus, making it more difficult to transport and to navigate narrow bodies of water. In other instances, attempts have been made to use retractable outriggers, however, such designs substantial hinder the ability to paddle the watercraft when the outriggers are in the deployed position and also do not provide the ability to lock the outriggers in various positions of deployment (i.e., the outriggers are either fully retracted or fully deployed), thus making such a design unsuitable for use while paddling and less stable. Other attempts have been made to improve stability of a kayak using a deployable fan tail. However, such a design, while improving stability to some extent while in a stationary position, allowing for the fan tail to be deployable instead of fixed, would adversely affect the forward or rearward movement of the watercraft making it more difficult to maneuver and less streamlined while the fan tail is deployed.
Thus, it would be desirable to provide an outrigger system with a mechanism for deploying and locking the outriggers in multiple deployment positions with the outriggers remaining substantially parallel with the main hull of a watercraft, while deployed in any position, and therefore providing stability without adversely affecting the forward or rearward movement of the watercraft, no matter what position the outriggers are deployed.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, an outrigger deployment mechanism is provided. The outrigger deployment mechanism may include, one or more outrigger adjustment plates; one or more outriggers; one or more outrigger arms operably coupling the one or more outriggers to the one or more outrigger adjustment plates; one or more locking mechanisms operably engaged with at least one of the one or more outrigger adjustment plates and at least one of a corresponding one or more outrigger arms, wherein the one or more locking mechanisms are configured to lock the outriggers in various positions; and one or more adjustment mechanisms operably engaged with one or more of the one or more locking mechanisms and the one or more outrigger arms, wherein the one or more adjustment mechanisms are configured to position the outriggers. The one or more locking mechanisms may include one or more spring-loaded locking pins. The one or more outrigger adjustment plates may include one or more receptacles for receiving an end portion of the one or more spring-loaded locking pins. The one or more outrigger arms may be shaped. The one or more outrigger arms may be shaped such that a distal end coupled to the one or more outriggers may include a curved portion. The outrigger deployment mechanism may further include an inside arm pivot configured to pivotably connect the one or more outrigger arms to the one or more outrigger adjustment plates; and an outside arm pivot configured to pivotably connect the one or more outrigger arm to the one or more outriggers. The inside arm pivot and the outside arm pivot may be configured to allow the one or more outriggers to maintain a substantially parallel position in relationship to a main hull of a watercraft through movement of the one or more outriggers to various deployed positions. The outrigger arms may include at least a front outrigger arm and a rear outrigger arm. The front outrigger arm may include a front inside arm pivot configured to pivotably connect the front outrigger arm to one of the one or more outrigger adjustment plates and a front outside arm pivot configured to pivotably connect the front outrigger arm to a front portion of one of the one or more outriggers, and wherein the rear outrigger arm may include a rear inside arm pivot configured to pivotably connect the rear outrigger arm to one of the one or more outrigger adjustment plates and a rear outside arm pivot configured to pivotably connect the rear outrigger arm to rear portion of one of the one or more outriggers. The locking mechanisms may be operably engaged with the front outrigger arm. The one or more adjustment mechanisms may include one or more handles. The one or more locking mechanisms may be manually engaged and/or disengaged directly by an operator. The one or more locking mechanisms may be engaged and/or disengaged by an operator via the one or more adjustment mechanisms.
In another embodiment, a method of adjusting outriggers via an outrigger deployment mechanism is provided. The method may include, disengaging an outrigger locking mechanism, wherein the outrigger locking mechanism may be operably engaged with one or more outrigger adjustment plates and one or more outrigger arms, and wherein the one or more outrigger arms may operably couple the one or more outriggers to the one or more outrigger adjustment plates; adjusting an adjustment mechanism operably coupled to the one or more outrigger arms until the one or more outriggers are in a desired position; and engaging the outrigger locking mechanism to secure the one or more outriggers in a desired position

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the presently disclosed subject matter in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying Drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a watercraft with outriggers in a nested position;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a watercraft with outriggers in a deployed position;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a watercraft with outriggers in a nested position; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of a watercraft with outriggers in a deployed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is generally related to an outrigger deployment mechanism. Specifically, the invention relates to an outrigger system for a watercraft with a mechanism for deploying and locking the outriggers in multiple deployment positions with the outriggers remaining substantially parallel with the main hull of a watercraft, such as a kayak, while deployed in any position. The outriggers and deployment mechanism provides greater stability while not adversely affecting the forward or rearward movement of the watercraft. Further, in one embodiment, the outrigger deployment mechanism may allow for the outriggers to be deployed closer to the center (front to back) of the main hull of the watercraft without being a hindrance to paddling, and also may allow for the outriggers to be tucked in further next to the main hull of the watercraft when retracted (nested).
The outrigger deployment mechanism may be used on virtually any type of watercraft (e.g., a kayak, canoe, SUP) to improve stability without compromising or adversely affecting the forward or rearward movement of the craft and without interfering with paddling.
The outrigger deployment mechanism achieves its objectives, in one embodiment, by using one or more pivoting arms for each outrigger that are formed and positioned in a manner as to maintain the outriggers in a substantially parallel positioning in relation to a main hull of the watercraft no matter what position or state of deployment the outriggers are in. A locking mechanism, such as one or more spring loaded pins and corresponding receptacles, may be used in conjunction with one or more pivot points that are attached to the main hull in order to lock the position of each outrigger at multiple distances from the main hull (e.g., multiple deployment positions).
With reference to FIGS. 1-4, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, an outrigger deployment mechanism 100 is provided. Outrigger deployment mechanism 100 may include one or more outrigger adjustment plates 105, wherein adjustment plates 105 may be formed on, integrated with, or otherwise attached or coupled to a watercraft. Outrigger adjustment plates 105 preferably provide a sturdy mount for one or more front outrigger arms 110A and provide corresponding receptacles 115 (e.g., holes) that accommodate one or more locking mechanisms 120, such as one or more spring-loaded locking pins, or other suitable locking mechanism, which secure one or more outriggers 125 into various positions in relationship to main hull 130.
In one example, locking mechanisms 120 are preferably incorporated into the front outrigger arms 110A at a position that allows for the locking mechanisms 120, such as spring-loaded locking pins, to engage corresponding receptacles 115 of the outrigger adjustment plates 105.
The outrigger deployment mechanism 100 further may include one or more outrigger adjustment mechanisms 135 (e.g., adjustment handle, or other suitable device or mechanism). Outrigger adjustment mechanisms 135, in one example, may allow an operator to adjust outriggers 125 to various deployment positions once the locking mechanisms 120 (e.g., spring-loaded locking pins) are disengaged from outrigger adjustment plates 105. In one embodiment, to adjust outriggers 125, the operator may pull up on the locking mechanism 120 (e.g., spring-loaded locking pins) and disengage the locking pins from the receptacles 115 they are engaged with, and allow outriggers 125 to be moved (e.g., retracted or deployed), for example, using adjustment mechanisms 135. When the outriggers 125 are in a desired position the operator may release the locking mechanism 120 (e.g., spring-loaded locking pins), which allows the spring loaded locking pins of locking mechanism 120 to be forced (via spring action) into receptacles 115 that correspond with the desired position of outriggers 125. In one example, locking mechanism 120 may include spring loaded locking pins including a knob for an operator to grasp that is attached to the locking pins and incorporates a spring, wherein the operator uses the knob to pull up on the spring loaded locking pins to release them from receptacles 115 of outrigger adjustment plates 105, thus allowing movement of outriggers 125 via, for example, adjustment mechanisms 135, and when the operator releases the knob the spring action returns the locking pins to engage with receptacles 115 of outrigger adjustment plates 105 they are aligned with.
In another embodiment, to adjust outriggers 125, the operator may use adjustment mechanisms 135 to disengage locking mechanisms 120 from outrigger adjustment plates 105. For example, the user may push down (or pull up) on adjustment mechanisms 135 causing the locking mechanism (e.g., spring-loaded locking) to disengage from corresponding receptacles 115 (holes), and then rotate the adjustment mechanisms 135 in the desired direction to either retract or deploy outriggers 125. Once the outriggers are in the desired position the operator may use the adjustment mechanisms 135 (e.g., by pulling up, pushing down, or releasing from the previous position used to disengage the locking mechanism and letting a spring action pulling it up or pushing it down), to engage the locking mechanisms 120 with the outrigger adjustment plates 105, thus securing (locking) the outriggers 125 in a position.
Outrigger arms 110, preferably operably engage adjustment mechanisms 135 and outriggers 125 to provide for the deployment of outriggers 125 to all deployed positions while maintaining outriggers 125 in a substantially parallel orientation relative to main hull 130. In one embodiment, the shaped design of outrigger arms 110 (front outrigger arms 110A and rear outrigger arms 110B), provide for the positioning of outriggers 125 further forward (e.g., closer to a center point [front to back] of the main hull) than would a typical straight arm would provide without obstructing the operator's ability to paddle and further allows outriggers 125 to be fully retracted and nested closer in next to the main hull 130.
Outrigger deployment mechanism 100 may further include a front arm pivot 140, a rear arm pivot 145, a front arm outside pivot 150, and a rear arm outside pivot 155. Front arm pivot 140, rear arm pivot 145, front arm outside pivot 150, and rear arm outside pivot 155 provide operable connection points between the outrigger arms 110, main hull 130, and outriggers 125. Front arm pivot 140, rear arm pivot 145, front arm outside pivot 150, and rear arm outside pivot 155 also provide pivot points (rotation) to allow outriggers 125 to maintain their substantially parallel positioning in relationship to the main hull 130 through movement of outriggers 125 to various deployed positions in relationship to their distance from main hull 130.
The outrigger deployment mechanism 100 allows for the movement of outriggers 125 from a fully retracted position (e.g. nested and secured next to the main hull 130), to a fully deployed and locked position with various locking deployment positions in between. The outrigger deployment mechanism 100 also ensures that outriggers 125 remain in a substantially parallel position in relationship to the hull 130 at all positions.
In an alternative embodiment, the outrigger deployment mechanism 100 could be reversed such that outriggers 125 are retracted towards main hull 130 in a forward motion towards the front of main hull 130.
In yet another alternative embodiment, the outrigger deployment mechanism 100 may use a single adjustment mechanism 135 to retract and deploy both outriggers simultaneously.
While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.
The foregoing detailed description of embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments of the invention. Other embodiments having different dimensions, structures, capacities, and operations do not depart from the scope of the present invention. The term “the invention” or the like is used with reference to certain specific examples of the many alternative aspects or embodiments of the applicant's invention set forth in this specification, and neither its use nor its absence is intended to limit the scope of the applicant's invention or the scope of the claims. This specification is divided into sections for the convenience of the reader only. Headings should not be construed as limiting of the scope of the invention. The definitions are intended as a part of the description of the invention. It will be understood that various details of the present invention may be changed without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the foregoing description is for the purpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation, as the present invention is defined by the claims as set forth hereinafter.
Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” refer to “one or more” when used in this application, including the claims. Thus, for example, reference to “a subject” includes a plurality of subjects, unless the context clearly is to the contrary (e.g., a plurality of subjects), and so forth.
Throughout this specification and the claims, the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” and “comprising” are used in a non-exclusive sense, except where the context requires otherwise. Likewise, the term “include” and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the listed items.
For the purposes of this specification and appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, sizes, dimensions, proportions, shapes, formulations, parameters, percentages, parameters, quantities, characteristics, and other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear with the value, amount or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained by the presently disclosed subject matter. For example, the term “about,” when referring to a value can be meant to encompass variations of, in some embodiments, ±100% in some embodiments ±50%, in some embodiments ±20%, in some embodiments ±10%, in some embodiments ±5%, in some embodiments ±1%, in some embodiments ±0.5%, and in some embodiments ±0.1% from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosed methods or employ the disclosed compositions.
Further, the term “about” when used in connection with one or more numbers or numerical ranges, should be understood to refer to all such numbers, including all numbers in a range and modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers, e.g., whole integers, including fractions thereof, subsumed within that range (for example, the recitation of 1 to 5 includes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, as well as fractions thereof, e.g., 1.5, 2.25, 3.75, 4.1, and the like) and any range within that range.
The foregoing detailed description of embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments of the invention. The term “the invention” or the like is used with reference to certain specific examples of the many alternative aspects or embodiments of the applicant's invention set forth in this specification, and neither its use nor its absence is intended to limit the scope of the applicant's invention or the scope of the claims. This specification is divided into sections for the convenience of the reader only. Headings should not be construed as limiting of the scope of the invention. The definitions are intended as a part of the description of the invention. It will be understood that various details of the present invention may be changed without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, the foregoing description is for the purpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation, as the present invention is defined by the claims as set forth hereinafter.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An outrigger deployment mechanism, comprising:

a. one or more outrigger adjustment plates;

b. one or more outriggers;

c. one or more outrigger arms operably coupling the one or more outriggers to the one or more outrigger adjustment plates;

d. one or more locking mechanisms operably engaged with at least one of the one or more outrigger adjustment plates and at least one of a corresponding one or more outrigger arms, wherein the one or more locking mechanisms are configured to lock the one or more outriggers in various positions; and

e. one or more adjustment mechanisms operably engaged with one or more of the one or more outrigger arms, wherein the one or more adjustment mechanisms are configured to position the one or more outriggers.

2. The outrigger deployment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the one or more locking mechanisms comprises one or more spring-loaded locking pins.

3. The outrigger deployment mechanism of claim 2, wherein the one or more outrigger adjustment plates comprise one or more receptacles for receiving an end portion of the one or more spring-loaded locking pins.

4. The outrigger deployment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the one or more outrigger arms are shaped.

5. The outrigger deployment mechanism of claim 4, wherein the one or more outrigger arms are shaped such that a distal end coupled to the one or more outriggers comprises a curved portion.

6. The outrigger deployment mechanism of claim 1, further comprising an inside arm pivot configured to pivotably connect the one or more outrigger arms to the one or more outrigger adjustment plates; and an outside arm pivot configured to pivotably connect the one or more outrigger arm to the one or more outriggers.

7. The outrigger deployment mechanism of claim 6, wherein the inside arm pivot and the outside arm pivot are configured to allow the one or more outriggers to maintain a substantially parallel position in relationship to a main hull of a watercraft through movement of the one or more outriggers to various deployed positions.

8. The outrigger deployment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the outrigger arms comprise at least a front outrigger arm and a rear outrigger arm.

9. The outrigger deployment mechanism of claim 8, wherein the front outrigger arm comprises a front inside arm pivot configured to pivotably connect the front outrigger arm to one of the one or more outrigger adjustment plates and a front outside arm pivot configured to pivotably connect the front outrigger arm to a front portion of one of the one or more outriggers, and wherein the rear outrigger arm comprises a rear inside arm pivot configured to pivotably connect the rear outrigger arm to one of the one or more outrigger adjustment plates and a rear outside arm pivot configured to pivotably connect the rear outrigger arm to rear portion of one of the one or more outriggers.

10. The outrigger deployment mechanism of claim 8, wherein the one or more locking mechanisms are operably engaged with the front outrigger arm.

11. The outrigger deployment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the one or more adjustment mechanisms comprises one or more handles.

12. The outrigger deployment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the one or more locking mechanisms is manually engaged and/or disengaged directly by an operator.

13. The outrigger deployment mechanism of claim 1, wherein the one or more adjustment mechanisms are operably engaged with one or more of the one or more locking mechanisms and the one or more outrigger arms.

14. The outrigger deployment mechanism of claim 13, wherein the one or more locking mechanisms is engaged and/or disengaged by an operator via the one or more adjustment mechanisms.

15. A method of adjusting outriggers via an outrigger deployment mechanism, the method comprising:

a. disengaging an outrigger locking mechanism, wherein the outrigger locking mechanism is operably engaged with one or more outrigger adjustment plates and one or more outrigger arms, and wherein the one or more outrigger arms operably couple the one or more outriggers to the one or more outrigger adjustment plates;

b. adjusting an adjustment mechanism operably coupled to the one or more outrigger arms until the one or more outriggers are in a desired position; and

c. engaging the outrigger locking mechanism to secure the one or more outriggers in a desired position.