US20160368574A1

US20160368574A1 - Aquatic storage systems

Info

Publication number: US20160368574A1
Application number: US14/313,965
Authority: US
Inventors: Ryan Bell; Shawn Young
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-06-24
Filing date: 2014-06-24
Publication date: 2016-12-22

Abstract

Aquatic storage systems, including systems with one or more internal compartments designed to equally distribute the mass of cargo placed therein, lids for sealing the compartments, and one or more drains to clear water from the compartments. In some examples, the aquatic storage system includes a mounting system for securing the storage system to a watercraft. In some further examples, the aquatic storage system includes a configurable ballast system.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 61/838,785, filed on 24 Jun. 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to aquatic storage systems. In particular, aquatic storage systems adaptable to multiple uses are described.
Known aquatic storage systems are not entirely satisfactory for the range of applications in which they are employed. For example, existing aquatic storage systems do not allow multiple uses. Indeed, many existing aquatic storage systems are created for a unitary purpose and actually inhibit other activities based on the sizes and configurations of the existing storage systems.
In addition, conventional aquatic storage systems often lack adequate safety features. Existing aquatic storage systems often fail to offer additional safety features that become necessary if the watercraft becomes damaged, inoperable, or lost in a remote location. The limitations of conventional aquatic storage systems include failing to offer beaconing, signaling, and visualizing features.
Further, existing aquatic storage systems lack self-stabilizing compartments. Storage of items within conventional aquatic storage systems often leads to top-heavy and uneven load dispersal; thus, the storage system itself becomes unstable. Even more concerning, unstable conventional aquatic storage systems actually de-stabilize watercraft and can lead to dire, life-threatening circumstances.
Additionally, many conventional aquatic storage systems lack buoyant properties. Even when existing aquatic storage systems are semi-buoyant when unloaded, the storage systems become non-buoyant when loaded with cargo. In the unfortunate and perilous situation where watercraft capsize, existing aquatic storage systems often lack the ability to be used as floatation systems. Non-buoyant, heavily loaded conventional aquatic storage systems increase the relative sinking speed of capsized watercraft, and, thereby increase the likelihood of injury or death of watercraft users.
Thus, there exists a need for aquatic storage systems that improve upon and advance the design of known aquatic storage systems. Examples of new and useful aquatic storage systems relevant to the needs existing in the field are discussed below.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to an aquatic storage system with one or more internal compartments designed to equally distribute the mass of cargo placed therein, lids for sealing the compartments, and one or more drains to clear water from the compartments. In some examples, the aquatic storage system includes a mounting system for securing the storage system to a watercraft. In some further examples, the aquatic storage system includes a configurable ballast system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a top elevation schematic view of the layout of a first example of an aquatic storage system.

FIG. 1B is a cutaway schematic view of the aquatic storage system shown in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a top elevation view of the first example aquatic storage system showing one possible embodiment.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the one possible embodiment of the first example aquatic storage system shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 is a top elevation view of a second example of an aquatic storage system including an anchoring mechanism.

FIG. 4A is a cross-section view of the aquatic storage system shown in FIG. 3 depicting ballast elements within the inner cavity.

FIG. 4B is an exploded view of the various components of the aquatic storage system depicted in FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the aquatic storage system shown in FIG. 3, depicting the aquatic storage system shown in FIG. 3 in conjunction with a paddle board.

FIG. 6 is a depiction of the disclosed aquatic storage system when configured as a seat for the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed aquatic storage systems will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.
Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various aquatic storage systems are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.
With reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B, a first example of an aquatic storage system, aquatic storage system 100 includes a body 110, an aperture 112, a sealing element 140, a cavity 150, and retaining elements 160. Aquatic storage system 100 is used for storing and transporting cargo on watercraft, namely paddleboards. Additionally or alternatively, aquatic storage systems can be used for transporting cargo, including, but not limited to, passengers, exercise equipment, oxygen tanks, and both wet and dry storage. Further, aquatic storage systems can be used on a multitude of watercraft including, but not limited to surfboards, kayaks, jet skis, motorboats, and sail boats.
As depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B, aquatic storage system 100 is configured to equally disperse the total mass of cargo contained within aquatic storage system 100. This is accomplished by configuring the shape of internal cavity 150 in such a fashion as to allow for equal dispersion of cargo mass. Thus, as distinct from existing aquatic storage systems which destabilize watercraft, aquatic storage system 100 is self-stabilizing and supplements stability of watercraft to which it is mounted or attached.
Additionally, aquatic storage system 100 is buoyant and can be used as a flotation device in emergency situations. Further, the buoyant properties of aquatic storage system 100 facilitate or allow use of aquatic storage system 100 as a marker buoy (for diving and snorkeling) equipped with visualizing or signaling features.
As can be seen in FIG. 1A, body 110 is configured to mount proximate the front end of a paddleboard. Additionally, body 110 is shaped and sized to allow a paddleboard rider to straddle all or a portion of body 110 while paddling. In one example, body 110 is configured in a streamlined aerodynamic and hydrodynamic oval configuration. In further examples, the body may be configured in any shape allowing or facilitating ordinary use of watercraft, including, but not limited to, rectangles, squares, circles, pyramids, tubes, and tear-drops.
As depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B, body 110 facilitates or allows water-tight storage of cargo. In one example, body 110 is comprised of plastic. In further examples, the body may be comprised of any now known or later developed buoyant material, including, but not limited to, wood, metal, plastic, rubber, carbon fiber, textiles, and composites.
In one example, the exterior and interior surfaces of body 110 are comprised of solid plastic lacking additional features. Additionally or alternatively, the surface of the body may include single or multiple exterior and interior features to facilitate or allow using water sport accessories (i.e. fishing poles, spear guns, and SCUBA gear), including, but not limited to, flaps, pockets, windows, channels, hooks, and handles. An example of such exterior features is shown in FIG. 2A, where an example cup holder 190 is depicted, allowing for convenient carrying of a drink for consumption while the aquatic sports system is in use.
As shown most clearly in FIG. 1A, body 110 includes aperture 112. Aperture 112 comprises a selectively sealable drain port to facilitate or allow draining water from inside aquatic storage system 100. Such selective sealing may ideally be designed to allow a one-way flow of water, so that water may exit from inside the storage system 100, but is not permitted to enter. In one example, aperture 112 is located on the lower edge of body 110 distal the front end of the paddleboard. In this position, aperture 112 can be conveniently accessed by a paddleboard user. Additionally or alternatively, in other examples, the aperture or multiple apertures may be located at any position around the lower edge, or on the bottom, of the body. Ideally, at least one of such apertures 112 is located in a position to facilitate complete drainage from inside the aquatic storage system 100, such as the lowest point of any internal cavity.
Also shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, aquatic storage system 100 includes sealing element 140. Sealing element 140 is complimentarily configured with body 110 to facilitate or allow water-tight storage of cargo inside aquatic storage system 100. The sealing element may be comprised of the same material as the body or comprised of different material than the body. In one example, sealing element 140 is comprised of plastic. In further examples, the sealing element may be comprised of any now known or later developed material, including, but not limited to, wood, metal, plastic, rubber, carbon fiber, textiles, and composites.
In one example, sealing element 140 is removably secured to body 110. Additionally or alternatively, the sealing element may be removably or fixedly secured to the body by any now known or later developed mechanism that facilitates or allows access to the inside of the aquatic storage system, including, but not limited to, hinge, pivot, and swivel mechanisms. Turning to FIGS. 2A and 2B, these features are demonstrated: FIGS. 2A and 2B depict a sealing element 140 that is secured by a retaining element 160 configured as a hinge, to provide a sealing element 140 in the form of a flip-up style of lid.
As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, sealing element 140 is configured to improve or maintain the aerodynamic and hydrodynamic profile of aquatic storage system 100. Additionally or alternatively, the sealing element may include exterior features, including, but not limited to, flaps, pockets, windows, channels, hooks, and handles, which facilitate or allow moving or anchoring the sealing element alone or the entire aquatic storage system.
Further, additionally or alternatively, the sealing element may include exterior features that facilitate or allow mounting or anchoring of accessories to the aquatic storage system, including, but not limited to, apertures, rails, windows, hooks, loops, channels, and protrusions. As mentioned above, the body may alternatively, additionally, or in conjunction with the sealing element also provide similar exterior features that facilitate or allow mounting or anchoring of such accessories to the aquatic storage system. An example of such exterior features is seen in FIG. 2A, with channels 191. Ideally, such exterior features are configured to promote the equal distribution of the mass of attached exterior accessories, so as to enhance the stability of any watercraft upon which the system is mounted. This can be accomplished, by way of example, by providing matching features on each side of the body and/or sealing element, so two identical accessories of roughly equal mass can be mounted on each side, or a single accessory can be mounted in a transverse fashion, thus balancing its mass equally over the center of the storage system and watercraft. Exterior accessories may include, but are not limited to, racks to store paddles, spear guns, fishing poles, and aquatic accessories, and seats to accommodate passengers such as infants, toddlers, children and adults.
As shown most clearly in FIG. 1B, the interior surface of sealing element 140 is complimentarily configured with the interior of body 110 to define cavity 150. FIG. 2B depicts how a water-tight seal is provided for cavity 150 by seal 180, which is compressed by sealing element 140 when closed. Seal 180 is ideally made from any compressible, non-water permeable material, such as rubber, silicone, or other similar material used for water sealing between two surfaces. The removal of sealing element 140 from the body 110 creates a portal in the body 110 that allows access to the cavity 150, which is also clearly shown in FIG. 2B. In one example, cavity 150 defines an interior elongated pyramid-shaped volume within aquatic storage system 100. In other examples, the cavity may be configured to define any interior volume shape that facilitates or allows balanced cargo and weight distribution, including, but not limited to, cylinders, cubes, elongated cubes, and tear-drops. By way of example, the side of cavity 150 upon which cargo typically rests may be configured in a concave fashion, to provide a depression towards the center so as to keep loose cargo placed within the cavity 150 distributed roughly along the centerline of the aquatic system 100, and the corresponding center line of a watercraft upon which the aquatic system 100 may be mounted, thereby preventing listing of the watercraft to one side as would be expected if the mass of cargo were placed off-center. By way of second example, the same side of cavity 150 could be configured in a convex fashion (similar to as shown in FIG. 1B), which would allow for stable and equal placement of a pair of SCUBA cylinders on each side, again, enhancing watercraft stability by ensuring equal and secure distribution of cargo mass.
In the example shown in FIG. 1B, the interior surface of sealing element 140 is configured to maximize the volume of cavity 150. Additionally or alternatively, in other examples, the sealing element may include interior features, including, but not limited to, flaps, pockets, windows, channels, hooks, and handles, that restrict or reduce the volume of the cavity. Indeed, the sealing element may be configured to include molded organizing elements to facilitate or allow secure storing and organizing of cargo.
While FIGS. 1A-B and 2A-B depict sealing element 140 as positioned on the top of the aquatic storage system 100 relative to its placement upon a watercraft, it should be understood that sealing element 140 could also be positioned to meet with any surface on body 110 where access to cavity 150 is desired or feasible, e.g. the sides, or front or rear of body 110. Furthermore, multiple sealing elements 140 may be provided to allow multiple access points to the cavity 150, or multiple instances of cavity 150 in a single aquatic storage system 100. Where multiple cavities 150 are implemented, each cavity 150 could be differently configured to as to provide optimal distribution of varying cargo types, e.g. one cavity could be configured to optimally receive and distribute the mass of SCUBA cylinders, while another cavity could be configured to optimally distribute the mass of food or fishing gear, while still another cavity could be configured to optimally distribute the mass of a wet well for holding caught fish.
Additionally or alternatively, the interior surface of the sealing element may be configured to accommodate water sport accessories, or to facilitate or allow the sealing element itself to be utilized as a water sport accessory. In some examples, the interior surface of the sealing element may be configured to accommodate a rider when the sealing element is inverted, as depicted in FIG. 6. In other examples the interior surface of the sealing element may be configured to accommodate a SCUBA tank or multiple SCUBA tanks.
In the example shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, multiple retaining elements 160 are cooperatively coupled to sealing element 140 and body 110. Retaining elements 160 facilitate or allow retaining sealing element 140 on body 110. In one example, multiple retaining elements 160 are fixedly attached to body 110 and removably attached to sealing element 140. Additionally or alternatively, multiple retaining elements may be removably attached to the body and fixedly attached to the sealing element. Additionally, one or multiple retaining elements may be fixedly or removably attached to both the body and the sealing element.
As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A and 2B, retaining elements 160 can be configured as hinged retaining elements. Additionally or alternatively, the retaining elements may be configured in any shape or form that facilitates or allows cooperatively coupling the body and the sealing element, including, but not limited to, clips, slides, non-hinged, and rotating, as well as a levered latch-style as is commonly known in the prior art. Additionally or alternatively, the retaining elements may be locking or non-locking, and the exterior surface of the retaining elements may be configured to facilitate or allow moving or anchoring the sealing element, the body, or both.
FIGS. 2A and 2B show examples of a possible implementation of the aquatic storage system 100 described in the foregoing. The example shows a sealing element 140 configured as a lid with a retaining element 160 implemented as a hinge, to allow flip-up access to the watertight cavity 150. Cupholders 190 are provided for easy storage and access to beverages, and as can be seen in the figures, the top surface of the body 110 and sealing element 140 are configured to allow a user to sit atop or straddle the storage system 100.
Turning attention to FIGS. 3-5, a second example of an aquatic storage system, aquatic storage system 200, will now be described. Aquatic storage system 200 includes many similar or identical features to aquatic storage system 100. Thus, for the sake of brevity, each feature of aquatic storage system 200 will not be redundantly explained. Rather, key distinctions between aquatic storage system 200 and aquatic storage system 100 will be described in detail and the reader should reference the discussion above for features substantially similar between the two aquatic storage systems.
As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4A, aquatic storage system 200 includes a body 210, apertures 212, a sealing element 240, a cavity 250, ballast elements 255, retaining elements 260, handle 270, mounting elements 280, anchoring elements 285, and mounting stays 290. Aquatic storage system 200 is configured to store and transport cargo on watercraft, namely a paddleboard 299, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Aquatic storage system 200 includes anchoring components that are not included in aquatic storage system 100. Further, aquatic storage system 200 is configured to facilitate or allow aquatic exercise and training using variable ballast elements 255.
As shown most clearly in FIGS. 4A and 4B, aquatic storage system 200 includes ballast elements 255. Ballast elements 255 are configured to mount within cavity 250. Ballast elements 255 are configured to facilitate or allow balanced weight distribution within cavity 250. In one example, ballast elements 255 are configured as cylinders. By changing the number of ballast elements 255 contained in the storage system 200, a user can selectively increase or decrease the cargo load. In this manner, the intensity of exercise and training may be increased or decreased; increasing the cargo load within the aquatic storage system increases the intensity of labor, force, or exercise required to move paddleboard 299 through water.
The length and mass of ballast elements 255 may be uniform or varied to facilitate or allow a user to selectively balance and distribute weight within cavity 250. Additionally or alternatively, the ballast elements can be configured in any shape that facilitates or allows organized stacking and balancing of cargo load within the cavity, including, but not limited to, pyramids, elongated triangles, bars, spheres, cubes, trapezoids, and disks. As shown in FIG. 4B, a stacking rack 259 may be provided to assist in stacking and balancing a collection of ballast elements 255. The stacking rack 259 can be sized so as to fit within the cavity 250, and to facilitate the equal distribution of the mass of the ballast elements 255. Ballast elements 255 can be comprised of aluminum, or of any now known or later developed material, including, but not limited to, wood, metal, plastic, rubber, carbon fiber, textiles, and composites, as needed to achieve the necessary weighting and ballast effect.
As shown in FIG. 4B, the ballast elements may be configured without central cavities, as shown by solid element 258. Alternatively, ballast elements 255 may include central cavities 257. Where a central cavity 257 is provided, the ballast element 255 may optionally be equipped with a cap 256 which can be removably attached to enable access to the central cavity 257. The cap 256 can attach by means of a threaded connection as depicted in FIG. 4B, or by any other means that is suitable to any materials that may be placed within the central cavity 257, such as a valve if gasses or fluids are utilized. By providing for such access, the central cavity 257 can be left empty or filled with substances to increase or decrease buoyancy of the ballast element 255. Substances the ballast elements 255 may be filled with to increase or decrease the total mass of the ballast elements 255 include, but are not limited to, inert gasses such as helium, argon, or other lighter or heavier gasses, liquids, solids of varying density such as stone, metal, or foam, and gels.
In the example shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, central cavities 257 are filled with a pre-determined volume of helium and individual ballast elements 255 are selected by a paddleboard user based on a pre-determined mass. Additionally or alternatively, the ballast elements may be equipped with valves to selectively fill or drain the central cavities during training or exercise. In other words, a user may elect to begin an exercise regime with all central cavities filled; thus, maximizing the total mass of the ballast elements and demanding greater effort to move the paddleboard through the water. Subsequently, when the user has achieved a desired exertion threshold, the user may drain all or some of the central cavities to lessen the total mass of the ballast elements and lessen the physical effort necessary to move the paddleboard through the water.
As depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4A, aquatic storage system 200 includes handle 270. Handle 270 is fixedly attached to the outer upper surface of sealing element 240. Additionally or alternatively, multiple handles may be fixedly or removably attached to the outer surface of the sealing element.
In the example shown in FIG. 3, handle 270 is comprised of the same material that comprises sealing element 240, namely plastic. In further examples, the handle may be comprised of any now known or later developed material, including, but not limited to, wood, metal, plastic, rubber, carbon fiber, textiles, and composites. Handle 270 is configured to facilitate or allow moving or anchoring the sealing element alone or in connection with the entire aquatic storage system. In one example, the lower surface of handle 270 and upper surface of sealing element 240 define an aperture 275. Aperture 275 is configured to facilitate or allow gripping by a human hand. Additionally or alternatively, aperture 275 is configured to facilitate or allow anchoring aquatic storage system 200 to paddleboard 299, for example, by passing mounting stays 290 through the aperture 275, as shown in FIG. 3.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, aquatic storage system 200 further includes mounting elements 280. Mounting elements 280 are configured to mount to paddleboard 299 and facilitate or allow anchoring or securing body 210 and sealing element 240. Mounting elements may be comprised of any now known or later developed material, including, but not limited to, wood, metal, plastic, rubber, carbon fiber, textiles, and composites. Mounting elements 280 may be fixedly attached, removably attached, or integrated with paddleboard 299. In one example mounting elements 280 are removably attached to paddleboard 299 with re-usable adhesive. In the case of integration with paddleboard 299, mounting elements 280 may be combined with anchoring elements 285 to present as embedded, integrated mount points on a paddleboard 299. Additionally or alternatively, mounting elements may be attached to the paddleboard by any now known or later developed method, including, but not limited to, taping, tacking, gluing, nailing, screwing, bolting, welding, and molding.
In one example, multiple mounting elements 280 are configured parallel to the outer edges of paddleboard 299. Additionally or alternatively, mounting elements may be configured in any manner and at any angle, to facilitate or allow anchoring or securing the body and the sealing element, including, but not limited to, perpendicular to the outer edges of the paddleboard. Indeed, multiple mounting elements or one mounting element may be configured to align with the central axis of the paddleboard and the central axis of the body and the sealing element.
As depicted in FIGS. 3 and 5, aquatic storage system 200 further includes anchoring elements 285. Anchoring elements 285 may be fixedly attached, removably attached, or integrated with mounting elements 280. Anchoring elements 285 are configured to facilitate or allow anchoring or securing body 210 and sealing element 240 to paddleboard 299. In one example, mounting elements 280 define channels comprising anchoring elements 285. Additionally or alternatively, anchoring elements may be configured in any shape or form that facilitates or allows anchoring of the body and the sealing element to the paddleboard, including, but not limited to, apertures, rails, windows, hooks, loops, channels, and protrusions.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, aquatic storage system 200 includes one or more mounting stays 290. Mounting stays 290 are complimentarily configured with handle 270, sealing element 240, body 210, and anchoring elements 285 to facilitate or allow anchoring or securing body 210 and sealing element 240 to paddleboard 299. In one example, mounting stays 290 are configured as flat straps. Additionally or alternatively, mounting stays may be configured in any shape or form that facilitates or allows anchoring or securing the body and the sealing element to the paddleboard, including, but not limited to, ropes, bungee cords, clips, clamps, and hooks.
As shown in FIG. 3, in one example, mounting stays 290 are comprised of fixed-length, canvas straps. Additionally or alternatively, the mounting stays may be comprised of any now known or later developed material, including, but not limited to, wood, metal, plastic, rubber, carbon fiber, textiles, and composites. Moreover, in still further examples, the mounting stays may be multi-functional and comprised of variable length material (i.e. the mounting stays may serve the dual purpose of anchoring the body and the sealing element to the paddleboard, but also be redeployed as a diving leash).
Furthermore, mounting stays 290 may be configured to attach to the aquatic storage system 200 on either side without crossing over the top of the system through a handle 270, so as to facilitate access to the cavity 250 through sealing element 240 without the need to untether the storage system 200 from the paddleboard 299. In some implementations, the mounting stays 290 may be implemented as latching mechanisms integrated into the body 210, which directly snap onto anchoring elements 285. In still other implementations, mounting stays 290 can be integrated with anchoring elements 285 and designed to movably attach to mounting elements 280, so as to allow the aquatic storage system 200 to be slid forward or aft on the paddleboard 299, thereby facilitating optimal placement of the cargo mass, and providing for enhanced stability.
Turning to FIG. 6, another possible implementation of the aquatic storage system 200 is depicted, with the sealing element 240 configured to provide a seat for the user 621 on its upper surface. Alternatively or additionally, the sealing element 240 could be configured so as to allow the seat attachment to collapse into the underside of sealing element 240, which would then be stowed into the cavity 250 once the sealing element 240 is turned over and reattached to the body 210. In addition to attaching sealing element 240, which comprises the upper third of the storage system 200, to the body 210, retaining elements 260 are here configured to provide attachment points for mounting stays 290, which in turn extend up to the seat of sealing element 240 to provide additional stability. The mounting stays 290 are secured to the paddleboard 299, providing user 621 with a secure and stable seat on which to travel.
It will be appreciated by the reader that paddleboard 299 is merely an example watercraft, and that the aquatic storage system 200 may be deployed upon any number of different types of vehicles, e.g. boats, kayaks, canoes, personal watercraft (e.g. jet skis or wave runners), or any other type of conveyance that may be used upon the water or in circumstances where stability is important.
The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.
Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein.

Claims

1. An aquatic storage system, comprising:

a body, comprising;

an outer shell,

a cavity disposed within said shell and shaped so as to equally distribute the mass of cargo placed therein, and

a portal disposed on said shell so as to allow the placement and removal of cargo within said cavity;

a sealing element that removably attaches to said portal on said housing so as to enclose said cavity;

one or more retaining elements for removably attaching said sealing element to said housing; and

one or more apertures disposed in said housing so as to drain liquids out from said cavity.

2. The aquatic storage system of claim 1, wherein said system is positively buoyant in water.

3. The aquatic storage system of claim 1, wherein said sealing element encloses said cavity in a watertight fashion.

4. The aquatic storage system of claim 1, wherein said housing is configured in a shape so as to facilitate ordinary use of a watercraft when said aquatic system is mounted thereupon.

5. The aquatic storage system of claim 4, wherein said housing has a hydrodynamic shape.

6. The aquatic storage system of claim 1, wherein one or more of said apertures are selectively sealable.

7. The aquatic storage system of claim 1, wherein said cavity is further shaped to maintain a distribution of cargo placed therein that renders the aquatic storage system self-stabilizing.

8. The aquatic system of claim 1, wherein said body and said sealing element are configured to allow the attachment of exterior accessories to the aquatic storage system.

9. An aquatic storage system, comprising:

a body possessing at least one cavity that is accessible by one or more portals disposed on said body, where such cavities are configured so as to equally distribute the load of items placed therein;

one or more sealing elements capable of sealing one or more of said portals;

at least one securing catch that can removably affix at least one of said sealimg elements to said portal; and

at least one aperture disposed in said body and positioned so as to allow water to drain from said at least one cavity.

10. The aquatic storage system of claim 9, further comprising a mounting system for removably securing the aquatic storage system to a substrate.

11. The aquatic storage system of claim 10, wherein said mounting system further comprises:

at least one mounting element that directly attaches to said substrate; and

at least one mounting stay that attaches to said mounting element, wherein said mounting stay is configured to secure said storage system to said mounting element

12. The aquatic storage system of claim 11, further comprising at least one anchoring element, wherein said anchoring element is attached directly to said mounting element, and said mounting stay is attached to said mounting element by direct attachment to said anchoring element.

13. The aquatic storage system of claim 11, wherein said sealing element possesses at least one handle, and said mounting stays pass through said handle to secure the storage system to said substrate.

14. The aquatic storage system of claim 9, further comprising a ballast system.

15. The aquatic storage system of claim 14, wherein said ballast system further comprises one or more ballast elements that are configured to mount within said cavity.

16. The aquatic storage system of claim 15, wherein one or more ballast elements possess a hollow interior cavity capable of being filled with various materials so as to change the mass of the ballast element.

17. The aquatic storage system of claim 14, wherein said ballast system is configured to allow increasing or decreasing the load carried by said storage system.

18. A system for storing cargo in an aquatic environment, comprising:

a body possessing a cavity that equally distributes the mass of cargo placed therein, and a portal disposed so as to allow the placement of cargo within the cavity;

a sealing means for sealing said portal so as to fully enclose said cavity;

a latching means for removably securing said sealing means to said housing; and

a means for selectably draining fluid from said housing while said housing is sealed.

19. The system for storing cargo in an aquatic environment of claim 18, wherein said cavity is further shaped to maintain a distribution of cargo placed therein that renders the system self-stabilizing.

20. The system for storing cargo in an aquatic environment of claim 18, further comprising a means to removably secure said system to a watercraft.