WO2007107997A2

WO2007107997A2 - Modular kayak

Info

Publication number: WO2007107997A2
Application number: PCT/IL2007/000371
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yaron Yeruchin; Elad Morag
Original assignee: Yaron Yeruchin; Elad Morag
Priority date: 2006-03-22
Filing date: 2007-03-22
Publication date: 2007-09-27
Also published as: US20080121166A1; WO2007107997A3

Abstract

A modular kayak including several main parts which are designed and manufactured so that their external form grants the modular kayak superior kayaking performance and enables their assembly into a single compact package, which can fit into the trunk of a regular family car and be easily carried by hand, over the shoulder, or on the back.

Description

MODULARKAYAK

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to kayaks and, in particular to modular kayaks. Kayaks and other small boats that can be assembled from separate sections are well known it the art.

A foldable kayak is described in U.S. patent No. 4,057,865 of Trautwein, filed on June 30, 1976. Trautwein taught a rigid bottom foldable on a central transverse hinge that has a removable tubular skeleton frame at each end supporting the skin. A pneumatic tubular member carried by the bottom sections serves to expand and tightly support the skin in use, thereby retaining the frame in assembled relation to the bottom. Figure Ia is a side view of the kayak 400 according to Trautwein. Figure Ib is a section taken on line a-a of Figure Ia. The illustration shows a tube 1 that needs to be inflated prior to use of the kayak and be deflated prior to folding the kayak. Another foldable boat with light weight hull construction system is described in

U.S. patent No. 6,615,762 of Scott, filed on August 23, 2001. Scott taught a boat of simple ultra light construction with few numbers of parts that can be easily assembled without tools, and when disassembled provides a compact lightweight package suitable for long range or rough terrain portage or back-packing. A plastic coated nylon waterproof cover or like skin can be conveniently slid onto, and off of the assembled hull and quickly fastened in place to provide waterproofing for the hull.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the monocoque kayak 500 hull according to Scott without the waterproof cover taken from the rear and above.

A breakdown sit-on and sit-in plastic paddleboat is described in Australian patent application No. AU 2004100379 A4 of Slattery filed on May 20, 2004. Slattery taught a breakdown kayak that has multiple hollow-form sections that can be coupled together in a detachable manner.

Figure 3a is a perspective illustration of a top view of a prior art rotationally molded, hollow-form, sit-in, one person, marine kayak 300, having three-sections, the stem section 301, the center section 302, and the bow section 303, according to Slattery. Figure 3b is a perspective illustration of a prior art joint 310 between the center section 302 and the stern section 301 of the marine kayak 300 of Figure 3 a after the sections have been separated.

In spite of years of experience in development of kayaks and additional small folding and collapsing vessels, there is still thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have a folding kayak that can be folded or disassembled and reassembled quickly and easily for use, without any need for tools or inflation, that can by carried easily by hand or on the back, while maintaining the performance & strength of the one piece kayaks, and especially for a kayak that can easily be stored in the trunk of a small family car.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Small boating vessels have been known from the dawn of time. One of the most popular vessels is the kayak, an Eskimo canoe made of a frame of bones covered with skins with an opening in the center enabling the kayaker to enter the kayak and sit inside it.

The kayak is propelled by a double-bladed paddle. The kayak originally served as a hunting vessel, with the kayaker/hunter equipped with a harpoon.

Today kayaks are considered a recreational and/or sport vehicle, in various models, usually suitable for one or two kayakers, suitable for boating in rivers, lakes, seas, oceans and Whitewater models.

Kayaks are commonly made of Fiberglass, fiberglass with foam core or from a verity of plastics. There are presently two predominate types of kayaks, the first is the sit-in kayak. In this kayak, the kayaker sits inside 1he kayak casing, and there is a risk of incoming water sinking the kayak, therefore, in many kayaks, there is a sheet sealing the gap between the kayaker's body and the casing.

The second type is the sit-on kayak. In this kayak, the kayaker sits on the kayak, even if there is an indentation in the kayak that can serve as a seat, and draining holes while the kayak is waterproof. The main advantage of this kayak is that there is no place for water to accumulate, thus avoiding the risk of sinking. Its main disadvantage is the usually loose seating of the kayaker on the kayak, if he is not strapped in, resulting in a rather high center of gravity.

As used herein the specification and in the claims section that follows, the term

"kayak" and the like refer to a boating vessel that is substantially moved independently by means of at least one bladed paddle, when the kayaker (or kayakers) is inside or upon it, seated, standing, or in any other position, has a bow (the front end), and a stern

(the back end).

This term also includes vessels known to boaters as: Kayak, Sit-On-Top WaveSki, Dinghy, WaterCraft, and Canoe. Typical lengths of kayaks are within the range of 2 to 5 meters, weighing between

8 to 50 kilograms, with the typical dimensions of a wave kayak are approximately 3 meters long, 65 cm wide, and 30 cm high.

The present invention relates to a modular kayak composed of several main parts, for example two, three, or four main parts. The kayak can be in different configurations suited for specific situations such as: a. A unified configuration for storage and carrying, as a single compact package that is efficient in space consumption and has additional qualities that will be described later. b. A dismantled configuration, suitable for carrying and storing each part separately. c. A unified configuration for kayaking, as a kayaking vessel.

These configurations determine the forms of the main parts, which are suited to conform to the other parts in structure and external form, so that the form of one part conforms to the form of a second part that is in contact with in kayaking configuration, and also conforms to a third part that is not in contact with in kayaking configuration however is in contact with in unified storage configuration.

The present invention doesn't affect the kayaking performance of the kayak, yet greatly improves the transportation, carrying and storage of kayaks, for example, a modular kayak according to the present invention can fit into and be stored in the trunk of a family car, with typical dimensions of approximately 100 x 65 x 40 centimeters, with an opening width of 45 centimeters, or for carrying on one's back in a package whose dimensions are no larger than approximately 130 x 65 x 40 centimeters.

The structure of the kayak according to the present invention is that of a thin shell according to the known principles of constructing aircrafts and boating vessels, a structure known as "hard shell" with structural qualities of strength and elasticity that meet all of the kayak's structural requirements, without any need for added reinforcements such as partitions and supports.

The material or materials composing the hard shell can be any material suitable for use in marine sport products providing the necessary structural qualities, such as metals or plastic materials for inexpensive kayaks, or composite materials optionally with foam cored for higher quality kayaks, of light weight and high performance.

The complete kayak includes two, three, or more main structural parts. For example, in a kayak including three main structural parts, according to the present invention, the bow section (the front unit), of the modular kayak, is connected on one end of the central section, and the stern section, which serves as the back end of the modular kayak, is connected on the other end of the central unit.

Each of the main structural parts has a geometrical form that conforms to the part to which it is connected to obtain the kayaking configuration, this geometrical form also conforms to one or more main structural parts for the unified package configuration, in a manner that enables assembling all of the kayak's parts into a compact and efficient package that is suitable for carrying by hand, on one's back or shoulder, and for storage in a narrow place such as the trunk of a small family vehicle.

The external forms that are fitted to the main structural parts serve as connectors and are of suitable dimensions to handle the forces and moments exerted on the kayak, and are designed to add structural integrity to the kayak. Latches or other means of attachment can be added to these forms to obtain safer locking of the parts in place.

External straps can also be added to tighten the package when the kayak is in package configuration, as well as straps for carrying the package. The straps can be put in a pouch or in a storage compartment on tihe kayak when in the water, enabling the kayaker to be free of any transportation device. Each of the main structural parts can be waterproof and buoyant, or the structure of the kayak can alternatively include gaskets disposed between the main structural parts with interconnecting lips known in the art as flanges for the option of a Sit-In-

Kayak. The main structural parts can include openings for draining water that can be sealed with plugs.

When the kayak is a sit-on modular kayak, the design of its top part can include indentations for comfortable seating, including indentations for the legs.

When the kayak is a sit-in modular kayak, there is a cockpit, an area where the kayaker sits while in the modular kayak. The number of seating apparatuses conforms to the number of kayakers for which the kayak is designated. A modular configuration, which enables extending the kayak and adapting it to a larger number of kayakers, by adding one or more additional central unit, is also possible.

The guiding principle in selecting the external form of the main structural parts of the kayak is designing optimal forms to enable the external form of the hull, the bottom side of the modular kayak, is suitable for achieving kayaking performance mat meets the kayak's designation when in kayaking configuration while the external form of the top of each of the main structural parts also conforms to an optimal package configuration, enabling assembly of the main structural part into a stable package with external dimensions that are suitable for storage in small places, or places with a certain limited internal space and opening, such as the internal space and opening of the trunk of a certain make of family car, without detracting from the kayak's performance in water.

According to the above guiding principle, the design of the modular kayak, which can be achieved by means of trial and error, includes the following design instructions: The hull is designed according to the kayaking performance required of the modular kayak, as in the hull design of a kayak that is built in one piece, including efficient hydrodynamic design as is practiced in kayak design.

Maintaining a suitable volume to achieve the necessary buoyancy qualities.

Giving the deck part an external form, namely the outer surface of the deck of each of the main structural parts, which conforms to the forms of the outer surfaces of the other parts that are adjacent to it when assembled in package configuration without compromising the performance of the kayak. The forms of all of the main parts enable assembly as one compact package which makes efficient use of volume and has structural qualities that prevent linear and rotational movement of the main structural parts as much as possible, so that they are separated from each other only when pulled away from each other along imaginary axis Z, in an orthogonal coordinate system fixed to the center section of the modular kayak, with Y axis going forward in the direction of the bow on the symmetry plane of the modular kayak, X axis going right perpendicular to Y axis and Z axis going upward perpendicular to the plane generated by X and Y axes. No dimension of any single part of the modular kayak will exceed a predefined maximal value, such as 100 centimeters.

The connection apparatus of the modular kayak's parts will not be in any place where they can come into contact with the kayaker's body, in order to prevent possible injury (such as pinching). Aesthetic external design.

Granting strength and elasticity to the structure of the modular kayak for kayaking, carrying, and storage configurations.

The present invention has the following main advantages in comparison to all the foldable and collapsible kayaks of prior art: The kayak, depending on the type and the used material weighs like a one piece structure, is suitable to be carried by an adult for long distances under difficult conditions.

Assembly and dismantling of the kayak are very simple, do not require any expertise or use of any tools, and are performed in short time intervals, which can be less than two minutes.

The modular kayak has superior strength and performance without competition.

The kayak is safer and has none of the special restrictions that usually apply to foldable kayaks.

The kayak as a hard shell doesn't have the disadvantage of increased hull drag due to soft skin collapsible kayaks.

The kayak has a more aesthetically pleasing design. Carrying and storage of the kayak are optimal:

Its parts can be assembled into an efficient, conformant, and compact package. The kayak can be packed in a simple apparatus that enables carrying on the back or over the shoulder, or in other ways. All of the parts of the kayak can fit into the trunk of any family car without any need for special apparatus or trailers.

Convenient carrying from the vehicle to the kayaking site, and from the site back to the vehicle.

Enables carrying and moving in small spaces such as elevators, means of public transportation, and when riding a bicycle.

Convenient and easy to carry as baggage when traveling abroad. Efficient storage at home or in a storage space.

Thus, according to the teachings of the present invention there is provided, a kayak comprising a plurality of sections including: (a) a center section; (b) a bow section; and (c) a stern section, each of the sections having a hull surface and a deck surface, the plurality of sections assuming a deployed state in which the sections are mechanically engaged to form a kayak, the plurality of sections further assuming a compact storage state in which the sections are deployed in overlying relation with a plurality of pairs of facing surfaces, wherein: (i) at least one of the bow section and the stern section is inverted relative to the center section such that a deck surface of the inverted section is oriented towards the deck surface of me center section, and (ii) each of the pairs of facing surfaces includes a first surface formed with a recessed shape and a second surface shaped so that at least part of the second surface enters into the recessed shape. According to a further feature of the present invention, each of the sections is waterproof and buoyant.

According to a further feature of the present invention, each of the sections has a maximum height, and wherein the compact storage state has a height which is no greater than 0.7 of the sum of the maximum heights. According to a further feature of the present invention, the plurality of sections includes exactly three sections. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure Ia is a side view of a prior art kayak. Figure Ib is a section of the prior art kayak of Figure Ia.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of another prior art kayak.

Figure 3a is a perspective top view from of a prior art sit-in, one person, marine kayak, with three sections.

Figure 3b is a perspective view of a joint between the center section and the stern section of 1he prior art marine kayak of Figure 3a, after the sections have been separated.

Figure 4a is a schematic perspective illustration of a preferred embodiment of a modular kayak of the present invention composed of three main parts. Figure 4b is a schematic perspective illustration of the modular kayak of Figure 4a with its three main parts separated from each other, according to the present invention.

Figure 5 a is a schematic perspective illustration of another preferred embodiment of a modular kayak of the present invention composed of three main parts. Figure 5b is a schematic perspective illustration of the modular kayak of Figure 5a dismantled into three parts, in package configuration, according to the present invention. Figure 6a is a schematic perspective illustration of a side view of a preferred embodiment of the modular kayak of the present invention of Figure 4a.

Figure 6b is a schematic illustration of a top view of a preferred embodiment of the modular kayak of the present invention of Figure 4a.

Figure 6c is a schematic illustration of a bottom view of a preferred embodiment of the modular kayak of the present invention of Figure 4a.

Figure 6d is a schematic illustration of b - b section of a preferred embodiment of the modular kayak of the present invention of Figure 6b.

Figure 6e is a schematic illustration of a preferred embodiment of the modular kayak of the present invention of Figure 4a in unified package configuration for storage and carrying, marked wititi six lateral section lines.

Figure 6f is a schematic illustration of the lateral sections of Figure 6e. Figure 7a is a schematic perspective illustration of the modular kayak of the present invention of Figure 4a dismantled into three parts in package configuration.

Figure 7b is a schematic perspective illustration of an additional view of the modular kayak of Figure 4a dismantled into three parts in package configuration according to the present invention.

Figure 7c is a schematic illustration of a view of one of the bases of the central part of the modular kayak of Figure 7a dismantled into three parts in unified package configuration for storage and carrying, as a single compact package according to the present invention. Figure 7d is a schematic cross section illustration of the modular kayak of Figure

7c along line a - a with the three main parts distanced from each other in separate parts configuration, suitable for separate carrying of each part according to the present invention.

Figure 7e is a schematic cross section illustration of the kayak of Figure 7c along line a - a in package configuration according to the present invention.

Figure 8a shows a kayaker pulling the kayak parts out of a car trunk according to the present invention.

Figure 8b shows a kayaker assembling the kayak parts into a unified package according to the present invention. Figure 8c shows a kayaker carrying the modular kayak as a package using straps, over his shoulder according to the present invention.

Figure 8d shows a kayaker carrying a modular kayak as a package using straps, on his back according to the present invention.

Figure 9a is a schematic illustration of a side view of latch and hook, which can be used to fasten the main parts of the kayak to each other in a unified kayaking configuration, in closed position.

Figure 9b is a perspective schematic illustration of latch and hook, which can be used to fasten the main parts of the kayak to each other in a unified kayaking configuration, in closed position. Figure 9c is a perspective schematic illustration of latch and hook, which can be used to fasten the main parts of the kayak to each other in a unified kayaking configuration, in open position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a modular kayak.

The principles and operation of a modular kayak according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description. Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The materials, dimensions, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting.

The following list is a legend of the numbering of the application illustrations:

300 kayak according to Slattery lie contact area

301 stern section (of Slattery's Kayak) 12a center section's hull portion

302 center section (of Slattery's 12b center section's deck portion Kayak) 12c contact area

303 bow section (of Slattery's Kayak) 12d contact area

310 joint between the center section 13a stern section's hull portion and the stern section (of Slattery's 13b stern section's deck portion

Kayak) 13c contact area

400 kayak according to Trautwein 14a hook (for latching)

500 kayak according to Scott 14b latch

1 tube (of Trautwein's Kayak) 15 seating surface

Ua bow section's hull portion 16 drain holes

Ub bow deck portion 17 shoulder of the bow deck portion 18a fastening device 22 protrusion 18b (back) carrying strap 23 protrusion 18c (shoulder) carrying strap 24 indentation

19 section of the contact line between 120 kayaker the bow section and the center 130 trunk of a car section 100 modular kayak of the present

20 section of the contact line between invention the center section and the stern 101 bow section section 102 center section

21 peripheral surface 103 stern section

Referring now to the drawings, Figure Ia is a side view of a prior art kayak.

Figure Ib is a section of the prior art kayak of Figure Ia.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the monocoque kayak 500 hull according to Scott without the waterproof cover taken from the rear and above. Figure 3 a is a perspective illustration of a top view of a prior art sit-in one-person marine kayak with tfiree-sections.

Figure 3b is a perspective view of a prior art joint between the center section and the stern section of the marine kayak of Figure 3 a, after the sections have been separated. Figure 4a is a schematic perspective illustration of a preferred embodiment of a modular kayak 100 of the present invention composed of three main parts, the bow section 101, the center section 102, and the stern section 103. The coordinate system shown in the illustration defines axes fixed to center section 102. X axis goes forward, Z axis goes upward, and Y axis goes right, with each axis perpendicular to 1he plane created by the other two axes.

Figure 4b is a schematic perspective illustration of the modular kayak 100, when its three main parts are separated from each other. The illustration shows bow section's hull portion 11a and deck portion lib, center section's hull portion 12a and deck portion 12b, and stern section's hull portion 13a and deck portion 13b. Furthermore the illustration shows the areas of the modular kayak's main parts, which come into contact with each other when assembled to kayaking configuration. Area lie of bow section 101 is suitable for contact with area 12c of center section 102. Area 13c of stern section 103 is suitable for contact with area 12d of center section 102. In addition, the illustration shows means for fastening the parts after connection, or releasing the sections, such as latch 14b and hook 14a.

Figure 5a is a schematic perspective illustration of another preferred embodiment of a modular kayak 200 of the present invention composed of three main parts the bow section 201, the center section 202, and the stern section 203. The illustration shows a coordinate system, similar to that which is shown in Figure 4a. Figure 5b is a schematic perspective illustration of modular kayak 200, dismantled into three parts, which are assembled into package configuration. The bottom part of the package is stem section 203, on which as shown in the illustration bow section 201 is placed upside-down, and over both center section 202 is also placed upside-down.

Figure 6a is a schematic illustration of a side view of a preferred embodiment of the modular kayak 100 of Figure 4a.

Figure 6b is a schematic illustration of a top view of a preferred embodiment of the modular kayak 100. The illustration shows seating surface 15, which serves as the kayaker's seat.

Figure 6c is a schematic illustration of a bottom view of a preferred embodiment of the modular kayak 100. The illustration shows several drain holes 16. The illustration also shows that each of the modular kayak's main parts has a maximal width dimension, respectively marked as YlOl, Y102, and Y103.

Figure 6d is a schematic illustration of a b - b section of Figure 6b of a preferred embodiment of the modular kayak 100. This illustration shows the conformity of the modular kayak's main parts to each other in their joint contact areas, in kayaking configuration of the modular kayak. The illustration shows a section of contact line 19 between the bow section and the center section and a section of contact line 20 between the center section and the stem section.

Figure 6e is a schematic illustration of a preferred embodiment of the modular kayak 100 of Figure 4a in unified package configuration for storage and carrying, with the center section 102 on the bottom, the stern section 103 on top, and the bow section 101 in between, marked with six lateral section lines.

Figure 6f is a schematic illustration of the six lateral sections of Figure 6e. This illustration shows the conformity of the modular kayak's main parts to each other in their joint contact areas in unified storage and carrying package configuration. The form of the deck surface of each of the modular kayak's main parts has qualities that are suitable for achieving a compact package, which consumes little space and prevents linear and rotational movement of these parts with regard to each other. The relevant sections in the illustration define the forms of the deck surfaces. The illustration shows that the form of the deck surface of one of the modular kayak's main parts need not be identical to the form of the deck surface of another main part to which it is adjacent in package configuration. Several contact point shared by both of the adjacent modular kayak's main parts are sufficient.

As used herein the specification and in the claims section that follows, the term "3D deck conformant surface" and the like refer to a deck substantially having the necessary qualities to prevent rotational and linear movement between the modular kayak's main structural parts in the unified storage and carrying package configuration, and to achieve minimal packing size.

Referring more specifically to Figure 6f, it will be noted that the present invention provides a storage configuration in which at least one and preferably both of the bow and stem sections are inverted relative to the center section so that their deck surfaces are oriented towards each other, and in which each pair of facing surfaces between adjacent sections includes a first surface formed with a recessed shape and a second surface shaped so that at least part of the second surface enters into the recessed shape. This geometry is particularly seen in Figure 6f, sections "d-d", "e-e" and "f-f ' . The inversion of at least one of the bow and stern sections provides enhanced flexibility as to the shapes of the facing surfaces without unduly impacting design considerations for the hull surfaces which are more critical for performance of the assembled kayak in water. Thus, in summary, the present invention provides a modular kayak having a plurality of sections including a center section, a bow section and a stem section, each of the sections having a hull surface and a deck surface, the plurality of sections assuming a deployed state in which the sections are mechanically engaged to form a kayak, and a compact storage state in which the sections are deployed in overlying relation with a plurality of pairs of facing surfaces, wherein: (i) at least one of the bow section and the stern section is inverted relative to the center section such that a deck surface of the inverted section is oriented towards the deck surface of the center section, and (ii) each of the pairs of facing surfaces includes a first surface formed with a recessed shape and a second surface shaped so that at least part of the second surface enters into the recessed shape. Figure 7a and Figure 7b are schematic perspective illustration of two views of the modular kayak 100 of Figure 4a dismantled into three parts in package configuration. The illustration shows how the modular kayak's main parts can be assembled together into a single compact package. Center section 102 serves as the base of the package, with the center section's deck portion 12b facing the bow's deck portion lib and the bow section's hull portion 11a facing the stern section's deck portion 13b. Packing 1he modular kayak's main parts in package configuration can be performed in the following stages, starting from the kayaking configuration of the modular kayak, resting on the ground: a Opening the latches 14b and separating the kayak's main parts from each other. b. Lifting the bow section 101, rotating it in the air by 180 degrees around an imaginary axis parallel to Y axis, and putting it in place upon the center section 102. c. Lifting the stern section 103, rotating it in the air by 180 degrees around an imaginary axis parallel to Y axis, and putting it in place upon the bow section

101.

The forms of the modular kayak's main parts according to the present invention ensure that there will be rigidity regarding each part with regard to the adjacent part or parts on a plane parallel to X-Y plane, hi Figure 7b, the marking of the shoulders 17 of the bow deck portion 101 has been emboldened. A description of this is given later in the description of Figure 7c. Figure 7c is a schematic illustration of a view of one of the bases of the center section 102 of the modular kayak 100 dismantled into three parts in package configuration. The illustration shows the design, which prevents relative, linear, and rotational movement of the modular kayak's two main parts the bow section 101 and the center section 102 on a plane perpendicular to Z-axis. This is achieved by means of the shoulders 17 of the bow deck portion 101.

Figure 7d is a schematic illustration of a cross section of the modular kayak of Figure 7a in separate parts configuration, suitable for carrying and storage of each part separately, namely separated from each other, each shown in a section of line a - a as shown in Figure 7c.

Each of the partition surfaces serving as a contact area between the modular kayak's main parts, when the modular kayak is in kayaking configuration, has a three dimensional form that ensures stiffness in linear or rotational movement between two of the modular kayak's adjacent main parts, other man the linear movement of separation along X axis. This quality is achieved by means of protrusions and indentations on the three-dimensional forms, as shown for example in stem section 103 which has a curved partition surface including a segment adjacent to the stern section's hull portion 13a, which is connected to surface 23 which has a component in X direction connecting it to protrusion 22. Center section 102 has a curved partition surface with an indentation 24, which fits precisely to protrusion 22.

As used herein the specification and in the claims section that follows, the term "3D partition conformant surface" and the like refer to a partition substantially having the necessary qualities to prevent rotational and linear movement between the modular kayak's main structural parts in kayaking configuration. As shown in the illustration, each of the modular kayak's main parts has a maximal height dimension, respectively marked as ZlOl, Z102, and Z103, and a maximal length dimension, respectively marked as XlOl, X102, and X103.

Figure 7e is a schematic illustration of a cross section of the modular kayak 100 of Figure 7c along line a - a in unified storage and carrying package configuration, as a single compact package. As shown in the illustration, the package that is created when the modular kayak is in unified storage and carrying package configuration, there is a general maximal length dimension marked as XlOO and a general maximal height dimension marked as ZlOO.

Thanks to the structure of the modular kayak's main parts which are assembled together in package configuration, the general maximal height dimension of the entire package is smaller that the sum of the individual maximal height dimensions of each of the modular kayak's main parts, namely ZlOO < (ZlOl + Z 102 + Z103). Kayaks built according to the present invention have been proven to achieve at least ZlOO < 0.7 x (Z101 + Z 102 + Z103).

As used herein the specification and in the claims section that follows, the term "total maximum dimension" and the like refer to the substantially maximal height dimension of the modular kayak, when it is in unified storage and carrying package configuration.

Figure 8a shows a kayaker 20 removing the kayak's main parts center section 102 and stern section 103 from the trunk 30 of a car. The illustration shows one of the options for inserting and removing modular kayak 100 into and from the trunk of a car, in this case, each part separately. An additional possibility is inserting and removing modular kayak 100 in a unified package configuration.

Figure 8b shows a kayaker 20 assembling the modular kayak's main parts bow section 101, center section 102, and stem section 103 to unified storage and carrying package configuration.

Figure 8c shows the kayaker 20 carrying the modular kayak 100 in package configuration with carrying straps 18c over his shoulder. The modular kayak's main parts are fastened with fastening device 18a Figure 8d shows the kayaker 20 carrying the kayak 100 as a package with carrying straps 18b on his back. The modular kayak's main parts are fastened with fastening device 18a.

Figure 9a, Figure 9b, and Figure 9c, are schematic illustrations of a latch, which can be used to fasten the kayak's main parts to each other in kayaking configuration. Latch 14b latches onto hook (for latching) 14a when they are connected to the kayak's main parts on fasten them for unified kayaking configuration. Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A kayak comprising a plurality of sections including:

(a) a center section;

(b) a bow section; and

(c) a stern section, each of said sections having a hull surface and a deck surface, said plurality of sections assuming a deployed state in which said sections are mechanically engaged to form a kayak, said plurality of sections further assuming a compact storage state in which said sections are deployed in overlying relation with a plurality of pairs of facing surfaces, wherein: (i) at least one of said bow section and said stem section is inverted relative to said center section such that a deck surface of said inverted section is oriented towards said deck surface of said center section, and (ii) each of said pairs of facing surfaces includes a first surface formed with a recessed shape and a second surface shaped so that at least part of the second surface enters into said recessed shape.

2. The kayak of claim 1, wherein each of said sections is waterproof and buoyant.

3. The kayak of claim 2, wherein each of said sections has a maximum height, and wherein said compact storage state has a height which is no greater than 0.7 of the sum of said maximum heights.

4. The kayak of claim 1, wherein said plurality of sections includes exactly three sections.