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US 12,583,559 B2Granted
Watercraft portage apparatus and method of use
OwnerJoshua Lemoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A canoe yoke is provided that includes an elongated member at least a portion of which is covered by a cushioning member. The yoke addresses problems associated with single user transport of a canoe or other watercraft over land. The canoe yoke combines aspects of strength, ease of installation, and ease of storage that are better than other options known to the art.
Claims20
A watercraft portage apparatus, comprising:
- a substantially rigid elongated member having sufficient strength to support a watercraft having a weight of at least 15 pounds, the elongated member having a length greater than or equal to the breadth of the watercraft, and having a width,
- a cushioning member extending along at least a portion of the length of the elongated member, the cushioning member and the elongated member together forming an assembly configured to transfer the weight of the watercraft to a user, and
- at least one detachable connector configured to temporarily join the elongated member to a first stabilization point on a first horizontal bar extending breadthwise across the watercraft at a position that is forward from the rigid elongated member, and a second stabilization point on a second horizontal bar extending breadthwise across the watercraft at a position that is rearward from the rigid elongated member, the connector comprising a flexible material configured to secure the elongated member to the watercraft with the elongated member extending in a direction generally parallel to the first horizontal bar.
A method, comprising:
- obtaining a watercraft portage apparatus comprising an elongated member, and a cushioning member surrounding the elongated member,
- obtaining a detachable connector, the detachable connector comprising a flexible material configured to join the elongated member to the watercraft without permanently altering the watercraft,
- placing the apparatus adjacent to a portable watercraft having a first stabilization point on a first horizontal bar extending breadthwise across the watercraft at a position that is forward from the apparatus, and a second stabilization point on a second horizontal bar extending breadthwise across the watercraft at a position that is rearward from the apparatus, and
- attaching the apparatus to the first stabilization point and the second stabilization point on the watercraft using the detachable connector to secure the apparatus to the portable watercraft with the elongated member extending in a direction generally parallel to the first horizontal bar.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.