# US 9,517,814 B2 · Adjustable foot brace for watercraft

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- Number: US 9,517,814 B2
- Document ID: US9517814B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/289,368
- Filed: 2014-05-28
- Published: 2015-05-07
- Granted: 2016-12-13
- Earliest claimed: 2013-11-04
- Assignees: Lifetime Products, Inc.
- Applicants: Lifetime Products, Inc.
- Inventors: Sam Robbins; Edward VanNimwegen
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9517814B2

## CPC

- B63B 17/00: Vessels parts, details, or accessories, not otherwise provided for {(vehicle fittings for preventing or indicating unauthorised use or theft of vehicles in general B60R25/00; propeller guards, line cutters or other means for protecting propellers or rudders B63H5/165; protection of power legs of outboard propulsion units B63H20/36; locking devices for boats, surfboards or parts or accessories thereof E05B73/007)}
- B63B 34/21: characterised by constructional features
- B63B 34/26: Accessories for canoes, kayaks or the like (effecting propulsion by muscle power B63H16/00; outboard propulsion units B63H20/00)
- B63H 16/02: Movable thwarts; Footrests
- B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06)
- B63H: MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING (propulsion of air-cushion vehicles B60V1/14; specially adapted for submarines, other than nuclear propulsion, B63G; specially adapted for torpedoes F42B19/00)

## Abstract

In one example, a watercraft is provided that includes a hull, and a cockpit connected to the hull. Disposed within the cockpit are first and second adjustable foot braces that are connected to the hull. Each of the adjustable foot braces is operable to define a variety of different foot positions. As well, the adjustable foot braces are each operable with a respective adjustment rod, and a structural configuration of each of the adjustable foot braces is the same regardless of whether the respective adjustment rod is present or not.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A watercraft comprising:
a hull;
a cockpit connected to the hull; and
first and second adjustable foot braces disposed in the cockpit and connected to the hull, and each of the adjustable foot braces includes a portion that is movable to define a plurality of different foot positions, wherein each of the first and second adjustable foot braces comprises:
a track;
a brace element engaged with the track;
a latch rotatably connected to the brace element and operable to releasably engage the track in a plurality of different locations on the track; and
an adjustment rod slidingly received by the track and engaged with the latch and the brace element in such a way that lifting and twisting of the adjustment rod are substantially prevented, wherein movement of the adjustment rod in a first direction moves the brace element away from a user and movement of the adjustment rod in a second direction moves the brace element toward the user, wherein the adjustment rod includes a hook portion operable to push on the latch and to pull on the brace element.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The watercraft as recited in claim 1, wherein the track defines a plurality of slots, each of which defines a different respective position of the brace element, and wherein the latch includes a tooth operable to releasably engage the slots defined by the track.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The watercraft as recited in claim 1, wherein the track comprises a plurality of ties that each include a leading edge and a trailing edge, and each tie is relatively thicker at the leading edge than at the trailing edge.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The watercraft according to claim 1, wherein the watercraft comprises one or more tack-offs.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The watercraft according to claim 1, wherein rotation of the latch to a first position permits movement of the brace element in either direction along the track, and wherein rotation of the latch to a second position prevents movement of the brace element away from a user.

### Claim 6

An adjustable foot brace suitable for use with a watercraft, the adjustable foot brace comprising:
a track that is mountable to the watercraft;
a brace element including a base that engages the track, and the brace element is slidable along the track;
a latch rotatably connected to the brace element and operable to releasably engage the track in a plurality of different locations on the track, wherein rotation of the latch to a first position permits movement of the brace element in either direction along the track, and wherein rotation of the latch to a second position prevents movement of the brace in one direction along the track; and
an adjustment rod slidingly received by the track and engaged with the latch and the brace element, wherein movement of the adjustment rod in a first direction moves the brace element in the first direction and movement of the adjustment rod in a second direction moves the brace element in the second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction, wherein the adjustment rod includes a hook portion situated between the latch and the brace element and operable to push on the latch and to pull on the brace element.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The adjustable foot brace as recited in claim 6, wherein an upper portion of the latch includes a handle.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The adjustable foot brace as recited in claim 6, wherein the adjustment rod is removable from the track, and the adjustable foot brace is movable without the adjustment rod.

### Claim 9

An adjustable foot brace, comprising:
a track that is mountable to a watercraft;
a brace element engaged with the track, and the brace element is slidable along the track;
a latch rotatably connected to the brace element and operable to releasably engage the track in a plurality of different locations on the track, wherein rotation of the latch to a first position permits movement of the brace element in either direction along the track, and wherein rotation of the latch to a second position prevents movement of the brace in one direction along the track, wherein an extent to which the latch is able to rotate is constrained at least in part by the brace element; and
an adjustment rod slidingly received by the track and engaged with the latch and the brace element, wherein movement of the adjustment rod in a first direction moves the brace element in the first direction and movement of the adjustment rod in a second direction moves the brace element in the second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

A watercraft, comprising:
a hull; and
the adjustable foot brace as recited in claim 9, wherein the adjustable foot brace is attached to the hull.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The watercraft as recited in claim 10, wherein the watercraft is a kayak.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The watercraft as recited in claim 10, wherein the hull comprises a unitary, single-piece structure with a hollow interior.