DW CARRY SYSTEM

STRUCTURE POUR LE PORTAGE D'UNE EMBARCATION

English Abstract

An assembly, comprised of four rigid members, to facilitate
manual carrying and portaging of a water craft, by a single
person. This assembly is so constructed as to allow easy
attaching to, and removal from, this craft. The two members of
this assembly that are longitudinally aligned to the craft are of
predetermined dimensions as to facilitate the comfortable
transport of this craft upon the shoulders of a person. The
remaining two rigid members are adapted as to allow secure yet
adjustable fit to a broad range of water craft by predetermined
means. This invention, when not in use, quickly and easily
disassembles so that all components may be stored efficiently in
or on the said craft.

French Abstract

La présente invention a pour objet une structure constituée de quatre éléments rigides destinée à faciliter le transport et le portage d'une embarcation par une seule personne. La structure en question a été conçue pour faciliter le chargement et le déchargement de l'embarcation. Les deux éléments de la structure en question qui sont alignés dans l'axe longitudinal de l'embarcation possèdent des dimensions qui sont prédéterminées dans le but de faciliter et de rendre le plus confortable possible le transport de l'embarcation sur les épaules de l'utilisateur. Les deux autres éléments rigides entrant dans la construction de la structure en question permettent le réglage de l'ajustement en fonction d'une vaste gamme d'embarcations. Lorsque non utilisée, la structure faisant l'objet de la présente invention se prête à un démontage facile et rapide et tous les éléments de la structure démontée se rangent facilement à bord de l'embarcation.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive
property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
I. An assembly, comprised of four rigid members, to
facilitate the manual carrying of a water craft, or similar load, by
one person, wherein, when this assembly is in use to facilitate
said carrying, two equal length members of said four members,
are aligned to said craft longitudinally, the remaining two of said
four members are aligned transversely to said craft, such that
both said transversely aligned members are attached to each of
the said longitudinally aligned members, both said transversely
aligned members being so adapted as to efficiently attach to, and
detach from, said craft, as well, when said assembly is not in
said use, it's disassembled components are so adapted as to
facilitate their efficient storage in, or on, said craft.
II. A rigid member assembly as described in claim I, wherein
one end of each said longitudinally aligned member is so
adapted and padded as to permit even distribution of the said
craft's weight comfortably onto the shoulders of said person
carrying said craft using said assembly.
III. A rigid member assembly as described in claims I and II,
wherein one, of the two, said transversely aligned members will
be so adapted as to facilitate efficient attaching to and removal
from said longitudinally aligned member's unpadded ends.
IV. A rigid member assembly as described in claims I, II
and III, wherein, said assembly, facilitates movement of the one
said transversely aligned member that is not attached as in
claim III, said movement being along the longitudinal axis of
said equal length longitudinally aligned members, said
movement being contained between the said transversely aligned
member, as described in claim III and the said padded areas as
described in claim II, until such time as this assembly is attached
to the said craft thereby limiting said movement.
Page 1 of 3

V. A rigid member assembly as described in claims I, II, III
and IV, wherein the said assembly, when in said use, situates the
shoulders of the said person carrying said craft below the center
of gravity of said craft.
VI. A rigid member assembly as described in claims I, II,
III, IV and V, wherein, when said assembly is not in said use,
the removal of the said transversely aligned member, as
described in claim III, from said assembly, will then allow the
said free moving transversely aligned member, as described in
claim IV, to be easily removed from or replaced on said equal
length longitudinally aligned members.
VII. A rigid member assembly as described in claims I, II,
III, IV, V and VI, wherein, when said assembly is in said use,
the said transversely aligned member, as described in claim III,
will be situated outboard of said longitudinally aligned members
and the other said transversely aligned member, as described in
claim IV, will be situated inboard of said longitudinally aligned
members.
VIII. A rigid member assembly as described in claims I, II,
III, IV, V, VI and VII, wherein, when in said use, said assembly
is secured to said craft, by means of two straps of predetermined
dimensions that encircle said craft around it's longitudinal axis,
and said straps being so adapted with fasteners and tension
adjusters as to facilitate efficient attaching to and removal from
said craft so as to maintain position of said assembly relative to
said craft when this assembly is in said use.
IX. A rigid member assembly as described in claims I, II, III,
IV, V, VI and VII, wherein, when in use, said assembly is
secured to said craft, by means of four fasteners so adapted as to
facilitate efficient attaching to and removal from said craft.
Page 2 of 3

X. A rigid member assembly as described in claims I, II, III,
IV, V, VI, VII, VIII and IV, in combination with a backpack so
constructed, or modified, as to facilitate the transfer of said
craft's weight off the shoulders of said person, onto his or her
hips via the said assembly, said backpack and the hip belt of
said backpack.
Page 3 of 3

Description

CA 0220~980 1997-0~-30
Description
This invention, entitled the DW Carry System, relates to the manual
carrying and portaging of many types of infl~t~ble water craft, kayaks,
and similar craft. This system is designed to be used by one person
while they carry such a craft.
The use of these types of water craft is growing in waterways once
domin~ted by the traditional open decked touring canoe. This
expansion has been restricted by difficulties in portaging these craft.
This problem is compounded when the distance traversed becomes
lengthy.
The craft that this invention relates to, do not allow a comfortable
hold upon them during carrying. Whereas, traditional canoes have
gunwales to hold and thwarts or yokes to distribute their weight on the
carrier during a portage; most other types of paddled craft do not have
such structures or members. Thus, common practice in the carrying of
kayaks, is to hook one's shoulder into the craft's cockpit; there by
transferring the boat's weight to your shoulder. This creates
significantly greater load on one side of your body, along with the
resulting discomfort. Tnfl~t~bles and sit-on-tops rely on a shoulder
strap, straps, or nothing at all for single person carrying. Many of the
newer white water canoes have no yokes. They often do have central
saddles to contend with during portages, and some rodeo canoes no
longer have gunwales.
There exists currently a number of carry systems, for these types of
craft, involving one or more straps. All of these work well over short
distances. Over long portages, none of these systems compare
favorably to the ease and comfort with which a canoe of equal weight
may be portaged. In use, these strap based systems were found to
situate the crafts weight to one side of the carrier's body, or align the
craft lengthwise against his or her back. Both of these carrying
positions proved uncomfortable on all hut the shortest of portages.
There were rigid member manual carry systems found for kayaks
and like craft. One consisted of a yoke, like that found on a
conventional canoe. In producing and testing this device, it was found
to lack clearance for the head, relative to the kayak. This device is
based on a single, relatively straight, rigid member; Thus, the carrier's
head is mostly contained within the cock pit when this system is used.

CA 0220~980 1997-0~-30
This system required a cockpit rim to fasten to; It did not work on
inflatable kayaks, sit-on-tops or inflatable rafts.
Another rigid member type manual carry system was fixed about
the head of the person carrying the craft. This could be dangerous
when used over irregular ground.
A better manual carry system, for these types of craft, must fill the
following criteria: the efficient transfer of the craft's weight to the
person carrying it, the efficient positioning of the craft's load relative
to the person carrying the craft, the carry system mustn't interfere with
the particular use for which the craft is intended, the carry system must
evenly distribute the craft's load to both shoulders of the person
carrying this craft, the carry system must be small enough to facilitate
easy storage in or on the craft when said system is not in use and one
model manual carry system should ~lt a number of similar water craft.
In drawings which illustrate embodiments of this invention:
Figure 1 is showing one embodiment of this invention.
Figure 2 is showing the embodiment of this invention, as shown
in Figure 1, in use with one kayak design.
Figure 3 is showing details of the straps, their attachment and
adjustment fittings, as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 4 is showing the details of a cross member attachment
that is fixed in place by a release pin as shown in Figure 1, but without
the strap. ( one of two such attachments )
Figure 5 is showing details of a cross member attachment
having travel along part of one padded member as shown in Figure 1,
but without the strap.~ one of two such attachments )
Figure 6 is showing a backpack with external frame so modified
as to allow it's frame to act as if it were the carrier's shoulders during
the use of this invention.
Figure 7 is showing one embodiment of this invention so
adapted as to attach to an infl~t~ble craft by means of four fasteners.
This invention's efficiency in ca~rying a water craft 5 is found in
the rigidity that is achieved between craft 5 and invention, as shown in
one embodiment, Figure 2. The straps 1 are tightened up via the
buckles 13, then tensioned by the tension devices 2 and their ret~ining
buckles 14. Thus allowing the pads 3 to transfer the load evenly and
efficiently to the carrier's shoulders 4 as if the invention were a fixed
part of the craft 5.

CA 0220~980 1997-0~-30
This invention disassembles and assembles quickly. It's
disassembled components fit into a small package size; also, the
preferred embodiment of this invention leaves no fixtures on the craft
5 when not in use. Thus guaranteeing that there will not be interference
with the craft's 5 intended use. Please note that some embodiments of
this invention do leave fittings on the craft. These embodiments are
only intended for usage were they will not compromise the craft's
intended use.
Each embodiment of this invention will fit numerous models and
types of craft. This is achieved, on the preferred embodiment as in
Figure 1, via the adjustment range with the straps 1 and the sliding of
the cross member 6. On an embodiment as in Figure 7, fittings must be
attached to the craft. The Figure 7 version is of use on multiple craft,
so long as these craft are fitted to accept such attachments. This
version, Figure 7, has been shown to not inhibit the use of most
infl~t~les and some white water canoes.
The preferred embodiment of this invention, as shown in Figure 1,
is assembled by first sliding the cross member 6 and it's fittings 10
onto the two padded 3 member's 7 shafts via the unpadded ends 11.
Then the other cross member 8 is slid onto the member's 7 unpadded
ends 11 and fixed in place by the release pins 12. This in turn acts to
contain the motion of the cross member 6, between the other cross
member 8 and the pads 3 on the other ends of these padded 3 members
7. Now this embodiment of the invention appears as in Figure 1, and
is ready for the straps 1 to be attached around the craft 5 using the
buckles 13. Final tensioning is by the action of the tension devices 2
and their ret~ining buckles 14.
The location of attachment of the invention on the craft 5 is
determined by the need to situate the crafts longit~ldin~l center of
gravity 14 above the person's shoulders 4 carrying the craft 5, as
shown in Figure 2. Once this invention's mounting position is
determined it can be marked temporarily, or permanently, on the craft.
The positioning of the sliding cross member 6 will determine the
angle, relative to the horizon, at which the craft 5 is carried. This angle
will vary with each embodiment of this invention and model of craft
carried. When the choice of position is made, for one embodiment of
this invention and one kayak, marks may be made on the assembly to
aid in efficient duplication of this position.

CA 0220~980 1997-0~-30
The preferred embodiment of this invention, Figure 1, is made up
of four rigid tubular members 6, 7, 8. These members are attached to
one another via four polyethylene fittings 9, 10. The sliding cross
member 6 has two fittings 10 on its shaft being fixed in position by
two pins 15. The other cross member 8 has two smaller f1ttings 9
fixed in position by two pins 16. The entire assembly is fixed together
with the two release pins 12. These pins 12 fix the two padded
members 7 in the ftting~ 9 on the cross member 8.
This preferred embodiment is constructed using: marine grade
aluminum tubing for the four rigid members 6,7,8, UHMW
polyethylene for the four fittings 9, 10, solid stainless pins for the four
fixed attachment points 15, 16 and the strap retention pins 19, marine
grade stainless release pins 12 for the two detachable assembly points,
neoprene foam for the pads 3 and anti scuff plates 17, nylon webbing
for the strapping 1, derlin for the buckles 13, 14 and loops 18, and
aluminum for the tension devices 2.
One embodiment, Figure 1, of this invention has been shown to
function well on a large variety of craft. These include two person
infl~t~ble rafts, roto-molded kayaks, blow-molded kayaks, infl~t~ble
kayaks, folding kayaks, infl~t~ble canoes, sea kayaks and sit-on-tops.
Other embodiments of this invention also increase the clearance for
the carrier's head while m~int~ining the craft parallel to the ground.
Thus allowing it's use with surf boards, wave boards and wind surfers.
This invention also worked well in combination with a backpack.
Figure 6 is showing such a backpack, so altered as to transmit the
craft's weight to the carrier's hips instead of his or her shoulders.
Those backpacks, found adequate, utilize either an interior or exterior
frame 20. Those backpacks having sufficient structural integrity as to
transfer the predetermined load from the packs top to its hip belt 21
could be made to function with this invention. However, most of the
internal frame packs needed extensive modifications and additions.
Accordingly, a rigid or semi-rigid external frame was found to be best
in this application.
Such a backpack's frame, need only be notched 22 on top, leaving
the center raised 23. This raised portion 23 protects the carrier's neck
while using this invention in combination with this backpack. The
resulting backpack's top profile substitutes for the carrier's shoulders
and neck, and in doing so, it also centers the craft's weight over the
carrier's head.

CA 02205980 1997-05-30
This invention can also be secured by four fasteners 24, 25 as
shown in Figure 7. This embodiment was found to be best suited to
infl~t~hle craft, and white water canoes, where half of the fastener 25
could be glued to the hull material. This decreases the ease with which
this invention may be transferred between craft, however, it speeds
attachment and removal of this carry system from a craft so fitted. This
embodiment also decreases overall weight carried.

Representative Drawing