Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
INTERFACE FOR MOUNTING A PROPULSION MECHANISM TO A
WATERCRAFT
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to an interface for mounting a propulsion
mechanism to a
.. watercraft, and to a watercraft comprising such an interface.
BACKGROUND OF THE ART
[0002] Various pedal operated means for propelling watercrafts such as
kayaks have been
proposed in the past. Such foot propulsion mechanisms are becoming
increasingly popular in
fishing kayaks since the user can propel its watercraft using feet while the
hands remain
.. available for holding fishing rods and the like.
[0003] For instance, US Patent No. 6,022,249 discloses a rigid
watercraft made of
polyethylene and including a foot propulsion mechanism. The propulsion
mechanism
comprises a pair of flappers adapted to oscillate through arcuate paths in a
generally
transverse direction with respect to the central longitudinal dimension of the
watercraft. Pedals
.. are operatively associated with the propulsion means for applying input
force to the
propulsion means, and the propulsion mechanism is mounted to a receptacle
defined in the
hull or body of the kayak. As such, the propulsion mechanism is directly
supported by the hull
of the kayak. While this configuration may be suitable in many instances, the
reciprocating
movement induced on the pedals tends to urge slight movement of the foot
propulsion
.. mechanism relative to the hull of the kayak, which may cause damages to the
hull over time.
Since the hull itself defines the support for the foot propulsion mechanism,
the entire hull
must be replaced when such damages occur. Furthermore, the manufacturing of
such hull by
thermoforming may prove onerous since the crafting of the receptacle for the
propulsion
mechanism typically requires a worker to carefully cut out the opening for
receiving the foot
.. propulsion mechanism, which tends to slow down the manufacturing process.
[0004] In other instances, the rigidity of the hull is not sufficient to
support such a foot
propulsion mechanism. In such instances, a rigid interface between the hull
and the foot
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propulsion mechanism can be provided. For instance, US Patent No. 8,082,871
describes an
interface for an inflatable watercraft, where the inflatable watercraft
comprises an opening
defined in the center and extending through the bottom or floor of an air
chamber. The
opening is adapted for receiving an oval interface, which is itself adapted to
receive a foot
operated propulsion mechanism. The interface is a unitary component of
generally oval shape
having generally vertical side walls running completely around the oval, the
top and bottom of
the oval being open. The upper and lower extremities of the walls terminate in
upper and
lower outwardly projecting flanges, and the space between the flanges receives
and abuts the
oval opening, the oval opening and interface being complementary sized and
shaped. The
interface is normally fairly rigid and is made of an injection moldable
plastic.
[0005] While such interface may be suitable with inflatable watercrafts,
its unitary
structure renders it difficult to use with watercrafts comprising rigid
bodies. Rigid watercrafts
such as kayaks may be manufactured by molding two sheets of extrudable
material using a
thermoforming process to shape the two manufactured sheets into a kayak shape,
one sheet
being used for the top side (i.e. the deck) and the other for the bottom side
(i.e. the hull) of the
kayak. Manufacturing the body using such a process may lead to slight inherent
manufacturing variation of the thickness of the body, which thickness
variation may represent
a challenge for manufacturing and assembling components having a single size
and shape,
such as the interface for propulsion mechanisms disclosed in US Patent No.
8,082,871.
[0006] Therefore, it would be desirable to be provided with an interface
for a watercraft
that alleviates at least some of the above-identified drawbacks.
SUMMARY
[0007] According to a broad aspect, there is provided an interface for
mounting a
propulsion mechanism to a watercraft including a rigid body having a deck
portion, a hull
portion and a well extending between the deck portion and the hull portion. In
this broad
aspect, the interface comprises:
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¨ a first portion including a first plate positionable adjacent to one of the
hull
portion and the deck portion of the watercraft, about the periphery of the
well,
and at least one channel extending from the second plate, the channel being
positionable in the well, in registry with the hole of the first portion, the
channel being sized and shaped for receiving therein a portion of the
propulsion mechanism and for mounting the propulsion mechanism to the
interface; and
¨ At least one fastening assembly for removably fastening the first portion to
the
body of the watercraft.
[0008] In one feature, the interface further comprises a second portion
including a second
plate positionable adjacent to the other of the hull portion and the deck
portion of the
watercraft, about the periphery of the well, the second plate comprising a
hole sized and
shaped for receiving therethrough a portion of the propulsion mechanism. In
this feature, the
hole is positionable in registry with the well, and the at least one fastening
assembly is further
configured for removably fastening the second portion of the interface to the
body of the
watercraft.
[0009]
In another feature, the first portion is a top portion and the first plate is
a top plate,
and wherein the second portion is a bottom portion and the second plate is a
bottom plate.
[0010]
In yet another feature, the channel is adapted for removably securing the
propulsion mechanism to the interface.
[0011]
In still another feature, the at least one fastening assembly is configured
for
removably fastening the first portion to the second portion of the interface.
Preferably, the at
least one fastening assembly includes a first segment engaging the first
portion of the interface
and a second segment engaging the second portion of the interface. The first
and second
segments of the at least one fastening assembly collaborate to force the first
and second
portions of the interface toward one another to sandwich the body of the
watercraft between
the first and second plates.
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[0012] In a further feature, the first segment of the at least one
fastening assembly
comprises a threaded fastener engaging the first plate of the first portion
and the second
segment of the at least one fastening assembly comprises a fastening
projection provided with
a threaded hole, the threaded fastener being engageable in the threaded hole
of the fastening
projection to force the first and second portions of the interface toward one
another.
[0013] In yet a further feature, the at least one fastening assembly is
further configured
for maintaining the channel of the first portion in registry with the hole of
the second portion
when the at least one fastening assembly is fastened and the channel is spaced-
apart from the
second plate.
[0014] In still a further feature, the at least one fastening assembly
comprises four
fastening assemblies.
[0015] In one feature, the interface further comprises at least one
guiding assembly for
maintaining the channel of the first portion in registry with the hole of the
second portion
when the at least one fastening assembly is fastened and the channel is spaced-
apart from the
second plate. Preferably, the at least one guiding assembly comprises a
plurality of fins
extending upwardly from the second plate of the second portion, about the
periphery of the
hole, the fins being configured for positioning the channel of the first
portion in registry with
the hole of the second portion as the first and second portions of the
interface are forced
toward one another.
[0016] In one feature, the fins extend from at least one of a ridge
extending upwardly
from the second plate of the second portion, a female portion of a guide
assembly and the
second segment of the second portion.
[0017] In another feature, the at least one guiding assembly comprises a
guiding assembly
mounted to the at least one fastening assembly.
[0018] In still another feature, the propulsion mechanism is a foot
propulsion mechanism.
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[0019] In yet another feature, the propulsion mechanism is an
oscillating flapper
propulsion mechanism.
[0020] In a further feature, the propulsion mechanism is a motorised
propulsion
mechanism.
[0021] In still a further feature, the watercraft is a kayak, and
preferably a fishing kayak.
[0022] In another feature, the watercraft is a small boat.
[0023] In a further feature, the interface further comprises a lock
mechanism for
removably securing the propulsion mechanism to the interface. Preferably, the
lock
mechanism is mounted in the channel of the first portion of the interface.
More preferably, the
propulsion mechanism comprises a shaft including at least projection on one
side of the
propulsion mechanism, and the channel comprises at least one recess for
slidably receiving
therein the at least one shaft projection. The lock mechanism is positioned in
the channel
adjacent to the recess and being movable between a lock position and an unlock
position, the
lock mechanism in lock position engaging the shaft projection received in the
recess to
prevent vertical movement of the propulsion mechanism relative to the channel.
[0024] According to another broad aspect, there is provided a watercraft
comprising:
¨ rigid body having a deck portion, a hull portion and a well extending
between
the deck portion and the hull portion,
¨ an interface for mounting a propulsion mechanism to the body of the
watercraft, the interface including:
¨ a first portion including a first plate positionable adjacent to one of
the hull portion and the deck portion of the watercraft, about the
periphery of the well, and at least one channel extending from the
first plate, the channel being positionable in the well, the channel
being sized and shaped for receiving therein a portion of the
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propulsion mechanism and for mounting the propulsion mechanism
to the interface; and
¨ At least one fastening assembly for removably fastening the first
portion to the body of the watercraft.
[0025] In one feature, the interface further comprises a second portion
including a second
plate positionable adjacent to the other of the hull portion and the deck
portion of the
watercraft, about the periphery of the well, the second plate comprising a
hole sized and
shaped for receiving therethrough a portion of the propulsion mechanism. In
this feature, the
hole is positionable in registry with the well, and the at least one fastening
assembly is further
configured for removably fastening the second portion of the interface to the
body of the
watercraft.
[0026] In another feature, the first portion is a top portion and the
first plate is a top plate,
and wherein the second portion is a bottom portion and the second plate is a
bottom plate.
[0027] In yet another feature, the channel is adapted for removably
securing the
propulsion mechanism to the interface.
[0028] In still another feature, the at least one fastening assembly is
configured for
removably fastening the first portion to the second portion of the interface.
Preferably, the at
least one fastening assembly includes a first segment engaging the first
portion of the interface
and a second segment engaging the second portion of the interface. The first
and second
segments of the at least one fastening assembly collaborate to force the first
and second
portions of the interface toward one another to sandwich the body of the
watercraft between
the first and second plates.
[0029] In a further feature, the first segment of the at least one
fastening assembly
comprises a threaded fastener engaging the first plate of the first portion
and the second
segment of the at least one fastening assembly comprises a fastening
projection provided with
a threaded hole, the threaded fastener being engageable in the threaded hole
of the fastening
projection to force the first and second portions of the interface toward one
another.
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[0030] In yet a further feature, the at least one fastening assembly is
further configured
for maintaining the channel of the first portion in registry with the hole of
the second portion
when the at least one fastening assembly is fastened and the channel is spaced-
apart from the
second plate.
[0031] In still a further feature, the at least one fastening assembly
comprises four
fastening assemblies.
[0032] In one feature, the interface further comprises at least one
guiding assembly for
maintaining the channel of the first portion in registry with the hole of the
second portion
when the at least one fastening assembly is fastened and the channel is spaced-
apart from the
second plate. Preferably, the at least one guiding assembly comprises a
plurality of fins
extending upwardly from the second plate of the second portion, about the
periphery of the
hole, the fins being configured for positioning the channel of the first
portion in registry with
the hole of the second portion as the first and second portions of the
interface are forced
toward one another.
[0033] In one feature, the fins extend from at least one of a ridge
extending upwardly
from the second plate of the second portion, a female portion of a guide
assembly and the
second segment of the second portion.
[0034] In another feature, the at least one guiding assembly comprises a
guiding assembly
mounted to the at least one fastening assembly.
[0035] In still another feature, the propulsion mechanism is a foot
propulsion mechanism.
[0036] In yet another feature, the propulsion mechanism is an
oscillating flapper
propulsion mechanism.
[0037] In a further feature, the propulsion mechanism is a motorised
propulsion
mechanism.
[0038] In still a further feature, the watercraft is a kayak, and
preferably a fishing kayak.
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[0039] In another feature, the watercraft is a small boat.
[0040] In a further feature, the interface further comprises a lock
mechanism for
removably securing the propulsion mechanism to the interface. Preferably, the
lock
mechanism is mounted in the channel of the first portion of the interface.
More preferably, the
propulsion mechanism comprises a shaft including at least projection on one
side of the
propulsion mechanism, and the channel comprises at least one recess for
slidably receiving
therein the at least one shaft projection. The lock mechanism is positioned in
the channel
adjacent to the recess and being movable between a lock position and an unlock
position, the
lock mechanism in lock position engaging the shaft projection received in the
recess to
prevent vertical movement of the propulsion mechanism relative to the channel.
[0041] According to another broad aspect, there is provided an interface
for mounting a
propulsion mechanism to a watercraft including a rigid body having a deck
portion, a hull
portion and a well extending between the deck portion and the hull portion. In
this broad
aspect, the interface comprises:
¨ a first portion including a first plate positionable adjacent to one of the
hull
portion and the deck portion of the watercraft, about the periphery of the
well,
and at least one channel extending from the first plate, the channel being
positionable in the well, the channel being sized and shaped for receiving
therein a portion of the propulsion mechanism and for mounting the propulsion
mechanism to the interface;
¨ a second portion including a second plate positionable adjacent to the other
of
the hull portion and the deck portion of the watercraft, about the periphery
of
the well, the second plate comprising a hole sized and shaped for receiving
therethrough a portion of the propulsion mechanism, the hole being
positionable in registry with the well and with the channel of the first
portion;
¨ At least one fastening assembly for removably fastening the second portion
to
the first portion of the interface, the at least one fastening assembly
including a
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first segment engaging the first portion of the interface and a second segment
engaging the second portion of the interface, the first and second segments of
the at least one fastening assembly collaborating to force the first and
second
portions of the interface toward one another to sandwich the body of the
watercraft between the first and second plates;
¨
At least one guiding assembly for maintaining the channel of the first
portion in
registry with the hole of the second portion when the at least one fastening
assembly is fastened and the channel is spaced-apart from the first plate.
[0042] According to yet another broad aspect, there is provided a
watercraft comprising:
to ¨
rigid body having a deck portion, a hull portion and a well extending between
the deck portion and the hull portion,
¨ an interface for mounting a propulsion mechanism to the body of the
watercraft, the interface including:
¨ a first portion including a first plate positionable adjacent to one of the
hull portion and the deck portion of the watercraft, about the periphery
of the well, and at least one channel extending from the first plate, the
channel being positionable in the well, the channel being sized and
shaped for receiving therein a portion of the propulsion mechanism and
for mounting the propulsion mechanism to the interface;
- a second portion including a second plate positionable adjacent to the
other of the hull portion and the deck portion of the watercraft, about
the periphery of the well, the second plate comprising a hole sized and
shaped for receiving therethrough a portion of the propulsion
mechanism, the hole being positionable in registry with the well and
with the channel of the first portion;
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- At least one fastening assembly for removably fastening the second
portion to the first portion of the interface, the at least one fastening
assembly including a first segment engaging the first portion of the
interface and a second segment engaging the second portion of the
interface, the first and second segments of the at least one fastening
assembly collaborating to force the first and second portions of the
interface toward one another to sandwich the body of the watercraft
between the first and second plates;
- At least one guiding assembly for maintaining the channel of the first
portion in registry with the hole of the second portion when the at least
one fastening assembly is fastened and the channel is spaced-apart from
the first plate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0043] Having thus generally described the nature of the invention,
reference will now be
made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration example
embodiments
thereof and in which:
[0044] FIG. 1 is a top, rear right perspective view of a kayak in
accordance with one
embodiment;
[0045] FIG. 2 is a bottom, rear right perspective view of the kayak
shown in FIG. 1;
[0046] FIG. 3 is atop, front right perspective view of the kayak shown in
FIG. 1;
[0047] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the kayak shown in FIG. 1;
[0048] FIG. 5 is a left elevation view of the kayak shown in FIG. 1;
[0049] FIG. 6 is a rear elevation view of the kayak shown in FIG. 1;
[0050] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the kayak shown in FIG. 1;
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[0051] FIG. 8 is an enlarged, top front right perspective view of a body
of the kayak
shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment;
[0052] FIG. 9 is an enlarged, bottom front right perspective view of the
body shown in
FIG. 8;
[0053] FIG. 10 is a cross-section view of the body shown in FIG. 8, taken
along line X-X;
[0054] FIG. 11 is a top, front right perspective view of an interface
and a propulsion
mechanism mounted thereto of the kayak shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with one
embodiment.
[0055] FIG. 12 a bottom, rear right perspective view of the interface
and propulsion
mechanism shown in FIG. 11;
[0056] FIG. 13 is a top, rear right perspective view of the interface
shown in FIG. 11;
[0057] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectioned perspective view of the interface
shown in FIG. 13,
taken along line XIV-XIV;
[0058] FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the interface shown in FIG. 13;
[0059] FIG. 16A is a bottom, rear right perspective view of a bottom
portion of the
interface shown in FIG. 13, in accordance with one embodiment;
[0060] FIG. 16B is a partial, enlarged view of the bottom portion of the
interface shown
in FIG. 16A, for better showing a fastening projection;
[0061] FIG. 16C is another partial, enlarged view of the bottom portion
of the interface
shown in FIG. 16A, for better showing a female portion of a directing
assembly;
[0062] FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the bottom portion shown in FIG.
16A;
[0063] FIG. 18 is a right elevation view of the bottom portion shown in
FIG. 16A;
[0064] FIG. 19 is a rear elevation view of the bottom portion shown in
FIG. 16A;
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[0065] FIG. 20 is a bottom plan view of the bottom portion shown in FIG.
16A;
[0066] FIG. 21 is a rear, top right perspective view of a top portion of
the interface shown
in FIG. 13, in accordance with one embodiment;
[0067] FIG. 22 is a rear, bottom right perspective view of the top
portion shown in
FIG. 21;
[0068] FIG. 23 is a to plan view of the top portion shown in FIG. 21;
[0069] FIG. 24 is a rear elevation view of the top portion shown in FIG.
21;
[0070] FIG. 25 is a right elevation view of the top portion shown in
FIG. 21;
[0071] FIG. 26 is a bottom plan view of the top portion shown in FIG.
21;
[0072] FIG. 27 is a rear, top right perspective view of the propulsion
mechanism shown
in FIG. 13;
[0073] FIG. 28 is an enlarged right elevation view of the propulsion
mechanism shown in
FIG. 27;
[0074] FIG. 29 is a rear, top right perspective view of a core support
of the propulsion
mechanism shown in FIG. 27, with a pedal shaft mounted thereto;
[0075] FIG. 30 is a rear, bottom right perspective view of the core
support shown in
FIG. 29, without the pedal shaft; and
[0076] FIG. 31 is a rear, top right, partially exploded view of the
kayak shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0077] FIGS. 1 to 7 show an example of a watercraft in accordance with an
embodiment
of the invention. In this embodiment, the watercraft is a fishing kayak 10
comprising a body
12 having a bow end 14 and a stern end 16 opposite the bow end 14. The body 12
extends
along a longitudinal axis L1-L1 from the bow end 14 to the stern end 16. The
kayak 10 has a
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length L defined by the longitudinal axis L1-L1, a width W transversal to the
longitudinal axis
L1-L1, and a height H transversal to the widthwise and longitudinal
directions. As the kayak
is primarily designed for fishing, the body 12 of the kayak 10 may be made
relatively wide
to assist in providing increased stability to the watercraft.
5 [0078] The body 12 of the kayak 10 comprises a deck 20 defining a
top side 22 of the
body 12 and a hull 24 defining a bottom side 26 of the body 12 (best shown in
FIG. 5). The
deck 20 is configured for accommodating a user of the kayak 10 while the hull
24 is
configured to engage water onto which the kayak 10 floats and travels.
[0079] In the illustrated embodiment, the deck 20 is provided with
various features that
10 can be useful to the user. For example, in the embodiment depicted, a
seat 28 is disposed atop
the deck 20 for allowing a user of the fishing kayak 10 to sit in a generally
upright position.
The seat 28 comprises a seat bottom 30 and a backrest 32. The deck 20 also
comprises a leg
area 34 located forwardly of the seat 28 for supporting the user's legs and
feet. In this
embodiment, the leg area 34 comprises a generally oblong well 100 mounted in
an oblong
(best shown in FIGS. 9 to 10) defined in the body 12, an interface 300 mounted
in the well
100 and a foot propulsion mechanism 500 mounted to the interface 300, for
allowing a user
seating on the seat 28 to propel the kayak 10, as it will be described in
greater details below.
The leg area 34 may also be used for the user to stand while fishing. It will
be understood that
such features may not necessarily be found in conventional (i.e.,
recreational/non-fishing)
kayaks, or that such features may be configured differently without departing
from the scope
of this embodiment.
[0080] In this embodiment, the deck 20 also comprises a covered storage
compartment 36
adjacent the bow end 14 of the body 12 and an open storage compartment 38
located between
the covered storage compartment 36 and the leg area 34.
[0081] The deck 20 also comprises covered storage compartment 40 adjacent
the stern
end 16 of the body 12, as well as an open compartment 42 located between the
covered
storage compartment 40 and the seat 28. As it will be appreciated, storage
compartments 36,
38, 40 and 42 may be useful to store equipment and, in the case of the covered
storage
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compartments 36 and 40, to protect such equipment from exposure to water. The
open storage
compartments 38, 42 may comprise securing cords 44, 46 (such as for example
bungee cords)
to secure equipment in the open storage compartments 38, 42. As an example, a
cooler or
other equipment and/or provisions useful for fishing may be secured in the
open storage
compartments 38, 42.
[0082] At the stern end 16 of the deck 20, the kayak 10 is provided with
a rudder
assembly 50. The rudder assembly 50 is operatively coupled to a steering
mechanism 52
located beside the seat 28 (in the illustrated embodiment, on the left side of
the seat 28) via a
cable transmission (not shown), for steering the kayak 10. Furthermore, in the
embodiment
depicted, the deck 20 comprises three pole holders 56, 58 and 60 for holding
fishing poles (not
shown). The deck 20 also comprises a pair of paddle parks 62, 64 on each side
of the seat 28
to securely hold paddles (not shown) generally parallel to the longitudinal
axis L1-L1 of the
kayak 10.
[0083] With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the body 12 of the kayak 10
is also shown as
comprising a pair of drainage holes 66, 68 through which water from the deck
20 may travel
to the bottom side 26 of the body 12 and into a body of water on which the
kayak 10 travels.
[0084] Defined in the leg portion 34 of the body 12, and extending
between the deck 20
and the hull 24, is the generally oblong well configured for receiving therein
the interface 300
for mounting a foot operated propulsion mechanism 500.
[0085] With reference to FIGS. 8 to 10, the well 100 comprises first,
second, third, fourth
and fifth portions 102, 104, 106, 108 and 110, respectively which sequentially
extend from the
deck 20 to the hull 24. The first portion 102 comprises a peripheral wall 112
and a first
abutment wall 114 extending perpendicular thereto. Together, the peripheral
wall 112 and the
first abutment wall 114 define a recess 116 sized and shaped for receiving
therein a portion of
the interface 300, as it will become apparent below. Defined in the first
abutment wall 114 are
four holes 118a-118d for receiving therein threaded fasteners 120a-120d (shown
in FIG. 31),
for securing a portion of the interface 300 to the body 12 of the kayak 10, as
it will become
apparent below. The second portion 104 of the well 100 is located below the
first portion 102.
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The second portion 104 comprises a peripheral wall 122 having a top end 124
connected to
the abutment wall 114 of the first portion 102, the top end 124 being curved
to transition
toward a lower end 126 which, extends at an angle of approximately 80 degrees
relative to the
horizontal. The lower end 126 of the peripheral wall 122 is connected to a
second abutment
.. wall 128. The second abutment wall 128 extends generally horizontal, and
comprises a
plurality of holes 130a-130d for receiving therethrough a corresponding
plurality of threaded
fasteners 132a-132d (shown in FIG. 31) for securing portion of the interface
300 to the body
12 of the kayak 10, as it will become apparent below. Together, the peripheral
wall 122 and
the second abutment wall define 128 a second recess 134 for receiving a
portion of the
interface 300, as it will become apparent below.
[0086] The third portion 106 of the well 100 also includes a peripheral
wall 136
extending downwardly, as well as a lip 138 extending generally transverse to
the peripheral
wall 136. The peripheral wall 136 and the lip 138 correspond to the junction
between the deck
portion 20 of the body 12 and the hull 24, where they are welded of fused
together during the
manufacturing process.
[0087] Likewise, and referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the fourth portion 108
of the well 100
includes a peripheral wall 140, as well as an abutment wall 142 extending
generally
horizontal. Defined on the abutment wall 142 is an oblong channel 144 adjacent
to the lip 138,
and four recesses 146a-146b for receiving therein portion of the interface
300, as it will
.. become apparent below.
[0088] Lastly, and referring to FIG. 9, the fifth portion 110 comprises
a peripheral wall
148 and an abutment wall 150. Together, the peripheral wall 148 and the
abutment wall 150
define a recess 152 for receiving therein a portion of the interface 300, as
it will become
apparent below.
[0089] Tuning now to FIGS. 11 to 26, the interface 300 will now be
described. The
interface 300 comprises a bottom portion 302 and a top portion 304 configured
to collaborate
with the bottom section 302 to conceal the well 100 of the body 12 regardless
of any
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manufacturing variations which may affect the thickness of the body 12 in this
location, and to
operatively accommodate the foot propulsion mechanism 500.
[0090] With reference to FIGS. 16A to 20, the bottom portion 302
comprises a plate 306
having a top face 308 and a bottom face 310, the bottom plate 302 being sized
and shape to fit
in the recess 152 defined by the fifth portion 110 of well 100 defined in the
body 12 of the
kayak 10. Defined at the center of the bottom plate 306 is an elongated hole
312 sized and
shaped for allowing the passage of a portion of the propulsion mechanism 500,
the elongated
hole 312 being surrounded by an inner peripheral wall 314 extending upwardly
from the top
face 308. Also extending upwardly from the top face 308 of the plate 306 is a
generally
vertical outer peripheral wall 316, located on the periphery of the plate 306,
as well as a
plurality of reinforcement ridges 318, 320, 322 connecting the inner and outer
peripheral walls
314, 316 (only some of the reinforcement ridges being identified with
reference numerals 318,
320 and 322) Together with the inner and outer peripheral walls 314, 316, the
reinforcement
ridges 318, 320, 322 contribute to provide the plate 306 with additional
rigidity to torsion
and/or bending.
[0091] Four snap hooks or snapfits 324a-324d also extend vertically from
the top face
308 of the plate 306. The snapfits 324a-324d are located proximal to the inner
peripheral wall
314 and the elongated hole 312, and each comprises a vertical base 326a-326d
and a hook
portion 328a-328d. When the bottom portion 302 of the interface 300 is
properly positioned in
the oblong well 100 of the body 12, the plate 306 is received in the recess
152 defined by the
peripheral and abutment walls 148, 150 of the fifth portion 110, and the
snapfits 324a-324d
extend to engage the lip 138 of the third portion 106. As such, the snapfits
324a-324d
contribute to maintain the position of the bottom portion 302 of the interface
300 in position
relative to the body 12 of the kayak 10. As it will be appreciated, the base
and the hook
portions 326a-326d, 328a-328d of the snapfits 324a-324d are sized to
correspond to the
distance between the abutment wall 150 of the fifth section 110 and the top
face of the lip 138.
Provided at the base of each snapfit 324a-324d is a draining hole 330a-330d
for allowing
water to evacuate the interface 300 (best shown in FIG. 16A).
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CA 3035190 2019-02-27
[0092] Also extending upwardly from the top face 308 of the bottom plate
306 are a
plurality of fastening projections 332a-332d, a plurality of female portions
334a-334d of a
guide assembly 336, as well as a plurality of guiding fins 338a-338d. The
fastening
projections 332a-332d are located proximal to front and rear ends 340, 342 of
the hole 312,
generally halfway between the inner and outer peripheral wall 314, 316. With
reference to
FIG. 16B, each fastening projection 332a-332d comprises a cylindrical body 344
extending
vertically, and a plurality of generally triangular reinforcement members 346,
348, 350 and
352 extending radially from the cylindrical body 344 (only fastening
projection 332d being
illustrated in FIG. 16B). Each fastening projection 332a-332d also includes a
fin 354
extending from one of the triangular reinforcement member 346 toward the inner
peripheral
wall 314. Each fin 354 comprises a vertical edge 356, extending generally
vertical in a
location slightly remote from the inner peripheral wall 314 of the bottom
plate 306, an
inclined edge 358, extending from a top end 360 of the vertical edge 356, and
a top edge 362
extending from a top end 364 of the inclined edge 358 toward the cylindrical
body 344.
Defined in the cylindrical body 344 is a threaded bore 366, for receiving
therein a
corresponding threaded fastener 132a to secure the bottom and top portions
302, 304 of the
interface 300 with the body 12 of the kayak 10, as it will become apparent
below.
[0093] The female portions 334a-334d of the guide assembly 336 are
located adjacent to
the elongated hole 312, on the front and rear sides of left and right
indentations 368, 370 of
the hole 312. With reference to FIG. 16C, each female portion 334a-334d of the
guide
assembly 336 comprises a cylindrical body 372, as well as a triangular
reinforcement member
374 and a fin 376, the reinforcement member 374 and the fins 376 extending
radially from the
cylindrical body 372, in opposed directions (only female portion 334a being
illustrated in
FIG. 16C). More specifically, the fin 376 extends between the cylindrical body
372 and the
inner wall 314 of the plate 306, while the triangular reinforcement member 374
extends
toward the outer peripheral wall 316. Each fin 376 comprises a vertical edge,
378 extending
generally vertical in a location slightly remote from the inner peripheral
wall 314 of the
bottom plate 306, as well as an inclined edge 380, extending from a top end
382 of the vertical
edge 378, toward the cylindrical body 372. As such, the inclined edges 380 of
the fins 376 are
inclined downwardly, toward the elongated hole 312 of the bottom portion 302.
Defined in the
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CA 3035190 2019-02-27
cylindrical body 372 of each female portion 334a-334d is a cylindrical hole
384 with a
funneled opening 386 for receiving therein a male portion 390a-390d of the
guide assembly
336, as it will be described in greater detail below.
[0094] Returning to FIG. 16B, the guiding fins 338a-338d each comprises
a vertical edge
392, extending generally vertical in a location slightly remote from the inner
peripheral wall
312 of the bottom plate 306, an inclined edge 394, extending from a top end
396 of the
vertical edge 392, a top edge 398 extending from a top end 397 of the inclined
edge 394
toward the outer peripheral wall 316, and a rear edge 399, extending from the
top edge 398, at
a slight angle, and connecting the same to a corresponding ridge 322. As best
shown in FIG.
16A, one guiding fin (e.g. 338a) is positioned generally halfway between the
fin of a fastening
portion (e.g. fin 354a of fastening portion 332a) and the fins of the female
portion of the
directing assembly 336 (e.g. fin 376 of female portion 334a). Together, the
guiding fins 334a-
334d, the fins 354 of the fastening portions 332a-332d and the fins 376 of the
female portions
334a-334d of the directing assembly 336 collaborate to guide the positioning
of the top
portion 304 of the interface 300 relative to the bottom portion 302 during the
assembly of the
interface 300, and maintaining such position once the interface 300 is
assembled, as it will
become apparent below. While in the illustrated embodiment the interface 300
comprises four
guiding fins 338a-338d, four fins 354a-354d of fastening portions 332a-332d
and four fins
376 of female portions 334a-334d, it will be appreciated that the interface
300 could comprise
a different number of fins, and that the configuration of the fins could vary.
For instance, the
interface could be provided with only four fins, whether they are found on the
fastening
portions 332a-332d, the female portions 334a-334d or in any other suitable
location of the
bottom portion 302 of the interface.
[0095] With reference to FIGS. 21 to 26, the top portion 304 of the
interface 300 will now
be described. The top portion 304 comprises a generally horizontal top plate
400 as well as a
channel portion 402 extending downwardly from the top plate 400, for receiving
and
mounting therein the foot propulsion mechanism 500.
[0096] The top plate 400 comprises a top face 404 and a bottom face 406,
and is sized
and shaped to be received in the recess 116 defined by the first portion 102
of the oblong well
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CA 3035190 2019-02-27
100 defined in the body 12 of the kayak 10. Extending downwardly from the
bottom face 406
of the top plate 400, about it periphery, is an outer peripheral wall 408.
Also extending
downwardly from the bottom face 406, between the peripheral wall 408 and the
channel 402,
are a plurality of reinforcement ridges 410. Together with the outer
peripheral wall 408 of the
top plate 400, the reinforcement ridges 410 contribute to provide the top
plate 400 with
additional rigidity in torsion and/or bending.
[0097] Defined on the top face 404 of the top plate 400, about the
periphery, are four
peripheral recesses 412a-412d each comprising an oblong hole 414a-414d. The
oblong holes
414a-414d and the recesses 412a-412d are configured for receiving therein the
threaded
fasteners 120a-120d to fasten the top portion 304 of the interface 300 to the
body 12 of the
kayak 10, and accommodating the head of such fasteners 120a-120d when the
interface 300 is
properly fastened to the body 12. Also defined on the top face 404 are four
recesses 416a-
416d, which are positioned adjacent to the channel portion 402. Each recess
416a-416d is
provided with a corresponding hole 418a-418d. As it will become apparent
below, the holes
418a-418d are configured for allowing the passage of the threaded fasteners
132a-132d used
to secure the top portion 304 of the interface 300 to the bottom portion 302
while the recesses
416a-416d are configured for accommodation the head of fasteners 132a-132d
when such
bottom and top portion 302, 304 are secured together to the body 12 of the
kayak 10.
[0098] The channel 402 of the top portion 304 comprises an inner face
420 and an outer
face 422, and a bottom end 403. At front and rear ends 424, 426 thereof, the
channel 402 is
provided with front and rear slots 428, 430 sized and shaped for respectively
receiving front
and rear ends 550, 552 of a core support 514 of the foot propulsion mechanism
500. At the
bottom of the front and rear slots 428, 430 are abutments 432, 434, on which
resting surfaces
554, 556 of the front and rear ends 550,552 of the core support 514 rest when
the propulsion
mechanism 500 is properly mounted to the interface 300.
[0099] With reference to FIG. 14, the channel 402 also comprises a first
V-shaped recess
440, a second V-shaped recess 442 terminating into a lower funnel-shape slot
444, as well as a
top funnel slot 446 and a lock receiving recess 448. At the bottom end 403 of
the channel 402,
the first V-shaped recess 440 and the remainder of the channel 402 are sized
and shaped to
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CA 3035190 2019-02-27
generally conform to the periphery of the core support 514 of the foot
propulsion mechanism
500, while the lower funnel-shaped slot 444 is configured to receive left and
right transverse
projections 548a, 548b of the core support 514, as it will be described in
greater details below.
[00100] The top funnel slot 446 is configured for receiving therein a
mounting shaft 524 of
the foot propulsion mechanism 500. Mounted in each of the lock receiving
recesses 448 is a
lock 450. In the illustrated embodiment, the lock 450 comprises a generally
elongated flat
member 452 including a convex lower end 454 and a concave upper end 456, the
concave
upper end 456 being provided with grip elements 458 for enhancing contact
between a finger
of a user and the lock 450 for releasing the foot propulsion mechanism 500
from the interface
300. Provided in an intermediate location between the upper end 456 and the
lower end 454 is
a hole (not shown) for receiving a fastener 460 for pivotably mounting the
lock 450 in the lock
receiving recess 448 of the channel 402. When properly assembled, the lock 450
is pivotable
between an unlock position for allowing the passage of the shaft (shown in
dotted line in FIG.
14) and a lock position for preventing the passage of the mounting shaft 524
of the foot
propulsion mechanism (shown in continuous line in FIG. 14) to thereby prevent
unwanted
removal of the foot propulsion mechanism 500 from the interface 300. In one
embodiment,
the lock 450 is provided with a bias mechanism (not shown), for instance a
coil spring or a
torsion spring, to bias the lock 450 toward the lock position.
[00101] Returning to FIGS. 22 to 25, extending downwardly from the bottom
face 406 of
the top plate 400 are fastening projections 462a-462, as well the male
portions 390a-390d of
the directing assembly 336. Each fastening projection comprises a generally
cylindrical body
466a-466d provided and a plurality of reinforcement members 468a-468d, 470a-
470d, 472a-
472d and 474a-474d. Defined in the cylindrical body 466a-466d are holes 418a-
418d.
[00102] While in the above embodiment the guiding assembly (i.e. the
guiding fins 334a-
334d, the fins 354 of the fastening portions 332a-332d and the fins 376 of the
female portions
334a-334d of the directing assembly 336) are provided on the bottom plate 302
of the
interface 300, and the channel 402 is provided on the top portion 304 of the
interface, it will
be understood that the location of these components could be inverted, where
the channel (e.g.
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CA 3035190 2019-02-27
channel 402) would be provided on the bottom portion 302 and the guiding
assembly would
be provided on the top portion 304 of the interface.
[00103] Turning now to FIGS. 27 to 30, the foot propulsion mechanism 500
will now be
described. In the illustrated embodiment, the foot propulsion mechanism 500 is
an oscillating
flapper propulsion system and comprises a set of left and right pedals 502a
and 502b
extending upwardly from the top portion 304 of the interface 300 when the foot
propulsion
mechanism 500 is properly mounted thereto. The pedals 502a, 502b are
operatively mounted
to a pair of oscillating, flexible flappers 542a, 542b via a cable and chain
transmission 540
supported on a core support 514.
[00104] More specifically, the pedals 502a, 502b are adapted to be
alternatively pushed by
the user's feet to actuate the foot propulsion mechanism 500. Each of the left
and right pedals
502a, 502b comprises a shaft 506a, 506b including a lower end 508a, 508b and
an upper end
510a, 510b, as well as a footrest 512a, 512b for receiving one corresponding
foot a the user.
The lower ends 508a,508b of the shafts 506a, 506b are mounted to the core
support 514,
which is configured to extend longitudinally (i.e. along the longitudinal axis
L1-L1 of the
kayak 10 when the propulsion mechanism 500 is mounted to the interface 300),
via a pair of
mounting brackets 518a, 518b. Each mounting bracket 518a, 518b allow
adjustment of the
distance between the footrests 512a, 512b and the seat 28 by way of an
adjustment bolt 520
engaging the lower ends 508a, 508b of the shafts 506a, 506b and a plurality of
adjustment
holes 522 disposed on the mounting brackets 518a, 518b. The mounting brackets
518a, 518b
are also configured for receiving a mounting shaft 524 extending transverse to
the longitudinal
axis L1-L1 and engaging the core support 514. The mounting shaft 524 allow
rotation of the
left and right pedals 502a,502b relative to the core support 514, about a
rotation axis RI-R1.
[00105] With reference to FIGS. 29 and 30, the core support 514 is a
monolithic piece and
comprises a generally horizontal base 526 having a front end 528 , a rear end
530, a top face
532 and a bottom face 534. The generally horizontal base 526 is sized and
shaped to be
received in the channel 402 of the interface 300 and to substantially conceal
the same when
the foot propulsion mechanism 500 is mounted to the interface 300, and
comprises a plurality
of indentations 536a, 536b 538a, 538b for allowing the passage of the cable
and chain
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CA 3035190 2019-02-27
transmission 540 operatively coupling the pedals 502a, 502b to the flappers
542a, 542b. The
core support 514 also comprise an upright mounting support 544 extending
upwardly from the
top face 532 of the base 526, as well as three mounting brackets 546a-546c
extending
downwardly from the bottom face 534 for mounting the flappers 542a, 542b. At
the junction
.. of the horizontal base 526 and the upright support 544, generally halfway
between the front
and rear ends 528, 530, are left and right transverse projections 548a, 548b,
which protrude on
each side of the base 526. As is will be described in greater details below,
the left and right
transverse projections 548a, 548b are sized and shaped to engage the lower
funnel-shaped slot
444 of the interface 300.
[00106] The upright mounting support 544 comprises a front end 550 and a
rear end 552.
The front and rear ends 550, 552 of the upright mounding support 514 extend
beyond the front
and back ends 528, 530 of the horizontal base 526, to define restring surfaces
554, 556 for
mounting the foot propulsion mechanism 500 to the interface 300, as it will
become apparent
below. The upright support 544 also comprises a pair of pulley mounting
brackets 558a, 558b
as well as a transverse bore 560 for receiving therein the mounting shaft 524.
To mount the
pedals 502a,502b to the core support 514, the shaft 524 is rotatably engaged
in the mounting
brackets 518a, 518b of the pedals 502a, 502b and the transverse hole 560 of
the upright
mounting support 544. When properly positioned, the mounting shaft 524 extends
beyond
each side of the horizontal base 526, and is sized to engage top funnel slot
446 of the channel
402 of the interface 300, as it will become apparent below.
[00107] The foot propulsion mechanism 500 also comprises the flexible
flappers 542a,
542b each adapted to oscillate through an arcuate path in a generally
transverse direction with
respect to the longitudinal axis L1-L, about a rotation axis R2-R2 which is at
or below the
bottom of the hull 24 of the kayak 10 when the propulsion mechanism 500 is
mounted to the
interface 300. More specifically, the flexible flappers 542a, 542b are carried
by a shaft 562
extending generally longitudinally and rotatably mounted to the core support
514 via the three
flapper mounting brackets 546a-546c. The flappers 542a, 542b are operatively
coupled to the
mounting brackets 518a, 518b of the pedals 502a, 502 via the cable and chain
transmission
540, which include a pulley 564 mounted to the pulley mounting brackets 558a,
558b, chains
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CA 3035190 2019-02-27
566a, 566b engaging sprockets (not shown) mounted to the shaft 562 and cables
568
connecting the chains 566a, 566b to the mounting brackets 518a, 518b. While in
the illustrated
embodiment the propulsion system 500 is a foot propulsion system, it will be
understood that
it could also be operated by hand.
[00108] Having described the general components of the kayak 10 and of the
interface
300, their assembly will now be described, with reference to FIG. 31. The body
12 of the
kayak 10 may be manufactured using any suitable process, including without
being limited to,
thermoforming processes, blowmolding processes and rotomolding process. In a
specific
practical implementation, the body 12 of the kayak 10 may be manufactured by
molding two
sheets of extrudable material using a thermoforming process to shape the two
manufactured
sheets into a kayak shape of the type described in the present document, one
sheet being used
for the top side (i.e. the deck 20) and the other for the bottom side (i.e.
the hull 24) of the
kayak 10. Examples of the different types of thermoplastics that can be
extruded include:
LDPE, HDPE, ABS, polystyrene, polypropylene, acetates, butyrates, nylons,
polyphenylene
sulfides, acetals, polycarbonates and thermoplastic rubbers and polyesters,
among other
possibilities. As it will be appreciated, the well 100 of the kayak 10 may be
closed when the
deck 20 and hull 24 emerged from the mold after welding. As such, the
manufacturing of the
kayak 10 may require an opening to be defined in the well post-molding.
Typically, such an
opening will be carried out by a worker using a cutting tool such as a rotary
saw. As it will be
understood, the shape of the well (i.e. a generally oblong shape) greatly
simplify the cutting of
the opening as compared to a more complex hole shape, thereby facilitating the
manufacturing
of the kayak 10.
[00109] The interface 300 is then mounted to the body 12 of the kayak 10,
by first
positioning the lower portion 302. To do so, the snapfits 324a-324d and
fastening projections
332a-332d are engaged in the oblong well 100 of the body 12, and is forced
upwardly until the
snapfits 324a-324d engage the lip 138 of the third portion 106 of the well
100, thereby
partially securing the lower portion 302 of the interface 300 to the body 12.
When the lower
portion 302 is engaged in the well 100 in such a position (i.e. when the
snapfits 324a-324d
engage the lip 138), the fastening projections 332a-332d abut the abutment
wall 142 of the
- 23 -
CA 3035190 2019-02-27
fourth portion 108 of the well 100, and the threaded bores 366a-366d of the
fastening
projections 332a-332d are aligned with holes 130a-130d. Furthermore, in such a
position, the
plate 306 is receive in the recess 152 defined by the peripheral wall 148 and
the abutment wall
150 of the fifth portion 110 of the well 100, while the female portions 334a-
334d of the
directing assembly 336, the guiding fins 334a-334d, the fins 354 of the
fastening portions
332a-332d, the fins 376 of the female portions 334a-334d and the elongated
hole 312 are
vertically aligned with the open portion of the well 100.
[00110] The top portion 304 of the interface 300 is then assembled by
positioning the top
portion 304 in vertical alignment with the well 100 and gradually lowering
down until the top
plate 400 is completely received in the recess 116 defined by the peripheral
wall 112 and the
abutment wall 114 of the first portion 102 of the well 100. To properly
position the lower end
403 of the channel 402 in alignment with the elongated hole 312 of the lower
portion 302, a
male portions 390a-390d of the guide assembly 336 gradually engages female
portions 334a-
334d of the directing assembly 336, while the bottom end 403 of the channel
402 gradually
engages the inclined edges 358, 380, 394, and then the vertical edges 356,
378, 392 of the
guiding fins 334a-334d, the fins 354 of the fastening portions 332a-332d, the
fins 376 of the
female portions 334a-334d. As such, the directing assembly 336 and the guiding
fins 334a-
334d, the fins 354 of the fastening portions 332a-332d and the fins 376 of the
female portions
334a-334d define a guiding assembly and assist in properly aligning the top
and bottom
portions 302, 304 of the interface 300 during their assembly with the body 12
of the kayak 10.
[00111] When the top portion 304 of the interface 300 is properly
positioned relative to the
lower portion 302 of the interface 300 and to the body 12 of the kayak 10, the
fastening
projections 462a-462d of the top portion 304 are received in the recesses 146a-
146d of the
abutment wall 128 of the third portion 106. Threaded fasteners 132a-132d are
then
sequentially engaged into holes 418a-418d found in the recesses 416a-416d of
the top portion,
in holes 130a-130d of the of abutment wall 128 and in threaded bores 366a-366d
fastening
projections 332a-332d, thereby securing the top portion to the body 12 of the
kayak 10 and to
the lower portion 302 of the interface 300. As it will be appreciated, in this
position, the
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CA 3035190 2019-02-27
abutment wall 128 of the body 12 is sandwiched between the fastening
projections 332a-332d
and 462a-462d of the lower and upper portions 302, 304, respectively.
[00112] To further secure the interface 300 to the body 12, threaded
fasteners 120a-120d
are engaged in the oblong holes 414a-414d defined in the recesses 412a-412d of
the top
portion 304, and in the vertically aligned holes 118a-118d of the body 12,
until the head of the
fasteners 120a-120d are received in the recesses 412a-412d, to complete the
assembly of the
interface 300 with the body 12 of the kayak 10.
[00113] While in the illustrated embodiment the interface 300 is mounted
to the body 12 of
the kayak 10 using four fasteners 120a-120d engaging the top portion 304 of
the interface and
.. the body 12, and four fasteners 132a-132b engaging the top portion 304 and
the bottom
portion 302 of the interface, it will be understood that the interface 300
could be mounted to
the body 12 of the kayak differently, for instance by using a different number
of fasteners, by
positioning the fasteners in other locations or by using other types of
fasteners (e.g. rivets). As
such, the person skilled in the art will appreciate that the number of
projections extending
.. from the top and bottom portions of the interface 300, as well as the
number and position of
the recesses can be adjusted accordingly.
[00114] Further, as it will be appreciated, the description of the
assembly of the interface
300 with the body 12 of the kayak 10 assumes that the kayak 10 is assembled
with the deck 20
in an upside position and the hull 24 in a downside position. As it will be
appreciated, the
assembly of the interface 300 with the body 12 could be carried out by
positioning the body
12 of the kayak upside/down or in any other position. As such, the referring
to moving the
various elements up or down is in no way intended to limit assembly steps of
the kayak 10.
[00115] It will also be appreciated that since the interface is secured
to the body 12 of the
kayak 10 using threaded fasteners and snapfits 324a-324d, the interface 300
can be removed
from the body 12. This may prove advantageous for instance where the operation
of the foot
propulsion mechanism 500 over time has created damages or weaknesses to the
interface 300.
Thus, the interface 300 can be replaced with another interface, thus avoiding
the need to
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CA 3035190 2019-02-27
replace the entire body of the kayak 10 while ensuring continuous structural
integrity of the
kayak 10 and the optimum use of the foot propulsion mechanism 500.
[00116] Once the interface 300 is properly mounted to the body 12, the
user has the
possibility to removably mount the foot propulsion mechanism 500 to the
interface 300, for
instance when the kayak 10 is floating on a water surface. To do so, the user
engages the
lower part of the flappers 542a, 542b into the channel 402 of the top portion
304, and
gradually lowers down the foot propulsion mechanism 500. When the core support
514 of the
foot propulsion mechanism gradually engages the channel 402, the left and
right transverse
projections 548a, 548b engage lower funnel-shape slots 444 while the shaft 524
engages the
top funnel slot 446. As the foot propulsion mechanism 500 is further lowered
down, the shaft
524 forces the lock 450 pivotably mounted in the lock receiving recess 448
toward their
unlock position, until the shaft 524 reaches its position in the top funnel
slot 446. In such
position, the lock 450 are allowed to pivot back to their lock position, where
the convex lower
end 454 of the lock 450 engage the shaft 524 to prevent unwanted removal of
the foot
propulsion mechanism 500. Furthermore, when the foot propulsion mechanism 500
is
properly positioned in the interface 300, the resting surfaces 554,556
provided at the front and
rear ends 550, 552 of the upright mounting support 544 of the core support 514
lie on the
abutments 432, 434 of the front and rear slots 428, 430 defined in the channel
402, while the
shaft 562 and the flappers 542a, 542b extend below the hull 24. As it will be
appreciated, the
left and right transverse projections 548a, 548b, the shaft 524 and the front
and rear ends 550,
552 of the upright mounting support 544, as well as the shape of the
horizontal base 526 of the
core support 514 (which substantially correspond to the shape of the channel
402),
collaborated with the various portions of the interface 300 to prevent
movement of foot
propulsion mechanism 500 relative to the interface 300 during the operation.
[00117] When the user wants to remove the foot propulsion mechanism 500
from the
interface 300, for instance to facilitate transport of the kayak 10, the user
forces the locks 450
toward their unlock position by engaging the grip elements 458 at the concave
upper ends
456, thereby allowing the shaft 524 to travel upwardly in the channel 402. The
user then pulls
on the foot propulsion mechanism 500 to disengage the same from the interface
300.
¨ 26 ¨
CA 3035190 2019-02-27
[00118] While the kayak 10 has been described in connection with the
embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 31, it will be understood that variations are
possible without departing
from the scope of the invention. For instance, while the interface 300 and
foot propulsion
mechanism 500 are described in connection with a kayak 10 provided with a
single seat 28,
they could also be used in connection with a tandem kayak, or with any other
type of
watercraft, including small boats, a paddleboards and pedal boats. Likewise,
while the foot
propulsion mechanism 500 described in the illustrated embodiment is an
oscillating flapper
propulsion system, it will be understood that the interface 300 could be used
in conjunction
with other types of propulsion mechanisms, such as hand operated propulsion
mechanisms,
motorised propulsion mechanisms such as electric motors and gas motors,
whether they are of
the flapper oscillating type, propeller type or blade type. Furthermore, the
interface 300 could
be used in conjunction with a plug configured to be received in the channel
402 and
concealing the elongated hole 312 of the interface 300 when no propulsion
mechanism is
used, for instance when the user propels the kayak 10 with paddles.
[00119] Furthermore, while the kayak 10 has been described in connection
with the
interface 300 shown in FIGS. 11 to 26, it will be understood that other
interface configurations
are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance,
while the channel
412 extends from the top portion 304 and the elongated hole 312 is defined in
the bottom
portion 302, the channel (e.g. channel 412) could extend upwardly from a
bottom portion (e.g.
bottom portion 302) while the elongated hole (e.g. elongated hole 312) and the
fins (e.g. fins
338a-338d, 354a-354d and 376) could be defined or extend from the top portion
(e.g. top
portion 304).
[00120] It will also be understood that an interface could be configured
to comprise only
one of the top and bottom portions (e.g. top portion 304 or bottom portion
302), from which
would extend a channel (e.g. channel 412), either downwardly (in the case of a
top portion) or
upwardly (in the case of a bottom portion). In such cases, the top or bottom
portion would be
secured to the body 12 of the kayak 10 using fasteners engaging the top or
bottom portion, and
the body 12 of the kayak. Taking top portion 304 as an example, to secure the
interface
constituted by the top portion 304 to the body 12, threaded fasteners 120a-
120d would be
- 27 -
CA 3035190 2019-02-27
engaged in the oblong holes 414a-414d defined in the recesses 412a-412d of the
top portion
304, and in the vertically aligned holes 118a-118d of the body 12, until the
head of the
fasteners 120a-120d are received in the recesses 412a-412d, to complete the
assembly of the
top portion 304 with the body 12 of the kayak 10.
[00121] Alternatively, the interface could be provided with both a bottom
portion (e.g.
bottom portion 302) and a top portion (e.g. top portion 304), but mounted to
the body 12 of
the kayak 10 differently than interface 300. For instance, the bottom and top
portions could
have no fastening projections (e.g. fastening projections 332a-332d and 462a-
462d), in which
case the top and bottom portions would be secured to the body 12 of the kayak
10 by using
threaded fasteners engaging either the bottom portion and the body 12 of the
kayak, or the top
portion and the body 12 of the kayak. Alternatively, various arrangements of
snapfits could be
used.
[00122] The embodiments described above are intended to be exemplary
only. The scope
of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the appended
claims.
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CA 3035190 2019-02-27
