| 20120028519 | PADDLE WITH SELECTABLE BLADE ANGLE - A paddle for use in watersports is provided with shaft halves and blades at the end of each shaft half with a selectable offset angle between the blades. A joint connecting the shaft halves may include an interlocking coupling and a biasing member. The interlocking coupling maintains, in a use configuration, the offset angle of the blades, and allows, in a selection configuration, a change in the offset angle of the blades. The biasing member typically holds the interlocking coupling in the use configuration, and the shaft halves may be moved axially apart for the selection configuration. All mechanisms for switching the interlocking coupling between the use configuration and the selection configuration are normally located within the shaft halves. A retaining clip may be coupled between the first and second shaft halves to allow the selection configuration while preventing disassembly of the first and second shaft halves. A disassembly control can be provided independently of the angle selection for disassembly of the shaft halves. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120017821 | CONVERTIBLE SEAT FOR WATERCRAFT - Embodiments of the present disclosure include convertible seats for watercraft, and more particularly to seat systems configured to provide both standard and elevated (also known as casting or sighting) seat options for recreational watercraft, such as kayaks and the like. In various embodiments, a recreational watercraft such as a kayak may include both a standard seat in the cockpit, and an elevated seat comprising a molded-in seat platform formed in the hull and/or deck of the watercraft. In various embodiments, the standard seat may be configured to be stowed at least partially under the elevated seat when the standard seat is not in use. In other embodiments, an adjustable seating system for a watercraft is provided that includes a seat having a seating portion and a back support portion, wherein the back support portion is hingeably coupled to the seating portion and adapted to fold substantially flat over the seating portion, wherein the back support portion comprises a front surface and a back surface, and wherein the back surface is contoured to provide an elevated seating surface when folded over the seating portion. In some embodiments, the seating portion may be adapted to removably couple to the watercraft via one or more elastic retention members and one or more adjustment straps that permit movement of the seating portion in a fore/aft direction. | 01-26-2012 |
