This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/046,065, filed Jun. 30, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure related generally to boating technology and more specifically to a bow wedge for bow-loaded boats.

BACKGROUND

During rowing, the coxswain either sits at the stern or lies in the bow of the boat. In bow-loaded boats, the coxswain lies semi-supine in the bow rather than being seated at the stern. FIG. 1 shows one example of the bow 100 of the bow-loaded boat. The coxswain lies in the coxswain seat 102. The coxswain neck rest 104 provides support for the coxswain's neck. FIG. 2 shows the interior 106 of the bow 100. Foot plates 108 are provided for the coxswain within the interior 106 of the bow 100. The coxswain lies in the hollow portion 110 in the interior 106 of the bow 100.

A coxswain in a bow-loaded boat traditionally inserts a life jacket or a beach ball into the hollow portion 110 in the interior 106 of the bow 100 to help prevent the coxswain from sliding while in the bow-loaded boat. However, this requires the coxswain to find miscellaneous items such as a life jacket and beach ball. Moreover, even if such items are found and used, these items may move as the boat moves, and thus may not be helpful in positioning the coxswain or preventing them from sliding as the boat moves.

SUMMARY

The disclosed relates to providing support for a rider in a boat including an interior cavity at one end of the boat. A bow wedge unit detachably positioned within the interior cavity of a bow of the boat, wherein the bow wedge unit having a first shape matching a second shape of the bow. One or more strings and one or more fasteners detachably coupled to the bow wedge unit, wherein the one or more strings and the one or more fasteners are utilized to position the bow wedge unit at the interior cavity of the bow of the boat.

A method of manufacturing a bow wedge apparatus for providing support for a rider in a boat including providing a boat including an interior cavity at one end of the boat. Detachably positioning a bow wedge unit within the interior cavity of a bow of the boat, wherein the bow wedge unit having a first shape matching a second shape of the bow. Detachably positioning one or more strings and one or more fasteners to the bow wedge unit, wherein the one or more strings and the one or more fasteners are utilized to position the bow wedge unit at the interior cavity of the bow of the boat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the bow of a boat;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the interior of the bow of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a bow wedge according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the exemplary bow wedge of FIG. 3 inserted into the interior of the bow of FIG. 2 according to aspects of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a bow wedge being inserted into a bow according to aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments are directed to addressing the above challenges faced by a coxswain of a bow-loaded boat. Various embodiments are directed to providing a bow wedge (named as BowWedge) configured to be inserted into a bow-loaded boat. The bow wedge is an insert a coxswain can use to prevent the coxswain from sliding back and forth while in a bow-loaded boat. Bow wedges provided according to aspects of the present disclosure are configured to stay in the same position within the boat as the boat moves, unlike a life jacket or a beach ball.

FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of a bow wedge 112 configured according to aspects of the present disclosure. The bow wedge 112 is configured to match the contour of the bow 100. For example, the bow wedge 112 has a pointed edge configured to match the edge of the bow. The bow wedge 112 has two strings 114 attached to its sides. The strings 114 are configured to allow pulling the bow wedge 112 from within the bow. The strings 114 may be snapped together at their respective ends 116 to form a handle for carrying the bow wedge.

FIG. 4 shows the exemplary bow wedge 112 inserted into the interior 106 of the bow 100 according to aspects of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, the bow wedge 112 matches the shape of the bow 100. The strings 114 attached to opposite sides of the bow wedge allow it to be pulled out of the bow.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a triangular bow wedge 120 being inserted into a bow 122. In this embodiment, the triangular shape of the bow wedge 120 matches that of the bow 122 such that the bow wedge fills at least the front portion of the interior of the bow. In other embodiments, the bow wedge may have other shapes and configurations.

In some embodiments, the bow wedge may be positioned in the bow such that the coxswain lies on top of the bow wedge and the bow wedge boosts the coxswain into position. In other embodiments, the bow wedge may be positioned on top of the coxswain's legs after the coxswain lies in the bow. In other embodiments, the bow wedge may be foldable and may be positioned such that the coxswain's legs lie between folded portions of the bow wedge.

Some embodiments of the bow wedge may be custom made. For example, some embodiments may be custom made to fit a particular type of boat. For example, the bow wedge may be configured based on the size of the bow for a specific boat. Other embodiments may be custom made for an individual coxswain. For example, the bow wedge may be configured to allow a specific coxswain to be positioned ideally within the bow of a boat. In various embodiments, the bow wedge may be customized both with respect to a specific boat and a specific individual.

Some embodiments of the bow wedge may be configured to be adjustable. For example, the bow wedge may be height adjustable and may take into account the depth of the boat to give the coxswain the perfect position. The bow wedge may be width adjustable and may have an adjustable thickness. In one example, an adjustable bow wedge may be configured to fit within a variety of different boats or to help position different individuals within the bow. In one embodiment, the bow wedge may be configured to extend and/or contract along one or more dimensions. For example, the bow wedge may have a telescoping structure. In another embodiment, the bow wedge may be configured to be inflatable and/or deflatable. In some embodiments, a bow wedge may be a single integral component. In other embodiments, the bow wedge may comprise multiple parts that may be coupled together to form the bow wedge. In one embodiment, a modular bow wedge may allow the use of a custom number of modules or blocks configured to couple or decouple to lengthen or shorten the bow wedge in one or more dimensions for use in a particular boat or for use by a specific individual.

Various embodiments of the bow wedge may be configured to comply with any applicable regulations. Various embodiments of the bow wedges may be configured to comply with weight limitations. For example, various embodiments of the bow wedges may comprise a lightweight material. Embodiments may be made of any material. In one example, the bow wedge may comprise a plastic material. In another example, the bow wedge may comprise a foam material. In another example, the bow wedge may comprise an inflatable material, that is a material configured to expand. The bow wedge may be comprise a gaseous material such as air. Various embodiments may comprise a water resistant or a water proof material. In some embodiments, the bow wedge may comprise material that is able to act as a floatation device. Thus, in such embodiments, the bow wedge may additionally serve as a floatation device.

Some embodiments of the bow wedge may include strings attached to it to make it easy to remove the bow wedge from the interior of the bow. Other embodiments may use other pulling mechanisms or other types of handles. In some embodiments, the strings attached to the bow wedge may snap together for easily carrying the bow wedge. In other embodiments, the strings may be coupled by other types of fasteners.

Various embodiments of the bow wedge may be configured to couple to the bow of the bow-loaded boat. For example, embodiments of the bow wedge may comprise one or more fasteners for coupling the bow wedge to a portion of the interior of the bow. In other embodiments, the bow wedge may be configured to fit tightly into the hollow portion of the bow of a bow-loaded boat without any fasteners.

Embodiments may also provide methods of positioning a coxswain in a bow-loaded boat. In one embodiment, the method may comprise providing a bow wedge configured according to aspects of the present disclosure. The method may comprise positioning a bow wedge configured according to aspects of the present disclosure within the bow of a bow-loaded boat.

This disclosure is not limited to the particular systems, devices and methods described, as these may vary. The terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope.

Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular methods, reagents, compounds, compositions or biological systems, which can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.

As used in this document, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Nothing in this disclosure is to be construed as an admission that the embodiments described in this disclosure are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention. As used in this document, the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to.”

While various compositions, methods, and devices are described in terms of “comprising” various components or steps (interpreted as meaning “including, but not limited to”), the compositions, methods, and devices can also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various components and steps, and such terminology should be interpreted as defining essentially closed-member groups.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, such as in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,” “at least,” and the like include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member.

Various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art, each of which is also intended to be encompassed by the disclosed embodiment.