CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/089,639, filed Nov. 4, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/287,989, filed Feb. 27, 2019, both titled “INTERFACE FOR MOUNTING A PROPULSION MECHANISM TO A WATERCRAFT,” now U.S. Pat. No. 10,829,189, and this application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/153,357, filed Feb. 24, 2021 and titled “INTERFACE FOR MOUNTING A PROPULSION MECHANISM TO A WATERCRAFT,” all of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to an interface for mounting a propulsion mechanism to a watercraft, and to a watercraft that includes such an interface.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

Various pedal operated propulsion mechanisms exist for propelling watercrafts such as kayaks. Such pedal operated propulsion mechanisms are becoming increasingly popular in fishing kayaks since users can propel their watercraft using only their feet while their hands remain available for holding fishing rods and the like.

One type of pedal operated propulsion mechanism comprises a pedals that operatively connect to 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. Such pedal operated propulsion mechanisms are typically mounted to a receptacle in the hull or body of the kayak. In these designs, the pedal operated propulsion mechanism is directly supported by and coupled to 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 causes 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 damage occurs. Furthermore, the manufacturing of such a 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.

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

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:

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.

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.

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.

In yet another feature, the channel is adapted for removably securing the propulsion mechanism to the interface.

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.

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.

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.

In still a further feature, the at least one fastening assembly comprises four fastening assemblies.

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.

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.

In another feature, the at least one guiding assembly comprises a guiding assembly mounted to the at least one fastening assembly.

In still another feature, the propulsion mechanism is a foot propulsion mechanism.

In yet another feature, the propulsion mechanism is an oscillating flapper propulsion mechanism.

In a further feature, the propulsion mechanism is a motorised propulsion mechanism.

In still a further feature, the watercraft is a kayak, and preferably a fishing kayak.

In another feature, the watercraft is a small boat.

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.

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 propulsion mechanism and for mounting the propulsion mechanism to the interface; and