BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a carry handle arrangement for watercraft, and particularly, but not exclusively to personal watercraft such as surfboards, surf skis and stand up paddleboards (SUPs).

2. Description of the Art

[0002] Smaller personal watercraft - such as smaller surfboards (known as ‘shortboards’) may be of a breadth across their deck small enough to allow the user to carry them under the user’ s arm with his/her fingers supporting or gripping the lower side edge (rail) of the board.

[0003] However, broader and wider or thicker watercraft or boards such as soft skin boards - for example Softech™ (www.soitechsoitboards.com) boards made by Surf Hardware International of Australia - may be cumbersome to carry in this way. Slings or handles may be attached to the board to facilitate carrying such larger and more cumbersome watercraft. Alternatively a carry handle may be formed as a recess in the deck or bottom surface of the watercraft or board. The recess may extend into the foam core of the board, and into which the user may insert their fingers to grip the board for carrying.

[0004] An insert plug may be provided to plug the recess when the board is in use, so that the user does not catch their toes or other parts of the body in the recess while surfing or otherwise using the board. However, the insert plug may be easily lost when disengaged or removed for carrying the board.

[0005] None of these prior art apparatus or methods provides an entirely satisfactory solution to the provision of a handle arrangement to facilitate carrying a watercraft nor to the ease of use of the watercraft in the water with the handle arrangement. The invention aims to provide an improved handle arrangement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a handle arrangement which overcomes or ameliorates the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least provides a useful choice.

[0007] In one form, the invention provides a handle arrangement for a watercraft, comprising: a handle recess member extending into the watercraft from a surface of the watercraft, the handle recess member being adapted for gripping by a hand of a user for carrying of the watercraft, and the handle recess member having one or more retention formations; an insert member adapted to be received into a cavity of the handle recess member and retained by the retention formations in a first configuration in which the insert member allows a portion of the user’s hand to enter the cavity to grip a portion of the handle recess member; and in a second configuration in which the insert member substantially closes off a top opening of the cavity of the handle recess member.

[0008] The handle arrangement, wherein the insert member is inverted between the first and second configurations, and wherein the retention formations of the handle recess member are adapted to retain the insert member in the first and second configurations.

[0009] The retention formations include formations positioned approximately mid-way along a depth of the handle recess member cavity.

[0010] The insert member has corresponding engaging formations adapted to co-operate with the retention formations of the handle recess member.

[0011] The corresponding engaging formations of the insert member include formations positioned mid-way along a projecting end portion of the insert member.

[0012] The retention formation of the handle recess member is a groove and the corresponding engaging formation of the insert member is a ridge.

[0013] The handle arrangement, wherein the insert member has an alternative retention formation of a pattern of at least one of ridges, lines and grooves on at least one projecting end portion of the insert member; and wherein the alternative retention formation is adapted to grip an end wall of the handle recess member.

[0014] The projecting end portions of the insert member project generally orthogonally from a central body portion between the two projecting end portions.

[0015] The central body portion includes finger grip portions indented into the central body portion.

[0016] The handle arrangement, wherein a distal end of the projecting end portions includes intumed flanges.

[0017] The handle arrangement, wherein a peripheral wall of the cavity includes a grip formation.

[0018] The handle recess member and the insert member comprise of at least one of a rubber, an elastomer and an ethyl vinyl acetate foam material.

[0019] In another form the invention provides a handle arrangement for a watercraft comprising: a handle recess member adapted to be recessed in a surface of the watercraft; a cavity in the handle recess member, the cavity adapted to receive at least one of a user’s fingers and palm to grip an internal surface of the cavity; an aperture in the surface of the watercraft, the aperture defined by an open top of the cavity and the surface of the watercraft; and an insert member to the handle recess member, the insert member being adapted to substantially block the aperture; wherein the insert member is reversible in the cavity such that the handle recess member is usable as a handle with the reversed insert member in the cavity.

[0020] The insert member is retained in the cavity by at least one retention formation in the handle recess member and at least one corresponding engaging formation of the insert member.

[0021] In an alternate form the invention provides a watercraft with a handle arrangement, wherein the handle recess member is recessed in a surface of the watercraft and the insert member is retained in the handle recess member in one of two configurations.

[0022] In a further form the invention provides a method of installing a handle arrangement in a watercraft, the method including: providing a slot in a core of the watercraft; inserting a recessed handle member into the slot to form a recessed handle; applying a top skin over the core and an open top of the recessed handle member; removing the top skin from the open top of the recessed handle member; and chamfering the open top of the recessed handle member and chamfering the adjacent top skin to the open top.

[0023] The method further including: providing an insert member for the recessed handle member, wherein the insert member is adapted to be a reversible plug in the recessed handle member.

[0024] In an alternate form the invention provides a handle arrangement for a watercraft substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0025] Further forms of the invention are as set out in the appended claims and as apparent from the description.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0027] FIGURE 1 is a schematic of a plan view a top (deck) surface of a watercraft with a handle recess member.

[0028] FIGURE 2 is a schematic of a side sectional view of FIGURE 1 along the lines 2-2.

[0029] FIGURE 3 is a schematic of a cross sectional view of FIGURE 1 along the lines 3-3.

[0030] FIGURE 4 is a schematic of a plan view of an insert member for the recessed handle of FIGURES 1 to 3.

[0031] FIGURE 5 is a schematic of an underside or below elevational view of the insert member of FIGURE 4.

[0032] FIGURE 6 is a schematic of a front or side elevational view of the insert member of FIGURES 4 and 5.

[0033] FIGURE 7 is a schematic of an end elevational view of the insert member of FIGURE 4. [0034] FIGURE 8A is a schematic of a perspective view from the above and side of the insert member of FIGURES 4 to 7.

[0035] FIGURE 8B is a schematic of a perspective view from the below and side of the insert member of FIGURES 4 to 7.

[0036] FIGURE 9 is a schematic of a plan view of the insert member in use, inserted in the recessed handle member in a first configuration used when carrying a watercraft.

[0037] FIGURE 10 is a schematic of a side sectional view along the lines 10- 10 of FIGURE 9.

[0038] FIGURE 11 is a schematic of a plan view of the insert member in the recessed handle in its second configuration, for use while the watercraft is in use in the water.

[0039] FIGURE 12 is a schematic of a side sectional view along the lines 12- 12 of FIGURE 11.

[0040] FIGURE 13 is a schematic of a cross sectional view along the lines 3-3 shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. A 45 degree chamfer router bit is shown cutting an aperture into the watercraft deck and top skin to reveal the cavity of the recessed handle.

[0041] FIGURE 14 is a schematic of a perspective view of FIGURES 1 to 3 to the recessed handle in the deck of the watercraft.

[0042] FIGURES 15 to 20 are schematics to further elevational views to FIGURES 1 to 3 of the handle recess member, but without the watercraft.

[0043] FIGURES 21 to 24 are schematics to corresponding perspective views to FIGURES 15 to 20 of the handle recess member.

[0044] FIGURES 25 to 30 are schematics to further elevational views of the insert member of FIGURES 4 to 8B.

[0045] FIGURES 31 to 34 are schematics to corresponding perspective views to FIGURES 25 to 30 of the insert member.

[0046] FIGURE 35 is a schematic of a plan view like FIGURE 11 to the insert member in the recessed handle, but without the surrounding watercraft structures.

[0047] FIGURES 36 and 37 are schematics of perspective views of the insert member in the recessed handle, but without the surrounding watercraft structures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION.

[0048] FIGETRE 1 shows a section of a top (deck) surface 110 of a watercraft 112, such as surfboard, with a handle recess member 210 according to one example embodiment of the invention. The handle recess member 210 may be installed in a slot formed in the watercraft, or the recess member 210 may be pre-installed during moulding of the board 112. Alternatively the handle recess member 210 may be formed in the board 112 during the moulding of the board. An example installation of the handle recess member 210 is described further below with respect to FIGETRES 13 and 14. The various locations and use of the handle recess member 210 for various watercraft are described further below.

[0049] FIGETRE 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of FIGETRE 1 along the major axis of lines 2-2 shown in FIGETRE 1. FIGETRE 3 is a transverse cross- sectional view of FIGETRE 1 along the minor axis of lines 3-3 shown in FIGETRE 1. FIGETRE 14 is a schematic of a perspective view of the recessed handle 210 in the deck 110 of the watercraft 112. FIGETRES 15 to 20 are further elevational views of the handle recess member 210. FIGETRES 15 and 20 are respective upper and lower or below views. FIGETRES 16 and 18 are respective left and right hand side (or front and rear) views. The view and features of the front and rear sides of the handle recess member 210 are the same. FIGETRES 17 and 18 are respective end views of the recessed handle 210. The view and features of the two end views of the handle recess member 210 are the same. FIGETRES 21 to 24 are corresponding perspective views to FIGETRES 15 to 20. FIGETRES 21 and 22 are perspective views to the upper and side of the recessed handle 210. FIGETRES 23 and 24 are perspective views to the side and below of the handle recess member 210.

[0050] As seen in FIGETRES 2 and 3, the watercraft body may comprise a foam core 114, a top skin 110 forming the top deck surface 110, and a bottom skin 118. The handle recess member 210 being installed below the top skin 116 or deck 110 of the watercraft 112 and within the foam core 114 of the watercraft 112. As shown in FIGETRES 1 to 3 and 14 the handle recess member 210 forms and provides a recessed handle 210 with a cavity 212 for a user’s fingers to grip an interior surface of the cavity of the recessed handle in order to carry the watercraft. In one example the foam core 114 may be of an expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) and the top and the bottom skins 116, 118 may be a crosslinked high density polyethylene (HDPE).

[0051] The handle recess member 210 has a base 214, a peripheral side wall 216 and an open top 218 corresponding to and in communication with an opening or aperture 120 in the deck 110, 116 of the board 112 into which it is installed, as shown in FIGETRES 1 to 3. The cavity 212 of the handle recess member 210 is defined by the base 214, the peripheral side wall 216 and opening 218 of the handle recess member 210.

[0052] The handle recess member 210 is elongated in plan view, FIGETRE 1, for example a generally oblong shape with rounded end walls 220 and approximately parallel or slightly curved side walls 222 which may have a minimum separation towards the centre (in plan view). The cavity 212 of the handle recess member 210 is suitably dimensioned to allow the fingers of a user to be inserted into the cavity 212 of the handle recess member 210 and grip the handle recess member internally for carrying the watercraft 112. For example the cavity 212 dimensions of the handle recess member 210 may be from about 80mm to 200mm long, preferably about 100 to l50mm, or more preferably about 100 to l30mm. The open top 218 of the cavity 212 may be about 20 to 50mm wide, for example preferably about 25 to 40mm, in order to admit at least the fingers of the user’s hand. The width of the open top 218 of the cavity 212 may be continued to the base 214 of the cavity 212 or tapered slightly but still wide enough to readily admit a user’s fingers or hand. A depth of the cavity 212 of the handle recess member 210 may be at least about 20mm deep, for example about 20 to 50mm deep from its top opening 218 to the base surface 214, in order for the fingers at least to grip an internal surface of the handle recess 210. It will be readily appreciated that depending on the size of the hand of the user that a part of a palm of the user may also be able to fit into the handle recess member 210 and grip the handle 210.

[0053] The handle recess member 210 may be formed of any suitable, preferably lightweight, material suitable for incorporation in the board or other watercraft 112 without adding undue weight. Suitable materials may include an elastomer, such as a rubber, an injection moulded EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate) foam or as selected by a person skilled in the art.

[0054] The interior surfaces of the recessed handle or handle recess member 210 may also include one or more grip formations 224 for further assisting the user to grip an interior surface of the recessed handle 210 in use. The grip formation 224 may be a protruding lip and / or a rebate formed in each or both of the longitudinal side walls 222 of the recessed handle 210. FIGURES 2 and 3 show a grip formation 224 which is a combination of a lip and a rebate formed in each of the longitudinal side walls 222. In other words the grip formations 224 may comprise an intumed lip 224 at a top portions of one or both of the opposed side walls 222 of the recessed handle member 210, which a user may grip from the underside thereof with his/her fingers while carrying the craft.

[0055] The interior surfaces of the handle recess member 210 may also have retention formations 226 for retaining an insert member 310. The insert member 310 will be described in more detail below with respect to FIGURES 4 to 12. The insert member 310 with the handle recess member 210 being a new and advantageous handle arrangement 210, 310 for watercraft 110.

[0056] The retention formation 226 for each end wall 220 of the handle recess member are shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. FIGURE 2 shows one option for the retention formation 226 where the rebate or horizontally extending groove to the interior of the recessed handle 210 extends from the end wall 220 and partially into the longitudinal side wall 222. In FIGURE 3 the retention formation or retention groove 226 is shown alternatively as substantially confined to the end walls 220 as shown. The retention formations 226 are preferably at approximately half a depth of the cavity 212. Further variations are described below with respect to the insert member 310 use in the recessed handle 210.

[0057] FIGURES 4 to 8B show an example embodiment of an insert member 310 adapted to be received in the cavity 212 of the handle recess member 210.

FIGURES 4 to 7 are respectively elevational views of: the upper or plan view, underside or below view, front or side view and an end view of the insert member 310. FIGURES 25 to 30 are further elevational views of the insert member 310. FIGURES 25 and 30 are respective upper and lower or below views. FIGURES 26 and 28 are respective left and right hand side (or front and rear) views. The view and features of the front and rear of the insert member 310 are the same. FIGURES 27 and 28 are respective end views of the insert member 310. The view and features of the two end views of the insert member 310 are the same. FIGURES 8A and 8B are respective perspective views of the insert member 310 to: the above and the side for FIGURE 8 A and from below and the side for FIGURE 8B. FIGURES 31 to 34 are further corresponding perspective views to the elevational views of FIGURES 25 to 30. FIGURES 31 and 32 are perspective views to the upper and side. FIGURES 33 and 34 are perspective views to the side and below of the insert member 310.

[0058] Referring to the FIGURE 4 plan view, the insert member 310 is correspondingly shaped and dimensioned generally similar to the cavity 212 of the recessed handle 210. That is the insert member 310 has a central body portion 312 and rounded ends 314 projecting generally orthogonally from the central body portion as shown in FIGURES 6, 8A and 8B. The central body portion 312 may also include indented finger grip portions 316 at either or both sides of the central body portion 312. The indenting finger grip portions 316 may also provide a narrow waist to a mid section of the central body portion 312 to improve a flexibility of the insert member 310, as described further later. The insert member 310 has a substantially flat top surface 318 which is adapted, when the watercraft 112 is in use, to sit or position generally flush with the top 218 of the handle recess member 210, described further below with respect to FIGURE 12.

[0059] Referring to the other views of the insert member 310, FIGURES 5 to 8B, and as best seen in FIGURE 6 the insert member 310 in front side view is generally a square C-shape, with a web of the C including the top surface 318 and indented finger grip portions 316. The projecting end portions 314 of the squared C- shape insert member 310 are rounded as shown in FIGURES 4 to 8B to correspond with the end walls 220 of the recessed handle 210. The end portions 314 extend generally down (in the orientation shown in FIGURE 6) from the top surface 318 by a distance which is similar to the cavity 212 depth of the recess handle member 210.

[0060] The end portions 314 may have inturned flanges 320 at their distal ends, as best seen in FIGURES 6 and 8. The ends 314 of the insert member 310, including the inturned flanges 320, may have an approximately semicircular cross- section to correspond with the recessed handle 210 end walls 220 of the cavity 212. The end portions 314 may each include a ridge 322 of a generally semicircular profile projecting from the rounded end portions 314 as shown in the figures. The ridge/s 322 may be positioned and dimensioned to engage within the horizontal groove retention formations 216 of the respective end walls 220 of the recess handle member 210.

[0061] The rounded end surfaces of the end portions 314 may also optionally or alternatively include one or more patterned sections such as a series of smaller horizontal ridges, lines and / or grooves 324. These may provide alternative or additional retention formations to aid in retaining the insert member 310 within the recessed handle 210 by providing more grip or holding between the end portions 314 of the insert member 310 and the end walls 220 of the recessed handle 210.

[0062] The insert member 310 may be formed of any suitable material, and preferably is formed of an elastic material such as an elastomer. In one example, the insert member 310 may be formed of a rubber, an elastomer, an injection moulded EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate) foam or as selected by a person skilled in the art.

[0063] FIGURES 9 and 10 show the insert member 310 in use, inserted in the recessed handle member 210 in a first configuration used when carrying a watercraft. In this first configuration, the insert member 310 is inverted or reversed from the orientation shown in FIGURES 4 and 6, then pushed into the cavity 212 until the top surface 318 abuts the base 214 of the handle recess member 210. During insertion of the insert member 310, the insert member 310 will flex elastically to allow the insertion into the cavity 212 of the recessed handle 210. The horizontal retention ridges 322 will click or slip into engagement with the corresponding grooves 226 of the recess member retention formation 226, thus holding the insert member 310 within the cavity 212 through the resilience of the insert member 310 and / or the recessed handle 210.

[0064] In this first configuration, the inverted or reversed C shaped insert member 310 does not impair access to the centre part of the cavity 212, thus allowing the user to insert their fingers into the cavity 212 to grip the recessed handle so as to carry the board 112. The insert member 310 is thus retained with the board 112 while being carried, minimising the chance of the insert member 310 being lost.

[0065] To remove the insert member 310 from the cavity 212, the user may grip one or both ends 314 of the insert member 310 and / or grip the inturned flanges 320 and pull. The insert member 310 will flex and release from its engagement with the handle recess member 210. It will be readily appreciated that for insertion and removal of the insert member 310 that the waisted section finger grips 316 of the central body portion 312 may also aid in allowing the insert member to deform elastically or more flexibly about that waisted section 316.

[0066] FIGURES 11 and 12 show the insert member 310 in the recessed handle 210 in its second configuration, for use while the surfboard or other watercraft is in use in the water. FIGURE 35 is also a plan view like FIGURE 11 but without the surrounding watercraft structures 110, 112, 116. The other elevational views to FIGURE 35 are the same as FIGURES 16 to 20. FIGURES 36 and 37 are perspective views of the insert member 310 and recessed handle 210 from above and either side. The other perspective views are the same as FIGURES 23 and 24.

[0067] In this second configuration shown in FIGURES 11, 12 and further: insertion is simply a matter of pressing the insert member in, for example by pressing on the top surface of the insert member with the palm of the hand or the sole of a foot. Again the insert member will flex and the ridge 322 will engage with the horizontal retention grooves 226 of the recessed handle 210 internal walls to retain the insert member 310. Alternatively or in combination, one end portion 314 of the insert member 310 may be inserted into the cavity 212 first then a heel of a foot or a palm of a hand or otherwise may be used to push and secure the insert member 310 within the recessed handle 210.

[0068] As shown in FIGURE 12 the top surface 318 of the insert member 310 will be generally level with the open top edges 218 of the recess member 210, thus substantially closing off or blanking off the cavity 212 of the recessed handle 210. In addition the top surface 318 of the central body portion 312 will also substantially close off, blank-off, block or plug the aperture 120 within the deck 110 or other surface of the watercraft 112. The top surface 318 of the insert member 310 being generally level with the deck prevents the user‘s toes or fingers, for example, being caught in and / or catching with the cavity 212 while surfing or paddling.

[0069] Removal of the insert member 310 in this second configuration is as readily done as for the first configuration. The user may readily grip the top of the insert member 310 by the indented finger grip portions 316, for example between thumb and forefinger, and pull. This releases the insert member 310 from the recessed handle cavity 212, as previously described. For example the elastic insert member 310 flexes so as to disengage. The waisted portion of the central body portion 312 at the finger grip portions 316 may preferentially flex to aid in the removal of the insert member 310. Alternatively or in addition to gripping the finger grip portions 316, a user’s finger may be used to pry up the central body portion 312, bending it at the waisted mid-section 316 and thus removing the insert member 310 from the cavity 212.

[0070] The insert member 310 may operate and function as a reversible plug 310 within the recessed handle member 210. Inverting the insert member 310 between the first and second configurations within the recessed handle member 210 uniquely and advantageously allows for the insert member 210 to be stored within the recessed handle 210 during handle use and then in the second configuration to substantially plug the aperture 120 in the deck 110 of the watercraft when the watercraft is used.

[0071] By having the retention grooves 226 of the recess handle member 210 and the corresponding end ridges 322 of the insert member 310 at substantially matching heights, halfway along the depth of the recessed handle cavity 212 and halfway along the depth of the insert member: the same, reversible retention mechanism 226, 322 is adapted to retain the insert member 310 in both the first (i.e. carrying) and second (i.e. in use) configurations. That is the operation and location of the handle recess member 210 retention formations 226 and the corresponding engaging formations 322 of the insert member 310 are symmetric between the first and second configurations.

[0072] It will be readily appreciated that the retention mechanism 226, 322 may be varied but still serve the same reversible and retaining purpose. For example the retention grooves may instead be located on the projecting end portions 314 of the insert member 310. The corresponding engaging formation of a ridge may then be located on the respective end walls 220 of the cavity 212 of the recessed handle member 210. In another example the retention mechanism may be dimples or wells with corresponding engaging formations of suitably shaped protuberances, for example as described above with respect to the small ridges, lines or grooves 324.

[0073] It will also be readily appreciated that the retention mechanism 226, 322 and alternative retention mechanism 324 are also adapted to retain the insert member 310 in the recessed handle 210 when the watercraft 112 flexes. For example the watercraft 112 may flex and distort the recess handle 210 shape during surfing or if dropped during carrying.

[0074] Typically the recessed handle 210 may be located towards a rail or side of the board 112. For example for stand-up paddleboards (SUP) the recessed handle 210 may be located towards the lowermost rail of the paddleboard as carried by a paddler. The recessed handle may also be located approximately mid-way along the rail at the balancing point of the paddleboard in a carrying position. The uppermost rail being towards or in the armpit of the paddler. The paddler’ s arm extends across the breadth of the board with the fingers and possibly the palm gripping the recessed handle 210 as described herein. Alternatively for larger and heavier boards or watercraft, recessed handles 210 may also be located towards the front and tail of the board so that two people may easily carry the board 112. If the recessed handle 210 is located more towards the centre of the deck 110 then the dimensions of the insert member 310 and the positioning of the retention formations 216 of the recessed handle 210 may be readily adjusted so that the top surface 318 of the insert member 310 is substantially flush with the top surface or deck 110 of the watercraft. Similarly the dimensions and number of the finger grip portions 316 in the central body portion 312 of the insert member 310 may be reduced to improve the continuity of grip of the deck 110 experienced by the user. It will also be readily appreciated that the dimensions of the finger grip portions 316 may be selected so as to provide free draining of the recessed handle member 210 when plugged with the insert member 310.

[0075] Typically the recessed handle member 210 may be located on the deck or top surface 110 of the watercraft in order to reduce water drag in use. However if the top surface 318 of the central body portion 312 is adjusted to be substantially flush with for example the bottom skin 118 of the watercraft, then the recessed handle member may be located elsewhere about the watercraft 110.

[0076] The recessed handle member 210 may be inserted into a watercraft during manufacture of the watercraft or as a retrofit. In the following an example is provided to an installation method during manufacture of a watercraft 112. Prior to the application of the top skin 116 forming the deck 110, a slot 410 may be cut out with a router bit or other suitable method. In one example the router may be a double flute straight router bit used to produce a slot with a depth of approximately 60mm. A router jig may be mounted to an upper surface of the foam core so as to guide the horizontal extent and depth of the router bit in cutting out the slot. The router bit with the router jig may be hand operated and / or machine operated. It will be readily appreciated that other methods for forming the slot 410 may be used, for example when the foam core is moulded, the slot is also formed by the same mould.

[0077] The recessed handle member 210 may then be inserted into the slot formed. A suitable adhesive may be applied to the outer surface of the recessed handle member 210 in order to bond with the foam core material. The recessed handle member 210 may be inserted into the slot until the top opening 218 of the recessed handle 210 is substantially flush with the upper surface of the foam core 114. It will be readily appreciated that rather than provide the recessed handle as a separate item for installation that the recessed handle may be formed within a suitable foam core during the moulding of the suitable foam core.

[0078] The top skin 116 forming the deck 110 may then be applied to the upper surface of the foam core 114. In one example the top skin 116 may be applied over and covering the recessed handle 210. This example technique has the advantage of ensuring that the recessed handle 210 peripheral wall 216 at the top opening 218 is fused to the top skin 116 as the top skin 116 is fused or otherwise adhered to the upper surface of the foam core 114.

[0079] FIGURE 13 is a schematic of a cross-sectional view along the lines 3-3 shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. A 45 degree chamfer router bit 410 is shown cutting the aperture 120 into the deck 110 and top skin 116 to the open top 218 of the handle recess member 210. The chamfer router bit 410 also features a guide bearing 412 as shown in FIGURE 13. The guide bearing 412 may be used to guide a cutting depth and profile of the chamfer router 410 by the guide bearing 412 running against the inside of the peripheral side wall 216 above the grip formation 224 as shown in FIGURE 13.

[0080] FIGURES 1, 2, 3 and 14 are respective cross-sectional and perspective views of the recessed handle member 210 installed in the watercraft 112 with a chamfer 414. The chamfer 414 is shown about the aperture 120 of the deck 110 and the open top 218 of the recessed handle 210 cavity 212. The chamfer 414 is shown cut across the top skin 116 and into the peripheral side wall 216 at the open top 218 of the recessed handle member 210. As shown in FIGURES 1, 2, 3 and 14 the chamfer cut provides a smooth transition finish and surface from the horizontal plane of the deck 110 into the cavity 212 of the recessed handle member 210, The chamfer surface 414 provides more comfort in gripping the recessed handle 210 as well eliminating an edge about the aperture 120 that may catch a user’s fingers or toes.

[0081] It will be readily appreciated that for a watercraft of a suitable core and deck surface material that a cavity 212 for a recessed handle may be suitably cut into watercraft in order to retrofit a recessed handle. The insert member 310 as a reversible plug, as described herein, may then be used with such a retrofitted recessed handle cavity 212.

[0082] In this specification, terms denoting direction, such as vertical, up, down, left, right etc. or rotation, should be taken to refer to the directions or rotations relative to the corresponding drawing rather than to absolute directions or rotations unless the context require otherwise.

[0083] It will further be understood that any reference herein to known prior art does not, unless the contrary indication appears, constitute an admission that such prior art is commonly known by those skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

[0084] In this specification, the word“comprising” is to be understood in its “open” sense, that is, in the sense of“including”, and thus not limited to its“closed” sense, that is the sense of“consisting only of’. A corresponding meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words“comprise”,“comprised” and“comprises” where they appear. [0085] It is intended that the components, elements and features of the various above-described embodiments can be used together in any desired combination or permutation to create new embodiments. For example, while the invention has been described in relation to watercraft, the teachings may also be applicable to other carried items as well.

[0086] While particular embodiments of this invention have been described, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof.

The present embodiments and examples are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.