FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to paddles for recreation watercraft. In particular, the present invention is directed to a paddle with second blade and handle.

BACKGROUND

[0002] When paddling on watercraft, such as paddleboards, a user is often standing and so requires a relatively long-handled paddle with a handle on one end and a blade on the other. There are times when a user is on the craft in a non-standing position, in which case the use of a relatively long-handled paddle with a handle on one end and a blade on the other can be cumbersome.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] A paddle includes a shaft having a first end and a second end, a first blade on the first end of the shaft, a handle on the second end of the shaft, a second blade attached to the second end of the shaft, wherein the second blade includes a concave face and wherein the handle is positioned adjacent to the concave face whereby a user’s hand can grip the handle without interference from the second blade.

[0004] Additionally or alternatively, the second blade is removable from the paddle.

[0005] Additionally or alternatively, the second blade includes a bottom portion configured to accept the shaft.

[0006] Additionally or alternatively, a collar configured is included to secure the bottom portion to the shaft.

[0007] Additionally or alternatively, the shaft includes two segments and wherein the two segments are slidably detachable from each other.

[0008] Additionally or alternatively, the collar is configured to slide along a detached shaft segment.

[0009] Additionally or alternatively, a clamp is configured to secure the bottom portion to the shaft. [0010] Additionally or alternatively, the second blade includes a top portion that extends beyond the handle.

[0011] Additionally or alternatively, the second blade is molded with the shaft

[0012] In another aspect of the invention, a paddle includes a shaft having a first end and a second end, a first blade on the first end of the shaft, a handle on the second end of the shaft, a second blade attached to the second end of the shaft, wherein the second blade is configured and positioned such that a user’s hand can grip the handle without interference from the second blade.

[0013] In another aspect of the invention, a method for converting a paddle from a single blade paddle configuration to a double blade paddle configuration includes placing a lower portion of a second blade over a first end of a shaft of a paddle, wherein the paddle includes a first blade on a second end of the shaft and a handle on the first end of the shaft, and securing the lower portion of the second blade to the first end of the shaft such that the second blade is configured and positioned to be used for paddling in the double blade configuration and such that a user’s hand can grip the handle without interference from the second blade.

[0014] In another aspect of the invention, a blade for a paddle having a shaft and a handle on one end of the shaft includes a first surface, the first surface being convex, a second surface opposite the first surface and being concave, and a collar portion below the first surface and the second surface, the collar portion including an opening configured to receive the shaft, wherein the collar portion is configured to fit around the shaft. When the blade is attached to the shaft, the second surface faces the handle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show aspects of one or more embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein:

FIG. l is a perspective view of a paddle in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a detailed perspective view of a portion of the paddle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2B is a detailed front view of a portion of the paddle of FIG. 1; FIG. 2C is a detailed side view of a portion of the paddle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2D is a detailed rear view of a portion of the paddle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 A is a perspective view of a portion of a paddle in which the secondary blade is not attached to the shaft in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3B a perspective view of the portion of the paddle in FIG. 3 A in which the secondary blade is secured to the shaft.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0016] A user on a recreation watercraft such as a paddleboard may switch from a standing position to a kneeling or sitting position, depending on the conditions, for example. In a standing position, the user paddles with a long paddle having a handle on one end and a blade on the other end. In a seated or kneeling position, such a paddle can be cumbersome and inefficient to paddle with. In that situation, a double paddle would be more desirable to paddle with. However, for many users on most recreational watercraft that are mostly paddled, stowing two paddles is undesirable.

[0017] Thus, there is a need for a paddle that can be used in both a single paddle form and a double paddle form. The paddle of the present invention includes a shaft with a blade on one end and a handle on the opposite end of the shaft. A second blade is attached on the end of the shaft with the handle such that the handle is still accessible so that the paddle can be used as a single paddle or can be used as a double paddle. In a preferred embodiment, the second blade is detachable.

[0018] In an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-2D, a paddle 100 includes a shaft 101 that includes a lower shaft 102 and an upper shaft 105 configured such that upper shaft 105 is slidable within lower shaft 102 to allow for the length of shaft 101 to be adjusted. Shaft 101 includes a first blade 104 on a first end and a handle 108 on a second end. A second blade 112 is attached to shaft 101 at the second end and generally encompasses handle 108. Second blade 112 is preferably bowed such that one face is concave and the opposite is convex, wherein the concave face affords space to accommodate handle 108 as well as a user’s hand on handle 108 (as can best be seen in FIG. 2C).

[0019] In this way, a paddle may be used as a single paddle for a standup paddleboard as well as a double paddle for use when the user is in non-standing positions. [0020] In an embodiment, second blade 112 is detachable so that paddle 100 may have a single paddle configuration or so that second blade 112 may be added to an existing single paddle. For example, many single paddles include a shaft that is separable into two pieces, in which case second blade 112 may include a cylindrical portion with an opening configured to be placed around upper shaft 105. A collar 116 is configured to accept upper shaft 105 (e.g., when upper shaft 105 is pulled out of lower shaft 102) such that collar 116 may be slid along upper shaft 105 toward handle 108 to encompass the cylindrical portion of second blade 112. Collar 116 may be secured over the cylindrical portion on upper shaft 105 via a suitable mechanism such as a clamp. Gaskets 120 (e.g., 120A, 120B) may be included at the ends of collar 116 to assist in stabilizing attached second blade 112. Thus, second blade 112 may be added to a handle end of many existing paddles for standup paddleboards. In the alternative, may be included as an original component of the handle end of a paddle, in which the second blade may be molded as part of the paddle’s construction, for example.

[0021] Turning to FIGS. 3A-3B, a paddle 200 includes a shaft 201. Shaft 201 includes a first blade on a first end (not shown) and a handle 208 on a second end. A second blade configured to be attached to shaft 201 at the second end and generally encompasses handle 208 when attached. Second blade 212 is preferably bowed such that one face is concave and the opposite is convex, wherein the concave face affords space to accommodate handle 208 as well as a user’s hand on handle 208. In FIG. 3A, blade 212 is shown detached from paddle 200 and includes a collar portion 216 with an opening along its length configured to accept shaft 201. With collar 216 placed on shaft 201, blade 212 may be secured to shaft 201 with clamps 220 (e.g., 220 A, 220B) or other suitable mechanism as shown in FIG. 3B.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the face of the second blade is configurable only in parallel with respect to a longitudinal axis of the shaft (shown in FIG. 2A) such that the blade cannot be pivoted away from the shaft.

[0023] Exemplary embodiments have been disclosed above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, omissions, and additions may be made to that which is specifically disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.