System and method for selectively securing articles to a hull of a watercraft

Abstract

A watercraft includes a hull having a sidewall, and a cavity formed in the sidewall. The cavity includes an open end. An anchor includes an insertion portion configured to be removably inserted into the cavity through the open end. The anchor further includes a movable retention element that removably retains the insertion portion of the anchor in the cavity when the insertion portion is inserted into the cavity.

1 . A watercraft comprising:
 (a) a hull having a first sidewall, the first sidewall having a first upper edge;   (b) a first cavity formed in the first sidewall, the first cavity having a substantially open first end; and   (c) a first anchor comprising:
 (i) a first insertion portion configured to be removably inserted into the first cavity through the first end; and 
 (ii) a first retention element configured to removably retain the insertion portion in the first cavity when the first insertion portion is inserted into the first cavity. 
   
   
   
       2 . A watercraft according to  claim 1  wherein the first cavity is proximate to the first upper edge. 
   
   
       3 . A watercraft according to  claim 1  wherein the first cavity formed in the first sidewall includes a substantially open first inboard face, and further comprising a retaining member extending across at least a portion of the first inboard face. 
   
   
       4 . A watercraft according to  claim 1  wherein the first retention element comprises a resilient catch that removably retains the first insertion portion in the first cavity when the first insertion portion is inserted in the first cavity. 
   
   
       5 . A watercraft according to  claim 3  wherein the first retention element comprises a resilient catch that engages the retaining member and thereby removably retains the first insertion portion in the first cavity when the first insertion portion is inserted in the first cavity. 
   
   
       6 . A watercraft according to  claim 1  and further comprising an article attached to the first anchor, wherein when the first insertion portion is received in the first cavity, the article is thereby removably connected to the first sidewall. 
   
   
       7 . A watercraft according to  claim 1  wherein the hull further comprises a second sidewall having a second upper edge, and further comprising:
 (a) a second cavity formed in the second sidewall, the second cavity having a substantially open second end; and   (c) a second anchor comprising:
 (i) a second insertion portion configured to be removably inserted into the second cavity through the substantially open second end; and 
 (ii) a second retainer for removably retaining the second insertion portion in the second cavity when the second insertion portion is received in the second cavity. 
   
   
   
       8 . A watercraft according to  claim 7 , and further comprising an article attached to the first and second anchors, wherein when the first anchor is received in the first cavity and the second anchor is received in the second anchor, the article is supported between the first and second sidewalls. 
   
   
       9 . A watercraft according to  claim 8  wherein the article comprises an extendable bar having a first end attached to the first anchor, and a second end attached to the second anchor. 
   
   
       10 . A watercraft according to  claim 8  wherein the article comprises an item selected from the group comprising of a seat, a platform, a fishing rod holder, an oar holder, a cup holder, a boom, a strap, a foot brace, and a cord. 
   
   
       11 . A watercraft according to  claim 7  wherein the first cavity and the second cavity are substantially directly opposite from each other in the hull. 
   
   
       12 . A watercraft according to  claim 1  and further comprising a plurality of additional cavities formed in the first sidewall, each additional cavity having a substantially open end. 
   
   
       13 . An apparatus for removably attaching an article to a hull of a watercraft, the apparatus comprising a body portion, a retainer portion, and a connector portion attached to the body portion, wherein the retainer portion is resiliently connected to the body portion such that the retainer portion is capable of resilient deflection toward the body portion. 
   
   
       14 . An apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein the retainer portion includes a catch. 
   
   
       15 . An apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein the body portion and retainer portion are elongated members connected at their lower ends, and wherein the body portion and retainer portion form a substantially V-shaped portion 
   
   
       16 . An apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein the connector portion is attached to an upper end of the body portion. 
   
   
       17 . An apparatus according to  claim 13  wherein the body portion, retainer portion and connector portion are constructed in a single piece. 
   
   
       18 . A system for selectively and removably attaching an article to a hull of a watercraft, the system comprising;
 (a) a hull wall having a plurality of spaced cavities therein; and   (b) at least one retainer member configured to be received in at least one of the spaced cavities, the retainer comprising retention means for selectively blocking extraction of the retainer from the cavity when the retention means is received in the cavity.   
   
   
       19 . A system according to  claim 18  wherein the at least one spaced cavity includes a retention element, and wherein the retention means engages the retention element when the retainer is received in the cavity, thereby selectively blocking extraction of the retainer from the cavity when the retainer is received in the cavity. 
   
   
       20 . A system according to  claim 18  wherein the retention element is a bar, and wherein the retention means is a member that resiliently engages the bar when the retainer is received in the cavity. 
   
   
       21 . A system according to  claim 18  wherein the retainer comprises a one-piece clip, and wherein the retention means comprises a resilient portion of the clip that resiliently engages a mating portion the cavity. 
   
   
       22 . A method for removably securing an article to a hull of a watercraft, the method comprising:
 (a) providing at least one cavity in a portion of the hull;   (b) attaching an anchor to the article, the anchor including at least one selectively movable retention element;   (c) engaging the anchor in the cavity such that the retention element selectively prevents extraction of the anchor from the cavity.   
   
   
       23 . A method of  claim 22  wherein the engagement of the anchor in the cavity occurs without substantial forward or aftward movement of the anchor relative to the hull. 
   
   
       24 . A method of  claim 22  further comprising removing the anchor from the cavity by selectively moving the retention element. 
   
   
       25 . A method of  claim 24  wherein the removal of the anchor from the cavity occurs without substantial forward or aftward movement of the anchor relative to the hull. 
   
   
       26 . A method of  claim 22  wherein the article is pivotally connected to the anchor to permit the article to pivot in multiple directions when the anchor is engaged in the cavity.