Seat for a watercraft

Abstract

A seat for a watercraft having a housing section defining a space for receiving a rider, the seat comprising a base seat comprising a longitudinal arcuate base projection or groove extending downwardly or upwardly along a longitudinal axis of the watercraft, the housing section comprising a longitudinal arcuate housing groove or projection extending downwardly or upwardly along the longitudinal axis, the longitudinal arcuate base projection or groove and the longitudinal arcuate housing groove or projection registering with one another such that, in use, the rider can move the base seat from a first configuration to a second configuration, the first configuration being different than the second configuration.

1 . A seat for a watercraft having a housing section defining a space for receiving a rider, said seat comprising a base seat adapted to support the pelvis and thigh regions of the rider, said base seat comprising a longitudinal arcuate base projection or groove extending downwardly or upwardly along a longitudinal axis of the watercraft, said housing section comprising a longitudinal arcuate housing groove or projection extending downwardly or upwardly along said longitudinal axis, said longitudinal arcuate base projection or groove and said longitudinal arcuate housing groove or projection registering with one another such that, in use, the rider can move said base seat from a first configuration to a second configuration, wherein, in said first configuration, said base seat is at a first position along said longitudinal axis and at a first inclination relative to a horizontal axis parallel to said longitudinal axis; wherein, in said second configuration, said base seat is at a second position along said longitudinal axis and at a second inclination relative to said horizontal axis; and wherein said first configuration is different than said second configuration. 
     
     
         2 . A seat for a watercraft as defined in  claim 1 , wherein inclination angles of said base seat relative to said horizontal axis vary between −5° and 30° when said base seat is moved from said first configuration to said second configuration. 
     
     
         3 . A seat for a watercraft as defined in  claim 1 , wherein inclination angles of said base seat relative to said horizontal axis vary between 0° and 20° when said base seat is moved from said first configuration to said second configuration. 
     
     
         4 . A seat for a watercraft as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said base seat has a first downward projecting arcuate portion on a left side and a second downward projecting arcuate portion on a right side, said left and right side downward projecting arcuate portions registering respectively with a left downward projecting arcuate concave portion and a right downward projecting arcuate concave portion provided on said housing section. 
     
     
         5 . A seat for a watercraft as defined in  claim 4 , wherein said left and right side downward projecting arcuate portions comprise left and right longitudinal slots for receiving left and right bolts adapted to guide movement of said base seat as said base seat is moved from said first configuration to said second configuration. 
     
     
         6 . A seat for a watercraft as defined in  claim 5 , wherein each of said left and right bolts has a head allowing the rider to turn said bolt without a tool such that the rider can unscrew said bolt for allowing movement of said base seat along said longitudinal axis and screw said bolt for preventing movement of said base seat. 
     
     
         7 . A seat for a watercraft as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said head has projections and depressions defining gripping portions. 
     
     
         8 . A seat for a watercraft as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a strap located under said base seat and comprising a left end strap portion passing through a left buckle provided on said housing section and a right end strap portion passing through a right buckle provided on said housing section. 
     
     
         9 . A seat for a watercraft as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said left end strap portion and said right end strap portion are capable of being loosened for adjusting said base seat from said first configuration to said second configuration and being tightened for maintaining said base seat in a selected configuration. 
     
     
         10 . A seat for a watercraft as defined in  claim 9 , wherein a portion of said strap located under said base seat is affixed to said base seat such that movement of said base seat along said longitudinal axis is prevented when said strap is tightened. 
     
     
         11 . A seat for a watercraft as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said longitudinal arcuate base projection or groove is a longitudinal arcuate base projection, wherein said longitudinal arcuate housing groove or projection is a longitudinal arcuate housing groove, and wherein said longitudinal arcuate base projection and said longitudinal arcuate housing groove register with one another. 
     
     
         12 . A seat for a watercraft as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said longitudinal arcuate base projection extends generally along a medial axis of said base seat and said longitudinal arcuate housing groove extends generally along a medial axis of said housing section. 
     
     
         13 . A seat for a watercraft as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said longitudinal arcuate base projection or groove comprises left and right separate longitudinal arcuate base projections, wherein said longitudinal arcuate housing groove or projection comprise left and right separate longitudinal arcuate housing grooves, and wherein said left and right longitudinal arcuate base projections and said left and right longitudinal arcuate housing grooves register with one another. 
     
     
         14 . A seat for a watercraft as described in  claim 1 , wherein said base seat is made of a rigid material. 
     
     
         15 . A seat for a watercraft as described in  claim 14 , wherein said rigid material is plastic. 
     
     
         16 . A seat for a watercraft as described in  claim 14 , wherein said base seat is molded. 
     
     
         17 . A seat for a watercraft as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said seat base is made of composite materials, polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene or polycarbonate. 
     
     
         18 . A seat for a watercraft as defined in  claim 14 , wherein said seat further comprises cushioning foam. 
     
     
         19 . A seat for a watercraft as defined in  claim 18 , wherein said cushioning foam is selected from a group of polyurethanes.