Self-cleansing retractable handle assembly for water craft

摘要

A concealably retractable handle is ensconced into the core or hull of a recreational or utilitarian floatation structure such as a canoe, kayak, surfboard, sailboard, paddle board or the like, where it lies below the outer surface without interfering with normal use of the structure. The handle can be conveniently extracted and secured in an operational position to facilitate handling and carrying the structure or securing it the a vehicle. The housing of the handle is bonded into the body of the floatation device through a padding sleeve which absorbs stress forces that could damage the solidity of the bond and the integrity of the whole structure. During handle retraction structures encourage agitation of water located inside the housing to facilitate water and debris evacuation.

主权项

1. A watercraft having a substantially planar load-carrying top surface having a cavity and a skin of a given thickness covering said top surface, an improvement which comprises a housed handle assembly which comprises:
a housing inserted through said cavity in said top surface, said housing comprising:
an aperture flush with said top surface;a finger-insert notch in a periphery of said aperture;a peripheral wall having a lower edge; anda flat roof having said aperture and a marginal flange portion projecting outwardly beyond said wall; and a handle assembly retractably ensconced into said housing.