Canoe portaging kit

Claim 1

A kit for facilitating the portaging of canoes, comprising a pair of identical, spring loaded, telescoping carrying rods, one end of each being removably attached to the center bar of the canoe, while the other end of each is similarly attached to the front edge of the rear seat of the canoe or to an independent strut spaced from and on either side of said center bar; each of said rods consisting of a rigid outer tube of metal or plastic; an inner tube of such material which fits slidably into said outer tube; two opposite rows of identically spaced and located holes in the wall of said outer tube for inserting a pin through said outer tube; a short spring located within said outer tube, one end of which rests upon said pin while the other end is in contact with the enclosed end of the inner tube; and a pair of identical notches, each notch located in the outer end of both said tubes, said notches being wide enough to contain therein the center bar, the front edge of the rear seat of the canoe, or the independent strut on either side of the center bar; and a cushion of soft material which is slipped over said center bar to provide comfort to the person carrying the canoe.