CA1062090A - Folding boat - Google Patents
Folding boatInfo
- Publication number
- CA1062090A CA1062090A CA308,330A CA308330A CA1062090A CA 1062090 A CA1062090 A CA 1062090A CA 308330 A CA308330 A CA 308330A CA 1062090 A CA1062090 A CA 1062090A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- boat
- panels
- hull
- side panels
- foldable
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Landscapes
- Tents Or Canopies (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
In foldable boats, it is known to have transverse ribs for bracing the boat assembly and removable seats attached to the side panels. In this invention the means for bracing the hull serve as foldable seats, each having an upper horizontal member, hinged at its front and back edges to two vertical support members, which in order to contact lengthwise the side panels, have their outlet edges downwardly and inwar-dly inclined at approximately the angle of these panels.
Each vertical support member of a seat is provided by a shape of a W, which allows the water acting from out-side the hull to bend the bottom panels inwardly and upwardly. The boat comprises also at least one trans-verse beam serving to brace supplementarily the hull in its open position and also to keep together all the panels, when the boat is folded.
In foldable boats, it is known to have transverse ribs for bracing the boat assembly and removable seats attached to the side panels. In this invention the means for bracing the hull serve as foldable seats, each having an upper horizontal member, hinged at its front and back edges to two vertical support members, which in order to contact lengthwise the side panels, have their outlet edges downwardly and inwar-dly inclined at approximately the angle of these panels.
Each vertical support member of a seat is provided by a shape of a W, which allows the water acting from out-side the hull to bend the bottom panels inwardly and upwardly. The boat comprises also at least one trans-verse beam serving to brace supplementarily the hull in its open position and also to keep together all the panels, when the boat is folded.
Description
osC~
This invention relates to an improved foldable "pirogue"type boat, having a plurality of hingedly connected elongated bottom and side panels, a connec-tion between all said panels, and foldable seats serving for bracing the hull.
In recent years, the demand has increased for boats which can be easily handled, stored and trans- ~ ~-ported by their owners, who often reside at some dis-tance from navigable water. Trailers are used exten-sively for transpo~ing boats, but both the trailer and the boat require substantial storage spaces, ` -which for many urbanites is becoming increasingly dif-ficult and expensive to provide.
A practical solution for many such persons would be a collapsible boat which could be folded into a compact package for storage and transport, and which would be easily assembled at the water site into a boat. Several such boats have been developed in at-tempts to provide such a device. One general type of ~ 20 collapsible boat which has been developed is the fol-; ding boat, wherein elongated bottom and side panels of various shapes are connected by flexible hinges.
, Such boats have presented several problems. One problem is to provide relatively inexpensive structures, '~ which while relatively light in weight and compact are sufficiently sturdy to permit the carrying of a heavy load in rough waters without danger of collapsing or capsizing. A second problem has been the need to de-velop a design whereby the smoother movement of the craft through the water and the maximum stability for given widths and lengths of the boat are insured.
iO~190 `:
I found that these problems may be overcome by providing a $oldable boat comprising a pair of bottom panels having a long straight edge on adjacent sides which provides a joint connected in hinged relation and extending lonei*udinally and centrally in respect to the boat. Disposed at opposite sides of the bottom structure is a pair of side panels, and the contiguous edges of each bottom and side panels are also connec-ted in hinged relation. A flexible connection is provided between the side and the bottom panels at the stern of the boat. This connection can be maintained in a taut position by rigid rear members, hinged to the rear end of the side panels. The boat is provided with at least two foldable seats, which may serve also as braces for the sides of the hull. Each seat has an upper horizontal member, hinged at its front and back edges to two vertical support members. These members, in order to contact lengthwise the side panels, have their outer edges downwardly and inwardly inclined at appro-ximately the angle of these panels.
A vertical support member has a W-shaped construc-tion, which allows to the water acting from outside the hull to bend inwardly and upwardly the bottom pa-nels. The boat is provided with at least one trans-verse beam serving to brace supplementarly the hull in its open position and also to keep together all the panels, when the boat is folded.
In drawing which illustrate embodiments of the i nvent i on , Figure 1 is a top plan view of the boat, Figure 2 is an elevation view of the same, . . .
()90 , ~, :
Figure 3 is a schematic view of the boat, showing a position taken at an intermediate step of folding or -~
erecting of a boat assembly, Figure 4 i8 a schematic view of the same illus-trating the boat assembly in folded position, Figure 5 i8 a sectional view of the boat taken along the indicated lines I-I of fig. 1, Figure 6 shows a cross section through the flexi-ble hinge which connects two panels together, Figure 7 is a schematic view of an unfolded (erected) seat, Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along the in-dicated lines II-II of fig. 1 and showing the boat erec-ted to use in the water, Figure 9 i8 a similar view ac in fig. 8 illustra-ting the boat erected, but not in the water, Figure lO~shows a rear member secured to its ad-~acent side panel by a clamp, Figure 11 shows a rear member secured to its ad-jacent side panel by an U-shaped traverse, Figure 12 is a perspective view of a latch, Figure 13 is a top plan view of the stern of the boat, Figure 14 is an elevation view of a supporting plate for seats together with one of its latches, Fi-gure 15 is sectional view of the fig. 14 taken along the indicated lines III-III, Figure 16 is an elevation view of the supporting plate as shown in fig. 14, Figure 17 is an elevation view of a guide plate for the transverse beam, . . . . . . . . ~ . . .
~ 90 Figure 18 is a sectional ~iew o~ the fig. 17 taken along the indicated lines IV-IV also sho~ing the trans-verse beam. .
~ 090 .
Referring now to the drawings, 1 and 2 indicatecomplementary bottom panels of a "pirogue" type boat.
Each bottom panel 1 and 2 comprises in the folded con-dition of the boat a flat ~lexible sheet having a long straight inner edge 3, a long curved outer edge 4 and an end short edge 5, formed at approximately right an-gle to the long straight inner edge 3. These bottom panels 1 and 2 been formed with the long straight edge 3 on adjacent sides provide a joint 6 extending longi-~0 tudinally and centrally in respect to the boat. Thebottom panels 1 and 2 are cut flat panels of semi-rigid and flexible material such as aluminum alloy or any suitable pliable material and each is provided with at least one longitudinal stiffening rib 7. A central inner surface 8 of each bo~tom panel 1 and 2 is coated low _reflect1vity with a nonskid and lowe~rflectivity material.
A flexible hinge 9 joining the bottom panels 1 and 2 together is shown in figure 6. This flexible hinge 9 may be made of rubber or suitable synthetic plastic and is an extruded or moulded strip having at each opposite side a substantially U-shaped ~ection with two limbs 10 and 11 divided by a recess 12. The width of the recess 12 is about equal to the thickness of a bottom panel 1 or 2. Consequently, the boat com-prises a pair of bottom panels 1 and 2 connected to the keel and keelson to provide a waterproof hinge or fold line, enabling the panels 1 and 2 to be swung towards or away from each other with respect to the keel and keelson.
At points near their forward ends the long curved outer edges 4 meet almost together, thereby providing ~06.'~:090 a pointed bow 13 which reduces resistance, when pro-ceeding through the water, to a minimum.
Disposed at opposite sides of the bottom struc-ture of the boat are side panels 14 and 15. These panels are substantially identical in shape with bottom panels 1 and 2 in that their upper edges 16 are sligh-tly straight and their lower edges 17 taper towards the prow and the stern of the boat to conform exactly to the taper of the outer edges 4 of the bottom panels 1 --and 2. The contiguous edges 4 and 17 of the panels 1 --and 14, respectively 2 and 15 are articulately connec- ~;
ted by flexible hinges 9. --The side panels 1~ and 15, like the bottom panels 1 and 2, are made preferably from flat panels of ~emi-rigid and flexible ~aterial such as aluminum alloy and each is provided with at least one longitudinal stif-fening rib lô. The vulcanisation of the hinges 9 on the metallic sides of the bottom and side panels gives a perfect watertightness and mechanical strength.
In the exemplification of the present invention a gunwale strip 19 having a substantially hollow squa-re cross section with a longitudinal one side slot is pressed on the upper edge 16 of each side panel 14 and 15. These gunwale strips 19 are provided in order to strengthen the side panels 14 and 15 at their upper edges 16 and to obtain an attractive finishing to the craft.
In accordance with the present invention, a flexi-ble connection 20, which is substantially rectangular in shape, is provided between the side 14 and 15 and bottom 1 and 2 panels at the stern of the craft in 106~)90 order to facilitate the folding of the boat. Pre-ferably, one employs a sheet of water-proof material such as rubber or suitable synthetic plastic for ef- j;
fecting this flexible connection 20, that sheet ex-tending from top to bottom of the hull and transver- ~`
saly thereof, to entirely close the stern of the craft when set up.
Hinged as at 21 to the rear end of the side panel 14 is rigid rear member 22 which is of sufficient length to extend across the rear end of the boat. Hinged as at 23 to the rear end of the side panel 15 is another rigid rear member 24 which is also of sufficient length to extend across the rear end of the boat. The rear members 22 and 24 when extended are positioned in lengthwise engagement with each other and provide stif-fening panel~ for maintaining the flexible connection -20 in a taut position.
With the boat is in an erected position, the rear members 22 and 24 are secured together by means of a suitable U-shaped traverse 25 which is sufficient length to extend across the rear end of the boat and may be used as an outboard motor mount. For storage and trans-porting, the rear members 22 and 24 are adapted to fold against the side panels 14 and 15, respectively; in this ;
situation one rear member is secured to its adjacent side panel by the U-shaped traverse 25 (fig. 11), while the other rear member is secured to its side panel by a suitable clamp 26 fastened to that side panel.
A flexible hinge 27 of rubber or suitable synthe tic plastic extends over the forward apex of the poin-ted bow of the boat and connects the side panels 14 and 15.
At about the center, the boat is braced in its open position by at least one transverse beam 28, pre-ferably U-shaped, the outer ends of which conform to the ~ -sectional contour of the inside of the boat and firmly fit through the medium of guide plates 29 against the inner races of the side panels 14 and 15. For this purpose, at the points where this transverse beam 28 is po~itioned within the boat, a guide plate 29 is rigidly secured by rivets or other fastening means on each Or the side panels 14 and 15. The guide plate 29 has an inturned portion 30 at is upper edge, while t~ side edges 31 are ~ormed at approximately right angle to the main surface Or this plate. The trans-verse beam 28 has its upper ends downwardly bent to rit in a gap formed between the inner race of a side panel and the inturned portion Or the guide plate.
The purpose Or the side edges 31 Or the guide plate is to penetrate within the sides of the transverse beam.
To fit the transverse beam 28 p,ver tlje guide plates 20 29, the boat must be open slightly, i.e. the side panels 14 and 15 must be slightly pushed away Or each other.
The transverse beam 28 is firmly secured against upward movement by latches 32. Each such latch 32 is located on a side panel. A latch 32 is operated by turning it around a pin 33 rixed in the side panel and it contains a main plate 34 having one portion 35 for-med at approximately right angle to the main plate 34 and an other portion 36 formed at approximately right angle to the portion 35. In order to secure the trans-30 verse beam 28 at opposite sides Or the boat by the lat-ches 32, the portion 35 abuts &gainst the upper face "
of the transverse beam, while the other portion 36 abuts against one of the side faces of the same beam 28. ;
The latches 32 al~o carries a frowardly projec-ting tongue 37 with a notch 38. The tongue 37 is slightly bent in order bb become flexible. When the tongue 37 is introduced in an aperture or recess, it must be flattened, in order to permit to the latch to - -penetrate too. The latch 38 prevents the tongue 36 ..
against coming out. The side edges 31 of the guide plates 29 and the side faces of the transverse beam 28, opposite the tongue 37, are provided for this pur-pose with recesses 39 and 40. The transverse beam 28 serves as suppleme~tarily brace for the assembly of the hull.
It will also be noted that the boat is provided at least two foldable seats 41, which may serve not ~`
only as seats to support loads, but al~o as braces for the sides of the hull. Each seat 41 comprises an upper horizontal member 42, hinged at its front and back ed-; ges 43 and 44 to two vertical support members 45 and 20 46, whose outer edges 47 downwardly and inwardly in-clined at approximately the angle of the side panels 14 and 15 of the erected boat. Each vertical support mem~er 45 Qr~46 provided by a shape of a W by at least one stiffening rib 48, and by several recesses 49 in its corners, opposite to the flexible hinges 9. Then a hull with a W-bottom is accomplished by pD0viding the vertical support members 45 and 46 at their lower part by a shape of a W, allowing the water acting from outside the hull to bend inwardly and upwardly _ g _ the bottom panels 1 and 2. In this case the hull ~ ~;
will be provided with two keels which improve the stability of the boat. The aim of the recesses 49 is to prevent the fl~xible hinges 9 against damage and to facilitate the vertical support members to con-form to the contour of the inside of the boat. -~
The upper edges of each horizontal member 42 of a seat 41, are downwardly and inwardly inclined at ~ ~-approximately the angle of the side panels 14 and 15 of the erected boat for entry into the gap formed between an upper inturned part 50 of a supporting plate 50 and the inner surface of a side panel. This will prevent the seat from moving out of its position between side panel~ 14 and 15. For each seat 41 is pro-vided a pair of supporting plabes 51 which are rigidly secured by rivets or other fa~tening means to the inner opposite surfaces of the side panels 14 and 15. Each supporting plate 51 comprises the upper inturned part 50 which ends with an horizontal edge 52. This horizon-20 tal edge 52 together with two other vertical edges 53,all of the same supporting plate 51 are formed at ap-pro~imately a right angle to the main surface of this plate in order to provide an inverted U-shaped guide for the three members of an erected seat 41.
The seats 41 are firmly secured by the same type of latches 32 as used for the transverse beam 28.
One each side of a seat one uses two latches 32.
The tongue 37 of each such latch is received in the supporting plate 51 which therefore presents in one of 30 its two vertical edges 53 an aperture 54. By this ar-rangement, the seats 41 serve to lock the assembled boat, _ 10 --o9o to brace the side panels and, accordingl~, the entire hull, and to be held securely against disconnection therefrom.
For convenience in handling, storage or transpor-tation, the boat panels 1, 2, 14 and 15 are folded 80 that they will form, in section, a W-shaped structure -with the bottom panels 1 and 2 folded upwardly along their hinge 9 and the side panels 14 and 15 collapsing against these bottom panels 1 and 2 to assume positions parallel thereto. In this case, the folded seats 41 ~-will be introduced between the panels as shown in fi-gure.
The same transverse beam 20, which served as a brace ror the erected boat, will now serve to keep together the panel~ of the boat ~figure 4.), A strap 55 is used around the ~olded boat in order to fasten and to secure the panels in their folded position. A buckle 56 or other fastening element on the strap 55 may be used to tighten the strap and rigidly hold the panels together.
; On each outer surface of the side panels 14 and ~ 15, a floater 57 is ~astened.
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: . -- :, , . . . - . , ;: : . , :: .
This invention relates to an improved foldable "pirogue"type boat, having a plurality of hingedly connected elongated bottom and side panels, a connec-tion between all said panels, and foldable seats serving for bracing the hull.
In recent years, the demand has increased for boats which can be easily handled, stored and trans- ~ ~-ported by their owners, who often reside at some dis-tance from navigable water. Trailers are used exten-sively for transpo~ing boats, but both the trailer and the boat require substantial storage spaces, ` -which for many urbanites is becoming increasingly dif-ficult and expensive to provide.
A practical solution for many such persons would be a collapsible boat which could be folded into a compact package for storage and transport, and which would be easily assembled at the water site into a boat. Several such boats have been developed in at-tempts to provide such a device. One general type of ~ 20 collapsible boat which has been developed is the fol-; ding boat, wherein elongated bottom and side panels of various shapes are connected by flexible hinges.
, Such boats have presented several problems. One problem is to provide relatively inexpensive structures, '~ which while relatively light in weight and compact are sufficiently sturdy to permit the carrying of a heavy load in rough waters without danger of collapsing or capsizing. A second problem has been the need to de-velop a design whereby the smoother movement of the craft through the water and the maximum stability for given widths and lengths of the boat are insured.
iO~190 `:
I found that these problems may be overcome by providing a $oldable boat comprising a pair of bottom panels having a long straight edge on adjacent sides which provides a joint connected in hinged relation and extending lonei*udinally and centrally in respect to the boat. Disposed at opposite sides of the bottom structure is a pair of side panels, and the contiguous edges of each bottom and side panels are also connec-ted in hinged relation. A flexible connection is provided between the side and the bottom panels at the stern of the boat. This connection can be maintained in a taut position by rigid rear members, hinged to the rear end of the side panels. The boat is provided with at least two foldable seats, which may serve also as braces for the sides of the hull. Each seat has an upper horizontal member, hinged at its front and back edges to two vertical support members. These members, in order to contact lengthwise the side panels, have their outer edges downwardly and inwardly inclined at appro-ximately the angle of these panels.
A vertical support member has a W-shaped construc-tion, which allows to the water acting from outside the hull to bend inwardly and upwardly the bottom pa-nels. The boat is provided with at least one trans-verse beam serving to brace supplementarly the hull in its open position and also to keep together all the panels, when the boat is folded.
In drawing which illustrate embodiments of the i nvent i on , Figure 1 is a top plan view of the boat, Figure 2 is an elevation view of the same, . . .
()90 , ~, :
Figure 3 is a schematic view of the boat, showing a position taken at an intermediate step of folding or -~
erecting of a boat assembly, Figure 4 i8 a schematic view of the same illus-trating the boat assembly in folded position, Figure 5 i8 a sectional view of the boat taken along the indicated lines I-I of fig. 1, Figure 6 shows a cross section through the flexi-ble hinge which connects two panels together, Figure 7 is a schematic view of an unfolded (erected) seat, Figure 8 is a sectional view taken along the in-dicated lines II-II of fig. 1 and showing the boat erec-ted to use in the water, Figure 9 i8 a similar view ac in fig. 8 illustra-ting the boat erected, but not in the water, Figure lO~shows a rear member secured to its ad-~acent side panel by a clamp, Figure 11 shows a rear member secured to its ad-jacent side panel by an U-shaped traverse, Figure 12 is a perspective view of a latch, Figure 13 is a top plan view of the stern of the boat, Figure 14 is an elevation view of a supporting plate for seats together with one of its latches, Fi-gure 15 is sectional view of the fig. 14 taken along the indicated lines III-III, Figure 16 is an elevation view of the supporting plate as shown in fig. 14, Figure 17 is an elevation view of a guide plate for the transverse beam, . . . . . . . . ~ . . .
~ 90 Figure 18 is a sectional ~iew o~ the fig. 17 taken along the indicated lines IV-IV also sho~ing the trans-verse beam. .
~ 090 .
Referring now to the drawings, 1 and 2 indicatecomplementary bottom panels of a "pirogue" type boat.
Each bottom panel 1 and 2 comprises in the folded con-dition of the boat a flat ~lexible sheet having a long straight inner edge 3, a long curved outer edge 4 and an end short edge 5, formed at approximately right an-gle to the long straight inner edge 3. These bottom panels 1 and 2 been formed with the long straight edge 3 on adjacent sides provide a joint 6 extending longi-~0 tudinally and centrally in respect to the boat. Thebottom panels 1 and 2 are cut flat panels of semi-rigid and flexible material such as aluminum alloy or any suitable pliable material and each is provided with at least one longitudinal stiffening rib 7. A central inner surface 8 of each bo~tom panel 1 and 2 is coated low _reflect1vity with a nonskid and lowe~rflectivity material.
A flexible hinge 9 joining the bottom panels 1 and 2 together is shown in figure 6. This flexible hinge 9 may be made of rubber or suitable synthetic plastic and is an extruded or moulded strip having at each opposite side a substantially U-shaped ~ection with two limbs 10 and 11 divided by a recess 12. The width of the recess 12 is about equal to the thickness of a bottom panel 1 or 2. Consequently, the boat com-prises a pair of bottom panels 1 and 2 connected to the keel and keelson to provide a waterproof hinge or fold line, enabling the panels 1 and 2 to be swung towards or away from each other with respect to the keel and keelson.
At points near their forward ends the long curved outer edges 4 meet almost together, thereby providing ~06.'~:090 a pointed bow 13 which reduces resistance, when pro-ceeding through the water, to a minimum.
Disposed at opposite sides of the bottom struc-ture of the boat are side panels 14 and 15. These panels are substantially identical in shape with bottom panels 1 and 2 in that their upper edges 16 are sligh-tly straight and their lower edges 17 taper towards the prow and the stern of the boat to conform exactly to the taper of the outer edges 4 of the bottom panels 1 --and 2. The contiguous edges 4 and 17 of the panels 1 --and 14, respectively 2 and 15 are articulately connec- ~;
ted by flexible hinges 9. --The side panels 1~ and 15, like the bottom panels 1 and 2, are made preferably from flat panels of ~emi-rigid and flexible ~aterial such as aluminum alloy and each is provided with at least one longitudinal stif-fening rib lô. The vulcanisation of the hinges 9 on the metallic sides of the bottom and side panels gives a perfect watertightness and mechanical strength.
In the exemplification of the present invention a gunwale strip 19 having a substantially hollow squa-re cross section with a longitudinal one side slot is pressed on the upper edge 16 of each side panel 14 and 15. These gunwale strips 19 are provided in order to strengthen the side panels 14 and 15 at their upper edges 16 and to obtain an attractive finishing to the craft.
In accordance with the present invention, a flexi-ble connection 20, which is substantially rectangular in shape, is provided between the side 14 and 15 and bottom 1 and 2 panels at the stern of the craft in 106~)90 order to facilitate the folding of the boat. Pre-ferably, one employs a sheet of water-proof material such as rubber or suitable synthetic plastic for ef- j;
fecting this flexible connection 20, that sheet ex-tending from top to bottom of the hull and transver- ~`
saly thereof, to entirely close the stern of the craft when set up.
Hinged as at 21 to the rear end of the side panel 14 is rigid rear member 22 which is of sufficient length to extend across the rear end of the boat. Hinged as at 23 to the rear end of the side panel 15 is another rigid rear member 24 which is also of sufficient length to extend across the rear end of the boat. The rear members 22 and 24 when extended are positioned in lengthwise engagement with each other and provide stif-fening panel~ for maintaining the flexible connection -20 in a taut position.
With the boat is in an erected position, the rear members 22 and 24 are secured together by means of a suitable U-shaped traverse 25 which is sufficient length to extend across the rear end of the boat and may be used as an outboard motor mount. For storage and trans-porting, the rear members 22 and 24 are adapted to fold against the side panels 14 and 15, respectively; in this ;
situation one rear member is secured to its adjacent side panel by the U-shaped traverse 25 (fig. 11), while the other rear member is secured to its side panel by a suitable clamp 26 fastened to that side panel.
A flexible hinge 27 of rubber or suitable synthe tic plastic extends over the forward apex of the poin-ted bow of the boat and connects the side panels 14 and 15.
At about the center, the boat is braced in its open position by at least one transverse beam 28, pre-ferably U-shaped, the outer ends of which conform to the ~ -sectional contour of the inside of the boat and firmly fit through the medium of guide plates 29 against the inner races of the side panels 14 and 15. For this purpose, at the points where this transverse beam 28 is po~itioned within the boat, a guide plate 29 is rigidly secured by rivets or other fastening means on each Or the side panels 14 and 15. The guide plate 29 has an inturned portion 30 at is upper edge, while t~ side edges 31 are ~ormed at approximately right angle to the main surface Or this plate. The trans-verse beam 28 has its upper ends downwardly bent to rit in a gap formed between the inner race of a side panel and the inturned portion Or the guide plate.
The purpose Or the side edges 31 Or the guide plate is to penetrate within the sides of the transverse beam.
To fit the transverse beam 28 p,ver tlje guide plates 20 29, the boat must be open slightly, i.e. the side panels 14 and 15 must be slightly pushed away Or each other.
The transverse beam 28 is firmly secured against upward movement by latches 32. Each such latch 32 is located on a side panel. A latch 32 is operated by turning it around a pin 33 rixed in the side panel and it contains a main plate 34 having one portion 35 for-med at approximately right angle to the main plate 34 and an other portion 36 formed at approximately right angle to the portion 35. In order to secure the trans-30 verse beam 28 at opposite sides Or the boat by the lat-ches 32, the portion 35 abuts &gainst the upper face "
of the transverse beam, while the other portion 36 abuts against one of the side faces of the same beam 28. ;
The latches 32 al~o carries a frowardly projec-ting tongue 37 with a notch 38. The tongue 37 is slightly bent in order bb become flexible. When the tongue 37 is introduced in an aperture or recess, it must be flattened, in order to permit to the latch to - -penetrate too. The latch 38 prevents the tongue 36 ..
against coming out. The side edges 31 of the guide plates 29 and the side faces of the transverse beam 28, opposite the tongue 37, are provided for this pur-pose with recesses 39 and 40. The transverse beam 28 serves as suppleme~tarily brace for the assembly of the hull.
It will also be noted that the boat is provided at least two foldable seats 41, which may serve not ~`
only as seats to support loads, but al~o as braces for the sides of the hull. Each seat 41 comprises an upper horizontal member 42, hinged at its front and back ed-; ges 43 and 44 to two vertical support members 45 and 20 46, whose outer edges 47 downwardly and inwardly in-clined at approximately the angle of the side panels 14 and 15 of the erected boat. Each vertical support mem~er 45 Qr~46 provided by a shape of a W by at least one stiffening rib 48, and by several recesses 49 in its corners, opposite to the flexible hinges 9. Then a hull with a W-bottom is accomplished by pD0viding the vertical support members 45 and 46 at their lower part by a shape of a W, allowing the water acting from outside the hull to bend inwardly and upwardly _ g _ the bottom panels 1 and 2. In this case the hull ~ ~;
will be provided with two keels which improve the stability of the boat. The aim of the recesses 49 is to prevent the fl~xible hinges 9 against damage and to facilitate the vertical support members to con-form to the contour of the inside of the boat. -~
The upper edges of each horizontal member 42 of a seat 41, are downwardly and inwardly inclined at ~ ~-approximately the angle of the side panels 14 and 15 of the erected boat for entry into the gap formed between an upper inturned part 50 of a supporting plate 50 and the inner surface of a side panel. This will prevent the seat from moving out of its position between side panel~ 14 and 15. For each seat 41 is pro-vided a pair of supporting plabes 51 which are rigidly secured by rivets or other fa~tening means to the inner opposite surfaces of the side panels 14 and 15. Each supporting plate 51 comprises the upper inturned part 50 which ends with an horizontal edge 52. This horizon-20 tal edge 52 together with two other vertical edges 53,all of the same supporting plate 51 are formed at ap-pro~imately a right angle to the main surface of this plate in order to provide an inverted U-shaped guide for the three members of an erected seat 41.
The seats 41 are firmly secured by the same type of latches 32 as used for the transverse beam 28.
One each side of a seat one uses two latches 32.
The tongue 37 of each such latch is received in the supporting plate 51 which therefore presents in one of 30 its two vertical edges 53 an aperture 54. By this ar-rangement, the seats 41 serve to lock the assembled boat, _ 10 --o9o to brace the side panels and, accordingl~, the entire hull, and to be held securely against disconnection therefrom.
For convenience in handling, storage or transpor-tation, the boat panels 1, 2, 14 and 15 are folded 80 that they will form, in section, a W-shaped structure -with the bottom panels 1 and 2 folded upwardly along their hinge 9 and the side panels 14 and 15 collapsing against these bottom panels 1 and 2 to assume positions parallel thereto. In this case, the folded seats 41 ~-will be introduced between the panels as shown in fi-gure.
The same transverse beam 20, which served as a brace ror the erected boat, will now serve to keep together the panel~ of the boat ~figure 4.), A strap 55 is used around the ~olded boat in order to fasten and to secure the panels in their folded position. A buckle 56 or other fastening element on the strap 55 may be used to tighten the strap and rigidly hold the panels together.
; On each outer surface of the side panels 14 and ~ 15, a floater 57 is ~astened.
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Claims (4)
1. A foldable boat, comprising in combination:
- a pair of bottom panels having a long straight edge on adjacent sides which provides a joint connected in hinged relation and extending longitudinally and centrally in respect to the boat, - a pair of side panels disposed at opposite sides of the bottom structure, the contiguous edges of each bottom and side panels being also connected in hinged relation, - a flexible connection between the side and bottom panels at the stern of the boat, connection which can be maintained in a taut position by rigid rear members, hinged to the rear end of the side panels, - means for bracing the hull, serving also as foldable seats, each having an upper horizontal member, hinged at its front and back edges to two vertical support members, which, in order to contact lengthwise the side panels, have their outer edges downwardly and inwardly inclined at approximately the angle of these panels.
- a pair of bottom panels having a long straight edge on adjacent sides which provides a joint connected in hinged relation and extending longitudinally and centrally in respect to the boat, - a pair of side panels disposed at opposite sides of the bottom structure, the contiguous edges of each bottom and side panels being also connected in hinged relation, - a flexible connection between the side and bottom panels at the stern of the boat, connection which can be maintained in a taut position by rigid rear members, hinged to the rear end of the side panels, - means for bracing the hull, serving also as foldable seats, each having an upper horizontal member, hinged at its front and back edges to two vertical support members, which, in order to contact lengthwise the side panels, have their outer edges downwardly and inwardly inclined at approximately the angle of these panels.
2. A foldable boat as defined in claim 1, in which each vertical support member of the seats is provided by a shape of a W, which allows the water acting from outside the hull to bend, inwardly and upwardly, the bottom panels.
3. A foldable boat as defined in claim 1, further com-prising at least one transverse beam serving to brace supplementarily the hull in its open position and also to keep together all the panels, when the boat is folded, said transverse beam is preferably U-shaped, the outer ends of which conform to the sectional contour of the inside of the boat and firmly fit through the medium of guide plates against the inner faces of side panels.
4. A foldable boat as defined in claim 1, in which the means for bracing the hull, which serve also as seats, can be introduced, in their folded condition, between the panels, when the boat is folded.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA308,330A CA1062090A (en) | 1978-07-28 | 1978-07-28 | Folding boat |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA308,330A CA1062090A (en) | 1978-07-28 | 1978-07-28 | Folding boat |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1062090A true CA1062090A (en) | 1979-09-11 |
Family
ID=4112007
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA308,330A Expired CA1062090A (en) | 1978-07-28 | 1978-07-28 | Folding boat |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1062090A (en) |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1991017914A1 (en) * | 1990-05-16 | 1991-11-28 | Charles Caulder Bree | Folding dinghy |
| US5158035A (en) * | 1988-02-02 | 1992-10-27 | Daimaru Kikou Kabushiki Kaisha | Portable collapsible boat |
| US5549067A (en) * | 1995-07-13 | 1996-08-27 | Jolin; G+E,Acu E+Ee Rald | Floatable luggage carrier for pickup trucks and snowmobiles, convertible into a camper and a trimaran |
| US6178913B1 (en) * | 1999-06-30 | 2001-01-30 | James C. Brignolio | Collapsible boat |
| CN106741736A (en) * | 2016-12-01 | 2017-05-31 | 深圳市易特科信息技术有限公司 | Expansible lifeboat |
-
1978
- 1978-07-28 CA CA308,330A patent/CA1062090A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5158035A (en) * | 1988-02-02 | 1992-10-27 | Daimaru Kikou Kabushiki Kaisha | Portable collapsible boat |
| WO1991017914A1 (en) * | 1990-05-16 | 1991-11-28 | Charles Caulder Bree | Folding dinghy |
| US5549067A (en) * | 1995-07-13 | 1996-08-27 | Jolin; G+E,Acu E+Ee Rald | Floatable luggage carrier for pickup trucks and snowmobiles, convertible into a camper and a trimaran |
| US6178913B1 (en) * | 1999-06-30 | 2001-01-30 | James C. Brignolio | Collapsible boat |
| CN106741736A (en) * | 2016-12-01 | 2017-05-31 | 深圳市易特科信息技术有限公司 | Expansible lifeboat |
| CN106741736B (en) * | 2016-12-01 | 2019-04-26 | 深圳市易特科信息技术有限公司 | Expansible lifeboat |
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