CA3109944A1

CA3109944A1 - Ax7+ transformation modules

Info

Publication number: CA3109944A1
Application number: CA3109944A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Ronald Gregory Barbour
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-02-23
Filing date: 2021-02-23
Publication date: 2022-08-23

Abstract

The "AX7+ Transformation Modules" are designs for physical constructs which enable the transformation of an existing powerboat model designed for single day use into a boat fully capable of over-night cruising. The constructs are designed to transform the boat known as the "Axopar 22 Spyder", invented by Axopar Boats of Finland and sold worldwide. The transformation introduces the boat into an entirely different market sector in which the boat will offer exceptional accommodations in relation to boat size and cost. The AX7+ Transformation Modules provide the following functional components in a highly space-efficient form; a) a convertible aft deck assembly used for sleeping, lounging, sitting/dining, and desk work, b) ample storage on the aft deck for clothing, laundry, and bedding for 2 persons, c) a fore deck assembly accommodating a fully-equipped food service galley and a private toilet (head).

Description

1 of 10 SPECIFICATION
Description This application is for patent protection of the designs of physical constructs hereinafter identified as the "AX7+ Transformation Modules", which enable a specific existing powerboat model ("subject boat") designed for single day use to be transformed into a boat fully capable of extended overnight cruising. The space-efficient AX7+
Transformation Modules are designed to fit the unique confines of the subject boat, and are to be accompanied by other modifications of the boat which are not included in the patent claims because they are not considered innovative.
The subject boat is the "Axopar 22 Spyder", a boat model invented by Axopar Boats of Finland and sold worldwide. The subject boat has high performance, safety, and other features perfectly suited to single day use. The boat is not considered suitable for overnight cruising due to its lack of food preparation and storage facilities, limited sleeping capability, lack of clothing storage, and limited capacities for both fresh water and toilet waste holding. The design of the AX7+ Transformation Modules retains the very positive characteristics of the original subject boat and transforms it into an overnight cruising boat with all the necessities for multiple days on the water. The transformation introduces the boat into an entirely different market sector in which the boat will offer exceptional accommodations in relation to boat size and cost.
The elements of the AX7+ Transformation Modules are listed below with reference numbers to be found on the attached drawings;
a) A convertible aft berth/settee (refs. 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, and 2-3) with four configurations providing;
= a free-standing v-shaped bed surface of more than 200 cm in length and widths tapered from 137 to 90 cm for two persons,

2 of 10 = a settee for two persons in either dining or transit modes, = a lounge sofa for two persons facing aft and facing a video screen (ref.
2-4), = two desk tablet workstations (ref. 2-3).
b) Personal clothing storage under the aft berth/settee (ref. 1-8), in the form of two "Portable Clothing Modules" which are intended to be standard size airline carry-on pieces of wheeled luggage.
c) A complete food service galley with 2-burner cooktop (ref. 3-2), built-in cooler (ref. 3-9), sink (ref. 3-5), food preparation counter space (refs. 3-3 and 3-4), waste bin (ref. 3-6), storage for tablewares (ref. 3-7), storage for cookware and other galley equipment (ref. 3-8), pantry food storage (ref. 4-1), and space for a portable freezer (ref. 4-2).
d) An enclosed head/shower with toilet (ref. 5-2), hand sink (ref. 5-4), mirror and overhead light (ref. 5-7), and a rigid and fabric enclosure (refs.
5-1 and 5.8) with two alternate positions.
e) A waste holding tank with a capacity of approximately 42 litres (ref. 5-6) Refer to Figure 2 for the designed locations of the AX7+Transformation Modules within the subject boat. The elements of the AX'7+ Transformation Modules are tabulated below, with reference numbers as shown on the drawings.

3 of 10 Ref Subject Element Description Figure Subject boat before transformation 1 Subject boat after transformation 2 Aft Deck Module 1-1 Structure 3 base supports 8,10 a multi-purpose element that acts as a berth and 3,4,5,6,7,8, 1-2 lounge section, a settee backrest, and a support 9,10,11,12, for two fold-up desk tablet surfaces 13,14,15 1-3 a mechanical mechanism to provide 3 positions of 3,4,6,7,9, the multi-purpose element 10,11,12, 13,14,15 a berth/settee/lounge section, hinged and lockable 3,4,5,6,7,8, 10,11,12, 13,15 1-5 a tubular metal support for the removable table 10,11 1-6 Table a folding removable table 3,5,10,11 Berth high density foam mattress sections with fabric 12 1-7 covers, optional underlying spring system, and a total thickness up to 15 cm 1-8 Storage base with secure attachments for two "Portable 8,13 Clothing Modules"
2-1 locker with two compartments for beddings and 3,6,7,12 video screen, fabric cover on front opening 2-2 two custom laundry sacks designed to fit in the 3,8 "Portable Clothing Modules"
2-3 Desk Tablets two fold-up surfaces 9,12,14,15 2-4 Video Screen video screen on lockable fold-up cover 6,12 Fore Deck Modules. Galley & Head 3-1 Galley galley cover, hinged and lockable 16,20 3-2 2 burner gas cooktop 17,20

4 of 10 Ref Subject Element Description Figure # #
3-3 countertop 17,20 3-4 fold-up countertop extension 16,17,19 3-5 sink, stainless steel 17,20 3-6 waste bin 17,19,20 3-7 storage for tablewares 17,19,20 3-8 storage for cookware & other galley equipment 17,19,20 3-9 insulated cooler in existing deck locker 17,19,20 4-1 locker for food pantry storage 16,17,19 4-2 locker for portable freezer 16,17,19,

5-1 Head/Shower head/shower cover, fold-up enclosure support in 16,17,21, two alternate positions 22 5-2 marine toilet 18,19,21, 5-3 shelf, storage of toiletries 18,21,22 5-4 hand sink 18,21,22 5-5 removable basket, maintenance supplies 19,21,22 5-6 waste water holding tank, approx. 42 litre capacity 19,21 5-7 mirror with overhead light 21,22 5-8 enclosure, fabric with windows and privacy 18,22 curtains The AX7+ Transformation Modules are designed to maintain a weight balance and a low centre of gravity in the subject boat. The structural bases of the modules are intended to be made of GRP (fibreglass) and most of the elements located higher in the modules are intended to be fabricated in light weight materials (foam core construction using fibreglass and/or carbon fibre).

of 10 The installation of the AX7+ Transformation Modules follows a procedural sequence:
Aft Deck Transformation Module. Settee/Berth 1) Remove the existing aft settee cushions and attachment devices on the aft GRP (fibreglass) podium. Install the aft locker construct on the podium, including the lower bedding storage compartment and the upper compartment for the video equipment with electric and electronic connection devices.
2) Install the three GRP (fibreglass) supports for the hinged berth/settee section, with base and tie-downs for the two "Portable Clothing Modules". Install stowage brackets for the folding table and the table support.
3) Install the mechanism for the multi-purpose element positioning (settee back rest, berth/lounge section, and desk tablet use positions).
4) Install the hinged settee/berth cushion and the multi-purpose element (both with optional spring system) and fabric covers. Install cushion on the existing GRP
(fibreglass) podium in aft locker and install fabric cover on front of locker.
5) Attach the custom laundry sacks, folding table, and table support.

6) Install the video screen and make electrical and electronic connections.
Fore Deck Transformation Modules. Galley & Head 1) Remove existing toilet/head door and cut away parts of GRP (fibreglass) side panels of existing console to create the necessary space for the replacement construct. Remove existing toilet fixture and other fittings and protect existing 6 of 10 fixed mechanical and electrical equipment as necessary. Save toilet, sink fixtures, and door hardware for relocation.
2) Cut-out existing GRP (fibreglass) sink. Remove and patch two existing side access panels to existing water tank, waste holding tank, and thru-hull valves.
Save panels for relocation.
3) Reconfigure plumbing hoses and connections to existing tanks and valves as necessary.
4) Construct new GRP (fibreglass) top surface to replace cut-out sink and install new and/or relocated access panels in top as required. Install access panels in existing GRP (fibreglass) port side wall of console to inspect and operate thru-hull valves and to service helm instruments.
5) Install holding tank secured in base of central cavity and connect waste hoses to existing thru-hull fitting, existing deck pump-out fitting, and existing air vent on hull topsides.
6) Install and/or relocate and connect mechanical and electrical equipment in open cavity.

7) Construct structural GRP (fibreglass) deck surface over holding tank.

8) Construct galley and head partitions/cabinets/shelving and install plumbing and electrical rough-ins.

9) Install toilet on deck over holding tank and make all hose connections.
Install hand sink, and make all hose connections.

7 of 10

10) Install galley cooktop, sink, and countertop extension.

11) Install copper gas line with shut-off valve in cabinetry near cooktop, and connect flexible gas line to cooktop. Run copper gas line forward to valves and propane tank in the boat's anchor locker with existing vent.

12) Install galley and head covers. Install fabric head enclosure.

13) Construct cooler in existing locker under deck with thermal insulation on top and sides only (allowing thermal cooling via the submerged hull).
The transformation of the boat is completed by additional modifications including top and side enclosures, supplemental water tankage, lockers for a portable freezer and a food pantry, and optional hydronic heating system for warm air and water.
These modifications cannot be characterized as unique or innovative and therefore do not form a part of the patent application.
List of Figures Figure # Title Notes 1 Subject Boat basic boat layout 2 Transformed Boat locations of transform-ations 3 Plan, Aft Deck ,General general plan and position of elements 4 Plan, Aft Deck, Settee 2 persons Plan, Aft Deck, Dining 4 persons 6 Plan, Aft Deck, Lounge 2 persons 8 of 10 List of Figures 7 Plan, Aft Deck, Berth 2 persons 8 Plan, Aft Deck, Dressing 2 Portable Clothing Modules 9 Plan, Aft Deck, Desk Tablet(s) 1 or 2 persons Section, Aft Deck, Settee 2 persons 11 Section, Aft Deck, Dining 4 persons 12 Section, Aft Deck, Berth 4 persons 13 Section, Aft Deck, Dressing 2 Portable Clothing Modules

14 Section, Aft Deck, Desk Tablet(s) 1 or 2 persons Section, Aft deck, Settee Mechanism 3 positions 16 Plan, Fore Deck, General general plan and position of elements 17 Plan, Fore Deck, Galley position of galley elements 18 Plan, Fore Deck, Head position of head elements 19 Plan, Fore Deck, Lower Level infrastructure Section, Fore Deck, Galley position of galley elements 21 Section, Fore Deck, Head Closed position of head elements 22 Section, Fore Deck, Head Open position of head elements

Claims

Claims The embodiments of the invention entitled "AX7+ Transformation Modules" in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
Claim #1 A unique design to convert the subject boat from a day use boat to an overnight multi-day cruising boat by providing the essential accommodations for food preparation, dining, lounging, sleeping, and sanitation in a compact form.
Claim #2 A transformation of selected space in the subject boat in a unique configuration;
specifically a galley on the fore deck port side, a head/shower on the fore deck starboard side, and a convertible multi-purpose settee/berth in the centre of the aft deck.
Claim #3 A unique design on the fore deck starboard side to provide both a fully-functional private toilet and shower space with standing headroom when the boat is at rest and a usable smaller private toilet space when the boat is underway.
Claim #4 A unique ergonomic design on the fore deck starboard side to provide adequate toilet area by making use of the subject boat's existing deck circulation space.
Claim #5 A unique design on the fore deck port side to provide a functional arrangement of food service galley elements, specifically the positioning of the cooktop, sink, and countertop elements in relationship to each other.

Claim #6 A unique design on the aft deck to achieve generous length and width for sleeping by making use of the boat's pilot and co-pilot seats rotated aft, and by providing unconstrained open space on both sides of the berth.
Claim #7 A unique versatile design on the aft deck using a mechanism to move a single multi-purpose element into three alternative positions for settee/dining, sleeping/lounging, and desk tablet work.
Claim #8 An innovative idea of the boat accommodating standard airline carry-on wheeled luggage to bring clothing to, and laundry from, the boat, and to have ready access to clothing on the boat without unpacking the luggage.