EP1900626A1 - Arrangement of the floats in a rigid-hull inflatable boat and boat equipped with same - Google Patents

Abstract

The arrangement has a rigid hull (12) with a deck (14), and a main float (22). An element (24) e.g. stretcher, adjacent to the main float takes multiple positions on a periphery of the main float with the help of an angular adjustment unit (26). The adjustment unit has two adjustable supports (30) constituted of a base (32) integrated to the deck, and of two telescopic cords (34-1, 34-2) permitting displacement in a rotational translation with locking units (38) in an arrested position.

Description

The present invention relates to a float arrangement of a rigid hull inflatable boat.

The invention also covers the rigid hull inflatable boat thus equipped.

The design of a rigid-hull inflatable boat has brought considerable benefits to the point that only the very small so-called ancillary craft are still fully pneumatic.

A rigid hull inflatable boat, also called semi-rigid in the current name, has all the advantages of the exclusively pneumatic boat by eliminating most of the disadvantages.

A semi-rigid hull inflatable boat comprises a rigid hull surrounded by a float, viewed from above to V-shaped or substantially V-shaped, only the transom being devoid of. The modes of connection between the float and the hull are generally collages or mechanical links removable by strapping.

Such a boat having a rigid hull has much better sailing qualities because the hull, generally composite material, can be shaped with a high bow, highly angular for better penetration into the wave and a better passage in the chop.

In addition, the hull is very rigid along the longitudinal axis and may have ribs and / or other redans so as to give this hull a good ability to maintain the heading, to limit the upwelling along the hull .

In the rear part, the hull shape can be purely planing.

The rigid hull allows as on the rigid hull boats all the desired interior fittings and the attachment of any accessory.

In navigation, the behavior is that of a rigid hull but with increased stability in all navigation configurations. If the body of water is calm only the rear of the floats remains in contact with the water and stabilizes the possible roll and if the body of water is agitated, any movement initiated by rolling causes contacting of the part corresponding float avoiding any taking of lodging.

A rigid hull inflatable boat also has a very high stability stability when stopping compared to rigid hulls, even in case of sudden movements or simultaneous movements of passengers.

The present invention aims to arrange a pneumatic boat with floats and rigid hull in an even more powerful and attractive way, by removing most of the remaining disadvantages and to further improve safety and comfort.

Indeed, a tire retains the presence of a float, admittedly generally with several independent compartments but at least one or more can be pierced or torn simultaneously during contact with a rock or an obstacle for example. But the float serves as freeboard and avoids the entry of water into the boat. Of course, the other compartments make the boat unsinkable but this is unsatisfactory from the point of view of safety because water can penetrate to the right of a deflated part, making navigation very difficult.

In addition, the inflated float serves as a freeboard and the recovery on board, starboard or port, is difficult even if it is possible unlike rigid boats. The inflated wet float turns out to be slippery and the cylindrical shape offers no hold to take support when the user grasps the handrail disposed on the upper generatrix of the float.

In fact, there are also problems when it comes to special cases such as rescue operations.

In this case, the rescuers have to hoist at least the person or persons rescued over the float, which is not easy with a person injured, unconscious or traumatized.

In addition, rescue operations generally take place in degraded sea conditions.

Even for the rescuers, equipped, possibly carrying palms, bottles, the ascent is not always easy and in any case the ascent remains a source of difficulties.

A rigid hull inflatable boat has a small space because part of the interior space is occupied by the float. Thus for a given outside length and a given outside width, a rigid shell has a much larger interior volume.

On the other hand, this loss of useful volume is compensated by the fact that the float serves as a seat for the passengers. The float is even used as a seat for the pilot in the absence of a pilot console, when the engine is tiller.

If the seat is comfortable, the fact remains that this sitting position is difficult to hold during navigation due to waves and movements of the boat. In addition, the passengers are oriented transversely to the direction of travel. The discomfort is accentuated by the fact that, sitting transversely, the passengers wish and still seek to look in the direction of advancement.

Also, the passenger with no back support is slightly twisted and undergoes shock without being able to cushion as appropriate.

There is therefore a need for backsplash but such an arrangement can not remain permanent because it would lose some other advantages mentioned above, including the possibility of back on board sides.

The answers given to the various problems are antithetical and this is what the present invention proposes to solve.

• figure 1 : une vue d'un bateau pneumatique à coque rigide de l'art antérieur,
• figure 2 : une vue en élévation latérale d'un bateau pneumatique à coque rigide, agencé selon l'invention
• figure 3 : une vue en coupe d'un flotteur avec l'agencement selon l'invention,
• figures 4A, 4B et 4C : une vue en coupe dans plusieurs positions l'une avec accessoire bain de soleil,
• figure 5 : une section particulière du flotteur additionnel,
• figure 6 : une vue d'un mode préférentiel de réalisation,
• figure 7 : une vue d'une variante avec civière,
• figure 8 : une vue des moyens de maintien horizontal, et
• figures 9A, 9B, 9C : une vue en coupe dans plusieurs positions de travail.

The arrangement according to the present invention is now described in detail according to a particular embodiment, not limiting, with reference to the attached drawings in which the different figures represent:

• FIG. 1: a view of a rigid hull inflatable boat of the prior art,
• FIG. 2: a side elevational view of a rigid hull inflatable boat, arranged according to the invention
• FIG. 3: a sectional view of a float with the arrangement according to the invention,
• FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C: a sectional view in several positions, one with a sunbath accessory,
• FIG. 5: a particular section of the additional float,
• FIG. 6: a view of a preferred embodiment,
• Figure 7: a view of a variant with stretcher,
• FIG. 8: a view of the horizontal holding means, and
• Figures 9A, 9B, 9C: a sectional view in several working positions.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, a rigid hull inflatable boat 10 comprises, in a known manner, a hull 12 with an interior floor 14 and a transom 16 intended to support at least one engine M represented in broken lines, a bow 18 generally Ve and a generally planing rear portion.

A main float 22, generally circular section, surrounds this hull except the right of the transom.

Such a float is of the inflatable type and can be made with a multi-compartment envelope but this does not particularly interest the invention.

When stopped, a portion of the hull is immersed and the float is not in contact with the water so in particular to avoid any dirt on contact with water.

The float is immersed a little in the rear because of the weight of the passengers.

In this position, the stability of the boat is very important because as soon as the boat lodges, the float concerned immerses and its very high buoyancy greatly limits the sink, which therefore greatly limits the angle of heel.

In navigation, once the boat is out, the generally hull hull is supported on the water by the rear portion 20 of the hull, only the keel line in the extension of the bow and the base of the engine being immersed by need.

The invention consists in adding to this main float at least one other element 24, in the first embodiment having a floating capacity, able to take several positions P1, P2 ..., Pn on the periphery of said float thanks to means 26 for angular adjustment.

In FIG. 2, there is shown such an element 24 in the form of an additional float 28 advantageously made of solid material, of the foam type, sheathed with a coated casing of the same type as that of the float, to give an example .

This additional float 28 substantially corresponds to the straight linear length of the main float 22, that is to say to the rectilinear part on which the passengers take place.

Means 26 for adjusting the element 24 and the additional float 28 are schematically shown in FIG. 3 in order to allow at least two positions in this case three main positions.

The adjustment means 26, as described, are given by way of example in the case of an arrangement reported as an accessory on an existing rigid hull inflatable boat.

The adjustment means 26 comprise for example at least two adjustable supports 30 composed of a base 32 integral with the floor 14 and at least two telescopic hoops 34-1 and 34-2 so as to allow a displacement in rotary translation with means 38 locking, adapted, in the selected position.

As locking means, we can consider screws, pawls manual or automatic blocking, these solutions being within the reach of ordinary skill in the art.

The first position P1 high, corresponds to the backrest function and provides back support to the passengers sitting on the float. This is the representation of Figure 4A. In this same position, the additional float 28 serves as a step up or down a platform, high on the water.

The second intermediate position P2 , corresponds to the sunbath function because it greatly increases the seating surface. With an accessory A as shown in Figure 4B, substantially triangular section, it is possible to fill the space generated by the juxtaposition of the main float 22 and the element 24, especially when the two sections are circular. A passenger can then lie on the plating, in sunbathing position. This intermediate position P2 also provides a threshing function when docking another ship or a dock.

The third position P3 semi-low, corresponds to the function increase of the stability. The additional float 28 is then on the surface or partially immersed. The bearing surface on the water is increased so the stability increases. This is the representation of Figure 4C.

In this position, the float can also be used as a step to board especially for children.

The additional float 28 has been schematically represented with a circular section but it can also take any other shape and in particular a substantially triangular shape as in FIG. 5, with a face F1 curve of profile conjugate with that of the main float, a face F2 weakly anatomically curved to receive the lower back of the passengers and a free F3 face whose profile is mainly aesthetic.

The additional float 28, preferably of solid material such as foam around a metal frame, easily retains its shape.

It is also possible to envisage an inflatable additional float 28, the cutouts of the parts of the envelope constituting it then having to be adapted to give the desired final shape when inflated.

Alternatively, the additional float 28 may include a first volume of solid material such as foam and a second inflatable volume, separated or combined.

The rigid hull inflatable boats floats are made from envelopes of a multilayer material made of coated fabrics. In fact, the parts constituting them are assembled by gluing.

Also, the adjustment means 26 can be developed from straps and loops made of the same material, very strong mechanically and reported by gluing on the main float.

A preferred arrangement of the invention is shown in Figure 6 and applies more particularly to new boats since the various elements are integrated from the manufacturing.

The means 26 for adjusting the element 24 and therefore the additional float 28 comprise circularly shaped supports 42, made by manufacture with the rigid shell, regularly distributed along the shell and in number proportional to this length. The supports 42 are at the diameter of the float main. In addition they have a groove 44 open in the middle part on an angular section β .

The supports 42 comprise arms 46 whose one end 48, not visible because in the support 42, is pivotally mounted relative to the center of the corresponding support 42, inside the groove 44.

The other end 50 of the arm supports the additional float 28 at one point.

During the simultaneous rotation movement of the arms 46 around the supports 42, the additional float 28 which is bound to them can take all the positions P1 to Pn.

This improved arrangement requires means 52 for operating these arms and circular stroke hydraulic cylinders are particularly suitable. Such cylinders are then integrated into the supports 42.

The main float is necessarily partitioned and it is the supports 42 which receive the coated fabric constituting the float and which form the rigid partition walls.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, there is provided a bow compartment C1 which passes through the front and which joins the first two supports 42-10 and 42-14, two compartments C2D and C2G between the supports 42- 10 and 42-20 then 42-14 and 42-24, two compartments C3D and C3G between supports 42-20 and 42-30 then 42-24 and 42-34 and two compartments C4D and C4G of stern resulting from supports 42- 30 and 42-34 and extending backward in a known manner.

This improved arrangement allows, by the hydraulic power, to reach a low position in which the additional float ensures an increase in buoyancy being positioned at least partially immersed.

The compartments that integrate the supports and the hydraulic installation can also be made of metal, for example aluminum if necessary or composite material.

In Figures 7, 8 and 9, there is shown a variant 54 with spare equipment that comes instead of the element 24 and thus the float 28 additional. This equipment 54 is advantageously a stretcher 56.

This stretcher 56 must remain horizontal during the rotational movement of the arms 46 to go from the gunwale into the water and vice versa.

For this purpose, compensation means 58 for horizontal holding are shown in FIG. 8. This mechanism advantageously comprises a set of toothed pulleys placed one fixed in rotation, coaxially mounted to the driving shaft and the other fixed. 62 secured to the tube 64 for holding the stretcher. These pulleys 60 and 62 are connected by a belt 66 also notched.

Thus during the rotation of the arm 46 the belt is held fixed by the first pulley 60 so that the fixed pulley 62 rotates by driving the tube 64. The gear ratio of the pulleys keeps the stretcher 56 horizontal.

Equally, the sprocket / belt assembly can be replaced by a sprocket / chain assembly.

It is understood from Figures 9 that it is much easier to install a person to rescue in the water on the stretcher, especially if it is unconscious.

The person is in a horizontal position and it is easy to act on the adjustment means 26. It is understood that the arrangement with hydraulic maneuvering means will be preferred.

The person to be rescued is thus brought to easy height by the rescue workers while controlling the maneuver. The rescued person can even receive first aid in this position, or even be returned to the ground lying down and strapped or hoisted horizontally in good conditions.

It is also noted that in the case of prospecting an area with many lifts on board, this assistance avoids the unnecessary efforts of rescuers equipped and whose freedom of movement in the air is made difficult.

To give an idea of the arrangement, the lifting is performed on 180 ° with a load of 150 kg when hydraulic means are used.

Claims (10)

Arrangement of a rigid hull inflatable boat comprising a hull (12) with a floor (14), a main float (22), characterized in that it comprises adding to this main float (22) at least one other element (24), adapted to take several positions P1, P2 ..., Pn on the periphery of said main float (22) by means (26) of angular adjustment. Arrangement of a rigid hull inflatable boat according to claim 1, characterized in that the means (26) for adjusting the angle of the element (24) comprise at least two adjustable supports (30) composed of a base (32). secured to the floor (14) and at least two telescopic hoops (34-1, 34-2) so as to allow a displacement in rotary translation with locking means (38) in the retained position. Arrangement of a rigid hull inflatable boat according to Claim 1, characterized in that the angular adjustment means (26) comprising the element (24) comprise circular supports (42) which have been manufactured with the hull. rigid, regularly distributed along the hull, the diameter of the main float, provided with a groove (44) open in the middle part on an angular section β , and arms (46), one end (48) is pivotally mounted relative to the center of the support (42), within the groove (44). Arrangement of a rigid hull inflatable boat according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises means (52) for operating these arms (46) and circular stroke hydraulic cylinders integrated in the supports (42). Arrangement of a rigid hull inflatable boat according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the element (24) is a float (28) substantially corresponding to the straight linear length of the main float (22) on which the passengers take place. Arrangement of a rigid hull inflatable boat according to claim 5, characterized in that the float (28) has a substantially triangular shape with a face F1 curve conjugate profile of that of the main float (22), a face F2 slightly curved anatomically to receive the lower back of passengers and a free F3 face. Arrangement of a rigid hull inflatable boat according to one of Claims 5 or 6, characterized in that an accessory A, of substantially triangular section, is provided to fill the space generated by the juxtaposition of the float (22). and the element (24) in a given position called sunbathing. Arrangement of a rigid hull inflatable boat according to one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the element (24) is a rescue equipment (54), Rigid hull inflatable boat arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that said equipment (54) is a stretcher (56). Arrangement of a rigid hull inflatable boat according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that said stretcher (56) comprises means (58) for compensating for horizontal maintenance.

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