EP2768723A1

EP2768723A1 - Inflatable hull and buoyant vehicle, in particular a dinghy

Info

Publication number: EP2768723A1
Application number: EP12788621.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marion EXCOFFON
Original assignee: Sas TIWAL
Current assignee: Sas TIWAL
Priority date: 2011-10-21
Filing date: 2012-10-19
Publication date: 2014-08-27
Anticipated expiration: 2032-10-19
Also published as: CN103958340A; WO2013057395A1; EP2768723B1; FR2981630A1; FR2981630B1; US9694875B2; ES2891600T3; CN103958340B; US20140251195A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an inflatable hull comprising at least one air casing (2, 2') that has two walls (2c, 2d) placed one over the other. Said walls (2c, 2d) each comprise a fabric sheet, are connected therebetween by a plurality of connecting wires (2f) distributed over the entire surface of said sheets while forming a structure suitable for being inflated to a pressure capable of rigidifying said structure, and are capable of ensuring the buoyancy of said hull separately from any reported buoyancy element. The inflatable hull is characterized in that said casing (2, 2') has a first transversely cross-sectional curvature and a second longitudinally cross-sectional curvature that is present over at least the front portion of said casing. One (2c) of said walls corresponds to the inside of said curvature, and the other (2d) of said walls corresponds to the outside of said curvature. The inflatable hull is also characterized in that said casing (2, 2') has at least one clip set up such as to form a stem (E).

Description

Inflatable hull and floating craft, especially dinghy type

The present invention relates to an inflatable hull, which is more particularly, but not exclusively, intended for sail propulsion, and a floating craft, particularly of drifting type, comprising such an inflatable hull.

There are to date floating machines with an inflatable hull and can be equipped mainly with a rudder, a drift shaft, a drift, a mast root, a mast and a sail . Patents US3577576, DE29919234, US4149481, US4750446, WO8606338, DE3004416 show the state of the art in the field.

The first disadvantage of these known floating machines is related to the fact that the rigidity of their inflatable hull is less than that of a known floating gear hull hard material. As a result, their ability to withstand the weight of one or more crew members and their ability to withstand the forces applied by the water and the mast on the inflatable hull are limited or require the addition of bulky structural rigid reinforcements.

A second disadvantage of these known floating devices is the shape of the hull of their inflatable hull which is flat. Consequently, their inflatable hull has poorer hydrodynamic performance and their behavior in navigation is of poorer quality than that of a known hull which has a hull of non-planar cross section, for example having a general shape in U or V , as well as a non-planar longitudinal section and a bow.

A third disadvantage of these known floating devices is the complexity of the assembly of the various pneumatic envelopes that make up their inflatable hull. As a result, the time required for their manufacture, maintenance and possible repairs is important and this has adverse repercussions on production costs. In addition, the complexity induces a consequent use of material, these inflatable hulls represent a relatively high weight. These disadvantages also affect, in particular, other inflatable hulls represented in patents JP2007176236, FR2722758 and US2011036284, which have a complex structure comprising a peripheral buoyancy bead plus a floor and a transom. Also, these last ones originally intended for a motor propulsion, do not have good nautical qualities when they are propelled by a sail because in addition to being relatively heavy, they do not have a good support on the water.

A fourth disadvantage of these known floating devices is the lack of structural rigidity of the assembly between the inflatable hull and the dinghy-type equipment which does not make it possible to use a sail of a power comparable to that which equips a sailing dinghy. hard material. As a result, their sailing performance is less than that of known hulls made of hard material.

It is also known from the document US 2009/0031941 a floating type kayak which, in known manner, the hull comprises an inflatable bottom and side walls or flanges also inflatable which are secured to each other. According to this document, each of the inflatable envelopes constituting the bottom and the lateral flanges is made by means of a double wall material whose walls are connected to one another by a multitude of connecting son. Inflation by air is practiced in the space between the two walls held by the son. Such a material offers the advantage of good rigidity in the inflated state. However, the hull of the machine according to US 2009/0031941 has a relatively complex conventional structure, which is detrimental, in particular, from the point of view of manufacturing cost, weight, ease of use and reliability. Document US 2009/0031941 furthermore indicates that by choosing the length of the wires which extend between the walls, inflatable compartments of any size and shape can be obtained. Assuming that such a double-walled envelope with connecting threads of varying lengths is feasible, this would be a complex means for giving a desired shape to the inflatable compartments.

Hand-propelled paddle type inflatable floating devices are also made of such double-walled materials. The hull is devoid of buoyancy elements reported on the envelope, has a relatively flat bottom and has a front spatula, ie a nose somewhat raised. Because of their flat bottom, these board-type machines exhibit a nautical behavior that limits them to this board use.

The invention has among other purposes to provide an inflatable hull that overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks, that is to say an inflatable hull that is rigid in navigation without the need for a structure and able to withstand a weight and significant effort, which can have a hull of the desired shape, and is simple to make.

To this end, the subject of the invention is an inflatable hull comprising at least one pneumatic envelope with two superposed walls, said walls each comprising a textile ply and being interconnected by a multitude of connecting threads distributed over the entire surface of said plies. forming a structure adapted to be inflated to a pressure capable of stiffening said structure and being able to ensure the buoyancy of said hull independently of any reported buoyancy element, this hull being remarkable in that said envelope has a first cross-sectional curvature and a second curvature on at least its front portion in longitudinal section, one of said walls being disposed on the inner side of said curvature and the other of said walls on the outer side of said curvature, and in that said envelope has at least one clamp arranged to form a bow.

The material with two textile walls interconnected by connecting son of which is constituted the envelope, also called double-walled textiles, is already known and has in particular been described in an article entitled "USAGES OF THREE DIMENSIONAL MATERIALS" published in the journal TEXTILES AND TECHNICAL USES, fourth semester 1991, No. 2, pages 25 to 27. Thus, the inflatable hull inflated to relatively high pressure has a stiffness comparable to that of a shell of hard material.

The use of a small number of parts for the manufacture of the inflatable hull and the general structure thereof is such that the tire envelope plays both the role of float, floor and seat. As a result, the inflatable hull is lighter and the manufacture, maintenance and possible repairs thereof are greatly facilitated. The clamp is a particularly simple way to achieve the bow, in an area where the shell has both a curvature in cross section and a curvature in longitudinal section.

According to another possible characteristic of the invention, said clamp comprises a fold formed in said wall disposed on the inside of said curvature. According to another possible characteristic of the invention, said clamp comprises a fold formed in said wall disposed on the outer side of said curvature.

According to another possible characteristic of the invention, the shell comprises a joining piece of said fold.

According to another possible characteristic of the invention, said clamp is made by means of cutouts formed, at least on the front portion of said inflatable shell, at least in said wall disposed on the inside of said curvature of said envelope, said cutouts being fixed edge to edge to form said bow.

According to another possible characteristic of the invention, said clamp is made by means of cutouts formed, at least on the front portion of said inflatable shell, in each of said superimposed walls of said envelope, said cutouts being fixed edge to edge to form said bow.

According to another possible characteristic of the invention, the shell comprises sealing junction pieces for said edge-to-edge attachment of said blanks.

According to another possible feature of the invention, said envelope comprises on at least a portion of its periphery a lateral peripheral strip having a shape determining said curvature in longitudinal section of said envelope.

Similarly, according to another possible feature of the invention, said peripheral strip comprises at least one transverse peripheral strip having a shape determining the cross-sectional curvature of said envelope.

Thus manufactured, the inflatable hull according to the invention has good hydrodynamic performance and behavior in quality navigation. The form given to the lateral strip and to the transverse strip, that the double-walled envelope is forced to conform to the inflated state thereof, constitutes a particularly simple way of giving respectively to the longitudinal section and to the cross-section. of the hull the profile not planned wanted.

According to another possible characteristic of the invention, the shell comprises at least one sealed inner strip disposed in a median longitudinal plane between said walls for sealing said air envelope in a starboard portion and a port portion inflatable and deflatable independently one from the other. This is a simple way to make two independent compartments in the envelope. Thus, it keeps a safety float in case of air leakage.

According to another possible characteristic of the invention, the shell comprises at least one waterproof inner strip sealingly fastened between said walls to form the side wall of at least one orifice at least partially passing through said inflatable shell.

According to another possible characteristic of the invention, the shell comprises a first passage orifice of a fin extending over at least a portion of the length of said tire envelope and passing through said inflatable shell.

According to another possible feature of the invention, the shell comprises a second non-through passage of mast root passage and extending partially through said inflatable shell.

According to another possible characteristic of the invention, said wall disposed on the inside of said curvature has a different dimension of said wall disposed on the outside of said curvature.

Another object of the invention is to provide a floating object with an inflatable hull which makes it possible to use a propulsion means, such as a sail, of a power comparable to that which equips a machine made of hard material, such as a dinghy.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is also a buoyant apparatus comprising at least one inflatable hull as defined above equipped with a propulsion device. The rigidity offered by the inflatable hull according to the invention makes it possible to satisfy the aforementioned requirement.

According to another possible characteristic of the invention, the floating apparatus comprises a drift well part adapted to be received in said first through hole of said hull.

According to another possible characteristic of the invention, said piece forming a drift well has a return of dimension adapted to allow inserting said piece in said first through hole in the deflated state of said shell and to retain said piece in said first orifice in the inflated state of said shell.

According to another possible characteristic of the invention, the floating apparatus comprises a central piece comprising said drift well piece and a mast root portion.

According to another possible characteristic of the invention, said inflatable shell and said central piece comprise means for fixing at least one support piece on each side of the inflatable shell, said support pieces being adapted to secure said piece central with said inflatable hull and distribute the forces of the mast and the drift on the inflatable hull. This advantageously results in the assembly between the inflatable hull and the pieces of equipment of the floating machine form a structurally rigid enough assembly to be able to benefit from a sail with a canvas surface and a power comparable to that of a sailing dinghy made of hard material.

According to another possible characteristic of the invention, said shell comprises lateral rings and at least one central ring fixed respectively on the opposite sides and in the center of the rear part of said inflatable hull, said apparatus comprising at least one rudder support comprising at least two lateral branches and a lower branch adapted to be received respectively in said side and central rings, said rudder support being shaped to bear on and be secured to said inflatable shell in the inflated state.

According to another possible characteristic of the invention, said machine comprises wings adapted to be fixed on each side of the floating craft on one of said branches of the rudder support and on an outer end of said support pieces, said wings forming with said branches and said support members a closed stiffening structure on each side of said shell. This structural assembly helps to stiffen even more the hull.

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly on reading the description which will now be given of preferred embodiments of an inflatable hull and a floating machine according to the invention, which description is given. by way of nonlimiting example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the inflatable shell according to the invention in the inflated state; - Figure 2 shows a schematic partial sectional view of the inflatable shell of the inflatable shell showing the structure of double-walled double textile;

- Figure 3 shows a side view of a first variant of the inflatable hull in the inflated state according to the invention;

- Figure 4 shows a side view of another variant of the inflatable hull in the inflated state according to the invention;

- Figure 5 shows a rear view of the inflatable hull in the inflated state in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, which has a U-shaped cross section;

- Figure 6 shows a rear view of the inflatable hull in the inflated state in the embodiment shown in Figure 4, which has a V-shaped cross section;

- Figure 7 shows a perspective view of several parts of the pneumatic casing of the inflatable shell according to the first embodiment shown in Figure 3 and 5;

FIG. 8 is an exploded top view showing several pieces arranged in a flat component forming the pneumatic envelope of the inflatable shell represented in FIGS. 3, 5 and 7;

- Figure 9A shows a cross-sectional view of the front of the inflatable shell according to the invention made with a longitudinal clip without cutting;

- Figure 9B is a cross sectional view of the shell illustrating an alternative embodiment with two longitudinal grippers without cutting;

- Figure 9C is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating another alternative embodiment comprising a transverse clip without cutting;

- Figure 10 shows an exploded perspective view of several parts of the pneumatic casing of the inflatable shell according to the second embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 6;

- Figure 11 is an exploded top view showing several parts arranged in a flat component of the air envelope of the inflatable shell shown in Figures 4, 6 and 10; FIG. 12 represents a perspective view of the inflatable hull and a portion of the dinghy equipment pieces for a sail-propelled floating craft according to the invention;

FIG. 13 represents a perspective view of the inflatable hull and a portion of the dinghy equipment pieces for a sail-propelled floating craft according to the invention;

Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an advantageous method of securing the drift well of Fig. 12 to the inflatable shell;

- Figure 15 shows a cross-sectional view of an advantageous method of fixing the mast root of Figure 12 on the inflatable shell;

FIG. 16 represents a perspective view of an advantageous method of fixing support pieces intended for the distribution of the forces of the mast and the drift on the inflatable hull;

FIG. 17 represents a perspective view of an advantageous method of fixing a rudder support, the rudder and a mainsheet on the inflatable hull;

- Figure 18 shows a top view of the floating machine, equipped with wings and return straps;

- Figure 19 shows a back view of the floating craft shown in Figure 18 showing the position of a team member leaning on the port wing;

- Figure 20 shows a partial perspective view in section of the inflatable shell according to the embodiment of Figures 3, 5, 7 and 8, advantageously equipped with orifices formed by two inner bands;

- Figure 21 shows a perspective view and partially in section of the inflatable shell according to the embodiment of Figures 3, 5, 7 and 8, advantageously equipped with orifices formed by an inner strip;

With reference to FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment, the inflatable shell 1 consists of at least one pneumatic envelope 2 and advantageously equipped with a valve 3 for inflating and deflating. The inflatable shell 1 is intended to be rolled or folded. In the end, it is light and has a very small footprint, which facilitates its storage, maneuverability and transport.

In use, the inflatable shell 1 supports the forces applied by the water on its submerged parts, the forces applied by the propulsion means attached to the inflatable shell 1, and the weight of one or more people. It is therefore essential that the inflatable hull 1 is rigid in navigation. For this purpose, the pneumatic casing 2 of the inflatable shell 1, is made of double-walled textile as it appears more clearly in Figure 2. The double-walled textiles are also known and their manufacturing process will not be known. described in this text. With reference to FIG. 2, the double-walled textile is in the form of two walls, namely an upper wall 2c which constitutes the inner wall of the shell and a lower wall 2d which constitutes the wall. outer shell. These two walls 2c and 2d consist respectively of two textile webs and are interconnected by a multitude of connecting son 2f. The tightness of the tire 2 is made around the entire periphery of the double wall textile 2c, 2d, 2f by a waterproof peripheral band 2g, 2h which is fixed by any appropriate means and preferably by means of a neoprene adhesive , all around the periphery of the two walls 2c and 2d ^ as it appears more clearly in FIG. 1. The two textile walls 2c and 2d are, moreover, sealed by any appropriate means, and preferably by means of a neoprene coating. or any other complex.

In a specific non-limiting embodiment, the two walls 2c and 2d consist of textile plies whose son are polyamide. The connecting wires 2f between the walls 2c and 2d are made of polyester. They are regularly distributed over the entire surface of the inflatable shell 1 at a density of about 15 threads / cm ² . The walls 2c and 2d are coated with neoprene on their outer face. The peripheral strip 2g, 2h consists of textile plies whose son are made of polyamide and is coated with neoprene on both sides. More generally, the thickness e of the double wall textile 2c, 2d, 2f of the inflatable shell 1 in the inflated state is 200mm for reasons of rigidity and buoyancy. This value is not limiting in more or less. It is up to the person skilled in the art to determine this thickness e as a function of the size of the inflatable hull 1 and as a function of the weight and the forces that it will have to bear. In a specific exemplary embodiment given as an indication, the hull Inflatable 1 measures 3200mm in length and 1200mm in bau master. To obtain sufficient rigidity, the inflatable shell 1 is inflated to a pressure of about 500 millibars or more. The rigidity of the hull is even greater than the inflation pressure is high. The inflation pressure is limited by the capacity of the material of which the shell is made and bonding by bonding or welding to withstand the mechanical stresses generated by the inflation.

According to a preferred embodiment, for reasons of hydrodynamic performance, the inflatable shell 1 according to the invention is tapered forward as shown in Figure 1, has a bow or bow E curved in longitudinal section as shown on Figure 3 and a non-planar cross section of generally U-shaped as shown in Figure 5, within the meaning of this document, is designated by bow or bow the front portion of the hull.

As shown in Figures 1, 3 and 5, the inflatable shell 1 is composed of a starboard portion 2a and a port portion 2b delimited on either side of a median longitudinal plane 2 parallel to a longitudinal axis D The two parts 2a and 2b of the shell are preferably symmetrical with respect to the median plane 2x.

According to a preferred embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, the upper wall 2c and the lower wall 2d of the pneumatic envelope 2 comprise a clamp which makes it possible to produce, by means of the double wall textile 2c, 2d, 2f, a bow E having a curvature both in longitudinal and transverse section. As used herein, the term curvature here designates a non planar hull profile that can be continuous or discontinuous, for example a V-shaped or U-shaped cross section.

Thus, the wall 2c has in its front part a substantially open V-shaped cut 2k towards the front and the wall 2d has in its front part a substantially V-shaped cut 2i open towards the front. These cuts are made so that when the cuts 2i are fixed edge to edge on the median plane 2x and that when the cutouts 2k are fixed edge to edge on the median plane 2x, we obtain a curved E bow in cross section and in longitudinal section. Advantageously, the edge-to-edge assembly of the blank 2i and the blank 2k is produced by means of junction pieces 21 which are in this case tight strips fixed by any appropriate means and preferably medium of a neoprene glue.

In a variant, only the inner wall 2c has in its front part a substantially V-shaped cut 2k open towards the front and the edges of which are assembled, for example by means of a joining piece 21.

Of course, according to the invention, it is possible to make the clamp intended to form the bow without cutting, for example by creating a longitudinal fold 2JD on a front portion of the upper wall 2c and optionally a longitudinal fold 2JD on a front portion of the bottom wall 2d and fixing each fold 2JD for example by means of a junction piece 2Γ as it appears more clearly in Figure 9A.

According to an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9B, the wall 2c has two longitudinal grippers made on either side of the median longitudinal plane 2x by means of folds 2JD which extend over at least a part of the length before the inflatable hull. Such an arrangement with two longitudinal folds makes it possible to obtain a more pronounced curvature of the cross section of the double-walled textile 2c, 2d, 2f forming the envelope, while preventing the inner wall 2c from having beads.

According to an alternative embodiment illustrated in Figure 9C, the wall 2c has at least two transverse clamps 2g respectively made on the port portion 2b and the starboard portion 2a from the side edge of the hull. Such an arrangement with two transverse folds makes it possible to obtain a more pronounced curvature of the longitudinal section of the double-walled textile 2c, 2d, 2f forming the envelope, while preventing the inner wall 2c from having beads.

According to a preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the air envelope 2 of the inflatable shell 1 has a longitudinal section of curved shape on its front portion. One of the solutions to obtain this curved longitudinal section consists in constraining the double-walled textile 2c, 2d, 2f by the sealed lateral peripheral strip 2h whose cut corresponds to the expected shape of the longitudinal section. When inflated, the lateral peripheral strip 2h on the port side determines the longitudinal section of the port part 2b and the starboard lateral 2h on the starboard side determines the longitudinal section of the starboard part 2a.

In the same way, the shape of the cross section of the air envelope 2 of the inflatable shell 1 is determined by the shape of the transverse peripheral strip 2g located at the rear of the shell whose cut corresponds to the expected shape of the cross section.

Although it is preferable, the pneumatic envelope 2 according to the invention does not necessarily combine a clip, a lateral peripheral strip 2h and a transverse peripheral strip 2g but may, for example, comprise only a clip and a lateral peripheral strip. 2h and present a collage of the walls 2c and 2d together at the transom.

Of course, the method of making the tire casing 2 according to the invention makes it possible to give any shape desirable to the bow E, to the front part of the inflatable shell 1, in longitudinal section as in cross section.

It should be noted that according to the construction, the upper wall 2c of the double-walled textile 2c, 2d, 2f of the tire envelope 2 or any other shell according to the invention may have a different dimension from that of the lower wall. 2d.

For example, according to the variant embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, the upper wall 2c situated inside the curvature of the tire 2, namely the inner wall 2c of the shell having this curvature, is of dimension less than the bottom wall 2d located outside the curvature of the air envelope 2, namely the outer wall 2d of the shell having this curvature. This dimension may vary in the longitudinal direction or in the transverse direction, or in both directions. The difference in size (s) between the bottom wall 2d and the top wall 2c contributes to obtaining the longitudinal and transverse curvature of the double-walled textile 2c, 2d, 2f.

According to a second variant embodiment represented by FIGS. 4, 6, 10 and 11, the inflatable shell 1 according to the invention is made in the same way as the inflatable shell 1, except that the cuts 2i and 2k which allow to achieve the clamp extend over the entire length of the double wall textile 2c, 2d, 2f. Thus, the lateral peripheral bands 2h can determine the shape of the section longitudinal over its entire length and not only at the bow E.

In this specific case, the longitudinal section of the inflatable hull has a continuous curvature and the cross section has a general V shape. Of course, the method of making the tire envelope 2 'according to the invention makes it possible to give n' any desirable shape to the entire longitudinal section and the bow E, as well as to the cross section of the tire shell 2 'of the inflatable shell.

In order to maintain one or more safety floats in the event of an air leak, the tire envelope 2 'is partitioned into two parts, corresponding to the starboard 2a and port 2b portions. Advantageously, the watertightness of each of the starboard portions 2a and port 2b of the tire envelope 2 'of the inflatable hull is formed by two waterproof inner strips 2nV sealingly fixed by any suitable means on each of the starboard portions 2a and port 2b , and preferably by means of a neoprene glue so that the starboard portion 2a and the port portion 2b, each provided with a valve 3, inflate and deflate independently. Like the lateral peripheral strips 2h, the shape of the strips 2nV determines the longitudinal section of the air envelope 2 'of the inflatable shell. The junction piece 2K is advantageously extended on the transom and on the front of the inflatable hull the so as to assemble the starboard portions 2a and port 2b. Of course, it is possible to make a partition between the parts 2a and 2b with a single strip 2m '.

Optionally, for the same reasons of safety, it is possible to partition the tire envelope 2 and the tire envelope 2 'into several independent compartments, including internal partitions.

The inflatable hull 1 and the inflatable hull are usable with any means of propulsion, for example with a motor, oars, a sail ... and this without limitation.

According to a preferred embodiment of Figures 12 and 13, the floating apparatus which is designated as a whole by the reference numeral 21 comprises an inflatable hull according to the invention, equipped with different dinghy-type parts for sailing. , namely: a central piece 6, a fin 7, support pieces 8, a mast 10, a sail 11, a cunningham 12, a batten 13, a mainsheet 14, a rudder 15, a rudder support 16, and an axle 18.

According to FIG. 12, in a preferred embodiment, orifices 4a and 4b advantageously located in the median longitudinal plane 2R extend substantially vertically through the inflatable shell. The side wall of these orifices 4a and 4b is constituted by the two inner bands 2r sealed. The junction piece 2 is cut so that the orifice 4a has an opening in the upper part and an opening in the lower part, and so that the orifice 4b has a single opening in the upper part, the root mast does not require, in this case, to cross the inflatable hull on both sides. Advantageously, the openings of the orifices 4a and 4b are consolidated by reinforcements 5a and 5b fixed on their periphery and made by any appropriate means and in particular using neoprene-coated textile pieces fixed with a neoprene adhesive.

Advantageously, the orifice 4a is of elongate shape. According to FIG. 14, the drift well 6a, which is a rigid box of dimension substantially smaller than the orifice 4a on the horizontal plane, fits into the orifice 4a of the inflatable shell in the deflated state and passes through the inflatable hull the. The drift well 6a has non-restrictively two returns or flanges 6c in its lower part. When the inflatable hull is inflated to a sufficient pressure, the drift well 6a is held firmly in the longitudinal, transverse and vertical axes and the returns 6c prevent the extraction of the drift well 6a from the orifice 4a. The drifting well 6a allows the drift 7 to be inserted or withdrawn freely, preventing it from being pinched by the interior strips 2m. It is up to the person skilled in the art to judiciously determine the location of the drifting well. 6a and therefore of the orifice 4a.

Advantageously, the orifice 4b is circular in shape. Referring to FIG. 15, the mast root 6b, which is a rigid tube of diameter substantially smaller than the orifice 4b, is inserted into the orifice 4b of the inflatable hull in the state deflated and partially passes through the inflatable hull. The mast root 6b is thus held firmly in the longitudinal and transverse axes. It is up to the person skilled in the art to judiciously determine the location of the root of mast 6b and thus the orifice 4b. In the context of the invention, although this is preferable, the mast root 6b does not necessarily fit into an orifice of the inflatable hull. Thus, in a variant, the mast root 6b integrated in the central piece 6 comprising the drifting well is simply bearing against the inner wall 2c, the envelope being devoid of the orifice 4b.

In a preferred embodiment, the mast root 6b and the drift well 6a belong to the same central piece 6 rigid. This central piece 6 supports all the forces exerted by the water on the fin 7 and the wind on the sail 11, itself supported by the mast 10. According to Figure 16, two support pieces 8 optimize the transmission of these mainly transversal forces relying on the inflatable hull and maintain firmly the front part of the central part 6 and thus the mast root 6b against the inflatable hull preventing the extraction of the mast root 6b out of port 4b. Advantageously, the two support pieces 8 are tubes made of a rigid material which fit into rings 9a, 9b which are advantageously straps adjusted to the dimension of the support pieces 8 and fixed by gluing to the inflatable shell the. In a preferred embodiment, the central piece 6 comprises sleeves or tenons 6d which are rigid tubes on which the support pieces 8 are inserted. Advantageously, the sleeves or tenons 6d which are fastening means of the support pieces 8 on the central piece 6, are located forward or back on the central piece 6. The assembly is held in position with the aid of 9c textile flaps provided with self-gripping strips. Of course, the rings 9a and 9b may be flexible, semi-rigid or rigid, and may like the sleeves 6d and the textile flaps 9c be replaced by any equivalent attachment means and in particular by mechanical attachment means. The support pieces 8 preferably fit the shape of the inflatable shell to have a substantial bearing surface. Advantageously, the support pieces 8 form an angle towards the rear of the inflatable hull 1 to withstand the central part 6 the transverse forces of the mast and the drift, and the forces of the mast towards the rear of the 21. Consequently, a sail surface similar to that of a hard material dinghy may be adapted to the floating craft 21, in this particular example a non-sail surface. limiting of 5m ² .

Referring to FIG. 17, in a specific exemplary embodiment, the floating apparatus 21 is equipped with a rudder support 16 composed of tubes formed and assembled so as to fit the shape of the rear of the inflatable hull, the assembly having two lateral branches 16a and a lower branch 16b. In a preferred embodiment, rings 17¾ are fixed to the left and right of the upper part of the transom of the inflatable hull 1, and a ring 17b is fixed to the transom of the inflatable hull in the middle on the vertical plane and in the middle on the horizontal plane. Advantageously, these rings 17a and 17b are respectively adjusted to the dimension of the lateral branches 16a and the lower branch 16b and are straps fixed by gluing to the inflatable shell 1 '. The lateral branches 16a are slid into the rings 17a and the lower branch 16b is slid into the ring 17b when the inflatable shell is in the deflated state and therefore when it is flexible. When the inflatable hull is in the inflated state, its rigidity prevents the extraction of the rudder support 16 which, held by the rings 17a and 17b, is supported on the inflatable hull in at least 3 points. Of course, the rings 17a and 17b could be flexible, semi-rigid or rigid, and they could be replaced by any equivalent attachment means and in particular by mechanical attachment means. On the other hand, the rings 17a and 17b can be fixed anywhere on the rear part of the inflatable shell, as long as they are arranged at a sufficient distance from each other or that they are sufficiently numerous to immobilize. effectively the rudder support 16 on the inflatable hull.

According to a preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 17, the rudder 15 is fixed on the rudder support 16 via the saffron head 15b. The saffron head 15b has, in a specific embodiment, two orifices positioned above and below the lower branch 16b which advantageously plays the role of fagelot. The rudder 15 is held in position by an axis 18 which is inserted into the orifices of the saffron head 15b and the lower branch 16b thus positioned.

The saffron 15a is surmounted by a bar 15c which makes it possible to steer the floating apparatus 21. This bar 15c is fixed by an axis 15e to the saffron 15a and around which it pivots to reduce the bulk of the rudder 15 out of navigation.

The mainsheet 14 is composed of a hoist 14a and a crowbar 14b. The ends of the crow's feet 14b are knotted on each of the ends of the branches 16a. The upper end of the hoist of the mainsheet 14 is docked on a listening eyelet link shown in Figure 13.

Referring to Figure 13, in a specific embodiment, the mast 10 is composed of 4 parts which are assembled by a system of sleeves. Once assembled, it is slipped into the mast sleeve lia as can be observed for the known rigging of a windsurf board. In this specific and nonlimiting example, a rigid or semi-rigid slat 13 may be slid into a batten sheath 11b provided on the edge of the sail 11 and locked with a strap provided with a self-adhesive strip. gripping binds. The mast 10 is slid into the mast root 6b and bears against the bottom 6e shown in FIG. 15. Advantageously, the cunningham 12 is passed and fixed in a cunningham eyelet 11d and in a hole 6f provided on the central piece. 6. It adjusts the tension of the sail 11, and secures the sail 11 and the mast 10 to the central piece 6.

In practice, the user or users are seated on the port or starboard of the floating craft 21 according to the balance thereof. Referring to Figures 18 and 19, two return straps 19 attached to the inflatable hull allow the user to slide his feet under these straps to lean backwards and thus change the balance of the floating machine 21 counterbalancing. In the same logic, it is possible to join the end of the support pieces 8 at the end of the lateral branches 16a of the rudder support 16 by wings 20. In one embodiment, the wings 20 are tubes which can be fixed by a sleeve system to the support parts 8 and the side branches 16 ¾, and which comprise a protective foam pad 20a. The wings 20 are advantageously located in the back of the navigator when it sits on the port or starboard edge of the inflatable hull and leans backwards. They serve as support for the back or seat and may possibly allow to stiffen the inflatable hull especially in the case where the double-walled textile 2c, 2d, 2f does not have a thickness sufficient to withstand the forces applied to the inflatable hull.

According to a preferred embodiment, a reinforcing arm 8 '(not shown) extends from the mast root 6b to the end of each of the support pieces 8. The support structure of the wings 20, designed to support the weight of one or more people, is reinforced.

In practice, the floating machine 21 disassembled is stored in a bag which contains: the inflatable hull and the sail 11 rolled or folded, the dinghy equipment pieces and a manual inflation pump (not shown) can s adapt on the valves 3 of inflation and deflation of the inflatable hull.

In summary, the mounting of the floating machine 21 proceeds in the following manner.

First, the central piece 6, then the support pieces 8 and the rudder support 16 are inserted on the inflatable shell 1 in the deflated state. Then, it is possible to attach wings 20 on the support parts 8 and on the rudder support. Then the inflatable shell is inflated. This is then to insert the mast 10 and the batten 13 in the sail 11. The mast 10 is then placed in the mast root 6b. The rudder 15 is fixed with the axis 18 and the mainsheet 14 is set up Finally, when the dinghy is in the water drift 7 is slid into the drift shaft 6a.

Although the floating machine 21 described comprises an inflatable shell 1 ', it can of course comprise an inflatable shell 1 or other inflatable shell according to the invention.

Also, according to another embodiment of Figure 20 and 21 which is more particularly adapted to the inflatable shell 1, one or more inner strips 2m, located between the port portions 2b and starboard 2a, are sealed between the two walls 2c and 2d of the double-walled textile 2c, 2d, 2f on certain portions of the length of the tire 2, so as to form the side wall of the orifices 4a and 4b.

The invention is not limited to the example described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 21, but covers the technical equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. inflatable shell (1, l ') comprising at least one pneumatic envelope (2, 2') with two walls (2c, 2d) superimposed, said walls (2c, 2d) each comprising a textile ply and being interconnected by a plurality of connecting son (2f) distributed over the entire surface of said plies forming a structure adapted to be inflated to a pressure capable of stiffening said structure and being able to ensure the buoyancy of said hull independently of any reported buoyancy element , characterized in that said casing (2, 2 ') has a first curvature in cross-section and a second curvature on at least its front portion in longitudinal section, one (2c) of said walls corresponding to the inner side of said curvature and the other (2d) of said walls corresponding to the outer side of said curvature, and in that said envelope (2, 2 ') has at least one clamp arranged so as to form a bow ( E).

2. inflatable shell (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said clamp comprises a fold (2pJ formed in said wall (2c) disposed on the inner side of said curvature.

3. Inflatable shell (1, l ') according to claim 2, characterized in that said clamp comprises a fold (2p) formed in said wall (2d) disposed on the outer side of said curvature.

4. inflatable shell (1, l ') according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that it comprises a part (21, 2V) joining said fold (2pJ.

5. Inflatable shell (1, l ') according to claim 1, characterized in that said clip is made by means of cutouts (2i, 2k) formed at least on the front portion of said inflatable shell (1, l'). at least in said wall disposed on the inside of said curvature (2c) of said envelope, said cutouts (2i) being attached edge to edge to form said bow (E).

6. inflatable shell (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that said clamp is made by means of cutouts (2i, 2k) formed at least on the front portion of said inflatable shell (1), in each of said superimposed walls (2c, 2d) of said envelope, said cutouts (2i, 2k) being attached edge to edge to form said bow (E).

7. Inflatable shell (1, l ') according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises sealing junction pieces (21, 2Γ) for said edge-to-edge attachment of said cutouts (2i, 2k).

8. inflatable shell (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said casing comprises on at least a portion of its periphery a lateral peripheral strip (2h) having a shape determining said curvature in longitudinal section of said envelope (2, 2 ').

9. inflatable shell (1, l ') according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said casing comprises on at least a portion of its periphery a transverse peripheral strip (2g) having a shape determining said curvature in cross section of said envelope (2, 2 ').

10. Inflatable shell (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one waterproof inner strip (2m ') disposed in a median longitudinal plane (2x) between said walls (2c, 2d). ) for sealing said air envelope (2 ') in a starboard portion (2a) and a port portion (2b) inflatable and deflatable independently of one another.

11. Inflatable shell (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises at least one sealed inner strip (2m ', 2m) sealingly fixed between said walls (2c ^ 2d) to form the side wall of at least one orifice (4a, 4b) at least partially passing through said inflatable shell (1, 1 ').

12. Inflatable shell (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises a first orifice (4a) for passage of a fin extending over at least a portion of the length of said tire envelope and passing through said inflatable hull (1, the).

13. inflatable shell (1,) according to any one of claims 11 and 12, characterized in that it comprises a second orifice (4b) not passing through the mast root passage and extending partially through said hull. inflatable (1, the).

14. inflatable shell (1, l ') according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said wall (2c) disposed on the inner side of said curvature has a different dimension of said wall (2d) disposed on the outer side of said curvature.

15. Floating machine (21) characterized in that it comprises at least one inflatable shell (1) according to any one of the preceding claims equipped with a propulsion device.

16. floating machine (21) according to claim 15 when dependent on claim 12, characterized in that it comprises a piece (6a) forming a drift shaft adapted to be received in said first through hole (4a) of said hull (1,). ^~

17. floating machine (21) according to claim 16, characterized in that said piece (6a) forming a drift well has a return (6c) of dimension adapted to allow said piece to be inserted into said first through hole (4a) in the deflated state of said shell (1,) and retaining said piece (6a) in said first orifice (4a) in the inflated state of said shell (1,).

18. floating machine (21) according to any one of claims 16 and 17, characterized in that it comprises a central piece (6) comprising said piece (6a) forming a drift well and a part (6b) forming root of mast.

19. Floating machine (21) according to claim 18, characterized in that said inflatable shell (1,) and said central piece (6) comprise means for fixing at least one support piece (8) on each side of the inflatable shell (1, 1 '), said support pieces (8) being adapted to fasten said central piece (6) to said inflatable shell (1, 1') and to distribute the forces of the mast (10) and to the fin (7) on the inflatable hull (1, l ').

20. floating machine (21) according to any one of claims 15 to 19, characterized in that said shell comprises side rings (17a) and at least one central ring (17b) respectively fixed on the opposite sides and the center of the rear part of said inflatable hull (Ι,), said machine comprising at least one rudder support (16) comprising at least two lateral branches (16a) and a lower branch (16b) adapted to be received respectively in said lateral rings ( 17a) and central 17b), said rudder support (16) being shaped to bear on and be secured to said inflatable shell (1, I ') in the inflated state.

21. floating machine (21) according to claims 19 and 20, characterized in that it comprises wings (20) adapted to be fixed on each side of the floating machine

(21) on one of said branches (16a) of the support ^~ d ^{~ ~ "} governair (16) and on an outer end of said support parts (8), said wings (20) forming with said branches (16a) and said parts d support (8) a closed stiffening structure on each side of said shell.