GB2034253A

GB2034253A - New and Improved Dinghy

Info

Publication number: GB2034253A
Application number: GB7938549A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1978-11-10
Filing date: 1979-11-07
Publication date: 1980-06-04
Also published as: DE2945555A1; AU528269B2; AU5250179A; GB2034253B

Abstract

A dinghy has two hulls (10, 11) capable of being nested closely, one within the other, and a thwart section (12) to fit over the nested hulls for a cover, forming a compact assembly for storage or transport. In use, the two hulls are held in spaced parallel relationship by transverse beams (18) releasably engaging them, and by the thwart section releasably secured to the beams and clamping onto the inner gunwales of the two boats. A rower can sit astride the thwart section, a foot in each hull. A mast may be stepped to the thwart section and stayed to the hulls. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A New and Improved Dinghy This invention relates to a new and improved dinghy.

Dinghies, when used as yacht's tenders, frequently cause problems of stowage while the yachts are under way because of lack of available space; and often the bulk of a dinghy makes it difficult to carry on a car.

The present invention has been devised with the general object of providing a dinghy which may be easily brought to very compact size for storage or transport, and quickly reassembled for use as a commodious and stable craft.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention resides broadly in a dinghy including two hulls capable of being nested, one fitting closely in the other; beams releasably engageable with the two hulls to align them in a spaced substantially parallel operational relationship; and a thwart section releasably engageable with the hulls to lock them in the said operational position.

Preferably the thwart section is releasably engageable also with the beams, means being provided for releasably securing the thwart section to the beams in such manner as to cause it to clamp onto the inner gunwales of the two hulls. The thwart section preferably is adapted to fit upon, and provide a cover for, the two nested hulls.

Other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description.

In order that a preferred embodiment of the invention may be readily understood and carried into practical effect, reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dinghy according to the invention rigged for sailing, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the hull of the dinghy shown in Figure 1., Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the dinghy when the parts of its hull have been packed for storage or transport, Figure 4 is a view, similar to that of Figure 3, of a dinghy according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the packed hull of a dinghy according to a further embodiment of the invention.

Referring initially to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, the dinghy illustrated is a vessel of catamaran type including two hulls 10 and 11, both of which may be moulded of a suitable plastics material, and a thwart section 12 which is shell moulded of a similar material and enclosing a core 13 of a material such as foam plastics.

Each of the hulls 10 and 11 has. a taper towards the bow, but its outer gunwale 14 and its inner gunwale 1 5 are substantially straight and parallel.

The dimensions of the two hulls 10 and 11 are such that the hull 10 may be fitted closely into the hull 11, as shown in Figure 3. The outer gunwale 14 of each hull is of fairly deep and tubular form, the inner gunwale 1 5 of each being at a lower level than the outer gunwale, and curved arcuately in cross-section, that of the hull 11 being turned outwardly with respect to the hull, that of the hull 10 being turned inwardly so that the hull 10 may be nested in the hull 11.

Hull 10 is provided with a seat 16 fixed between its sides, and this assists in bracing the hull. The larger hull 11, into which the hull 10 must fit, cannot, of course, be provided with a fixed seat, but if desired provision may be made for the installation of a removable seat (not shown) in the larger hull, the seat in this case, for example, being made to be supported on the longitudinal shoulders 1 7 formed where the hull is reduced in width. Alternatively the removable seat may be supported on the hull floor, or suspended from its gunwales.

In assembling the parts of the dinghy for use, the two hulls 10 and 11 are connected by a pair of tubular metal beams 18 passed through holes formed in the fore and aft parts of the sides of the two hulls and fitted with grommets 19. The thwart section 12 is seated upon the two hulls and these beams, being formed with curved side flanges 20 which seat upon the curved inner gunwales 1 5 of the two hulls, and also formed with curved front and rear flanges 21 which seat upon the middle parts of the two tubular beams 1 8. Bolts 22 through the front and rear flanges 21 and engaging the tubular beams 18 cause the thwart section 12 to be firmly secured to the beams, and also clamp down on the inner gunwales 15 to maintain the hulls in their spaced relationship and prevent any lateral movement of the beams relative to the hulls.

The dinghy can be rowed by a person sitting on the thwart section, his feet in the two hulls, rowlocks being removably engaged in sockets provided at 23 in the outer gunwales 14 of the two hulls.

Alternatively the dinghy may be rigged for sailing, as shown in Figure 1, a mast 24 consisting of two tubular parts telescopically interfitted being stepped at a foot 25 on the thwart section 12, braced by forestays and back stays and fitted with a boom 26 and sail 27. The dinghy may be steered by one of the oars, as indicated at 28, engaged in a rowlock 29 removably engaged in a socket at 30 at the rear of the thwart section 12. A centreboard 31 is secured to a yoke 32 pivotally engaged in a pair of bearing brackets 33 mounted under the thwart section 12. When the dinghy is not to be sailed, the centreboard may be held up close under the thwart section by any suitable catch (not shown) or other retaining means; for sailing, it is released to extend down as shown in Figure 2.

By bolting a suitable bracket (not shown) to the rear of the thwart section 12 and the rear beam 18, the dinghy may be suited to the mounting of a light outboard motor.

When the dinghy is to be stored or transported, the various removable parts, such as mast, boom, stays, oars and rowlocks are detached, the bolts 22 are unscrewed and the thwart section 12 is lifted from the beams 18 and hulls 10 and 11.

The smaller hull 10 is nested inside the hull 11, the various removable parts are stowed inside the inner hull, and the thwart section 12 is placed over the two nested hulls, as shown in Figure 2, the centreboard 31 being in its raised position.

Any suitable means, for example a strap, or straps, are used for holding together the assembly which may be conveniently handled and placed where required.

In the modified form of the invention shown in Figure 4, the two hulls 34 and 35 are of such dimensions that they can be closely nested one within the other, but are otherwise generally similar, each having two similar outwardly curved gunwales 36 at the same height, the thwart section 37 being generally as before described.

The two hulls are interconnected as before described, and therefore the thwart section 36 will be higher than in the embodiment described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3. This may be found sornewhat inconvenient when the dinghy is being rowed by a person sitting on the thwart section, as the rowlocks may be inconveniently low relative to the thwart section. This disadvantage may be overcome by providing rowlocks with extended stems, or alternatively the holes formed in the two hulls to accept the tubular beams may be lower on the outer sides of the hulls than on the inner sides, so that in the assembly dinghy the hulls are tilted in downwardly divergent manner, causing the outer gunwales of the two hulls to be raised relative to the thwart section.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the two hulls 38 and 39 are similar in cross-section, with downwardly tapering sides, the ends of the two hulls also being oblique so that one may be nested inside the other as shown. Although this construction has the advantage of simpler manufacture, in that a single hull type is made instead of two, there is the disadvantage that the height of the nested hulls is greater than is the case when a smaller hull is fitted inside a larger.

Dinghies according to the invention will be found to be very effective in achieving the objects for which they have been devised. It will, of course, be understood that the particular embodiments of the invention herein described and illustrated may be subject to many modifications of constructional detail and design which will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art, without deparating from the scope and ambit of the invention hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. A dinghy including: two hulls capable of being nested, one fitting closely in the other, beams releasably engageable with the two hulls to align them in a spaced substantially parallel operational relationship, and a thwart section reieasably engageable with the hulls to lock them in the said operational position.

2. A dinghy according to claim 1 wherein: the thwart section is provided with side holding members engageable with the inner gunwales of the hulls when they are in the operational position, and means are provided for securing the thwart section to the beams in such manner as to clamp the side holding members onto the said inner gunwales.

3. A dinghy according to either of the preceding claims wherein: the thwart section is releasably engageable with the uppermost gunwales of the two hulls when nested to form a closure and cover therefor.

4. A dinghy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein: the inner gunwales of the two hulls, when aligned in the said operational relationship, are at a lower ievel than the outer gunwales of the hulls.

5. A dinghy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein means are provided on the thwart section for stepping a mast.

6. A dinghy substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

7. A dinghy substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 4 of the accompanying drawings.

8. A dinghy substantially as herein described with reference to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.