GB2368048A

GB2368048A - A foldable boat and vehicle roof top carrier

Info

Publication number: GB2368048A
Application number: GB0122488A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Lewis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-09-18
Filing date: 2001-09-18
Publication date: 2002-04-24
Anticipated expiration: 2021-09-18
Also published as: GB0122488D0; GB2368048B; WO2003024775A1

Abstract

A roof mounted car transportation container comprises two sections which are hinged together with hinges 4 and can be unfolded to form a boat. In the unfolded condition the two sections are locked together with brass retaining bolts 5 which pass through a central thwart 6 that is foam filled to provide the boat with extra buoyancy. The boat has a flat stem to which an outboard motor may be attached while skegs (9, Fig 2) are provided on the bottom of the boat to give it greater lateral stability. In the folded condition the transportation container is held firmly closed by means of clips 10.

Description

THE DESCRIPTION A rigidly constructed foldable boat, which is not of a collapsible design and which when not in us as a means of waterborne transport, converts instantly into a portable, low weight transport container that can be carried on the roof of any car or other motor vehicle, with attention paid to aerodynamic design, or on a small marine vessel such as a yacht when it can be used to ferry crew from the sea going vessel to the shore if that should that be required.

Such concepts are not unknown but those designed to date, fall into either the

"collapsible"category which require an element of construction prior to use and those determined to simply fold in order to provide an instant boat, either have to be towed behind a car, or more importantly, when in use in the waterborne mode do not provide a stable means of waterborne transport.

Accordingly, when this invention, is employed in the waterborne environment it is a stable marine vessel and complies with the recently applied EEC Recreational Craft Directive which places great emphasis on marine safety.

This invention, when used as either a motor vehicle roof mounted stowage container or when applied in the aquatic mode, may be constructed from either GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) or ABS which is a copolymer of acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene, possesses maximum strength and performance and medium cost. It is a far superior product to either PVC, polyethylene or polystyrene.

A perfect embodiment of the invention will now be described in the drawings that follow : Figure 1: The Plan view of the Craft.

Figure 2: An End Elevation of the Craft Figure 3: A Side Elevation of the Craft.

Figure 4: A Side Elevation of the Craft closed in Transportation Mode.

Figure 5: A sketch of the craft in folded aquatic mode Figure 6: As sketch illustrating the ease of changing the state of the invention from Container to Boat.

Figures 1-3 inclusive, reveal the technical details of the invention for those who are interested in the marine application while Figure 4 illustrates the advantages of the invention being used in the Carrier Mode when closed and being used as a method of vehicle mounted transportation. THE DESCRIPTION Use of the Invention Drawings 1-3 inclusive, reveal the construction of the invention in an aquatic mode.

The Plan View-Figure 1 From the Specification of the Plan Elevation it is evident that in an aquatic mode, the invention may be comfortably used to convey a minimum of two persons. The craft is propelled by oars which are accommodated in rowlocks (ITEM 12) with the oarsman sitting on the central thwart (ITEM 6) and any passenger has the benefit of another thwart (ITEM 2) which is located at the stern of the craft. The Plan Elevation also illustrates the hinging device (ITEM 4) that holds the craft together when unfolded and illustrates the method of holding the two unfolded sections together by means of brass retaining bolts (ITEM 5) The central thwart is also foam filled in order to provide natural buoyancy (ITEM 6) A small shackle (ITEM 11) is fitted to the bow bulkhead (ITEM 7) for the purposes of attaching a Painter (securing line) should the craft need to be tied up on arrival at destination.

The End Elevation-Figure 2 This reveals a flat stern to which an outboard motor may be added if necessary. Skegs (ITEM 9) also form a very important element of the design which make the craft more stable and less susceptible to lateral movement when used in a tideway or less experienced hands. An essential part of the safety aspect.

The Side Elevation-Figure 3 Again this illustrates the positioning of the Skegs (ITEM 9), the fixed buoyancy chambers in the central thwart, (ITEM 6), the bolted fixing device (ITEM 5) and the position of the rowlock (ITEM 12), which is located in a hole (ITEM 3) and which provides the motive power of the craft. This elevation also illustrates the positioning of the fixing clips (ITEM 10) that are employed when the craft is used in the transportation mode thus keeping the transport container firmly closed and the contents completely safe.

A Side Elevation of the Craft closed in Transportation Mode-Figure 4 This drawing merely illustrates the craft in transportation mode and reveals the aerodynamic element of the construction when utilized as a roof mounted method of conveyance.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 A roof mounted car transportation container that when no longer required may simply be unfolded into a boat that will safely carry two persons and minimal luggage.
2 As stated in Claim 1-This is a dual purpose object and the main Statements of Claim are enumerated below within the scope of their respective categories.
3 Use in the Aquatic Format
4 As an aquatic craft, it may be simply unfolded and bolted together in seconds, in order to provide an instant form of aquatic entertainment or a means of short and ready waterborne transport.
5) A car roof mounted stowage container and foldable boat, substantially as described herein supported by reference to figures 1-6 of the accompanying drawings.

5 The craft is constructed of materials that conform to the requirements of the Recreational Craft Directive and for it's size is intrinsically safe and is provided with buoyancy and methods of propulsion as required by any new Owner.

6 On initial purchase the craft is fitted with oars and rowlocks although an outboard engine may be added later.

7 Use as a Car Roof Mounted Container 8 When not in use in an aquatic form the invention merely reverts to a mobile stowage facility of substantial strength and durability.

9 It is simply folded back together again and lifted to a car roof where it can be filled with whatever commodity (ies) are required for transportation.

10 Once in transit, the invention is held firmly closed by means of clips and the design takes account of minimum wind resistance and therefore drag.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1) A car roof mounted stowage container comprised of two sections which are hinged together and which can be unfolded to form a boat, wherein in the unfolded condition the two sections are locked together with retaining bolts which pass through a central foam filled thwart formed from the adjacent end faces of the two sections, the thwart providing the boat with extra buoyancy and a seat for the user in use, the two adjacent end faces being provided with sealing means therebetween to prevent the ingress of water through the joint between the sections of the boat.

2) A car roof mounted stowage container as claimed in Claim (1) which is aerodynamically designed to offer the least wind resistance when used in the transportation mode.

3) A foldable boat as claimed in Claim (1) constructed in either ABS Plastics or Glass reinforced Plastics.

4) A foldable boat as claimed in Claims (1) and (3) that is specifically designed for use on the water with bilge runners incorporated into the hull design and the means of proper propulsion in an aquatic mode.