GB2368817A

GB2368817A - Boat comprising a plurality of stackable sections

Info

Publication number: GB2368817A
Application number: GB0127077A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kevin Elcock
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-11-10
Filing date: 2001-11-12
Publication date: 2002-05-15
Anticipated expiration: 2021-11-12
Also published as: GB0127077D0; GB2368817B; AU8936401A; GB0027489D0

Abstract

A modular boat tender comprises a plurality of self contained similarly sized units 1, 2 and 3 with a 'W' shaped vertical identical cross-sections which are secured together. The units are stackable inside one another for transport and storage. The units may be releasably secured to one another with notch catches 4 and bolts fixed to bulkheads 5 on the units. Wheels (9, Fig 3) may be provided on the upper edge of the transom 6 such that with the use of an oar (12, Fig 4) attached to the tender as a handle the tender can be transported without the use of a trailer. Seating may be provided in the tender which increases buoyancy without conflicting with the stacking of the units.

Description

Collapsible Boat Tender The invention relates to a collapsible boat tender.

A Boat Tender is a boat, which is used to transport people and their belongings from the shore, to a yacht in mooring, or to a suitable location for fishing. A rigid boat tender is deemed to be one which retains a solid hull and sides when in use. A collapsible boat tender is one which has a reduction in the overall dimensions of the erect boat once packed for transport or storage.

There are two main categories for boat tenders, rigid and collapsible. Included in the collapsible category are inflatables, which are expensive, prone to puncture, and require considerable preparation prior to usage and transport/storage.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a modular boat tender having multiple units forming sections of the boat tender, said units when secured together, forming a complete boat tender, wherein each unit has a"W"shaped vertical cross-section, so allowing a plurality of units to be stacked, one with the other.

Preferably, there is provided a modular boat tender wherein the units form the bow, middle and stern of the boat tender.

It is envisaged that the modular boat tender includes a transom, wherein the transom also has a"W"shaped vertical cross-section.

Preferably, the transom has wheels positioned on the upper edge of the vertical cross-section of the transom.

Also it is preferred that buoyancy promoting seating is included for each unit of the boat tender.

It is envisaged that the buoyancy promoting seating bridges the cross-section of the units.

The buoyancy promoting seating preferably is formed from a raised part of the"W"shaped contour of the units.

Preferably, the leading end of each of the units making up the bow and middle of the tender, have eyelets on an upper edge of the units, for securing oars to the tender.

It is envisaged that the units are releasably secured using notch catches and bolts fixed to bulkheads on the units.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a modular boat tender, comprising multiple self-contained, similarly sized units with identical crosssections which, when secured together, form a complete boat tender, said units being stackable inside one another for transport or storage.

Preferably, the modular boat tender includes a wheeled transom, combined with an oar, temporarily fixed to the boat by some means so that the tender can be transported without use of a trolley or trailer.

It is preferred that the wheels on the transom are located on the upper edge of the transom.

The hull and transom may follow a"W"shaped crosssection.

Also seating may be provided which increases buoyancy but does not conflict with the stacking of the main boat units.

Preferably there is provided a boat tender using a"w" shaped hull, split into self-contained boat sections comprising a bow, middle, and stern. Said sections have simple means of releasably securing to one another utilising notch catches and bolts at fixed distance apart on the bulkheads; buoyancy promoting seating fixed internally in each section bridging the"w"shaped hull; dual function transom plate fixed in place using said holes used for bolts in the securing of the boat sections. The said boat sections stack inside one another, as do the seating, transom and motor if desired. The said linkages between the boat sections do not encroach on the stacking ability of the said sections.

The following example will be used to describe the specific embodiment and features of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates the hull shape and the boat tender assembled ready for usage.

Figure 2 shows the method of linking each section of boat together to form a secure tender.

Figure 3 details the transom and how it is adapted to be used for transport.

Figure 4 illustrates how the boat tender can be transported by hand without the use of a trolley.

Figure 5 shows how the boat sections stack and are packed away after usage.

With reference to the drawings, the boat comprises a standard three hull sections, the bow 1, the mid 2, the stern 3, with the option of an extra forth section, as illustrated in fig. l. Each section is releasably joined to the next by, for example, two interlocking catches 4, near the base, and two bolts near the top of the bulkheads 5.

At the stern of the boat is provided a transom 6.

The boat can comprise as many or as little number of hull sections as desired, making the boat tender extensible. To connect and secure said hull sections to form the required length boat, the sections are first slid into place, and then pivoted on the interlocking catches 4, until the two opposing bulkheads are flush as illustrated in fig. 2. The final bolts are then inserted into holes 7 and 8 to secure the sections together.

In order for the boat to comprise a varying number of hull sections as is required by the user, the transom 6, is releasably secured in place using the same said holes 7 and 8 used for joining the hull sections together. This then enables said transom to be secured to whichever section is situated at the rear.

In order for the boat to be transported to and from the shore whilst remaining secured, the said transom 6, has

wheels 9, permanently attached to its topside as detailed in fig. 3. The bow 1, has two eyelets 10 and 11, which allow an oar 12, to be inserted as in fig. 4. The whole boat is then upturned, pivoted on the transom, and towed by hand using the said oar as illustrated in fig. 4.

In order that the boat may be easily transported in a vehicle and stored easily in a garage/shed, the boat sections stack inside one another as illustrated in fig. 5.

This is achieved by shaping sections to stack through the use of the"w"-shaped hull and graduated sides. The boat sections become wider the further from the base they get.

Claims

1. A modular boat tender having multiple units forming sections of the boat tender, said units when secured together, forming a complete boat tender, wherein each unit has a"W"shaped vertical cross-section, so allowing a plurality of units to be stacked, one with the other.

2. A modular boat tender according to claim 1 wherein the units form the bow, middle and stern of the boat tender.

3. A modular boat tender according to any preceding claim including a transom wherein the transom also has a"W" shaped vertical cross-section.

4. A modular boat tender according to any preceding claim wherein the transom has wheels positioned on the upper edge of the vertical cross-section of the transom.

5. A modular boat tender according to any preceding claim, wherein buoyancy promoting seating is included for each unit of the boat tender.

6. A modular boat tender according to claim 5, wherein the buoyancy promoting seating bridges the cross

section of the units.

7. A modular boat tender according to claim 6, wherein the buoyancy promoting seating is formed from a raised part of the"W"shaped contour of the units.

8. A modular boat tender according to any preceding claim wherein the leading end of each of the units making up the bow and middle of the tender, have eyelets on an upper edge of the units, for securing oars to the tender.

9. A modular boat tender according to any preceding claim wherein the units are releasably secured using notch catches and bolts fixed to bulkheads on the units.

10. A modular boat tender, comprising multiple self contained, similarly sized units with identical cross sections which, when secured together, form a complete boat tender, said units being stackable inside one another for transport or storage.

11. A modular boat tender according to claim 10, including a wheeled transom, combined with an oar, temporarily fixed to the boat by some means so that the tender can be transported without use of a trolley or trailer.

12. A modular boat tender according to claim 11, wherein the wheels on the transom are located on the upper edge of the transom.

13. A modular boat tender according to claims 10 to 12, wherein the hull and transom follow a"W"shaped cross-section.

14. A modular boat tender according to any preceding claim wherein seating is provided which increases buoyancy but does not conflict with the stacking of the main boat units.

15. A modular boat tender as substantially described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying figures.