GB2458522A

GB2458522A - Floatable vessel and vehicle roof top storage container

Info

Publication number: GB2458522A
Application number: GB0900858A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Bonney Sidney
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-03-19
Filing date: 2009-01-20
Publication date: 2009-09-23
Also published as: GB0805065D0; GB0900858D0

Abstract

A unit 1 comprises a device which can act as a storage container and/or floatable vessel, such as a small rowing boat, and readily releasable means for attaching the unit to the roof-rack of a vehicle, such as a car. The unit may comprise at least one seat (10, Fig 9), a hole 11 for the egress of water and oars and rowlocks (3, Fig 7) for use when the unit acts as a floatable vessel. The unit may comprise a false bottom (13, Fig 9) which defines a cavity between the false bottom and the base of the unit, which acts as a storage space.

Description

1 2458522 A UNIT USEABLE AS A CONTAINER AND/OR

FLOATABLE VESSEL

The present invention relates to a unit which can be used as container and/or floating vessel such as a boat and particularly, but not exclusively, to such a unit that can be carried on the roof of a vehicle.

Containers are known which can be fixed to the roof-rack of a vehicle but these containers can only be used for storage. Also, it is possible to fix a small boat to the roof-rack of a vehicle. However, such boats are not adapted to double up as containers.

According to the present invention there is provided a unit comprising a device which can act as a storage container and/or floatable vessel, and means for attaching the unit to the roof of a vehicle.

The unit may comprise at least one seat for use when the unit act as a

floatable vessel.

The unit ay comprise a hole for the egress of water when the unit acts as a

floatable vessel.

The unit may comprise oars and rowlocks for use when the unit is used as a floating vessel.

The means for connecting the unit to the roof of a vehicle may comprise readily releasable connecting means adapted to attach the unit to a roof-rack of a vehicle.

Means may also be provided for mounting a motor to the rear of the unit for use when the unit acts as a boat.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a plan view of a unit according to the present invention, Figure 2 shows a side view of the unit illustrated in figure 1, Figure 3 shows a plan view of smaller unit according to the present invention, Figure 4 shows a side view of the base region of the unit illustrated in figure 1, Figure 5 shows a seat for use in the unit when the unit acts as a

floatable vessel,

Figure 6 shows a similar view to figure 1 but with a pair of seats located in the base region, Figure 7 shows a rowlock for supporting an oar, Figure 8 shows a front view of the unit, and Figure 9 shows a rear view of the unit.

Referring to figure 1, there is shown a plan view of a unit I in the shape of a small rowing boat. At each side of the unit 1 are two pairs of holes 2, each for accommodating a rowlock 3 (best shown in figure 7). Each rowlock 3 comprises a generally U-shaped upper part 4 for supporting an oar and has a downwardly extending threaded shaft 6 which passes through the hole 2.

The rowlock 3 is fixed to the side of the unit 1 by a nut 7 so as to be easily removable when the unit is not in use as boat.

The unit shown in figure 1 is adapted to be used as a boat for four oarsmen and for this purpose, as best seen in figure 5, comprises apertures 8 at each side of the unit for accommodating the legs 15 of a pair of seats 10.

Figure 2 shows the unit in its orientation when attached to the roof of a vehicle (not shown). In this position the upper surface of the unit acts as its base when used as a boat and is provided with a hole 11 closed by a bung 12 to allow for the release of water from the unit 1.

The unit 1 may be attached to a roof-rack of a vehicle, such as a car, by suitable locking means, such as barrel locks, which connect to the sides of the unit and the roof-rack.

Figure 3 shows a similar view to that in figure 1, of a unit adapted to be used as a boat for two oarsmen. In this unit there is one pair of holes 2 for the rowlocks.

Figure 4 shows the base region of the unit illustrated in figures 1 and 2. The base region has a removable false bottom 13 which defines a cavity between the false bottom 13 and the base of the boat. The cavity can act as a storage space and accommodate, for example, the or each seat 10 and oars when not being used as a boat.(best seen in figure 6).

The seat 10 shown in full lines in figure 6 is shown located above the false bottom 13 and the seat in dashed lines is shown located beneath the false bottom 13.

Figures 8 and 9 show the front and rear views respectively of the unit and illustrate the position of the false bottom 13.

Claims

Claims I A unit comprising a device which can act as a storage container andlor floatable vessel, and means for attaching the unit to the roof of a vehicle.
2 A unit as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least one seat for use when the unit act as a floatable vessel.
3 A unit as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, comprising a hole for the egress of water when the unit acts as a floatable vessel.
4 A unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising oars and rowlocks for use when the unit is used as a floating vessel.
5 A unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for connecting the unit to the roof of a vehicle comprises readily releasable connecting means adapted to attach the unit to a roof-rack of a vehicle.
6 A unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a false bottom which defines a cavity between the false bottom and the base of the unit when used as a boat, which cavity can act as a storage space.
7 A unit which can act as a storage container and/or a floating vessel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.