NZ619865B2 - Folding transom for a collapsible boat - Google Patents
Folding transom for a collapsible boat Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NZ619865B2 NZ619865B2 NZ619865A NZ61986512A NZ619865B2 NZ 619865 B2 NZ619865 B2 NZ 619865B2 NZ 619865 A NZ619865 A NZ 619865A NZ 61986512 A NZ61986512 A NZ 61986512A NZ 619865 B2 NZ619865 B2 NZ 619865B2
- Authority
- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- hull
- panels
- inflatable
- collapsible
- transom
- Prior art date
Links
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B7/00—Collapsible, foldable, inflatable or like vessels
- B63B2007/003—Collapsible, foldable, inflatable or like vessels with foldable members
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B7/00—Collapsible, foldable, inflatable or like vessels
- B63B7/02—Collapsible, foldable, inflatable or like vessels comprising only rigid parts
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B7/00—Collapsible, foldable, inflatable or like vessels
- B63B7/06—Collapsible, foldable, inflatable or like vessels having parts of non-rigid material
- B63B7/08—Inflatable
- B63B7/082—Inflatable having parts of rigid material
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B7/00—Collapsible, foldable, inflatable or like vessels
- B63B7/06—Collapsible, foldable, inflatable or like vessels having parts of non-rigid material
- B63B7/08—Inflatable
- B63B7/085—Accessories or mountings specially adapted therefor, e.g. seats, sailing kits, motor mountings
Abstract
Collapsible boat with foldable rigid transom includes a collapsible hull formed from a plurality of panels (1, 3, 4) that extend from a first end to a second end of the collapsible. Each of the panels (1, 3, 4) is connected with at least one the other panels (1, 3, 4). The panels including a a port side panel and a starboard side panel each panel having a rear margin disposed to the second end of the boat. The collapsible hull is configurable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. A folding rigid transom (includes transom member (1, 3, 8) is used to constrain at least two rear margins of the panels (134) when the hull is in the expanded configuration. the hull further comprising a flexible diaphragm connected with the rear margins of the panels, the flexible diaphragm configured to have a substantially compact configuration when the hull is in the collapsed configuration, and the flexible diaphragm providing a water-tight barrier when the hull is in the expanded configuration. The folding rigid transom separate from the flexible diaphragm, and seats remain attached to the at least one of the port side panel or the starboard side panel when the hull is in the collapsed configuration. side panel and a starboard side panel each panel having a rear margin disposed to the second end of the boat. The collapsible hull is configurable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. A folding rigid transom (includes transom member (1, 3, 8) is used to constrain at least two rear margins of the panels (134) when the hull is in the expanded configuration. the hull further comprising a flexible diaphragm connected with the rear margins of the panels, the flexible diaphragm configured to have a substantially compact configuration when the hull is in the collapsed configuration, and the flexible diaphragm providing a water-tight barrier when the hull is in the expanded configuration. The folding rigid transom separate from the flexible diaphragm, and seats remain attached to the at least one of the port side panel or the starboard side panel when the hull is in the collapsed configuration.
Description
FOLDING TRANSOM FOR A COLLAPSIBLE BOAT
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No.13/174,577 entitled
“Folding Transom for a Collapsible Boat,” filed June 30, 2011, which is a continuation-in-
part of U.S. Application No. 12/650,340, filed December 30, 2009, the entire disclosure of
which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
Portable boats are popular with, for example, sportsmen and the like. Many such
boats are relatively inexpensive and easily transportable, which contribute to their
affordability and convenience. Such boats come in a wide range of configurations.
One popular configuration is a rigid boat that includes, for example, a pointed
hull having a planar transom or a double-ended hull. Such rigid boats can be fabricated
from a range of known materials, for example, polypropylene, aluminum, wood,
fiberglass, and the like. Often, such rigid boats include a number of transverse seats.
Another popular configuration is a collapsible boat. Exemplary collapsible boats
are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,556,009; 4,660,499; and 5,524,570. Many existing
collapsible boats are light enough to be carried by a single person when collapsed.
Another popular configuration is an inflatable boat. Existing inflatable boats
have inflatable side members and seats disposed between the inflatable side members.
Because of the continuing need for portable boats, improvements are always
sought. Thus, there is believed to be a need for portable boats with enhanced features.
BRIEF SUMMARY
The following presents a simplified summary of some embodiments of the
invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not
an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements
of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
some embodiments of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed
description that is presented later.
Collapsible boats with one or more inflatable members are provided. The
disclosed boats include a plurality of connected hull panels movable to provide a collapsed
hull configuration and an expanded hull configuration, and at least one inflatable member.
The disclosed boats can include one or more inflatable interior members that when inflated
constrain the hull panels in the expanded hull configuration. The disclosed boats can
include one or more removable or attached (e.g., hinged) solid seats that when installed
(may not be necessary) constrain the hull panels in the expanded hull configuration. The
disclosed boats can include one or more inflatable exterior members that distribute
additional buoyancy around at least a portion of a perimeter of the hull when the hull is in
the expanded configuration. The disclosed boats may provide a significant amount of
capacity and stability for their size, while being easily transportable in the collapsed
configuration. The disclosed boats can be relatively light weight, and can often be
transported without a boat trailer. In many embodiments, inflatable interior members
provide both stabilization of the hull in the expanded condition and seating surfaces. The
use of one or more inflatable interior members to stabilize the hull may provide significant
convenience to the user of the boat by simplifying the deployment process. The use of one
or more removable or hinged attached solid seats to stabilize the hull may provide for a
fast hull deployment process.
Thus, in a first aspect, a boat is provided that comprises a collapsible hull having
a first end and a second end, and at least one inflatable interior member. The collapsible
hull comprises a plurality of panels extending between the first end and the second end.
Each panel is connected with at least one of the plurality of panels, each of the panels
having a rear margin disposed to the second end of the boat, the panels including side
panels that include a port side panel and a starboard side panel. The hull is configurable
between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. A folding rigid
transom, separate from the flexible diaphragm, to constrain at least two rear margins of
the panels when the hull is in the expanded configuration, the folding rigid transom
remaining attached to at least one of the port side panel or the starboard side panel the hull
when the hull is in the collapsed configuration.
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
In the first aspect, the boat comprises a flexible diaphragm. The flexible
diaphragm is connected with the rear margins of the panels. The flexible diaphragm is
configured to have a substantially compact configuration when the hull is in the collapsed
configuration, and provide a water-tight barrier when the hull is in the expanded
configuration.
In many embodiments, the boat includes an inflatable exterior member connected
with the hull. The exterior member, when inflated, extends around at least a portion of a
perimeter of the hull when the hull is in the expanded configuration.
The boat comprises a folding rigid transom, separate from the flexible
diaphragm, that remains attached when the hull is in the collapsed configuration. A
removable transom can be attachable to constrain the panel rear margins when the hull is
in the expanded configuration. A folding transom constrains at least two panel rear
margins when the hull is in the expanded configuration. In many embodiments, a rigid
transom enables the attachment of an outboard motor.
In many embodiments, the hull panels include a plurality of port-side panels and
a plurality of starboard-side panels. For example, the hull panels can include a port side
panel, a port bottom panel connected with the port side panel, a starboard bottom panel
connected with the port bottom panel, and a starboard side panel connected with the
starboard bottom panel.
In many embodiments, the at least one inflatable interior member includes a
plurality of transverse members. Each transverse member can connect a port side panel
with a starboard side panel to constrain the side panels in the expanded configuration when
the transverse members are inflated. At least one of the transverse members can include a
seating surface.
In many embodiments, the at least one inflatable interior member includes an
inflatable longitudinal member. The longitudinal member can be oriented transverse to the
transverse members, disposed between a plurality of the transverse members and the hull,
and inflatable to constrain at least one of the panels when the hull is in the expanded
configuration.
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
In many embodiments, an inflatable exterior member is connected with the hull
via attachment membranes. For example, a port upper-attachment membrane can be used
to connect the inflatable exterior member with an upper edge of a port side panel of the
hull. A port lower-attachment membrane can be used to connect the inflatable exterior
member with the port side panel below the port side panel upper edge. A port exterior-
attachment member can be used to connect the port lower-attachment membrane with the
port side panel. A starboard upper-attachment membrane can be used to connect the
inflatable exterior member with an upper edge of a starboard side panel of the hull. A
starboard lower-attachment membrane can be used to connect the inflatable exterior
member with the starboard side panel below the starboard side upper edge. And a
starboard exterior-attachment member can be used to connect the starboard lower-
attachment membrane with the starboard side panel.
In many embodiments, a connection between an interior inflatable member and a
side panel can be aligned with a connection between an exterior inflatable member and the
side panel. For example, the boat can include a port interior-attachment member
connecting at least one inflatable transverse member with a port side panel at least in part
via a fastener used to connect a port exterior-attachment member with the port side panel.
The boat can include a starboard interior-attachment member connecting at least one
inflatable transverse member with a starboard side panel at least in part via a fastener used
to connect a starboard exterior-attachment member with the starboard side panel.
In an embodiment, a boat is provided that includes a collapsible hull having a
first end and a second end, at least one removable or hinged solid seat, and an inflatable
exterior member connected with the hull. The collapsible hull can include a plurality of
panels extending between the first end and the second end. Each panel can be connected
with at least one of the plurality of panels. The hull can be configurable between a
collapsed configuration and a expanded configuration. The exterior member, when
inflated, can extend around at least a portion of a perimeter of the hull when the hull is in
the expanded configuration.
In many embodiments, the boat includes at least one removable or hinged solid
seat that when installed constrains the plurality of panels when the hull is in the expanded
configuration.
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
According to the first aspect, the boat comprises a flexible diaphragm. The
flexible diaphragm is connected with a rear margin of each panel. The flexible diaphragm
is configured to have a substantially compact configuration when the hull is in the
collapsed configuration, and provide a water-tight barrier when the hull is in the expanded
configuration.
In the first aspect, the boat comprises a folding rigid transom that remains
attached when the hull is in the collapsed configuration. In an embodiment, the boat
comprises a removable rigid transom. A removable transom can be attachable to constrain
the panel rear margins when the hull is in the expanded configuration. A folding transom
is positioned to constrain the panel rear margins when the hull is in the expanded
configuration. In many embodiments, a rigid transom enables the attachment of an
outboard motor.
In many embodiments, the boat includes a plurality of removable or hinged solid
seats. When installed, the removable seats constrain the panels when the hull is in the
expanded configuration.
In many embodiments, the hull panels include a plurality of port-side panels and
a plurality of starboard-side panels. For example, the hull panels can include a port side
panel, a port bottom panel connected with the port side panel, a starboard bottom panel
connected with the port bottom panel, and a starboard side panel connected with the
starboard bottom panel.
In many embodiments, a removable or hinged seat includes a seat board and a
supporting strut. For example, each removable or hinged seat can include a seat board
spanning between a port side panel and a starboard side panel when the hull is in the
expanded condition, and a strut spanning between the seat board and at least one of the
bottom panels.
In many embodiments, the inflatable exterior member is connected with the hull
via attachment membranes. For example, a port upper-attachment membrane can be used
to connect the inflatable exterior member with an upper edge of a port side panel of the
hull. A port lower-attachment membrane can be used to connect the inflatable exterior
member with the port side panel below the port side panel upper edge. A port exterior-
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
attachment member can be used to connect the port lower-attachment membrane with the
port side panel. A starboard upper-attachment membrane can be used to connect the
inflatable exterior member with an upper edge of a starboard side panel of the hull. A
starboard lower-attachment membrane can be used to connect the inflatable exterior
member with the starboard side panel below the starboard side panel upper edge. And a
starboard exterior-attachment member can be used to connect the starboard lower-
attachment membrane with the starboard side panel.
In many embodiments, a connection between a removable or hinged seat and a
side panel can be aligned with a connection between the exterior inflatable member and the
side panel. For example, the boat can include a port interior-attachment member
connecting at least one of the removable seats with a port side panel at least in part via a
fastener used to connect a port exterior-attachment member with the port side panel. The
boat can include a starboard interior-attachment member connecting at least one of the
removable seats with a starboard side panel at least in part via a fastener used to connect a
starboard exterior-attachment member with the starboard side panel.
In an embodiment, a boat is provided that includes a collapsible hull having a
first end and a second end, a plurality of inflatable transverse members, an inflatable
longitudinal member, and an inflatable exterior member. The collapsible hull includes a
plurality of panels extending between the first end and the second end. Each panel is
connected with at least one of the plurality of panels. The hull is configurable between a
collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The panels include a port side
panel and a starboard side panel. The inflatable transverse members can connect the port
side panel with the starboard side panel. Each transverse member can be inflatable to
constrain the side panels when the hull is in the expanded configuration. The inflatable
longitudinal member can be oriented transverse to the transverse members, disposed
between a plurality of the transverse members and the hull, and inflatable to constrain at
least one of the panels when the hull is in the expanded configuration. The inflatable
exterior member can be connected with the hull such that the exterior member, when
inflated, extends around at least a portion of a perimeter of the hull when the hull is in the
expanded configuration.
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
In many embodiments, the boat includes one or more additional components at
the second end of the boat. For example, the boat can include a removable rigid transom
attachable to constrain the panels at the second end of the boat when the hull is in the
expanded configuration. The hull comprises a flexible diaphragm configured to have a
substantially compact configuration when the hull is in the collapsed configuration and
provide a water-tight barrier at the second end of the boat when the hull is in the expanded
configuration. The boat comprises a folding rigid transom, separate from the flexible
diaphragm, that remains attached when the hull is in the collapsed configuration to
constrain the panels at the second end of the boat when the hull is in the expanded
configuration.
Collapsible boats with folding transoms are also provided. The disclosed boats
include a plurality of connected hull panels movable to provide a collapsed hull
configuration and an expanded hull configuration, and a folding transom to constrain rear
margins of the panels when the hull is in the expanded configuration. The folding transom
remains attached to the hull when the hull is in the collapsed configuration, which
simplifies the process by which the boat is reconfigured from the collapsed configuration
into the expanded configuration, and vice-versa.
Thus, in another embodiment, a boat is provided that includes a collapsible hull
and a folding rigid transom. The collapsible hull can have a first end and a second end.
The hull can include a plurality of panels extending between the first end and the second
end. Each of the panels can be connected with at least one other of the panels. The hull
can be configurable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration.
The folding rigid transom can constrain at least two rear margins of the panels when the
hull is in the expanded configuration. And the folding rigid transom can remain attached
to the hull when the hull is in the collapsed configuration.
The folding rigid transom can have one or more separate sections. With a single-
section transom, the folding rigid transom can have a first end that remains attached to the
hull when the hull is in the collapsed configuration and a second end that is attachable to
the hull to secure the folding rigid transom when the folding rigid transom constrains the at
least two rear margins of the panels. As an example of more than one section, the folding
rigid transom can include separate first and second sections, with each of the first and
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
second sections remaining attached to the hull when the hull is in the collapsed
configuration. In many embodiments, the first section is attachable to the second section
to secure the folding rigid transom while the folding rigid transom constrains the at least
two rear margins of the panels.
In many embodiments, the folding rigid transom interfaces with port and
starboard panels of the collapsible hull when the hull is in the expanded configuration. For
example, the folding rigid transom can include a port side surface and a starboard side
surface that are configured to interface with port and starboard side panels, respectively,
when the hull is in the expanded configuration. The folding rigid transom can be hinged to
the hull so that port and starboard side panels do not interfere with the folding rigid
transom as it is folded. For example, the boat can include one or more hinges having a
common hinge line, the common hinge line being disposed forward of at least one of the
port and starboard side surfaces of the transom when the hull is in the expanded
configuration, the one or more hinges remaining coupled with the folding rigid transom
and the hull when the hull is in the collapsed configuration.
In many embodiments, the boat further comprises one or more hinges having a
common hinge line. The one or more hinges remain coupled with the folding rigid
transom and the hull when the hull is in the collapsed configuration. In many
embodiments, the folding rigid transom can be translated along the common hinge line
relative to the hull by a predetermined amount to facilitate configuring the folding rigid
transom to constrain the at least two rear margins of the panels. The ability to translate the
folding rigid transom along the common hinge line by the predetermine amount can be
provided by using two hinges configured to allow the predetermined amount of translation.
For example, the one or more hinges can include a first hinge that includes a first member
and a second member, and a second hinge that includes a third member and a fourth
member. The second and fourth members can be attached to one of the hull or the folding
rigid transom and disposed between the first and third members. The second and fourth
member can then be offset from the first and third members so as to provide the
predetermined amount of translation of the folding rigid transom along the common hinge
line relative to hull.
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
In many embodiments, the boat further includes a releasable connector operable
to prevent folding of the rigid transom when the folding rigid transom is constraining the at
least two rear margins of the panels. For example, the releasable connector can include
one or more vertically oriented retaining pins. As another example, the releasable
connector can include one or more reconfigurable latch members. The folding rigid
transom can include one or more slots configured to receive the one or more
reconfigurable latch members extending there through. And the one or more
reconfigurable latch members can be coupled with the hull and configurable to engage the
folding rigid transom adjacent to the one or more slots to prevent folding of the folding
rigid transom when the folding rigid transom is constraining the at least two rear margins
of the panels.
In many embodiments, each panel has a rear margin disposed to the second end
of the boat, and the collapsible hull includes a flexible diaphragm connected with the rear
margins of the panels. The flexible diaphragm has a substantially compact configuration
when the hull is in the collapsed configuration. And the flexible diaphragm provides a
water-tight barrier when the hull is in the expanded configuration.
In many embodiments, the boat includes a motor mount configured to provide a
support interface for an outboard motor. In many embodiments, the motor mount is
configurable into a deployed configuration in which the motor mount is coupled with the
folding rigid transom and a portion of the flexible diaphragm is disposed between the
motor mount and the folding rigid transom. The motor mount can be rotationally coupled
with and/or removably coupled with the folding rigid transom.
In many embodiments, the boat includes at least one inflatable member. For
example, the boat can include at least one interior member that is inflatable to constrain the
hull when the hull is in the expanded configuration. The boat can include an inflatable
exterior member connected with the hull such that the exterior member, when inflated,
extends around at least a portion of a perimeter of the hull when the hull is in the expanded
configuration.
In many embodiments, the at least one inflatable member includes a plurality of
transverse members that constrain panels of the hull. For example, the boat can include a
port side panel, a port bottom panel connected with the port side panel, a starboard bottom
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
panel connected with the port bottom panel, and a starboard side panel connected with the
starboard bottom panel. Each of the transverse members can connect the port side panel to
the starboard side panel to constrain the side panels when the hull is in the expanded
configuration when the transverse members are inflated. At least one of the transverse
members can include a seating surface.
In many embodiments, the at least one inflatable member includes a longitudinal
member. The longitudinal member can be oriented transverse to the transverse members
and disposed between the transverse members and the hull. The longitudinal member can
be inflatable to constrain at least one of the panels when the hull is in the expanded
configuration.
In another aspect there is provided a method is provided for expanding a
collapsible boat hull. The method includes reconfiguring the collapsible boat hull from a
collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration; with the hull in the expanded
configuration, rotating a rigid transom relative to a side of the hull into a deployed
configuration in which the rigid transom constrains rear margins of the hull, the rigid
transom remaining attached to the hull when the hull is in the collapsed configuration; and
securing the rigid transom in the deployed configuration.
For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of embodiments of the
present invention and other embodiments, reference should be made to the ensuing
detailed description and accompanying non-limiting drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
is a perspective view of a collapsible boat with inflatable members in an
expanded and inflated configuration, in accordance with many embodiments.
is an exploded perspective view of the collapsible boat of that
separately illustrates an assembly comprising a collapsible hull and inflatable interior
members, and an assembly comprising an exterior inflatable member, in accordance with
many embodiments.
is an exploded perspective view of the boat of that separately
illustrates the inflatable interior members and a removable transom member, in accordance
with many embodiments.
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
is a plan view of the boat of that illustrates the layout of the
inflatable interior members, in accordance with many embodiments.
is a perspective view of an end of an inflatable transverse interior member
illustrating an attached membrane for coupling the transverse inflatable member with a
side panel of a hull, in accordance with many embodiments.
is a cross-sectional view illustrating a transverse cross-section of the boat
of in accordance with many embodiments.
is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connection of an inflatable
exterior member and an inflatable transverse interior member with a side panel of the boat
of in accordance with many embodiments.
is a perspective view of a collapsible boat with an inflatable exterior
member and non-inflatable removable seats, in accordance with many embodiments.
is an exploded perspective view of the boat of that separately
illustrates an assembly comprising a collapsible hull and removable solid seats, and an
assembly comprising an inflatable exterior member, in accordance with many
embodiments.
A is a perspective view illustrating the collapsible boat of in a
collapsed configuration, in accordance with many embodiments.
B is a perspective view illustrating the inflation of a first inflatable
transverse member and the installation of a removable transom during the expansion
process for the boat of in accordance with many embodiments.
C is a perspective view illustrating the inflation of a second inflatable
transverse member during the expansion process for the boat of in accordance with
many embodiments.
D is a perspective view illustrating the inflation of a third inflatable
transverse member during the expansion process for the boat of in accordance with
many embodiments.
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
E is a perspective view illustrating the inflation of the inflatable
longitudinal member during the expansion process for the boat of in accordance
with many embodiments.
FIGS. 10F through 10H are perspective views illustrating the inflation of the
inflatable exterior member during the expansion process for the boat of in
accordance with many embodiments.
is a cross-sectional view illustrating the attachment of an inflatable
exterior assembly to a starboard-side hull panel at a non-seat location, in accordance with
many embodiments.
is a cross-sectional view illustrating the attachment of an inflatable
exterior assembly to a starboard-side hull panel at an inflatable transverse member
location, in accordance with many embodiments.
illustrates an inflatable exterior assembly and shows the location of
starboard-side and port-side bolt ropes that connect the top side of the inflatable exterior
tube with the port-side and starboard-side hull panels, in accordance with many
embodiments.
illustrates an inflatable exterior assembly and shows the location of
starboard-side and port-side lower tube flaps that connect the bottom side of the inflatable
exterior tube with the port-side and starboard-side hull panels, in accordance with many
embodiments.
illustrates an attachment plate used to attach lower tube flaps and
inflatable transverse member attachment flaps to a hull panel, in accordance with many
embodiments.
illustrates the location of an attachment extrusion on a port-side hull
panel for coupling with a port-side bolt rope, in accordance with many embodiments.
illustrates gunwale members trimmed to avoid rubbing against an
inflatable exterior assembly, in accordance with many embodiments.
illustrates the positioning of the inflatable exterior assembly relative to a
stern end of the boat, in accordance with many embodiments.
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
illustrates the use of an eye bolt and a grommet at a stern end of a
connection between a bolt rope of the inflatable exterior assembly and a hull panel, in
accordance with many embodiments.
illustrates the use of an attachment plate to attach a lower tube flap of the
inflatable exterior assembly and a hull panel, in accordance with many embodiments.
illustrates the use of fender washers at non-transverse-member
attachment locations between a lower tube flap of the inflatable exterior assembly and a
hull panel, in accordance with many embodiments.
illustrates a seam on an inflatable interior transverse member used to
orient the inflatable interior transverse member during installation, in accordance with
many embodiments.
illustrates a connection between an inflatable interior transverse member
and a hull panel, in accordance with many embodiments.
is a perspective view illustrating a boat that includes a collapsible hull
and a folding rigid transom, showing a port side releasable coupling between the folding
rigid transom and a port side panel of the hull, in accordance with many embodiments.
is an exploded perspective view illustrating the folding rigid transom of
.
is another perspective view illustrating the boat of , showing a
starboard side coupling between the folding rigid transom and a starboard side panel of the
collapsible hull, in accordance with many embodiments.
is a side view illustrating the port side releasable coupling of .
is a perspective view illustrating a boat that includes a collapsible hull
and a two-section folding rigid transom, showing a releasable coupling between port and
starboard sections of the folding rigid transom, in accordance with many embodiments.
is an exploded perspective view illustrating the two-section folding rigid
transom of .
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
is a perspective view illustrating a boat that includes a collapsible hull
and a folding rigid transom having a frame configuration, showing a port side coupling
between the folding rigid transom and a port side panel of the collapsible hull, in
accordance with many embodiments.
is another perspective view illustrating the boat of , showing a
starboard-side releasable coupling between the folding rigid transom and a starboard side
panel of the collapsible hull, in accordance with many embodiments.
is a perspective view illustrating a boat that includes a collapsible hull
and a folding rigid transom that is secured via a releasable connector that includes
reconfigurable latch members, in accordance with many embodiments.
is an exploded perspective view of the collapsible hull and the folding
rigid transom of .
is a side view illustrating reconfiguration of a latch member to secure the
folding rigid transom of relative to the panels of the collapsible hull, in
accordance with many embodiments.
is a simplified diagram listing acts of a method for expanding a
collapsible boat hull, in accordance with many embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention will
be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth
in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. The present invention,
however, can be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features
can be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described.
Collapsible/Inflatable Boat
Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like
parts throughout the several views, shows a collapsible/inflatable boat 10, in
accordance with many embodiments. In accordance with embodiments herein, a
collapsible/inflatable boat is a boat with a collapsible hull that includes rigid, semi-rigid, or
flexible hull panels and one or more interior and/or exterior inflatable members. The hull
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
is a solid, shaped hull that is collapsible or foldable into a storage configuration, and
expandable into a use configuration. An exterior inflatable member can take the form of
one or more flexible tubes disposed adjacent the gunwale of the boat.
In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the collapsible/inflatable boat 10 has a
somewhat pointed bow 12 and a planar stern 14. The collapsible/inflatable boat 10
includes a collapsible hull 16, three inflatable transverse interior members 18, an inflatable
longitudinal interior member 20, an exterior assembly 22, and a removable transom 24.
The inflatable transverse members 18, in addition to providing internal support to the
collapsible hull 16 as described below, further provide passenger seats.
shows the exterior assembly 22 separate from the rest of the
collapsible/inflatable boat 10. The exterior assembly 22 includes an inflatable exterior
member 26 having a tubular shape and configured to surround a perimeter portion of the
hull 16. The exterior assembly 22 includes a port upper-attachment membrane 28, a port
lower-attachment membrane 30, a starboard upper-attachment membrane 32, and a
starboard lower-attachment membrane 34. The attachment membranes 28, 30, 32, 34 are
used to connect the exterior assembly 22 to the collapsible hull 16. The exterior assembly
22 further includes a bow membrane 36 that is attached to the inflatable exterior member
26 at the bow.
The collapsible hull 16 includes a plurality of interconnected panels extending
between the bow 12 and the stern 14. The panels can be rigid, semi-rigid, or flexible. The
panels are movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration.
When in the expanded configuration, the hull 16 forms a non-inflatable structural portion
of the boat that is water tight. While any suitable number of panels can be used, the hull
16 includes four panels. As will be described in more detail below, the hull 16 includes a
pair of interconnected lower or bottom panels and a pair of side panels connected with
respective bottom or lower panels. The hull 16 includes a flexible or yieldable diaphragm
or flexible transom connected to the stern-side margins of the panels and providing a
water-tight barrier when the hull is in the expanded configuration. Details of such a
collapsible hull are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,524,570, the full disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated herein by reference. While the details provided therein disclose an
embodiment of a collapsible hull, many other collapsible configurations can be used
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
having rigid, semi-rigid, flexible, and/or other solid components that hinge, bend, fold, or
otherwise move so that the hull can be configured between a collapsible state and an
expanded state. For example, a collapsible hull having a double-ended expanded
configuration can be used.
As illustrated in the three inflatable transverse interior members 18 are
connected with a port side panel 38 and a starboard side panel 40 via a port interior-
attachment member 42 and a starboard interior-attachment member 44, respectively.
When inflated, each of the transverse members 18 provide a column support between the
side panels 38, 40, thereby helping to keep the collapsible hull 16 in the expanded
configuration. The transverse members 18 also serve as an upper constraint to the
inflatable longitudinal interior member 20, which is positioned to interface with the bottom
panels of the collapsible hull 16 to provide vertical constraint to the bottom panels along
their mutual connection line. The transverse members 18 react vertical loads from the
longitudinal member 20 into the side panels 38, 40 via the interior-attachment members
42, 44.
The collapsible/inflatable boat 10 includes bow and stern components. A bow
panel end cover 46 is installed over the bow ends of the hull panels and serves to protect
the exterior assembly 22 from chaffing damage that may arise from contact and relative
motion between the bow ends of the hull panels and the exterior assembly 22. Also, the
removable transom 24 is shown in its installed position. The removable transom 24 can be
constructed in a variety of ways, for example, as a unitary piece, as a welded metal
assembly, etc. A folding rigid transom that remains attached to at least one of the hull
panels when the collapsible hull is in the collapsed configuration can be used in place of
the removable transom 24. For example, a folding rigid transom can be made by attaching
the transom 24 to one of the side panels 38, 40 via a hinge disposed along an edge of the
transom 24 that interfaces with one of the side panels 38, 40.
is an exploded perspective view that separately illustrates the exterior
assembly 22, the collapsible hull 16, the inflatable transverse interior members 18, the
inflatable longitudinal interior member 20, the bow panel end cover 46, the removable
transom 24, and the port-interior attachment member 42. The inflatable longitudinal
interior member 20 can be attached to one or more of the transverse interior members 18,
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
or just inserted and held in place between the transverse members 18 and the collapsible
hull 16. The collapsible hull 16 includes the port side panel 38, a port bottom panel 48
connected with the port side panel 38 along a connection 50 running between the bow 12
and the stern 14, a starboard bottom panel 52 connected with the port bottom panel 48
along a connection 54 running between the bow 12 and the stern 14, and the starboard side
panel 40 connected with the starboard bottom panel 52 along a connection 56 running
between the bow 12 and the stern 14. The collapsible hull 16 also includes a flexible
diaphragm 58 at the stern 14 that is attached to the stern ends of the hull panels 38, 48, 52,
40 so as to provide a water-tight barrier at the stern 14 when the hull 16 is in the expanded
configuration. The flexible diaphragm 58 is configured to have a substantially compact
configuration when the collapsible hull 16 is in the collapsed configuration, and to deploy
into a substantially planar configuration when the collapsible hull 16 is in the expanded
configuration (illustrated in . The removable transom 24 can be inserted into the
collapsible hull 16 to constrain the stern ends of the hull panels 38, 48, 52, 40 (panel aft
margins) when the hull 16 is in the expanded configuration. The removable transom 24
can be attached to the collapsible hull panels any suitable way. For example, the
removable transom 24 can be configured with one or more projections that fit into one or
more grooves formed by one or more elongated members bonded to the surfaces of the
hull panels such as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,524,570. The removable transom 24 can
also be attached with the panel aft margins using removable fasteners. While the
collapsible/inflatable boat 10 includes both the flexible diaphragm 58 and the removable
transom 24, one or both of these components can be replaced with a suitable equivalent
(e.g., a water-tight removable transom, an inflatable transom, a flexible diaphragm without
a removable transom, a folding rigid transom). The removable transom 24 can be made of
any suitable solid material of sufficient strength.
is a plan view of the collapsible/inflatable boat 10, and illustrates the
layout of the inflatable transverse interior members 18 and the inflatable longitudinal
interior member 20. Each of the inflatable transverse interior members 18 are connected to
the port side panel 38 via the port interior-attachment member 42. And each of the
inflatable transverse interior members 18 is connected to the starboard side panel 40 via
the starboard interior-attachment member 44.
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
illustrates an end of one of the inflatable transverse interior members 18.
A side attachment membrane 62 is attached to each end of each transverse member 18.
The side attachment membrane 62 can be a rectangular membrane that is attached (e.g.,
bonded) to the end of the transverse member 18 over an end portion of the side attachment
membrane 62. The length of the attachment membrane 62 can be selected to allow the
side attachment membrane 62 to be folded into an installation configuration illustrated in
illustrates a cross-section 6-6 (as defined in of the
collapsible/inflatable boat 10. The cross-section 6-6 illustrates the collapsible hull 16, one
of the inflatable transverse members 18, the inflatable longitudinal member 20, and the
exterior assembly 22.
The collapsible hull 16 includes the port side panel 38, the port bottom panel 48
connected with the port side panel 38 along the connection 50 that runs between the bow
12 and the stern 14, the starboard bottom panel 52 connected with the port bottom panel 48
along the connection 54 that runs between the bow 12 and the stern 14, and the starboard
side panel 40 connected with the starboard bottom panel 52 along the connection 56 that
runs between the bow 12 and the stern 14. The connections 50, 54, 56 can be configured,
for example, as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,524,570. The hull panels can be made from
a copolymer material that contains polypropylene, which may be beneficial due to its
ability to be folded and unfolded many times without sustaining any significant damage.
The hull panels can also be made from aluminum or a plastic material, but may not be as
efficient or strong as a polypropylene copolymer material. Neoprene or other similar
materials can be used in the connections 50, 54, 56, but do not have the same properties as
polypropylene.
Each of the inflatable transverse members 18 is configured to support the
collapsible hull in the expanded configuration. Each transverse member 18, when inflated,
provides a column support between the port side panel 38 and the starboard side panel 40
that maintains the separation between the side panels 38, 40 in the expanded configuration
of the collapsible hull 16. Additionally, each transverse member 18 pushes down on the
inflatable longitudinal member 20, which in turn pushes down on the bottom panels 48, 52
along their mutual connection 54 to further help maintain the expanded configuration of
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
the collapsible hull 16. Each transverse member 18 reacts the upward load from the
longitudinal member 20 to the port side panel 38 via a side attachment membrane 62 and
the port interior-attachment member 42, and to the starboard side panel 40 via a side
attachment membrane 62 and the starboard interior-attachment member 44.
The inflatable longitudinal member 20 provides a running support of the bottom
panels 48, 52 along their mutual connection 54. The resulting upward load on the
longitudinal member 20 is then reacted into the transverse members 18.
illustrates details of the connection of the exterior assembly 22 with the
collapsible hull 16, and details of the connection of one of the transverse members 18 with
the collapsible hull 16. While the port side is illustrated, in many embodiments, the
corresponding starboard connections are the same as the port connections.
The exterior assembly 22 is connected with the port side of the collapsible hull 16
via the port upper-attachment membrane 28 and the port lower-attachment membrane 30.
The port upper-attachment membrane 28 is wrapped over a port side panel upper edge 64
of the port side panel 38 and fastened to the port upper edge 64 using a series of
attachment fasteners 66 (e.g., staples). A cover member 68 is installed over the connection
between the port upper-attachment membrane 28 and the port upper edge 64, and can serve
to stiffen the port upper edge 64 and define a port gunwale for the collapsible hull 16. The
port lower-attachment membrane 30 is connected with the port side panel 38 below the
port side panel upper edge 64 via a port exterior-attachment member 70 and a series of
attachment fasteners 72 (e.g., rivets).
As illustrated, the attachment between the transverse member 18 and the port side
panel 38 can be aligned with the connection between the port lower-attachment membrane
and the port side panel 38. Such an alignment may serve to reduce the loads imparted
into the port side panel 38 by the port lower-attachment membrane 30 by providing a
direct load path into the transverse member 18. Such an alignment also enables the use
common attachment fasteners 72. The transverse member 18 is connected with the port
side panel 38 via a side attachment membrane 62. As illustrated, the side attachment
membrane 62 is folded and clamped to the side panel 38 via the port interior-attachment
member 42. The folded configuration illustrated places a portion of the side attachment
membrane 62 between the port interior-attachment member 42 and the transverse member
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
18, which helps to protect the transverse member 18 from chaffing damage from contact
with and movement relative to the port interior-attachment member 42.
Collapsible/Inflatable Boat with Non-Inflatable Interior Members
and illustrate a collapsible/inflatable boat 100 that employs
removable solid seats 102 and a removable transom 104 to support a collapsible hull 106
in an expanded configuration. The collapsible hull 106 can include any suitable feature of
the above-described collapsible hull 16. Additionally, the collapsible hull can be
configured as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,524,570. The collapsible/inflatable boat 100
includes an inflatable exterior assembly 108. The exterior assembly 108 can be configured
the same as the above-described exterior assembly 22, and can be attached to the
collapsible hull 106 the same as described above with regard to the exterior assembly 22
and the collapsible hull 16.
Boat Expansion (Collapsible/Inflatable Boat 10)
A illustrates the collapsible/inflatable boat 10 of in the collapsed
configuration. When the collapsible/inflatable boat 10 is in the collapsed configuration,
the inflatable members 18, 20, 26 are in an un-inflated state and the side panels 38, 40 are
folded down over the deflated interior members 18, 20, which are disposed between the
down-folded side panels 38, 40 and the bottom panels 48, 52. The flexible diaphragm 58
is also in a collapsed configuration. Straps 74 can be used to constrain the
collapsible/inflatable boat 10 in the collapsed configuration. When collapsed, the
collapsible/inflatable boat 10 can be carried in a compact, substantially flat condition, for
example, on the side or top of a vehicle.
To expand the collapsible/inflatable boat 10, the side panels 38, 40 can be moved
apart with respect to the bottom panels 48, 52 to provide access to the inflatable interior
members 18, 20. Alternatively, inflation of any one or more of the transverse inflatable
members 18 can be used to move the side panels 38, 40 apart with respect to the bottom
panels 48, 52. For example, with the boat in the collapsed configuration as illustrated in
A and the straps 74 removed, an inflation tube coupled with any one or more of
the transverse inflatable members 18 can extend to an accessible location (e.g., beyond the
aft edge of the panels 38, 40, 48, 52) where it can be used to inflate the selected inflatable
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
member(s), thereby moving the side panels 38, 40 apart with respect to the bottom panels
48, 52. While any one or more of the transverse inflatable members 18 can be inflated via
an inflation tube to move the side panels 38, 40 apart with respect to the bottom panels 48,
52, in many embodiments, a central transverse inflatable member 18 is inflated to move
the side panels 38, 40 apart with respect to the bottom panels 48, 52. Inflation of the
interior members 18, 20 reconfigures the collapsible hull 16 into the expanded
configuration. Specifically, inflation of the transverse members 18 provides column
supports between the side panels 38, 40 so as to maintain the separation between the side
panels 38, 40 in the expanded configuration. As illustrated in B, the expansion
process can start with the inflation of the center transverse member 18 and the installation
of the removable transom 24. Next, the forward transverse member 18 can be inflated as
illustrated in C. And then the aft transverse member 18 can be inflated as
illustrated in D. Inflation of the longitudinal member 20 as illustrated in E
provides the above-described running support of the bottom panels 48, 52. As a result, the
inflation of the interior members 18, 20 drives the collapsible hull 16 into the expanded
configuration and thereafter maintains the collapsible hull 16 in the expanded
configuration. The exterior inflatable member 26 is also inflated during the expansion of
the collapsible/inflatable boat 10 as illustrated in F through H. While a
specific expansion sequence is illustrated in A through H, the inflation of
the interior members 18, 20, the inflation of the exterior member 26, and the installation of
the removable transom 24 can be accomplished in any suitable order.
In many embodiments, each of the interior members 18, 20 is a separate
inflatable member that is inflated through a separate inflation orifice or valve. As
illustrated in F through H, the exterior inflatable member 26 can include
one or more separate inflatable portions, each of which can be inflated through a separate
inflation orifice or valve. Any suitable inflation means can be used, for example, a hand
pump, an electric pump, an air compressor, etc. With a suitable hand pump, the
collapsible/inflatable boat 10 can be expanded in about ten minutes to twenty minutes.
The removable transom 24 is also attached during the expansion of the
collapsible/inflatable boat 10. While any suitable means of attachment can be used, in
many embodiments the removable transom is attached to the panel rear margins using
removable fasteners. While the removable transom can be installed on either side of the
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
flexible diaphragm 58, in many embodiments, the transom 24 is installed inside of the
flexible diaphragm 58. While the transom 24 can be attached at any point during the
expansion of the collapsible/inflatable boat 10, it may be easier to attach the transom 24
after the inflation of at least one of the interior members 18, 20 due to constraint supplied
by the inflated interior members 18, 20. On the other hand, it may be easier to inflate the
interior members 18, 20 after the attachment of the transom 24 due to the constraint
supplied by the transom 24.
Boat Expansion (Collapsible/Inflatable Boat 100)
When the collapsible/inflatable boat 100 is in the collapsed configuration, the
inflatable exterior member 26 is in an un-inflated state and the side panels of the
collapsible hull 106 are folded down over the bottom panels of the collapsible hull 106.
The flexible diaphragm of the collapsible hull 106 is also in a collapsed configuration.
When collapsed, the collapsible/inflatable boat 100 can be carried in a compact,
substantially flat condition, for example, on the side or top of a vehicle.
To expand the collapsible/inflatable boat 100, the side panels are moved apart
with respect to the bottom panels and the removable solid seats 102 are put into place
between the side panels as shown in and Each of the removable solid seats
102 includes a leg or strut (not shown) secured to the underside of the removable solid seat
102 and extending downwardly and snuggly fits into the crevice formed by the connection
between the bottom panels along the longitudinal fore and aft connection.
The removable transom 104 is also attached during the expansion of the
collapsible/inflatable boat 100. While any suitable means of attachment can be used, in
many embodiments the removable transom 104 is attached to the panel rear margins using
removable fasteners. While the removable transom 104 can be installed on either side of
the flexible diaphragm of the collapsible hull 106, in many embodiments, the transom 104
is installed inside of the flexible diaphragm. While the transom 104 can be attached at any
point during the expansion of the collapsible/inflatable boat 100, it may be easier to attach
the transom 104 after the installation of at least one of the removable solid seats 102 due to
the constraint supplied by the removable solid seats 102.
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
The inflatable exterior member 26 is also inflated during the expansion of the
collapsible/inflatable boat 100. The inflation of the exterior member 26 and the
installation of the removable seats 102 can be accomplished in any suitable order.
Installation of an Inflatable Exterior Assembly During Manufacture
through illustrate configuration details and installation steps for
an inflatable exterior assembly 110, in accordance with many embodiments. is a
cross-sectional view illustrating the connection between the inflatable exterior assembly
110 and the starboard-side panel 40 at a non-seat location (e.g., at a location without a
corresponding inflatable transverse interior member 18). The top of the inflatable exterior
member 26 is attached to the starboard-side panel 40 via an attachment extrusion 112 and a
bolt rope 114. The bolt rope 114 includes an edge rope that is slidingly received by the
attachment extrusion 112 and a membrane the couples the edge rope with the top of the
inflatable exterior member 26. At the bottom end of the inflatable exterior member 26, a
lower tube flap 116 is used to couple the inflatable exterior member 26 with the starboard-
side panel 40. A plate 118 and a bolt 120 are used to attach the lower tube flap 116 to the
starboard-side panel 40. A fender washer 122 is used on the interior side of the starboard-
side panel 40 to distribute the clamping force of the bolt 120 over an area of the starboard-
side panel 40. In many embodiments, two bolts 120 are used to attach each lower tube flap
116 to the collapsible hull.
is a cross-sectional view illustrating the connection between the
inflatable exterior assembly 110 and the starboard-side panel 40 at a seat location (e.g., at a
location with a corresponding inflatable transverse interior member 18). The details of the
connection are similar to those shown in , but with the fender washers 122 being
replaced by an attachment plate 118 used to attach an attachment flap of the inflatable
transverse interior member 18 with the starboard-side panel 40.
FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate the configuration of attachment features of the
inflatable exterior assembly 110. For the attachment of the upper end of the inflatable
exterior member 26 to the collapsible hull, port-side and starboard-side bolt ropes extend
from just adjacent the stern of the inflatable exterior assembly to a location aft of the bow
end of the inflatable exterior assembly. For the attachment of the lower end of the
inflatable exterior member 26 to the collapsible hull, four port-side lower tube flaps 116
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
and four starboard-side lower tube flaps 116 are distributed as shown. The port-side and
starboard-side lower tube flaps 116 include stern flaps 133, seat flaps 124, and bow flaps
126.
illustrates an attachment plate 118. In many embodiments, an
attachment plate 118 is a 2 inch by 8 inch aluminum plate having two attachment holes
separated by 5 inches.
illustrates the location of the attachment extrusion 112 on the port-side
panel 38. In many embodiments, the attachment of the inflatable exterior assembly 110 to
the collapsible hull begins with the attachment of the attachment extrusions 112 to the port
and starboard sides of the collapsible hull. In the embodiment illustrated, the attachment
extrusion 112 extends from four inches from the stern 139 edge of the collapsible hull to
sixteen and one-half inches from the front edge of the collapsible hull. The extrusion 112
can be riveted to the collapsible hull approximately every 4 inches starting 1 inch from
each end. In many embodiments, the rivets are oriented to place their manufactured heads
on the inside of the hull. The rivet length used can be minimized to reduce or eliminate
any potential interference between the rivets and the bolt rope 114.
illustrates how the gunwale members 141 of the collapsible hull can be
trimmed to reduce or eliminate a potential rubbing against the back of the inflatable
exterior assembly 110. While in many embodiments the back of the inflatable exterior
assembly 110 is reinforced against rubbing damage, the illustrated end trim of the gunwale
members 141 can further help to avoid such rubbing damage.
After the installation of the attachment extrusions 112 to the collapsible hull and
the trimming of the gunwale members 141, the attachment extrusions 112 can be
lubricated with, for example, soap and water or a commercial lubricant prior to the
installation of the port-side and starboard-side bolt ropes 114 into the attachment
extrusions 112. The installation of the bolt ropes 114 into the attachment extrusions 112
starts at the bow of the collapsible hull and proceeds towards the stern 139 of the
collapsible hull until the stern lower tube flaps 133 are positioned adjacent the stern 139 of
the collapsible hull as illustrated in . The installation of the bolt ropes 114 into the
attachment extrusions 112 can be accomplished by, for example, starting by sliding about
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
one-half the length of a bolt rope along an attachment extrusion 112 on one side of the
hull, and then switching to installing the other side bolt rope 114.
illustrates the use of an eye bolt 128 and a grommet 131 to further secure
the inflatable exterior assembly 110 to the collapsible hull. Port-side and starboard-side
holes (e.g., for a one-quarter inch eye bolt) can be drilled in the collapsible hull and fender
washers (not shown) can be used to distribute any clamping force over corresponding areas
of the port-side and starboard-side hull panels. In many embodiments, the grommets 302
are located adjacent to the port-side and starboard-side bolt ropes 114 at the stern end of
the bolt ropes 114 and are attached to the membranes of the bolt ropes 114. These port-
side and starboard-side eye bolt 300 connections prevent the bolt ropes 114 from sliding
out of the attachment extrusions 112.
When the inflatable exterior assembly 110 is in the correct fore/aft position, pre-
located holes in the lower tube flaps 116 can be used to determine the location of
corresponding mating holes in the collapsible hull. As illustrated in , the vertical
position 137 of the holes can be determined by pressing the lower tube flaps 116 against
the hull using an attachment plate 118. The resulting vertical position 137 of the holes can
be compared with an expected separation from the attachment extrusion 112 such as, for
example, approximately eight and one-half inch from the centerline of the attachment
extrusion 112. The holes for the center two flaps are also used to attach the seat
attachment flaps, so the suitability of these positions relative to the attachment of the seat
attachment flaps can be verified prior to drilling the holes in the hull panels. These holes
can be, for example, sized to be clearance holes for one-quarter inch bolts (e.g., five-
sixteenths inch diameter, three-eighths inch diameter).
In many embodiments, each lower tube flap 116 and each attachment flap for the
inflatable transverse members 18 are attached to the collapsible hull 16 by an attachment
plate 118. In many embodiments, the attachment plates 118 are black anodized aluminum
plates for resistance against oxidation. For the bow and stern lower tube flaps 116, the
attachment bolts 120 are installed with washers through the holes in the attachment plate
118, through the holes in the lower tube flaps 116, through the holes in the hull panel,
through the fender washers 112 (as shown in ), and secured with self-locking nuts.
For the two center lower tube flaps 116, a corresponding deflated inflatable transverse
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
member 18 can be positioned opposite each lower tube flap 116 and can be oriented so that
a seam 135 (shown in ) in the inflatable transverse member 18 faces the collapsible
hull. One of the attachment plates 118 can be used to align the holes in the seat flaps 124
with the holes in the hull, and an attachment bolt 120 with a regular washer installed can
be inserted in each of these holes (resulting in the configuration illustrated in ).
On the exterior side of the hull panel, the lower tube flap 116 can be placed over the bolts,
an attachment plate 118 placed over the lower tube flap 116, and secured with regular
washers and self-locking nuts. In many embodiments, stainless steel hex head bolts are
used as the attachment bolts 120, and their length(s) selected to minimize excess bolt
length beyond the nut to reduce or eliminate possible chafing of the exterior inflatable
assembly 110.
Folding Transoms
through illustrate embodiments of folding rigid transoms that
can be used in conjunction with a boat having a collapsible hull. In many embodiments,
the folding rigid transom remains attached to the hull when the hull is in the collapsed
configuration, and is rotated into a deployed configuration to constrain rear margins of
panels of the collapsible hull when the hull is in the expanded configuration, thereby
simplifying the process by which the boat is reconfigured from the collapsed configuration
into the expanded configuration, and vice-versa.
illustrates a collapsible boat 130 in an expanded configuration. The
boat 130 includes a collapsible hull and a folding rigid transom 132. The folding rigid
transom 132 is rotationally coupled with a starboard side panel 134 of the collapsible hull
and is shown in a deployed configuration in which the transom 132 is releaseably coupled
to a port side panel 136 of the collapsible hull. The coupling between the port side panel
136 and the transom 132 secures the transom in place relative to the port and starboard side
panels 136, 134. When in the deployed configuration, the folding rigid transom 132
constrains rear margins of the port and starboard side panels 136, 134 when the hull is in
the expanded configuration. And when the boat is in the collapsed configuration, the
folding rigid transom 132 is sandwiched between a side panel and a bottom panel of the
collapsible hull.
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
The folding rigid transom 132 includes a transom member 138 and an articulated
motor mount 140. The motor mount 140 is rotationally coupled to the transom member
138. The motor mount 140 can be placed in a raised configuration, which avoids
interfering with a flexible diaphragm (such as the flexible diagraph 58 of
connected with the rear margins of the panels of the collapsible hull when the folding rigid
transom 132 is rotated back into its deployed configuration. Once the folding rigid
transom 132 reaches its deployed configuration, the motor mount 140 can then be rotated
down into a vertical orientation, thereby trapping a portion of the flexible diaphragm
between the motor mount 140 and the transom member 138.
illustrates details of the folding rigid transom 132 and the connections
between the folding rigid transom 132 and the port and starboard side panels of the
collapsible hull. The transom member 138 is rigid and includes a transverse flat web 142,
port and starboard side flanges 144, 146 attached to the web 142, and transverse flanges
148, 150 attached to the web 142 and the side flanges 144, 146. The transom member 138
can be fabricated from any suitable material (e.g., a suitable alloy of aluminum such as a
5000 or 6000 series aluminum alloy, a suitable stainless steel, a suitable composite
material). The transom member 138 can be fabricated as a welded assembly and/or a built-
up assembly (e.g., separate stiffening elements fastened and/or welded to a web).
The transom member 138 provides a rigid column that maintains a predetermined
separation between the port and starboard side panels of the collapsible hull consistent
with the expanded configuration of the hull. In the expanded configuration, the flexible
diaphragm assumes a substantially flat configuration and serves to help constrain the port
and side panels, thereby maintaining contact between the transom member 138 and the
port and side panels of the collapsible hull, respectively. The port side flange 144 provides
a port side surface 152 that is configured to interface with the port side panel 136 when the
hull is in the expanded configuration. Likewise, the starboard side flange 146 provides a
starboard side surface 154 that is configured to interface with the starboard side panel 134
when the hull is in the expanded configuration.
The transom member 138 is rotationally coupled with the starboard side panel
134 via a first hinge 156 and a second hinge 158. The first and second hinges 156, 158
provide a common hinge line 160 about which the transom member 138 rotates relative to
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
the starboard side panel 134. The first hinge 156 includes a first member 156a that is
attached to the starboard side panel 134 and a second member 156b that is attached to the
starboard side flange 146. The second hinge 158 includes a third member 158a that is
attached to the starboard side panel 134 and a fourth member 158b that is attached to the
starboard side flange 146. The first member 156a has a hinge pin that extends downward
and is received by the second member 156b. The third member 158a has a hinge pin that
extends upward and is received by the fourth member 158b. The second member and
fourth members 156b, 158b are thereby trapped between the first and third members 156a,
158a, thereby ensuring that the transom member 138 remains attached to the starboard side
panel 134 when the hull is in the collapsed configuration. In an alternate embodiment, the
second and fourth members 156b, 158b are attached to the starboard side panel 134 and the
first and third members 156a, 158a are attached to the starboard side flange 146.
The transom member 138 is releaseably connected to the port side panel 136 via
a third hinge 162 and a fourth hinge 164, which serve as a releasable connector. The third
hinge 162 includes a fifth member 162a and a sixth member 162b. And the fourth hinge
164 includes a seventh member 164a and an eighth member 164b. The fifth and seventh
members 162a, 164a are attached to the port side panel 136 and each include a hinge pin
that extends upward and can be releaseably received by the sixth and eighth members
162b, 164b, respectively. When the hull is reconfigured into the expanded configuration,
the transom member is swung into its deployed position and is maneuvered such that the
sixth and eighth members 162b, 164b engage and receive the hinge pins of the fifth and
seventh members 162a, 164a. provides a cross-sectional view that further
illustrates components of the foldable rigid transom 132 and the releasable connection
between the transom member 138 and the port side panel 136.
illustrates an embodiment in which the first and second hinges 156, 158
are installed to allow a predetermined amount of translation of the transom member 138
along the common hinge line 160. As shown, the second member 156b of the first hinge is
offset by the predetermined distance below the first member 156a of the first hinge,
thereby providing an attachment that allows the transom member 138 to be translated
along the common hinge line 160 relative to the hull by the predetermined amount, while
also providing a rotational coupling between the transom member 138 and the starboard
side panel 134 that remains attached when the hull is in the collapsed configuration. In
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
many embodiments, the predetermined amount of translation is selected and used to
facilitate the engagement of the hinge pins of the fifth and seventh members 162a, 164a by
the sixth and eighth members 162b, 164b by allowing the transom member 138 to be lifted
relative to the hull, rotated relative to the hull about the common hinge line 160 to align
the hinge pins of the fifth and seventh members 162a, 164a with the sixth and eighth
members 162b, 164b, and the lowered relative to the hull thereby inserting the hinge pins
of the fifth and seventh members 162a, 164a into the sixth and eighth members 162b,
164b. shows the hinge pins of the fifth and seventh members 162a, 164a as fully
inserted into the sixth and eight members 162b, 164b.
and illustrate a boat 170 that includes a collapsible hull and a
two-section folding rigid transom 172, in accordance with many embodiments. The two-
section folding rigid transom 172 includes a port side section 174 that is rotationally
coupled with the port side panel 136 and a starboard side section 176 that is rotationally
coupled with the starboard side panel 134. The port side section 174 remains attached to
the port side panel 136 when the hull is in the collapsed configuration. And the starboard
side section 176 remains attached to the starboard side panel 134 when the hull is in the
collapsed configuration. Hinges 178 are used to rotationally couple the port side section
174 to the port side panel 136. And hinges are similarly be used to rotationally couple the
starboard side section 176 to the starboard side panel 134. The port side section 174
includes a flat web 180, a port side flange 182 that is attached to the flat web 180, and two
transverse stiffeners 184, 186 that are attached to the web 180 and the port side flange 182.
The starboard side section 176 includes a flat web 188, a starboard side stiffener 190
attached to the flat web 188, and two transverse stiffeners 192, 194 attached to the web 188
and the starboard side stiffener 190. The port side transverse stiffeners 184, 186 include
elongated holes 196 and slots 198 that are positioned to align with corresponding
elongated holes 200 and slots 202 in the starboard side transverse stiffeners 192, 194 when
the port and starboard side sections 174, 176 are positioned to constrain the hull panels
when the hull is in the expanded configuration. Removable fasteners 204 are used to
secure the port and starboard side sections 174, 176 to each other. The port side section
174 includes coupling features 206 by which a motor mount, such as the motor mount 140
describe above, can be rotationally and/or removeably coupled to the port side section 174.
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
When the boat is in the collapsed configuration, the port and starboard side sections 174,
176 are sandwiched between respective side and bottom panels of the collapsible hull.
and illustrate a boat 210 having a collapsible hull and a folding
rigid transom 212 having a frame configuration, in accordance with many embodiments.
The rigid transom 212 includes transverse frame members, a port-side frame member, a
port-side intermediate frame member, a starboard-side intermediate member, and a
starboard-side frame member. Hinges 214 rotationally attach the port side frame member
to the port side panel 136. And a releasable connector 216 is used to releaseably couple
the starboard-side frame member to the starboard-side panel 134.
, , and illustrate a boat 220 having a collapsible hull and
a folding rigid transom 222, in accordance with many embodiments. The folding rigid
transom 222 is rotationally coupled with the starboard panel 134 of the collapsible hull via
hinges 224. The folding rigid transom 222 remains attached to the starboard side panel
134 when the hull is in the collapsed configuration. Releasable connectors 226 that
include reconfigurable latch members are fixedly attached to the port side panel 136. The
folding rigid transom 222 is rotatable into a deployed position, where the reconfigurable
latch members are received through slots 228 in the folding rigid transom 222 and extend
there through. As illustrated in , the reconfigurable latch members can be rotated
into a position that secures the folding rigid transom by engaging the folding rigid transom
222 adjacent to the slots ss8, thereby preventing movement of the folding rigid transom
222 relative to the panels of the collapsible hull.
lists acts of a method 230 for expanding a collapsible boat hull, in
accordance with many embodiments. The method 230 can be accomplished using any
suitable collapsible boat hull having a folding rigid transom that remains attached to the
hull when the hull is in a collapsed configuration, such as those described herein. The
method includes reconfiguring a collapsed boat hull from a collapsed configuration to an
expanded configuration (act 232); with the hull in the expanded configuration, rotating a
rigid transom relative to the hull into a deployed configuration in which the rigid transom
constrains rear margins of the hull, the rigid transom remaining attached to the hull when
the hull is in the collapsed configuration (act 234); and securing the rigid transom in the
deployed configuration (act 236).
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention. Thus, while the
invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain
illustrated embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have been described above
in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention
to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all
modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope
of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context
of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be
construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or
clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and
“containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not
limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term “connected” is to be construed as partly or
wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if there is something
intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a
shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range,
unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the
specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be
performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly
contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g.,
“such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the
invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise
claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-
claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best
mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred
embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the
foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as
appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as
specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and
equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by
applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated
herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited
herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were
individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in
its entirety herein.
It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such
reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common
general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or any other country.
In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention,
except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary
implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is
used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to
preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the
invention.
6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/05/15
Claims (4)
1. A boat comprising: a collapsible hull having a first end and a second end, the hull comprising a plurality of panels extending between the first end and the second end, each of the panels being connected with at least one other of the panels, each of the panels having a rear margin disposed to the second end of the boat, the panels including side panels that include a port side panel and a starboard side panel, the hull configurable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, the hull further comprising a flexible diaphragm connected with the rear margins of the panels, the flexible diaphragm configured to have a substantially compact configuration when the hull is in the collapsed configuration, and the flexible diaphragm providing a water-tight barrier when the hull is in the expanded configuration; a folding rigid transom, separate from the flexible diaphragm, to constrain at least two rear margins of the panels when the hull is in the expanded configuration, the folding rigid transom remaining attached to at least one of the port side panel or the starboard side panel when the hull is in the collapsed configuration.
2. The boat of claim 1, wherein the folding rigid transom has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end remains attached to the hull when the hull is in the collapsed configuration and the second end is attachable to the hull to secure the folding rigid transom while the folding rigid transom constrains the at least two rear margins of the panels.
3. The boat of claim 1 or 2, wherein the folding rigid transom includes separate first and second sections, each of the first and second portions remaining attached to the hull when the hull is in the collapsed configuration, the first section being attachable to the second section to secure the folding rigid transom while the folding rigid transom constrains the at least two rear margins of the panels.
4. The boat of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the folding rigid transom comprises a port side surface and a starboard side surface, the port and starboard side surfaces configured to interface with the port and starboard side panels of the panels, respectively, when the hull is in the expanded configuration. 6362620_1 (GHMatters) P95745.NZ DENISET 27/
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/174,577 | 2011-06-30 | ||
US13/174,577 US8539900B2 (en) | 2009-12-30 | 2011-06-30 | Folding transom for a collapsible boat |
PCT/US2012/045104 WO2013003807A1 (en) | 2011-06-30 | 2012-06-29 | Folding transom for a collapsible boat |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ619865A NZ619865A (en) | 2015-07-31 |
NZ619865B2 true NZ619865B2 (en) | 2015-11-03 |
Family
ID=
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