SE544507C2 - Pontoon unit and an arrangment for a pontoon - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to a pontoon (1) for use in a lake, pool or corresponding water area, and comprising a pontoon unit (2) arranged to provide buoyancy and an upwardly facing support surface (2A) for carrying a load, wherein said pontoon unit (2) comprises a body (20, 21) that is circumferentially enclosed by an attachment base (3) that is integrated with the pontoon unit (2), by means of a covering flexible layer (22), wherein sai d attachment base (3) comprises a plurality of interconnected plates (3A, 3B), each comprising a horizontally extending U-shaped indentation (31) including a plurality of attachment faces (340, 341) arranged to attach connecting member/s (4) for connecting two neighboring pontoon units (2) to each other.

Description

DESCRIPTION 'The present invafntiçiiíi razlates to a pontoon. for use in a. lake, pool or corrafspinïidi.n.g vvattzrarea, and comprisiiig at. least one pontotin unit, preferablyf a plurality of connectedpontoon units, for providing buoyfantfy and coinffart for a pontoon.

Known pontoons of different kind present one or more disadvantages. One disadvantagethat many modular pontoons present is that each pontoon unit has rather limitedfloatability, e. g. as known from EP 1636426, which may lead to discomfort for peopleusing such a pontoon. Some pontoons present frames etc., e. g. as known fromUS20l30l979l, that contain metal parts, which may present sharp corners etc., whichmay cause injuries or discomfort in other respects, e. g. by transmitting high heat due toexposure to sun. From DE 1927274 there is known a modular pontoon, where cellularplastic is enclosed and strengthened by a skin of fibre composite plastic, which also hasdisadvantages from a comfort perspective. Further, a disadvantage that some of themodular pontoons present is that they are rather complex and therefore relatively expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to one aspect of the present invention an object of the invention is to provide a more user-friendly pontoon, which is achieved with a pontoon according to claim l.

Thanks to the invention a design providing stability and comfort and also greatversatility is made available, which may also provide many other advantages, e. g.; - ease of assembly/disassembly of pontoon units to form a desired pontoon layout, - The preferred design may also allow to easy attach various different accessories,e.g. engine mount, anchorage brackets, handrails, fender strips etc, and onseveral levels (on each other), e. g. level one connecting member joining twopontoon units, level two bracket anchorage, boat ring, etc., by use of the same SCTGWS.

Further preferred aspects of the invention will become apparent from the followingdetailed description.

BRIEF ñlïiSCRiPTiíšN OF THE AífCfilviPfxNYiNG DRAWINGS 'The present invention wfill now be described in greater' detail iiereiribeloiv withreferentfe to the aifeiinipziriyáng Draw/inga, in tiae accoiripanfyifrig Urawings: Fig. 'i is a perspective view of a pontoon according to an einbotiiirieixt of the tvresentiiivention; Fig. 2 is a partiai tfrosssiätftirinzii vieiv of a pontoon unit according to the presentinventirin; Fig. 3 is a front plan ifießw' of a short side frame part included in the pontooii unitaccording to the present iiiventicin; Pig. 4 is a side plan view of a slioit side frame piart ineltided in the iioiitoon unitaccording to the prtfsifnt invention; Fig. S is a front plan view of a long side frame part included in the pontoon unitaccording to the present invention; Fig, 6 is a side plan xfiew of along side franie pzirt included in tiie pontoiän iinitaccording to the present irwention; figs, 7, 8 and 12 showv a third tronnettting meinbei* in a ifiewf front above and perspiïctiifeifievvs, respectiveiyf; iiigs. 9 and 13 show' a fourtii connecting rnenihei' in a perspective sfiew, and; ifligs. 1G :tnd li show a ftnicier device as sutfh and attachefi in pifrsiieittiiøi: views, respectivelyf.

DEISCRTPT"ION UF 'ídšßi-lifiiëïiïåfilf) Elit/IB ODlh/iEiil' In Fig. l there is shown a pontoon l in accordance with the invention comprising aplurality of pontoon units 2. Thanks to a connection arrangement 3, 4 providing greatflexibility the pontoon units 2 may be interconnected at different positions relative toeach other, such that a large variety of pontoons l with different lay-outs may becreated. The connection arrangement 3, 4 comprises an attachment base 3 that isintegrated with the pontoon unit 2. The attachment base 3 forms, along the sides of eachpontoon units 2, an enclosing frame by means of including two long side frame parts 3Athat are interconnected at each corner with two short side frame parts 3B. Each framepart 3A, 3B includes a plurality of prearranged attachment faces 340, 341 that may beused to connect pontoon units 2 to each other by means of a variety of connectingmembers 4. Thanks to the invention the connecting arrangement 3,4 facilitates easypossibility to interconnect pontoon units 2 to form a central space 5 (closed or open atone end) in between three, four or more pontoon unit 2, which (open or closed) space may be provided with different applications, e. g. a bottom/floor portion (not shown), e. g. attached at a lower level than the upper surface 2A of a pontoon unit.

In figure 1 there is shown a use of two different kinds of connecting members 4. Thereis showing a first connecting member 40 that is used to connect sides of twoneighbouring pontoon units 2 a long a common vertical plane. Also, there is shown asecond connecting member 41 used to interconnect 2 sides of two neighbouringpontoon units 2, with their sides perpendicularly in the vertical plane. The connectingmembers 40, 41 shown in Figure 1 are all stiff, i.e. do not provide flexibility but insteadconnected neighbouring pontoon units 2 with sides in contact providing a rigid and stable pontoonIn Fig. 2 there is shown a partial cross-section of a pontoon unit 2 according to apreferred embodiment of the invention. In the cross-sectional view of the pontoon unit 2it is shown that the inner body of the pontoon unit 2 comprises a lower float body 20and an upper support body 21, in contact with each other, i.e. the bottom surface 210 ofthe upper body is in contact with the upper surface 200 of the lower body 20. In thepreferred embodiment the lower float body 20 is produced in a lightweight, low costcellular plastic, e. g. a lightweight EPS cellular plastic. The upper support body 21 isproduced in a more durable and more resilient material 21 enabling good durability andmore comfortable support for users walking on the pontoon 1, e. g. produced in an XPScellular plastic or a board product.

In the preferred embodiment each pontoon unit 2 is parallel epipedic, having the sameheight H, but may be provided in varying width and length. In each pontoon unit 2 thewidth and length of the different bodies 20, 21 are preferably the same but their heightsare preferably different. In the preferred embodiment the height h20 of the lower body20 is between 3-7 times larger than the heighth21 of the upper body 21. In the preferredembodiment the relation h2l/h20 is 1/6 to 1/4. An exemplary pontoon unit 2 has H=250-300 mm, h2l=30-70 cm and h20=200-300 mm.

Attached at the sides, encircling the pontoon bodies 20, 21there is an attachment base 3,comprising two long side frame parts 3A and two side frame parts 3B, which preferablyare made in metal, by means of formed metal plates. Each frame part 3A, 3B is arrangedwith an outer support surface, including two spaced apart parts 30A, 30B that arepositioned in contact with the outer side support surfaces 202 and 212 of the bodies 20,21. In between these side support surfaces 202 and 212, there is a U-shaped indentation 31 which comprises a central part 31A and two leg portions 31B. A matching groove203 is arranged alongside each side of the pontoon 2. Within the central part 31A of theU-shaped plate part 31 there are arranged a number of holes 36 and also a plurality ofthreaded nuts 34, sealingly fixed (e. g. welded) to the inside thereof arranged to providepossibility to secure screws. Preferably, the threaded nuts 34, are blind nuts, i.e. sealedat the bottom to eliminate water from leaking into the groove 203. The length of eachblind nut is preferably relatively long (at least 20 mm, more preferred at least 30 mm) toenable use of varying length of screwsEach frame part 3A, 3B also comprises an upper horizontal plate part 38 in contact withthe upper surface 211 of the upper body 21, intended to protect the upper corner of theupper body 21 and a lower horizontal plate part 32 in contact with the lower surface 204of the lower body 20, intended to protect the lower corner of the lower body 20. At theouter short ends of the frame part 3A, 3B there are arranged interconnecting members35, 37 arranged to enable joining of two frame parts 3A, 3B at the corners. (see Fig. 3-6) Outside of and protecting the body units 20, 21 and the frame parts 3A, 3B, once joined,there is arranged a protecting flexible adhering layer 22, preferably of polyurea, whichis extremely wear resistant and also resilient, which will provide for durability, comfortand also eliminate possibly sharp ends projecting from frame part 3A, 3B. The polyurealayer is of a thickness of about 1-3 mm, more preferred about 2 mm.

In figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 there are shown views of the frame parts 3A, 3B. As is evidentfrom these views the basic configuration shown in figure 2 is the same for both the longside frame parts 3A and the short side frame parts 3B. It is shown that there are aplurality prearranged attachment faces 340, 341 within each frame part 3A, 3B, eachcomprising a plurality of holes positioned in a predefined pattern. There are 2 differentkind of attachment faces 340, 341. A first attachment face 340 that includes 4 holes 36(with nuts 34 before assembly) and a second attachment face 341 that only contains twoholes 36. Adj acent each end of each frame part 3A, 3B is a second attachment face 341.Within the long side frame parts 3A there are larger number of first attachment faces340, e.g. three such attachment faces 340. Within the short side frame parts 3B it isshown that there may be only one first attachment faceFurthermore, it is shown that the interconnecting members 35, 37 are arrange such that a pair of parallel, opposing frame parts (e. g. the short end frame parts 3B) are arranged with first interconnecting members 35 and the other pair of parallel, opposing frameparts (e. g. the short end frame parts 3A) are arranged with second interconnectingmembers 37, wherein one of them includes perpendicular attachment plates having aplurality of first holes 350 there in matching a second hole configuration 370 adjacenteach end of the other frame parts, wherein the second hole configuration 370 ispositioned within the main body of the other frame parts. In the shown example theshort side frame parts 3B are arranged with the perpendicular attachment plates 35A,35B and the matching hole configurations 37A, 37B are arranged within the long sideframe parts 3A.

Furthermore, it is shown in figure 6 that the indentation parts 31 B connecting the outerside parts 30A, 30B with the interrnediate frame part 31A may be arranged at an angleot, e.g. of about 10-45 °, but preferably close to 0 °, which may provide strong supportsurfaces for edges of a connecting member 4. The indentation 31 is also beneficial inthat it adds strength to the frames 3A, 3B. Further, it is shown that the depth T of theindentation 31 is smaller than depth t of the groove 203 in the body 20, 21 of thepontoon unit 2, i.a. to provide space for the nuts 34. In a preferred embodiment 5 mm In Figs. 7, 8 and 12 there are shown a third kind of connecting member 43. This kind ofconnecting member 43 is provided with a resilient member 400 to provide forflexibi1ity,resiliency in the connection between two neighbouring pontoon units 2. Twosuch connecting members 43 are preferably attached to interconnect to neighbouringpontoon units 2. The connecting member 43 comprises two L-shaped plates 43A, 43Bhaving the resilient member 400 attached between two legs 431 of the L-shaped plates43A, 43B. These two legs 431 are positioned in parallel having the resilient memberbetween them. The other two legs 430 of the L-shaped plates 43A, 43B are positionedto extend in the same plane, i.e. perpendicular to legs 431. The plates 43A, 43B arearranged with a hole configuration adapted to match the hole configuration of anattachment face 341 of each pontoon 2. Preferably the hole configuration of the plates43A, 43B are positioned such that attachment faces 341 on two sides of each pontoon 2may be used to securely attach the connecting member 43. Screws 6 adapted for the nuts 34 are used to secure the connecting memberIn Figs. 9 and 13 there are shown a fourth connecting member 44 which is similar to thethird connecting member 43, in that it provides flexibility by means of a resilient member 400. Contrary to the third connecting member 43 the fourth connecting member enables connecting a second pontoon unit 2 having a side that extendsperpendicularly compared to the outer attachment side of the first pontoon 2.Accordingly, it comprises one attachment plate 44B that is L-shaped (or 43B, same asfor the third connecting member) and a second attachment plate 44A that is planar.Further it is shown that the attachment legs 44A, 44B may be adapted to the attachmentface 340 having four holes 36 to provide for a more rigid attachment. It is shown thatthe width W' of the plate part (for all connectirig eltëtntænts) is adapttæd to the width. W' ofthe indentatioii, tvhich will prtivíde for extra strength by liaving the edges of the plateparts being stipporteti by the walls 313 of the indentation. Preferably' the thieltness ofthe plate parts is adapted to the deptlt T (e. g. 5-10 titin) of the inclentzttiori 31 to be theSante oi' slightly' smaller, such that the plate parts do not protrude outside of the framepztrts 31%,In Figs. 10 and 11 it is shown a beneficial accessory that may be conveniently beattached to a pontoon unit 2 according to the invention, in the form of a protectingfender device 7, which facilitates safe docking of a boat next to a pontoon 1. It may besufficient to have fender unit/s 7 merely at one side, but of course a plurality may bebeneficial. Each fender unit 7 comprises a base body 70 extending about half the heightH of a pontoon unit 2 and is arranged with a plurality of protruding dampeningmembers 71. Preferably each pontoon member is provided with reflexes to minimizerisk of being hit by a boat at night. The fenders 7 may provide a good part for attachingreflexes. Between the protruding dampening members 71 there may be arranged spaceswhich in a preferred embodiment is used to attach reflex stripes, to have them attachedto the outer side of the base body 70, in protected position. Matching holeconfigurations 72, 73 provide for easy attachment by means of using the attachmentfaces 340, 341 of the pontoon unitThe scope of the invention is not limited to what has been described above but may bevaried within the limits defined by the claims. For instance, it is evident that merely onepontoon unit may form the actual pontoon. Further it is evident for the skilled personthat a pontoon unit according to the basic principles of the invention must not beparallel epipedic, but may be given varying shapes, e. g. providing a mixture of differentshapes that increases flexibility regarding lay out even more. For example, a unit mayhave end parts that have parallel epipedic form and a central part that has another shape,e. g. having circle sectors protruding along the sides, or triangles, etc. Further units maybe provided without any parallel epipedic part, eg. having a triangular shape, etc.

Moreover, it is evident that modifications may be made to meet certain needs, eg. regarding strength and/or cost. As an example, it is evident for the skilled person thatreinforcing plates may be used to improve strength and or reduce cost, e. g. to facilitateuse of thinner frame part plates. For instance, reinforcing plates may be used that fitWith the hole configuration of the frame parts to reinforces the area Where the screWssubject the frame plates to load, e.g. positioned on the inside of the frame sheet andthere clamped together With the frame plates by the blind rivet nuts 34. Moreover,although preferred it is evident that the frame parts and/or connecting members must notbe made in metal but may be made in a Variety of materials that may meet required needs, strength, durability, etc, e. g. polymeric composites.

Claims (10)

1. A pontoon, (1) for use in a lake, iaool or correspoiitiiiiig water area, and corhprisin g apontoon ttnit (2) arranged to provide huoyaricy and an utiivvartiiy' facing support surface2A) for carrying a load, vvherein said pontoon unit (2) comprises a lindy (2í), 211) that iscircumferentially enclosed by an attachment base (3) that is integrated with the pontoonunit (2), by means of a covering flexible layer (22), tfhttrzicttfrifstfd ih tiiat said attachmentbase (3) comprises a plurality of interconnected plates (3A, 3B), each cornpn sing ahorizontally extending U-shaped indentation (31) including a plurality of attachmentfaces (340, 341) arranged to attach connecting member/s (_49, 41, 4-3, 44) for connecting tvvti tieighboiing potitooii units (2) to each other.

2. The riontoon as clainied in Clairn 1, characterised in that said covering flexible layer (22) is in the form of polyurea, having a thickness of 1-5 mm, preferably 1,5 -3 mm. fi.

3. The pontoon as ciairned in (Äfïlairii i or 2, ciiaracterised. in that said. body (26, 21)comprises a lower float body (20) and an upper support body (21) having the samehorizontal extension but providing different characteristics, wherein the upper supportbody (21) is more dense and preferably more resilient than the lower body (20), whereinmore preferred the lower float body (20) is produced in a lightweight, low cost material, e. g. a lightweight EPS cellular plastic.

4. The poiitotiii fis clairrieti in (jlaitn, 3, chaiacteriseti in tiiat the height (h20) of the lowerbody (20) is between 3-7 times larger than the height (h21) of the upper body (21).

5. The iiontoon as claimed in Claiin l, characterised. in that each plate (3A, 3B) extendsvertically along the whole side of each pontoon unit (2) and also comprises an upperhorizontal plate part (3 8) arranged to protect the upper comer of the upper body (21)and a lower horizontal plate part (32) arranged to protect the lower comer of the lowerbody (20).

6. The pontoon as claiined in (Äfïlairii 5, characterised in that an elongate groove (2Û3) isdisposed along the sities of the lindy (ifåí), 21) and that the U-shaped indentation (31)protrudes into said groove. (263), *Wherein the dtzrsth (t) of said groove (293) is largerthan the tieptiii (T) of said U-shaped indentation (31).

7. The pontoon as clairned in Ciaiin 6, characterised in that t > 2T, and more preferredmm

8. The tpontoon as aflainled in Ctainii (i, chztraeterítsed in that a tpíurality' titiniuts (34),preferabíya seaied at the bottom, are attached on the insiníe of saicí U-shaped indentation(31) rnatching holes (36) of said attachment faces (340, 341), Which nuts (34) protrudeinto said groove (203).

9. The pontoon as cïaimed in anya otitfiïiaims 1 to 8, charactensed in that there areprovided a piuraíity of different connecting members (40, 41, 43, 44), ifaherein apluratity of said connecting members (40, 41, 43, 44), include at Éeast one attachinentpart tiaviiag plate shztpe Witti a tioie conttigtztrattioxii adapted to titt one of said attaeiiiifneritfaces (340, 341) and, *with a thieítness and Wicíth (W) aáapted to the níeptn (T) and *avidth(Vi/T) of the indentatioii (31).

10. The inmitoain as ciairïrieci, in any aitiClainis 2 to 9, ehtaraatteriseii, in tnat at Éeëtst one of said connecting members (43, 44) ineiude a resiiient member (401)).