US2485446A - Foldable boat - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 18, 1949. D. G. JAcKsoN FOLDABLE BOAT 2 Sheets-Sheei'l 1 'Filed Aug. 2, 1946 Oct. 18, 1949. D. G. JACKSON 2,485,446

. FOLDABLE BOAT Filed Aug. 2, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 18, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOLDABLE BOAT Donald G. Jackson, Pasadena,v Calif.`

Application August 2, 1946, Serial Nb; 688,007'

z claims. (c1. 9 2) l 1 This4 applicationv is a continuation-impart of my prior application- Serial No. 499,038; filed Augustv 18, 1943now abandoned, and relatesto a boat'of a semi-rigid'foldab'le type-adapted to be folded int'o compact iormfor transportation and storage purposes.

One object of this invention is to provide a foldable boat ofv sturdy, light-weight constructionwhich is strong and safe, being capable of supporting considerable weight without collapsing or springing out' ofshape.

Another Objectis to provide a boat of the character referredto which comprises a rigid bottom or floor, arigid top or. gunwale and a flexible vvatenoroofsl cover securedbetween the floor and' gunwale and providing therewith the sides, bow and stern` of the boat.

Another object is to provide a boat of the type indicated. wherein the .floor and gunwale are eachy sections toopen position for automatically pivot-y ing. said.. struts into operativel position between the floor and gunwale'to force them apart and stretch the iiexible cover therebetween and operative upon'pivota-l Imovement of said sections to folded' position to releasethe struts to permit them tor pivot to inoperative position. This arrangement of parts-permits automatic forming of the boat by the simple act of unfolding the :door and gunwale sections.

Another object is to Aprovifdeafolding boatincluding means associated withthe'bracing struts and movable therewith to provide seats within the boat, said seats being disposed'between-the floor sections and gunwale sections when the several sections are foldedr into overlying relationship.

Anotherpb'ject is-to provide in aboat ofithe type identiedflocking means for locking the floor sections in extended position to add rigidity thereto and positively guard'against collapsing ofthe boat.

boat;

ed for economical manufacture and one which is G Further objects of myin'vention are'set forth in the following specifi-cation andthe drawings which are intended fon` thel purpose? of l illustration only, an'din' Which:-

Fig. 1 isa plan'view of.' my improved'foldable Fig. 2 is along-itudinalis'ectional-View through the boat;

Fig. 3 is aview similar' to Fig.; z'butillustrating the boatin' partlyfelded condition; and

Fig. 4 isan enlargedy longitudinal section of' the mid-portionof the boat showing amodified form of strut-operating means.

My improved: foldable-boat comprises, ingeneral, a bottom orfl'o'or composed@ ofA rigidy forev and aft`sections"pivotedtogether on an axisextending transversely 'of `'said boat, a-gunwale composed of rigid fore' andaft sections pivoted together on an axis' extending'transversely of said boat, a waterproofiiexible cover extending be-4 tween the floor and gunwale and forming'therewith the sides,-bow and. Sternof'saidboat, strut members pivoted to the floor's'ections and adapted to be pivoted into engagement witlr'said gunwale to maintainthe floor andgunwale' in spaced relationship.v and to stretch said, flexible cover therebetween, operating means responsive to folding andunfoldingsaid' oor and gunwale sections to automatically. operatelsaid'strut members, and-locking meansforlcking the floor sections in.unfolded .,relationship;

Referringeto .the drawings in detail, my foldable boatcomprises a. bottom or ilor, indicated" generally byl thereference character l0, which consists of afrigid.V fore.k section il and a rigid. aft sectionl2. The. floorseetions Hand I2 meet at a line |3- extending transversely ofthe boat substantially*- midway between itsforward and rearward. ends.:l Fastened tothe-sections Il and I2-adjacent-theirlinner abuttingedges are blocks l5 and secured to-,theupperisurface of the blocks are the-2 opposite leaves. l 6- and@` l1l -of flap. hinges llt.4 Through-fthisfconstruction,therfore and aft floor sections II and I2 are adapted to be pivoted on the hinge pins I9 into overlying relationship for the purpose to be explained hereinafter.

The boat also includes a gunwale 26 consist ing of a rigid fore section 2I and a rigid aft section 22 which are pivotally connected together on a line 23 extending parallel to and above the parting line I3, previously mentioned, by means of flap hinges 25 having hinge pins 26.

The floor lil and gunwale 26 may be of any desired configuration, the present drawings illustrating these parts as provided with a relatively pointed nose or bow 28 and a substantially square stern 29. Secured to the outer lateral edges of the gunwale 26 and iioor I0 in any suitable manner is a strip or cover 36 of waterproof flexible material such as duck, canvas, or neoprene impregnated fabric. The cover 30 thus follows the contour of the perimeters of the gunwale 2! and .floor Il) and the ends of the strip are suitably joined in a leak-proof seam as indicated at 3l. The cover 36 thus denes, with the gunwale 26 and floor Ill, the sides, bow and stern of the boat and its height determines the height of the craft. At the opposite sides of the boat where the fore and aft sections meet the cover 36 is formed with small vertically extending loose folds 33 for the purpose of providing additional material at the hinged joints of the floor Hl and gunwale E@ to permit relative pivotal movement of the iioor and gunwale sections without unduly stretching the cover material. A strip of waterproof material Iis also secured to the bottom of the floor sections II and I2 adjacent the parting line I3 and this strip is folded into the interior of the boat as shown at 34 to provide an eiective sealing means between the two floor sections, the strip 34 being joined to the fold 33 in any suitable manner. The folded sealing strip 34 is adapted to open out when the two oor sections II and I2 are relatively pivoted to overlying relationship.

Fastened to the upper surfaces of the floor sections II and I2 are yoke-like brackets 4D carrying pivot pins 4I. Four of such brackets 40 are mounted on each floor section II and I2 and are arranged in pairs disposed adjacent the sides of the boat. Pivotally mounted on the pins 4I within the forward portion of the boat are forward and rearward pairs of bracing arms or strut members 43 and 44. Mounted for pivotal movement on the pins 4I within the rearward portion of the boat are similar forward and rearward pairs of strut members 45 and 46. The several strut members 43, 44, 45 and 46 carry pivot pins 41 substantially midway between their ends and pivotally connected to the pins are the opposite ends of forward and -rearward links or connecting members 48 and 49. The links 48 in the forward portion of the boat are connected by a horizontal plate 50 which provides the forward seat of the boat. The links 49 in the rearward portion of the boat are similarly connected by a plate I constituting the rear seat of the boat.

When the parts of the boat are in unfolded or extended position the strut members 43, 44 and 45, 46 are held in the inclined positions shown in Fig, 2 and their free ends engage the underside of the gunwale sections to spread the oor I6 and gunwale apart and to stretch the canvas cover therebetween. The strut members 43, 44 in the forward portion of the boat and the strut members 45, 46 in the rearward portion of the boat are automatically pivoted to operative position by pairs of operating members or ties 55 and 56, respectively. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2,

the operating members 55 and 56 may comprise straps or other flexible means such as a chain or cable. One end of each strap 55 is suitably joined to the rearward strut members 44, preferably at their pivot pins 41, while the other end of each strap 55 is connected to a loop element 60 fastened to the aft floor section I2. In a like manner, one end of each strap 56 is joined to the forward strut members 45 while its other end is connected to a loop elem'ent 6I fastened to the fore section II of the floor I0.

It will be apparent that through the arrangement of parts described above the several strut members are automatically swung upwardly during the unfolding of the floor and gunwale sections II', I2 and 2I, 22 to operative or extended position. The strut members thus serve to brace the structure to prevent collapse thereof. Itis necessary however, that the fore and aft sections of the boat be locked in extended position since it is obvious that if the sections were permitted to pivot, the straps 55 and 56 would no longer retain the strut members in operative position. As a means for positively locking the boat secf tions in extended relationship I prefer to employ a drawbar 64 which is slidable in aligned loops or eyes 65 on the floor sections II and I2. With the drawbar 64 inserted through the loops relative pivotal movement between the oor sections is prevented and thus the parts are maintained in the extended relationship shown in Fig. 2. The straps 55 and 56 may have a looped end with the sides of the loop joined by a buckle so that tension of the belts may be readilyadjusted. In lieu of the straps 55 and 56, operating rods 10 such as shown in Fig. 4 may be advantageously utilized. In this embodiment each rod 16 may consist of two sections 1| and 12 connected by turnbuckles 13 to adjust the overall length of the rods.

To aid further in bracing the structure to safeguard against collapse of the boat, brace members or props 15, 16, 11 and 18 may be employed. The brace member 15 is pivoted to the bow end of the gunwale section 2| and is adapted to be pivoted downwardly into engagement with the oor section I I to serve as a spacing and stilening means. The prop 16 is hinged to the forward seat 5l] and may be swung downwardly with its lower end resting against the floor section II to prevent lowering of the strut members 43, 44 and to provide a support for the seat. The prop 11 is hinged to the rear seat 5I and engageable with the aft floor section I2 and thus braces and adds rigidity to the rear portion of the boat and adapts the rear seat to support considerable weight. The parts at the stern of the boat are braced by the member 18 which is hinged to the transversely extending portion of the gunwale 20 and adapted to engage against the floor section I2 when pivoted down as shown in Fig. 2. It is thus seen that the various sections of the boat are firmly braced to permit the boat to withstand considerable strains and stresses caused by the application of weight and waves upon which the boat is riding.

My foldable boat may be used either` as an oarpropelled or motor-propelled craft. Socket members may be provided on the gunwale 20 for receiving oar-locks 8I, indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2, in which the oars (not shown) may be supported. The stern portion of the gunwale 26 is recessed as shown at 82 in Fig. l to adapt an outboard motor (not shown) to be mounted thereon in the usual manner with the motor cas- "s'e'ction. `-m'ent '-the'gunwale -sections` 2 I and v22 'will Valso-be vfoliedin the inariner'ofa hinge as shown in Fig. 3. 'As'the'fioor'sections `I I` and vI2 are thus fpiv- 'oted the 'tensionoirthec Straps 55 andf 56 'will yloe "relieved so that-tlie strut-members"43, 44, 45 and I and '22 together .Water'ard conveniently handled. *A'boatof these dimensions may "be"fo1dd"inito a--compact bundle 'approximately 'four -and uone-il-iali feet long -by three feet'wide by ve'inches'thick which may 'be *readily 'transported within an automobile.

My Limproved'fold'able boat is operated in the 'mannernextfexplained Assuming that the parts of the =boat are inthe-positions 'illustrated in Figs. larid 2, that fis, in-fu-llyiextended relationship the boat is ready forfuseandmay 'be rowed ormotorpropell'eras'desired. Because of its light weight, 'the 'boat' may 'bereadily nioved'through the Wa- 'terwith ra;(minimumfofeifort'on the part of the --roweror withiminimumfpower when an outboard lmotr -'is 'employed-*and maybe 'easily maneuveed. -In vthisrespect-'it'is'pointed out that the ioorfor bottomdl of the boatmaybe provided.

'With'fa'keeL iffdesird.

After the kboat'h'as *been Aused =and it is'desirable lto transport l'or'store 1it-*for future Ause it is folded :into vvsmallcompass in the'manner next explained. `To fold the boat, "the Adrawbar *6'4 is first Ywith- 'drawn fromtlieloopsi' and'thereafter the `props -15, 'I6,'T'I"and-18 'are fpivoted-upwardly-as indi- 'catedfbydotted-flinesiinfFig. 2. Withthe various parts thus unlocked, one of the oor sections II or I'Zf'is raised andfswung 'over 'upon 4the other Simultaneous `with 4this pivotal move- 46, together rwith their-lcbnnectlng 'members and --seats BIIand I vmaypivotdownagainst the iloor "sections I'I land I2. The "resultof this 'pivotal movementofthe strutm'em'bers is to permit the -'fgunwale'Isectionslfand F'22 'ftoibe nested wi-thin Athe fl'oor sectl'ons'l'l `aridi-2 to'fsubstantially're- -'duce-theheight of thefboat. During the `folding Vof the boat sections vthe eiiexible fcover 30 may be tdckedfin between thesectionsto prevent damage "thereto'lduringtransportation of the boat. The looped isealing strip' 34wi11 be* 'automaticallyfwithr` drawn Y from Ya "position between v'the oor "sections `I I and-l'2"an'd will straighten-outto accommodate thefvpivotalf movement of `Ythe fsections, After the "boat V'has been "foldedarid f collapsed -theffstrap 84T may be tightenedfaro'und theiparts'to retain them in'conpact-form.

To unfold the boatth'estepsputlinedabove are "Walvsectionsi 2 IA andfZZ-fpivoting von -theirhingepins 26. Duirrgitlie'openigfof tlfiefbatfsections the sealing lstrip 34 will fold in betwen*the+`sc tio'r'i's 'IfI and I2 andthel'stiaps'l'iand Wil-libe ytant to fcafuse' the strut mmbrsftjm'w and '46 to @pivot awayifrom tneflor-fsections fI'I and -I 2 an'dto assume the inc-lined positionsshown in Fig. 2. It is apparent therefore that-the -free ends-of the'strut members'will engage the 4under sides of the ygurnva'le`se'cticinseZI and 122 and act to'spreadthe f io'r "iandfgunwale `sections lapart and i'tension the flexible `cover r'20 therebetween. With vtile :boat thus' shaped, the props A"I5, "I6, 'II'I and-18 aredowered into liengagement with the Aioor sections to provide rigidity "and 'prevent col- 'lapsing-of the' boat. yThe 'drawbard 'then is 'slid through the loops '65` to lock' the' boat sections rin extended position. "When the fboat -is provided 'With'the operating rordsU'I-"Ilshown in'l'Fig 74 'itis lneces-sary to 'divide the yrods 'into two parts to permit v'pivotalmovementof`- the boat sections and this may be l'readily ac'cmplishediby `rotatingl the lturiibuckles '13.k *While the `use of `such `rods .complicates the foldir'i'giand funfolding somewhat, lit is obvious that they fmay ber-readily adjusted fin leng'th to effect -the :proper bracing ofthe parts.

:It will be observed 'from' 1the foregoing thatfm'y invention providesfa simple, Sie't 'highly e'iiicien't boat 0f the se'rniiigid 'fbldi'n'g"type, The 'mproved 'boat constitutes-fanfiifiprovement lover folding or -collapsibleboatslof theTigidtypefwhich are not only heavy but are sumbersomend -a'r'e not readily 'reduced to smallf'dime'ns'i'ns and Va1so "over boats'of a-ilexible, nonirigidfcha'rcter'which, in most cases, must be Yir'lfl'a'ted-alrnl*whichdtri- 'ora-teI and leak. The present "boat "is adapted for -general use and `may beadvantageously emjployedfa'san megenylifeboatiand included in ith'er'lifesaving equipment ofA larger vessels, airnplanes and lifesaving squads.

-Wiiiie :i-have lherein snownend ifdeseiile'ed m'y foldable boata'senbodi'ed in a-preferred form'f construction `by way ef example, lit "wiufbe obvious lthat modications may be 'made in :the

structure thereof ``vvithou`t departing vfrom the fspiritof the finveiitin. "Consequently, I do `nt 'wish to b'elim'it'edlby` the f'ore'going specification, but desir'eto befafrerdedihe fun scope fitheappenned claims.

'IT 'claim as my invention:

1. A tunable-"boat, ine11iding:=a floor comprisbow and stern of said boat; strutmembers-pvotd spective pivotal-axesto :permiti the fore and afttracted -relation1and-to--be -unfolded -to extended H4relation; and-operating means responsive to pivotal' movementof-'saidloer sections andsaidlgun- Wale sections to extended position to pivot said strut members to operative position.

2. A foldable boat, including: a floor comprising a fore and an aft rigid floor section connected for relative pivotal movement on an axis eX- tending transversely of the length of said boat; a gunwale comprising a fore and an aft rigid gunwale section connected for relative pivotal movement on a pivotal axis extending transversely of said boat; a waterproof flexible cover secured between said floor sections and said gunwale sections and providing therewith the sides, bow and stern of said boat; strut members pivoted on each of said iioor sections and having free ends engageable with said gunwale sections to maintain said ioor and said gunwale in spaced relation and to tension said flexible cover between said floor and said gunwale, said strut members being adapted to pivot to inoperative position against said oor sections to permit said gunwale and said floor to be moved toward each other, said fore and aft iloor sections and said fore and aft gunwale sections being adapted to be pivoted on their respective pivotal axes to permit the fore and aft portions of said boat to be folded together in retracted relation and to be unfolded to extended relation; and operating means responsive to pivotal movement of said floor sections and said gunwale sections to extend position to pivot said strut members to operative position.

3. A foldable boat, including: a floor comprising a fore and an aft rigid floor section connected for relative pivotal movement on an axis extending transversely of the length of said boat; a gunwale comprising a fore and an aft rigid gunwale section connected for relative pivotal movement on a pivotal axis extending transversely of said boat; a waterproof flexible cover secured between said floor sections and said gunwale sections and providing therewith the sides, bow and stern of said boat; at least one pair of strut memv bers pivoted on each of said floor sections and having free ends engageable with said gunwale sections to maintain said floor and said gunwale in spaced relation and to tension said exible cover between said floor and said gunwale, said strut members being adapted to pivot to inoperative position against said oor sections to permit said gunwale and said oor to be moved toward each other, said fore and aft oor sections and said fore and aft gunwale sections being adapted to be pivoted on their respective pivotal axes to permit the fore and aft portions of said boat to be folded together in retracted relation and to be unfolded to extended relation; and operating means responsive to pivotal movement of said oor sections and said gunwale section to extended position to pivot said strut members to operative position.

4. A foldable boat, including: a oor comprising a fore and an aft rigid floor section connected for relative pivotal movement on an axis extending transversely of the length of said boat;

a gunwale comprising a fore and an aft rigid gunwale section connected for relative pivotal movement on a pivotal axis extending transversely of said boat; a waterproof exible cover secured between said floor sections and said gunwale sections and providing therewith the sides, bow and stern of said boat; at least one pair of strut members pivoted on each of said floor sections and having free ends engageable with the lower side of said gunwale sections to maintain said oor and said gunwale in spaced relation and to tension said vflexible cover between said floor and said gunwale, said strut members being adapted to pivot to inoperative position against said oor sections to permit said gunwale and said floor to be moved toward each other, said fore and aft floor sections and said fore and aft gunwale sections being adapted to be pivoted on their respective pivotal axes to permit the fore and aft portions of said boat to be folded together in retracted relation and to be unfolded to extended relation; and operating means responsive to pivotal movement of said floor sections and said gunwale sections to extended position to pivot said strut members to operative position.

5. A foldable boat, including: a iloor comprising a fore and an aft rigid oor section connected for relative pivotal movement on an axis extending transversely of the length of said boat; a gunwale comprising a fore and an aft rigid gunwale section connected for relative pivotal movement on a pivotal axis extending transversely of said boat; a waterproof flexible cover secured between said floor sections and said gunwale sections and providing therewith the sides, bow and stern of said boat; two pairs of strut members pivoted on each of said fioor sections and having free ends engageable with the lower side of said gunwale sections to maintain said fioor and said gunwale in spaced relation and to tension said flexible cover between said oor and said gunwale, said strut members being adapted to pivot to inoperative position against said floor sections to permit said gunwale and said oor to be moved toward each other, said fore and aft floor sections and said fore and aft gunwale sections being adapted to be pivoted on their respective pivotal axes to permit the fore and aft portions of said boat to be folded together in retracted relation and to be unfolded to extended relation; and operating means responsive to pivotal movement of said iloor sections and said gunwale sections to extended position to pivot said strut members to operative position.

6. A foldable boat, including: a ioor comprising a fore and an aft rigid floor section connected for relative pivotal movement on an axis extending transversely of the length of said boat; a gunwale comprising a fore and an aft rigid gunwale section connected for relative pivotal movement on a pivotal axis extending transversely of said boat; a waterproof flexible cover secured between said floor sections'and said gunwale sections and providing therewith the sides, bow and stern of said boat; two pairs of transversely spaced strut members pivoted on each of said floor sections, the strut members on said fore floor section being adapted to be inclined upwardly and forwardly and the strut members on said aft floor section being adapted to be inclined upwardly and rearwardly and all of said strut members being engageable with said gunwale sections when so inclined to maintain said floor and said gunwale in spaced relation and to tension said flexible cover between said floor and said gunwale, said strut members being adapted to pivot to inoperative position against said iloor sections to permit said gunwale andsaid oor to be moved toward each other, said fore and aft loor sections and said fore and aft gunwale sections being adapted to be pivoted on their respective pivotal axes to permit the fore and aft portions of said boat to be folded together in retracted relation and to be unfolded to extended relation; and operating means responsive to pivotal movement of said oor sections and said snavel@ Settlers. toA extended Position tl rivet 'd t members to operative position.

' i luding: a floor compris- A I ft'uig enger. section connected tor-.relativepivta n'riovA ent'onanaxis extend- 113g gaat as? he righe 0f Said boat' a gunwale ce rls'ng., a fore and an aft. rigid gunwale .sectioned "nected for. relativev 'pivotal` move- Inent on` apiv Val; axis extendingA transversely o f 'dfbbat a v.proef exiblecover secured n. said floor 'sections Aand said gunwale s e ions and providing therewith theA sides, bow and sternQof said-beat; twopairs of Atransversely spaced strut members pivotedv on each o f said nger( seetiqns, the strut members on said. fore floor section being adapted to be inclined 'upwardlyf and forwardly and the strut members on: said aft floor section being adaptedto be 4i'nclined'upwardly and rearwardly' and allv of said strutmembers being engageable with said gunwal'e sections= whensoinelinedto maintain said floor, and. sa'idfguiwale spaced Arelation and to, tension said, flexible COfYer between said floor and. 'said ammala Seidl 'Strut members being adapted togpivptftoA ineperative position against Said'fcor stctiens torermit Said eunwallearld sai@ flew: to bemevedl'tvwerd. each 'the'fL ,Seid fer@ and eftZflQ'Qr S' ,.Qnsand Said for@ and'af su yWale sections belngfadafptd, to be pivoted on their respectivelpivetal axefsfto permit the fore and aft portions of said boat to be folded. togethrlir1-retraeted relation, and tof be' HMIdQd to ext nded rel'ationjcdnnecting memberspiv- Qtelly nnectedbetween ahtw pairs 0f Strut memb `ris; and tie membersfconnected between the pairs of fore and aft strut members andthe flQOrf Se =til r1v necesite.- that to which Said Pair-S f strutmembers are respectively pivoted.

3. A I foldableboatas defined in claim 7 in which Said. fznnetihg membersinlrle 'horizontal pprf tions extending transversely/of said boat and Previdneat i Q. A foldable boat defined in claim 7 in which said tie members consist 'of flexible straps.

179.'. 5 foldable boat as. defined in claim 7 in whichy said tie' members consist of rods pivotally connected between the pairs of fore and aft strut members and the floor section opposite( that to which saidpairs of strut members are respectively pivoted.

11. A minable boat as defined in claim 7 in which -said connectingmefnber's include horizontal portions extending transversely" 'of Asaid boat and providing seats and including `brace members pivoted tosaid seats and adapted be folded down against saidl oor sections.

fldable boat as defined in claim 7 in which said connecting membersl include' horivz'o'ntal portions extending transversely` of said boat and providing seats and includingI brace members pivoted to said seats and adaptedto befolded' down against said floor sectionsand brace'memberspivoted to the fore and ait ends of said gunwale and adapted to be folded down against said floor sections.

13.` A foldable boat, incliding: a floor comprisinga fore and an'aft rigidf'i-'ioo'r section connected for relative pivotal movement on an axis extending transversely of the length of said boat; a gunwale comprising a fore and an aft rigid gunwale section connected for relative pivotal movement on a pivotal axis extending transversely of said boat; a waterproof flexible cover secured between said oor sections and said gunwale sections and providing therewith the sides, bow and lcAmeratii/e pgsitidnu against said* floor sections to pe it Said gunwale @ad salati/0er Gabe-mond 9.- alid each ether., ,Said foreign@ aft f1.0 0f Section5 and! Said fore 'am aft. e11.r.1wa1, Sle'tns being i1 Pte-@tube riveted Qnjtheir respective 'Pivotal are t0 nermitthe'fereand aft nQrtiQnS 0f Seid heat t0l` be foldedtogetrier ret'rated relatin and to be ulnfol to, extended relaten; operatlas nasales',l re'seslnsive to pivotal, movement 0f Said oof'stions. eri@ sadeimwal? Sections 12.0 extended positidn tqriret 'Said Strut mmbr t@ iterative position; and adetahabl Die bein tending ,between-Said fore and afweer S'tions 1.4: A fiolldablef hat inludirgffa' door cmrris'- ing-af fore y.and an laft rigidfloor section connected for yrelative pivotal movement onq anaxisv extendboat; a waterproof flexible 'cover seur'e'dbtwen Lio figer, sections and said gunwale section'sfa'nd Said.. .l l id ingtherewith the sides', bbw'and stern of members `pivotedonach of said floersections and engagable'withsaid gunwale sections to maintainsald floor 'and said gunwale in spaces rennenaridtqiensi sais flexing coverbetween'said norandsaid gunwale, said strnt members beig 'adapte'd'to pivtto inoperative position against 'saridflobr 'sections td permit Y'gunwale' and said floor to'lveni'ived` toward each other', vsaid"foreand afteor sections and said'fore 'anda'ft gunwale sections beingI adapted t" be pivoted o'nthier respective pivotal axesto permit 'the ffore'andaft portions of 'said boat to be folded together'in'retracted relationand to be unfolded to extended relation; operating' means responsive to pivotal'movement of said floor sections andsaid vgun'wale'sections to extended posit'itfnto 'pivot said strut Amembers to operative pdsition; and a 'slidabl tie beam extending between 's`a .id"f"o're and aft oor sections.

rrX Said boat; Strut n1'5.'Afoldableboat as defined 'in claim 1 and including aplurality of longitudinally aligned leo'p'menbers on said fore and aft oor sections; and" a r'dI 'adapted tov be inserted through said loep memberslto prevent folding of said floor seasons. i

A foldable boat as defined in claim 1 and incliiding flexible sealing means between said fore and aft floor sections.v l 1'7fAfo'ldable boat as defined in claim 1 and including a' flexible strip Vfl waterproof material 4extending between said f ore and aft Hoor sections sealing "thebottom of saidbo'at.`vv` A" .fblsiable @at ihcllidirie e floor .0,0m-

lprisng a fore and aft rigid'floor section connected for relative 'Igijl/oi'latly movement 4onan axis eX ,ending trans/.ers .llyf ef th elrfgtl 0i 'Seid boei; a elilriwale @emprlsm flexible cover between said floor and said gunwale, said strut members being adapted to pivot to inoperative position against said oor sections to permit said gunwale and said iioor to be moved toward each other, said fore and aft floor sections and said fore and aft gunwale sections being adapted to be pivoted on their respective pivotal axes to permit the fore and aft portions of said boat to be folded together in retracted relation and to be unfolded to extended relation; and automatically operated means responsive to pivotal movement of said oor sections and said gunwale sections to extended position to pivot said strut members to operative position.

19. A foldable boat, including: a oor comprising a fore and an aft rigid floor section pivoted together; a gunwale comprising a fore and an aft rigid gunwale section pivoted together; a waterproof flexible cover extending between said floor sections and said gunwale sections, said waterproof cover being secured to both the oor sections and the gunwale sections and remaining so secured in both the folded and extended positions of said boat; and spacing means operative to maintain said oor and said gunwale in spaced relationship with said cover tensioned therebetween.

20. A foldable boat, including: a floor comprising a fore and an aft rigid floor section pivoted together; a gunwale comprising a fore and an aft rigid gunwale section pivoted together; a waterproof flexible cover extending between said floor section-s and said gunwale sections, said waterproof cover being secured to both the iloor sections and the gunwale sections and remaining so secured in both the folded and extended positions' of said boat; releasable spacing means operative to maintain said floor and said gunwale in spaced relationship with said cover tensioned therebetween; and retaining means for releasably retaining said spacing means in operative position.

21. A lcollapsible boat structure, including: a gunwale formed of two rigid sections which are hinged to each other; a oor formed of two rigid sections which are hinged to each other; a waterproof flexible cover extending between said floor and said gunwale and forming therewith the sides, bow and stern of said boat structure, said waterproof cover being secured to both the floor and the gunwale and remaining so secured in both the collapsed and extended positions of said boat; and spacing means operatively connected between said floor and vsaid gunwale and forming an integral part of said structure for maintaining saidfloor and said gunwale in -spaced relationship with said cover tensioned therebetween.

22. A collapsible boat structure, including: a gunwale formed of two rigid sections which are hinged to each other; a oor formed of two rigid sections which are hinged to each other; a waterproof flexible cover extending between said floor and said gunwale and forming therewith the sides, bow and stern of said boat structure, said waterproof cover being secured to both the floor and the gunwale and remaining so secured in both the collapsed and extended positions of said boat; and lspacing means pivotally connected between said floor and said gunwale and forming an integral part of said structure for maintaining said floor and said gunwale in spaced relationship with said cover tensioned therebetween.

23. A collapsible boat structure, including: a gunwale formed of two rigid sections which are hinged to each other; a ioor formed of two rigid sections which are hinged to each other; a waterproof flexible cover extending between said floor and said gunwale and forming therewith the sides, bow and stern of said boat structure, said waterproof cover being secured to both the 11001 and the gunwale and remaining so secured in both the collapsed and extended positions of said boat; spacing means operatively connected between said floor and said gunwale and forming an integralpart of said structure for maintaining said floor and said gunwale in spaced relationship with said cover tensioned therebetween; and retaining means for releasably retaining said spacing means in operative position.

24. A collapsible boat structure, including: a gunwale formed of two rigid sections which are hinged to each other; a oor formed of two rigid sections which are hinged to each other; a. waterproof flexible cover extending between said floor and said gunwale and forming therewith the sides, bow and stern of said boat structure, said waterproof cover being secured to both the fioor and the gunwale and remaining so secured in both the collapsed and extended positions of said boat; spacing means operatively connected between said oor and said gunwale and forming an integral part of said structure for maintaining said floor and said gunwale in spaced relationship with said cover tensioned therebetween; and adjustable retaining means for releasably retaining said spacing means in operative position.

25. A boat structure as dened in claim 21 in which said spacing means consist of strut members pivoted within Said structure and including seat members carried by said strut members and pivoted therewith to operative and inoperative positions.

DONALD G. JACKSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 23,595 Martin Apr. 12, 1859 n 189,913 Bates Apr. 24, 1877 523,151 Perkins July 17, 1894 1,265,195 Hayford May 7, 1918 l 1,268,147 Piosecki June 4, 1918 1,468,327 Rinesi Sept. 18, 1923 2,120,627 Raymer June 14, 1938 2,271,338 Hamlin, Jr. Jan. 27, 1942 2,299,131 Dormoy Oct. 20, 1942 2,334,072 Cooper Nov. 9, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 480,987 Great Britain Mar. 3, 1938

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