US2495190A

US2495190A - Folding catamaran

Info

Publication number: US2495190A
Application number: US4861A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert H Stewart
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1948-01-28
Filing date: 1948-01-28
Publication date: 1950-01-17
Anticipated expiration: 1967-01-17

Description

Filed Jan. 28, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 JNVENTOR.

ROBERT H. STEWART 4 TTORNE V Jam,- E, W59 R. H. STEWART FOLDING CATAMARAN 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 28, v 1948 JNVENTOR. ROBERT H. STEWART- 6M @(PMQ Patented Jan. 17, 1950 'UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,495,190 FOLDING CATAMARAN Robert H. Stewart, Detroit, Mich.

Application January 28, 1948, Serial No. 4,861

8 Claims.

This invention relates to small boats and particularly to a pleasure craft or catamaran. An important object of this invention is to provide a light weight boat having novel projecting buoyant members or floats capable of being collapsed or folded for convenient portability and which is easily launched and removed from the body of water upon which it is used. Another important object of the invention is to provide an improved boat of the catamaran type having a body portion normally seating one occupant and provided with laterally extending diverging legs having novel floats on the outer ends thereof adapted to support the body in spaced relationship above the surface level. A further important object of the invention is to provide novel means adjustably securing the floats to the body so that in operating'position they are maintained in rigid spaced apart relationship thereto and in inoperative position they are nested together under the body of the boat. A still further important object of this invention is to provide a boat of this character which is composed of parts capable of manufacture and assembly at low cost.

In-carrying out the invention, the catamaran preferably comprises an occupant supporting body including a flat bottom to the underside of which" are pivotally secured rigid members or legs carrying floats on the outer ends thereof. The pivotal connection of these legs is such that they may be swung from an operative projecting position to an'inoperative folded position under the boat and to carry the floats therewith in whatever position they'are adjusted. An important feature of the invention is the provision of means for releasably holding the legs in projecting operating position. Another important feature is the provision of means for pivotally connecting the floats to their respective legs so that when the legs are folded under the boat the floats may be turned for nested assembly thereunder. A still further important feature of the invention relates to the construction of the floats themselves, each being preferably formed of a sealed inflatable tube elongated in one dimension and reinforced in a novel manner along the top and bottom portions thereof.

Other objects, advantages and meritorious features of this invention will become more fully apparent from the following specification, appended claims and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a boat constructedin accordance with this invention,

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the boat of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the boat showing the legs and float supports in nested position thereunder,

Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through one of the floats taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 is a vertical cross sectional view taken along line 5--5 of Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of one of the connections of the legs to the body taken a1ong6-G of Fig. 2,

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken along line 'l'! of Fig. 4,

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary bottom view of the body showing one form of connecting the legs in folded relation thereunder, and

Fig. 9 is a detail of the connecting element employed for holdin the legs in folded condition.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the occupant receiving frame or body comprises relatively flat bottom I0 formed of sheet metal or the like and side walls I2 rising for a short distance thereabove on all sides of the boat. The body is very similar to bodies used on childrens coaster wagons. However, other types of bodies may be used and if desired constructed in an oval formation or any other formation. Projecting from each corner of the body is a rigid member or leg to the outer end of which is attached a float. Although the boat may go in either direction or even sidewise, if desired, the front end of the body for the purpose of this description is indicated at I4 in the drawings. The two legs lE-IB at the corners of the front end of the body are preferably shorter in length than the two legs lill8 at the corners of the rear end 2B of the body. The front set of legs Iii-46 correspond in size and formation to one another and likewise the rear set l8-l8 correspond in size and formation to one another. In assembled operating position the floats carried by the front legs are disposed inwardlyoi the floats carried by the rear legs as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

Each leg is pivotally connected at its inner end to the underside of the bottom ll! of the body 3 The pivotal axes for the rear set of legs are indicated at 24-44. These axes are preferably spaced inwardly from the front and side walls of the body and spaced apart from one another in order to obtain the nested relationship shown in Fig. 3.

Each pivotal connection is the same for all legs so that a description of such a connection in Fig. 6 will suffice for all four legs of the illustrated embodiment of theinvention. The bottom iii of the body is preferably constructed with two longitudinally extending reinforcing ribs indicated at 26-26 which may extend the full length of the body as shown. These ribs may be formed durin the manufacture of the body by subjecting the bottom plate In toa stamping operation to deform the same to provide the channel shaped ribs 2626. The channels of these ribs open downwardly and adjacent to the opposite ends of each rib thereof, there is provided a rectangular or square shaped block 28; of a size and thickness to be slidably received within the channel of the rib and extend flush with the underside of the bottom I0. Each block 28 is provided with a central square-shaped aperture and extending therethrough is a bolt or stud 3t! headed at its upper end and provided with a square portion 32 immediately below the head and an externally threaded portion 34 adjacent tothe lower end of the bolt. Each leg IE or I8 is circularly apertured to receive the bolt as shown in Fig. 6 and in normal position the leg is mounted over the cylindrical portion of the bolt between the squared end section 32 and the threaded end section 34. The latter projects below the leg and threaded thereon isa nut 35 for tightening the leg in place. A removable cotter pin indicated at 38 is preferably used to prevent accidental detachment of the nut from the bolt. If desired a thin washer 40 of synthetic rubber may be interposed between the block 28 and the inner end of the. leg. By this mounting it is evident that any leg may be swung relative to the body upon loosening the nut 36p Means is provided for releasably holding anyoneof'the legs in their projected operating po-. sition shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Such means is preferably accomplished by providing an upwardly projecting boss 42 on each leg intermediate its ends and so disposed with reference tothe body that in the projected position of the leg it is located under the bottom ill adjacent to the corner thereof. from which the leg extends. The bottom H) is provided adjacent to each corner thereof with a bumped up portion 44 of a size to receive the boss 42 and so located with respect to the pivotal axis of the leg that the boss will be received therein in the .operating position of the leg. When so received, the leg may be tightened in position by threading the nut 36 into engagement with the leg.

As previously mentioned buoyantmembers or floats are attached to the outer ends of the legs. These floats are so designed that they have a longitudinal dimension considerably greater than their transverse dimension. Preferably these floats are sealed inflatable tubes closed at their opposite ends and provided with valve means for introducing air under pressure. One such float isshown in detail in Figs. 4 and 5 and it is understood that the remaining floats are of like construction and are attached in the same manner to their respective legs.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5 an inflatable tubular float of rubber or flexible. plastic materialis in,

dicated at 4B and in inflated condition is adapted to assume a cylindrical formation such as that shown in Fig. 5 having rounded ends 48-48. For strengthening purposes, each float is constructed so that it is thicker on the top and bottom portions thereof than the side walls and the ends thereof as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. Such thicker portions are indicated at 50 and 52 extending the length of the tube respectively along the top and bottom portions thereof. Interposed between the outer end of each leg and its associated float is an elongated plate member 54 arcuate in cross section. The arcuate formation is such that when the tube is inflated the latter conforms substantially to the same curvature as the plate 54 as shown in Fig. 5. The plate 54 of each float assembly is preferably detachably secured to the float by being received under straps 56-456 located on opposite sides of the pivotal connection of the leg thereto. These straps are preferably ofthe same materialas the tube and have their opposite ends secured to the tube but are free thereof throughout, the balance of their lengths. The tube in deflated condition therefore may be assembled upon the plate by sliding the plate under, the'straps. and thereafter upon inflation of the tube the latter isretained in position thereon.

Each leg 56 is secured to the plate of its'float by means of a nut and bolt assembly similar to that employed for pivotally connecting the legs to the body. As shown in Fig. 7 a headed bolt mem: ber 53 is extended through a squared aperture in the plate 54 approximately midwaybetween the ends thereof and with the head on the underside of the plate. The bolt projects upwardly beyond theplate and through an aperture formed in the end of the leg. The end of the boltopposite to, the head is externally threaded and received thereon is a nut 60 similar to the nut 36 previously described. The bolt is held from rotation by being provided with a squared shankportion received within the squared hole of the plate, 54. The opposite end section of the bolt is externallythreaded for the threaded engagement with the nut 60. When the latter-is tightened againstv the leg it cooperates'with thesquared portion of the bolt to hold the tube against pivotal movement. Thus it is possible to lock the floats in parallel relationship in the manner shown ,in Fig.2 so: that the bolt may be propelled easily in either a forward or rearward direction.

For convenient portability, the legs-and their respective float supports may be swung to a 001 lapsed or folded position under the body. in the manner shown in Fig. 3. The legs l61l6 and.- 8| 8 are swung in under the boat body carrying. the float supporting plates 54 therewith. Either before or after swinging movement to this folded 0 position, the nuts in each floatassembly are loosened sufliciently to permit the plates 54: topbe turned so that either the front set or rearset, of plates extend parallel while; the remaining set extends at an acute angle to one another as shown in Fig. 3. The relationship of the parts is such that when the legs and the platesare so swung; they may be nested together completely within. the boundary of the body in the manner. shown in Fig. 3.

Although in their collapsed'nested positiomthe legs may be tied together to prevent separation; it is preferred to use special meansv for interlock-,1

ingly securing the legs together under thejbody For this purpose, there is attached to the underside of the bottom; 10 of; the bodyani-elementwhich is adapted to releasablyhold the, outside pair of supporting plates 54 together. Although this may be accomplished in several difierent ways, there is shown in Figs. 3, 8 and v9 a downwardly projecting stud 62 having a head on the lower end thereof. The upper end of the stud may be spot welded or otherwise secured to the underside of the body. The adjacent ends of the two outside plates 54 in the nested position of the legs are each provided with an aperture 64 in the corner thereof adjacent to the centerline of the body. Secured on the stud and receivable in these apertures is a wire member 66 of the character shown in Fig. 9. The wire member is looped intermediate its ends for encirclement of the stud between the head thereof and the bottom of the body. The two diverging arms 68-48 of the member are each provided on their outer ends with inturned hooks Hi-40 which are adapted to enter the apertures 64 and hold the two outer plates 54 of the nested assembly against separation. The legs associated with the two plates thus connected substantially abut the other set of legs and hold the latter and their respective float supporting plates in nested relationship. While nested the tubes 46 may be removed but if desired they may be left on the plates 54 in partially deflated condition.

For convenient portability, one or both sides of the body may be provided with a handle. As shown in Fig. l, a folding type of handle 12 is pivotally connected at its opposite ends to the side wall I2 of the body. With the legs and associated parts nested under the body, the handle may be used to carry the body similar to a suitcase or traveling bag.

There may be removably carried within the body a hand pump 14 and a collapsible canoetype of paddle 16. These implements are shown in Fig. 2 mounted in brackets on opposite side walls of the body.

What I claim is:

1. A pleasure craft comprising, in combination, a body of a size to receive an occupant, a. plurality of substantially horizontally extending legs pivotally secured at their inner ends to the underside of the body and projecting outwardly from the corners thereof on all sides of the body, a float associated with the outer end of each of said legs, and means pivotally connecting the outer end of each leg to the upper portion of its respective float, whereby the legs may be swung relative to the body and the floats relative to the legs.

2. A pleasure boat comprising, in combination, an opened top body of a size to receive an occupant, a substantially horizontally projecting leg associated with each corner of the body and projecting divergingly outwardly from the body at an acute angle to the longitudinal median line thereof, means pivotally securing the inner end of each of said legs to the comer of the body from which it projects and providing swinging movement thereof from said projecting position to a collapsed position within the boundary of the body, a hollow inflatable float associated with the outer end of each of said legs, and means pivotally connecting the outer end of each leg to the upper portion of its respective float whereby the floats when the legs are collapsed within the boundary of the body may be turned to assume a nested assembly thereunder.

3. A catamaran comprising, in combination, a hollow open type bodyfor receiving an occupant, a substantially horizontally extending leg associated' with each corner of the .bodyandinop erating position projecting outwardly therefrom, means pivotally connecting the inner ends of each of said legs to the underside of said body and providing swinging movement of the legs from their outward projecting operating position to a collapsed inoperative position under the body, a hollow inflatable elongated tubular float for the outer end of each of said legs, means connecting the outer ends of the legs to the upper portions of their respective floats and holding the latter so that the axes of the floats extend parallel to one another, said last means adaptedto provide swinging movement of the floats relative to their respective legs whereby when the latter are swung to collapsed position under the body the floats may be turned to assume a nested position under the body.

4. Acatamaran comprising, in combination, a hollow open type body of general rectangular formationfor receiving an occupant, a substantially horizontally extending leg associated with'each corner of the body and in operating position projecting angularly outwardly therefrom, means pivotally connecting the inner end of each leg to the underside of said body and providing swinging movement of the leg from its outward projecting operating position to a collapsed inoperative position under the body, an elongated sealed hollow inflatable tube associated with'each leg, means connecting the outer ends of the legs to the upper portions of their respective tubes and holding the latter so that the axes thereof extend parallel to one another, and means cooperating between each leg and the underside of the bottom of the body for releasably holding the legs in their projecting operating position.

5. A catamaran comprising, in combination, an occupant receiving body, a substantially horizontally extending leg associated with each corner of the body and in operating position projecting outwardly therefrom, means pivotally connecting the inner ends of said legs to the underside of said body and providing swinging movement of the legs from their projecting operating position to an inoperative folded position under the body, a float secured to the outer end of each leg and cooperating together to support the body in elevated position above the surface level of the body of water upon which the floats rest, means cooperating between the body and each leg for holding the leg in its outward projecting operating position, and means cooperating between the body and one or more of said legs for releasably holding the legs in their folded position under the body.

6. A catamaran comprising, in combination, a body of a size to receive an occupant, a substantially horizontally extending leg associated with each corner of the body, means movably connecting each leg to the underside of the body and providing movement thereof from an operating projecting position extending outwardly from the body to an inoperative position under the body, a plate member connected to the outer end of each leg and forming a base support for a hollow inflatable float, means for releasably locking said legs in their operating projecting position, and means for releasably locking said legs and their associated plate members in their inoperative position under the body.

7. A catamaran comprising, in combination, an opened top type of body for receiving an occupant, a substantially horizontally extending leg associated with each corner of the body, means piyotally connecting oneend of each of said: legs to: the undersideof thelbody for swinging move-'- mentlabout'va vertical axis, said means providing swinging movement of the legs from an outward projecting operating position to a collapsed inoperative position under the body, a hollow .inflatable elongatedtube for the oppositev outer end of each; ofhsaid 1egs,'a supporting arcuate plate member foreach tube-having a scurvature'conforming substantially to the curvature of the inflated tube and having the concave facethereof abutting the tube. to form a seat therefore, means 1 pivotally connecting the. convex face of eaehof said. platemembers to. the undersideof the. outer ends, of said legs, means cooperating between: the::body; and each leg for releasably holding theleg; in its, outward projecting openating position, and means cooperating between said bodyiand two or'more of the said p1ate members for releasablyholding the members and the legswith which they are associated in collapsed inoperative position under the body.

8. Akcatamaran comprising, in combination, an occupant supporting body, a substantially horizontallyv extending leg associated with each cornerof thebody, meanspivotally connecting one end of eachofsaictlegs to the body for swinging movement about a vertical axis, said means .pro-. viding, swinging movementof the legs from an outward projecting operating position to a collapsedinoperative. position under the body, a hol- REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file-of this patent-r UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 53,775.- Boon; Apr. 10, 1866 547,422 i Dean Oct. 8, 1895 1,683,029 Franger Sept/l, 1928 FOREIGNPA'IYENTS Number Country: Date 4,262 Switzerland Oct. 13,1891 27598;: Y Great Britaim 1911 357,124 Germany Augxl6', 1922 398,919 France Apr. 6, 1909.