US2500279A - Metal hull construction - Google Patents

Description

March *14, 1950 F. R. EICHNER METAL HULL CONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 26, 1944 Zmventor March 1950 F. R. EICHNER METAL HULL CONSTRUCTION Filed July, 26, 1944 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 3nnentor Gttornegs j Flkfyer lull-""1"." IIIIIIIIII March 14, 1950 F. RIEICHNER 2,500,279

METAL HULL CONSTRUCTION Filed July 26. 1944 s Sheets- Sheet s Ihwentor B I Ekj/Qr Gttornegs i 'aienteci Mar. 14, 193C? UNHTED STATES PATENT OFFICE METAL HULL CONSTRUCTION Ferdinand R. Eichner, Pontiac, Mich., assignor to Trail-A-Boat 00., Pontiac, Mich.

Application July 26, 1944, Serial No. 546,671

Claims. 1

The present invention relates to improvements in marine craft, and more particularly to a hull structure for sailing craft.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a sailing craft or hull for marine craft and the like such as sailing boats which is comparatively light in weight and rugged in construction and which will be economical to manufacture and build.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sailing craft or boat hull which is constructed of sectional units riveted together and uniquely arranged to form a streamlined hull structure for a sailing craft which will withstand rough weather conditions and usage as well as various handling conditions of the novice without being broken or otherwise damaged.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sailing craft hull which is extremely durable and which is constructed of sectional units formed of a lightweight metal such as aluminum so as to reduce the cost of manufacture and enhance the appearance of the sailing craft without necessitating the decoration thereof as by means of painting or coating with varnishes and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sailing craft which is constructed of stamped, pressed or cast metal bow and stem members connected by extruded frame members for receiving the sheathing units which are secured thereto by rivets or welding at the point of contact to insure a rigid construction and facilitate the mass production of sailing craft and thereby place the same within the reach of the public.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sailing craft of the above-mentioned character in which the fittings and various rigging devices may be fastened in place by nuts and bolts, thereby obviating the use of screws or wood fastenings as has heretofore been the common practice.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent during the course of the following description of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the sailing craft embodying the invention showing the streamlined contour thereof and the general arrangement of the various parts;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the sailing craft illustrating a portion thereof broken away to show one of the details of construction;

Figure 3 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken on line 33 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows and illustrating the bow structure including one of the cast, stamped or pressed sectional hull members thereof;

Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on the zig-zag line l4 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows and illustrating the hull structure and various details of construction;

Figure 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows and illustrating the manner in which the extruded frame members are connected to the sheathing or planking;

Figure 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on line 6-8 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows illustrating the rudder structure and tiller shaft;

Figure '7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken on line 1-7 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows illustrating the manner in which the mast is supported between the deck and keel structure of the hull;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of one of the cast metal stern members showing the manner in which the Same is chamfered for receiving the sheathing plates of the hull as well as the extruded frame members thereof;

Figure 9 is a perspective View partly broken away of one of the extruded frame members showing the general contour thereof and the manner inwhich the same is recessed at the ends for receiving the sheathing plates;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of an extruded frame member showing the general construction thereof; and

Figure 11 is a horizontal cross sectional view of the keel showing the manner in which the weights are removably applied thereto and on opposite sides of the keel plate.

In the drawings, wherein fOr the purpose of illustrating the invention like reference characters will be employed to designate like parts throughout, the reference character 5 will generally be employed to represent a bow casting, stamping or pressing and the reference character 6 will generally indicate the stern casting, pressing or stamping of the sailboat hull structure embodying the invention. The bow member 5 is cast, stamped or pressed from aluminum or other light metal alloy and includes converging side walls 1 terminating in a rounded bow portion 8 so as to cut the water during the forward travel of the sailboat. The converging side walls I of the bow casting, pressing or stamping are connected at the top and bottom by walls 9 and l 0 respectively and the intersecting portions thereof are well rounded as shown in Figures 1 and 2 to provide a streamlined prow surface. The side walls I and top and bottom walls 9 and ii! are cut away as at H to form a relatively thin flange portion 12 for receiving the ends of the sheathing plate as well as the ends of longitudinal frame members to which the sheathing plates are connected.

Since thebowand stern are identical in construction except for the shape thereof, attention is directed to Figure 8 wherein the casting, pressing or stamping also includes converging side walls 13 connected by a top wall it and bottom wall IS. The side walls [3 are cut awayas at it to provide relatively thin flanges l1 similar to the flanges l2 and in a like manner the top and bottom walls l4 and I5 are cut away to provide relatively thin flanges l8 and I9.

Rounded corners 2D connect the flanges ll, l8-

and IQ for accommodating the ends of the longitudinal frame members which will be presently described. It is to be noted that the side flanges H are further recessed or cut away as at 2! at the top and bottom thereof while the flanges l8 and is are cut away a greater distance than the side flanges 11-.

Extending between the bow and stern castings, pressings or stampings 5 and B is a series of frame members and as shown more clearly in Figure 4, corner frame members 22 are provided for the upper and lower portion of the hull and are formed of extruded metal such as aluminum or aluminum alloy. The extruded frame memhere 22 are arcuately curved in cross section and are reduced along the edges as at 23 to form relatively thin flange portions 24. The ends of the corner frame members 22 are afiixed to the castings, pressings or stampings 5 and B and are positioned so that the arcuately curved portions will be received on the rounded corner flanges of the castings or pressings 5 and 6 with the flanged portions 24 disposed and received in the recesses l8 and 2i. The ends of the longitudinal frame members 22 are held in place by rivets or other fastening elements which are passed through openings 25 in the rounded portion 20 connecting the flanges I1 and 18. A keel frame member 26 as shown in Figure 10 extends longitudinally of the hull structure and is formed of extruded metal such as aluminum or aluminum alloy so as to form a central rib portion 21 having oppositely and obliquely extending wing portions 28. A longitudinally extending rib 29 is formed on the under side of the keel frame member 28 to form recesses 30 on opposite sides thereof. The ends of the keel frame member 26 are tapered as at 3| to fit between the ends of the extruded corner frame members 22 as is clearly illustrated in Figure 3. Extending between the keel frame member 26 and the lowermost corner frame member 22 is a series of short I-bars 33 which have their ends fastened in place by being welded or the like to the keel frame member 25 and lowermost corner frame members 22.

After the longitudinal frame members and bow and stern castings, pressings or stampings have thus been assembled, the sheathing plates are secured thereto and as illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, a pair of bottom hull sheathing plates 3d are secured between the keel frame member 26 and corner frame member 22 with the edges thereof received in the respective recesses thereof as at as and 23. Rivets or the like as at 35 are provided for securing the bottom hull sheathing member 34 in place. Similarly, arcuately curved side hull sheathing members 38 are secured between the upper and lowermost longitudinal frame members 22 with the longitudinal edges thereof received in the reduced portion 23 as is clearly illustrated in Figure 4. Rivets or the like as at 31 are provided for securely fastening the sheathing plates in position.

Adjacent the bow and stem of the hull there are provided bulkheads 38 having marginal flanges 39 which are secured to the bottom sheathing plates 3% and side sheathing plates 36 by rivets or the like as at 40. The bulkheads 38 increase the rigidity of the hull and seal the bow and stern in the event of a leak caused by damage to the stern or hull;

The deck structure comprises short longitudinal frame bars 41 and 42 which extend rearwardly from the bow casting 5 and forwardly from the stern casting 5. The inner ends of the short deck frame members 4! are connected to a transverse angle bar 43 (Figure 7) as by means of being welded thereto and the ends of said bar 43 are connected to the uppermost corner frame members 22in a similar manner. As indicated in Figure 6, the forwardly extending deck frame bar 52 is connected to an angle bar 44 by being welded thereto and said angle bar 52 has its ends connected to the uppermost corner frame bars 22 by welding or the like. The angle bars ll and 42 are slightly curved throughout their length to provide a slight rise in the deck portion and add a slight curvature to the deck.

The deck plates 45 are riveted to the uppermost corner frame members 22 by rivets or the like as at 46 and to the longitudinal deck frame members 4! and 42 by rivets ll and 43 respectively. The deck structure is left open for a portion of its length intermediate the ends thereof and said opening is rounded by a gunwale strip 19 riveted or otherwise secured to the deck plate t5 and a trim strip 50 is secured to the gunwale strip t9 by means of screws orthe like as at 51. Inspection openings 52- may be provided in the deck plates 45 to permit inspection of the chambers formed on the bulkhead 38 and said inspection openings are covered with glass panes 53 held in place by rubber sealing strips or other suitable means.

Secured to the underside of the hull and fastened to the central keel frame member 28 is a pair of oppositely disposed angle bars 5 3 secured in place by rivets or the'like and interposed beween the depending flangesof said angle bars 55 is-a keelplate 55 having rearwardly sloping front and rear edges 56 and 51. Keel weights 58 are adapted to be secured to the keel plate 35 by means of rivets 59 and said keel plate is provided with a series-of alternate openings (Soto facilitate the fastening of additional keel weights or for distributing the weight by placing twoofthe keel weights on one side of the keel plate (Figure 5) rather than on opposite sides as shown in Figure 4. A mast BI is tubular in construction and has its lower end flattened and bifurcated as at 62 for receiving the keel frame member 26 so asto be fastened thereto by means of a nut and bolt as at 53. The mast is further supported by means of a tubular casting E l fastened to the transverse angle bar E8 by means of a nut and bolt as at 55. The casting 6 5 is providedwith an opening for the passage of the mast BI and is formed with cleats 55 for anchoring. the rigging ropes or lines. The sail structure and rigging is-of the usual construction and may comprise a main sail and jib sail as usual.

The rudder 61 is mounted on the lowermost i gra ers 52 end of a tiller shaftBB which'is journalled in suitable bearing bushings 69 and 90 riveted or other- Wise afiixed to the bottom and top hull sheathing members 3 2 and d5 as at ii, The longitudinal keel member 25 is interruptedto permit the proper positioning ofthe bearing bushing (ill and similarly, the longitudinal deck frame member $2 is interrupted for receiving the bearing bushing til and permitting the passage of the tiller shaft 68. A tiller I3 is secured to the upper end ofthe tiller shaft 88 by means of a return bent strap 14 held in place by rivets or other fastening elements H5.

The upper portion of the bow casting or pressing 5 is shaped as at Ti and is provided with an aperture l8 for receiving a cable rope to facilitate the tying up of the sailing craft to a dock or float when not in use.

It is to be understood that the longitudinal frame members as well as the sheathing plates 34%, 35 and% are formed'of aluminum or aluminum alloy or other lightweight metal to materially decrease the weight of the sailing craft and provide a finish which does not require the constant painting or coating with'varnishes or hull paint.

Additional frame members 86 may be affixed to the bottom hull plates 35 by rivets or the like for the purpose of supporting flooring plates formed of wood or other material which simpl rest upon the longitudinal frame members Bil and may be removed to permit cleaning. 1

In constructing the extruded frame members 22 and 25 from aluminum or other lightweight metal alloy, the exact shape is produced and after said strips have been extruded they may be pro vided with suitable apertures 82 and 83 respectively for receiving the rivets 35 and 3?. The ends of the bottom hull sheathing plates 3 and the side hull sheathing plates 36 and deck sheathing plates i5 are secured to the bow and stern castings, stampings or pressings 5 and 6 by rivets which are passed through openings 83 in the reduced flanges il, l8 and I9 thereof.

If desired, the bulkheads 38 may be held in place by being welded rather than riveted as shown in Figure 3, and various other parts may be welded in lieu of riveting such as the hull and deck sheathing to the longitudinal frame members.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred embodiment of the same and that various changes may be made in the shape, size and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

What I claim is:

l. A sailing craft, comprising hollow shell-like bow and stern castings shaped to conform to the streamlines of the sailing craft, said castings being provided with flanged portions at one and thereof having rounded corners and recesses adjacent said rounded corners forming seating cavities, longitudinal frame members having their ends received and affixed in said seating cavities, and sheathing hull plates secured to said frame members with their ends connected to the flanges of said bow and stern castings, said longitudinal frame members being provided with rounded surfaces to blend with the rounded corner portions of said bow and stern castings and being longitudinally flanged at the opposite sides thereof for receiving the sheathing plates in overlapping relation therewith.

2. A marine craft, comprising hollow shell-like bow and stern castings shaped to conform to the streamlines of the-marinecraft; said castings being provided with flanged portions at one end thereof having rounded corners and'recesses adjacent said rounded corners forming seating cavities, longitudinal frame members having offset flanges at the opposite edges thereofand their ends received and affixed in said seating cavities, sheathing hull plates secured to said frame members with their ends connected to the flanges of said bow and stern castings and their longitudinal edges arranged in overlapping relationship with the offset flanges of the frame-members for being secured thereto, a tubular fitting supported by the hull structure, and a mast extending through said tubular fitting and secured at its lower end to one of the longitudinal frame members.

3. A marine craft, comprising stern and bow members having converging side wall portions connected to top and bottom wall portions by rounded corner portions and shaped to conform to the streamlined contour ofthe" sailing craft, said side, top and bottom wall portions of the stern and bow members being provided with flanges at the edges thereof and being recessed adjacent said rounded corner portions to form seating surfaces, longitudinally extending frame members having their ends connected to and received on the seating surfaces of said bow and stern members so that the outer surfaces thereof will be continuous, sheathing hull plates affixed to said frame members withtheir edges in overlapping relation therewith and their ends received on and secured to said flanges, and a keel frame member extending centrally of the hull structure and fastened to the sheathing members.

4. A marine craft, comprising stern and bow members having converging side wall portions connected to top and bottom wall portions by rounded corner portions and shaped. to conform to the streamlined contour of the sailing craft, said side, top and bottom wall portions of the stern and bow members being provided with flangesat the edges thereof and being recessed adjacent said rounded corner portions to form seating. surfaces, longitudinally extending frame members having their ends connected to andreceived on the seating surfaces of said bow and stern members so that the outer surfaces thereof will be continuous, sheathing hull platesaffixed to said frame members with their edges in overlapping relation therewith and their ends received on and secured to said flanges, and a keel frame member extending centrally of the hull structure and fastened to the sheathing members, said keel frame member being provided with the oppositely extending wing portions arranged in overlapping relation with the meeting edges of the bottom hull sheathing plates.

5. A sailing craft, comprising stern and bow members having rounded corner surfaces at the top and bottom thereof, said bow and stem members being provided with a reduced edge portion forming a seating surface, longitudinally extending frame members having their ends received in said seating surfaces and shaped in cross section to conform to the rounded contour of the corners of said bow and stern members spaced apart bulkheads connecting said frame members, and sheathing plates for the bottom, sides and top of said sailing craft having their longitudinal edges secured to the longitudinal frame members in overlapping relation with their end edges afiixed to said reduced edge portions of the bow and stem members, the top sheathing plate being provided with a cock-pit opening.

6. A sailing craft, comprising stern and bow members having rounded corner surfaces at the top and bottom thereof, said bow and stern members being provided with a reduced edge portion forming a seating surface, longitudinally extending frame members having their ends received in said seating surfaces and shaped in cross section to conform to the rounded contour of the corners of said bow and stern members, spaced apart bulkheads connecting said frame members, and sheathing plates for the bottom, sides and top of said sailing craft having their longitudinal edges secured to the longitudinal frame members in overlapping relation with their end edges affixed to said reduced edge portions of the bow and stern members, the top sheathing plate being provided with a cock-pit opening and said stern, bow, frame and sheathing members being formed of relatively light weight metal alloy.

7. A sailing craft, comprising stern and bow members having rounded corner surfaces at the top and bottom thereof, said bow and stern members being provided with a reduced edge portion forming a seating surface, longitudinally extending frame members having their ends received in said seating surfaces and shaped in cross section to conform to the rounded contour of the corners of said bow and stem members, spaced apart bulkheads connecting said frame members, and sheathing plates for the bottom, sides and top of said sailing craft having their longitudinal edges secured to the longitudinal frame members in overlapping relation with their end edges affixed to said reduced edge portions of the bow and stern members, the top sheathing plate being provided with a cock-pit opening and said stern and bow members being cast from aluminum in complete units.

8. A sailing craft, comprising stern and bow members having rounded corner surfaces at the top and bottom thereof, said bow and stem members being provided with a reduced edge portion forming a seating surface, longitudinally eX- tending frame members having their ends received in said seating surfaces and shaped in cross section to conform to the rounded contour of the corners of said bow and stem members, spaced apart bulkheads connecting said frame members, and sheathing plates for the bottom, sides and top of said sailing craft having their longitudinal edges secured to the longitudinal frame members in overlapping relation with their end edges affixed to said reduced edge por tions of the bow and stern members, the top sheathing plate being provided with a cock-pit opening and said longitudinal frame members being extruded from aluminum to the desired shape so as to conform with the outer surface contour of said bow and stem members.

9. A marine craft comprising a bow and a stern each of unitary hollow structure having an offset flange with spaced depressions, a keel of cruciform cross section having its ends fitted and secured in corresponding depressions in the bow and stern flanges, like chines and sheers each having an arcuate cross section with offset flanges, said chines and sheers having their respective ends fitted and secured in corresponding depressions in the flanges of the bow and stem, plates secured on the keel and one of the offset flanges of each chine, plates secured to the other flange of each chine and to one flange of each sheer, and deck plates secured to the other flange of each sheer.

10. A marine craft, comprising bow and stem members of unitary hollow structure shaped to conform to the streamlines of the craft, said members having flanges with rounded corners and spaced recesses, longitudinal frame members having offset flanges at the edges thereof their ends received by and secured in said recesses, and sheathing plates secured to the flanges on the frame members with their ends secured to the flanges of said bow and stern members.

FERDINAND R. EICI-INER.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS

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