US3129443A

US3129443A - Convertible boat hull

Info

Publication number: US3129443A
Application number: US81798A
Authority: US
Inventors: Maturi Rodolphe Gerard; Bellotti Christian
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1960-01-12
Filing date: 1961-01-10
Publication date: 1964-04-21
Anticipated expiration: 1981-04-21

Description

R. G. MATURI ETAL 3,129,443

CONVERTIBLE BOAT HULL April 21, 1964 Filed Jan. 10, 1961 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 21, 1964 R. G. MATURI ETAL 3,129,443

CONVERTIBLE BOAT HULL Filed Jan. 10, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent ()fiice 3,129,443 Patented Apr. 21, 1964 3,129,443 CGNVERTIBLE BGAT HULL Rodolphe Gerard Maturi, 136 Rue Lamar-ch, Paris 18,

France, and Qhris'tian Eelietti, 15 Rue du Val de Grace,

Paris 5, France Fiied 32m. 1a, 1961, Still. No. sues Claims priority, application France Tan. 12, 1960 4 Claims. (61. 9-2) The water lines of an outboard motor boat hull and the hull of a sailing boat in displacement are differently shaped, and up till now, the construction of a single hull giving good hydrodynamic results in each of these utilizations: either an outboard motor boat or sailing boat, was considered impossible or at least unrealizable, more particularly if it was desired to obtain a lower cost price thzm that of two hulls specially devised for outboard motor boat and sailing boat purposes.

The present invention enables this problem to be solved, by creating a main element of a hull capable of being associatedor notwith auxiliary elements for forming an outboard motor boat hull or to cooperate with third elements for forming a sailing boat hull, this principal element being subjected to additional loads, in particular to the weight of the passengers, to the weight of the engine and to stresses due to the wind exerted on the sail, etc., whose application point and direction can be displaced so that the water lines conform with those for working as an outboard motor boat or sailing boat for which the hull is loaded and arranged.

According to the invention, the convertible boat hull comprises a main element able to be associated, eventually, with at least one auxiliary element for forming the hull of an outboard motor boat and cooperating with third elements for forming a sailing boat hull, all these elements being shaped and the distribution of static and dynamic loads to which they are subjected when running, being varied in such a manner that the results obtained from the outboard motor boat hull and the sailing boat hull thus obtained are considerable.

Various other characteristics will moreover be revealed by the detailed description which follows.

Forms of embodiment of the purpose of the invention are shown, by way of examples, in the attached drawing.

FIGURES l and 2 are longitudinal sectional elevations of elements forming a first form of embodiment of the hull according to the invention.

FEGURES 3 and 4 are plan views of these elements seen whose half is shown in section along the lines 111-- III and IV-IV of FIGURES 1 and 2 respectively.

FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic elevational view showing a second form of embodiment of the hull.

FIGURES 6 and 7 are diagrammatic elevations showing a third form of embodiment of the hull showing two possibilities of mounting its component elements.

FIGURES 8 and 10 are elevational views showing a hull in two characteristic working positions.

FIGURES 9 and 11 are plan views of the hull, diagrammatized in FIGURES 8 and 10, on which the water lines are shown characterizing the two types of working.

According to a first form of embodiment shown in FZGURES 1 to 4, the hull comprises a main element 1 s0 shaped as to ensure good hydrodynamic results when used independently for acting as an outboard motor boat. This main element is able to be associated with another element 2, rigidly fixed to the rear of element 1 so as to form, in cooperation with it, a sailing boat hull whose element 2 represents the front. The shape of the latter is provided so as not to set up any continuity solution or any angular surface in the connecting zone of said elements, but also to afford good hydrodynamic results from the hull when these associated elements are used as a sailing boat.

According to a second form of embodiment (FIG- URE 5) the hull comprises a main element 3 of which at least part is shaped so as to afford a good result, when this element is used for an outboard motor boat. The rear part of the latter can be made integral with another element 4, when the hull is to be converted for constructing a sailing boat, whose rear is formed by this element 4. The shape of the ribs of said element 4 and the front of the element 3 is so devised that, by associating these ribs with that of the remaining part of this element 3, good results can be obtained from the hull for a sailing boat.

According to a third form of embodiment shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, the hull comprises a central element 5 to whose end can be fixed either front and rear elements 6 and 7 to form a sailing boat hull, or a front element 3 and a rear element 9 for forming an outboard motor boat hull. The shape of the front elements 6 and 3 and rear elements 7 and 9 is different, so that by using a common central element 5, acceptable results may be obtained from the hull, whether used as a sailing boat with the elements 6 and 7 or as an outboard motor boat with the elements 8 and 9.

In the examples described above, the outboard motor boat hull or the sailing boat hull are obtained by juxtaposing elements in a longitudinal direction which totally comprise each couple of the corresponding part of the hull. It is quite obvious that this hull of an outboard motor boat or sailing boat can be obtained by juxtaposing supplementary elements in a cross direction of which each couple is associated with the opposite element or elements for forming the corresponding couple of the hull, and then, by juxtaposing these elements assembled transversely, in a longitudinal direction.

The above-mentioned elements 1 to 9 are watertight over their entire periphery and can even comprise watertight caissons in order to make them unsinkable. The bottom of these elements, and in particular, the principal elements 1, 3 and middle one 5, is flat, but can be slightly curved in a V, U-shape or hollow. Moreover, there is nothing to prevent this bottom comprising, in certain embodiments, at least one step. Moreover, these elements can be made of all the material usually utilized and possibly others, namely: worked-up wood, marine plywood, metal alloys, waterproofed canvas covering a framework, :stratified glass fabric and synthetic resins, Watertight inflatable cover, etc., the construction of said elements putting into etiect all known or new technique applied to these materials.

The elements are connected to each other by means of fixing members mentioned as examples in that which follows. These members can be rustless metal alloy bolts, such as brass, threaded rods and nuts, straps, hoops, eccentrics, knockle bolts, quick tightening grips such as those known under the name of bevels, housings and pins, etc.

The first form of embodiment is shown in FIGURES 1 to 4 and by way of non-restrictive example, according to a construction of wood and marine plywood, a construotion type which is generally very popular owing to its low cost price. The main element 1 comprises a stem 10,

couples

11 and 12 and a rear panel 13 provided with a plate 14 and strengthening surround 1 2a which are connected by means of internal strakes 15. The upper horizontal part of the couple 11 of ring shape forms and instrument panel 16, whereas the upper horizontal parts of the open couple l2. sup-port gunwales 17, which eventually, can rest on several other couples 12. The framework thus formed is covered by a hull flat 18 and a deck fiat 19 which, in cooperation with the gunwales 17, form a Working covering of marine plywood. The internal strakes 15 are also utilized as floor battens '2 to on which seats or benches 24 are fixed which can be connected to the

couples

11 and 12.

The rear panel 13 and its strengthening plate 14 are intended to hold an outboard motor. The broken lines 211 show the center lines of fastening members, such as those previously described, enabling connection to be effected between the main element 1 and the third element 2. It will be noticed that the bottom of the hull fiat 18 is extended towards the rear at 22, in order to ensure good stability when running of the main element 1 used as an outboard motor boat hull, and that the external strakes 23 are attached to the lateral parts of this hull flat. The deck flat 19 can be provided with rapid fixing members for a rudder enabling the main element 1 to be steered, when the latter is used in cooperation with the third element 2 as a sailing boat hull. The main element 1 can, moreover, be provided with various other accessories for operating it and propelling it, such as: flywheel and transmission cables, members controlling the motor, hinged supports for cars, etc., and comprise various arrangements for passengers comfort.

The third element 2 of this first form of embodiment is shaped like a watertight caisson formed by a stem 24 connected to a rear plate 25 by a double middle rib 26 surrounding a lower step 27 and a well 25, a working covering, composed of a deck flat 29 and a hull flat 39 of plywood pressed into shape, covers the stem, the rib, the lower plate forming a couple and eventually intermediate couples (not shown). The connection between this rear plate and the flats is strengthened by means of planks and slats 31. 32 denotes the center lines of the cooperating parts of fastening members 21 with which the rear panel 13 and the main element 1 are provided.

The Well 28 is delimited by a surround 33 integral with the rear plate 25 and connected to the stem 24 by the ribs 26, at the lower part, and by a middle strake 34 at the top part. This well, giving on to the deck flat 29 and hull flat 30, is provided internally with rollers 35 for guiding an incurved centre-board 36 able to be more or less lowered for keeping the sailing boat keel in line formed by the juxtaposed elements 1 and 2. The step 27 and deck flat 29 as Well as the ribs 34 delimit circular orifices for stepping a mast 37 carrying at least one sail.

Thus, the main element 1 of conventional construction, can be used independently as outboard motor boat hull, and in cooperation with the third element 2, as a sailing boat hull. These two types of bull are provided with all improvements and necessary accessories for satisfactory utilization.

It results from the foregoing that the shape of the hull, convertible according to the invention, is an important factor for obtaining good hydrodynamic results, but FIGURES 8 to 11 show that for improving these results, other factors can be introduced. For example, the centre of gravity of the hull can be shifted from G (FIGURE 8) toward G (FIGURE 10) and inversely, by altering the distribution of the loads fixed to the latter:

addition or removal of a hull element, additional loads such as passengers both in number and position, the motor, etc. The centre of dynamic thrust of this hull can also be shifted by altering its shape by adding or removing an element, altering its speed which is necessarily different according to the method of propulsion, sail or motor, etc. The position of the water-line 38 in relation to a sailing boat hull 39 when moving (FIGURE 8) is different to that of a water-line 46 in relation to an outboard motor boat hull 411 when moving (FIGURE 10). In the first case, the water lines 42 of the hull 39 are characteristic of a sailing boat, and in the second case, the water lines 43 of the hull 41 are, on the other hand, characteristic of an outboard motor boat. Actua1 ly, the lines 42 are closed showing towards the rear a curved shape and towards the front a bent shape terminating in a point, whereas the lines 43 are open.

We claim:

1. A convertible boat hull comprising a plurality of sections, one of said sections forming an end of a sailboat hull, means for releasably connecting said sections together to form a sailboat hull and for removing said one section to form an outboard motor boat hull, and said sections being shaped for varying the distribution of static and dynamic loads in such a manner that optimum hydrodynamic results are obtained from the outboard motor boat hull and from the sailing boat hull.

2. A convertible boat hull according to claim 1 wherein the other of said sections comprises an integral outboard motor boat hull.

3. A convertible boat hull according to claim 2 wherein the said one section includes a well for supporting a center board and means for supporting a mast.

4. A convertible boat hull comprising a plurality of sections for selectively forming a sailboat hull and an outboard motor boat hull, said sections including a center section and a plurality of auxiliary sections, said center section comprising a main hull element having each of its ends adapted to be connected selectively with said auxiliary sections, said auxiliary sections including a pair of elements shaped to form the front and rear of a sailboat and a pair of elements shaped to form the cEront and rear of an outboard motor boat, and means for releasably connecting one pair of said elements to i said main hull element to form the appropriate boat hull.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 764,473 Kilgore July 5, 1904 2,569,686 Melchoir Oct. 2, 1951 2,741,782 Muller Apr. 17, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 176,965 Great Britain Mar. 23, 1922 407,491 Great Britain Mar. 22, 1934 479,256 Great Britain Feb. 2, 1938 967,928 France Apr. 5, 1950