US3184768A

US3184768A - Combination collapsible boat and carrying case

Info

Publication number: US3184768A
Application number: US114793A
Authority: US
Inventors: John E Thomson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-06-05
Filing date: 1961-06-05
Publication date: 1965-05-25
Anticipated expiration: 1982-05-25

Description

May 25, 1965 J. E. THOMSON 3,184,768

COMBINATION COLLAPSIBLE BOAT AND CARRYING CASE A Filed June 5. 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .L20 `90 5242 223828 16' 3 .ggl i8. @O 88 y INVEN TOR.

MJL Omdofa/ BY May 25, 1965 J. E. THOMSON 3,184,768

COMBINATION COLLAPSIBLE BOAT AND CARRYING CASE Filed June 5. 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent O 184,76 CMBlNA'llN CLLAESHBLE llr-ll AND CARRYING CASE John E. Thomson, Pittsburgh, lia., assigner et one-third to Wilfred S. Stone, Wayne, lll., and Anthony S. Zurnrner, Evanston, lll,

Filed dune 5, 196i, Ser. No. llld,793 3 Claims. (Cl. 9--2) f This invention relates to an improved construction for a collapsible boat and more particularly to a collapsible boat which also provides a self-contained carrying case for carrying boat accessories and other articles, such as, fishing tackle, clothing and other desired articles.

Although the mobility of people has increased substantially over the period of years, many Sportsmen7 especially fishermen, find that their mobility is handicapped inasmuch as it is quite cumbersome to carry a boat with them on all trips. Furthermore, it has been found in certain instances that given bodies of water may be inaccessible by automobile so that it is impractical to bring a boat to a given body of water although the shing may be particularly good in that body of water. Many types of lightweight collapsible boats are provided; however, most of these boats have a fabric construction so that they are dangerous to use on a foreign body of water, inasmuch as the fabric may be easily punctured by a submerged stump, limb or other object. Other collapsible boats make no provision for providing a unitary package which contains not only the boat and fishing taclrle but also provides room .for carrying fishing clothes and other desirable articles on a lishing trip. Therefore, it is one of the principal objects of the hereindisclosed invention to provide a combination collapsible boat and carrying case which provides a device for carrying extra clothes and other equipment with the collapsed boat to provide a package which may be readily transported by a single individual.

vIt is another object of the hereindisclosed invention to provide a collapsible boat hull which has a fixed lower hull which provides necessary buoyance for an individual occupant and the freeboard of the hull is foldable over the hull to close the open side of the hull, thereby providing a convenient carrying case.

lt is a further object of the hereindisclosed invention to provide a collapsible boat wherein all of the parts of the boat are contained Within the collapsed boat hull.

It is still another object of the hereind-isclosed invention to provide an improved seat construction for use in a collapsible boat hull.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a safe construction for a collapsible boat hull in which the water line of the boat is below any folding seam.

Other objects and uses of the hereindisclosed invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a perusal of the appended specification in light of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE l is a side view of a collapsible boat embodying the hereindisclosed invention;

FGUREVZ is a plan view of the boat shown in FlG- URE l FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the boat shown in FIGURE l, showing the boat in use;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing how a seat is mounted in the boat shown in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 5 is aperspective view showing the boat in i FIGURE 1 in a collapsed attitude so that it is a carrying case;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a freeboard which constitutes a portion of the boat shown in FIGURE 1 show-ing the operation of a latch to hold ice lll, consists of a boat hull 12 which includes a lowerV rigid hull ld having a handle 16 therein and a foldable freeboard sealingly and hingedly attached to the lower hull, a latch 2d for holding the freeboard in a closed position, a pair of oarlocks 22 mounted on the boat hull, and a seat 24 removably mounted within the boat f hull to provide a convenient resting place for an occupant of the boat.

The lower hull ld has a lightweight construction in that it is made up of a plurality of sheets of aluminum sealingly ixed to each other. A bottom 26, which is rectan guiar, is made of a piece of sheet aluminum and has a side 2S sealingly fixed to one edge of the bottom. The side has the handle 16 formed therein as will be described hereinafter. The side 28 is trapezoidal in this instance and has its shorter parallel edge lixed to one edge of bottom 26. The hull ld includes a rectangular stern Sti with one edge sealingly xed to a second edge of the bottom and a second edge sealingly fixed to one of the non-parallel edges of side 23. A. second side 32 is also trapezoidal in form and has its shorter parallel edge sealingly iixed to a third edge of the bottom and a nonparallel edge sealingly fixed to one edge of the stern. `The hull ld is completed by rectangular bow 3d which has one edge sealingly fixed to a fourth edge of the bottom and a pair of opposite edges sealingly fixed to non-parallel edges of sides 23 and 32. It may be noted that the volume of the lower hull is suliiciently great so that there is sufficient buoyant force to support a man in the boat plus the weight of the boat.

The roldable freeboard TLS which is hingedly and sealingly'mounted on the lower hull serves a multiple purpose in that it acts as a combination vsplashboard and support for the lower hull when the instant device is used as a boat and as a cover for the lowernhull when the device is used as a carrying case. The freeboard includes a trapezoidal side panel 36 which has its longer parallel edge hingedly and sealingly connected to the longer parallel edge of side 28. The edges of the side 2S and the side panel 36 are connected by a sealing hinge 38. ln .this instance, the sealing hinge 3S is an extruded medium density polyethylene material which overlaps both edges to hold the edges adjacent to each other. It is evident how the hinge 3S provides a combination seal and hinge between the two edges. Thus, the side panel may be folded into .the lower hull as will be described hereinafter. A triangular side panel 40 is hingedly and sealingly connected to the side panel 36 by a sealing hinge ft2. T he triangular side panel 4d has one of its angles, that is, the angle adjacent to the lower hull, equal to the acute angle of the .trapeziodal side panel 36 which angle is formed by the longer parallel edge of side panel 28 and the edge adjacent to triangular side panel 40. Hingedly and sealiugly connected to triangular side panel 4t) is a stern panel do which has one edge hingedly and sealingly connected to one edge of the triangular side panel 4t) by means of a sealing hinge l and a second edge hingedly and sealingly connected to the upper edge of stern 30 by means of -a sealing hinge Sil. The stern panel 46 has a latch aperture 52 adjacent to its uppermost edge for cooperation with the catch E@ as will be described hereinafter.

The freeboard also includes a second triangular side panel 54 which is identical in configuration .to triangular side panel di). The triangular side panel Se; has one edge i f panel S8 is identical to side panel 3d and triangular side panel 54 is identical to triangular side panel dil, it is clear that the side panels 5d and 58 'have .adjacent equal angles which equal angles have their apcxes at a common point. A third triangular side panel 64 has one edge hingediy and sealinglyconnected to a non-paralel edge of said panel Sby means of va sealing hinged. in this instance, the triangular side panel 64 is identical in coniiguration to the triangular side panel 54 and onek angle of the triangular side panel 64 is equal to an acute angle of the side panel 5S and the apeXes of the two equal ,angles are at a common point. triangular side panel ed is a bow panel 63 which has oney edge connected to one edge of the triangular side .panel 6ft-by means of a sealing hinge 7l?. A second edge of the bow panel is connected to one edge of the bow dfiby means of a sealing hinge 72. Thebowpanel o@ 'has a catch aperture 74- near its uppermost edge similar to catch aperture 52 of the stern panel. The last panel in the `freeboard is a fourth triangular side panel 76 which is identical in configuration to the triangular side panel 64.

The bow panel 68 has one edge connected .to one edge of the triangular side panel 76 by means of a sealing hinge 7S and a second edge of the side panel 76 is hingedl; and

sealingly connected to a non-parallel edge ofthe trape-` zoidal side panel 35 by means of sealing hinge Sil.. lt

should be noted that the acute angle of the trapezoidal Y side panel 36 adjacent to triangular side panel 7e and the angle of triangularv side panel 76 having substantially the same apex as the acute angle adjacent to the triangular side vpanel 76 are equal to each other.

As was mentioned above, the sealing hinge 3S is extruded of polyethylene material which allows the .hinge to function both as a hinge and as a seal between the two edges. All of the

aforementioned hinges

38, 42, .48, ed,

62, 66, '70, 72, '78 and 8i), are of the identical material and of similar constructionV toxprovide suitable sealing hinges between their respective edges.V I-t may be noted that at each of the

corners

82, 84, 86 and 8S, where a plurality of hinges meet, there is ya point where there isno j hinge material. Thus, a corner seal @il of the same material as the hinges is sealingly `lixed at each of these corners which corner seal is identical for all of the corners.

The `seat 24 is'mounted in a seat bracket 92 which is secured to bottom 26 and is held in a pair of seat .catches 94 and 96 mounted on side panels 36 and S3, respectively. The seat includes a U-shaped frame 8 whichV has a frame bottom lltll mounted in seat bracket 92 and a pair of integral substantially vertical arms 102. A seat bottom lila is pivotally mounted between the arms 102 adjacent to frame bottom tltl and a pair of combination seat-back fasteners and seat locks 1% are pivotally mounted adjacent the ends of the arms M2. The seat bottom includes a hoop 16S which is mounted on pivot lltl and has a fabric covering 112 on the hoop to provide a convenient resting place. A brace lid iswhingedly connected toV the hoop 108 and to the frame botom 109 to hold the seat bottom when the seat is in position. c

The combination seat-back fastener and seat catch is identical in each instance. Each seat-back fastener and seat catch includes a back rod 116 which has iixed thereto a spacer 118 perpendicular to the back rod. Formed integral with and perpendicular to the spacer 118 is a frame rod '120 which extendsthrough its respective trame arrn 102 and is pivotal therein. A linger 3.22 formed integral with the rod ltland perpendicular theretois posi- Hingedly and sealingly connected to theY CTL tionable within one of the seat catches mounted on its respective side panel. in order Vto complete the seat 24, there is a Vflexible fabric back 124 ixed to the back rods lle of each of the combination back;r fastener and seat catches No. The fabric back 124 provides `a back support for the seat. n t

When the combination boat and `carrying case is 1n a closed attitude, that is, when the; reeboard is folded downinto kthe low-er hull, the catclrl'locks the treeboard into a closed attitude to hold the carryingcase cio-ccd. As was mentioned above, Vthe catch 2b ismounted on the trapezoidal side panel 36, The catch includes a base lZo which is sealingly fixed to-side panel 36. v The base has formed integral therewith a'stud which is extendable through apertures 52 andy 'lof stern and bow pane-ls de and 63, respectively.` The studhas a pivotal arm mounted thereon which arm may be aligned W nthe stud als toy r`allow the stud and )arm .to pass through the apertures 52 and 7d and then lmay be pivoted 90 degrees to provide a convenient latchtor keeping the free-board in a clesed'attitude.

In orderV to provide a com'enientcarrying means for the case when thefreeboard is ina closed attitude, the handle le is provided inthe lower hull.: The handle lr6 includes an aperture 132 in side'. The aperture 132 is formed -by cutting a portion of Ithe side 2S and rolling it to provide a convenient` gripV 13d which isformed lintegral with the side 28. ln order to close the aperture 132, ya handle cover 136 is sealiugly fixed torbottom `26 and to side 2d, thereby providing a handle recess in the lower hull and providing a"convenient 'carrying means forthe instant device. l Y

From ythe foregoing-description, it is readily apparent that a pair or" oars suchasY oars 13S maybe .placed inside the lowerhull alongvwith the seat, fishing-tackle, (not shown) clothing (not shown) and any other necessary items and the freeboard is folded over the toplof the lower hull, thereby'providing ia Vcollapsed boat and a convenient carrying case forrnecessary'equipment. When the `user-arrives at a .suitablelocation for using the instant device, it is necessary only .for the user ofthe device to open the latch Ztl by pivoting arm 134B Vabout stud 5128, thereby allowing thel bow fand stern panels torbe moved vupward and away 4from. the side'panel. Y rl`he movement of the lbow ,and stern'panels also kraises the two trapezoidal side panels and theffour triangular sid'epanels to forni the `hull.` With the freeboard in its formed position, the seat is then placed into position.V The bottorn frame .l isplaced iny thefbr'aclret andthe brace is positioned to hold ythe bottom. The trapezoidal side panels are moved relative to the: combination seat back and seat fastener so that` the lingers 122" are adjacent their respective seat catches. As was mentioned above, each of these catches is spaced slightly from its respective side panel and each seatcatch has a slot therein into which is'positioned Vthe respective'iinger 122. The finger is lthen rotated to place the back bar llo intoy a position substantially parallel to the arm of the seat frame. Thus, the seattrame holds the freeboard in its position. Also it should be noted that'v as torce isapplied to the back 24, the vforce serves to lock ythe seat into position, thereby holding the boat in its desired form. The oars are then placed in the oarlocks andthe boat is ready toruse. p

lt is readily lapparent that inasmuch vas the hull and freeboard is-made of a rigid material suchasalmninum sheet,` the boat has an inherent degree of safety because it is not subject to puncture.

When the user is finished using the boat, it is necessary only for him to Vrotate thev combination seat-back holder and seat lock and remove the iingersllZZ fromV alaaf/es hull, the freeboard may be folded into the lower hull to close the top of the lower hull and provide a carrying case for the items contained Within the lower hull. First the trapezoidal side panel 58 is moved toward the center and of course the side panel 36 follows after the side panel 58. It should be noted that the angles of each of the acute angles in the trapezoidal side panel are equal to the adjacent angles in the adjacent triangles. This construction allows the freeboard to fold atly and uniforrnly, and it also allows the side panels to be rigid pieces of sheet metal. As the side panel S goes under the side panel 36, the stern and bow panels go over the side panel 36 so that the stud Z8 passes through the apertures 52 and '74. The arm 130 is then pivoted as mentioned above to lock the panels into position and the carrying case is ready for transportation and the handle lle is conveniently exposed for handy carrying of the instant device.

Although the instant device has been described in terms of using aluminum sheet metal and polyethylene sealing hinges, it is readily apparent that other materials and other similar constructions may be used in the use of the invention. It is also readily apparent that those skilled in the art may make various and sundry modifications and variations in the construction of a collapsible boat and carrying case embodying the hereindisclosed invention. It is to be expressly understoood that the present invention is in no way limited by the aforedisclosure but only by the appended claims.

l claim:

l. A combination carrying case and collapsible boat comprising, in combination, a rigid quadangular bottom; a rigid rst quadrangular side having one edge sealingly xed to one edge of said bottom; a rigid quadrangular bow having one edge sealingly fixed to one edge of said bottom and a second edge sealingly fixed to one edge of said side; a rigid second side having one edge sealing fixed to a second edge of said bottom and a 'second edge sealingly fixed to one edge of said bow; a rigid quadrangular stern having one edge fixed to a third edge of said bottom, -a second edge sealingly fixed to the second-mentioned side and a third edge sealingly fixed to the first-mentioned side; a handle formed integral with the first-mentioned side; a rigid trapezoidal first side panel having its longest parallel side hingedly and sealingly connected to one edge of the first-mentioned side; a rigid first triangular side panel having one angle equal to the angle between the longer parallel edge and one of the non-parallel edges of the first side panel, said rigid first triangular side panel having its angle equal to one angle of the first side panel adjacent to said angle and having one edge hingedly and sealingly connected to one of the non-parallel edges of the first side panel; a rigid quadrangular bow panel having one edge hingedly and sealingly connected to one edge of the first triangular side panel and a second edge hingedly and sealingly connected to one edge of the bow; a rigid trapezoidal second side panel having its longer parallel edge hingedly and sealingly connected to one edge of the second side; a rigid triangular side panel having an angle equal to the angle between the longer parallel edge and the diagonal edge adjacent to the bow, said second triangularside panel having the apex of its angle equal to the angle in the second trapezoidal side panel adjacent to the apex of said angle of the trapezoidal side panel and having one edge hingedly and sealingly connected to said diagonal edge of the trapezoidal side panel and a second edge hingedly and sealingly connected to one edge of the bow panel; a rigid third triangular side panel having an angle equal to the angle between the other diagonal edge and the llonger parallel edge of the trapezoidal second side panel, said third triangular side panel having one edge hingedly and sealingly connected to the other diagonal edge of the trapezoidal second side panel and the apex kof the equal angles lin the ythird triangular side panel and the second trapezoidal .side panel juxtapositioned; a rigid quadrangular stern panel having one edge hingedly and sealingly connected to one edge of the third triangular side panel and a second edge hingedly and sealingly connected to one edge of the stern; a rigid fourth triangular side panel having an angle equal to an acute angle of the first trapezoidal side panel adjacent to the stern, said fourth triangular side panel having one edge hingedly and sealingly connected to a nonparallel edge of the first-mentioned trapezoidal side panel with apexes of the equal angles of `the fourth triangular side panel and the first-mentioned trapezoidal side panel juxtapositioned and a second edge hingedly and sealingly connected to one edge of the stern panel; a latch mounted on the first-mentioned trapezoidal side panel and engageable with the bow and stern panels to hold the bow and stern panels relative to the first trape- Zoidal side panel; a seat bracket mounted on the bottom; a lll-shaped seat frame having the bottom of the U positioned in the seat bracket; a seat bottom pivotally mounted between the upright arms of the seat frame; a brace connected to the seat bottom and the bottom of the U of the seat frame to hold the seat bottom relative to the frame; a combination seat-back fastener and seat lock mounted on the upper portion of each of the arms of the U-shaped seat frame; each of said combination seat-back fasteners and seat locks including, a seat-baci; bar, a longitudinal spacer perpendicular to the seat back and arms, a frame rod perpendicular to the spacer and pivotally mounted in the upper portion of itsvrespective seat-frame arm, and a finger perpendicular to the rod and parallel to the seat-back rods; a flexible seat back connected to the rod of each of said seat locks, and a seat catch mounted on each of the trapezoidal panels for locking the seat locks to the side panels by means of the catch finger.

2. A boat seat for use in a boat hull comprising, in combination; a U-shaped seat frame having the bottom of the U positionable on the bottom of a boat hull; a seat bottom pivotally mounted between the upright arms of the U-shaped seat frame; a brace pivotally connected to the seat bottom and adapted for attachment to the bottom of the U of the U-shaped seat frame to hold the seat bottom relative to the frame; a combination seatbaek fastener and seat lock mounted on the upper portion of each of the arms or' the U-shaped seat frame; each of said combination seat-back fasteners and seat locks including a seat-back bar, a longitudinal spacer perpendicular to the seat-back bar and arm, a frame rod perpendicular to the spacer and pivotally mounted in the upper portion of its respective seat frame arm, and a finger perpendicular to the rod and parallel to the seat-back rods; and a iiexible seat back connected to the rod of each of the combination seat-back fasteners and seat locks.

3. A collapsible boat comprising, in combination; a quadrangular bottom; a quadrangular side having one edge sealingly fixed to one edge of said bottom; a quadrangular bow having one edge sealingly fixed to a second edge ofthe bottom and a second edge sealingly fixed to one edge of said side; a second quadrangular side having one edge sealingly fixed to a third edge of the bottom and a second edge sealingly fixed to one edge of the bow; a stern having one edge sealingly fixed to a fourth edge of the bottom; said stern having opposite edges sealingly fixed to respective edges of said sides; a quadrangular side panel having one edge sealingly and hingedly connected to one edge of the firstmentioned of said sides; a triangular side panel having one edge sealingly and hingedly connected to one edge of the quadrangular side panel; a quadrangular bow panel having one edge hingedly and sealingly connected to one edge of the triangular side panel; said bow panel having a second edge hingedly and sealingly connected 3,1 eet/ee Vto one edge of the bow; a secondtriangular side panel having one edge llingedly and -sealingiy connected to one edgek of the bow panel; a second quadrangular side panel having one edge hingedly and sealingly comiected r to one yedge of the second triangularV side panelY and a second edge hingedly and sealingly connected to one edge of the second side; a third triangular side panel having `one edge bingedly and seelingly connected to vone edge of the second quadrangular side panel; a quadrangular stern panel having one edge liingedly and sealingly connected to one edge of tne third triangular side panel and one edge hingedly and sealingly connected to one edge; of the stern; a fourthtriangular side panel having one edge hingedly and sealingly connected to' one edge of the quadrangular stern panel and a second edge hingedly andy sealingly-connected to one edge of the first-mentioned quadrangular `side panel; a seat bracket mounted on the bottom, a U-sbaped seat frame having the bottoni of the U positioned in the seat bracket,

a seat bottom pivotaliy mounted betweenrthe `uprig'nt arms of the U-shaped seat frame; a brace pivotally'con- `nected to the seat bottom and connected to the bottom of the U-shaped seat frame to hold the seat bottom relative to the `seat frame; a Combination seat-back fastener lar to thefrod and parallel to .the seat-back rods; a seatv back connected to the rod of eachV of the seat locks, and a seat catch; mounted on each or the quadrangular side panels for locking the' seaty :lock to the ysidel panels by ineens of the Arespective catchriingers.

Referencesited by the Examiner UNITED STATESYPATENTS 2,271,338 1/42 Hamlin 9 2 2,693,694 ll/54 leterson 9-2 2,737,232 3/56 VGruber A297+-450 2,966,687 1/'61 Henry '9-2 2,9%,123' 7/6l` Hamilton 2974-55 FeRoUs s. MinnLeToN, .Primm-y examiner.

MELTON BUCHLERExaminer; v

Claims

1. A COMBINATION CARRYING CASE AND COLLAPSIBLE BOAT COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A RIGID QUADANGULAR BOTTOM; A RIGID FIRST QUADRANGULAR SIDE HAVING ONE EDGE SEALINGLY FIXED TO ONE EDGE OF SAID BOTTOM; A RIGID QUADRANGULAR BOW HAVING ONE EDGE SEALINGLY FIXED TO ONE EDGE OF SAID BOTTOM AND A SECOND EDGE SEALINGLY FIXED TO ONE EDGE OF SAID SIDE; A RIGID SECOND SIDE HAVING ONE EDGE SEALING FIXED TO A SECOND EDGE OF SAID BOTTOM AND A SECOND EDGE SEALINGLY FIXED TO ONE EDGE OF SAID BOW; A RIGID QUADRANGULAR STERN HAVING ONE EDGE FIXED TO A THIRD EDGE OF SAID BOTTOM, A SECOND EDGE SEALINGLY FIXED TO THE SECOND-MENTIONED SIDE AND A THIRD EDGE SEALINGLY FIXED TO THE FIRST-MENTIONED SIDE; A HANDLE FORMED INTEGRAL WITH THE FIRST-MENTIONED SIDE; A RIGID TRAPEZOIDAL FIRST SIDE PANEL HAVING ITS LONGEST PARALLEL SIDE HINGEDLY AND SEALINGLY CONNECTED TO ONE EDGE OF THE FIRST-MENTIONED SIDE; A RIGID FIRST TRIANGULAR SIDE PANEL HAVING ONE ANGLE EQUAL TO THE ANGLE BETWEEN THE LONGER PARALLEL EDGE AND ONE OF THE NON-PARALLEL EDGES OF THE FIRST SIDE PANEL, SAID RIGID FIRST TRIANGULAR SIDE PANEL HAVING ITS ANGLE EQUAL TO ONE ANGLE OF THE FIRST SIDE PANEL ADJACENT TO SAID ANGLE AND HAVING ONE EDGE HINGEDLY AND SEALINGLY CONNECTED TO ONE OF THE NON-PARALLEL EDGES OF THE FIRST SIDE PANEL; A RIGID QUADRANGULAR BOW PANEL HAVING ONE EDGE HINGEDLY AND SEALINGLY CONNECTED TO ONE EDGE OF THE FIRST TRIANGULAR SIDE PANEL AND A SECOND EDGE HINGEDLY AND SEALINGLY CONNECTED TO ONE EDGE OF THE BOW; A RIGID TRAPEZOIDAL SECOND SIDE PANEL HAVING ITS LONGER PARALLEL EDGE HINGEDLY AND SEALINGLY CONNECTED TO ONE EDGE OF THE SECOND SIDE; A RIGID TRIANGULAR SIDE PANEL HAVING AN ANGLE EQUAL TO THE ANGLE BETWEEN THE LONGER PARALLEL EDGE AND THE DIAGONAL EDGE ADJACENT TO THE BOW, SAID SECOND TRIANGULAR SIDE PANEL HAVING THE APEX OF ITS ANGLE EQUAL TO THE ANGLE IN THE SECOND TRAPEZOIDAL SIDE PANEL ADJACENT TO THE APEX OF SAID ANGLE OF THE TRAPEZOIDAL SIDE PANEL AND HAVING ONE EDGE HINGEDLY AND SEALINGLY CONNECTED TO SAID DIAGONAL EDGE OF THE TRAPEZOIDAL SIDE PANEL AND A SECOND EDGE HINGEDLY AND SEALINGLY CONNECTED TO ONE EDGE OF THE BOW PANEL; A RIGID THIRD TRIANGULAR SIDE PANEL HAVING AN ANGLE EQUAL TO THE ANGLE BETWEEN THE OTHER DIAGANOL EDGE AND THE LONGER PARALLEL EDGE OF THE TRAPEZOIDAL SECOND SIDE PANEL, SAID THIRD TRIANGULAR SIDE PANEL HAVING ONE EDGE HINGEDLY AND SEALINGLY CONNECTED TO THE OTHER DIAGONAL EDGE OF THE TRAPEZOIDAL SECOND SIDE PANEL AND THE APEX OF THE EQUAL ANGLES IN THE THIRD TRIANGULAR SIDE PANEL AND THE SECOND TRAPEZOIDAL SIDE PANEL JUXTAPOSITIONED; A RIGID QUADRANGULAR STERM PANEL HAVING ONE EDGE HINGEDLY AND SEALINGLY CONNECTED TO ONE EDGE OF THE THIRD TRIANGULAR SIDE PANEL AND A SECOND EDGE HINGEDLY AND SEALINGLY CONNECTED TO ONE EDGE OF THE STERN; A RIGID FOURTH TRIANGULAR SIDE PANEL HAVING AN ANGLE EQUAL TO AN ACUTE ANGLE OF THE FIRST TRAPEZOIDAL SIDE PANEL ADJACENT TO THE STERN, SAID FOURTH TRIANGULAR SIDE PANEL HAVING ONE EDGE HINGEDLY AND SEALINGLY CONNECTED TO A NONPARALLEL EDGE OF THE FIRST-MENTIONED TRAPEZOIDAL SIDE PANEL WITH APEXES OF THE EQUAL ANGLES OF THE FOURTH TRIANGULAR SIDE PANEL AND THE FIRST-MENTIONED TRAPEZOIDAL SIDE PANEL JUXTAPOSITIONED AND A SECOND EDGE HINGEDLY AND SEALINGLY CONNECTED TO ONE EDGE OF THE STERN PANEL; A LATCH MOUNTED ON THE FIRST-MENTIONED TRAPEZOIDAL SIDE PANEL AND ENGAGEABLE WITH THE BOW AND STERN PANELS TO HOLD THE BOW AND STERN PANELS RELATIVE TO THE FIRST TRAPEZOIDAL SIDE PANEL; A SEAT BRACKET MOUNTED ON THE BOTTOM; A U-SHAPED SEAT FRAME HAVING THE BOTTOM OF THE U POSITIONED IN THE SEAT BRACKET; A SEAT BOTTOM PIVOTALLY MOUNTED BETWEEN THE UPRIGHT ARMS OF THE SEAT FRAME; A BRACE CONNECTED TO THE SEAT BOTTOM AND THE BOTTOM OF THE U OF THE SEAT FRAME TO HOLD THE SEAT BOTTOM RELATIVE TO THE FRAME; A COMBINATION SEAT-BACK FASTENER AND SEAT LOCK MOUNTED ON THE UPPER PORTION OF EACH OF THE ARMS OF THE U-SHAPED SEAT FRAME; EACH OF SAID COMBINATION SEAT-BACK FASTENERS AND SEAT LOCKS INCLUDING, A SEAT-BACK BAR, A LONGITUDINAL SPACER PERPENDICULAR TO THE SEAT BACK AND ARMS, A FRAME ROD PERPENDICULAR TO THE SPACER AND PIVOTALLY MOUNTED IN THE UPPER PORTION OF ITS RESPECTIVE SEAT-FRAME ARM, AND A FINGER PERPENDICULAR TO THE RODS AND PARALLEL TO THE SEAT-BACK RODS; A FLEXIBLE SEAT BACK CONNECTED TO THE ROD OF EACH OF SAID SEAT LOCKS, AND A SEAT CATCH MOUNTED ON EACH OF THE TRAPEZOIDAL PANELS FOR LOCKING THE SEAT LOCKS TO THE SIDE PANELS BY MEANS OF THE CATCH FINGER.