US3389673A

US3389673A - Articulated boats

Info

Publication number: US3389673A
Application number: US472763A
Authority: US
Inventors: Cuesta Antonio
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1965-07-19
Filing date: 1965-07-19
Publication date: 1968-06-25
Anticipated expiration: 1985-06-25

Description

June 25, 1968 A. CUESTA ARTICULATED BOATS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 19, 1965 INVENTOR Antonio Cuesra ATTORNEYS June 25, 1968 A. CUE STA ARTICULATED BOATS 5 Sheets-Sheet :3

Filed July 19, 1965 INVENTOR N m8 mm Anton/'0 Cuesla ATTORNEYS June 25, 1968 cu sT 3,389,673

ARTICULATED BOATS Filed July 19, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 n a k IN VE N TOR, A mom'o Cues fa ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,389,673 ARTICULATED BOATS Antonio Cuesta, 2155 SW. 5th St, Miami, Fla. 33135 Filed July 19, 1965, Ser. No. 472,763

12 Claims. (Cl. 114-71) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Boats having hulls with relatively low freeboard amid ships and having watertight cabins resiliently supported above the center of the hull and having variable angle decks resiliently supported within the cabins are described.

This invention concerns having relatively movable hulls and cabins. Disclosed herein are novel hulls, and cabins and decks supported above hulls by springs.

Manufacture of modern motors of great horsepower and creation of efficient planing hulls have produced boats capable of high speeds. High speeds are associated with problems of pounding and handling dlfi'lClllllGS which heretofore have not had adequate solution. These problems cause passenger discomfort and difficult handling which may limit the cruising speed of boats far below capacities of their engines and hulls.

Designers and engineers have tried to solve buifeting problems, which occur at speeds over 18 knots, and which are encountered even when travelling in relatively calm waters. To solve the problems many changes in structure and design have been tried, varying from the flat hulls to deep V structures. Many high speed hulls are disclosed in an article by Conrad Miller, A History of Fast Hulls Told in Patents, Rudder, July 1964. Although the problem has been alleviated, a definite solution has not been reached. Deep V hulls which offer smoother rides, increase wetted surface of the vessels and consequently increase drag.

The articulated boat of the present invention overcomes bufieting and control problems experienced at high speed by absorbing shock between rugged hulls, cabins and passenger decks. Cabins or floating decks may be hinged to transoms of boats to permit vertical rotation of the deck or cabin against forward springs. Hinges in turn prevent lateral relative motion between cabin and hull. Pivoting aft and springing forward is desirable because bufileting blows are most evident forward of centers of boats. Decks may be equipped with an adjustable leveling device astern which will allow the decks to be rotated about the forward fixed springs. Raising after portions of the decks neutralizes the angle of the boat not only giving a smooth comfortable ride to crews, but also improving visibility.

Cabins are supported on solid lower hulls of conventional bottom design. Solid lower hulls are completely sealed on top, and completely enclosed fuel and water tanks. Remainders of the hulls are filled with water impermeable expanded material such as polystyrene. Engine compartments preferably occupy stems of the hulls. Fixed to external decks of the hulls are supension systems employing springs placed so that they will support balanced pressures according to congo carried, weight distribution of the crew cabins and speed and intensity of waves expected at cruising speed. The spring systems may be pneumatic or may be comprised of coil springs, leaf springs or torsion bars similar to suspension systems used in cars, trucks and buses. Shock absorbers prevent excess relative movement and limit spring recoil. Interiors of the cabins may be of conventional construction or cabin and cargo holds may be separated.

ice

Articulated boats comprise solid lower hulls, upper cabins and floors articulated by suspension systems and shock absorbers. Bases of after springs may b'eraised hydraulically or pneumatically at will to compensate for pitch angles which crafts assume under way at high speeds. Springs between hulls and cabins have additional effects of maintaining relatively uniform water contact. Because the boat is yieldable, it is less likely to be lifted from the water with resultant losss of control. In this manner, great comfort and improved visibility and handling characteristics are achieved.

Advantages obtained by using articulated hulls and variable angle floors are several. Unprecedented reductions in buffeting and lurching result in crafts safely and comfortably navigating at high speeds. Sea impacts received by solid lower hulls are neutralized by springs and shock absorbers, and few shocks are transmitted to the crew cabin. Severe movements are further neutralized by suspended docks in the crew cabins.

One of the greatest hazards in navigation is the accumulation of gases inside hulls where motors are placed, and where gasoline is stored. With a slightest spark, dangerous explosions may occur. In the present invention, fuel tanks are located in solid lower hulls which are hermatically sealed, excluding the possibility of any escaping gases. Engine compartments are sealed off from fuel storage tanks, offering further safety. If gases should escape, they would be carried away instantly by air freely circulating in the open spaces between lower bulls and cabins.

Cabins are self buoyant, and in improbable cases of severe damage to lower hulls, springs and shock absorbers, hinges and lifts are detachable from lower hulls. Releasing springs, shock absorbers, lifts and fairings, launches self buoyant cabins as life boats.

All boats proceeding at moderate speeds are effected by cross currents. Lateral waves roll boats and cause crafts to drift. The low free board of the center portions of the novel hulls pass waves, reducing roll and drift.

In conventional boats, buffeting results in unbalance in the craft, which adversely effects planing angle, and which lowers speed. The articulated boat absorbs the buffeting as a result of spring suspension and shock absorbers and the angle of pitch under way is less subject to deviating forces of waves. High speeds may be maintained even under severe conditions. With the articulating boat and its capacity to absorb buffeting Waves, more efficient planing hulls may be used. Thus it is possible to use almost flat bottoms, with their desirable planing characteristics,

low fuel consumption, and top speed.

angular deck. By using the novel suspension system under angularly adjustable decks, undesirable effects are neutralized and crafts result that are safer to handle and smoother to sail and maneuver.

One object of this invention is the provision of an improved hull.

A second object of the invention is the provision of suspended cabins for boats.

This invention has as another objective the provision of improved handling and more comfortably riding hullcabin combinations.

A further objective of the invention is the provision of variable angle decks.

Further objects of the invention will be apparent from the specification and from the drawings in which:

.FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of a preferred form of hull and cabin, in which the cabin is partially cut awa to reveal deck suspension structure;

FIGURE 2 is an elevation similar to FIGURE 1, showing forward springs compressed, as in the case of buffetin FI GURE 3 is a side elevation of a craft having hinged cabin and floor;

FIGURE 4 is a section of the craft shown in FIGURE 3, taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a cabin cruiser modification of the novel craft; and

FIGURE 6 is an outboard modification.

Referring to FIGURE 1, a fast inboard, inboard-outboard, or outboard craft is generally indicated by numeral 100. Under way at high speed, the rear portion of hull 110 is lowered. Springs 164 support the bottom .160 of cabin 140 above central deck 126 of bull 110. Shock absorbers 162 limit travel of cabin 140 with respect to hull 110 and dampen recoil of springs 164.

Variable angle deck 170 with its passenger seat 175 are supported forward by fixed springs 172. Shock absorbers 174 limit travel and recoil of the forward portion of the deck. Hydraulic or penumatic actuator 180 and piston 182 control vertical positioning of spring 186 and vary the angle of deck 170 with respect to cabin 140. Upon hitting a wave, bow 112 of hull is lifted, and forward springs 164 and 174, which support the cabin and variable angle deck, are compressed as shown in FIGURE 2. Engine compartment 116 is located aft the cabin, and the cabin is spaced from forward wall .130 of the engine compartment to prevent transmission of engine noise and vibrations. Laterally impinging waves freely pass over deck 126 between the hull and overlying cabin.

A second embodiment of the invention is generally indicated by the numeral 200 in FIGURE 3. Fuel and

water tanks

122 and 124 occupy the central portion of the hull. Springs 164 and shock absorbers 162 support cabin 140 above central deck 226 of the hull. Hinge 250 is secured to the forward wall 130 of the after engine compartment, and cabin 140 rotates about hinge 250 within the limits of springs 164 and shock absorbers 162. Deck 170 is articulated within cabin 140 by hinge .180 and springs 172. FIGURE 4 is a section through the craft shown in FIGURE '3 taken along line 2-2, showing relative positions of hull, cabin, deck and suspension systems.

A cabin cruiser modification 300 is shown in FIGURE 5 of the drawings. Central portion 320 of the hull is filled with a water impermeable expanded material. Gasoline and water tanks 332 and 324 may be enclosed in the central portion. The upper deck of the central portion is awash to reduce drift and roll effect of lateral waves and to vent possible fumes from the fuel storage tanks. An inboard engine 305, located in the after engine compartment of the hull, propels the craft. Air springs 364 are inflated to a degree commensurate with planned operating environment of the craft. Shock absorbers 362 limit vertical travel and horizontal movement of cabin 340 with respect to the hull. Floating floor 370 is supported above the bottom of cabin 340 by air springs 374.

An outboard motor 405 drives craft 400 as shown in FIGURE 6. The entire bottom 420 of the hull is filled with expanded polystyrene material.

Seats

475 and 476 which are mounted directly on the deck 460 of the cabin arecushioned by air springs and shock absorbers 462.

Although this invention has been disclosed by specific embodiment, it will be obvious to one skilled in the art that many other applications may be made Without departing from the scope of the invention. Limits of the invention are expressed only in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A boat comprising:

an outer hull;

an inner passenger cabin movcable within said hull;

and a plurality of springs interconnecting said hull and said cabin and supporting all of said cabin above and spaced from said hull; and

relative travel limiting means interconnecting said hull and said cabin.

2. The boat of claim 1 further comprising:

a deck supported within said cabin;

hinge means interconnecting one longitudinal end of said deck with said cabin;

at least one spring interposed between said cabin and said deck.

3. The boat of claim 1 further comprising:

a deck supported within the cabin;

at least one spring positioned forward between said cabin and said deck; and

at least one extensible lifting device positioned aft between said deck and said cabin.

4. The boat of claim 1, wherein a lower medial portion of said hull comprises a body filled with expanded material defining separate fuel and water storage cavities, and wherein said hull comprises an open engine well.

5. The boat of claim 1 wherein said hull comprises a how; a stern; and a medial portion between said bow and said stern, said medial portion having a relatively low freeboard with respect to said bow and said stern.

6. The boat of claim 5, wherein said medial portion is awash.

7. The boat of claim 1, wherein said cabin and said hull are rotatably interconnected adjacent an upper and after portion of said cabin.

8. Apparatus of claim 6, wherein said cabin is exposed laterally with respect to said hull.

9. An articulated boat comprising:

an hull having:

a bow, a stern, and an intermediate portion interconnecting said bow and said stern, said stern defining engine supporting structure and said medial portion comprising a sealed body filled with expanded fluid impermeable material, and defining fuel and water cavities, said medial portion describing a relatively low freeboard with respect to said bow an said stern;

a cabin supported above said hull, said cabin defining a water tight bottom, sides, front and back;

a plurality of springs interconnecting said hull and the bottom of said cabin;

movement limiting means interconnecting the bottom of said cabin and said hull.

10. The articulated boat of claim 9 further comprising at least one hinge interconnecting an after and upper portion of the back of said cabin with said stem.

11. The articulated hull of claim 9 further comprising a deck supported within said cabin and at least one spring interposed between said deck and the bottom of said cabin.

12. The articulated boat of claim 9, wherein said at least one spring is positioned forward with respect to said cabin and said deck, and further comprising extensible means interposed between an after portion of said deck and the bottom of said cabin.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 950,871 3/1910 Schmidt 114-65 3,207,112 9/1965 Fox 114-65 3,255,471 6/1966 Shafer et al. 9-6

MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner. T. M. BLIX, Assistant Examiner.