US3630163A

US3630163A - Boat having laterally adjustable deck

Info

Publication number: US3630163A
Application number: US847214A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward J Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-08-04
Filing date: 1969-08-04
Publication date: 1971-12-28
Anticipated expiration: 1988-12-28

Abstract

The invention relates to a boat, especially to a pontoon-type boat, and is particularly characterized in that the deck of the boat is adjustable in the lateral direction between narrow and wide widths. The adjustment is accomplished by providing the deck with side sections, each of which can be moved from an inner position to an outer position and by providing leaf members to fill the gaps in the deck when the side sections are adjusted outwardly.

Description

United States Patent [72] inventor Edward J. Williams 236 Oak Knoll S.E., Warren, Ohio 44483 [21] Appl. No. 847,214 [22] Filed Aug. 4, 1969 [45] Patented Dec. 28, 1971 [54] BOAT HAVING LATERALLY ADJUSTABLE DECK 4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

52 115.111 114/61, 1 15/1 [51] 1nt.Cl B6311 H10 [50] Field oiSearch 114/85,61; 115/1;9/1 TR; 296/26, 23.3

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,233,240 2/1941 Boldisetal.

2,965,412 12/1960 Henderson et a1 296/23 2,992,444 7/1961 Schuler 114/61 X 3,114,157 12/1963 Stockmann... 114/61 X 3,269,349 8/1966 Gehlen 115/1 Primary ExaminerAndrew H. Farrell Attorney-Jeffers & Young ABSTRACT: The invention relates to a boat, especially to a pontoon-type boat, and is particularly characterized in that the deck of the boat is adjustablein the lateral direction between narrow and wide widths. The adjustment is accomplished by providing the deck with side sections. each of which can be moved from an inner position to an outer position and by providing leaf members to fill the gaps in the deck when the side sections are adjusted outwardly.

PATENTEU M628 I871 SHEET 3 OF 3 INVENTOR EDWAQD J. WkLLkAMS m J EFFERB Qouwe A'Hor- BOAT HAVING LATERALLY ADJUSTABLE DECK This invention relates to boats, especially to pontoon-type boats and is concerned, in particular, with a boat having a deck which is adjustable in width.

The usual-type boat is substantially completely fixed as to dimensions and, thus, has certain limitations embodied directly therein. For boats which remain in the same environment at all times, the fixed nature of the boat is of no particular disadvantage. In other cases, however, it may be desired to use a boat in different regions wherein different conditions exist, or to move the boat from a larger body of water through a narrower channel to another body of water. Still further, in the clocking of a boat, a narrower boat presents more simple problems than a wider boat.

Also, on occasion, a boat having a deck area that is adequate for most purposes might be found to be too small for other purposes.

With the foregoing in mind, it is a primary objective of the present invention, to provide a boat having a deck structure so constructed and arranged that the deck structure can be adjusted as to the usable width thereof.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a boat having a deck structure which can be extended a predetermined amount on either or both sides thereof.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of a deck structure for boats in which a deck structure can be adjusted between narrow and wide conditions while filler members are provided for filling the gaps formed in the deck structure when it is adjusted to its wide condition.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a boat construction having a laterally adjustable deck structure in which the strength and utility of the boat is not in any way impaired by the adjustability of the deck.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a boat structure having an adjustable deck which is relatively inexpensive and in which the deck can be adjusted quickly and conveniently.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the practice of the present invention, a boat arrangement is provided which includes spaced pontoons fixed together by structural members extending transversely between the pontoons and fixed thereto. The aforementioned structural members form a framework 'on which the deck of the boat is supported.

The aforementioned deck, according to the present invention, includes a central section fixed to the supporting structural members, or framework, and side sections at each side of the central section which are laterally moveable on the said framework.

The laterally moveable sections have laterally inwardly adjusted positions wherein they form extrusions of the aforementioned central section, and laterally outwardly adjusted positions wherein the laterally inwardly disposed edges of the deck side sections are in spaced parallel relation to the laterally outwardly disposed edges of the deck central section. Flat leaf members, in the form of planks or the like, are provided for filling the gaps between the deck central section and the outwardly adjusted deck side sections to form an uninterrupted deck surface when the deck side sections are adjusted to the outer position thereof.

Suitable securing means may be provided to lock the deck side sections in their two adjusted positions and, furthermore, stop means is provided to prevent the deck side sections from being adjusted outwardly beyond a predetermined limit.

Foregoing objects of the present invention, as well as still other objects and advantages thereof, will become more apparent upon reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 2 is a plan view like FIG. I, but partly broken away and showing the boat with the deck in widened condition;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the boat;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view drawn at somewhat enlarged scale and indicated by line IV-IV on FIG. 2;

FIG. Sis an end view of the boat; and FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the supporting structure for the adjustable side sections of the deck.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION hollow tubular members, preferably of metal, and having.-

tapered leading ends at 14 at the front or bow end of the boat.

As will best be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, the pontoons may have secured thereto inverted U-shaped metal brackets I6, the ends of the legs of which may be welded to the pontoons so that the upper closed ends of the brackets present a supporting surface for receiving the deck-supporting framework of the boat. Preferably, the members 16 are employed for supportingly receiving structural members, such as channels 18, which extend transversely of the boat across the tops of members l6 and are preferably fixed thereto as by welding indicated at 20.

In the particular boat illustrated, as will be seen in FIG. 3, four of the bracket members 16 are attached to each pontoon in longitudinally spaced relation therealong so that with two channels 18 connected to the top surface of each bracket. member 16, there are eight of the transversely extending channels 18 to form the supporting framework for the deck structure of the boat.

The deck structure of the boat, according to the present invention, comprises a central section 22 symmetrically located with respect to pontoons l0 and having parallel longitudinally extending

side edges

24 and 26 which, as will be seen in FIG. I, are located in a region above the pontoons. The central section 22 of the deck structure if fixedly connected to the transversely extending channels 18. If the deck structure is of metal, it can be welded to the support panels I8, or if it is made of wood, it can be bolted thereto. Such a bolt is indicated by reference numeral 28 in FIG. 6.

Referring again to FIG. 1, extending longitudinally along each lateral or side edge of deck central section 22 are the

side deck sections

30 and 32. These deck side sections are laterally adjustable relative to deck central section 22 and are shown in FIG. I in their inwardly adjusted position, and in FIG. 2 in their outwardly adjusted positions. FIG. 2 will alsoshow that disposed between the laterally inwardly edge 34 of deck side section 30 and the opposed lateral edge 24 of deck central section 22 is a filler member 36, a plank or the like, which provides for continuity of the deck surface from central section 22 to adjustable section 30.

On the opposite side of the deck, a similar filler member 38 is disposed between the inner lateral edge 40 of side section 32 and the opposed lateral edge 26 of central section 22.

The manner in which the side sections of the deck structure are incorporated in the boat will be seen upon reference to FIGS. 2, 4, 5 and 6. In these views it will be seen that the pairs of channel members 18, pertaining to the respective brackets 16, define spaces therebetween adapted for slidingly receiving supports for the side sections of the deck. FIGS. 4 and 6 will show that the supports for the side sections of the deck may take the form of longitudinally spaced laterally extending channels 42 which slidably engage between a respective pair of the channels I8. At their laterally outward ends, channels 42 are advantageously interconnected by a longitudinally extending structural member 44, which may be common to the several pairs of channels 42 distributed along the length of the respective deck side sections. Structural member 44 may consist of wood or metal, and in either case is fixedly connected to the several pairs of channels 42 along the same side of the boat. Advantageously, member 44 is in the form of an angle with one leg depending vertically at the ends of channels 42 and the other leg engaged over the op of the respective deck side section along the outer edge thereof.

Structural member 44 is arranged to abut or be close to the adjacent ends of channels 18 when the respective deck side section is in its FIG. 1 position. At their laterally inner ends, each pair of channels 42 are interconnected by a plate 46 welded to the channels 42 and adapted for abutting the pertaining bracket member 16 when the pertaining deck side section is adjusted to its laterally outward position.

FIG. 6, which best illustrates the described construction, shows deck side section 30 and also illustrates the gap between edge 34 of side section 30 and edge 24 of central section 22 which is adapted for being filled with the filler member 36, illustrated in HQ. 6 directly above the said gap.

In the inwardly adjusted position of each deck side section, suitable securing means can be provided for fixing the deck side sections in place. Various manners of accomplishing such a connection will suggest themselves and, purely by way of example, FIG. 6 shows a threaded hole at 50 in a channel 18 adapted for receiving a bolt 52 which can be introduced through a hole 54 in deck side section 30 when the side section is in its inwardly adjusted position, or through a hole 56 in filler member 36 when the side section is adjusted to its outer position and the filler member 36 is put in place between the side section and the central section of the deck. As mentioned, a great many different types of securing devices can be employed for this purpose and the particular one described is purely illustrative.

The deck is provided with the railing, generally indicated at 60, and this railing is advantageously mounted on the

deck side sections

30 and 32 and includes end parts 62 extending toward each other at the ends of the boat. The railing on the deck side sections moves therewith as the end sections are adjusted inwardly and outwardly. The nonmoveable central section 22 may, or course, have railings mounted thereon, if desired.

At the forward end of the boat, the central section 22, or the supporting structure therebeneath, pivotally supports a ramp member 64, which can be tilted downwardly, as shown at 64a in FIG. 3, to provide an access, or loading ramp for the deck. An additional structural member 65 extending between the pontoons may be provided for additional deck support and to support ramp 64. Ramp member 64 in width is such that it always overlaps railing sections 62 so that in both positions of the deck side sections, the forward end of the boat is provided with an enclosure. The aft end of the boat may include the structure, indicated at 66, for mounting a drive motor.

The illustrated boat has the pontoons fixedly connected to the central sections of the deck and only the deck side sections are adjustable. it will be apparent, however, that each side section could be attached to a pontoon to move together therewith in the lateral direction, if so desired. For the sake of economy and rigidity of structure, however, it is preferred that the pontoons and central section of the deck form a single unitary structure, together with the transverse supporting'channels interposed therebetween.

The railing arrangement 60 advantageously includes one or more swingable gates 68, for convenience in gaining access to the deck from the side of the boat,

It will be apparent that modifications may be made within the purview of the appended claims.

1. In a boat, a deck comprising a central section and at least one side section coplanar with and arranged at one side of said central section, a framework beneath said central section in supporting relation thereto, support members for said side section fixed to the underneath side thereof and extending therefrom in the lateral direction toward the center of the boat, and said framework supportingly engaging said support members and permitting substantially coplanar adjustment thereof in the lateral direction of the boat for movement of said side section between a first lateral position adjacent said central section and a second lateral position laterally spaced from said central section, a side section on each side of said central section, each said side section being adjustable between a first positionwherein it is adjacent said central section and a second positlon wherein it IS laterally spaced from said central section, said supporting framework comprises transversely extending structural elements arranged in parallel longitudinally spaced relation beneath said central section, bracket members secured to the underneath sides of said structural elements near the ends thereof, pontoons secured to said bracket members and extending longitudinally of said boat, said structural elements being arranged in spaced pairs and each said pair has a respective bracket member secured thereto near each end, said structural members being arranged in pairs and being slidably received in the spaces defined by the said pairs of structural elements, each pair of structural members being confined from above by said deck central section and from the bottom by a respective said bracket member and from the sides by a respective pair of structural elements, and a plate extending between and fixed to the inner ends of each said pair of structural members and being adapted for engaging the adjacent said bracket member when the respective deck side section is adjusted to its second position.v

2. A boat according to claim 1, in which there is a plurality of said pairs of structural elements distributed longitudinally of the boat, each deck side section having a plurality of pairs of said support members fixed thereto and received between a respective pair of structural elements, each side deck section having deck means extending over said support members at the outer ends thereof and connected thereto and also having a vertical member extending longitudinally of the respective side deck section at the outer ends of said support members and connected thereto.

3. A boat according to claim 2, which includes rail mans secured to said deck side sections near the outer edges thereof and including end portions extending transversely of the boat near the ends of said deck sections.

4. A boat according to claim 3, in which said boat includes loading ramp means pivoted thereto on a horizontal axis at the front end of the boat and having an upwardly pivoted position wherein it overlaps the adjacent end portions of said rail means.

Claims

1. In a boat, a deck comprising a central section and at least one side section coplanar with and arranged at one side of said central section, a framework beneath said central section in supporting relation thereto, support members for said side section fixed to the underneath side thereof and extending therefrom in the lateral direction toward the center of the boat, and said framework supportingly engaging said support members and permitting substantially coplanar adjustment thereof in the lateral direction of the boat for movement of said side section between a first lateral position adjacent said central section and a second lateral position laterally spaced from said central section, a side section on each side of said central section, each said side section being adjustable between a first position wherein it is adjacent said central section and a second position wherein it is laterally spaced from said central section, said supporting framework comprises transversely extending structural elements arranged in parallel longitudinally spaced relation beneath said central section, bracket members secured to the underneath sides of said structural elements near the ends thereof, pontoons secured to said bracket members and extending longitudinally of said boat, said structural elements being arranged in spaced pairs and each said pair has a respective bracket member secured thereto near each end, said structural members being arranged in pairs and being slidably received in the spaces defined by the said pairs of structural elements, each pair of structural members being confined from above by said deck central section and from the bottom by a respective said bracket member and from the sides by a respective pair of structural elements, and a plate extending between and fixed to the inner ends of each said pair of structural members and being adapted for engaging the adjacent said bracket member when the respective deck side section is adjusted to its second position.