WO2000069717A1

WO2000069717A1 - Multiple hull boat with removable deck

Info

Publication number: WO2000069717A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/013523
Authority: WO
Inventors: Neil D. Roush
Original assignee: Roush Neil D
Priority date: 1999-05-17
Filing date: 2000-05-17
Publication date: 2000-11-23
Also published as: AU4854600A

Abstract

A boat (10) comprises a deck (20) removably coupled to two outer hulls (60, 70) and a central hull (90). The deck (20) comprises both an integral structure (50) as well as a modular structure having separate sections (22, 24). If the sections are separate, a variable gap (25) is provided between the sections. If the sections are integral, an aperture (25) is provided in a central portion of the deck. The central hull (90) includes a boat disposed adjacent to the gap or aperture. The outer hulls (60, 70) include pontoons. Seats (110) and splash guards (130) may be removably coupled to a side of the deck (20).

Description

MULTIPLE HULL BOAT WITH REMOVABLE DECK

Related Applications

This application relates to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/134,503 filed on May 17, 1999.

Background Of The Invention

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to boat hulls.

2. Description of Related Art

Trimaran boats are known for having three hulls, namely a center hull and two outer hulls. Typical trimaran boats include sailboats in which the center hull is the main vessel and the outer hulls serve to help keep the entire boat afloat and stable. Due to the structural requirements inherent in their design, trimaran boats are typically expensive and, thus, unaffordable to many casual sailors who would desire to own a boat having the high stability and large deck space which are characteristic of a trimaran. Furthermore, since a trimaran tends to be wider than other types of boats, docking or storage space can be quite costly and difficult to find.

Catamaran boats are known for having two hulls. Such boats may include pontoon boats which typically consists of two pontoons permanently attached to a rigid structure. Catamaran boats may also be quite costly to purchase and to maintain for the same reasons of the inherent structural requirements demanded by the design. Docking and storage is similarly a problem common to catamarans. What is needed is an inexpensive boat apparatus that can provide the features of a multiple hull boat while minimizing costs in storage and maintenance.

Brief Summary Of The Invention In one aspect, a structure for an entire boat is provided. The boat comprises a deck, outer hulls removably coupled to the deck, and a central hull removably coupled to the deck. The deck is collapsible. The deck may also comprise at least two separate sections coupled together. The two sections of the deck may be spaced apart so as to form a gap therebetween. The two sections of the deck may be spaced apart by at least one adjustable bar to provide variation in a size of the gap. The deck may be inflatable or rigid. The central hull is disposed beneath the gap between the two sections of the deck. The central hull comprises a conventional monohull watercraft. The monohull watercraft may be an inflatable craft or may be a foldable or rigid hull. The gap of the deck is open to space within the monohull watercraft. The watercraft includes a motor. The outer hulls comprise a first pontoon disposed adjacent to a left side of the deck and a second pontoon disposed adjacent to a right side of the deck. The pontoons may be inflatable or rigid. The deck comprises a bottom side having curvatures shaped to receive the pontoons. Seats may be removably coupled to a top side of the deck. At least one splash guard may be disposed adjacent to a forward edge of the deck.

In an alternative embodiment, the deck comprises a single integral structure. An aperture is defined in a center portion of the single integral structure to provide access to the central hull.

In another aspect, a boat apparatus is provided, which may be used to retrofit an existing watercraft, which watercraft would then serve as the central hull of the new retrofitted boat. The boat apparatus comprises a deck having a left section, a right section, an aperture disposed between the sections, a first hull removably coupled to the left portion of the deck, a second hull removably coupled to the right portion of the deck, and a securing mechanism to enable the deck to be removably coupled to a central hull. The first and second hulls include first and second pontoons, respectively. The left section of the deck may be separate from or integral with the right section of the deck. If the sections are separate, at least one bar may couple the left section of the deck to the right section of the deck. The bar may be adjustable in length to vary the aperture between the right section of the deck and the left section of the deck.

The combination may further include the central hull. The securing mechanism removably couples the central hull to the deck. The central hull is disposed adjacent to the aperture of the deck and between the first pontoon and the second pontoon. The central hull comprises a watercraft having space defined therein. The aperture of the deck is open to the space within the central hull. A method for retrofitting an existing watercraft is also provided, which comprises: providing a deck; removably coupling a first hull to the deck; removably coupling a second hull to the deck; and, removably coupling the existing watercraft to the deck in between the first pontoon and the second pontoon. The method further comprises the following, each of which may be practiced in combination with or separate from the other steps: providing an aperture in a center portion of the deck that is open to space within the existing watercraft; removably coupling seats to the deck; and, removably coupling splash guards to the deck. The step of providing a deck comprises providing a single integral structure or at least two separate sections which are removably coupled together. If the sections are separate, the method further comprises coupling the at least two separate sections together with an adjustable bar. The step of removably coupling a first hull to the deck comprises disposing a first pontoon adjacent to a left side of the deck. The step of removably coupling a second hull to the deck comprises disposing a second pontoon adjacent to a right side of the deck.

A method for assembling a multiple hull boat is also provided, which comprises: providing a deck; removably coupling a first hull to the deck; removably coupling a second hull to the deck; and, removably coupling a central hull to the deck that is disposed between the first hull and the second hull. Removably coupling a central hull to the deck comprises removably coupling a watercraft to the deck. The method further comprises forming an aperture in the deck that is open to the watercraft. The step of providing a deck comprises forming a single integral structure or providing a collapsible deck having at least two modules which are removably coupled together. If deck is collapsible, the method further comprises the following, each of which may be practiced in combination with or separate from the other steps: removably coupling the modules of the deck together with a removable bar that is adjustable in length; forming a gap between the two modules; varying distance between the two modules of the deck with the removable bar so as to vary a size of the gap; and detaching the modules of the deck from each other. Seats and splash guards may be removably coupled to the deck. The method further comprises detaching the first hull, the second hull and the central hull from the deck.

In summary, a boat comprises a deck removably coupled to two outer hulls and a central hull. The deck comprises both an integral structure as well as a modular structure having separate sections. If the sections are separate, a variable gap is provided between the sections. If the sections are integral, an aperture is provided in a central portion of the deck. The central hull includes a boat disposed adjacent to the gap or aperture. The outer hulls include pontoons. Seats and splash guards may be removably coupled to a top side of the deck.

The invention, now having been briefly summarized, may be better visualized by turning to the following drawings wherein like elements are referenced by like numerals.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of portions of a deck; Fig. 2 is a bottom exploded view of the deck;

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a boat in part; Fig. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the boat; Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the boat; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the boat; and Fig. 7 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the deck.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of another alternative embodiment of the deck. The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description wherein illustrated embodiments are described. It is to be expressly understood that the illustrated embodiments are set forth as examples and not by way of limitations on the invention as ultimately defined in the claims.

Detailed Description Of The Preferred Embodiments

A boat according to the present invention is illustrated in the figures and generally referenced by the numeral 10. Throughout this entire specification including the claims, the following words and conjugates thereof shall have the following meanings:

1) "Couple" refers to the joining of two objects and includes both: a) a direct connection of the two objects one to the other; and b) an indirect connection of the two objects through an indefinite number of intermediary parts.

2) "Removable" means that the coupling of two objects is not fixed or permanent. Thus, if one object is removably coupled to another object, the two objects may be detached from each other. 3) "Detachable" shall have the same meaning as "removable".

4) "Collapsible" shall mean that a larger structure may be broken down into smaller parts and that, once broken down, the parts need not be connected.

5) "Watercraft" shall refer to a boat capable of being coupled to a deck according to the present invention.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a deck 20 in part. The deck 20 comprises a left section 22 and a right section 24 which are separate in the preferred embodiment. The left section or module 22 is substantially similar in structure to the right section or module 24 except that each module is a mirror image of the other. Though the preferred embodiment of the deck 20 comprises two separate modules, it is to be expressly understood that the deck 20 may comprise a single integral structure in which the left section 22 is integral with the right section 24 as will be shown later in an alternative embodiment. As an example, each module is 4 ^ΛA feet long and 4 % feet wide. Thus, each module 22, 24 includes an upper surface 28 with a large area. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the dimensions of the modules 22, 24 and, ultimately, the dimensions of the deck 20, may vary greatly. Furthermore, as will be described in more detail below, the width of the deck 20 may be varied not only by changing the width of the modules 22, 24 but also by varying the distance therebetween, namely the aperture, or gap, 25. The deck 20 has a front end 27, a back end 30, a left side 32, a right side 34, a bottom 29, and a top 35. The deck 20 comprises a plurality of cavities, or depressions 26 formed into the top surface 28 and shaped to receive frames of removable seats. In the preferred embodiment, the cavities 26 comprise sleeves 26 which extend downwardly through corresponding holes 37 formed in the modules 22, 24. Adjacent to the outer sides 32, 34 of the deck 20 are corner apertures 36 shaped to receive bolts extending from outer hulls 60 and 70. In the preferred embodiment, each module 22, 24 comprises a sheet of rigid material, such as fiberglass. The sheet of material can be formed with downwardly extending flanges 38 along the periphery of each module 22, 24. Flange apertures 39 are defined in a front and rear flange 38 of each module 22, 24. The flange apertures 39 are shaped to receive bolts extending from a central hull.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the deck 20. In Fig. 2, transverse sleeves 40 are defined in each module 22, 24 and shaped to receive reinforcing bars 42. The sleeves 40 are disposed along a bottom side 44 of each module 22, 24. Optional reinforcing bars 46 may be disposed within optional longitudinal sleeves 48. The modules 22, 24 are removably, or detachably, coupled to each other by the insertion of the reinforcing bars 42 into the transverse sleeves 40. Thus, the deck 20 can be easily dismantled by removing the reinforcing bars 42 from the sleeves 40. It must be expressly understood that the combination of sleeves and corresponding reinforcing bars is merely one of several ways to removably couple one deck module to another. Countless other structures and mechanisms may be used to accomplish the same.

Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of the boat 10 in part. Specifically, the elements of the deck 20 from Fig. 2 are assembled while additional elements are shown in exploded format to better illustrate the structure and method of assembly of the boat 10. When the deck 20 is assembled as shown in Fig. 3, the left module 22 is spaced apart from the right module 24 by the reinforcing bars 42, thus providing the gap 25 therebetween. The reinforcing bars 42 may be adjustable in length so as to provide adjustability of the gap 25. By making the bars 42 shorter or longer, the gap 25 can be narrowed or widened, respectively.

In Fig. 3, three hulls 60, 70, 90 are removably coupled to the deck 20. Specifically, two outer hulls 60, 70 are disposed adjacent to the left side 32 and the right 34 of the deck 20, respectively. The central hull 90 is disposed adjacent to a central portion 50 of the deck 20 beneath the gap 25. The deck 20 thus serves as the structural backbone for each of the three hulls 60, 70, 90. In the preferred embodiment, the two outer hulls 60, 70 comprise pontoons 60, 70. Each pontoon is removably, or detachably, coupled to a bottom side 29 of the deck 20. Specifically, a first, or left, pontoon 60 is removably coupled to the left module 22 and the right pontoon 70 is removably coupled to the right module 24. In the preferred embodiment, externally threaded bolts 80 coupled to the pontoons 60 extend upward through the corner apertures 36. Internally threaded knobs 82 are screwed onto the protruding bolts 80 to secure each pontoon 60, 70 to the deck.

It must be understood that several mechanisms may be used to removably couple each hull 60, 70, 90 to the deck 20. Furthermore, the front and rear flanges receive the pontoons 60, 70. In the preferred embodiment, the pontoons 60, 70 are substantially hollow. The pontoons 60, 70 may comprise a rigid material or a soft material so as to make the pontoons 60, 70 inflatable, which would be preferable in saving storage space. In Fig. 3, the central hull 90 is removably coupled to a center portion 50 of the deck 20. In the preferred embodiment, the central hull 90 comprises a watercraft, or boat, 90, such as an inflatable dinghy. The watercraft 90 includes an open top 92 and a peripheral body 94 which defines a space 96 within the watercraft 90. Eyelets 98 are coupled to a top surface 95 of the body 94. Threaded bolts 102 extend through the eyelets 98 and into the flange apertures 39 defined in the front and rear flanges 38 of the deck 20. Ropes and cords may be used to further secure the watercraft 90 to the deck 20. Since the watercraft 90 is coupled to the modules 22, 24 rather than the reinforcing bars 42, the deck 20 maintains a rigid structure in the vertical, load bearing direction while allowing for flexion in the horizontal direction. For instance, as the portions of the body 94 adjacent to the modules 22, 24 move toward and away from each other due to waves and other disturbances to the watercraft 90 caused by the water, the reinforcing tubes 42 telescope within the sleeves 40, as shown in Fig. 2, to allow for the modules 22, 24 to move slightly toward and away from each other. This also allows the deck 20 to bow slightly without comprising its vertical rigidity. Antichafing layers of anti-abrasive or sacrificial material may be bonded to watercraft 90 and/or the underside of deck 20 to reduce the effects of rubbing or wear between the two when the boat is assembled and operated. It must be expressly understood that several combinations and mechanisms may be used to removably secure the central hull 90 to the deck 20. In the preferred embodiment, the body 94 of the watercraft 90 is disposed adjacent to interior sides 31 , 33 of the modules 22, 24, respectively. Thus, the watercraft 90 is positioned beneath the gap 25 such that the gap 25 opens to the space 96 in the watercraft 90. This provides easy access of the space 96 from the deck 20 which may be desirable, for instance, if a rider on board the deck 20 desires to reach materials stored in the watercraft space 96. This would also be advantageous if a rider would like to move from the deck 20 into the watercraft 90 or from the watercraft 90 into the deck 20.

The watercraft 90 may include a hard floor 104 and an engine 106. In an alternative embodiment, the central hull 90 may comprise a small sailboat wherein the mast and sail extends upwardly through the gap 25 between the modules 22, 24. Though the central hull 90 comprises a small boat, it must further be understood that the central hull 90 may comprise a variety of hulls, including pontoons, other types of boats such as johnboats, skiffs, and various types of small boats.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the deck 20 removably assembled to the hulls 60, 70, 90 while seats 110 and splash guards 130 are shown in exploded format. In the preferred embodiment, the seats 110 comprise cushions 112 coupled to rigid frames 114. The frames 114 include vertically disposed bars 116 which slide into the cavities 26 of the deck 20. The cushions 112 may be inflatable and, thus, deflated when not in use so as to save storage space. The splash guards 130 are disposed along the front perimeter 27 of the deck 20 and the front end 99 of the central hull 90. Both the seats 110 and the splash guards 130 are removably coupled to the deck 20. A variety of mechanisms, including releasable devices, may be used to removably secure the seats 110 and the splash guards 130 to the deck 20. The gap 25 between the modules 22, 24 is open to the space 96 in the watercraft 90. Figs. 5 and 6 are a top plan view and a perspective view, respectively, of the entire boat 10. In the preferred embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, a pair of seats 110 are coupled to each side of the deck 20 while a middle seat 110 is disposed adjacent to the center portion 50 of the deck 20. The frame of the middle seat 110 straddles the two deck modules 22, 24 with one bar being inserted into a cavity in the left module 22 and another bar being inserted into a cavity of the right module 24. Since the watercraft 90 is disposed adjacent to the gap 25, it will be appreciated that the gap 25 communicates with the space 96 in the watercraft 90 to enable easy access between the deck 20 and the watercraft 90. The large area of the deck 20 as provided by the areas of the modules 22, 24 and the size of the gap 25 affords much room for seating. Furthermore, the watercraft 90 itself may also seat additional riders. The space 96 within the watercraft 90 may also be used for storage. The splash guard 130 is removably coupled to the front of the boat 10.

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the deck 20. Rather than comprising two separate modules, the deck 20 may comprise a single integral structure having an aperture 25 disposed in a central portion 50. In such an embodiment, all three hulls 60, 70, 90 as illustrated in the prior figures would be removably coupled to the integral deck 20. The central hull would thus be disposed adjacent to the central portion 50 of the deck 20 and beneath the aperture 25. In such an embodiment, the left portion 22 of the deck 20 is integral with the right portion 24.

In yet another alternative embodiment shown in Fig. 8, the deck 20 may comprise two modules 22, 24 which are hinged together by hinge mechanisms 140. Each module 22, 24 may be formed with an indentation 25a which connect to form a larger aperture 25b when the modules 22, 24 are coupled. When not in use, the deck 20 may be folded to save space.

Several advantages result from the boat 10. As a retrofitting device, the apparatus 10 may simply comprise a combination of the deck 20 and the outer hulls 60, 70 to be retrofitted onto an existing watercraft. The existing watercraft would then serve as the central hull of the apparatus 10. Since the width of the body 94 of an existing watercraft 90 may vary, the adjustable bars 42 allow the modules 22, 24 to vary in distance from each other such that the body 94 of the watercraft 90 is appropriately coupled to the modules 22, 24. It will be appreciated that by converting an existing watercraft to a trimaran boat according to the present invention, seating capacity is greatly increased. At the same time, any additional weight from extra riders will not compromise the stability of the boat 10 which is maintained by the outer hulls 60, 70. The retrofit enhances the utility of the original watercraft to serve as a diving or fishing platform. It will also be appreciated that the deck 20 simultaneously serves as both an outrigger for the outer hulls 60, 70 and as a sizable platform for the seats 110. In fact, the deck 20 is the structural backbone to which the other key components of the boat 10 are removably coupled. Since the deck 20 is detachable from all the other key components of the boat 10, the entire boat 10 can be taken apart and the deck 20 collapsed to save space when not in use. Furthermore, the deck 20, pontoons 60, 70, and seats 110 may all be inflatable so as to occupy minimal space when not in use. An owner of an existing watercraft 90 need not rent out a larger docking or storage space in order to enjoy the benefits provided by this invention. Should the owner of an existing watercraft desire to seat additional riders or to experience the ride of a trimaran boat, the owner need not buy a new boat or spend a great deal of money to convert his watercraft to a tri-hull boat.

Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the invention which could be more broadly or narrowly defined later by patent claims.

The words used in this specification to describe the invention, and its various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use in later in a claim must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word itself. The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in later defined claims or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in later defined claims.

Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalent^ within the scope of the invention. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.

The invention is thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptionally equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A boat comprising: a deck; outer hulls removably coupled to the deck; and a central hull removably coupled to the deck.

2. The boat of claim 1 wherein the deck is collapsible.

3. The boat of claim 2 wherein the deck comprises at least two separate sections coupled together.

4. The boat of claim 3 wherein the two sections of the deck are spaced apart so as to form a gap therebetween.

5. The boat of claim 4 wherein the two sections of the deck are spaced apart by at least one adjustable bar to provide variation in a size of the gap.

6. The boat of claim 4 wherein the central hull is disposed beneath the gap between the two sections of the deck.

7. The boat of claim 6 wherein: the central hull comprises a watercraft; and the gap of the deck is open to space within the watercraft.

8. The boat of claim 7 wherein the watercraft includes a motor.

9. The boat of claim 1 wherein the deck is inflatable.

10. The boat of claim 1 wherein the outer hulls comprise a first pontoon disposed adjacent to a left side of the deck and a second pontoon disposed adjacent to a right side of the deck.

11. The boat of claim 10 wherein the pontoons are inflatable.

12. The boat of claim 10 wherein the deck comprises a bottom side having curvatures shaped to receive the pontoons.

13. The boat of claim 1 wherein the deck comprises a single integral structure.

14. The boat of claim 13 wherein the deck comprises an aperture defined in a center portion of the single integral structure to provide access to the central hull.

15. The boat of claim 1 further comprising seats removably coupled to the deck.

16. The boat of claim 1 further comprising splash guards removably coupled to the deck.

17. A boat apparatus comprising: a deck having a left section, a right section, and an aperture disposed between the sections; a first hull removably coupled to the left portion of the deck; a second hull removably coupled to the right portion of the deck; and a securing mechanism to enable the deck to be removably coupled to a central hull.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the left section of the deck is separate from the right section of the deck and the aperture comprises a gap between the separate sections.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 further comprising at least one bar coupling the left section of the deck to the right section of the deck.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the bar is adjustable in length to vary the aperture between the right section of the deck and the left section of the deck.

21. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the left section of the deck is integral with the right section of the deck.

22. The apparatus of claim 17 further comprising the central hull wherein the securing mechanism removably couples the central hull to the deck.

23. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein the central hull is disposed adjacent to the aperture of the deck and between the first hull and the second hull.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein: the central hull comprises a watercraft having space defined therein; and the aperture of the deck is open to the space within the watercraft.

25. A method for retrofitting an existing watercraft, the method comprising: providing a deck; removably coupling a first hull to the deck; removably coupling a second hull to the deck; and removably coupling the existing watercraft to the deck in between the first pontoon and the second pontoon.

26. The method in claim 25 further comprising providing an aperture in a center portion of the deck that is open to space within the existing watercraft.

27. The method in claim 25 wherein providing a deck comprises providing a single integral structure.

28. The method in claim 25 wherein providing a deck comprises providing at least two separate sections which are removably coupled together.

29. The method in claim 28 further comprising coupling the at least two separate sections together with an adjustable bar.

30. The method in claim 25 wherein removably coupling a first hull to the deck comprises disposing a first pontoon adjacent to a left side of the deck.

31. The method in claim 25 wherein removably coupling a second hull to the deck comprises disposing a second pontoon adjacent to a right side of the deck.

32. The method in claim 25 further comprising removably coupling seats to the deck.

33. The method in claim 25 further comprising removably coupling splash guards to the deck.

34. A method for assembling a multiple hull boat, the method comprising: providing a deck; removably coupling a first hull to the deck; removably coupling a second hull to the deck; and removably coupling a central hull to the deck that is disposed between the first hull and the second hull.

35. The method in claim 34 wherein removably coupling a central hull to the deck comprises removably coupling a watercraft to the deck.

36. The method in claim 35 further comprising forming an aperture in the deck that is open to the watercraft.

37. The method in claim 34 wherein providing a deck comprises forming a single integral structure.

38. The method in claim 34 wherein providing a deck comprises providing a collapsible deck having at least two modules which are removably coupled together.

39. The method in claim 38 further comprising removably coupling the modules of the deck together with a removable bar that is adjustable in length.

40. The method in claim 39 further comprising forming a gap between the two modules.

41. The method in claim 40 further comprising varying distance between the two modules of the deck with the removable bar so as to vary a size of the gap.

42. The method in claim 38 further comprising detaching the modules of the deck from each other.

43. The method in claim 34 further comprising removably coupling seats to the deck.

44. The method in claim 34 further comprising removably coupling splash guards to the deck.

45. The method in claim 34 further comprising detaching the first hull, the second hull and the central hull from the deck.