WO2007066055A2

WO2007066055A2 - Modular boat

Info

Publication number: WO2007066055A2
Application number: PCT/FR2006/051321
Authority: WO
Inventors: Claude Guillot
Original assignee: Claude Guillot
Priority date: 2005-12-08
Filing date: 2006-12-08
Publication date: 2007-06-14
Also published as: FR2894557B1; FR2894557A1; WO2007066055A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a boat (1, 20, 23) provided with a main hull (2, 21) and characterised in that it comprises a secondary hull (3, 22) having two stable positions, i.e. the folded and unfolded positions, respectively, wherein the float-up surface in the unfolded position is equal to or greater than the float-up surface in the folded position. In the unfolded position thereof, the main and secondary hulls extend side-by-side on the same plane in such a way that the boat float-up surface is increased. In the folded position, the secondary hull is arrangeable in the internal volume of the main hull, or positioned above or bellow thereof or strap on the main hull.

Description

Modular boat.

The invention relates to a modular boat, that is to say one which can have at least two different conformations, also called a boat with variable geometry. In a first configuration, the boat is maintained in the folded position, or compacted, so as to reduce the total size of said boat. Conversely, in a second conformation, the boat is kept deployed so as to have the largest possible span.

The invention finds applications in the field of pleasure boating, for example as a secondary boat which can be towed by, or stored on, a main boat of larger capacity, or as a main boat. The invention also finds applications in the field of military boats used for example near the coast for reconnaissance of the ground or for fishing by providing greater stability of the boat when stationary or in navigation.

In the invention, it is sought to provide a boat that can have a small footprint, so as to facilitate its storage and / or transport on land or at sea, when it is not desired to use it. In the invention, it is also sought to provide such a boat which is moreover capable of having a bulk and above all a much greater bearing surface on the water, when it is desired to navigate in a secure manner on said boat.

For this, the boat according to the invention comprises a main body and one or more secondary bodies articulated on the main body, so that said boat can have a variable size. For this, in the compacted position the secondary bodies can be superimposed on the main body, or housed in the main body, or brought together parallel to the main body until contact with said main body. In all cases, the overall dimensions on the ground of the boat in the compacted position is less than the overall dimensions on the ground of the same boat in the deployed position. By soil is meant a firm surface, such as the earth, or liquid, such as the sea. When desired, it is possible to extend the secondary bodies in the lateral extension of the main body, so as to increase the size on the ground of the boat, and therefore its surface area and its flotation volume. In this active or extended position, the secondary bodies increase the lift of the boat, and therefore its stability. The transition from the compacted position to the extended position, and vice versa, is done by tilting or moving the secondary bodies, from the compacted position to the extended position, each secondary body being connected by a pivot link to the main body. The boat can easily pass from one to the other of the conformations, according to the needs of the users.

Main hull means a full-fledged boat. Furthermore, a secondary hull is understood to mean a hull or a float increasing the volume of occupation of the boat.

The invention therefore relates to a boat comprising a main hull, at least a secondary hull, capable of having at least two stable positions, respectively folded position and unfolded position, the surface occupied by said boat being at least equal or greater in position. unfolded in the folded position characterized in that a secondary shell is unsinkable.

According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, the boat can include all or part of the following characteristics:

- In the unfolded position, the main hull and the secondary hull extend side by side in the same plane so as to increase the floating surface of the boat.

- in the folded position the secondary hull is housed in the internal volume of the main hull, so as to reduce the flotation surface.

- In the folded position, the secondary hull is arranged above or below the internal volume of the main hull, so as to reduce the flotation surface.

- in the unfolded position, the secondary hull forms a lateral float of the main hull.

- The secondary hull is connected to the main hull by at least one spacer.

- the spacer is able to be retracted.

- the secondary shell is removable.

- the boat has at least two secondary hulls, arranged in the unfolded position, along two opposite longitudinal edges of the main hull.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows and on examining the figures which accompany it. These are presented as an indication and in no way limit the invention. The figures represent:

- Figures 1 A to ^" IC: A sectional representation of a boat according to a first embodiment of the invention, in the folded position (Figure 1 A), in the course of unfolding (Figure 1 B) and unfolded (Figure 1 VS) ;

- Figures 2A and 2B: a schematic representation of the boat according to Figures 1 A to ^" IC, in the partially unfolded position (Figure 2A) and unfolded (Figure 2B);

- Figure 3: a sectional representation of a boat according to a second embodiment, in the folded position;

- Figures 4A and 4B: a sectional representation of a boat according to a third embodiment, in the folded position (Figure 4A) and unfolded (Figure 4B);

- Figures 5A and 5B: a sectional representation of a boat according to a fourth embodiment, in the folded position (Figure 5A) and partially unfolded (Figure 5B).

- Figure 6: a schematic perspective representation of the boat according to an alternative embodiment having a secondary hull in the unfolded position and a partially folded secondary hull.

In Figures 1A, 1B and 1C is shown a trimaran 1 according to a first embodiment of a boat according to the invention. The trimaran 1 comprises a main hull 2, and two secondary hulls 3, or floats.

In Figures 2A and 2B is shown the same trimaran 1 in three dimensions.

In the folded position, the secondary hulls 3 are entirely contained in the internal volume 4 of the main hull 2. The size, both in width, in length and in height, of the boat 1 corresponds to the size of the main hull 2. Each of the secondary shells 3 has a volume less than the internal half volume 4 of the main shell, so that the two secondary shells 3 can be housed side by side in the internal volume 4 of said main shell 2. The secondary hulls 3 are arranged with respect to the main hull 2, so that a longitudinal edge 9 of each secondary hull extends along a longitudinal edge 10 of the main hull 2. In the unfolded position, the width of boat 1 is greater than the width of boat 1 in the folded position, since it then corresponds at least to the width of the main hull 2 plus the width of the secondary hull 3. By width is meant the dimension of boat 1 perpendicular to the axis of advance of said boat.

Each secondary shell 3 is connected to the main shell 2 by at least one spacer, the opposite ends of the spacer 5 being respectively secured to the main shell 2 and to the secondary shell 3. Preferably, two spacers 5 are used, the one in front of the other, to connect a secondary hull 3 to the main hull 2, each spacer 5 being fixed to an opposite end of the hulls 2, 3. The articulation between the secondary hull 3 and the main hull 2 takes place at the level longitudinal edges 9, 10 adjacent.

It is also possible, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, that the secondary shells 3 are each connected by a plate 6 to the main shell 2. A first longitudinal edge 11 of the plate 6 is secured to the longitudinal edge 9 of the secondary shell 3, while a second longitudinal edge 12 of the plate 6, opposite the first edge 11, is secured to the longitudinal edge 10 of the main shell 2.

The spacers 5 or plates 6 make it possible, in the unfolded boat position, to maintain the secondary hulls 3 in alignment with the main hull 2, on either side of the body of the main hull 2.

The spacers 5, or plates 6, are mounted for rotation on the main shell 2 and on the corresponding secondary shell 3, so that they have two axes of rotation R1 and R2. As shown in FIG. 1B, the rotational connection R1 of the secondary shell 3 with the spacer 5 allows a first level of unfolding / folding of the secondary shell 3 by tilting the secondary shell 3 around the first axis of rotation R1. Then, the rotation link R2 of the main shell 2 with the same spacer 5 allows a second level of unfolding / folding of the secondary shell 3 by tilting the secondary shell 3 around the second axis of rotation R2. To fold the second secondary shell 3, as shown in FIG. 2A, in order to accommodate it in the internal volume 4 of the main shell 2, alongside the first secondary shell 3, the secondary shell 3 is tilted. towards the main hull 2 by rotation about the axis of rotation R1, so that the secondary hull 3 is superimposed on the connecting plate 6, the flotation surface 7 of the secondary hull 2 then being directed upwards . The secondary shell 3 is then tilted towards the internal volume 4 of the main shell 2, by rotation about the axis of rotation R2, so that the secondary shell 3 is found entirely contained in the internal volume 4 of the shell main 2, the flotation surface 7 of the secondary hull 3 being directed downwards and in contact with the main hull 2, the connecting plate 6 covering the upper surface of the secondary hull 3.

To move the boat 1 from the folded position to the unfolded position, it suffices to proceed in reverse, so as to extend the secondary hulls 3.

In the example shown in FIG. 2A, the plate 6 is connected to the main shell 2 and to the secondary shell 3 by hinges 8. Of course, any other fixing means capable of ensuring a pivot function, to allow rotation of the plate 6 and of the secondary shell 3, can be used.

In order to keep boat 1 in the desired configuration, folded or unfolded, it is possible to provide said boat 1 with locking means (not shown) capable of maintaining boat 1 in the desired configuration. These locking means can, for example, act on the hinges 8 to prevent rotation of the secondary shell 3 and / or of the plate 6 once the desired conformation is obtained. Of course, these locking means are preferably reversible, so that it is possible, by simply unlocking the locking means, to change the conformation of the boat 1.

In the example shown in Figure 3, the secondary hulls 3, in the folded position, are not housed in the internal volume 4 of the main hull 2, but are arranged above the main hull 2. For this, the direction of the rotation authorized along the axis R1 is opposite to the direction of the rotation authorized along the axis R2. When folding, we start with fold down the spacer 5 and secondary shell 3 assembly towards the internal volume 4 of the main shell 2. Then, fold the secondary shell 3, alone, in the opposite direction, so that one of its flanks rests on the spacers 5 folded down.

In another exemplary embodiment, the secondary shells 3 are connected to the main hull 2 by jacks, or retractable arms, or able to slide in the main hull 2, or any other fixing means capable of being able to modify the distance between the main hull 2 and the secondary hulls 3. In this case, in the compacted boat position, the retractable arms are retracted so as to attach the secondary hulls 3 to the main hull 2, the secondary hulls 3 remaining in contact with the ground. In the unfolded boat position, the retractable arms are extended so as to keep the secondary hulls 3 distant from the main hull 2.

It is also possible to provide one or more removable secondary hulls 3, said secondary hulls 3 being detached from the main hull 2, when it is desired to reduce the size of the boat 1. When it is necessary to increase the footprint of the boat 1, to increase its flotation surface, the secondary hull (s) 3 are re-attached to the main hull 2. Such a boat therefore comprises a main hull 3 and one or more secondary hulls, said secondary hulls being removable.

Similarly, it is possible to provide inflatable secondary shells 3. It is then possible to deflate the secondary hulls 3 when it is desired to pass from the unfolded boat position to the folded boat position. Such inflatable secondary hulls 3 can also serve, in an intermediate position, as shock absorbers for boat 1, in particular when it is docked. By intermediate position is meant a position between folded boat position and unfolded boat position. In this case, it is possible to provide that link arms, or spacers, connecting in rotation the inflatable secondary shells 3 to the main shell 2, can be maintained in an intermediate position, in which the inflated secondary shells 3 are raised by compared to the main hull 2.

Figure 6 shows a schematic perspective of the boat according to an alternative embodiment having a secondary hull in position unfolded and a partially folded secondary hull. Another advantage of the invention is to provide a boat having an unsinkable secondary hull 3. This unsinkability ensures better safety for the users of such a boat. Thus, in the case where the secondary hull 3 is inflatable, the inflatable characteristic of the secondary hull 3 ensures the unsinkability of the boat. Advantageously, there will be a plug 28, located on each inflatable shell, in order to allow the inflation and deflation of the secondary shells 3. However, this unsinkable characteristic can also be obtained by manufacturing a secondary shell 3 having a closed internal volume. Such an internal volume trapping a fluid, for example air, ensuring the unsinkability of the boat. In addition, the independence of the flotation structures of the main hull and the secondary hull, or of the secondary hulls in the case where there are several, ensures in the event of degradation of one of the hulls that at least one of the remaining hulls preserves the unsinkability of the boat.

Furthermore, the protective function obtained by an inflatable secondary shell 3 can be obtained by any flexible or semi-rigid material having sufficient flexibility and solidity to fulfill this role. Such a shell can for example be made of polyurethane foam.

To obtain the intermediate position for the secondary shells 3 capable of providing effective protection, the spacers 5 may, for example, be two in number. Such spacers 5 can be foldable metal bars, for example inwards or outwards. Such spacers 5 can, for example, fold back in the middle 29. These foldable spacers allow the secondary shell 3 to be attached to the main shell 2 when the spacers are in the folded position. Furthermore, these spacers 5 are fixed at one end to the main hull and at the other end to the secondary hull in the same manner as described above.

Such spacers 5 can also be removable. These spacers 5 are then present to increase the area occupied by the boat in the unfolded position and absent in the intermediate position and in the folded position. In the folded position, the spacers 5 can be stored with the secondary shell 3 in the internal volume of the main shell. In intermediate position it is then possible to directly hang the secondary shell 3 on the main shell 2 thanks, for example, to the fasteners provided on the main shell 2 and the secondary shell 3 for attaching the spacers 5. Such fasteners can be of n any type well known to those skilled in the art. One can thus, for example, provide a nesting system such that the spacer 5 fits on the shells in nesting tips. Such interlocking ends being such that in the intermediate position, that is to say when the spacer 5 is absent, these ends coincide with each other allowing the fixing of a secondary shell 3 on the main shell 2. Such spacers 5 can of course, in addition to being foldable and / or removable, keep the pivot axes R1 and R2 in order to allow the secondary hull to be located in the interior volume of the main hull in the folded position of the boat. .

In Figure 4A is shown a catamaran 20 forming a boat according to the invention, in the folded position, while in Figure 4B, the catamaran 20 is in the unfolded position.

The catamaran 20 comprises a main hull 21 and a secondary hull 22. In the folded position, the secondary hull 22 is housed in the internal volume 23 of the main hull 21, so as to reduce the space requirement on the ground of the boat 20. Of course, the secondary shell 22 can also be placed above the main shell 21.

In the unfolded position, the secondary shell 22 extends alongside and parallel to the main shell 21, the two shells 21, 22 being separated from each other by at least one spacer 25, so as to increase the surface of flotation of the boat 20. To unfold and fold the catamaran 20, the secondary hull 22 is tilted, as explained above, according to the first, R1, and the second, R2, axis of rotation, relative to the main hull 21 .

In the example shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the secondary shell

22 is located, in the folded position, above the main hull 21.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the secondary shell 22 and the main shell 21 are separated from each other, and connected together, by two spacers 26, 27. In the folded position, the spacers 26, 27 are superimposed one over the other. In the unfolded position, the spacers 26, 27 extend side by side, and separate, by their entire width the main 21 and secondary 22 shells. This is made possible by the fact that the spacers 26, 27 are connected to each other by a pivot connection, according to a third axis of rotation R3.

When it is desired to unfold the catamaran 23 as shown in FIG. 5A, the secondary hull 22 is tilted in the direction of the ground, then the two hulls 21, 22 are separated from one another, by rotation according to the three axes of rotation R1, R2 and R3 so as to extend the two spacers 26, 27 parallel to the ground. To fold the catamaran 23, it suffices to bring the two hulls 21, 22 together so as to straighten up the two spacers 26, 27 which then extend vertically, and parallel to one another. 'other. The secondary shell 22 is then tilted along the axis of rotation R1, and the assembly formed by the two spacers 26, 27, along the axis of rotation R2, toward the main shell 21.

In another exemplary embodiment, the axes of rotation R1, R2 and

R3 allow lateral folding of the spacers 26, 27, in order to bring the secondary shell 22 closer to the main shell 21, until it is attached to said main shell 21, the two shells 21, 22 remaining in the same plane. In this case, the size is reduced only by the folding of the spacers 26, 27. The secondary hull 22 continues to participate in the flotation surface of the boat 20.

It is possible, whatever the boat example, to use one, two or more spacers or plates to space, in the unfolded position, the main hull of the secondary hull. This increases more or less the size on the ground of the unfolded boat, and therefore the flotation surface, without increasing the size of the boat in the folded position.

It is also possible to provide a larger number of floats. For example, each secondary hull is connected on the one hand to the main hull and on the other hand to a tertiary hull. The tertiary hull is advantageously able to be housed in the internal volume of the secondary hull in the folded position, so as not to increase the size of the boat in the folded position. Conversely, in the unfolded position, the flotation surface is further increased compared to a catamaran or a trimaran. Each tertiary shell can itself be connected to a quaternary hull, and so on. Preferably, a balanced distribution of the floats is provided on either side of the main hull. However, it is also possible that the floats are all distributed on the same side of the main hull, or are in different numbers on each side of the main hull. In this case, provision can be made for the use of a ballasting device so as to rebalance the boat once unfolded.

With the boat according to the invention, the folded position makes it possible to have a minimum size, which can in particular facilitate road movement, when the boat is towed by a motor vehicle, since the width of the boat can easily correspond , after folding, to the width of said motor vehicle. By width of the motor vehicle is meant the dimension extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said motor vehicle, and in the same plane.

Of course, it is possible to provide the boat according to the invention with all types of propulsion means, motor and / or sail. These propulsion means are advantageously removable, so as not to clutter the internal volume of the main hull in the case where in the folded position, the secondary hull is housed in the internal volume of the main hull.

It is also possible to provide a towing eye and an axle to allow the boat to move without using a specific trailer for moving on land and / or launching.

The hulls of the boat can be made of any waterproof material suitable for navigation, such as steel, plastics, reinforced or not glass fibers, etc.

Claims

I - Boat (1, 20, 23) comprising a main hull (2, 21), at least one secondary hull (3, 22), capable of having at least two stable positions, respectively folded position and unfolded position, the surface occupied by said boat being at least equal or greater in the unfolded position than in the folded position characterized in that a secondary hull is unsinkable.

2 - boat according to claim 1 characterized in that the hulls of the boat have independent flotation structures.

3 - boat according to one of claims 1 to 2 characterized in that the hull is made of polyurethane foam.

4 - Boat according to one of claims 1 to 2 characterized in that the secondary hull is made of flexible or semi-rigid material.

5 - boat according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the secondary hull is inflatable.

6 - boat according to claim 5 characterized in that the secondary hull is deflatable.

7 - Boat according to one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that in the unfolded position, the main hull and the secondary hull extend side by side in the same plane so as to increase the occupancy area of the boat.

8 - boat according to one of claims 1 to 7 characterized in that in the folded position the secondary hull is housed in the internal volume (4) of the main hull.

9- boat according to one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that in the folded position the secondary hull is located adjacent to the internal volume of the main hull.

10 - boat according to one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that in the unfolded position the secondary hull forms a lateral float of the main hull.

II - Boat according to one of claims 1 to 10 characterized in that the secondary hull is connected to the main hull by at least one spacer. 12- boat according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the retractable spacer.

13- boat according to one of claims 1 to 12 characterized in that the secondary hull is removable.

14- boat according to one of claims 1 to 13 characterized in that it comprises at least two secondary hulls, arranged along two longitudinal edges (10) opposite the main hull.