WO2015136315A1

WO2015136315A1 - Water scooter convertible to a gangway

Info

Publication number: WO2015136315A1
Application number: PCT/HR2014/000012
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lasta PAVIC ORESKOVIC
Original assignee: Morska Vidra D.O.O.
Priority date: 2014-03-12
Filing date: 2014-03-12
Publication date: 2015-09-17

Abstract

The present invention discloses a water scooter convertible to a gangway comprising a central hull (1), to which side hulls (4, 5) are attached via set of hinges. The foldable bow (3) is attached via hinge (13) to the central hull (1) enabling the invention to be: a gangway; in the way that the side hulls (4, 5) being folded and secured onto the central hull (1) via foldable bow (3), while surfaces (35.1, 35.2, 35.3, 35.4, 35.5) formed on said central hull (1), foldable bow (3) and side hulls (4, 5) form together a walking surface, or a water scooter; in the way that the said side hulls (4, 5) being fastened in their unfolded position to the central hull (1); surface (35.1) lying on the surface (35.2) and surface (35.5), while overlapping surfaces (34) press the side hulls (A, 5) in unfolded position. The water scooter can be equipped with the outboard motor, or with the inner propulsion unit situated in the central hull (1). The preferred propulsion system is electric one with the batteries situated within the central hull (1).

Description

WATER SCOOTER CONVERTIBLE TO A GANGWAY

DESCRIPTION

Technical Field

The present invention teaches about a water scooter convertible to a gangway. The invention can be regarded as a part of technical field that covers auxiliary vessels or similar floating structures adapted for special purposes. More particularly the said invention belongs to the field of collapsible vessels or water scooters comprising only rigid parts with the important additional ability to convert straightforwardly the said water scooter into a gangway with intermittent action (s).

Technical Problem

All vessels need an auxiliary vessel, i.e. tender, in cases when they do not berth on a pier or dockside to disembark passengers, but are anchored or moored onto a buoy near the shore. Furthermore, if it is easy to be embarked, the tender significantly increases the safety of passengers on the parent vessel in case of an accident due to which it becomes necessary to disembark the parent vessel urgently, particularly on recreational vessels with no liferaft in standard equipment. Such auxiliary vessel in any form is practically an indispensable part of equipment of almost all recreational vessels .

However, in the case of vessels short of space intended for storage of an auxiliary vessel, which is frequent on vessels of up to 20 metres in length, said auxiliary vessel obstructs the primary function of parent vessel space whereon it is located. On the other hand, any convenient form of a gangway is necessary on the vessels when they berth sternwise. The stern berthing is the most frequent form of berthing for the vessels of up to about 20 metres in length, due to a better safety of such a berth and a lesser width of the berthing shore occupied. Regardless of the type, every gangway consumes a space on the stern of the vessel and renders the use of the stern for other purposes more difficult.

Therefore, having an auxiliary vessel and a gangway situated at the stern creates a problem to manoeuvre the vessel, particularly to dock sternwise and to access sea, not to mention the time spent to properly secure the auxiliary vessel and/or manual gangway when it is not in the operation. Having an auxiliary vessel placed in other parts of parent vessel, i.e. on the deck close to the mast, which is common on chartered sailboats, creates an awkward solution, because of the problem in launching and embarking such an auxiliary vessel from the parent vessel.

The first technical problem that is solved with the present invention is merging the technical function provided by an auxiliary vessel, i.e. water scooter, and a gangway, in a single device that can be easily converted into a desirable form. The water scooter is converted into a fully functional gangway via folding of the side hulls and the foldable bow. When stored on the parent vessel, the device is compact and with no protruding parts that can cause injury. It is important to emphasize that under usual circumstances, in the greatest majority of cases a gangway and a tender are never used at the same time.

The second technical problem solved with the present invention is to enable quick and efficient way of connecting / disconnecting the invention, in a form of water scooter or gangway, to a parent vessel, more precisely to the stern of a parent vessel. The connection enables the invention to be securely fastened in the upright position; the invention in form of gangway to be placed substantially horizontally for embarking/disembarking passengers; and to release the invention in form of water scooter to cruise away from the parent vessel. Previous State of Art

The invention belongs to the field of collapsible water scooter. It is important to emphasize the difference between a water scooter and a boat. Water scooter is a watercraft that the rider sits on, rather than inside of, as in boat. Consequently, a water scooter is by its nature self-drainable watercraft, while a boat has a space that can be filled with water, by waves or rain, when the boat is loaded above certain limit. Further, on water scooters seats are. placed in centerline looking transversally, and riders are faced forward.

Several documents have been selected as the relevant prior art for this invention. First three documents disclose the closest foldable water scooters or watercrafts to the disclosed invention in the art.

Document US 5,617,810, inventor W. D. Sauerwein, is teaching about the compact semi-collapsible watercraft. A rigid watercraft has a three-sectioned hull including a main hull portion and a pair of flotation-sealed outside sponsons at the starboard and port sides thereof. The described watercraft in its collapsed form can be potentially used as the bridge or a gangway; but it is a boat, not a water scooter, and it is highly impractical and unstable in one-man ordinary use that is obvious from the Figures 23 and 24 of the cited document .

International patent application PCT/US1993/007905 published as the document WO 94/04414, inventor L. J. Avillez de Basto, is teaching about the personal marine transport of a scooter type. Basically, described device is foldable water scooter with partially inflatable side member that increases buoyancy capability of the invention. The described invention is easy to take as larger personal traveling bag with mounted wheels. The present document does not mention the way of converting the scooter to a gangway or the way of attaching the device to a parent vessel. Document US 6,334,402, inventor P. Gilligan, is teaching about the folding boat of a scooter type. The disclosed device is equipped with the foldable side hulls for increasing the scooter stability. In one of the described embodiment inflatable side members are also positioned on the foldable side hulls. The present document does not mention the way of converting the scooter to a gangway or the way of attaching the device to a parent vessel. The disclosed way of increasing the stability via foldable side hulls are identical to the here disclosed water scooter convertible to a gangway.

Next two documents teach about the way of attaching the auxiliary boat to a parent vessel in easy detachable manner.

Document published as US 3,442,241, inventor G. H. Daunis, is teaching about the davit for a dinghy or other small boat. For the water scooter convertible to a gangway disclosed herein the only relevant parts of the cited prior document is Fig. 15 that teach about upright securing of a auxiliary vessel, and Fig. 12 showing the hanger members and corresponding lock devices. The disclosed technical solution is not capable to lock here disclosed gangway in a substantially horizontal position for walking.

Document published as DE 102012006766, inventor D. Radler, is teaching about the fastening device for fastening ship's boat at rear part of a parent vessel. The document is cited solely due to the rail socked disclosed at the Fig. 10 and depicted secured position of the auxiliary vessel in elevated upright position at Fig. 1. The mean for attaching the water scooter convertible to a gangway to the parent vesel disclosed herein is formed differently, so the cited prior art is not of the particular relevance for the invention .

The prior art contains also documents attempting to minimize the storage space used for the auxiliary vessel and a gangway. The example of such solution can be found in the DE 4209090 document, inventor E. Storms, and is teaching about the stern-mounted raisable platform for water craft with the lifting device. The platform position as depicted at Fig. 5 shows the passageway possibility while the auxiliary boat is stored beneath the platform. Auxiliary boat lifting procedure is shown at Figs 3 and 4. The technical solution disclosed in the present invention combine the platform and the auxiliary vessel capabilities in one detachable device that is different from this prior art teaching.

The document FR 2862275, inventor A. Zoonens, is teaching about the auxiliary boat launching and storing structure that can serve also as a passageway. The invention per se is rather complicated and suitable for larger vessels. This prior art substantially differs from the disclosed invention because the launching structure, i.e. ending surfaces of the platform forms a part of a parent vessel and not an auxiliary vessel.

The important question is does the combination of water scooters disclosed in the prior art (WO 94/04414, US 6,334,402) can be somehow straightforwardly combined with the teaching of the documents describing the fastening (US 3,442,241 or DE 102012006766) , to resemble the disclosed invention? The answer is clearly - no. The most important reason is that the surfaces formed on the cited water scooters are not suitable for walking, and the prior art documents do not even contemplate about the said possibility. Secondly, lack of an adequate fastening device (s) to the parent vesel that hold the gangway in the desired position, prevents the cited prior art to be straightforwardly combined. Thirdly, lack of reinforced parts made on the rear part of the central hull prevents the convertible device from being strong enough for the desired operation, i.e. in the form of a gangway, having in mind significant torque exerted to the connection point by the passenger weight. It is possible to conclude that water scooter convertible to a gangway is entirely novel and inventive concept of a marine vessel . Summary of invention

The present invention discloses a water scooter convertible to a gangway. It comprises a central hull to which the side hulls are attached via set of side hull hinges. Central, left and right hulls are equipped with means for fastening side hulls with the central hull into unfolded position. Unfolded scooter position increases the scooter stability and exposes the passenger legs rests formed on the central hull. The water scooter convertible to a gangway has a foldable bow and a mean for attaching the said water scooter convertible to a gangway to a parent vesel .

The foldable bow is attached to the central hull by the foldable bow hinge. The foldable bow is also equipped with means for fastening said foldable bow in two different positions: first position - forming a gangway; in the way that side hulls are being folded onto the central hull; sitting surface formed on the foldable bow is overlapping the sitting surface formed at the central hull - foldable bow thus securing the side hulls into the folded position to the central hull; walking surfaces formed on the central hull, walking surfaces formed on side hulls and walking surface formed on the foldable bow form together a passageway walking surface; or second position - forming a water scooter; in the way that side hulls are being fastened in their unfolded position to the central hull; walking surfaces formed on foldable bow are lying on walking surfaces formed on central hull, while overlapping surfaces on foldable bow secure the side hulls into the unfolded position; and sitting surfaces on central hull are capable to receive passengers.

Mentioned walking surfaces are being provided with a non-slippery coating or manufactured as an anti-slippery surface. Side hulls are being partially formed as a spray rail surface and when the foldable bow is fastened in the water scooter position, it forms the rest of the scooter's spray rail surface.

The water scooter convertible to a · gangway is equipped with a mean for attaching it to the parent vesel . This mean is formed as a connecting axle mounted parallel with the water surface to the central hull and perpendicularly to the scooter driving direction. The bearing profile is mounted at the central hull. Said connecting axle is insertible into a socket fixed at the parent vessel's stern platform. It is possible to secure the connecting axle with the bolts within the said socket. Later enable the water scooter convertible to a gangway to rotate securely around the connecting axle once being inserted into the socket in order to be positioned upright and secured for the transport. Additionally, it serves to secure the device in the gangway position by extending the support plate attached via corresponding hinge to the socket to support the bearing profile mounted to the central hull into desired position, i.e exposing the walking surfaces which form a passageway for walking.

Means for fastening side hulls and foldable bow to the central hull in desired positions are formed via elastic or partially elastic fasteners and corresponding buttons adequately distributed along said hulls.

In one embodiment, the water scooter is equipped with the inner propulsion unit situated within the central hull and steering means beneath the water surface with the controls situated at the sitting surface on central hull.

In another embodiment, said water scooter is equipped with the propulsion unit in the form of an outboard motor mounted on the central hull. Outboard motor used can be selected from any of the internal combustion engines or any of the electric motor variants, and adapted for the purpose. Regardless of the embodiment, the preferred propulsion system is electric propulsion system, with the batteries situated in the central hull.

Brief Description of Drawings

The preferred embodiment - i.e. water scooter convertible to a gangway - is depicted on figures 1-14.

Fig. 1 shows the invention in unfolded position forming the water scooter, in an isometric view from the rear side.

Fig. 2 shows the invention in unfolded position forming the water scooter, in an isometric view from the front side.

Fig. 3 shows the invention in unfolded position forming the water scooter, in an isometric view from the front side where the underwater part is visible.

Fig. 4 shows the central hull without hinges and side hulls, in an isometric view from the front side.

Fig. 5 shows the central hull without hinges and side hulls, in an isometric view from the upper rear side.

Fig. 6 shows the invention in folded position forming the gangway, in an isometric view from the rear side.

Fig. 7 shows the invention in folded position forming the gangway, in an isometric view from the front side with diagonally striped exposed walking surfaces.

Fig. 8 shows the central hull and the foldable bow in two possible fastened positions, in an isometric view from the rear side; pertinent hinges and side hulls are omitted. Fig. 9 shows the central hull and foldable side hulls shown in their folded and unfolded positions, in an isometric view from the rear side; foldable bow and corresponding hinge are omitted.

Fig. 10 shows the side view of the invention folded, stored and attached to the parent vessel.

Fig. 11 shows the side view of the invention folded, attached to the parent vessel, when it serves as a gangway.

Fig. 12 shows the side view of the invention unfolded, disconnected from the parent vessel, when it serves as a water scooter.

Fig. 13 shows the socket fixed onto the stern platform with the support for the bearing profile, in position when the device is forming a gangway; a section of central hull and the connecting axle are visible.

Fig. 14 shows the socket fixed on the stern platform with depicted fastening bolts as seen once the scooter is released.

Detailed Description

The present invention emerges from a need to spare the parent vessel (20) space by merging the technical function provided by an auxiliary vessel, i.e. water scooter, and a gangway in a single device that can easily be converted into the desirable form.

Fig. 1 shows the invention in unfolded position forming the water scooter. It consists of the central hull (1) which forms the scooter body capable to receive an inner propulsion unit if installed and/or an energy reservoir in form of one or more gas tanks or batteries for electric version of propulsion unit. Additionally, the central hull (1) can be equipped with the steering means in the manner already known in the art. In another embodiment, an adapted outboard motor can be mounted on the central hull (1) . Said central hull (1) is the main buoyancy element, depicted alone at Figs. 4 and 5 without other hulls. Central hull (1) is formed from materials common in the art such as fiber reinforced plastic or polyethylene or any other material suitable for production in a mould, and can be filled with a low density foam such as polyurethane foam or similar. Central hull (1) has an elevated part suitable for passenger's sitting surface (30) and legs rest surfaces (32) situated on each side of said elevated part, as shown on Fig. 2. Sitting surface (30) can be covered with suitable material used for seats in marine environment that is soft, water-repellent and UV stable. Rear part of the central hull (1) is equipped with the connecting axle (2) mounted parallel with the water surface (11) and perpendicularly to the scooter driving direction with the ability to connect the invention to the parent vessel (20) . Fig. 13 shows a segment of the central hull (1). It is visible that the central hull (1) is of relatively modest width at the junction of its upper part - on top of which sitting surface (30) is situated, and its lower part - on top of which leg rest surfaces (32) are situated. The width of this junction depends on the material used to produce the central hull, and if the properties of that material demanded that the junction be broader in order to ensure sufficient strength, it wouldn't change the essence of this invention.

Right side hull (4) and left side hull (5) are attached via set of side hull hinges (12) to the central hull (1) as depicted in Figs 1 and 2. Mentioned hinges (12) enable the side hulls (4, 5) to take two very different positions; i.e. "folded" on the central hull (1) and "unfolded" from the central hull (1) . The different positions of side hulls (4, 5) are. depicted on Figs. 1 and 9. Folding is performed over the M axis shown on Fig. 9. Number of mounted side hinges (12) is arbitrary; it depends on side hulls (4, 5) size. Said side hulls are preferably formed using the same materials and production technology as for the central hull. The technical role of side hulls (4, 5) is to increase the water scooter stability. The core of invention is foldable bow (3) attached via foldable bow hinge (13) to the central hull (1) . Two different positions of the foldable bow (3) are represented on the Fig. 8. The foldable bow (3) can be folded over the foldable bow hinge (13), i.e. over the L axis shown on Fig. 9.

Few words should be said about the securing of the side hulls (4, 5) and foldable bow (3) to the central hull (1), having in mind that side hulls (4, 5) and foldable bow (3) may take different positions regarding the said central hull (1) . Securing can be performed in any suitable manner known in the art that enables quick fastening and releasing of connecting elements. In the preferred embodiment the fastening of the side hulls (4, 5) in "unfolded" position, i.e. the position depicted on the Fig. 1, is performed with the set of one or more elastic fasteners (18) fixed to the central hull (1) and corresponding buttons (19) fixed on the side hulls (4, 5) . The proposed system: elastic fastener - button, enables quick fastening and effortless releasing of the connection. The same system can be employed to fasten the foldable bow (3) in desired positions, for instance in "scooter position" depicted in Fig. 2 where again the elastic fastener (14) engages the button (15) fixed on the foldable bow (3) . Contrary, when the foldable bow (3) is folded in the "gangway position", depicted in Fig. 6, the elastic fastener (16) situated on the central hull (1) engages the button (17) fixed on the foldable bow (3) . In practice, the simplest way of forming the set of elastic fasteners (14, 16, 18) that engage corresponding buttons (15, 17, 19) on their grooves is from suitable elastic or elastomeric material, i.e. polymers having low Young's modulus, such as unsaturated or saturated rubbers, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) , elastolefin or similar convenient materials. Any other types of elastic fasteners are equally good; for instance metal fasteners formed as slinky or spring made from noncorrosive alloys. The elastic fasteners (14, 16, 18) may be produced to be partially rigid, for instance in the part that engages corresponding buttons (15, 17, 19) . It is obvious for the person skilled in the art that the distribution of the elastic fasteners and the corresponding buttons, their number, size, and the way of fastening is arbitrary while performing dedicated technical task - quick fastening and releasing of elements.

All moving parts of the present invention, i.e. side hulls (4, 5) and foldable bow (3) can be secured to the central hull (1) , in two very distinct positions: "scooter position" - depicted on Figs. 1-3 and 12; and "gangway position" - depicted on Figs. 6, 7 and 11. Conversion from one position to another and vice versa takes a minute or two. Most of the time the invention is in the "gangway position", pointed substantially upwards, and secured to the parent vessel (20) via elastic rope (9) or similar; as depicted on Fig. 10. When the vessel is berthed sternwise then the invention is in a true "gangway position" as shown on Fig. 11. It is obvious for the person skilled in the art that a demountable guardrail can be temporary mounted onto the invention in true "gangway position".

According to the invention, in the "gangway position" elastic fasteners (18) are released from the corresponding buttons (19) fixed on the side hulls (4, 5); side hulls (4, 5) are folded over the side hull hinges (12) onto the central hull (1) as depicted on Fig. 6. The foldable bow (3) is unfolded over the foldable bow hinge (13) - in the way shown at the Fig. 8 - and secured in this position via elastic fastener (16) that engages the button (17) fixed on the foldable bow (3) . Therefore, the foldable bow (3) secures the side hulls (4, 5) in its folded position relative to the central hull (1) as depicted on the Fig. 6. A gangway is formed, as depicted on the Fig. 7, by exposing the surfaces (35. 1, 35.2, 35.3, 35.4, 35.5) for walking as seen on the Fig. 11. The surface (35.1) is formed on foldable bow (3). The surface (35.4) is formed on the side hull (4), and the surface (35.3) is formed on the. side hull (5). Surfaces (35.5, 35.2) are formed on the central hull (1). Diagonally striped surfaces (35.1, 35.2, 35.3, 35.4, 35.5) for walking, depicted on Fig. 7, are free of any steps or protrusions that could possibly cause someone to get their foot stuck while walking over it, and are being provided with a non-slippery coating or manufactured as an anti-slippery surface. There are many non-slippery coatings, and anti-slippery surfaces known in the art that fulfill desired standards to be used on the vessels. The skillful person in the art will simply use the previous teaching to provide safe and reliable surface for walking. On Fig. 11 it is clearly shown that walking surfaces is flat. In other embodiments of the invention walking surface can be mildly curved, to the extent that it doesn't jeopardize the safety of the person walking over it.

Conversion from the "gangway position" to the "scooter position" is performed in three steps; firstly, the foldable bow (3) is released from its secured position by releasing the elastic fastener (16) from the button (17) . Secondly, the foldable bow (3) is rotated over the foldable bow hinge (13) sufficiently to release side hulls (4,. 5) to be unfolded over the side hull hinges (12) and secured via: corresponding elastic fasteners (18) and corresponding buttons (19) into the unfolded position. Thirdly, the foldable bow (3) is folded entirely in the manner that walking surface (35.1) lies on the surfaces (35.2, 35.5) on central hull (1). The overlapping surfaces (34), visible on Figs. 6 and 7, now press the front parts of side hulls (4, 5) in the manner visible on Fig. 2 and secure the side hulls (4, 5) in its relative unfolded position to the central hull (1) . It is obvious that conversion from the "scooter position" to the "gangway position" is performed backwards. Once the invention being in the "scooter position", several new surfaces appear to be important; sitting surface (30) formed on the central hull (1), sitting surface (31) formed on the foldable bow (3) and leg rest surfaces (32) formed on the central hull (1) . Practical use of said surfaces is understandable from the Fig. 12. Another important aspect depicted on the Fig. 3 still remains to be discussed - spray rail surface (33) . According to the invention, when the foldable bow (3) is secured via elastic fastener (14) engaging the button (15) , the spray rail surface (33), stripped diagonally on Fig. 3, is formed of three parts; two belonging to the side hulls (4, 5) and one belonging to the foldable bow (3) . The mentioned spray rail surface (33) improves maritime abilities of the water scooter in the manner known in the art.

The invention as shown on Fig. 12 depicts the use of scooter by three persons. It is obvious that dimensions of the invention depend on its capacity, i.e. the maximum number of persons it can carry. The invention can be designed for any number of persons.

One may contemplate about the fully automatic conversion from the "gangway position" to the "scooter position" and back. However, such mechanisms will significantly increase the total weight of the invention, fault possibilities, with rather minor improvements regarding the user experience. Another aspect of the invention is more significant; way of attaching it to the parent vesel (20) via connecting axle (2) situated at the central hull (1). Figs. 10, 11 and 12 show the actual use of the invention. The parent vesel (20) has to be equipped with the socket (6) , preferably situated at the stern platform (21), capable to simply receive the connecting axle (2) . Once connecting axle (2) being nested into the socket (6) it can be simply secured via bolts (7) . The socket (6) is designed in the way to allow the free movement with one degree of freedom, i.e. rotation, of the water scooter convertible to a gangway around the connecting axle (2) for more than 120°. For this reason the socket (6) is designed as seen on Fig. 14.

To those skilled in the art it is obvious that minor adaption of the socket (6) or additional carriers fixed on the parent . vessel enable the use of the device with numerous different types of vessels. Its socket can be fixed on various parts of the vessels, not only on the stern, as well as on any construction located near the water.

In order to simply dock and undock the water scooter from the stern platform (21), the position of the connecting axle (2) should be designed according to the position of the socket (6) . In other embodiments one can contemplate on sockets (6) adjustable by height or on connecting axle (2) adjustable by height. In yet another embodiment it is possible to imagine several sockets capable to receive more than one water scooter on board. Those trivial improvements of the invention are obvious for the person skilled in the art. However, the feature that socket (6) enables the invention to be used in a "gangway position" as depicted at Fig. 11 is not trivial. The central hull (1) is equipped on its rear part with the carefully designed bearing profile (24), visible on the Fig. 6. The technical role of said bearing profile (24) is to receive a load of the invention while being positioned in the "gangway position". To secure the invention in the "gangway position", an extra support plate (8) is attached via the hinge (22) to the lower part of the socket (6) that is parallel of the stern platform (21) end. The mentioned support plate (8) can be in a relative position to the socket (6) as shown on Fig. 14, i.e. parallel to the stern platform (21) end, and also positioned as shown on Fig. 13, i.e. capable to receive the load from the bearing profile (14). In the preferred embodiment, the relative position of the support plate (8) from the socket (6) is regulated via cords (23) situated at the both ends of the supporting plate (8), Figs. 13 and 14. The length of the cord (23) defines the angle by which the support plate (8) supports the bearing profile (24) and therefore the angle of the passageway, shown on Fig. 11, for connecting the parent vessel (20) with the shore (10) . The mentioned cords (23) can be made from any suitable material, preferably material having good ageing properties while being exposed to the sun and salty water. The socket (6) , the corresponding hinge (22), the connecting axle (2), the supporting plate (8), the bearing profile (24) and bolts (7) should be manufactured according to the standards to avoid an electro corrosion of the parts that can ruin the security of the invention being in the form of a gangway.

For the person skilled in the art, it is obvious that securing of the invention in true "gangway position" depicted at the Fig 11 can be performed via sprocket lever or similar device, or simply by any kind of rope of enough strength carried through a guide on a high structure (a mast or high superstructure for example) and controlled from parent vessels cockpit. A solution where the invention leans onto shore is also possible. The lifting in the upright position depicted on Fig. 10 can be performed using the hydraulic pistons and hydraulic motors,, or similar devices. Contemplating more, the present invention can also have partially inflatable side hulls (4, 5) or even partially inflatable central hull (1) . However, the intention of this invention is to avoid complicated mechanic, hydraulics or electro-mechanic devices that are unnecessary for an ordinary vessel having modest equipment already installed on-board; and to ensure smooth, simple and reliable operation in field.

It will be appreciated that the above description is non-limiting and refers to preffered forms of the invention. Many modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. Although features believed to be of particular significance are indentified in the appended claims, the applicant claims protection for any novel feature or idea described herein and/or illustrated in the drawings, whether or not emphasis has been placed thereon.

Industrial Applicability

The present invention discloses a water scooter convertible to a gangway that can be easily secured to the parent vessel. The water scooter can be equipped with the adequate inner or outer propulsion system. According to the invention, the preferred propulsion system is electric one with the batteries situated within the central hull. Therefore the industrial applicability of the present invention is obvious . References

1 — central hull

2 - connecting axle

3 - foldable bow

4 - right side hull

5 - left side hull

6 - socket

7 - bolt

8 - support plate

9 - elastic rope

10 - shore

11 - water surface

12 - side hull hinge

13 - foldable bow hinge

14 - elastic fastener

15 - button

16 - elastic fastener

17 - button

18 - elastic fastener

19 - button

20 - parent vesel

21 - stern platform

22 - hinge

23 - cord

24 - bearing profile

30 - sitting surface

31 - sitting surface

2 - leg rest surface

3 - spray rail surface

4 - overlapping surface

5. 1 - 35.5 - (walking) surface

Claims

1. A water scooter convertible to a gangway comprising:

a central hull (1) to which a right side hull (4) and a left side hull (5) are attached via set of side hull hinges (12) , where said hulls (1, 4, 5) are equipped with means for fastening said hulls (4, 5) with the central hull (1) into unfolded position increasing the scooter stability and exposing the passenger legs rest surface (32) on central hull (1);

a foldable bow (3), and

a mean for attaching the said water scooter convertible to a gangway to a parent vesel (20) ;

characterized by that, said foldable bow (3) is attached to the central hull (1) by the foldable bow hinge (13) , where foldable bow (3) is being equipped with means for fastening said foldable bow (3) in two different positions:

first - forming a gangway; in the way that the right side hull (4) and the left side hull (5) being folded onto the central hull (1) ; sitting surface (31) formed on the foldable bow (3) overlapping the sitting surface (30) formed at the central hull (1) and foldable bow (3) thus securing the side hulls (4, 5) into the folded position to the central hull (1); surfaces (35.2) and (35.5) formed on the central hull (1), the surface (35.4) formed on the right side hull (4) and the surface (35.3) formed on the left side hull (5) and the surface (35.1) formed on the foldable bow (3) form together a walking surface; or second - forming a water scooter; in the way the right side hull (4) and a left side hull (5) being fastened in their unfolded position to the central hull (1); surface (35.1) lying on the surface (35.2) and surface (35.5), while overlapping surfaces (34) pressing the side hulls (4, 5) into the unfolded position; the sitting surface (31) and sitting surface (30) being capable to receive the passengers having the rests for the legs on legs rest surfaces (32) .

2. The water scooter convertible to a gangway as in claim 1, characterized by that the surfaces (35.1, 35.2, 35.3, 35.4, 35.5) are being provided with a non-slippery coating or manufactured as an anti-slippery surface.

3. The water scooter convertible to a gangway according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the side hulls (4, 5) are being partially formed as a spray rail surface (33) and where the foldable bow (3) when fastened in the water scooter position forms the rest of the spray rail surface (33) .

4. The water scooter convertible to a gangway according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the mean for attaching it to the parent vesel (20) is formed as a connecting axle (2) mounted parallel with the water surface (11) to the central hull (1) and perpendicularly to the scooter driving direction, where said connecting axle (2) is insertible into a socket (6) fixed at the stern platform (21) of the parent vessel (20) , and where connecting axle (2) is secured with the bolts (7) within the said socket (6), enabling the water scooter convertible to a gangway, when in form of gangway:

to rotate securely around the connecting axle (2) inserted into the socket (6) in order to be positioned upright and secured for the transport, or

to be put in the gangway position extending the support plate (8) attached via the hinge (22) to the socket (6) in a way that support plate (8) supports the bearing profile (24) mounted at the central hull (1), exposing the surfaces (35.1, 35.2, 35.3, 35.4, 35.5) which form a passageway for walking . water scooter convertible to a gangway according to any of preceding claims, characterized by that the means for fastening said hulls (4, 5) with the central hull (1) into unfolded positions is performed via pair of elastic fasteners (18) situated at the central hull (1) and pair of corresponding buttons (19) each fixed on the side hulls (4, 5) .

The water scooter convertible to a gangway according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the means for fastening foldable bow (3) in two different positions is performed via elastic fastener (16) fixed on the central hull (1) and the button (17) fixed on the foldable bow (3) in the gangway position; and, via elastic fastener (14) fixed on the central hull (1) and the button (15) fixed on the foldable bow (3) in the water scooter position.

The water scooter convertible to a gangway according to claims 5 and 6, characterized by that the elastic fasteners (14, 16, 18) have the rigid part for engaging corresponding buttons (15, 17, 19) on its grooves and an elastic part connecting said rigid part of the elastic fasteners (14, 16, 18) to the central hull (1) .

The water scooter convertible to a gangway according to claim 5, and 6, characterized by that the elastic fasteners (14, 16, 18) engaging corresponding buttons (15, 17, 19) on its grooves are made entirely from elastic materials.

The water scooter convertible to a gangway according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by that the water scooter is equipped with the inner propulsion unit situated in the central hull (1) and steering means beneath the water surface (11) with the controls situated at the sitting surface (30) .

The water scooter convertible to a gangway according to any of the claims 1-8, characterized by that said water scooter is equipped with the propulsion unit in the form of an outboard motor mounted on the central hull (1) . The water scooter convertible to a gangway according to any of the claims 9 or 10, characterized by that the propulsion system is electric propulsion system, with the batteries situated in the central hull (1) ·