Stern transom and seating of a collapsible boat hull

Abstract

A collapsible boat hull (10) with at least one bottom panel (16,18) and two side panels (12,14), and a removable transom (32) with attachment means (36) to engage the transom with the two sides of the boat hull, such that, during installation of the transom member, the attachment means initially engages with the sides of the boat, and rotation of the transom to an upright position in the boat hull retains the attachment means and the respective sides of the boat hull together. Releasable latches (42,44) at the lower edge of the transom engage with retaining members (54) on the bottom panels. Seating or cross-bracing has (100) which releasably engage with retainers on the sides of the boat.

Claims

1. A collapsible boat hull comprising: at least one bottom panel; two side panels; and a removable transom member, the removable transom member including attachment means arranged to engage with the two side panels of the collapsible boat hull, such that, during installation of the removable transom member, the attachment means initially engages with the two side panels and rotation of the removable transom member to an upright position in the collapsible boat hull retains the attachment means and the two side panels of the collapsible boat hull together.

2. The collapsible boat hull according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means includes at least one bayonet or cam type releasable fastener to attach the removable transom member to the two side panels.

3. The collapsible boat hull according to claim 2, wherein the release or initial engagement position for the removable transom member with respect to the two side panels of the collapsible boat hull is horizontal or at an acute angle above or below horizontal.

4. The collapsible boat hull according to claim 2, wherein the two side panels or the removable transom member has a bayonet or cam arrangement of the at least one bayonet or cam type releasable fastener, and the other of the removable transom member or two side panels has a receiving arrangement for receiving the bayonet or cam arrangement.

5. The collapsible boat hull according to claim 1, including at least one releasable retaining means that prevents the removable transom member rotating back from its installed position.

6. The collapsible boat hull according to claim 5, the at least one releasable retaining means including at least one retaining portion mounted on the bottom of the collapsible boat hull, such that the at least one releasable retaining means maintains the removable transom member in an installed position until the at least one retaining means is released from the at least one retaining portion to allow the removable transom member to rotate to a release position for removal from the collapsible boat hull.

7. The collapsible boat hull according to claim 5, wherein the at least one retaining means includes a release arrangement.

8. The collapsible boat hull according to claim 7, the release arrangement including at least one release handle operatively connected to at least one respective retaining means release latch.

9. The collapsible boat hull according to claim 8, the at least one release handle may be provided in or on the removable transom member.

10. The collapsible boat hull according to claim 8, the at least one recessed release handle and release latch integral to a said release arrangement.

11. The collapsible boat hull according to claim 1, further including an elongate member extending between the two side panels of the collapsible boat hull.

12. The collapsible boat hull according to claim 11, further including at least one brace configured to extend between the elongate member and the removable transom member.

13. The collapsible boat hull according to claim 12, wherein the or each said brace includes releasable engagement means to releasably engage with the removable transom member or the elongate member or both the removable transom member and elongate member.

14. The collapsible boat hull according to claim 11, wherein the elongate member includes a seat, thwart or cross brace between the two side panels of the collapsible boat hull.

15. The collapsible boat hull according to claim 12 the removable transom including at least one brace connector arranged and configured to connect to the at least one brace.

16. The collapsible boat hull according to claim 15, wherein the at least one brace connector includes one or more projections extending from the removable transom member and including a respective connector portion on each said projection to engage with a corresponding portion on wherein the or each said brace.

17. The collapsible boat hull according to claim 15 wherein the at least one strut or brace connector and the at least one strut or brace include an inter-cooperating hook and recess arrangement, with one of the at least one strut or brace connector and respective strut or brace having at least one hook portion that releasably engages into at least one said recess provided on the other of the said at least one strut/brace and strut/brace connector.

18. The collapsible boat hull according to claim 15, wherein the at least one strut/brace extends to meet the removable transom member at a level below an upper edge of the removable transom member.

19. The collapsible boat hull according to claim 12, wherein the at least one strut/brace provides, when in use, a lifting and/or carrying handle to support transportation of the collapsible boat hull.

20. The collapsible boat hull according to claim 12, wherein the or each strut/brace is releasably removable from engagement with the removable transom member or the elongate member or both the removable transom member and the elongate member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIGS. 1 to 4 show stages of installing the pivot/rotate in place transom member into a collapsible boat hull according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 5 shows a stern view the collapsible boat hull with pivot/rotate in place transom member installed according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(4) FIGS. 6 and 7 show respective attachment means to releasably attach the transom member to the sides of the boat hull. FIG. 6 shows an attachment member on the transom member and FIG. 7 shows a cooperating, receiving member on the side panel to receive the attachment member.

(5) FIG. 8 shows a latch with release handle to be mounted to a transom member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 9 shows, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a cross section through part of the transom member revealing an embodiment of the workings of the latch release mechanism to hold the transom in its upright position against external water pressure when installed.

(7) FIGS. 10 to 12 show, according to an embodiment of the present invention, various stages in releasing a seat clip (and therefore that end of the seat) from an attachment point on the interior face of the side panel.

(8) FIGS. 13 and 14, according to an embodiment of the present invention, show a tilt lift release of the seat clip from an opposite end of the seat compared to that shown in FIGS. 10 to 12.

(9) FIGS. 15 to 17, according to an embodiment of the present invention, show, respectively, detail of the attachment point on the side panel, the seat clip and the seat clipped into place within the boat hull.

(10) FIGS. 18 to 21 show features of a transom-seat brace attachment arrangement according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(11) Referring to the accompanying figures, there is shown a collapsible boat hull 10 with side panels 12,14 and bottom panels 16,18. The side panels are each joined to a respective one of the bottom panels by a flexible hinge 20,22. The bottom panels are joined to each other by another flexible hinge 24.

(12) A cross brace 26 helps to maintain rigidity towards the bow 2 of the erected boat.

(13) A diaphragm (or membrane) 30 closes the stern of the boat hull. When the boat hull is opened out, the transom member 32 can be positioned into the stern of the boat hull.

(14) In the embodiment shown, the transom member includes a rigid panel 34 incorporating an attachment means in the form of a releasable pivot/rotation means having a releasable fastener portion 36 (36a,36b) on the upper edge of each end of the transom member and a respective cooperating fastener portion 38 (38a,38b) on the inner upper rear of each side panel.

(15) With the boat hull opened out, as shown in FIG. 1, the transom member 32 releasable fasteners are engaged into the respective cooperating fastener portions on the upper rear of each side panel.

(16) As shown stepwise in FIGS. 2 to 4, the transom member is then rotated downwards, pivoting about the fastener means, until the lower edge 40 of the transom member is adjacent the bottom of the boat hull.

(17) The transom member 32 includes a mount 66 for an outboard motor (not shown). Removable seats 68,70 are provided within the boat. A cover 72 goes over the bow end of the bat between the cross brace and the bow cover.

(18) As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, struts/braces 69,71 can be positioned between the rear seat 68 and the removable transom member 32. The term strut and brace will be used interchangeably in the following specification, and reference to one is reference to the other. These struts connect between the engine mounting plate and the rear of the rear seat. The struts help to transfer forces and any vibration from an outboard motor to the rear seat and therefore into the sides of the boat hull.

(19) FIGS. 18 to 21 show features of a preferred embodiment of a connection arrangement between the strut/brace 69,71 and the transom 32.

(20) FIG. 18 shows a section of the transom 32 with a projecting stud 116b with a rearward facing hook portion 118b. It will be appreciated that a similar projecting stud 118a will be mounted on the adjacent side of the transom.

(21) FIG. 19 shows a section in close up of the end portion 120 of the strut/brace 71 providing the port side brace/strut between the seat/thwart 70 and the transom 32. The end portion 120 hooks over the projecting stud 116b (and similarly 116a on the starboard side). FIGS. 20 and 21 show detail of the end portion 120. The end portion can plug into the end of the strut/brace via projection 124. The opening 122 has a lip 126 over which the hook portion 118a,118b connects to positively encage with the end portion 120. The hook is therefore effectively housed in the opening of the end portion and allows the boat hull to be lifted via the strut(s)/brace(s) or seat/thwart for transport.

(22) Preferably, the struts 69,71 can include means 120 to releasably connect with respective projections 116a,116b on the upper edge of the transom. In one arrangement, openings 122 provided on respective end portions 120 of the struts (‘thrust poles’) hook over upright projections from the transom, such that gravity and the weight of a person would retain the brace(s) connected to the transom and thereby help to transfer thrust forces from the motor through the transom to the seat.

(23) However, it has been realised that more positive engagement between the struts/braces and the transom can assist in providing one or more lifting points (effectively one or more handles) to aid transport and lifting of the boat hull when erected and assembled. This positive connection between the struts/braces and the transom avoids users lifting the seat out in a less than optimal way and risk damaging the seat mounting points e.g. the seat clips and retainers.

(24) Furthermore, positive engagement of the brace(s) and transom together beneficially improves structural integrity of the boat hull when erected.

(25) In a preferred embodiment, projections upward from the transom include hook portions 118a,118b which engage into recesses (‘eyes’) 122 provided on the transom end(s) of the brace(s).

(26) It will be appreciated that the end portions 120 can include a respective attachment portion 124, such as a plug or collar, to connect into (as a plug) or over (as a collar) an end to the strut/brace. Attachment can be by bonding or rivet(s) or other fastener(s) or interference fit.

(27) The projection(s) from the top of the transom preferably have a rearward facing hooked portion 118a,118b. Each projection may be provided as a hooked pin inserted into the top edge of the transom 32 and bonded into place. It will be appreciated that the hooked portion may alternatively be provided on the end(s) of the brace(s) and the recess provided on the respective projection(s).

(28) The recess at the end of each strut/brace has an internal lip 126 so that when the brace is rotated over the projection, the hook engages with the lip and the brace is releasably attached to the projection until the brace is counter-rotated to a release position. The counter rotation is prevented by the seat catches when the seat is locked into the side panels, and therefore the boat can be carried by the two strokes.

(29) When in use as braces, the braces are aligned below the hinge line of the transom i.e. the pivot axis through the connectors 36a,36b, and secure the transom so it can not rotate even if it escapes from the catches 42,44 locking the bottom of the transom to the bottom of the boat hull.

(30) The struts may be omitted if the boat is only needed for light use applications, such as rowing, paddling or towing, or when only a low power (e.g. trolling) motor is used. For higher power outboard motors, the struts are utilised in order to ensure the transom member is not overloaded with forces from the motor i.e. the struts provide bracing to transfer loads into the rear seat and therefore to the sides of the boat.

(31) The struts 69,71 can be discrete items that removably attach to the seat and transom, or can be pivotably/hingedly attached to the rear seat and releasably connected to the transom, or can be pivotably/hingedly attached to the transom and releasably connected to the seat.

(32) As shown in FIG. 6, the transom member in the embodiment shown includes attachment means 36a to connect the upper end 74 to a respective retaining means 38a (see FIG. 7) at an upper inside face of the side panel. The attachment means includes bayonet lugs 76,78 which engage into respective bayonet lug receiving portions 80,82 as shown in FIG. 7. As the transom member is rotated from a near horizontal position to its upright installed position, the bayonet lugs are retained by lug retaining portions 84,86 in the retainer of the side panel, on each side of the boat hull. This also acts to draw the sides to the transom for additional rigidity in the hull and better force transfer from the outboard motor to the sides when the boat is in use.

(33) Latches 42, 44 are shown at the lower edge of the transom member in FIGS. 1 to 5. Each latch is arranged to be recessed into the transom member so that the operating mechanism for each latch and the handle 46 for each latch is discrete and the latch is relatively flush with the surface of the transom member.

(34) As shown in FIG. 8, each latch has a release handle 46 (e.g. in the form of a finger grip or trigger) to release the respective latch to allow the transom member to be pivoted up for subsequent release and removal from the boat hull. Each said latch also has a latch member 48 arranged to engage with a retaining member 54 on the bottom panel 16,18 of the boat hull (see FIG. 9).

(35) The latch is released by lifting the release handle to operate and disengage the release latch from the retaining member.

(36) As shown in the cross section in FIG. 9, the latch 42,44 is recessed into the lower portion of the transom member 32. The latch has a spring 50 biased combined handle and latch member, whereby lifting the latch member using the finger grip 46 disengages the latch member from the retaining member 54 on the bottom panel 56.

(37) It will be appreciated that the latches are relatively wide and engage across a significant width with the retaining member on the bottom of the boat. This avoids point loads for integrity of the transom and adds strength to that connection. The wide connection also ensures good transfer of forces through the transom to the bottom of the boat.

(38) The latch member has a bevelled face 58 that contacts the retaining, member 54 as the transom is pivoted into place and automatically causes the latch member 48 to lift against the spring bias when sufficient closing force is applied.

(39) The transom member has a stop member 60 at its bottom face. The stop member contacts a stop 62 mounted to the bottom panel. In the embodiment shown, the stop 62 is integral to the retaining member on the bottom panel. This contact also hooks the stop member under a portion of the stop to help prevent or restrict downward movement of the bottom panel(s) relative to the transom. Essentially helping to lock the transom and bottom panel(s) together until released.

(40) As shown in FIG. 9, the transom member abuts and supports a diaphragm 30 that is attached to the bottom panel (and to the side panels not shown in FIG. 9). An edge portion 90 of the diaphragm is retained in a recess 92 by a wedge or filet member 94 by an interference fit and/or sealing/adhesive agent for waterproofing

(41) Releasing the transom member involves lifting the release latch(es), pivoting the transom member inward with respect to the boat hull until the releasable fasteners at the upper edges of the transom can be released from the respective cooperating retainer on each side panel.

(42) It will be appreciated that installing the transom using the features apparatus described and shown not only supports the diaphragm, but also adds rigidity to the hull by positively yet releasably attaching the side panels to brace the stern of the boat. The transom attachment means can positively pull the transom and side panels to each other to add rigidity to the hull.

(43) FIGS. 10 to 12 show stages in releasing a seat 68,70 or cross brace 26 from a side 12,14 of the boat. In FIG. 10, a release clip 100 of a catch 104 on the underside of the seat is engaged under a retainer 102 on the interior face of the side of the boat. A lip 106 of the catch engages into a hook shaped recess 108 on the retainer. The release clip is biased by a biasing means, such as a spring 110, to ensure the clip engages positively under the retainer to retain that end of the seat in place.

(44) As shown in FIG. 11, the clip 100 is operated to a release position by rotation about a pivot 112. This releases the clip from engagement with the underside of the retainer and provides sufficient clearance to allow the seat/brace to be lifted away from the retainer.

(45) FIGS. 13 and 14 show the end of the seat 68,70 or brace 26 distal from the end shown in FIGS. 10 to 12 i.e. FIGS. 13 and 14 show the distal end of the seat 68, 70 or brace 26 opposite to the end that has been released and lifted shown in steps in FIGS. 10-12.

(46) As can be seen in FIGS. 13 and 14, the clip 100 is not retracted for release, rather, as the seat or brace angles upwards, the jaw 114 of the clip rides under the retainer until it is clear of the retainer. This allows the lip 106 to lift out of the retainer. Thus, the seat or brace can advantageously be removed by a single user from one side of the boat hull.

(47) FIG. 15 shows the retainer 102 mounted to the interior surface of the boat side 12,14. The retainer has two recesses 108. The clip 100 is shown in FIG. 16. The clip has two lips 106 and two corresponding jaw portions 114, and a central spring biasing means 110. FIG. 17 shows the seat 68,70 locked into position with the clip engaged with the retainer to hold the seat end in place until released as described above.