A WATER VESSEL HULL PROTECTOR AND METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION

Abstract

A water vessel hull protector including a support frame defining an internal volume within which a watercraft can be removably located and at least one barrier skin configured to extend across the internal volume of the support frame, and mounted to the support frame to extend above the waterline to separate the support frame from an external water body in order to prevent fouling of the support frame by marine growth.

Claims

1. A water vessel hull protector including: a support frame defining an internal volume within which a watercraft can be removably located; and, at least one barrier skin configured to extend across the internal volume of the support frame, and mounted to the support frame to extend above the waterline to separate the support frame from an external water body in order to prevent fouling of the support frame by marine growth.

2. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support frame includes a number of frame members which are generally attached together or relative to one another in order to define the internal volume.

3. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the frame members are provided in the form of inflatable and deflatable members.

4. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support frame bounds a docking zone dimensioned to receive a hull of the watercraft in the use condition.

5. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the frame members are elongate and/or hollow.

6. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the frame members are submergible or partially submergible.

7. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the frame members are made from a flexible and sealable material.

8. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support frame includes a forward portion and a displaceable rear gate portion.

9. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 8, wherein the rear gate portion is attached relative to the forward portion about a hinge, or similar assembly, on each lateral side of the support frame.

10. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 8, wherein the forward portion is approximately two thirds of the length of the support frame and the rear gate portion makes up the other approximately one third of the length of the support frame.

11. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 8, wherein one or more weights are provided in association with the gate portion to ensure that the gate portion moves into a submerged position when deflated.

12. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 8, wherein the rear gate portion is inflated and deflated in order to move the rear gate portion between a floating, use position and a submerged or partially submerged condition.

13. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 8, further including one or more inflation valves on each of the forward portion and the rear gate portion.

14. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 8, further including one or more inflatable and deflatable pillows provided at a forward end of the forward portion.

15. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 14, wherein the pillows attach to the inside of the support frame.

16. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 1, further including one or more mooring rings provided about at least an upper portion of the support frame, on an underside of the support frame, or both about at least the upper portion of the support frame and on the underside of the support frame.

17. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support frame is a floating support frame.

18. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support frame supports the at least one barrier skin.

19. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one barrier skin is mounted to the support frame about an outer, upper side of the support frame.

20. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one barrier skin is water impermeable.

21. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one barrier skin is made from a polymeric or plastic material.

22. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 4, wherein the at least one barrier skin spans the docking zone of the support frame.

23. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one barrier skin is generally v-shaped or u-shaped with at least one lower spine portion at least toward a forward end of the barrier skin.

24. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one barrier skin includes a pair of upper side edges.

25. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one barrier skin is mounted to the support frame at a position above the waterline of the support frame when the support frame is in a raised, use condition.

26. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one barrier skin is mounted in an over-the-top configuration where the at least one barrier skin extends around the outside of the support frame and back onto an upper side of the support frame.

27. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one barrier skin is mounted to an outer upper side of the support frame.

28. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one barrier skin is releasably attached to the support frame.

29. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one barrier skin is securely attached relative to the support frame.

30. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one barrier skin is mounted to the support frame using an attachment mechanism.

31. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 30, wherein the attachment mechanism is in the form of hook and loop fasteners.

32. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 30, wherein a portion of the attachment mechanism is provided on the or each at least one barrier skin and a corresponding portion of the attachment mechanism is provided on the support frame.

33. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 32, wherein the portion of the attachment mechanism provided on the or each at least one barrier skin is provided along an edge of the or each at least one barrier skin.

34. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 31, wherein the corresponding portion of the attachment mechanism provided on the support frame is or includes at least one attachment flap provided with a corresponding hook or loop fastener portion.

35. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 34, wherein the corresponding portion of the attachment mechanism provided on the support frame is or includes a pair of opposed attachment flaps.

36. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 35, wherein the pair of opposed attachment flaps are hinged relative to one another.

37. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 35, wherein the pair of opposed attachment flaps include an inner attachment flap provided facing outwardly and an outer attachment flap provided facing inwardly.

38. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 1, further including a drainage sheet above the or each at least one barrier skin.

39. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 1, further including at least one pump.

40. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 39, wherein the pump is provided within the internal volume.

41. The water vessel hull protector as claimed in claim 2, wherein the support frame members are manufactured from a drop stich fabric.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0046] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0047] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a water vessel hull protector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 2 is a partially transparent view from the front of the water vessel hull protector illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0049] FIG. 3 is a view from above of the water vessel hull protective illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0050] FIG. 4 detailed is a view from above of the water vessel hull protective illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0051] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a barrier skin according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the support frame illustrated in FIG. 4 along line A-A.

[0053] FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the fittings portion of the support frame as shown in FIG. 4 and identified using reference letter B.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0054] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, a water vessel hull protector 10 is provided.

[0055] The water vessel hull protector 10 illustrated includes a support frame 11 defining an internal volume 12 within which a watercraft (not shown) can be removably located and at least one barrier skin 13 configured to extend across the internal volume 12 of the support frame 11, and mounted to the support frame 11 about an outer, upper side of the support frame 11 in order to prevent fouling of the support frame 11 by marine growth.

[0056] The support frame 11 of the illustrated embodiment is provided from a number of frame members which are generally attached together or relative to one another in order to define the internal volume 12. Preferably, the frame members are provided in the form of inflatable and deflatable members.

[0057] In a particularly preferred form, the support frame members are manufactured from a material called drop stich fabric utilising a pair of spaced apart sheets of material, normally a fabric material held together using elongate drop stitches, typically of a robust material such as nylon. The sheets of material may have other sheets of material or layers mounted relative thereto to give the required exterior finish, for example, one or more plastic layers can be provided to make the material waterproof. The drop stitch interior allows for inflation of the support frame members with a high degree of strength.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the support frame 11 bounds a docking zone dimensioned to receive the hull of the watercraft when in the use condition.

[0059] The frame members will typically be elongate. Any cross-sectional shape can be used for example generally cylindrical but a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape as shown in FIG. 6 is preferred.

[0060] As mentioned, the frame members are hollow such that the frame members can be filled with air in order to inflate the frame members. This will increase the buoyancy of the members and cause the members to float.

[0061] As illustrated, the support frame 11 is divided into a forward portion 14 which preferably remains inflated at all times and a displaceable rear gate portion 15. The rear gate portion 15 is typically attached relative to the forward portion 14, typically about a hinge assembly 16 (in the preferred embodiment, the hinge mechanism is an internal divider 50 between the forward portion and the rear gate portion which allows selective deflation of the forward or rear portion of the support frame), preferably on each lateral side of the support frame 11. As shown in FIG. 4, the forward portion 14 is approximately two thirds of the length of the support frame 11 and the rear gate portion 15 makes up the other approximately one third of the length of the support frame 11.

[0062] A pair of deployment weights 17 are provided in association with the gate portion 15 to ensure that the gate portion 15 moves into a submerged position when deflated.

[0063] Typically, the rear gate portion 15 will be inflated and deflated in order to move the rear gate portion 15 between the floating, use position and a submerged or partially submerged condition which will typically allow entry and exit of a watercraft into the internal volume 12 of the protector.

[0064] A number of mooring rings 18 are provided about an upper portion of the support frame 11. The support frame of the illustrated embodiment is also provided with submerged mooring rings 19 on an underside of the support frame 11. Six of each type of mooring ring is provided in the illustrated embodiment. In each of these embodiments, the number of mooring rings provided depends upon the size of the support frame 11.

[0065] Inflation valves 20 are preferably provided on each of the forward portion 14 and a rear gate portion 15. Typically, more than one inflation valve 20 is provided in order to allow more rapid inflation and deflation of the rear gate portion 15 in particular. The inflation valve 20 is provided in a shaped portion 49 of the support frame member.

[0066] One or more inflatable and deflatable pillows 21 are provided at a forward end of the forward portion 14 in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3. Typically, the inflatable and deflatable pillows may be used to minimise or prevent damage to the entry end of the watercraft and/or to position or maintain the position of the watercraft within the support frame 11.

[0067] The pillows 21 preferably attach to the inside of the support frame 11, typically at or about the forward end of the support frame 11 as shown. A similar attachment/mounting mechanism may be used to attach the pillows 21 as that used to attach or mount the at least one barrier skin 13 relative to the support frame 11 as will be discussed below.

[0068] The support frame 11 in the preferred embodiment is a floating support frame. In use, the support frame 11 will typically be moored in a waterway or body of water and support the at least one barrier skin 13. As mentioned above, the rear gate portion 15 of the support frame 11 will be deflated in order to submerge or partially submerge the rear gate portion 15 to allow a watercraft to enter and exit the surround frame 11 at which time the rear gate portion 15 can be re-inflated to close the surround frame 11 and prevent further ingress of water into the internal volume. The water in the internal volume can then be pumped out of the volume leaving the watercraft floating in the protector 10 but with the barrier skin 13 (at least) between the hull of the watercraft and the water.

[0069] The barrier skin 13 may be of any type but the barrier skin 13 will preferably be water impermeable meaning that once the support frame 11 attaching the barrier skin 13 is in the raised, use condition, the barrier skin 13 and the support frame 11 together define a water impermeable envelope or volume. Typically, a single barrier skin 13 is provided.

[0070] The barrier skin 13 is usually manufactured of a polymeric or plastic material as these materials are typically water impermeable. The at least one barrier skin 13 will typically span the docking zone of the support frame 11, attached to or mounted relative to the support frame 11 on all sides.

[0071] In the most preferred form, a single barrier skin 13 is provided for the support frame 11, mounted to the support frame 11 to establish a fluid tight envelope within which a watercraft can be docked. The barrier skin 13 is generally v-shaped or u-shaped as shown in FIG. 5 with at least one lower spine portion 22 at least toward a forward end of the barrier skin. The barrier skin 13 has a pair of upper side edges 23, and as will be explained below, at least a portion of an attachment mechanism is preferably provided extending over the length of each of the upper side edges 23.

[0072] The barrier skin 13 is typically mounted to an outer, upper side of the support frame 11, one preferred form of which is illustrated in FIG. 6. Preferably, the barrier skin 13 is mounted to the support frame 11 at a position above the waterline of the support frame 11 when the support frame 11 is in the raised, use condition.

[0073] As mentioned above, the barrier skin 13 is mounted to the support frame 11, preferably releasably attached using an attachment mechanism. Normally, a portion of the attachment mechanism is provided on the barrier skin 13 and a corresponding portion of the attachment mechanism is provided on the support frame 11.

[0074] Although any attachment mechanism can be used, it is preferred that the attachment mechanism allow releasable attachment of the barrier skin 13 relative to the support frame 11 and preferably allows easy and quick attachment and detachment of the barrier skin 13 relative to the support frame 11. However, it is important that the barrier skin 13 is attached relative to the support frame 11 securely such that it does not become detached or loose, even partially, from the support frame 11 as this will compromise the water impermeable envelope or volume within which the watercraft is to be located.

[0075] For these reasons, a particularly preferred attachment mechanism is hook and loop fastener such as Velcro®. In the most preferred form illustrated, a Velcro® portion is provided continuously along opposed edges of the barrier skin 13. Preferably Velcro® portion is provided on both side surfaces of each edge.

[0076] In the particularly preferred form shown in FIG. 6, the Velcro® portion provided along the edge portion of one surface of the barrier skin 13 has a first configuration and the Velcro® portion provided along the edge portion of the other surface of the barrier skin 13 has a second, opposite configuration. For example, a continuous length of hook fastener 31 is provided on the edge portion of a first surface of the barrier skin 13 and a continuous length of loop fastener 32 is provided on the edge portion on the opposite surface of the barrier skin 13.

[0077] In a particularly preferred form, the attachment mechanism provided on the support frame 11 includes a pair of opposed attachment flaps 24, each with a corresponding hook or loop fastener portion. The attachment flaps 24 are preferably flexible and hinged relative to one another so that they can be moved independently of one another. Typically, an inner attachment flap 25 is provided facing outwardly and an outer attachment flap 26 is provided facing inwardly.

[0078] Each of the inner attachment flap 25 and outer attachment flap 26 have the opposite configuration to the Velcro® portion provided along the corresponding edge of the barrier skin 13. In other words, in a preferred form the inner attachment flap 25 typically has a loop fastener provided thereon and the inner side surface of the barrier flap 13 has a hook fastener portion provided along the edge thereof. Further, the outer the outer attachment flap 26 typically has a hook fastener provided thereon and the outer side surface of the barrier flap 13 has a loop fastener portion provided along the edge thereof. In this way, the edge portion of the or each at least one barrier skin can be sandwiched between the preferred inner and outer attachment flaps.

[0079] As shown, a number of separated attachment flap pairs 24 are provided spaced about the exterior of the frame 11.

[0080] Preferably, a number of separated attachment flap pairs 24 are provided spaced about the interior of the frame 11.

[0081] Other Velcro® portions 27 are provided for the attachment of the pillows 21 or other components relative to the support frame 11.

[0082] In the illustrated embodiment, a drainage sheet 28 in the form of a rope matt is provided above the barrier skin 13 in order to be interposed between the hull of the watercraft and the water impermeable barrier sheet 13. The drainage sheet 28 allows or permits water to drain away from the hull. Typically, the drainage sheet 28 will be substantially continuous and made of a woven material.

[0083] A pump 29 is provided within the internal volume 12 defined by the barrier skin 13 in order to pump water from the internal volume 12 once the rear gate 15 has assumed the raised, use position. As shown, the pump 28 is preferably provided at a lower portion of the barrier skin 13. The pump 29 is connected to a conduit 30 that allows the pump 29 to exhaust water from within the support frame 11 above the barrier skin 13 to outside the support frame 11.

[0084] Typically, a pump is also provided to allow the inflation and/or deflation of the support frame 11, especially the rear gate portion 15 of the support frame 11.

[0085] It can be seen that by providing the attachment or mounting of the barrier skin in a position which locates the support frame within the barrier skin will also minimise fouling of the protective device itself.

[0086] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word ‘comprising’ and its derivatives including ‘comprises’ and ‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0087] Reference throughout this specification to ‘one embodiment’ or ‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrase ‘in one embodiment’ or ‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0088] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.