Abstract
A watercraft is made of at least two inflatable members, each being made of a drop-stitch which provides strength and stiffness comparable to a solid material. Air pressures of twenty to thirty pounds are possible with drop-stitch material. Using near net shape structures, a cockpit is formed by stacking one inflatable member on top of the other. The two members are separately inflatable and bound together adhesively or with heat welding or tacking. Advantageously, the watercraft can function as both a board type watercraft or as a boat, capable of being paddled while standing up, or motored with an outboard motor.
Claims
1. An inflatable watercraft comprising: a first inflatable member having a forward end, an aft end, a bottom surface, a top surface and a peripheral side surface between the bottom and top surfaces; and a second inflatable member having a forward end, an aft end, a bottom surface, a top surface and a peripheral side surface between the bottom and top surfaces, wherein the bottom surface of the second inflatable member is positioned in contact with the upper surface of the first inflatable member to define a hull and deck which are rigid when both the first and second inflatable members are inflated, the second inflatable member includes an open space extending from the aft end towards the forward end, and defining a cockpit area when both the first and second inflatable members are inflated, and the first inflatable member includes an open space extending from the aft end towards the forward end, and together with a portion of the open space of the second inflatable member defining an engine well.
2-3. (canceled)
4. The inflatable watercraft of claim 1, wherein the first and second inflatable members are bonded to each other at an interface between the lower surface of the second inflatable member and an upper surface of the first inflatable member.
5. The inflatable watercraft of claim 1, wherein the first and second inflatable members are made of a drop stitch material.
6. The inflatable watercraft of claim 5, wherein the first and second inflatable members are inflatable to air pressures of between 10 and 30 pounds per square inch.
7. The inflatable watercraft of claim 1, wherein the peripheral side surfaces of the first and second inflatable members are vertically and horizontally aligned.
8. The inflatable watercraft of claim 7, further comprising a sidewall bonded to the aligned peripheral side surfaces of the first and second inflatable members.
9-10. (canceled)
11. The inflatable watercraft of claim 1, wherein he second inflatable member is comprised of separately inflatable sections.
12. The inflatable watercraft of claim 1, wherein the first inflatable member is comprised of separately inflatable sections.
13. The inflatable watercraft of claim 1, further comprising an air pump capable of generating air pressure in a range of 10 to 30 pounds per square inch,
14. The inflatable watercraft of claim 1, further comprising a storage bag capable of containing the first and second inflatable members when deflated.
15. A method of making an inflatable watercraft comprising the steps of: forming a first inflatable member to include a forward end, an aft end, a bottom surface, a top surface and a peripheral side surface between the bottom and top surfaces; forming a second inflatable member to include a forward end, an aft end, a bottom surface, a top surface and a peripheral side surface between the bottom and top surfaces; positioning the bottom surface of the second inflatable member in contact with the upper surface of the first inflatable member to define a hull and deck which are rigid when both the first and second inflatable members are inflated; and bonding the first inflatable member to the second inflatable member, wherein forming the second inflatable member comprises forming an open space in the second inflatable member, the open space extending from the aft end towards the forward end, and defining a cockpit area when both the first and second inflatable members are inflated, and forming the first inflatable member comprises forming an open space in the first inflatable member, the open space extending from the aft end towards the forward end, and together with a portion of the open space of the second inflatable member defining an engine well.
16-17. (canceled)
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the first and second inflatable members are made of a drop stitch material.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising inflating the first and second inflatable members to air pressures of between 10 and 30 pounds per square inch.
20. The method of claim 15, further comprising aligning the peripheral side surfaces of the first and second inflatable members vertically and horizontally.
21. The method of claim 20, further comprising bonding a sidewall to the aligned peripheral side surfaces of the first and second inflatable members.
22. The inflatable watercraft of claim 1, further comprising a mounting bracket for supporting an outboard motor, the mounting bracket being configured for detachably connecting to the inflatable watercraft near the engine well.
23. The inflatable watercraft of claim 22, further comprising an outboard motor having a drive shaft configured to extend through the engine well when the outboard motor is mounted on mounting bracket.
24. The method of claim 15, wherein forming the second inflatable member comprises forming the second inflatable member with separately inflatable sections.
25. The method of claim 15, wherein forming the first inflatable member comprises forming the first inflatable member with separately inflatable sections.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a watercraft according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a side perspective, exploded view of the two inflatable members which together form the watercraft of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the two inflatable members of FIG. 2, juxtaposed one on top of the other;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the watercraft of FIG. 1, showing an outboard motor as an accessory, with the drive shaft extending through the engine well;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a top view of the watercraft of FIG. 1, showing optionally placed D-rings, bungie cords, and a traction pad within the cockpit;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a watercraft of the present invention, showing additional accessories;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a watercraft of the present invention, in a deflated state;
[0030] FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a back pack or stowage bag for containing the deflated and folded watercraft of the present invention; and
[0031] FIG. 9 is a sectional, exploded view of a section of drop stitch material used to make the first and second inflatable members of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] Referring to FIG. 1, an inflatable watercraft 10 has a hull 12 which includes opposite sides and a bottom, a bow 14, a stern 16, a deck 18, a cockpit 20, and an engine well 22. Optionally, the watercraft 10 includes means for mounting an engine, such as a mounting bracket 24 which supports an outboard motor 26.
[0033] In many respects, the watercraft 10 resembles a standard small boat, although most small boats have a transom on which the outboard motor would be mounted. And, while some small inflatable boats are designed to define an engine well between two opposite pontoons, major differences between those and the present invention will become more apparent from the way the watercraft 10 is constructed.
[0034] The watercraft 10 is formed by two separate inflatable members that are bonded together. As seen in FIG. 2, a first inflatable member 28 has a forward end 30, an aft end 30, a bottom surface (not visible in FIG. 2), and a top surface 32. A peripheral side surface 34 extends between the bottom and top surfaces. When inflated, the first inflatable member becomes rigid and strong, substantially to the same degree as a solid, non-inflatable member of comparable dimensions.
[0035] A second inflatable member 36 has a forward end 38, an aft end 40, a bottom surface (not visible in FIG. 2), and a top surface 42. A peripheral side surface 44 extends between the bottom and top surfaces. When inflated, the second inflatable member, like the first, becomes rigid and strong.
[0036] As seen in FIG. 3, when making the watercraft 10, the two inflatable members are placed one on top of the other and bonded together. The bottom surface of the second inflatable member 38 is positioned in contact with the upper surface of the first inflatable member 28. The outer dimensions of the two inflatable members are the same and aligned before bonding. Bonding can be by adhesive, heat welding, or any other conventional and known means. Once bonded together, the outer surfaces of the first and second inflatable members form a gap which is covered by a fabric sheet 44 which is preferably waterproof, strong, light and airtight. Such material includes polyvinyl chloride (PVC), PVX, and other comparable materials. More than one layer or more than one sheet 44 can be used. The sheet 44 is wrapped around the outer surfaces and acts as a reinforcement as well as an aesthetic feature of the watercraft. As a reinforcement, the sheet 44 prevents punctures when docking or other maneuvers which may cause the watercraft to come into contact with solid surfaces or other vessels. The sheet 44 also acts to reinforce the bond or connection between the first and second inflatable members 28 and 36. Preferably, the fabric sheet 44 is adhesively bonded to the side surfaces of the first and second inflatable members 28 and 36.
[0037] As further seen if FIGS. 1 and 3, the second inflatable member 36 has an elongated opening 45 defined by an inner peripheral edge 46. The top surface 32 of the first inflatable member 28 forms the floor or sole the cockpit 14, the sides of which are defined by the peripheral edge 46. Once assembled, the overlapping forward ends of the first and second inflatable members form the bow 14 of the watercraft 10.
[0038] The engine well 22 of FIG. 1 is formed by providing an open space 48 (FIG. 3) in the aft end of the first inflatable member 28. The open space 48 extends from the rearward edge of the first inflatable member 28 towards the forward end for a length sufficient to provide a space through which the shaft of an outboard motor can extend. The engine well 22 is further defined by an open space 50 in the aft end of the second inflatable member 36. The open space 50 extends from the rearward edge of the second inflatable member 36 towards the forward end for a length sufficient to provide a space through which the shaft of an outboard motor can extend. When assembled, the two open spaces 48 and 50, define the engine well 22.
[0039] As seen in FIG. 4, and in one particularly preferred embodiment, the watercraft 10 has an overall length, bow to stern, of twelve feet, although other lengths can be used. With each inflatable member having a thickness of between four and five inches, their combined thickness produces a hull 12 with a freeboard of approximately ten inches and a flat bottom 13. The bow 14 is slightly upturned for stability during forward movement, and the deck 18, like the bottom 13, is substantially flat. The outboard engine 26 has a drive shaft 27 which extends through the engine well 22. Various additional accessories can be attached to the watercraft 10, including a bracket 29 for mounting fishing poles, GPS devices, and cellular telephones. A tow strap 31 is connected to the bow 14, and a plurality of D rings 33 are disposed along the deck 18 to provide various functionality, including as anchoring points for bungle cords or straps to hold down equipment, clothing, and other accessories.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 5, the watercraft 10 is shown to have D-rings 33 disposed throughout the deck 18, although the precise number and location of D-rings 33 can be chosen for desired purposes. Also, the floor of the cockpit 20 can be provided with a traction pad 21 which can be patterned to appear like a wooden surface, or otherwise the pad can be textured, or made of non-slippery material to provide grip for a person standing in the cockpit. In that sense, the watercraft is intended to provide SUP functionality, whereby a user can stand in the cockpit and paddle the watercraft with a standard SUP paddle. Although an engine well 22 is provided in the watercraft 10, it is not necessary to provide an outboard motor to use and enjoy the watercraft 10.
[0041] When a user opts to use the watercraft 10 as a boat, the cockpit 20 provides a seating area whereby the user can sit on the deck 18 at the forward portion of the cockpit 18, or on top of port and starboard gunnels 33 and 35 formed along opposite sides of the cockpit 18. The gunnels 33 and 35 are formed by the rearward extending portions of the second inflatable member 36.
[0042] Optionally, as seen in FIG. 1, the watercraft 10 can be provided with mounting members 52 and 54 at the aft end of the watercraft on opposite sides of the engine well 22, with mounting member 54 supporting the bracket 29. Mounting members 56 and 58, forming one pair, and mounting members 60 and 62, forming a second pair, are provided in the floor of the cockpit 20, to support various accessories. Mounting members 58 and 62 are shown with additional steps or receiving means, to provide quick coupling and release for certain optional accessories, seen in FIG. 6.
[0043] The watercraft 10 in FIG. 6 includes a stand-up bar 64, connected to the watercraft 10 through mounting members 60 and 62, so that a user can stand in the cockpit and hold onto the bar 64 for balance and support. A container 66, connected to the watercraft through mounting members 56 and 58, can double as a seat and as a container of fish, clothing, electronics, or virtually anything else. The container 66 is preferably airtight to keep the contents dry. A mounting bracket 24a, of different construction from the mounting bracket 24, provides support for an outboard motor, not shown. If an outboard is not used, the mounting bracket may optionally be deployed to provide stiffness between the opposite sides of the engine well. The basic structure of a mounting member includes a reinforced fabric patch of sufficient thickness to prevent tearing or puncturing of the inflatable members when an accessory is attached thereto. A bungie cord 68 is woven between various D-rings and provides a tie-down functionality for equipment of any suitable kind.
[0044] As seen in FIG. 7, the watercraft 10 is shown in an uninflated state, and rolled out from a folded, stowed disposition. To inflate, two separate inflation valves 70 and 72 are provided, respectively, on each of the first and second inflatable members. In this way, rupture of one inflatable member will not result in total deflation of the watercraft. A high-pressure air pump 74 can be provided as an accessory to connect selectively to the inflation valves 70 and 72 to provide up to 30 pounds per square inch of air pressure. Rapid deflation valves can also be provided as part of the same structure for the inflation valve, or as separate entities at locations convenient to avoid accidental deflation, abrasion, and/or physical damage to the deflation valves.
[0045] When deflated, the watercraft 10 can be rolled, and/or folded, into the smallest possible space. As seen in FIG. 8, a back pack or stowage bag 76 is sized and shaped to contain the folded, deflated watercraft 10 of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is thus an object, and advantage, of the present invention, to provide a watercraft that is both portable and stowable, and easily transported. Preferably weighing around fifty pounds, the watercraft can be carried as a back pack with shoulder straps.
[0046] The preferred embodiments of the present invention use drop stitch material to form each inflatable member. As seen in FIG. 9, the drop stitch material 78 includes a plurality of drop stitch threads 80 that extend between opposing sheets 82 and 84 of composite fabric. Airtight waterproof coatings 86 and 88 are provided on the sheets 82 and 84 for strength. Preferably, a BVA foam pad 90 is adhered to the upper surface of the drop stitch material 78, so as to provide both additional strength and slip proof traction for anyone standing on the upper surface, such as when the upper surface forms the floor of the cockpit, or the deck surface of the watercraft. Various materials can be used, and various manufacturers of drop stitch material exist. The material 78 is chosen to maximize strength for a given preferred weight and overall cost. Drop stitch construction is unique compared to traditional hollow inflatable because the cores can be inflated to much higher PSI (10 to 30 PSI). The result is a much stiffer inflatable platform. The stiffness of this construction allows for the watercraft to be void of any rigid hull parts or sections made of rigid plastic material. This also allows the watercraft to deflate, roll and store in a very small space the size of a roll-on carry luggage.
[0047] While the preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes two inflatable members, within reason additional inflatable members can be stacked in similar fashion. Moreover, each inflatable section can be further divided into sections, separately inflated, to further compound redundancy of inflatable chambers. The use of two or more inflatable members of drop stitch material has several advantages over a single layer. First, it can provide a cockpit with near net shape components, thus avoiding forming complicated individual parts or sections. Second, and as mentioned previously, multiple sections provide redundant buoyancy chambers to maintain floatation in the event of a puncture. Generally, the drop stitch material 78 is formed in desirable sizes by welding or bonding the sheets 82 and 84 along a peripheral edge. The bonded seams where the two sheets are joined are preferably further reinforced with a rail tape or other reinforcing structure.
[0048] The invention described and claimed herein is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments described herein, since these embodiments are intended to be illustrative, not exhaustive, examples of the present invention. Various modifications of the aforementioned embodiments, in addition to those shown and described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications naturally fall within the scope of the appended claims.
