Patent ID: 6367404
Filing Date: 2002-04-09
Classification: B63B,B63C

Abstract:
A folding rigid-inflatable boat for routine and emergency use by occupants as an auxiliary watercraft, comprising:(a) complementary rigid bow and rigid stern sections joined together along respective mating edges to form a hull; (b) complementary hinge elements cooperating together to form a centrally-disposed joint pivotally connecting said bow and stern sections together along said mating edges for permitting the bow and stern sections to be folded onto themselves into a storage configuration and away from each other into an unfolded use configuration; (c) inflatable topsides secured to said hull along at least port and starboard sides of the hull for providing an upwardly extending freeboard and for further providing rigidity to the hull when said boat is in said unfolded use configuration; and (d) a membrane extending along the mating edges and sealingly affixed to the bow section, the stern section and adjacent the inflatable topsides, thereby forming a void between said membrane and said hinge elements and defining a watertight compartment for trapping and containing leakage past the hinge elements and through said centrally-disposed joint.