Abstract:
A boat has two or more open hull sections that may be assembled prior to using the boat and disassembled or separated from one another prior to transporting or storing the boat. The forwardmost hull section is defined by the bow and an aft bulkhead. Each section has an elongated rigid structural load-bearing member, such as a keel or a gunwale, extending between its forward and aft ends. Each end portion of such member couples with a facing end portion of an aligned of the structural load-bearing member of an adjacent hull section through a rigid, load-bearing and load-transferring elongated shank member. The cooperation of each pair of facing rigid members and the shank interfitted with them causes all hull sections to be integrated into a rigid, load-bearing unitary boat. A cable may extend the length of the boat to prevent the shanks from being displaced from their relationship with the rigid member end pairs during operation of the boat. Latches of any suitable type may be included on the gunwales, bulkheads or elsewhere for the same purpose.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/857,627, filed May 16, 1997, now abandoned, of like title. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to boats and, more specifically, to a small boat having sections that can be separated and stacked to facilitate storage or transportation, including portability, of the boat. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Small open-hulled boats commonly used for fishing and recreational boating are variously known as skiffs, johnboats, launches and rowboats, among other names, depending on their construction and regional name preferences. Such boats have an open hull made of wood, aluminum, fiberglass or similar materials and one or more seats extending laterally across the hull between the gunwales. Although such a boat may be sufficiently light in weight to be carried to and from the water by as few as 2-4 people, the boat is nonetheless cumbersome to carry. Although the smaller types of such boats may be transported atop an automobile or other vehicle, several people are needed to load and unload the boat and carry it to and from the water. Furthermore, the boat occupies a relatively large space when stored on land or atop a vehicle. 
     Severably sectioned boats have been developed in an attempt to overcome the difficulties associated with transporting and storing small open-hulled boats. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,381,322, issued to Cook, describes a boat having sections or modules that may be separated from one another during transportation of the boat on land. Each section has a watertight bulkhead that enables the section to float even when separated from the other sections. The hull sections nest inside one another to minimize the space required to store the boat. The sections are connected by connectors that bridge the bulkheads and align the adjacent sections. The connectors serve a dual function because they are also part of the seats. Each section has tubes that, when the boat is aligned, register with one another from bow to stern through the gunwales and the keel. Cables extend through the tubes to tie the sections together. A screw fitting is then adjusted in a turnbuckle-like manner to exert tension on the cable. 
     The boat described in the Cook patent suffers from several problems. The most critical of these problems is that the sections are likely to separate during rough use because the cables and bulkhead connectors do not connect the sections together very securely. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,779,556, issued to Smith, describes a similar boat in which fasteners such as bolts connect adjacent bulkheads. U.S. Pat. No. 3,340,552, issued to Moye, describes a similar boat in which over-center latches on the gunwales as well as threaded vertical rods connect the sections together. 
     It would be desirable to provide a severably sectioned boat having sections that can be connected more securely than those of prior boats and that provide improved structural integrity when connected. These needs are clearly felt in the art and are satisfied by the present invention in the manner described below. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a boat having two or more open hull sections that may be assembled prior to using the boat and disassembled or separated from one another prior to transporting or storing the boat. The forwardmost hull section is defined by the bow and an aft bulkhead. The aftmost hull section is defined by the transom and a forward bulkhead. Each middle hull section, in embodiments of the invention having more than two hull sections, is defined by a forward bulkhead and an aft bulkhead. An important feature of the invention is that the sections are rigidly joined through elongated structural load-bearing members extending between each section&#39;s forward and aft ends. The structural load-bearing rigid members may include the keel or the gunwales or both. Each end portion of such member aligns and couples with a facing end portion of the structural load-bearing member of an adjacent hull section through a rigid, load-bearing and load-transferring elongated shank member. The cooperation of each pair of facing rigid members and the shank interfitted with them causes all hull sections to be integrated into a rigid, load-bearing unitary boat. A cable may extend the length of the boat to prevent the shanks from being displaced from their relationship with the rigid member end pairs during operation of the boat. Latches of any suitable type may be included on the gunwales, bulkheads or elsewhere for the same purpose. 
     Therefore, in one broad embodiment, the present invention is a boat comprising a linear fore-and-aft alignment of a plurality of floatable hull sections, each section comprising a bottom, a pair of opposed sides and a transverse bulkhead, and having a forward end and an aft end, and having extending between the forward and aft ends at least one rigid member, each rigid member having a respective terminal end adjacent each of the forward end and aft end; the rigid members being disposed on each of the respective hull sections such that when the hull sections are linearly aligned the rigid members are correspondingly linearly aligned, such that pairs of opposed terminal ends of a rigid members are disposed in facing relationships on respective adjacent hull sections; at least one rigid elongated linear shank member; each shank member spanning between a pair of facing terminal ends and cooperating therewith to form a rigid, load bearing coupling between the adjacent sections; such that cooperation between each respective shank member and pair of facing terminal ends for all the hull sections couples the hull sections into a rigid, load bearing unitary boat. 
     In another broad embodiment, the invention is of a method for assembling a boat, comprising the steps of providing a plurality of floatable hull sections, each section comprising a bottom, a pair of opposed sides and a transverse bulkhead, and having a forward end and an aft end, and having extending between the forward and aft ends at least one rigid member, each rigid member having a respective terminal end adjacent each of the forward end and aft end; disposing the rigid members on each of the respective hull sections such that when the hull sections are linearly aligned the rigid members are correspondingly linearly aligned, such that pairs of opposed terminal ends of a rigid members are disposed in facing relationships on respective adjacent hull sections; providing at least one rigid elongated linear shank member; aligning the hull sections in a linear, fore-and-aft alignment with the pairs of opposed terminal ends of the rigid members correspondingly aligned; and disposing a shank member between each pair of facing terminal ends in a cooperating relationship therewith to form a rigid, load bearing coupling between the adjacent sections; whereby such cooperation between each respective shank member and pair of facing terminal ends for all the hull sections couples the hull sections and forms the plurality of hull sections into a rigid, load bearing unitary boat. 
    
    
     The foregoing, together with other features and advantages of the present invention, will become more apparent when referring to the following specification, claims, and accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following detailed description of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled boat; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevation view with the hull sections separated; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line  3 — 3  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line  4 — 4  of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line  5 — 5  of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line  6 — 6  of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line  7 — 7  of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is an enlargement of the encircled structure  8  in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing an alternative latch of a push-pin type; 
     FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the structure of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing a latch of a spring-loaded hook type; 
     FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the structure of FIG. 11; 
     FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing a latch of a spring-loaded pin type; 
     FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken on line  14 — 14  of FIG. 13; 
     FIG. 15 is a top plan view of a latch of a toggle type; 
     FIG. 16 is a view similar to an enlarged portion of FIG. 4, showing a latch of a cam-lever type; 
     FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken on line  17 — 17  of FIG. 16; 
     FIG. 18 is a top plan view of a seat attachment at a hull joint, with a latch of a slide-lock type; and 
     FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken on line  19 — 19  of FIG.  18 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, a boat includes hull sections  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  that a user may removably or severably couple to one another in the manner described below. Sections  20 - 28  may thus be coupled to one another to assemble the boat preparatory to use and uncoupled from one another to disassemble the boat preparatory to storage or transportation. Hull section  20 , which defines the bow of the assembled boat, has gunwale members  30  and  32  and a keel member  34 ; hull section  22 , which defines a midportion of the assembled boat, has gunwale members  36  and  38  and a keel member  40 ; hull section  24 , which defines another midportion of the assembled boat, has gunwale members  42  and  44  and a keel member  46 ; hull section  26 , which defines still another midportion of the assembled boat, has gunwale members  48  and  50  and a keel member  52 ; hull section  28 , which defines the stern of the assembled boat, has gunwale members  54  and  56  and a keel member  58 . 
     As more clearly illustrated in FIGS. 4-19, each of gunwale members  30 ,  32 ,  36 ,  38 ,  42 ,  44 ,  48 ,  50 ,  54  and  56  and each of keel members  34 ,  40 ,  46 ,  52  and  58  is preferably a hollow metal tube having a generally rectangular cross-sectional shape. This construction provides hull sections  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  with rigidity and structural load-bearing strength that common hull wall materials, such as fiberglass or sheet aluminum, would not alone provide. 
     The aft end of each of gunwale members  30 ,  32 ,  42  and  44  and the forward end of each of gunwale members  42 ,  44 ,  54  and  56  has an elongated shank  60  that is preferably made of solid metal of rectangular cross-section. Similarly, the aft end of each of keel members  34  and  46  and the forward end of each of keel members  46  and  58  has elongated shank  60 . A portion of shank  60  is preferably welded in place in the end of its corresponding gunwale or keel member, with approximately one-half the length of shank  60  inside the member and one-half the length of shank  60  projecting therefrom. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, to assemble the boat, hull section  20  is coupled to hull section  22 , which in turn is coupled to hull section  24 . Hull section  24  in turn is coupled to hull section  26 , which in turn is coupled to hull section  28 . To couple hull section  20  to hull section  22 , shanks  60  of the aft ends of gunwale members  30  and  32  are inserted into the forward ends of gunwale members  36  and  38 , respectively, while shank  60  of the aft end of keel member  34  is inserted into the forward end of keel member  40 . To couple hull section  22  to hull section  24 , shanks  60  of the forward ends of gunwale members  42  and  44  are inserted into the aft ends of gunwale members  36  and  38  respectively, while shank  60  of the forward end of keel member  46  is inserted into the aft end of keel member  40 . To couple hull section  24  to hull section  26 , shanks  60  of the aft ends of gunwale members  42  and  44  are inserted into the forward ends of gunwale members  48  and  50 , respectively, while shank  60  of the aft end of keel member  46  is inserted into the forward end of keel member  52 . To couple hull section  26  to hull section  28 , shanks  60  of the forward ends of gunwale members  54  and  56  are inserted into the aft ends of gunwale members  48  and  50 , respectively, while shank  60  of the forward end of keel member  58  is inserted into the aft end of keel member  52 . This forms the structure of the assembled boat. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, a retaining cable  62  is threaded between the fore and aft ends of the assembled boat through all keel members  34 ,  40 ,  46 ,  52  and  58 . The aft end of cable  62  has a ball  64  attached to it that abuts the aft end of keel member  58 . Ball  64  is larger than the opening in the aft end of keel member  58 , thereby restraining the aft end of cable  62  against forward movement. Each of keel members  34 ,  40 ,  46 ,  52  and  58  has a cable duct  66  extending through it, and cable  62  is threaded through each cable duct  66 . As illustrated in FIG. 8, the forward end of cable  62  has a ball  68  that is engaged by an over-center latch  70 . Over-center latch  70  is a well-known type of latch and is widely commercially available. Pivoting the handle of over-center latch  70  away from cable  62  to the position shown in solid line in FIG. 8 draws cable  62  taut, thereby retaining shanks  60  against unintended disengagement. Pivoting the handle toward cable  62  to the position shown in phantom line in FIG. 8 slackens cable  62 , thereby allowing the user to disengage the latch fork from ball  68 . Because ball  68  is smaller than the the diameter of cable ducts  66 , a user can remove cable  62  by pulling ball  64  from the stern of the boat. 
     In contrast to prior boats, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,381,322, issued to Cook, when hull sections  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  are coupled to one another, structural load-bearing keel members  34 ,  40 ,  46 ,  52  and  58  of the present invention cooperate to form an integral keel, structural load-bearing gunwale members  30 ,  36 ,  42 ,  48  and  54  cooperate to form an integral load-bearing starboard gunwale, and structural load-bearing gunwale members  32 ,  38 ,  44 ,  50  and  56  cooperate to form an integral load-bearing port gunwale. In prior boats, such as that described in the above-referenced Cook patent, tubes “register” with one another, i.e., they are aligned, but they do not interfit or couple to one another. Moreover, the tubes of the prior boats are not structural load-bearing members. Because they are not structural load-bearing members, and because they do not structurally couple to one another, they cannot distribute the load experienced by a hull section to other hull sections. In the present invention, when the boat is assembled, the keel and gunwales are integral structural load-bearing members that distribute load forces over the length of the boat. The assembled boat thus is more structurally sound than prior severably sectioned boats. 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the assembled boat also has strakes  72  and  74 , which are defined by strake members attached to the bottom of each of hull sections  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  that are aligned in a manner similar to the gunwale members and keel members. Strakes  72  and  74  function in the conventional manner. 
     Referring again to FIG. 1, the boat further includes seat assemblies  76 ,  78 ,  80  and  82  that not only provide seating for users of the assembled boat but also assist in retaining shanks  60  into their corresponding gunwale members. Each of seat assemblies  76 ,  78 ,  80  and  82  includes a seating area  84  that extends between a starboard hanger plate  86  and a port hanger plate  88 . Hanger plates  86  and  88  rest on the gunwales when the boat is assembled. In certain embodiments of the present invention, hanger plates  86  and  88  each have pins  90  and  92  that extend downwardly into holes in the gunwales. Such a pin  90  engages a hole in the gunwale of one of hull sections  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28 , and pin  92  engages a hole in the gunwale of an adjoining one of hull sections  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28 . In other embodiments, clips (not shown) may secure such pins. Plates  86  and  88  thus span the joint between two hull sections to latch them to one another. Each of seat assemblies  76 ,  78 ,  80  and  82  also includes flotation material  94 , such as closed-cell plastic foam of the type commonly used in marine safety flotation devices. To further facilitate latching or retaining of the hull sections together, each of seat assemblies  76 ,  78 ,  80  and  82  preferably spans the bulkheads  96  of adjoining hull sections. 
     In alternative embodiments, other latching mechanisms may be used in place of or in addition to that described above to retain shanks  60  against disengagement. Such alternative latches may be used in any suitable combination with one another. 
     One such latch is illustrated in FIGS. 9-10. A push-pin latch  98  is a well-known type of latch that is widely commercially available. Latch  98  is mounted on the top (or, alternatively, the bottom) of hanger plates  86  and  88 . A portion of latch  98  extends through the mating portions of the gunwale members of adjoining hull sections. When a user presses pushbutton  100 , pins  102  and  104  retract to disengage them from the gunwale. The user may then remove the seat assembly to unlatch the hull sections. 
     Another such latch is illustrated in FIGS. 11-12. A spring-loaded hook latch  106  mounted on the top (or, alternatively, the bottom) of hanger plates  86  and  88  includes a J-shaped hook  108  that engages the gunwale through a slot  110 . Another hook  112  extending downwardly from hanger plates  86  and  88  engages another slot  114  in the gunwale. When a user moves hook  108  such that the end of it clears slot  110 , the user can remove the seat assembly to unlatch the adjoining hull sections. 
     Another such latch is illustrated in FIGS. 13-14. A spring-loaded pin latch  116  is mounted on the bottom (or, alternatively, the top) of hanger plates  86  and  88 . Alternatively, in other embodiments of the present invention (not shown), the pin may be mounted on the gunwale or keel member next to a corresponding shank. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13-14, pin portion  118  of latch  116  extends through the mating portions of the gunwale members. When a user pulls a knob portion  120 , thereby compressing spring  122 , pin portion  118  retracts and disengages from the gunwale member. 
     Another such latch is illustrated in FIG. 15. A toggle latch  124  is a well-known type of latch that is widely commercially available. A lever portion  126  of toggle latch  124  is mounted on the outboard sidewall  125  of a gunwale member, and a catch portion  126  of toggle latch  124  is mounted on the corresponding sidewall  127  of an adjoining gunwale member. Alternatively, in other embodiments (not shown), lever portion  126  may be integrated with the seat hanger plate  86  and  88 . When a user flips lever portion  126  outwardly away from sidewall  125 , the bail portion  130  of toggle latch  124  disengages from catch portion  126 . 
     A cam-lever latch  132  is illustrated in FIGS. 16-17. A hinge pin  134  of cam-lever latch  132  extends through a tube  136  that is mounted vertically on a bulkhead  96 . The L-shaped portion or cam end  138  is retained inside of the keel member of the hull section in the area of coupling by the upper edge of the keel member. The handle portion or lever end  144  pivots between a position axially aligned with pin portion  134  and a position perpendicular to pin portion  134  and parallel to cam end  138 . Cam end  138  is in the latched position when lever end  144  rests in a support  146  mounted on bulkhead  96  when lever end  144  is perpendicular to pin portion  134 . Shank  60  of the adjoining hull section has a slot  140  that allows cam end  138  to clear shank  60  when in the open or unlatched position. A secondary slot  142 , with a step, is cut in the shank and is positioned to allow rotation of lever end  144  (and thus cam end  138 ) until contact is made between cam end  138  and the step, at which point further rotation of lever end  144  draws the shank further into the keel member. Lever end  144  is retained in support  146  at the same time that cam end  138  has drawn the shank into the keel member its maximum distance (torsional pressure may be applied). To latch adjoining hull sections, the user lifts and releases lever end  144  from support  146  and rotates it to the released position (approximately 90 degrees from the latched position). The user then slides the adjoining hull section into approximate position and rotates lever end  144  back into the latched position and lowers it into support  146 . To unlatch the hull sections, the user lifts and releases lever end  144  from support  146  and rotates it to the released position (approximately 90 degrees from the latched position). The user then separates the adjoining hull sections. 
     Yet another alternative latch is illustrated in FIGS. 18-19. A slide-lock latch  148  includes two pins  150  and  152  having enlarged heads and two clips  154  and  156 . Pins  150  and  152  are mounted on the respective top surfaces of the gunwales of adjoining hull sections. In this embodiment, hanger plates  86  and  88  have openings  155  sufficiently large to pass the heads of pins  150  and  152 . To latch the hull sections, a seat assembly is mounted as described above but with openings  155  over pins  150  and  152 , such that the heads of pins  150  and  152  extend above the surface of the hanger plate. Clips  154  and  156  have keyhole-shaped openings  158  and  160 , respectively. Clip  154  is then placed over pin  150 , such that the head of pin  150  is passed through the enlarged portion of opening  158 . Clip  154  is then slid into the position illustrated in FIG.  18 . Similarly, clip  156  is placed over pin  152 , such that the head of pin  152  is passed through the enlarged portion of opening  160 . Clip  156  is then slid into the position illustrated in FIG.  18 . To unlatch the hull sections, the user first lifts the edges of clips  154  and  156  slightly in the direction of the arrow  162  and then slides them in the direction of the arrow  164  (FIG.  19 ). With the heads of pins  150  and  152  in the enlarged portions of openings  158  and  160 , the user may remove clips  154  and  156  and then remove the seat assembly. 
     Other embodiments and modifications of the present invention will occur readily to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of these teachings. Therefore, this invention is to be limited only by the following claims, which include all such other embodiments and modifications when viewed in conjunction with the above specification and accompanying drawings.