Patent Publication Number: US-2015059635-A1

Title: Bow of inflatable boat

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of boating, and more particularly that of inflatable boats. 
     The invention relates especially, though not exclusively, to an inflatable boat of kayak, canoe, ship type or any other type of boat. 
     The invention refers more particularly to a boat having a longitudinal direction and comprising: 
     a first bow; 
     two inflatable lateral tubes extending according to the longitudinal direction of the boat; 
     an inflatable base arranged between the two lateral tubes. 
     In terms of the invention, the first bow is preferably situated at the prow of the boat. The invention also covers a boat capable of navigating in both directions such that the first bow can also be arranged at the level of the stern of the boat according to the direction of navigation of the boat. 
     Traditionally, the bow of such an inflatable boat is constituted by the ends in front of the lateral tubes which come into contact with each other to give a form in an arc of a circle enclosing the front end of the inflatable base, which is welded to the lateral tubes. 
     In known boats, the inflatable base forming the floor of the boat is generally arranged retracted from the end of the boat and projecting below the waterline. There is a disconnection between the front part of the floor and the tubes, the effect of which is to generate a considerable draught, penalising the advance of the boat and jeopardising the gliding quality of the boat. Because the floor is located below the waterline, substantial energy must be deployed by the user to advance the boat. This type of boat therefore has a hydrodynamic profile which is ineffective. 
     OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An aim of the invention is to propose an inflatable boat which rectifies the above disadvantages by having a better hydrodynamic profile than that of the boat of the prior art, offering better gliding quality on water. 
     The invention achieves its aim by the fact that the inflatable base comprises a floor portion, and at least one first pair of end portions extending from one of the two longitudinal ends of the floor portion; a fold line is formed between the floor portion and each of the end portions of the first pair, and, when the inflatable base is in its inflated state, each end portion is in a position folded around the corresponding fold line to form the bow of the boat. 
     In this way, the inflatable base of the boat according to the invention forms the floor of the boat and the bow at the same time. It is understood that the bow is formed by folding of the two end portions, according to the fold lines after the inflatable base has been inflated, so as to bring one against the other. 
     The two end portions extend in two planes inclined relative to each other, and also relative to the plane in which the floor portion extends. This shaping rapidly forms the first bow of the boat. 
     Once formed, the first bow has a pointed volumic form having hydrodynamic resistance substantially less than that of the boat of the prior art. 
     Preferably, the two end portions are symmetrical to each other relative to a longitudinal plane perpendicular to the floor portion. 
     The end portions are advantageously in fluidic communication with the floor portion such that the inflation of the inflatable base causes inflation concomitant with the floor portion and end portions. 
     Advantageously, the lateral tubes are connected pieces separate from the inflatable base. The floor portion comprises longitudinal lateral sides on either side of which the lateral tubes extend. 
     Advantageously, the fold lines extend by forming a “V” at the longitudinal end of the floor portion, the point of the “V” being directed in a direction opposite the other longitudinal end of the floor portion. Put otherwise, the point of the V is directed towards the end of the boat where the first bow is located. It is also specified that the fold lines are preferably rectilinear but they could also be curved. These fold lines are inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the boat. They are preferably symmetrical to each other relative to a longitudinal median plane of the floor portion. Preferably, the fold lines together form an angle, viewed from the side of the floor portion, of around between 30° and 120°. 
     These lateral sides of the floor portion are substantially rectilinear and extend from the ends of the fold lines. 
     Each of the end portions has a first edge, and the first edges of the two end portions are preferably fixed to each other, at least when the inflatable base is. 
     An interest is in maintaining the end portions in folded positions during mounting of the boat. 
     Preferably, the first edge extends from the point of the “V” formed by the fold lines. 
     Preferably, the first edges of the end portions are free to define an echancrure when the inflatable base is deflated and unfolded. 
     More preferably, each first edge has a rectilinear or, more preferably, convex form. An interest in the convex form is improving the hydrodynamic profile of the bow of the boat. 
     Each of the end portions also has a second edge which extends between the end of one of the lateral sides of the floor portion and the end of the first edge away from the end of the floor portion. This second edge advantageously has a convex form, which boosts the volume of the bow. 
     Advantageously, the inflatable lateral tubes have a curved form such that, when the inflatable lateral tubes and the inflatable base are inflated, the end portions extend underneath the longitudinal ends of the inflatable lateral tubes. 
     In this way, the longitudinal ends of the lateral tubes are again above the waterline, which increases the hydrodynamic resistance of the boat. 
     It is also understood that the lateral tubes extend parallel to the lateral sides of the floor portion. 
     Preferably, when the inflatable lateral tubes and the inflatable base are inflated the inflatable lateral tubes rest on the end portions. More precisely, the longitudinal ends of the inflatable lateral tubes rest at least on part on the second edges of the end portions. 
     Advantageously, the second edges of the end portions, in folded position, are arranged on either side of the two lateral tubes, such that the longitudinal ends of the lateral tubes are arranged inside the first bow. 
     Preferably, at the level of the floor portion the longitudinal ends of the lateral tubes have a transversal cross-section greater than that present at the level of the longitudinal ends. 
     Advantageously, the end portions comprise discontinuous weld lines delimiting a plurality of tubes. An interest is that, in their deflated state the end portions are plane, and easily handled to be put away. 
     Preferably, for each end portion the tubes are parallel to each other. Also, each end portion preferably comprises between four and seven tubes. 
     Preferably, the floor portion comprises a plurality of lines of continuous welds which extend according to a length slightly less than the length of the floor portion. These tubes are shaped during inflation of the inflatable base. 
     Advantageously, the fold line is a discontinuous weld, due to which the floor portion and the end portions are inflated together, enabling rapid assembly of the boat. 
     For easier inflation operation of the floor portion and the end portions, the inflatable base comprises at least one inflation valve arranged at least at one of the two longitudinal ends of the floor portion. The inflation valve is more particularly arranged near the point of the “V” formed by the fold lines. Preferably, each of the lateral tubes is inflated independently of each other, and independently of the inflatable base. For this to occur, each lateral tube comprises an inflation valve. The lateral tubes are therefore isolated fluidly from the inflatable base. 
     According to a preferred embodiment, the boat further comprises an external envelope in which the inflatable lateral tubes and the inflatable base are housed. 
     Preferably, the external envelope extends over all or part of the length of the boat. 
     For protecting the floor portion from any puncture, and for improving its hold relative to the inflatable lateral tubes, the floor portion is engaged in a cover designed to be fixed to the external envelope. 
     Advantageously, the inflatable base and/or the inflatable lateral tubes are constituted by a layer of PVC covered by a textile layer. 
     According to a variant, the inflatable base and/or the inflatable lateral tubes are made of coated material, for example PU. 
     According to an embodiment, the inflatable base is welded to the inflatable lateral tubes. In this embodiment, it is possible to do without the external envelope. 
     Advantageously, the inflatable base further comprises a second pair of end portions extending from the other longitudinal end of the floor portion, and the end portions of the second pair are arranged so as to be folded relative to the floor portion to form a second bow of the boat, opposite the first bow, when the inflatable base is in its inflated state. 
     Preferably, the first bow is situated at the prow of the boat, while the second bow is situated at the stern of the boat. 
     Advantageously, the first and second bows are symmetrical to each other relative to a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the boat. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of embodiments of the invention given by way of non-limiting examples in reference to the attached drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the boat according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the inflatable base of the boat of  FIG. 1  in its non-inflated state; 
         FIG. 3  is a view of the inflatable base of  FIG. 2 , in its inflated state, the end portions being folded to form the first bow; 
         FIG. 4  is a view of a detail of the bow of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a view of the inflatable base showing the position of the inflation valve of said inflatable base; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate the inflatable base and the cover designed to enclose the floor portion; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the boat of  FIG. 1  more particularly showing the inflatable lateral tubes and the inflatable base in their inflated states and engaged in the external envelope; and 
         FIG. 8  is a view in transversal section of the first bow of the boat of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows an inflatable boat  10  according to the present invention. In this example, it is a boat of canoe or kayak type. 
     The boat  10  extends according to a longitudinal direction L, and classically has a front part called a prow, referenced  12 , and a rear part, called a stern, referenced  14 . 
     The prow  12  comprises a first bow  16  which will be described in more detail herein below. 
     In this example, the stern  14  substantially has the same form as the prow  12 , such that the stern  14  further comprises a bow, called a second bow  18 , opposite the first bow. The boat  10  further comprises two inflatable lateral tubes  20 ,  22  which extend according to the longitudinal direction L of the boat  10 , between the prow  12  and the stern  14 . The length of the inflatable lateral tubes is substantially equal to the length of the boat. 
     Each of the lateral tubes  20 ,  22 , also called “collar” or “sponson” has a substantially circular transversal cross-section. Each lateral tube has a curved form. In addition, each inflatable lateral tube  20 ,  22  comprises a longitudinal front end  20   a,    22   a,  and a longitudinal rear end  20   b,    22   b.  In this example, the transversal sections of the lateral tubes are smaller than the longitudinal ends at the middle of the tubes. More specifically, the transversal sections of the tubes taper towards the longitudinal ends. 
     To allow their inflation, each lateral tube  20 ,  22  is equipped with an inflation valve  20   c  arranged in this example near the longitudinal rear end. In this example, the inflatable longitudinal tubes are fluidly independent of each other. This means that they can be inflated and deflated independently of each other. 
     The boat  10  further comprises an inflatable base  24  which extends according to the longitudinal direction of the lateral tubes and is arranged between said two lateral tubes  20 ,  22 . 
     In this example, the inflatable base  24  and the inflatable lateral tubes  20 ,  22  are constituted by a layer of PVC covered by a textile layer. They could however be made of coated material, PU for example. 
     By way of  FIGS. 2 and 3  the inflatable base  24  according to the present invention will now be described in more detail.  FIG. 2  shows the inflatable base, in its deflated state. In this state, the inflatable base extends substantially plane and has a front portion  24   a  and a rear portion  24   b.  The inflatable base  24  further comprises a floor portion, referenced  26 , which has a longitudinal front end  26   a  and a longitudinal rear end  26   b.    
     It is understood that the floor portion  26  constitutes the floor of the boat  10 . Also, the lateral tubes  20 ,  22  extend on either side of the lateral sides of the floor portion  26 . In this example, the lateral tubes  20 ,  22  are connected pieces separate from the inflatable base  24 . 
     In keeping with the invention, the inflatable base  24  further comprises a first pair of end portions  30 ,  32  which extend from the longitudinal front end  26   a  of the floor portion. 
     As shown on  FIG. 2 , these two end portions  30 ,  32  are symmetrical to each other relative to a plane P 1  which extends according to the longitudinal direction L and is orthogonal to the floor portion  26 . The end portions  30 ,  32  are preferably made of the same material as the floor portion  26 . 
     The end portions  30 ,  32  are also connected to the floor portion according to fold lines  34 ,  36  formed between the floor portion and each of the end portions. 
     As shown on  FIG. 2 , the fold lines  34 ,  36  are inclined relative to the longitudinal direction of the boat. In this embodiment, they form substantially a “V” at the longitudinal end  26   a  of the floor portion. The point of the “V” is directed in an opposite direction of the other longitudinal end  26   b  of the floor portion. In other terms the point of the “V” is directed towards the front end  24   a  of the inflatable base  24 . 
     In this example, the fold lines  34 ,  36  are constituted by discontinuous welds, simultaneously inflating the end portions and the floor portion. 
     In reference to  FIG. 2 , it is also shown that of the end portions  30 ,  32  has first edges referenced respectively  30   a  and  32   a,  the first edges of the two end portions of the first pair being arranged opposite each other. 
     In this example, the first edges  30   a,    32   a  are convex. 
     Each of the end portions  30 ,  32  comprises also a second edge  30   b ,  32   b,  also convex. Each first edge  30   a,    32   a  extends between the point  26   d  of the “V” formed by the fold lines  34 ,  36 , and a first end of the second edge  30   b,    32   b,  the second end of said second edge  30   b,    32   b  corresponds to the front end of the corresponding lateral side  26   c,    26   d.    
     Without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first and second edges  30   a,    32   a,    30   b,    32   b  can form a single curved line. In this case the first second edges are the edges which extend on either side of the front apex of said curved line. 
     As shown on  FIG. 2 , the inflatable base  24  further comprises a second pair of end portions  30 ′,  32 ′ which extend from the longitudinal rear end  26   b  of the floor portion  26 . The end portions  30 ′,  32 ′ of the second pair are symmetrical to the end portions  30 ,  32  of the first pair relative to a plane P 2  perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and perpendicular to the plane in which the floor portion extends. 
     It is therefore understood that the inflatable base  26  further comprises fold lines  34 ′,  36 ′ which connect the floor portion to the end portions  30 ′,  32 ′. 
     The floor portion  26  further comprises a plurality continuous weld lines  26   e  which are parallel to each other and which extend according to the longitudinal direction L. These continuous weld lines  26   e  extend between the fold lines  34 ,  36  of the end portions of the first pair and the fold lines  34 ′,  36 ′ of the end portions of the second pair by being slightly retracted relative to the latter so as to make passages for air. It is therefore understood that in its inflated state the floor portion comprises a plurality of parallel tubes  27  delimited from each other by the weld lines  26   e.    
     The end portions  30 ,  32 ,  30 ′,  32 ′ further comprise discontinuous weld lines  30   e,    32   e,    30 ′ e ,  32 ′ e  parallel to each other and parallel to the associated fold line such that when the inflatable base is inflated the end portions have tubes delimited relative to each other by the discontinuous welds  30   e,    32   e,    30 ′ e ,  32 ′ e.    
       FIG. 3  illustrates the inflatable base  24  in its inflated state. For its inflation, the inflatable base comprises an inflation valve  24   c,  more clearly seen in  FIG. 5 , which is situated near the point of the “V” formed by the fold lines  34 ′,  36 ′ of the end portions of the second pair. Also, the fold lines  34 ′,  36 ′ are constituted by discontinuous welds, enabling rapid and simultaneous inflation of the floor portion and the end portions  30 ,  32 . 
     It is understood that when the inflatable base  24  is in its inflated state, each end portion  30 ,  32  of the first pair can be folded around the corresponding fold line  34 ,  36  to form the first bow  16  of the boat. 
     Similarly, the end portions  30 ′,  32 ′ of the second pair can be folded around the corresponding fold lines  34 ′,  36 ′ to form the second bow  18  of the boat. 
     In reference to  FIG. 3 , it is also shown that the width of the inflatable base, in its inflated state, corresponds to the width I of the floor portion  26 . 
       FIG. 4  shows more particularly the first bow  16  formed by the folding of the end portions  30 ,  32  according to the fold lines  34 ,  36 . It is understood that the first edges  30   a,    32   a  are brought together to constitute the end front edge of the bow  16 . In this example, the upper parts of the first edges  30 ,  32  are fixed to each other, in this example, by welding, to improve the holding of the first bow  16 . 
     For assembling accessories, seats especially, the floor portion  26  is preferably engaged in a cover  40  illustrated in  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b . As is clear from these figures, the cover  40  fits over the floor portion, the end portions of the first and second pairs extending out of the cover on either side of these longitudinal ends. 
     By way of  FIGS. 7 and 8 , an example of mounting the boat according to the invention will now be described. 
     First of all, the inflatable base and the lateral tubes are inflated by means of an inflator connected to the inflation valves. The end portions  30 ,  32 ,  30 ′,  32 ′ are folded around their respective fold lines  34 ,  36 ,  34 ′,  36 ′ to form the first and second bows  16 ,  18 . 
     The inflatable base and the lateral tubes are then placed together so that the lateral tubes extend on either side of the lateral sides of the floor portion. The end portions forming the first and second bows  16 ,  18  are then arranged so as to extend below the longitudinal ends  20   a,    22   a ,  20   b,    22   b  of the inflatable lateral tubes  20 ,  22 . This arrangement is beneficial due to the fact that, as mentioned previously, the lateral tubes  20 ,  22 , have a curved form, a sort of “banana” form. It is therefore understood that the first bow  16  is arranged under the longitudinal ends of the lateral tubes  20 ,  22 . 
       FIG. 8 , which represents the bow  16  viewed in transversal section, illustrates the fact that the tubes  20 ,  22  rest on the end portions  30 ,  32 . This  FIG. 8  shows that the transversal section of the bow  16  has a hydrodynamic profile favouring sliding. This  FIG. 8  also illustrates the waterline E. 
     In this example, the boat  10  comprises an external envelope  50  in which the lateral tubes  20 ,  22  and the inflatable base are housed. To improve the holding of the inflatable base  24 , the cover  40  is preferably fixed to the external envelope  50 . In this example, the external envelope  50  extends over the entire length of the boat  10 . Optionally, the inflatable base can be welded to the lateral tubes  20 ,  22  to further improve the robustness of the boat  10 .