Patent Publication Number: US-9409627-B2

Title: Collapsible watercraft assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/035,835 for a PONTOON ELEMENT-BASED WATERCRAFT APPARATUS, filed on Aug. 11, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a collapsible watercraft. 
     2. Description of Related Prior Art 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,508,194 discloses a PONTOON WATERCRAFT. The pontoon watercraft has a pair of pontoons with twin bladders secured by a three piece yoke frame which maintain the pontoons spaced apart and symmetrical and parallel with each other to accommodate the user, with an integrated load leveling system for personal and operational convenience. The watercraft is adapted to support an adjustable motor and anchor mount behind the user and two piece oars in gunwales at the outermost part of the yoke frame. The design provides for other auxiliary items such as a mesh fish basket, storage containers and the like. Further, the watercraft is assembled with no special tools and when disassembled the entire watercraft can be stored in a suitable bag having a length of approximately four feet and a girth of approximately six to seven feet. In addition, two pontoon watercrafts are coupled in tandem with the fore ends of the pontoons of one watercraft nestled with the aft ends of the pontoons of another watercraft with a lattice work coupling the frame of the two watercrafts, which form a composite watercraft. The watercrafts are adapted to support stand-up apparatus. 
     The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure. 
     SUMMARY 
     A collapsible watercraft assembly can include a first pontoon half, a second pontoon half, and a frame member. The first pontoon half can have a first top surface, a first bottom surface opposite the first top surface, and at least one first post. The at least one first post can extend between a first base end and a first distal end with the first base end positioned closer to the first bottom surface than the first distal end. The first pontoon half can extend longitudinally between a first stern and a first bow. The second pontoon half can have a second top surface, a second bottom surface opposite the second top surface, and at least one second post. The second post can extend between a second base end and a second distal end with the second base end positioned closer to the second bottom surface than the second distal end. The second pontoon half can extend longitudinally between a second stern and a second bow. The first pontoon half and the second pontoon half can be positionable with respect to one another in an operating configuration and a stowed configuration. The operating configuration can be defined when the first stern and the second stern confront one another and the stowed configuration can be defined when the first top surface and the second top surface confront one another. The frame member can be selectively engageable and disengageble with both of the first pontoon half and the second pontoon half. The frame member can be concurrently engageable with the at least one first post and the at least one second post to fix the first pontoon half and the second pontoon half together in the operating configuration. The frame member can be disengageable with the at least one first post and the at least one second post to collapse the first pontoon half from the second pontoon half. The at least one first post and the at least one second post can be selectively engageable and disengageble with one another. The at least one first post and the at least one second post can be spaced from one another when the first pontoon half and the second pontoon half are in the operating configuration. The at least one first post and the at least one second post can be interconnected with one another when the first pontoon half and the second pontoon half are in the stowed configuration. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description set forth below references the following drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a collapsible watercraft assembly in an operating configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a framework of a collapsible watercraft assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of portions of a collapsible watercraft assembly in exploded form according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken through a portion of a collapsible watercraft assembly in an operating configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken through a portion of a collapsible watercraft assembly in a stowed configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 6  is a collapsible watercraft assembly in a stowed configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a collapsible watercraft assembly  10  can include a plurality of pontoon halves such as a first pontoon half  12 , a second pontoon half  14 , a third pontoon half  16 , and a fourth pontoon half  18 . The first pontoon half  12  and the third pontoon half  16  can be identical or substantially similar to one another. The first pontoon half  12  can have a first top surface  20 , a first bottom surface  22  opposite the first top surface  20 , and at least one first post. The exemplary first pontoon half  12  can include first posts  24  and  26 . In the exemplary embodiment, the posts  24 ,  26  extend away from the first bottom surface  22  beyond the first top surface  20  and thus extend above the top surface  20 . As best shown in  FIG. 3 , the posts  24 ,  26  can be aligned along a centered, longitudinal axis  108  of the first pontoon half  12 . As best shown in  FIG. 5 , each of the posts  24 ,  26  can extend between respective base ends  28 ,  30  and respective distal ends  32 ,  34 , wherein the base ends  28 ,  30  can be positioned closer to the first bottom surface  22  than the distal ends  32 ,  34 . Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the first pontoon half  12  can extend longitudinally between a first stern  36  and a first bow  38 . 
     The second pontoon half  12  and the fourth pontoon half  18  can be identical or substantially similar to one another. The second pontoon half  14  can have a second top surface  40 , a second bottom surface  42  opposite the second top surface  40 , and at least one second post. The exemplary second pontoon half  14  can include second posts  44  and  46 . As best shown in  FIG. 5 , each of the posts  44 ,  46  can extend between respective base ends  48 ,  50  and respective distal ends  52 ,  54 , wherein the base ends  48 ,  50  can be positioned closer to the second bottom surface  42  than the distal ends  52 ,  54 . Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the second pontoon half  14  can extend longitudinally between a second stern  56  and a second bow  58 . 
     The first pontoon half  12  and the second pontoon half  14  can be positionable with respect to one another in an operating configuration and a stowed configuration.  FIG. 1  shows the exemplary embodiment in the operating configuration. The operating configuration can be defined when the first stern  36  and the second stern  56  confront one another.  FIG. 4  shows the sterns  36 ,  56  confronting one another in the operating configuration.  FIG. 6  shows the exemplary embodiment in the stowed configuration. The stowed configuration can be defined when the first top surface  20  and the second top surface  40  confront one another.  FIG. 5  shows the top surfaces  20 ,  40  confronting one another in the stowed configuration. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the posts  44 ,  46  can extend from a plate  140 . The plate  140  can be embedded in the pontoon half  14 . The pontoon half  14  can have a plastic body  142  and enclosed by a plastic cap  144 . The plate  140 , with posts  44 ,  46  can be placed in the plastic body  142 . After placement of the plate  140 , the interior of the plastic body  142  can be filled with settable foam or some other material enhancing the buoyancy of the assembly  10 . After filling the body  142  with foam, the cap  144  can be put in place to enclose the body  142 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a framework  60  can interconnect the pontoon halves  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 . The framework  60  can be selectively engageable and disengageble with respect to the pontoon halves  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 . Selectively engageable and disengageble refers to the fact that a user of the assembly  10  can attach and detach, connect and disconnect components as desired and repeatedly. The framework  60  can include seat support member  62 ; first and second frame members  64 ,  66 ; luggage support member  68 ; railing members  70 ,  72 ; and foot rest members  74 ,  76 . The frame member  64  and the frame member  66  can be identical or substantially similar to one another. The railing member  70  and the railing member  72  can be identical or substantially similar to one another. The foot rest member  74  and the foot rest member  76  can be identical or substantially similar to one another. 
     The various components of the framework  60  can be selectively engageable and disengageble with respect to one another. Each component of the framework  60  can include one or more tubular portions of any desired shape that are telescopically engageable with tubular portions of one or more other components of the framework  60 . The various tubular portions can include apertures for receiving pins to selectively lock two telescopically engaged tubular portions. 
     Tubular portions  78 ,  80  of the seat support member  62  can telescopically engage tubular portions  82 ,  84  of the frame member  64 . Tubular portions  86 ,  88  of the seat support member  62  can telescopically engage tubular portions  90 ,  92  of the frame member  66 . Tubular portions  94 ,  96  of the luggage support member  68  can telescopically engage a tubular portion  98  of the frame member  64  and a tubular portion  100  of the frame member  66 . The foot rest member  74  can be telescopically engaged with a tubular portion  102  of a linking portion  112  of the frame member  64 . The foot rest member  76  can be telescopically engaged with a tubular portion  104  of linking portion  114  of the frame member  66 . 
     The frame member  64  and the frame member  66  can be identical or substantially similar to one another. The frame member  64  can be a single, integral structure or a plurality of structures connected together. The frame member  64  can be selectively engageable and disengageble with both of the first pontoon half  12  and the second pontoon half  14 . The frame member  64  can be concurrently engageable with the at least one first post  24  and the at least one second post  44  to fix the first pontoon half  12  and the second pontoon half  14  together in the operating configuration. The frame member  64  can be disengageable with the at least one first post  24  and the at least one second post  44  to collapse the first pontoon half  12  from the second pontoon half  14 . 
     The first post  24  and the second post  44  can have a cross-section of any desired shape, such as, by way of example and not limitation, round, rectangular, oval or asymmetric. The first post  24  and the post  26  can be identical or substantially similar to one another. The second post  44  and the post  46  can be identical or substantially similar to one another. The at least one first post  24  and the at least one second post  44  can be selectively engageable and disengageble with one another. The at least one first post  24  and the at least one second post  44  can be spaced from one another when the first pontoon half  12  and the second pontoon half  14  are in the operating configuration. The at least one first post  24  and the at least one second post  44  can be interconnected with one another when the first pontoon half  12  and the second pontoon half  14  are in the stowed configuration. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 5 , the at least one first post  24  and the at least one second post  44  can be at least partially telescopically interconnected with one another when the first pontoon half  12  and the second pontoon half  14  are in the stowed configuration. The at least one first post  24  and the at least one second post  44  can guide movement of the first pontoon half  12  and the second pontoon half  14  with respect to one another when the first pontoon half  12  and the second pontoon half  14  are in moved into the stowed configuration. The post  24  can be larger than the post  44  so that the post  44  can slide into the post  24  during movement of the first pontoon half  12  and the second pontoon half  14  into the stowed configuration. The first pontoon half  12  and the second pontoon half  14  can be moved along a first axis  106  when moved into the stowed configuration. The at least one first post  24  and the at least one second post  44  can overlap along the first axis  106  when the first pontoon half  12  and the second pontoon half  14  are in the stowed configuration. The posts  26  and  46  can engage one another as the posts  24 ,  44  engage one another. 
     The engagement between the posts  24  and  44  and between the posts  26  and  46  prevent the first top surface  20  and the second top surface  40  from contacting one another when the first pontoon half  12  and the second pontoon half  14  are in the stowed configuration. A vertical gap  110  is thus defined between the first top surface  20  and the second top surface  40  when the first pontoon half  12  and the second pontoon half  14  are in the stowed configuration. The frame members  64  and  66  can fit in the vertical gap  110  between both of the first top surface  20  and the second top surface  40  when the first pontoon half  12  and the second pontoon half  14  are in the stowed configuration, as shown in  FIG. 6 . The first frame member  64  and the second frame member  66  can be stackable on top of one another in the vertical gap  110  when the first pontoon half  12  and the second pontoon half  14  are in the stowed configuration. 
     The exemplary frame member  64  can include a first sleeve portion  116  and a second sleeve portion  118 . The first sleeve portion  116  can telescopically engaged with the at least one first post  24  when the first pontoon half  12  and the second pontoon half  14  are in the operating configuration.  FIG. 4  illustrates the sleeve portion  118  telescopically engaged with the post  44  when the first pontoon half  12  and the second pontoon half  14  are in the operating configuration. The linking portion  112  can interconnect the first sleeve portion  116  and the second sleeve portion  118  in spaced relation to one another. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , the railing member  70  can include a plurality of shaft portions, such as a first shaft portion  120 , a second shaft portion  122 , a third shaft portion  124  and a fourth shaft portion  126 . The first shaft portion  120  and the second shaft portion  122  can be identical or substantially similar to one another. The third shaft portion  124  and the fourth shaft portion  126  can be identical or substantially similar to one another. The railing member  70  can also include a railing portion  128  interconnecting the shaft portions  120 ,  122 ,  124 ,  126  in spaced relation to one another. 
     The first shaft portion  120  is telescopically engageable with the at least one first post  24  when the first pontoon half  12  and the second pontoon half  14  are in the operating configuration.  FIG. 4  illustrates the second shaft portion  122  telescopically engaged with the at least one second post  44  when the first pontoon half  12  and the second pontoon half  14  are in the operating configuration. The at least one first post  24  can encircle the first shaft portion  120  and the first sleeve portion  116  can encircle the at least one first post  24  when the first pontoon half  12  and the second pontoon half  14  are in the operating configuration.  FIG. 4  illustrates the at least one second post  44  encircling the second shaft portion  122  and the second sleeve portion  118  encircling the at least one second post  44  when the first pontoon half  12  and the second pontoon half  14  are in the operating configuration. 
     The shaft portion  126  can telescopically engage the post  46  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The shaft portion  124  can telescopically engage the post  26 . Flanges can be positioned on each of the shaft portions  120 ,  122 ,  124  and  126  to provide a positive stop, limiting insertion of the shaft portions  120 ,  122 ,  124  and  126  in the respective posts  24 ,  26 ,  44 ,  46 . Exemplary flanges are referenced at  130  and  132  in  FIG. 4 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 6 , the components of the assembly  10  can be stored in a case  134  when the assembly  10  is collapsed. The case  134  can have a base  136  and a lid  138  pivotally connected to one another. The first pontoon half  12  and the second pontoon half  14  can be stackable on top of one another in the stowed configuration and positionable in the case  134  while in the stowed configuration. The frame members  64  and  66  can rest on the top surfaces of the pontoon haves  12 ,  16 , in the gap  110 . A portion of the luggage support member  68  can be positioned in the gap  110  as well. The seat support member  62  can rest on the frame members  64 ,  66 . The distal ends of the footrest members  74 ,  76  can be pointed downwardly. A length of the distal ends of the footrest members  74 ,  76  can be equal to or less than a height the pontoon halves  12 ,  16 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . This feature allows the footrest members  74 ,  76  to be easily stowed in the case  134 . A height of the railing members  70 ,  72  can be equal to or less than a height of the pontoon halves  12 ,  14 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . This feature allows the railing members  70 ,  72  to be stowed in between the pontoon halves  12  and  16  and below the frame members  64  and  66  in the case. 
     While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Further, the right to claim elements and/or sub-combinations that are disclosed herein as other present disclosures in other patent documents is hereby unconditionally reserved.