Improvements in Collapsable Boats.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 6th, Oct.; 1894
Complete Specification Left, 26th Feb., 1895-Accepted, 30th Mar., 1895,
Improvements in Collapsable Boats.
I, LOUIS HÖHNKE, of Mittel Strasse No. 37. I. Bromberg, in Germany,
Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in collapsable boats capable of being
readily transported overland, or of being conveniently stowed on board ship as and
when required, and it consists in the special construction of a boat having the
bottom divided along the centre-line so that it can be collapsed inwards, the sides
of the boat-frame being formed of several parts united by joints and attached by
hinges to the outer edges of the bottom, whereby the sides of the boat follow the
collapsing of the bottom.
Upon the accompanying drawings.illustrating my invention―
Figure 1 is a deck-plan of the improved collapsable boat,
Figure 2 being a side view of the same with part of the covering removed,
Figure 3 is a transverse section of the same
Figure 4, a plan of the boat collapsed, and
Figure 5, a transverse section through same.
As will be seen on Figures 2 and 3 the boat consists of a frame A preferably
made of wood to obtain lightness, or it may be constructed of other suitable
material. The gunnels of the boat, B (see Figure 1), consist each of three parts
which are joined together by hinges 6 as shewn on Figures 1 and 4.
b
The bottom, C, of the boat is also joined to the sides, as shewn on Figure 3; by
hinges e provided along its outer edges. In the middle section or main part of the
boat, the bottom C is divided longitudinally through the centre-line, the two. halves
being joined together by a sufficient number of hinges d, as shewn on Figure 3.
Immediately over the hinges d are provided a corresponding. number of bolts e for
the purpose of securing the two halves of the bottom C in horizontal position as
shewn on Figures 1 and 3. The thwarts F to accommodate rowing. men are
arranged between the gunnels B and secured in a special manner so that they can
be easily removed. The whole frame A aud bottom C are covered outside with.a
suitable waterproof material, Z, a portion of which is shewn at the left side of
Figure 2. The waterproof covering Z has flaps attached to its upper edges and
pierced with holes for the purpose of attaching the flaps to buttons k provided on
the inside of the framework, whereby a secure fastening of the covering.Z to the
framework is effected in such a manuer as to allow it to be readily detached when
desired.
こ
The boat constructed as above described can be collapsed; after removing the
covering Z, by withdrawing the bolts e from their catches in the bottom, C, which
allows the bottom to be closed in with the centre hinges d upwards, and simul-
taneously the three parts of the side-walls or gunnels B turn on their hinges b, so
that the entire boat can be collapsed on the centre-live, as is clearly shewn, on
Figs. 4 & 5.
Instead of dividing the bottom C longitudinally in one place as described; I may
divide it in two or more places, in which case a collapse will be equally possible..
To prepare the boat for use it is only necessary to open out the side-walls or
gunnels B of the collapsed boat, whereupon the bottom C falls to the flat.position,
in which it is then secured by the before mentioned bolts.e. After placing the
thwarts F between the side-walls or gunnels B, the waterproof covering Z. is
1

page_text: drawn over the boat and secured to the buttons z, when the boat is at once ready
for use.
As shewn on Figure 3 the bottom C may be further secured to the sidewalls B
and the boat made stiffer, by means of wire-ropes s looped at the ends or provided
with rings for attaching them to books or equivalent devices fixed on the inner side
of the bottom and sidewalls at convenient intervals.
Dated thie Sixth day of October 1804
-
Improvements in Collapsable Boats.
1, Louis HÖHNKĘ of Mittel Strasse No. 37. I. in Bromberg, Germany,
Merchant do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in collapsable boats capable of being
readily transported overland or of being conveniently stowed on board ship as and
when required, and it consists in the special construction of a boat having the
bottom divided along the centre-line so that it can be collapsed inwardly, the sides
of the boat-frame being formed of several parts united by joints and attached by
hinges to the outer edges of the bottom, whereby the sides of the boat follow the
collapsing of the bottom.
Upon the drawings illustrating my invention, and which were filed with my
Provisional Specification:-
Figure 1 is a deck plan of the improved collapsable boat.
Figure 2 being a side view of the same with part of the covering removed.
Figure 3 is a transverse section of the same.
Figure 4, a plan of the boat collapsed, and
Figure 5, a transverse section through same.
As will be seen on Figures 2 and 3 the boat consists of a frame A preferably
made of wood to obtain lightness, or it may be constructed of any other suitable
material. The gunnels of the boat B (see Figure 1), consist each of three parts
which are joined together by hinges b as shewn on Figures 1 und 4.
The bottom C of the boat is also joined to the sides, as shewn on Figure 3, by
lunges e provided along its outer edges. In the middle section or main part of the
boat, the bottom C.is divided longitudinally through the centre-line, the two halves
being joined together by a sufficient number of hinges d, as shown on Figure 3.
Immediately over the hinges d are provided a corresponding number of bolts.e for
the purpose of securing the two halves of the bottom C in horizontal position:as
shewn on Figures I' and 3.
•
The thwarts F to accomodate rowing-men are arranged between the gunnels B
-and secured as shown on the drawing so that they can be easily removed. The
whole frame A and bottom C are covered outside with a suitable waterproof
material, Z, a portion of which is shewn at the left side of Figure 2.
The waterproof covering Zhas flaps z attached to its upper edges and pierced
with holes for the purpose of attaching the flaps to buttons & provided on the
inside of the framework, whereby a secure fastening of the covering Z to the
framework is effected in such a manner as to allow it to be readily detached when
.desired.
The boat constructed as above described can be collapsed, after removing the
covering Z, by withdrawing the bolts e from their catches in the bottom, C,

page_text: which allows the bottom to be closed in with the centre hinges d'upwards, and
simultaneously the three parts of the side-walls or gunnels B turn on their hinges b
so that the entire boat can be collapsed on the centre-line, as is clearly shewn on
Figures 4 and 5.
Instead of dividing the bottom C longitudinally in one place as described, I may
divide it in two or more places, in which case a collapse will be equally possible.
To prepare the boat for use it is only necessary to open out the side-walls or
gunnels B of the collapsed boat, whereupon the bottom C falls to the flat position,
in which it is then secured by the before-mentioned bolts e. After placing the
thwarts F between the side walls or gunnels B, the waterproof covering Z is
drawn over the boat and secured to the buttons k, when the boat is at once ready
for use.
As shewn on Figure 3 the bottom C may be further secured to the side-walls B,
and the boat made stiffer by means of wire-ropes s looped at the ends or provided
with rings for attaching them to books or equivalent devices fixed on the inner
side of the bottom and side walls at convenient intervals.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 'I declare that what I
claim is :-
A collapsable boat characterised by the lateral sides of the boat-frame consisting
of several parts united by joints so as to form a closed ring, the said sides being
attached by hinges to the outer edges of the bottom divided along the centre-line,
so that the bottom C can be collapsed inwards, where the lateral sides of the boat
follow the collapsing of the bottom, while the boat frame, when the boat is ready
for use,
is covered outside with a readily detachable suitable waterproof material,
substantially as set forth, and shown on the drawings filed with my Provisional
Specification.