Patent Description:
In my co-pending application serial no.

I describe the use of drop stitch material used to make boats and the like. Drop stitch material has unique property mainly related to strength, which allows for inflation to higher levels of pressure. The yarns of essentially equal length, which extend between inner surfaces of the material, prevent uneven bulging. When fully inflated, the drop stitch materials creates slabs on the order of a couple inches in thickness which are strong and hard to the point of being comparable to solid plastic or wooden structures. These slabs can be shaped and combined to create unique structures, such as the boats described in my prior application.

My prior application describes inflatable drop stitch material used in making stand up paddle boards, known as "SUPs. " When inflated, my inventive inflatable SUPs have the appearance, in terms of size and shape, and strength of SUPs made of solid material yet have the advantage of being lighter and compact, when deflated, to allow easy storage and stowage. With an inflatable SUP, a user can easily carry the deflated watercraft in a back pack.

While stand up watercraft such as an SUP provide both recreation and exercise, particularly for muscle groups in the back, stomach, shoulders and arms, a need exists for inflatable watercraft that are designed for users to sit while paddling, similar to kayaks, canoes, row boats and the like.

Reference is made to <CIT>, which discloses an inflatable boat, which comprises a hull made of inflatable plates and a bottom. The stern of the hull is provided with a stern plate, and the inflatable plate constituting the hull has at least one layer. The outer surface of the inflatable plate is provided with wire drawing to strengthen the structure. The hull is made of inflatable panels to increase the internal space; the height of the hull can be increased according to needs, and the combination of multiple inflatable panels is used to increase safety; the outer surface of the inflatable panel is provided with wire drawing reinforcement. The structure enhances the wear resistance and impact resistance of the inflatable board; the bow angle is <NUM>-<NUM>°, which increases the water cut; the hull is covered with a PVC protective layer to increase protection and at the same time reduce friction with water; the inflatable board is made of waterproof adhesive for convenient connection, assembly and maintenance.

The present invention provides improved inflatable watercraft which can be easily stowed and stored in relatively small spaces, but when inflated, adopt the size, shape, and strength of a solid construction, one or two person kayak, paddleboard, canoe or similar watercraft.

According to the invention, an inflatable watercraft includes the features of claim <NUM>.

Preferably, the starboard side freeboard panel and the port side freeboard panel are permanently affixed to the bottom panel by connection means selected from the group consisting of adhesives, stitching and a combination of adhesives and stitching.

The open transom extends in height from an upper surface of the bottom panel to a lower surface of the deck panel, and in width from an inner surface of the port side freeboard panel to an inner surface of the starboard side freeboard panel, whereby water entering the watercraft drains by gravity out through the open transom.

Means are provided to supplement the connection between abutting panels by overlying an interface between two abutting panels. The preferred means are fabric panels, preferably made of PVC, which, when used provide streamlining of outer surfaces and strengthening of interconnections between adjacent panels.

Optionally, the watercraft can be provided with means for holding items to an upper surface of the deck panel. The preferred means for holding include an elastic cord arranged in a zig-zag pattern between a plurality of O-rings adhered to the upper surface of the deck panel, although other patterns can be used, and rings of other shapes and other fasteners can be used.

The bottom panel, the starboard side freeboard panel, the port side freeboard panel, and the deck panel are each made of inflatable drop stitch material, each provided with a separate inflation valve to allow inflation between <NUM> and <NUM> p. Preferably a high pressure material is used that permits inflation pressures to between <NUM> and <NUM> p. , and more preferably an inflation pressure range of between <NUM> and <NUM> p. i is used, with a recommended pressure of <NUM> p. The bottom panel, the starboard side freeboard panel, the port side freeboard panel, and the deck panel are each airtight inflatable chambers having an inflation value, but alternatively, if the chambers are in fluid communication with each other, a single inflation valve, or a number less than the number of panels, can be used.

Preferably, the deck panel includes an opening, and the inflatable watercraft further includes a bucket fitting in the opening. The opening is sized to fit a circular, five gallon bucket that can be used to hold bait, or when not used for bait, for holding beverages, food, and ice. The bucket could also be used as a water tight container for electrics, clothing, etc..

The inflatable watercraft preferably includes a plate disposed at the bow and connected between the starboard side freeboard panel and the port side freeboard panel, and extends from a gunwale of the bow to at least the waterline of the watercraft. More preferably, the plate is made of light weight, rigid plastic material to which ends of the respective freeboard panels are affixed, and the plate extends from the gunwale down to the waterline, and rearwardly at least partially along the centerline of a keel to contribute to both directional stability and to avoid damage to the keel when maneuvering over rocks or other solid objects.

The present invention provides improved light weight inflatable watercraft that can provide multi-functional aquatic platforms for fishing, sun bathing, locomotion, or in general exercise and entertainment. Structures described below are made of inflatable drop-stitch fabric of the generally well known variety. Drop stitch panels typically are comprised of opposite sheets of material that are interconnected by threads bonded to the inner, opposed surfaces of the sheets of material. When inflated to pressures of, typically between <NUM> and <NUM> pounds per square inch (p. ) (<NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM> KPa) the inflatable panels adopt a shape and strength comparable to solid structures, such as solid plastic, metal, or wooden boards. Advantageously, with drop-stitch fabric and panels, a deflated watercraft can be stowed and stored in a relatively small space, and transported to an appropriate aquatic venue without need for special carrying structures, such as luggage racks, or for that matter, vehicles of any kind. A user can place the deflated watercraft in a backpack and travel to the venue on foot or on bicycles, scooters (both electric and self-propelled) or the like.

Referring to <FIG>, an inflatable watercraft <NUM> includes a bottom panel <NUM> having a fore end <NUM> and an aft end <NUM>, a port side and a starboard side, a bow end and a stern end. A starboard side freeboard panel <NUM> has a bow end and a stern end, and is connected to the starboard side of the bottom panel <NUM>, by any known connection means, such as adhesive, stitching or a combination thereof, to permanently affix the starboard side freeboard panel <NUM> to the bottom panel <NUM> at a substantially right angle thereto and along mutual longitudinal edges.

A port side freeboard panel <NUM> has a bow end and a stern end, and is connected to the port side of the bottom panel <NUM> and, like the starboard side freeboard panel <NUM>, is connected by any known connection means, such as adhesive, stitching or a combination thereof, to permanently affix the port side freeboard panel <NUM> to the bottom panel <NUM> at a substantially right angle thereto and along mutual longitudinal edges.

The starboard side freeboard panel <NUM> and the port side freeboard panel <NUM> converge at their respective bow ends, and with a forward portion of the bottom panel <NUM> form a bow <NUM>. The starboard side freeboard panel <NUM> and port side freeboard panel <NUM> terminate substantially parallel to each other at their stern ends, and with a rearward end of the bottom panel <NUM> define a stern <NUM> with an open transom <NUM> (<FIG>). The open transom extends in height from an upper surface of the bottom panel <NUM> to an upper extent of the starboard side freeboard panel <NUM> and the port side freeboard panel <NUM>, and in width from an inner surface of the starboard side freeboard panel <NUM> to an inner surface of the port side freeboard panel <NUM>. Water entering the watercraft, coming in over the freeboard panels on the sides or over the bow and stern, on the ends, drains by gravity out through the open transom <NUM>. The open transom <NUM> thus provides a self-bailing structure, in part made possible by the upper surface of the bottom panel <NUM> being above the waterline of the watercraft and substantially level when a user is located approximately midships. Shifting the user's position aft can cause water to drain from a fore direction aft towards the open transom <NUM>.

As seen in <FIG>, an upper edge of the starboard side freeboard panel <NUM> and the port side freeboard panel <NUM> define a gunwale <NUM>. A deck panel <NUM> is fixedly connected to and extends between the starboard side freeboard panel <NUM> and the port side freeboard panel <NUM>, such that the deck panel <NUM>, the bottom panel <NUM>, the port side freeboard panel <NUM> and the starboard side freeboard panel <NUM> define the bow <NUM>, the stern <NUM> and a substantially flat keel <NUM>. A user sits approximately midships on the upper surface <NUM> of the deck panel <NUM>. When sitting, the user's legs would extend into the open forward space between the bow <NUM> and the forward edge of the deck panel <NUM>. Like the freeboard panels, the deck panel <NUM> can be permanently affixed to the using any conventional connecting means including adhesives, stitching or a combination of adhesives and stitching.

Fabric strips <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be used to supplement the connection between the panels where abutting surfaces are joined. The strips also provide a more streamlined outer appearance and thus strengthen the interconnections between the panels and also provide smoother and less wetted surface area for better hydrodynamics. The fabric strips can overlie areas of adhesive bonding and stitching and strengthen the overall connection and protect the stitching and/or adhesive bonding. Polymer coatings can be applied over the fabric strips to assist in adhering the strips to the panels. The fabric strips can be PVC fabric strips that overlap interfaces between two panels.

The deck panel <NUM> preferably includes means for holding objects to its upper surface <NUM>. One particularly preferred holding means includes an elastic cord <NUM>, e.g., a length of "bungie" cord, that zig-zags between O-rings adhered to the upper surface <NUM> in parallel rows. Articles of clothing, water tight containers for holding wallets, phones, maps, GPS devices, etc., can be placed between the cord <NUM> and the upper surface <NUM> and held fast thereto by tension in the cord <NUM>.

The deck panel <NUM> may include a circular opening <NUM> sized to fit a bucket <NUM> which can rest on the upper surface of the bottom panel <NUM>, yet be stabilized by fitting within the hole <NUM>. The bucket can be used for multiple purposes, and multiple buckets could be provided as well. In one preferred use, the bucket can be used to hold fish if the watercraft <NUM> is used as a fishing platform. The bucket <NUM> could also be used to hold camping equipment, clothing cameras, phones, wallets, etc., and made airtight by fitting a lid over the open top of the bucket <NUM>. The bucket <NUM> can be a standard five gallon (<NUM>,<NUM> liter) bucket of the size and shape used to hold paints.

A solid, bow plate <NUM> can be used to strengthen the bow <NUM> from collisions, or in general, simply to add structural rigidity to the watercraft. The plate can be made of light weight, rigid plastic material to which ends of the respective freeboard panels can be affixed. The bow plate <NUM> can also extend from the gunwale <NUM> down to the waterline, and then rearwardly at least partially along the centerline of the keel to contribute to both directional stability and to avoid damage to the keel when maneuvering over rocks or other solid objects.

Optionally, a mesh net <NUM> can be provide under or near the front end of the deck panel <NUM> to keep objects from washing out the stern through the open transom <NUM> during self-bailing, thus acting like a strainer. The mesh net <NUM> could also be formed to include a pocket opening upwardly to hold objects.

Skegs <NUM> and <NUM> are optionally provided on the underside surface of the bottom panel <NUM>. The skegs <NUM> and <NUM> can be affixed by any conventional means, and may include means for detaching and attaching them to the bottom panel <NUM>. The skegs <NUM> and <NUM> contribute to directional stability when the watercraft <NUM> is underway.

The watercraft <NUM> may optionally include a seat back panel <NUM> which can be detachably connected to the upper surface <NUM> of the deck panel <NUM>. The seat back panel <NUM> can be made of inflatable, drop stitch material for ease of storage and stowage. Detachable coupling means can be provided to provide a pivotal, detachable coupling to the upper surface <NUM>. Straps <NUM> and <NUM> can be used to fix the vertical orientation of the seat back panel <NUM> in a generally vertical orientation to provide back support for a seated user. In an emergency situation, the seat back panel <NUM> can be detached and thrown in the direction of a person needing rescue, and could be sized and shaped to qualify as a U. Coast Guard approved floatation device for rescue purposes. In that case, a line can be include for attaching one end to the watercraft <NUM> and the other end to the seat back panel <NUM>, for throwing the panel towards a target yet maintaining control of the panel.

Alternatively, a separate chair (not shown) can be positioned approximately where the seat back panel <NUM> is shown, and having both a seat back portion and a seat portion, and means for holding the chair to the upper surface <NUM> of the deck panel <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the inflatable watercraft <NUM> is shown in a deflated, folded disposition, with a pull strap <NUM> used to draw the folded watercraft <NUM> into the tightest, smallest possible size. A tape measure, not a part of the invention, is illustrated to show that in one embodiment, the watercraft can be folded into a width of approximately eighteen (<NUM>) inches, (<NUM>,<NUM>) even though the watercraft may have a weight of approximately <NUM>-<NUM> pounds (<NUM>,<NUM>-<NUM>,<NUM>). In <FIG>, the watercraft previously folded and illustrated in <FIG>, is stuffed into a carrying bag or back pack <NUM> for ease of carry, storage or stowage.

Operation of the watercraft is shown in <FIG>, where a user is seated approximately midships on the upper surface of the deck panel <NUM>. The bucket <NUM> is positioned behind the user and on the centerline of the watercraft for stability. The user braces her back against the seat back panel <NUM> so that reaction forces from a paddle stroke is resisted by the seat back panel <NUM>, allowing more paddling force to bet used to propel the watercraft either forwardly or rearwardly, or side to side. Preferably the paddle is a canoe type paddle.

Each panel is preferably provided with an inflation valve <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> to permit inflation of each panel to relatively high pressures. Drop stitch fabric can be made for high pressure fabric, where inflation pressures range from <NUM>-<NUM> p. (<NUM>,<NUM>-<NUM>,<NUM> KPa), or for low pressure fabric, where inflation pressures range between <NUM> and <NUM> p. (<NUM>,<NUM>-<NUM>,<NUM> KPa). In the present invention, high pressure fabric is preferred, with a recommended pressure of <NUM> p. (<NUM>,<NUM> KPa). High pressure material provides the advanges of being stronger and stiffer.

<FIG> illustrate an alternative embodiment of an inflatable watercraft <NUM> having substantially the same structure as the watercraft <NUM> of <FIG>, except that the deck panel <NUM> is detachably connected to the starboard side freeboard panel <NUM> and the port side freeboard panel <NUM>. The top view of <FIG> shows the deck panel <NUM> in place, with detachable couple means (not shown) used to hold the deck panel <NUM> firmly in place during use. The detachable coupling means can include straps, buckles, D-rings, and any combination thereof to provide coupling after all panels are inflated. As seen in <FIG>, the deck panel <NUM> appears substantially similar to the deck panel <NUM> of the <FIG> embodiment. <FIG> shows the watercraft <NUM> with the deck panel removed, clearly illustrating floor graphics, e.g., parallel lines to resemble a teak and holly sole, and other indications of aquatic tradition.

The drop stitch material used to form the various panels described herein are of known construction. Various suppliers make and sell comparable versions of material which, when shaped and assembled as described herein, form unique devices used in aquatic sports. While described in detail in my previous applications, mentioned above, a basic drop stitch construction is illustrated in <FIG>, which shows a panel <NUM> in cross section.

The panel <NUM> includes two opposing, substantially parallel sheets <NUM> and <NUM>, between which a plurality of drop stitch yarns or filaments <NUM> extend. The filaments <NUM> are typically adhered to a woven fabric which is then laminated, coated or otherwise affixed to a polymeric skin. As schematically shown in <FIG>, each sheet <NUM> and <NUM> could consist of multiple plies of plastic material, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The exact thickness of the sheets <NUM> and <NUM> can be selected based on a combination of costs to manufacture and desired strength.

The cross-sectional view of, for example, <FIG>, indicate a preferable construction whereby the filaments of the bottom and deck panels are substantially perpendicular to the filaments of the side panels. While the filaments are shown schematically as a saw-tooth pattern of lines extending between the opposite sheets of each panel, the saw-tooth patterns are clearly perpendicular to each other. This arrangement adds to the overall structural integrity of the watercraft.

Claim 1:
An inflatable watercraft (<NUM>) comprising:
an inflatable drop stitch bottom panel (<NUM>) having a port side, a starboard side, a bow end (<NUM>) and a stern end (<NUM>);
an inflatable drop stitch port side freeboard panel (<NUM>) having a bow end and a stern end, and being connected to the port side of the bottom panel (<NUM>);
an inflatable drop stitch starboard side freeboard (<NUM>) panel having a bow end and a stern end, and being connected to the starboard side of the bottom panel (<NUM>);
the port side freeboard panel (<NUM>) and the starboard freeboard panel (<NUM>) converging at their respective bow ends, and terminating substantially parallel to each other at their stern ends to define an open transom (<NUM>); and
an inflatable drop stitch deck panel (<NUM>) connected to and extending between the port side freeboard panel (<NUM>) and the starboard side freeboard panel (<NUM>),
wherein the deck panel, the bottom panel (<NUM>), the port side panel (<NUM>) and the starboard side panel (<NUM>) define a bow (<NUM>), a stern (<NUM>), and a seating area approximately at midships,
wherein in use, a user is seated on the upper surface of the deck panel (<NUM>).