Patent Description:
In general, a kayak is a lightweight and small-sized long narrow boat that is pointed at both ends, i.e., at the bow and the stern, and is moved by at least one paddle. Recently, interest in kayaks as a leisure sport is rising as standards of living increase.

Traditional kayaks were mostly one-seater or twoseater kayaks which were used in sea hunting in summer, and the hulls of the kayaks had a length of about <NUM> and a width of about <NUM>, were made with wood, and were covered with fur-free seal leather.

A kayak operator wears a waterproof jacket, sits in the cockpit seat in a circular hole of a kayak, lifts the legs, slides the feet into the cockpit, and moves the kayak by paddling using a paddle. The hull of the kayak is so light that the kayak operator may carry it by himself or herself, and the kayak may endure high waves because the speed of the kayak is high and the center of gravity of the kayak is low, and may be restored to the original state thereof using the paddle even when the kayak is overturned.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a conventional inflatable kayak will be described with reference to <FIG> showing one example of the conventional inflatable kayak. As shown in <FIG>, the conventional inflatable kayak includes a bottom tube <NUM> formed in a hollow air tube type so that air is injected there into, and having a plurality of shape maintenance lines S provided with both ends coupled to inner surfaces of the bottom tube <NUM> and a pair of first sealing tapes <NUM> adhered along both sides of the bottom tube <NUM>, a pair of side tubes <NUM> provided on both sides of the upper surface of the bottom tube <NUM>, formed in a hollow air tube type so that air is injected thereinto, and having a plurality of shape maintenance lines S provided with both ends coupled to inner surfaces of the side tubes <NUM> and a pair of second sealing tapes <NUM> adhered along both sides of the side tubes <NUM>, and a pair of side adhesive tapes <NUM> adhered along the outer surfaces of the bottom tube <NUM> and the side tubes <NUM> so as to connect the first sealing tapes <NUM> to the second sealing tapes <NUM>.

However, the above-described conventional inflatable kayak has the following problems.

The bottom tube <NUM> and the side tubes <NUM> of the conventional inflatable kayak are formed in the structure of a horizontal plate, and do not appropriately implement the solid body structure of a general kayak having smooth and inclined upper and lower surfaces, and thus, the conventional inflatable kayak has reduced overall aesthetics and marketability.

When the bottom tube <NUM> and the side tubes <NUM> of the conventional inflatable kayak are adhered to each other using the side adhesive tapes <NUM>, vacant spaces A are formed among the bottom tube <NUM>, the side tubes <NUM> and the side adhesive tapes <NUM>, and water filling the vacant spaces A causes damage to adhered parts, and may thus shorten the lifespan of the inflatable kayak.

(Patent Document <NUM>)<CIT> discloses and inflatable kayak, which is considered as the closest prior art.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an inflatable kayak in which side tubes have inclined outer surfaces so as to appropriately implement the inclined solid body structure of a general kayak, and vacant spaces are removed from connection parts between a bottom tube and the side tubes so as to solve problems and defects caused by inflow of water into the vacant spaces.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an inflatable kayak in which a straight section formed in a convex shape on the lower surface of a bottom tube so as to improve straightness and to have a stable structure through prevention of bending of the inflatable kayak due to weight of the kayak itself or external force, and the bottom tube has an inclined lower surface similar to a general kayak formed of a solid body.

In accordance with the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of an inflatable kayak including a bottom tube formed in an air tube type configured such that an outer circumference thereof is open, a pair of side tubes provided on both sides of an upper surface of the bottom tube, and formed in an air tube type configured such that an outer circumference thereof is open, upper tapes provided along the outer circumference of the bottom tube so as to cover upper parts of both open sides of the bottom tube, each upper tape including an upper adhesive part formed at an upper end of the upper tape so as to be adhered along an upper surface of the bottom tube, and a first outer adhesive part configured to extend outwards from a lower end of the upper tape, lower tapes provided along the outer circumference of the bottom tube so as to cover lower parts of the open sides of the bottom tube, each lower tape including a lower adhesive part formed at a lower end of the lower tape so as to be adhered along a lower surface of the bottom tube, and a second outer adhesive part configured to extend outwards from an upper end of the lower tape such that an upper surface of the second outer adhesive part is adhered to a lower surface of the first outer adhesive part, and side tapes provided to cover both open sides of the side tubes, each side tape including a pair of side adhesive parts horizontally bent from an upper end and a lower end of each side tape so as to be adhered to an upper surface and a lower surface of a corresponding one of the side tubes along an outer side and an inner side of the corresponding one of the side tubes, wherein the side tubes are connected to the bottom tube by adhering upper surfaces of the first outer adhesive parts to outer surfaces of the side adhesive parts provided at the outer sides of the side tubes in a state in which the first outer adhesive parts and the second outer adhesive parts, adhered to each other, are bent upwards.

The inflatable kayak may further include first V tapes formed in a V shape, symmetrically provided at both sides of the bottom tube, and configured such that outer surfaces of the first V tapes are adhered to inner ends of the first outer adhesive parts and the second outer adhesive parts.

The inflatable kayak may further include second V tapes formed in a V shape, symmetrically provided at the outer sides of the side tubes, and configured such that upper ends of the first outer adhesive parts and the second outer adhesive parts, adhered to each other, are adhered to one side surface of each of the second V tapes, and opposite side surfaces of the second V tapes are adhered to the outer surfaces of the side tapes.

The bottom tube and the side tubes may have a plurality of shape maintenance lines configured such that both ends thereof are coupled to inner surfaces of the bottom tube and the side tubes.

The pair of side tubes may be configured such that both ends of the side tubes are connected to each other so as to be integrated into one tube.

The inflatable kayak may further include a straight section formed on a lower surface of the bottom tube to be convex in a straight line along a longitudinal direction of the inflatable kayak so as to secure straightness of the bottom tube.

The straight section may include a folded part formed on the upper surface of the bottom tube to be folded in a concave shape along the longitudinal direction, a third V tape configured such that a lower surface thereof is adhered to an upper surface of the folded part in a V shape, a straight concave part formed in a concave shape in the straight line along the longitudinal direction on an upper surface of the third V tape on the upper surface of the bottom tube, and a straight convex part formed in a convex shape in the straight line along the longitudinal direction on the lower surface of the bottom tube so as to correspond to the straight concave part.

The inflatable kayak may further include a water barrier mounted in the front ends of the side tubes to be rounded, and provided to be inclined towards the front ends of the side tubes so as to block water drops to prevent the water drops from entering into the inflatable kayak.

The bottom tube may have a sharpened front end, and the bottom tube may include a front end cap formed in a cylindrical shape and mounted at the sharpened front end of the bottom tube.

The bottom tube may have a sharpened rear end, and the bottom tube may include a rear end cap formed in a cylindrical shape and mounted at the sharpened rear end of the bottom tube.

Hereinafter, reference will be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, to make the description of the present invention thorough. The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the aspects disclosed herein but may be implemented in various different forms.

<FIG> are schematic views showing an inflatable kayak according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in these figures, the inflatable kayak according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a bottom tube <NUM> formed in an air tube type, side tubes <NUM> provided on both sides of the upper surface of the bottom tube <NUM>, upper tapes <NUM> adhered to the upper parts of both open sides of the bottom tube <NUM>, lower tapes <NUM> adhered to the lower parts of the open sides of the bottom tube <NUM> and adhered to the upper tapes <NUM>, and side tapes <NUM> adhered to both open sides of the side tubes <NUM> and configured such that ends of the upper tapes <NUM> are adhered to outer surfaces of the side tapes <NUM>.

The bottom tube <NUM> is formed in the air tube type configured such that the outer circumference thereof is open, and serves to form the bottom part of the inflatable kayak. If is natural that the bottom tube <NUM> is provided with a well-known air inlet so that a user may inject air into the bottom tube <NUM> or may discharge air from the bottom tube <NUM> through the air inlet.

The bottom tube <NUM> has the plurality of shape maintenance lines <NUM>, both ends of which are coupled to inner surfaces of the bottom tube <NUM>, and the shape maintenance lines <NUM> are well-known to interconnect the inner surfaces of the bottom tube <NUM> formed in the air tube type so as to allow the bottom tube <NUM> to maintain a designated flat shape.

Such an air tube in which the shape maintenance lines <NUM> are adhered to the inside of the air tube forming the bottom tube <NUM> so as to maintain the shape of the bottom tube <NUM> is referred to as a "Drop Stitch Material" in the art.

The side tubes <NUM> are provided in a pair so as to be provided on both sides of the upper surface of the bottom tube <NUM> and to be formed in the air tube type configured such that the outer circumference thereof is open, and serve to form both side parts of the inflatable kayak. It is natural that the side tubes <NUM> are provided with a well-known air inlet so that the user may inject air into the side tubes <NUM> or may discharge air from the side tubes <NUM> through the respective air inlets.

The side tubes <NUM> have a plurality of shape maintenance lines <NUM>, both ends of which are coupled to inner surfaces of the side tubes <NUM>, in the same manner as the bottom tube <NUM>, and the shape maintenance lines <NUM> are well-known to interconnect the inner surfaces of the side tubes <NUM> formed in the air tube type so as to allow the side tubes <NUM> to maintain a designated flat shape.

The side tubes <NUM> provided in a pair may be configured such that both ends thereof are connected to each other so as to be integrated into one tube, and integration of the side tubes <NUM> into one tube may increase structural stability while facilitating adhesion and connection of the side tubes <NUM> to the bottom tube <NUM>.

The upper tapes <NUM> are provided along the outer circumference of the bottom tube <NUM> so as to cover the upper parts of both open sides of the bottom tube <NUM>, and each upper tape <NUM> includes an upper adhesive part <NUM> formed at the upper end of the upper tape <NUM> so as to be adhered along the upper surface of the bottom tube <NUM> and a first outer adhesive part <NUM> configured to extend outwards from the lower end of the upper tape <NUM>, and the upper tapes <NUM> serve to cover the upper parts of both open side surfaces of the bottom tube <NUM> and to provide parts adhered to the side tubes <NUM> so as not to form vacant spaces into which water flows.

The upper adhesive parts <NUM> of the upper tapes <NUM> serve to provide parts adhered to both sides of the upper surface of the bottom tube <NUM>, and the first outer adhesive parts <NUM> of the upper tapes <NUM> serve to provide parts adhered to the lower tapes <NUM> and parts adhered to the side tubes <NUM>.

The lower tapes <NUM> are provided along the outer circumference of the bottom tube <NUM> so as to cover the lower parts of both open sides of the bottom tube <NUM>, and each lower tape <NUM> includes a lower adhesive part <NUM> formed at the lower end of the lower tape <NUM> so as to be adhered along the lower surface of the bottom tube <NUM> and a second outer adhesive part <NUM> configured to extend outwards from the upper end of the lower tape <NUM> such that the upper surface of the second outer adhesive part <NUM> is adhered to the lower surface of the first outer adhesive part <NUM>, and the lower tapes <NUM> serve to cover the lower parts of both open side surfaces of the bottom tube <NUM> and to provide parts adhered to the side tubes <NUM> so as not to form vacant spaces into which water flows.

The lower adhesive parts <NUM> of the lower tapes <NUM> serve to provide parts adhered to both sides of the lower surface of the bottom tube <NUM>, and the second outer adhesive parts <NUM> of the lower tapes <NUM> serve to provide parts adhered to the first outer adhesive parts <NUM> and parts adhered to the side tubes <NUM>, together with the first outer adhesive parts <NUM>.

The side tapes <NUM> are provided to cover both open sides of the side tubes <NUM>, and each of the side tapes <NUM> includes a pair of side adhesive parts <NUM> horizontally bent from the upper end and the lower end of each side tape <NUM> so as to be adhered to the upper surface and the lower surface of a corresponding one of the side tubes <NUM> along the outer side and the inner side of the corresponding one of the side tubes <NUM>, and serve to cover the open sides of the corresponding side tube <NUM> while sealing the side tube <NUM>. The side adhesive parts <NUM> serve to provide parts adhered to the upper and lower surfaces of both sides of the side tubes <NUM>.

In the inflatable kayak having the above configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention, the side tubes <NUM> are connected to the bottom tube <NUM> by adhering the upper surfaces of the first outer adhesive parts <NUM> to the outer surfaces of the side adhesive parts <NUM> provided at the outer sides of the side tubes <NUM> in the state in which the first outer adhesive parts <NUM> and the second outer adhesive parts <NUM>, which are adhered to each other, are bent upwards, and thereby, the bottom tube <NUM> and the side tubes <NUM> may be easily connected to each other while preventing formation of vacant spaces between the bottom tube <NUM> and the side tubes <NUM> through a simple structure.

The inflatable kayak further includes first V tapes <NUM> formed in a V shape, symmetrically provided at both sides of the bottom tube <NUM>, and configured such that the outer surfaces of the first V tapes <NUM> are adhered to the inner ends of the first outer adhesive parts <NUM> and the second outer adhesive parts <NUM>. The first V tapes <NUM>, having the outer surfaces adhered to the first outer adhesive parts <NUM> and the second outer adhesive parts <NUM>, serve to more firmly connect the first outer adhesive parts <NUM> and the second outer adhesive parts 42to each other so as to seal the first outer adhesive parts <NUM> and the second outer adhesive parts <NUM>.

Further, the inflatable kayak further includes second V tapes <NUM> formed in a V shape, symmetrically provided at the outer sides of the side tubes <NUM>, and configured such that the upper ends of the first outer adhesive parts <NUM> and the second outer adhesive parts <NUM>, which are adhered to each other, are adhered to one side surface of each of the second V tapes <NUM>, and opposite side surfaces of the second V tapes <NUM> are adhered to the outer surfaces of the side tapes <NUM>. The second V tapes <NUM>, having the outer surfaces adhered to the upper ends of the first outer adhesive parts <NUM> and the second outer adhesive parts <NUM> and to the outer surfaces of the side tapes <NUM>, serve to more firmly connect the first outer adhesive parts <NUM> and the side tapes <NUM> to each other so as to seal the first outer adhesive parts <NUM> and the side tapes <NUM>.

The inflatable kayak having the above configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured such that, when air is injected into the bottom tube <NUM> and the side tubes <NUM>, the upper surfaces of the side tubes <NUM> are inclined, as shown in <FIG>, and thus, has an outer surface formed in a similar shape to the outer surface of a general kayak formed of a solid body.

<FIG> are schematic views of an inflatable kayak according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in these figures, the inflatable kayak according to another embodiment of the present invention further includes a straight section <NUM> formed on the lower surface of the bottom tube <NUM>.

The straight section <NUM> is formed on the lower surface of the bottom tube <NUM> to be convex in a straight line along the longitudinal direction of the inflatable kayak, and thus improves the straightness and stiffness of the bottom tube <NUM>, and has a stable structure through prevention of bending of the inflatable kayak in the forward and rearward directions due to weight of the kayak itself or external force.

The straight section <NUM> includes a folded part <NUM> formed on the upper surface of the bottom tube <NUM> to be folded in a concave shape along the longitudinal direction, a third V tape <NUM> configured such that the lower surface thereof is adhered to the upper surface of the folded part <NUM> in a V shape, a straight concave part <NUM> formed in a concave shape in a straight line along the longitudinal direction on the upper surface of the third V tape <NUM> on the upper surface of the bottom tube <NUM>, and a straight convex part <NUM> formed in a convex shape in the straight line along the longitudinal direction on the lower surface of the bottom tube <NUM> so as to correspond to the straight concave part <NUM>.

The folded part <NUM> is formed in a straight line on the upper surface of the bottom tube <NUM> to be folded in the concave shape, and serves to form a depression in a straight line on the upper surface of the bottom tube <NUM>. The third V tape <NUM> is adhered to the upper surface of the folded part <NUM> so as to maintain the folded state of the folded part <NUM>.

The straight concave part <NUM> is formed in the concave shape in the straight line on the upper surface of the bottom tube <NUM> by the folded part <NUM>, the straight convex part <NUM> is formed in the convex shape in the straight line on the lower surface of the bottom tube <NUM> by the folded part <NUM>, and thus, the straight concave part <NUM> and the straight convex part <NUM> serve to improve the straightness of the bottom tube <NUM>.

The above-described straight section <NUM> may be formed in a straight line from the front end to the rear end of the bottom tube <NUM>, without being limited thereto, or may be formed to a desired length or in a desired region depending on manufacturer's intention.

The inflatable kayak having the above configuration according to another embodiment of the present invention is configured such that, when air is injected into the bottom tube <NUM> and the side tubes <NUM>, the upper surfaces of the side tubes <NUM> are inclined, as shown in <FIG>, and thus, has an outer surface formed in a similar shape to the outer surface of a general kayak formed of a solid body, and simultaneously, the bottom tube <NUM> has a downward convex structure in the straight section <NUM>, and thus, the inflatable kayak has a bottom surface formed in a similar shape to the bottom surface of the general kayak formed of the solid body.

<FIG> is a schematic perspective view of an inflatable kayak according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the inflatable kayak according to yet another embodiment of the present invention further includes a water barrier <NUM> mounted in the front ends of the side tubes <NUM> to be rounded, and provided to be inclined towards the front ends of the side tubes <NUM>. The water barrier <NUM> serves to block water drops in front of a driver during paddling of the inflatable kayak.

The bottom tube <NUM> has a sharpened front end, and the bottom tube <NUM> includes a front end cap <NUM> formed in a cylindrical shape and mounted at the sharpened front end of the bottom tube <NUM>. The front end cap <NUM> serves to reduce damage to the bottom tube <NUM> due to an external object approaching the front end of the bottom tube <NUM> and to improve the forward driving performance of the inflatable kayak.

Further, the bottom tube <NUM> has a sharpened rear end, and the bottom tube <NUM> includes a rear end cap <NUM> formed in a cylindrical shape and mounted at the sharpened rear end of the bottom tube <NUM>. The rear end cap <NUM> serves to reduce damage to the bottom tube <NUM> due to an external object approaching the rear end of the bottom tube <NUM> and to improve the rearward driving performance of the inflatable kayak.

As is apparent from the above description, in an inflatable kayak according to the present invention, side tubes have inclined outer surfaces so as to appropriately implement the inclined solid body structure of a general kayak, and may thus form outer surfaces formed in a similar shape to a general kayak formed of a solid body so as to improve aesthetics and marketability, and vacant spaces are removed from connection parts between a bottom tube and the side tubes so as to solve problems and defects caused by inflow of water into the vacant spaces and thus to secure a long lifespan while preventing damage to adhered parts.

Further, the inflatable kayak according to the present invention includes a straight section formed in a convex shape on the lower surface of the bottom tube, and may thus improve the straightness of the bottom tube, may have a stable structure through prevention of bending of the inflatable kayak due to weight of the kayak itself or external force, may remarkably improve stability in use through improvement in the stiffness of the kayak, and may allow the bottom tube to have an inclined lower surface similar to the general kayak formed of the solid body.

Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. It is clear that the present invention can be equally applied by appropriately modifying the above embodiments. Accordingly, the above description is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention which is defined by the limits of the following claims.

Claim 1:
An inflatable kayak comprising:
a bottom tube (<NUM>) formed in an air tube type configured such that an outer circumference thereof is open on both sides;
a pair of side tubes (<NUM>) provided on both sides of an upper surface of the bottom tube (<NUM>), and formed in an air tube type configured such that an outer circumference thereof is open on both sides;
upper tapes (<NUM>)provided along the outer circumference of the bottom tube (<NUM>) so as to cover upper parts of both open sides of the bottom tube (<NUM>), each upper tape (<NUM>) comprising an upper adhesive part (<NUM>) formed at an upper end of the upper tape (<NUM>) so as to be adhered along an upper surface of the bottom tube (<NUM>), and a first outer adhesive part (<NUM>) configured to extend outwards from a lower end of the upper tape (<NUM>);
lower tapes (<NUM>) provided along the outer circumference of the bottom tube (<NUM>) so as to cover lower parts of the open sides of the bottom tube (<NUM>), each lower tape (<NUM>) comprising a lower adhesive part (<NUM>) formed at a lower end of the lower tape (<NUM>) so as to be adhered along a lower surface of the bottom tube (<NUM>), and a second outer adhesive part (<NUM>) configured to extend outwards from an upper end of the lower tape (<NUM>) such that an upper surface of the second outer adhesive part (<NUM>) is adhered to a lower surface of the first outer adhesive part (<NUM>); and
side tapes (<NUM>) provided to cover both open sides of the side tubes (<NUM>), each side tape (<NUM>) comprising a pair of side adhesive parts (<NUM>) horizontally bent from an upper end and a lower end of each side tape (<NUM>) so as to be adhered to an upper surface and a lower surface of a corresponding one of the side tubes (<NUM>) along an outer side and an inner side of the corresponding one of the side tubes (<NUM>),
wherein the side tubes (<NUM>) are connected to the bottom tube (<NUM>) by adhering upper surfaces of the first outer adhesive parts (<NUM>) to outer surfaces of the side adhesive parts (<NUM>) provided at the outer sides of the side tubes (<NUM>) in a state in which the first outer adhesive parts (<NUM>) and the second outer adhesive parts (<NUM>), adhered to each other, are bent upwards.