Patent · US Expired

Apparatus for self-righting a rigid inflatable boat

US5056453A · kind A · utility

16Cited by
3References
8Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 18, 1990
Grant dateOct 15, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 18, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB63C7/003
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus for self-righting a rigid inflatable boat in which the boat includes an elongated hull having a determinable center of gravity and beam width. The boat hull has an elongated rigid bottom and inflatable sidewalls which have top, bottom and inner edges. An inflatable arch member having first and second leg portions extending upwardly and inboard from opposite sidewalls of the hull converges at a central point spaced outwardly a first predetermined vertical distance above the top edges. The first predetermined distance is at least equal to the sum of one-half of the beam of the hull, plus a distance equal to the vertical distance, if any, at which the center of gravity may be located above the sidewalls' bottom edges. Each leg portion has an axial centerline which extends upwardly and inwardly substantially between its respective sidewall and the central point. Each axial centerline passes vertically above the inner edge of its respective sidewall at a vertical level above the bottom edge a distance equal to at least one-half of the vertical distance between the central point and the bottom edge. The inflatable arch member is sized to have an overall width substantially n…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.