Mixed hull inflatable craft convertible into a closed box
US6089179A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 14, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 18, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 14, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63B7/085
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A mixed hull inflatable craft convertible into a closed box for its storage or transport is disclosed. The hull has a rigid body (1) with a top edge (5), a plane to which is fixed an inflatable buoyancy tube (7), a rigid closing panel corresponding in contour to the edge and an inverted U-shaped profile (15) interlocking the tube to the hull. The profile overlaps the top edge (5) of the body and has a first groove (16) open upwards and inside the body, retaining a ring (18) carried by a flexible skirt (19) connected to the tube; a second groove (20) open upwards and outside the body, receiving the edge of the panel closing the body (1) in the closed box conformation and supporting the flexible skirt (19) of the inflated tube located outside the body in the craft conformation; and an elastomer bead (21) located on the outside under the second groove (20) forming a sealed bearing surface for the inflated tube (7) in the craft conformation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.