CA3014172A1

CA3014172A1 - Portable modular boat

Info

Publication number: CA3014172A1
Application number: CA3014172A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Zoran Z. R. Rastegorac
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-08-14
Filing date: 2018-08-14
Publication date: 2020-02-14

Abstract

Portable modular boat (mini boat) is unique small compact size vessel that is easy to transport and store.
It is made of fiberglass or epoxy resin and has four main parts which include main hull, two side stability float hulls and lid-deck.
It has transport wheels incorporated into lid- deck on the boat and also molded seat ¨ stand up platform.
Fully assemble convert to fully functional unsinkable trimaran boat.
Portable modular boat can be propelled through the water three different ways:
with oars, with paddle or electric trolling motor.
Side float hulls in full assemble are pulled reverse from main hull and create safe floating configuration and easy access from water back to the boat.
In disassemble (transport mode) side float hulls perfectly fit into main hull and close with lid-deck with eight locking screws to make it easy to transport and storage.

Description

2 The invention provides a boat that is modular, which allows it to be transported inside a non-commercial vehicle.
Background of the Invention Boating is a very popular activity in Canada. However, many people do not have the ability to enjoy the activity as boats require a vehicle with a large towing capacity and a hitch, as well as a trailer in order to get a boat in the water. The invention provides a personal portable compact size boat that can be stored inside a non-commercial vehicle and simply assembled.
Description of Prior Art Although other modular boats have been invented in the past, this current design differs and offers improvements and solutions that were not previously addressed.
Looking at patent number W02007066055 for example, the floats here are attached on hinges which is not totally secure. Hinges by nature close and open easily. By using knobs, there is no way for the floats to fold upwards in rocky water. Once set in position they stay.
This current invention boasts another improvement to the modular boats in W02007066055 and US4768454 as the side floats within this design are assembled offset to the main hull. Because the side floats in this current design are further out to the sides of the main hull, and assembled 24-28 inches behind the main hull, the entire float-up surface of the boat is extended by both width and length, which make the boat more stable.
Other differences between this design and U54768454 are that US4768454 does not have an attached seat and therefore requires further assembly. US4768454 is also not as compact as the side floats lay on top of the main hull versus fitting neatly inside as in the current design.
This current design is also superior in that it offers open-tray storage within the lid.
US2683268 is not a modular boat but rather a wheeled device to be attached to small boats.
The modular boat seen in 1JS6325013 is a mono-hull boat consisting of separate bow, stern and centre pieces. The current design offers increased safety and decreased assembly time as it is a tri-hull boat and the main hull is one solid piece and need not be assembled. With multiple pieces in the main hull, there is an inherent risk of water penetration between the pieces, on the bottom of the boat. Again, the current design offers increased width, greater surface area and is therefore safer to use.
Summary of The Invention The portable modular boat is personal watercraft that has specific and unique design including sharing of the hulls which allows for easy assembling and disassembling of the complete boat. The portable modular boat has four main components which are made of fiberglass or epoxy resin with all stainless-steel hardware. The first part is the main hull, it has a hydrodynamic shape to reduce drag and increase performance during use in water, on the exterior of the hull it has an incorporated handle for towing

3 and transporting. The second and third parts are side stability floats hulls which are designed to fit inside main hull. The side float hulls are made of fiberglass and epoxy resin and are filled with closed cell marine foam to ensure adequate buoyancy and provide stability. The fourth part is the lid deck, it has reinforcement bars made from aluminum and fiber glass and epoxy resin to improve its strength and rigidity. It is used as a cover during transport and has molded seat and tray for boating as well as incorporated transport wheels.
In the drawings, which form part of the specification, Figure 1 is a side view of the boat when folded (disassembled). Figure 3 is a top view of the boat when folded (disassembled). Figure 2 shows the boat assembled from the top view while Figure 4 offers a more 3/D view of the assembled boat.
Item #1 in figures 1, 2 and 3 is the modular and hydrodynamic main boat hull made of fiberglass or epoxy resin. Item #2 in figures 1, 2 and 3 are the two side stability float hulls. The exterior is made of the same fiberglass or epoxy resin as the main hull and are filled with marine cell grade foam.
Item #3 in figures 1, 2 and 3 shows the fiberglass or epoxy resin, reinforced boat lid-deck. Item #4 on the figures is the ergonomic seat incorporated into the boat lid-deck. Item #5 on the figures are the eight stainless steel knobs. Item #6 are the two stainless steel oars in their housing. Item #7 are the two sunken organizer trays incorporated into the boat lid deck. Item #8 are the two plastic wheels with stainless shaft incorporated in the boat lid deck. Item #9 is the towing and transportation handle incorporated into the main boat hull.
Detailed Description of The Invention The modular boat when disassembled is compact in shape and size, its dimensions are 68 inches x 26 inches x 16 inches, as seen in Figures 1 and 3 giving it the ability to fit inside a non-commercial vehicle.
The boat incorporates eight stainless steel knobs, (seen as Item #5 in Figures 1, 2, 3), this allows for easy and secure assembly and disassembly.
On the exterior of the main hull there are wheels as well as a handle incorporated in the design (seen as Item #8 and Item #9 in Figures 1 and 3) which allow for efficient storage and transportation. The design functionality of the boat allows for boaters to use a variety of mobility options, including paddles, oars, or an electric trolling motor. It also incorporates additional space to hold small secondary items such as fishing gear, food supplies, or a small anchor (Item #7 in Figures 2 and 3).
The seat is molded in the lid-deck (Item #3 in Figures 2 and 3) and eliminates the need for a separate seat assembly. The seat can be safely used as a sitting or standing platform for users.
The boat is comprised of two side floats hull, which are extended back 24 to 28 inches from main hull on both sides, as seen in Figures 2 and 4. The design of which is meant to create exceptional floating support for safe boating (by providing a larger surface area with increased width and length of the boat).
Similarly, the closed marine cell grade foam-filled side float hulls are also designed for safety purposes.
Because of the materials used, the exterior of the side float hulls are durable, strong and very difficult to

4 puncture, and if punctured, the marine-cell grade foam does not absorb water.
The boat is virtually unsinkable.
Knobs (#8 in Figures 1, 2 and 3) are used to secure the pieces of the boat and allow for user to assemble/disassemble quickly, securely, and without the use of tools as they are simply screwed and unscrewed by hand. In conjunction with the unique design of the side float hulls, the boat offers a secure and durable boating experience that is sure to float.
It is compact because the side floats fit neatly into the main hull of the boat. This means it is easy to store, and easy to bring to water without use of a trailer.
With wheels and a handle it becomes easy to transport from car to water.
The boat is assembled as such:
- From the folded position (Figure 3) remove the wheels (#8 Figure 3) with a shaft.
- Unscrew the 8 knobs (#5 Figure 3) from the lid.
- Remove lid (#3 Figure 3) from main hull by lifting off.
- Remove 2 side floats (#2 Figure 2) from inside the body of the main hull by lifting them out.
- Rotate lid 90 degrees so that it is perpendicular to the boat (as seen in Figure 2).
- Use 4 knobs to screw the lid/seat into the main hull of the boat (Figure 2).
- Position side floats so that one is at each end of the lid cover, and use two knobs on each side to secure the side floats into the lid (Figure 2) - Boat is now ready for use.

Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A modular boat comprising of:
.cndot. A hydrodynamic main hull that stores the side-floats when not in use;
.cndot. Two symmetrical side-float hulls that fit inside the main hull;
.cndot. A multi-purpose lid-deck that connects to the main hull;
.cndot. Stainless steel knobs.

2. Side float hulls as cited in Claim 1 that are assembled offset of the main hull ¨ to the sides of but not touching the main hull and installed behind the main hull ¨ to offer greater length and width (greater surface area) of the boat.

3. Lid-deck as cited in Claim 1 has multiple purposes including:
.cndot. Attaching to main hull to provide a protective cover, housing the side-floats when not in use;
.cndot. Having an integrated seat and two storage components for when boat is assembled for use.

4. Assembly and disassembly of the modular boat cited in Claim 1 with the use of stainless steel knobs that can be screwed and unscrewed by hand.

5. The modular boat as cited in Claim 1 when assembled resembles a small trimaran.