Camper-pontoon boat construction

Claim 2

A convertible camper-boat for terrestrial and aquatic travel comprising: a camper-body having a fore end, an aft end, and two spaced generally parallel sides connecting said fore and aft ends, a plurality of flat panels; means for attaching and supporting each of said panels in a retracted position and in an extended position relative to said body, said panels in said retracted position being disposed adjacent to said body and in said extended position extending outwardly from and in supported relation to said body to form a deck space contiguous to said body; said panels including a panel being in attached and supported relation to each of said sides and a panel attached and supported in relation to at least one of said fore and aft ends; means for buoyantly supporting said body when said panels are in said extended position; each of said panels being quadrilateral and having two opposite edges connected by opposite ends, a first of said panels being attached and supported at one panel edge to said fore end, a second of said panels being attached and supported at one panel edge to said aft end, a third panel being attached and supported at one panel edge to a first side and a fourth panel being attached at one edge to a second side; and end panels retractably and extendably connected to each end of said first panel.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1 including end panels retractably and extendably connected to each end of said second panel.

Claim 4

Apparatus according to claim 2 including a plurality of rigid elongate cross beams, said cross beams being transverse to said pontoon members and longitudinally spaced along said pontoon members, said beams being removably attachable intermediate said panels and said pontoon members to provide rigid support to said panels and said pontoon members; and a first cross beam being attachable intermediately of the end panels of said first panel and said pontoon members and a second cross beam being attachable intermediately of the end panels of said second panel member and said pontoon members.

Claim 5

Apparatus according to claim 2 including end panels retractably and extendably connected to one end of each said third and fourth panels.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said first, second, third and fourth panels are hinged to said body, said panels in said retracted positions being folded against said body and in said extended positions being folded away from said body.

Claim 7

Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said end panels of said first, second, third and fourth panels being hinged to their respective panel ends and in their retracted positions being folded against their respective panels and in their extended positions being folded away from and coplanar with their respective panels.

Claim 8

A convertible camper-boat for terrestrial and aquatic travel comprising: a camper-body having a fore end, and aft end, and two spaced parallel sides connecting said fore and aft ends; four flat panels; each panel being quadrilateral and having two opposite edges connected by opposite ends, a first of said panels being attached and supported on one edge to said fore end, a second of said panels being attached and supported on one panel edge to said aft end, a third panel being attached on one edge to a first parallel side, a fourth panel being attached and supported on one panel edge to a second parallel side; end panels retractably and extendably connected to one end of said third and fourth panels respectively; two pair of elongated strut members, a first of said pairs being supported for vertical adjustment to and removable from one of said parallel sides, the second of said pairs being supported for vertical adjustment and removable from the second of said parallel sides, said strut members in said first pair being horizontally spaced along said one parallel side, said strut members in said second pair being horizontally spaced along said second parallel side, each of said strut members rotatably carrying a wheel member at the lower distal ends thereof, to provide wheeled support to said body in off-loading of said body from the land vehicle in terrestrial transport of said body to the aquatic site, said strut members being supported at opposite ends of said parallel sides so that clearance is provided for said members when said end panels of said third and fourth panels are in retracted position; means for buoyantly supporting said body when said panels are in extended position.

Claim 9

A convertible camper-boat for terrestrial and aquatic travel comprising: a camper-body having a fore end, and aft end, and two spaced parallel sides connecting said fore and aft ends; four flat panels; each panel being quadrilateral and having two opposite edges connected by opposite ends, a first of said panels being attached and supported on one edge to said fore end, a second of said panels being attached and supported on one panel edge to said aft end, a third panel being attached on one edge to a first parallel side, a fourth panel being attached and supported on one panel edge to a second parallel side; end panels retractably and extendably connected to one end of said third and fourth panels respectively; two pair of elongated strut members, a first of said pairs being supported for vertical adjustment to and removable from one of said parallel sides, the second of said pairs being supported for vertical adjustment and removable from the second of said parallel sides, said strut members in said first pair being horizontally spaced along said one parallel side, said strut members in said second pair being horizontally spaced along said second parallel side, each of said strut members rotatably carrying a wheel member at the lower distal ends thereof, to provide wheeled support to said body in off-loading of said body from the land vehicle in terrestrial transport of said body to the aquatic site, said strut members being supported at opposite ends of said parallel sides so that clearance is provided for said members when said end panels of said third and fourth panels are in retracted position; means for buoyantly supporting said body when said panels are in extended position.

Claim 10

A convertible camper-boat for terrestrial and aquatic travel comprising: a camper-body having a fore end, an aft end, and two spaced generally parallel sides connecting said fore end and aft ends, a plurality of flat panels; means for attaching and supporting each of said panels in a retracted position and in an extended position relative to said body, said panels in said retracted position being disposed adjacent to said body and in said extended position extending outwardly from and in supported relation to said body to form a deck space contiguous to said body; said panels including a panel being in attached and supported relation to each of said sides and a panel attached and supported in relation to at least one of said fore and aft ends; means for buoyantly supporting said body when said panels are in said extended position; a door in hinged relation to one body end and swingable from a closed to an open position to provide a doorway to the body interior; a panel having a first section and a second section retractably and extendably mounted to said one body end; hinge means for foldably attaching said first section to a lower edge portion of said one body end; said lower edge portion being horizontally displaced from said doorway in order that said first section may be folded against said one end without obstructing said doorway; said first section swingable away from said one end to a horizontal position to form a first deck area; said second section extendable from said first section to form a deck area contiguous to said first deck area and said one end and in horizontal registration with said doorway; and said second section being retractable against said first section to provide access to said doorway when said first section is folded against said one end.

Claim 11

A convertible camper-boat for terrestrial and aquatic travel comprising: a camper-body having a fore end, an aft end, and two spaced generally parallel sides connecting said fore end and aft ends, a plurality of flat panels; means for attaching and supporting each of said panels in a retracted position and in an extended position relative to said body, said panels in said retracted position being disposed adjacent to said body and in said extended position extending outwardly from and in supported relation to said body to form a deck space contiguous to said body; said panels including a panel being in attached and supported relation to each of said sides and a panel attached and supported in relation to at least one of said fore and aft ends; means for buoyantly supporting said body when said panels are in said extended position; a door in hinged relation to one body end and swingable from a closed to an open position to provide a doorway to the body interior; a panel having a first section and a second section retractably and extendably mounted to said one body end; hinge means for foldably attaching said first section to a lower edge portion of said one body end; said lower edge portion being horizontally displaced from said doorway in order that said first section may be folded against said one end without obstructing said doorway; said first section swingable away from said one end to a horizontal position to form a first deck area; said second section extendable from said first section to form a deck area contiguous to said first deck area and said one end and in horizontal registration with said doorway; and said second section being retractable against said first section to provide access to said doorway when said first section is folded against said one end.

Claim 12

Apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said second section is attachable to said one end when in said extended position.

Claim 13

Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said second section has hinge portions registrable with cooperating hinge portions on said one end; a hinge pin insertable in said hinge portions when said portions are in registration.

Claim 14

A convertible camper-boat for terrestrial and aquatic travel comprising: a camper-body having a fore end, an aft end, and two spaced generally parallel sides connecting said fore and aft ends, a plurality of flat panels; means for attaching and supporting each of said panels in a retracted position and in an extended position relative to said body, said panels in said retracted position being disposed adjacent to said body in said extended position extending outwardly from and in supported relation to said body to form a deck space contiguous to said body; said panels including a panel being in attached and supported relation to each of said sides and a panel attached and supported in relation to at least one of said fore and aft ends; means for buoyantly supporting said body comprising at least two elongate pontoon members, one of said pontoon members being removably attachable to one of said side panels and a second of said pontoon members being removably attachable to the other of said side panels; and a plurality of rigid elongate cross beams, said cross beams being transverse and attachable to said pontoon members and longitudinally spaced along said pontoon members, said beams being attachable to said panels to provide rigid support to said panels and said pontoon members.

Claim 15

A convertible camper-boat for terrestrial and aquatic travel comprising: a camper-body having a fore end, an aft end, and two spaced generally parallel sides connecting said fore and aft ends, a plurality of flat panels; means for attaching and supporting each of said panels in a retracted position and in an extended position relative to said body, said panels in said retracted position being disposed adjacent to said body in said extended position extending outwardly from and in supported relation to said body to form a deck space contiguous to said body; said panels including a panel being in attached and supported relation to each of said sides and a panel attached and supported in relation to at least one of said fore and aft ends; means for buoyantly supporting said body comprising at least two elongate pontoon members, one of said pontoon members being removably attachable to one of said side panels and a second of said pontoon members being removably attachable to the other of said side panels; and a plurality of rigid elongate cross beams, said cross beams being transverse and attachable to said pontoon members and longitudinally spaced along said pontoon members, said beams being attachable to said panels to provide rigid support to said panels and said pontoon members.

Claim 16

A convertible camper-boat for terrestrial and aquatic travel comprising: a camper-body having a fore end, an aft end, and two spaced generally parallel sides connecting said fore and aft ends, a plurality of flat panels; means for attaching and supporting each of said panels in a retracted position and in an extended position relative to said body, said panels in said retracted position being disposed adjacent to said body and in said extended position extending outwardly from and in supported relation to said body to form a deck space contiguous to said body; said panels including a panel being in attached and supported relation to each of said sides and a panel attached and supported in relation to at least one of said fore and aft ends; means for buoyantly supporting said body comprising at least two elongate pontoon members, one of said pontoon members being removably attachable to one of said side panels and a second of said pontoon members being removably attachable to the other of said side panels; a plurality of rigid elongate cross beams, said cross beams being transverse and attachable to said pontoon members and longitudinally spaced along said pontoon members, said beams being attachable to said panels to provide rigid support to said panels and said pontoon members; each of said panels being quadrilateral and having two opposite edges connected by opposite ends, a first of said panels being attached and supported at one panel edge to said fore end, a second of said panels being attached and supported at one panel edge to said aft end, a third panel being attached and supported at one panel edge to a first side and a fourth panel being attached at one edge to a second side; a recess being formed in each of said parallel sides; a fifth elongate panel being attached to and supported to one of said sides at said one side recess and a sixth elongate panel being attached to and supported to the other of said sides at said other side recess; and said fifth and sixth panels are hinged to their respective sides; said fifth and sixth panels being folded into their respective recesses in said retracted positions and being folded away from their respective recesses in said extended positions.

Claim 17

A convertible camper-boat for terrestrial and aquatic travel comprising: a camper-body having a fore end, an aft end, and two spaced generally parallel sides connecting said fore and aft ends, a plurality of flat panels; means for attaching and supporting each of said panels in a retracted position and in an extended position relative to said body, said panels in said retracted position being disposed adjacent to said body and in said extended position extending outwardly from and in supported relation to said body to form a deck space contiguous to said body; said panels including a panel being in attached and supported relation to each of said sides and a panel attached and supported in relation to at least one of said fore and aft ends; means for buoyantly supporting said body comprising at least two elongate pontoon members, one of said pontoon members being removably attachable to one of said side panels and a second of said pontoon members being removably attachable to the other of said side panels; a plurality of rigid elongate cross beams, said cross beams being transverse and attachable to said pontoon members and longitudinally spaced along said pontoon members, said beams being attachable to said panels to provide rigid support to said panels and said pontoon members; each of said panels being quadrilateral and having two opposite edges connected by opposite ends, a first of said panels being attached and supported at one panel edge to said fore end, a second of said panels being attached and supported at one panel edge to said aft end, a third panel being attached and supported at one panel edge to a first side and a fourth panel being attached at one edge to a second side; a recess being formed in each of said parallel sides; a fifth elongate panel being attached to and supported to one of said sides at said one side recess and a sixth elongate panel being attached to and supported to the other of said sides at said other side recess; and said fifth and sixth panels are hinged to their respective sides; said fifth and sixth panels being folded into their respective recesses in said retracted positions and being folded away from their respective recesses in said extended positions.