Patent US4386441A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4386441A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Folding pontoon arrangement
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1981-02-11
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Granted: 1983-06-07
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Expires: 2001-02-11
Abstract
Abstract A folding pontoon arrangement comprises one, or preferably two pairs of pontoons. The pontoons in each pontoon pair are mutually, pivotably connected about a hinge line at the upper side of the pontoons. One of the pontoons of each pair has a chamber situated below the hinge line, which can be opened to the outside of the pontoon via a closable connection. The second pontoon in the pontoon pair has a wheel housing with a ground wheel mounted therein under the hinge line. When the pontoon pair assumes an extended floating position and the connection is then opened, the chamber is filled with water causing the pontoon pair to fold about the hinge line. The weight of the wheel contributes to the folding tendency. If two pontoon pairs are pivotably interconnected with the aid of a third hinge joint, a pontoon unit is obtained which is a self-contained vehicle on the wheels when the pontoons are locked together in an upstanding, juxtaposed position.
Inventors
- 👤 Frans G. Lundholm
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 07:46
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01D; E01D15/00; E01D15/14; E01D15/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A folding pontoon arrangement comprising at least one pair of interconnecting pontoons, each pontoon having an upper side forming a carrying surface, an underside intended to be submerged in the water, end walls, one end of each pontoon of which mutually opposes the other and side walls and hinge line pivot means adjacent the upper sides and mutually opposed end walls pivotally interconnecting said pontoons for swinging about said means, one of said pontoons defining a chamber having a side which includes one of said mutually opposed end walls, said chamber having a closable opening therein adjacent said underside to permit and prevent entry and exiting of water to and from said chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A folding pontoon arrangement comprising at least one pair of interconnecting pontoons, each pontoon having an upper side forming a carrying surface, an underside intended to be submerged in the water, end walls, one end of each pontoon of which mutually opposes the other and side walls and hinge line pivot means adjacent the upper sides and mutually opposed end walls pivotally interconnecting said pontoons for swinging about said means, one of said pontoons defining a chamber having a side which includes one of said mutually opposed end walls, said chamber having a closable opening therein adjacent said underside to permit and prevent entry and exiting of water to and from said chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The arrangement as in claim 1 wherein said closable opening, comprises a shut-off valve.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein said valve is operable from the top and/or side of the pontoon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the pontoons in each pair is provided with a weight situated in the vicinity of one of said mutually opposing end walls.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The arrangement as claimed in claim 4, wherein said weight is at least in part formed by at least one wheel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
The arrangement as claimed in claim 5, wherein said wheel is partially inserted in a wheel housing made from one of said mutually opposing end walls, and that the other of said mutually opposing end walls of the other pontoon has a complementary recess to accommodate the portion of the wheel projecting from the end wall of the first pontoon in an extended floating position of the pontoon pair.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
58 words
The arrangement as claimed in claim 6, including two pontoon pairs mutually pivotably connected, in a manner known per se, at a second hinge line pivot means parallel to said first-mentioned hinge line pivot means of the two pontoon pairs, and situated adjacent the undersides of the pontoons, and that each pontoon pair has at least one wheel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein said wheels are arranged in the pontoons situated farthest from each other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein the two central pontoons of the two pontoon pairs are each provided with a chamber.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-06-06 | 1986-12-06 | 1987-06-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-06-06 | 1990-12-06 | 1991-06-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-06-06 | 1994-12-06 | 1995-06-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |