US4624209A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable multi-hull watercraft kit
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-05-25
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Granted: 1986-11-25
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Expires: 2004-05-25
Abstract
Abstract A readily portable kit for assembling a multiple-hulled watercraft, such as a catamaran, from two or more open-hulled boats such as canoes. The kit in one embodiment allows the assembly, using two standard canoes, of a stable catamaran having a large deck surface. The multiple hulled vessel may be rapidly assembled or disassembled using a novel fastening system which allows the deck to be tied down with straps or other suitable hardware. In its disassembled state, the kit and hulls may be readily and compactly carried on the roof of a car or van. In its assembled condition, the deck acts to seal the open hulls, creating a stable, substantially water-tight watercraft of large capacity. The deck is constructed to enable the erection thereon of a tent, or similar collapsible shelter, including a water-tight protective shroud around the circumference of the tent, and in one variation, a protective tarpaulin above the tent.
Inventors
- 👤 Victor R. Loffler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 16:10
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B1/00; B63B1/02; B63B1/10; B63B1/12; B63B1/121; B63B34/00; B63B34/20; B63B34/21; B63B34/23; B63B34/26; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/39
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A kit for converting at least two watercraft hulls having gunwales into a multi-hulled watercraft having a deck surface comprising: (a) a deck comprising a plurality of sections which can be stacked into a compact portable unit, the deck being adapted to bear on said gunwales; (b) means for aligning the deck on the gunwales so that the hulls are parallel and in alignment with one another, said alignment means being located on the deck so as to correspond with the inboard side of the gunwales; (c) a plurality of removable deck securement receiving means adapted to be secured at a plurality of locations along the inboard sides of the gunwales; (d) a plurality of deck securement means which can be operated solely from above the deck for removably securing the deck to the deck securement receiving means; and (e) reusable sealing means located between the plurality of sections for sealing the deck joints between sections against water transmission between the sections.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A kit for converting at least two watercraft hulls having gunwales into a multi-hulled watercraft having a deck surface comprising: (a) a deck comprising a plurality of sections which can be stacked into a compact portable unit, the deck being adapted to bear on said gunwales; (b) means for aligning the deck on the gunwales so that the hulls are parallel and in alignment with one another, said alignment means being located on the deck so as to correspond with the inboard side of the gunwales; (c) a plurality of removable deck securement receiving means adapted to be secured at a plurality of locations along the inboard sides of the gunwales; (d) a plurality of deck securement means which can be operated solely from above the deck for removably securing the deck to the deck securement receiving means; and (e) reusable sealing means located between the plurality of sections for sealing the deck joints between sections against water transmission between the sections.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The kit of claim 1 further comprising second reusable sealing means for sealing the joint between said deck and said gunwales.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The kit of claim 1 wherein the deck is adapted to receive a bolt, and the deck securement receiving means comprises a body having a passageway which incorporates a receiving means adapted to receive and secure the bolt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The kit of claim 1 wherein the deck is adapted to receive a threaded bolt, and the deck securement receiving means comprises a body having a threaded passageway therein adapted to receive and secure the threaded bolt.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The kit of claim 1 wherein said deck includes at least one hatch located to permit access to the interior of one of said watercraft when the deck is secured to the gunwales of the warercraft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The kit of claim 5 further comprising means for supporting an outboard motor, said supporting means also adapted to act as a roof rack when transporting said kit in disassembled form.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The kit of claim 6 wherein said deck is adapted to accommodate a removable collapsible shelter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The kit of claim 7 further including means for removably securing a flexible waterproof barrier to said deck and to the lower circumference of said shelter, said barrier incorporating a closable waterproof passageway for entry into the shelter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The kit of claim 6 further comprising means for removably suspending and securing a protective covering above said deck.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The kit of claim 6 wherein the outboard motor supporting means is a removable transom which can be installed at the mid-region of the rear of the aft deck section.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The kit of claim 1 wherein deck section stabilizing means are incorporated between each deck section.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The kit of claim 1 wherein the watercradt hulls have transoms and the kit includes transom gap filling and sealing means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The kit of claim 1 including a gunwale gap filling and sealing means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The kit of claim 1 including means adapted to enable electrical wiring and a fuel line to be removably accessible from the interior of at least one of said hulls to the upper side of the deck.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
54 words
The kit of claim 1 wherein the sealing the sealing means between the plurality of sections is constructed of a waterproof resilient material which has sufficient rigidity and cooperates with the adjoining sections to cause the adjoining sections to maintain alignment when a weight is applied downwardly on one or more of the sections.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The kit of claim 15, wherein the sealing means has an H-shaped cross-section, the edges of adjacent sections fitting into the respective recesses of the H-shaped seal means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
88 words
The kit of claim 1 wherein the deck is adapted to receive a flexible restraining means and wherein the deck securement receiving means comprises a body having an upper surface and a passageway adapted to receive the flexible restraining means, the passageway opening adjacent the one end of the upper surface and passing throuch the body in a substantially continuous path and emerging adjacent the opposite end of the upper surface, the body being adapted to receive means for securing the body to the hull of the watercraft.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The kit of claim 1 wherein the alignment means is an elongated means which passes through an opening in the deck into a receiving passageway in the deck securement receiving means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The kit of claim 1 wherein the plurality of deck sections extend across the gunwales of the watercraft hulls in a lateral direction.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
84 words
The kit of claim 1 wherein said deck is adapted to receive a rope or strap and wherein said securing means comprises a body having an upper surface and a passageway adapted to receive a strap or rope, said passageway opening adjacent one end of said upper surface, passing through said body in a substantially continuous path and emerging adjacent the opposite end of said upper surface, said body being adapted to receive means for securing said body to the hull of said watercraft.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
122 words
A kit for converting at least two watercraft hulls having gunwales into a multi-hulled watercraft comprising: (a) a deck adapted to bear on said gunwales; (b) means for aligning said deck on said gunwales; and (c) means for removably securing said deck to said gunwales, wherein said deck is adapted to receive a strapping means and wherein said securing means comprises a body, having an upper surface and a passageway adapted to receive a strapping means, said passageway opening adjacent one end of said upper surface, passing through said body in a substantially continuous path and emerging adjacent the opposite end of said upper surface, said body being adapted to receive means for securing said body to the hull of said watercraft.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
122 words
A kit for converting at least two watercraft hulls having gunwales into a multi-hulled watercraft comprising: (a) a deck adapted to bear on said gunwales; (b) means for aligning said deck on said gunwales; and (c) means for removably securing said deck to said gunwales, wherein said deck is adapted to receive a strapping means and wherein said securing means comprises a body, having an upper surface and a passageway adapted to receive a strapping means, said passageway opening adjacent one end of said upper surface, passing through said body in a substantially continuous path and emerging adjacent the opposite end of said upper surface, said body being adapted to receive means for securing said body to the hull of said watercraft.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-11-24 | 1990-05-26 | 1990-11-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-11-24 | 1994-05-26 | 1994-11-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-11-24 | 1998-05-26 | 1998-11-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |