Patent US5095843A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5095843A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Storage and buoyancy device for small watercraft
Assignee: Yamaha Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1991-05-06
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Granted: 1992-03-17
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Expires: 2011-05-06
Abstract
Abstract Several embodiments of hull configurations for small watercraft wherein the gunnels at the side of the watercraft are raised and provided with sealed storage areas that increase the buoyancy of the hull and which can be flooded for assisting in re-entry.
Inventors
- 👤 Noboru Kobayashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:33
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63B; B63B34/00; B63B34/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A hull for a small watercraft comprising a depressed rider's area open through the rear of said hull and bounded by a pair of longitudinally extending gunnels an elevated rider's seating area formed at the rear central portion of said hull centrally of said depressed rider's area and adapted to accommodate at least one rider seated thereon, a storage area formed at the upper end of at least one of said gunnels and extending from the rear end of said gunnel to a point disposed forwardly of said rider's seat for providing a substantial length for said storage area along at least one side of said hull, an opening at the rear of said hull communicating with said storage compartment, and selectively openable closure means for closing said opening and for affording access to said storage area when opened and through which the storage area is flooded for changing the buoyancy at one side of the watercraft to assist reentry if a rider becomes displaced from said watercraft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A hull for a small watercraft comprising a depressed rider's area open through the rear of said hull and bounded by a pair of longitudinally extending gunnels an elevated rider's seating area formed at the rear central portion of said hull centrally of said depressed rider's area and adapted to accommodate at least one rider seated thereon, a storage area formed at the upper end of at least one of said gunnels and extending from the rear end of said gunnel to a point disposed forwardly of said rider's seat for providing a substantial length for said storage area along at least one side of said hull, an opening at the rear of said hull communicating with said storage compartment, and selectively openable closure means for closing said opening and for affording access to said storage area when opened and through which the storage area is flooded for changing the buoyancy at one side of the watercraft to assist reentry if a rider becomes displaced from said watercraft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A hull for a small watercraft as set forth in claim 1 wherein the storage area is air tight when the closure means is closed for adding to the buoyancy of the hull.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A hull for a small watercraft as set forth in claim 1 wherein the storage area extends substantially the full length of the gunnel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A hull for a small watercraft as set forth in claim 3 wherein there is a storage area and a selectively operable openable closure means in each of the gunnels at the upper end thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A hull for a small watercraft as set forth in claim 1 wherein the storage area is surrounded by a buoyant mass.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A hull for a small watercraft as set forth in claim 5 wherein the storage area is air tight when the closure means is closed for adding to the buoyancy of the hull.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A hull for a small watercraft as set forth in claim 6 wherein the storage area can be flooded upon partially depressing the hull and removing the closure means for assisting in re-entry.
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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) | 1995-03-17 | 1995-09-16 | 1996-03-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-17 | 1999-09-16 | 2000-03-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-17 | 2003-09-16 | 2004-03-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |