Abstract: A frame for an inflatable catamaran, consisting of an inner frame each side of which has two pairs of side frames pivoted to it; inflatable tubes forming the hulls of the catamaran are secured on each side of the frame, by securing the side frame to the tubes at spaced apart positions; the frame is arranged to fold substantially flat for storage.

Abstract: An inflatable vessel for marine divers having an opening in the fabric bottom or deck to enable divers to board the vessel from the water through the opening without swamping the vessel. No rigid framework is required.

Abstract: A seat for an inflatable boat having an outboard motor, comprising a plurality of telescoping sections movable with respect to each other to permit adjustment of the overall width of the seat, one of said sections comprising a hollow container for storing fuel for the boat's motor.

Abstract: An inflatable boat comprising a unitary bottom which is comprised of a plurality of parallel, elongated air chambers and has two opposite ends curving upwards respectively, two bulwarks separately attached to the bottom at two opposite sides through a welding joint, two hood-like connecting members connected between the two bulwarks and the bottom at two opposite ends. Parallel grooves are formed in the bottom between the elongated air chambers for guiding waves so as to reduce resisting force during sailing.

Abstract: The inflatable bladder (50) contained hull (30) of an aquatic vessel (20) that can be used on a floating swimming pool or spa, a raft or boat, a containment boom or the like. Connectors (33) and retaining lines (34) interconnect the free ends of hull components (31) and accessories (40). The system may be disassembled, turned inside out, and/or upside down and reassembled if desired.

Abstract: A portable outrigger assembly for use to enhance the stability of a sailboat and the like. The outrigger assembly comprises an inflatable hull, a tube for supporting the inflatable hull in spaced-apart relationship to a sailboat, and hull attachment means for securing the inflatable hull to the tube. The hull attachment means includes means to selectively change the cross-sectional shape of the inflatable hull so as to modify the lift capability thereof as desired.

Abstract: A boat is disclosed including a composite hull with a rigid bottom (2) and an inflatable tubular buoyancy element (3) having a general U shape fixed to the upper edge of the bottom along the front and lateral sides thereof, the bottom having at the rear an upstanding wall forming an upper stern (4), a rigid deck (5) being further fixed to the bottom and defining therewith a housing (6) for an on-board drive and propellant device, in which the deck (5) forms, in its rear half, an upwardly projecting axial T shaped console (9), the transverse bar of the T forming a transverse seat (10) and the leg of the T forming successively (from the rear forwards) a jockey seat (11) for the pilot and a block, which is raised with respect thereto, forming a piloting post (12) situated immediately behind the seat (10), the rear end of the leg of the T being connected to the upper stern (4); the portion of the deck situated on each side of the jockey seat forms a floor (13) for the pilot; and the drive and propellant device ar

Abstract: A riding apparatus has a cover and plural inflatable tubes for towing several riders at once. The tubes are toroidally shaped and can be of the type used in vehicle tires. The cover has elongated, flexible top and bottom members coupled together at the sides. Plural cavities are formed between the top and bottom members. Each cavity matingly receives a tube. Each cavity communicates with the adjacent cavities so that each tube contacts the adjacent tubes at tangent points. The tangential points of contact between the tubes and the flexible top and bottom members coupling the tubes together allow each tube to pitch up and down with respect to the adjacent tubes. A towing harness is attached to the cover.

Abstract: An attachable, swivel seat for an inflatable boat that sets firmly and freely on the main frame of the motor mount, the seat having adjustable cross members to fit its own motor mount or most other types of motor mounts. This attachable seat also has an adjustable brace from the cross member to the floor of the boat and a platform behind it which can support a battery or the like, and said attachment also provides space where fishing rod holders may be mounted. This attachable seat may be moved forward or backward and places the occupant above the gunwales in a position to comfortably operate the controls of a trolling motor with plenty of leg room and in the event of a tear or serious air leak or the boat capsizes, the seat is a floatation device.

Abstract: A body board for a water slide having an ergonometric design that conforms to the contours of a user's body having a generally frustoconical perimeter that circumscribes at least two chambers that are connected for pivoting movement with respect to one another.

Abstract: A power-driven float device includes a combination and inflatable float tube, a support body for the power supply on which there is mounted a vertical shaft and an electric motor and impeller together with the battery for powering the electric motor and means for releasably attaching the support body to the float tube. The float tube, support body and vertical shaft are easily assembled and disassembled. The float tube is shown to the front or either side of the support body. Band-type and strap-type harness assemblies firmly embrace the float tube to releasably secure the float tube to the support body. A storage body of a size and shape and construction in one embodiment is mounted opposite the support body.

Abstract: A deck apparatus is disclosed containing interengagement means between an inflatable boat and a plurality of adjacent deck elements which are joined by a resilient link. The interengagement means prevent relative vertical movements of the adjacent deck elements and substantially all angular movement in one direction, but freely permit relative angular movement in the other direction whereby the adjacent deck elements may be folded on top of one another with the link allowing in principle, 180 degrees of relative rotation.

Abstract: A portable boat assembly for use by an operator having a stern module, a bow module integrable with the stern module, an inflatable tube which surrounds the bow and stern modules and forms the float platform of the boat, a propeller assembly disposed beneath the bow and stern modules, a pedal and gear assembly disposed in the bow module such that movement of the pedal and gear assembly is converted into movement of the propeller assembly for propelling the boat through water, a rudder and tiller assembly attachable to the rear of the stern module for directing the boat through the water, and keels for controlling the drift and set of the boat.

Abstract: This invention is a lightweight, potentially expendable, temporary canopy sembly for small open type watercraft. The thin resilient battens are interconnected in the form of a bowed longitudinal ridge member having a plurality of shorter length, transversely disposed, longitudinally spaced, bowed rib members connected therewith, with the free ends of the battens, inserted through D-ring type attachment means provided on the inner periphery of the watercraft, while exerting frictional tension against the craft's gunwales areas. A flexible Nylon type cover comprised of selectively joinable half sections is used as the protective canopy. It uses preferably complementally mateable hooks and loops type manual fastener means, such as Velcro.RTM. complemental fastener strips, to provide the selective attachment and detachment of the two halves over the bowed center ridge member, and also to detachably secure the canopy perimeter portions to the gunwale areas.

Abstract: An apparatus for self-righting a rigid inflatable boat in which the boat includes an elongated hull having a determinable center of gravity and beam width. The boat hull has an elongated rigid bottom and inflatable sidewalls which have top, bottom and inner edges. An inflatable arch member having first and second leg portions extending upwardly and inboard from opposite sidewalls of the hull converges at a central point spaced outwardly a first predetermined vertical distance above the top edges. The first predetermined distance is at least equal to the sum of one-half of the beam of the hull, plus a distance equal to the vertical distance, if any, at which the center of gravity may be located above the sidewalls' bottom edges. Each leg portion has an axial centerline which extends upwardly and inwardly substantially between its respective sidewall and the central point.

Abstract: A float tube device with adjustable sling seat, the float tube device having a buoyant annular tubular member; a flexible fabric cover encasing the tubular member; a laterally extending band of flexible material, extending across a central opening of the tubular member to define a sling seat; and adjustable belt members for selectively increasing or decreasing the sling of the seat. The adjustable belts can be adjusted to provide sufficient tension on the seat to provide a stiff seat or may be loosened to provide a desired amount of sling. A second pair of adjustable belt members allows for selected forward or rearward tilt or pitch of the seat to maximize comfort. The seat member is affixed directly to the cover for safety and a crotch strap may be provided as an additional safety feature and to assist in providing selective tilt under some conditions.

Abstract: The invention is a removable sub-hull for an inflatable boat. The rear portion of the sub-hull is attached to the boat by straps and the forward portion is attached through the use of a cup shaped portion that receives the bow of the inflatable boat. The sub-hull includes a keel member on its bottom surface and can be used on a variety of different length inflatable boats. The top of the cup portion can either be an extension of the rigid bottom of the sub-hull or, it can be a removable, flexible cover member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mounting structure of a propulsion device for an inflatable boat, including a propulsion assembly, which comprises a power device and a driven propeller; a sleeve body, whose internal diameter is larger than the longitudinal length of the propeller of the propulsion assembly so as to allow the easy passage of the propeller of the propulsion device through the sleeve body; a mounting hole securely devised in the hull, the hole being provided near the stern of the inflatable boat in accordance with the habitual practice as well as for convenience sake, and the internal diameter being larger than the external diameter of the sleeve body; a power device supporting element, which is secured to the sleeve body so that when the propeller of the propulsion assembly passes through the sleeve body it can maintain the power device of the propulsion assembly above the flange of the cover of the sleeve body; and a set of direction control levers to turn the propeller of the propulsion assembly so as to cont

Abstract: A flotation apparatus such as an inflatable tube is designed for a wide sluice waterslide. A coupling for the tube has a prong on the bow of the tube, which is V-shaped, the prong extending forward along a handle portion and downward to a distal locking knob with radial fins. A positioning plate reinforces the coupling between the prong and a mounting plate on the tube. A coupling ring is attached to the mounting plate or the positioning plate, laterally of the prong, and a second coupling ring is provided at the stern of the tube, such that the tube can be coupled to other such tubes in single file or face to face arrays. The fins of the prong and the inside diameter of the rings are complementarily conical in the insertion and removal directions. A wide sluice waterslide to be traversed by the tubes as joined in lines or arrays has a generally downhill contour along a sinuous path.

Abstract: A bracket is provided for securing an inflatable dinghy having opposing pontoon portions to a yacht. The bracket comprises a member adatped to fit over one of the pontoon portions, and having at one end thereof an element for removably securing the member to the yacht, and also comprises a mounting assembly for mounting the member to the dinghy such that the member is directly or indirectly held by and between the under parts of the inner sides of the opposing pontoon portions.

Abstract: The present invention is a device for attachment to the leg of a boat lift, wherein the device has a housing with a lower surface of substantial area and an air entrapment volume therein; the air entrapment volume is coupled via a connectable air step to an air hose which connects to an air valve. A source of pressurized air is coupled to the air valve.

Abstract: A detachable water scooter assembly comprises an engine compartment with a bill-shaped front hull, an engine in the engine compartment, a central axle connected to the engine, a driving assembly, a handle bar assembly, two air chambers, a plenum chamber, and at least two securing belts. The driving assembly comprises a shaft, a universal joint, a driven axle, a propeller screw, and a rudder. The handle bar assembly comprises a steering bar, a fixed plate, and a plurality of bolts. The shaft has a plurality of holes on its periphery.

Abstract: A portable outrigger assembly for use to enhance the stability of a boat. The outrigger assembly comprises an inflatable hull, a tube for supporting the inflatable hull in spaced-apart relationship to a sailboat, and a hull attachment member for securing the inflatable hull to the tube. The hull attachment member includes arms to selectively change the cross-sectional shape of the inflatable hull so as to modify the lift capability thereof as desired.

Abstract: The present invention is a protective cover for an inflatable water sled having a central elongated chamber and two elongated stabilizer chambers connected to and arranged on opposite sides of the central chamber. The cover includes a flexible enclosure with opposite sides shaped to be filled by the sled's inflated central chamber. A pair of elongated side openings on opposing sides of the enclosure accommodate extension of the sled stabilizer chambers therethrough. Attached to the front of the enclosure is a tow rope fastener whereby any towing force is distributed by the enclosure across the surface area of the sled.

Abstract: A knockdown sailboat adapted to be stowed in a carrying case which includes inflatable hulls, a frame made up of longitudinal sectional tubular members connected securely to spaced-apart lateral tubular frame members, and a telescopic sectional mast stepped to the frame so formed. A carrying case is provided which is made up of two identical halves which serve as deck benches on each respective hull and provide a secure connection between the lateral frame members and the longitudinal frame members. Rigid tubular sectional shroud members are provided between the mast and the frame, and other rigging and spars are provided to make an operable sailboat. All of the spars, masts, and frame can be telescoped and stowed along with the deflated hulls into the carrying case formed by the two halves serving as deck benches.

Abstract: The craft incorporates a keel (3) essentially constituted by an elongated capacity (4) formed out of a flexible or resilient material which is distortable and watertight. A water inlet opening (6) is provided in the wall of this elongated capacity (4) oriented towards the bow of the craft and maintained in the open condition, in order to have the water back pressure prevailing in this elongated capacity (4) as soon as the craft is moving in the forward direction, said elongated capacity (4) being then at least partially filled with water.

Abstract: A rigid hull inflatable boat has its buoyancy tube releasably secured to its hull by toggle stop means such as a three-bar buckle borne on flexible tags attached to the tube which is rotatable so as either to be passable through apertures in the hull or to engage the hull and prevent such passage. Inflation of the tube causes positive urging of the stop means towards such engagement.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for mounting accessories on inflatable structures. The system according to the invention is characterized by having a profiled molding (2) forming a strip adapted to be secured to the inflatable structure (1), and selectively removable and position-adjustable mounting devices (4) for mounting of accessories or accessory-fittings on said profiled molding (2). The invention is suitable for use on inflatable boats.

Abstract: In a rigid inflatable boat having a rigid hull with a bottom wall and side walls having top edges carrying floatation pontoon, a water jet drive is mounted on the bottom wall near a transom closing the rear end of the hull. The jet drive has an inlet communicating with a hole through the bottom wall and an outlet communicating with a hole through the transom. A steering cowl arrangement is mounted around the outlet of the jet drive and is connected to a steering wheel and handle for controlling the direction of water discharge for the jet drive. Seals are provided between the floatation pontoons and the transom for avoiding entry of water into the hull. The boat includes a seat positioned forward of the jet drive to distribute weight evenly on the hull.

Abstract: A water craft including an inflatable buoyancy chamber, by inflation and deflation of the buoyancy chamber the buoyancy of the craft, floating or submerged, can be regulated. The water craft includes a buoyancy control apparatus for controlling inflation and deflation of the buoyancy chamber via air supplied by a source of compressed gas. The buoyancy control apparatus includes an operator actuable control which sends control signals to a venting device, to a descent device, to an ascent device or to a hovering device.

Abstract: A manually transportable, internal combustion engine driven personal watercraft is described. It comprises a rigid, relatively thin fiberglass or other suitable plastic hull with inflatable tubular fabric reinforced sidewalks extending along opposed side edges of the hull from the stern to the bow. Insetted into the hull is a baseplate on which an IC engine/pump module can be readily coupled and uncoupled. The baseplate includes a water inlet scoop in fluid communication with the pump's inlet and an exhaust port which becomes aligned with the exhaust outlet of the IC engine when the two are joined. The pump's high pressure water outlet is pointed in the aft direction above the waterline and the craft is propelled by the reaction force resulting from the high velocity water jet.

Abstract: A stabilized and foldable safety inflatable boat formed of a synthetic rubber or a plastic material is provided. The housing of the boat being comprised of an upper air holding portion and a lower water holding portion. Both the air holding portion and the water holding portion each include six or more respective independent chambers, each having a respective access for filling the chambers with air or water in a predetermined volume to provide a desired stabilization and provide maximum buoyant force. A mattress portion encircled by the housing also includes independent chambers for selective filling with air and water to provide improved body support. The boat can be deflated and folded for ease of transport.

Abstract: There is disclosed a catamaran either of the inboard or of the outboard type comprising a tunnel having a decreasing height from the bow to the stern thereof and so shaped as to provide an optimal distribution of the underlaying air pressure and in which, under the two flexible material tubular elements supporting the overlaying structure there are affixed tight rigid hulls which can consist of two or more parts in order to better fit the configurations of the waves by exploiting the resiliency of the tubular elements. The rear part of each hull is so designed as to form a small tunnel for preventing water from laterally exiting which is very important at the start and gliding of the boat. Thus the boat will be very soft, safe with high speed and reduced consume characteristics.

Abstract: A boat includes a pan of inflatable hull sections having a rigid deck attached thereto. The attachment includes a generally J-shaped connection at a point above the center line on the hull and includes a rigid C-shaped member on the deck cooperating with an inflatable member on the hull.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a sail-boat type wind-surfing catamaran as a kit of disassembled parts having inflatable deflated pneumatically-sealed pontoons, attachable and anchorable onto transversely extending detachable forwardly and rearwardly beams by detachably mountable and anchorable on the transversly extending beams, the band circumscribing the respective inflated pontoons when mounted, at-least a portion of each of the beams extending above the respective pontoons when inflated, the floor being mountable between and detachably anchored on the forwardly and rearwardly beams by forwardly to rearwardly-extending elongated supports extending between and detachably anchored on the forwardly and rearwardly beams, with a wing-rudder mounted in a fixed position on a distal end of an elongated wing-mounting rod-structure of which the proximal rod-end is detachable mounted between the pontoons and anchored on the rearwardly transverse beam, with supplemental support thereto extending from rearward portions of

Abstract: To secure a tube (6) to the hull (4) of a rigid inflatable boat (2) a rigid plate (10) is retained at the outside of the tube by means of a pocket (14) and there offers an anchorage for securing means (e.g. nut and bolt 22,24) penetrating a flange (12) of the hull.

Abstract: A rigid inflatable boat which eliminates the hull-to-deck joint by mounting the deck part to the hull part of the boat with a box girder or inflatable bladder or the like provided along the longitudinal axis of the boat, the longitudinal side edges of the deck part being spaced from the longitudinal side edges of the hull part of the boat. The present invention further provides for the continuous attachment along line of inflatable structures as well as shrouds surrounding the inflatable structures to the rigid deck and the hull parts. The result is a modular vessel which is readily assembled and disassembled for shipping, warehousing, nesting storage, and replacement and/or repair of one or more modules.

Abstract: A planing type self-righting boat having rigid pontoons forming its perimeter structure independent of interior inflation and which, during the vessel's normal operation, protect conventional or modified interior inflatable pontoons which elements together are used in whole or in part as essential mechanical components in the automatic self-righting of the vessel upon capsizing. The self-righting of the vessel after capsizing is effected by the creation of a negative buoyancy and subsequent sinking of that portion of the vessel whereby this submerging action combined with the weight and configuration of the vessel cause it to rotate underwater to a position beyond perpendicular to its capsized position while the vessel is supported by the buoyancy retained in the remainder of its pontoon structure.

Abstract: A catamaran boat, especially intended for knock-down disassembly and rapid assembly having a generally rectangular frame. The frame has longitudinal members which are releasably connected to transverse members. At least one of the transverse members is arched upwardly. A pair of pontoons having an upper and a lower section, individually inflatable, are disposed below the longitudinal frame members. The pontoons have a pair of sleeves, fore and aft, extending laterally through the pontoon. Pontoon locks are releasably connected to the transverse frame members and extend outwardly from the catamaran boat. One leg of the pontoon lock is disposed over the pontoon and a bight portion is arcuately connected to a second, substantially parallel, leg protion of the pontoon lock. The second leg portion passes through the sleeve in the pontoon and connects to the transverse frame member forming a loop. The catamaran boat is steered by a pair of rudders.

Abstract: A method and apparatus using a pressurizable bladder for maintaining a hole open in outdoor ice atop a body of water. The apparatus has a top plug with an air tube and valve, an elongate bladder extending down from the plug, and radially spaced apart longitudinal cords in the bladder which constrains elongate growth but enable diameter growth of the bladder. The method has steps of placing the ice plug over a hole, weighing the ice plug, inflating the bladder to a pressure of about 2-3 PSIG, and restraining the ice plug in the hole with a diametrically expanded lower part of the bladder underneath the ice.

Abstract: A seat for an inflatable boat is disclosed characterized by use of an elongate beam member adapted to support a user thereon and a pair arcuate end panels sized to extend about the tubular side walls of the inflatable boat and securely affix the seat at any desired position within the interior of the inflatable boat. The end panels are formed having an arcuate configuration generally complimentary to the interior portion of the tubular side walls of the inflatable boat to frictionally engage the same and may be removeably mounted to the elongate beam portion to allow compact stowage of the seat with the inflatable boat as desired.

Abstract: A single person survival craft having a bottom panel, and two side panels, formed of a plurality of hollow tubular structures progressively reducing in number towards each end, a releasable closure extending along edges of each of the side panels by which they may be opened up and closed, and a liquid tight air permeable membrane in at least one of the side panels.

Abstract: This invention is related to a knock down semi-rigid, inflatable canoe in general and to a knock down canoe that folds transversally in the middle. Many knock down boats have been proposed and although most of them perform their primary objective of being easy to store, they are usually not practical to carry and sometimes safety problems occur when they capsize. Completely inflatable canoes with an inflatable bottom have been proposed. This bottom tends to be at the mercy of striking obstructions that can damage it, causing deflation. Also the inflatable feature of the bottom limits the number of shapes it can take. Inflatable boats with V or U shapes at the two ends and with flat bottom have been proposed, they are at the mercy of side winds and are less maneuverable. They do not have a hull with a Canadian or canoe like shape.

Abstract: A hard shell shaped to intimately cover the bottom of an inflatable raft. The shell is made of various contoured staves or segments joined together. Straps are used to attach the shell to the raft, bow and transom. A combination transom and mounting frame is used in the raft which do not include a built-in transom. The shell not only protects the raft against abrasion and puncture, but also reduces its drag coefficient, contributes to it stability and enhances its directional control.

Abstract: The cylindrical shape tube consists of a pressure valve and a safety valve. Whether the tube's contents be made of metal, expandable or non-stretchable materials, it has the ability to retain low air pressure. For safety purposes, any excess air pressure is released through the safety valve when the belts are made of metal content, the lengthwise belts have flares and grooves, the crosswise belts have oblong holes. When the belts are made of expandable or non-stretchable materials, snap head and grooves are cast within the lengthwise belts, the crosswise belts have round holes. The metal crosswise belts with their oblong holes can be engaged onto both the snap heads of the expandable lengthwise belts and flares of metal lengthwise belts. The expandable crosswise belts with their round holes can be snapped onto the snap heads of the expandable lengthwise belts and flares of the metal lengthwise belts.

Abstract: A modular liferaft wherein the canopy, canopy support, floor pads if any, boarding ramp and at least one ballast are detachably attached to a liferaft hull and floor assembly. Modular construction facilitates maintenance and repair and may reduce the cost and volume of materials employed in spares programs necessary to support liferafts used in commerce.

Abstract: An orion portable waterbicycle in which the main body and various connecting and moving parts are fabricated into standardized components, by means of combination in a way which is simple and fact, the various members can be assembled into the entire waterbicycle in a minimum of time, thus enabling mass production at reduced cost, making it widely acceptable by the public as a fun-making, convenient-to-carry waterbicycle.

Abstract: A sailing craft having components that can be readily assembled or disassembled for use includes a conventional mast and sail received in a forward end portion of a U-shaped frame. This frame forward end portion also releasably supports a forward end of the keel. A horizontally extending portion of the frame carries an inflatable inner tube, and the aft end of the frame releasably supports a post provided for at the aft end of the keel. A rudder is pivotably mounted to the aft end of the keel and can be controlled by a cross bar assembly provided at the forward end of the frame and operable by the users feet. The aft end of the frame also defines a backrest and the user can manipulate the craft with one hand on the main sheet and one or both feet on the cross bar leaving his other hand free for other recreational activities.

Abstract: The inflatable boat comprises a catamaran or trimaran bottom and, on the boat floor, longitudinal sliding guides for locking at the desired portions, and without the need of making holes, all of the members usually arranged on the boat floor such as the driving quarter-deck, middle peak, vessels and the like.

Abstract: A mini inflatable yacht for children's use mainly comprises a mini yacht and an air-filled bladder. The mini yacht is constituted of a boat body with a lid, fitted with a handle and a seat and provided with a waterproof plate having air inlet and outlet pipes in combination with a battery, a fan and a motor mounted in the boat body; a transmitting assembly; and a propeller. The inflatable bladder has an inner flange for connecting the bladder to the boat body. When not in use, the air-filled bladder can be emptied and received under the seat of the yacht for easy carrying.