Inflatable-type Hull Patents (Class 114/61.25)
  • Patent number: 9862464
    Abstract: According to embodiments disclosed herein, there is provided a modular boat that includes a first pontoon, a second pontoon, an arched coupling member, a deck frame, a deck surface and at least one inflatable seat. The first pontoon has a first longitudinal axis and the second pontoon has a second longitudinal axis. The arched coupling member is removably coupleable to the first pontoon and the second pontoon so that the arched coupling member is perpendicular to the first and second longitudinal axis. The deck frame is removably coupleable to the arched coupling member. The deck surface is removably coupleable to the deck frame and extends in a first plane that is parallel to a second plane that contains the first and second longitudinal axis. The inflatable seat is removably coupleable to the deck surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Inventor: Chad Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8939805
    Abstract: A watercraft has a fan propeller, a motor coupled to the fan propeller, an inflatable hull including a first inflatable member and a second inflatable member, and a platform, which is positioned between the first and second inflatable members and coupled to a base of the fan propeller. The motor powers the fan propeller and thereby propels the inflatable hull in a forward direction. The watercraft is suitable for use in varying water environments including white water, open sea water, ice, snow, and shallow water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Inventor: Billy D. Miller
  • Patent number: 8640640
    Abstract: Inflatable hull configuration and connection for a multihull vessel. The inflatable hulls have a longitudinal structural member fastened to the top of the inflatable hulls, with a central body of the multihull vessel supported on the longitudinal structural members by forward and stern legs. The forward legs support the forward part of the central body through a ball joint that allows the forward legs to rotate as a unit relative to the central body, and have their lower ends attached to the forward part of the longitudinal members, each through a spring supported ball joint. The stern legs are each rigidly coupled to the central body, with their lower ends connected to the aft part of the longitudinal members to allow rotation about a vertical axis and a transverse axis, but not the longitudinal axis. A detailed embodiment is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Marine Advanced Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Ugo Conti, Mark Gundersen
  • Patent number: 8438985
    Abstract: A “float boat” with a unitary twin pontoon hull comprising a pair of inflatable pontoons, each shaped, when inflated to have a fully curved rocker bottom surface and a substantially straight upper surface and with pontoons being interconnected at rigid ends by an inflatable transom that together with the pontoons forms a raised V-hull stern; a platform extending between the pontoons and adjacent to the transom and at least one foot rest for a user sitting on the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventor: Dave Scadden
  • Publication number: 20100288174
    Abstract: Inflatable hull configuration and connection for a multihull vessel. The inflatable hulls have a longitudinal structural member fastened to the top of the inflatable hulls, with a central body of the multihull vessel supported on the longitudinal structural members by forward and stern legs. The forward legs support the forward part of the central body through a ball joint that allows the forward legs to rotate as a unit relative to the central body, and have their lower ends attached to the forward part of the longitudinal members, each through a spring supported ball joint. The stern legs are each rigidly coupled to the central body, with their lower ends connected to the aft part of the longitudinal members to allow rotation about a vertical axis and a transverse axis, but not the longitudinal axis. A detailed embodiment is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: MARINE ADVANCED RESEARCH, INC.
    Inventors: Ugo Conti, Mark Gundersen
  • Publication number: 20100095877
    Abstract: A “float boat” with a unitary twin pontoon hull comprising a pair of inflatable pontoons, each shaped, when inflated to have a fully curved rocker bottom surface and a substantially straight upper surface and with pontoons being interconnected at rigid ends by an inflatable transom that together with the pontoons forms a raised V-hull stern; a platform extending between the pontoons and adjacent to the transom and at least one foot rest for a user sitting on the platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventor: Dave Scadden
  • Patent number: 7562633
    Abstract: Ocean-going vessels having a load carrying module supported from a pair of spaced apart hulls by legs. The legs may be articulated in two places to provide control of the spacing of the two hulls and to control the elevation of the module off the water. Dynamic control of the articulation may control the response of the vessel, such as to sea conditions. The legs may include aerodynamic surfaces, fixed or controllable, that may be used to aide buoyancy and/or enhance stability, such as by assuring the bow of the hulls does not rise excessively. The hulls preferably are at least partially inflatable, with techniques for installing flexible fuel tanks within a preexisting inflatable hull being disclosed. Also disclosed are modular pressure control systems for controlling pressures in inflatable hulls having a multiplicity of separate inflatable compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Marine Advanced Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Ugo Conti
  • Publication number: 20090178602
    Abstract: Variable planing inflatable hull system having a planing surface on inflatable hulls at the side and disposable central hull. The central hull is typically a rigid hull, with the inflatable hulls providing low wetted area planing surfaces for speed, shock absorbing and efficiency of the vessels. Various embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: Marine Advanced Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Gundersen
  • Patent number: 7171915
    Abstract: A boat having inflatable pontoons connected therewith by rotatable support assemblies is described. The structure is capable of collapsing to a small size for transport on a trailer, but provides a wide base for stable operation when deployed on water. A foldable deck assembly provides an expanded deck surface and further enhances stability of the boat when in use on water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventor: Don Rutan
  • Patent number: 7096817
    Abstract: A watercraft of the “float boat” type, including spaced apart inflatable pontoons interconnected by a platform structure having a chair thereon and a front ramp and support rail movable between a stowed out-of-the way position to a use position and including a removable wheel for moving the float boat over land.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Inventor: Dave Scadden
  • Patent number: 6640741
    Abstract: A pontoon watercraft having a pair of inflatable pontoons, secured by a framework, which maintain the pontoons spaced apart and symmetrical and parallel with each other. The watercraft has an integrated load distribution system, which includes coordinating the seat, foot rests, oar locks and auxiliary mount with the physique of the user whereby the center of gravity of the watercraft is preferentially established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventor: Robert J. Myers
  • Patent number: 6526904
    Abstract: A pontoon comprising a seamless, non-woven, one-piece, inflatable vessel preferably formed by a process of rotational molding, from a resilient, semi-rigid polyolefin elastomer, preferably metalocene. The pontoon has shape memory characteristics, which make it partially self-inflating, and cause it to entrap air when partially deflated, to thereby resist complete deflation if punctured, allowing a user to more easily get to safety. Punctures in the pontoon may be easily eliminated by applying heat to the polymer material at the site of the puncture, such as with a hot knife or other metal implement, so as to fuse the polymer material together. The bottom of the pontoon is preferably thicker than the top, and the ends of the pontoon taper to a blunt point that is thicker still, to thereby resist damage from impact and to help maintain the desirable shape-memory characteristics of the pontoon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventors: Kelton Liston, Carol Olson, David Little
  • Patent number: 6508194
    Abstract: A personal pontoon watercraft having a pair of pontoons with twin bladders secured by a three piece yoke frame which maintain the pontoons spaced apart and symmetrical and parallel with each other to accommodate the user, with an integrated load leveling system for personal and operational convenience. The watercraft is adapted to support an adjustable motor and anchor mount behind the user and two piece oars in gunwales at the outermost part of the yoke frame. The design provides for other auxiliary items such as a mesh fish basket, storage containers and the like. Further, the watercraft is assembled with no special tools and when disassembled the entire watercraft can be stored in a suitable bag having a length of approximately four feet and a girth of approximately six to seven feet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Inventor: Robert J. Myers
  • Patent number: 6343560
    Abstract: A personal pontoon watercraft having a pair of pontoons with twin bladders secured by a three piece yoke frame which maintain the pontoons spaced apart and symmetrical and parallel with each other to accommodate the user, with an integrated load leveling system for personal and operational convenience. The watercraft is adapted to support an adjustable motor and anchor mount behind the user and two piece oars in gunwales at the outermost part of the yoke frame. The design provides for auxiliary items such as a mesh fish basket, storage containers and the like. Further, the watercraft is assembled with no special tools and when disassembled the entire watercraft can be stored in a suitable bag having a length of approximately four feet and a girth of approximately six to seven feet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventor: Robert J. Myers
  • Patent number: 6173671
    Abstract: A portable inflatable floatation device for use as a backpack frame to maintain a standard backpack thereto for hiking, with the back pack frame being convertible into floatation device seat, foot rest, and outrigger pontoon mounting. Inflatable pontoons that are to be carried on or in the backpack and are inflated into long cylindrical pontoons at a water site, whereat, with the back pack frame converted to the water craft seat, the seat is attached to span across the pair of parallel inflated pontoons and the outrigger portions of which seat are positioned to rest on and are strapped onto tops of the inflated pontoons, with top and bottom sections of the frame, respectively, pivoted to form and seat back and to a planar attitude with a seat bottom as a foot rest, and straight narrow spacers are secured, as with straps, to the forward and rear pontoon ends completing the floatation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Inventor: Steven J. Casull