Retractable hulled catamaran boat

Abstract

Retractable hulled catamaran boat comprising: Central body also port and starboard hulls. Said body having port and starboard walls with entry openings; also floor with underside having hull span stop means and being smooth and/or having track or channel system for said hulls retractable mounting. Said hulls with upright means having inboard sides with mounting means for roller (slider) mounting on said floor underside enabling hull retraction under said body or extension and having outboard sides attaching an associated hull roof. First embodiment said roof being minimum two fastened panels. Second and third embodiments said roof being three dimensional enclosure. First and second embodiments said roof free top/inboard edge attaching associated said walls. Third embodiment said roof inboard edges angled forming outward span stop and each said roof travels through opening in associated said walls. Said roof folds, detaches, or retracts allowing hull retraction.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to boats of a catamaran type which have a center body structure attached to two floating hulls capable of being retracted under said body structure to minimize vessel width for maneuvering in crowded marinas, for transporting on a trailer over land, and for minimizing storage space.

2. Description of Prior Art

Catamarans have been used for centuries in the form of two hulls connected in parallel relation for commercial and exploratory purposes. The superior nautical qualities of shallow depth, speed, and stability advantages due to the catamarans high width-to-length ratio thus eliminating the need for large heavy ballasted keels results in the catamarans resistance to capsizing, less weight and greater speed. Catamarans also have a larger living area for their length over trimarans three hulled cousins. Despite these obvious and well known advantages, the catamarans have often had difficulty maneuvering in relatively tight marina docking areas, or packed anchorage areas due to their comparatively massive vessel width. Additionally these wonderfully performing vessels are difficult to transport by trailer over land because of their vessel width. Many boat owners prefer to remove their boats from the water in the winter months to forestall fouling of the boat bottom and thereby greatly reduce the maintenance that otherwise would be necessary if the catamaran were left in the water all year long. Because of the increased difficulty, inconvenience and time lost in the handling, transportation, and storage of conventional catamaran cabin type boats, many would be catamaran owners instead buy a single hulled boat having a large heavy ballasted bottom keel.

To overcome these problems, there have been attempts in the past to design twin-hulled type vessels which collapse into a transportable package, but these designs have been unseaworthy or tent type or structures lacking width stability. Attempts have been made to modify single hulled vessels into trimarans by adding outrigger hulls which are useless for livable occupancy thus lacking the living space that a catamaran with easy access livable space hulls offers.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,737 issued to William S Chacon discloses a multi-hulled watercraft wherein each hull swing retracts under a central cabin structure by the said hull outboard side swinging from a row of pivot hinges located close to roof on two opposing sides of said cabin structure and said hull inboard side is guided to roll or slide on a track system that is attached endwise to an outer surrounding frame under said cabin structure. The present invention differs from this invention because the present invention does not require a cabin roof as well as said hull inboard sides are not limited by requiring a said central cabin underside track system that is attached endwise to a said outer surrounding frame to roll or slide on. The present invention further differs in that said hull outboard sides have an upward extending hull roof consisting of at least two panels in first embodiment or consisting of a multi-planed three dimensional enclosure in other embodiments instead of a single planed hull wall. For the same manner or for the same reasons the present invention likewise differs from the following inventions:

• U.S. Pat. No. 7,562,633 issued to Ugo Conti,
• U.S. Pat. No. 7,628,115 issued to Philip Merrick Thompson,
• U.S. Pat. No. 7,249,568 issued to William J. Cultrara,
• U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,238 issued to Scott Alan Stokes,
• U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,073 issued to Jerry D. Burkett,
• U.S. Pat. No. 6,029,598 issued to Richard A. Stoll,
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,321 issued to Jean-Francois Fountaine,
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,533 issued to James E. Stangroom and John G. Clancy,
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,339 issued to Charles W. Pelly,
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,517,940 issued to Jay R. Beyer
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,142 issued to Dennis P. Connor,
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,947 issued to Michael F. Manning,
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,235,925 issued to Ian L. Farrier,
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,565 issued to Keith R. Matthews,
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,232 issued to Graeme J. Broddy,
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,411 issued to Ronald G. Krolczyk,
• U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,340 issued to Orlyn G. Pepper,
• U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,100 issued to Jean-Luc Bergeron,
• U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,446 issued to Yves Herard,
• U.S. Pat. No. 4,766,830 issued to Kunz
• U.S. Pat. No. 4,691,657 issued to Andrew J. Kovac
• U.S. Pat. No. 4,494,472 issued to Jacques Rougerie,
• U.S. Pat. No. 4,406,239 issued to Klaus Enzmann,
• U.S. Pat. No. 4,392,444 issued to Lars G. Andersson,
• U.S. Pat. No. 4,048,685 issued to William A. Gail,
• U.S. Pat. No. 3,981,259 issued to William H. Harper,
• U.S. Pat. No. 3,937,166 issued to Ian Lindsay,
• U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,982 issued to Rollin Douglas Rumsey,
• U.S. Pat. No. 3,760,764 issued to William W. Jones and Frank D. McCaulley,
• U.S. Pat. No. 3,541,987 issued to William Barkley,
• U.S. Pat. No. 3,203,014 issued to Clifford H. Krueger.
• U.S. Pat. No. 3,090,975 issued to Alfred Bernard Franks,
• U.S. Pat. No. 2,850,747 issued to Stewart P. Bouchard, Sr,
• U.S. Pat. No. 1,683,276 issued to Charles L. Woods,

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

The present invention relates to a retractable multi-hulled vessel which is simple to vary vessel width of watercraft yet be strong and light. More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to with ease be able to reduce vessel width for trailer towing over land or maneuvering in crowded waters as well as to widen vessel width for stability and added usable space. An additional object of the present invention is to have each hull space able to be accessed from within a central body structure not requiring a roofed central cabin when hulls are extended as well as have the central body living area livable when hulls are retracted in crowded waters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a catamaran boat which goes far to overcome the problems of prior art. In view of the foregoing, it is an aspect of the present invention to provide an improved catamaran boat that provides at least one of the features described in greater detail below.

Accordingly, it is at least one aspect of the present invention to provide a first embodiment of a catamaran boat comprising a central body structure having a floor structure with rising rigid port and starboard walls that include a port and a starboard passage entry. Said central body structure is carried above water by parallel retractable port and starboard hulls having upright brace means to remain upright. Said hulls inboard sides having mounting means for guided roller (or slider) mounting on said floor structure underside. Said floor structure underside designed to be a smooth surface to adapt said mounting means rollers (or sliders) directly roll on and/or having a system of spaced-apart transversely disposed tracks or recessed channels shaped for guiding said mounting means rollers (or sliders) to roll (or slide) on/in and further designed to have port and starboard hull span limiting stop means which consists of longitudinal perimeter flange lips and/or track (or channel) abutting stops for limiting spread between said mounting means to remain under said floor structure. Said hulls outboard sides having an upward extending hull roof consisting of at least two panels with fastening means for attaching longitudinally to each other, fastening means for attaching longitudinally said panels free top edge to respective said walls, and fastening means for attaching longitudinally said panels free bottom edge to respective said hulls outboard side in a manner enabling each said hull roof to either fold or adjust span or bottom-wise change position as respective said hull inboard side is guided to roll (or slide) closer together for retraction under said floor structure while share carrying said central body structure above water. An advantage of this embodiment is that the central body structure remains habitable after said hull retraction.

Accordingly, it is another aspect of the present invention to provide a second embodiment of a catamaran boat comprising a central body structure having a floor structure with rising rigid port and starboard walls that include a port and a starboard passage entry. Said central body structure is carried above water by parallel retractable port and starboard hulls having upright brace means to remain upright. Said hulls inboard sides having mounting means for guided roller (or slider) mounting on said floor structure underside. Said floor structure underside designed to be a smooth surface to adapt said mounting means rollers (or sliders) directly roll on and/or having a system of spaced-apart transversely disposed tracks or recessed channels shaped for guiding said mounting means rollers (or sliders) to roll (or slide) on/in and further designed to have port and starboard hull span limiting stop means which consists of longitudinal perimeter flange lips and/or track (or channel) abutting stops for limiting spread between said hulls inboard sides to remain under said floor structure. Said hulls outboard sides having an upward extending hull roof consisting of a multi-planed three dimensional enclosure with fastening means for attaching longitudinally free outboard edge to respective said hulls outboard side and fastening means for attaching longitudinally free inboard edge to respective said walls in a manner enabling each said hull roof free outboard edge to detach or pivot from said hulls outboard side and free inboard edge to detach or pivot from said walls for resting in/on said central body structure whereby allowing said hulls inboard sides to roll (or slide) closer together for retraction under said floor structure.

Accordingly, it is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a third embodiment of a catamaran boat comprising a central body structure having a floor structure with underside having longitudinal port and starboard perimeter flange lips thereon and with topside having rising rigid port and starboard walls thereon. Said central body structure is carried above water by parallel retractable port and starboard hulls having upright brace means to remain upright. Said hulls inboard sides having mounting means for guided roller (or slider) mounting on said floor structure underside wherein said hulls inboard sides span between said flange lips. Said floor structure underside designed to be a smooth surface to adapt said mounting means rollers (or sliders) directly roll on and/or having a system of spaced-apart transversely disposed tracks or recessed channels shaped for guiding said mounting means rollers (or sliders) to roll (or slide) on/in. Said hulls outboard sides having an upward extending hull roof to provide shelter over said hulls consisting of a multi-planed three dimensional rigid enclosure with fastening means for attaching longitudinally free outboard edge to respective said hulls outboard side and said hull roof inboard edges perpendicular angled to form a span stop that is attachable to said walls and said walls both having an accommodating shaped hull roof passage-way whereby each said hull roof outward extension is limited by said span stop and each said hull roof retracts or protrudes through respective said hull roof passage-way either before or during or after said hull inward retraction or outward extending. The outward extending of said hulls inboard sides is limited by as also attachable with said floor structure underside said flange lips as likewise the outward extending of said hull roof is limited by said hull roof span stops abutting said walls. Whereby, said hulls inboard sides retract closer together under said floor structure while share carring said central body structure above water and said hull roof retract closer together through said walls to occupy space within said central body structure.

When said hulls are extended (spread apart), the space inside each hull becomes usable and accessible from within said central body structure. The resulting wide vessel width resists capsizing thereby eliminating any need for a large heavily ballasted bottom keel. Hence more living space for its length, less weight resulting in faster speed, plus the ability to travel in shallow waters. When said hulls are retracted (close together), results in almost half the vessel width while still having a livable central body space and being able to more easily maneuver in crowded waters. Furthermore the reduced vessel width allows the catamaran to be transported over land by trailer. Thus the present invention overcomes many of the problems of prior art mono-hull boats, trimaran boats, and catamaran boats. Other advantages, objects, and details of the present invention will become apparent as the following detailed disclosure proceeds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment perspective view with hulls in extended position.

FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment perspective view with hulls in retracted position.

FIG. 3 is a first embodiment top plan view with hulls extended.

FIG. 4 is a first embodiment side elevation view with hulls extended.

FIG. 5 is an all embodiments bottom plan view with hulls in extended position.

FIG. 6 is an all embodiments bottom plan view with hulls in retracted position.

FIG. 7 is a first embodiment front elevation view with hulls in extended position.

FIG. 8 is a first embodiment front elevation view with hulls in retracted position.

FIG. 9 is a first embodiment sectional view from rear with hulls in extended position.

FIG. 10 is a first embodiment sectional view from rear with hulls in retracted position.

FIG. 11 is a first embodiment starboard sectional view from rear of telescoping engaged panels extended.

FIG. 11A is a first embodiment cross sectional view from above of telescoping hull roof panel-within-panel.

FIG. 12 is a first embodiment starboard sectional view from rear of telescoping engaged panels retracted.

FIG. 13 is a first embodiment starboard side sectional view from rear of trackway engaged panels extended.

FIG. 13A is a first embodiment cross sectional view from above of trackway engaged side-by-side panels.

FIG. 14 is a first embodiment starboard side sectional view from rear of trackway engaged panels retracted.

FIG. 15 is a first embodiment starboard side sectional view from rear of extended hull roof lock fastened.

FIG. 16 is a first embodiment starboard side sectional view from rear of retracted hull roof bottomly detached.

FIG. 17 shows a second embodiment perspective view with hulls in extended position.

FIG. 18 shows a second embodiment perspective view with hulls in retracted position.

FIG. 19 is a second embodiment top plan view with hulls in extended position.

FIG. 20 is a second embodiment side elevation view with hulls in extended position.

FIG. 21 is a second embodiment sectional view from rear with hulls in extended position.

FIG. 22 is a second embodiment sectional view from rear with hulls in retracted position.

FIG. 23 shows a third embodiment perspective view with hulls in extended position.

FIG. 24 shows a third embodiment perspective view with hulls in retracted position.

FIG. 25 is a third embodiment top plan view with hulls in extended position.

FIG. 26 is a third embodiment side elevation view with hulls in extended position.

FIG. 27 is a third embodiment sectional view from rear with hulls in extended position.

FIG. 28 is a third embodiment sectional view from rear with hulls in retracted position.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS
12 central body structure        12A floor structure
12B port wall                    12C starboard wall
12D seating structure            12E driver seat
12F track (or channel) system    12G port span limiting stop
12H starboard span limiting stop 12K hull upright brace means
12L cabin roof top               12M port hull roof passage-way
12N starboard hull roof passage-way 13 port side hull
13A port hull roof               13B panel to panel fastening
13C panel top to wall fastening  13D panel bottom to hull fastening
13E port hull mounting means     13F port wall passage entry
13H port hull threaded shaft     13J port extension-retraction
13K port hull roof span stop     14 starboard hull
14A starboard hull roof          14B panel to panel fastening
14C panel top to wall fastening  14D panel bottom to hull fastening
14E starboard hull mounting means 14F starboard wall passage entry
14H starboard hull threaded shaft 14J starboard extension-retraction
14K starboard hull roof span stop

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIRST EMBODIMENT

A first embodiment of the present invention is shown in extended hull position in FIG. 1 (Perspective view), FIG. 3 (Top plan view), FIG. 5 (Bottom plan view), FIG. 7 (Front elevation view), and FIG. 9 (Sectional view from rear). The first embodiment of the present invention is also shown in hull retracted position in FIG. 2 (Perspective view), FIG. 6 (Bottom plan view), FIG. 8 (Front elevation view), and FIG. 10 (Sectional view from rear). This first embodiment is a retractable hulled catamaran boat comprising a central body structure 12 having a floor structure 12A, port wall 12B, starboard wall 12C, a port wall passage entry 13F, a starboard wall passage entry 14F, a number of seating structures 12D, a driver seat 12E. All of which is carried above water by longitudinally extending port and starboard hulls 13 and 14 having upright brace means 12K for remaining upright. Said hulls 13 and 14 inboard sides having mounting means 13E and 14E which includes a plurality of rollers (or sliders) for guided roller (or slider) mounting on said floor structure 12A underside wherein said hulls 13 and 14 inboard sides span between port and starboard span limiting stops 12G and 12H. Said floor structure 12A underside characterized in that it is a smooth surface for which said mounting means 13E and 14E rollers (or sliders) direct contact roll (or slide) on and/or having a system of spaced-apart transversely disposed tracks 12F or recessed channels 12F shaped for guiding said mounting means 13E and 14E rollers (or sliders) to roll (or slide) on/in. Said hulls 13 and 14 outboard sides have an upward extending hull roof 13A (port hull roof) and 14A (starboard hull roof) with each consisting of at least two panels having panel to panel fastening means 13B and 14B for attaching said panels longitudinally to each other, having panel top to wall fastening means 13C and 14C for attaching free top edge longitudinally to associated body said walls 12B and 12C, and having panel bottom to hull fastening means 13D and 14D for attaching free bottom edge longitudinally to associated said hulls 13 and 14 outboard sides whereby each said hull roof 13A and 14A is interconnected in such a manner so as to fold (as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10) or adjust span by inward telescope panel-within-panel (as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12) or adjust span by slidably trackway engage side-by-side (as shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14) or bottomly change position (as shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16) during said hulls 13 and 14 inward movement. Referring to FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, said port and starboard hulls may optionally comprise an extension-retraction means 13J and 14J for spreading apart and returning closer together. One type of said extension-retraction means consists of port hull front and rear threaded shafts 13H and likewise starboard hull front and rear threaded shafts 14H wherein each said shaft 13H and 14H extends between said hulls interior outboard to inboard sides and therebetween thread engaged with said central body structure 13J and 14J whereby the rotation of each said threaded shaft 13H and 14H is adapted to cause associated said hull to extend outward or retract inward, said port hull front and rear threaded shafts 13H are sprocketed having means of synchronizing said rotation together and likewise said starboard front and rear threaded shafts 14H are sprocketed having means of synchronizing said rotation together, said means of synchronizing includes chains or belts connecting said sprockets.

OPERATION OF FIRST EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 9, FIG. 11, FIG. 13, and FIG. 15, in normal on the water operation wherein said hulls 13 and 14 include upright brace means 12K for remaining upright and are spread apart in extended position which span limit is set by port and starboard span limiting stop 12G and 12H located on said floor structure 12A underside lateral perimeter. Said hulls 13 and 14 inboard sides mounting means 13E and 14E in direct contact with said floor structure 12A underside and/or on said tracks 12F or in said recessed channels 12F and outboard sides have shelter providing sloped hull roof 13A and 14A which living space within each said hulls 13 and 14 is habitable and accessible from associated said port and starboard wall passage entry 13F and 14F disposed in said walls 12B and 12C. Referring to FIG. 10, FIG. 12, FIG. 14, and FIG. 16, when desiring to minimize the boat width, each said hulls 13 and 14 inboard sides are movable mounted with said mounting means 13E and 14E to roll (or slide) inward on said floor structure underside 12A and/or optionally to roll (or slide) on tracks (or in recessed channels) 12F allowing said hull 13 and 14 to retract (move closer together) while each said hull roof 13A and 14A panels either fold together (as shown in FIG. 10) or panel-within-panel telescope inward to adjust span (as shown in FIG. 12) or slidably trackway engage side-by-side to adjust span (as shown in FIG. 14) or bottomly change position (as shown in FIG. 16) depending on which type of fastening means is selected thereby allowing substantial retraction (closer together) of said hulls 13 and 14 inboard sides under said floor structure 12A while share carrying said central body structure 12 above water. The extension or retraction movement of said hulls may optionally be accomplished with said extension-retraction means by the rotation of port said threaded shafts 13H engaged with said central body structure 13J (port extension-retraction means) and likewise by the rotation of starboard said threaded shafts 14H engaged with said central body structure 14J (starboard extension-retraction means). An option is the addition of a span adjustment means to lockable vary the span width of each said hull roof 13A and 14A whereby enabling each said hulls 13 and 14 to swing retract from said panel top to wall hinges 13C and 14C in an arc manner. Said span adjustment means are common devices such as threaded rods, locking pins, hydraulic actuators, motor driven devices, and such.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SECOND EMBODIMENT

A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in extended hull position in FIG. 5 (Bottom plan view), FIG. 17 (Perspective view), FIG. 19 (Top plan view), FIG. 20 (Side elevation view), and FIG. 21 (Sectional view from rear). The second embodiment of the present invention is also shown in hull retracted position in FIG. 6 (Bottom plan view), FIG. 18 (Perspective view), FIG. 22 (Sectional view from rear). This second embodiment is a retractable hulled catamaran boat comprising a central body structure 12 having a floor structure 12A with rising rigid port wall 12B, starboard wall 12C, a port wall passage entry 13F, a starboard wall passage entry 14F, a number of seating structures 12D, a driver seat 12E. All of which is carried above water by longitudinally extending port and starboard hulls 13 and 14 having upright brace means 12K for remaining upright. Said hulls 13 and 14 inboard sides having mounting means 13E and 14E which includes a plurality of rollers (or sliders) for guided roller (or slider) mounting on said floor structure 12A underside wherein said hulls 13 and 14 inboard sides span between port and starboard span limiting stops 12G and 12H. Said floor structure 12A underside characterized in that it is a smooth surface for which said mounting means 13E and 14E rollers (or sliders) direct contact roll (or slide) on and/or having a system of spaced-apart transversely disposed tracks 12F or recessed channels 12F shaped for guiding said mounting means 13E and 14E rollers (or sliders) to roll (or slide) on/in. Said hulls 13 and 14 outboard sides have an upward extending hull roof 13A (port hull roof) and 14A (starboard hull roof) with each consisting of a multi-planed three dimensional enclosure 13A and 14A with fastening means 13D and 14D for attaching longitudinally free outboard edge to associated said hulls 13 and 14 outboard side and fastening means 13C and 14C for attaching longitudinally free inboard edge to associated said walls 12B and 12C. Whereby each said hull roof 13A and 14A free outboard edge fastening means 13D and 14D detaches or pivots from said hulls 13 and 14 outboard sides and free inboard edge fastening means 13C and 14C detaches or pivots from said walls 12B and 12C so as to rest on/in said central body structure 12 allowing said hulls 13 and 14 retraction (closer together). Referring to FIG. 21 and FIG. 22, said port and starboard hulls may optionally comprise an extension-retraction means 13J and 14J for spreading apart and returning closer together. One type of said extension-retraction means consists of port hull front and rear threaded shafts 13H and likewise starboard hull front and rear threaded shafts 14H wherein each said shaft 13H and 14H extends between said hulls interior outboard to inboard sides and therebetween thread engaged with said central body structure 13J and 14J whereby the rotation of each said threaded shaft 13H and 14H is adapted to cause associated said hull to extend outward or retract inward, said port hull front and rear threaded shafts 13H are sprocketed having means of synchronizing said rotation together and likewise said starboard front and rear threaded shafts 14H are sprocketed having means of synchronizing said rotation together, said means of synchronizing includes chains or belts connecting said sprockets.

OPERATION OF SECOND EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 19, and FIG. 21, in normal on the water operation wherein said hulls 13 and 14 include upright brace means 12K for remaining upright and are spread apart in extended position which span limit is set by port and starboard span limiting stop 12G and 12H located on said floor structure 12A underside lateral perimeter. Said hulls 13 and 14 inboard sides mounting means 13E and 14E in direct contact with said floor structure 12A underside and/or on said tracks 12F or in said recessed channels 12F share carrying said central body structure 12 above water and outboard sides attached with fastening means 13D and 14D to a shelter providing hull roof 13A and 14A which living space within each said hulls 13 and 14 is habitable and accessible from associated said port and starboard wall passage entry 13F and 14F disposed in said walls 12B and 12C. Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 22, when desiring to minimize the boat width, each said hull roof 13A and 14A free outboard edge said fastening means 13D and 14D detaches or pivots from said hulls 13 and 14 outboard sides and free inboard edge said fastening means 13C and 14C detaches or pivots from said walls 12B and 12C so as to rest on/in said central body structure 12 as shown in FIG. 22 allowing said hulls 13 and 14 to retract. Each said hulls 13 and 14 inboard sides are movable mounted with said mounting means 13E and 14E to roll (or slide) inward directly on said floor structure 12A underside and/or optionally to roll (or slide) on tracks (or recessed channels) 12F allowing said hulls 13 and 14 inboard sides to retract (move closer together) under said floor structure 12A while share carrying said central body structure 12 above water. The extension or retraction movement of said hulls may optionally be accomplished with said extension-retraction means by the rotation of port said threaded shafts 13H engaged with said central body structure 13J (port extension-retraction means) and likewise by the rotation of starboard said threaded shafts 14H engaged with said central body structure 14J (starboard extension-retraction means).

DESCRIPTION OF THE THIRD EMBODIMENT

A third embodiment of the present invention is shown in extended hull position in FIG. 5 (Bottom plan view), FIG. 23 (Perspective view), FIG. 25 (Top plan view), FIG. 26 (Side elevation view), and FIG. 27 (Sectional view from rear). The third embodiment of the present invention is also shown in hull retracted position in FIG. 6 (Bottom plan view), FIG. 24 (Perspective view), and FIG. 28 (Sectional view from rear). This third embodiment is a retractable hulled catamaran boat comprising a central body structure 12 having a floor structure 12A with underside having longitudinal port and starboard perimeter flange lips 12G and 12H thereon and with topside having rising rigid port and starboard walls 12B and 12C thereon. Said central body structure 12 is carried above water by parallel retractable port and starboard hulls 13 and 14 having upright brace means 12K to remain upright. Said hulls 13 and 14 inboard sides having mounting means 13E and 14E which includes a plurality of rollers (or sliders) for guided roller (or slider) mounting on said floor structure 12A underside wherein said hulls 13 and 14 inboard sides span between said flange lips 12G and 12H. Said floor structure 12A underside characterized in that it is a smooth surface for which said mounting means 13E and 14E rollers (or sliders) direct contact roll (or slide) on and/or having a system of spaced-apart transversely disposed tracks 12F or recessed channels 12F shaped for guiding said mounting means 13E and 14E rollers (or sliders) to roll (or slide) on/in. Said hulls 13 and 14 outboard sides having an upward extending hull roof 13A and 14A consisting of a multi-planed three dimensional rigid enclosure with fastening means 13D and 14D for attaching longitudinally free outboard edge to associated said hulls 13 and 14 outboard side and said hull roof 13A and 14A inboard edges perpendicular angled to form a fastener attachable span stops 13K and 14K and each said walls 12B and 12C have a hull roof passage-way 12M and 12N shaped to accommodate associated said hull roof 13A and 14A whereby each said hull roof 13A and 14A travels through associated said walls 12B and 12C either before or during or after said hulls 13 and 14 retraction or extension. Each said hulls inboard side mounted to said floor structure 12A underside is guided to roll (or slide) closer together for retraction under said floor structure 12A while share carrying said central body structure 12 above water. Whereby in extended position, said hulls 13 and 14 inboard sides outward span is limited by as also attachable with said floor structure 12A underside flange lips 12G and 12H as likewise said hull roof 13A and 14A inboard sides span stops 13K and 14K limits outward span as also attachable with said walls 12B and 12C. Referring to FIG. 27 and FIG. 28, said port and starboard hulls may optionally comprise an extension-retraction means 13J and 14J for spreading apart and returning closer together. One type of said extension-retraction means consists of port hull front and rear threaded shafts 13H and likewise starboard hull front and rear threaded shafts 14H wherein each said shaft 13H and 14H extends between said hulls interior outboard to inboard sides and therebetween thread engaged with said central body structure 13J and 14J whereby the rotation of each said threaded shaft 13H and 14H is adapted to cause associated said hull to extend outward or retract inward, said port hull front and rear threaded shafts 13H are sprocketed having means of synchronizing said rotation together and likewise said starboard front and rear threaded shafts 14H are sprocketed having means of synchronizing said rotation together, said means of synchronizing includes chains or belts connecting said sprockets.

OPERATION OF THIRD EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 23, FIG. 25, FIG. 26, and FIG. 27, in normal on the water operation wherein said hulls 13 and 14 having upright brace means 12K for remaining upright and are spread apart in extended position as likewise associated said hull roof 13A and 14A are also spread apart in extended position protruding through associated said hull passage-way 12M and 12N in said walls 12B and 12C so as to provide shelter over associated said hulls 13 and 14. Said hulls 13 and 14 outward span is limited by as also attachable with said floor structure 12A underside flange lips 12G and 12H as likewise said hull roof 13A and 14A inboard sides edge angled forming said span stop 13K and 14K whereby outward span is limited by as also attachable with associated said walls 12B and 12C. Said hulls 13 and 14 inboard sides mounting means 13E and 14E in direct contact with said floor structure 12A underside and/or on said tracks 12F or in said recessed channels 12F share carrying said central body structure 12 above water. Referring to FIG. 6, FIG. 24, and FIG. 28, when desiring to minimize the boat width, each said hull roof 13A and 14A travels inward through associated said hull roof passage-way 12M and 12N of said walls 12B and 12C either before or during or after said hulls 13 and 14 retraction and each said hulls 13 and 14 inboard sides are movable mounted with said mounting means 13E and 14E to roll (or slide) on said floor structure 12A underside and/or optionally to roll (or slide) on/in tracks (or channels) 12F allowing said hull 13 and 14 to retract (move closer together) while share carrying said central body structure 12 above water. The extension or retraction movement of said hulls may optionally be accomplished with said extension-retraction means by the rotation of port said threaded shafts 13H engaged with said central body structure 13J (port extension-retraction means) and likewise by the rotation of starboard said threaded shafts 14H engaged with said central body structure 14J (starboard extension-retraction means).

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those elucidated in, or made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing figures shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense. It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Claims

1. A retractable hulled catamaran boat comprising:

(a) a central body structure having a floor structure with rising rigid port and starboard walls wherein each said walls include a passage-way entry opening;

(b) parallel retractable port and starboard hulls having upright brace means to remain upright;

(c) said hulls inboard sides having mounting means which include a plurality of rollers (or sliders) for guided roller (or slider) mounting on said floor structure underside;

(d) said floor structure underside characterized in that it is a smooth surface for which said mounting means rollers (or sliders) directly roll (or slide) on and/or having a system of spaced-apart transversely disposed tracks or recessed channels shaped for guiding said mounting means rollers (or sliders) to roll (or slide) on/in and further characterized in that having port side and starboard side hull span limiting stop means consisting of longitudinal lips and/or track (or channel) abutting stops for limiting spread between said mounting means so as to always be under said floor structure;

(e) said hulls outboard sides having an upward extending hull roof consisting of at least two panels with fastening means for attaching longitudinally to each other, fastening means for attaching longitudinally said panels free top edge to associated said walls, and fastening means for attaching longitudinally said panels free bottom edge to associated said hulls outboard side;

Whereby each said hulls inboard side mounted by said mounting means to said floor structure underside is guided to roll (or slide) closer together for retraction under said floor structure while share carrying above water said central body structure and whereby each said hull roof pivots (or detaches) from said walls said fastening means in a manner to either fold or adjust span or bottomly change position during said hull retraction.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 further comprising each said hull roof includes a span adjustment means to lockable vary the span width of said hull roof whereby each said hulls outboard side swings from associated said walls during said hull retraction.

3. A retractable hulled catamaran boat comprising:

(a) a central body structure having a floor structure with rising rigid port and starboard walls wherein each said walls include a passage entry opening;

(b) parallel retractable port and starboard hulls having upright brace means to remain upright;

(c) said hulls inboard sides having mounting means which includes a plurality of rollers (or sliders) for guided roller (or slider) mounting on said floor structure underside;

(d) said floor structure underside characterized in that it is a smooth surface for which said mounting means rollers (or sliders) directly roll (or slide) on and/or having a system of spaced-apart transversely disposed tracks or recessed channels shaped for guiding said mounting means rollers (or sliders) to roll (or slide) on/in and further characterized in that having port side and starboard side hull span limiting stop means consisting of longitudinal lips and/or track (or channel) abutting stops for limiting spread between said mounting means so as to always be under said floor structure;

(e) said hulls outboard sides having an upward extending hull roof consisting of a multi-planed three dimensional enclosure with fastening means for attaching longitudinally free outboard edge to associated said hulls outboard side and fastening means for attaching longitudinally free inboard edge to associated said walls;

Whereby each said hull roof free outboard edge detaches or pivots from said hulls outboard side and free inboard edge detaches or pivots from said walls in a manner to rest on/in said central body structure thereby allowing said hull retraction and each said hulls inboard side mounted by said mounting means to said floor structure underside is guided to roll (or slide) closer together for retraction under said floor structure while share carrying above water said central body structure.

4. A retractable hulled catamaran boat comprising:

(a) a central body structure having a floor structure with underside having longitudinal port and starboard perimeter lips thereon and with topside having rising rigid port and starboard walls thereon;

(b) parallel retractable port and starboard hulls having upright brace means to remain upright;

(c) said hulls inboard sides having mounting means which includes a plurality of rollers (or sliders) for guided roller (or slider) mounting on said floor structure underside wherein said hulls inboard sides span between said lips;

(d) said floor structure underside characterized in that it is a smooth surface for which said mounting means rollers (or sliders) directly roll (or slide) on and/or having a system of spaced-apart transversely disposed tracks or recessed channels shaped for guiding said mounting means rollers (or sliders) to roll (or slide) on/in;

(e) said hulls outboard sides having an upward extending hull roof consisting of a multi-planed three dimensional rigid enclosure with fastening means for attaching longitudinally free outboard edge to associated said hulls outboard side and said hull roof enclosure inboard edges angled to form a span stop so as to limit outward span and each said walls having a passage-way opening shaped to accommodate said hull roof wherein each said hull roof travels through associated said walls either before or during or after said hulls retraction or extension;

Whereby each said hull roof retract closer together through said walls and each said hulls inboard side mounted by said mounting means to said floor structure underside is guided to roll (or slide) closer together for retraction under said floor structure while share carrying above water said central body structure.

5. The invention as defined in claims 1, 3 and 4 wherein said fastening means for attachment includes securing devices selected from a group consisting of hinges, brackets, angular channels or trackways, locks, telescoping braces, telescoping engaged panels-within-panels, slidably trackway engaged side-by-side panels, rabbit joints, elongated roller raceways, flexible bending materials.

6. The invention as defined in claims 1, 3 and 4 further comprising an extension-retraction means for spreading apart and returning closer together said hulls.

7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said extension-retraction means for spreading apart and returning closer together said hulls comprises port hull front and rear threaded shafts and likewise starboard hull front and rear threaded shafts wherein each said shaft extends inward from inside said hulls interior of outboard side to thread engage with said central body structure whereby the rotation of each said threaded shaft is adapted to cause associated said hull to extend outward or retract inward, said port hull front and rear threaded shafts are sprocketed having means of synchronizing said rotation together and likewise said starboard front and rear threaded shafts are sprocketed having means of synchronizing said rotation together, said means of synchronizing includes chains or belts connecting said sprockets.

8. The invention as defined in claims 1, 3 and 4 further comprising one or more means of propulsion including a number of engine means and/or a number of sails and further comprising one or more means of water sealing to prevent water entry.

9. The invention as defined in claims 1, 3 and 4 further comprising an accessible alcove disposed between said walls on said floor structure wherein usable interior space for sleeping.

10. The invention as defined in claims 1, 3 and 4 further comprising a bridge area on said floor structure having thereon one or more multiple person seating means disposed parallel and/or perpendicular to said walls and further comprise a number of deck areas disposed on a number of levels and said deck areas may have disposed a number of multiple person seating means and/or food preparation/health means and/or storage means.

11. The invention as defined in claims 1, 3 and 4 wherein said hulls are mirror images of each other, may be in the form of pontoons or other floatable forms, and may be a plurality of forms serial connected and/or parallel connected to function as a pair of hulls.

12. The invention as defined in claims 1, 3 and 4 further comprising a cabin between said walls on said floor structure and may have disposed inside and/or topside one or more multiple person seating means and further may be multi-level planed.

13. The invention as defined in claim 12 wherein top surface of said cabin is walkable to support the weight of a number of adults.

14. The invention as defined in claims 10 and/or 12 further comprising a drivers seat and navigational controls disposed on said bridge area and/or on said cabin top area and/or inside said cabin.

15. The invention as defined in claims 1, 3 and 4 further comprising one or both said hulls having multiple person seating means and/or food preparation/health means and/or storage means disposed above said hulls and/or inside said hulls.

16. The invention as defined in claims 1, 3 and 4 further comprising each said hulls having a rear walkable deck and stairs inclined up to said deck.

17. The invention as defined in claims 1, 3, 4, and 12 further comprising a number of overhead roof or canopy structures consisting of rigid materials and/or non-rigid materials and may have walkable or non-walkable surfaces thereon.

18. The invention as defined in claims 1, 3 and 4 further comprising a means for steering and stabilization control such as a rudder system, a number of keels, a number of lateral extending floating devices.

19. The invention as defined in claims 1, 3 and 4 wherein said floor structure comprises fastening means to enable said floor structure to fold or telescope or side-by-side engage for varying longitudinal length or height or width and/or said floor structure comprises inclined stair means for inclined walking.

20. The invention as defined in claims 1, 3 and 4 further comprising port and starboard wheel assemblies and a towing hitch wherein said wheel assemblies and/or said towing hitch may be permanently mounted or detachably mounted whereby said present invention is enabled to be towed.