Abstract: A floatable workstation including an inflatable tube including a floor, partitions disposed internally within an air receiving cavity of the tube to form one or more inflatable chambers, each chamber including a valve for inflating the chambers. A plurality of handles are disposed on the corners of the inflatable tube or on a deck assembly. The deck assembly includes a plurality of deckboards assembled together to form a floorboard. The deckboards are either inserted within a recess above the floor of the tube or alternatively attached to the top of the tube. One or more deckboards may include a receptacle for removeably holding a bucket. A tether arrangement is attached to the floatable workstation for securely positioning the floatable workstation alongside a vessel allowing one or more persons to stand on the workstation to perform maintenance on the outer surfaces of a vessel. The tether arrangement includes tethers, a means for fastening the tethers to the handles, and suction mechanisms.

Abstract: An inflatable boat comprising an inflation structure which in turn has a drop stitch structure which is made of upper and lower fabric layers and also a core section made up in an array of threads extending throughout the drop stitch structure. The outside contour comprises a watertight/air tight sidewall enclosing the drop stitch structure and there is a seating compartment within the drop stitch structure and an interior wall sealing off the inside of the flotation structure.

Abstract: An inflatable tube having an inflatable access door for a rigid inflatable boat, the inflatable door and the boat so equipped. The tube is attachable to at least a portion of a perimeter of a rigid hull of the rigid inflatable boat. The inflatable tube comprises a first chamber, the inflatable door having an air inlet for inflating or deflating it, a second chamber and an attachment strip. The first chamber, the door and the second chamber are sequentially connected to the attachment strip so that the door is placed between the first chamber and the second chamber. The door is operative to cycle between an open position where the door is deflated to provide a passage between the first chamber and the second chamber and a closed position where the door is inflated.

Abstract: A floatable workstation including an inflatable tube including optional partitions disposed internally within an air receiving cavity of the tube to form one or more inflatable chambers, each chamber including a valve for inflating the chambers. A plurality of corner fasteners is disposed on the corners of the inflatable tube or on a deck assembly. The deck assembly includes a plurality of deckboards assembled together to form a floorboard. The deckboards are assembled via an interlocking assembly feature. The deckboards are secured via a series of straps and D-rings. At least one deckboard may include a receptacle for holding tools or a bucket. A tether arrangement is attached to the floatable workstation for securely positioning the floatable workstation alongside a vessel allowing one or more persons to stand on the workstation to perform maintenance on the outer surfaces of a vessel. The tether arrangement includes tethers, a means for fastening the tethers to the handles, and suction mechanisms.

Abstract: An inflatable rubber boat includes a flat bottom fabric member formed of a fabric having a front V-cut and two lateral sides, the two border edges of the front V-cut being seamed together to form a forwardly upwardly curved front end edge of the flat bottom fabric member, an elongated main inflatable airbag member fastened to the forwardly upwardly curved front end edge and two lateral sides of the flat bottom fabric member, a floorboard member having a body fitting over the flat bottom fabric member and a pointed arch-shaped rib obliquely upwardly extended from the front side of the body and fastened to the contained angle defined between the upwardly curved front end edge of the flat bottom fabric member and the elongated main inflatable airbag member, and a supplementary inflatable airbag member longitudinally set between the floorboard member and the flat bottom fabric member and inflated to stretch the flat bottom fabric member into shape.

Abstract: A rigid inflatable boat has a structure to position and protect an inflatable tube without having to separate the tube from a boat body. The rigid inflatable boat may include a rubber tube that is attached to each side of a boat body. A folding panel includes one hinged end on each lower side of the boat body and another end including a hook for coupling with a fastener formed on a top portion of the boat body. The rubber tube is connected to an inner surface of the folding panel and a side portion of the boat body by a connection mechanism. The connection mechanism is configured to connect the tube to an inner surface of the folding panel and to the side of the boat body including a pair of guide plates and a pair of insertion bars. The guide plates have one side attached to the inner surface of the moveable plate and the boat body and another side formed with guide grooves disposed longitudinally along the length of boat body.

Abstract: In one possible implementation the invention is electrical generating system, having: a wind power assembly having at least two rotatable propulsion systems: said wind power assembly further having an air pump, the air pump being connected to the wind power assembly and creating an air flow when rotatable propulsion systems rotate in response to wind; and an air powered generator connected to the wind power assembly, the air powered generator capable of creating electrical current as a result of the air flow from the wind power assembly.

Abstract: A system for anchoring inflatable structures having a base which, when the structure is inflated, rests on a supporting surface to support the structure, includes at least one water receiving anchoring portion positioned adjacent a side of the base of the structure that rests on the supporting surface and which is secured to and extends from the inflatable structure. The water receiving anchoring portion includes a water receiving section to receive water therein and a shaping section to provide a shape to the water receiving section and to the water receiving anchoring portion to ease filling of the water receiving section with water. The shaping section shapes the water receiving section generally into a cup or bucket like structure so that water can be poured into the water receiving section without the water receiving section being held in such shape by hand or without having to be filled with pressurized water.

Abstract: An inflatable barrier system halts an approaching boat. A barrier support platform houses a pressurized gas source and a power supply and has a winch connected to a pair of cables. An inflatable barrier body member having a bow and stern is coupled to the pressurized gas source for inflation of the body member and the cables are connected to the bow and stern to deploy the inflated body member at the surface of the water and to maintain the bow above the surface and the stern below the surface of the water. A barrier controller provides signals indicative of the approaching boat to initiate the inflation of the inflatable barrier body member and the deployment of the inflated barrier body member at the surface with the bow above the surface and the stern below the surface without inflicting excessive damage to the boat or injury to its occupants.

Abstract: A selectively inflatable kayak that includes at least one elongated pneumatically inflatable flexible tube which when inflated defines a passenger compartment and relatively narrow bow and stern sections. A flexible cover extends over the elongated pneumatically inflatable tube extending between and at least partially encasing it to provide an open passenger compartment and floor for the kayak. Cylindrical sheaths are sized to fit over and be received by the elongated pneumatically inflatable tube along the sections of the tube defining the sides of the passenger compartment. Extensions to the flexible cover are also provided at the bow and stern sections of the passenger compartment to drape over and separate the elongated pneumatically inflatable tube from the passenger compartment at those locations.

Abstract: A rigid inflatable boat has a structure to position and protect an inflatable tube without having to separate the tube from a boat body. The rigid inflatable boat may include a rubber tube that is attached to each side of a boat body. A folding panel includes one hinged end on each lower side of the boat body and another end including a hook for coupling with a fastener formed on a top portion of the boat body. The rubber tube is connected to an inner surface of the folding panel and a side portion of the boat body by a connection mechanism. The connection mechanism is configured to connect the tube to an inner surface of the folding panel and to the side of the boat body including a pair of guide plates and a pair of insertion bars. The guide plates have one side attached to the inner surface of the moveable plate and the boat body and another side formed with guide grooves disposed longitudinally along the length of boat body.

Abstract: A frameless inflatable pontoon boat in which the pontoons and connecting section have a generally flat top and a generally flat bottom. Sufficient rigidity is achieved in the inflatable connecting section and the pontoon by the use of internal thread connections between the top surface and the bottom surface. The internal thread connections confine the inflated shape of the pontoons and connecting section to a flat shape.

Abstract: A frameless inflatable pontoon boat in which the pontoons and connecting section have a generally flat top and a generally flat bottom. Sufficient rigidity is achieved in the connecting section and the pontoon by the use of internal thread connections between the top surface and the bottom surface. The internal thread connections confine the inflated shape of the pontoons and connecting section to a flat shape.

Abstract: An inflatable fender system for protecting a watercraft from damaging contact with a permanent object, such as a dock, wharf, piling and rafted watercraft. Two elongated flexible substantially airtight tubular fenders are provided having a generally flat cross section when uninflated, rolled into a coil and stored at the stern of the watercraft. Each of the tubular fenders is independently extendable along a substantial portion of the length of the watercraft. A controlled air supply or AC or DC compressor on the watercraft is operably connected to each of the tubular fenders for independently selectively inflating and expanding the tubular fenders from the flat cross section during deployment. A hanger system, preferably including a plurality of hangers connectable in spaced relation between the watercraft and each of the tubular fenders support the tubular fenders during deployment to protect the side and gunnels of the watercraft.

Abstract: An inflatable boat comprising an inflation structure which in turn has a drop stitch structure which is made of upper and lower fabric layers and also a core section made up in an array of threads extending throughout the drop stitch structure. The outside contour comprises a watertight/air tight sidewall enclosing the drop stitch structure and there is a seating compartment within the drop stitch structure and an interior wall sealing off the inside of the flotation structure.

Abstract: An air inflatable watercraft, preferably having a bow and stern, and having a cockpit, a bottom area forming part of said cockpit having a through opening therein adapted to receive a human operated propulsion mechanism which can be operated from the cockpit to propel the watercraft. An air inflatable watercraft having an inflatable, airtight bow and stern, and having a bottom area between two side inflatable, airtight compartments which run essentially the length of the watercraft, upon inflation the two side compartments at least partially extend above the bottom to provide a cockpit therebetween, and the inflated bow and stern form a configuration which is adapted to be efficiently propelled, viz., adapted to cut through the water. This embodiment can be hand rowed or provided with a pedaled propulsion mechanism provided a through opening is built into the bottom.

Abstract: A selectively inflatable kayak that includes at least one elongated pneumatically inflatable flexible tube which when inflated defines a passenger compartment and relatively narrow bow and stem sections. A flexible cover extends over the elongated pneumatically inflatable tube extending between and at least partially encasing it to provide an open passenger compartment and floor for the kayak. Cylindrical sheaths are sized to fit over and be received by the elongated pneumatically inflatable tube along the sections of the tube defining the sides of the passenger compartment. Extensions to the flexible cover are also provided at the bow and stem sections of the passenger compartment to drape over and separate the elongated pneumatically inflatable tube from the passenger compartment at those locations.

Abstract: A stiffening spine for use in a selectively inflatable kayak. Inflatable kayaks are characterized as having an elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tubes which, when inflated, define a passenger compartment and relatively narrow bow and stem sections. A flexible cover extends between and at least partially encases the elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tubes to provide a floor for the kayak. A spine for stiffening the inflatable kayak is provided in the form of a relatively rigid longitudinal member and end caps fitted to both ends thereof. The longitudinal member is sized to be removably inserted within the flexible cover so that when installed, the end caps are positioned proximate the bow and stem sections of the inflatable kayak.

Abstract: The inventive inflatable life raft comprises a peripheral pneumatic float (1) and a bottom (2) fixed thereto and is characterised in that a mechanically résistant belt (4) extends along the float (1) circumference, is fixed thereto along the entire length thereof and said belt (4) bears or incorporâtes fixing means (8) for at least one towing line in such a way that towing forces are distributed through the entire circumference of the float and the raft can withstand high towing forces without any damages.

Abstract: A frameless inflatable pontoon boat in which the pontoons and connecting section have a generally flat top and a generally flat bottom. Sufficient rigidity is achieved in the inflatable connecting section and the pontoon by the use of internal thread connections between the top surface and the bottom surface. The internal thread connections confine the inflated shape of the pontoons and connecting section to a flat shape.

Abstract: A rigid inflatable boat adapted for ease of lifesaving includes an arc-shaped front tube fixedly installed at a front side of a hull and a rear tube slideably installed at a rear side of the hull. A respective sliding rail having a guiding member disposed therein extends longitudinally on an upper surface of the hull at one or both sides thereof The rear tube is slideable forward and backward along the sliding rail due to the operation of the guiding member. A first holding means for detachably supporting a rear end of the arc-shaped tube and a front end of the rear tube is installed between the rear end of the arc-shaped tube and the front end of the rear tube. An open space between a rear end of the arc-shaped front tube and a front end of the rear tube provides ease of lifesaving.

Abstract: A boat that is provided with floating tubes in a multi-layer design is composed a plurality of floating tube devices which are installed respectively at a left and a right side of a hull, and is provided with an air bag, a buffer, and a surface layer unit. The buffer is provided with a holding space and an assembling slot hole; whereas, the surface layer unit is provided with a sealing element which is used to seal the assembling slot hole, such that the floating tube devices are configured as a multi-layer design to facilitate balance, anti-collision, and increase of chance of survival.

Abstract: A boat that is provided with floating tubes in a multi-layer design is composed a plurality of floating tube devices which are installed respectively at a left and a right side of a hull, and is provided with an air bag, a buffer, and a surface layer unit. The buffer is provided with a holding space and an assembling slot hole; whereas, the surface layer unit is provided with a sealing element which is used to seal the assembling slot hole, such that the floating tube devices are configured as a multi-layer design to facilitate balance, anti-collision, and increase of chance of survival.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a prefabricated boat. The prefabricated boat comprises a body part being composed of a plurality of division members capable of being assembled, an armor part for wrapping around and fixing the body part assembled into a single body, and an air tube mounted on a desired position of the inner face of the armor part. The armor part has the form of a bag and is provided with an opening for receiving the plurality of division members constituting the body part. Air is injected into the air tube to expand it in the state that the armor part wraps around the body part. Due to the expansion force of the air tube, the division members constituting the body part are fixed firmly, thereby preventing the relative movements between the division members.

Abstract: An inflatable boat possessing at least two inflatable chambers (1) and a device (2) for distributing gas under pressure, the device comprising: a leaktight enclosure (3) possessing a first orifice (5) and at least two second orifices (6) connected to said chambers (1); at least two closure valves (7) associated respectively with the two second orifices (6) and normally urged into a position for closing the respective second orifices (6); and means (9) for simultaneously driving all of the closure valves (7) selectively in the opening direction or in the closing direction; this makes it possible to control simultaneous inflation or deflation of all the inflatable chambers (1).

Abstract: A portable floatation apparatus comprising a platform, a ramp, and a buoyancy structure non-removably attached to the platform. At least one buoyancy structure may be removably attached under the platform to adjust the buoyancy of the floatation apparatus. The platform may be perforated to allow liquids to drain through the perforations. A membrane structure may be removably attached to a bottom side of the floatation apparatus to capture any liquid draining through the perforations. The floatation apparatus is adapted to support an animal, such as a pet dog or a pet cat, over the body of water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an inflatable structure comprising an inflatable frame and a single inflation valve. The inflatable frame has at least two chambers in fluid communication with at least one other chamber through a check valve, whereby the chambers are inflated through the inflation valve.

Abstract: A watercraft (100) is disclosed having a rigid hull (110) and outboard stabilizing members (112) attached to the hull sides (116). The hull preferably has a V-shaped bottom (118) and comprises a planing hull. The stabilizing members are preferably foam stabilizers, but may alternatively be inflatable bladder members. The stabilizing members cover a portion of the hull sides, extending part way to the chine (120) defined between the hull sides and the hull bottom. The stabilizing members each include an elongate fin (130) that extends from a bottom surface of the stabilizing member, and disposed in a front portion of the stabilizing member and in the region of the greatest hull dead rise angle. The fins may be formed integrally with the stabilizing members or may attach to the stabilizing members. The fins define a channel between the hull sides and the fins, that is hydrodynamically pressurized during certain watercraft operations, an in particular during low speed maneuvering.

Abstract: A floatation system for attachment to a helicopter landing skid includes a girt dimensioned to be attached to a landing skid and a plurality of floats attached to the elongate girt, wherein the plurality of floats are adapted to be converted from a packed configuration to an deployed configuration, and wherein at least one of the plurality of floats extends beneath the elongate girt when the plurality of floats is in the deployed configuration.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle (1), in the form of an inflatable boat (2) has a self propelled and steerable retractable undercarriage system, enabling the vehicle to enter and exit the water under its own power. The swing of the wheels and their supporting struts (3) & (4) occurs external to the hull of the vehicle. A steerable nose leg (3) is raised or lowered by an actuator situated inside the boat. Stowage is accomplished within the lines of an inflatable craft by the incorporation of fibreglass fairings (5) & (6) sized to match the main inflated tubes (7). Power is provided to the back wheels (4) via an internal drive train within the legs (4). All terrain balloon type tires are used to enable the boat to travel over a variety shoreline terrain. A steering system engages with the front wheel when the wheel is in its extended position. Motive power is provided by a separate aircooled motor.

Abstract: An inflatable boat possessing at least two inflatable chambers (1) and a device (2) for distributing gas under pressure, the device comprising: a leaktight enclosure (3) possessing a first orifice (5) and at least two second orifices (6) connected to said chambers (1); at least two closure valves (7) associated respectively with the two second orifices (6) and normally urged into a position for closing the respective second orifices (6); and means (9) for simultaneously driving all of the closure valves (7) selectively in the opening direction or in the closing direction; this makes it possible to control simultaneous inflation or deflation of all the inflatable chambers (1).

Abstract: A boat hull having sealed rigid chambers and a perimeter inflatable portion positioned and attached laterally outward thereof. The perimeter inflatable portions provide redundant buoyancy and allow loads acting upon the hull to be shifted laterally without compromising stability of the boat.

Abstract: A valve structure includes a valve body on which is mounted a first valve and a second valve. The first valve traverses the valve body at a first position and the second valve traverses the valve body at a second position spaced apart from the first position. The first valve may comprise a fill valve and the second valve may comprise a pressure relief valve. Alternatively, a single valve structure may incorporate both the fill and pressure relief functions. The valve structure may be incorporated with a bladder made of a flexible and elastic material. In this arrangement, the valve body is positioned in a valve receiving opening in the bladder material and is sealed to the bladder material around the periphery of the valve receiving opening so as to define a sealed bladder interior with the bladder material. Such a valve and bladder combination may be used together with a hull tube to form a portion of an inflatable hull for a boat.

Abstract: A foldable rigid frame attachment system for portable, inflatable pontoon boats including first and second inflatable elongated pontoons arranged to be approximately parallel to each other. The pontoons include pairs of upwardly extending strips formed in a longitudinal direction on both sides of the centerline on the top of each of the pontoons. Transversal slats connect the pontoons, and the bottom of each slat includes engaging means to engage the strips of the pontoons. The pontoon boat is held rigid by first and second underbars. The first underbar is positioned in a longitudinal direction on the top of the first pontoon in between the pairs of strips and below the slats, the second underbar is positioned in a longitudinal direction on the top of the second pontoon in between the pairs of strips and below the slats. As the pontoon boat is inflated, the underbars are locked into position between the pontoons and the slats.

Abstract: A towable structure is configured to be towed behind a boat while floating above the surface of a body of water. In one implementation, the towable structure has a platform for supporting one or more passengers thereon extending between or otherwise supported by at least three water engaging base members. The base members are buoyant to extend above the surface of the body of water. The platform extends from a location sufficiently elevated on each of the base members so that the platform stays out of the water under normal operation when unloaded and when supporting one or more passengers.

Abstract: A towable structure is configured to be towed behind a boat while floating above the surface of a body of water. In one implementation, the towable structure has a platform for supporting one or more passengers thereon extending between or otherwise supported by at least three water engaging base members. The base members are buoyant to extend above the surface of the body of water. The platform extends from a location sufficiently elevated on each of the base members so that the platform stays out of the water under normal operation when unloaded and when supporting one or more passengers.

Abstract: A structural reinforcing layer made from wire, a structural reinforcing composite layer made from wire, and the resulting load bearing structures made from or retrofitted with wire reinforced plastics and cements. Said layers and structures made from monofilament metallic or pre-cured composite materials twisted into multi-strand wire geometry optimized to mechanically shear load into rigid thermoplastic, thermoset, metallic or cementious resin systems. Wire geometry, count, size and strength/stiffness can be varied in combination with resin type, sheet structure, permeability and orientation to create layers intended for use in composite and cement based structures as originally molded reinforcement or retrofitted structural upgrades.

Abstract: A positioning and retaining system for removable tubular elements to be fastened to the hull of a boat includes at least one guide that can be coupled to at least one of the removable tubular elements. This guide is advantageously embedded within the boat hull.

Abstract: The inflatable kayak includes an inflatable peripheral structure defining at least one buoyancy chamber having elongated side sections that come together at a fore section and a aft section to form a passenger compartment. An inflatable floor cushion supports a floor of the passenger compartment. The floor cushion includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and at least one side gusset. The surface area of the top wall is less than the surface area of the bottom wall. A plurality of elongated, I-beam baffles extends between the top wall and the bottom wall. Each I-beam baffle has a midpoint, between the fore section and aft section, and an end, wherein the height of at least one I-beams baffle measured from the junction of the top wall to the junction of the bottom wall is greater at the midpoint of the baffle than at the end of the baffle.

Abstract: Apparatus including an inflatable enclosure delimited by a flexible wall to which an accessory is secured. The wall has an opening defined by an edge to which a protruding reinforcement is secured; two rigid frames straddle the edge of the opening on each side of the wall, at least one frame including a groove accommodating the reinforcement; the two frames are clamped against one another, trapping the reinforcement in the groove; the accessory is secured to a frame; and the accessory mounted on the wall is leaktight with respect to the fluid used for inflating the enclosure.

Abstract: An inflatable boat comprising: an inflatable float that is U-shaped and open at the stern, and that braced by a transom; a floor that is disposed inside the space defined by the float, and a V-shaped keel formed of a flexible canvas sheet fastened to the float and to the transom and tensioned by a longitudinal inflatable keel-forming spacer interposed between the floor and the canvas sheet; the inflatable keel-forming spacer is formed by at least two elongate and flat chambers inflated under a relatively high pressure; and the two chambers have their respective bottom longitudinal edges touching and their respective top longitudinal edges spaced apart from each other so that the keel-forming spacer is generally V-shaped in cross-section.

Abstract: A valve structure includes a valve body on which is mounted a first valve and a second valve. The first valve traverses the valve body at a first position and the second valve traverses the valve body at a second position spaced apart from the first position. The first valve may comprise a fill valve and the second valve may comprise a pressure relief valve. Alternatively, a single valve structure may incorporate both the fill and pressure relief functions. The valve structure may be incorporated with a bladder made of a flexible and elastic material. In this arrangement, the valve body is positioned in a valve receiving opening in the bladder material and is sealed to the bladder material around the periphery of the valve receiving opening so as to define a sealed bladder interior with the bladder material. Such a valve and bladder combination may be used together with a hull tube to form a portion of an inflatable hull for a boat.

Abstract: A water craft fender system which utilises an inflatable bladder (1) having an outer cover (10) which has edges shaped (11) to enclose a bolt rope (12). The edges (11) with the bolt rope (12) are inserted into grooves (8) of bolt rope holders 6/7 which extend around the hull of the water craft. The ends of the bolt rope (12) are secured to a bolt rope locking device which is formed of two parts (15 and 16), one of which is adapted to be attached to the hull of the water craft and the second part engages with the first part to grip the ends of the bolt rope (12).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a gliding submersible transport system. Exemplary submersible gliders have wings capable of providing sufficiently high lift-to-drag ratios such that the submersible gliders of may be used for transporting large volumes of military or commercial hardware, equipment, personnel, or the like. According to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a submersible glider has a step-wise glider range. The glider includes a substantially cylindrical hull having a bow and a stern. A generally planar lifting surface is disposed toward the stern. The lifting surface has a pair of generally planar stabilizer surfaces that extend generally perpendicular to a plane of the lifting surface from ends of the lifting surface. A nose cone and at least one steering device are disposed toward the bow.

Abstract: A selectively inflatable kayak of the type having at least one elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube which, when inflated, defines a passenger compartment and relatively narrow bow and stern sections. A flexible cover extends between and at least partially encases the at least one elongated pneumatically inflatable tube to provide a floor for the kayak. The flexible cover or separate bow and stern covers are provided for extending between the at least one elongated pneumatically inflatable flexible tube at bow and stern sections, respectively, the flexible cover or bow and stems covers being characterized as having narrow regions extending below and further defining the bow and stern regions of the kayak. Bow and stern pillows are provided which are sized to at least partially snuggly fit within the bow and stern sections, respectively, and are provided with stiffened ribs which extend within those narrow regions when the pillows are inserted.

Abstract: A tube ship includes at least three closed gas containers fastened into close lateral proximity to define an interstitial space between the containers which functions as a ship hold for retaining cargo, crew or passengers. The gas containers preferably are all tubes having substantially circular cross-sections and preferably being fastened together by a looped outer skin of sheet wrap material, which also protects the tubes from damaging sunlight and from high speed water friction. The tubes are filled with helium to provide extreme buoyancy and also function as the overall framework of the ship. A high power turbine motor preferably drives the ship so that the hull hydroplanes.

Abstract: Pneumatic boat (1) including two inflatable buoyancy chambers (2) extending at least on either side and kept spaced apart by a rigid bottom and by a rear panel (6), at least one stabilizing flap (15) being secured to the base of the rear panel (6) so as to extend rearwards beyond the latter; the flap (15) is fixed to the base of the rear panel (6) by a wing (11) and screws (12) capable of allowing the flap to occupy, selectively, a functional position and a nonfunctional position; the flap (15) is dimensioned and shaped such that, in the functional position, it extends, laterally, beyond the lateral edge of the base of the rear panel (6) and such that its lateral edge (16) is engaged under the corresponding inflatable chamber (2) and simply bears freely, vertically upwards, against the latter.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle (1), in the form of an inflatable boat (2) has a self propelled and steerable retractable under-carriage system, enabling the vehicle to enter and exit the water under its own power. The swing of the wheels and their supporting struts (3) & (4) occurs external to the hull of the vehicle. A steerable nose leg (3) is raised or lowered by an actuator situated inside the boat. Stowage is accomplished within the lines of an inflatable craft by the incorporation of fibreglass fairings (5) & (6) sized to match the main inflated tubes (7). Power is provided to the back wheels (4) via an internal drive train within the legs (4). All terrain balloon type tyres are used to enable the boat to travel over a variety shoreline terrain. A steering system engages with the fornt wheel when the wheel is in its extended position. Motive power is provided by a separate aircooled motor.

Abstract: A semi-rigid pneumatic boat (1) comprising: a rigid hull (2) defined by a rigid underwater hull (3) closed on the top by a rigid floor (4) and bordered on two sides by two pneumatic floats (5); a ballast (8) arranged in the rear part of the rigid hull (2) and pumping means for filling it with water or emptying it thereof; two pneumatic chambers (10) defined in the respective rear parts of the two floats (5) and pneumatically isolated from the rest of the floats; means (12, 13) for inflating and means (14) for deflating the rear chambers; the boat having no rear board; thus, by filling the ballast (8) and by deflating the rear chambers (10) the boat is nosed up, with its rear part submerged and a load (25) may be brought closer, against the floor (4), and then by emptying the ballast and re-inflating the chambers (10) the boat is set afloat, supporting the load (25).

Abstract: An inflatable floating device has an inflatable body which includes front and rear ends, a hand grip disposed on a top side of the inflatable body adjacent to the front end, a rudder portion projecting downwardly from a bottom side of the inflatable body, a counterweight disposed in the inflatable body adjacent to the bottom side, and two leg support parts disposed on the top side of the inflatable body. The bottom side of the inflatable body is convexed downwardly between the front and rear ends.