Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel type of boat construction wherein a metal hull, comprised primarily of aluminum metal and there is fitted thereupon a fiberglass interior supported along the exterior outer edge of the hull, with the interior defining a space for occupants of the boat, and spaced apart from the hull itself at points all except the exterior continuous edge of contact between the hull and the interior fiberglass lining.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling strain and deflection in a superstructure, resulting from movement/displacement of the main structure on maritime and aerospace vessels, and other structures which have significant strains and/or deflections induced by support displacements. This method involves the use of elastic devices inserted in the said superstructure and fine tuned with respect to stiffness, to an extent where the load distribution throughout the said superstructure can be controlled. The device is constructed by the use of material formed in a geometric shape which will allow yielding, to a desired amount of strain and/or deflections, in the elastic device, superstructure and main structure.

Abstract: A catamaran boat comprises two pontoons which are rigidly interconnected in laterally spaced relationship by a plurality of transverse beams. An air guiding sheet is rigidly connected to the bottom surfaces of the transverse beams and defines an air tunnel extending above the water between the two pontoons. The air guiding sheet is upwardly curved at its forward end and is provided with one or more transversely extending downwardly projecting ribs or bulges which result in a compression of the air in the tunnel when the boat is moving through the water. This substantially increases the lift exerted on the boat, permitting it to ride at a higher level and achieve higher speeds. The inner vertically extending walls of the spaced pontoons are disposed at an angle to the vertical, with each inner wall extending outwardly toward the outer wall by a slight angle. This configuration permits the boat to traverse shallower waters than has been heretofore possible with catamaran type boats.

Abstract: A laminate structure and an aluminum open-hulled boat made therefrom. In one embodiment of the laminate structure, an aluminum outer hull layer has adhered thereto a resilient foam layer for absorbing energy that deforms the aluminum outer hull layer. In another embodiment, the laminate structure includes a harder supporting foam layer adhered to the resilient foam layer. In both embodiments, the resilient layer absorbs the energy of deformation of the aluminum outer hull layer, restores the aluminum outer hull to its original shape when the deforming stresses are removed. An inner rigid sheet that is adhered to the innermost inward surface of a foam layer without direct mechanical attachment to the outer hull layer, and the laminate structure provides sufficient structural support to the hull to not require additional cross-supports. A rigid, self-supporting open-hulled aluminum boat can be contructed from either of these laminate structures.

Abstract: A boat construction comprising separate forward and rear sections. A rear wall of the forward section is pivotally connected to the forward wall of the rear section at a location adjacent the top end of such walls. An extension of the side walls of one of the boat sections snugly engages the adjacent side walls of the other boat section when they are pivoted to form a boat configuration. The two sections are pivoted to overlie each other for insertion of the boat inside of a station wagon-like car or in the back of a truck. The forward and rear sections are rigidly interconnected and significantly braced against the forces of wave action by the provision of transversely aligned apertures in the longitudinally extending flanges and the side walls of the boat section engaged by the longitudinally extending flanges.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel type of boat construction wherein a metal hull, comprised primarily of aluminum metal and there is fitted thereupon a fiberglass interior supported along the exterior outer edge of the hull, with the interior defining a space for occupants of the boat, and spaced apart from the hull itself at points all except the exterior continuous edge of contact between the hull and the interior fiberglass lining.

Abstract: A boat hull is constructed of a plurality of unitary plates connected together along their edges and connected to an internal frame at the edges, such that the side deck and bottom plates of the hull are connected solely at their respective edges to the internal frame, with the plates being spaced outward from the frame intermediate the connections, and with an elastomer disposed in the space between the frame members and the hull plates.

Abstract: A laminate structure and an aluminum open-hulled boat made therefrom. In one embodiment of the laminate structure, an aluminum outer hull layer has adhered thereto a resilient foam layer for absorbing energy that deforms the aluminum outer hull layer. In another embodiment, the laminate structure includes a harder supporting foam layer adhered to the resilient foam layer. In both embodiments, the resilient layer absorbs the energy of deformation of the aluminum outer hull layer, restores the aluminum outer hull to its original shape when the deforming stresses are removed. An inner rigid sheet that is adhered to the innermost inward surface of a foam layer without direct mechanical attachment to the outer hull layer, and the laminate structure provides sufficient structural support to the hull to not require additional cross-supports. A rigid, self-supporting open-hulled aluminum boat can be constructed from either of these laminate structures.

Abstract: A plank assembly for the formation of a ship's hull comprises interengaging hooks in only line contact with one another and enabling angular displacement of the two planks about an axis. The planks are also provided with arcuate flanges centered on this and bolted together and with attachment flanges enabling the planks to be secured to transverse ribs of the ship's hull.

Abstract: An aluminum boat is provided including laterally outwardly bowed gunnels and each of the gunnels has an outer side tubular aluminum flotation member extending therealong, bowed to conform to and welded to the outer side surface of the gunnel. The opposite ends of each tubular flotation member are sealingly closed and the interior of the tubular member is occupied by non-liquid absorbing lightweight flotation material. The tubular flotation member is secured to the corresponding gunnel by first tack-welding one end of the tubular member to a generally straight rear portion of the gunnel and then yieldingly biasing the forward end of the tubular flotation member laterally inwardly while effecting localized heat to the tubular member in the area in which it diverges outwardly from the bowed portion of the gunnel to thereby reshape the tubular member to conform to the bowed area of the gunnel and enable the bent portion of the flotation member to be welded to the gunnel bowed portion.

Abstract: Sheets of a vessel or other construction are joined edge to edge by deforming an edge of each sheet to have a projection from one face of the sheet, the deformed edge is entered into a slot of a joining strip and the outstanding projections are moved across in the slot so that they engage against an abutment extending into the slot from a surface of the strip. Another surface of the strip has teeth extending into the slot. A key, having teeth complementary to the slot teeth, is inserted into the slot to bear against the other face of the sheet and thereby maintain the engagement of the projections with the abutment. The ends of the joining strips are then clamped with such pressure that sliding of the sheet edge within the slot is inhibited and the slot is prevented from opening by clamping forces exerted by and within the assembled structure.

Abstract: Sheets of a vessel or other construction are joined edge to edge by deforming an edge of each sheet to have a projection outstanding from one face of the sheet, the deformed edge is entered into a slot of a joining strip and the outstanding projections are moved across in the slot so that they engage behind an abutment existing in a wall of the slot, and a key is also inserted in the slot to bear against the other face of the sheet and thereby maintain the engagement of the projections with the abutment. The ends of joining strip are then clamped between clamping blocks with such pressure that sliding movement of the sheet edge within its slot is inhibited and the slot is prevented from opening, e.g. upon impact forces.

Abstract: A multipurpose crew and resupply vessel for use in resupplying off shore installations with men, food and supplies, as well as fuel, water and all of the suplies needed by that offshore installation. The vessel is characterized by a wide, flat boat supporting a continuous precise lift hull structure that rides substantially horizontally in the water with a shallow draft both when loaded and unloaded so as to operate in a very wide variety of types of water and serves as a transfer platform for moving materials, supplies and men from one offshore installation to another and the vessel has fire fighting and other rescue capabilities.

Abstract: A ship hull is formed of a plurality of transverse and generally parallel ribs and a plurality of side-by-side plank-forming and generally parallel elongated profiles each having two generally parallel londigitudinal edges abutting the edges of the adjacent profiles. One of the edges is formed with an inwardly extending flange engagng the ribs. Thus the flanges stiffen the profiles. Screw fasteners extend through the flanges and into the transverse ribs for securing the profiles to the transverse ribs. Seals form watertight joints between the abutting longitudinal edges of the profiles.

Abstract: A pontoon flotation device having forward and rearward ends and including at least two parallel pontoons fastened to a substantially rectangular deck panel. The deck panel has upturned side flanges extending the length of each side of the deck panel with a pontoon located parallel to and beneath each side of the deck panel. Each pontoon includes a substantially rectangular bottom panel and inner and outer upwardly extending side panels joined to opposite long edges of the bottom panel. The outer side panel extends upwardly beyond the furthest upward extension of the inner side panel to extend parallel and adjacent to a side flange of the deck panel. By this means, the deck panel and outer side panel of the pontoon are in position to be conveniently fastened to each other.

Abstract: An improved method of hull construction from developable material is disclosed for a boat having a hull which consists of triangular panels fitted together. This method produces a rounded hull with a single chine and is easier and less costly to build than existing designs.

Abstract: A method for fabrication of an integral shell-formed body from several elongated panels (1, 2, 3), each of which along one longitudinal edge has a substantially U-formed tongue groove (6) and along the opposite longitudinal edge a tongue element (8) which is at least partly substantially narrower than the groove (6) thereby providing a clamp groove (12) when the tongue (8) is introduced in the tongue groove (6). One or more clamp blocks (13) can be introduced into the tongue groove to press the tongue (8) sideways and preferably also to the bottom of the groove (6). Preferably a layer of settable glue is provided between the groove (6) and the tongue (8), which glue layer is allowed to set after the groove and tongue elements have been clamped together by the clamp blocks (13). The clamp blocks can be formed as G-clips embracing and engaging the groove-tongue joint.

Abstract: A composite hull construction for boats and the like is disclosed. A rigid inner box-like structure of steel or aluminum is provided and acts as the main structural element of the hull, a rigid synthetic foam core being intimately bonded to the exterior surfaces thereof. The exterior surface of the foam material is easily formed as desired to define the outer configuration of the hull and a layer of resin impregnated glass fibers is layed-up over the foam to provide a protective outer skin for the hull.

Abstract: In an ice-breaking ship, having sufficient power and being generally designed for efficient ice-breaking, the breaking of the ice is made more effective by changing the zone of ice crushing and shearing which occurs at the stem during normal ice-breaking of level ice, to a zone where the breaking occurs due to bending. This is obtained by forming the front portion of the ship so that at least within the area where the stem contacts and breaks level ice, the basically wedge-formed stem is truncated to form a relatively broad runner-like portion being inclined forwards in a relatively small angle to the water line plane of the ship. The width of the runner-like portion is determined in conformity with the general ice-breaking ability of the ship, whereby the driving power (P) of the ship, in kW, and the maximum beam (B) of the ship at its design water line, in meters, forms the basis for calculating, in meters, the width (W) of the runner-like portion by means of the formula:W=(0.02 to 0.08)(P/B).sup.0.63.