Composite-shell pneumatic craft convertible into a closed box
AssigneeZodiac International
InventorDidier Maurel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Composite-shell pneumatic craft convertible into a closed box, having a rigid hull and an inflatable float fixed to the edge thereof, a removable rigid panel constituting a lid for the hull containing the deflated float; a profile fixed along the outer edge of the hull comprises a supporting flank and a groove with narrow opening which opens into an upper wall close to the flank; the groove holds a bead joined to flexible skirt of the float; the upper wall, in its part adjacent to the groove opposite to the flank, can support a lip of the removable panel; a portion of the flank cooperates with members for fixing the profile to the hull.
Claims8
A composite-shell pneumatic craft convertible into a closed box for its storage and/or its transportation, comprising a rigid hull, the upper edge of which extends approximately in one plane, and an inflatable buoyancy body fixed to the edge of the rigid hull—excluding the rear part thereof—by joining means, a removable rigid panel being additionally provided and configured to match the contour of the said edge of the hull in order to form a closing element for the hull, inside which the deflated body has been folded flat, wherein said joining means comprise a profile fixed to the outside of the hull, along the edge or close to the edge thereof, said profile comprising:
- a supporting flank against the hull, and
- a groove configured with a narrow opening which opens into an upper wall of the profile close to said supporting flank, said groove being suitable for holding a bead joined to a flexible skirt attached to the inflatable body,
- said upper wall of the profile being suitable, in its part adjacent to said groove opposite to the aforesaid supporting flank of the profile, for supporting a lip of said removable panel,
- a portion of the supporting flank of the profile being configured to cooperate with members for fixing said profile to the hull.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.