US 5,690,048 A · Boat hull construction

Abstract

A boat hull is constructed of inner and outer aluminum skin layers. A foam material and a plurality of spaced frame members are sandwiched between the two skin layers. The skin layers are directly welded to the spaced frame members, which preferably are spaced apart at close intervals, to ensure structural integrity and product performance. A preferred method of constructing a boat hull designed according to this invention includes providing a temporary support structure that is connected to longitudinal beams of the boat hull frame. After spaced frame members are connected to the longitudinal beams a first skin layer is attached. The temporary support structure is then removed and the aluminum skin layers are attached to the spaced frame members. A liquid, curable, closed cell foam preferably is injected into the spacing between the skin layers and the spaced frame members.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A shell for forming portions of a boat hull, comprising:

a plurality of laterally spaced frame members;
a plurality of longitudinal frame pieces connected to said plurality of frame members, said frame members extending between said longitudinal frame pieces in a direction that is generally perpendicular to said longitudinal frame pieces;
an outer skin layer permanently fixed to one side of said frame members;
an inner skin layer permanently fixed to another side of said frame members such that a cavity exists between said inner and said outer skin layers, said frame members being inside said cavity;
and
a foam material within said cavity, said foam being injected into said cavity as a liquid, each of said frame members having a web portion extending between opposed side walls, said web portion and said side walls extending along a longitudinal length of said frame members, said web portion including a plurality of openings spaced along the longitudinal length of said web portions, said openings in said web portions allowing said liquid foam to pass through said openings such that said foam may fill said cavity.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Boat hull construction

Life of this patent

Boat hull construction

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15