US 6,564,735 B1Granted

Folding pontoon boat

OwnerCarl L. Jacksoninventor

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Abstract

A folding pontoon boat which can be folded to a lesser width unfolded to a greater operating width. The boat can be launched in the folded configuration, unfolded on the water, and subsequently refolded to the reduced width on the water. The boat comprises pontoons, deck members, jamb plates at the inner sides of the deck members, and a hinge connecting inner sides of the deck members to each other. The jamb plates provide sufficient structure that the deck members are self-supporting and can support normal deck loading at the hinge without additional superstructure above the deck to support the hinge structure. A motor mount at the rear of the boat maintains a constant orientation as the boat is folded and unfolded between the reduced width configuration and the greater width configuration.

Claims101

Dependent claims

A folding pontoon boat, comprising:

(a) first and second elongate pontoons, each having a front end and a rear end;
(b) first and second deck members, each having a front end and a rear end, a bottom, a top, an inner side, and an outer side, each said inner side having a top edge disposed toward the top of the respective deck member and a bottom edge disposed toward the bottom of the respective deck member,
said front and rear ends of said first deck member being aligned with the respective front and rear ends of said first elongate pontoon, said front and rear ends of said second deck member being aligned with the respective front and rear ends of said second elongate pontoon, said first pontoon being secured to said first deck member proximate the outer side of said first deck member and thereby defining a first boat section, said second pontoon being secured to said second deck member proximate the outer side of said second deck member and thereby defining a second boat section,
(c) first and second jamb plates secured to respective first and second deck members at said inner sides of said deck members;
and
(d) a hinge hingedly connecting said inner sides of said first and second deck members to each other thereby to join said first and second boat sections to each other for pivotation of said first and second boat sections with respect to each other, between an operating configuration wherein said first and second elongate pontoons are spaced at a first relatively greater distance from each other and said first and second deck members, in combination, define a deck of said folding pontoon boat, having a common top surface extending between the respective outer sides of said first and second deck members and between front and rear ends of said first and second deck members, and wherein the outer sides of said first and second deck members comprise an outer edge of said deck, and a folded configuration wherein said first and second elongate pontoons are spaced proximate each other and said first and second deck members extend upwardly toward the respective inner sides.

3 more elements

A folding pontoon boat, comprising:

(a) first and second elongate pontoons, each having a front end and a rear end;
(b) first and second deck members, each having a front end and a rear end, a bottom, a top, an inner side, and an outer side, each said inner side having a top edge disposed toward the top of the respective deck member and a bottom edge disposed toward the bottom of the respective deck member,
said front and rear ends of said first deck member being aligned with the respective front and rear ends of said first elongate pontoon, said front and rear ends of said second deck member being aligned with the respective front and rear ends of said second elongate pontoon, said first pontoon being secured to said first deck member and thereby defining a first boat section, said second pontoon being secured to said second deck member and thereby defining a second boat section,
(c) first and second jamb plates secured to respective first and second deck members at said inner sides of said deck members;
and
(d) a hinge hingedly connecting said inner sides of said first and second deck members to each other thereby to join said first and second boat sections to each other for pivotation of said first and second boat sections with respect to each other, between an operating configuration wherein said first and second elongate pontoons are spaced at a first relatively greater distance from each other and said first and second deck members, in combination, define a deck of said folding pontoon boat, having a common top surface extending between the respective outer sides of said first and second deck members and between front and rear ends of said first and second deck members and wherein the outer sides of said first and second deck members comprise an outer edge of said deck, and a folded configuration wherein said first and second elongate pontoons are spaced proximate each other and said first and second deck members extend upwardly toward the respective inner sides,
said folding pontoon boat being free from superstructure above the top of said deck for supporting said deck members proximate said inner sides when said folding pontoon boat is in the operating configuration.

4 more elements

A folding pontoon boat, comprising:

(a) first and second elongate pontoons, each having a front end and a rear end;
(b) first and second deck members, each having a front end and a rear end, a bottom, a top, an inner side, and an outer side, each said inner side having a top edge disposed toward the top of the respective deck member and a bottom edge disposed toward the bottom of the respective deck member,
said front and rear ends of said first deck member being aligned with the respective front and rear ends of said first elongate pontoon, said front and rear ends of said second deck member being aligned with the respective front and rear ends of said second elongate pontoon, said first pontoon being secured to said first deck member and thereby defining a first boat section, said second pontoon being secured to said second deck member and thereby defining a second boat section,
(c) first and second jamb plates secured to respective first and second deck members at said inner sides of said deck members;
and
(d) a hinge hingedly connecting said inner sides of said first and second deck members to each other thereby to join said first and second boat sections to each other for pivotation of said first and second boat sections with respect to each other, between an operating configuration wherein said first and second elongate pontoons are spaced at a first relatively greater distance from each other and said first and second deck members, in combination, define a deck of said folding pontoon boat, having a common top surface extending between the respective outer sides of said first and second deck members and between front and rear ends of said first and second deck members and wherein the outer sides of said first and second deck members comprise outer edges of said deck, and a folded configuration wherein said first and second elongate pontoons are spaced proximate each other and said first and second deck members extend upwardly toward the respective inner sides,
said jamb plates and said hinge, in combination, being of such design and configuration, and of sufficient structure, strength, and rigidity, to bear all vertical forces normally imposed on said deck members proximate said inner sides.

4 more elements

A folding pontoon boat, comprising:

(a) first and second elongate pontoons, each having a front end and a rear end;
(b) first and second deck members, each having a front end and a rear end, a bottom, a top, an inner side, and an outer side, each said inner side having a top edge disposed toward the top of the respective deck member and a bottom edge disposed toward the bottom of the respective deck member,
said front and rear ends of said first deck member being aligned with the respective front and rear ends of said first elongate pontoon, said front and rear ends of said second deck member being aligned with the respective front and rear ends of said second elongate pontoon, said first pontoon being secured to said first deck member and thereby defining a first boat section, said second pontoon being secured to said second deck member and thereby defining a second boat section,
(c) first and second jamb plates secured to respective first and second deck members at said inner sides of said deck members;
and
(d) a hinge hingedly connecting said inner sides of said first and second deck members to each other thereby to join said first and second boat sections to each other for pivotation of said first and second boat sections with respect to each other, between an operating configuration wherein said first and second elongate pontoons are spaced at a first relatively greater distance from each other and said first and second deck members, in combination, define a deck of said folding pontoon boat, having a common top surface extending between the respective outer sides of said first and second deck members and between front and rear ends of said first and second deck members and wherein the outer sides of said first and second deck members comprise outer edges of said deck, and a folded configuration wherein said first and second elongate pontoons are spaced proximate each other and said first and second deck members extend upwardly toward the respective inner sides,
said front and rear ends, and said outer sides of said first and second deck members having respective bending resistance capacities with respect to forces applied at lower edges thereof, and said jamb plates having bending resistance capacities with respect to forces applied at lower edges thereof substantially greater than the respective bending resistance capacities at the lower edges of said front and rear ends and at said outer sides.

4 more elements

A folding pontoon boat, comprising:

(a) first and second elongate pontoons, each having a front end and a rear end;
(b) first and second deck members, each having a front end and a rear end, a bottom, a top, an inner side, and an outer side, each said inner side having a top edge disposed toward the top of the respective deck member and a bottom edge disposed toward the bottom of the respective deck member,
said front and rear ends of said first deck member being aligned with the respective front and rear ends of said first elongate pontoon, said front and rear ends of said second deck member being aligned with the respective front and rear ends of said second elongate pontoon, said first pontoon being secured to said first deck member and thereby defining a first boat section, said second pontoon being secured to said second deck member and thereby defining a second boat section,
(c) first and second jamb plates secured to respective first and second deck members at said inner sides of said deck members;
and
(d) a hinge hingedly connecting said inner sides of said first and second deck members to each other thereby to join said first and second boat sections to each other for pivotation of said first and second boat sections with respect to each other, between an operating configuration wherein said first and second elongate pontoons are spaced at a first relatively greater distance from each other and said first and second deck members, in combination, define a deck of said folding pontoon boat, having a common top surface extending between the respective outer sides of said first and second deck members and between front and rear ends of said first and second deck members and wherein the outer sides of said first and second deck members comprise outer edges of said deck, and a folded configuration wherein said first and second elongate pontoons are spaced proximate each other and said first and second deck members extend upwardly toward the respective inner sides,
and wherein, in the folded configuration, said first and second deck members approximate the shape of an inverted “V” having an apex proximate said jamb plates.

4 more elements

A folding pontoon boat, comprising:

(a) first and second elongate pontoons, each having a front end and a rear end;
(b) first and second deck members, each having a front end and a rear end, a bottom, a top, an inner side, and an outer side, each said inner side having a top edge disposed toward the top of the respective deck member and a bottom edge disposed toward the bottom of the respective deck member, said first and second deck members each comprising an array of transverse supporting structural cross-members, and deck sheeting overlying said transverse supporting structural cross-members, said transverse structural cross-members extending transverse to a longitudinal axis of said folding pontoon boat, said transverse structural cross-members being spaced at generally regular intervals along respective lengths of the respective deck members,
said front and rear ends of said first deck member being aligned with the respective front and rear ends of said first elongate pontoon, said front and rear ends of said second deck member being aligned with the respective front and rear ends of said second elongate pontoon, said first pontoon being secured to said first deck member and thereby defining a first boat section, said second pontoon being secured to said second deck member and thereby defining a second boat section,
(c) a hinge defining a hinge line and hingedly connecting said inner sides of said first and second deck members to each other thereby to join said first and second boat sections to each other for pivotation of said first and second boat sections with respect to each other, between an operating configuration wherein said first and second elongate pontoons are spaced at a first relatively greater distance from each other and said first and second deck members, in combination, define a deck of said folding pontoon boat, having a common top surface extending between the respective outer sides of said first and second deck members and between front and rear ends of said first and second deck members and wherein the outer sides of said first and second deck members comprise an outer edge of said deck, and a folded configuration wherein said first and second elongate pontoons are spaced proximate each other and said first and second deck members extend upwardly toward the respective inner side;
and
(d) first and second rearwardly-disposed ones of said cross-members on each of said deck members defining front and rear ends of a motor mount opening, which motor mount opening is adapted and configured to receive a motor mount, and which motor mount opening interrupts the generally regular spacing of said cross-members at a rear portion of said folding pontoon boat, the opening extending uninterrupted across the hinge line and outwardly from the hinge line, to opposing sides of said opening disposed inwardly of the outer sides of the respective deck members.

3 more elements

A folding pontoon boat, comprising:

(a) first and second elongate pontoons, each having a front end and a rear end;
(b) first and second deck members defining a deck of said folding pontoon boat, each of said first and second deck members having a front end and a rear end, a bottom, a top, an inner side, and an outer side, each said inner side having a top edge disposed toward the top of the respective deck member and a bottom edge disposed toward the bottom of the respective deck member, said front and rear ends of said first deck member being aligned with the respective front and rear ends of said first elongate pontoon, said front and rear ends of said second deck member being aligned with the respective front and rear ends of said second elongate pontoon, said outer sides of said first and second deck members corresponding to opposing sides of said deck;
(c) a hinge hingedly connecting said inner sides of said first and second deck members to each other thereby to join said first and second deck members to each other for pivotation of said first and second deck members with respect to each other, between an operating configuration wherein said first and second elongate pontoons are spaced at a first relatively greater distance from each other and said first and second deck members, in combination, define a deck of said folding pontoon boat, having a common top surface extending between the respective outer sides of the first and second deck members and between the front and rear ends of said first and second deck members, and wherein the outer sides of said first and second deck members comprise an outer edge of said deck, and a folded configuration wherein said first and second elongate pontoons are spaced proximate each other and said first and second deck members extend upwardly toward the respective inner sides;
and
(d) a motor mount mounted to said first and second deck members at locations at least some of which are displaced frontwardly of said rear ends of said deck members, said motor mount maintaining a substantially constant orientation when said folding pontoon boat is folded into the folded configuration.

2 more elements

A folding pontoon boat, comprising:

(a) first and second elongate pontoons, each having a front end and a rear end;
(b) first and second deck members, each having a front end and a rear end, a bottom, a top, an inner side, and an outer side, each said inner side having a top edge disposed toward the top of the respective deck member and a bottom edge disposed toward the bottom of the respective deck member, said front and rear ends of said first deck member being aligned with the respective front and rear ends of said first elongate pontoon, said front and rear ends of said second deck member being aligned with the respective front and rear ends of said second elongate pontoon, said first and second deck members each comprising an array of transverse supporting cross-members which extend transverse to a longitudinal axis of said folding pontoon boat, said cross-members being spaced at generally regular intervals along the respective lengths of the respective deck members;
(c) a hinge hingedly connecting said inner sides of said first and second deck members to each other thereby to join said first and second deck members to each other for pivotation of said first and second deck members with respect to each other, between an operating configuration wherein said first and second elongate pontoons are spaced at a first relatively greater distance from each other and said first and second deck members, in combination, define a deck of said folding pontoon boat, having a common top surface extending between the respective outer sides of the first and second deck members and between the front and rear ends of said first and second deck members, and wherein the outer sides of said first and second deck members comprise an outer edge of said deck, and a folded configuration wherein said first and second elongate pontoons are spaced proximate each other and said first and second deck members extend upwardly toward the respective inner sides;
and
(d) a motor mount mounted to said first and second deck members at locations at least some of which are displaced frontwardly of said rear ends of said deck members, said motor mount being so designed and configured that forward thrust of an outboard motor mounted to said motor mount is transferred to said transverse supporting cross-members at one or more locations displaced frontwardly of said rear ends of said deck members by at least one said regular interval.

2 more elements

A folding pontoon boat, comprising:

(a) first and second elongate pontoons, each having a front end and a rear end;
(b) first and second deck members, each having a front end and a rear end, a bottom, a top, an inner side, and an outer side, each said inner side having a top edge disposed toward the top of the respective deck member and a bottom edge disposed toward the bottom of the respective deck member, said front and rear ends of said first deck member being aligned with the respective front and rear ends of said first elongate pontoon, said front and rear ends of said second deck member being aligned with the respective front and rear ends of said second elongate pontoon, said first and second deck members further comprising transverse supporting cross-members which extend transverse to a longitudinal axis of said folding pontoon boat;
(c) a hinge hingedly connecting said inner sides of said first and second deck members to each other thereby to join said first and second deck members to each other for pivotation of said first and second deck members with respect to each other, between an operating configuration wherein said first and second elongate pontoons are spaced at a first relatively greater distance from each other and said first and second deck members, in combination, define a deck of said folding pontoon boat, having a common top surface extending between the respective outer sides of said first and second deck members and between the front and rear ends of said first and second deck members, and wherein the outer sides of said first and second deck members comprise outer edges of said deck, and a folded configuration wherein said first and second elongate pontoons are spaced proximate each other and said first and second deck members extend upwardly toward the respective inner sides;
and
(d) a motor mount mounted to said first and second deck members and so interfacing with said deck members that said motor mount rises as said first and second deck members are being extended upwardly when said folding pontoon boat is being converted to the folded configuration.

2 more elements

A folding pontoon boat, comprising:

(a) first and second elongate pontoons, each having a front end and a rear end;
(b) first and second deck members, each having a front end and a rear end, a bottom, a top, an inner side, and an outer side, each said inner side having a top edge disposed toward the top of the respective deck member and a bottom edge disposed toward the bottom of the respective deck member, said front and rear ends of said first deck member being aligned with the respective front and rear ends of said first elongate pontoon, said front and rear ends of said second deck member being aligned with the respective front and rear ends of said second elongate pontoon;
(c) a hinge hingedly connecting said inner sides of said first and second deck members to each other thereby to join said first and second boat sections to each other for pivotation of said first and second boat sections with respect to each other, between an operating configuration wherein said first and second elongate pontoons are spaced at a first relatively greater distance from each other and said first and second deck members, in combination, define a deck of said folding pontoon boat, having a common top surface extending between the respective outer sides of said first and second deck members and between front and rear ends of said first and second deck members and wherein the outer sides of said first and second deck members comprise outer edges of said deck, and a folded configuration wherein said first and second deck members extend upwardly toward the respective inner sides;
and
(d) a retraction device having first and second ends, said first end being mounted to one of said first pontoon or said first deck member, said second end being mounted to one of said second pontoon or said second deck member, said retraction device having a line of retractive action passing below said hinge, whereby a line of force acting through said retraction device when said folding pontoon boat is in the operating configuration exerts an upward vector on said deck members sufficient to readily initiate upward movement of the inner sides of said deck members.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

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Abstract

A folding pontoon boat, comprising:

(a) first and second elongate pontoons, each having a front end and a rear end;
(b) first and second deck members, each having a front end and a rear end, a bottom, a top, an inner side, and an outer side, each said inner side having a top edge disposed toward the top of the respective deck member and a bottom edge disposed toward the bottom of the respective deck member,
said front and rear ends of said first deck member being aligned with the respective front and rear ends of said first elongate pontoon, said front and rear ends of said second deck member being aligned with the respective front and rear ends of said second elongate pontoon, said first pontoon being secured to said first deck member proximate the outer side of said first deck member and thereby defining a first boat section, said second pontoon being secured to said second deck member proximate the outer side of said second deck member and thereby defining a second boat section,
(c) first and second jamb plates secured to respective first and second deck members at said inner sides of said deck members;
and
(d) a hinge hingedly connecting said inner sides of said first and second deck members to each other thereby to join said first and second boat sections to each other for pivotation of said first and second boat sections with respect to each other, between an operating configuration wherein said first and second elongate pontoons are spaced at a first relatively greater distance from each other and said first and second deck members, in combination, define a deck of said folding pontoon boat, having a common top surface extending between the respective outer sides of said first and second deck members and between front and rear ends of said first and second deck members, and wherein the outer sides of said first and second deck members comprise an outer edge of said deck, and a folded configuration wherein said first and second elongate pontoons are spaced proximate each other and said first and second deck members extend upwardly toward the respective inner sides.

3 more elements