Pontoon with integrated lifting strake and method for making the same
AssigneeXpress Boats
InventorsJeff Bogard, David Ashcraft, Sr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pontoon with an improved running surface and methods for construction the same are provided. The pontoon comprises an interior concave main running surface formed along the longitudinal centerline of the pontoon which is bounded by two sponsons, which in turn are bounded by two distal concave surfaces, or integrated lifting strakes. The associated methods provide a process for retrofitting prior art pontoons or constructing the pontoon to avoid the need for welds below the waterline of the pontoon. The pontoon provides improved pontoon boat performance by maximizing lift and minimizing leakage. The pontoon also reduces construction costs by lowering the number of welds required to form a pontoon with lifting strakes.
Claims11
A method of manufacturing a pontoon having an improved running surface, comprising the steps of:
- supplying a sheet material having a longitudinal axis, a transverse axis, a first longitudinal edge, a second longitudinal edge, a bow transverse edge, and a stern transverse edge;
- forming the sheet material by imprinting along the longitudinal axis of the sheet of material a concave running surface;
- further forming the sheet material by imprinting along the longitudinal axis of the sheet material two concave integrated lifting strakes each having a proximal lifting strake surface, proximal lifting strake edge, distal lifting strake surface, and distal lifting strake edge, such that the concave integrated lifting strakes join the concave main running surface at two sponsons;
- further forming the sheet material by imprinting along the longitudinal axis of the sheet material one or more flotation cavity walls, such that the flotation cavity wall joins the integrated lifting strakes at the distal lifting strake edges;
- forming one or more seams along the first and second longitudinal edges;
- adjoining to the bow transverse edge a nose;
- and
- adjoining to the stern transverse edge an end.
A method of manufacturing a pontoon having an improved running surface, comprising the steps of:
- forming a longitudinal insert, further comprising a concave running surface, two concave integrated lifting strakes that join the concave running surface at two sponsons, and two flanges that join the concave integrated lifting strakes at two distal lifting strake edges;
- securing the two flanges to a flotation cavity wall;
- and
- securing a nose and end to opposite longitudinal ends of the insert and flotation cavity wall.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.