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(11) | EP 1 619 114 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Multi-function watercraft |
| (57) Described herein is a multipurpose watercraft comprising: at least one pair of hulls
consisting of boards, for windsurfing (1, 2) or kitesurfing (24, 25), or else of inflatable
pneumatic tubes (40); and a topside (3; 3a), which interconnects the two hulls and
is configured for selective application of a mast-sail-boom rig (16, 17, 18) for windsurfing,
or of an outboard motor (21) and corresponding steering unit (19, 20, 23), or of a
seat (28) for a rower or for a person handling a kite, as well as of a possible tent
(22) for nautical camping.
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[0001] The aim of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose watercraft having a modular configuration that is relatively simple and inexpensive to produce and is such as to enable the practice of seafaring activities in which the watercraft uses sails, oars or is motor-driven, or is also propelled with the aid of a kite.
[0002] The multipurpose watercraft according to the invention is basically characterized in that it comprises at least one pair of hulls, and a topside that interconnects the two hulls and is configured for the selective application of:
- a mast-sail-boom rig for windsurfing;
- an outboard motor and corresponding steering unit;
- at least one seat for a rower; and
- at least one seat for the handler of the kite.
[0003] The topside can moreover be advantageously configured also for application of a tent structure for nautical camping.
[0004] The two hulls of the multipurpose watercraft according to the invention can conveniently consist of boards for surfing, for example of the type used for windsurfing, if necessary slightly modified. In a variant of the invention, in which the topside has a general T-shaped configuration, the two boards are of the type normally used for kitesurfing (surfing using a kite), and the multipurpose watercraft according to the invention is moreover equipped with a further board for windsurfing. In this case, the watercraft, instead of consisting of a catamaran, has a trimaran configuration.
[0006] The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the annexed plate of drawings, which are provided purely by way of non-limiting example and in which:
- Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view that shows the multipurpose watercraft according to the invention in a first possible configuration;
- Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, which shows the same configuration with a different option;
- Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1, which shows a second configuration of the multipurpose watercraft according to the invention;
- Figure 4 shows the same configuration of Figure 3 but with a different option;
- Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1, which shows a third possible configuration of the multipurpose watercraft according to the invention;
- Figures 6 and 7 are two perspective views similar to Figure 1, which show further possible configurations of the multipurpose watercraft according to the invention;
- Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view that represents the set of practically all the possible components that can be used for obtaining the different configurations of the multipurpose watercraft according to the invention;
- Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view at an enlarged scale of a component of the watercraft according to the configurations of Figures 1-5; and
- Figure 10 is a schematic perspective view of a further possible configuration of the multipurpose watercraft according to the invention.
[0007] With initial reference to Figure 1, the multipurpose watercraft according to the invention comprises, in a first possible configuration, a pair of hulls consisting of two boards 1, 2 of the type normally used for windsurfing, and a topside 3 that interconnects the two boards 1, 2. The boards 1, 2, also illustrated in detail in Figure 8, which shows all the modular components that can be used for modifying the configuration of the multipurpose watercraft according to the invention, can be normal commercially available boards, equipped with respective stern fins 4, 5 and a substantially central mast step 6 normally used for insertion and blocking of the foot of a mast 7 of a conventional type. The only modification required for each board 1, 2 consists in the provision of at least one and preferably two further mast steps 6, arranged, respectively, towards the bow and towards the stern with respect to the existing mast step 6. The presence of said multiple mast steps 6 on both of the boards 1, 2 enables their interconnection through the topside 3, the conformation of which is represented in detail in Figure 9. Said topside 3 consists, in practice, of a top half-shell 8, normally made of moulded plastic material, fixed to which is a bottom half-shell 9, which is also normally made of moulded plastic material, with the interposition of a body of buoyant filling 10. The permanent coupling between the bottom half-shell 9 and the top half-shell 8 can be made, for example, by pegs 11 projecting integrally from the former and fixed permanently to the latter, through the body of buoyant filling 10. Of course, different systems of coupling, of a mechanical, chemical or thermal type may be envisaged.
[0008] The topside 3 is connected on one side and on the opposite side to the two boards 1, 2 conveniently using attachment blocks inserted in the mast steps 6 of said boards and having, for example, a configuration similar to that of the feet of masts 7. Of course, said attachment blocks may have a different shape, provided that it is suitable, on the one hand, to ensure a retention stop within the mast steps 6 of the two boards 1, 2 and, on the other, to guarantee fast but at the same time stable and secure coupling to the topside 3. Elastic gaskets 32, made for example of neoprene can be advantageously set between the topside 3 and each board 1, 2 in order to minimize the localized shearing stresses.
[0009] The top half-shell 8 of the topside 3 defines the deck of the watercraft according to the invention, which is pre-arranged in order to enable its convenient and easy conversion from one to the other of the different possible configurations that the watercraft itself can assume. For said purpose, as is illustrated in detail in Figures 8 and 9, the top half-shell 8 defines a generally horizontal platform with anti-slip surface 12, formed subsequently with a transom 13 and centrally with one or more central mast steps 14.
[0010] The mast steps 14 can be used selectively for positioning the foot of a mast 15, for example similar to the feet of masts 7, for articulated-joint attachment of a mast 16 - sail 17 - boom 18 rig for windsurfing, in the way represented in Figure 1 or else in Figure 2. The different positioning of the above rig will depend upon the sail surface, the intensity of the wind, and the number of persons on board the watercraft. In any case, the configuration of the multipurpose watercraft according to the invention, as represented in Figures 1 and 2, will be that of a catamaran.
[0011] Said configuration may possibly be completed by rendering the mast 16 fixed, instead of articulated, to its base, providing an appropriate rigging (not illustrated).
[0012] Figures 3 and 4 illustrate another possible configuration of the multipurpose watercraft according to the invention, which is motor-driven instead of being provided with a sail. In this case, the deck defined by the top half-shell 8 of the topside 3 houses a steering unit consisting of a seat 19 with steering-wheel 20 and hand levers 23 for controlling an outboard motor 21 applied to the transom 13. The steering unit may in this case be located in the most suitable position, i.e., more towards the stern or more towards the bow, using the mast steps 14 and devices of attachment similar to feet of masts or of some other type. Between the steering unit and the topside 3 there can conveniently be set an elastic gasket 33, for example made of neoprene, having the function of reducing the stresses due to contact of the watercraft with the water.
[0013] In the configuration represented in Figure 5, the watercraft of Figure 3 or else of Figure 4 is further equipped with a removable tent 22 so that it can be used also for nautical camping.
[0014] In the case of Figures 6 and 7, the topside of the multipurpose watercraft according to the invention, designated as a whole by 3a, has a general T-shaped configuration, and also in this case is conveniently made of moulded plastic material. Two boards 24, 25 for kitesurfing (i.e., surfing being towed by a kite) are fixed at the ends of the transverse branch 26 of the T-shaped configuration, and a third board for windsurfing, consisting, for example, of the board 1 or of the identical board 2, is fixed to the longitudinal branch 27 of the T-shaped configuration. Fixing the boards for kitesurfing 24, 25 and the board for windsurfing 21 to the topside 3a is also in this case obtained by means of mast steps and attachments of a type similar to that of the feet of masts 7 and 15, or else with equivalent systems.
[0015] The longitudinal branch 27 is moreover equipped with attachments for possibly adjustable fixing of one or more seats 28, which can be used by rowers equipped with paddles 29. The seat 28 can moreover be orientable, i.e., applied to the longitudinal branch 27 of the topside 3a facing sideways instead of towards the bow, in the way represented in Figure 7. In this case, the watercraft can be manoeuvred by a user equipped with a kite.
[0016] In either case, the transverse branch 26 of the topside 3a can moreover be equipped centrally with a transom 30 for fixing an auxiliary motor 31.
[0017] Figure 10 shows a further variant in which the hulls of the watercraft consist of two inflatable pneumatic tubes 40, for example made of coated polyethylene. The topside 3 is in this case similar to the one described previously with reference to Figures 3 and 4 and is fixed on two generally plane top surfaces 41 of the two inflatable tubes.
[0018] It will emerge clearly evident from the foregoing description that the multipurpose watercraft according to the invention presents extreme practicality and flexibility of use and, albeit using generally conventional components, is able to assume easily and rapidly a multiplicity of different configurations for the maximum satisfaction of use at relatively contained costs.
1. A multipurpose watercraft, characterized in that it comprises at least one pair of hulls (1, 2; 24, 25, 40) and a topside (3; 3a),
which interconnects said two hulls (1, 2: 24, 25) and is configured for the selective
application of:
- a mast-sail-boom rig for windsurfing (16, 17, 18);
- an outboard motor (21) and corresponding steering unit (19, 20, 23);
- at least one seat (28) for a rower; and
- a seat (28) for a person for handing a kite.
2. The multipurpose watercraft according to Claim 1, characterized in that said topside (3) is moreover configured for the selective application of a tent structure
for nautical camping (22).
3. The multipurpose watercraft according to Claim 1, characterized in that said two hulls consist of boards for windsurfing (1, 2).
4. The multipurpose watercraft according to Claim 1, characterized in that said two hulls consist of inflatable pneumatic tubes (40).
5. The multipurpose watercraft according to Claim 3 or Claim 4, characterized in that said topside (3) is formed by a top half-shell (8) and by a bottom ???half-shell
(9) coupled together with interposition of a buoyant filling (10).
6. The multipurpose watercraft according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said topside (3) is formed with a plurality of central mast steps (14) for selective
fixing of the feet of masts (15) or of one or more fixing members.
7. The multipurpose watercraft according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said topside (3) moreover has a transom (13) for said outboard motor (21).
8. The multipurpose watercraft according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of said two hulls (1, 2) is equipped with a plurality of mast steps (6), which
can be used for fixing said topside (3).
9. The multipurpose watercraft according to Claim 1, characterized in that said topside (3a) has a general T-shaped configuration and said two hulls consist
of boards for kitesurfing (24, 25) fixed at the ends of the transverse branch (26)
of said T-shaped configuration, and in that a third board (1) is set along the longitudinal branch (27) of said T-shaped configuration.
10. The multipurpose watercraft second Claim 9, characterized in that said third board is a board for windsurfing (1).
11. The multipurpose watercraft according to Claim 9 or Claim 10, characterized in that said transverse branch (26) of the T-shaped configuration is moreover equipped with
a transom (30) for an auxiliary outboard motor (31).