Device for fixing a tubular buoyancy chamber to a hull, particularly for inflatable watercraft and the like

Abstract

 A device for fixing a tubular buoyancy chamber to a hull, particularly for inflatable watercraft and the like, comprising a first plurality of loops (11) rigidly coupled to the sides of the hull, a second plurality of loops (12) distributed along the tubular buoyancy chamber (7), and an elongated retention element (13), which is adapted to be inserted alternately in each one of the loops respectively of the first and second pluralities (11, 12) and to be fixed to the hull (3) at mutually opposite first and second ends (14, 15), so as to retain the tubular buoyancy chamber (7) adjacent to the side (6).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for fixing a tubular buoyancy chamber to a hull, particularly for inflatable watercraft and the like.

[0002] In the field of the manufacture of inflatable watercraft and in other similar watercraft, with particular reference to hybrid watercraft constituted by a rigid hull and by one or more tubular buoyancy chambers made of rubberized fabric, it is usual to fix the tubular buoyancy chamber to the hull by adhesive bonding along the sides of the hull, more specifically along the so-called sheers.

[0003] This operation, preceded by various steps for cleaning and marking the parts to be connected, is performed by applying one or more adhesive bonding strips. The execution of this step of assembly, which is crucial for optimum completing of the watercraft, naturally requires the intervention of specialized personnel and the use of specific equipment, and can take several hours.

[0004] Accordingly, removal of the tubular buoyancy chamber or chambers previously fixed by adhesive bonding is a very awkward and labor-intensive operation, to be performed of course in equipped rooms by operators in the field.

[0005] The aim of the present invention is to obviate the above-cited drawbacks, by providing a device for fixing the tubular buoyancy chamber to the hull of an inflatable watercraft that allows to finish the assembly and completion of the watercraft very rapidly and reliably, saving many hours of work.

[0006] Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a fixing device that at the same time allows to replace the tubular buoyancy chamber rapidly and easily, without having to resort to particular equipment or specialized personnel.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a device that is simple, relatively easy to provide in practice, safe in use, effective in operation, and has a relatively low cost.

[0008] This aim and these and other objects that will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by the present device for fixing a tubular buoyancy chamber to a hull, particularly for inflatable watercraft and the like, characterized in that it comprises a first plurality of loops rigidly coupled to the sides of said hull, a second plurality of loops distributed along said tubular buoyancy chamber, and an elongated retention element, which is suitable to be inserted alternately in each one of said loops respectively of said first and second pluralities and to be fixed to said hull at mutually opposite first and second ends, so as to retain said tubular buoyancy chamber in contact with said side.

[0009] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a device for fixing the tubular buoyancy chamber to the hull, particularly for inflatable watercraft and the like, according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation view of an inflatable watercraft with the device for fixing the tubular buoyancy chamber to the hull according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the inflatable watercraft of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detail perspective view of the loops of the first and second pluralities;

Figure 4 is a detail side elevation view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Figures 5 and 6 are respective detail side elevation views of the ends of the retention element of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a detail side elevation view of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention.

[0010] In the embodiments that follow, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other embodiments.

[0011] Moreover, it is noted that anything found to be already known during the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.

[0012] With reference to Figure 1, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a fixing device according to the invention, fitted to an inflatable watercraft, generally designated by the reference numeral 2.

[0013] The inflatable watercraft, shown in Figures 1 and 2 merely by way of example, is of the so-called hybrid type that comprises a rigid hull 3, preferably made of fiberglass-reinforced plastics or other materials having equivalent characteristics, provided with a steering console 4, with a bow cap 5 and suitable to be equipped with a motor; two inflatable tubular buoyancy chambers 7 are fixed to the hull 3 along the sides 6 and converge toward the bow cap 5, in which they are partially inserted. The sides 6 form substantially concave sheers that partially wrap around the tubular buoyancy chambers 7 once they have been inflated, particularly at the stem of the watercraft. Each one of the tubular buoyancy chambers 7, preferably made of rubberized fabric and provided with a plurality of so-called handholds 8, i.e., grip handles, is further constituted by a plurality of compartments 9, which are separated by partitions 10 and can be inflated by means of appropriately provided valves.

[0014] However, it is noted that the fixing device according to the present invention can be used in any type of watercraft that comprises a rigid hull 3 and an inflatable tubular buoyancy chamber 7; more particularly, the device can also be used advantageously in inflatable watercraft provided with a single tubular buoyancy chamber 7 that surrounds the hull 3 at the bow and along the sides 6.

[0015] According to the invention, the device for fixing each one of the tubular buoyancy chambers to the hull comprises a first plurality of loops 11, which are rigidly coupled to the corresponding side 6 (particularly along the sheer), a second plurality of loops 12, which are fixed along the surface of the tubular buoyancy chamber 7, and an elongated retention element 13, which is suitable to be inserted alternately and respectively in the loops of the first plurality 11 and of the second plurality 12 and to be fixed at mutually opposite first ends 14 and second ends 15 to the hull 3 (Figure 4). In this manner, the tubular buoyancy chamber 7, once the device has been assembled, can be retained firmly at the side 6 of the hull 3.

[0016] Advantageously, the loops of the first plurality 11 are distributed, along each one of the sides 6, in respective substantially straight slots 16 provided in the hull 3. Each one of the slots 16 has a preferably semicircular transverse cross-section and forms a bow end portion 17 and a stem end portion 18. At the stem end portion 18, the slot 16 is extended with a water draining channel that preferably has a circular cross-section. The arrangement of the loops of the first plurality 11 inside the slot 16 allows to retain the tubular element 7, once it is fixed, so that it is substantially adjacent to the side 6 of the hull 3.

[0017] Each one of the loops of the first plurality 11 is preferably made of a suitable metallic material, is substantially ring-shaped and extends radially with a stem 19 for fixing to the hull. The stem 19 can have a smooth surface and be simply embedded in the fiberglass-reinforced plastics of the hull 3, or can be threaded and screwed therein (see Figure 3). However, the loops of the first plurality 11 can, in a fully equivalent manner, assume other convenient shapes, such as for example the tubular shape, or can be formed directly in the fiberglass-reinforced plastics of the hull 3.

[0018] The loops of the second plurality 12 are substantially ring-shaped, are preferably made of a suitable metallic material, and are fixed to the surface of the rubberized fabric of the tubular buoyancy chamber 7 by adhesive bonding of respective patches 20 of synthetic material (Figures 3 and 4).

[0019] According to a first embodiment of the device according to the invention, the retention element 13 of the tubular element 7 at the side 6 of the hull 3 is constituted by a flexible and inextensible cable, preferably of the stranded steel type covered with a sheath.

[0020] A first end 14 of the cable 13 is fixed detachably, by means of a first snap hook 21, to a first eye 22, which is fixed at the stem end portion 18 of the slot 16, for example by means of a threaded shank 23 that extends from it (Figure 5). To connect the first end 14 of the cable 13 to the first snap hook 21, it is sufficient to fold it back and couple it so as to form a sort of ring.

[0021] The second end 15 of the cable 13 is instead fixed to the bow cap 5 of the watercraft. In particular, a block 24 for fixing a second eye 25 by means of a threaded stem 26 that protrudes from it is provided on the inner surface of the bow cap 5: the second end 15 of the cable 13 is therefore coupled to the second eye 25 by means of a second snap hook 27, which in turn is connected to a screw-adjustable tension element 28. The tension element 28 in fact forms a first end, which is fixed to the second snap hook 27, and a second end, which is anchored to the second eye 25 (Figure 6).

[0022] The method of use of the fixing device according to the invention is as follows. After placing the deflated tubular buoyancy chamber 7 adjacent to the side 6 of the hull 3, it is positioned precisely, along the stem-to-bow direction, so that the loops of the second plurality 12 provided on the tubular buoyancy chamber 7 are alternated with the loops of the first plurality 11, arranged along the slot 16. At this point, the cable 13 is passed through all the loops 11 and 12 alternately, as shown in Figure 4, subsequently fixing the first and second ends 14 and 15 to the hull 6, as described earlier. Finally, by acting on the tension element 28 it is possible to adjust the tension of the cable 13, so as to achieve maximum fixing stability of the tubular buoyancy chamber 7 (reference should be made to the situation shown in broken lines in Figure 4).

[0023] It has thus been shown that the invention has achieved the intended aim and objects.

[0024] The fixing of the tubular buoyancy chamber 7 to the hull 3 with the device according to the invention allows to save several hours of work in completing the watercraft and at the same time achieves solid, sturdy, reliable, accurate and durable assembly.

[0025] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0026] In a second embodiment of the device according to the invention, in which the same reference numerals have been used for the parts that are equivalent to those of the first embodiment, and which is shown in Figure 7, the retention element 13 is advantageously constituted by a bar that has a narrow and preferably circular cross-section; the bar is elastically flexible and is mounted in the same manner described for the cable. The first end 14 of the bar 13, which is appropriately threaded, is preferably fixed rigidly to the first loop of the first plurality 11 (stern side) by means of nuts and lock nuts 29, with the aid of washers 30; the second end 15 of the bar 13, which is also threaded, is fixed so that it is axially free in a stem-to-bow direction to the last loop of the first plurality 11 (bow side) by means of nuts, lock nuts 29, and one or more washers 30.

[0027] Once assembly has been completed, the bar 13 is slightly flexed inward, according to the curvature of the side 6 of the hull 3. The use of a retention element 13 constituted by an elastically flexible bar allows to achieve higher rigidity in fixing the tubular element 7 to the hull 6 without however affecting significantly the speed and simplicity of assembly achieved with the present invention.

[0028] All the details may be replaced with other technically equivalent ones.

[0029] In practice, the materials used, as well as the shapes and dimensions, may be any according to requirements without thereby abandoning the scope of the protection of the appended claims.

[0030] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. B02003A000570 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0031] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A device for fixing a tubular buoyancy chamber to a hull, particularly for inflatable watercraft and the like, characterized in that it comprises a first plurality of loops (11) rigidly coupled to the sides (6) of said hull (3), a second plurality of loops (12) distributed along said tubular buoyancy chamber (7), and an elongated retention element (13), which is adapted to be inserted alternately in each one of said loops respectively of said first and second pluralities (11, 12) and to be fixed to said hull (3) at mutually opposite first and second ends (14, 15), so as to retain said tubular buoyancy chamber (7) adjacent to said side (6).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said second plurality of loops (12) is fixed to said tubular buoyancy chamber (7) by means of a respective plurality of patches (20) made of synthetic material, which are bonded with adhesive on the outside of said tubular buoyancy chamber (7).

3. The device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the loops of said first plurality (11) are fixed at a slot (16) formed along said sides (6) of said hull (3).

4. The device according to claims 1 and 2, particularly for inflatable watercraft provided with a pair of tubular buoyancy chambers (7), characterized in that the loops of said first plurality (11) are fixed at two substantially straight slots (16) provided respectively along each one of said sides (6).

5. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said retention element (13) is constituted by a flexible and inextensible cable.

6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that said first end (14) of said cable (13) is fixed detachably, by means of a first snap hook (21), to a first eye (22) that is rigidly coupled to said hull (3).

7. The device according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that said second end (15) of said cable (13) is fixed to said hull (3) by means of a second snap hook (27), which is connected to a screw-adjustable tension element (28) that in turn is anchored to a respective second eye (25).

8. The device according to one or more of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that said first eye (22) is arranged at the stem end portion (18) of said slot (16).

9. The device according to one or more of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that said second eye (25) is fixed at the bow (5) of the inflatable watercraft (2).

10. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cable (13) is of the stranded steel type.

11. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said retention element (13) is constituted by a substantially elastically flexible bar.

12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that said bar (13) has a transverse circular cross-section.

13. The device according to claims 11 and 12, characterized in that said bar (13) is made of steel.

14. The device according to one or more of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that said first end (14) of said bar (13) is threaded and rigidly fixed, at the stem end portion (18) of said slot (16), to one of the loops of said first plurality (11) by means of nuts (29).

15. The device according to one or more of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that said second end (15) of said bar (13) is threaded and is fixed so that it can slide axially, at the bow end portion (17) of said slot (16), to one of the loops of said first plurality (11) by means of nuts (29).

Drawing