US20170008603A1 - Pontoon watercraft - Google Patents
Pontoon watercraft Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20170008603A1 US20170008603A1 US14/545,953 US201514545953A US2017008603A1 US 20170008603 A1 US20170008603 A1 US 20170008603A1 US 201514545953 A US201514545953 A US 201514545953A US 2017008603 A1 US2017008603 A1 US 2017008603A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- pontoon
- watercraft
- pontoons
- octagonal
- planar
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
- B63B35/34—Pontoons
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B1/00—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils
- B63B1/02—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement
- B63B1/10—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with multiple hulls
- B63B1/12—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with multiple hulls the hulls being interconnected rigidly
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B1/00—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils
- B63B1/32—Other means for varying the inherent hydrodynamic characteristics of hulls
- B63B1/40—Other means for varying the inherent hydrodynamic characteristics of hulls by diminishing wave resistance
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
- B63B35/58—Rafts, i.e. free floating waterborne vessels, of shallow draft, with little or no freeboard, and having a platform or floor for supporting a user
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T70/00—Maritime or waterways transport
- Y02T70/10—Measures concerning design or construction of watercraft hulls
Definitions
- the present invention relates to watercraft, and more particularly, to a watercraft which is buoyantly supported by a plurality of pontoons, and even more specifically, to the structure of the particular pontoons which allow for increased stability and decreased draft of the watercraft.
- Pontoon watercraft are well known. They comprise at least a pair of buoyant pontoons having a frame positioned there between which supports a deck and super structure. Watercraft of the pontoon type are used on all types of waterways, including lakes, rivers, bays, canals, and oftentimes the ocean. The buoyancy supplied by the pontoons allows for a larger deck area for the transport of cargo and/or people.
- pontoon watercraft are powered by outboard motors secured to the pontoons or to the frame and deck extending there between. Because of their design, pontoon watercraft are slower on the water as opposed to watercraft having V-shaped hulls, which are more aerodynamically able to move through the water. A function of the pontoon watercraft is to provide increased buoyancy for weight and less depth or draft for the watercraft.
- Applicant has developed an improved pontoon for use with pontoon watercraft which provides more stability to the watercraft in rough water. Additionally, the Applicant's pontoon provides increased buoyancy allowing the watercraft to carry greater weight, but at the same time, requires much less draft than conventional pontoons allowing the Applicant's pontoon watercraft to operate in extremely shallow areas. Still further, the Applicant's pontoon is internally segmented to provide additional safety should a puncture occur.
- An object of the present invention to provide for a novel pontoon watercraft having improved pontoon characteristics.
- a still further object of the present invention to provide for a novel pontoon watercraft having greater stability on rough water.
- a further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel pontoon watercraft that requires very little draft within which to operate.
- a further object of the invention to provide for a novel pontoon watercraft which incorporates safety features with respect to the individual pontoons should a puncture occur.
- a still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel pontoon for watercraft designed for increased stability, yet shallower draft and incorporate safety features in the event of a puncture.
- a pontoon watercraft having two pontoons in parallel relationship there being a frame and deck disposed there between, the pontoons being octagonal in cross section having planar lower surfaces to decrease the amount of draft required, the pontoons being segmented with interior bulkheads to insure that the integrity of the pontoon is maintained even if a puncture occurs which would flood one of the segments, the design of the pontoon structure allowing for a larger deck surface and hence more availability for load, be it cargo or individuals.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pontoon watercraft of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a side view of the pontoon watercraft of the present invention
- FIG. 3 is a top view of a pontoon watercraft of the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a cross section side view of the pontoon of the pontoon watercraft of the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is a front view of a pontoon of the pontoon watercraft of the present invention.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pontoon watercraft of the present invention generally referred to as 10
- FIG. 2 is a side view
- FIG. 3 is a top view.
- the pontoon watercraft is supported on the water by two spaced apart parallel pontoons 12 and 14 which are tubular shaped having an octagon shaped cross section.
- Deck structure 18 may further be used to support cargo or the like, but as shown in FIG. 1 , the pontoon watercraft 10 is a leisure and recreational vehicle.
- the illustrated deck 18 supports a superstructure 20 , railings 22 , and seating arrangements 24 .
- the pontoon watercraft 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1 is a theme watercraft and also includes a mast and crows nest 26 and 28 .
- the deck structure and the super structure supported by the deck can vary from watercraft to watercraft depending upon its specific use or the owner's specific leisure, recreational, or work requirements. Applicant's primary contribution to the novelty of the pontoon watercraft has to do with the parallel disposed pontoons 12 and 14 .
- FIG. 4 is a cross sectional side view of pontoon 12 or 14 of the present invention as contained in FIG. 1, 2 , or 3
- FIG. 5 is a front view of the pontoon of the present invention.
- the pontoon 12 or 14 is constructed in a tubular body shape, having an octagonal cross section 30 such that when it is secured to the frame 16 and placed in the water, the pontoon 12 or 14 presents a flat lower surface 32 , a flat upper surface 34 , and opposing flat side surfaces 36 and 38 , each of the surfaces secured by a beveled corner surface 40 .
- This construction allows the pontoon watercraft of the present invention to have a shallower draft than normal pontoon watercraft which would have tubular pontoons of a.
- Applicant's pontoon design allows for the pontoon watercraft to operate in shallower depths, and further support a larger deck area 18 which is beneficial and more efficient for transporting cargo or for designing the recreational or leisure super structure desired by the operator, and also allows for greater weight load on the deck 18 .
- the pontoons 12 and 14 have a segmented interior 42 with a plurality of bulkheads 48 thereby creating a plurality of chambers 46 within the pontoon structure.
- the buoyancy of the pontoon watercraft depends upon the pontoons buoyancy. Naturally it is desirable that a pontoon on any type of pontoon watercraft not be ruptured so as to cause the flow of water into the pontoon, thus severely affecting its buoyancy and the buoyancy of the pontoon watercraft.
- the segmented chambers 46 created in Applicant's pontoon prevent the entire pontoon from filling with water. A rupture or a hole in any one chamber 46 will limit the flow of water into the pontoon to that particular chamber, and that chamber alone.
- the pontoon design of the Applicant provides additional safety features over and above the pontoon design heretofore utilized in the art.
- Typical pontoons of the prior art were tubular in nature having a circular cross section and having a nose portion which was rounded, either hemispherically, or bullet shaped to assist in its passage through the water and lowering the resistance of the pontoon.
- Applicant's pontoon being octagonal in cross sectional shape has a bow 50 which is tapered or beveled 52 between the interior planar vertical side panel 36 and the exterior vertical side panel 38 providing a wedge shaped nose to each pontoon. This provides for the aerodynamic improvement and movement of the pontoon watercraft through the water.
- the stern end 60 of pontoons 12 and 14 can be shaped to accept a mount for an outboard motor if that means of propulsion is desired by the operator.
- An outboard motor 62 could be affixed to each rearward end 60 of the pontoons.
- the rear end of the pontoons of the present invention could be flat, and/or rounded or beveled if the propulsion system for the propulsion means were to be mounted to the frame and/or deck disposed between the rear ends of the pontoons 12 and 14 .
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Bridges Or Land Bridges (AREA)
Abstract
A pontoon watercraft having two pontoons in parallel relationship there being a frame and deck disposed there between, the pontoons being octagonal in cross section having planar lower surfaces to decrease the amount of draft required, the pontoons being segmented with interior bulkheads to insure that the integrity of the pontoon is maintained even if a puncture occurs which would flood one of the segments, the design of the pontoon structure allowing for a larger deck surface and hence more availability for load, be it cargo or individuals.
Description
- Applicant claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 61/998,980, filed Jul. 14, 2014.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to watercraft, and more particularly, to a watercraft which is buoyantly supported by a plurality of pontoons, and even more specifically, to the structure of the particular pontoons which allow for increased stability and decreased draft of the watercraft.
- 2. Description of the Prior Art
- Pontoon watercraft are well known. They comprise at least a pair of buoyant pontoons having a frame positioned there between which supports a deck and super structure. Watercraft of the pontoon type are used on all types of waterways, including lakes, rivers, bays, canals, and oftentimes the ocean. The buoyancy supplied by the pontoons allows for a larger deck area for the transport of cargo and/or people.
- Typically, pontoon watercraft are powered by outboard motors secured to the pontoons or to the frame and deck extending there between. Because of their design, pontoon watercraft are slower on the water as opposed to watercraft having V-shaped hulls, which are more aerodynamically able to move through the water. A function of the pontoon watercraft is to provide increased buoyancy for weight and less depth or draft for the watercraft.
- Applicant has developed an improved pontoon for use with pontoon watercraft which provides more stability to the watercraft in rough water. Additionally, the Applicant's pontoon provides increased buoyancy allowing the watercraft to carry greater weight, but at the same time, requires much less draft than conventional pontoons allowing the Applicant's pontoon watercraft to operate in extremely shallow areas. Still further, the Applicant's pontoon is internally segmented to provide additional safety should a puncture occur.
- An object of the present invention to provide for a novel pontoon watercraft having improved pontoon characteristics.
- A still further object of the present invention to provide for a novel pontoon watercraft having greater stability on rough water.
- A further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel pontoon watercraft that requires very little draft within which to operate.
- A further object of the invention to provide for a novel pontoon watercraft which incorporates safety features with respect to the individual pontoons should a puncture occur.
- A still further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel pontoon for watercraft designed for increased stability, yet shallower draft and incorporate safety features in the event of a puncture.
- A pontoon watercraft having two pontoons in parallel relationship there being a frame and deck disposed there between, the pontoons being octagonal in cross section having planar lower surfaces to decrease the amount of draft required, the pontoons being segmented with interior bulkheads to insure that the integrity of the pontoon is maintained even if a puncture occurs which would flood one of the segments, the design of the pontoon structure allowing for a larger deck surface and hence more availability for load, be it cargo or individuals.
- These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent, particularly when taken in light of the following illustrations wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pontoon watercraft of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a side view of the pontoon watercraft of the present invention; -
FIG. 3 is a top view of a pontoon watercraft of the present invention; -
FIG. 4 is a cross section side view of the pontoon of the pontoon watercraft of the present invention; and -
FIG. 5 is a front view of a pontoon of the pontoon watercraft of the present invention. -
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pontoon watercraft of the present invention generally referred to as 10,FIG. 2 is a side view andFIG. 3 is a top view. The pontoon watercraft is supported on the water by two spaced apartparallel pontoons pontoons frame 16 which supports adeck structure 18.Deck structure 18 may further be used to support cargo or the like, but as shown inFIG. 1 , thepontoon watercraft 10 is a leisure and recreational vehicle. The illustrateddeck 18 supports asuperstructure 20,railings 22, andseating arrangements 24. Thepontoon watercraft 10 as illustrated inFIG. 1 is a theme watercraft and also includes a mast andcrows nest pontoons -
FIG. 4 is a cross sectional side view ofpontoon FIG. 1, 2 , or 3, andFIG. 5 is a front view of the pontoon of the present invention. Thepontoon octagonal cross section 30 such that when it is secured to theframe 16 and placed in the water, thepontoon lower surface 32, a flatupper surface 34, and opposingflat side surfaces beveled corner surface 40. This construction allows the pontoon watercraft of the present invention to have a shallower draft than normal pontoon watercraft which would have tubular pontoons of a. circular cross section thereby presenting an arcuate surface at the bottom of the pontoon. Applicant's pontoon design allows for the pontoon watercraft to operate in shallower depths, and further support alarger deck area 18 which is beneficial and more efficient for transporting cargo or for designing the recreational or leisure super structure desired by the operator, and also allows for greater weight load on thedeck 18. - The
pontoons segmented interior 42 with a plurality ofbulkheads 48 thereby creating a plurality ofchambers 46 within the pontoon structure. The buoyancy of the pontoon watercraft depends upon the pontoons buoyancy. Naturally it is desirable that a pontoon on any type of pontoon watercraft not be ruptured so as to cause the flow of water into the pontoon, thus severely affecting its buoyancy and the buoyancy of the pontoon watercraft. Thesegmented chambers 46 created in Applicant's pontoon prevent the entire pontoon from filling with water. A rupture or a hole in any onechamber 46 will limit the flow of water into the pontoon to that particular chamber, and that chamber alone. Thus the pontoon design of the Applicant provides additional safety features over and above the pontoon design heretofore utilized in the art. - Typical pontoons of the prior art were tubular in nature having a circular cross section and having a nose portion which was rounded, either hemispherically, or bullet shaped to assist in its passage through the water and lowering the resistance of the pontoon. Applicant's pontoon being octagonal in cross sectional shape has a
bow 50 which is tapered or beveled 52 between the interior planarvertical side panel 36 and the exteriorvertical side panel 38 providing a wedge shaped nose to each pontoon. This provides for the aerodynamic improvement and movement of the pontoon watercraft through the water. - The
stern end 60 ofpontoons outboard motor 62 could be affixed to eachrearward end 60 of the pontoons. Alternatively, the rear end of the pontoons of the present invention could be flat, and/or rounded or beveled if the propulsion system for the propulsion means were to be mounted to the frame and/or deck disposed between the rear ends of thepontoons - Therefore, while the present invention has been disclosed with respect to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore manifestly intended that the invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalence thereof.
Claims (5)
1. A pontoon for the buoyant support of a watercraft, the pontoon comprising:
a longitudinal tubular body portion being octagonal in cross section and defined by a planar upper surface, planar lower surface, opposing planar side walls, and beveled corner surfaces;
a stern end;
a bow end defined by tapered vertical sidewalls converging with upwardly tapering bottom wall and tapering planar top wall defining a wedge-shaped bow nose; and
a plurality of interior bulkheads, octagonal in circumference affixed to the interior of said pontoon defining a plurality of water tight, buoyant chambers within said pontoon.
2. The pontoon in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pontoon is coupled with an identical pontoon by means of a decking member affixed to the upper planar surface of said coupled pontoons to form a decking platform for a buoyant watercraft.
3. The pontoon in accordance with claim 1 wherein the buoyancy obtained from the octagonal cross section shape of said longitudinal tubular body portion of said pontoon provides for greater buoyancy and less draft.
4. A buoyant watercraft supported by a plurality of pontoons supporting a deck, super structure, and power source for leisure, recreational activity or work or transportation activities, the pontoons of said watercraft providing greater buoyancy, weight load, and less draft, the pontoons comprising:
a longitudinal tubular body portion being octagonal in cross section and defined by a planar upper surface, planar lower surface, opposing planar side walls, and beveled corner surfaces;
a stern end;
a bow end defined by tapered vertical sidewalls converging with upwardly tapering bottom wall and tapering planar top wall defining a wedge-shaped bow nose; and
a plurality of interior bulkheads, octagonal in circumference affixed to the interior of said pontoon defining a plurality of water tight, buoyant chambers within said pontoon.
5. The pontoon in accordance with claim 4 wherein the buoyancy obtained from the octagonal cross section shape of said longitudinal tubular body portion of said pontoon provides for greater buoyancy and less draft.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/545,953 US20170008603A1 (en) | 2015-07-10 | 2015-07-10 | Pontoon watercraft |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/545,953 US20170008603A1 (en) | 2015-07-10 | 2015-07-10 | Pontoon watercraft |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20170008603A1 true US20170008603A1 (en) | 2017-01-12 |
Family
ID=57731118
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/545,953 Abandoned US20170008603A1 (en) | 2015-07-10 | 2015-07-10 | Pontoon watercraft |
Country Status (1)
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US (1) | US20170008603A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN114802632A (en) * | 2021-01-27 | 2022-07-29 | 般若科技股份有限公司 | Multifunctional boat |
-
2015
- 2015-07-10 US US14/545,953 patent/US20170008603A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN114802632A (en) * | 2021-01-27 | 2022-07-29 | 般若科技股份有限公司 | Multifunctional boat |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |