Flexible keel and fiting therefor

Abstract

Water craft or amphibious vehicle includes a hull 12 fitted with at least one elongate longitudinal keel; which may be extruded from rubber. The keel has at least one mounting formation, to engage with channel formation. The keel may be mounted directly into hull; alternatively, at least one mounting structure may comprise an extrusion; mounted into a channel in the hull. The keel may be flexible to resist damage if grounded; but is laterally stiff to aid handling on water. The keel may be slid into place longitudinally; and may be finished with a rubber end piece, protected by a further metal end piece. Both end pieces may be detachable. Keel may be foam filled; or may be inflated with fluid to alter its cross section.

1 . A water craft having a keel mounted to the underside of the craft, the keel comprising an elongate member having at least one mounting formation for cooperative engagement with at least one corresponding mounting formation on the underside of the water craft, for removably mounting the elongate member on the water craft wherein the keel is vertically compressible.  
   
   
       2 . A water craft as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the elongate member is an extrusion.  
   
   
       3 . A water craft as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the elongate member is flexible.  
   
   
       4 . A water craft as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the elongate member is adapted for sliding engagement with the at least one corresponding mounting formation on the underside of the water craft.  
   
   
       5 . A water craft as claimed as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the at least one formation on the elongate member has a profile adapted for complementary engagement with the at least one corresponding mounting formation on the underside of the water craft.  
   
   
       6 . A water craft as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the at least one corresponding mounting formation is provided in a mounting member mounted to the underside of the water craft.  
   
   
       7 . A water craft as claimed in  claim 6 , in which the mounting member is an extrusion.  
   
   
       8 . A water craft as claimed in  claim 6 , in which the mounting member is made from extruded aluminium.  
   
   
       9 . A water craft as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the water craft has a hull and the keel is removably mounted to the hull.  
   
   
       10 . A water craft as claimed in  claim 6  in which the water craft has a hull and the keel is removably mounted to the hull and in which the hull is a moulding having a channel formation and the mounting member is located in the channel.  
   
   
       11 . A water craft as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the water craft is an amphibious vehicle.  
   
   
       12 . A water craft as claimed in  claim 1  in which the elongate member is made from extruded rubber or synthetic rubber.  
   
   
       13 . A water craft as claimed in  claim 1  in which the keel further comprises a tip member located adjacent a forward end of the elongate member.  
   
   
       14 . A water craft as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the at least one corresponding mounting formation is a re-entrant channel into which a formation on the elongate member is slidably received.  
   
   
       15 . A water craft as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the elongate member has an elongate, longitudinal cavity.  
   
   
       16 . A water craft as claimed in  claim 15 , in which the elongate member is adapted to be inflated, using either water or gas, to vary its profile.  
   
   
       17 . A water craft as claimed in  claim 15 , in which the cavity is filled with a foam material.  
   
   
       18 . An amphibious vehicle having a hull and a keel mounted to the hull, wherein the keel comprises an elongate extruded member having at least one mounting formation for cooperation with at least one corresponding formation on an extruded mounting member attached to the hull, for removably securing the elongate member to the hull and wherein the keel is vertically compressible.  
   
   
       19 . An amphibious vehicle as claimed in  claim 18 , in which the at least one corresponding formation is a re-entrant channel into which a formation on the elongate member is slidably received.  
   
   
       20 . An amphibious vehicle as claimed in  claim 19 , in which the channel is open at one end and the keel further comprises a tip member attached to the hull adjacent the open end to prevent the elongate member from being withdrawn from the channel in use.  
   
   
       21 . An amphibious vehicle as claimed in  claim 20 , in which a metal cap member is provided over the tip member.  
   
   
       22 . (canceled)  
   
   
       23 . A water craft as claimed in  claim 6 , in which the water craft has a hull and the keel is removably mounted to the hull.  
   
   
       24 . A water craft claimed in  claim 9 , in which the hull is a moulding having a channel formation and the mounting member is located in the channel.