Marine Vessel

Abstract

A marine vessel is defined by multiple modular floatation modules, each of which is defined by a float captured in a frame. Plural floatation modules may be interconnected in a variety of configurations to vary the size and shape of the vessel. A deck is supported on the floatation modules and superstructures may be supported on the deck. The vessel is operable in a first on water mode in which the beam of the vessel is a first width, and in a second on land mode in which the beam is a second width that is narrower than the first width and preferably within the width allowable for towing on roadways. Wheels may be incorporated on the vessel in either the first or second modes or the vessel may be loaded onto a trailer.

1 . A marine vessel, comprising:
 a hull defined by a plurality of floatation modules, each floatation module defined by a frame having lateral and longitudinal support members, and a plurality of floats, each float captured in a frame;   a deck attached to the hull.   
   
   
       2 . The marine vessel according to  claim 1  wherein the hull defines a longitudinal axis and a beam transverse to the axis, and wherein plural floatation modules are arranged in rows extending along the longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       3 . The marine vessel according to  claim 2  in which adjacent floatation modules are interconnected with rails extending along the longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       4 . The marine vessel according to  claim 3  including a hydrodynamically efficient nose cone forward of the forward most float in each row of floatation modules. 
   
   
       5 . The marine vessel according to  claim 2  wherein the vessel has a first beam width in a first mode, and a second beam width in a second mode. 
   
   
       6 . The marine vessel according to  claim 5  wherein the first beam width is greater than the second beam width. 
   
   
       7 . The marine vessel according to  claim 6  in which the hull includes a main hull section and at least one wing section hinged to the main hull section along a joint parallel to the longitudinal axis with plural hinges, and wherein the wing section may be moved between the first mode and the second mode. 
   
   
       8 . The marine vessel according to  claim 7  wherein main hull section has a first width and the vessel includes a wing section on each lateral side of the main hull section. 
   
   
       9 . The marine vessel according to  claim 8  wherein each wing section has a width, and the combined width of the two wing sections is less than the first width. 
   
   
       10 . The marine vessel according to  claim 9  including plural wing sections on each lateral side of the main hull section. 
   
   
       11 . A marine vessel, comprising,
 a modular hull defined by plural floatation modules arranged into plural rows, each floatation module defining a frame structure having an interior space configured for retaining a float member and plural float members, each float member retained in a frame.   
   
   
       12 . The marine vessel according to  claim 11  including a deck supported on the hull and wherein the hull has a first beam in a first mode and a second beam width in a second mode, and wherein the first beam width is greater than the second beam. 
   
   
       13 . The marine vessel according to  claim 12  wherein the second beam width is less than or equal to ½ feet. 
   
   
       14 . The marine vessel according to  claim 12  wherein the hull has a main hull section and first and second wing sections attached to opposite lateral sides of main hull section, each wing section movable between a first position that defines the first mode and a second position that defines the second mode. 
   
   
       15 . The marine vessel according to  claim 14  in which the deck in the first mode defines a plane, and wherein the wing sections are folded out of the plane when they are in the second position. 
   
   
       16 . A marine vessel, comprising:
 a main hull section having a longitudinal axis extending in a direction parallel to the intended direction of travel of the vessel in water, and at least one lateral hull section hinged to the main body section along a joint extending parallel to the longitudinal axis, said lateral hull section moveable between a first position wherein the vessel has a first beam width and a second position in which the vessel has a second beam width.   
   
   
       17 . The marine vessel according to  claim 16  wherein the main hull section further comprises multiple floatation modules, each floatation module defined by a frame structure configured for retaining a float, and a float retained within the frame structure 
   
   
       18 . The marine vessel according to  claim 17  wherein multiple floatation modules are arranged in rows in the main hull section and adjacent floatation modules are interconnected. 
   
   
       19 . The marine vessel according to  claim 18  wherein multiple floatation modules are arranged in rows in the lateral hull sections. 
   
   
       20 . The marine vessel according to  claim 19  including a deck supported on the main hull section.