Tube having an access door for a rigid inflatable boat

Abstract

An inflatable tube having an inflatable access door for a rigid inflatable boat, the inflatable door and the boat so equipped. The tube is attachable to at least a portion of a perimeter of a rigid hull of the rigid inflatable boat. The inflatable tube comprises a first chamber, the inflatable door having an air inlet for inflating or deflating it, a second chamber and an attachment strip. The first chamber, the door and the second chamber are sequentially connected to the attachment strip so that the door is placed between the first chamber and the second chamber. The door is operative to cycle between an open position where the door is deflated to provide a passage between the first chamber and the second chamber and a closed position where the door is inflated.

1 . A door for a rigid inflatable boat having a rigid hull and an inflatable tube on at least a portion of a perimeter of the hull, the tube being equipped with a tube attachment strip to attach the tube to the hull, said door comprising:
 an inflatable chamber;   an air inlet connected to said chamber for inflating and deflating said chamber; and   a door attachment strip, said door attachment strip being attached to said chamber,   wherein said door attachment strip is adapted to being attached to the hull, said chamber being operative to cycle between an open position where said chamber is deflated to a closed position where said chamber is inflated.   
     
     
         2 . The door of  claim 1  wherein said door attachment strip is a portion of the tube attachment strip. 
     
     
         3 . An inflatable tube attachable to at least a portion of a perimeter of a rigid hull of a rigid inflatable boat, the inflatable tube comprising:
 a first chamber;   an inflatable door having an air inlet for inflating or deflating said door;   a second chamber; and   an attachment strip,   wherein said first chamber, said door and said second chamber are sequentially connected to said attachment strip so that said door is placed between said first chamber and said second chamber, said door being operative to cycle between an open position where said door is deflated to provide a passage between said first chamber and said second chamber and a closed position where said door is inflated.   
     
     
         4 . The tube of  claim 3  further comprising a first hoop flange on said first chamber and a second hoop flange on said second chamber, said first and said second hoop flanges partially extending over said door so that said door is prevented from substantially moving radially by said first and said second hoop flanges when said door is inflated. 
     
     
         5 . The tube of  claim 4  wherein said door tightly fits against said first and said second hoop flanges when said door is inflated. 
     
     
         6 . The tube of  claim 4  further comprising a second inflatable door. 
     
     
         7 . The tube of  claim 3  wherein said first chamber and said second chamber are inflatable. 
     
     
         8 . The tube of  claim 3  wherein said first chamber and said second chamber are filled with foam. 
     
     
         9 . The tube of  claim 3  wherein said first chamber, said door and said second chamber are made of Hypalon®. 
     
     
         10 . A rigid inflatable boat comprising:
 a rigid hull having a perimeter; and   an inflatable tube having:
 a first chamber; 
 an inflatable door having a air inlet for inflating or deflating said door; 
 a second chamber; and 
 an attachment strip, said attachment strip being attached to at least a portion of a perimeter of said hull, 
   wherein said first chamber, said door and said second chamber are sequentially connected to said attachment strip so that said door is placed between said first chamber and said second chamber, said door being operative to cycle between an open position where said door is deflated to provide a passage between said first chamber and said second chamber and a closed position where said door is inflated.   
     
     
         11 . The boat of  claim 10  further comprising a first hoop flange on said first chamber and a second hoop flange on said second chamber, said first and said second hoop flanges partially extending over said door so that said door is restricted from moving radially by said first and said second hoop flanges when said door is inflated. 
     
     
         12 . The boat of  claim 11  wherein said door tightly fits against said first and said second hoop flanges when said door is inflated. 
     
     
         13 . The boat of  claim 11  wherein said tube further comprises a second inflatable door. 
     
     
         14 . The boat of  claim 10  wherein said first chamber and said second chamber are inflatable. 
     
     
         15 . The boat of  claim 10  wherein said first chamber and said second chamber are filled with foam. 
     
     
         16 . The boat of  claim 10  wherein said inflatable tube is made of Hypalon®.