Inflatable boats

Abstract

An inflatable boat ( 1 ) formed in particular from flexible inflatable tubes ( 2 ) which have, substantially at the ends of same, relatively rigid tensioning members ( 3, 3 a ), such as rings, holding the walls of the tubes apart in the same shape as when the tube is inflated. The boat also has, in the walls of the floats of said boat, openings that are hermetically closable and of much larger dimensions than inflating valves.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . An inflatable boat comprising:
 a plurality of inflatable flexible tubes, the plurality of inflatable tubes including a first inflatable tube defining a first end and a second end;   a first tensioning member located approximately at the first end, the first tensioning member being configured to hold a part of the first inflatable tube in substantially the same shape as when the first inflatable tube is inflated;   a second tensioning member located approximately at the second end, the second tensioning member being configured to hold another part of the first inflatable tube in substantially the same shape as when the first inflatable tube is inflated;   an inflation valve in the first inflatable tube; and   an opening in the first inflatable tube, the opening having a dimension much greater than a dimension of the inflation valve, the opening thereby being configured to pass more air than the inflation valve.   
     
     
         14 . An inflatable boat according to  claim 13  wherein the first tensioning member has an arch shape. 
     
     
         15 . An inflatable boat according to  claim 13  wherein the second tensioning member is in front of the first tensioning member, and the boat further includes
 a third tensioning member; 
 a fourth further tensioning member in front of the third tensioning member; 
 a transom attached to the first and third tensioning members; 
 a longitudinally rigid floor, defining rear end abutting against the transom and a front end pushing on the second and fourth members to hold the second and fourth tensioning members in substantially the same positions as when the boat is inflated. 
 
     
     
         16 . An inflatable boat according to  claim 13  wherein the first tensioning member is slid between the first inflatable tube and a band. 
     
     
         17 . An inflatable boat according to  claim 13  wherein the first tensioning member includes a plate attached across the first inflatable tube. 
     
     
         18 . An inflatable boat according to  claim 13  further including a strut, in the first inflatable tube, strong enough to withstand the weight of a person. 
     
     
         19 . An inflatable boat according to  claim 17  wherein the plat is bored to allow passage of air therein. 
     
     
         20 . An inflatable boat according to  claim 15  further including a rigid piece holding two of tensioning members apart from each other. 
     
     
         21 . An inflatable boat according to  claim 13  further including a stopper for the opening; a tube; and a cover, the stopper, tube, and cover forming an inflator. 
     
     
         22 . An inflatable boat according to  claim 13  further including a canvas glued to an external side of the first inflatable tube, and not glued to a bottom of the first inflatable tube.