Convertible floating platform

Abstract

A convertible, floatable platform for use on a body of water has multiple sections hinged together for vertical swinging movement. The main section and two side sections each have an elongated buoyant body connected to support a deck. Hydraulic actuators operably coupled between the main section and each of the side sections serve to raise and lower the side sections relative to the main section so as to convert the platform between an operational orientation, in which it functions as a floating island, and a transportable orientation, in which it can be loaded on a trailer for overland transport. A storage compartment below the main deck houses a number of recreational accessories when not in use.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A convertible, floatable platform for use on a body of water, comprising:
 a main platform section comprising a main buoyant body connected to support a main deck;   a first auxiliary platform section hingedly connected along a first side of the main platform section for vertical swinging movement relative to a first horizontal axis, the first auxiliary platform section comprising a first auxiliary buoyant body connected to support a first auxiliary deck;   a second auxiliary platform section hingedly connected along a second side of the main platform section for vertical swinging movement relative to a second horizontal axis, the second auxiliary platform section comprising a second auxiliary buoyant body connected to support a second auxiliary deck; and   first and second actuators operably coupled between the main platform section and the first and second auxiliary platform sections, respectively, for raising and lowering the first and second auxiliary platforms sections so as to so as to convert the platform between an operational orientation and a transportable orientation;   wherein when the platform is in the operable orientation and in the water, the buoyant bodies underlie their respective decks and the decks cooperate to form a floating island;   wherein when the platform is in the transportable orientation the first and second auxiliary decks each form an acute angle with the main deck, thereby allowing the platform to be carried by a trailer during overland transport.   
     
     
         2 . The floatable platform of  claim 1  in which the first and second actuators comprise hydraulic actuators. 
     
     
         3 . The floatable platform of  claim 2  in which the hydraulic actuators comprise dual acting hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies, the dual acting hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies serving to resist relative movement of the platform sections so as to maintain the platform in its operational orientation during use. 
     
     
         4 . The floatable platform of  claim 1  in which the main platform section includes at least one storage compartment disposed below the main deck, and at least one hinged access door in the main deck for accessing the at least one storage compartment. 
     
     
         5 . The floatable platform of  claim 4  in which the main buoyant body comprises a horizontally elongated hull and the storage compartment is defined within the hull. 
     
     
         6 . The floatable platform of  claim 1  in which the first and second auxiliary buoyant bodies are each horizontally elongated. 
     
     
         7 . The floatable platform of  claim 1  in which the buoyant bodies are selected from hulls, outriggers, and pontoons. 
     
     
         8 . The floatable platform of  claim 1  in which one or more of the main deck and the first and second auxiliary decks define a number of mounting holes for receiving accessories, the accessories being configured to be stored in a storage compartment below the main deck when not in use. 
     
     
         9 . The floatable platform of  claim 8  further comprising a battery operable to provide electrical power to selected ones of the accessories mounted in the mounting holes and/or to lights integrated in the decks. 
     
     
         10 . The floatable platform of  claim 9  further comprising at least one solar panel for recharging the battery. 
     
     
         11 . The floatable platform of  claim 8  in which the storage compartment extends a substantial portion of the length of the main deck and is accessible by first and second hinged access doors. 
     
     
         12 . The floatable platform of  claim 1  in combination with a trailer for transporting the platform while in its transportable orientation, wherein the maximum horizontal width of the floatable platform in its transportable orientation measured perpendicular to the horizontal axes is less than about 102 inches and wherein the maximum vertical height of the floatable platform positioned on the trailer in its transportable orientation is less than about 156 inches. 
     
     
         13 . The floatable platform of  claim 1  in which the platform sections are hingedly connected along the upper surfaces of adjacent decks such that the horizontal axes are generally aligned with the upper surfaces of the adjacent decks. 
     
     
         14 . A method, comprising:
 providing a floatable platform having a main section and two side sections hingedly connected to opposing sides of the main section, wherein each of the sections comprise an elongated buoyant body connected to support a deck;   carrying the platform on a trailer while the platform is in a transportable orientation in which each of the side section decks form an acute angle with respect to the main section deck;   converting the platform from its transportable orientation to an operational orientation by lowering each of the side sections through an angle of greater than 90 degrees; and   floating the platform in a body of water while maintaining the platform in its operational orientation.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  in which the side sections are lowered simultaneously. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  in which the side sections are lowered using hydraulics. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  in which the hydraulics are also used to maintain the platform in its operational orientation. 
     
     
         18 . A floatable platform for use on a body of water, comprising:
 a main platform section comprising a main buoyant body connected to support a main deck;   a first auxiliary platform section comprising a first auxiliary buoyant body connected to support a first auxiliary deck;   a second auxiliary platform section comprising a second auxiliary buoyant body connected to support a second auxiliary deck;   a first hinge coupling the main deck to the first auxiliary deck for vertical swinging movement about a horizontal axis;   a second hinge coupling the main deck to the second auxiliary deck for vertical swinging movement about a horizontal axis; and   a pair of dual acting hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies coupled between the main platform section and the first and second platform sections respectively for controlling the vertically swinging movement of the auxiliary platform sections relative to the main platform section.   
     
     
         19 . The platform of  claim 18  in which the hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies are operable to rotate each of the first and second auxiliary sections through an angle of at least 90 degrees so as to convert the platform between an operable orientation and a transportable orientation. 
     
     
         20 . The platform of  claim 19  in which the hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies are synchronized so as to rotate the first and second auxiliary sections simultaneously when the platform is converted between its operable and transportable orientations. 
     
     
         21 . The platform of  claim 19  in which the main platform section includes at least one storage compartment disposed below the main deck and at least one hinged access doors in the main deck for accessing the storage compartment.