Collapsible Boat Hull Hinge Arrangement

Abstract

A collapsible boat hull 10 has a pair of bottom panels 12, 14 with a first continuous hinge along an inner edge thereof 16 and a second continuous hinge 17, 19 along each outer edge thereof connecting to respective side panels 18, 20 . A flexible material 30 forms the hinge line, supported either side by a support material 36, 38 . The flexible hinge accommodates curvature of the panels when the hull is erected to its boat shape. The support material can be glass fibre or polymeric material, such as polyethylene, PVC or polypropylene. The hinge can be ‘W’ shape in cross section and can form a ridge 40 into the boat, and can be bonded to the respective panels e.g. by glass fibre to the panels. Hinge strengtheners/protectors can be provided, such as additional ribs 52, 54 bonded to or integral to the hinge protective material.

1 . A collapsible boat hull including: a pair of bottom panels connected by a first continuous hinge along an inner edge of each said bottom panel, the first continuous hinge being flexible facilitating the pair of bottom panels to be moved between a collapsed configuration and an erected configuration of the hull and wherein the first continuous hinge facilitates curving of at least a portion of the bottom panels when the bottom panels are in the erected configuration. 
     
     
         2 . A hull according to  claim 1 , the first continuous hinge incorporated in a keel line hinge arrangement at the bottom of the boat. 
     
     
         3 . A hull according to  claim 1 , including a second continuous hinge along a respective outer edge of each said bottom panel; and a pair of side panels, each said side panel connected to an adjacent said bottom panel along a respective said second continuous hinge, each said second continuous hinge being flexible and facilitating curving of at least a portion of the side panels with the bottom panels when the hull is in the erected configuration. 
     
     
         4 . A hull according to  claim 3 , the second continuous hinges forming respective chine hinges at the transition between the side panels and respective bottom panel(s). 
     
     
         5 . A hull according to  claim 3 , the first and/or second continuous hinges having resilient flexibility along respective longitudinal and transverse planes thereof, thereby facilitating the bottom and side panels to be moved between a folded configuration and an erected configuration. 
     
     
         6 . A hull according to  claim 1 , the first or second continuous hinges or both first and second continuous hinges including a flexible sheet or web forming a hinge line between adjacent connected bottom panels or bottom and side panels. 
     
     
         7 . A hull according to  claim 6 , the sheet or web is or includes a polyester material or fabric, or a fibre matrix material such as Kevlar or glass fibre or a flexible solid sheet or woven material. 
     
     
         8 . A hull according to  claim 1 , the first and/or second continuous hinges including a support material extending along the respective hinge adjacent the hinge line. 
     
     
         9 . A hull according to  claim 8 , wherein the support material further extends over the hinge line externally and/or internally with respect to the hull. 
     
     
         10 . A hull according to  claim 8 , the support material including or being a glass fibre or polymeric material. 
     
     
         11 . A hull according to  claim 8 , the support material forming a structural join between the flexible hinge material and the respective said panel 
     
     
         12 . A hull according to  claim 1 , the first hinge between the adjacent bottom panels forming an internal ridge along the interior of the bottom of the hull when the boat hull is erected. 
     
     
         13 . A hull according to  claim 1 , the first and/or second hinges including one or more strengtheners running along the respective hinge. 
     
     
         14 . A hull according to  claim 13 , wherein each hinge includes a said strengthener either side of the respective hinge line. 
     
     
         15 . A hull according to  claim 13 , the respective strengthener in the form of or including or has applied thereto at least one rib running along the respective continuous hinge. 
     
     
         16 . A hull according to  claim 15 , the at least one rib provided along the hinge on the interior side of the hull, or along the hinge on the exterior of the hull, or both on the interior and exterior of the hull. 
     
     
         17 . A hull according to  claim 15 , the at least one rib including a rod or other elongate member. 
     
     
         18 . A hull according to  claim 1 , wherein the or each said continuous hinge includes a sheet or web formed of a semi-rigid resilient or elastic material having capacity to flex along the length of the hull's keel. 
     
     
         19 . A hull according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and/or second continuous hinge(s) includes a respective external ridge along a portion of the exterior of the bottom of the hull when the boat hull is erected. 
     
     
         20 . A hull according to  claim 19  wherein the or each continuous hinge includes the respective external ridge along the portion of the exterior of the boat adjacent a bow of the boat. 
     
     
         21 . A hull according to  claim 1 , wherein the or each continuous hinge includes a substantially flat portion along a portion of the exterior of the bottom of the hull when the boat hull is erected. 
     
     
         22 . A hull according to  claim 21 , wherein the or each continuous hinge provides a substantially flat portion along a portion of the exterior of the bottom of the hull adjacent an end of the bow. 
     
     
         23 . A hull according to  claim 1 , wherein flexing of the or each continuous hinge as the bottom and side panels are moved to the erected configuration creates a configuration or geometry that contributes to functional configuration of the hull. 
     
     
         24 . A hull according to  claim 1 , wherein geometry or configuration of the or each continuous hinge minimises stress applied to at least a portion of the continuous hinges when the bottom and side panels are in the erected configuration. 
     
     
         25 . A hull according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the said panels of the hull includes or is formed of a honeycomb core of material coated or impregnated with a polymer. 
     
     
         26 . A hull according to  claim 25 , wherein the honeycomb core is a PVC or polypropylene material. 
     
     
         27 . A hull according to  claim 25 , wherein the polymer coating or impregnation material includes epoxy or polyester. 
     
     
         28 . A hull according to  claim 7 , wherein the sheet or web is or includes a coating or impregnation of a flexible protective material. 
     
     
         29 . A flexible hinge for a collapsible boat hull having at least two panels to be hinged by the flexible hinge for erecting and collapsing the boat hull, the flexible hinge including a flexible material forming a hinge line along the flexible hinge, and support material either side of the hinge line, the support material providing structural support. 
     
     
         30 . A flexible hinge according to  claim 29 , including flexible protective material extending over or through the flexible material of the hinge line. 
     
     
         31 . A flexible hinge according to  claim 29 , including at least one strengthener orientated extending along a length of the flexible hinge. 
     
     
         32 . A flexible hinge according to  claim 31 , including at least one said strengtheners positioned adjacent the hinge line. 
     
     
         33 . A flexible hinge according to  claim 29 , including fibres integral to the hinge orientated in a direction along the hinge.