Configurable modular watercraft structure and method

Abstract

The present invention discloses a modular configurable watercraft, assembled from a plurality of modular structures such as bow, hull, and stern modules. The invention allows building watercrafts that may be easily adapted to different needs, changing their configuration through various interchangeable modules. The invention also refers to a method to configure a watercraft using said modular structure.

What it is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular structure for the assembly of watercrafts, comprising interchangeable component modules characterized in that each component module at least comprises:
 a. a modular structure with buoyancy consisting of interchangeable modules of at least one of each hull, bow, and stern;   b. the hull is selected from a first group consisting of alternative hulls;   c. the bow is selected from a second modular group consisting of alternative bow modules;   d. the stern is selected from a third modular group consisting of alternative stern modules;   e. the linking of interchangeable modules comprise joint areas where there are mutual linking devices comprising at least matching means and detachable devices for immovable connection; and   f. at least part of such joint areas comprise stiffeners that cooperate with such means of connection and matching.   
     
     
         2 . A modular structure for the assembly of watercrafts, according to  claim 1 , wherein the alternative modules of the first modular group comprise hulls of different sizes, hulls with at least one interior compartments, hulls with closed bottom and hulls with dagger board opening. 
     
     
         3 . A modular structure for the assembly of watercrafts, according to  claim 1 , wherein the alternative modules of the second modular group comprise bows of different sizes, breakwater bows, bows with different transverse tack profile, and bows with different longitudinal profile. 
     
     
         4 . A modular structure for the assembly of watercrafts, according to  claim 1 , wherein the alternative modules of the third modular group comprise sterns of different sizes, sterns with different transverse flap profile, sterns with different longitudinal profile, sterns with or without rudder and sterns prepared to house an outboard motor. 
     
     
         5 . A modular structure for the assembly of watercrafts, according to  claim 1 , wherein it comprises at least an auxiliary module that is selected from a fourth modular group comprising seat modules, footrest modules, supports for structural bonding, compartment decks, and intermediate supports of joint navigation. 
     
     
         6 . A modular structure for the assembly of watercrafts, according to  claim 1 , wherein it comprises:
 a. the hull module comprises at least an interior compartment and at its ends, there are matching devices, means of connection and stiffeners,   b. the bow module comprises matching devices, means of connection and stiffeners compatible with equivalent means provided for, at least, one of the ends of said hull module, and   c. the stern module comprises matching devices, means of connection and stiffeners compatible with equivalent means provided for, at least, one of the ends of said hull module.   
     
     
         7 . A modular structure for the assembly of watercrafts, according to  claim 1 , wherein it comprises removable means of fixed and immovable connection which, adjacent to the joint areas of the modules they connect, work by immovably connecting the stiffeners of said modules. 
     
     
         8 . A modular structure for the assembly of watercrafts, according to  claims 1  and  7 , wherein the connection devices comprise fixed and immovable threaded elements acting through connection openings crossing the stiffeners. 
     
     
         9 . A modular structure for the assembly of watercrafts, according to  claim 8 , wherein the connection openings delimit passages which, regardless of their orientation, are capable of crossing the stiffeners they connect. 
     
     
         10 . A modular structure for the assembly of watercrafts, according to  claim 1 , wherein the matching means comprise stiffeners, at least partially. 
     
     
         11 . A modular structure for the assembly of watercrafts, according to  claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary supports of structural bonding comprise, in at least one of the component modules, extremities of connection compatible with the means of fixed and immovable connection that link the component modules. 
     
     
         12 . A modular structure for the assembly of watercrafts, according to  claim 1 , wherein it comprises auxiliary supports of structural bonding that include a set of supporting arms prepared to severally link two adjacent hulls. 
     
     
         13 . A modular structure for the assembly of watercrafts, according to  claim 1 , wherein it comprises auxiliary supports of structural bonding including an intermediate support for joint navigation which, severally connecting two adjacent hulls, comprises at least one of the following means: a dagger board, a mast support, a motor bracket and an intermediate rudder. 
     
     
         14 . A modular structure for the assembly of watercrafts, according to  claim 1 , wherein it comprises auxiliary supports of structural bonding including a set of supporting arms prepared to link the hull with at least one float. 
     
     
         15 . A modular structure for the assembly of watercrafts, according to  claim 1 , wherein it comprises auxiliary supports of structural bonding including side structural supports that provide oarlocks for paddles. 
     
     
         16 . A modular structure for the assembly of watercrafts, according to  claim 1 , wherein the modules are independently floating. 
     
     
         17 . A modular structure for the assembly of watercrafts, according to  claim 1 , wherein it comprises substantially structured modules in, at least, one floating material. 
     
     
         18 . A modular structure for the assembly of watercrafts, according to  claim 1 , wherein it comprises substantially hollow, watertight and floating modules. 
     
     
         19 . A modular structure for the assembly of watercrafts, according to  claim 1 , wherein it comprises a hull module whose bottom has an opening for dagger board mounting. 
     
     
         20 . A modular structure for the assembly of watercrafts, according to  claim 1 , wherein it comprises a hull module with an opening for dagger board mounting, structured in such a way that the waterline is below said opening. 
     
     
         21 . A modular structure for the assembly of watercrafts, according to  claim 1 , wherein the hull module comprises supporting devices for mounting at least one sail mast. 
     
     
         22 . A modular structure for the assembly of watercrafts, according to  claims 1  and  5 , wherein the hull module comprises cross guides for mounting auxiliary modules of a detachable cabin comprising fit in guides in said cross guides. 
     
     
         23 . A modular structure for the assembly of watercrafts, according to  claim 1 , wherein the stern module is prepared for mounting at least one outboard motor. 
     
     
         24 . A modular structure for the assembly of watercrafts, according to  claim 1 , wherein the stern module is prepared for mounting a rudder with a pivoting structure that, through transmission means is controlled by controlling devices. 
     
     
         25 . A modular structure for the assembly of watercrafts, according to  claim 1 , wherein the hull module comprises an accessory consisting of a cabin deck that can cover the interior of the hull module. It comprises an upwind opening from which impermeable walls extend, ending in fastening devices prepared to engage with the means of connection to fasten the hull module. 
     
     
         26 . A configurable watercraft modular structure, wherein at least, it comprises:
 a. a hull module, having a first end and a second end;   b. a bow module;   c. a stern module;   d. the bow module connected the first end of the hull module by means of reciprocal connection devices; and   e. the stern module connected to the second end of the hull module by means of reciprocal connection devices.   
     
     
         27 . A configurable watercraft modular structure, according to  claim 26 , wherein at least, it comprises:
 a. at least two hull modules;   b. a bow module;   c. a stern module;   d. the hull modules attached together at their ends by means of reciprocal connection, adjacent to their respective seal areas, so that they form a modular hull assembly;   e. the bow module attached to one of the ends of the modular hull assembly by means of reciprocal connection devices; and   f. the stern module attached to one of the ends of the modular hull assembly by means of reciprocal connection devices.   
     
     
         28 . A configurable watercraft modular structure, according to  claim 26 , wherein at least it comprises auxiliary supports of structural connection whose extremities are connected with at least part of the means of fixed and immovable connection that link the component modules. 
     
     
         29 . A method to configure a watercraft with modular structures, wherein it comprises the following steps:
 a. configuring a watercraft by assembling a modular structure from a group consisting of a bow module, at least one hull module, and a stern module;   b. attaching the modules in such a way that the hull module remains inset in one part into the bow module and in the other part, into the stern module; and   c. adjusting the connection devices until the modules are firmly fixed together.   
     
     
         30 . A method to configure a watercraft with modular structures, according to  claim 29 , wherein it comprises the following steps:
 a. selecting at least one module from a first modular group corresponding to the hull modules;   b. selecting one module from each of the other modular groups;   c. attaching the modules selected until the watercraft is made up; and   d. adjusting the connection devices until the modules are firmly fixed together.   
     
     
         31 . A method to configure a watercraft with modular structures, according to  claim 29 , wherein prior to the step of adjusting the connecting devices, auxiliary devices of structural bonding are mounted, then adjusting such connection with fastening mean, so that the modules remain immovably attached together and mounted with the auxiliary means.