Watercraft stabilizing member with foam core and non-compressive bladder

Abstract

Outboard stabilizing members ( 110, 210, 310, 410 ) include a foam core ( 120, 220, 320, 420 ) and a bladder ( 134, 234, 334, 434 ) configured to be inflated to a design pressure and configured to cover at least a portion of the associated foam core. The bladders are configured to be non-compressive to the foam core. A plurality of joining members ( 135, 235, 335, 435 ) connect an inner wall of the bladder with an outer wall of the bladder, such that when the bladder is inflated to the design pressure the outer wall and joining members prevent the inner wall from compressing the foam core. The joining members are preferably inelastic, and may be one-dimensional linear members such as strings or rods, two-dimensional panels, or other webbing.

1 . An outboard stabilizing member for a watercraft comprising:
 an elongate foam core having a radially outer surface disposed between opposite ends of the foam core; and   an inflatable bladder comprising an inner wall portion, an outer wall portion, and a plurality of connecting members that connect the inner wall portion to the outer wall portion, wherein the inner wall substantially encircles the radially outer surface of the foam core; and   a sheath enclosing the foam core and the inflatable bladder, and configured to retain the inflatable bladder on the foam core;   wherein the inflatable bladder is configured to be inflated to a design pressure without applying a compressive force to the foam core.   
     
     
         2 . The outboard stabilizing member of  claim 1 , wherein the design pressure is between 1 and 40 psig. 
     
     
         3 . The outboard stabilizing member of  claim 1 , wherein the sheath is configured to removably attach the stabilizing member to the watercraft. 
     
     
         4 . The outboard stabilizing member of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of connecting members are inelastic and are located at spaced locations along the inner and outer wall portions such that an inflation pressure on the outer wall portion prevents the inner wall portion from exerting a compressive force on the foam core when the bladder is inflated to the design pressure. 
     
     
         5 . The outboard stabilizing member of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of inelastic connecting members comprise a plurality of panels. 
     
     
         6 . The outboard stabilizing member of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of panels define a plurality of channels in the bladder that are in fluid communication. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The outboard stabilizing member of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of inelastic connecting members comprise a plurality of strings or rods. 
     
     
         9 . The outboard stabilizing member of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of strings or rods are evenly spaced throughout the bladder. 
     
     
         10 . The outboard stabilizing member of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of strings or rods have a uniform length, such that the plurality of strings or rods maintain a constant spacing between the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion. 
     
     
         11 . The outboard stabilizing member of  claim 1 , wherein the foam core comprises a plurality of elongate foam sub-members that extend from a first end of the foam core to a second end of the foam core. 
     
     
         12 . The outboard stabilizing member of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the plurality of foam sub-members is wedge-shaped. 
     
     
         13 . The outboard stabilizing member of  claim 1 , wherein the foam core comprises an elongate foam core having a D-shaped cross section. 
     
     
         14 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A watercraft having a starboard stabilizing member and a port stabilizing member, wherein the port and starboard stabilizing members comprise the outboard stabilizing member of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . A high-performance watercraft comprising:
 a planing hull having a port side sheet and a starboard side sheet;   at least one motor attached to the hull;   a port stabilizing member attached to an outboard side of the port side sheet;   a starboard stabilizing member attached to an outboard side of the starboard side sheet;   wherein each of the port and starboard stabilizing members comprise:   an elongate foam core having a radially outer surface disposed between opposite ends of the foam core; and   an inflatable bladder comprising an inner wall portion, an outer wall portion, and a plurality of connecting members that connect the inner wall portion to the outer wall portion, wherein the inner wall portion substantially encircles the radially outer surface of the foam core; and   a sheath enclosing the foam core and the inflatable bladder, and configured to retain the inflatable bladder on the foam core;   wherein the inflatable bladder is configured to be inflated to a design pressure without producing a compressive force to the foam core.   
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The high-performance watercraft of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of connecting members comprise a plurality of strings or rods wherein the plurality of strings or rods have a uniform length, such that the plurality of strings or rods maintain a constant spacing between the inner wall portion and the outer wall portion.