Collapsible Boat Hull Hinge Arrangement

摘要

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.

主权项

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.