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.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a convertible floating platform for recreational use on inland bodies of water. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a floating platform comprising a main section with a below deck storage area for housing a number of accessories and a pair of side sections that are hinged to the main section such that the platform can be folded up and transported over the road on a trailer without the necessity of special permits.

SUMMARY

One embodiment is a unique floating platform for recreational use on a body of water. Other embodiments include unique methods, systems, and apparatus to form a floating platform. This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the illustrative embodiments. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits shall become apparent from the following description and drawings.

In one form of the invention, a convertible, floatable platform for use on a body of water, comprises 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. 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. 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.

The first and second actuators may be in the form of hydraulic actuators, and the hydraulic actuators may be dual acting hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies, where a “dual acting” hydraulic piston/cylinder assembly means fluid pressure is applied to the telescoping parts in either direction of movement. Dual acting hydraulic cylinders are described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,691,963 (Seng) and U.S. Pat. No. 8,375,844 (Tillaart et al.), the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Thus, the dual acting hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies serve to resist relative movement of the platform sections so as to maintain the platform in its operational orientation during use. The actuators and synchronized such that both auxiliary sections are raised and lowered together, upon activation of a control panel button or switch.

The main platform section may include 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.

As used herein, the term “buoyant body” encompasses boat hulls, pontoons, outriggers and the like. The main buoyant body may comprise a horizontally elongated hull and the storage compartment is defined within the hull. The first and second auxiliary buoyant bodies may also horizontally elongated.

The decks of the platform sections preferably 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. The platform may include 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 as well as solar panels for recharging the battery.

The platform is preferably dimensions such that it can be carried on the nation's roads without the need for special permits. In one form, when the platform is carried by a trailer in its transportation orientation, the maximum horizontal width of the floatable platform measured perpendicular to the horizontal axes is preferably less than about 102 inches and the maximum vertical height of the floatable platform positioned on the trailer in its transportable orientation is less than about 156 inches.

In another form, the invention provides 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. The side sections are preferably lowered simultaneously using hydraulics, and the hydraulics may also be used to maintain the platform in its operational orientation.

In another form, a floatable platform for use on a body of water, comprises: 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. The hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies are preferably 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. The hydraulic piston and cylinder assemblies may be synchronized so as to rotate the first and second auxiliary sections simultaneously when the platform is converted between its operable and transportable orientations. The main platform section may include 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.

The main deck and/or the first and/or second auxiliary decks may define a number of mounting holes for receiving accessories. The accessories are preferably configured to be stored in the storage compartment when not in use. The accessories may comprise a slide, a grill, a stereo, torches, water sprayers, a canopy, and/or ladders. The platform may include a water pump operable to deliver water to selected ones of the accessories mounted in the mounting holes. Accessories that receive the pumped water may be the slide and misters, for example misters shaped like palm trees.

The floating platform may also include one or more batteries operable to provide electrical power to selected ones of the accessories mounted in the mounting holes, for example, a stereo. Solar panels may be mounted on or integrated into the deck for use in recharging the batteries.

The storage compartment may extend a substantial portion of the length of the main deck and may be accessible by first and second hinged access doors.

These and other aspects are described more fully below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features of the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description when considered in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a floating platform according to an embodiment in its operational configuration and showing a number of accessories positioned across the deck area.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the FIG. 1 platform with a number of the accessories and the carpeting removed.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the platform as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the platform as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the platform with the roofs above the bar and grill folded down.

FIG. 6 is as an end view of the platform as shown in FIG. 5

FIG. 7 is an enlarged end view of the portion of the platform indicated in FIG. 6 with a portion of the main hull removed.

FIG. 8 is an end view of the platform of FIG. 6 with the side sections partially raised.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged end view of the portion of the platform indicated in FIG. 8 with a portion of the main hull removed.

FIG. 10 is an end view of the platform in its transportable configuration.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged end view of the portion of the platform in its transportable configuration indicated in FIG. 10 with a portion of the main hull removed.

FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view corresponding to FIG. 9, showing the hydraulic linkage with one of side sections partially raised.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the platform in its transportable configuration loaded on a trailer.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the platform loaded on the trailer as per FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is an end view of the platform loaded on the trailer as per FIG. 14.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, any alterations and further modifications in the illustrated embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates are contemplated herein.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a floating platform 100 in its operational configuration with a number of recreational accessories positioned across the deck area, which is shown covered by a snap in carpet. FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 show top, end, and side views of the platform 100 with a number of the accessories and carpeting removed. The platform is generally rectangular providing over 700 square feet of deck area for holding about 45 people or about 40,000 pounds and functions as a floating island. The recreational accessories include a bar and stereo cabinet 102, a grill 104, speakers 106, fire pit 108, canopy 110, lighted palm trees 112, tiki torches 114, swimladders 116, and diving board 118. Other accessories such as folding chairs, porta potty, water slide, etc. may also be provided. The perimeter of the platform 100 is provided with lighted docking cleats 122 for tying up other watercraft. Electrical power for the lights and stereo is supplied by an on-board battery (not shown) which is recharged by solar panels 120 mounted to roof structures for the bar 102 and grill 104. All of the accessories shown may be configured so as to be easily disassembled and stored in a below deck storage area 18 (see FIG. 7), which storage area 18 is accessed by way of the hinged access doors 11a and 11b (FIG. 2). Alternatively, some of the accessories may be designed to remain mounted to the platform 100, in which case those accessories may not necessarily be designed to fit within the storage area 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the bar and stereo cabinet 102, grill 104, speakers 106, and fire pit 108 are mounted to the main deck and designed to stay in place, with the remaining illustrated accessories all being designed to be stored in the below deck storage area 18.

The floating platform 100 is comprised of a number of sections, each of which comprises an elongated buoyant body connected to support a boat deck. Main platform section 10 includes main buoyant body 14 connected to support main deck 12. First auxiliary platform section 20 includes first auxiliary buoyant body 24 connected to support first auxiliary deck 22. Second auxiliary platform section 30 includes second auxiliary buoyant body 34 connected to support second auxiliary deck 32.

The platform 100 is a non-motorized water craft, and is preferably designed so that it can be towed through the water by a small boat or jet ski. Thus, buoyant bodies 14, 24, 34 are all elongated in the same direction and tapered at their respective ends. The buoyant bodies 14, 24, 34 may be in the form of boat hulls, pontoons or outriggers.

Main buoyant body 14 is constructed similar to a boat hull with its open top secured to the underside of main deck 12 so as to define a storage compartment 18 below the main deck 12. Storage compartment 18 extends substantially the entire length of the main deck 12. Storage compartment 18 is a water tight compartment that is accessed by way of access doors 11a, 11b provided at either end of the compartment 18 and connected to the deck 12 by hinges 13a and 13b. Auxiliary buoyant bodies 24, 34 are constructed in similar fashion to main body 14, with their open tops secured to the undersides of decks 22, 32 respective.

The platform sections 10, 20, 30 are hingeldly connected to each other so as to allow the platform 100 to be folded into a transportable orientation and loaded on a trailer 90 for overland transport (as depicted in FIGS. 13-15). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, first hinge 26 couples main deck 12 to first auxiliary deck 22, and second hinge 36 couples main deck 12 to second auxiliary deck 32. Accordingly, first auxiliary section 20 is hingedly connected along one lateral side of the main section 10 for vertical swinging movement relative to horizontal axis A, and second auxiliary section 30 is hingedly connected along the opposite parallel side of main section 10 for vertical swinging movement relative to horizontal axis B. This vertical swinging movement allows the platform 100 to be converted between its operational orientation, shown in FIGS. 1-7, and its transportable orientation, shown in FIGS. 10-11 and 13-15.

It is to be understood that in the illustrated embodiment, before the platform 100 is converted into its transportable orientation, the roof structures above the bar and grill are folded down, yielding the configuration shown in the side view of FIG. 5 and the end view of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 shows a corresponding end view of platform 100 with sections 20, 30 partially raised, and FIG. 10 shows an end view of the platform 100 fully converted into its transportable orientation, in which each deck 32, 22 forms an acute angle with respect to main deck 12.

The vertical swinging movement of sections 20, 30 relative to main section 10 is controlled by a pair of hydraulic lifting mechanisms 70, 50 coupled between the main platform section 10 and the first and second auxiliary sections 30, 20 respectively. The two lifting mechanisms 70, 50 are symmetric with respect to each other and their operation is synchronized such that sections 20, 30 are raised and lowered at the same time and at the same rate, for example upon activation of a button or switch on a control panel. The synchronization of the movement of the two sets of hydraulics piston/cylinder assemblies may be accomplished in any known fashion, such as by using a common hydraulic pump with appropriate check valves to assure an equal operating pressure between the two sets of hydraulics.

Lifting mechanisms 50 for section 30 is shown in the detailed views of FIGS. 7, 9, 11, which are enlargements of the indicated portions of FIGS. 6, 8, and 11, respectively, with the end of main buoyant body 14 removed so as to show its interior. Lifting mechanism 50 is also shown in the perspective view of FIG. 13, which corresponds to the sections 20, 30 being in their partially raised position shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The components of lifting mechanism 70 for section 20 are effectively mirror images of those for mechanism 50 and only a portion of the hydraulic cylinder 71 of mechanism 70 is visible in FIG. 7.

Lifting mechanism 50 includes a dual acting hydraulic cylinder 51 pivotally fixed at 61 to cross brace 62, which is integral with the framing for main deck 12. Telescoping piston 52 is coupled to bracket 54 at pivot 53. Bracket 54 is secured to lower lifting arm 56, one end of which is pivotally fixed at 55 to down brace 60. Down brace 60 is secured at its upper end to cross brace 62 such that down brace 60 is effectively fixed in position outside the main buoyant body 14 of main section 10 generally below hinge 36. The other end of lower lifting arm 56 is hinged at 57 to upper lifting arm 58, which is connected to the underside of auxiliary deck 32 at pivot 59, which is spaced from hinge 36. Thus, the hinged lifting arms 56, 58 creates a linkage between main section 10 and a point 59 on the underside of deck 32. This linkage serves to convert the telescoping force of piston/cylinder 51, 52 to a force acting on the underside of deck 32 to cause either a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation about axis B.

Thus, when converting platform 100 from the operational configuration shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the hydraulic piston 52 is drawn into cylinder 51 so as to pull bracket 54 of lower lifting arm 56 inwardly, causing lower lifting arm 56 to pivot counterclockwise about point 55, which has the effect of applying a counterclockwise rotational force to the underside of deck 32 (with mechanism 70 applying corresponding clockwise rotational force to the underside of deck 22). Contraction of piston/cylinder 51, 52 continues until deck 32 pivots through about 120° and the angle α between the decks 32, 22 and main deck 12 is about 60° as shown in FIG. 11. In this transportable orientation, lower lifting arm 56 is essentially vertical and is received in channel 82 defined by down brace 60 and in cutout 86 in the underside of deck 32 (see FIG. 12), which provides lateral support to the assembly. The bracket 54 is accommodated by a cutout 84 in the sidewall of main buoyant body 14 that is sealed to prevent any water infiltration, for example with a rubber gasket (not show).

To convert the platform from the transportable orientation to the operational configuration, the process is reversed. The hydraulic piston/cylinder assemblies are made to expand, which has the effect of pivoting lower arm 56 out of channel 84 and applying a clockwise rotational force to deck 32 and a counterclockwise rotational force to deck 22.

When the platform is in the operational configuration shown in FIGS. 1-7, the buoyant bodies 14, 24, 34 lie in a common horizontal plane underlying the operative surface defined by their respective decks 12, 22, 32. The buoyant bodies provide the buoyancy to the platform so as to keep the decks 12, 22, 32 above water when fully loaded, for example with 4000 pounds or more, and pivoting movement between the sections is resisted by the telescoping resisting of the hydraulic piston/cylinders assemblies in lifting mechanisms 50, 70. As a result, in its operational configuration, the platform 100 functions as a floating island allowing for gatherings of people and/or equipment.

When the platform is in its transportable configuration shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the platform can be mounted onto a trailer 90 as shown in FIG. 13-15. When mounted on the trailer 90, the dimensions of the platform are such that it can be trailered on the nation's roads without a special permit. That is to say, the maximum width W of the platform (as shown in FIG. 15) is preferable less than about 102 inches. The trailered height H (FIG. 14) of the platform (i.e. the maximum height H of the platform and trailer) is less than about 156 inches. The length of the platform is about 30 feet, with a trailered length L (FIG. 14) of about 36 feet.

The solar panels 120 integrated into the roof structures above the bar and grill are electrically coupled to and serve to passively recharge the batteries (not shown) that are housed in the storage compartment 18, which may be three 2000 amp dry cell batteries. These batteries may be used to power a water pump (also mounted in storage compartment) that provides water to various accessories (such as a water slide and the misters) and to provide electrical power for the stereo, lights, and lifting mechanism. Electrical wiring (not shown) and water lines (not shown) run below the decks between the various components and appropriate receptacles or mounting holes 124 in the decks.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only certain exemplary embodiments have been shown and described. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many modifications are possible in the example embodiments without materially departing from this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims.

In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” or “at least one portion” are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.

Claims

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; andfirst 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; andfloating 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; anda 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.