INFLATABLE BOAT

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Chinese Application CN202322665759.9, filed Sep. 28, 2023 in China, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND
Field

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of inflatable products, and in particular to an inflatable boat.

Background

Inflatable boats available in the market mainly include inflatable rafting boats, inflatable stand-up paddle boards, rubber boats, canoes, assault boats, and the like. At present, existing inflatable boats (e.g., conventional inflatable canoes) are realized assembling together pieces of fabric (having particulars properties in terms of waterproof, mechanical and chemical strength), usually by gluing or welding: firstly, floats are realized by folding this fabric or pieces of fabric in like-tube shape to realize inflatable tubes. Then, the floats or tubes are then connected together, usually by welding, by a base or a hull which can be made of fabric as the floats itself. The base of the boat is firstly welded to the two tubes along the welding seams, and then the tubes are joined at ends to form the bow and the stern of the boat. Once connected together, there are hollows and/or openings between boat floats/tubes and the base at the bow and the stern. Despite the presence of the hollows and/or openings, the buoyancy of the two tubes is sufficient to keep the boat afloat avoiding the risk of sinking the boat. However, such openings or hollow structures create disadvantages since they allow water to enter the inside user section (e.g., a vessel cavity) of the inflatable boat through the openings/hollows between the boat tubes and the base during use of the inflatable boat: this may cause the user to get wet, make the boat sit lower in the water, slow the boat down, and require draining among other undesired effects. After a large amount of water enters the vessel cavity through the openings/hollows, it is difficult to drain water from the existing inflatable boat in a timely manner. In addition, the openings/hollow structures also affect the appearance of the inflatable boat, and further affect performance by increasing drag through the water when the inflatable boat is in use.

SUMMARY

Example embodiments may address at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above. Also, example embodiments are not required to overcome the disadvantages described above, and may not overcome any of the problems described above.

The following summary is exemplary and explanatory only and is not necessarily restrictive of the claimed invention. The summary is intended to present general aspects of the present embodiments in order to provide a basic understanding of at least some salient features. This summary is not an extensive overview of all possible embodiments. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the present application or to delineate the scope of all embodiments. The following summary merely presents some concepts of the embodiments in a general form as a prelude to the more detailed description provided below.

Further, it should be noted that in various embodiments, description is made with reference to figures, in which like reference numerals refer to similar or identical items in the drawings. However, certain embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specifically identified details, or in combination with other known methods and configurations. In the following summary and detailed description, numerous details are set forth, such as specific configurations, dimensions and processes, etc., in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. In other instances, well-known processes and conventional hardware have not been described in particular detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present embodiments. Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment” or the like means that a particular feature, structure, configuration, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or the like in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment of the invention. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, configurations, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

An objective of the present application is to solve the problem where there may be openings and/or hollows between boat tubes and a base of an inflatable boat, which undesirably allows water ingress during use and causes additional dynamic drag as the inflatable boat is in use. The present application provides an inflatable boat, which is configured to prevent water ingress and improve the performance and appearance of the inflatable boat.

In order to solve the above technical problem, an implementation of the present application discloses an inflatable boat, including: a base comprising a first side portion, a second side portion, and a central portion; a first inflatable tube comprising a first tube segment and having a first end portion and a second end portion thereof; a second inflatable tube comprising a second tube segment and having a first end portion thereof connected to the first end portion of the first inflatable tube and a second end portion thereof connected to the second end portion of the first inflatable tube. The first tube segment is connected to the first side portion of the base to form the first inflatable tube. The second tube segment is connected to the second side portion of the base to form the second inflatable tube.

According to another specific implementation of the present application, the implementation provides an inflatable boat, where the first inflatable tube and the second inflatable tube respectively include a first air chamber and a second air chamber; walls of the first air chamber include the first tube segment and the first side portion, and walls of the second air chamber include the second tube segment and the second side portion.

According to another specific implementation of the present application, the implementation provides an inflatable boat, where the inflatable boat further includes a first spacer and a second spacer; the first spacer is arranged at a position where the first end portion of the first inflatable tube is connected to the first end portion of the second inflatable tube; and the second spacer is arranged at a position where the second end portion of the first inflatable tube is connected to the second end portion of the second inflatable tube.

According to another specific implementation of the present application, the implementation provides an inflatable boat, where the first tube segment further includes a first top segment and a first side segment, and the first top segment of the first tube segment and the first side segment of the first tube segment are connected to the first side portion of the base to form the first inflatable tube; and the second tube segment includes a second top segment and a second side segment, and the second top segment of the second tube segment and the second side segment of the second tube segment are connected to the second side portion of the base to form the second inflatable tube.

According to another specific implementation of the present application, the implementation provides an inflatable boat, where an outer peripheral edge of the first spacer is connected to the first top segment of the first tube segment, the first side segment of the first tube segment, and the base.

According to another specific implementation of the present application, the implementation provides an inflatable boat, where the first spacer forms a common wall between the first inflatable tube and the second inflatable tube, and the common wall formed by the first spacer prevents fluid communication between the first inflatable tube and the second inflatable tube.

According to another specific implementation of the present application, the implementation provides an inflatable boat, where the first spacer includes an orifice providing fluid communication between the first inflatable tube and the second inflatable tube.

According to another specific implementation of the present application, the implementation provides an inflatable boat, where the inflatable boat further includes an inflatable bottom board attached to the central portion, the inflatable bottom board having an outer peripheral edge arranged: between the first inflatable tube and the central portion; and between the second inflatable tube and the central portion.

According to another specific implementation of the present application, the implementation provides an inflatable boat, where the base is formed from a single continuous piece of flexible material.

According to another specific implementation of the present application, the implementation provides an inflatable boat, where the inflatable boat further includes a hatch cover sheet connected to the first inflatable tube and the second inflatable tube so as to form a covered cavity with: the first inflatable tube, the second inflatable tube, and the central portion of the base.

According to another specific implementation of the present application, the implementation provides an inflatable boat, where two side edges of the hatch cover sheet are respectively connected to the first top segment of the first tube segment and the second top segment of the second tube segment.

According to another specific implementation of the present application, the implementation provides an inflatable boat, where the central portion of the base includes drains, and the inflatable bottom board includes drain recesses; and the drains are arranged at intervals at the central portion of the base and the drain recesses are arranged corresponding to the drains.

According to another specific implementation of the present application, the implementation provides an inflatable boat, where the inflatable boat further includes a first reinforcing strip; the first reinforcing strip extends along the outer peripheral edge of the first spacer; and the first reinforcing strip is arranged at positions where the first spacer is connected to the first top segment of the first tube segment, the first side segment of the first tube segment, and the base.

According to another specific implementation of the present application, the implementation provides an inflatable boat, where the inflatable boat further includes a second reinforcing strip; and the second reinforcing strip is arranged at connections between the first top segment of the first tube segment, the first side segment of the first tube segment, and the first side portion of the base.

According to another specific implementation of the present application, the implementation provides an inflatable boat, where the first top segment of the first tube segment and the second top segment of the second tube segment are each of an arcuate-shaped structure.

According to another specific implementation of the present application, the implementation provides an inflatable boat, where the inflatable boat comprises a material including a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material.

The present application has the following beneficial effects. The present application provides an inflatable boat that has high strength, is environmentally friendly, efficient in use, and is convenient to carry and transport. According to the embodiments of the present application, the base and the tube segments jointly form the inflatable tube, which prevents formation of openings and/or hollow structures at two ends of the inflatable boat in the longitudinal direction “X” and thus prevents water from entering the inside of the inflatable boat from the outside of the inflatable boat through the openings/hollow structures, so as to prevent water ingress and reduce drag, and provide a more artistic appearance. In addition, according to the embodiments of the present application, the base is provided with drains, which can solve the problem that water in the vessel cavity of the inflatable boat is difficult to drain out. According to embodiments of the present application, the hatch cover sheet and the tube segments are regular in shape, which makes a welding process more convenient so as to facilitate improvement of the production efficiency and the yield of inflatable boats.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of example embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an inflatable boat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic exploded structure view of the inflatable boat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of one end of the inflatable boat in a longitudinal direction according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A shows detail of a section A of FIG. 3 illustrating an alternative embodiment including an orifice in a first spacer;

FIG. 4A shows a first schematic cross-sectional view of the inflatable boat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B shows a second schematic cross-sectional view of the inflatable boat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a first schematic perspective view of part of the structure of the inflatable boat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 shows a second schematic perspective view of part of the structure of the inflatable boat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Implementations of the present disclosure are illustrated below by way of specific embodiments, and those skilled in the art would have readily understood other advantages and effects of the present disclosure from the content disclosed in the description. Although the description of the present disclosure will be introduced with respect to preferred embodiments, it does not mean that the features of the invention are limited to the implementations. On the contrary, the purpose of introducing the invention with respect to the implementations is to cover other options or modifications that may be extended based on the claims of the present disclosure. The following description contains numerous specific details in order to provide deep understanding of the present disclosure. The present disclosure may also be implemented without these details. In addition, in order to avoid confusing or obscuring key points of the present disclosure, some specific details will be omitted in the description. It should be noted that the embodiments and the features thereof in the present disclosure can be combined with each other without conflicts.

It should be noted that in the description, like reference signs and letters denote like items in the following drawings. Therefore, once an item is defined in one of the drawings, it is not necessary to further define and explain the item in the subsequent drawings.

In the description of the present embodiment, it should be noted that orientations or position relationships indicated by terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” and “bottom” are based on orientations or position relationships shown in the drawings or the orientations or position relationships in which a product of the invention is customarily placed in use, which is only for convenience of describing the present disclosure and simplifying the description, rather than indicates or implies that devices or elements referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in the specific orientation, and therefore cannot be construed as limiting the present disclosure.

The terms “first,” “second,” etc. are only intended to distinguish the description, and should not be construed as indicating or implying the relative importance.

In the description of the embodiments, it should also be noted that the terms “arrange,” “connected,” and “connection” should be understood in a broad sense, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited. For example, the connection can be a secured connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; or may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; and can be directly connected, or indirectly connected by means of an intermediate medium, or communication between interiors of two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meaning of the terms mentioned above in the embodiments should be understood in specific cases.

In order to make objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present disclosure clearer, the implementations of the present disclosure will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, an embodiment of the present application provides an inflatable boat 100, including: a base 10 extending in a longitudinal direction (shown as direction “X” in FIG. 1) of the inflatable boat 100; and tube segments, including a first tube segment 201 and a second tube segment 202, arranged on two sides of the base 10 in a transverse direction (shown as direction “Y” in FIG. 1) of the inflatable boat 100. The base 10 is arranged at the bottom of the inflatable boat 100, and the tube segments 201, 202 and part of the base 10 jointly form inflatable tubes 211, 212. It should be noted that the material of the base 10 is not specifically limited in the present application, and as an example, the base 10 is formed from a single continuous piece of flexible material.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 10, forming at least part of a bottom portion of the inflatable boat 100, includes a first side portion 101, a second side portion 102 and a central portion 103; and tube segments include the first tube segment 201 and the second tube segment 202 respectively corresponding to the first side portion 101 of the base 10 and the second side portion 102 of the base 10. More particularly, as illustrated in FIG. 2, outward edges of the base 10 in the transverse “Y” direction curl upwardly to form a first side portion 101 and a second side portion 102, each respectively providing a connection substrate to the first tube segment 201 and the second tube segment 202. Further, the first tube segment 201 is connected, along the “X” direction, to the first side portion 101 of the base 10 to form a first inflatable tube 211, and the second tube segment 202 is connected, along the “X” direction, to the second side portion 102 of the base 10 to form a second inflatable tube 212. In other words, first side portion 101 of the base 10, defining a lateral and boundary portion of the base 10 along the “X” direction, forms itself a part of the wall of the inflatable tube 211. In the same way, second side portion 102 of the base 10, defining a lateral and boundary portion of the base 10 along the “X” direction, forms itself a part of the wall of the inflatable tube 212. As an example, referring to FIG. 2, the first inflatable tube 211 and the second inflatable tube 212 are both substantially circular in cross-section in a transverse direction “Y,” and the first inflatable tube 211 and the second inflatable tube 212 are both of a cylindrical structure, but not limited thereto. More particularly, specific shapes of the first inflatable tube 211 and the second inflatable tube 212 are not limited in the present application. Continuing to refer to FIG. 1 in view of FIG. 2, the base 10 is not only connected to the inflatable tubes 211, 212 on two respectively opposite sides of base 10 so as to form the inflatable boat 100 with the inflatable tubes 211, 212, but also the base 10 is itself part of the inflatable tubes 211, 212: in particular, the first side portion 101 and the second side portion 102 of the base 10 are each part of a respective inflatable tube 211, 212. Each inflatable tube 211, 212 respectively includes a first air chamber 231 and a second air chamber 232. The walls of the first air chamber 231 include the first tube segment 201 and the first side portion 101, and the walls of the second air chamber 232 include the second tube segment 202 and the second side portion 102.

In an embodiment of the present application, the first tube segment 201 and the second tube segment 202 are respectively connected to the base 10 to respectively form the first inflatable tube 211 and the second inflatable tube 212, that is, the first side portion 101 and the second side portion 102 respectively serve as part of the wall of the first inflatable tube 211 and part of the wall of the second inflatable tube 212. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent formation of openings and/or hollow structures at two ends of the inflatable boat 100 in the longitudinal direction “X” and thus prevent water from entering the inside (i.e., a vessel cavity 400 described later) of the inflatable boat 100 from the outside of the inflatable boat 100 through the hollow structures/openings. In this approach, compared with a conventional inflatable boats (e.g., inflatable canoes), the inflatable boat 100 according to the embodiment of the present application achieves water ingress prevention, reduced dynamic drag, and has a more artistic appearance.

In order to describe the embodiment of the present application in further detail, the inflatable boat 100 will now be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

In some possible implementations, referring to FIG. 1 in further view of FIG. 2, the first inflatable tube 211 includes a first end portion 2111 and a second end portion 2112, and the second inflatable tube 212 includes a first end portion 2121 and a second end portion 2122. As an example, as shown in FIG. 1, the first end portion 2111 of the first inflatable tube 211 is connected to the first end portion 2121 of the second inflatable tube 212, and the second end portion 2112 of the first inflatable tube 211 is connected to the second end portion 2122 of the second inflatable tube 212. In this way, the two inflatable tubes (i.e., the first inflatable tube 211 and the second inflatable tube 212) located on the two sides of the base 10 in the transverse direction “Y” form a structure disposed proximate outer peripheral edges of the base 10.

More particularly, in one implementation the entire outer peripheral edge of the base 10 is connected to the annular tube segments (i.e., collectively, the first tube segment 201 and the second tube segment 202) to form the first inflatable tube 211 and the second inflatable tube 212, and the base 10 serves as part of the walls of the air chambers 231, 232.

It should be noted that the outer peripheral edge of the base 10 described above refers to the first side portion 101 and the second side portion 102 which circle around the base 10.

In some possible implementations, referring to FIG. 2 in further view of FIG. 3 the first air chamber 231 and the second air chamber 232 are each provided with an air valve that functions to inflate or deflate the first air chamber 231 and the second air chamber 232.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, in the transverse direction (shown as direction “Y” in FIG. 2) of the inflatable boat 100, the second air chamber 232 is spaced apart from the first air chamber 231, and is symmetrically arranged with the first air chamber 231 with respect to a longitudinal central axis (shown as dotted line “O” in FIG. 2) of the inflatable boat 100. It should be noted that the positional relationship of the first air chamber 231 and the second air chamber 232 with respect to the longitudinal central axis is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application, as long as the design requirements of the inflatable boat 100 are met. In one implementation, the first air chamber 231 and the second air chamber 232 are arranged asymmetrically with respect to the longitudinal central axis O.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inflatable boat 100 is further provided with spacers, including a first spacer 241 and a second spacer (not shown). The first spacer 241 and the second spacer are respectively arranged at the two ends of the base 10 in the longitudinal direction (“X”), and in one implementation, are aligned with the longitudinal central axis O and disposed between the first air chamber 231 and the second air chamber 232.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 3 in further view of FIG. 5, the first spacer 241 is arranged at a position 300 where the first end portion 2111 of the first inflatable tube 211 is connected to the first end portion 2121 of the second inflatable tube 212, and the second spacer is arranged at a position where the second end portion 2112 of the first inflatable tube 211 is connected to the second end portion 2122 of the second inflatable tube 212.

As an example, the first spacer 241 is located in the inflatable tubes 211, 212, and the first spacer 241 serves as a common wall of the first air chamber 231 and the second air chamber 232. That is, the first spacer 241 and the second spacer isolate the first air chamber 231 from the second air chamber 232 such that the first air chamber 231 and the second air chamber 232 are separated and not in fluid communication as two air chambers independent of each other, which allows the first air chamber 231 or the second air chamber 232 to be inflated or deflated separately during use of the inflatable boat 100, making the use of the inflatable boat 100 more convenient, and offering a safety advantage in the unexpected event of puncture or leakage of one of the first or second inflatable tubes 211, 212. In an alternate embodiment shown in FIG. 3A, which shows section A from FIG. 3 in a modified form, one or more orifices 250 may be included within the first spacer 241 and/or second spacer to allow fluid communication between the first and second inflatable tubes 211, 212. Such fluid communication allows use of a single inflation valve to inflate both first and second inflatable tubes 211, 212 with a single inflation session. Such orifices 250 may be placed within a central region of the first spacer 241, an edge of the first spacer 241, or in multiple locations within the first spacer 241.

In some possible implementations, continuing to refer to FIG. 2, the first tube segment 201 includes a first top segment 2011 and a first side segment 2012, and the second tube segment 202 includes a second top segment 2021 and a second side segment 2022.

The first top segment 2011 of the first tube segment 201 and the first side segment 2012 of the first tube segment 201 are connected to the first side portion 101 of the base 10 to form the first inflatable tube 211, and the second top segment 2021 of the second tube segment 202 and the second side segment 2022 of the second tube segment 202 are connected to the second side portion 102 of the base 10 to form the second inflatable tube 212.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, in a circumferential direction (shown as direction E in FIG. 2) of the first inflatable tube 211, the first top segment 2011 is connected to the first side segment 2012, a lateral side edge 20111 of the first top segment 2011 disposed in a direction removed from the first side segment 2012 is connected to one side edge 1011 of the first side portion 101 of the base 10, an inferior side edge 20121 of the first side segment 2012 disposed in a direction removed from the first top segment 2011 is connected to the other side edge 1012 of the first side portion 101 of the base 10, and the medial side edge 20112 of the first top segment 2011 is connected to the medial side edge 20122 of the first side segment 2012.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 2, in a circumferential direction (shown as direction F in FIG. 2) of the second inflatable tube 212, the second top segment 2021 is connected to the second side segment 2022, lateral side edge 20211 of the second top segment 2021 located in a direction removed from the second side segment 2022 is connected to one side edge 1021 of the second side portion 102 of the base 10, an inferior side edge 20221 of the second side segment 2022 located in a direction removed from the second top segment 2021 is connected to the other side edge 1022 of the second side portion 102 of the base 10, and the medial side edge 20212 of the second top segment 2021 is connected to the medial side edge 20222 of the second side segment 2022.

After an air chamber (i.e., the first air chamber 231 or the second air chamber 232) of the inflatable boat 100 is inflated, part of the base 10 (i.e., the first side portion 101 or the second side portion 102), the side segment (i.e., the first side segment 2012 or the second side segment 2022) and the top segment (i.e., the first top segment 2011 or the second top segment 2012) are all expanded to form an enlarged and semi-rigid inflatable tube (i.e., the first inflatable tube 211 or the second inflatable tube 212).

It should be noted that in a hull section of the inflatable boat 100 (i.e., a longitudinally extending section (i.e., in the “X” direction) of the inflatable boat 100 in FIG. 1), the inferior side edge 20121 of the first side segment 2012 is spaced apart from the side edge 1011 of the first side portion 101 in the transverse direction (shown as direction “Y” in FIG. 2), and the inferior side edge 20221 of the second side segment 2022 is spaced apart from the side edge 1021 of the second side portion 102 in the transverse direction “Y.” That is, the base 10 is completely connected to the first tube segment 201 and the second tube segment 202, and the first tube segment 201 and the second tube segment 202 are connected to each other along the outer peripheral edge of the base 10, wherein each tube together form an annular sealed inflatable tube configuration.

More particularly, continuing to refer to FIG. 2, in the circumferential direction (shown as direction “E” in FIG. 2) of the first inflatable tube 211, a portion (i.e., the first side portion 101) of the base 10 between the lateral side edge 20111 of the first top segment 2011 and the inferior side edge 20121 of the first side segment 2012 is configured to form part of the wall of the first air chamber 231.

A portion (i.e., the second side portion 102) of the base 10 between the lateral side edge 20211 of the second top segment 2021 and the inferior side edge 20221 of the second side segment 2022 is configured to form part of the wall of the second air chamber 232.

As an example, the first top segment 2011 and the second top segment 2021 both have an approximate arcuate-shaped structure, but the shapes of such segments are not limited thereto. The specific shapes of the first top segment 2011 and the second top segment 2021 are not limited in the present application, as long as the top segments and the side segments can be connected in a sealing manner and form inflatable tubes in concert with the base 10.

In some possible implementations, referring to FIG. 3 in further view of FIG. 5, an outer peripheral edge of the first spacer 241 is connected to the first top segment 2011 of the first tube segment 201, the first side segment 2012 of the first tube segment 201, and the base 10; and an outer peripheral edge of the second spacer (not shown) at an opposite end of the inflatable boat 100 is connected to the second top segment 2021 of the second tube segment 202, the second side segment 2022 of the second tube segment 202, and the base 10.

In some possible implementations, referring to FIG. 4A in further view of with FIG. 1, the inflatable boat 100 additionally includes hatch cover sheets 40. As an example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4A, the illustrated hatch cover sheet 40 is of an approximately triangular structure, but is not limited thereto in the present application. The hatch cover sheet 40 may also be of the same shape as the inflatable boat in a top (plan) view.

More specifically, in one implementation, the hatch cover sheets 40 are provided at two ends of the inflatable boat 100 in the longitudinal direction (shown as direction “X” in FIG. 1), that is, the inflatable boat 100 is provided with hatch cover sheets 40 at both ends, but not limited thereto. In the embodiment of the present application, the hatch cover sheet 40 may also be arranged at one end of the inflatable boat 100 in the longitudinal direction “X,” that is, the inflatable boat 100 is provided with a hatch cover sheet 40 on one of the two ends.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 2 in further view of FIG. 4A, the hatch cover sheet 40 is separately connected to the first inflatable tube 211 and the second inflatable tube 212 so as to at least partially cover the vessel cavity 400. The vessel cavity 400 is defined by the first inflatable tube 211, the second inflatable tube 212 and the central portion 103 of the base 10, and together with the hatch cover sheet 40, a covered cavity 410 is provided.

As an example, two side edges (shown as the first edge 401 and the second edge 402 in FIG. 4A) of the hatch cover sheet 40 are respectively connected to the first top segment 2011 of the first inflatable tube 211 and the second top segment 2021 of the second inflatable tube 212.

In one aspect, the vessel cavity 400 includes a covered cavity 410 defined between the hatch cover sheet 40 and the central portion 103 of the base 10 in a vertical direction (shown as direction “Z” in FIG. 2), and further, between the first inflatable tube 211 and the second inflatable tube 212 in the transverse direction (shown as direction “Y” in FIG. 2). Similarly to a canoe cockpit, in this configuration, the hatch cover sheet 40, the base 10, the first inflatable tube 211, and the second inflatable tube 212 enclose the covered cavity 410 to provide environmental protection and reduce ingress of water, while allowing a user free access to a central opening within the vessel cavity 400. Also, in various exemplary embodiments, the hatch cover sheet 40 may be further configured for the placement of a safety rope, a portable handle, a storage mesh bag, etc. thereon (not shown).

In some possible implementations, referring to FIG. 4B in further view of FIG. 2, the inflatable boat 100 further includes an inflatable bottom board 30. The inflatable bottom board 30 is attached to one side of the central portion 103 of the base 10 on a side opposite the external bottom of the inflatable boat 100, that is, the inflatable bottom board 30 is arranged within the vessel cavity 400 of the inflatable boat 100.

More specifically, an outer peripheral edge of the inflatable bottom board 30 is arranged between the first inflatable tube 211 and the central portion 103 and between the second inflatable tube 212 and the central portion 103. In one aspect, the first inflatable tube 211 and the second inflatable tube 212 are respectively engaged with the inflatable bottom board 30 to limit the movement of the inflatable bottom board 30 relative to the inflatable boat 100. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the first side segment 2012 and the second side segment 2022, which are located on the two sides of the inflatable bottom board 30 in the transverse direction (shown as direction “Y” in FIG. 2) and form an annular structure, are respectively engaged with the inflatable bottom board 30, and after a bottom board air chamber 32 (described below) of the inflatable bottom board 30 is inflated, the fully expanded inflatable bottom board 30 is engaged and retained within the cavity 400, so as to prevent displacement of the inflatable bottom board 30.

In an exemplary embodiment, the inflatable bottom board 30 includes a first surface 301, a second surface 302 arranged opposite to the first surface 301, and a sidewall 303. The sidewall 303 extends in a circumferential direction of the inflatable bottom board 30 (i.e., a circumferential direction of the inflatable boat 100, shown as direction R in FIG. 1), and covers outer peripheral edges of the first surface 301 and the second surface 302 to define the bottom board air chamber 32 of the bottom board 30. The bottom board air chamber 32 is independent of the first air chamber 231 and the second air chamber 232, and the bottom board air chamber 32 is provided with an air valve that that provides access to inflate or deflate the bottom board air chamber 32.

In one implementation, the inflatable bottom board 30 is made of TPU drop-stitch fabric. It should be noted that the specific structure of the inflatable bottom board 30 is not limited in the present application. For example, the outer peripheral edges of the first surface 301 and the second surface 302 of the inflatable bottom board 30 may be welded to each other to create an alternative sealed bottom board air chamber 32.

In some alternative implementations, referring to FIGS. 1 and 4B, the central portion 103 of the base 10 includes a plurality of drains 12, and the inflatable bottom board 30 includes a plurality of drain recesses 33.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4B, the plurality of drains 12 are arranged at intervals in the central portion 103 of the base 10, and the plurality of drain recesses 33 are arranged corresponding to the plurality of drains 12 on a one-to-one basis. A projection of the inflatable bottom board 30 does not overlap with projections of the drains 12 in a vertical direction of the inflatable boat 100, shown as direction “Z” in FIG. 4B that is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (shown as direction “X” in FIG. 4B). That is, in the vertical direction “Z,” the drain recesses 33 are arranged above the respective drains 12, so as to prevent the drains 12 from being blocked by the inflatable bottom board 30, which may hamper efficient discharge of any water that may enter the vessel cavity 400.

In one implementation, the plurality of drains 12 are arranged at intervals on the outer peripheral edge of the base 10, and the drain recesses 33 are recessed inward along the outer peripheral edge of the inflatable bottom board 30 toward the center of the inflatable bottom board 30 so as to avoid contact with the drains 12.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, each drain 12 includes a plurality of drain orifices 121 arranged at intervals, and the drain 12 further includes a drain valve (not shown) to enable the drain orifices 121 of the drain 12 to be open or closed, which can prevent water ingress and facilitate drainage as desired by the user. It should be noted that the specific structure of the drain valve is not limited in the present application. For example, in one embodiment the drain valve may comprise a plastic plug.

In some possible implementations, referring to FIG. 3 in further view of FIG. 5, the inflatable boat 100 further includes a first reinforcing strip 2411. The first reinforcing strip 2411 extends along the outer peripheral edge of the spacers (i.e., the first spacer 241 or the second spacer) and is arranged on one side of the spacer in the transverse direction (shown as direction “Y” in FIG. 3). That is, the first reinforcing strip 2411 is located within the first air chamber 231, but not limited thereto. The first reinforcing strip 2411 may be also located within the second air chamber 232, or in an alternate implementation, reinforcing strips 2411 may be disposed within both the first air chamber 231 and the second air chamber 232.

More specifically, the first reinforcing strip 2411 is arranged at positions where the first spacer 241 is connected to the first top segment 2011 of the first tube segment 201, the first side segment 2012 of the first tube segment 201, and the base 10; and the first reinforcing strip 2411 is also arranged at positions where the second spacer is connected to the second top segment 2021 of the second tube segment 202, the second side segment 2022 of the second tube segment 202, and the base 10.

In one exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, in a circumferential direction (shown as direction “G” in FIG. 5) of the first spacer 241, the first reinforcing strip 2411 is sequentially attached at positions where the base 10, the first side segment 2012 and the first top segment 2011 are connected to the outer peripheral edge of the first spacer 241 so as to improve the connection strength at the positions where the spacer is connected to the base 10, the side segments (i.e., the first side segment 2012 and the second side segment 2022) and the top segments (i.e., the first top segment 2011 and the second top segment 2021), thereby ensuring the air tightness of the first air chamber 231 and the second air chamber 232 as independent air chambers.

In some possible implementations, referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, the inflatable boat further includes a second reinforcing strip 50.

More specifically, the second reinforcing strip 50 may be arranged in at least one or more of connections between the top segment (i.e., the first top segment 2011 or the second top segment 2021), the side segment (i.e., the first side segment 2012 or the second side segment 2022), and the base 10 (i.e., the first side portion 101 or the second side portion 102).

In various implementations, the second reinforcing strip 50 includes one or more of a third reinforcing strip 51, a fourth reinforcing strip 52, and a fifth reinforcing strip 53.

More specifically, the third reinforcing strip 51 is attached to an outer side of the connection between the top segment (i.e., the first top segment 2011 or the second top segment 2021) and the base 10 (i.e., the first side portion 101 or the second side portion 102); the fourth reinforcing strip 52 is attached to an outer side of the connection between the top segment (i.e., the first top segment 2011 or the second top segment 2021) and the side segment (i.e., the first side segment 2012 or the second side segment 2022); and the fifth reinforcing strip 53 is attached to an outer side of the connection between the side segment (i.e., the first side segment 2012 or the second side segment 2022) and the base 10 (i.e., the first side portion 101 or the second side portion 102).

It should be noted that the arrangement of the second reinforcing strip 50 is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application, as long as the connection strength between the top segment, the side segment, and the base 10 is sufficient to ensure an airtight connection is retained as the inflatable boat is utilized, moved, or inflated.

In additional aspects, referring to FIGS. 2, 4A, and 4B, the inflatable boat 100 further includes a sixth reinforcing strip 54, which is separately connected to the outer peripheral edge of the first surface 301, the outer peripheral edge of the second surface 302, and the sidewall 303 and is attached to an outer side of the outer peripheral edges and the sidewall 303.

A general assembly process for the inflatable boat 100 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 according to an embodiment of the present application.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, as an example, the top segment (i.e., the first top segment 2011 or the second top segment 2021) has a general aspect being wide in the middle and narrow at opposite ends (i.e., the top segment has a smaller width at two ends than in the middle in the longitudinal direction), and the top segment comprises a crescent-shaped arcuate structure as a whole. The two top segments 2011, 2021 on the two sides in the transverse direction (shown as direction “Y” in FIG. 1) are connected end to end, the two side segments 2012, 2022 are also connected end to end, the recessed edges of the top segments 2011, 2021 (i.e., the medial side edge 20112 of the first top segment 2011 and the medial side edge 20212 of the second top segment 2021) are connected to the side segment by hot-melt welding. In one aspect, the corresponding ends of the different segments, forming the walls of the inflatable tubes, are connected by overlapping one to the other. The other side edges of the side segments (i.e., the inferior side edge 20121 of the first side segment 2012 and the inferior side edge 20221 of the second side segment 2022) are connected to the base 10 (i.e., the other side edge 1012 of the first side portion 101 and the other side edge 1022 of the second side portion 102) by hot-melt welding, and a reinforcing strap (i.e., the second reinforcing strip 50) is placed across the weld seam (i.e., the connections between the side segment, the top segment and the base 10). The raised edges of the top segment (i.e., the lateral side edge 20111 of the first top segment 2011 and the lateral side edge 20211 of the second top segment 2021) are connected to one side edge (i.e., the side edge 1011 of the first side portion 101 and the side edge 1021 of the second side portion 102) of the base 10 to allow the inflatable tubes 211, 212 to respectively form sealed air chambers (i.e., the first air chamber 231 or the second air chamber 232). In addition, air valves are respectively provided on the two sides of the inflatable body in the transverse direction “Y” to form two independent air chambers (i.e., the first air chamber 231 and the second air chamber 232).

Continuing to refer to FIGS. 1 to 6, the embodiment of the present application includes the first tube segment 201, the second tube segment 202, the base 10 and the hatch cover sheets 40, the edges of the top segments (i.e., the first top segment 2011 and the second top segment 2012) are respectively lapped with the edges of the side segments (i.e., the first side segment 2021 and the second side segment 2022) and the edge of the base 10 to form the inflatable tubes (i.e., the first inflatable tube 211 and the second inflatable tube 212), and the first end portion 2111 and the second end portion 2112 of the first inflatable tube 211 are correspondingly connected to the first end portion 2121 and the second end portion 2122 of the second inflatable tube 212, respectively, to form the annular structure. The first side portion 101 and the second side portion 102 of the base 10 respectively serve as part of the air chambers 231, 232, and the outer peripheral edge of the base 10 is completely connected to the connected annular tube segments 201, 202.

With the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to prevent formation of openings and/or hollow structures at the two ends of the inflatable boat 100 in the longitudinal direction and thus prevent water from entering the inside (e.g., the vessel cavity 400) of the inflatable boat 100 from the outside of the inflatable boat 100 through the openings/hollow structures, so that as compared with a conventional inflatable boat (e.g., an inflatable canoe), the inflatable boat 100 according to the embodiment of the present application achieves water ingress prevention, has reduced dynamic drag, and has a more artistic appearance. Indeed, according to a solution of the current disclosure, the base 10 is part of the two inflatable tubes 211, 212, and the segments forming the inflatable tubes join at the bow and the stern. In this aspect, the base 10 becomes an integral part of the walls of the inflatable tubes 211, 212. In this way, the openings/hollows between the base 10 and the inflatable tubes 211, 212 are avoided.

In one implementation, on an upper side of the inflatable boat 100, the hatch cover sheet 40 is separately connected to the first top segment 2011 and the second top segment 2012 to form an open cavity. Compared with the conventional complicated machining process for hatch cover sheets, according to the embodiment of the present application, the hatch cover sheet 40 and the tube segments 201, 202 are regular in shape, so that the welding process may progress more expeditiously, which is conducive to improvement of the production efficiency and the yield of the inflatable boat 100.

The bottom (i.e., the central portion 103) of the inflatable boat 100 is provided with the drains 12, and the drain orifices 121 in the drain 12 can be open or closed. This aspect of the present application provides a solution to the problem that any undesired water that may enter the vessel cavity 400 of the inflatable boat 100 may be difficult to remove. As an example embodiment, the inflatable boat 100 is made of a material including a PVC composite material (such as PVC mesh fabric) or a TPU composite material (such as TPU mesh fabric), so that the inflatable boat 100 according to the embodiment of the present application is strong, light in weight, and easy to transport and carry.

In summary, the embodiments of the present application provide an inflatable boat 100 with improved water-blocking performance that has high strength, is environmentally friendly, and is convenient to transport and carry. As an example, the inflatable boat 100 according to the embodiments of the present application may be implemented in any one of inflatable kayaks, inflatable rafting boats, rubber boats, canoes and assault boats.

Although the present disclosure has been illustrated and described with reference to some preferred implementations of the present disclosure, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the above contents are further detailed descriptions for the present disclosure with reference to specific implementations, and it cannot be assumed that the specific implementations of the present disclosure are limited to these descriptions. Those skilled in the art can make various changes in form and details, including several simple deduction or substitutions, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Changes and modifications may be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. These and other changes or modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention, as expressed in the following claims.

INFLATABLE BOAT

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