Personalwatercraft

Abstract

A personal watercraft has a structure that provides for a hull (2) which extends from a bow zone (2a) to a stern zone (2b) and a support unit (3) which is fixed to the hull (2) and which includes tubular elements (6) which extend along the sides of the personal watercraft (1); the structure of the personal watercraft (1) further provides for a single removable deck (4) which defines a single large cavity accessible between the hull (2) and the removable deck (4), which extends from the bow zone (2a) to the stem zone (2b), configured to house a propulsion system (5); between the hull (2) and the removable deck (4) with the support unit (3) there is interposed a perimeter gasket (10) which allows the sealed closure of the cavity; the structure further provides for intermediate elements made of wear resistant material, intended to receive screw members for fixing the deck (4) to the hull (2) with the support unit (3) in a removable manner. Such personal watercraft reveals reliability and ease of maintenance.

Description

PERSONAL WATERCRAFTBackground of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a personal watercraft for the transportation of people on a water surface, in particular on the sea.State of the art

[0002] Personal watercrafts are known which are used, for example, for leisure purpose, competitions or for rescuing people.

[0003] Prior art personal watercrafts provide for a rigid body, made for example made of glass fibre or carbon fibre, inside which a propulsion system is mounted, for example a hydro-jet propulsion system provided with a nozzle which is orientable by means of a handlebar which permits turning. The body is obtained by non-removably coupling two parts, an upper and a lower part, which are glued or riveted together obtaining a hermetically sealed coupling that does not allow water to penetrate into the body, thus enabling it to stay afloat.

[0004] The upper part of prior art personal watercrafts has an inspection opening which enables access to the propulsion system arranged in the rigid body to carry out routine or special maintenance operations, for example on the propulsion system. The inspection opening is closed by means of a lid hinged to the body which can be opened to allow maintenance operations. The upper part further comprises a seat and the handlebar which drives the orientable nozzle.

[0005] Prior art personal watercrafts have high speeds and great agility. However, they reveal various drawbacks and limits.

[0006] One limit of personal watercrafts of the known type lies in their poor reliability. As a matter of fact, in the event of damage to the body, for example due to impacts with rocks or other watercrafts, prior art personal watercrafts easily risk sinking.

[0007] Another limit arises from the long repair times in the event of damage to the body. As a matter of fact, in order to repair the damaged body, the non-removably fixed parts of the body have to be separated, the damaged parts have to be repaired or replaced and the repaired or replaced parts have to be non-removably fixed. It is clear that separating and non- removably fixing such body parts, for example by means of glue or rivets, is complex and expensive in terms of time, manpower used and costs. Furthermore, the non-removable coupling of the body parts following repair does not always guarantee a tight seal which enables the personal watercraft to stay afloat.

[0008] A further limit lies in the difficulty to carry out routine or special maintenance operations. As a matter of fact, the inspection opening required for operating on the propulsion system is narrow and it does not guarantee a space and appropriate lighting to the operator who has to perform the maintenance. Therefore, maintenance operations are inconvenient and difficult.Object of the invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is to improve personal watercrafts of the known type.

[0010] Another object is to provide a personal watercraft which is capable of overcoming one or more of the limits of the prior art mentioned above.

[0011] A further object is to provide a personal watercraft which is reliable, stable in the water both in a stationary and low speed position and which is capable of ensuring staying afloat also following damage to the body.

[0012] A further object is to provide a personal watercraft which is easy to repair.

[0013] A further object is to provide a personal watercraft in which maintenance operations can be carried out easily.Brief description of the invention

[0014] These and other objects are attained by means of a personal watercraft as specified in the first claim appended to the present description.Brief description of the drawings

[0015] The invention will be clearer with reference to the to the attached drawings which show an exemplifying and non-limiting embodiment, thereof, wherein:Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a personal watercraft according to the present invention;Figure 2 shows an exploded axonometric view of a personal watercraft according to the present invention;Figure 3 shows a vertical elevation lateral view of the personal watercraft according to the present invention;Figure 4 shows a perspective view of two unassembled components of the personal watercraft of figure 1 ;Figure 5 shows a vertical elevation lateral view of the personal watercraft of figure 1 in which some components have been removed to better show others;Figure 6 shows an enlarged detail of figure 5;Figure 7 shows a sectional view taken along the axis VII- VII of figure 5;Figure 8 shows an enlarged detail of figure 7;Figure 9 shows an exploded lateral view of some components of the personal watercraft according to the present invention;Figure 10 shows a sectional view taken along the axis X-X of figure 9;Figure 11 shows an enlarged detail of figure 10;Figure 12 shows a sectional perspective view of the detail of Fig. 8 in which some components are shown transparency to better show others;Figure 13 shows a perspective view of a component of the personal watercraft;Figure 14 shows a perspective view of some components of the personal watercraft.Detailed description of the invention

[0016] The personal watercraft shown, indicated generally with 1, has a structure which provides for a hull 2 which extends from a bow zone 2a (front zone of the personal watercraft) to a stern zone 2b (rear zone of the personal watercraft).

[0017] Furthermore, the hull 2 has sides 2c which extend from the bow zone 2a to the stern zone 2b.

[0018] The hull 2 is configured to come into contact with the water during use of the personal watercraft.

[0019] The structure of the personal watercraft 1 has a support unit 3 fixed to the hull 2 Thew support unit 3 may be fixed to the bow zone 2a, to the stem zone 2b and to the sides 2c. In particular, the support unit 3 surrounds the perimeter edge of the hull 2 in an integrally joined fashion.

[0020] The support unit 3 is non-removably fixed to the hull 2, for example by means of glue.

[0021] The support unit 3 provides for tubular elements 6 which extend along the sides 2c. In particular, the tubular elements 6 are fixed to the support unit 3. More particularly, the tubular elements 6 are non-removably fixed to the support unit 3, for example they are glued to the support unit 3.

[0022] According to the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, the personal watercraft 1 has two tubular elements 6, each arranged on each side 2c.

[0023] Each tubular element 6 extends from a front end 6a to a rear end 6b. The front end 6a is arranged near the bow zone 2a. The rear end 6b is arranged near the stern zone 2b.

[0024] The structure of the personal watercraft 1 has a removable deck 4. The removable deck 4 is made in a single piece which extends from the bow zone 2a to the stem zone 2b. Furthermore, the removable deck 4 extends over the entire zone comprised between each side 2c, that is over the entire zone comprised between the tubular elements 6.

[0025] The removable deck 4 is removably coupled to the hull 2 and to the support unit 3. In particular, the removable deck 4 is coupled to the hull 2 with the support unit 3 (that is coupled to the assembly comprising the hull 2 and the support unit 3) by means of an set of screw coupling units 9.1 and 9.2 with interposition of an annular gasket 10, shown in Fig. 2, 8 and 12, which extends along the entire perimeter of the personal watercraft 1 and which allows the sealed closure of a cavity defined between the hull 2 and the removable deck 4.

[0026] As shown, the removable deck 4 is particularly coupled to the assembly formed by the hull 2 and by the support unit 3. More in particular, the support unit 3 is interposed between the removable deck 4 and the hull 2.

[0027] In particular, the gasket 10 is arranged on the support unit 3 so as to be interposed between, and in contact with, the support unit 3 and the removable deck 4 so as to allow a sealed closure of the cavity. More particularly, the gasket 10 is arranged along an inner perimeter edge of the support unit 3. Even more particularly, the inner perimeter edge is the portion of the support unit 3 closest to the removable deck 4 when the latter is coupled to the hull 2 with the support unit 3.

[0028] The coupling units 9.1 are arranged at the bow zone 2a and the stern zone 2b of the personal watercraft 1.

[0029] The coupling units 9.2 are arranged at the lateral zones of the personal watercraft, that is along the sides of the personal watercraft.

[0030] Each screw coupling unit 9.1 provides for a bolt 9a, an intermediate fixing block 9b made of wear resistant material and multiple screws 9c. The intermediate fixing block 9b is fixed to the support unit 3 and a short section of the deck 4 is removably constrained thereto. The intermediate fixing block 9b is fixed to the support unit 3 by means of two screws 9c. The removable deck 4 is in turn fixed to the intermediate fixing block 9b by means of a bolt 9a which passes through the deck 4 and the intermediate fixing block 9b. The intermediate fixing block 9b is prismatic- shaped, in particular parallelepiped-shaped. In an assembled configuration, the axis of the bolt 9a extends transversely to the axes of the screws 9c.

[0031] Each screw coupling unit 9.2 provides for several bolts 9a, an intermediate fixing bar 9b’ made of wear resistant material and multiple screws 9c. The intermediate fixing bar 9bis fixed to the support unit 3 and a long section of the deck 4 is removably constrained thereto. The intermediate fixing bar 9b’ is fixed to the support unit 3 by means of several screws 9c. The removable deck 4 is in turn fixed to the intermediate fixing bar 9b’ by means of bolts 9a which pass through the deck 4 and the intermediate bar 9b’. The intermediate fixing bar 9b’ has a quadrangular section. In an assembled configuration, the axes of the bolts 9a extend transversely to the axes of the screws 9c.

[0032] In the example shown herein there are provided for two intermediate fixing bars 9b’, one for each side of the personal watercraft 1.

[0033] The number of bolts 9a and screws 9c may vary depending on the needs.

[0034] Polyoxymethylene, which is light and resistant, can be used as wear resistant material for the intermediate fixing blocks 9b and the fixing bars 9b’.

[0035] However, other materials could be used.

[0036] Generally, equivalent screw fixing systems can be used.

[0037] Alternatively, the intermediate fixing blocks 9b and the intermediate fixing bars 9b’ may be incorporated to the support unit 3 or non-removably fixed to the support unit 3.

[0038] Along the removable deck 4 there may be arranged drilled longitudinal plates 11 which house the bolts 9a. In particular, as shown in Fig.l, the longitudinal plates 11 are arranged between the bolts 9a and the removable deck 4 along the sides of the personal watercraft. Such longitudinal plates 11 perform both an aesthetic function and a reinforcing function for the connection and they may for example be metal plates.

[0039] The removable deck 4 is therefore coupled to the hull 2 and to the support unit 3 so as to define a large cavity accessible between the hull 2 and the removable deck 4. Such cavity is configured to house a propulsion system 5. For example, the propulsion system 5 provides for a hydro-jet motor which can be directed by means of a steering wheel 7.

[0040] The support unit 3 further provides for a protection element 3a arranged in the bow zone 2a. The protection element 3a provides for a curved tubular- shaped hollow structure, in particular shaped like a substantially toroidal sector, which at least partially covers the bow zone 2a of the hull 2. The protection element 3 a further covers the front end 6a of the tubular elements 6. In particular, the front end 6a of the tubular elements 6 is arranged in the protection element 3a. More particularly, the front end 6a is arranged in the hollo structure of the protection element 3 a.

[0041] The support unit 3 provides for profiled section elements 3b, in particular two profiled section elements 3b each of which extends along the respective side 2c of the hull 2and therefore of the personal watercraft 1. In particular, each profiled section element 3b extends on the respective side 2c to support the respective tubular element 6. The protection element 3a may be fixed to the profiled section elements 3b. The profiled section elements 3b may further extend around the bow zone 2a to support the protection element 3a.

[0042] The tubular elements 6 are fixed to the support unit 3, in particular to each profiled section element 3b. More particularly, the tubular elements 6 are non-removably fixed to the respective profiled section element 3b, for example they are glued to the profiled section element 3b.

[0043] Each profiled section element 3b has a curved surface, in particular concave, configured to support the tubular elements 6. In other words, a curved surface which wraps around at least one portion of the tubular elements 6.

[0044] Each profiled section element 3b, is arranged below the respective tubular element 6 and it covers a lower surface of the tubular element preventing it from being potentially damaged in case of impact with sharp bodies, such as for example rocks.

[0045] In the example, the tubular elements 6 are tubular elements of the inflatable type. In particular, the tubular elements 6 have an inflatable air chamber. Alternatively, each tubular element 6 may have several air chambers.

[0046] In the illustrated non-limiting embodiment, the tubular elements 6 have a substantially circular section whose diameter decreases along the direction from the front end 6a to the rear end 6b.

[0047] The removable deck 4 comprises a seat 8, in particular removably fixed thereto.

[0048] An instrument panel and the handlebar 7 is further fixed to the removable deck 4. Furthermore, the handlebar is provided with actuation levers for actuating the propulsion system 5.

[0049] A front portion 4a of the removable deck 4, in particular closer to said bow zone 2a, may be removably fixed to the protection element 3a. In particular, the front portion 4a of the removable deck 4 covers an upper portion of the covering element 3 a.

[0050] The materials used for manufacturing personal watercrafts according to the present invention may be selected according to specific needs.

[0051] In particular, the hull 2, the removable deck 4 and the support element 3 may be made of a material comprising one or more of glass fibre, carbon fibre, fibre reinforced with plastic, aluminium or other material appropriate for contact with water and provided with appropriate rigidity.

[0052] The tubular elements 6 may be made of neoprene.

[0053] In the light of the above, it is clear that the shown personal watercraft attains the pre- established objects.

[0054] Such personal watercraft is reliable, and it can guarantee the staying afloat even after the body has been damaged. As a matter of fact, the presence of the tubular elements, even after the hull has been damaged, ensures that the personal watercraft stays afloat. Furthermore, thanks to the presence of the support element, and in particular thanks to the profiled section elements and the protection element, the tubular elements are protected from accidental impacts, for example from impacts against rocks or other watercrafts, which could damage the tubular elements.

[0055] Should the tubular elements be damaged, the sealingly closed cavity, formed by the hull 2 and by the removable deck 4, forms a further chamber that allows the personal watercraft to stay afloat.

[0056] Such personal watercraft is easy to repair and easy to assemble. As a matter of fact, the removable deck, made in a single piece, removably fixed to the hull and to the support unit, allows to assemble the personal watercraft in a simple and quick manner, without the need to apply glues or rivets. Furthermore, should there arise the need to disassemble the removable deck and hull, for example to replace one of the two components following damage, the removable coupling facilitates such operation with a resulting decrease in work time and costs.

[0057] Still, the deck which is removably fixed, for example by threaded coupling, allows to facilitate routine or special maintenance operations. As a matter of fact, the removable deck can be removed in a simple and quick manner for access to the propulsion system. Removing the entire removable deck enables the operator to operate in wide spaces without limits on movements and with appropriate lighting.

[0058] The intermediate fixing elements of the wear resistant material, in the example formed by blocks 9b and by the intermediate bars 9b’, allow to open and close the deck a large number of times without jeopardising the sealing of the large internal cavity.

[0059] The tubular elements confer to the personal watercraft great stability in water whether stationary or at low speed.

[0060] Alternatively to the two tubular elements 6 there may be provided for a substantially U-shaped single tubular element which slides without interruption along the sides and the bow of the personal watercraft.

[0061] Alternatively to the profiled section elements, there may be provided for a single profiled section element, for example substantially U-shaped, which slides without interruption along the sides and the bow of the personal watercraft. One or more tubular elements may be fixed to such profiled section element.

[0062] Alternatively, there may also be provided for more than two tubular elements arranged in any appropriate manner along the sides and the bow of the personal watercraft.

[0063] The cross-section of the tubular elements may vary in any suitable manner over the entire or part of the extension of the tubular element.

[0064] The wear resistant intermediate fixing elements may have a configuration different from the one shown in the example, although the configuration shown in the example is effective.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Personal watercraft having a structure comprising a hull (2) which extends from a bow zone (2a) to a stem zone (2b) and a support unit (3) fixed on said hull (2), said support unit (3) comprising tubular elements (6) extending along said sides (2c), characterised in that said structure comprises a single removable deck (4) extending from said bow zone (2a) to said stern zone (2b), wherein said hull (2) with said support unit (3) and said removable deck (4) define a single large cavity between said hull (2) and said removable deck (4) extending from said bow zone (2a) to said stem zone (2b), housing a propulsion system (5), wherein between said removable deck (4) and said hull (2) with said support unit (3) there is interposed a perimeter gasket (10) which allows a sealed closure of said cavity, wherein said structure further provides for intermediate elements (9b, 9b’) made of wear resistant material, intended to receive screw fixing members (9a) which allow to mutually constrain, release and constrain again said deck (4) and said hull (2) with said support unit (3) maintaining the sealed closure of the cavity in the new constraint.

2. Personal watercraft (1) according to claim 1, wherein said intermediate elements made of wear resistant material are formed by blocks (9b) arranged at the bow and stem zones of the personal watercraft (1) and by bars (9b’) arranged at the sides of the personal watercraft.

3. Personal watercraft according to claim 2, wherein said blocks (9b) and said bars (9b’) are fixed to said support unit (3).

4. Personal watercraft (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said support unit (3) comprises a protection element (3a) arranged in said bow zone (2a), said tubular elements (6) comprising a front end (6a) arranged in said protection element (3 a).

5. Personal watercraft (1) according to claim 4, wherein said protection element (3a) comprises a curved tubular-shaped hollow structure which covers said bow zone (2a) and said front portion (6a) of said tubular elements (6).

6. Personal watercraft (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said support unit (3) comprises profiled section elements (3b) which extend along each of said sides (2c) to support said tubular elements (6).

7. Personal watercraft (1) according to claim 6, wherein said profiled section elements (3b) comprise a curved surface configured to support the tubular elements (6).

8. Personal watercraft (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said tubular elements (6) are non-removably fixed to said support unit (3).

9. Personal watercraft (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said tubular elements (6) are of the inflatable type.

10. Personal watercraft (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein said tubular elements (6) comprise a substantially circular section whose diameter decreases along a direction from said front end (6a) to a rear end (6b), opposite to said front end (6a), of each of said tubular elements (6).

11. Personal watercraft (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said screw fixing members are formed by bolts (9a).

12. Personal watercraft (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said wear resistant material is polyoxymethylene.

13. Personal watercraft (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising drilled longitudinal plates (11) which house said screw fixing members (9a).

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