Foldable boat

Abstract

The foldable kayak may include a single piece hull including a plurality of fold lines along which the hull is foldable. A removable floorboard lines the mid-hull section of the hull between the bow and stern sections, the floorboard being configured to be releasably retained by a pair of outboard walls including seating assemblies and permanently secured at the port and starboard sides of the cockpit. The stern section of the hull is permanently folded into a V-shaped (also known as a swallow-tailed) configuration to form a closed transom of the kayak. The bow, stern, and mid-hull sections are configured as a tri-fold such that the bow and stern sections of the kayak are foldable relative to one another and overlap the mid-hull section of the hull when folded.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] cross reference The following applications and documents: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 314,298, filed February 25, 2022, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

[0002] Field FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for foldable watercraft, and in particular to foldable kayaks. [Background technology]

[0003] introduction Kayaks and other lightweight personal watercraft are popular for recreational use on rivers, lakes, oceans, and other suitable locations. Foldable watercraft may be convenient in at least some cases, particularly due to their ease of transport and storage. For example, a foldable kayak may be folded into a relatively small configuration when not in use on the water. In the folded state, a foldable kayak is less cumbersome to transport and requires less space to store than a conventional kayak. Various aspects of the design of a foldable kayak affect the ease of assembly of the kayak, the robustness of the assembled kayak, and the stability of the kayak in various types of use. The types of use may include, for example, kayaking with various numbers of occupants or kayaking for activities requiring use and / or storage of equipment (e.g., photography, fishing, hunting, etc.). Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides systems, devices, and methods relating to foldable watercraft.

[0005] In some embodiments, a foldable kayak may include a continuous sheet forming a hull having a bow portion, a mid-hull portion, and a stern portion, the hull including a plurality of living hinges along which the hull is foldable, at least one of the hull living hinges having a bow-to-stern orientation in the mid-hull portion; and a removable floorboard disposed in the mid-hull portion of the hull, the floorboard configured to fold only at one or more folds oriented in a respective transverse direction.

[0006] In some embodiments, a foldable kayak may include a continuous sheet forming a single piece hull having a bow section, amidships section, and aft sections, the hull including a plurality of fold lines along which the hull is foldable, at least one of the hull fold lines having a longitudinal orientation; and foldable floorboards disposed in the amidships section of the hull, the foldable floorboards configured to fold only at one or more respective transversely oriented folds, the foldable floorboards extending across the entire width of the hull floor such that the foldable floorboards are configured to fold inwardly against each other in the amidships section.

[0007] The features, functions, and advantages may be achieved independently in various embodiments of the present disclosure or may be combined in yet other embodiments, further details of which can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary foldable ship in an unfolded state. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a top view of the foldable boat of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a top view of the bow section of the ship of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a top view of the aft portion of the vessel of FIG. [Diagram 5]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a partially assembled transom of the vessel of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the partially assembled transom of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the assembled transom of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the aft section of FIG. 4 showing the transom of FIG. 5. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the aft section of FIG. 4 showing the transom of FIG. 5. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view of the aft section of FIG. 4 showing the transom of FIG. 5. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the cockpit of the collapsible vessel of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of the cockpit floor and sidewall of FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a portion of the floor plate and side wall of FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the vessel of FIG. 1 in a partially folded state, illustrating exemplary steps of folding from the deployed state to the stowed state. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the vessel of FIG. 1 in a partially folded state, illustrating exemplary steps of folding from the deployed state to the stowed state. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the vessel of FIG. 1 in a partially folded state, illustrating exemplary steps of folding from the deployed state to the stowed state. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the vessel of FIG. 1 in a partially folded state, illustrating exemplary steps of folding from the deployed state to the stowed state. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the vessel of FIG. 1 in a partially folded state, illustrating exemplary steps of folding from the deployed state to the stowed state. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the vessel of FIG. 1 in a partially folded state, illustrating exemplary steps of folding from the deployed state to the stowed state. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the vessel of FIG. 1 in a partially folded state, illustrating exemplary steps of folding from the deployed state to the stowed state. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the vessel of FIG. 1 in a stowed configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Various aspects and examples of the foldable vessel and related methods are described below and illustrated in the associated drawings. Unless otherwise indicated, the vessel and / or various components thereof according to the present teachings may include at least one of the structures, components, functions, and / or variations described, illustrated, and / or incorporated herein. Furthermore, unless specifically excluded, the process steps, structures, components, functions, and / or variations described, illustrated, and / or incorporated herein in connection with the present teachings may be included in other similar devices and methods, including interchangeable among the disclosed embodiments. The following description of various examples is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses in any way. Furthermore, the advantages provided by the examples and embodiments described below are exemplary in nature, and not all examples and embodiments provide the same advantages or the same degree of advantages.

[0010] This detailed description includes the following sections, which immediately follow: (1) Definitions; (2) Overview; (3) Examples, Components, and Options; (4) Advantages, Features, and Benefits; and (5) Conclusion. The Examples, Components, and Options sections are further divided into subsections, each of which is appropriately labeled.

[0011] definition Unless otherwise stated, the following definitions apply herein.

[0012] "Comprise," "including," and "having" (and their conjugations) are used interchangeably and are open-ended terms that mean inclusive but not necessarily limited, and are not intended to exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

[0013] The terms "first," "second," and "third," etc. are used to distinguish or distinguish various members of a group, etc., and are not intended to denote a sequence or numerical limitation.

[0014] "AKA" means "also known as" and may be used to indicate alternative or corresponding terms for a given element or elements.

[0015] "Elongated" or "elongated" refers to an object or aperture having a length greater than its width, although the width need not be uniform. For example, an elongated slot may be oval or stadium shaped, and an elongated candlestick may have a height greater than its tapered diameter. As a counter example, a circular aperture is not considered an elongated aperture.

[0016] Terms such as "inboard", "outboard", "forward", "aft" and the like are intended to be understood in the context of a vessel and / or a host vessel to which the system described herein may be mounted or otherwise attached. For example, "outboard" may indicate a relative position laterally away from or a direction away from the vessel's centerline. Conversely, "inboard" may indicate a direction toward or a relative position closer to the centerline. Similarly, "forward" and "bow" mean toward the forward part (e.g., bow) of the vessel, and "stern" means toward the rear (e.g., stern) of the vessel. In the absence of a host vessel, the same directional terms may be used as if a vessel were present. For example, even when viewed in isolation, a device may have a "forward" edge by virtue of the device being installed with that edge facing in the direction of the bow of the host vessel.

[0017] "Coupled" means permanently or releasably connected, directly or indirectly through intervening components.

[0018] "Elastic" describes a material or structure that is configured to respond to normal operating loads (e.g., when compressed) by elastically deforming and returning to its original shape or position when the load is removed.

[0019] "Rigid" describes a material or structure that is constructed to be hard, non-deformable, or substantially lacking in flexibility under normal operating conditions.

[0020] "Resilient" describes a material or structure that is configured to spontaneously return to its previous shape after being stretched or unfolded.

[0021] "Providing" in the context of a method may include receiving, obtaining, acquiring, manufacturing, generating, processing, pre-processing, etc., so that the object or material provided is in a state and configuration for other steps to be performed.

[0022] In this disclosure, one or more publications, patents, and / or patent applications may be incorporated by reference. However, such materials are incorporated only to the extent that there is no conflict between the incorporated materials and the descriptions and drawings set forth herein. In the event of any such conflict, including any conflict in terminology, the present disclosure will control.

[0023] Overview In general, a foldable watercraft according to the present teachings comprises a single piece sheet having a plurality of predetermined folds (also known as living hinges) along which the sheet is foldable to form a hull. The watercraft is configured to transition between a stored state and an deployed (or assembled) state by folding or unfolding along a plurality of predetermined folds or crease lines. In the stored state, the foldable sheet of the watercraft can form a self-contained, portable carrying case that is more convenient for transportation than a conventional watercraft. In the deployed state, the foldable sheet forms the body (e.g., hull, deck, and / or sides) of the watercraft. The body includes a mid-body portion of the watercraft that defines a cockpit. Although other watercraft forms (such as a canoe) may be utilized, the example shown and described herein is in the shape of a kayak.

[0024] The aft end of the foldable seat is permanently folded into a forked (also known as swallowtail) configuration to form a closed transom of the kayak. The foldable seat is thus configured such that the transom of the vessel at least generally retains its shape in both the deployed and stowed states. In some examples, the kayak includes a fairing (e.g., a rigid fairing, a tape fairing, etc.) configured to cover portions of the bow and stern, e.g., to protect the vessel from damage.

[0025] The foldable kayak of the present disclosure includes at least one floorboard releasably coupleable to the cockpit. When installed, the floorboard provides structural support to the kayak and supports one or more passenger seats. The floorboard is configured to fit under a pair of outer integral walls of the cockpit. The outer walls of the cockpit are configured to be permanently attached, for example, to a beam of the midships of the watercraft. In some examples, the watercraft may include more than one floorboard, either the same or different.

[0026] The floorboards are folded into (e.g., three) sections along creases oriented side-to-side (i.e., alongside or across the hull) and the foam sheets are secured (e.g., permanently) to the floorboards (e.g., with screws or rivets).

[0027] In some examples, a reinforced edge portion may be coupled to the foldable sheet and configured to form a portion of the ship's edge. The reinforced edge may be configured to stiffen the cockpit and / or increase the freeboard of the ship compared to other designs.

[0028] As mentioned above, the foldable watercraft may be a kayak. In some embodiments, the foldable watercraft may comprise a canoe, a rowing boat, a raft or rafting boat, and / or any other suitable non-motorized or motorized watercraft.

[0029] Examples, components, and options The following sections describe an example vessel, as well as selected aspects of related systems and / or methods. The examples in these sections are intended to be illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure. Each section may include one or more individual embodiments or examples, and / or contextual or related information, functionality, and / or structure.

[0030] A. Exemplary collapsible vessel As shown in Figures 1-21, this section describes an exemplary foldable kayak 100, which is an example of the foldable watercraft described above. The kayak 100 is configured to be transitionable between an unfolded configuration and a contained box configuration. In the unfolded configuration, a rigid monocoque structure is formed by a three-dimensional folding pattern. Figure 1 depicts the kayak 100 in an unfolded configuration, with the foldable seat 110 folded into the kayak body 112 (also known as the hull).

[0031] The foldable sheet 110 is made of a sturdy material suitable for unfolding in water, such as a corrugated and / or honeycomb polypropylene and / or polyethylene hollow core sheet, although other waterproof resilient materials may be used. The folded sheet 110 includes a plurality of predefined fold lines 114, also referred to as creases or living hinges. The fold lines 114 comprise creases along which the foldable sheet 110 is configured to fold. The foldable sheet 110 is configured to be assembled (e.g., to form the kayak 100) by folding along the fold lines 114. In the assembled state (also known as the unfolded state), the foldable sheet 110 forms the body 112 (also referred to as the hull) of the kayak 100.

[0032] 1, the kayak 100 has a forward or bow section 116, an aft or stern section 118, and a mid-hull section 120 extending between the bow and stern sections. The bow and stern sections 116, 118 each include a first deck panel 122 and a second deck panel 124 opposite the corresponding first deck panel 122.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 2-4, when the kayak 100 is in an unfolded state, the first deck panel 122 and the second deck panel 124 are joined at both the bow and stern portions such that the second deck panel 124 at least partially overlaps the first deck panel 122. Straps and buckles attached to the first and second deck panels are utilized to releasably secure the deck panels. To help provide the overlap, the first deck portion 122 is longer than the second deck portion 124. The overlap of the second deck panel and the first deck panel allows each of the bow and stern portions of the kayak to be formed without precise alignment of the edges of the foldable seat 110, thereby facilitating assembly of the kayak, and the overlap also helps form a watertight seal therebetween.

[0034] The mid-hull portion 120 includes a pair of opposing amid-hull sides 126, 128 that define a cockpit 130 therebetween. The amid-hull sides 126, 128 each include a amid-hull outer panel 132 (see FIG. 1), a mid-hull edge panel 134, and a joined cockpit sidewall 136 (see FIGS. 11, 12) connected to the amid-hull edge panel. In an assembled state, the outer panel 132 forms the outer wall of the kayak hull, the edge panel 134 forms the edge of the kayak, and the cockpit sidewall 136 is oriented vertically, perpendicular to the cockpit floor 138. The sidewall 136 may be joined or secured (e.g., permanently) to the foldable seat 110, for example, using screws, rivets, or welding. The cockpit sidewall 136 is configured to hold the floorboards of the kayak, as described in more detail below (see FIGS. 11, 12). A resilient edge joint 130 may be disposed along the connection between a mid-hull edge panel 134 and a cockpit sidewall 136 .

[0035] 5-10, the transom 140 of the stern 118 is shown to be permanently closed in a folded V-shaped (also known as a fork / swallowtail) configuration. In other words, the centerline of the transom is located further forward than the transom's outboard edge. This configuration provides a tight, visually distinct closure and advantageously provides a waterproof finish to the aft portion of the kayak without the need for additional coverings and / or fairings that may be subject to wear and tear and require additional assembly steps.

[0036] 5-7, the swallowtail fold configuration of the transom 140 is formed by folding two triangular portions 142 of the foldable seat inwardly. The two folded portions are then secured to one another using fasteners 144 to form a V-shaped transom. By forming the transom 140 in this manner, the width of the stern 118 can remain fixed (i.e., cannot fold / change) when transitioning to the stowed configuration, thereby providing additional structure when in the stowed configuration.

[0037] 8 and 9, when assembled into the deployed configuration, the two triangular darts 145 of the first deck panel 122 and the second deck panel 124 of the aft section 118 will match the edge of the folded transom 140. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a strap 146 is utilized to fasten the bottom rear corner 148 of the kayak to a connection point 150 on the second deck panel 124. In some examples, the bottom rear corner 148 has a piece of protective material 152 disposed thereon to provide additional support to the straps, as well as protect the hull from external damage, such as dragging the kayak on land. The fastening strap 146 has the effect of tightly aligning the triangular dart 144 with the V-shaped transom 140. In some examples, a plastic, rubber, or foam profile may be used at the interface of the triangular dart 144 and the transom 140 to create a more watertight seal.

[0038] 11-13, kayak 100 includes a floor panel 154 having a seating assembly 156. Seat assembly 156 includes a seat back 158 and a seat support surface 160 such that an occupant can sit on seating surface 160 and lean against seat back 158. Seating surface 160 may include any cushioned or non-cushioned surface suitable for supporting an occupant in a seated position.

[0039] Respective straps 162 are attached to the port and starboard sides of the seat back 158 and are coupled to the hull (e.g., by sewing, screws, adhesives, rivets, and / or other fasteners). The straps 162 thus help to hold the seat assembly together as well as provide tension aside the cockpit. In some instances, another suitable seating surface may be used, such as a raised bench, spider web slings, etc.

[0040] The floor panel 154 may comprise any material suitable for supporting one or more kayakers and providing structure to the cockpit of the kayak. In some examples, the floor panel 154 comprises a corrugated sheet of a suitable thermoplastic polymer, such as heavy duty corrugated polypropylene. In some examples, the floor panel 154 has a thickness in the range of 5 millimeters (mm) to 15 mm. In some examples, the floor panel 500 is 8 mm to 10 mm thick.

[0041] The floorboard 154 is configured to fold along crease lines 166, 168 to provide rigidity and for compact storage in the stowed state. Both the orientation of the crease lines 166, 168 and the folded topology contribute to these features. In general, the floorboard is a key element of many kayaks because it helps distribute the rower's weight and also reinforces the cockpit area, which is usually the weakest part of the kayak monocoque due to being a large opening in the structure. Additionally, the floorboard facilitates attachment (e.g., with screws or rivets) of seats, straps, fasteners, etc., without hull penetration, which can lead to vulnerability to leaks.

[0042] Previously known designs of folding kayaks include folds in the floorboard that are oriented along the length of the kayak (i.e., parallel to the long axis of the monocoque). This orientation is required by these known designs to facilitate the transformation of the kayak into a box. In other words, the orientation of the folds in the floorboard is generally the same as the orientation of the folds in the hull so that the overall structure can be folded into a reduced configuration for storage. Unfortunately, this can result in a weakness in the structure, especially when the paddler sits on the floorboard inside the kayak, as the weight of the paddler tends to deform both the floorboard and the bottom of the kayak, resulting in an approximately "U" or "V" shaped bottom. This shape is undesirable with respect to the stability of the kayak. Another disadvantage of known designs is that the padded seat must be removed before folding the kayak into a box, since the paddled seat does not usually have a fold line along the length of the hull.

[0043] In contrast, the floorboard 154 of the kayak 100 is configured to fold along fold lines 166, 168 oriented side-to-side (i.e., across or across the hull). Thus, the seats can be secured (e.g., permanently) to the floorboard (e.g., with screws or rivets). The floorboard may comprise a thick corrugated or honeycomb plastic panel (e.g., polypropylene or polyethylene) that can be folded repeatedly without weakening. When in the kayak configuration, the floorboard 154 is positioned with the front fold line 166 flat and the aft fold line 168 folded up, as shown in FIG. 11.

[0044] The aft fold 168 provides added rigidity to the seating and cockpit area. Additionally, as discussed above, the floorboard folds are generally oriented perpendicular to the long axis of the kayak to provide resistance / prevention to flexing under the weight of the occupants and result in a flat, stable configuration for the bottom of the hull. Additionally, the additional rigidity provided by this configuration eliminates the need for bulkheads or other structural reinforcement.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 12, the floorboard 154 is inserted into the kayak hull with the kayak deck open and unfastened, allowing the cockpit area to be wider than it would be in the fully assembled configuration. This allows the floorboard to slide into the gap 170 at the bottom of the sidewall 136 between the lower edge of the sidewall 136 and the cockpit floor 138, preventing the floorboard from rising upwards when assembly is complete. Furthermore, after all of the kayak straps are tightened, the gap 170 is tightened, creating a friction fit between the sidewall 136 and the floorboard 154. Thus, the floorboard is held in place by the sidewalls on either side of the kayak cockpit. In some examples, the sidewall 136 may have a layer of reinforcing material at the bottom edge to further help hold the floorboard.

[0046] 13, the rear or stern edge 172 of each sideboard is angled (i.e., not vertical) to correspond to the angle of the rear section 174 of the floorboard 154 when installed. A notch 178 may be formed in each side of the rear section 174 of the floorboard 154 to accommodate the fold 176 in the kayak hull. A piece of rigid trim 180 may be attached aft of the rear section 174 of the floorboard 154 to provide additional reinforcing strength. The trim 180 may comprise plastic, metal, or other suitable rigid material.

[0047] The floorboard may be further secured in place by an adjustable strap 182 that spans the cockpit, for example, just behind the rear section 174 of the floorboard (see FIG. 2). The fastening strap 182 holds the sides of the cockpit together and draws the rear section 174 of the floorboard 154 tight against the beveled edge 172 of the sideboard, locking the entire system securely in place. In some examples, protruding screws, nuts, or spacers are inserted into the ends of the plastic or metal trim to provide an additional locking mechanism.

[0048] To fold the kayak into a stowed configuration, the kayak deck is opened by unbuckling all of the straps. The floorboard / seat assembly is then removed as a single piece. The two folds of the floorboard are folded onto each other and the seat back is folded onto the seat bottom. The two flaps of the floorboard may be joined together (e.g., by straps, snaps, or a hook-and-loop system) to create a closed package with a triangular cross-section.

[0049] To fully fold the kayak into a stowed configuration, the folded floorboard / seat package can then be attached (e.g., using two straps, snaps, or hook-and-loop fasteners) to the sides of the cockpit and the kayak shell can then be folded (see Figures 14-20 and corresponding description below). In some instances, the folded floorboard / seat package fits snugly within corresponding triangular spaces in the folded kayak box, for example between the various creases and side walls of the kayak shell.

[0050] Figures 14-20 depict various stages of the kayak 100 during its transition to a stowed state. First, the user releases all straps / fastenings and removes removable components such as the floorboard 154. This places the kayak 100 in a partially folded state. As shown in Figure 14, the aft section 118 is folded along fold line 115 onto the mid-hull section 120 as indicated by the arrows. As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the aft section 118 is folded by pushing downward along fold line 119 as indicated by the arrows. This causes the aft deck panels 122 and 124 to fold inward.

[0051] As shown in Figure 17, the bow section 116 is then folded, as indicated by the arrows, towards the mid-hull section 120 and over the stern section 118. As shown in Figure 18, the bow section 120 is folded by pushing the fold line 123 downward, as indicated by the arrows. The bow of the kayak is then left protruding upward, as shown in Figure 19. Finally, as shown in Figure 20, the kayak 100 can be folded laterally (i.e., perpendicular to the long axis of the kayak) to form a portable box 200.

[0052] 21 is a front isometric view of the kayak 100 in a folded or stowed state. In the stowed state, the foldable seat 110 takes the shape of a generally rectilinear box 200 or rectangular prism. The box 200 has two opposing sides 204 from which the foldable seat 110 may protrude slightly, and two opposing folded sides 206. The folded sides 206 correspond to the folded portions of the mid-hull section 120.

[0053] Two pairs of straps 208 located on the top of the box 200 can be tightened (e.g., buckled) together to further secure the foldable sheet 110 in the folded state. The straps can be buckled together with the straps in a slack state and then tightened to compress the box 200 into a more compact size.

[0054] B. Illustrative Combinations and Further Examples This section describes further aspects and features of the foldable ship, presented without limitation as a series of paragraphs, some or all of which may be designated in alphanumeric order for clarity and efficiency. Each of these paragraphs may be combined in any suitable manner with one or more of the other paragraphs and / or with the disclosure elsewhere in this application. Some of the following paragraphs explicitly refer to and further qualify other paragraphs, providing, without limitation, some examples of suitable combinations.

[0055] A1. a continuous sheet forming a hull having a bow section, amidships section, and aft sections, the hull including a plurality of living hinges about which the hull is foldable, at least one of the hull living hinges having a bow-to-stern orientation at the amidships section; and a removable floorboard located in the midship section of the hull, the floorboard configured to fold only at one or more respective transversely oriented folds.

[0056] A2. A1 folding kayak where the removable floorboard is held in place by a friction fit with the hull when the kayak is assembled.

[0057] A3. A1 or A2 folding kayak with a removable floor panel held in place by multipurpose fasteners.

[0058] A4. The foldable kayak of any one of paragraphs A1 to A3, further including a pair of side walls disposed in the mid-hull portion, each side wall extending downwardly from a respective edge of the hull.

[0059] A5. An A4 folding kayak in which the upper edge of each side wall is fixed to each side beam.

[0060] A6. An A5 foldable kayak, wherein the lower end of each of the side walls extends to a selected height above the floor of the hull to form a gap between the side walls and the hull.

[0061] A7. A folding kayak as in A6, wherein the outboard edges of the floorboards are configured to fit within respective gaps between the side walls of the hull and the floor.

[0062] A8. A foldable kayak of any one of paragraphs A1 to A7, in which the aft edge of the removable floorboard folds upwards when installed.

[0063] A9. The foldable kayak of any one of paragraphs A1-A8, further comprising a padded seat secured to an upper surface of the removable floorboard.

[0064] A10. The foldable kayak of any one of paragraphs A1-A9, wherein the removable floor panel extends across the entire width of the floor section of the hull such that the removable floor panel is configured to fold down the mid-hull section with the removable floor panel facing inward.

[0065] A11. The foldable kayak of any one of paragraphs A1-A10, wherein the bow, stern, and midship sections are configured as a tri-fold such that the bow and stern sections of the kayak are foldable relative to one another and overlap one another at the midship section when folded.

[0066] A12. The foldable kayak of any one of paragraphs A1-A11, wherein the hull has a closed transom having a V-shaped profile such that the centerline of the transom is located further forward than the outboard edge of the transom.

[0067] A13. The foldable kayak of any one of paragraphs A1-A12, wherein the hull further comprises a first pair of flaps configured to be stacked and strapped together to form an aft deck surface across a stern portion of the hull.

[0068] A14. The foldable kayak of any one of paragraphs A1-A13, wherein the hull further comprises a second pair of flaps configured to be stacked and strapped together to form a forward deck surface across a bow portion of the hull.

[0069] B1. a continuous sheet forming a single piece hull having a bow section, a mid-hull section, and a stern section, the hull including a plurality of fold lines along which the hull is foldable, at least one of the fold lines of the hull having a longitudinal orientation; a foldable floorboard disposed in a midship portion of the hull, the floorboard configured to fold only at one or more respective aft-direction oriented folds; A foldable kayak, wherein the foldable floor extends across the full width of the floor of the hull such that the foldable floor is configured to fold inwardly against the mid-hull section.

[0070] B2. A foldable kayak as in B1, in which the foldable floor panel is held in place by multipurpose fasteners when the kayak is assembled.

[0071] B3. The foldable kayak of B1 or B2, further comprising a pair of side walls disposed in the mid-hull portion, each side wall extending downwardly from each edge of the hull.

[0072] B4. A B3 folding kayak in which the upper edge of each side wall is fixed to each side beam.

[0073] B5. A B4 foldable kayak, wherein the lower end of each of the side walls extends to a selected height above the floor of the hull to form a gap between the side walls and the hull.

[0074] B6. A folding kayak B5, in which the outboard edges of the floorboards are configured to fit within respective gaps between the side walls of the hull and the floor.

[0075] B7. A foldable kayak of any one of paragraphs B1 to B6, in which the aft edge of the foldable floorboard folds upward when installed.

[0076] B8. The foldable kayak of any one of paragraphs B1-B7, further comprising a padded seat secured to an upper surface of the foldable floorboard.

[0077] B9. The foldable kayak of any one of paragraphs B1-B8, wherein the bow, stern, and midship sections are configured as a tri-fold such that the bow and stern sections of the kayak are foldable relative to one another and overlap one another at the midship section when folded.

[0078] B10. The foldable kayak of any one of paragraphs B1-B9, wherein the hull has a closed transom having a V-shaped profile such that the centerline of the transom is located further forward than the outboard edge of the transom.

[0079] B11. The foldable kayak of any one of paragraphs B1-B10, wherein the hull further comprises a first pair of flaps configured to be stacked and strapped together to form an aft deck surface across a stern portion of the hull.

[0080] B12. The foldable kayak of any one of paragraphs B1-B11, wherein the hull further comprises a second pair of flaps configured to be stacked and strapped together to form a forward deck surface across a bow portion of the hull.

[0081] Benefits, Features, and Profits The various embodiments and examples of the foldable ship described herein offer several advantages over known solutions, for example, the exemplary embodiments and examples described herein allow for a more rigid cockpit structure.

[0082] Moreover, among other benefits, the exemplary embodiments and examples described herein allow for simplified installation, having only one loose, removable part.

[0083] Additionally, among other benefits, the exemplary embodiments and examples described herein have greater stiffness without the need for bulkheads.

[0084] Additionally, among other benefits, the exemplary embodiments and examples described herein have watertight end closures without the need for additional covers, reducing cost, weight and improving the device.

[0085] Moreover, among other benefits, the exemplary embodiments and examples described herein allow for more economical manufacturing processes.

[0086] Additionally, among other benefits, the exemplary embodiments and examples described herein have a lighter weight than known folding kayaks of similar size.

[0087] There are no known systems or devices that can perform these functions, however, not all of the embodiments and examples described herein provide the same advantages or to the same degree of advantages.

[0088] conclusion The above disclosure may encompass a number of different examples that have independent utility. While each of these is disclosed in its preferred form(s), the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be construed in a limiting sense, since numerous variations are possible. To the extent that section headings are used within this disclosure, such headings are for organizational purposes only. The subject matter of the disclosure includes all novel and unobvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions, and / or properties disclosed herein. The following claims specifically point out certain combinations and subcombinations that are regarded as novel and unobvious. Other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements, and / or properties may be claimed in the application, claiming priority from this or a related application. Such claims, whether broader, narrower, equal, or different in scope than the original claims, are also deemed to be included within the subject matter of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. a continuous sheet forming a hull having a bow section, amidships section, and aft sections, the hull including a plurality of living hinges along which the hull is foldable, at least one of the hull living hinges having a bow-to-stern orientation in the amidships section; a removable floorboard located in a midship section of the hull, the floorboard configured to fold only at one or more respective transversely oriented folds. Foldable kayak.

2. 2. The folding kayak of claim 1, wherein the removable floor panel is held in place by a friction fit with the hull when the kayak is assembled.

3. 10. The folding kayak of claim 1, wherein the removable floor panel is held in place by multi-purpose fasteners.

4. 2. The foldable kayak of claim 1, further comprising a pair of side walls disposed in the mid-hull portion, each of the side walls extending downwardly from a respective edge of the hull, and an upper end of each of the side walls being secured to a respective edge of the hull.

5. 5. The foldable kayak of claim 4, wherein a lower end of each of the side walls extends to a selected height above the floor of the hull to define a gap between the side walls and the hull, and an outboard edge of the floor plate is configured to fit within a respective gap between the side walls and the floor of the hull.

6. 2. The collapsible kayak of claim 1, wherein the aft edge of the removable floor panel folds upward when installed.

7. 2. The collapsible kayak of claim 1, wherein the removable floor panel extends across the entire width of the hull floor such that the removable floor panel is configured to fold inwardly against the mid-hull section.

8. 2. The foldable kayak of claim 1, wherein the bow, stern and mid-hull sections are configured as a tri-fold such that the bow and stern sections of the kayak are foldable onto one another and overlap one another at the mid-hull section when folded.

9. 2. The foldable kayak of claim 1, wherein the hull includes a closed transom having a V-shaped profile such that the centerline of the transom is located further forward than the outboard edge of the transom.

10. 2. The foldable kayak of claim 1, wherein the hull further comprises a first pair of flaps configured to overlap and strap together to form an aft deck surface of the aft portion of the hull.

11. a continuous sheet forming a single piece hull having a bow section, a mid-hull section, and a stern section, the hull including a plurality of fold lines along which the hull is foldable, at least one of the fold lines having a longitudinal orientation; a foldable floorboard disposed in a midship portion of the hull, the floorboard configured to fold only at one or more respective transversely oriented folds; the foldable floor panel extends across the full width of the hull floor such that the foldable floor panel is configured to fold inwardly against the mid-hull section; Foldable kayak.

12. 12. The foldable kayak of claim 11, wherein the foldable floor panel is held in place by multi-purpose fasteners when the kayak is assembled.

13. 12. The foldable kayak of claim 11, further comprising a pair of side walls disposed in the mid-hull portion, each of the side walls extending downwardly from a respective edge of the hull.

14. 14. The foldable kayak of claim 13, wherein an upper end of each of said side walls is secured to each of said gunwales and a lower end of each of said side walls extends to a selected height above the floor of the hull to form a gap between said side walls and said hull.

15. 15. The foldable kayak of claim 14, wherein the outboard edges of the floorboards are configured to fit within respective gaps between the side walls and floor of the hull.

16. 12. The foldable kayak of any one of claims 11, wherein the aft edge of the foldable floor folds upwards when installed.

17. 12. The foldable kayak of any one of claims 11, further comprising a padded seat secured to an upper surface of the foldable floorboard.

18. 12. The foldable kayak of claim 11, wherein the bow, stern and mid-hull sections are configured as a tri-fold such that the bow and stern sections of the kayak are foldable onto one another and overlap one another at the mid-hull section when folded.

19. 12. The foldable kayak of claim 11, wherein the hull includes a closed transom having a V-shaped profile such that the centerline of the transom is located further forward than the outboard edge of the transom.

20. 12. The foldable kayak of claim 11, wherein the hull further comprises a first pair of flaps configured to overlap and strap together to form an aft deck surface across a stern portion of the hull.

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