Folding 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 materials: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 314,298, filed on February 25, 2022, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

[0002] Field The present disclosure relates to folding marine systems and methods. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a foldable kayak.

Background Art

[0003] Introduction Kayaks and other lightweight personal boats are popular for recreational use on rivers, lakes, seas, and other suitable locations. Foldable boats can be particularly convenient in at least some cases due to their ease of transportation and storage. For example, a foldable kayak can 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 carry and requires less storage space compared to 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. Types of use can include, for example, kayaks with various numbers of passengers or kayaks during activities that require the use and / or storage of equipment (such as photography, fishing, hunting, etc.).

Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides systems, devices, and methods related to foldable boats.

[0005] In some embodiments, a collapsible kayak may comprise a continuous sheet forming a hull having a bow section, a midship section, and a stern section, the hull including a plurality of living hinges along which the hull can be folded, with at least one of the living hinges of the hull having an orientation from bow to stern at the midship section; and a removable floorboard located in the midship section of the hull, the floorboard configured to be folded by only one or more folds oriented in the transverse direction of each vessel.

[0006] In some embodiments, a collapsible kayak may comprise: a continuous sheet forming a single-piece hull having a bow section, a midship section, and a stern section, the hull including a plurality of fold lines along which the hull can be folded, with at least one of the fold lines being longitudinally oriented; and a collapsible floorboard positioned in the midship section of the hull, configured to fold along only one or more fold lines oriented transversely to each section of the hull, the collapsible floorboard extending across the entire width of the floor of the hull such that the collapsible floorboards face inward to fold the midship section.

[0007] Features, functions, and benefits may be achieved independently in various embodiments of this disclosure, or in combination in yet other embodiments, and further details can be found by referring to the following description and drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a side view of an exemplary folding boat in its deployed state. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a top view of the folding ship shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a top view of the bow section of the ship shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a top view of the stern section of the ship shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5]Figure 5 is a perspective view of the partially assembled transom of the ship shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the partially assembled transom shown in Figure 5. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the assembled transom shown in Figure 5. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the stern section of Figure 4, showing the transom of Figure 5. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the stern section of Figure 4, showing the transom of Figure 5. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a rear elevation view of the stern section of Figure 4, showing the transom of Figure 5. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a perspective view of the cockpit of the folding ship shown in Figure 1. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a perspective view of part of the cockpit floor and side wall shown in Figure 11. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a perspective view of part of the floorboard and side wall shown in Figure 12. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a perspective view of the partially folded ship from Figure 1, illustrating the exemplary steps of folding from the deployed state to the stowed state. [Figure 15] Figure 15 is a perspective view of the partially folded ship from Figure 1, illustrating the exemplary steps of folding from the deployed state to the stowed state. [Figure 16] Figure 16 is a perspective view of the partially folded ship from Figure 1, illustrating the exemplary steps of folding from the deployed state to the stowed state. [Figure 17] Figure 17 is a perspective view of the partially folded ship from Figure 1, illustrating the exemplary steps of folding from the deployed state to the stowed state. [Figure 18] Figure 18 is a perspective view of the partially folded ship from Figure 1, illustrating the exemplary steps of folding from the deployed state to the stowed state. [Figure 19] Figure 19 is a perspective view of the partially folded ship from Figure 1, illustrating the exemplary steps of folding from the deployed state to the stowed state. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing an exemplary step of folding the boat of FIG. 1 from an unfolded state to a stored state in a partially folded state. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the boat of FIG. 1 in a stored state. **DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION**

[0009] Various aspects and examples of the foldable boat, as well as related methods, are described below and illustrated in the related drawings. Unless otherwise indicated, the boat and / or its various components according to the present teachings can include at least one of the structures, components, functions, and / or variations described, illustrated, and / or incorporated herein. Further, unless specifically excluded, the process steps, structures, components, functions, and / or variations described, illustrated, and / or incorporated herein in connection with the present teachings can be included in other similar devices and methods and are interchangeable between the disclosed embodiments. The following description of the various examples is illustrative only in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its use, or its application. Further, the advantages provided by the examples and embodiments described below are illustrative only 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 that follow immediately below: (1) Definitions; (2) Overview; (3) Examples, Components, and Options; (4) Advantages, Features, and Benefits; and (5) Conclusion. The section on Examples, Components, and Options is further divided into subsections, each of which is appropriately labeled.

[0011] Definitions Unless otherwise noted, the following definitions apply throughout this specification.

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

[0013] Terms such as "first", "second", and "third" are used to distinguish or identify various members of a group and are not intended to indicate a sequential or numerical limitation.

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

[0015] "Elongated" or "elongated shape" refers to an object or an opening having a length greater than its width, but the width does not necessarily have to be uniform. For example, an elongated slot can be elliptical or stadium - shaped, and an elongated candlestick can have a height greater than the diameter of its tapered end. As a counter - example, a circular opening is not construed as an elongated opening.

[0016] Terms such as "inside the ship", "outside the ship", "forward", "rear" are intended to be understood in the context of a ship and / or a host ship on which the systems described in this specification can be mounted or otherwise attached. For example, "outside the ship" can indicate a relative position laterally far from the center - line of the ship or a direction away from the center - line of the ship. Conversely, "inside the ship" can indicate a direction towards the center - line or a relative position closer to the center - line. Similarly, "forward" and "bow" mean towards the front part of the ship (e.g., the bow), and "stern" means towards the rear of the ship (e.g., the stern). When there is no host ship, terms indicating the same directions can be used as if there were a ship present. For example, even when viewed in isolation, a device can have a "forward" edge. This is due to the device being installed such that the edge faces in the direction of the bow of a host ship.

[0017] "Combined" means connected permanently or indirectly, either directly or through intervening components.

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

[0019] "Rigid" describes a material or structure that is hard, indeformable, or substantially lacking in flexibility under normal operating conditions.

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

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

[0022] This disclosure may refer to one or more publications, patents, and / or patent applications by reference. However, such references are made only to the extent that there is no conflict between the referenced material and the descriptions and drawings contained herein. In the event of any such conflict, including any conflict of technical terminology, this disclosure shall prevail.

[0023] Overview Generally, the collapsible boats according to this instruction comprise a single-piece sheet having a number of predetermined folds (also known as living hinges) that allow the sheet to be folded to form the hull. The boat is configured to transition between a stowed state and an unfolded (or assembled) state by folding or unfolding along the number of predetermined folds or fold lines. In the stowed state, the collapsible sheet of the boat can form an enclosed, portable carrying case, which is more convenient for transport than conventional boats. In the unfolded state, the collapsible sheet forms the main body of the boat (e.g., hull, deck, and / or sides). The main body includes a central portion of the boat's hull that defines the cockpit. Other boat configurations (such as canoes) may be available, but the example shown and described herein is that of a kayak.

[0024] The stern end of the foldable sheet permanently folds into a fork-shaped (also known as a swallowtail) configuration to form the closed transom of the kayak. The foldable sheet is therefore configured so that the transom of the boat retains its shape, at least overall, in both the deployed and stowed states. In some examples, the kayak includes fairings (e.g., rigid fairings, tape fairings, etc.) configured to cover the bow and stern portions, for example, to protect the boat from damage.

[0025] The collapsible kayak of this disclosure includes at least one floorboard that can be releasably coupled to a cockpit. When installed, the floorboard provides structural support to the kayak and supports one or more occupant seats. The floorboard is configured to fit under a pair of integrated outer walls of the cockpit. The outer walls of the cockpit are configured to be permanently attached, for example, to the rim of the central side of the hull of the vessel. In some examples, the vessel may include more than one floorboard, either identical or different.

[0026] The floorboards are folded into sections (e.g., three) along folds oriented to the left and right (i.e., along the sides of the ship or across the hull). The foam sheets are secured to the floorboards (e.g., with screws or rivets) (e.g., permanently).

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

[0028] As mentioned above, the collapsible vessel may be a kayak. In some embodiments, the collapsible vessel may be a canoe, a paddle boat, a raft or rafting boat, and / or any other suitable non-electric or electric vessel.

[0029] Examples, components, and options The following sections describe selected embodiments of the relevant systems and / or methods, in addition to the exemplary vessel. The examples in these sections are illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure. Each section may include one or more individual embodiments or examples, as well as / or contextual or related information, functions, and / or structures.

[0030] A. An example of a folding boat As shown in Figures 1-21, this section describes an exemplary collapsible kayak 100, which is an example of the collapsible boat described above. The kayak 100 is configured to be transitionable between an unfolded configuration and an enclosed box configuration. In the unfolded configuration, a rigid monocoque structure is formed by a three-dimensional folding pattern. Figure 1 shows the kayak 100 in its unfolded configuration, with the collapsible 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 deployment in water. For example, a corrugated and / or honeycomb polypropylene and / or polyethylene hollow core sheet, but other waterproof elastic materials may be used. The folded sheet 110 includes a number of predetermined fold lines 114, also referred to as creases or living hinges. The fold lines 114 have folds configured such that the foldable sheet 110 folds along them. The foldable sheet 110 is configured to be assembled (for example, to form a kayak 100) by folding along the fold lines 114. In the assembled state (also known as the deployed state), the foldable sheet 110 forms the body 112 (also referred to as the hull) of the kayak 100.

[0032] As shown in Figure 1, the kayak 100 has a forward or bow section 116, a rear or stern section 118, and a central hull section 120 extending between the bow and stern sections. The bow section 116 and the stern section 118 each include a first deck panel 122 and a second deck panel 124 facing the corresponding first deck panel 122.

[0033] As shown in Figures 2-4, when the kayak 100 is deployed, the first deck panel 122 and the second deck panel 124 are joined so that the second deck panel 124 overlaps the first deck panel 122 at least partially, both at the bow and stern. Straps and buckles attached to the first and second deck panels are used to secure the deck panels in a retractable manner. To facilitate the overlap, the first deck section 122 is longer than the second deck section 124. The overlap of the second and first deck panels allows the bow and stern sections of the kayak to be formed without precisely aligning the edges of the foldable sheet 110, thereby facilitating the assembly of the kayak, and furthermore, their overlap helps to form a watertight seal between them.

[0034] The central hull section 120 includes a pair of opposing central hull sections 126, 128 that define the cockpit 130 between them. The central hull sections 126, 128 each include a central outer panel 132 (see Figure 1), a central hull edge panel 134, and a coupled cockpit side wall 136 (see Figures 11, 12) connected to the central hull edge panel. In the 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 side wall 136 is oriented perpendicularly and vertically to the cockpit floor section 138. The side wall 136 can be joined (e.g., permanently) to the foldable sheet 110 using, for example, screws, rivets, or welds. The cockpit side wall 136 is configured to hold the kayak floorboard, as will be described in more detail below (see Figures 11, 12). An elastic edge joint 130 may be positioned along the connection between the central hull edge panel 134 and the cockpit side wall 136.

[0035] Referring here to Figures 5-10, it is shown that the transom 140 at the stern 118 is folded and permanently closed in a V-shape (also known as a fork-shaped / swallowtail) configuration. In other words, the centerline of the transom is positioned further forward than the outer edge of the transom. This configuration provides a tight and visually distinct closure and, advantageously, provides a waterproof finish to the stern portion of the kayak without requiring further covering and / or fairings that are prone to wear and tear and may require additional assembly steps.

[0036] With respect to Figures 5-7, the swallowtail folding configuration of the transom 140 is formed by folding two triangular sections 142 of the foldable sheet inward. The two folded sections are then fastened together 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 be folded / changed) when transitioning to the stowed configuration, thereby providing an additional structure when in the stowed configuration.

[0037] Referring to Figures 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 stern section 118 will align with the edge of the folded transom 140. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, straps 146 are used to secure the rear corner of the bottom 148 of the kayak to the connection point 150 on the second deck panel 124. In some examples, the rear corner 148 of the bottom has part of protective material 152 placed on it, providing further support to the straps and, in addition, protecting the hull from external damage, such as dragging the kayak on land. The tightening straps 146 have the effect of firmly aligning the triangular darts 144 with the V-shaped transom 140. In some examples, plastic, rubber, or foam profiles may be used at the boundary between the triangular darts 144 and the transom 140 to create a more watertight seal.

[0038] Referring to Figures 11-13, the kayak 100 includes a floorboard 154 having a seat assembly 156. The seat assembly 156 includes a seat backrest 158 ​​and a seat support surface 160 so that an occupant can sit on the seat surface 160 and lean against the seat backrest 158. The seat surface 160 may include any cushioned or uncushioned surface suitable for supporting an occupant in a seated position.

[0039] Each strap 162 is attached to the port and starboard sides of the seat back 158 and joined to the hull (e.g., by sewing, screws, adhesive, rivets and / or other fasteners). Thus, the straps 162 help to hold the seat assembly in place and, in addition, provide tension directly beside the cockpit. In some examples, another suitable seating surface, such as a raised bench or a spiderweb sling, may be used.

[0040] The floorboard 154 may be made of any material suitable for supporting one or more kayak occupants and providing structure to the kayak's cockpit. In some examples, the floorboard 154 is made of a corrugated sheet of a suitable thermoplastic polymer, such as highly durable corrugated polypropylene. In some examples, the floorboard 154 has a thickness ranging from 5 mm to 15 mm. In some examples, the floorboard 500 is 8 mm to 10 mm thick.

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

[0042] Known designs of folding kayaks include a fold in the floorboard oriented along the longitudinal direction 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 from kayak to box. In other words, the orientation of the floorboard fold is generally the same as the orientation of the hull fold so that the entire structure can be folded into a reduced configuration for storage. Unfortunately, this can result in a structural weakness, as the paddler's weight tends to deform both the floorboard and bottom of the kayak, especially when the paddler sits on the floorboard inside the kayak, resulting in a roughly "U" or "V" shaped bottom. This shape is undesirable in terms of kayak stability. Another disadvantage of known designs is that padded seats usually do not have a fold line along the longitudinal direction of the hull, so the seats must be removed before folding the kayak into a box.

[0043] In contrast, the floorboard 154 of the kayak 100 is configured to fold along fold lines 166, 168 oriented to the left and right (i.e., sideways or across the hull). Thus, seats can be fixed to the floorboard (e.g., permanently) (e.g., using screws or rivets). The floorboard may consist of thick corrugated or honeycomb plastic panels (e.g., polypropylene or polyethylene) that can be repeatedly folded without weakening. When in kayak shape, the floorboard 154 is positioned with the front fold line 166 flat and the rear fold line 168 folded upward, as shown in Figure 11.

[0044] The rear fold 168 provides enhanced rigidity to the seating and cockpit areas. Furthermore, as discussed above, the folds in the floorboard are generally oriented perpendicular to the long axis of the kayak, providing resistance to / prevention of deflection with the weight of the occupants present, resulting in a flat and stable configuration at the bottom of the hull. Moreover, the additional rigidity resulting from this configuration eliminates the need for bulkheads or other structural reinforcements.

[0045] Referring to Figure 12, the floorboard 154 is inserted into the kayak hull while the kayak deck is open and not fixed, so that the cockpit area is wider than in the fully assembled configuration. This allows the floorboard to slide within the gap 170 at the bottom of the side wall 136 between the lower edge of the side wall 136 and the cockpit floor 138, preventing the floorboard from rising when assembly is complete. Furthermore, after all the kayak straps are tightened, the gap 170 is tightened, creating a frictional fit between the side wall 136 and the floorboard 154. Thus, the floorboard is held in place by the side walls on both sides of the kayak cockpit. In some examples, the side wall 136 may have a layer of reinforcing material at its bottom edge to further assist in holding the floorboard in place.

[0046] With respect to Figure 13, the rear or stern edge 172 of each sideboard is inclined (i.e., not vertical) in accordance with the angle of the rear section 174 of the floorboard 154 when installed. Notches 178 may be formed on both sides 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 to the rear of the rear section 174 of the floorboard 154 to provide further reinforcement strength. The trim 180 may be made of plastic, metal, or other suitable rigid material.

[0047] The floorboard can be further secured in place by an adjustable strap 182 that spans the cockpit, for example, directly behind the rear section 174 of the floorboard (see Figure 2). The tightening strap 182 brings the sides of the cockpit together and tightly pulls the rear section 174 of the floorboard 154 against the sloping edge 172 of the sideboard, securely locking the entire system in place. In some examples, protruding screws, nuts, or spacers are inserted into the ends of plastic or metal trim to provide an additional locking mechanism.

[0048] To fold the kayak into its storage configuration, the kayak's deck is opened by unbuckling all the straps. The floorboard / seat assembly is then removed as a single piece. The two folds of the floorboard fold over each other, and the seat back folds over the seat base. The two flaps of the floorboard can be joined together (e.g., by straps, snaps, or hook-and-loop fasteners) to create a closed package with a triangular cross-section.

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

[0050] Figures 14-20 illustrate the various stages of the kayak 100 during the transition to the stowed state. First, the user detaches all straps / fasteners and removes removable components such as the floorboard 154. This puts the kayak 100 in a partially folded state. As shown in Figure 14, the stern section 118 folds onto the midship section 120 along the fold line 115, as indicated by the arrow. As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the stern section 118 folds by pushing the fold line 119 downwards, as indicated by the arrow. This causes the stern deck panels 122 and 124 to fold inwards.

[0051] As shown in Figure 17, the bow section 116 is then folded toward the midship section 120 and over the stern section 118, as indicated by the arrow. As shown in Figure 18, the bow section 120 is folded by pushing the fold line 123 downward, as indicated by the arrow. The bow of the kayak then remains 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] Figure 21 is a front isometric view of the kayak 100 in its folded, or stowed, state. In the stowed state, the foldable seat 110 generally takes the shape of a linear box 200 or a rectangular prism. The box 200 has two opposing sides 204 and two opposing folded sides 206, from which the foldable seat 110 may protrude slightly. The folded sides 206 correspond to the folded portion of the central section 120 of the hull.

[0053] Two pairs of straps 208 positioned on top of the box 200 can be fastened together (e.g., buckled) to further secure the foldable seat 110 in its folded state. The straps can also be buckled together when loosened, and then fastened to compress the box 200 to a more compact size.

[0054] B. Exemplary combinations and further examples This section describes further embodiments and features of the collapsible vessel, 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 other paragraphs and / or disclosures elsewhere in this application. Some of the following paragraphs expressly refer to and further limit other paragraphs, and some examples of suitable combinations are provided without limitation.

[0055] A1. A continuous sheet forming a hull having a bow section, a midship section, and a stern section, wherein the hull includes a plurality of living hinges along which the hull can be folded, and at least one of the living hinges of the hull has a bearing from bow to stern in the midship section of the hull; A folding kayak comprising a removable floorboard positioned in the central part of the hull, which is configured to fold using only one or more folds oriented in the lateral direction of each vessel.

[0056] A2. The A1 folding kayak features a removable floorboard that is held in place by friction with the hull during assembly.

[0057] A3. A1 or A2 folding kayak with a removable floorboard held in place by multi-purpose fasteners.

[0058] A4. One of paragraphs A1 to A3, a folding kayak, further comprising a pair of side walls located in the central part of the hull, each extending downward from each edge of the hull.

[0059] A5. A4-sized foldable kayak with the upper end of each side wall fixed to each rim.

[0060] A6. A5 folding kayak in which the lower end of each side wall extends to a selected height above the hull floor, creating a gap between the side wall and the hull.

[0061] A7. The A6 folding kayak features a floorboard whose outer edge is designed to fit into the gaps between the hull's side walls and the floor.

[0062] A8. One of the seven folding kayaks, A1-A7 in each category, features a removable floorboard stern edge that folds upward when set up.

[0063] A9. One of the A1-A8 folding kayaks, further featuring a padded seat fixed to the top of a removable floorboard.

[0064] A10. A folding kayak of any one of paragraphs A1 to A9, wherein a removable floorboard extends across the entire width of the hull floor, configured such that the removable floorboards face inward and fold down the central section of the hull.

[0065] A11. A folding kayak, one of the folding kayaks described in paragraphs A1 to A10, in which the bow, stern, and central hull sections are foldable, and the bow and stern sections of the kayak are constructed as a tri-fold so that they overlap at the central hull section when folded.

[0066] A12. A folding kayak of any one of paragraphs A1 to A11, featuring a closed transom with a V-shaped profile such that the centerline of the transom is positioned further forward than the outer edge of the transom.

[0067] A13. One of the folding kayaks in paragraphs A1 to A12, further comprising a pair of first flaps configured to overlap and strap together to form a stern deck surface across the stern portion of the hull.

[0068] A14. One of the folding kayaks in paragraphs A1 to A13, further comprising a second pair of flaps configured to overlap and strap together to form a forward deck surface across the bow portion of the hull.

[0069] B1. A continuous sheet forming a single-piece hull having a bow section, a midship section, and a stern section, wherein the hull includes a plurality of fold lines along which the hull can be folded, and at least one of the fold lines of the hull has a longitudinal orientation; The ship's hull comprises a foldable floorboard positioned in the central part of the hull, which is configured to fold along only one or more folds oriented in the transverse direction of each ship, A foldable kayak in which the foldable floorboards extend across the entire width of the hull floor so that the foldable floorboards face inward and fold down the central part of the hull.

[0070] B2. The B1 folding kayak features a foldable floorboard that is held in place by multi-purpose fasteners during assembly.

[0071] B3. A B1 or B2 folding kayak, each further comprising a pair of side walls located in the central part of the hull, each extending downward from each edge of the hull.

[0072] B4. A B3 folding kayak, with the upper end of each side wall fixed to each rim.

[0073] B5. A B4 folding kayak in which the lower end of each side wall extends to a selected height above the hull floor, creating a gap between the side wall and the hull.

[0074] B6. A B5 folding kayak in which the outer edge of the floorboard is configured to fit into the respective gaps between the side walls of the hull and the floor.

[0075] B7. One of the folding kayaks from paragraphs B1 to B6, with a foldable floorboard stern edge that folds upward when set up.

[0076] B8. One of the folding kayaks in paragraphs B1-B7, further featuring a padded seat fixed to the top of a foldable floorboard.

[0077] B9. A folding kayak, one of the types described in paragraphs B1 to B8, in which the bow, stern, and central hull sections are foldable, and when folded, the bow and stern sections fold together, overlapping at the central hull section, thus forming a tri-fold structure.

[0078] B10. A folding kayak from any of paragraphs B1 to B9, featuring a closed transom with a V-shaped profile such that the transom's centerline is positioned further forward than the transom's outer edge.

[0079] B11. One of the folding kayaks described in paragraphs B1 to B10, further comprising a pair of first flaps configured to overlap and strap together to form a stern deck surface across the stern portion of the hull.

[0080] B12. One of the folding kayaks in paragraphs B1 to B11, further comprising a second pair of flaps configured to overlap and strap together to form a forward deck surface across the bow portion of the hull.

[0081] Benefits, features, and advantages The various embodiments and examples of collapsible vessels 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] Furthermore, among the benefits, the exemplary embodiments and examples described herein enable a simplified mounting having only one removable loose part.

[0083] Furthermore, among the benefits, the exemplary embodiments and examples described herein have greater rigidity without requiring partitions.

[0084] Furthermore, among the benefits, the exemplary embodiments and examples described herein have watertight end closures without requiring additional covers, reducing costs and weight and improving the device.

[0085] Furthermore, among the benefits, the exemplary embodiments and examples described herein enable more economical manufacturing processes.

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

[0087] No known system or device exists that can perform these functions. However, not all embodiments and examples described herein offer the same or similar advantages.

[0088] conclusion The above disclosure may encompass multiple different examples having independent utility. Each of these is disclosed in its preferred form(s), but the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be constrained by any interpretation, because numerous variations are possible. To the extent that section headings are used within this disclosure, such headings are for constitutive purposes only. The subject matter of the disclosure includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions, and / or properties disclosed herein. The following claims specifically point to certain combinations and subcombinations that are considered novel and non-obvious. Other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements, and / or properties may be claimed in applications claiming priority from this or related applications. Such claims, whether broader, narrower, equivalent, or different from the original claims, are also considered to be included within the subject matter of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A continuous sheet forming a hull having a bow portion, a midship portion, and a stern portion, wherein the hull includes a plurality of living hinges along which the hull can be folded, and at least one of the living hinges of the hull has a bearing from bow to stern with the continuous sheet in the midship portion of the hull; A removable floorboard located in the central part of the hull, configured to be folded by only one or more folds oriented in the transverse direction of each ship; A foldable kayak equipped with [features / equipment].

2. The folding kayak according to claim 1, wherein, when the kayak is assembled, the removable floorboard is held in place by frictional fit with the hull.

3. The foldable kayak according to claim 1, wherein the removable floorboard is held in place by a multi-purpose fastening part.

4. The folding kayak according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of side walls positioned in the central portion of the hull, each of the side walls extending downward from each edge of the hull, and the upper end of each side wall being fixed to each edge.

5. The folding kayak according to claim 4, wherein the lower end of each of the side walls extends to a selected height above the floor of the hull, forming a gap between the side wall and the hull, and the outer edge of the floorboard is configured to fit into the respective gaps between the side wall and the floor of the hull.

6. The assembly-type kayak according to claim 1, wherein the stern edge of the removable floorboard is folded upward when installed.

7. The modular kayak according to claim 1, wherein the removable floorboards extend across the entire width of the floor portion of the hull, such that the removable floorboards face inward and fold up the central portion of the hull.

8. The folding kayak according to claim 1, wherein the bow portion, stern portion, and central portion of the hull are configured as a tri-fold so that the bow portion and stern portion of the kayak can be folded relative to each other, and when folded, they overlap at the central portion of the hull.

9. The folding kayak according to claim 1, wherein the hull comprises a closed transom having a V-shaped profile such that the centerline of the closed transom is positioned further forward than the outer edge of the closed transom.

10. The folding kayak according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of first flaps configured to overlap and strap together to form a stern deck surface over the stern portion of the hull.

11. A continuous sheet forming a single-piece hull having a bow portion, a midship portion, and a stern portion, wherein the hull includes a plurality of fold lines along which the hull can be folded, and at least one of the fold lines of the hull has a longitudinal orientation, and the continuous sheet and; A foldable floorboard positioned in the central part of the hull, configured to fold along only one or more folds oriented in the transverse direction of each ship; A foldable kayak equipped with, The foldable floorboards extend across the entire width of the hull floor so that they face inward and fold down the central portion of the hull. Foldable kayak.

12. The folding kayak according to claim 11, wherein, when the kayak is assembled, the foldable floorboard is held in place by a multi-purpose fastening part.

13. The folding kayak according to claim 11, further comprising a pair of side walls positioned in the central portion of the hull, each of which extends downward from each edge of the hull.

14. The folding kayak according to claim 13, wherein the upper end of each of the side walls is fixed to the respective edge of the boat, and the lower end of each of the side walls extends to a selected height above the floor of the hull, forming a gap between the side wall and the hull.

15. The folding kayak according to claim 14, wherein the outer edge of the floorboard is configured to fit into the respective gaps between the side wall and the floor of the hull.

16. The folding kayak according to claim 11, wherein the stern edge of the foldable floorboard is folded upward when installed.

17. The folding kayak according to claim 11, further comprising a padded seat fixed to the upper surface of the foldable floorboard.

18. The folding kayak according to claim 11, wherein the bow portion, stern portion, and central portion of the hull are configured as a tri-fold so that the bow portion and stern portion of the kayak can be folded relative to each other, and when folded, they overlap at the central portion of the hull.

19. The folding kayak according to claim 11, wherein the hull comprises a closed transom having a V-shaped profile such that the centerline of the closed transom is positioned further forward than the outer edge of the closed transom.

20. The folding kayak according to claim 11, further comprising a pair of first flaps configured to overlap and strap together to form a stern deck surface over the stern portion of the hull.

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