Inflatable watercraft

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of inflatable vessels, and more particularly to illuminated stand-up paddleboards. The technical result achieved by the present solution consists in providing increased safety when using an inflatable watercraft. This technical result is achieved in that the proposed inflatable watercraft, comprising an inflatable body, has LED light strips mounted inside the body, and a lamp mounted in the nose part of the body, wherein electricity is supplied to the LED light strips and to the lamp via an IP67-rated port in the upper part of the body, and the soldered connection of the LED light strips is protected against bending by virtue of a protective means.

Description

[0001] INFLATABLE FLOATING CRAFTS

[0002] The field of technology to which the solution relates

[0003] The solution relates to the field of inflatable watercraft, in particular to illuminated SUP boards.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] A surfboard with backlight is known (US2017225754A1, publ.

[0006] (August 10, 2017). The known solution discloses a wireless, rechargeable, battery-powered LED configuration that is assembled into a base, which represents a surfboard or water device, and is covered with waterproof materials to create a waterproof structure and, thus, can be charged wirelessly.

[0007] However, this solution does not ensure sufficient operational reliability of the floating craft.

[0008] A prototype inflatable watercraft with a luminous positioning structure is known (CN219389545U, published 2023-07-21). The known solution discloses an inflatable article with a light-emitting positioning structure, which includes a main body and an outer container, and an inflatable chamber is located in the main body; an outer cabin is located on the main body and is used to accommodate a luminous body; when the inflatable cavity is in the inflated state, the light-emitting body contained in the outer container can be fixed relative to the outer container. Both the outer cabin and / or the main body can transmit light.According to the inflatable product with a light-emitting positioning structure, the main body is provided with an outer container. The light bar located in the outer container can be operated to attach relative to the outer container after inflation. This makes the light bar more convenient to fix and less likely to fall, thereby achieving high safety. Meanwhile, different light bars can be selected and replaced according to user requirements, with a high degree of freedom. The light bar is located in a light-transmitting outer cabin, achieving good light transmittance.

[0009] However, this solution does not ensure sufficient operational reliability of the floating craft.

[0010] Disclosure of a utility model

[0011] In one aspect of the utility model, an inflatable watercraft is disclosed, comprising an inflatable hull, an LED strip installed inside the hull, a light installed in the bow of the hull, wherein electrical power is supplied to the LED strips and the light through a waterproof connector located in the upper part of the hull, the LED strip being protected from damage when the watercraft is folded.

[0012] In additional aspects, it is disclosed that the LED strip consists of a plurality of parts soldered together, the place where the LED strips are soldered together is protected from bending using a protective means; the lamp is designed to withstand compressive loads during deflating and folding of the inflatable floating device; the lamp is made waterproof; the protective means is a metal plate fixed to the LED strip; the protective means is a tube covering the junction of the LED strips; the connector is designed with an IP 67 protection rating; the LED strip is made solid and flexible.

[0013] The main objective of the declared solution is to increase the reliability of the floating craft due to the features of its design.

[0014] The essence of the solution is that the inflatable watercraft is equipped with a waterproof connector for the power cable input, which supplies current to the lamp and LED strips inside the watercraft, while the junction of the LED strips with each other is protected from bending using a protective device.

[0015] The technical result achieved by this solution is to improve the operational safety of the inflatable watercraft. Brief description of the drawings.

[0016] Fig. 1 shows an isometric view of an inflatable floating craft.

[0017] Fig. 2 shows the inflatable floating device in cross-section. Fig. 3 shows the inflatable floating device in longitudinal section. Fig. 4 shows the power supply connector.

[0018] Implementation of a utility model

[0019] The claimed device is a structurally and functionally unified device, all elements of which are installed in a housing and functionally connected to each other.

[0020] The device is manufactured at the manufacturing plant using standard manufacturing operations (soldering, welding, cutting, threaded connection, etc.), and the manufactured device elements are mounted in a housing, which is installed at the access control location.

[0021] The device's body is made of plastic, composite, or other suitable material. The body is an inflatable container that, when filled with gas to sufficient pressure, takes the shape of a SUP board or other floating device. The container's volume and materials are selected to support the weight of one or more people, ensure stability during movement, and withstand impacts during movement.

[0022] The declared inflatable watercraft preferably has the form of a SUP board, but can also take another form (kayak, canoe, boat, etc.).

[0023] Fig. 1 shows an isometric view of a paddleboard, with the following reference designations:

[0024] 100 - paddle board body,

[0025] 101 - container with control unit and power source, 102 - connector for connecting the control unit and power source to the lighting elements inside the paddleboard.

[0026] The lighting elements mentioned are LED strips located along the sides of the watercraft and a light located in the bow. Since the inflatable watercraft is frequently deflated and folded, the following requirements apply to the LED strips and light: the connection point of the LED strips must be protected from bending, as otherwise the risk of breakage increases significantly, and the light must withstand the compression forces exerted when the SUP is folded.

[0027] In the proposed solution, the LED strips are connected to each other by soldering, and the joint is protected from bending by a plate or tube secured in place. The thickness and material of the plate or tube must be suitable to prevent bending when the watercraft is folded. For example, a 0.5 cm diameter, 1 mm thick steel tube, secured in place with adhesive, can be used.

[0028] The flashlight housing is preferably shockproof and waterproof. One option is to make the housing corrosion-resistant, as condensation can cause rust and degrade the flashlight's mechanical properties. These features improve the flashlight's reliability when used on a watercraft.

[0029] Using lighting on a watercraft significantly improves operational safety by making it highly visible at night, reducing the risk of collisions with other watercraft and associated damage. A bow light helps avoid collisions with water obstacles (rocks, snags, etc.), which also helps prevent damage and, therefore, increases the reliability of the watercraft.

[0030] Fig. 2 shows a cross-section of the paddle board, on which 202 is a waterproof connector.

[0031] To enhance the reliability of the SUP board's electrical system, container 101 is waterproof, preferably with an IP67 rating, which increases its reliability. The container must be large enough to accommodate the electronics unit and power supply. The power supply and control unit are connected to connector 202 via a cable. The cable exit from container 101 is sealed.

[0032] View B shows an LED strip covered with transparent PVC, glued to the wall of the pad board.

[0033] Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal section of a paddle board, in which:

[0034] 301 - LED strip,

[0035] 302 - lantern.

[0036] The 301 LED strip can be positioned along the sides and stern, preferably above the water level so that the light from it is more visible, which reduces the risk of collisions.

[0037] Fig. 4 shows the connector in disassembled form, in which:

[0038] 401 - bushing,

[0039] 402 - washer,

[0040] 403 - Type-C connector or other suitable connector,

[0041] 404 - cover,

[0042] 405 - contact from container 101.

[0043] The proposed connector enables cable connection while maintaining IP67 protection. Sleeve 401 is installed in the cutout in the 100-mm support body. Washer 402 is tightly secured to sleeve 401 via a threaded connection. Cover 404 is tightly secured to washer 402 via a threaded connection with a seal. Cover 404 contains a central connection element for cable 403 Type-C on the inside and cable 405 Type-C on the outside. Cable 405 contains a sealing cap that prevents water from penetrating the electrical connection between the cable and sleeve. Preferably, all connector components are designed to provide overall IP67 protection.

[0044] Description of the device operation

[0045] The proposed SUP board is brought to the water in a folded state, inflated using a hand, foot, or electric pump, the battery or batteries are inserted into container 101, and the container 101 cable is connected to port 102. The SUP board is now ready for use. Lighting and / or illumination can be controlled using buttons on container 101, a remote control, or a phone if the control unit includes Bluetooth or other available communication technologies.

[0046] Option 1 of implementation

[0047] In one embodiment, connector 202 has IP67 protection even without the contact from container 101 connected, which further increases the reliability of the support board.

[0048] Option 2 of implementation

[0049] In one embodiment, the LED strip is designed as a cord with LEDs that can bend without damage. The cord length is selected so that either one continuous LED strip is located on each side of the boat, or the cord runs along both sides and the stern. The absence of soldered parts in the cord increases the reliability of the watercraft.

[0050] The embodiments are not limited to the embodiments described above; other embodiments of the solution that do not go beyond the essence and scope of this solution will become obvious to a person skilled in the art based on the information set out in the description and knowledge of the prior art.

[0051] Elements mentioned in the singular do not exclude a plurality of elements unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0052] Although exemplary embodiments have been described in detail and shown in the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the broader solution, and that this solution should not be limited to the specific arrangements and structures shown and described, since various other modifications may be apparent to those skilled in the art. The features mentioned in the various dependent claims, as well as the implementations disclosed in various parts of the description, may be combined to achieve advantageous effects, even if the possibility of such a combination is not explicitly disclosed.

Claims

Formula 1. An inflatable floating craft containing an inflatable hull, an LED strip installed inside the hull, a light installed in the bow of the hull, and electrical power is supplied to the LED strips and the light through a waterproof connector located in the upper part of the hull, the LED strip is protected from damage when folding the floating craft using a protective device.

2. The means according to claim 1, in which the lantern is designed to withstand compressive loads during deflating and folding of the inflatable floating device.

3. The means according to claim 1, in which the flashlight is made waterproof.

4. The means according to claim 1, in which the protective means is a metal plate fixed to the LED strip.

5. The means according to claim 1, in which the protective means is a tube covering the junction of the LED strips.

6. The means according to claim 1, wherein the connector is made with a protection rating of IP 67.

7. The means according to claim 1, in which the LED strip is made solid and flexible.

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