Dragon-type inflatable canoe

Abstract

The invention relates to a dragon-type inflatable canoe. The canoe consists of a hull (1), and decorative elements in the form of a dragon head (2) and a dragon tail (3), which are fastenable to the bow (4) and the stern (5) of the hull (1). The right and left sides of the hull (1) consist of right and left AirDeck bladders (6, 7), which are connected to one another at the bow and stern, and the floor comprises at least one AirDeck bladder. Inflatable seats (9) are provided which have the same width as the cockpit and have a height equal to at least a third of the height of the sides. The lower portions of the right and left AirDeck bladders (6, 7) extend beyond the bottom of the canoe, forming right and left vertical keels (12, 13). The invention provides improved performance and seaworthiness.

Description

Inflatable dragon-type canoe

[0001] The invention relates to the field of shipbuilding, in particular to sports, inflatable dragon-type canoes

[0002] A dragon boat of inflatable design is known from the prior art (Chinese utility model No. 213735451, 20.07.2021, B63B34 / 22), consisting of a hull and two buoyancy chambers, wherein the hull of the boat is a hollow shell and includes a dragon head and a dragon tail, made with the possibility of a detachable connection, wherein the buoyancy chambers are fixed on both sides of the hull of the boat and connected to each other through the bottom of the hull of the boat, ensuring its buoyancy, wherein the hull is equipped with a row of equally spaced seats.

[0003] The prototype description does not disclose the technical means necessary to ensure the dragon boat's required operational and seaworthiness for its intended use. Given that a dragon boat is a large canoe, accommodating 5 to 20 people with a relatively large length-to-width ratio (L / B), ensuring sufficient rigidity and strength of the hull structure is crucial for its inflatable design, as its operational and seaworthiness directly depend on it.

[0004] The purpose of the invention is to expand the range of dragon-type inflatable canoe designs. The objective and technical result of the invention is to create an inflatable dragon-type canoe with improved operational and seaworthiness.

[0005] The claimed technical result is achieved by the proposed device of an inflatable dragon-type canoe, consisting of a hull, as well as decorative elements - a dragon's head and a dragon's tail, made with the possibility of detachable attachment to the bow and to the stern of the hull, wherein the hull contains right and left symmetrical inflatable sides, a bottom and a cockpit, as well as a row of seats, wherein the right and left sides are straight or close to straight and consist of right and left AirDeck cylinders connected to each other at the bow and at the stern, wherein the bottom contains at least one AirDeck cylinder, and the seats are made inflatable and have a width of the cockpit, as well as a height of at least a third of the height of the sides, wherein the bottom is located between the lower and upper generatrices of the right and left AirDeck cylinders, in such a way that the lower part of the sides protrudes relative to the bottom with the formation of right and left vertical keels.

[0006] AirDeck, as is known from the prior art, is a double-walled, gas-retaining material whose walls are bonded to each other by multiple, evenly distributed polyester threads, forming a high-pressure chamber between the walls. Reinforced polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheets are typically used as the wall material.

[0007] AirDeck is a more rigid and dense structural material than low-pressure (LP) cylinders. It maintains its shape well, maintaining the plane of the outer wall surfaces. The material's thickness is constant due to the interlocking of the inner wall surfaces with threads. These advantages allow for the production of more compact inflatable structures compared to LP cylinders, where the cylinder shape is compliant with the internal pressure.

[0008] In this regard, the use of AirDeck as a structural material for the side and bottom of an inflatable dragon-type canoe has the following advantages:

[0009] provides comparatively high, flat sides, while maintaining the width of the sides and, accordingly, the overall width of the hull and useful space of the cockpit, which ensures a compact design;

[0010] provides more advanced hull lines from a hydrodynamic point of view with flat sides and sharp ends, and accordingly an increased length to width ratio (L / B), a deeper draft and comparatively low hull fullness factors, which has a positive effect on the canoe's performance;

[0011] provides higher dynamic strength of the hull in comparison with structures containing ND sides, in particular, against torsion and longitudinal bending;

[0012] By increasing the height of the vertical side, the hull becomes less prone to flooding compared to ND boats.

[0013] According to the disclosed design of the dragon-type inflatable canoe, the longitudinal hull rigidity is provided by AirDeck bladders oriented relative to the vertical plane, while transverse rigidity is provided by the bottom and inflatable seats, which are at least one-third the height of the sides from the deck, thus acting as ribs. The choice of seat height is also empirical and based on the seats' ability to provide the required transverse rigidity of the hull.

[0014] According to the disclosed design of the dragon-type inflatable canoe, improved performance, particularly directional stability, is also achieved through vertical keels formed by the lower portion of the AirDeck struts, which protrude relative to the bottom. Empirical studies have shown that the vertical keels should protrude relative to the bottom by 0.1 to 0.25 times the side height, ensuring both performance and acceptable handling.

[0015] The bottom of the hull of an open dragon-type inflatable canoe may consist of a low-pressure main cylinder, connecting at the bottom, the right and left AirDeck cylinders, forming the bottom of the hull and including one or more buoyancy chambers, as well as AirDeck flooring.

[0016] The bottom of the hull of an open dragon-type inflatable canoe can also consist of a sealed elastic fabric connecting the right and left AirDeck cylinders from below, forming the bottom, as well as an insertable AirDeck floorboard, which forms the deck and gives the hull the required buoyancy, longitudinal and transverse rigidity.

[0017] The bottom of the hull of an open dragon-type inflatable canoe may also consist of at least one AirDeck cylinder connecting the right and left AirDeck cylinders, forming the bottom and deck of the hull - the specified bottom design option is preferred. Figure 1

[0018] shows a general view of an inflatable dragon-type canoe in three dimensions in accordance with the best embodiment. Figure 2

[0019] shows a front (bow) view of an inflatable dragon-type canoe in accordance with the best embodiment of the invention. Figure 3

[0020] shows a rear view (stern) of an inflatable dragon-type canoe in accordance with the best embodiment of the invention. Figure 4

[0021] shows a top view of an inflatable dragon-type canoe in accordance with the best embodiment of the invention. Figure 5

[0022] shows a side view of an inflatable dragon-type canoe in accordance with the best embodiment of the invention. Figure 6

[0023] shows a section of an inflatable dragon-type canoe in the plane of the midship frame in accordance with the best embodiment of the invention.]

[0024] The following designations of elements are used in the explanatory drawings:

[0025] Body – 1;

[0026] Dragon head - 2;

[0027] Dragon Tail - 3;

[0028] Nose – 4;

[0029] Feed – 5;

[0030] Right and left AirDeck cylinders – 6 and 7;

[0031] Bottom – 8;

[0032] Seats – 9;

[0033] Bottom – 10;

[0034] Deck – 11;

[0035] Right and left vertical keels – 12 and 13;

[0036] Inflatable footrest – 14.

[0037] In accordance with the best embodiment of the invention, an inflatable dragon-type canoe consists of a hull - 1, as well as decorative elements - a dragon's head - 2 and a dragon's tail - 3, which are made with the possibility of detachable attachment to the bow - 4 and to the stern - 5, wherein the hull - 1 contains right and left sides consisting of right and left AirDeck cylinders - 6 and 7, connected to each other at the bow - 4 and at the stern - 5, a bottom - 8, a cockpit formed by the sides and the bottom, as well as a row of five removable inflatable seats - 9, wherein the seats - 9 have a width equal to the width of the cockpit at the installation location of each seat and a height of 0.24 meters, wherein the bottom - 8, is an AirDeck cylinder connecting the right and left AirDeck cylinders - 6 and 7 and forming the bottom - 10 and the deck - 11 of the hull - 1, and the bottom - 8 is located between the lower and upper generatrices of the right and left AirDeck cylinders - 6 and 7, thus,that the lower part of the right and left AirDeck cylinders - 6 and 7 protrudes relative to the bottom to form the right and left vertical keels - 12 and 13, and the height of each vertical keel is 0.08 meters.,

[0038] In accordance with the best embodiment of the invention, each seat - 9 is made of two AirDeck cylinders connected together - a lower one, resting on the deck, and an upper cylinder, forming a seating surface, with the seats fixed to the sides by means of textile fasteners of the Velcro type.

[0039] In accordance with the best embodiment of the invention, each seat – 9, additionally contains a footrest (not shown in the drawings), made in the form of adjustable loops.

[0040] In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, hull 1 further comprises an inflatable, removable footrest 14 located in the cockpit space between the right and left AirDeck cylinders 6 and 7, intended for the lead rower. Said footrest 14 consists of an AirDeck cylinder capable of being secured to the right and left AirDeck cylinders 6 and 7 using Velcro-type fasteners.

[0041] In accordance with the best embodiment of the invention, the right and left AirDeck cylinders – 6 and 7, form symmetrical vertical sides and symmetrical pointed ends.

[0042] In accordance with the best embodiment of the invention, the right and left AirDeck cylinders - 6 and 7 are formed from flat blanks of AirDeck material, the shape of which consists of one straight long edge, forming the upper part of the sides of the hull - 1, as well as a curved long edge, connected to the straight long edge, defining the contours of the lower part of the hull - 1.

[0043] In accordance with the best embodiment of the invention, the right and left AirDeck cylinders - 6 and 7 additionally contain lateral stops (not shown in the drawings), made in the form of sections of profile PVC tape, glued to the outer straight surfaces of the right and left AirDeck cylinders - 6 and 7 at the level of the structural waterline.

[0044] In accordance with the best embodiment of the invention, the right and left vertical keels - 12 and 13 contain bottom stops (not shown in the drawings), made in the form of sections of profile PVC tape, glued to the surfaces of the vertical keels.

[0045] In accordance with the best embodiment of the invention, the right and left AirDeck cylinders 6 and 7 additionally contain oarlocks (not shown in the drawings), installed in the stern of the hull 1 for attaching the helmsman's oar (not shown in the drawings).

[0046] In accordance with the best embodiment of the invention, the right and left AirDeck cylinders – 6 and 7 – additionally contain handles (not shown in the drawings) designed for easy carrying of the canoe.

[0047] In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, hull 1 further comprises a removable, rigid helmsman platform (not shown in the drawings), located in the aft deck of hull 1. This platform eliminates local elastic deformations and spring-loaded inflatable bottom 8 during active helmsman movements, thereby enhancing helmsman stability. Depending on the embodiment of the invention, the helmsman platform may be constructed of moisture-resistant plywood, reinforced polymer composite material (RPM), aluminum, or other rigid materials known in the art and used for similar purposes.

[0048] According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, canopies (not shown in the drawings) are provided in the bow and stern of the hull to prevent flooding of the cockpit. Depending on the embodiment, the canopies may be removable or permanent.

[0049] According to the best embodiment of the invention, the decorative elements—dragon head − 2 and / or dragon tail − 3—are flat rigid structures, while dragon head − 2 and / or dragon tail − 3 may also be three-dimensional rigid or elastic structures, including inflatable ones. Moreover, the decorative elements dragon head − 2 and / or dragon tail − 3 may be made of various materials known in the prior art, including, but not limited to: solid wood, plywood, various polymers, including foamed polymers, PCM, sheet metal. The decorative elements "dragon head" − 2 and / or "dragon tail" − 3 may also be manufactured by various methods known in the prior art, including casting, stamping, cutting, injection molding, and 3D printing.

[0050] In accordance with the best embodiment of the invention, the hull - 1, additionally contains elastic pockets, as well as loops (not shown in the drawings), made in the bow and in the stern, wherein the decorative elements - the head of the dragon - 2 and (or) the tail of the dragon - 3, are made with the possibility of fastening to the bow and to the stern of the hull by means of an external beam and textile fasteners, wherein one end of the beam is made with the possibility of fastening the decorative element, and the second - free end is made with the possibility of placement in an elastic pocket, wherein the textile fasteners are made with the possibility of fastening on the external beam, as well as on the hull through loops.

[0051] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention for expanding the navigation area, the hull - 1 additionally contains removable outriggers consisting of two floats spaced apart relative to the hull in the form of two AirDeck cylinders (not shown in the drawings), as well as two outriggers made of aluminum pipes.

[0052] According to the best embodiment of the invention, the inflatable dragon-type canoe is a twelve-seater canoe with a carrying capacity of 1.5 tons.

[0053] An inflatable dragon-type canoe in accordance with the best embodiment of the invention has the following main dimensions:

[0054] The greatest length (L наибольшая ) 8.7 meters;

[0055] Length at design waterline (L КВЛ ) 6.8 meters;

[0056] Width at design waterline (B КВЛ ) 1.2 meters;

[0057] Draft (T) 0.3 meters;

[0058] Side height (H) 0.6 meters;

[0059] Freeboard height (F) 0.3 meters.

[0060] According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the right and left AirDeck bladders (6 and 7), which form the sides, have a thickness of 0.09 meters in the operating position, while the chamber volume of each bladder is 0.4 cubic meters. The AirDeck bottom bladder (8) has a thickness of 0.135 meters, while the bottom chamber volume is 0.525 cubic meters. Each of the five seats (9) has a chamber volume of 0.045 cubic meters. Thus, the total volume (V) of the buoyancy chambers of the inflatable dragon-type canoe according to the basic embodiment of the invention is 1.55 cubic meters. According to the basic embodiment of the invention, the mass of the inflatable dragon-type canoe is 80 kilograms.Since the author is not aware of a reliable formula for calculating the maximum load-bearing capacity of a high-pressure inflatable boat consisting of AirDeck cylinders, conclusions about the advantage of the open design in terms of maximum load-bearing capacity can be made based on the well-known empirical formula for calculating the maximum load-bearing capacity of low-pressure inflatable boats:

[0061] The maximum carrying capacity of a low-pressure inflatable boat with similar characteristics, calculated using the empirical formula:

[0062] m = 0.75 V×1000 M

[0063] Where:

[0064] m – maximum load capacity of an inflatable canoe in kilograms;

[0065] V – the total volume of all inflatable buoyancy chambers of an inflatable canoe in cubic meters;

[0066] M is the total mass of the canoe in kilograms.

[0067] Thus, the load-bearing capacity of an inflatable dragon-type canoe with a low-pressure inflatable hull is approximately 1.1 tons, compared to 1.5 tons according to the best embodiment of the invention. This load-bearing capacity was determined by testing a prototype in fresh water.

[0068] The inflatable canoe in accordance with the best embodiment has the following basic ratios of the main dimensions:

[0069] L / B – 5.66;

[0070] B / T – 4;

[0071] H / T – 2;

[0072] L / H – 11.33;

[0073] B / H – 2.

[0074] The indicated ratios of the main dimensions confirm the improved seaworthiness of the open dragon-type inflatable canoe, in particular speed, stability, and propulsion, which, in particular, cannot be ensured by the designs of inflatable canoes, the sides of which are low-pressure cylinders.

[0075] List of links below:

[0076] China Utility Model Publication No. 213735451, publication date 20.07.2021, IPC B63B34 / 22.

Claims

An inflatable dragon-type canoe consisting of a hull (1), as well as decorative elements - a dragon's head (2) and a dragon's tail (3), made with the possibility of detachable attachment to the bow (4) and to the stern (5) of the hull (1), wherein the hull (1) contains right and left symmetrical inflatable sides, a bottom (8) and a cockpit, as well as a row of seats (9), characterized in that the right and left sides are straight or close to straight and consist of right (6) and left (7) AirDeck cylinders connected to each other at the bow (4) and at the stern (5), wherein the bottom (8) contains at least one AirDeck cylinder, and the seats (9) are made inflatable and have a width of the cockpit, as well as a height of at least a third of the height of the sides, wherein the bottom (8) is located between the lower and upper generatrices of the right (6) and left (7) AirDeck cylinders, so that the lower part of the right (6) and left (7) AirDeck cylinders protrudes relative to the bottom to form the right (12) and left (13) vertical keels. An inflatable dragon-type canoe, according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the seats (9) are removable. An inflatable dragon-type canoe, according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the seats (9) contain AirDeck cylinders. An inflatable dragon-type canoe, according to paragraph 1, characterized in that each seat (9) is made of two AirDeck cylinders connected together - a lower one, resting on the deck (11), and an upper cylinder, forming a surface for sitting, and the seats are designed with the possibility of fixing to the sides by means of textile fasteners of the Velcro type. An inflatable dragon-type canoe, in accordance with paragraph 1, characterized in that the inflatable bottom (8) consists of a low-pressure main cylinder connecting from below the right (6) and left (7) AirDeck cylinders, including one or more buoyancy chambers, as well as AirDeck flooring. An inflatable dragon-type canoe, in accordance with paragraph 1, characterized in that the inflatable bottom (8) consists of a sealed elastic fabric connecting from below the right (6) and left (7) AirDeck cylinders, as well as the insert AirDeck floor. An inflatable dragon-type canoe according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the inflatable bottom (8) consists of at least one AirDeck cylinder connecting the right (6) and left (7) AirDeck cylinders from below. An inflatable dragon-type canoe, in accordance with paragraph 1, characterized in that the height of the right (12) and left (13) vertical keels is from 0.1 to 0.25 of the height of the sides. An inflatable dragon-type canoe, in accordance with paragraph 1, characterized in that a removable, rigid platform is installed in the stern (5). An inflatable dragon-type canoe, in accordance with paragraph 1, characterized in that the right (6) and left (7) AirDeck cylinders additionally contain side rests. An inflatable dragon-type canoe, in accordance with paragraph 1, characterized in that the right (12) and left (13) vertical keels contain bottom stops; An inflatable dragon-type canoe, in accordance with paragraph 1, characterized in that the right (6) and left (7) AirDeck cylinders contain oarlocks. An inflatable dragon-type canoe, in accordance with paragraph 1, characterized in that the right (6) and left (7) AirDeck cylinders additionally contain handles. An inflatable dragon-type canoe, in accordance with paragraph 1, characterized in that the bow (4) and (or) stern (5) additionally contain removable or non-removable visors. An inflatable dragon-type canoe, in accordance with paragraph 1, characterized in that the decorative elements - the dragon's head (2) and (or) the dragon's tail (3) - are flat or three-dimensional and made of a rigid material. An inflatable dragon-type canoe, in accordance with paragraph 1, characterized in that the decorative elements - the dragon's head (2) and (or) the dragon's tail (3) - are three-dimensional, of an inflatable structure, made of elastic material. An inflatable dragon-type canoe, in accordance with paragraph 1, characterized in that the seats (9) additionally contain footrests made in the form of adjustable loops. An inflatable dragon-type canoe, in accordance with paragraph 1, characterized in that elastic pockets are made in the bow (4) and (or) in the stern (5) of the hull (1), as well as loops, wherein the decorative elements - the dragon's head (2) and (or) the dragon's tail (3), are made with the possibility of being attached to the bow (4) and to the stern (5) of the hull (1) by means of an outrigger beam and textile fasteners, wherein one end of the beam is made with the possibility of attaching a decorative element - the dragon's head (2) or the dragon's tail (3), and the second - free end is made with the possibility of being placed in an elastic pocket, wherein the textile fasteners are made with the possibility of being attached to the outrigger beam, as well as to the hull (1) through loops. An inflatable dragon-type canoe, in accordance with paragraph 1, characterized in that the hull (1) additionally contains removable outriggers consisting of two floats spaced apart relative to the hull in the form of two AirDeck cylinders, as well as two outriggers made of aluminum pipes; An inflatable dragon-type canoe, in accordance with paragraph 1, characterized in that the body (1) additionally contains an inflatable, removable footrest (14), located in the cockpit, in the space between the right (6) and left (7) AirDeck cylinders.

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