Inflatable Oar Frame With Removable Oar Towers for Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inconvenience of transporting and storing inflatable watercrafts with rigid metallic oar frames, which require trailers and additional space, due to the difficulty in disassembling and transporting the assembled frames.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable oar frame that can be mounted over a watercraft interior, allowing oar towers to couple removably, enabling the frame to be deflated and folded for transport, and inflated at the location of use, eliminating the need for trailers and storage space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid metallic oar frame is secured to the inflatable watercraft, then the oar frame provides structural support and interface for oars, but the oar frame requires trailers and additional storage space for transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rigid metallic frame with an inflatable frame constructed from flexible materials that can be inflated to provide structural support and deflated for compact storage. The inflatable frame body includes air chambers that when inflated create the necessary rigidity to support oar towers and provide structural integrity, while allowing the entire assembly to be deflated and folded into a compact form factor for transportation without trailers.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid metallic oar frame is assembled and secured to the inflatable watercraft, then the oar frame provides a stable interface for oars, but the oar frame cannot be easily disassembled and transported
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic structure where the frame transitions from a rigid assembled state during use to a deflated compact state for transportation. The inflatable frame body can be inflated to provide stable structural support for oar towers during rowing operations, then deflated and folded to enable easy transportation. This dynamic transformation allows the same structure to provide both stability during use and portability during transport.
3Strength
If the oar frame remains secured to the inflatable watercraft during transport, then the structural integrity is maintained, but trailers and trailer parking space are required
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable frame body provides structural integrity when inflated, maintaining the necessary rigidity to support oar towers and resist operational loads. When deflated, the same flexible material allows the frame to be folded into a compact form that fits within or alongside the inflatable watercraft, eliminating the need for separate trailers and reducing transport length requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables convenient transportation and storage of inflatable watercrafts by allowing the oar frame to be deflated and folded, reducing the need for trailers and storage space, while maintaining functionality for use.
Implementation Method 1
Inflatable watercraft can be constructed of flexible tubes which are inflated with air or another gas
Implementation Method 2
Inflatable watercraft can be constructed of flexible tubes which are inflated with air or another gas
Data Source
AI summary
An inflatable oar frame and methods of making and using an inflatable oar frame adapted to removably mount over a watercraft interior, wherein oar towers can couple to the inflatable oar frame to provide an interface between the oars and the watercraft.