Description

Technical Field

The present invention finds application in the nautical field and in particular has for object a modular deck structure for boats. The invention also deal with a boat comprising the above deck structure.

State of the art

As known, the deck is the flat upper surface of a boat connected to the hull and designed to support various equipment, such as dashboard, seats, onboard instrumentation, as well as to permit the transit and resting of persons on board, whether they are members of the crew or passengers.

Generally, the deck is a fixed structure relative to the hull, on which the equipment is fixed in a predetermined pattern which cannot be modified and is selected according to the main intended use of the boat.

It follows that in such boats the arrangement of equipment cannot be reconfigured, except in a very limited way, to adapt to current needs or preferences of the users, nor is it possible to change the type of equipment on board to convert the boat to other uses, for example by pleasure boat to fishing boat, for sports use or other uses, and vice versa.

From WO2011073689 a multifunction boat is known which is provided with a deck on which two series of holes are realized and adapted to allow the modular and reconfigurable anchoring of equipment, in order to vary the board arrangement of the boat and possibly change the intended use.

In particular, the boat cited in the above document allows to change the position of the deck, so as to move it in a more or less advanced position with respect to the longitudinal extension direction of the hull.

Moreover, the holes provided in the deck allow the anchoring of equipment of different types, such as seats for passengers and/or crew, or equipment for the inspection of the seabed, so as to convert the intended use of the boat. The anchoring of the various equipment to the deck is carried out by fixing on the deck appropriate connection brackets, which the equipment to be connected to the deck are equipped with, through fastening members such as bolts or the like.

US6739281 discloses a further reconfigurable deck for boats provided with two series of anchoring elements of different type arranged according to respective rows and columns patterns along the surface of the deck to allow the anchoring of various equipment, such as seats, on-board instruments, containers, sinks, auxiliary fuel tanks, in order to allow the possible conversion of use of the vessel.

The fixing of the equipment with a first set of anchoring elements is obtained by providing for each individual component appropriate brackets inserted by sliding. A second set of anchoring elements is instead designed for the connection of control cables, nautical ropes and tubes.

However, these solutions, while being innovative and advantageous compared to the known solutions, have several drawbacks, especially due to the fact that the deck is always a fixed structure limiting the number and type of implementable combinations.

Furthermore, in the second cited document, the particular embodiment of the anchoring elements requires the proviso of appropriate fastening elements on the various components to be fixed in removable manner to the deck, contributing to a significant increase in overall costs.

A further drawback of the known solutions is the overall lack of flexibility of use of the hull and in particular of the parties defined counter-topside, consisting of the inner side walls of the hull facing the external walls or topside and defining with the same air spaces wherein it is possible to obtain the technical lockers for the passage of implants.

In fact, even the counter-topside have a fixed and not modular structure, without the possibility of reconfiguration, being also integral with the hull structure, with increase of manufacturing the costs also in this case.

US2006/0090688 discloses a boat provided with a bow deck composed of a plurality of removable modules which, however, are not interchangeable with each other in order to reconfigure the deck. The only possibility of reconfiguration is made possible by the removal of a central module that discovers a trap in which the equipment are contained in order to realize a seat and convert the boat from a pleasure boat into a sport-fishing boat.

Scope of the invention

An object of the present invention is to overcome the above drawbacks, providing a modular deck structure for boats which is particularly efficient and cost effective. A particular object is to provide a modular deck structure for boats which allows to configure the arrangement of the equipment according to a theoretically unlimited number of combinations, so as to adapt the structure to the specific needs of the moment and possibly vary the intended use of the boat.

Still another particular object is to provide a modular deck structure for boats that may integrate thereinside elements of different types and having different functions, even in a reconfigurable manner.

A particular object is to provide a modular deck structure for boats wherein the equipment may be anchored and removed in a simple and fast manner and through anchoring means of simple design and therefore cheap, without it being necessary to modify the structure of such equipment.

Still another particular object is to provide a modular deck structure for boats which allows to collect and discharge and eliminate rain water or washing water used on the deck in a simple and fast way.

Still another object is to provide a boat that has a modular hull structure which allows to configure the arrangement of the equipment according to a theoretically unlimited number of combinations, so as to adapt the structure to the specific needs of the moment and possibly vary the intended use boat.

These objects, and others which will appear more clear hereinafter, are achieved by a modular deck structure for boats according to claim 1.

Thanks to this combination of features the deck structure may be disassembled and reassembled according to a multiplicity of configurations to allow the provision of equipment such as seats, furniture, benches, special equipment, for example for fishing or for sports activities, or other functional elements such as sinks, hobs, baths. According to a further aspect of the invention a boat according to claim 10 is provided which comprises the deck structure according to the invention.

Suitably, the boat will also comprise a hull structure of the modular type comprising a pair of outer lateral topsides and a pair of internal counter-topsides each having an inner vertical wall facing a corresponding one of said outer topsides.

Advantageously, each of said inner counter-topsides may include a plurality of niches or compartments provided with first and second coupling means complementarily shape with each other to be reciprocally coupled in a removable manner and allow the reconfigurable insertion of at least one equipment inside one or more of said niches or compartments.

In this way it will be possible to further increase the modularity and reconfigurability of the boat, as it will not only be the deck to be reconfigurable but also the hull.

It is also to be intended that the modular hull structure may be advantageously associated also to boat with deck and deck structures of the known type or otherwise not in accordance with the present invention.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are obtained according to the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent in light of a detailed description of some preferred but not limiting embodiments of a modular hull structure for boats comprising the deck structure, shown as a non- limiting example with the aid of the appended drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a hull structure broken at the stern to allow the view thereinside and provided with a modular deck structure;

FIG. 2 is a cross section view of the hull structure of Fig. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a first detail of Fig. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a second detail of Fig. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a third detail of Fig. 2;

FIG. 6 is an upper view of the structure of Fig. 1; FIGG. from 7 to 12 are upper views of a hull according to different arrangement of equipment on the deck structure;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a detail of the hull structure adapted to point out some parts of a counter-topside;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of a detail of the coupling means of the counter- topsides.

Best modes of carrying out the invention

With reference to the figures a hull structure 1 of a boat is partially shown which is provided with a modular deck structure 2 anchored to the hull structure 1 in an at least partially removable manner in order to be disassembled and remounted according to a multiplicity of embodiments.

In Fig. 1 the hull structure 1 is illustrated in a only partial manner and is broken towards the stern to allow viewing of the lowerdeck area and of the various elements that realize the deck structure 2 and that in normal use would be hidden from view. As shown in the same Fig. 1, the deck structure 2 comprises a lower portion 3 for fixing to the hull structure 1, normally fixed thereto in a stable manner, and a top portion 4 anchored in a removable manner to the lower portion 3 and that will define the floor surface of the deck.

In particular, the upper portion 4 may include first anchoring means 5 adapted to cooperate downward with corresponding second anchoring means 6 provided on the lower portion 3 and to mate upwards with third anchoring means, not shown, associated with the different equipment, accessories and/or functional elements that may be placed on the deck, as described below.

According to some possible embodiments, not shown in attached figures, the first, second and third anchoring means may be of the fast coupling type, male and female type, bayonet or otherwise selected between the mechanical anchorage systems of known type.

Yet, the anchoring means may be defined by a plurality of through holes arranged along the longitudinal and transverse extension of the deck structure 2 and adapted to be aligned with each other to allow the coupling of the respective parts through fastening members such as pins, screws , bolts or similar.

In the present text with the longitudinal direction L is meant the main direction of development of the hull structure 1, while the transverse direction X will be orthogonal to the longitudinal direction L.

In the illustrated embodiment, the upper portion 4 of the deck structure 2 may include a plurality of modules, generally referred with 7, designed to be anchored in a removable manner to the lower portion 3 in side-by- side relationship with each other and aligned according to a pattern with transverse rows 8 and longitudinal columns 9.

The modules 7 have respective flat upper surfaces 10 designed to be anchored in substantially coplanar positions with each other to define a floor surface of the deck substantially without continuity solution.

Furthermore, each module 7 will be provided with respective first anchoring means 5 defined by respective series of first through holes 11 adapted to be aligned with corresponding second fastening means 6 of the lower portion 3.

As more clearly seen from the section of Fig. 2 and from the enlarged details of Figs. 3 to 5, the lower portion will comprise a plurality of longitudinal members or longitudinal rails parallel and coplanar with each other which are adapted to be secured in a stable manner to the hull 1, the various modules 7 being placed thereon. In particular, a central rail 12 or preferably a pair of central rails 12 substantially identical with each other may be provided and placed close to the longitudinal median plane π of the hull 1, symmetrically thereto, as well as a pair of side rails 13, 14 arranged symmetrically with respect to the median plane π.

In a particular variant, the lower portion 3 may also comprise one or more cross members, not visible in the figures, adapted to define with the longitudinal members a lower portion 3 having a grid structure, so as to increase the stability and the maximum load of the upper portion 4.

As can be seen from Fig. 6, each module 7 will include two rows of holes 11 which in the anchoring position may be arranged parallel to the longitudinal direction L and/or to the transverse direction X. In particular, the holes 11 will be mutually offset on the upper surfaces 10 of the respective modules 7 with a first pitch pi equal with each other to allow the complete interchangeability of the modules 7.

In turn, the longitudinal rails 12, 13, 14, and possibly the cross members, may have each a respective longitudinal row of coupling pins 15 mutually offset with a second pitch p2 corresponding to the first pitch pi. In particular, the pins 15 may be threaded mechanical inserts integral with respective rails 12, 13, 14, or cross members and designed to be inserted to fit in the holes 11 of the modules 7.

Each central rail 12 may comprise two longitudinal rows of pins 15 or other equivalents second anchoring means 6, to allow the positioning of two columns 9 of modules 7 mutually side by side, while the side rails 13, 14 include a single row of pins 15 as the modules 7 will be arranged at one side of each of these rails 13, 14. Of course, it is understood that each rail 12, 13, 14 may be also provided with a number of rows of pins 15 or equivalents second means 6 other than as illustrated and consequently also the modules 7 must be provided with a corresponding number of rows of holes 11 or other first anchoring means 5.

The shape and/or size of the modules 7 may also vary with respect of each other, and may also be provided modules 7 of shapes and/or sizes all different.

For example, in the embodiment shown in Figs, from 7 to 12, the modules 7 arranged along the lateral columns 9 have a square top surface 10 with dimensions of 88cm * 88cm, while the modules 7 of the central column 9 are rectangular with a size of 88cm * 72cm.

In the embodiment of Fig. 1 each column 9 has both square modules 7 and rectangular modules 7.

In general, each module will have two rows of four holes 11 staggered with first pitch pi equal to 22cm, which will be then also the measure of the second pitch p ₂ . Each module 7 generally include a top panel 16, provided with the upper surface 10, and possibly a functional element that can be integrated in the respective panel 16 or placed inferiorly thereto to be not visible when the deck is set up.

By way of example, a first type of module 7 may be defined simply only by the floor panel 16 designed to be positioned on the lower portion 3 of the structure 2. In this case the function of the module 7 will be to define the floor surface or support surface for the equipment.

According to another embodiment, one or more modules 7', 7" 'may include a panel 16 having a door, hatch or other openable portion 17 to allow the inspection of the underdeck area, for example of the bilge, or having a optically transparent portion 18.

One or more modules 7' having a panel 16 provided with a door or openable portion 17 may also be provided with a lower compartment or container, not visible in the figures, for housing the equipment or to be used as simple closets arranged below the floor surface.

Furthermore, since the particular modular embodiment of the deck structure 3 allow to obtain an interspace 45 of great size between the upper portion 4 and the bottom of the hull, it will be possible to house thereinside lockers adapted to be used as containers, not visible in the present figures, and that for example may have a plan dimension equal to 66cm * 66cm.

To this end, a further and particularly innovative type of module 7, not shown in detail in the figures, may comprise a panel 16 having an openable portion provided with center empty areas designed to contain the closing pot of the lockers formed in the bilge.

These modules 7 will include a peripheral drip pan allowing the rainwater or washing water of the deck to be conveyed toward a predetermined collecting point through a transverse hole made in the drip pan.

In addition, on the lateral edge of the panel 16, these modules 7 will present sealing means, such as sealing, adapted to prevent rainwater or washing water for the deck to drain toward the lockers, forcing it to flow toward the drip pan.

Moreover, according to another particularly advantageous aspect, one or more of the rails 12, 13, 14 may include a channel or drainage channel for the water that may be connected to the discharge holes of the above drip pans through additional duct or channel, not shown , so as to convey all the water to a predetermined discharge area of the hull 1.

In particular, as it can be observed always in Figs, from 3 to 5, the rails 12, 13, 14 will be profiled elements with shaped cross-section defining one or more bearing surfaces provided with the second anchoring means 6, to allow the support of the modules 7 at their longitudinal edges, and one or more recesses possibly defining a water drain channel.

More precisely, from Figs. 3 and 5 it can be observed that each of the side rails 13, 14 has a single central longitudinal bearing surface, respectively 19 and 20, and two lateral longitudinal grooves, respectively 21, 22 and 23, 24, of which the inner ones 22, 24 will generally be used for the conveyance and the discharge of water.

Each central rail 12, one of which is shown in greater detail in Fig. 4, has two bearing surfaces 25, 26 for corresponding columns 9 of the modules 7 and one only central recess 27 defining a further channel for conveying and unloading of water. It is noted that the particular embodiment of the rails 12, 13, 14 described and illustrated in Figs, from 2 to 5, and in particular the provision of channels or ducts for conveying and draining water 22, 24, 27 may be advantageously implemented also in deck structures different from that so far disclosed and illustrated and in particular also in combinations with decks having an upper portion defining the floor surface formed by one or more panels mounted on the rails 12, 13, 14 in a totally or partially fixed manner.

Regarding the number and type of modules 7, it is observed that a deck structure 2 may be arranged according to a multiplicity of combinations comprising a different number of these types of modules 7 as well as additional types of modules which are not described and that comprise essentially a top panel associated with a functional element designed to be arranged on the upper surface of the panel or below the same. In a purely exemplary way, the modules 7 may include functional elements selected from the group comprising connecting elements for electrical cables or of the data type adapted to allow the connection with electrical or electronic systems, coupling elements for equipment or for any equipment normally used on a boat.

Furthermore, it will also be possible to configure the upper portion 4 of the deck 2 providing modules 7 all identical with each other.

Not least, deck the structure 2 may comprise a number of modules 7 greater than the maximum number of modules 7 to be mounted on the hull 1, so as to further increase the number of achievable embodiments.

In Figs. 7 to 10 some different embodiments of the hull 1 are shown, which differ with each other in the arrangement of equipment 28 anchored on the upper surface 10 of the deck 2.

In these figures, for simplicity the deck 2 is illustrated in a configuration wherein the modules 7 have respective panels 16, all substantially identical to each other, but it is obvious that these different provisions can also be obtained with different configurations of the deck 2, for example with a configuration of the type shown in Fig. 1 or the like.

In general, the equipment 28 to be placed on the deck 2 will be provided with third anchoring means of the universal type, not illustrated since of known type, suitable to allow the fixing to the first anchoring means 5 of the modules 7 not engaged by the second anchoring means 6.

For example, the third anchoring means may be brackets or similar elements fixed in stable or removable manner to the respective equipment 28 and provided with respective holes longitudinally staggered with the third pitch equal to or multiple of the first pitch p ₁ .

In this way the holes may be aligned with the holes 11 of the modules 7 not engaged by the pins 15 of the rails 12, 13, 14 or other second anchoring means 6 so as to allow the mutual stable connection using universal fixing organs, such as screws, pins, bolts and the like.

The equipment 28 which can be placed on the deck 2 can be selected, by way of not limiting example, between seating units for passengers, crew, driving seats, benches, furniture of different use, such as sinks, kitchen, equipped modules, fixed, folding or collapsible tables, sun kit, sports or work equipment, for example for diving or other water sports, fishing, such as tanks for live fishes, ice and similar technical equipment or ancillary equipment to the operation of the boat. Suitably, the equipment 28 may be sized with longitudinal and transverse dimensions equal to or multiple of the dimensions of the modules 7.

The equipment 28 provided with supply and/or discharge lines of liquids or other fluids, or, again, the equipment 28 equipped with a power supply or data connection may be suitably connected to the related systems, not illustrated in the figures as known per se, which generally will be located at least partially in the area of the hull 1 comprised between the outer topsides 29, 29' and the inner topsides or counter topsides 30, 30'.

In Figs. 11 and 12 two additional embodiments of the upper portion 4 of the deck structure 2 are shown, wherein it can be observed the presence of some modules 7 in the rotated position with respect of the longitudinal orientation of the other modules and having rows of holes 11 arranged transversely

Furthermore, as can be observed from Fig. 12, if an equipment 28', such as a table, is placed above a module 7' provided with an openable portion 17, for example just one of the modules that give access to the lockers, this equipment may be anchored to module 7' by a sled.

In this case, if there is need to access the lower locker, it will be sufficient to slide the equipment 28, to make the same locker accessible.

In Fig. 1 and in Figs. 13 and 14 a particularly advantageous embodiment of the counter topsides 30 designed for the realization of a hull structure 1 is shown.

It should be noted that the hull structure 1 provided with the counter topsides 30, 30' disclosed hereinafter may indifferently comprise the deck structure 2 described above or any other deck structure, also of the fixed type, or already existing.

Hereinafter for simplicity we will refer to a single counter topside 30, it being understood that everything that will be reported to it will find in a substantially similar and functionally equivalent manner in the other counter topside 30' .

As can be seen from the figures, each counter topside 30 comprises a substantially vertical wall 31 firmly associated to a corresponding lateral topside 29 of the hull structure 1 and which extends longitudinally and parallel thereto.

Each vertical wall 31 is provided with a plurality of recesses or compartments, generally indicated with 32, whose shape and size may be selected according to the needs and the particular configuration of the hull structure 1.

In the shown embodiment the niches or compartments 32 are substantially equal to each other with a front opening 33 of substantially rectangular shape closed by a flat bottom wall 34 and with a depth that may also be variable along the longitudinal development of the hull 1.

If the hull structure 1 provided with such counter topsides 30, 30' also comprises the deck structure 2 described above, the individual niches or compartments 32 may have respective front openings 33 with the longitudinal dimension proportional to the pitch pi of the holes 11 of the modules 7 and/or of the longitudinal dimensions of the modules 7.

In particular, in the illustrated example this longitudinal dimension will be twice the first pitch pi and equal to half the longitudinal dimension of the modules 7.

Advantageously, inside one or more of the niches or compartments 32, preferably in all, suitable fastening means may be provided to allow the detachably housing of equipment and/or accessories, not shown, such as, by way of not limiting example, closing doors, rope support, folding seats or retractable tables, storage, fire extinguishers, fender housings, waste baskets, hoses for deck washing, shoes containers, specific technical equipment for sports, fishing or any other technical- scientific activities and similar.

In particular, the niches or compartments 32 may include first fastening means 35 of the male or female type adapted to cooperate with second fastening means 36 of female or male type adapted to be associated with the equipment and accessories to be placed therein.

Suitably, the first fastening means 35 of each niche 32 will be equal to each other, as well as the second fastening means 36, schematically shown in Fig. 12, so as to apply the equipment to any one of the niches 32, without any limitation.

In a preferred embodiment, the first fastening means 35 will be first female fastening members associated in a stable but possibly removable manner to the inner side walls 37 of the niches 32, preferably at least two first fastening members for each side wall 37.

In turn, the second fastening means 36 comprise corresponding second male fastening members 38 coupled by means of snap or other quick and removable coupling system to the first female members 35.

It is understood, however, that the first fastening members 35 may be of the male type while the second members 38 may be of the female type.

Preferably, the second fastening means 36 may include connection elements 39 each provided with pairs of second fastening members 38 mutually spaced with a distance equal to the distance between the first fastening members 35 associated to a same inner side wall 37, so as to carry out the coupling in one step.

Each connection element 39 may be also provided with suitable connecting means, not illustrated, removably coupled to the individual equipments to be applied to niches 32, to allow the quick coupling and uncoupling.

According to another particularly advantageous aspect, the connections to the electric and/or service systems, such as plumbing for supplying fresh or salt water or drainage systems, are already provided within the niches 32 for quick connection of equipment that are located on the deck 2 and that require such utilities to operate.

By way of example, the connection points for the electrical lines may be arranged in the inner upper wall 40 of the niches 32, whereas the connection points for hydraulic systems or for the delivery of other fluids may be provided at the inner bottom wall

41. The various connection points may be made accessible by means of corresponding removable doors 42.

The electrical and service systems may be arranged in the space between the topsides and the counter topsides, for example in special technical lockers suitably provided, and/or below the deck 2, according to techniques known to the person skilled in the art and therefore not representing a limitation for the claimed scope.

The outer walls 31 of the counter topsides 30 may also be provided with light points 43, preferably integrated in the lower longitudinal edge 44.

From above it is evident that the structure and the boat according to the invention reach the intended objects and in particular allow the deck and/or hull to be rearranged in a simple and rapid manner and through relatively cheap means when compared with similar solutions, to allow also to vary the intended use.

The deck structure, the boat and the hull structure according to the invention are susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all falling within the inventive concept expressed in the attached claims. All the details may be replaced with other technically equivalent elements, and the materials may be different according to requirements, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, the rails 12, 13, 14 will be preferably made of a composite material, such as fiberglass, so as to be light and strong, without however excluding the possibility of using other materials, even metal.

Even if the deck structure, the boat and the hull structure have been disclosed with particular reference to the attached figures, reference numbers used in the description and in the claims are used to improve the intelligence of the invention and do not constitute any limitation the claimed scope.