The invention furthermore relates to a method for moving a canopy of a vessel.

Such a vessel is generally known. A vessel that is known in particular comprises a supporting structure, which is at least partially present below the waterline, on which a superstructure of the vessel is present. At least part of the superstructure of the vehicle is usually formed by a wheelhouse, in which the engine control elements and the steering/control elements are present. A canopy closes the superstructure. In a known embodiment thereof, the canopy is a cover capable of pivoting movement in a manner similar to that of a convertible top, so as to be opened and closed in dependence on the actual weather conditions.

A drawback of the known vessel is the fact that its radius remains limited, irrespective of the embodiment of the known vessel, in view of the average headway under bridges and overpasses.

The object of the present invention is to realize an increased radius for a vessel of the type having a slightly higher building height, whilst the vessel is nevertheless capable of passing under relatively low bridges and overpasses.

In order to accomplish that object, the vessel according to the invention is characterized in that the vessel is fitted with first adjusting means for adjusting

the canopy in longitudinal direction, and with second adjusting means for adjusting the canopy in vertical direction.

The inventor has realised that the use of a pivotable canopy, as in the known vessel, does not have an influence on the amount of headway the vessel on average requires, or at least not to a sufficient extent to effect a significantly increased radius. By making the canopy horizontally and vertically adjustable, however, a vessel according to the invention is obtained, which makes it possible to combine the advantage of a vessel having a lower superstructure, and thus a larger radius, with the advantages of a vessel that offers more comfort, for example because more headroom for the passengers is provided. This applies in particular for the wheelhouse part of the closed superstructure of the vessel, whose canopy according to the invention can be moved and subsequently be lowered, if desired.

In addition to that, said advantages are retained and, moreover, combined with the advantages of a convertible top-type vessel, which radiates sportiveness and which furthermore makes it possible to steer the vessel in the open air.

For some types of vessels, such as saloon cruisers, it is no longer necessary to have double controls, viz. inside and outside the wheelhouse.

One embodiment of the vessel according to the invention is characterized in that the canopy is provided with one or more removable, pivotable or collapsible side walls.

In this embodiment according to the invention, the side walls are advantageously adjusted for length and for height, possibly together with the canopy. In that case the side walls need not be moved, pivoted or swung aside otherwise, though this will be possible, if it is only the canopy itself that is adjustable for length and for height.

In an additional embodiment, the vessel according to the invention is characterized in that the vessel is fitted with means for moving the canopy in a transverse plane.

If the canopy is also movable in transverse direction, this means a greater freedom of choice in practice as regards the possible practical implementations of the vessel according to the present invention.

Another embodiment of the vessel according to the invention is characterized in that first and/or second adjusting means are provided between the supporting structure or the superstructure on the one hand and the canopy on the other hand.

In a constructionally advantageous embodiment, the first adjusting means, whether or not combined with the second adjusting means, may be fitted between the canopy and the supporting structure, or between the canopy and the superstructure, as desired, depending on the practical embodiment of the vessel.

Another embodiment of the vessel according to the invention is characterized in that the first and the second adjusting means are at least partially combined, which generally leads to a compact, lightweight and more advantageous multidimensional adjustability while using fewer components.

Yet another embodiment of the vessel according to the invention is characterized in that the first and/or second adjusting means can be mechanically, electrically, magnetically, pneumatically and/or hydraulically driven.

This enables the user to choose from a variety of driving possibilities, which is desirable in practice.

Yet another embodiment of the vessel according to the

invention is characterized in that the first and/or second adjusting means, insofar as they are present, comprise one or more guide systems for guiding the adjustment of the canopy.

Guide systems have this advantage that they offer a high degree of stability, with little play, coupled with a high degree of constructional freedom with regard to, for example, a hoisting, pulling, worm wheel or gear wheel system, possibly with a transmission, which in turn can readily be combined with one of the aforesaid driving possibilities.

Preferably, use is made of guide rails for guiding the adjustment of the canopy vertically, horizontally and/or at an angle.

In the latter case, adjustment in vertical direction and transverse direction may even take place simultaneously.

Accordingly, the method according to the invention is characterized in that the canopy is moved in a transverse plane, or in longitudinal and/or transverse direction, and in vertical direction, and in that vessel operating and control elements will be positioned either inside or outside the canopy, as desired, with the vessel requiring less headway after the canopy has been moved.

The present invention and it is further advantages will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which like parts are indicated by the same numerals in the various figures. In the drawing, Figs. 1-6 and 7A-7C schematically show the vessel according to the invention, with reference to which figures also the method according to the invention will be explained.

Figs. 1, 2,3, 4,5 and 6 show a vehicle 1 comprising

a supporting structure 2, which is intended to stay partially in the water, and a superstructure 3 mounted thereon, which is provided with the vessel operating and control elements 4. The vessel 1 further comprises a movable canopy 5, which closes at least part of the superstructure 3. The canopy 5 is formed by a movable roof or roof portion as shown, for example. Said covering part may be a part of a wheel house 6 at the top of the vessel 1. The canopy 5 is vertically adjustable, so that the vessel 1 will require less headway under bridges and overpasses.

In the embodiment that is shown in the aforesaid figures, the canopy 5 is also movable in a transverse plane. Given the design of the vessel 1, the canopy 5 is first moved to the front in practice, i. e. in the longitudinal direction of the vessel 1, as indicated by the arrows in figures 1,2 and 5. To that end, the canopy may in particular be movable by means of transverse plane adjusting means 7 as shown in Fig. 4, in the form of a guide system 8 comprising guide rails 9 (see Fig. 6), which extend horizontally in this case. Then the canopy 5, after being moved, e. g. a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, if necessary, is moved in vertical direction by vertical adjusting means 10 (see Fig. 6). The aforesaid transverse plane comprises the longitudinal direction and/or the direction perpendicular thereto. The guide system for the adjusting means 7 and 10 may be a hoisting or cable system, a lift or rail system, whether or not provided with rollers or wheels, a pulling system comprising worm wheels, pulleys or gear wheels, which may or may not be provided with a transmission for providing a suitable pulling force, combined with a suitable adjusting rate of the roof 5. The vertical adjusting means 10 may be in the form of a guide system 8 as referred to above, whether or not provided with moving or sliding guide rails 9, which extend in vertical direction in this case.

Various possibilities exist as regards the manner of construction and the placement of, in particular, the adjusting means 7,10. The adjusting means 7,10 are connected with the canopy 5, and may furthermore be connected either with the supporting structure 2 or with the superstructure 3. The adjusting means 7,10 may be mechanically, electrically, manually, magnetically, pneumatically and/or hydraulically driven. For example, a hydraulic cylinder 11 (see Fig. 4) may be fitted, for example a longitudinal direction, which cylinder could drive one or more, possibly combined, adjusting means 7, 10. The adjusting means 7 and 10 might be combined in those cases where it is constructionally possible to dispose the guide rails 9 at an angle, in which case vertical adjustment and adjustment in a transverse plane of the canopy 5 can take place simultaneously.

If the canopy 5 is provided with one or more side walls 12 (see Fig. 6), it may be advantageous for practical reasons to make it removable or pivotable, or at least partially collapsible, so that only the flat part of the canopy is adjusted, for example. When the canopy 5 is provided with fixed side walls 12, the canopy 5 will be moved together with the fixed side walls 12 and be vertically adjusted. The result is that the operating and control elements 4 are be positioned inside or outside, as desired, whilst the vessel 1 requires less headway in that case.

From Figs. 1,2 and 3 it can furthermore be concluded that the canopy 5 is moved in longitudinal direction to the front, after which it is lowered onto a fixed roof 13 of a passenger accommodation, such as a living room, a galley, or a bedroom.

A sequence applying a further method is schematically shown in figs. 7A, 7B and 7C. It shows the combined first and second adjusting means, here referred to as C, for simultaneous movement of the canopy 5 both in longitudinal

and vertical direction. Advantageously the canopy 5 is picked up, as shown in fig. 7A, virtually horizontally moved in longitudinal direction and in height, and then directly positioned on top of the vessel, usually on a fixed part thereof, such as designated 2,13. Of course the movement can be to the front or the rear part of the vessel. The adjustment means C as shown are here two pairs of carriers or bars capable of being pivoted drivingly over a required angle, possibly but not exclusively present alongside the vessel.