Foam and inflatable collar assemblies for watercraft

Abstract

Alternative collar assemblies for use with watercraft including rigid-hulled boats are described. The collars may include both foam materials and one or more inflatable compartments, thereby offering multiple advantages over existing foam or inflatable collars. Optionally included in or on the collars are reinforcing material (such as but not limited to Kevlar) and an abrasion-resistant coating surrounding the foam and inflatable compartments. Similarly, compartments comprising the collar optionally may be nested.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A structure for enhancing the buoyancy of a watercraft, comprising: 
 a. a cover;    b. an inflatable bladder positioned within the cover; and    c. foam material positioned within the cover adjacent at least a portion of the inflatable bladder.    
     
     
         2 . A structure according to  claim 1  in which the cover has an interior surface and at least portions of the inflatable bladder and foam material contact the interior surface when the inflatable bladder is inflated.  
     
     
         3 . A structure according to  claim 1  further comprising a reinforcing material interposed between the inflatable bladder and the foam material within the cover.  
     
     
         4 . A structure according to  claim 2  further comprising a reinforcing material interposed between the inflatable bladder and the foam material within the cover.  
     
     
         5 . A structure according to  claim 1  in which the cover is a sleeve.  
     
     
         6 . A structure according to  claim 3  in which the reinforcing material comprises a fibrous, antiballistic material.  
     
     
         7 . A structure according to  claim 1  in which (a) each of the inflatable bladder and foam material has a generally flat face and (b) the inflatable bladder and foam material are positioned within the cover with their respective generally flat faces adjacent.  
     
     
         8 . A structure according to  claim 7  further comprising a reinforcing material interposed between the adjacent generally flat faces of the inflatable bladder and foam material within the cover.  
     
     
         9 . A structure for enhancing the buoyancy of a watercraft, comprising: 
 a. a cover;    b. foam material positioned within the cover; and    c. means, comprising an inflatable bladder positioned within the cover, for varying the width of the structure through inflation or deflation.    
     
     
         10 . A watercraft comprising: 
 a. a hull defining an exterior surface; and    b. a buoyancy-enhancing structure mounted to the exterior surface of the hull and comprising: 
 i. a cover;  
 ii. an inflatable bladder positioned within the cover; and  
 iii. foam material positioned within the cover adjacent at least a portion of the inflatable bladder.  
   
     
     
         11 . A structure for enhancing the buoyancy of a watercraft, comprising: 
 a. a first compartment; and    b. a second compartment (i) having a generally-elliptical cross-sectional portion in use, (ii) having an inflatable portion, and (iii) at least partially enclosing the first compartment.    
     
     
         12 . A structure according to  claim 11  further comprising a third compartment having a generally-elliptical cross-sectional portion in use and at least partially enclosing the second compartment.  
     
     
         13 . A structure according to  claim 11  in which the first compartment has an inflatable portion.  
     
     
         14 . A structure according to  claim 11  in which at least one of the first and second compartments includes foam material.  
     
     
         15 . A structure according to  claim 13  in which the inflatable portions of the first and second compartments are inflatable to different pressures.  
     
     
         16 . A structure for enhancing the buoyancy of a watercraft, comprising: 
 a. a first compartment;    b. a second compartment nested within the first compartment; and    c. a third compartment nested within the second compartment.    
     
     
         17 . A structure according to  claim 16  in which at least one of the first, second, and third compartments is inflatable.  
     
     
         18 . A structure according to  claim 17  in which at least two of the first, second, and third compartments are inflatable.  
     
     
         19 . A structure according to  claim 18  in which each of the first, second, and third compartments is inflatable.  
     
     
         20 . A watercraft comprising: 
 a. a hull defining an exterior surface; and    b. a buoyancy-enhancing structure mounted to the exterior surface of the hull and comprising: 
 i. a first compartment having a generally-elliptical cross-section in use; and  
 ii. a second compartment having a generally-elliptical cross-section in use and at least partially enclosing the first compartment.  
   
     
     
         21 . A watercraft comprising: 
 a. a hull defining an exterior surface; and    b. a buoyancy-enhancing structure mounted to the exterior surface of the hull and comprising: 
 i. a first compartment;  
 ii. a second compartment nested within the first compartment; and  
 iii. a third compartment nested within the second compartment.