Modular Watercraft Assembly

Abstract

A modular watercraft assembly and apparatus. In one embodiment, the watercraft assembly includes a divided floatation support member that provides buoyant support. The divided floatation support member includes a first pontoon and a second pontoon that are both longitudinally extensible pontoons. The longitudinally extensible pontoons each include at least two substantially rigid tubes that are telescopically extensible and collapsible in an annularly nested manner. The assembly further includes multiple substantially rigid cross members and multiple cross member fasteners for transversely coupling the cross members between the first and second pontoons of the divided floatation support member. When assembled the watercraft assembly provides buoyant support for a variety of different craft designs including but not limited to a sailing catamaran, a pedaloe, and others.

1 . A modular watercraft assembly comprising:
 a divided floatation support member comprising a first pontoon and a second pontoon, at least one of said first and second pontoons comprising a longitudinally extensible pontoon, wherein said at least one longitudinally extensible pontoon comprises at least two substantially rigid tubes that are telescopically extensible so as to define an elongated use configuration and collapsible in an annularly nested manner so as to define a shortened storage configuration;   a plurality of substantially rigid cross members; and   a plurality of cross member fasteners for transversely coupling said cross members between said first and second pontoons of said divided floatation support member.   
   
   
       2 . The modular watercraft assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second pontoons have a substantially curvilinear transverse outer cross section contour, and wherein said cross member fasteners include a collar member for annularly fitting over and around the outer cross section contour of said first and second pontoons. 
   
   
       3 . The modular watercraft assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said cross member fasteners include a coupling bracket to which a cross member is fastened, said coupling bracket providing cantilevered support for the fastened cross member against one of said first and second pontoons. 
   
   
       4 . The modular watereraft assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said longitudinally extensible pontoon further comprises end caps coupled to the ends of said at least two substantially rigid tubes, said end caps containing a buoyant filler material. 
   
   
       5 . (canceled) 
   
   
       6 . The modular watercraft assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two substantially rigid tubes comprise a first tube and a second tube, said first tube having an outer sleeve portion that slides over said second tube when the first and second tubes are telescopically extended or collapsed, said modular watercraft assembly further comprising at least one o-ring gasket disposed between the exterior surface of said second tube and the interior surface of said first tube to form a water impermeable seal between the exterior surface of said second tube and the interior surface of said first tube. 
   
   
       7 . The modular watercraft assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising a locking member for locking the first and second tubes in an extended position. 
   
   
       8 . A modular watercraft assembly comprising:
 a divided floatation support member comprising a first pontoon and a second pontoon, at least one of said first and second pontoons comprising a longitudinally extensible pontoon, said longitudinally extensible pontoon comprising at least two substantially rigid tubes that are telescopically extensible and collapsible in an annularly nested manner;   a plurality of substantially rigid cross members coupled between said first and second pontoon members said cross members comprising a curved support pad at each distal end, said curved support pads resting on said first and second pontoons; and   a plurality of cross member fasteners for transversely coupling said cross members between said first and second pontoons of said divided floatation support member, each of said plurality of cross member fasteners comprising:
 a flexible compression strap; and 
 a compression strap tightening mechanism for adjustably tightening said compression strap around the outer surface of one of said first or second pontoons. 
   
   
   
       9 . The modular watercraft assembly of  claim 8 , said compression strap tightening mechanism comprising a hand-actuated ratchet assembly coupled to each distal end of each of said cross members. 
   
   
       10 . The modular watercraft assembly of  claim 8 , wherein each of said first and second pontoons further comprises an air pressure valve for inletting and releasing air pressure from the interior volume of said first and second pontoons. 
   
   
       11 . The modular watereraft assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said longitudinally extensible pontoon further comprises end caps coupled to the ends of said at least two substantially rigid tubes, said end caps containing a buoyant filler material. 
   
   
       12 . The modular watercraft assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the at least two substantially rigid tubes comprise a first tube and a second tube, said first tube having an outer sleeve portion that slides over said second tube when the tubes are telescopically extended or collapsed, said modular watercraft assembly further comprising at least one o-ring gasket disposed between the exterior surface of said second tube and the interior surface of said first tube to form a water impermeable boundary. 
   
   
       13 . The modular watercraft assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising a locking member for locking the first and second tubes in an extended position. 
   
   
       14 . A modular watereraft assembly comprising:
 a divided floatation support member comprising a first pontoon and a second pontoon, at least one of said first and second pontoons comprising a modularly assembled compound unit comprising multiple, lengthwise attached tube members;   a plurality of substantially rigid cross members coupled between said first and second pontoon members said cross members comprising a frame clamp at each distal end; and   wherein each of said lengthwise attached tube members includes a seal cap member coupled to each distal end, said seal cap member comprising:
 a water impermeable plate that prevents water from entering a tube member; 
 a seal cap locking mechanism for mechanically engaging to an adjacent seal cap; and 
 a lip member extending substantially tangentially from the outer circumferential surface of said seal cap, wherein said lip member is mechanically engaged by one of said frame clamps to affix said cross member to one of said first or second pontoons. 
   
   
   
       15 . The modular watercraft assembly of  claim 14 , further comprising end caps coupled to the ends of said first and second pontoons, said end caps containing a buoyant filler material.