Collapsible kayak

Abstract

A folding kayak that comprises a hull having a first rigid part with a top edge and a second rigid part with a top edge, an inflatable sponson disposed along the top edges of the first rigid part and the second rigid part, and a textile envelope having an outer edge and secured to the hull. The first rigid part and the second rigid part, which are adjacent to each other in a transverse central region of the kayak, are buoyancy tanks of given volume, each having an underwater hull shape on the outside and further include self-bailing holes.

1 - 9 . (canceled) 
   
   
       10 . A folding kayak comprising:
 a hull comprising a first rigid part having a top edge and a second rigid part having a top edge;   an inflatable sponson disposed along the top edges of the first rigid part and the second rigid part; and   a textile envelope having an outer edge and secured to the hull;   wherein the first rigid part and the second rigid part are adjacent to each other in a transverse central region of the kayak.   
   
   
       11 . The kayak as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the first rigid part and the second rigid part are buoyancy tanks of given volume, each having an underwater hull shape on the outside. 
   
   
       12 . The kayak as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the first rigid part and the second rigid part further comprise self-bailing holes. 
   
   
       13 . The kayak as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the first rigid part and the second rigid part further comprise a rubbing strake or outwardly protruding edge along their top edges. 
   
   
       14 . The kayak as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the textile envelope further comprises a line along its outer edge. 
   
   
       15 . The kayak as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the line of the textile envelope is positioned under the rubbing strake or outwardly protruding edge when the kayak is unfolded for use, thereby securing the textile envelope to the hull. 
   
   
       16 . The kayak as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the outer edge of the textile envelope further comprises looped straps. 
   
   
       17 . The kayak as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the looped straps are inserted into slots in the rubbing strake or outwardly protruding edge and accept a position-locking tongue for securing the textile envelope to the hull. 
   
   
       18 . The kayak as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein one of the first rigid part and the second rigid part further comprises at least two finger-like structures and the other of the first rigid part and the second rigid part further comprises at least two corresponding housings designed to receive the at least two-finger-like structures when the kayak is unfolded for use. 
   
   
       19 . The kayak as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the at least two finger-like structures and the at least two corresponding housings designed to receive the at least two finger-like structures help maintain the relative positions of the first rigid part and the second rigid part with respect to each other when the kayak is unfolded for use. 
   
   
       20 . The kayak as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising at least one strap having a stopper at one end and a spindle at the other end, wherein one end of the at least one strap is inserted into a self-bailing hole in the first rigid part and the other end of the at least one strap is inserted into a self-bailing hole in the second rigid part. 
   
   
       21 . The kayak as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the spindle end of the at least one strap is attached to hooks on a lever assembly, used to tension the at least one strap. 
   
   
       22 . A self-bailing kayak comprising:
 a hull comprising:   a first rigid part having a top edge, a first bearing surface and at least one self-bailing hole; and   a second rigid part having a top edge, a second bearing surface and at least one self-bailing hole;   wherein the first rigid part is foldable relative to the second rigid part; and   wherein the first rigid part and the second rigid part are adjacent to each other in a transverse central region of the kayak;   an inflatable sponson disposed along the top edges of the first rigid part and the second rigid part; and   a textile envelope.   
   
   
       23 . The self-bailing kayak as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the first rigid part and the second rigid part are buoyancy tanks of given volume, each having an underwater hull shape on the outside. 
   
   
       24 . The self-bailing kayak as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the first bearing surface and the second bearing surface are complementary surfaces. 
   
   
       25 . The self-bailing kayak as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the self-bailing kayak is not watertight. 
   
   
       26 . The self-bailing kayak as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein one of the first rigid part and the second rigid part further comprises at least two finger-like structures and the other of the first rigid part and the second rigid part further comprises at least two corresponding housings designed to receive the at least two-finger-like structures when the kayak is unfolded for use. 
   
   
       27 . The self-bailing kayak as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein the at least two finger-like structures and the at least two corresponding housings designed to receive the at least two finger-like structures help maintain the relative positions of the first rigid part and the second rigid part with respect to each other when the kayak is unfolded for use. 
   
   
       28 . The kayak as claimed in  claim 22 , further comprising at least one strap having a stopper at one end and a spindle at the other end, wherein one end of the at least one strap is inserted into the at least one self-bailing hole in the first rigid part and the other end of the at least one strap is inserted into the at least one self-bailing hole in the second rigid part. 
   
   
       29 . A method of preparing a foldable kayak for use comprising the steps of:
 providing a foldable kayak comprising:
 a hull comprising a first rigid part having a top edge, a first bearing surface, at least one self-bailing hole and a rubbing strake or outwardly protruding edge along its top edge, and a second rigid part having a top edge, a second bearing surface, at least one self-bailing hole and a rubbing strake or outwardly protruding edge along its top edge, the first rigid part being foldable relative to the second rigid part, wherein the first rigid part and the second rigid part are buoyancy tanks of given volume, each having an underwater hull shape on the outside; 
 an inflatable sponson disposed along the top edges of the first rigid part and the second rigid part; and 
 a textile envelope; 
   unfolding the foldable kayak;   securing the textile envelope to the hull;   inflating the inflatable sponson;   providing at least one strap having a stopper at one end and a spindle at he other end;   inserting one end of the at least one strap into the at least one self-bailing hole in the first rigid part and inserting the other end of the at least one strap into the at least one self-bailing hole in the second rigid part;   attaching the spindle end of the at least one strap to hooks on a lever assembly; and   tensioning the at least one strap with the lever assembly.