Inflatable kayak

Abstract

A selectively inflatable kayak that includes at least one elongated pneumatically inflatable flexible tube which when inflated defines a passenger compartment and relatively narrow bow and stern sections. A flexible cover extends over the elongated pneumatically inflatable tube extending between and at least partially encasing it to provide an open passenger compartment and floor for the kayak. Cylindrical sheaths are sized to fit over and be received by the elongated pneumatically inflatable tube along the sections of the tube defining the sides of the passenger compartment. Extensions to the flexible cover are also provided at the bow and stern sections of the passenger compartment to drape over and separate the elongated pneumatically inflatable tube from the passenger compartment at those locations.

1 . In a selectively inflatable kayak comprising at least one elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube which when inflated, defines a passenger compartment and relatively narrow bow and stern sections and a flexible cover extending between and at least partially encasing said elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube to provide an open passenger compartment and a floor for said kayak, said passenger compartment having sides, a front portion and a rear portion, the improvement comprising a pair of cylindrical sheaths each sized to receive a section of said elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube only along the sections of said tube defining the sides of said passenger compartment. 
   
   
       2 . The selectively inflatable kayak of  claim 1  wherein said pair of cylindrical sheaths are positioned over elongated cylindrical portions of said elongated pneumatically inflatable tube to substantially resist expansion of said elongated cylindrical tube in the portions thereof encased by said cylindrical sheaths. 
   
   
       3 . The selectively inflatable kayak of  claim 1  wherein a selectively inflatable rail tube is affixed to and resides vertically above each of said cylindrical sheaths when said cylindrical sheaths are installed around said elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube along the sides of said passenger compartment. 
   
   
       4 . In a selectively inflatable kayak comprising at least one elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube which when inflated defines a passenger compartment and relatively narrow bow and stern sections and a flexible cover extending between and at least partially encasing said elongated pneumatically inflatable tube defining an open passenger compartment and floor for said kayak, said passenger compartment having sides, a front portion and a rear portion, the improvement comprising first and second extensions to said flexible cover, the first extension affixed on a first edge thereof to said flexible cover at said bow and the second extension affixed on a first edge thereof to said flexible cover at said stern, and each of said first and second extensions having a second edge attachable to said floor to act as barriers between said elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube and at the front and rear portions of said passenger compartment. 
   
   
       5 . The selectively inflatable kayak of  claim 4  wherein said first edges of said first and second extensions are permanently affixed to said cover and said second edges of said first and second extensions are releasably joined to said floor. 
   
   
       6 . In a selectively inflatable kayak comprising at least one elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube which when inflated, defines a passenger compartment and relatively narrow bow and stern sections and a flexible cover extending between and at least partially encasing said elongated pneumatically inflatable tube to provide an open passenger compartment and a floor for said kayak, said passenger compartment having sides, a front portion and a rear portion, the improvements comprising a part of cylindrical sheaths each sized to receive a section of said elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube only along the sections of said tube defining the sides of said passenger compartment and first and second extensions to said flexible cover, the first extension affixed on a first edge thereof to said flexible cover at said bow and the second extension affixed on a first edge thereof to said flexible cover at said stern, and each of said first and second extensions having a second edge attachable to said floor to act as barriers between said elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube only at the front and rear portions of said passenger compartment. 
   
   
       7 . The selectively inflatable kayak of  claim 6  wherein a selectively inflatable rail tube is affixed to and resides vertically above each of said cylindrical sheaths when said cylindrical sheaths are installed around said elongated pneumatically inflatable peripheral tube along the sides of said passenger compartment.