Conversion kit for personal watercraft to rigid inflatable

Abstract

The present invention provides a conversion assembly for use in conjunction with a personal watercraft (PWC) which increases the buoyancy and stability of a PWC while protecting the motorist from the elements, wherein, the conversion assembly includes a collar assembly having a frame member and a buoyant foam reinforcement member operably coupled to an inflatable tube assembly for creating a personal water cruiser out of an existing PWC.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A collar assembly adapted to receive a personal watercraft, comprising:
 an arcuate frame member including a closed front section and an open rear section defining a personal watercraft receiving area;   a foam collar operably coupled to an interior side of the frame member adjacent the receiving area, wherein the foam collar further comprises a channel adapted to receive a hull line of the personal watercraft; and   a foam reinforcement member operably coupled to an exterior side of the frame member, wherein the foam reinforcement member increases the buoyancy of the assembly and comprises a channel adapted to receive the frame member.   
     
     
         2 . A collar assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein;
 the arcuate frame member is a two-part frame member having a first side and a second side disposed in a generally laterally spaced apart relationship defining the personal watercraft receiving area.   
     
     
         3 . A collar assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein;
 the arcuate frame member further comprises a channel disposed on the interior side, and further wherein, the foam collar is substantially disposed within the channel disposed on the interior side of the frame member.   
     
     
         4 . A collar assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein;
 the foam reinforcement member provides a walking platform along a top surface of the foam reinforcement member.   
     
     
         5 . A collar assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein;
 the channel of the foam collar is a customized channel configured to correspond to the hull line of the personal watercraft.   
     
     
         6 . A collar assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , including;
 a rear plate member adapted to operably couple to the open rear section.   
     
     
         7 . A personal watercraft conversion assembly for use with a personal watercraft, comprising:
 a collar assembly having an arcuate frame member with a closed front section and an open rear section, the frame member further including a first side and a second side disposed between the front section and the rear section in a generally laterally spaced apart relationship defining a personal watercraft receiving area; a foam collar operably coupled to an interior side of the frame member adjacent the receiving area, wherein the foam collar further comprises a channel adapted to receive a hull line of the personal watercraft; a buoyant foam reinforcement member operably coupled to an exterior side of the frame member, wherein the foam reinforcement member comprises a channel adapted to receive the frame member; and   an inflatable tube disposed about the foam reinforcement member and operably coupled to the frame member.   
     
     
         8 . A personal watercraft conversion assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , including;
 a rear plate member adapted to operably couple to the open rear section of the arcuate frame member.   
     
     
         9 . A personal watercraft conversion assembly as set forth in  claim 8 , including;
 a rear platform operably coupled to the rear plate member.   
     
     
         10 . A personal watercraft conversion assembly as set forth in  claim 7 , including;
 a windshield and tower assembly operably coupled to the collar assembly.   
     
     
         11 . A personal watercraft conversion assembly as set forth in  claim 8 , including;
 A canvas assembly operably coupled to the collar assembly and the tower assembly to substantially enclose a user of the personal watercraft conversion assembly.   
     
     
         12 . A personal watercraft conversion assembly as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein;
 the foam reinforcement member provides a walking platform along a top surface of the foam reinforcement member disposed about  3  sides of the personal watercraft.   
     
     
         13 . A personal watercraft conversion assembly as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein;
 the foam reinforcement member provides stability and buoyancy to the assembly.   
     
     
         14 . A personal watercraft conversion assembly for use with a personal watercraft, comprising:
 a collar assembly having an arcuate frame member with a closed front section and an open rear section, the frame member further includes a first side and a second side disposed between the front section and the rear section in a generally laterally spaced apart relationship defining a personal watercraft receiving area, wherein the frame member further includes an exterior side and an interior side, wherein the interior side is disposed adjacent the receiving area and comprises a channel; a foam collar substantially disposed in the channel of the interior side of the frame member, wherein the foam collar further comprises a channel adapted to receive a hull line of the personal watercraft; a foam reinforcement member operably coupled to the exterior side of the frame member, wherein the foam reinforcement member comprises a channel adapted to receive the frame member; and   an inflatable tube disposed about the foam reinforcement member and operably coupled to the frame member.   
     
     
         15 . A personal watercraft conversion assembly as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein;
 the arcuate frame member is a two-part frame member.   
     
     
         16 . A personal watercraft conversion assembly as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein;
 the foam reinforcement member provides a walking platform along a top surface of the foam reinforcement member.   
     
     
         17 . A personal watercraft conversion assembly as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein;
 the foam reinforcement member provides stability and buoyancy to the assembly.   
     
     
         18 . A personal watercraft conversion assembly as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein;
 the channel of the foam collar is a customized channel configured to correspond to the hull line of the personal watercraft.   
     
     
         19 . A personal watercraft conversion assembly as set forth in  claim 14 , including;
 rigid reinforcement members operably coupled to the foam collar.   
     
     
         20 . A personal watercraft conversion assembly as set forth in  claim 18 , including;
 a rear plate member adapted to operably couple to the open rear section of the arcuate frame member having a platform operably coupled thereto, wherein the platform includes connecting members adapted to engage the rigid reinforcement members.