Expandable pontoon boat

Abstract

A pontoon boat includes a center frame, a port side pontoon, and a starboard side pontoon. A plurality of telescoping assemblies connect the port side pontoon and the starboard side pontoon to the center frame. The telescoping assemblies are configured such that the port side pontoon and the starboard side pontoon are displaceable relative to the center section between a retracted position and an extended position.

1 . A pontoon boat comprising:
 a center frame;   a port side pontoon;   a port side mounting sleeve connected to the port side pontoon;   a starboard side pontoon;   a starboard side mounting sleeve connected to the starboard side pontoon; and   a telescoping assembly cooperable with the port side mounting sleeve and the starboard side mounting sleeve, the telescoping assembly connecting the port side pontoon and the starboard side pontoon to the center frame, wherein the telescoping assembly is configured such that the port side pontoon and the starboard side pontoon are displaceable relative to the center section between a retracted position and an extended position.   
     
     
         2 . A pontoon boat according to  claim 1 , further comprising a center deck connected to the center frame. 
     
     
         3 . A pontoon boat according to  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a port deck support connected to the port side mounting sleeve;   a port side deck connected to the port deck support;   a starboard deck support connected to the starboard side mounting sleeve; and   a starboard side deck connected to the starboard deck support,   wherein the port side deck and the starboard side deck are displaceable with the port side pontoon and the starboard side pontoon, respectively, relative to the center deck.   
     
     
         4 . A pontoon boat according to  claim 3 , wherein in the retracted position, the port side deck and the starboard side deck at least partially overlie the center deck, and wherein port side deck and the starboard side deck are sized such that in the extended position, the port side deck and the starboard side deck are substantially flush with the center deck. 
     
     
         5 . A pontoon boat according to  claim 1 , wherein the telescoping assembly comprises:
 a first inner tube fixed to the port side mounting sleeve;   a second inner tube fixed to the starboard side mounting sleeve;   a first outer tube fixed to the center frame and slidably receiving the first inner tube; and   a second outer tube fixed to the center frame and slidably receiving the second inner tube.   
     
     
         6 . A pontoon boat according to  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a first actuator connected to at least one of the first inner tube and the first outer tube; and   a second actuator connected to at least one of the second inner tube and the second outer tube,   wherein the first and second actuators are configured to extend and retract the first and second inner tubes relative to the first and second outer tubes, respectively.   
     
     
         7 . A pontoon boat according to  claim 6 , wherein the first and second actuators comprise one of a linear hydraulic actuator and a pneumatic actuator. 
     
     
         8 . A pontoon boat according to  claim 6 , wherein the first actuator comprises a first piston rod telescopically extendable from and retractable into a first cylinder, wherein a free end of the first piston rod is connected to the port side mounting sleeve, and wherein a free end of the first cylinder is connected to the first outer tube, and
 wherein the second actuator comprises a second piston rod telescopically extendible from and retractable into a second cylinder, wherein a free end of the second piston rod is connected to the port side mounting sleeve, and wherein a free end of the second cylinder is connected to the second outer tube.   
     
     
         9 . A pontoon boat according to  claim 1 , wherein the center frame comprises:
 a first longitudinal main rail;   a second longitudinal main rail spaced from and generally parallel to the first longitudinal main rail; and   a plurality of spaced apart and generally parallel cross members connected to the first and second longitudinal main rails.   
     
     
         10 . A pontoon boat according to  claim 9 , wherein the center frame further comprises a first side rail connected to each of the cross members at one end of the cross members and a second side rail connected to each of the cross members at an opposite end of the cross members. 
     
     
         11 . A pontoon boat according to  claim 9 , wherein the telescoping assembly comprises:
 a first inner tube fixed to the port side mounting sleeve;   a second inner tube fixed to the starboard side mounting sleeve;   a first outer tube fixed to the first longitudinal main rail and slidably receiving the first inner tube; and   a second outer tube fixed to the second longitudinal main rail and slidably receiving the second inner tube.   
     
     
         12 . A pontoon boat according to  claim 11 , wherein the first and second outer tubes span a width of the center frame. 
     
     
         13 . A pontoon boat according to  claim 9 , wherein the telescoping assembly is connected to the center frame at an angle to a plane defined by the center frame. 
     
     
         14 . A pontoon boat according to  claim 1 , further comprising a center pontoon coupled with the center frame. 
     
     
         15 . A pontoon boat according to  claim 1 , further comprising a port side riser connected between the port side mounting sleeve and the port side pontoon and a starboard side riser connected between the starboard side mounting sleeve and the starboard side pontoon. 
     
     
         16 . A pontoon boat comprising:
 a center frame;   a port side pontoon;   a starboard side pontoon; and   a plurality of telescoping assemblies cooperable with the port side pontoon and the starboard side pontoon, the telescoping assemblies connecting the port side pontoon and the starboard side pontoon to the center frame, wherein the telescoping assemblies are configured such that the port side pontoon and the starboard side pontoon are displaceable relative to the center section between a retracted position and an extended position.   
     
     
         17 . A pontoon boat according to  claim 16 , wherein the each of the plurality of telescoping assemblies comprises:
 an inner tube fixed to one of the port side pontoon or the starboard side pontoon; and   an outer tube fixed to the center frame and slidably receiving the inner tube.   
     
     
         18 . A pontoon boat according to  claim 17 , further comprising a plurality of wear pads disposed between the inner tubes and the outer tubes of the telescoping assemblies. 
     
     
         19 . A pontoon boat according to  claim 16 , comprising at least four of the telescoping assemblies including a port side forward telescoping assembly, a port side aft telescoping assembly, a starboard side forward telescoping assembly, and a starboard side aft telescoping assembly. 
     
     
         20 . A pontoon boat according to  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a center deck connected to the center frame;   a port deck support connected to the port side pontoon;   a port side deck connected to the port deck support;   a starboard deck support connected to the starboard side pontoon; and   a starboard side deck connected to the starboard deck support,   wherein the port side deck and the starboard side deck are displaceable with the port side pontoon and the starboard side pontoon, respectively, relative to the center deck.