Rounding of drop-stitch elements

Abstract

The invention relates to a drop-stitch element in which at least one adhesive fold ( 9, 10 ) of variable depth is introduced into a flat drop-stitch component ( 8 ) such that the outer skin of the drop-stitch component can be folded on one side of the drop-stitch component or, according to the position of the fold, alternately on both sides of the drop-stitch component.

1 . Drop-stitch element, characterised in that at least one fold ( 9 ,  10 ,  12   a,    12   b ) of variable depth is adhesively bonded into a flat drop-stitch component ( 8 ), wherein the outer skin of the drop-stitch component is folded or folded inwards on one or alternately on both sides of the component ( 8 ). 
     
     
         2 . Drop-stitch element according to patent  claim 1 , wherein the fold ( 9 ,  10 ,  12   a ,  12   b ) starts at the upper surface of the drop-stitch component ( 8 ) and then extends increasingly deeper, in curved progression, to a maximum depth ( 12   e,    12   f ), in order to then terminate, once again in curved progression, at the upper surface. 
     
     
         3 . Drop-stitch element according to patent  claim 2 , wherein a plurality of adjacent folds ( 9 ,  10 ,  12   a,    12   b ) are adhesively bonded into one side of the drop-stitch material. 
     
     
         4 . Drop-stitch element according to any one of the preceding patent claims, wherein wedge-shaped punched-out portions ( 15   a ) are provided, in addition to the folds ( 9 ,  10 ,  12   a,    12   b ), in order to urge the drop-stitch body into a rounded shape. 
     
     
         5 . Drop-stitch element according to any one of the preceding patent claims, wherein the fold ( 9 ,  10 ,  12   a,    12   b ) is covered by a covering layer ( 33 ) and/or a punched-out portion ( 15   a ) is covered by a cover ( 15   c ). 
     
     
         6 . Drop-stitch element according to any one of the preceding patent claims, wherein a double-hull is produced by alternate folding ( 26 ,  27 ). 
     
     
         7 . Drop-stitch element according to any one of the preceding patent claims, wherein by means of a drop-stitch component ( 8 ), having at least one fold ( 12   b ), and a second drop-stitch component ( 8 ), mirrored with respect to the first, an elongated hull shape is brought about in that the mirrored drop-stitch component ( 8 ) stretches around an inflatable or solid element ( 25 ). 
     
     
         8 . Drop-stitch element according to patent  claim 7 , wherein a rigid bow and stern element ( 19 ) is fitted to the end face ( 16   a,    16   b ) of the two drop-stitch bodies ( 8 ) at the bow and the stern, which bow and stern element is braced in a waterproof envelope ( 17 ) after inflation and forms a preferably pointed bow ( 13 ) and/or a preferably pointed stern. 
     
     
         9 . Drop-stitch element according to patent  claim 8 , wherein the rigid bow and stern element ( 19 ) in the waterproof envelope ( 17 ) is attached, preferably spring-mounted, to the end face ( 16   a,    16   b ) of the drop-stitch body at the bow and stern. 
     
     
         10 . Method for joining a drop-stitch element according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised by an adhesive technique, wherein one side of at least one drop-stitch component ( 8 ) is folded and adhesively bonded in the region of the fold ( 9 ,  10 ,  12   a,    12   b ). 
     
     
         11 . Method according to  claim 10 , characterised in that two mirror-identical drop-stitch components ( 8 ) are combined to form a drop-stitch element.