Movable deck to mitigate effects of shock

Abstract

An apparatus for mitigating the effects of shock loading on occupants, cargo and gear the apparatus located in a watercraft the apparatus having a deck positioned and arranged in said watercraft for supporting thereon said occupants, cargo and gear, a hinge communicating with said deck and said watercraft and supporting the forwardly portion of said deck and permitting said deck to move and rotate about said hinge and prevent said deck from substantial side to side movement, a dampener communicating with said deck and said hull of said watercraft the dampener positioned and arranged to move in response to said moving and rotating deck and said dampener absorbing at least a portion of the energy of said moving deck as said deck moves and rotates, and a spring communicating with said deck and said hull of said watercraft the spring positioned and arranged to support the rearwardly portion on said deck and to move in response to said moving and rotating deck the spring absorbing at lease a portion of the energy of said moving and rotating deck and releasing said absorbed energy to raise the deck after said impacts.

1. An apparatus for mitigating the effects of shock loading on occupants, cargo and gear located in a watercraft having a hull, while said hull of said watercraft is slapping against the water, the apparatus comprising:
 a. a deck, having a forwardly portion and a rearwardly portion, said deck positioned and arranged in said hull of said watercraft for supporting thereon said occupants, cargo and gear;  
 b. a hinge, communicating with said deck and with said hull of said watercraft, said hinge supporting deck and permitting said deck to move and rotate about said hinge in response to forces generated by said hull of said watercraft slapping against said water, said hinge substantially prohibiting said deck from side to side movement of said deck;  
 c. a dampener, communicating with said deck and with said hull of said watercraft, said dampener positioned and arranged to move in response to said moving and rotating deck of said watercraft, said dampener absorbing at least a portion of the energy of said forces of said moving deck as said deck moves downwardly and upwardly; and,  
 d. a spring, communicating with said deck and with said hull of said watercraft, said spring positioned and arranged to support said deck and to move in response to said moving and rotating deck of said watercraft, said spring absorbing at least a portion of the energy of said moving deck as said deck moves downwardly, said spring releasing said absorbed energy to raise said deck after said impacts.