IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,899,165
Granted Patent B2
US 8,899,165 · App. 13/315,000 · Granted Dec 2, 2014

Folding floating vessel

Inventor: Benny D. Puck (Manning, IA)
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,899,165
App. No.
13/315,000
Granted
Dec 2, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A foldable floating vessel providing a large surface area and heavy payload capability when deployed into a liquid, such as a manure lagoon. The vessel may be folded for transport using linear actuators to fold two hulls of the vessel from a first position substantially horizontal to a second position substantially vertical. Driving and steering assemblies are provided on a center frame to which the foldable hulls are pivotably connected.

Claims (75)

1. A foldable floating vessel comprising:

(a) a spine;

(b) a first hull pivotably coupled to the spine;

(c) a second hull pivotably coupled to the spine;

(d) a motor coupled to the spine;

(e) a propulsion assembly coupled to the motor, wherein the propulsion assembly comprises:

(i) a slurry pump coupled to the motor;

(ii) a slurry intake coupled to the slurry pump; and

(iii) a slurry output coupled to the slurry pump,

(f) a steering assembly coupled to the slurry output

(g) a linear actuator mount coupled to the spine;

(h) a first linear actuator coupled to the first hull and to the first linear actuator mount;

(i) a second linear actuator mount coupled to the spine;

(j) a second linear actuator coupled to the second hull and to the linear actuator mount;

(k) wherein the first hull is coupled to the spine at a pivot point;

(l) wherein the first linear actuator is of construction and orientation capable of rotating the first hull from a first position wherein a majority of the first hull is below the pivot point to a second position wherein a majority of the first hull is above the pivot point.

2. The foldable floating vessel of claim 1 , wherein the second hull is coupled to the spine at a supplemental pivot point, wherein the second linear actuator is of a construction and orientation capable of rotating the second half from a first position, wherein a majority of the second hull is below the supplemental pivot point to a second position, and wherein a majority of the second hull is above the supplemental pivot point.

3. The foldable floating vessel of claim 2 , wherein the first linear actuator and the second linear actuator are of a construction and orientation capable of rotating the first hull and the second hull at least ninety degrees relative to one another.

4. The foldable floating vessel of claim 1 , wherein the first linear actuator and the second linear actuator are of a construction and orientation capable of rotating the first hull and the second hull at least ninety degrees relative to one another.

5. The foldable floating vessel of claim 1 , wherein the propulsion assembly comprises:

(a) a fluid intake assembly defining an opening positioned below the first hull;

(b) a fluid pump coupled to the fluid intake and to the motor; and

(c) a fluid output assembly coupled to the fluid pump and defining an opening positioned below the first hull.

6. The foldable floating vessel of claim 1 , wherein the bow of the first hull is substantially perpendicular to the forward direction of travel.

7. The foldable floating vessel of claim 1 , wherein the first hull comprises a float, a frame secured to the float, and wherein the first linear actuator is coupled to the frame.

8. The foldable floating vessel of claim 7 , wherein the floatation comprises:

(a) a rectangular topside;

(b) a rectangular bottom side;

(c) a rectangular port side;

(d) a rectangular starboard side;

(e) a rectangular bow; and

(f) a rectangular stern.

9. The foldable floating vessel of claim 1 , further comprising a wireless remote control coupled to the steering assembly.

10. A foldable floating vessel comprising:

(a) a spine;

(b) a first hull pivotably coupled to the spine at a first pivot point in a manner that allows the first hull to pivot from a first position, where a majority of the first hull is below the first pivot point, to a second position, wherein a majority of the first hull is above the pivot point; but does not allow the first hull to pivot to a third position wherein the first hull is directed substantially straight downward;

(c) a second hull coupled to the spine at a second pivot point in a manner that allows the second hull to pivot from a first position, where a majority of the second hull is below the first pivot point, to a second position, wherein a majority of the second hull is above the pivot point;

(d) a fluid intake assembly positioned at least partially below the first hull;

(e) a fluid pump assembly coupled to the fluid intake and to the spine;

(f) a fluid output assembly coupled to the fluid pump assembly and positioned at least partially below the first hull.

11. The foldable floating vessel of claim 10 , further comprising a steering assembly coupled to the fluid output assembly.

12. The foldable floating vessel of claim 11 , wherein the first hull comprises

(a) a rectangular topside;

(b) a rectangular bottom side;

(c) a rectangular port side;

(d) a rectangular starboard side;

(e) a rectangular bow; and

(f) a rectangular stern.

13. The foldable floating vessel of claim 10 , wherein the spine is more than one-half meter wide.

14. The foldable floating vessel of claim 10 , wherein the spine is less than five meters wide.

15. The foldable floating vessel of claim 10 , further comprising:

(a) a first mount coupled to the spine;

(b) a first linear actuator coupled to the first hull;

(c) a second mount coupled to the spine; and

(d) a second linear actuator coupled to the second hull and to the second mount.

16. A floating slurry agitator comprising:

(a) a spine;

(b) a first hull pivotably coupled to the spine at a first pivot point in a manner that allows the first hull to pivot from a first position, where a majority of the first hull is below the first pivot point, to a second position, wherein a majority of the first hull is above the pivot point;

(c) a second hull coupled to the spine at a second pivot point in a manner that allows the second hull to pivot from a first position, where a majority of the second hull is below the first pivot point, to a second position, wherein a majority of the second hull is above the pivot point;

(d) a slurry intake assembly positioned at least partially below the first hull;

(e) a slurry pump assembly coupled to the slurry intake and to the spine;

(f) a slurry output assembly coupled to the slurry pump assembly and positioned at least partially below the first hull; and

(g) a steering assembly coupled to the slurry output assembly.

17. The floating fluid agitator of claim 16 , further comprising:

(a) a first mount coupled to the spine;

(b) a first linear actuator coupled to the first hull;

(c) a second mount coupled to the spine; and

(d) a second linear actuator coupled to the second hull and to the second mount.

18. The floating fluid agitator of claim 16 , further comprising:

(a) a rectangular topside

(b) a rectangular bottom side;

(c) a rectangular port side;

(d) a rectangular starboard side;

(e) a rectangular bow; and

(f) a rectangular stern.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 29, 2022
From: PUCK, BENNY D.
To: PUCK CUSTOM ENTERPRISES, INC.
Reel/Frame 059420/0485 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20130145980A1 · Jun 13, 2013