US008316788B2

(12) United States Patent

(10) Patent No.:

Willis

(45) Date of Patent:

(54)

COLLAPSIBLE KAYAK

(76)

Inventor:

(*)

US 8,316,788 B2

References Cited

Anton Michael Willis, Oakland, CA

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US PATENT DOCUMENTS

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(21)

Appl' NO': 12/804357

Primary Examiner * Edwin SWinehart

(22)

Filed.

(74) Allorrley, Agent, or Firm * HOWaId Cohen

(65)

Prior Publication Data

Jan 27 2011
US 2011/0017121 A1

JUL 20, 2010

'

(57)

strength foldable panel to fold into the form of a kayak With

Related US Application Data

integrally de?ned keel, hull, sides, and deck. Using a single

sheet of high strength panel creased in a predetermined pat
?led on Jul.

21, 2009.
(51)

Int. Cl.
B63B 7/00

(2006.01)

(52) U.S.Cl.
(58)

Field of Classi?cation Search

ABSTRACT

A collapsible Watercraft is comprised of a single high

(60) Provisional application No. 61/271,521 ,

114/355
l l 4 /3 5 7
114/353

114/347; 114654
114/352,

114/353, 347, 3554358

See application ?le for complete search history.

tern to form living hinges, the panel may be folded and trans
formed from self-de?ned compact knocked doWn package,
into a rigid three dimensional tubular manifold in a kayak
form that is optimized for performance in the Water. Other

removable rigid structural members, primarily a cockpit rim,

rib, and ?oorboards help maintain the shape and integrity of
the Shell,

22 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets

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FIG. 8

1| 3 8

139
141

FIG. 10

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FIG. 14

FIG. 15

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102a

114

1 03

102a

1| 04

1 03

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FIG. 19

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1

2
The cost of such kayaks is prohibitively high for many

COLLAPSIBLE KAYAK

consumers. This is due to the high cost of manufacturing

a large number of relatively complex partsiboth in the

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
APPLICATIONS

structure and the fabric skin, Which must be manually

seWn out of several pieces With Waterproof seams.

In recent years folding kayaks have been developed Which,

This application claims the bene?t of the ?ling date of

Provisional Application No. 61/271,521, ?led Jul. 21, 2009.

rather than a separate skin and structure, use systems of

folding rigid panels. These address some of the problems of

skin-on-frame systems, but until noW, these have been out

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Weighed by disadvantages:
Due to their folding geometries, such kayaks typically have
an angular, boxy form Which adversely affects stability,

Not applicable.

speed and overall performance in the Water, as Well as

aesthetics.

SEQUENCE LISTING, ETC ON CD

Such rigid folding kayaks either only fold longitudinallyi

Not applicable.

thus not decreasing the longest dimension for trans

port4or must be assembled from multiple pieces,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Which creates structurally Weak and leak-prone seams.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to personal Watercraft and, more

20

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

particularly, to Watercraft that are portable and capable of

The present invention seeks to resolve the above problems
With collapsible Watercraft through an entirely different sys
tem of construction and assembly. A fundamental aspect of

being knocked doWn and erected easily With feW or no tools

required.
2. Description of Related Art
The present invention is a neW type of collapsible kayak (a
small paddle-poWered Watercraft With a covered deck). Using
an innovative design system of structural folds in a semi-rigid
plastic skin, it achieves unprecedented bene?ts in terms of

25

keel, hull, sides, and deck. Using a single folded sheet of high

strength, foldable paneling yields the folloWing bene?ts:

performance, Weight, portability, ease of assembly, aesthetics

The form is graceful and made up of continuous curves, for

superior performance and aesthetics.

and manufacturing cost.

Kayaks, along With canoes and other lightweight, personal

The strength to Weight ratio is outstanding, due to both the

monocoque structure, and the speci?c materials used in

Watercraft are commonly used for recreational travel on riv

ers, lakes and oceans. They are also used for ?shing and

the assembly.

hunting. Currently, commercial kayaks fall into three broad

categories. The ?rst and most common are rigid or hard

The design minimiZes seams Which could impart Weakness

35

shell kayaks. These are typically made of rotomolded or

40

Watercraft that can be collapsed into small packages for stor

age or transport. The simplest of these are in?atable boats,
Which use a system of air-?lled pneumatic tubes to provide
form, structure and ?otation. While such Watercraft are com

45

The materials and manufacturing processes are Widely

50

55

The skin and structure are tWo independent systems, With

60

nents is generally too high for these kayaks to be carried

on foot for any distance, limiting usefulness in many

ing elementsisuch as in?atable air tubes or mechanical

jacksiare used.

beloW that of other kayak types.

The material used may be inexpensively screen-printed as
a ?at sheet. This alloWs extensive application of graph
ics, patterns and logos Which are not practical in the
manufacture of conventional kayaks.
The key to the present invention is a folded rigid shell
formed by a folded, one-piece skin panel, Which acts as both

Waterproof envelope, and primary structure. By means of

folding along pre-formed creases, it can be transformed from
a compact knocked doWn package, into a rigid three dimen

sional erected form Which is optimiZed for performance in the

Water. Other removable rigid structural members, primarily a

camping and traveling applications.

The skin ?ts loosely around the skeleton, increasing drag
and decreasing performance, unless extra skin-tension

available and commonly utiliZed and inexpensive,

meaning that the invention can be produced at a co st Well

tages:

the skin contributing nothing to the strength and rigidity

of the kayak. As such, the Weight of all of the compo

further reducing the Weight and cost of the system.

The folded kayak is extremely portable, With dimensions

of approximately 32"><26"><6", and Weighing approxi

mately 15 pounds.

maneuver, due to shape limitations imposed by pneumatic

systems.

The structural skeleton is typically cumbersome and time

consuming to assemble, due to the large number of parts
and connections.

The kayak is fast and offers enhanced performance due to

its rigid, smooth skin.
The panel that forms the kayak may be refolded to de?ne its
oWn transport case in its compactly folded con?gura
tion. This case holds the disassembled rib and structural
members, as Well as paddles and other accessories. This
eliminates the need for a separate carrying case or bag,

pact and inexpensive, they are typically sloW and hard to

Conventional collapsible kayaks are of a skin on frame
construction system. That is, they are made up of a structural
skeleton, Which can be broken doWn into smaller pieces for
storage and transport, and a Waterproof fabric skin Which ?ts
over the skeleton. This system has the folloWing disadvan

and leakage, especially beloW the Waterline.

Assembly in the ?eld is simple and quick, With a minimum

of loose parts and complicated joints.

thermoformed plastics, ?berglass, or plyWood. While such

Watercraft have excellent performance characteristics, their
large siZe and Weight makes them dif?cult and inconvenient
to store and transport.
Due to these di?iculties, there is a signi?cant demand for

the invention is the use of a single high-strength foldable

panel to fold into the form of a kayak With integrally de?ned

cockpit rim, rib, and ?oorboards help maintain the shape and
65

integrity of the shell.

The preferred material for the folded shell is a tWin-Walled,

extruded polypropylene/polyethylene panel, commonly sold

US 8,316,788 B2
3

under the trade-names CoroplastTM, Cor-XTM, InteplastTM,

formed of a single panel of high strength, bendable, foldable

and SolexxTM. Its bene?ts to the present invention include:

The materials unique ability to form a living hinge; that

plastic material. The panel is shaped and creased so that it

may be folded and assembled into the kayak form for Water

is, to be folded and unfolded along a crease or fold line

transport, and may be refolded and reassembled to form an

ad in?nitum, Without Weakening or tearing. These

hinges can be created by simply applying mechanical

integral self-storage carrying case for storage and transport.

The preferred material for the folded shell is a tWin-Walled,

extruded polypropylene/polyethylene panel, commonly sold

under the trade-names CoroplastTM, Cor-XTM, InteplastTM,

force along any desired crease line; this force crushes the
structural corrugations and creates a permanent, reus

and SolexxTM. These materials combine high strength, posi

tive buoyancy, ability for form living hinges, and durability,

able folding crease. This is typically accomplished With

a steel rule die, Which alloWs all cuts, creases and holes
in a sheet to be formed in a single die-stamping opera
tion.

all essential for the purposes of the invention.

With regard to FIG. 5, the panel 101 that comprises the

integral hull, sides, and deck of the kayak is formed of the
double-Wall material noted above having a large plurality of
corrugation ribs extending betWeen the Walls to de?ne a large
plurality of air-?lled tubular voids. The panel is provided With

Superior strength-to-Weight ratio, due to the tWin-Walled

extrusion pro?le.

Superior toughness and durability.

Positive buoyancy from the air trapped betWeen the tWin
Walled cells of the material, Which alloWs the kayak to
?oat even When completely capsiZed, for retrieval and

a perimeter shape and crease or fold lines that de?ne the axes

Where the panel Will fold When bent by hand to form the

con?guration of the assembled kayak.

rescue.

The key to the present invention is the particular crease

pattern imparted to the panel to form the hull of the foldable
shell. It is this pattern Which alloWs for the collapsibility of the

20

tions. The panel 101 is generally symmetrical (enantiomor

kayak, While creating a rigid and high-performing form in the

Water. It also enables the panel to form its oWn self-storage
case. In the preferred embodiment, the skin is formed from a

25

single CoroplastTM panel measuring approximately 5' by

12'6"; siZes can be altered depending on the siZe of kayak
desired.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

30

extend betWeen the central section and the end section 104 in

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the kayak as shoWn in FIG. 1.

35

40

45

50

from each end toWard the central section 102, and it bifurcates
to de?ne fold lines 116 that extend generally parallel to fold
lines 111 and 112. In general, the panel portion betWeen outer
edge 113 and fold line 111 comprises a portion of the deck
121 of the kayak, the panel portion betWeen lines 111 and 112

forms the side (freeboard) 122 of the kayak, the panel portion
betWeen lines 112 and 116 de?nes the hull 123 of the kayak,

and the panel portion betWeen opposed lines 116 comprises

55

FIGS. 16-19 are a sequence of perspective vieWs depicting

the folding of the kayak into a compact case con?guration for

transport and storage.

60

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED

EMBODIMENT

The present invention generally comprises a kayak con

struction designed to create a lightWeight, portable, foldable
Watercraft. A key feature of the invention is that the kayak is

With fold lines 111 and 112 that extend in generally parallel,
spaced apart relationship and are aligned intermediate of the
longitudinal axis 105 and the tapered edge 113 of section 103.

hull and deck forms, and distinguishes this kayak from other
boxy rigid folding boats. Each side also includes a longi
tudinal fold line 114 extending along the longitudinal axis

kayak.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional elevation of the kayak, taken
along line 11-11 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional elevation of the kayak, taken
along line 12-12 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 13 is an enlarged detailed vieW of the buckle and strap
assembly joining the deck seam of the kayak.
FIGS. 14 and 15 are detailed perspective vieWs shoWing the
sequential closure of a dart in the deck of the kayak.

symmetrical relationship to the ?rst pair.

A plurality of permanent fold lines extend longitudinally
the length of the panel 101 and de?ne the hull, sides, and deck
of the assembled kayak. Each side of the panel is provided

Fold line 11 is curved to de?ne the boat-like curvature of the

kayak.
FIG. 8 is a perspective vieW of the assembly of the cockpit
rim and the central rib of the kayak.
FIG. 9 is a perspective vieW of the ?oorboard of the kayak
of the invention.
FIG. 10 is a perspective vieW of the boW fairing of the

phic) With respect to a longitudinal axis 105, and the ends 103
and 104 are substantially symmetrical about a lateral-medial
axis 106. The end sections 103 and 104 are generally
described as truncated conical shapes, and the central section
is a rectangle With laterally opposed side edges 107 that are
concave, scalloped shapes to de?ne the cockpit perimeter, as
Will be described beloW. In addition, a pair of darts 108 (in the
manner of tapered tucks provided in fabric constructions and
garments) are disposed betWeen the central section 102 and

the end section 103, the darts ?aring laterally outwardly in

laterally opposed fashion. LikeWise, another pair of darts 109

FIG. 1 is a plan vieW of the kayak of the present invention,

shoWn in the fully assembled condition.
FIG. 3 is a oblique front perspective vieW of the kayak in
the fully assembled condition.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinally cutaWay vieW of the fully
assembled kayak in an oblique front perspective.
FIG. 5 is a plan vieW of the creased and cut panel that forms
the hull, sides, and deck of the kayak of the invention.
FIGS. 6 and 7 are sequential perspective vieWs shoWing the
?rst steps in folding the panel of FIG. 5 to form the assembled

The panel is generally formed With a central section 102

and end sections 103 and 104 extending in opposite direc

65

the keel 124 of the Watercraft. In addition, a V-shaped fold line

117 extends into each end of the panel to de?ne a folded-in
dart, as Will be described beloW.
In addition to the longitudinal fold lines and the darts 108,
109, the panel 101 is also provided With transverse fold lines
that enable the panel to be folded into a compact storage
con?guration in Which it forms its oWn case for carrying and
transport. A pair of fold lines 119 are provided at opposite
ends of the central section 102, demarcating the boundaries
With the end sections 103 and 104 and each de?ning one edge
of each of the darts 108 and 109. A pair of fold lines 118
extend in the end sections 103 and 104, each fold line oriented
generally transverse to the adjacent outer edge 113 and inter
secting the longitudinal axis 105. These fold lines 118 and

US 8,316,788 B2
5

119 enable the panel 101 to be folded so that the ends may be

cockpit area, and is provided With fold lines that align sub
stantially With the fold lines 116 of the kayak. The ?oorboard
is placed against the bottom of the kayak, in the central
section of the panel that forms the cockpit, and is provided to
help maintain the shape of the kayaks bottom against Water

brought together in accordion fashion to form a compact

knocked doWn con?guration. It may be appreciated that When

the panel is folded into the kayak con?guration With longitu

dinally extending vertices, those vertices transect the lateral
fold lines and prevent bending movement along the lateral

pressure and internal stresses in the skin. It also protects the

skin by evenly distributing the Weight of the occupant, and

help to keep the cross-rib aligned perpendicular to the keel.

fold lines.
The panel 101 is further provided With mechanisms or
devices to releasably secure the panel in the assembled kayak
con?guration. With regard to FIGS. 1-3, one form of the
joining assembly uses a plurality of strap-and-buckle assem
blies 131, seWn or Welded to the corrugated plastic skin. As
shoWn in FIG. 13, separable snap lock buckles 131 cross
the deck seam 132, so that engaging the buckles and tighten
ing the straps achieves a strong connection betWeen the tWo

The ?oorboard may be formed of a thicker and more rigid

version of the outer shell material, or it can also be made of
other rigid materials such as Wood or plastic.

The kayak also includes a boW fairing 139, shoWn in FIG.

10, comprised of a channel-like strut that is complementary in
siZe and form to the leading edge of the boW of the assembled
kayak. The fairing 139 has a loWer end With a shoe-like
terminus 141 con?gured to conform to the intersection of the

confronting edges 113 of the deck assembly. InWard-folded

keel and leading edge of the hull. The fairing is provided to

shield the leading edge of the hull from collisions With solid

?aps 133 of the corrugated plastic may be provided to form a

Weathertight seal; in the embodiment shoWn in FIG. 13, the
?aps 133 are permanently covered With u-shaped plastic
channels Which exclude Water, sand and the like from enter

objects that might otherWise damage the kayak, recogniZing

20

ing the open corrugations of the plastic skin. These channels

helps to streamline the kayak for faster and more ef?cient

forWard motion through the Water.
To set up the kayak, the user folloWs these steps:
1) The shell is unfolded from its case con?guration, into

have an adhesive foam-rubber Weatherstrip 134 applied

thereto and extending the length of the deck seam 132, so that

When the strap assembly is closed, Water is substantially

excluded from the interior of the kayak.
In an alternate embodiment, the u-shaped plastic trim

a ?at panel 101 as shoWn in FIG. 5.

2) The opposed edges 113 are rolled upWardly toWard each

applied to the edge 113 of the panel 101 may have a custom
cross-sectional pro?le, Which alloWs the tWo deck edges to

mechanically mate together, and substantially exclude Water

from the kayak.

30

An alternate form of deck closure uses heavy-duty Zippers

seWn or Welded to the corrugated plastic skin. TWo separable
Zippers run from how to cockpit and stern to cockpit, respec

rigid slotted tube may be provided to mechanically engage the

plastic trim applied to the deck edges 113. As this tube is slid
over the confronting edges, from the cockpit toWards the boW
or stern, it draWs and clamps together the tWo deck edges,

other, as shoWn in FIG. 7, forming a tubular closed

manifold tapered at opposed ends in the form of a kayak.
The adjustable buckle assemblies 131a and 131d are
joined at the boW and stem sections to loosely hold the
panel 101 in this near-assembled con?guration. The

?oorboard 138 is then placed in the bottom of the cockpit

area formed by the central section 102, and the rim
components 136 are joined end-to-end to form a rigid

tively. By engaging the Zippers and Zipping the deck up from

how or stem to cockpit, a rapid and continuous assembly is
achieved.
In another embodiment of the deck closure assembly, a

that the leading edge is the likely locus of most impacts. It also

35

closed loop con?guration.

3) The cross-rib 137 is placed in the cockpit area, and the
free ends of the cross-rib are joined to the uni?ed rim 136

40

With pins, ?ttings, straps, or the like. The cross-rib is

joined to the keel of the kayak 124 With pins, ?ttings,
straps or the like Which pass through holes in the ?oor

providing additional structural reinforcement as Well as

board 138.
4) BoW and stem creases 117 are folded longitudinally

excluding Water from the kayak.

The panel 101 is further provided With a plurality of tubular

upsWept leading boW edge, and secured in place With

cockpit rim components 136, as shoWn in FIG. 8, Which are

curved to conform to the shape of the edges 107 of the central
section of the panel. The rim components may be formed of

inWardly in accordion fashion (FIG. 6) to form an

45

tubular metal, plastic, reinforced polymer, and the like. They

are fastened to the edges 107 With rivets, screWs or the like, or
can be made removable. These rim components are joined

Note also that the shoe end 141 conforms to the inter
50

together in a closed loop in the assembled kayak, using pin

section of the leading edge With the hull and keel shape,
as shoWn in FIGS. 2 and 3. Alternatively, hook-and-loop
fasteners, or internal clamps may be used to assembly
the boW and stem instead of the buckles 131. It is sig
ni?cant that the accordion fold along lines 117 bring

and-socket connections or the like. The rim components 136

maintain the shape of the cockpit opening, and distribute

stresses that Would otherWise concentrate at this large open

ing of the assembled kayak. In addition, a U-shaped cross-rib

adjustable buckle assembly 1311) as shoWn in FIG. 7.

Note that the boW fairing 139 is placed abutting the

leading boW edge, Within the strap 131b circumscribing
the proW end of the kayak to join the fairing 139 thereto.

55

together 4 plies of the panel material, Which together

137 is dimensioned to be placed in the cockpit area of the

kayak, as shoWn in FIG. 12. The ends of the cross-rib are

exhibit substantial structural and impact strength. Foam

rubber Weatherstripping may be applied to the mating

secured to opposite sides of the cockpit rim components 136

by pins, grommets, or brackets The rib supports much of the
Weight of the occupant of the kayak, and helps to distribute

surfaces of the boW and stern creases 117 in order to

further exclude Water.
60

forces Which might otherWise tear or distort the skin. Addi

tional ribs may be incorporated into the design folloWing the

same system, if a longer or more rigid kayak is desired.
With regard to FIGS. 9 and 12, a rigid ?oorboard 138 is also

provided, comprising a rectangular piece of a material similar

to panel 101. The ?oorboard is shaped to be complementary
to the underlying portion of the bottom of the kayak in the

65

5) The darts 108 and 109 (FIG. 14) are folded inWardly and
secured With adjustable buckle assemblies 1310 (FIG.
15). The darts serve to foreshorten the length of the deck
121 of the kayak With respect to the sides 122 and hull
123, causing the boW and stern to curve upWardly so that
the Watercraft may cut through Waves and sWells.
6) The adjustable buckle assemblies 131d are joined to
bring together the rear deck seam, and all of the buckle

US 8,316,788 B2
8

7
assemblies are then tightened to seal the deck seams.

the case to be formed purely in an accordioned or spiraling

The kayak is thus fully assembled, as shown in FIGS.

1-4, and ready for waterborne use.
The kayak in the assembled con?guration is sleek, stream
lined, and seaWorthy. It should be noted that the kayak skin
(the panel 101) has no openings, holes, seams, gaps, or plugs

manner, While remaining unfolded in the transverse direction.

In this case, forming a case of suf?ciently small siZe to be
portable requires that folds break across the cockpit area,

requiring a hinged or removable cockpit rim assembly.

A primary advantage of the folding kayak system

beloW the Waterline that could otherWise leak and admit Water

described above is that it can be manufactured very cheaply,

into the kayak. Indeed, the only openings in the assembled

With common manufacturing equipment used for packaging

and other applications. Unlike conventional folding kayaks

Watercraft are the sealed deck seams 132 and the cockpit

itself. The cockpit rim components 136 may be fashioned to

secure a kayak spray skirt, knoWn in the prior art, to prevent

Which must be hand-seWn, or rigid kayaks Which must be

formed out of ther'moplastics using complex three-dimen

sional molds, the current design can be simply die-stamped
out of a ?at sheet of material, using machinery commonly
found in the paper-converting industries. A typical stamping

Water from entering the cockpit.

Note that the fold lines 111, 112, 114, 116-119, as Well as
the darts 108 and 109 form a pattern that is applied to the
double-Wall panel material through the use of a steel rule die
or the like to crush the double-Wall material along those lines

machine can create both the permanent creases Which de?ne

to form living hinges that enable the panel to be folded along

the folding lines, and the cut outlines, holes and slots required
for various assembly functions. Alternatively, the panel may

the fold lines to transform it from a planar object to a kayak

be formed of a solid or foamed polymer or plastic With fold

Watercraft to a self-formed carrying case. This pattern is a

fundamental aspect of the invention. Dies may be applied to

20

lines formed by CNC-grooved creases.

The skin may be manufactured and sold separately from

the panel in a heated state in order to achieve more ?exible

the structural components, so that if becomes damaged or

living hinges, especially in those areas, such as the darts 108

Worn, it may simply be replaced.

Custom extrusions of the preferred tWin-Walled plastic

and 109, Which require particularly tight folds.

To disassemble the kayak, the steps 106 above are gener
ally reversed. The adjustable buckles 131x are released, the
cockpit rim components 136 are disengaged from each other,
the rib 137 is removed, and the ?oorboard 138 is removed.
The panel 101 may then be folded into a con?guration in

25

Which it forms its oWn integral case for self-storage of the

panel 101 and the ancillary components (fairing 139, ?oor

30

dinghies, sailboats and the like. LikeWise, they may also be

board 138, and cross-rib 137). The panel is placed in a ?at

tened disposition as shoWn in FIG. 5 and, as shoWn in FIG. 16,
the opposed end sections 103 and 104 are folded upWardly
along fold lines 119. At the same time, the end sections 103
and 104 are folded inWardly each toWard the other along fold

skin material may be used to enhance the performance and

durability of the kayak. For instance, the outer surface of a
custom sheet could be made thicker than the inner surface, in
order to better resist abrasion and impacts from rocks, snags,
sandbars, and other obstacles.
The same methods and materials may be applied to other
portable, collapsible Watercraft such as canoes, roWboats,

applied to folding furniture, packaging, and portable struc

tures.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of

35

the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration

lines 118, forming converging vertices 142. The converging

and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit

end sections 103 and 104 tend to draW together the opposed
sides 102a and 10219 of central portion 102, so that the
opposed sides rotate each toWard the other about fold lines

the invention to the precise form disclosed, and many modi

?cations and variations are possible in light of the above
teaching Without deviating from the spirit and the scope of the

116.

40

invention. The embodiment described is selected to best

45

cation to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utiliZe

the invention in various embodiments and With various modi
?cations as suited to the particular purpose contemplated. It is
intended that the scope of the invention be de?ned by the

explain the principles of the invention and its practical appli

With regard to FIG. 17, the confronting vertices 142 are

diverted slightly laterally as they are brought into approxima

tion, and the end sections 103 and 104 begin to fold about
lines 116 as the side portions 102a and 10219 continue to rotate
toWard each other. As a result, the folding end sections 103

claims appended hereto.

and 104 slide past each other as they collapse together, With
the end section 104 folded substantially ?at along axis 114
and impinging on the inner surface of side portion 10211 of the

The invention claim is:

1. A collapsible Watercraft, comprising:

central section 1 02 (FIG. 18). In a like manner, the end section

103 is folded substantially ?at and impinging on the inner
surface of side portion 102!) of the central section 102. The
outer ends of the darts 108 and 109 form comers of the folded
structure, and these corners are brought into approximation

a panel con?guration formed of a stiff, creasable and fold

able panel, said panel being provided With a plurality of

permanent fold lines to de?ne a plurality of living

hinges, said living hinges extending in said panel in a

by completely rotating the side portions 102a and 1021)

together, thus de?ning the carrying case of FIG. 19. The

predetermined pattern to enable said panel to be folded

55

along said living hinges from a ?rst, generally planar

disposition to a second, assembled disposition in Which
portions of said panel form a manifold that integrally
de?nes the keel, hull, sides, and deck of a kayak con

spaces betWeen the folded panels Within the case may be used

to store the cross-rib, boW fairing, paddles, and other ancillary

gear. The darts 108 and 109 form gussets that provide volume
to the carrying case con?guration, and the keel portion 124

?guration;

placed over the open top of the carrying case, folded along its

said panel including a pair of opposed side edges, and said

panel is foldable along said living hinges about a longi

fold lines, and secured thereto With a strap, tape, or the like to

tudinal axis to form said manifold as a tubular shape in

de?ne an integrally formed, self-storage case for the kayak

Which said opposed side edges are folded inWardly each

toWard the other and brought together in a longitudinal

forms the bottom of the case. The footboard 138 may be

and its components. The case may be fumished With addi

tional straps or handles for carrying by hand, or as a backpack.
In an alternate embodiment, of the case assembly, the skin
may be creased With additional transverse folds, Which alloW

60

65

plane to form said kayak con?guration;

further including means for releasably joining said
opposed side edges to enclose said kayak con?guration.

US 8,316,788 B2
10
2. The collapsible Watercraft of claim 1, wherein said panel

of said panel, said second pair of darts each opening out

Wardly to a respective one of said opposed side edges.

extends longitudinally along said longitudinal axis, and said

pattern is symmetrical about said longitudinal axis.
3. The collapsible Watercraft of claim 2, Wherein said panel

14. The collapsible Watercraft of claim 1, Where said means

for releasably joining said opposed side edges includes a

plurality of adjustable buckle assemblies extending from said

includes a central section and opposed fore and aft sections

extending from longitudinally opposed ends of said central

opposed side edges in snap-engaging, length-adjustable fash

section.

ion.

15. The collapsible Watercraft of claim 1, further including

sealing means extending the lengths of said opposed side

4. The collapsible Watercraft of claim 3, Wherein said pair

of opposed side edges include a pair of concave, scalloped

edges, and means for releasably joining said sealing means to

portions extending into the laterally opposed edges of said

enclose said kayak con?guration.

central section, said concave portions de?ning a cockpit

16. The collapsible Watercraft of claim 3, further including

a pair of V-shaped fold lines formed in opposed ends of said
fore and aft sections, said V-shaped fold lines being sym
metrical about said longitudinal axis.
17. The collapsible Watercraft of claim 16, Wherein each
V-shaped fold line enables said opposed ends of said fore and
aft sections to be folded inWardly toWard the central section,
bringing together opposed sides of said panel at said fore and

opening in said kayak con?guration.

5. The collapsible Watercraft of claim 3, Wherein said pair
of opposed side edges at said fore section of said panel taper
from said central section to de?ne a longitudinally tapering

boW section of said kayak con?guration.

6. The collapsible Watercraft of claim 5, Wherein said pair
of opposed side edges at said aft section of said panel taper
from said central section to de?ne a longitudinally tapering

stern section of said kayak con?guration.

7. The collapsible Watercraft of claim 6, Wherein said per
manent fold lines include three pair of fold lines extending

20

panel accordion-folded together.

18. The collapsible Watercraft of claim 3, Wherein said

longitudinally in said panel entirely through said fore section,

said central section and said aft section, each of said three pair

of fold line being symmetrical about said longitudinal axis.

25

9. The collapsible Watercraft of claim 8, Wherein a second

pair of said three pair of fold lines are spaced apart from said
?rst pair of fold lines, each ?rst and second pair of lines
de?ning therebetWeen a longitudinal strip of said panel that
comprises a bottom portion of said kayak con?guration.
10. The collapsible Watercraft of claim 9, Wherein a third
pair of said three pair of fold lines are spaced apart from said

second pair of fold lines, each second and third pair of lines
de?ning therebetWeen a longitudinal strip of said panel that
comprises a side portion of said kayak con?guration.
11. The collapsible Watercraft of claim 10, Wherein said
third pair of said three pair of fold lines are spaced laterally
inWardly of said opposed side edges to de?ne therebetWeen

lines spanning said opposed side edges.

30

20. The collapsible Watercraft of claim 19, Wherein a ?rst

pair of said lateral fold lines de?ne the boundaries betWeen
said central section and said fore and aft sections.
21. The collapsible Watercraft of claim 20, Wherein a sec
ond pair of said lateral fold lines are disposed intermediate of

35

said ?rst pair of lateral fold lines and the respective adjacent
fore or aft end of said panel.

22. A collapsible Watercraft, comprising:

a panel con?guration formed of a stiff, creasable and fold

able panel, said panel being provided With a plurality of

40

permanent fold lines to de?ne a plurality of living

hinges, said living hinges extending in said panel in a

predetermined pattern to enable said panel to be folded

along said living hinges from a ?rst, generally planar

the deck portions of said kayak con?guration.

12. The collapsible Watercraft of claim 5, further including

disposition to a second, assembled disposition in Which

portions of said panel form a manifold that integrally
de?nes the keel, hull, sides, and deck of a kayak con

a ?rst pair of darts formed in said panel and located at the

boundary betWeen said central section and said fore section of

said panel, said darts each opening outWardly to a respective

one of said opposed side edges.
13. The collapsible Watercraft of claim 12, further includ
ing a second pair of darts formed in said panel and located at
the boundary betWeen said central section and said aft section

pattern further includes a plurality of lateral fold lines to

enable said panel to be folded into a self-de?ned carrying case

for the collapsible Watercraft.

19. The collapsible Watercraft of claim 18, Wherein said
plurality of lateral fold lines includes tWo pair of lateral fold

8. The collapsible Watercraft of claim 7, Wherein a ?rst pair

of said three pair of fold lines are spaced apart equally from
said longitudinal axis and de?ne therebetWeen said keel of

said kayak con?guration.

aft sections to de?ne a pointed boW at the fore section and a

pointed stern at the aft section, each having four plies of said

?guration;
Wherein said pattern is further de?ned to enable said panel
to be folded into a self-de?ned carrying case for the
50

collapsible Watercraft.
*