초록 ▼

A vehicle system is disclosed herein. The vehicle system includes first and second shell members, each extending along respective first and second axes between respective stern ends and junction ends. Each shell member also includes respective hull walls extending along the respective axes, intercon

A vehicle system is disclosed herein. The vehicle system includes first and second shell members, each extending along respective first and second axes between respective stern ends and junction ends. Each shell member also includes respective hull walls extending along the respective axes, interconnecting the respective stern ends and junction ends. Each shell member defines respective volumes of space accessible through respective perimeters. The vehicle system also includes a first hinge assembly interconnecting the first shell member and the second shell member. The first hinge assembly is mounted to the first junction end and to the second junction end. The first hinge assembly effectuates controlled pivoting movement of the first shell member and the second shell member with respect to each other whereby the first shell member and the second shell member are configurable in a first configuration in which the first axis and the second axis are spaced from an parallel to one another and in a second configuration in which the first axis and the second axis are collinear.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A vehicle system comprising: a first shell member extending along a first axis between a first stern end and a first junction end, wherein said first shell member also includes a first hull wall extending along said first axis, interconnecting said first stern end and said first junction end, and

1. A vehicle system comprising: a first shell member extending along a first axis between a first stern end and a first junction end, wherein said first shell member also includes a first hull wall extending along said first axis, interconnecting said first stern end and said first junction end, and wherein said first hull wall and said first stern end and said first junction end cooperate to define a first volume of space accessible through a first perimeter;a second shell member extending along a second axis between a second stern end and a second junction end, wherein said second shell member also includes a second hull wall extending along said second axis, interconnecting said second stern end and said second junction end, and wherein said second hull wall and said second stern end and said second junction end cooperate to define a second volume of space accessible through a second perimeter;a first hinge assembly interconnecting said first shell member and said second shell member, wherein said first hinge assembly is mounted to said first junction end and to said second junction end, and wherein said first hinge assembly effectuates controlled pivoting movement of said first shell member and said second shell member with respect to each other whereby said first shell member and said second shell member are configurable in a first configuration in which said first axis and said second axis are spaced from and parallel to one another and in a second configuration in which said first axis and said second axis are collinear;said first shell member further comprises a first plurality of ribs each projecting from said first hull wall away from said first volume of space;said second shell member further comprises a second plurality of ribs each projecting from said second hull wall away from said second volume of space;wherein each of said first plurality of ribs is aligned with one of said second plurality of ribs when said first shell member and said second shell member are in said second configuration;a first aperture disposed in one of said first plurality of ribs and positioned proximate to said first junction end; anda second aperture disposed in one of said second plurality of ribs and positioned proximate to said second junction end; anda chain link connector releasibly engageable with said first shell member and said second shell member, said chain link connector including a base and first and second stakes fixedly mounted to said base, wherein said first stake is received in said first aperture and said second stake is received in said second aperture when said first shell member and said second shell member are in said second configuration, and wherein at least one of said first stake and said second stake are removed from said first aperture and said second aperture when said first shell member and said second shell member are in said first configuration. 2. The vehicle system of claim 1 wherein: said first shell member further comprises a third plurality of ribs each projecting from said first junction end away from said first volume of space;said second shell member further comprises a plurality of grooves each recessed inwardly from said second junction end toward said second volume of space; andwherein each of said third plurality of ribs is received in one of said plurality grooves when said first shell member and said second shell member are in said second configuration. 3. The vehicle system of claim 1 wherein: said first shell member further comprises a first plurality of receptacles each recessed into said first hull wall within said first volume of space;said second shell member further comprises a second plurality of receptacles each recessed into said second hull wall within said second volume of space; andwherein said first plurality of receptacles are positioned closer to said first stern end than said first junction end and said second plurality of receptacles are positioned closer to said second stern end than said second junction end. 4. The vehicle system of claim 1 wherein: a first angle is defined between a bottom portion of said first hull wall and said first stern end;a second angle is defined between a bottom portion of said second hull wall and said second stern end; andwherein said first angle is different than said second angle. 5. The vehicle system of claim 1 wherein said first hinge assembly further comprises: a first plate mounted on said first shell member and defining a first collar portion;a second plate mounted on said second shell member and defining a second collar portion; anda hinge pin insertable in both of said first collar portion and said second collar portion, wherein said hinge pin is accessible for removal when said first shell member and said second shell member are in said first configuration and when said first shell member and said second shell member are in said second configuration. 6. The vehicle system of claim 1 further comprising: a gasket mounted proximate to one of said first perimeter and said second perimeter, said gasket being uncompressed when said first shell member and said second shell member are in said second configuration and being compressed when said first shell member and said second shell member are in said first configuration. 7. The vehicle system of claim 6 wherein said gasket is further defined as removably engaged with said first shell member and said second shell member. 8. The vehicle system of claim 1 further comprising: a trailer assembly, wherein one of said first shell member and said second shell member is directly mountable on said trailer assembly and the other of said first shell member and said second shell member is indirectly mountable on said trailer assembly through said first hinge assembly. 9. The vehicle system of claim 8 wherein: said first shell member further comprises at least one rib each projecting from said first hull wall away from said first volume of space;said trailer assembly includes a track; andwherein said at least one rib is received in said track when said first shell member is directly mounted on said trailer assembly. 10. The vehicle system of claim 8 further comprising: a plurality of skis operable to replace said plurality of wheels and support said first frame portion. 11. A vehicle system comprising: a first shell member extending along a first axis between a first stern end and a first junction end, wherein said first shell member also includes a first hull wall extending along said first axis, interconnecting said first stern end and said first junction end, and wherein said first hull wall and said first stern end and said first junction end cooperate to define a first volume of space accessible through a first perimeter;a second shell member extending along a second axis between a second stern end and a second junction end, wherein said second shell member also includes a second hull wall extending along said second axis, interconnecting said second stern end and said second junction end, and wherein said second hull wall and said second stern end and said second junction end cooperate to define a second volume of space accessible through a second perimeter;a first hinge assembly interconnecting said first shell member and said second shell member, wherein said first hinge assembly is mounted to said first junction end and to said second junction end, and wherein said first hinge assembly effectuates controlled pivoting movement of said first shell member and said second shell member with respect to each other whereby said first shell member and said second shell member are configurable in a first configuration in which said first axis and said second axis are spaced from and parallel to one another and in a second configuration in which said first axis and said second axis are collinear;a trailer assembly, wherein one of said first shell member and said second shell member is directly mountable on said trailer assembly and the other of said first shell member and said second shell member is indirectly mountable on said trailer assembly through said first hinge assembly;wherein said trailer assembly further comprises: a first frame portion extending along a trailer axis;a hitching shaft engaged with said first frame portion;a plurality of wheels engageable with and supporting said first frame portion during movement of said first frame portion; anda second frame portion pivotally mounted on said first frame portion; andwherein said one of said first shell member and said second shell member is mounted on said second frame portion with a connector that interconnects said second frame portion and said one of said first shell member and second shell member in a first configuration and interconnects said first shell member and second shell member in a second configuration. 12. The vehicle system of claim 11 wherein: said first shell member further comprises at least one rib projecting from said first junction end away from said first volume of space;said second shell member further comprises at least one groove recessed inwardly from said second junction end toward said second volume of space; andwherein said at least one rib is received in said at least one groove when said first shell member and said second shell member are in said second configuration. 13. The vehicle system of claim 8 wherein said hitching shaft is further defined as telescopically engaged with said first frame portion. 14. The vehicle system of claim 13 wherein said hitching shaft and said second frame portion are disposed at opposite ends of the first frame portion along said trailer axis. 15. The vehicle system of claim 14 further comprising: a walking beam axle operably disposed between said plurality wheels and said first frame portion. 16. The vehicle system of claim 15 wherein said walking beam axle is engaged with said first frame portion between said hitching shaft and said second frame portion along said trailer axis. 17. A vehicle system comprising: a first shell member extending along a first axis between a first stern end and a first junction end, wherein said first shell member also includes a first hull wall extending along said first axis, interconnecting said first stern end and said first junction end, and wherein said first hull wall and said first stern end and said first junction end cooperate to define a first volume of space accessible through a first perimeter;a second shell member extending along a second axis between a second stern end and a second junction end, wherein said second shell member also includes a second hull wall extending along said second axis, interconnecting said second stern end and said second junction end, and wherein said second hull wall and said second stern end and said second junction end cooperate to define a second volume of space accessible through a second perimeter;a first hinge assembly interconnecting said first shell member and said second shell member, wherein said first hinge assembly is mounted to said first junction end and to said second junction end, and wherein said first hinge assembly effectuates controlled pivoting movement of said first shell member and said second shell member with respect to each other whereby said first shell member and said second shell member are configurable in a first configuration in which said first axis and said second axis are spaced from and parallel to one another and in a second configuration in which said first axis and said second axis are collinear;a trailer assembly, wherein one of said first shell member and said second shell member is directly mountable on said trailer assembly and the other of said first shell member and said second shell member is indirectly mountable on said trailer assembly through said first hinge assembly;wherein said one of said first shell member and said second shell member directly mountable on said trailer assembly further comprises at least one rib projecting away from said respective volume of space; andat least one sleeve mounted in situ in said at least one rib of said one of said first shell member and said second shell member directly mountable on said trailer assembly, said at least one sleeve passing through one of said first volume of space and said second volume of space.