Houseboat with Patio

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/666,965, entitled “Houseboat Assembly,” filed Jul. 2, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Houseboats provide convenient, affordable lodging for people that enjoy spending time on vessels on bodies of water. When purchasing a conventional houseboat, the purchaser must select a houseboat with a configuration pre-determined by the manufacturer and with no direct input from the purchaser. In some instances, it may be desirable to allow a user to select a particular floorplan for a houseboat cabin assembly from a variety of floorplans, and thereafter connect the selected cabin assembly to a hull to form a houseboat.

Conventional houseboats must be transported over highways and other roadways which require permits and special trucking measures. It may also be desirable to build or manufacture the cabin assembly at a first location, manufacture the hull at a second location, and thereafter assemble the houseboat at a third location. The third location may be proximate the particular body of water where the user desires to use the houseboat. Conventional houseboats are assembled into one structure, and thereafter transported to a body of water and launched. In some instances, it may be desirable to allow the cabin assembly to be lowered onto the hull while the hull is situated on a trailer of a jacking system. The houseboat may thereafter be assembled by securing the cabin assembly to the hull, and forming the houseboat on the trailer. The trailer may then be moved to launch the houseboat into the desired body of water by either backing the trailer into the water or pivoting the trailer to slide the houseboat off and into the water.

Conventional pre-fabricated or pre-manufactured residential houses are not equipped for marine environments because these structures are constructed with residential grade materials. Inasmuch as houseboats encounter marine environments, it may be desirable to manufacture a pre-fabricated residential house using marine grade wiring and electrical components throughout the structure. This structure may then comprise a cabin assembly and allow a user to secure the cabin assembly to a hull to form a houseboat. Marine grade wiring and components provide the houseboat with significantly more resistance to adverse environmental conditions. Residential windows may provide for more cost-effectively manufacturing a houseboat.

Conventional houseboat hull designs are not conducive to receiving a pre-fabricated house thereon. Therefore, in some instances, it may be desirable to provide a peripheral receiving surface on the hull to mate with a similar surface on a pre-fabricated house configured to be used as a cabin assembly. The peripheral receiving surface may be stepped or sloped or have a horizontal step for receiving the cabin assembly combined with an angled step to wick and direct water away from the cabin assembly.

Conventional houseboats provide a flat and solid surface at the uppermost portion of the houseboat. This surface is applied with a chemical gel coat material, which typically requires replacement ever few years because of the intense weather exposure. This chemical gel coat material wears off over time and enters the marine environments where houseboats are typically stored and used, causing ecological damage. Further, this surface can become slippery to a user and may also retain water in divots or puddles formed in the horizontal surface of the decking. Therefore, in some instances, it may be desirable to provide a roof deck having horizontal boards disposed upon cross-members, similar to a residential backyard deck, where the cross-members are secured to the upper surface of the cabin assembly roof instead of posts in the ground. Inasmuch as the cabin assembly roof is peaked and sloped downward, such a configuration would allow rain water or spray to run between the horizontal boards, past the cross-members, and off the cabin assembly roof. The usage of horizontal boards eliminates the need to apply a chemical gel coat material on the uppermost surface of the houseboat. In some instances, composite decking or other residential decking may be used for the boards.

While various types of houseboats have been made and used, it is believed that no one prior to the inventor(s) has made or used the invention described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the present invention

FIG. 1 depicts an example of a houseboat;

FIG. 2 depicts an example of a floorplan of the houseboat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts an example of a rear view of the houseboat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 depicts an example of a side view of the houseboat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 depicts an example of a view of the houseboat of FIG. 1, wherein the porch is decoupled from the hull;

FIG. 6 depicts an example of a view of the houseboat of FIG. 1, wherein the cabin is decoupled from the hull;

FIG. 7 depicts an example of a cross-sectional view of a cabin coupled to a hull and depicts an example of an occupant therein;

FIG. 8 depicts an example of an interior view of a hull included in the houseboat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 depicts an example of an interior top view of a hull included in the houseboat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 depicts an example of a patio included in the houseboat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 depicts an example of an interior view of a patio included in the houseboat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 depicts an example of a zoomed-in view of an interface between a hull and a patio included in the houseboat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 depicts a flowchart of an example of a method of assembling the houseboat of FIG. 1.

The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any way, and it is contemplated that various embodiments of the invention may be carried out in a variety of other ways, including those not necessarily depicted in the drawings. The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of certain examples of the invention should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention. Other examples, features, aspects, embodiments, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, which is by way of illustration, one of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different and obvious aspects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

It will be appreciated that any one or more of the teachings, expressions, versions, examples, etc. described herein may be combined with any one or more of the other teachings, expressions, versions, examples, etc. that are described herein. The following-described teachings, expressions, versions, examples, etc. should therefore not be viewed in isolation relative to each other. Various suitable ways in which the teachings herein may be combined will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.

I. Customization

FIGS. 1-4 show an assembled houseboat (100) including a cabin assembly (102), a patio (110), and a hull (130). Each of the cabin assembly (102), patio (110), and the hull (130) are modular, and may be constructed, assembled, or otherwise formed at separate locations. The modular assembly of cabin assembly (102), patio (110), and hull (130) allow for mating of these components at a single site, for example on or near the body of water into which the houseboat (100) will ultimately reside. In some embodiments, the cabin assembly (102) may include a cabin roof (104), exterior cabin walls (106), cabin floor (108) (shown in FIG. 2), and interior cabin walls (109) (shown in FIG. 2). Cabin roof (104), exterior cabin walls (106), and cabin floor (108) cooperate together to form a skeletal structure of the cabin assembly (102), and define an interior space. In some embodiments, at least one of the interior cabin walls (109) is load bearing, and assists exterior cabin walls (106) with supporting cabin roof (104), while other interior cabin walls (109) are non-load bearing. Exterior cabin walls (106) and interior cabin walls (109) cooperate together to form a floorplan, separating spaces in the interior space of the cabin assembly (102). Floorplans may be preselected, for example by a customer, prior to the construction of the cabin assembly (102).

Patio (110) may be coupled to hull (130) either before or after cabin-hull assembly (250) is launched onto a body of water, the coupling of which forms the houseboat (100). The patio (110) includes a patio first end (124) located proximally to the cabin assembly (102) and a patio section end (126) located opposite the patio first end (124). Patio floor (120) includes at least a portion that defines a patio plane parallel with the cabin plane defined by at least a portion of the cabin floor (108). Proximate to the second end (126), patio (110) includes a stairwell (114) that descends below the patio plane and is configured to be accessible by a human swimmer from the body of water onto which houseboat (100) is moored. Furthermore, when positioned in a desirable spot in the body of water, houseboat (100) may be moored to a structure, such as a pier or dock (150). Mooring houseboat (100) to dock (150), for example, inhibits houseboat (100) from drifting across the body of water onto which it is located. Patio (110), in some examples, may further include stairwells (122) leading from patio floor (120) into doorway (125) of the cabin assembly (102).

One or more of the cabin assembly (102), hull (130), and patio (110) may be customized by a customer prior to manufacturing. The customer may select a particular pairing of cabin assembly (102), hull (130), and patio (110) by selecting a selected boat style from a plurality of boat styles via a graphical user interface such as those provided through a web browser on a computer (not shown), and may do so by selecting each of the floorplans for the cabin assembly (102), hull (130), and patio (110) independent of each of the other. Some versions of graphical user interface provide functionality for further customizing features of selected floorplan such as by adding, moving, or removing an interior cabin wall (109), doorway (125), stairwell (107), or window (126). Windows (126) may be residential windows installed on cabin assembly (102) which represents an efficiency of scale and cost-savings when manufacturing cabin assembly (102). Stairwell (107) descends from the cabin assembly (102) into hull (130).

Selected boat style and/or selected floorplan may be selected by the customer based on personal preference, budget, or other factors specific to the customer. Each of the plurality of boat styles and each of the plurality of floorplans is associated with a particular set of specifications, characteristics, or other features that combine to define cabin assembly (102). Once a customer selects selected boat style and/or selected floorplan, cabin assembly (102) and/or hull (130) is manufactured in accordance with the specifications associated with selected boat style and/or selected floorplan and mated or secured to hull (130) to form houseboat (100).

The positioning of walls (106), the overall footprint or size of cabin assembly (102), the placement of windows (126) and doorways (125), and the orientation of other similar features are in accordance with selected boat style and/or selected floor plan. Once selected boat style and/or selected floor plan is selected, cabin assembly (102) is built or manufactured in accordance with selected boat style and/or selected floor plan and walls (106), roof (104), windows (126) and doorways (125), and similar features are all positioned and integrated into cabin assembly (102) in accordance with selected boat style and/or selected floor plan.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 8 and 9, hull (130) is shown. In the cabin-hull assembly (250) (shown in FIGS. 6 and 7), hull (130) is coupled to the cabin assembly (102) at an upper peripheral surface (144) of the hull (130) (shown in FIG. 8). The hull (130) is manufactured to provide a generally horizontal receiving surface (144) around at least a portion of the periphery of the hull (130). In some embodiments, the receiving surface (144) is the upper most surface of the hull. The receiving surface is configured to receive the lower most surface of the cabin assembly (102) and facilitate the securing of the cabin assembly (102) to the hull (130). In an exemplary embodiment of a houseboat of the present disclosure, the cabin assembly includes a cabin surface oriented to mate and abut with receiving surface (144) when the cabin assembly is brought into alignment with the hull (130). A series of clamps or bolts (not shown) are used to secure the cabin surface to the receiving surface (144) of the hull (130).

With particular reference to the figures, and particularly FIG. 6, lower surface of cabin assembly is sized and oriented to fit against upper surface (144) of hull (130) and facilitate a secure peripheral abutment between cabin assembly (102) and hull (130). As shown in the figures, lower surface is generally horizontally oriented with respect to wall (106) of cabin assembly (102). Similarly, upper surface (144) is generally horizontally oriented with respect to wall (132) of hull (130). The two horizontal elements facilitate an abutment which may be secured by any common securing mechanism known in the art, such as bolts, welds, or clamps.

Hull (130) further includes a runoff portion where water from rain or waves is directed away from cabin assembly (102). As water from rain or waves moves in the direction of gravity, runoff portion directs the water over a runoff surface (137) away from cabin assembly (102) and down walls (132) and angled walls (134) of hull (130). As shown in the figures, runoff surface (137) may be oriented generally horizontally and parallel with upper surface (144) of hull (130). Alternatively, runoff portion includes an angled runoff surface, extending at an angle from upper surface. In the embodiment of hull (130) illustrated in the figures, water from rain or waves travels in the direction of gravity until meeting runoff surface, whereby the water is directed away from cabin assembly (102) in the direction of gravity.

With reference to FIG. 6, hull (130) may further include various storage cells or rooms, such as bed cell (200). Rooms included in hull (130) may extend into cabin assembly (102). In some embodiments the hull (130) includes bed cell (200) extending from the hull floor through the cabin plane into interior space of the cabin assembly (102), as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 7, specifically, shows an example occupant (500) in the hull (130). While the occupant (500) is in the hull (130), they may extend beyond the upper portion of the hull (130) into the cabin assembly (102), as shown in FIG. 7.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, hull (130) may further house a plurality of hull struts (142), a plurality of hull cross-struts (143), and a plurality of hull vertical struts (140), which cooperate to form an internal structural skeleton (e.g., frame) of hull (130). In some versions, struts (140, 142, 143) may comprise aluminum. The hull struts (142) may run from the hull first end (160) to the hull second end (162) while the hull cross-struts (143) may run generally horizontally perpendicular to the hull struts (142). Meanwhile, in some embodiments, hull vertical struts (140) may run generally vertically perpendicular to hull struts (142). In the example shown, hull (130) has a generally rectangular horizontal footprint, with the hull first end (160) and the hull second end (162) having a substantially same length as each other, and with the width defined between the hull first end (160) and the hull second end (162) being substantially less than the length.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 9, hull (130) may further include one or more (e.g., three) generally rectangular bumpers (170) extending outwardly from hull first end (160). When the houseboat (100) is moored at dock (150) or pier, houseboat (100) may contact dock (150). Because they extend outward, bumpers (170) may contact the dock (150) while spacing hull first end (160) away from the dock (150) by one or more predefined gaps. This may prevent any damage to hull first end (160) that might otherwise be caused by direct contact between hull first end (160) and dock (150) or pier. In addition, or alternatively, this may allow gutters (not shown) to direct water from roof (104) downwardly into the gap(s) defined between hull first end (160) and the dock (150) and further downwardly into the body of water, thereby preventing such water from landing on dock (150).

With further reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 10, and 11, patio (110) is shown. In the assembled houseboat (100), patio (110) is coupled to hull (130), and includes a patio floor (120). The patio (110) extends from the cabin assembly (102), and includes the patio floor (120) defining a patio plane, the patio plane generally being parallel to the cabin plane. Patio floor (120) may include fences (116) thereon forming a barrier at least partially disposed around a portion of a perimeter of patio floor (120). Fence (116) may include a plurality of posts (117) generally vertically disposed with crossbars (118) running generally perpendicular to the posts (117), and joining posts (117) to form the fence (116). Fences (116) may be disposed on patio floor (120) as aesthetic or safety features.

With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, in some embodiments, the patio (110) includes a hatch (180), which may be plum with the patio floor (120) in a closed position. Hatch (180) may rotate or slide from the closed position to an open position, revealing stairwell (182) (see FIG. 11). Stairwell (182) may descend beneath the patio floor (120) into the patio barge (184) which may provide additional storage space for the houseboat (100). Patio barge (184) may furthermore house a plurality of patio struts (190), a plurality of patio cross-struts (192), and a plurality of patio vertical struts (194), which cooperate to form an internal structural skeleton (e.g., frame) of patio (110). In some versions, struts (190, 192, 194) may comprise aluminum. The patio struts (190) may run from the patio first end (124) to the patio second end (126) beneath the patio floor (120) while the patio cross-struts (192) may run generally horizontally perpendicular to the patio struts (190). Meanwhile, in some embodiments, patio vertical struts (194) may run generally vertically perpendicular to patio struts (190). In the example shown, patio (110) has a generally rectangular horizontal footprint similar to that of hull (130).

Cabin assembly (102) may extend from an upper portion to a lower portion and include set of generally vertical walls (106) and a roof (104). Cabin assembly (102) may further include other residential features such as one or more windows (125). Cabin assembly (102) further includes a lower surface, generally extending around the periphery of lower portion. Windows (125) may be residential windows installed on cabin assembly (102) which represents an efficiency of scale and cost-savings when manufacturing cabin assembly (102).

As shown in FIG. 4, hull assembly (5) generally extends from an upper portion to a lower portion and is comprised of a set of walls (132) and angled walls (134) cooperating to define an interior pocket, as shown in FIG. 6. The set of walls (132) and angled walls (134) may cooperate to define the shape of hull (130) and may define a flat, rounded, or v-shaped bottom of the hull (130). Hull (130) includes an upper surface (144), generally extending around the periphery of upper portion. Hull (130) may be formed from several pieces of material welded together. For example, plates of aluminum may be welded together to form all or part of hull (130).

Selected boat style and selected floorplan are non-limiting examples of a preference the customer may designate regarding houseboat (100). In some versions of houseboat (100), each boat style in plurality of boat style is associated with an external profile of houseboat (100). In some version of houseboat (100), each floorplan in plurality of floor plans is associated with an internal profile of houseboat (100). Thus, selected boat style may reflect a preference of the customer regarding an exterior area of houseboat (100), while selected floorplan may reflect a preference of the customer regarding an internal area of houseboat (100).

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a user or customer may select a cabin assembly from a plurality of cabin assembly floorplans, based on personal preference or other factors specific to the purchaser, such as the floorplan depicted in FIG. 2. Each cabin assembly (102) floorplan is associated with a particular set of specifications, characteristics, or other features that combine to define the cabin assembly (102). Once a user selects a cabin assembly floorplan, the cabin assembly (102) is manufactured in accordance with the specifications associated with the selected floorplan and mated or secured to a hull to form the final houseboat (100).

Some of the figures depict an embodiment of a houseboat (100) prior to full assembly, whereby a cabin assembly (102) is secured to the hull (130), and thereafter the connected cabin assembly (102) and hull (130) (together cabin-hull assembly (250)) are secured to a patio (110). Cabin assembly (102) extends from an upper portion to a lower portion and is comprised of a set of generally vertical walls (106) and a roof (104). Cabin assembly (102) may further include other residential features such as a set of windows (124). Cabin assembly (102) includes a lower surface, generally extending around the periphery of lower portion.

The positioning of walls, the overall footprint or size of cabin assembly, the placement of windows, and the orientation of other similar features are in accordance with a particular specification or cabin assembly floorplan, selectable by the user or purchaser of the houseboat. Once a floorplan is selected, cabin assembly is built or manufactured in accordance with the selected floorplan and the walls, roof, windows, and similar features are all positioned and integrated into the cabin assembly according to the selected floorplan. One such constructed cabin assembly is shown in FIG. 6.

Hull generally extends from an upper portion to a lower portion and is comprised of a set of walls cooperating to define an interior pocket. The set of walls may cooperate to define the shape of hull and may define a flat, rounded, or v-shaped bottom of the hull. Hull includes an upper surface, generally extending around the periphery of upper portion. Hull may be formed from several pieces of material welded together. For example, plates of aluminum may be welded together to form all or part of hull. In some embodiments, hull is comprised of steel sheets. In other embodiments, hull is made out of concrete. Concrete hulls may be poured into a form to create the overall bucket-style hull shape with an open interior pocket. As seen in FIG. 7, interior pocket may include various living features such as steps, wall for separating interior pocket into rooms, a bed platform, or other home features such as a water heater or similar. In some embodiments, hull is attached to a plurality of wheels. Wheels may sit on the underside of lower portion and be removably attached for transportation. Wheels may be attached to hull with bolts, clasps, or screws. The plurality of wheels may be re-usable for repeated usage for transporting the hull to various locations, rather than a full flatbed trailer—which is more expensive and requires additional maintenance.

Patio (110) generally extends horizontally from hull (130). In some embodiments, patio (110) will extend from hull (130) forming a 90-degree angle with hull (130). Patio (110) may possess buoyant or semi-buoyant properties in order for it to “float” on water while extending from hull (130). In some embodiments, patio (110) is made of aluminum sheets. In other embodiments, patio (110) is made of wooden planks. Patio (110) may further be made of a plastic, a composite composition, or a concrete composition. As discussed in more detail below, patio (110) is configured to attach to hull (130). Patio (110) may be attached to hull (130) with a plurality of bolts, fasteners, screws, clamps, or latches. In some embodiments, construction and combining of patio (110) to the cabin-hull assembly (250) includes a series of steps or processes (identified in FIG. 13 and described below). These steps or processes may allow someone to more easily transition from the patio (110) to the water.

II. System for Mating Cabin, Hull, and Patio

As explained throughout this disclosure, the cabin assembly (102), hull (130), and patio (110) may be constructed at the same or different locations as each other. In an example of an embodiment wherein the hull (130) is constructed at a location different from cabin assembly (102), during or after the assembly and construction of hull (130), hull (130) may be placed onto a jacking system. Jacking system includes a trailer having a hull receiving section configured to receive hull (130) thereon and selectively hold hull (130) during transportation. Trailer may resemble elements of a cargo trailer or boat trailer, having a set of wheels, a hitch, bracing beams, vehicle lights, a bumper, and similar features of trailers. Trailer is coupled with a tractor or towing engine such as a commercial “semi-tractor” for transporting cargo, referred to hereinafter as tractor. Hull may also be transported over short distances by being rolled on its plurality of wheels.

Hull (130) may be manufactured in situ or placed onto hull receiving section of trailer after manufacturing. Trailer and tractor are connected using hitch, whereby tractor is operable to transport trailer and therefore hull to any desired geographic location. Once hull is in proximity to cabin assembly, cabin assembly is lowered onto hull while hull remains on hull receiving section. As such, trailer is configured to support the weight of both hull and cabin assembly. After cabin assembly (102) is placed onto hull (130), the two components are connected and secured together to form cabin-hull assembly (250) on trailer.

Once cabin-hull assembly (250) is assembled on trailer, tractor is operable to drive the assembled cabin-hull assembly (250) to a nearby body of water, potentially bypassing any highways or major roads. As will be discussed below, completing the formation of houseboat (100) proximate the desired body of water allows the user or purchaser to bypass any highway permits or special requirements necessary to transport a large item such as a houseboat over a highway or major road.

Once tractor transports the cabin-hull assembly (250) to the body of water, jacking system is operable to place houseboat in the body of water, similar to a boat trailer. In some embodiments of jacking system, tractor is used to dispose hull receiving portion in the water, backing trailer into the water until the floatation qualities of hull allow houseboat to float up and off of hull receiving section. In other embodiments of jacking system, the various beams and structural support of hull receiving section raise up, similar to a dump truck, to pivot hull receiving section and houseboat into an angled position and slide houseboat into the water.

Patio (110) may be connected to hull (130) at various stages of this process. Patio (110) may be attached to hull (130) before cabin assembly (102) is placed onto hull (130) or may be attached to hull (130) after cabin assembly (102) is placed on hull (130). Patio (110) may be attached to hull (130) before cabin-hull assembly (250) is placed in a body of water, or after cabin-hull assembly (250) is placed in a body of water. In some embodiments, patio (110) will include fasteners to attach to wall (106) of cabin assembly, in addition to hull (130). In such embodiments, patio (110) could be attached to cabin assembly (102) for extra stability, but such fastening is not necessary.

In some embodiments, patio (110) is attached to a longer side of hull (130). Thus, patio (110) is aligned with a longer wall (106) of cabin assembly (102). With such an alignment, a user may utilize a wider surface area of patio (110) than if it were attached to a shorter side of hull (130). In some embodiments, cabin assembly (102), hull (130), and patio (110) are oriented in such a way that houseboat is connectable to the dock (150) at the non-patio side (that is, the hull first side (160), shown in FIGS. 1 and 9), so as to allow the user to enter the houseboat (100) directly from the dock (150) and have more seclusion and privacy on the patio (110) extending out “back” of the houseboat (100). In this orientation, the cabin assembly (102) is disposed between the dock (150) and the patio (110) to provide privacy, as shown in FIG. 1.

III. Marine Grade Components

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the houseboat (100) may include accoutrement of typical dwellings such as light outlets, electrical connections, and other electrical components. In some embodiments, each light outlet, electrical connection, and other electrical components are wired into various circuits using marine grade wiring. Marine grade wiring is specifically manufactured to withstand harsh marine or nautical environments and is highly resistant to moister and degradation. Marine grade wiring is significantly more resistant to adverse conditions than typical home wiring. In addition to marine grade wiring, some embodiments of the present disclosure include marine grade wire connectors, terminals, ties, clamps, and other electrical components or wiring accessories.

IV. Manufacturing Location

In some embodiments of the disclosure, manufacturing of the cabin assembly (102) may be accomplished at various facilities spread across a wide geographic area. As such, the user or the houseboat (100) manufacturer may choose to manufacture the cabin assembly (102) at the closest or nearest manufacturing facility to the user or to the user's intended destination for the final houseboat (100). Manufacturing the cabin assembly (102) in the same general geographic area as the user or the user's intended destination provides an enormous cost savings and reduction in shipping and transportation costs. Inasmuch as the hull (130) are generally not customized and manufactured in a standardized shape, though in some embodiments hulls (130) are customized, the hull (130) can be prebuilt or pre-manufactured and either sent to the selected manufacturing facility when a houseboat (100) order is placed, or the manufacturing facility may periodically receive new hulls (130) for use in future houseboat (100) orders.

With reference to FIG. 13, in some embodiments, a method (1300) of manufacturing a houseboat (100) includes a step (1302) of constructing the cabin assembly (102), whereby a user or purchaser of the houseboat (100) selects a particular cabin assembly floorplan from a plurality of floorplans, and the selected cabin assembly (102) is constructed at a first location. Method (1300) further includes, in a step (1304), constructing the hull (130) at a second location. The method (1300) further includes, in a step (1306) constructing the patio (110) at a third location. Each of the cabin assembly (102), the hull (130), and the patio (110) may be transported, in a step (1308) to a fourth location for mating. Each of the first location, the second location, third location, and fourth location may be located at least 1 mile from each other. As explained above, constructing each of the cabin assembly (102), hull (130), and patio (110) at a separate location has an advantage of transporting less than a full houseboat (100) to the body of water onto which houseboat (100) is intended to be launched. Transporting a fully assembled houseboat (100) may be cumbersome at least due to the space required for such transportation and due to any permits or equipment required to transport especially large cargo. In some cases, any two or more of the first, second, and/or third locations may be substantially the same as each other. For example, the second location (at which the hull (130) is constructed) may be within the same facility as the third location (at which the patio (110) is constructed).

Once at the fourth location, in a step (1310), the hull (130) may be positioned under the cabin assembly (102), and the cabin assembly (102) may be lowered onto the hull (130) by, for example, a crane or via a lift mechanism. In other embodiments of the invention, the cabin assembly (102) is stationary and the trailer with the hull (130) is moved under the cabin assembly (102) for mating therewith. With reference to FIG. 6, in some embodiments, the hull (130) is disposed on a trailer having a jacking system for holding the hull (130), and a lower perimeter of cabin assembly (102) is aligned with upper perimeter of hull (130) while the cabin assembly (102) is lowered, in a step (1312) onto hull (130) along line B. Once lowered onto hull (130), cabin assembly (102) is coupled to hull (130) mechanically, chemically, or by any other suitable method to form a cabin-hull assembly (250), in a step (1314) as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and any desired electrical or mechanical connections are made between the two elements.

The method (1300) further includes, in a step (1316), launching the cabin-hull assembly (250) onto a body of water upon which the houseboat (100) is intended to reside. In some embodiments, launching the cabin-hull assembly (250) may be accomplished by tilting the trailer and sliding the cabin-hull assembly (250) houseboat onto the water. Or alternatively, in other embodiments, the trailer is backed into the water via a boat ramp and the cabin-hull assembly (250) is permitted to slide onto the body of water, freeing the cabin-hull assembly (250) from the trailer. Alternatively or in addition, launching the cabin-hull assembly (250) may include transporting the cabin-hull assembly (250) to the body of water and guiding the cabin-hull assembly (250) into the water. Once on the water, the cabin-hull assembly (250), may, in a step (1318) be transported on the water to a moorage such as a pier or dock (150) (see FIG. 1) and moored there, in a step (1320) to establish an anchored position on the body of water. For example, the cabin-hull assembly (250) may be transported on the water to the moorage via a light duty push/tow boat.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 12, in a step (1322), the patio (110) may be coupled to the cabin-hull assembly (250) by aligning hull bores (1230) (e.g., formed in vertical struts (140)) with patio bores (1220) (e.g., formed in vertical struts (194)) along lines A shown in FIG. 5, and then contacting the hull (130) with the patio (110) to form an interface (1200) (see FIG. 12) with the hull bores (1230) and patio bores (1220) aligned to form channels (1210). Patio (110) may then be coupled to hull (130) along the interface (1200) by inserting bolts (1240) though each of the channels (1210) formed by the aligned bores (1220, 1230), and each bolt (1240) secured through each channel (1210) to couple the hull (130) with the patio (110) to form houseboat (100). In some versions, bores (1220, 1230) may be substantially above the waterline of the body of water. It will be appreciated that bores (1220, 1230) may be formed (e.g., drilled) prior to forming interface (1200) (e.g., and then temporarily plugged until interface (1200) is formed), or may be formed (e.g., drilled) after forming interface (1200). Securing hull (130) to patio (110) may be accomplished by threading a nut (1250) onto a threading of each bolt (1240) positioned through each channel (1210) or by another method. Alternatively, the patio (110) may be coupled to the hull (130) of the cabin-hull assembly (250) to form the houseboat (100) prior to launching the cabin-hull assembly (250) onto the body of water.

In some embodiments of the disclosure, manufacturing of cabin assembly (102) may be accomplished at various facilities spread across a wide geographical area. As such, the customer or the houseboat manufacturer may choose to manufacture cabin assembly (102) at the closest or nearest manufacturing facility to the customer or to the customer's intended destination for the final assembly of houseboat (100). Manufacturing cabin assembly (102) in the same general geographical area as the customer or the customer's intended destination provides an enormous cost savings and reduction in shipping and transportation costs. In some versions, hull (130) is generally not customized and may be manufactured in a standardized shape. Thus, hull (130) can be prebuilt or pre-manufactured at a second location different than the manufacturing location of the cabin assembly (102), and either sent to the first location or the fourth location for combination with the cabin assembly (102). This transportation of the hull (130) may occur when houseboat (100) is ordered or purchased, or the manufacturing facility may periodically receive stock of new hulls (130) for use in future orders for houseboat (100).

Some versions of cabin assembly (102) and/or hull (130) may be manufactured in such a width and height to allow cabin assembly (102) and/or hull assembly (130) to travel along major roads such as interstate highways without an “oversized load” permit or other special precautions for transportation. Specifically, some versions of cabin assembly (102) and/or hull assembly (130) are restricted to smaller than 9 feet in width and 14 feet in height once placed upon a trailer. When cabin assembly (102) and hull assembly (130) are manufactured within these tolerances, cabin assembly (102) and/or hull assembly (130) may be transported along major roads without a specialized permit or other precautions.

During or after the assembly and construction of hull (130), hull (130) may be placed onto a specially designed jacking system (not shown). Jacking system includes a trailer having a hull receiving section configured to receive hull (130) thereon and selectively hold hull (130) during transportation. The trailer may resemble elements of a cargo trailer or boat trailer, having a set of wheels, a hitch, a set of bracing beams, a vehicle light, a bumper, and similar features of trailers. Trailer is coupled with a tractor or towing engine such as a commercial “semi-tractor” for transporting cargo.

Hull (130) may be manufactured in situ on hull receiving section of the trailer or placed onto hull receiving section of trailer after manufacturing. Trailer and tractor are connected using hitch, whereby tractor is operable to transport trailer and therefore hull assembly to any desired geographic location. In some embodiments, once hull (130) is in proximity to cabin assembly (102), cabin assembly (102) is lowered onto hull (130) while hull (130) remains on hull receiving section. As such, trailer is configured to support the weight of both hull (130) and cabin assembly (102). After cabin assembly (102) is placed onto hull (130), the two components are connected and secured together to form cabin-hull assembly (250) in situ on trailer.

V. Engine Pod

Houseboat (100) may be formed to define a pod slot. Pod slot is sized to selectively receive either a first pod or a second pod. First pod is free of any motor or engine, while second pod includes an engine configured to rotate a propeller. Second pod further includes control circuitry configured to communicate with control circuitry disposed on houseboat proximate pod slot.

A user may dispose first pod in pod slot while houseboat is docked or otherwise not in need of any locomotive power or movement features. When the user wishes to move houseboat, first pod is removed from pod slot and second pod is moved into pod slot. Control circuitry is thereafter connected with control circuitry and communication information may be passed therebetween to allow a user to control propeller and selectively move houseboat accordingly.

Inasmuch as engines and propellers are costly and most houseboats reside at the dock a majority of the time, a user may rent or otherwise borrow or temporarily possess second pod when the user wishes to move houseboat. Houseboat (100) may be manufactured, sold, or otherwise provided with first pod to reduce the overall cost of houseboat as well as to act as a placeholder or to help complete the profile of the aft section of houseboat (100).

In this regard, houseboat (100 may be configured and operable in accordance with any one or more of the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 10,304,109, entitled “Pod System for Houseboat Assembly,” issued May 28, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

In other versions, such as that illustrated, houseboat (100) may lack any such pod slot and may further lack a propulsion system (e.g., engine/motor, propeller, etc.), such that houseboat (100) may be generally free of any locomotive capabilities. Instead, houseboat (100) may simply be configured to be pushed and/or towed on the water via another vessel, such as a light duty push/tow boat. This configuration may reduce the overall cost and/or complexity of houseboat (100), and may be particularly suitable for scenarios in which houseboat (100) only needs to be transported on the water a single time (e.g., when houseboat (100) is permanently moored).

VI. Exemplary Combinations

The following examples relate to various non-exhaustive ways in which the teachings herein may be combined or applied. It should be understood that the following examples are not intended to restrict the coverage of any claims that may be presented at any time in this application or in subsequent filings of this application. No disclaimer is intended. The following examples are being provided for nothing more than merely illustrative purposes. It is contemplated that the various teachings herein may be arranged and applied in numerous other ways. It is also contemplated that some variations may omit certain features referred to in the below examples. Therefore, none of the aspects or features referred to below should be deemed critical unless otherwise explicitly indicated as such at a later date by the inventors or by a successor in interest to the inventors. If any claims are presented in this application or in subsequent filings related to this application that include additional features beyond those referred to below, those additional features shall not be presumed to have been added for any reason relating to patentability.

Example 1

A houseboat comprising:

• • (a) a cabin assembly comprising:
    • (i) a plurality of cabin walls; and
    • (ii) a cabin floor defining a cabin plane, the cabin floor and the plurality of cabin walls cooperating to define a floorplan;
  • (b) a hull comprising:
    • (i) a plurality of hull walls descending from a perimeter of the cabin floor generally perpendicular to the cabin plane; and
    • (ii) a hull floor generally perpendicular to the plurality of hull walls, the plurality of hull walls cooperating with the hull floor to define an interior pocket; and
  • (c) a patio extending from the cabin assembly, the patio comprising a patio floor defining a patio plane, the patio plane generally parallel to the cabin plane.

Example 2

The houseboat of any previous or subsequent example, the patio further comprising:

• • (i) a fence forming a barrier around a portion of a perimeter of the patio.

Example 3

The houseboat of any previous or subsequent example, wherein the fence comprises:

• • (a) a plurality of posts generally parallel to each other post; and
  • (b) a crossbar coupled to at least one post and generally perpendicular to the at least one post.

Example 4

The houseboat of any previous or subsequent example, wherein the patio comprises:

• • (a) a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is proximate to the cabin assembly relative to the second end; and
  • (b) a stairwell at the second end.

Example 5

The houseboat of any previous or subsequent example, wherein the stairwell descends below the patio plane.

Example 6

The houseboat of any previous or subsequent example, wherein at least one of the cabin walls comprises a doorway.

Example 7

The houseboat of any previous or subsequent example, wherein at least one of the cabin walls comprises a window.

Example 8

The houseboat of any previous or subsequent example, wherein the hull comprises a bumper extending outward from a first wall of the hull, wherein the first wall is proximate to a first end of the hull, the patio extends outward from a second wall of the hull, wherein the second wall is proximate to a second end of the hull, and the first wall is located opposite the second wall.

Example 9

The houseboat of any previous or subsequent example, wherein the cabin assembly comprises a bumper extending outward from a one cabin wall of the plurality of cabin walls, the one cabin wall proximate to a first end of the cabin assembly, the patio extends outward from a one hull wall of the plurality of hull walls, the one hull wall proximate to a second end of the cabin assembly, and the first end of cabin assembly is located opposite the second end of the cabin assembly.

Example 10

The houseboat of any previous or subsequent example, wherein the hull comprises a bed cell extending from the hull floor through the cabin plane.

Example 11

The houseboat of any previous or subsequent example, wherein the floorplan comprises interior cabin walls.

Example 12

The houseboat of any previous or subsequent example, wherein the patio is coupled to the hull at a first end, and the patio comprises a stairwell at a second end, the first end of the patio opposite the second end of the patio.

Example 13

A method of manufacturing a houseboat, the method comprising:

• • (a) constructing a cabin assembly at a first location;
  • (b) constructing a hull at a second location;
  • (c) constructing a patio at a third location;
  • (d) coupling the cabin assembly to the hull at a fourth location to form a cabin-hull assembly; and
  • (e) coupling the hull of the cabin-hull assembly to the patio at the fourth location,
    • wherein the first location, the second location, the third location, and the fourth location are each at least 1 mile from each of the other locations.

Example 14

The method of any previous or subsequent example, wherein coupling the cabin assembly to the hull comprises:

• • (a) positioning the hull beneath the cabin assembly;
  • (b) lowering the cabin assembly onto the hull; and
  • (c) attaching the cabin assembly to the hull to form the cabin-hull assembly.

Example 15

The method of any previous or subsequent example, wherein the hull comprises a hull bore and the patio comprises a patio pore, and coupling the hull of the cabin-hull assembly to the patio comprises:

• • (a) contacting the hull to the patio to form an interface such that the hull bore and the patio bore align to form a channel through the interface;
  • (b) inserting a bolt through the channel; and
  • (c) securing the bolt within the channel, coupling the patio to the hull.

Example 16

The method of any previous or subsequent example, further comprising:

• • (a) launching the cabin-hull assembly onto a body of water.

Example 17

The method of any previous or subsequent example, wherein coupling the cabin-hull assembly to the patio occurs on the body of water.

Example 18

The method of any previous or subsequent example, further comprising:

• • (a) after launching the cabin-hull assembly onto the body of water, transporting the cabin-hull assembly to a moorage.

Example 19

The method of any previous or subsequent example, further comprising:

• • (a) mooring the cabin-hull assembly at the moorage.

Example 20

The method of any previous or subsequent example, further comprising:

• • (a) coupling the cabin-hull assembly to the patio at the moorage.

VII. Miscellaneous

It should be understood that any of the examples described herein may include various other features in addition to or in lieu of those described above. By way of example only, any of the examples described herein may also include one or more of the various features disclosed in any of the various references that are incorporated by reference herein.

It should be understood that any one or more of the teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. described herein may be combined with any one or more of the other teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. that are described herein. The above-described teachings, expressions, embodiments, examples, etc. should therefore not be viewed in isolation relative to each other. Various suitable ways in which the teachings herein may be combined will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.

It should be appreciated that any patent, publication, or other disclosure material, in whole or in part, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein is incorporated herein only to the extent that the incorporated material does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

Having shown and described various versions of the present invention, further adaptations of the methods and systems described herein may be accomplished by appropriate modifications by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. Several of such potential modifications have been mentioned, and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For instance, the examples, versions, geometrics, materials, dimensions, ratios, steps, and the like discussed above are illustrative and are not required. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be considered in terms of the following claims and is understood not to be limited to the details of structure and operation shown and described in the specification and drawings.

V. Conclusion

It should be understood that any one or more of the teachings, embodiments, examples, etc. described herein may be combined with any one or more of the other teachings, embodiments, examples, etc. that are described herein. The following-described teachings, embodiments, examples, etc. should therefore not be viewed in isolation relative to each other. Various suitable ways in which the teachings herein may be combined will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.

Having shown and described various examples of the present invention, further adaptations of the methods and systems described herein may be accomplished by appropriate modifications by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be considered in terms of the following claims and is understood not to be limited to the details of structure and operation shown and described in the specification and drawings.