Amphibious vehicle having an efficient water-borne operational mode
US4838194A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 2, 1987 |
| Grant date | Jun 13, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 2, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60F2301/04
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An amphibious vehicle is disclosed which is adapted for alternative land and water modes of operation and in which both modes of operation are performed efficiently. The amphibious vehicle includes a vehicle body supported, during land-bound operation, by a front pair of wheels and a rear pair of wheels. Each of the wheels of the vehicle are surrounded by specially-configured fender/sponson units which are rotatable between first and second operational positions through an angle of approximately 180.degree. about the encompassed wheel. In the first operational position, the fender/sponson units function as wheel tenders for land operation. In the second operational position, the fender/sponson units function as sponsons providing floatation to the vehicle and effectively contributing to the streamlined character of the vehicle during traverse through the water by presenting nautical wedges to the water. A rotation mechanism is provided for selectively rotating each of the fender/sponson units between their first and second operational positions. A drive train is provided to selectively propel the vehicle in the land and water modes of operation. The drive train includes a front whe…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.