CA2208631C - Improvements to amphibious vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Following the development of an amphibious device patented in the USA, the inventor proposes a safe concept making his vehicle more usable for chassis of larger size, which can exceed in payload more than a metric ton, which is considerable for a amphibious vehicle. The main modifications include the addition of an oscillating pivot between two parts, cabin and cargo, inflatable and waterproof flotation boxes on the frame of the aircraft, and the addition of a non-flammable track for the use of the vehicle. during interventions against forest fires.

Description

DESCRIPTIVE MEMORY
TITLE: Improvement of an amphibious vehicle D ~ MAINE I ~ E THE INVENTION
C., tte in ~ ention is re] iée in the field of ground vehicles 5 utility vehicles and more particularly amphibious vehicles.
PRIOR ART
Certain patents particularly attracted our attention:
US 4.9S6.242; Baillargeon; August 22, 19X8; the junction of two planes is done at a single point 173, FIG. 7.
US ~, 337, ~ 6; Ogaki et al .; Aug 16 1994: with base; the distance ~ is critical.
IJ ~ 4.71} 6.769i Latourelle ~ t al. ~ No ~. 17 19 ~ 7; Removable unit for all-terrain vehicle.
FR 2.4X9.232; Hamon; August 29, l980; Heavy self-propelled vehicle, intended in particular for the traction of earth-moving machinery.
OBJECTIVES AND ANTAGES
It is a general objective of the ir-vention to produce a ~ tuwt-safe amphibious terrain with two sections, one section cabin and cargo section, interconnected ~ s by a swivel joint 2c ~ allowing each section to follow the ground without creating a twist in the frame and to limit the risk of cracking, which decrease the seal.
A second objective is to improve the buoyancy of the device by adding inflatable cans which support part of the weight 25 when they are fully or partially submerged.
A third objective is to provide a means of leadership for the game.
cabin which includes long-range stop plates, constructed of a self-lubricating plastic material.
Another objective is to provide a non-flammable caterpillar;
lb I q ~ 64 1 back g7-07-07 Yet another is to provide an ice chalne which forms a bridge between two traction elements, front and rear.
~ ESSINS
Relating to the drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the invention, FIG. 1 is a side view of an amphibious vehicle, FIG. 2 is a view of the rear of the vehicle approaching an obstacle, FIG.3A is a section along line 3-3 of FIG.l, FIG.3B refers to FIG.3A with an inflated box, FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section 10 OF THE ~ RIPTI ~ N OF THE INVENTION
In the following description and in the accompanying drawings the similar figures refer to identical parts in the various figures.
FIG. 1 is an amphibious vehicle 20 comprising a cabin section 22, 5 and a rear cargo section 24 joined by a pivot joint 26. (~ n also sees a stop plate 30 of a say pivot & tion 32 which replaces an old pivot 36 --FIG.4--In FIG. 2 we see the amphibious vehicle 20, the vehicle facing the cargo section 24 of which we see the rear tracks 44,46 bearing on ~ o a 4X horizontal terrain, as well as a front track 50 bearing on an obstacle 52.
In FIG. 3A, a section through the cargo section and shows a wall fixed 5d "an inflatable cai.sson Sb, an inflated box ~ S --E ~ IG.313--, a movable wall 60, a hinge 62, a loc ~ uet 64, a fixing bolt 25 66 to a 6X chassis.
In FIG. 3B we see an air valve 7n In FIG. 4 we see the rear chassis 6X and a front chassis 6 ~.
~ Es two chassis are of the longitudinal type to receive modules.
cargo and cabin. Pivot joint 26 includes two rear discs 72 l ~ lq8 ~ 4l ~ Q ~
97- ~ 7- (~ 7 "

and before 74 joined by a tubular shaft 76 fixed.
Has a vertical part 7 ~ of the 6X cargo chassis and pivotarlt according to the arrow ~ 0 inside X2 of the rear disc 72.
F ~ 9NCTIO ~ STRENGTH OF THE INVENTI ~ N
5 When the cabin part 22 approaches an obstacle, the pivot joint 26 lets pivot] to cabin part 22 relative to the tubular shaft 76 which is integral with the cargo part 24 and allows aimsi to the cabin part a change of angle to better fit the ground - ~ IG.2-- This provision allows greater security during (read the device addresses lo a turn, the submerged cargo part can stay on the horizon: horizontal and avoid partitions, avoid intrusion of water in the cabin, Oll in the freighter. For safety on the ground,] e travel of the pivot must be limited to maintain an angle of ~ 30% between my ~ imum!
cabin part and cargo part.
~ n during the journey, the operator can inflate the inflatable cai.
ensure greater buoyancy. The inflatable boxes ~ them are preferably in pairs and evenly distributed with respect to an axis central. These boxes are deflatable and foldable to minimize the size of the device when it is in the forest. The 20 boxes when opening increase the lateral wheelbase of the device and provide greater stability, and higher load capacity.
A driving pivot 32 has been improved by adding plates of large, self-lubricating plastic stopper to minimize the forces at the seal of the pivot 32 of the pipe, 2s to minimize the possibility of water infiltration into the cabin by the pivot bearing. The stop plates are 90 ~ ~ .1es plates pivot and under the device, above the steering axles. IJne first stop plate, 9 in nylorl is secured to the chassis of the cabin. A second stop plate 30 is also made of nylon e ~ integral 1'Q lq ~ 54 1. QQ;
~ 7-07 07 suspension of the steering axle.
A track 44 can be constructed of non-flammable material, Metal hinges replaced, with a rubber band. The caterpillar is built with a flexible longitudinal hande and is provided s of close transverse blocks, which instead of being of wood, can be of aluminum profiles, connected by hinges. ~ only the ground contact materials are non-flammable to allow displacement on embers. Materials at the upper level can be soft, light and goriflable.
0 Other construction methods are possible without departing from the scope of the above-mentioned method.
It is understood that the embodiment of the present invention which has been described below, with reference to the accompanying drawing, has been given to indicative and in no way limitative, and that two modifications and adaptations can be made without the object deviating from it of the framework of the present inventior ,.
I} 'other realizations are possible and limited only by the extent from] to the following claim:
ITn rotary and axial coupling to ensure a conti-in tract; in 20 three or more traction tracks.

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Claims (2)

1. In a vehicle made up of two adjacent modules, said modules modules being mounted on a pair of tracks, a first module being terminated by a generally vertical rear wall and a second module comprising a generally vertical front wall, a coupling intended to join said walls and comprising:
- a central pipe, passing through adjacent walls of said modules and joining them, said pipe being rotatably mounted at each end, at the level of said walls;
- two plastic rings, parallel and located one against the other between said walls and pivoting around said central pipe;
said rings intended to pivot in opposite directions from each other, each following the movement of said module being attached to it;
- a number of springs, attached to said adjacent walls of said modules, on the periphery of said rings and intended to limit rotation said rings; the rotation, around said pipe, of said rings, retained by said springs and said corresponding wall, causing a rotary and axial coupling to ensure continuous traction on three or more traction tracks. 2. The coupling of claim 1 wherein at least one end of said pipe is firmly joined to one of said walls.