GB1195476A - Land Motor Vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

1,195,476. Motor vehicles. ROLLS-ROYCE Ltd. 2 April, 1969 [11 April, 1968], No. 17534/68. Heading B7D. A motor land vehicle 10 having running wheels 14, which may be driven by a rotary engine, is additionally provided with legs 17 which are normally out of contact with the ground (full line position), and may be brought into ground contact (intermediate dotted position), with a force sufficient to make the vehicle jump over an obstacle in its path with the wheels 14 clear of the ground (lower dotted position). Four legs 17 provided with wheels 18, are disposed symmetrically and longitudinaly with respect to the vehicle body and connected by levers 19 to pistons 20 in cylinders 21 to which a charge of compressed air may be introduced by a compressor. The piston and cylinders on each side of the body are in a common housing. Alternatively, all four legs may be operated by a single piston and cylinder. A locking device prevents the charge being released until required and the pressure may be varied to control the torque imparted to the legs. Some energy may be restored by compression when the vehicle returns to the ground after a jump, the wheels 18 during the jump also leaving the ground. Alternatively an explosive charge may drive a mechanical system having an output connected with the legs, or the energy supply from a flywheel, or metallic, rubber or liquid springs. A variable slipping clutch may be provided to control the torque supplied to the legs with these alternatives. In a further embodiment, the vehicle is a motorcycle provided with two running wheels, two legs and means on the fuel tank to support the rider during take-off and landing. The fuel tank in each embodiment is disposed near the centre of gravity of the vehicle.