GB2420318A

GB2420318A - Amphibious vehicle with a water jet unit and retractable wheels

Info

Publication number: GB2420318A
Application number: GB0425376A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rodney Eyles
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-11-18
Filing date: 2004-11-18
Publication date: 2006-05-24
Anticipated expiration: 2024-11-18
Also published as: WO2006054073A3; GB2420318B; WO2006054073A2; GB0425376D0

Abstract

An amphibious vehicle e.g. a trimaran includes a water jet unit for propelling the vehicle on the water, front and rear wheels (11 and 10) that can be moved between a retracted position, for when the vehicle is being used on the water and a lowered position, for when the vehicle is being used on the land and drive means for driving the rear wheel(s) (10) of the vehicle. The vehicle may have a single front wheel mounted in a downwardly opening chamber adjacent the front of the vehicle, and two rear wheels mounted in a downwardly opening chamber at the rear of the vehicle.

Description

AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLES

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to amphibious vehicles and has for its object the provision of an improved form of amphibious vehicle.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an amphibious vehicle which includes a water jet unit for propelling the vehicle on the water, front and rear wheels that can be moved between a retracted position (for when the vehicle is being used on the water) and a lowered position (for when the vehicle is being used on the land) and drive means for driving the rear wheel(s) of the vehicle.

All the wheels of the vehicle may be driven, if desired.

The amphibious vehicle preferably has a single front wheel and two rear wheels and the front wheel may be mounted in a downwardly opening chamber adjacent, but spaced from, the front of the vehicle.

The rear wheel(s) may be mounted in a downwardly opening chamber at the rear of the vehicle.

Two-wheeled or four-wheeled versions of the vehicle are also possible.

The vehicle may have a steering device pivotable between a first position for when the vehicle is being used on the water and a second position for when the vehicle is being used on land.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a motorised trimaran having front and rear wheels that can be moved between raised and lowered positions.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a plan view of the vehicle with the wheels in their raised condition, Figure 2 is a rear view of the vehicle with the wheels in their raised condition, Figure 3 is side view of the vehicle with the wheels in their raised Condition, Figure 4 is a front view of the vehicle with the wheels in their raised condition, Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 are corresponding views of the vehicle with the wheels in their lowered condition, Figures 9 and 10 are detail views showing the front wheel of the vehicle and its associated support strut with the front wheel in its raised and lowered positions respectively, and Figures ha, hlb and llc show an alternative steering arrangement.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

The amphibious vehicle shown in the drawings has two rear wheels 10 and a single front wheel 11. The rear wheels 10 are mounted in downwardly opening chambers 12 at the rear of the vehicle and are carried on struts 13 that are arranged for pivotal movement about a common horizontal axis 14 between retracted positions, as shown in Figure 3, in which the axes of the struts 13 are inclined upwardly relative to a horizontal plane containing the common horizontal axis 14, and lowered positions, as shown in Figure 7, in which the axes of the struts 13 are inclined downwardly relative to said horizontal plane.

The main body of the vehicle has a configuration that, to some extent, resembles the configuration of a trimaran in that, at the rear of the vehicle, there is a central portion 15, that extends for the full length of the vehicle, and side portions 16, that extend forwardly for approximately two thirds of the length of the vehicle. The downwardly opening chambers, in which the rear wheels 10 are received, are in the side portions 16. The configurations of the side portions 16 are such that, when the rear wheels 10 are in their raised positions, the rear wheels 10 are not visible from the sides of the vehicle.

As can be seen from Figures 3 and 7, the side portions 16 of the vehicle have undersurfaces that curve upwardly at a progressively increasing rate as they approach their forward ends so that, when the wheels 10 are raised and the vehicle is being used as a boat, substantial lift and minimal drag will be obtained. The presence of the downwardly opening chambers containing the rear wheels 10 will create minimal resistance to forward movement of the vehicle.

Propulsion of the vehicle when being used as a boat is obtained by means of a water jet unit that discharges through a rearwardly facing orifice 17 positioned centrally of the central portion of the rear of the vehicle.

The vehicle has a cockpit 18 intended to receive up to four occupants, i. e. a driver who will be seated centrally in the front part of the cockpit 18, a passenger immediately behind the driver and two passengers who will be seated in the rear part of the cockpit 18. An optional screen 19 can be provided to protect the driver and passengers from spray.

Steering of the vehicle is effected by means of a joystick-type steering device 20 having a horizontal handle 21 at its upper end and the stem 22 of the steering device 20 is pivotable about a horizontal axis 23, extending transversely of the vehicle, between a first position, shown in Figure 3, in which the axis of the stem 22 is inclined at a small acute angle forwardly relative to the vehicle and the front wheel 11 of the vehicle is in its raised condition, and a second position, shown in Figure 7, in which the axis of the stem 22 is inclined rearwardly of the vehicle and the front wheel 11 of the vehicle is in its lowered condition. Means (not shown) are provided for holding the steering device 20 in each of its alternative positions.

An alternative steering engagement mechanism is illustrated in Figures ha, hib and lic of the drawings.

When the front wheel 11 is in its raised position, as shown in Figure 3, the wheel 11 is contained within a downwardly opening chamber spaced a short distance from the forward end of the vehicle and the underside of the front of the vehicle has a configuration corresponding to that of the bow of a boat so that, when the vehicle is being used on the water, the front wheel 11 provides minimal resistance to forward movement of the vehicle. As can be seen from the drawings, the vehicle has a configuration corresponding to a motorised trimaran, but with front and rear wheels that can be lowered when the vehicle is to be used on land.

The vehicle is provided with a braking system, lights and other facilities so that it complies with road vehicle regulations, and the cockpit may be open, as shown, or provided with a roof so that it can be used in all weathers. The drive for the vehicle when being used as a land vehicle is provided by means of a mechanical or hydrostatic drive system and the engine for providing the power for the mechanical or hydrostatic drive system and for the jet propulsion unit is contained in a compartment disposed centrally and to the rear of the cockpit. Selector means are provided for selecting the appropriate form of drive system and the mechanical or hydrostatic drive system serves to drive the rear wheels 10 or all the wheels 10 and 11 of the vehicle.

The arrangement is thus such that, when the wheels 10 and 11 are in their lowered conditions and the vehicle is being used as a land vehicle, the vehicle can be driven down a ramp or the like into the sea, with the hydrostatic drive system then being utilised. The wheels 10 and 11 can then be raised upon actuation of operating means (not shown) and the jet propulsion drive system then selected and the vehicle used as a boat. When it is desired to return to land, the vehicle is returned to the ramp or the like and a reverse sequence of operations is effected.

A plug-in hose system (not shown) may be provided for washing the wheels 10 and 11 when the vehicle is returned to the land so that salt can be washed off the wheels 10 and 11 and their supports.

Claims

Claims:- 1. An amphibious vehicle which includes a water jet unit for

propelling the vehicle on the water, front and rear wheels that can be moved between a retracted position (for when the vehicle is being used on the water) and a lowered position (for when the vehicle is being used on the land) and drive means for driving the rear wheel(s) of the vehicle.
2. An amphibious vehicle as claimed in Claim 1, which has a single front wheel and two rear wheels.
3. An amphibious vehicle as claimed in either of the preceding claims, in which the front wheel is mounted in a downwardly opening chamber adjacent, but spaced from, the front of the vehicle.
4. An amphibious vehicle substantiafly as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

4. An amphibious vehicle as claimed in Claim 2, in which the rear wheels are mounted in a downwardly opening chamber at the rear of the vehicle.

5. An amphibious vehicle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which has a steering device pivotable between a first position for when the vehicle is being used on the water and a second position for when the vehicle is being used on land.

6. A motorised trimaran having front and rear wheels that can be moved between raised and lowered positions.

7. An amphibious vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings. (C)

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. An amphibious vehicle which includes a water jet unit for propelling the vehicle on the water, a front wheel and a pair of rear wheels that can be moved between a retracted position for when the vehicle is being used on the water and a lowered position for when the vehicle is being used on the land, drive means for driving the rear wheels of the vehicle, the front wheel being mounted in a downwardly opening chamber adjacent, but spaced from, the front of the vehicle, and a steering device for effecting steering of the front wheel, the steering device including a stem that is pivotable about a horizontal axis, extending transversely of the vehicle, between a first position, in which the axis of the stem is inclined at a small acute angle forwardly relative to the vehicle and the front wheel of the vehicle is in its retracted position, and a second position, in which the axis of the stem is inclined rearwardly relative to the vehicle and the front wheel of the vehicle is in its lowered position 2. An amphibious vehicle as claimed in Claim 1, in which the rear wheels are mounted in a downwardly opening chamber at the rear of the vehicle.

3. An amphibious vehicle as claimed in either of the preceding claims, said vehicle having a hull configuration corresponding to that of a trimaran. I'