GB658012A - Improved pedal-propelled amphibious vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

658,012. Water craft. MEZZANO, A. July 12, 1949, No. 18367. [Class 113 (ii)] An amphibious vehicle comprises a frame 1, two side floats 24, a seat 13, wheels for land drive and means for propelling the vehicle on the water driven by pedals 12 actuating the driving-wheel on road drive, a steering mechanism for road drive serving as a rudder on the water and means for varying the position of the floats with respect to the frame in order to vary the depth to which the vehicle is submerged between two extreme positions. The vehicle is propelled through the water by vanewheels 9 provided on the ends of a crank-shaft 8, rubber tyres 10 being provided for land drive. Steering is effected by a rear-wheel 7 controlled by a hand-wheel 17 through a flexible transmission 20. The floats 24 are connected to the frame 1 by bell-crank levers 23, rotation of which raises and lowers the floats. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 5, the floats may be articulated at their ends about pivots 33 to two cross-members 34, 35 secured to the frame. Each float is provided at its centre with two arms 36 (Fig. 7) having articulated to their upper ends levers 38 horizontally displaced by a screw 41 rotation of which is effected by a hand wheel 42. Two drums 27 are keyed on to the crank-shaft 8 and support two flexible endless tracks 28 which carry vanes 29 and are wound on two drums 30 pivoted to the frame. Two disc wheels 32 are connected to the drums 27 for land drive.