NZ740929A - Amphibious vehicle - Google Patents
Amphibious vehicleInfo
- Publication number
- NZ740929A NZ740929A NZ740929A NZ74092916A NZ740929A NZ 740929 A NZ740929 A NZ 740929A NZ 740929 A NZ740929 A NZ 740929A NZ 74092916 A NZ74092916 A NZ 74092916A NZ 740929 A NZ740929 A NZ 740929A
- Authority
- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- hull
- water craft
- deployed
- track
- bar mechanism
- Prior art date
Links
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 61
- 230000001419 dependent Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000000875 corresponding Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 description 9
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminum Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011152 fibreglass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006011 modification reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003071 parasitic Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000003014 reinforcing Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009420 retrofitting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
Abstract
mottve track for an amphibious vehicle that deploys via a four bar linkage con?guratton. The linkage may allow e?cient deployment, as well as the ability to use the tracks as a planing surface when retracted.
Description
AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLE
The present invention relates to an amphibious vehicle and in particular though
not solely to a track system of or for an amphibious vehicle. More particularly but not
exclusively it relates to deployment mechanism for lowering and raising tracks from a
marine water craft.
There is a need for marine water crafts which are capable of negotiating safely
and efficiently between land and water. Amphibious capabilities may be required by
commercial and recreational boating, the navy, and search and rescue.
Trailer boats may find it hard to navigate slippery or narrow boat ramps to
access the sea. Boat ramps may be limited and the use of them is may cause
congestions at car parks. Amphibious boats are able to overcome this problem as they
have the ability to directly transition between land and water without the assistance of
ramps or trailers.
Generally amphibious boats incorporate wheels or tracks which extend and are
lowered below the hull. This construction requires hydraulics capable of lifting the boats
weight and may compromise on its aesthetic appeal. External wheels or tracks on
conventional amphibious boats may cause excess drag in water when the system is
submerged. Or they may move the wheels or tracks to a position that is visually not
very appealing.
In this specification, where reference has been made to external sources of
information, including patent specifications and other documents, this is generally for the
purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the present invention.
Unless stated otherwise, reference to such sources of information is not to be construed,
in any jurisdiction, as an admission that such sources of information are prior art or form
part of the common general knowledge in the art.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an amphibious vehicle
capable of being reconfigured to operate both on land and in water which overcomes or
at least partially ameliorates some of the abovementioned disadvantages or which at
least provides the public with a useful choice.
In a first aspect the present invention may be said to be a water craft comprising:
a. at least one hull,
b. at least one or more deployable endless tracks associated with the at least
one hull, the endless tracks running on a track assembly comprising a four
bar mechanism having an upper member fixed relative the hull, and a
lower member that is configured to be actuated between an un-deployed
and deployed position, where in a deployed position the upper and lower
members of the four bar mechanism are further apart than in an un-
deployed position, and
c. upper guide wheels and lower guide wheels for guiding the endless tracks,
wherein the upper guide wheels are fixed relative to the hull and the lower
guide wheels are fixed relative the lower member.
In one embodiment, the lower guide wheels are located at a moving pivot point
of the planar four bar mechanism.
In one embodiment, the upper and lower members of the four bar mechanism
have corresponding upper and lower pivot points.
In one embodiment, an upper member of the four bar mechanism is fixed
relative the hull, whilst the lower member and the intermediate members pivotally joined
to the upper and lower member are configured to move.
In one embodiment, an actuator is dependent to one or more of the moving
members and configured to actuate the four bar mechanism between a deployed position
and an un-deployed position.
In one embodiment, the upper guide wheels are located at or near the upper
member and the lower guide wheels are located on the lower member.
In one embodiment, the upper guide wheels are located at upper pivot points
of the four bar mechanism.
In one embodiment, the lower guide wheels are located at the lower pivot
points of the four bar mechanism.
In one embodiment, at least one of the upper guide wheels is a drive wheel
configured to drive the endless tracks.
In one embodiment, at least one of the lower guide wheels as a drive wheel
configured to drive the endless tracks.
In one embodiment, the drive wheels are driven by one selected from a
hydraulic drive, an electric drive and parasitic drive from the prime mover of the
watercraft.
In one embodiment, the wheels are configured as sprockets to engage the
track.
In one embodiment, the upper wheels are located at least partially within the
hull recess.
In one embodiment, upon actuation of the four bar mechanism part of the
endless track extends below a lower surface of the hull.
In one embodiment, the lower wheels are configured to move between an un-
deployed position at least partially within the hull recess, to a deployed position at least
partially out of the hull recess.
In one embodiment, in the un-deployed position the lower wheels are
substantially level with the upper wheels.
In one embodiment, in the un-deployed position the upper and lower wheels
engage with more than two points of the endless track.
In one embodiment, the un-deployed position the upper and lower wheels
engage than parts the endless track that when operating travel in opposite directions.
In one embodiment, the actuator is a hydraulic ram.
In one embodiment, the actuator is an electric actuator.
In one embodiment, the actuator is manually driven.
In one embodiment, the actuator is fixed at one end to the hull, and the other
end is fixed to a lever dependent from a moving member.
In one embodiment, the actuator is fixed to the pivot point of a moving
member.
In one embodiment, the actuator is fixed to the lower member.
In one embodiment, the four bar mechanism is a parallelogram.
In one embodiment, the upper member is integral with the hull.
In one embodiment, there are three or more intermediate members pivotally
joined between the upper member and the lower member.
In one embodiment the continuous track forms a substantially rounded
rectangle shape in the un-deployed mode.
In one embodiment, the continuous track forms substantially a rounded
rhombus shape in the deployed mode
In one embodiment, when deployed and on a bearing surface, the endless track
can manoeuvre the watertight hull form over that bearing surface; and wherein, in the
un-deployed stowed condition, the endless track has a downward facing surface(s) which
provides effectively a water skimming or planing surface.
In one embodiment, the vehicle comprises a plurality of deployable endless
tracks per hull.
In one embodiment, the vehicle comprises a plurality of deployable endless
tracks on each side of hull.
In one embodiment, the vehicle comprises suspension.
In one embodiment, the suspension comprises hydraulic accumulators that are
part of the actuation system.
In one embodiment, the suspension allows the four bar mechanism to
controllably rack.
In a second aspect the present invention may be said to be the use of at
least one endless track assemblies of a water craft between un-deployed and deployed
conditions to correspond to (1) on water and (2) on or onto land use of the craft;
wherein a four bar linkage reconfigures the track locus between the loci at such
conditions.
In one embodiment, there are two endless track assemblies.
In one embodiment, upper locus points of the track locus stay in the same
place during deployment, and lower locus points of the track locus extend away from the
upper locus points during deployment.
In a third aspect the present invention may be said to be a water craft
having a hull and having an endless track assembly at or adjacent each flank to support,
when each has been deployed to an onto land condition from an on water un-deployed
condition, the manoeuvre of the craft onto land; wherein each track assembly includes a
four bar linkage to reconfigure the track locus from, between and to the un-deployed and
deployed loci conditions, and vice versa.
In one embodiment, a hydraulic motor drives each track.
In one embodiment, the un-deployed condition presents a region of its track
relative to the hull and/or an extension thereof to minimise water drag.
In one embodiment, the lower part of each track in the on water condition
presents a near flush surface-like affect with respect to the hull and/or an extension of it
to allow, or at least not prevent, a non-planing to planing transition of the craft under
power on water.
In one embodiment, the lower part of each track in the deployed condition
extends below the lowest surface of the hull.
In a fourth aspect of the present invention, a water craft as described
above wherein the craft is able to plane in its on water condition.
In a fifth aspect the present invention may be said to be of a water craft
hull form; wherein the water craft comprises at least one stowable yet deployable
endless track with drive and deployment linkages; and wherein, when deployed and on a
bearing surface, the track can manoeuvre the watertight hull form over that bearing
surface; and wherein, in the un-deployed stowed condition, the track with its downward
facing surface(s) provides a water skimming or planing surface region of the hull form.
In one embodiment, the bearing surface is a seafloor, lake floor or beach.
In one embodiment, the watertight hull form includes a vee form of a planing
water craft when the tracks are stowed.
In a sixth aspect the present invention may be said to be a water craft that
includes
a watertight hull able to render the water craft buoyant,
a first endless track assembly nestable in a streamlining part and/or
extension of the hull in its stowed condition,
a second endless track assembly nestable in a streamlining part and/or
extension of the hull in its stowed condition,
a deployment/stowing support for each track assembly relative to the
hull, and
a drive for the track of each track assembly whereby, in the non-stowed
and deployed condition, the tracks can manoeuvre the water craft relative to a
bearing surface;
wherein each track assembly when nested presents its lowermost track region
as substantially a continuation of at least one streamline feature of the
streamlining part and/or extension of the hull.
In one embodiment, the bearing surface is a seafloor, lake floor or beach.
In one embodiment, the water craft is water planable notwithstanding the hull
is at least in part a vee hull with a flanking wings provided in part by the stowed tracks.
In a seventh aspect the present invention may be said to be a water craft
able to plane under power in the water, the water craft being characterised in that (1)
the hull at least in part receives ,when to be un-deployed, a pair of deployable endless
tracks able, when deployed, to manoeuvre the water craft with the hull above the
ground, seabed or like underlying support, and, (2) each track, when un-deployed and
hull received, acts in part as if a planing surface in addition to that or those of the hull
itself.
In one embodiment, endless track is defined as closed locus
In an eighth aspect the present invention may be said to be a vehicle with
height extendable motive tracks, the vehicle comprising
a. a chassis,
b. at least one or more deployable endless tracks, the endless tracks running
on an endless track assembly comprising a four bar mechanism having an
upper member fixed relative the chassis, and a lower member that is
configured to be actuated between an un-deployed and deployed position,
where in a deployed position the upper and lower members of the four bar
mechanism are further apart than in an un-deployed position, and
c. upper guide wheels and lower guide wheels for guiding the endless tracks,
wherein the upper guide wheels are fixed relative to the chassis and the
lower guide wheels are fixed relative the lower member.
Other aspects of the invention may become apparent from the following
description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
As used herein the term “and/or” means “and” or “or”, or both.
As used herein “(s)” following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of
the noun.
The term “comprising” as used in this specification and claims means
“consisting at least in part of”. When interpreting statements in this specification and
claims which include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all
need to be present but other features can also be present. Related terms such as
“comprise” and “comprised” are to be interpreted in the same manner.
The term 'four bar linkage' is defined to include its normal technical meaning
(of which trapezoidal is a special case) where there are 4 bars but also to include where
there is an equivalent for any one or more of actual bars (e.g. a reinforced hull part
between pivots of two of the bars). The preferred embodiment of the invention is an
isosceles trapezoid planar four bar linkage.
The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications, cited above
and below, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference.
This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and
features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or
collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or
features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known
equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed
to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.)
The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference
to the drawings in which:
Figure 1: shows a side schematic view of the track assembly in a deployed
condition.
Figure 2: shows a side schematic view of the track assembly in an un-
deployed condition.
Figure 3: shows a rear cross sectional view of a hull of an amphibious vehicle
and a portion of a track assembly.
Figure 4: shows a side view of an amphibious vehicle with the hull with the
track assembly in an un-deployed condition.
Figure 5: shows a side view of the amphibious vehicle of figure 4, with the
track assembly in a deployed condition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
With reference to the above drawings, in which similar features are generally
indicated by similar numerals, an amphibious vehicle according to a first aspect of the
invention is generally indicated by the numeral 1.
In one embodiment now described, there is provided a track assembly 300
configured for an amphibious vehicle 1. The track assembly 300 comprises a continuous
track 310, located around the notional periphery of a plurality of associated wheels 200
to drive and/or guide the track 310. The track assembly 300 may further comprise
various actuated members to allow the actuation of the track assembly 300 between two
conditions.
Preferably the track assembly 300 is located within a hull 400 recess of a hull
of the vehicle 1. In the preferred embodiment the track assembly 300 is able to move
between an un-deployed condition 2 where the majority of the track assembly 300 is
within the hull recess 401, and a deployed condition 3 (as shown in Figures 1 and 2)
where part of the track assembly 300 is exposed out of a hull recess 401.
The track assembly 300 can deploy from the hull when the vehicle is in or
floating in water or when the hull of the vehicle is on or nearing land. The track assembly
300 can deploy directly on a bearing surface 4 to lift the hull off the bearing surface or
the track assembly 300 can deploy completely before contacting the bearing surface 4.
The bearing surface 4 may be any type of landmass such as a lake floor, a seafloor or a
foreshore or ramp. In other embodiments, the track assembly 300 may be installed in
other types of vehicles such as land vehicles, like tanks, agricultural or military vehicles.
In the preferred embodiment the track assembly 300 is located in a hull recess
401 of a hull 400 of a vehicle 1. The vehicle 1 may have one or more track assemblies.
An example of a single track assembly watercraft is a jet ski with a track assembly 300
located along its midline / mid-sagittal plane (not shown). An example of a dual track
assembly watercraft is shown in Figure 3 where the left-hand side of a watercraft is
shown with a track assembly 300. The watercraft and track assembly is symmetrical
around the mid-sagittal plane 5. Other watercraft or amphibious vehicles that may utilise
track assembly of the present invention are catamarans and trimarans where the
pontoon of said vehicle comprises a track assembly 300.
In the preferred embodiment the mechanism that allows the track assembly
300 to move between the two conditions is a four bar linkage mechanism 306. The four
bar linkage mechanism 306 is configured to allow the track assembly 300 to move
between the deployed and un-deployed conditions. The track assembly 300 further
comprises an actuator to actuate said four bar linkage to actuate the track between the
deployed and un-deployed conditions. The actuator reacts off the hull of the vehicle to
apply a force to the mechanism.
The four bar linkage mechanism 306 in a first embodiment comprises an upper
member 301 which is fixed relative to the hull 400 of the vehicle 1. The upper member
301 may be integral with the hull 400 of the vehicle 1. As shown in Figure 1 the upper
member 301 may be part of the hull and keeps the upper pivot points 304 of the four bar
linkage mechanism 306 a fixed distance away from each other and fixed relative the hull
400.
The four bar linkage mechanism 306 further comprises moving members that
move relative to the hull; intermediate members 303 and a lower member 302. The
upper member 301 is pivotally joined to the lower member 302 by the intermediate
members 303. In one embodiment actuation of any one of the moving members will
provide actuation of the four bar mechanism inherently. The four bar mechanism 306 as
shown in Figure 1 may comprise multiple intermediate members 303 as shown. In the
shown example in Figure 1 the four bar mechanism has three intermediate members.
Depending on the size of the track system and associated watercraft the four bar
mechanism 306 may have two or more intermediate members.
In the preferred embodiment the four bar mechanism 306 is a planar four bar
linkage mechanism that restricts the actuation and movement of the four bar mechanism
306 to a single plane. Preferably the four bar mechanism is a parallelogram four bar
linkage mechanism which means that the upper member 301 and the lower member 302
are parallel to each other at all times. In alternative embodiments the upper member 301
and lower member 302 are not or do not remain parallel to each other. As a skilled
person in the art will realise, differing the length of the upper and lower members, or
intermediate members, will cause different geometries between deployed and un-
deployed conditions. Different geometries may be desired in some design situations, for
example where the upper member cannot be parallel, or if the hull is desirably more
angled for a particular seaway. The track assembly and vehicle is so designed, and the
track assembly and vehicle so weighted, so that the amphibious vehicle 1 is prevented
from pitching fore or aft during travel on a bearing surface in the deployed condition.
Preferable the location of such items such as the motor, users, fuel and payload are
distributed so as to prevent tipping fore and aft whilst the vehicle is in the deployed
condition.
As the four bar linkage mechanism is actuated to a deployed condition 3 the
tracks 310 are partly extended downwards away from the hull 400. The endless tracks
310 can run about the periphery of the notional track system by idling around multiple
wheels 200. In one embodiment there are upper wheels 201 and lower wheels 202. The
upper wheels 201 correspond to a portion of the endless track at or near or on the upper
member 301. The lower wheels 202 correspond to a region of the endless track at or
near or located on the lower member 302. As can be seen from Figure 1 there are
pivoting wheels 205 that are able to move between the deployed and un-deployed
conditions. The pivoting wheels 205 are all lower wheels 202. Optionally, there are
intermediate guide or idler or tension wheels 204 intermediate the lower wheels 202. The
guide 204 wheels keep tension on the endless tracks on the bearing surface 4, as is
typical with all endless track systems.
A person skilled in the art may realise there are many ways of configuring the
actuation assembly 500 to actuate the four bar mechanism 306 to move the track
assembly 300 between the un-deployed condition 2 and the deployed condition 3. The
actuator assembly 500 in a preferred embodiment comprises a ram 501 which is
configured to attach at one end to the fixed hull or upper member and at the other end
to one of the moving members i.e. to either the intermediate members 303, the lower
members 302, the lower pivot points 305 etc.
In a preferred embodiment the ram 501 is configured to attach to a lever 504
which is fixed rigidly at right angles, about the respective point, to an intermediate
member 303. For example, the actuation of the ram 501 drives the lever 504 which in
turn drives the intermediate member 303 about the pivot point 304. The ram 501 may
be an electric ram, a hydraulic ram (double or single acting, but preferably double) or in
other embodiments the actuation system may be dependent of the power source of the
prime mover of the watercraft 1. A light battery system as an example may be used to
actuate a track assembly 300 of a jet ski. Larger marine vessels, such as heavy
commercial or trailer sailors, would use more substantial actuation means such as
hydraulic power. There may be more than one ram 500 in the actuation system. There
may be a ram located at each of the intermediate members or lower pivot points.
One or more of a or the wheels 200 may be a driving wheel. In a preferred
embodiment the driving wheel is one of the upper wheels 201. As shown in Figure 1 the
only driving wheel is driving wheel 203, as an example only. Any of the wheels, and
preferably the upper wheels 201, are driving wheels. The driving wheel(s) 203 are
preferably driven by a motor. In a preferred embodiment the motor is a hydraulic motor
(not shown). In alternative embodiments the motor is an electric motor, a hydraulic
motor, a geared system, or powered by the power system of the watercraft 1. The drive
wheel 203 drives the endless track 310 by engaging with engagements on the internal
side the track much like a sprocket and chain or gear system would. Following on from
this in the preferred embodiment all of the upper wheels and lower wheels have a similar
type of engagement to engage with the endless tracks 310. The engagement system
between the wheels and endless track, and the drive system to drive the drive wheels
may be the same as used in known continuous track systems
Preferably in the un-deployed condition 2 the lower most presented surface 303
of the or each track 310 is planar with a lower or downward facing surface 402 or planing
surface 402 of the hull 400 of the vehicle 1. The lower most presented surface is flush
with the hull at the entrance of the recess. This allows the track to reduce its resistance
to flow of water past this region of hull from the bow to aft direction. However in other
embodiments the track assembly 300 partly extends below the bottom of the hull at all
times when un-deployed. The track assembly 300, or a part thereof, may act as a strake
on the hull.
Preferably the hull recess 401 is so shaped so it is at least the width of the
track so it is able to snugly receive the lowermost presented surface 310 of the tracks as
shown in figure 3. The same can be said about the length of the hull recess with respect
to the length of the continuous track’s lowermost surface 310 when the track assembly is
in the un-deployed condition. Preferably the lowermost surface 310 of the continuous
track that is presented outwards of the hull fits snugly around its periphery within the
hull recess 401 to form a cavity behind it. Furthermore the lowermost surface 310 is
substantially planar to fit with the substantially planar hull recess opening. Preferably the
hull recess is of a substantially rectangular in plan shape to match the shape of the
lowermost surface 310. In one embodiment the hull recess opening is below the
waterline or is contacted by the water during operation of the amphibious vehicle 1.
In alternative embodiments there may be a cover (not shown) to further cover
the track assembly 300 fully within the hull recess 401. The cover further prevents any
ingress of water into the hull recess 401.
In a preferred embodiment of the entire track assembly 300, optionally
including the hull recess (i.e. an open sided box), is fully self-contained so as to be able
to be installed in a water craft or amphibious vehicle hull. This allows retrofitting of
vehicles to use the track assembly of the current invention. The modular self-contained
unit would come complete with all fittings required to install the track assembly in the
hull of a vehicle, including the reinforcing means required to reinforce the hull recess with
the hull of the vehicle.
The vehicle 1 preferably has flanks 403 on the port and starboard sides of the
hull that may be formed with the track assembly. The watercraft preferably presents a
planing surface 402 comprising of the fixed part of the hull and the lower most surface of
the track presented, when the assembly is in its un-deployed 2 condition, to reduce the
its impact on drag on water flowing over the hull. The planing surface 402 is best seen in
Figure 3 with a lower surface 313 of the endless tracks 310 being substantially
uninterrupted with the lower surface of the hull 402. Preferably at least parts of the
vehicle, hull and track assembly is composed of a typical marine vessel material such as
plastics, aluminium, steel or fibreglass. Other composite materials may be used, such as
carbon fibre. The hull and hull recess may also be formed of a combination of the above
materials.
Furthermore the track assemblies comprise suspension components to take the
shock of the track assemblies contacting the bearing surface, or whilst travelling on land,
to prevent damage to the hull (or chassis) and increase the comfort of the user. The
suspension components can be hydraulic accumulators to allow the 4 bar mechanism to
give/rack towards the un-deployed condition, and/or accumulators in the drive system to
prevent track snatch. The accumulators can be part of the actuation system, or can be
separate suspension components. A person skilled in the art will see there are many
ways to provide suspension to a tracked system. The actuation and 4 bar system lends
itself well to suspension, as the racking of the 4 bar mechanism inherently allows
give/suspension.
As viewed in this specification the periphery of the tracks 310 may be described
as a locus. Where pivot points are described in this specification with relation to a wheel
it is or may be described as the rotational axis of said wheel as well. Furthermore the
four bar mechanism has been described in some embodiments as planar, this comprises
the pivot points of the mechanism all having pivot axes perpendicular to each other, and
only perpendicular to each other, i.e. not capable of pivoting about other axes.
Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to elements or
integers having known equivalents, then such equivalents are included as if they were
individually set forth.
Although the invention has been described by way of example and with
reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and/or
improvements may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.
Claims (21)
1. A water craft comprising: a. at least one hull, b. at least one or more deployable endless tracks associated with the at least one hull, the endless tracks running on a track assembly comprising a four bar mechanism having an upper member fixed relative the hull, and a lower member that is configured to be actuated between an un-deployed and deployed position, where in a deployed position the upper and lower members of the four bar mechanism are further apart than in an un- deployed position, and c. upper guide wheels and lower guide wheels for guiding the endless tracks, wherein the upper guide wheels are fixed relative to the hull and the lower guide wheels are fixed relative the lower member.
2. A water craft as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lower guide wheels are located at a moving pivot point of the four bar mechanism.
3. A water craft as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the track assembly is at least partially within a hull recess associated with the hull.
4. A water craft as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the four bar mechanism is planar.
5. A water craft as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the upper and lower members of the four bar mechanism have corresponding upper and lower pivot points.
6. A water craft as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the four bar mechanism comprises intermediate members pivotally joined intermediate, and to, the upper and lower member, wherein the upper member of the four bar mechanism is fixed relative the hull, and the lower member and intermediate member are configured to move relative the hull.
7. A water craft as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein an actuator is dependent to one or more of the lower member and intermediate members and configured to actuate the four bar mechanism between the deployed position and the un-deployed position.
8. A water craft as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the upper guide wheels are located at or near the upper member and the lower guide wheels are located on the lower member.
9. A water craft as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one of the upper guide wheels is a drive wheel configured to drive the endless tracks.
10. A water craft as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the upper wheels are located at least partially within the hull recess.
11. A water craft as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein upon actuation of the four bar mechanism part of the endless track extends below a lower surface of the hull.
12. A water craft as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 11, wherein the lower wheels are configured to move between the un-deployed position at least partially within the hull recess, to the deployed position at least partially out of the hull recess.
13. A water craft as claimed in claim 12, wherein in the un-deployed position the lower wheels are substantially level with the upper wheels.
14. A water craft as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 13, wherein the actuator is fixed at one end to the hull, and the other end is fixed to one selected from the lower member, the upper member and a lever dependent from an lower member or intermediate member.
15. A water craft as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the upper member is integral with the hull.
16. A water craft as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein when deployed and on a bearing surface, the endless track can manoeuvre the watertight hull form over that bearing surface; and wherein, in the un-deployed stowed condition, the endless track has a downward facing surface(s) which provides effectively a water skimming or planing surface.
17. A water craft of a hull form; wherein the water craft comprises at least one stowable yet deployable endless track with drive and deployment linkages; and wherein, when deployed and on a bearing surface, the track can manoeuvre the watertight hull form over that bearing surface; and wherein, in the un-deployed stowed condition, the track with its downward facing surface(s) provides a water skimming or planing surface region of the hull form.
18. A water craft as claimed in claim 17, wherein the bearing surface is a seafloor, lake floor, beach or the ground.
19. A water craft as claimed in claim 17 or 18, wherein the hull form includes a vee form of a planing water craft when the at least one track is stowed.
20. A water craft as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the endless track moves on a vertical plane between the deployed and un-deployed stowed condition.
21. A water craft as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the endless track moves on the deployment linkages which utilise a planar four bar mechanism to move between the deployed and un-deployed stowed condition.
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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NZ740929A true NZ740929A (en) | 2018-03-23 |
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