WO2006054073A2 - Water-jet-propelled amphibious vehicle with a pivotable steering device - Google Patents

Water-jet-propelled amphibious vehicle with a pivotable steering device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2006054073A2
WO2006054073A2 PCT/GB2005/004414 GB2005004414W WO2006054073A2 WO 2006054073 A2 WO2006054073 A2 WO 2006054073A2 GB 2005004414 W GB2005004414 W GB 2005004414W WO 2006054073 A2 WO2006054073 A2 WO 2006054073A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
vehicle
water
front wheel
steering device
rear wheels
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2005/004414
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2006054073A3 (en
Inventor
Rodney Eyles
Original Assignee
Rodney Eyles
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Rodney Eyles filed Critical Rodney Eyles
Publication of WO2006054073A2 publication Critical patent/WO2006054073A2/en
Publication of WO2006054073A3 publication Critical patent/WO2006054073A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60F—VEHICLES FOR USE BOTH ON RAIL AND ON ROAD; AMPHIBIOUS OR LIKE VEHICLES; CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES
    • B60F3/00—Amphibious vehicles, i.e. vehicles capable of travelling both on land and on water; Land vehicles capable of travelling under water
    • B60F3/003—Parts or details of the vehicle structure; vehicle arrangements not otherwise provided for
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60F—VEHICLES FOR USE BOTH ON RAIL AND ON ROAD; AMPHIBIOUS OR LIKE VEHICLES; CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES
    • B60F3/00—Amphibious vehicles, i.e. vehicles capable of travelling both on land and on water; Land vehicles capable of travelling under water
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60F—VEHICLES FOR USE BOTH ON RAIL AND ON ROAD; AMPHIBIOUS OR LIKE VEHICLES; CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES
    • B60F2301/00—Retractable wheels
    • B60F2301/04—Retractable wheels pivotally

Definitions

  • This invention relates to water-jet-propelled amphibious vehicles and has for its object the provision of an improved form of amphibious vehicle.
  • 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 extends substantially vertically 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 at a small acute angle relative to the vertical and the front wheel of the vehicle is in its lowered position
  • the rear wheels may be mounted in a downwardly opening chamber at the rear of the vehicle, and the vehicle preferably has a hull configuration corresponding to that of a trimaran.
  • Figure 1 is a plan view of the vehicle with the wheels in their lowered positions
  • Figure 2 is an underneath plan view of the vehicle with the wheels in their lowered positions
  • Figure 3 is side view of the vehicle with the wheels in their lowered positions
  • Figure 4 is a side view of the vehicle with the wheels in their retracted positions.
  • 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 4, in which the longitudinal 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 3, in which the longitudinal 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 there is a central portion 15, that extends for a major part of the length of the vehicle, and side portions 16, that extend forwardly from the rear of the vehicle for approximately half the length of the vehicle.
  • the downwardly opening chambers 12, 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 or retracted positions, the rear wheels 10 are not visible from the sides of the vehicle.
  • the side portions 16 of the vehicle have undersurfaces that curve upwardly 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 12 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 (not shown) that discharges through a rearwardly facing orifice positioned centrally of the central portion 15 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 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 4, in which the axis of the stem 22 extends substantially vertically and the front wheel 11 of the vehicle is in its raised or retracted position, and a second position, shown in Figure 3, in which the axis of the stem 22 is inclined at a small acute angle to the vertical 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.
  • the wheel 11 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.
  • 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 positions 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.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Steering-Linkage Mechanisms And Four-Wheel Steering (AREA)
  • Catching Or Destruction (AREA)

Abstract

An amphibious vehicle 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 wheels (10) of the vehicle.

Description

WATER-JET-PROPELLED AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLE WITH A PIVOTABLE STEERING DEVICE
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to water-jet-propelled amphibious vehicles and has for its object the provision of an improved form of amphibious vehicle.
Summary of the Invention
According to the present invention there is provided 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 extends substantially vertically 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 at a small acute angle relative to the vertical and the front wheel of the vehicle is in its lowered position
The rear wheels may be mounted in a downwardly opening chamber at the rear of the vehicle, and the vehicle preferably has a hull configuration corresponding to that of a trimaran.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 is a plan view of the vehicle with the wheels in their lowered positions,
Figure 2 is an underneath plan view of the vehicle with the wheels in their lowered positions, Figure 3 is side view of the vehicle with the wheels in their lowered positions, and
Figure 4 is a side view of the vehicle with the wheels in their retracted positions.
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 4, in which the longitudinal 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 3, in which the longitudinal 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 there is a central portion 15, that extends for a major part of the length of the vehicle, and side portions 16, that extend forwardly from the rear of the vehicle for approximately half the length of the vehicle. The downwardly opening chambers 12, 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 or retracted positions, the rear wheels 10 are not visible from the sides of the vehicle.
As can be seen from Figures 3 and 4, the side portions 16 of the vehicle have undersurfaces that curve upwardly 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 12 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 (not shown) that discharges through a rearwardly facing orifice positioned centrally of the central portion 15 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 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 4, in which the axis of the stem 22 extends substantially vertically and the front wheel 11 of the vehicle is in its raised or retracted position, and a second position, shown in Figure 3, in which the axis of the stem 22 is inclined at a small acute angle to the vertical 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.
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 positions 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, 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 substantially vertical 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 at a small acute angle to the vertical 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.
PCT/GB2005/004414 2004-11-18 2005-11-17 Water-jet-propelled amphibious vehicle with a pivotable steering device WO2006054073A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0425376A GB2420318B (en) 2004-11-18 2004-11-18 Water jet propelled amphibious vehicle with a pivotable steering device
GB0425376.1 2004-11-18

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006054073A2 true WO2006054073A2 (en) 2006-05-26
WO2006054073A3 WO2006054073A3 (en) 2007-10-25

Family

ID=33548452

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2005/004414 WO2006054073A2 (en) 2004-11-18 2005-11-17 Water-jet-propelled amphibious vehicle with a pivotable steering device

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2420318B (en)
WO (1) WO2006054073A2 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2516183A2 (en) * 2009-12-22 2012-10-31 Gibbs Technologies Ltd. Amphibian
JP2016179817A (en) * 2008-06-20 2016-10-13 ギブズ テクノロジーズ リミテッド Amphibian
DE102017006384A1 (en) * 2017-07-06 2019-01-10 Gerold Rehm Hybrid vehicle from boat and bike
US20240109379A1 (en) * 2022-10-01 2024-04-04 Joseph Ganahl Amphibious vehicle systems

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2441518A (en) 2006-08-24 2008-03-12 Gibbs Tech Ltd An amphibian vehicle having two front wheels and a single rear wheel
GB201509933D0 (en) 2015-06-08 2015-07-22 Gibbs Tech Ltd A power train for an amphibian
PH12016000109A1 (en) * 2016-03-16 2017-11-20 Chung Jr Dominic Amphibious wheeled vehicle
CN109866561A (en) * 2017-12-02 2019-06-11 益阳天华两栖车艇有限公司 A kind of functional form hull being adapted to amphibious vehicle
SE2130134A1 (en) * 2021-05-19 2022-11-20 Craftcart Company Ab Amphibious moped

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
LU84437A1 (en) * 1982-10-22 1984-05-10 Michel Barez TWO-WHEEL AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLE
GB2254831B (en) * 1991-04-19 1995-01-25 Alistair Ferguson Buchanan Amphibious motor cycle
EP0970829A3 (en) * 1992-06-23 2000-09-06 Aquastrada International Corporation Amphibious vehicle
US5690046A (en) * 1995-11-21 1997-11-25 Grzech, Jr.; Albert S. Amphibious vehicles
US5632221A (en) * 1996-04-08 1997-05-27 Trenne; Myron Amphibious vehicle having retractable ground wheels
DE19831324C2 (en) * 1998-07-13 2002-12-05 Andreas Lehrberger An amphibious vehicle
US6540569B1 (en) * 2001-09-24 2003-04-01 Shao-Wei Gong Integrated utility personal vehicle

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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Title
None

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2016179817A (en) * 2008-06-20 2016-10-13 ギブズ テクノロジーズ リミテッド Amphibian
EP2516183A2 (en) * 2009-12-22 2012-10-31 Gibbs Technologies Ltd. Amphibian
US9555680B2 (en) 2009-12-22 2017-01-31 Gibbs Technologies Limited Amphibian
US20170297393A1 (en) * 2009-12-22 2017-10-19 Gibbs Technologies Limited Amphibian
US11065928B2 (en) 2009-12-22 2021-07-20 Gibbs Technologies Limited Amphibian
DE102017006384A1 (en) * 2017-07-06 2019-01-10 Gerold Rehm Hybrid vehicle from boat and bike
DE102017006384B4 (en) 2017-07-06 2019-05-29 Gerold Rehm Hybrid vehicle from boat and bike
US20240109379A1 (en) * 2022-10-01 2024-04-04 Joseph Ganahl Amphibious vehicle systems

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0425376D0 (en) 2004-12-22
WO2006054073A3 (en) 2007-10-25
GB2420318B (en) 2006-11-01
GB2420318A (en) 2006-05-24

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