Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
21 77~63
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This invention relates to a float system
for all-wheel drive ATV of the type used by hunters and
fishermen and also by some workers in various trades such
as public utilities workers responsible for the
maintenance of power or telephone lines or antennaes, for
travelling along trails and unprepared terrain.
As used herein, the expression "ATV" which
stands for all-terrain vehicle, means a small recreational
motorized vehicle having at least 2 ground engaging
wheels, designed primarily for off-road riding and having,
in the case of a 4 wheel vehicle, a gross vehicle weight
of the order of 500 kg or in the case of a six wheel
vehicle, a gross vehicle weight of the order of 1,000 kg.
Gross vehicle weight comprises the weight of the ATV in
condition for use, a 90 kg operator on board, filled fuel
tank and load capacity.
Over the past few years, ATV having 4
ground engaging wheels (hereinafter referred to as "4
wheel ATV") have become increasingly popular on account of
their superior stability as compared with (2 wheel) ATV
motorcycles and 3 wheel ATV derived from motorcycle
technology. A good number of manufacturers of
recreational vehicles are now offering different versions
of 4 wheel ATV powered by small air cooled or liquid
cooled engines driving the two rear wheels and in some
2 1 77463
--2--
cases, equipped with four-wheel drive (hereinafter
referred to as "all-wheel drive") capability. A typical
present day 4 wheel ATV is that offered by Polaris
Industries L.P. under the trade-mark XPLORER. It is
powered by a 378 cc liquid cooled two-stroke engine
driving the rear wheels through a variable ratio
transmission, for normal operation and featuring four
wheel drive. The dry weight of this ATV iS 258.6 kg. The
front wheels use 25 inch tires (at the front 8 inch wide
and 12 inch inner diameter, at the rear 12 inch wide and
10 inch inner diameter) giving a front load capacity of 40
kg and a rear load capacity of 80 kg. The dry weight of
this ATV is about 260 kg and its gross vehicle weight is
480 kg. This manufacturer also offers 6 wheel ATV which
share numerous components and characteristics with its 4
wheel ATV models, except that the 6 wheel versions are
provided with two solid driven rear wheel axles with a
cargo bed disposed behind the seat of the operator. The
1995 6 wheel ATV sold under the trade-mark POLARIS 400 6
x 6 has a dry weight of 390 kg, a cargo bed capacity of
about 360 kg and a gross vehicle weight of 875 kg. The
front wheels use 25 inch tires all around, 8 x 12 inches
at the front and 12 x 10 for the center and rear wheels.
4 wheel ATV and ATV that have in excess of
4 wheels (hereinafter collectively "4+wheel ATV") enable
a person to travel over unprepared terrain and forest
2~ 77463
trails with ease, speed and relatively high degree of
safety for the rider. It is possible to cross water
covered surfaces and streams as long as the water depth
does not exceed the height of the footrests. It is
extremely dangerous to attempt to use an ATV when the
depth of the water is greater than the height of the ATV
footrests because the presence of large tires and the
resultant loss of pressure on the ground may cause loss of
control of the ATV. Consequently, the users of ATVs must
be extremely cautious to avoid any attempts to cross deep
or fast flowing streams. It goes without saying that
4+wheel ATV have no amphibian capabilities. As a result,
the range of these ATV is abruptly curtailed whenever a
body of water is encountered. At that point, unless one is
lucky enough to find a bridge or a trail which leads to a
bridge or follows the contour of the lake, a watercraft is
needed to proceed further. Some may be tempted to load the
ATV on board the watercraft, but this is a most perilous
solution at best and it must not be discarded. Hence, once
on the other side of the body of water, chances are the
ATV rider will have no choice but to continue on foot.
The object of this invention is to increase
the range and capabilities of 4+wheel ATV equipped with
all-wheel drive capability by giving them the ability to
enter into water, circulate on the surface of the water
within at least a limited range and under favourable
2~ 77~b3
-4-
conditions, and come out of the water without any
assistance. An ATV with such amphibian capability would
enable fishermen or hunters or public utilities workers to
reach far greater distances and reduce the risk of
accidents due to attempts at crossing streams where all of
a sudden water may be too deep or too fast flowing, or
with attempts at loading an ATV into a small watercraft to
cross a river or lake.
United States Patent number 4,494,937
issued on January 22, 1985 to Fred H. Riermann describes
a U-shape structure with flotation pontoons, which is
attached onto a 3 wheel ATV equipped with high flotation
wheels. A mechanism is provided to raise the pontoons when
the 3 wheel ATV enters or leaves the water and to lower
the pontoons when the ATV is in the water. This
arrangement makes it virtually impossible to leave the
water without outside assistance due to lack of traction
when the rear wheels are not in contact with the ground.
Indeed, rotation of the rear wheels and paddles thereon
provides insufficient driving force to overtake
gravitational and other forces acting upon the ATV when
coming out of the water with an operator on board.
United States Patent number 4,687,447
issued on August 18, 1986 to Gerald J. Hannappel describes
a series of easily attached and detached equipments for a
21 77463
~_ -5-
3 wheel ATV to make it more functional. One of these
equipments consists of a pair of lateral pontoons which
are vertically adjustable for maintaining the vehicle
afloat when in the water. Different forms of propulsion in
he water are described, including a wheel driven propeller
at the rear end of the pontoons and paddle wheels on the
rear wheel. None of these means of propulsion suffices to
pull the 3 wheel ATV out of the water because when the ATV
reaches the shore or the beach, the rear wheels are not in
contact with the ground. Hence, the 3 wheel ATV and its
floats in normal floating position will remain in the
water unless pulled out either by the physical force of
the operator or some other traction aid.
We have discovered that it is possible to
make a 4+wheel ATV with all-wheel which can be driven into
a body of water, safely-propelled over the surface of the
water, and unassistedly driven out of the water with the
operator remaining in the normal sitting position
throughout. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of
this invention, an improved all-wheel drive 4+wheel ATV
comprises two lateral floats with their bottom portion
held above the ground when the ATV is on the ground, and
with their submerged lower portion positioned in a slight
set back position relative to the front steered wheels to
allow unassisted entry into the water and beaching with an
operator on board without changing the vertical position
2 1 77463
~ -6-
of the floats relative to the chassis of the ATV. A paddle
wheel adjacent each rear wheel for rotation therewith may
propel the ATV when waterborne and a rudder assembly
disposed behind the paddle wheels provides steering when
waterborne. The rudder assembly preferably has two spaced
apart rudders whose lateral spacing and positioning are
selected for greater steering response.
Each float comprises a flotation body and
a mid-float stem for detachably mounting the flotation
body to the chassis of the ATV and holding same in a fixed
position relative to the chassis of the ATV. The length of
the flotation body may correspond generally to the length
of the ATV and at the front, each flotation body is
preferably provided with a forwardly and upwardly
extending bow.
For greater lateral stability, a stern spar
is detachably secured across the rear end of the flotation
bodies behind the chassis of the ATV and it may be used to
support the rudder assembly, preferably pivotally mounted
thereto in such a manner as to allow a rearward and upward
motion of said rudder assembly when either rudder touches
the ground or hits upon an obstacle when the ATV moves
forwardly.
~1 77463
--7--
The displacement of the two flotation
bodies is such that when the two flotation bodies are
about half submerged, the ATV with a normal load and
operator on board is maintained in a stable upright
floating position with the wheels about half submerged.
The spacing between the inner sides of the flotation
bodies corresponds generally to the distance between the
outermost portions of the front wheels when steered fully
to one side and minimal clearance.
In a preferred embodiment according to this
invention, each flotation body is a rigid cylindrical
flotation tank with a lower bevel at the leading end and
a lower bevel at the trailing end, and the flotation tank
is provided with at least two inner transverse partitions
to form at least three watertight compartments. The
flotation tank may be made of welded components
fabricated, for the most part, from an Aluminum alloy in
sheet form measuring about 0.081 of an inch in thickness.
Each compartment may comprise a drain hole on the upper
side of the tank. Other types of float construction and
materials may be contemplated within the scope of the
invention.
Preferably, each rudder of the rudder
assembly is mounted to an essentially vertical post by
extending for pivotal motion therewith, the distance
21 77463
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between the two rudders, when parallel to the longitudinal
axis of the ATV, is generally equal to the distance
between the outer most edges of the paddle wheels and the
jet of water created by the combined action of the paddle
wheels, when rotating for forward propulsion, is laterally
confined within the space between the two rudders.
The invention also provides a float
assembly for an all-wheel drive 4 wheel ATV which combines
a pair of co-extensive floats, a float connector to be
affixed to the framework of the ATV, a free floating stern
spar to be detachably mounted at its opposite ends to the
rear ends of the floats for controlling the distance
therebetween and a rudder assembly adapted to be pivotally
mounted to the stern spar to allow rearward and upward
motion of the rudder assembly when an obstacle is
encountered. Each float has a flotation body and a mid
float stem for detachably mounting the flotation body to
the float connector. The length of the flotation bodies is
substantially equal to the length of the ATV. The ATV when
equipped with this float assembly has the capability to
enter into the water, travel on the surface of the water
and unassistedly beach, with an operator on board and
normal load, without changing the vertical position of the
flotation bodies.
9 21 77463
The present invention and a preferred
embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to
the accompanying drawings wherein:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an all-
wheel drive 4 wheel ATV with an overhead float rack and
with a pair of lateral floats in place, in accordance with
this invention;
Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the
ATV of Fig. 1, when waterborne and operator in driving
position (not shown), with the approximate line of water
shown in chain line;
Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the
ATV of Fig. 2 with the set of floats in place on the
overhead float rack;
Fig. 4 is a view from the rear of the all-
wheel drive 4 wheel ATV of Figs 1 to 3 (without overhead
rack) with a pair of lateral floats in place, and showing
paddle wheels, a rudder assembly and a stern spar across
the rear portions of the floats;
Fig. 5 is a plan view of a float system in
accordance with this invention and of the ATV of Figs 1 to
2 1 77463
' -10-
4 shown in dotted line with inside paddle wheels in place
on the rear wheel axle;
Fig. 6 is an exploded view of a float
system in accordance with this invention, for mounting to
an all-wheel drive 4 wheel ATV of conventional design;
Fig. 7 is an exploded view of a rear wheel,
inside paddle wheel and rear axle;
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view through a
central vertical plane of an assembly of the component
parts shown in Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 is an exploded view of a rear wheel,
outside paddle wheel, rear axle portion and extension
post;
Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view through
a central vertical plane of an assembly of the components
shown in Fig. 9;
Figs 11, 12 and 13 are side elevational
views of the rear portion of a float showing the stern
spar and the rudder assembly in three positions;
2 1 77463
--11--
Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a
float with one of the compartment stoppers removed;
Fig. 15 is a side elevational view of an
all-wheel drive 6 wheel ATV with a pair of lateral floats
in place (only one shown in Fig. 15), when in the water,
with the approximate line of water shown in chain line;
Fig. 15a is an enlarged portion of Fig. 15.
Fig. 16 is a plan view of a 6 wheel ATV
float system in accordance with this invention and of the
ATV of Fig. 15 shown in dotted line with inside paddle
wheels in place on the axle of the center wheels and on
the axle of the rear wheels.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
A 4 wheel ATV is shown in Figure 1 with a
float system that enables it to operate safely in water.
The ATV, shown generally at reference numeral 10 has 2
front wheels 12, 14 steered by handlebar 16, two rear
wheels 18, 20, a seat 22 for the operator, footrests 24,
26 on either side of the engine compartment 28. A fuel
tank 30 with filler cap 32 is disposed between the
operator seat 22 and the front rack 34. The small engine
28 drives the rear wheels 18 and 20 by a chain drive or
21 77~63
-12-
drive shaft (not shown) acting directly upon the rear
wheel axle 36 (see Fig. 4) via a variable ratio
transmission such as found for example in snowmobiles.
Power is delivered to the front wheels 12 and 14
5 continuously or on demand, depending upon the brand or
model of the ATV used. The suspension uses a spring and
shock absorber assembly 38, 40 at each front wheel and a
- central assembly 42 which acts upon the rear axle. The
mechanical components and the chassis 43 are generally
covered by a lightweight plastic body 44 with fenders 46
disposed high above the wheels for maximum wheel travel.
In accordance with the present invention,
two lateral floats 52, 54 are mounted to the ATV 10 with
15 their bottom portion or lower edge 45 held above the
ground as shown in Figs 1 and 2 with the submerged portion
(from the approximate line of water 55 downward) of each
float in a slight set back position relative to the
adjacent front wheel 12 or 14, as clearly visible in
20 Fig. 2, to allow unassisted entry into the water and
beaching without changing the position of floats 52, 54
relative to the chassis 43 and with the operator on board.
The slight set back position of the floats relative to the
wheels ensures sufficient buoyancy at the rear wheels 18,
25 20 where extra weight and weight shifting is encountered,
and to permit the front wheels 12, 14 to make good contact
with the shore when it is desired to drive out of the
2 1 77463
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water. More particularly, as the front wheels 12, 14 are
being rotated by the engine, the first contact with the
ground allows enough traction for the nose of the ATV to
begin to rise above the surface of the water. This reduces
buoyancy at the level of the front wheels and causes a
corresponding increase of ground pressure and traction so
that forward motion continues until the rear wheels 18, 20
make contact with the surface of the ground. This entire
sequence of events takes place while the operator remains
seated on seat 22 until the ATV is completely out of the
water. To reduce interference when landing and ensure
sufficient stability when waterborne, the length of each
float 52,54 may be about equal to the length of the ATV.
The degree of set back of the floats
relative to the front wheels should be sufficient to
ensure good initial contact of the front wheels 12, 14
with the ground when beaching. To this effect, the
submerged leading portion of each float (below line of
water 55) should be behind the submerged leading portion
of the tires of the front wheels 12 and 14. With the front
tires half submerged, substantially all of the submerged
leading quarter of each front wheel tire, corresponding to
sector "x" in Fig. 2, should protrude forwardly, ahead of
the bow of the floats. However, the submerged tip of each
float may extend forwardly of the front wheel tires on
account of the sharp bevel 57 which form the bow. In the
21 77463
~ -14-
embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3, the opposite end of the
floats 52, 54 extend a short distance beyond the rear
wheel tires so as to convey sufficient buoyancy at the
rear of the ATV where excess weight and weight shifting is
likely to occur. However, excessive set back could cause
interference with ground irregularities when the ATV is on
the ground or when it comes out of the water. In order to
reduce this possibility, a bevel 59 is provided at the
rear of floats 52,54. It could also cause nose diving of
the ATV which must be avoided in order to keep the engine
well above the surface of the water when waterborne,
whether travelling, decelerating or standing still. In a
typical embodiment as illustrated in Fig. 2, the set back
was calculated to maintain the ATV in a horizontal
position when travelling at normal speed over a surface of
calm water. While the tip of the emerged bow stood about
3 inches ahead of the front wheel tires, the submerged
bevelled portion of the bow was actually behind the front
wheel tires. At the rear, the floats extended beyond the
rear wheel tires by about 7 inches. Ideally suited for a
typical 4 wheel ATV such as the XPLORER (trade-mark) ATV,
this arrangement used floats that measure 7 feet in
length, which is about equal to the length of the ATV, 6
feet 5 inches. The overall width of the ATV with floats in
place was about 7 feet 6 inches, resulting in an
essentially square configuration. Ground clearance
underneath floats 52, 54 (between lower edge 45 and
21 77~63
-15-
ground) should be sufficient to allow displacement of the
ATV on the ground over a short distance to facilitate
entry into the water and landing. A clearance of about 3
inches, when the ATV is normally loaded and with an
operator on board, should be sufficient.
As best shown in Figs 4 to 10, the improved
ATV may use a paddle wheel 56, 58 adjacent each rear wheel
18, 20 for rotation therewith and for propelling the ATV
when waterborne. In the embodiment illustrated in Figs 4
to 8 of the drawings, the paddle wheels 56, 58 are
disposed adjacent the inner surface of rear wheels 18, 20.
Each paddle wheel comprises a cylindrical body 60 (Figs.
7 and 8) consisting of a cylindrical skirt 62 and a bottom
plate 64 provided with one central aperture 65 and four
satellite apertures 66. A series of rigid plates 68 are
secured against the outer surface of the cylindrical skirt
62 near the open end thereof so as to project outwardly
radially therefrom in an equally spaced apart arrangement.
Each rigid plate 28 extends longitudinally of the
cylindrical skirt 62 and is preferably retained thereto by
any suitable permanent form of retention such as welding.
A retaining ring 69 to which the individual rigid plates
68 are secured is retained against the outer surface of
the cylindrical skirt 62 in the intermediate region
thereof, so as to provide sufficient strength to the
radial area of rigid plates 63. These components are
21 77463
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preferably made of a strong weldable metal such as steel
on account of its resistance and ease of manufacture. Each
rigid plate 68 is provided with a flexible extension 70
which increases the effective length of the resultant
paddle 72. Flexible extensions 70 may be retained onto the
outer edge of the corresponding rigid plates 68 by rivets
or other suitable fastening means. A preferred form of
material for flexible extensions 70 is cord reinforced
sheet rubber about 1~ of an inch thick. The number of fins
or paddles 72 and the size of each are matters of design.
Good results have been obtained with paddle wheels using
8 fins 72 made from rigid plates 68 measuring
approximately 3 inches by 3 inches and flexible extensions
70 also measuring about 3 inches by 3 inches. The use of
fewer fins should result in a higher rpm of the engine for
achieving the same speed of travel when waterborne.
As shown in Figs 7 and 8, the bottom plate
64 of the paddle wheel 58 is sandwiched between the wheel
rim 75 and hub 76 of wheel axle 36. The assembly is held
in place by a series of wheel retaining screws 78.
For steering the improved ATV when
waterborne, a rudder assembly 80 is provided as shown in
Figs 1 to 6 and 11 to 13. The rudder assembly is closely
associated with paddle wheels 56, 58 for greater steering
response. It is pivotally mounted to a stern spar 82 which
21 77~63
-17-
is supported by the rear ends of floats 52, 54 where each
spar receiving U-shaped lug 84 (Fig. 6) is provided with
a quick disconnecting pin 83 (Fig. 12) for holding the
stern spar 82 in place. Quick disconnecting pin 83 may
consist of an elongated pin with an enlarged head at one
end to which is permanently pivoted a U-shaped safety wire
which terminates with a loop through which the free end of
the pin may be inserted when in use. By simple
manipulation with bare hands, one can easily pull the loop
of the safety wire over the free end of the pin thus
freeing the pin which can then be slipped away to
disengage the parts that were coupled together. This
particularity of quick disconnecters, commercially
available, was found to be well suited for this
application, although other forms of quick disconnecters
could be used as well. Rudder assembly 80 comprises 2
spaced apart rudders 85 and 86, each secured to a
generally vertical post 87 extending into a generally
vertical sleeve 88 disposed at each end of a connecting
bar 90 which, in turn, is provided with rearwardly
projecting arms 92 for pivotal connection to a pair of
upwardly extending lugs 94 on stern spar 82 with quick
disconnecting pins 95 (see Fig. 13). At the upper end of
each post 87, a steering arm 96, 97 is secured for
rotation therewith and a tie rod 98 interconnects steering
arms 96, 97. To control the position of rudders 85 and 86,
relative to the longitudinal axis of the ATV, a steering
21 77~63
-18-
control 100 is provided on a steering control base 102
located at a convenient place for manipulation by the
operator when seated in position on the ATV, such as, for
example, over the left rear fender 46 as shown in Figs 1
to 5. A cable 104 couples the steering control 100 and the
tie rod 98 of the rudder assembly. As best shown in Figs
3 and 4, the rigid wire of cable 104 extends from the
- steering control 100, to which it is pivotally connected,
to the tie rod 98 which carries a suitable lug 99 onto
which the adjacent wire end is retained. The cable sheath
through which the rigid wire passes is connected between
the steering control base 102 and connecting bar 90.
It will be seen that with this arrangement,
the trailing rudder assembly 80 is free to pivot
rearwardly with respect to the stern spar 82, as shown in
dotted line in Fig. 13, when either rudder 85, 86 touches
the ground or hits upon an obstacle when the ATV moves
forwardly over the surface of water. Once on the ground,
it is preferred to remove the floats so as to facilitate
travelling over unprepared surfaces, and for this purpose,
the rudder assembly, once freed from stern spar 82, may be
raised and secured to another set of suitably spaced apart
lugs 105 mounted on any convenient component such as, for
example, the overhead load carrying structure 110, which
will be described below, or the rear rack 111.
21 774~
--19--
The lateral positioning of rudders 85 and
86 is selected for greater steering response. More
particularly, as shown in Fig. 5, rudder 85 is disposed
immediately behind and essentially in line with the outer
edge of paddle wheel 56 and rudder 86 is likewise
positioned in line with the outer edge of paddle wheel 58.
With this arrangement, the stream of water created by the
rotation of the paddle wheels 56 and 58 is confined to the
space between rudders 85 and 86 and good steering response
is achieved.
On certain ATV, it is not convenient to
install the paddle wheels inwardly of the rear wheels and
consequently, a different propulsion system must be
resorted to. In Figs 9 and 10, a paddle wheel system is
illustrated which can be mounted exteriorly of the rear
wheels 20. The paddle wheel 112 consists of a cylindrical
body 114, a series of rigid plates 116 secured in a radial
arrangement and retained in place by means of a retaining
ring 118. The cylindrical body 114 is small enough to fit
into the outer central opening in rim 74. It comprises a
cylindrical skirt 120, a bottom plate 122 and an apertured
intermediate plate 124 or other similar means to retain
body 114 to the wheel. For greater rigidity, a tubular
sleeve 126 may be disposed between bottom plate 122 and
intermediate apertured plate 124. Paddle wheel 112 is
mounted to rear axle 136 by means of an extension 128
-20- 21 7~63
consisting of an apertured plate 130 to which is secured
an extension post 132 which terminates with a threaded
nose portion 134. Extension 128 is sandwiched between the
wheel rim 74 and hub 76 of rear axle 36 and the assembly
is retained together by means of a series of screws 78.
With the wheel 20 and extension 128 in place, the paddle
wheel 112 may then be fitted by inserting its cylindrical
end into the central opening in rim 74. This causes
extension post 132 to slide into sleeve 126 until threaded
end 134 protrudes outwardly through apertured intermediate
plate 124. Wing nut 136, or any other suitable form of
nut, can then be screwed onto threaded end 134 and
tightened down sufficiently to prevent accidental removal
of the paddle wheel. The thread of extension 128 is
preferably a left thread for the right hand side paddle
wheel so that self tightening occurs when the paddle wheel
encounters resistance, and a right thread is used on the
opposite side.
20Reverting to the float system, and with
particular reference to Figs 5 and 6, each float 52, 54 is
connected to the chassis of the ATV by a mid-float stem
situated between the steered front wheels 12, 14 and the
wheels immediately behind, namely rear wheels 18 and 20 in
25the case of a 4 wheel ATV and central wheels 142 and 144
in the case of a 6 wheel ATV. A float connector 146 is
retained to the ATV framework for receiving the mid-float
2 ~ 7~463
~- -21-
stem 140 of each float 52, 54. In the illustrated
embodiment, float connector 146 is in the shape of a
rectangular tubular frame consisting of two spaced-apart
transversely extending tubular components 148, 150 mid-way
between front and rear wheels, two braces 152, 154 welded
to tubular components 148, 150 to form a rigid rectangular
frame with braces 152, 154 disposed inwardly of the
protruding ends of tubular components 148, 150. Corner
plates 156 welded to the rectangular frame where the
braces abut the tubular components 148, 150 can be used to
convey the required degree of rigidity to the float
connector 146. Float connector 146 may be semi-permanently
affixed against the underside of the ATV frame work using
screws 158 extending through apertures in float connector
146 and projecting into a series of four threaded holes in
the ATV framework. It may be more convenient to provide
nuts instead of threaded holes for receiving screws 158,
depending upon the particular construction of each ATV
model. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6, spacers
160 are provided between the float connector 146 and the
ATV frame work in order to dispose the float connector 146
at the proper height relative to the chassis of the ATV.
As illustrated in Fig. 3, the presence of spacers 160 over
float connector 146 allows one to adjust the level of
float connector 146 relative to footrests 24 so as to
ensure that the ATV will be at the proper height relative
to the line of water 55 when the ATV is waterborne. The
21 77463
-22-
opposite ends of tubular components 148, 150 define, studs
162, 164, each having a pair of aligned apertures 166
through which a coupling pin of any form of quick
disconnecting means could be inserted. Studs 162, 164 are
preferable located underneath the footrests for easy
access. They should not protrude outwardly much beyond the
footrests as this could cause interference when travelling
along a trail in a wooded area.
10Each float 52, 54 comprises a flotation
body 168 and a mid-float stem 140 for detachably mounting
the flotation body 168 to the chassis of the ATV and
holding same in a fixed position relative thereto. In the
embodiment illustrated in Figs 5 and 6, the mid-float stem
15140 comprises two spaced-apart stub tubes 170, 172 whose
inner ends are welded to flotation body 168. Additional
rigidity is provided by means of an angle bar 174 and a
pair of diagonal braces which may be continued outwardly
to form a convenient handle 178. Each diagonal brace 176
is welded at one end to the adjacent stub tube 170
inwardly from the free end thereof to prevent interference
with the footrests 24, 26 of the ATV, and to a convenient
location near the top of flotation body 168. The free ends
of stub tubes 170, 172 define a pair of struts 180, 182.
Each strut has a pair of aligned apertures 184 through
which a coupling pin may be inserted. Floats 52, 54 are
retained to float connector 146 by slipping struts 180,
21 77463
~ -23-
182 over studs 162, 164. A quick disconnecting pin may be
slipped into mating apertures 184 and 166 in each strut
tube 170, 172 for holding the assembly together. The form
of coupling pins used to hold together the various
components of the float system described herein is not
critical as long as secured fastening is obtained to guard
against accidental separation of components during use of
the float system on the surface of the water, and it is
preferred to use quick disconnecting means which can be
manipulated easily and with bare hands. Quick
disconnecting pins such as shown at 83 in Figs 12 and 13
have proved to be particularly suitable for this purpose.
Flotation body 168 is preferably in the
shape of a cylindrical welded Aluminum tank of circular
cross-section with a sharply bevelled front end or bow 186
immediately below an upper flat section 188, a relatively
shallow bevelled rear end 190 with an upper flat section
192, as better illustrated in Fig. 14. The interior of the
flotation body 168 is divided into a number of watertight
compartments 194 by means of essentially vertically
extending partitions 196. Each watertight compartment 194
is provided, on the upper surface, with a drain hole and
a convenient plug 198 for inspecting the interior of each
compartment against water leakage. The preferred material
for the flotation body 168 is Aluminum or Aluminum alloys
in sheet form about 2 mm thick or 0.081 of an inch. In
21 77463
-24-
particular, an Aluminum alloy offered under the
designation 5052H32 was found to be quite adequate for
this purpose. It should be understood that other types of
float construction and materials may be contemplated
within the scope of the invention, including in particular
hollow or foam filled formed or molded flotation bodies
using sufficiently strong materials, in particular
composite materials and fiber reinforced materials as will
be obvious to those skilled in the art.
In a preferred embodiment, flotation body
168 stub tubes 172, angle bar 174 and diagonal braces 176
are all Aluminum components, whereas the float connector
146 is preferably made of stronger metaI, for example
steel. Studs 162, 164 should penetrably engaged
sufficiently deeply into struts 180, 182 with sufficient
overlap for secured coupling with a set of quick
disconnecting pins (not shown) extending through mating
apertures 166, 184.
The flotation bodies 168 must be carefully
designed to ensure adequate displacement. More
particularly, when half submerged, the normally loaded ATV
with operator on board should be maintained in a stable
upright floating condition with the wheels 12, 14, 18 and
20 half submerged. In a particular embodiment for use in
connection with the above-mentioned four wheel drive
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XPLORER (trade-mark) ATV, the adequate displacement was
obtained with the use of flotation bodies 168 measuring
17 ~ inches in diameter, 7 feet long, using an aluminum
alloy sold under the commercial designation 5052H32
measuring 0.081 of an inch for the components in sheet
form. In the case of a 6 wheel ATV, such as the above-
noted 400 6 x 6 (trade-mark) ATV, the flotation bodies 200
may have a diameter of 17 ~ inches, and a length of 9 feet
6 inches. As indicated in Fig. 5, flotation bodies 200
should preferably be subdivided into four water tight
compartments 202 using three essentially vertically
extending partitions 204 and drain holes with plugs.
The space between the inner sides of the
flotation bodies 168, 200 should correspond generally to
the distance between the outermost parts of the front
wheels when steered fully to one side, and minimal
clearance. This ensures that the flotation bodies 168, 200
do not interfere with rotation of the steered front wheels
12, 14. Where the paddle wheels are exteriorly mounted,
the space between the flotation bodies must be sufficient
to prevent all interference either with the paddle wheels
or the front steered wheels.
Fig. 1 illustrates in perspective view an
improved ATV with floats 52, 54 in place. An overhead load
carrying structure 110 is provided which comprises two
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inverted U-shaped tubular members 206 with a front
transverse brace 208 and two rear transverse braces 210.
Frame members 206 are suitably secured to the front rack
34 and to the rear rack 111 in a known manner. In
accordance with this invention, a pair of crosspieces 212
and 214 provided with two spaced-apart concave zones for
receiving floats 52, 54 when travelling along trails or
unprepared terrain, as illustrated in Fig. 3. Front
crosspiece 212 may be provided with a central hole 216
through which may extend the stern spar 82. A U-shape
opening 218 in the middle of the rear crosspiece 214
receives the opposite end of stern spar 82.
It should also be noted that the length of
crosspieces 212 and 214 should not exceed the track of the
wheels in order to reduce the risk of interference when
travelling along a trail in a wooded area.
While the overhead load carrying structure
110 is ideal for carrying a float system as shown in Fig.
3, it should not be used in the case of a 6 wheel ATV
because the extra weight of the longer flotation tanks
could render the ATV prone to tipping over on the side. It
is preferred to carry a lightweight, buoyant trailer to
haul the float system when on the ground.
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When it is desired to install floats 52, 54
to the ATV shown in Fig. 3, the first float is lowered
from the overhead rack 110 and its midfloat stem 140 is
placed on the corresponding studs 162, 164. Coupling pins
are inserted into mating apertures 166 and 184. In a
similar fashion, the other float is installed on the other
side of the ATV and coupling pins are slipped into mating
holes 166 and 184. This completes the installation of the
floats proper in the case of a 4 wheel ATV. Next, the
stern spar 82 is removed from the overhead rack 110 and is
placed across the rear flotation body lugs 84 as shown in
Fig. 11. Then suitable pins 83 are inserted into the
aligned apertures through lug 84 and the adjacent end
portion of stern spar 82 which completes the installation
thereof as shown in Fig. 12. Next, the rudder assembly 80
is connected to vertical lugs 94 of spar 82 using coupling
pins 95 as shown in Fig. 13. As the paddle wheels 56, 58
are already on the ATV, the installation is complete
within a matter of a minute or two. Dismantling is exactly
the same except in the reverse. The rudder assembly 80 is
removed from lugs 94 after removal of coupling pins 95,
and the assembly is mounted to a second pair of lugs 105
(see Fig. 1) on any convenient component of the ATV or on
the overhead rack 110. Coupling pins 83 can then be
removed and the stern spar 82 may be mounted to the front
and rear cross pieces 212 and 214 with a suitable tie down
cord (not shown) or the like holding spar 82 in place.
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Next, the two coupling pins are removed to free one of the
two floats. The float thus freed is immediately installed
on the overhead rack 110 and held in place with a suitable
tie down cord. Finally, the other float is removed from
float connector 146 and is then placed onto the overhead
rack 110 where it is secured in place with another tie
down cord or other suitable retaining device.
In the case of a 6 wheel ATV, as shown in
Figs 15 and 16, the mid-float stems 140 are of the same
design although they are located somewhat closer to the
front end of flotation bodies 200. Having regard to the
fact that the rear portion of flotation body 200 is quite
long and that the bed 226 at the rear of the 6 wheel ATV
is designed to carry a relatively heavy load, it becomes
necessary to secure the rear of the floats to the rear of
the chassis of the ATV. To this effect, stern spar 82
which supports rudder assembly 80 is provided with an
additional pair of upwardly extending lugs 220 to which is
pivotally secured a bracket 222 which is clamped onto the
transverse rear member 224 of the ATV chassis which
supports bed 226. Bracket 222 may comprise two spaced-
apart arms 228 and a transverse brace 230. U-shaped clamps
232 may be used to secure bracket 222 to the transverse
rear member 224. Coupling pins 234 facilitate disassembly
of the stern bar 82 when it is desired to remove the
floats.
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It should also be noted that in the case of
a 6 wheel ATV, it may be advantageous to also provide
paddle wheels and on center wheels 142 for additional
propulsion in the water.
The foregoing description of a preferred
embodiment of the invention is not intended to limit the
scope of the invention which is defined in the following
claims.
