Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLE WITH RETRACTABLE FLOATERS
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure relates to amphibious vehicles that can
travel
both on land and water. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to
an
improvement to amphibious vehicles for increasing stability of the vehicle
while
on water without sacrificing operation of the amphibious vehicle while on
land.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The background description includes information that may be useful
in
understanding the present inventive subject matter. It is not an admission
that
any of the information provided herein is prior art or applicant admitted
prior art,
or relevant to the presently claimed inventive subject matter, or that any
publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art or applicant
admitted
prior art.
[0003] Amphibious vehicles are a popular way for tourists to visit
locations, as
they allow for traveling down roads and waterways. However, by their very
nature amphibious vehicles are a compromise between a land vehicle and a
boat, leading to many potential safety issues. While traveling on water, a
wider
vehicle is generally a more stable vehicle. However, due to restrictions to
vehicle traveling on roadways, amphibious vehicles cannot be constructed with
an arbitrarily wide body.
[0004] Furthermore, as the use of amphibious vehicles is often associated
with tourism, safety is a critical concern. The age of passengers of an
amphibious vehicle may vary wildly, and may include young children as well as
old people. Accordingly, any improvement in the safety of an amphibious
vehicle
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may save lives, as well as giving potential customers greater confidence in
the
amphibious vehicle.
[0005] SUMMARY
[0006] The present disclosure is directed to an amphibious vehicle,
comprising a hull, defining a watertight compartment; a plurality of ground
engaging wheels operatively connected to a first power source; a water
propulsion system operatively connected to a second power source; at least one
floater extending laterally from each of a left side and a right side of the
hull.
[0007] The present disclosure provides an improved amphibious vehicle
providing increased safety and stability while operating on water, without the
amphibious vehicle becoming too wide for safely traveling on the road.
[0008] This is achieved by providing lateral floaters on each side of the
amphibious vehicle, whereby the lateral floaters can be placed in a first
position
for traveling on land, with the lateral floaters placed within the hull of the
vehicle,
and a second position for traveling on water, with the lateral floaters
extending
laterally from each side of the vehicle.
[0009] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive
subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed
description
of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which
like numerals represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The present disclosure will be better understood having regard to
the
drawings in which:
[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an amphibious vehicle according
to
one embodiment of the present disclosure.
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[0012] Figure 2 is an orthogonal view of the rear of an amphibious vehicle
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0013] Figure 3 is an orthogonal view of the side of an amphibious vehicle
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0014] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an amphibious vehicle
according
to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0015] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of an amphibious vehicle
according
to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Reference is made to Figure 1, in which an amphibious vehicle 10
according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.
As
seen in Figure 1, the amphibious vehicle 10 comprises wheels 12, a driver
compartment 14, and a passenger compartment 13.
[0017] The sides of vehicle 10 are protected by side panels 17. In the
embodiment shown in Figure 1, side panels 17 are shaped to allow room for a
window 13, and open section 15, however this is not intended to be limiting.
[0018] Side panels 17 comprise recess 16 for receiving lateral floaters
18. In
Figure 1, lateral floaters 18 are shown in the deployed position, extending
sideways from the side panels 17.
[0019] Lateral floaters 18 are to be deployed when the vehicle 10 is in
water,
or just before entering water. They are preferably made from material such as
aluminum, fiberglass, carbon fiber, or steel. However, any material which is
sufficiently lightweight, resilient, and economical could be used and the
present
disclosure is not so limited. Lateral floaters 18 are made to be buoyant, such
that they weigh less than the volume of water displaced by their insertion in
the
water. This may be achieved by using a buoyant material or by making lateral
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floaters 18 hollow, or filled with very light weight material, such as foam or
the
like. In some embodiments, floaters 18 may be made entirely of a buoyant
material such as foam, or a combination of foam and other materials such as
aluminum, fiberglass, carbon fiber, or steel, amongst others.
[0020] In the embodiment shown, lateral floaters 18 have a triangular
cross-
section. This is more clearly illustrated in Figure 2. When the lateral
floaters 18
are deployed, a top surface 25 of the floaters 18 is horizontal, and a bottom
surface 26 is diagonal. However, the present disclosure is not so limited and
other cross sections are contemplated.
[0021] Lateral floaters 18 are retractable to a retracted position by
rotating
through arc 20, which represents the path drawn by the edge of lateral
floaters
18 as they move from a deployed position to a retracted position. When the
floaters 18 are in a retracted position, the width of the vehicle is reduced,
which
is preferable for operating the vehicle on land.
[0022] The mechanism for deploying and retracting lateral floaters 18 will
be
described in greater detail below.
[0023] As also shown in Figure 2, amphibious vehicle 10 may further
comprise a rear bumper 24, rear panel 22, and turn signal 21. Amphibious
vehicle 10 further includes a propeller 23, located at the rear for propelling
the
vehicle while in water. Propeller 23 may be powered by the same motor that is
powering the wheels 12 or by its own dedicated motor. For example, in one
embodiment the wheels 12 may be powered by a diesel motor, and the propeller
23 may be powered by an electric motor. In another embodiment, the wheels 12
and the propeller 23 may be powered by a single electric motor. Other
combinations are within the scope of the present disclosure. In some
embodiments, propeller 23 may be replaced by other suitable water propulsion
systems, and the present disclosure is not so limited.
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[0024] In some embodiments, amphibious vehicle 10 may also include a life
raft 28 near the back of the vehicle.
[0025] Side panels 17 and rear panel 27, in conjunction with a front panel
(not
shown), a top panel (not shown), and a bottom panel (not shown) form a hull,
which houses electrical and mechanical component of the vehicle, and provides
buoyancy to the amphibious vehicle 10, as illustrated in Figure 3.
[0026] Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, amphibious vehicle 10 comprises
hull 30, which defines in its cavity a watertight compartment for housing
mechanical and electrical components. For example, hull 30 may house a fuel
tank 35, electric motor 33, diesel engine 31, and batteries 32. As is well
known
power from engine 31 and motor 33 may be provided to wheels 12, or to
propeller 23 using conventional means.
[0027] As is well known, hull 30 comprises mostly empty space and provides
buoyancy to amphibious vehicle 10. Importantly, hull 30 is water-tight. In at
least some embodiments, hull 30 may be divided in sub-compartments (not
shown) to ensure that the mechanical components are not destabilized in the
event of an impact or other incident, and to prevent a leak from spreading
throughout hull 30.
[0028] Also shown in Figure 3 is side thruster 36. According to at least
some
embodiments of the present disclosure, a side thruster 36 is positioned near
the
front of the vehicle 10, on each side of the vehicle 10. Side thrusters 36 may
be
positioned within a recess of hull 30 and may be used to provide thrust to
either
side of the vehicle. Therefore, side thruster 36 further enhances the safety
of the
amphibious vehicle 10 by providing an operator of the vehicle with additional
means to steer the vehicle.
[0029] Side thruster 36 may be powered by its own dedicated motor, or by
electric motor 33, or by diesel engine 31. In at least one embodiment, side
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thrusters 36 comprise propellers directed outwardly to each side of the
vehicle
10.
[0030] In at least some embodiments, the hull is divided in compartments
37.
Compartments 37 comprise water tight separators which divides the hull 30 in
different sections for isolating some equipment. Compartments 37 also serve to
increase safety by isolating water intake in the event of a leak.
[0031] As shown in Figure 3, the compartments 37 are divided with
separators oriented transversally with respect to amphibious vehicle 10.
However, compartments 37 may be oriented in any direction with respect to the
vehicle. In at least one embodiment, compartments 37 are created with
separators that are oriented transversally and longitudinally.
[0032] Reference is now made to Figure 4.
[0033] In Figure 4, a cross section of the amphibious vehicle 10 is shown.
The lateral floaters 18 are shown in both their retracted position 46 and
deployed
position 45. Within hull 30, actuators 40 are positioned adjacent to the
lateral
floaters. Actuators 40 move lateral floaters between the retracted position 46
and the deployed position 45, when activated.
[0034] Actuators 40 may be electrically powered, or hydraulically powered,
amongst other options. In at least some embodiments, actuators 40 receive
power from batteries 32. As shown in Figure 4, actuators are provided on each
side for each lateral floater. Depending on the length of amphibious vehicle
10,
and the length of lateral floaters 18, multiple actuators 40 may be provided
on
each side of the vehicle so as to reduce the work to be performed by each
actuator, and to reduce the tension experienced by the lateral floaters 18 as
they
are moved from one position to the other.
[0035] The actuators 40 may be activated by a dashboard or control panel
in
driver compartment 14. Alternatively, the actuators 40 may be activated by a
sensor configured to determine when amphibious vehicle 10 is entering water.
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In yet another embodiment, actuators 40 may be activated automatically when
the water propulsion system 23 is engaged.
[0036] In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, when lateral floaters 18 are
in a
retracted position, the cross section of hull 30 is rectangular. In other
words, the
cross-sectional shape of lateral floaters 18 correspond with a recess near the
bottom of hull 30, on each side thereof, for receiving lateral floaters 18.
[0037] In at least some embodiments, the lateral floaters extend between 2
and 3 feet on each side, thereby increasing the effective width of the
amphibious
vehicle 10 by 4 to 6 feet. However, other sizes for the lateral floaters may
be
preferable depending on the full dimension of the amphibious vehicle 10, and
the
present disclosure is not limited in that regard.
[0038] In at least one embodiment, the retracted position of lateral
floaters 18
may be situated above the deployed position. Specifically, instead of rotating
upwards to move in the deployed position, lateral floaters would rotate
downwards to move in the deployed position.
[0039] In at least one embodiment, the retracted position of lateral
floaters 18
may be situated within hull 30, such that lateral floaters move horizontally
between a retracted position within hull 30, and a deployed position outside
of
hull 30.
[0040] Reference is now made to Figure 5 which illustrates a cross section
of
an amphibious vehicle 10 according to at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0041] According to at least one embodiment, the lateral floaters are
inflatable. In such an embodiment the lateral floaters may be made out of
flexible materials such as a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fabric, or other
suitable
materials.
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[0042] In this embodiment, lateral floaters are deflated when in the
retracted
position, and inflated in the deployed position.
[0043] In Figure 5, lateral floater 18A is shown in the inflated or
deployed
position, whereas lateral floater 18B is shown in the deflated or retracted
position. Lateral floaters 18A and 18B are made of flexible, air-tight
material
suitable for being inflated and deflated, and define a space for receiving air
from
an air source 52 located in the hull 30 of the amphibious vehicle 10. The air
source 52 may comprise a pump, or a cannister of pressurized air, or other
suitable means for providing air to the lateral floaters.
[0044] Lateral floaters 18A and 18B may extend substantially the length of
the amphibious vehicle 10. The cross-section of lateral floaters 18A and 18B,
when inflated, may be generally rectangular, triangular, or other suitable
shape.
[0045] Within a recess 53 of the hull 30 are supports 51 for supporting
lateral
floaters 18A and 18B. According to at least one embodiment, supports 51 are
rollers having a cylindrical shape extending substantially the length of
lateral
floaters 18A and 18B. In the deflated or retracted position, as shown with
respect to floater 18B, the floater is wrapped around support 51, thereby
preventing the deflated floater from interfering with other components.
[0046] In at least one embodiment, door 54 may protect the interior of
recess
53 while the floaters are in the deflated or retracted position. Door 54 is
moveable to allow lateral floaters 18A and 18B to extend laterally beyond the
hull 30.
[0047] During operation, a driver of amphibious vehicle 10 may deploy the
lateral floaters from a control panel on the vehicle dashboard (not shown).
For
example, the control panel may allow the driver to open door 54, and inflate
the
floaters by activating air source 52 which provides air to each of lateral
floaters
18A and 18B via tubes (not shown).
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[0048] The control panel may further allow the driver of the amphibious
vehicle 10 to rotate supports 51 with an electric motor, in order to
facilitate the
deployment and the retraction of lateral floaters 18A and 18B.
[0049] A valve (not shown) for each of lateral floaters 18A and 18B may
allow
the air to escape when the floaters are being deflated and retracted, while
keeping the air inside the floaters when they are being inflated and deployed.
These valves may also be controllable from the control panel of amphibious
vehicle 10.
[0060] In at least one embodiment, supports 51 comprise a guide bar (not
shown) for ensuring the floaters are properly wrapped around support 51 when
deflated and retracted. The guide bar is generally parallel to support 51 and
is
offset from support 51 by a distance which is sufficient for the floater to be
completely wrapped around the support 51. In one embodiment, the guide bar
may be pivotable and biased towards the support 51 such that the guide bar
applies some pressure on the floater as support 51 is rotated to bring the
floaters
in a retracted position, thereby facilitating the expulsion of air from the
floaters.
[0061] Accordingly, the lateral floaters may be moved from a retracted
position, as shown with respect to lateral floater 18B, to a deployed
position, as
shown with respect to lateral floater 18A, by opening door 54, providing air
to the
floaters from air source 52, closing any valves on the floaters, and unrolling
the
floater from support 51. Similarly, the lateral floated may be moved from a
deployed position, to a retracted position, by opening any valves on the
floaters,
and rolling the floater onto support 51, and closing door 54.
[0062] During operation on land, an amphibious vehicle according to the
present disclosure preferably has its lateral floaters placed in the retracted
position. As will be appreciated, by having the lateral floaters in the
retracted
position, the effective width of the amphibious vehicle is reduced. This is
beneficial as it reduces the risk of accidents on the road. Furthermore, in
some
jurisdictions regulations relating to road vehicle, or to amphibious vehicles
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specifically, may prohibit the use of an overly wide amphibious vehicle on the
road. By placing the lateral floaters in a position which does not increase
the
width of the vehicle, the lateral floaters may provide their benefit while the
vehicle
is in water, without causing problems while the vehicle is on the road.
[0053] When an amphibious vehicle according to the present disclosure is
entering water, the lateral floaters may be placed in the deployed position.
The
lateral floaters provide greater stability to the amphibious vehicle by
increasing
the width of the vehicle and by increasing its buoyancy.
[0054] Therefore, an amphibious vehicle according to the present
disclosure
advantageously provides improved stability and operability in water combined
with safety and compliance with regulations on land.
[0055] The embodiments described herein are examples of structures,
systems or methods having elements corresponding to elements of the
techniques of this application. This written description may enable those
skilled
in the art to make and use embodiments having alternative elements that
likewise correspond to the elements of the techniques of this application. The
intended scope of the techniques of this application thus includes other
structures, systems or methods that do not differ from the techniques of this
application as described herein, and further includes other structures,
systems or
methods with insubstantial differences from the techniques of this application
as
described herein.
[0056] Moreover, the previous detailed description is provided to enable
any
person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various
modifications to those embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled
in
the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other
embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention
described herein. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to
the
embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with
the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular, such as by use of
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the article "a" or "an" is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless
specifically so stated, but rather "one or more". All structural and
functional
equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout
the disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary
skill
in the art are intended to be encompassed by the elements of the claims.
Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public
regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims.
[0057] The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the
inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single
combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered
to
include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus, if one
embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment
comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also
considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if
not
explicitly disclosed.
[0058] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term
"coupled to" is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two
elements
that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in
which
at least one additional element is located between the two elements).
Therefore,
the terms "coupled to" and "coupled with" are used synonymously.
[0059] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more
modifications besides those already described are possible without departing
from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore,
is
not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in
interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be
interpreted
in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular,
the
terms "comprises" and "comprising" should be interpreted as referring to
elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the
referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or
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combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly
referenced. Where the specification or claims refer to at least one of
something
selected from the group consisting of A, B, C .... and N, the text should be
interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B
plus
N, etc.
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