Powered From Land Vehicle Supported By Vessel Patents (Class 440/11)
  • Patent number: 9168983
    Abstract: A vessel for carrying an RV (recreational vehicle) through the water, thereby effectively converting the RV to a houseboat. The barge-like vessel includes ramps for loading and unloading an RV at a boat ramp. The barge is powered by the drive wheels of the RV, wherein the drive wheels are each resting on two rotatable cylinders similar to a dynamometer cradle. The wheels spin the cylinders which in turn rotate the propellers so that the speed is controlled by the speed at which the drive wheels turn. Direction is controlled by a knob on a fly-by-wire type device which in turn controls the rudder. An alternative directional control includes two turntables onto which the front wheels rest. One of the turntables is mechanically connected to the rudder so that the steering wheel controls the rudder. Ballast tanks are provided at each side of the front and back of the barge to keep the barge level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Inventor: David C. Lee
  • Patent number: 8678868
    Abstract: A boat capable of having a snowmobile securely mounted on its hull and steerable by the snowmobile's steering mechanism. The boat includes a bow, an aft, a port side, a starboard side, and a mid-ship. The hull of the boat includes a top and a bottom, wherein the bottom of the hull includes under-hull skis with tips and tails, and the bottom of the hull further includes a bow step positioned proximate to the tips of the under-hull skis. The boat also includes: a snowmobile opening including a cutaway of the hull extending into the hull from the aft and disposed halfway between the port and starboard sides; a transom disposed at the aft; and a boat steering mechanism including two boat ski attachment mechanisms on the port and starboard sides of the boat and two snowmobile ski attachment mechanisms on the port and starboard sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Inventors: Roger W. Bailey, Edward G. Valpey
  • Patent number: 8626392
    Abstract: A vehicle driving control apparatus is provided at least with: a rudder angle varying device capable of changing a relation between a steering angle, which is a rotation angle of a steering input shaft, and a rudder angle, which is a rotation angle of steered wheels; and a trajectory controlling device for controlling the rudder angle varying device such that a trajectory of a vehicle approaches a target driving route of the vehicle. The vehicle driving control apparatus is further provided with a changing device for changing responsiveness of control by the trajectory controlling device when there is a steering input given to the steering input shaft through a steering wheel by a driver of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takahiro Kojo
  • Publication number: 20130344755
    Abstract: A vessel for carrying an RV (recreational vehicle) through the water, thereby effectively converting the RV to a houseboat. The barge-like vessel includes ramps for loading and unloading an RV at a boat ramp. The barge is powered by the drive wheels of the RV, wherein the drive wheels are each resting on two rotatable cylinders similar to a dynamometer cradle. The wheels spin the cylinders which in turn rotate the propellers so that the speed is controlled by the speed at which the drive wheels turn. Direction is controlled by a knob on a fly-by-wire type device which in turn controls the rudder. An alternative directional control includes two turntables onto which the front wheels rest. One of the turntables is mechanically connected to the rudder so that the steering wheel controls the rudder. Ballast tanks are provided at each side of the front and back of the barge to keep the barge level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventor: David C. Lee
  • Patent number: 7815476
    Abstract: An amphibious utility trailer to haul a load over land and/or to ferry a motorized vehicle over water. The trailer is adapted to receive marine propulsive power and/steering control from wheel torque and/or steering mechanism of a vehicle, such as an ATV. A propulsor such as a paddle wheel, propeller, or water jet propels the trailer through water when engaged with ATV wheel torque. A friction coupling such as a treadmill or set of rollers in the trailer bed removably interconnects the propulsor with ATV tires. The trailer may also include a rudder operable through a removable coupling with the ATV handlebars to steer the trailer in water. The arrangement enables the trailer to be “driven” over water utilizing the ATV and yet still provide a plain and simple utility trailer for hauling traditional items over land.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Inventor: Clyde M. Ross
  • Publication number: 20100181123
    Abstract: A device for transmitting the propelling force of a wheeled vehicle integrated within a vehicle to propulsion means of the vehicle. The device comprises a frame arranged to support the wheeled vehicle and to enable the integration of the wheeled vehicle within the vehicle; rolling elements operatively in contact with the wheels of the wheeled vehicle and arranged to rotate due to friction with the wheels of the wheeled vehicle; and a mechanical transmitter arranged to deliver rotational forces from the rolling elements to the propulsion means of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Jacob Maor, Ivgeny Budansky
  • Patent number: 6749471
    Abstract: A floatation device for an all-terrain vehicle or the like. The floatation device includes a float having a bow float, and includes mounting structure for mounting the float to the frame of the vehicle. The bow float may be U-shaped, and the float may include a stern float, or tailgate, to extend across and close the open end of the U-shaped bow float so that vehicle is encircled by the float.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Inventor: Gregory D. Deverell
  • Patent number: 6595812
    Abstract: An amphibious vehicle for traversing a body of water or solid terrain such as a layer of ice floating atop the body of water. The vehicle includes a floatable boat hull having an elongate aperture there-through, and a snowmobile for traveling over the solid terrain received in the opening and sealed to the hull in water impervious relation. The snowmobile includes an endless drive track for supporting the hull in spaced relation with solid terrain being traversed and for rearwardly propelling water in the body of water to forwardly propel the vehicle over solid terrain or through the water, and a pair of skis which support the front of the hull in spaced relation with the solid terrain being traversed and include upturned forward ends mounting upstanding rudders for steering the boat hull as the vehicle traverses a body of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventor: Harry Haney
  • Patent number: 6431924
    Abstract: The invention relates to an amphibious caravan comprising a floating chassis with wheels and at least one cabin with a living compartment. The caravan has a vehicle deck receiving a towing vehicle. The vehicle deck is situated adjacent to the cabin. The caravan is equipped with a marine screw suitable for moving the caravan on the water. According to the invention, the cabin may be displaced substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chassis, so that the length of the deck receiving the vehicle is variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventor: Balázs Dolhay
  • Patent number: 5823283
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) that can be converted into an air cushion support or into an air cushion support for a vehicle (3). This apparatus can be folded into a compact container or put onto its own wheels (2) permitting it to be hauled as a trailer. The apparatus comprises a latticed folding base composed of hingedly connected main sections (10) and perimeter sections (11-14), a flexible inflatable air cushion skirt (5) and coupling means (8,9) for coupling the vehicle (3) to the main sections of the base, to propulsion and blowing means (6) and to a steering gear mechanism (7). The lower surface of latticed sections is covered by elastic airtight sheet material (33,34) which forms a chamber (35) of the flexible inflatable skirt and an air cushion chamber (37).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Aktsionernoe Obscnestvo otkrytogo Tipa Proizvodstenno-Torgovaya Avtor
    Inventor: Alexandr Sergeevich Mamonov
  • Patent number: 5688151
    Abstract: A trailer/boat is provided which is capable of being towed behind a recreation vehicle or the like, and then prepared without special equipment and launched in a manner capable of receiving the towing vehicle as cargo on the boat. The boat then may be powered and steered from the cab of the vehicle that it carries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Inventor: George J. Hanz
  • Patent number: 5660134
    Abstract: A thin, flexible, waterproof cocoon cover encloses the vehicle bottom, sides, front and back, may extend over the top of the vehicle, and buoys the vehicle up by displacement of water. Openings through the cover seal around the wheel support assembly and prevent entrance of the water through the cover to the brakes and other operational mechanisms of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1997
    Inventor: In Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 5607330
    Abstract: A trailer/boat is provided which is capable of being towed behind a recreation vehicle or the like, and then prepared without special equipment and launched in a manner capable of receiving the towing vehicle as cargo on the boat. The boat then may be powered and steered from the cab of the vehicle that it carries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Inventor: George J. Hanz
  • Patent number: 5495911
    Abstract: A trailer-container for a vehicle (1) which can be converted into a support base on an air cushion comprising a rigid sectionalized platform (4) equipped with a flexible inflatable air cushion skirt (5) with removable rotor-type power plants (6) and means for coupling them to the drive of the vehicle (1) mounted on the platform. The platform (4) of the trailer-container is made of rigid interconnected sections which can be folded into a compact package. The sections are connected to the flexible inflatable skirt (5). Each of the power plants (6) is made as a blower fan and a variable-pitch air screw which are mounted coaxially in a common ring housing. The platform (4) together with the skirt (5) is fitted with disengagable attachment joints for securing it to the wheelbase of the vehicle (1) so that disturbances of the platform and skirt can be damped by suspension of the vehicle when in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Tovarischestvo S. Ogranichennoi Otvetstvennostju
    Inventor: Alexandr S. Mamonov
  • Patent number: 5226843
    Abstract: An amphibian bicycle including a bicycle body, two pairs of air tubes, air tube supporting members, a direction controller, a plurality of wheel webs, a front brake locking member, a rear brake pad lifting member, and a ratchet gearing stopper, whereby on water operations, the front brake locking member locks front wheel movements, and rear wheel movements are allowed by the rear brake pad lifting member and the ratchet gearing stopper. For the land operations, the air tubes, air tube supporting members, the direction controller, the wheel webs are separated from the amphibian bicycle, and the front brake locking member, the rear brake pad lifting member, and the ratchet gearing stopper are operated to allow front and rear wheel movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1993
    Inventor: Oi C. Yun
  • Patent number: 4842220
    Abstract: An aircraft carrier (1) is provided that can be moved by the thrust of the aircraft (2) positioned on the carrier (1). The carrier (1) comprises a steering system that is powered by the nosewheel (9) of the aircraft (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Aarding B.V.
    Inventor: Gijsbert Versteeg
  • Patent number: 4819575
    Abstract: An engine powered cycle is converted for use on water by attaching an elongated float to a steering wheel support and by replacing the driving wheels with a pair of paddle floats. Another float positioned between and aft of the paddle floats may be employed to increase buoyancy. The paddle floats mount on the ends of the drive shaft of the cycle and extend transversely outwardly thereof distances substantially in excess of the width of the wheels they replace to increase the buoyancy and stability of the cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Inventor: Jimmie D. Dixon
  • Patent number: 4716850
    Abstract: The floatation assembly includes a pair of inverted U-shaped rails, the legs of which are adapted to be secured to the front and to the rear of the vehicle frame, with the bight portion of the rails extending substantially horizontally over a vehicle driver seated in the off-road vehicle. A front and a rear buoyant member is connected to the rails and shiftable between an operative and inoperative position. In their operative position, the two buoyant members extend forwardly and rearwardly of the vehicle in alignment therewith to render the same water-borne. In the inoperative position, the front buoyant member rests in inverted position on the bight portion of the rails, while the rear buoyant member is folded upwardly against the rear legs of the rails. When in operative position, the two buoyant members can be vertically adjusted with respect to the vehicle, in cordance with the weight of the vehicle itself and of its load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Inventor: Andre Lachance
  • Patent number: 4687447
    Abstract: Structurally integrated equipment is selectively, individually or conjointly detachably attachable to a three-wheeled vehicle for preventing rearward tipover, carrying cargo, rendering the vehicle waterborne, enhancing travel over snow or providing power takeoff. Supports extending from the framework of the vehicle are adapted to receive and retain with quick disconnect fittings frame elements of each of the equipments. The frame elements may be adjustable to accommodate load variations and variances of the surface traversed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Inventor: Gerald J. Hannappel
  • Patent number: 4678439
    Abstract: An engine installation for ships with a prefabricated box-like engine module container with an engine and a transmission installed therewithin. The module encloses the engine and the transmission, and has a shaft installation for connection to a main propeller of the ship. The prefabricated module is suspended from an upper portion thereof by force bearing members rigidly mounted on the ship. Between the module and torque transmission equipment rigidly mounted on the hull, there is an axial-radial alignment equalization torque transmitting link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Blohm & Voss AG
    Inventor: Norbert Schlichthorst
  • Patent number: 4664051
    Abstract: A conversion kit adapted to be retro-fitted to conventional three wheeled vehicles for floating them over water. The flotation kit includes a front frame assembly having a pair of rigid, elongated front frame members semi-permanently coupled to the front fork of the three wheeler in axial alignment with one another. A pair of front flotation devices each comprise a suitable mounting strut which is adapted to be telescopingly coaxially coupled to the front frame members. A rear frame assembly comprises a first rigid elongated rear frame strut which may be variably positioned to the vehicle, and a second lower rigid elongated frame strut which includes a central rigid portion and a pair of outer lateral portions telescopingly coaxially fitted to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1987
    Assignee: Newell Corporation
    Inventor: Michael W. Newkirk
  • Patent number: 4522420
    Abstract: Structurally integrated equipment is selectively, individually or conjointly detachably attachable to a three-wheeled vehicle for preventing rearward tipover, carrying cargo, rendering the vehicle waterborne, enhancing travel over snow or providing power takeoff. Supports extending from the framework of the vehicle are adapted to receive and retain with quick disconnect fittings frame elements of the equipment. The frame elements may be adjustable to accommodate load variations and variances of the surface traversed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Inventor: Gerald J. Hannappel
  • Patent number: 4522601
    Abstract: A boat is arranged to carry temporarily a vehicle (2), a driven wheel (7) of which is arranged to drive a propeller shaft (15) of the boat via contact rollers (9), and a belt drive (11), to propel the boat from the power of the vehicle engine. The boat may also be steered by means of a rudder which is connected to a movable cradle which engages and follows movement of the steerable front wheels of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1985
    Inventor: Byung E. Yoo
  • Patent number: 4510881
    Abstract: An amphibious vehicle has an engine and a drive train connected to drive wheels with tires having a tread configuration that produces a water propulsion effect when the vehicle is driven through water. An auxiliary propulsion unit is selectively positioned in driving relationship to each of the wheels to improve water speed of the vehicle. The propulsion unit includes a gear box with its input connected to the wheel hub; its output connected to a propeller and an anti-torque strut is pivotally connected to the gear box and anchored to the vehicle hull whereby the propeller speed is increased by the gear box a desired amount as compared to axle speed to rotate the propeller at a speed to propel the amphibious vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1985
    Assignee: Ex-Cell-O Corporation
    Inventor: John D. Gill
  • Patent number: 4494937
    Abstract: A pontoon flotation device attachment for an all terrain vehicle with the pontoon flotation device having a mechanism to raise the pontoons when the all terrain vehicle enters or leaves the water and to lower the pontoons when the all terrain vehicle is in the water. A pair of paddle wheels are mounted to the drive mechanism of the all terrain vehicle to propel the pontoon flotation device in the water. Steering rudders on the pontoon flotation device connect to the steering mechanism of the all terrain vehicle so that the pontoon flotation device can be steered using the steering mechanism of the all terrain vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Inventor: Fred H. Riermann
  • Patent number: 4269598
    Abstract: An amphibious single vehicle transporter. The transporter is of the type having its power and steering provided by the vehicle being transported. The transporter, in one embodiment, has an impeller roller which projects below the transporter. This impeller roller is frictionally driven by the drive wheels of the vehicle through an intermediate drive roller to propel the transporter on land or water. In another embodiment, the transporter has at least one loading ramp which is also constructed to act as a rudder for the transporter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1981
    Inventor: Eugene C. Labelle