Abstract: A power train for an amphibian operable in land and marine modes includes a prime mover, at least a first land propulsion unit, a first marine propulsion unit, a second marine propulsion unit, and at least one speed change transmission. The prime mover is arranged to drive the at least first land propulsion unit through/via the at least one speed change transmission in land mode, and the prime mover is arranged to drive the first marine propulsion unit and the second marine propulsion unit through/via the at least one, or another, or combinations of, speed change transmission in marine mode. In addition, the present invention provides an amphibian comprising the power train.

Abstract: A power train for an amphibian includes a first prime mover, a first land propulsion unit, and a first marine propulsion unit. The first prime mover is arranged to selectively drive the first land propulsion unit, or the first marine propulsion unit, or both. The power train further comprises a second prime mover. The second prime mover is arranged to selectively drive the first land propulsion unit, or the first marine propulsion unit, or both, either in place of the first prime mover or in addition thereto.

Abstract: An amphibian operable in land and marine modes includes a hull, having a discontinuity, and a retractable wheel or track drive assembly at least partially located in the discontinuity. A wheel or track drive of the at least one retractable wheel or track drive assembly is retracted above a lowest point of the hull when operating in marine mode, and the wheel or track drive is protracted below the lowest point when operating in land mode. The hull is a planing V hull having a forward bow section defining a frontal bow surface/area across a beam of the hull. The discontinuity is provided in the forward bow section, and the wheel or track drive of the retractable wheel or track drive assembly is located ahead of and in front of at least a portion of the frontal bow area when protracted.

Abstract: An amphibian (1) for use on land and water, comprising: a hull having a planing surface (2), and at least one retractable suspension apparatus (4) movable from a vehicle supporting position to a retracted position, comprising for each wheel (5), upper and lower suspension arms (8, 9) that are pivotably connected at inboard ends to a support structure within the hull; and are pivotably connected at outboard ends to a suspension upright (7). Upright (7) extends from a first, upper connection past a second, lower connection to a location (10) for a wheel hub mounting. The suspension upright when deployed in land use extends externally of the hull across a side face (2A) of the planing surface; while lower suspension arm (9) remains above the top of planing surface (2) throughout use of the amphibian on land. This suspension arrangement allows the hull to have no cutouts in its planing surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides, with reference to FIG. 2, an amphibian operable in land and marine modes, the amphibian comprising a hull, at least one discontinuity (wheel bay) provided in the hull, and at least one retractable wheel or track assembly at least partially located in the at least one discontinuity (wheel bay). The hull is a planing hull, and the at least one discontinuity (wheel bay) is provided in the front half of the hull of the amphibian. The amphibian further comprises at least one conduit which opens, or is provided with an entry which opens, into or at the at least one discontinuity (wheel bay) and is configured for channelling, in use, fluid away from the at least one discontinuity (wheel bay).

Abstract: An amphibian (1) for use on land and water, comprising: a hull having a planing surface (2), and at least one retractable suspension apparatus (4) movable from a vehicle supporting position to a retracted position, comprising for each wheel (5), upper and lower suspension arms (8, 9) that are pivotably connected at inboard ends to a support structure within the hull; and are pivotably connected at outboard ends to a suspension upright (7). Upright (7) extends from a first, upper connection past a second, lower connection to a location (10) for a wheel hub mounting. The suspension upright when deployed in land use extends externally of the hull across a side face (2A) of the planing surface; while lower suspension arm (9) remains above the top of planing surface (2) throughout use of the amphibian on land. This suspension arrangement allows the hull to have no cutouts in its planing surface.

Abstract: A retractable land propulsion assembly for an amphibian including a retraction linkage movable between a protracted position and a retracted position, an actuator for moving the retraction linkage between the protracted position and retracted position, and at least one wheel and/or track drive. When the retraction linkage is protracted then the retraction linkage supports and/or holds the at least one wheel and/or track drive in a ground engaging position for use on land. The retraction linkage comprises at least one component or part or portion thereof that passes through an overcentre position on protraction to prevent forces received in use via the at least one wheel and/or track drive from acting to retract the retraction linkage.

Abstract: An amphibious motorcycle with a hull that provides desirable buoyancy for the vehicle to float while in the water and yet allows the vehicle to lean/turn during use on land is provided. The amphibious motorcycle has a front wheel with a front suspension system and a rear wheel with a rear suspension system. Also included can be at least one wheel retraction system that is operable to move the front wheel and/or the rear wheel between a deployed position for use of the amphibious motorcycle on land and a retracted position for use of the amphibious motorcycle on or in the water. The amphibious motorcycle also has a hull that can have a center portion with a center bow and two oppositely disposed and spaced apart side portions each with a side bow.

Abstract: A sit-astride amphibious vehicle configuration which supports a high performance envelope both on land as well as in water. The vehicle has a planing hull and four retractable wheels. Handlebars provide for directional control in both modes of operation. Each road wheel is retractable by pivoting through at least 45° so as to maximize ground clearance when in the land mode of operation and to minimize drag at substantial lean angles when in the marine mode of operation. While a jet drive may remain directly connected to the engine at all times, the driven wheels are only connected during land mode via a speed-change transmission. The entire power train is supported by a frame that is separable from the hull which in turn has a detachable top deck portion, whereby such configuration simplifies the construction, repair and servicing of the vehicle.

Abstract: A three- or four-wheeled amphibian (1) comprises hull (2), body (3), front steered wheel (11) or wheels (11, 11?), and rear wheel (9) or wheels (9, 9?). Each steered wheel is connected to the amphibian by a retractable suspension assembly (10, 10?). Upper and lower suspension arms (14 and 15) have pivotal connections (17) and (18) to inner upright arm (16). Retraction rams (28) are connected to body (3), and can retract the wheels for use on water and protract them for use on land. Wheels (11, 11?) also lean on cornering. The pivotal connections (17, 18) for wheel retraction are also used to facilitate leaning. This may be allowed through rotation of drop link (31) around pivot (32). A motor and gearbox assembly (30) may be attached to body (3) to provide controlled lean when cornering, and to keep the amphibian (1) upright when stationary. Leaning may be powered, or user-initiated. Powered lean correction may be provided.

Abstract: A two wheeled planing amphibian (10) has a hull (20), bow (24), front wheel (30) and rear wheel (40). Front suspension (32) and rear suspension (42) are retractable, separately or simultaneously. Front wheel (30) may retract vertically or rotationally. Steering is by handlebars (50), link (54), and forks (36). Front wheel (20) may be located outside the hull in both protracted and retracted positions. The underside of hull (20) may be continuous in both land mode and marine mode along and across its centreline from the bow to the rearmost underside point on the hull along the centreline; or from the forwardmost underside point on the hull when it is planing at its lowest speed to the rear. There may be no wheel closures attached to the hull. A wheel bay (22), which is open at its top side, may be provided to allow rear wheel retraction.

Abstract: An amphibian with a planing hull having three wheel stations, two at the front of the vehicle and one centrally located at the rear of the vehicle. The amphibian is propelled on land by at least one wheel and in water by at least one impeller or propeller.

Abstract: An amphibian (1) for use on land and water, comprising: a hull having a planing surface (2), and at least one retractable suspension apparatus (4) movable from a vehicle supporting position to a retracted position, comprising for each wheel (5), upper and lower suspension arms (8, 9) that are pivotably connected at inboard ends to a support structure within the hull; and are pivotably connected at outboard ends to a suspension upright (7). Upright (7) extends from a first, upper connection past a second, lower connection to a location (10) for a wheel hub mounting. The suspension upright when deployed in land use extends externally of the hull across a side face (2?) of the planing surface; while lower suspension arm (9) remains above the top of planing surface (2) throughout use of the amphibian on land. This suspension arrangement allows the hull to have no cutouts in its planing surface.

Abstract: Planing amphibian (10) comprises hull (12) and a pair of wheels (20) mounted on a retractable suspension assembly (22). At least one land drive and at least one separate marine drive (40) are provided. A wheel retraction mechanism is provided for moving the wheels between a deployed wheel position for use of the amphibian on land (FIGS. 2 and 4) and a retracted wheel position above a waterline of the amphibian for planing on water. The suspension assembly comprises suspension arms (24) outside the pair of wheels (20) so that the wheels (20) lie between the arms (24). Marine drives (40) may be inboard of the wheels (FIG. 2) or outboard thereof (FIG. 4). An axle (28) with a differential (29) may be provided (FIG. 3). Suspension and retraction may be provided by means of torsion bars (30) with a cranked central section (54, 55, FIG. 3).

Abstract: An amphibian (10) capable of travel on land and on water is provided with a body and a planing hull (12), and three road wheels (20, 24) mounted on retractable suspension 22, 26 which may be protracted for road use, or retracted for use on water; and further comprises ride-on seating (40, FIG. 2) for at least one driver to sit astride the body. Marine propulsion is provided by at least two jet drives (30), which have intakes (32) and nozzles (34). FIG. 3 shows a power train and retractable rear wheel suspension. Steering control may be by handlebars (42, FIG. 2), or by a steering wheel (not shown). The jets may be driven by belts and/or driveshafts. A separate power source may be provided for marine use. A windscreen (44, FIG. 2) may be fitted.

Abstract: The present invention provides, with reference to FIG. 1, an amphibian for use in land and marine modes comprising: a planing hull; three wheel stations, two of the three wheel stations being front wheel stations provided one on each side of and in the front half of the amphibian, and the third wheel station being a rear wheel station provided in a central region in the rear half of the amphibian; at least one wheel provided at each wheel station, each wheel being movable between a protracted land mode position and a retracted marine mode position; land propulsion means to propel the amphibian on land in the land mode, the land propulsion means comprising at least one of the wheels; and marine propulsion means to propel the amphibian on water in the marine mode, the marine propulsion means comprising at least two impellers or propellers provided one on each side of the rear wheel station.

Abstract: A power train for an amphibious vehicle includes an engine and transaxle arranged North-South, driving front, rear, or all four road wheels. A power take off with optional decoupler and constant velocity joint drives marine drive means. The power take off may be taken from the input shaft of the transmission, and may use a synchronizer. The transaxle includes a differential. The rear wheels may be set back from the differential outputs, with intermediate drive by chains or belts. A sandwich type power take off may also be used. In the four wheel drive embodiment, a power take off is required from the rear differential. Decouplers may be provided in at least one wheel drive shaft on each driven axles.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle has retractable wheels (2, 3) attached to hubs (2), and a planing hull (10, 11, 3). Front wheels are arranged to be steered by a power assisted transversely mounted element (16), which may be a rack and pinion unit. The element may be linked to the wheels by links (14, 14?), which fold up to position (14?) when the wheels are retracted. Actuating rod (28) is mounted to said element, and arranged for transverse movement. A flexible coupling means, such as cable (34) and sleeve (36), connects rod (28) to a steerable part (42, 4) of a marine propulsion unit, to effect marine steering. Road and marine steering may be operable simultaneously. More than one front steered axle, and/or marine propulsion unit, may be fitted. The steering system is readily adapted to all kinds of power assisted steering, and also to “steer by wire”.

Abstract: A planing amphibious vehicle with retractable wheels and a sit-astride seat having dimensions that impart enhanced capability in both land as well as water modes of operation. The beam, track, dead rise angle and the location of the handlebars cooperate to enhance freeboard and ground clearance without sacrificing manoeuvrability. The length is at least 1800 mm; the beam is at least 800 mm; the deadrise angle at least 3°; and the center of rotation of steering control is located near the halfway distance from transom to bow.

Abstract: Planing amphibious vehicle (101) comprises engine (105) with internal cooling ducts (106). The engine is cooled first by air-water exchanger (102), and secondly by water-water exchanger (108). One or both exchangers may be located in compartment (119), separated from engine compartment (117) fully by bulkhead (80) (FIG. 4), or partially by bulkheads (118, 120). External water for exchanger (108) is drawn in from outside hull (109) through jet intake (114), the through inlet (115) in jet drive duct (116); and exhausted through outlet (123). Compartment (119) may also contain exhaust silencer (121). Numerals (103 and 104) denote grilles; (107) denotes cooling fan(s). FIG. 2 shows an alternative arrangement, with external water drawn from beneath the hull by pump (32). FIG. 1 shows front mounted radiator (2), covered by external flap (4) allowing air cooling to be shut down on water. FIG. 3 shows a water-water exchanger combined with the marine jet drive.