Abstract: A wheel suspension and retraction apparatus (2) for an amphibious vehicle comprises a suspension unit having transverse upper and lower suspension links (4, 8); spring and damper unit (12), and suspension upright (6) supporting wheel (10), and pivotally connected to outboard ends of links (4 and 8). The wheel retraction mechanism has a retraction linkage (14, 16, 18), pivotably connectable to the vehicle, and an actuator (38) for moving the wheel suspension between a protracted position for land use and a retracted position for use on water. The retraction mechanism supports the suspension unit spaced apart transversely from the vehicle. Tie bar (16) is connected to upper retraction arm (14) at an intermediate location (30) to ensure a large angle of tilt on retraction, to ensure that the wheel is retracted above hull line (156). The wheel suspension does not have to be compressed on retraction.

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 power train for an amphibian includes a first prime mover, a first speed change transmission, 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 and the first marine propulsion unit through the first speed change transmission. The power train further comprises a second prime mover, a second speed change transmission, a second land propulsion unit and a second marine propulsion unit. The second prime mover is arranged to selectively drive at least one of the second land propulsion unit and a second marine propulsion unit through the second speed change transmission.

Abstract: A watercraft or amphibian includes a prime mover operable with at least a first and a second idle speed, a marine propulsion device operable to generate thrust when connected to the prime mover, and a determining arrangement for determining whether or not the watercraft or amphibian is operating at or above a determined speed of travel, wherein the second idle speed of the prime mover is higher than the first idle speed, the marine propulsion device generates a steerable thrust when operated by the prime mover at a speed at or above the second idle speed, and wherein the prime mover is operated with the second idle speed when the determining arrangement determines the watercraft or amphibian is operating at or above the determined speed of travel.

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: A wheel suspension and retraction apparatus (2) for an amphibious vehicle comprises a suspension unit having transverse upper and lower suspension links (4, 8); spring and damper unit (12), and suspension upright (6) supporting wheel (10), and pivotally connected to outboard ends of links (4 and 8). The wheel retraction mechanism has a retraction linkage (14, 16, 18), pivotably connectable to the vehicle, and an actuator (38) for moving the wheel suspension between a protracted position for land use and a retracted position for use on water. The retraction mechanism supports the suspension unit spaced apart transversely from the vehicle. Tie bar (16) is connected to upper retraction arm (14) at an intermediate location (30) to ensure a large angle of tilt on retraction, to ensure that the wheel is retracted above hull line (156). The wheel suspension does not have to be compressed on retraction.

Abstract: A watercraft or amphibian includes a prime mover operable with at least a first and a second idle speed, a marine propulsion device operable to generate thrust when connected to the prime mover, and a determining arrangement for determining whether or not the watercraft or amphibian is operating at or above a determined speed of travel, wherein the second idle speed of the prime mover is higher than the first idle speed, the marine propulsion device generates a steerable thrust when operated by the prime mover at a speed at or above the second idle speed, and wherein the prime mover is operated with the second idle speed when the determining arrangement determines the watercraft or amphibian is operating at or above the determined speed of travel.

Abstract: A wheel suspension and retraction apparatus (2) for an amphibious vehicle comprises a suspension unit having transverse upper and lower suspension links (4, 8); spring and damper unit (12), and suspension upright (6) supporting wheel (10), and pivotally connected to outboard ends of links (4 and 8). The wheel retraction mechanism has a retraction linkage (14, 16, 18), pivotably connectable to the vehicle, and an actuator (38) for moving the wheel suspension between a protracted position for land use and a retracted position for use on water. The retraction mechanism supports the suspension unit spaced apart transversely from the vehicle. Tie bar (16) is connected to upper retraction arm (14) at an intermediate location (30) to ensure a large angle of tilt on retraction, to ensure that the wheel is retracted above hull line (156). The wheel suspension does not have to be compressed on retraction.

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: Configurations for geographical targeting for managing content of campaigns are disclosed. In one example, the subject technology provides a user interface including controls for enabling selection of targeting criteria by a content sponsor. The user interface includes a campaign tool for receiving input on campaign details to be executed by a content delivery system. The campaign tool includes a search control for receiving search strings and responsive thereto providing search completions that represent one or more geographic areas and reach information for each geographic area. The campaign tool also includes a control for adding a geographic area to a campaign, excluding the geographic area from the campaign, or presenting a map of the geographic area.

Abstract: Configurations for targeting nearby geographic locations for managing content are disclosed. The subject technology identifies one or more geographic locations for targeting content from a campaign for delivery to users and the campaign associated with a content sponsor. One or more geographic locations that are nearby the one or more geographic locations associated with the campaign are automatically presented to the content sponsor, including presenting candidate nearby geographic locations and estimated reach information along with each candidate geographic location. The subject technology receives a selection of one or more candidate geographic locations for inclusion in the campaign, and adds the selection to the campaign.

Abstract: An articulated shaft for an amphibian driveline includes at least two shaft portions and at least three points of articulation, wherein the articulated shaft is movable between a protracted position for use of the amphibian on land and a retracted position for use of the amphibian on water. An amphibian comprising the articulated shaft, and a powertrain comprising the articulated shaft is also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for generating ads using user assets. In some implementations, a method includes receiving one or more assets associated with advertising in at least one printed publication. One or more ads compatible with ad slots in the at least one publication are automatically generated based, at least in part, on the received assets.

Abstract: An articulated shaft for an amphibian drive line that includes at least three shaft portions, and at least three points of articulation, wherein the articulated shaft is movable between a protracted position for use of the amphibian on land and a retracted position for use of the amphibian on water.

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 method of cellular therapy for a lung disease or condition in a subject is disclosed, wherein the method involves the administration of multipotent epithelial stem cells derived from amnion tissue (AECs). In a particular application, the method is used for the treatment of lung diseases and conditions such as chronic lung diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), acute lung conditions such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and ventilator associated lung injury (VALI).

Abstract: Associating a message with an item includes detecting a characteristic of a first item located at a first node level of a hierarchy of items. The method includes associating a first message with the first item based on the characteristic, the first message preconfigured for presentation to a user regarding the characteristic. The method includes registering the first message, based on the association with the first item, to be presented at a second node level in the hierarchy in a user interface, the first node level descending from the second node level in the hierarchy.

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: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for generating ads using user assets. In some implementations, a method includes receiving one or more assets associated with advertising in at least one printed publication. One or more ads compatible with ad slots in the at least one publication are automatically generated based, at least in part, on the received assets.

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.