Patents by Inventor J. David March

J. David March has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11919345
    Abstract: An Amphibious Vehicle (AV) is capable of planing with less power than prior similar size amphibious vehicles and using mostly off-the-shelf part. The AV uses an outdrive and propellor instead of a pump, and also include leading rear wheel well flaps which are spring biased forward against the hull bottom for on-road use, and pivot back to fill a gap between the hull and rear tire, reducing drag during in-water use. The combination of the propellor and wheel well flap allows planing with less horse power. An engine faces to the rear and either reversing differentials to reversing carrier and hubs provide correct wheel rotation. A reversing gear box attaches to an engine front and reverses rotation providing correct rotation for an outdrive and propellor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Inventor: J. David March
  • Publication number: 20230373258
    Abstract: An Amphibious Vehicle (AV) is capable of planing with less power than prior similar size amphibious vehicles and using mostly off-the-shelf part. The AV uses an outdrive and propellor instead of a pump, and also include leading rear wheel well flaps which are spring biased forward against the hull bottom for on-road use, and pivot back to fill a gap between the hull and rear tire, reducing drag during in-water use. The combination of the propellor and wheel well flap allows planing with less horse power. An engine faces to the rear and either reversing differentials to reversing carrier and hubs provide correct wheel rotation. A reversing gear box attaches to an engine front and reverses rotation providing correct rotation for an outdrive and propellor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2022
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventor: J. David March
  • Patent number: 8764499
    Abstract: An amphibious vehicle achieves a stable ride, maneuverability, and high speed. The vehicle includes a hull having a “V” center portion with outboard sponsons. The sponsons reside between the front wheel wells and the rear wheels wells for improving lift and transition to planing. Shallow tunnels begin in rear portions of the front wheel wells and taper into the sponsons to release water trapped in the wheel wells. Inward facing turning edges also reside between the front and rear wheel wells and improve in-water handling. Wheels are retractable by pneumatic cylinders in parallel with air shock absorbers and suspension cutout in the hull allow the suspension to lower through the hull. Flaps reside under suspension members and rise to cover the suspension cutouts when the wheels are retractable when the wheels are raised to reduce drag. A Morse cable couple a rack and pinion unit to a jet drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventor: J. David March
  • Patent number: 8221174
    Abstract: An amphibious vehicle achieves a stable ride, maneuverability, and high speed. The vehicle includes a hull having a “V” center portion with outboard sponsons. The sponsons reside between the front wheel wells and the rear wheels wells for improving lift and transition to planing. Shallow tunnels begin in rear portions of the front wheel wells and taper into the sponsons to release water trapped in the wheel wells. Inward facing turning edges also reside between the front and rear wheel wells and improve in-water handling. Wheels are retractable by pneumatic cylinders in parallel with air shock absorbers and suspension cutout in the hull allow the suspension to lower through the hull. Flaps reside under suspension members and rise to cover the suspension cutouts when the wheels are retractable when the wheels are raised to reduce drag. A Morse cable couple a rack and pinion unit to a jet drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventor: J. David March
  • Publication number: 20090061702
    Abstract: An amphibious vehicle achieves a stable ride, maneuverability, and high speed. The vehicle includes a hull having a “V” center portion with outboard sponsons. The sponsons reside between the front wheel wells and the rear wheels wells for improving lift and transition to planing. Shallow tunnels begin in rear portions of the front wheel wells and taper into the sponsons to release water trapped in the wheel wells. Inward facing turning edges also reside between the front and rear wheel wells and improve in-water handling. Wheels are retractable by pneumatic cylinders in parallel with air shock absorbers and suspension cutout in the hull allow the suspension to lower through the hull. Flaps reside under suspension members and rise to cover the suspension cutouts when the wheels are retractable when the wheels are raised to reduce drag. A Morse cable couple a rack and pinion unit to a jet drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: J. David March
  • Patent number: 6808430
    Abstract: An amphibious vehicle which on land looks remarkably like a conventional automobile. The wheels may be raised when the vehicle is in the water. The engine is placed in the stern, directly over the jet and transaxle, which provides room for four passengers. The vehicle has plates which slide under the wheels for use in water, and the plates do not extend up over the sides of the wheel wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Inventor: J. David March