Patents by Inventor Michael Somerton-Rayner

Michael Somerton-Rayner 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: 4966244
    Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle is provided with eight wheels on four equidistant axles all driven from a single engine via two transfer boxes and differential gear units on each axle. The axles are fully floating beam axles on long travel coil springs and controlled by radius arms and Panhard rods. The radius arms may be parallel to and co-extensive with the respective propeller shafts coupling the differential gears to the transfer boxes and the connections between the propeller shafts and the transfer box outputs include torsional vibration dampers. The couplings at the ends of each propeller shaft to the transfer box and the differential gear unit comprise respective universal joints, and the yokes of the universal joints at opposite ends of the propeller shaft are set to be rotationally out of phase, with the driven yoke lagging the driving yoke. A dual circuit braking system with a deceleration sensing valve can be provided to limit the hydraulic pressure to the front wheel brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Assignee: Esarco Limited
    Inventor: Michael Somerton-Rayner
  • Patent number: 4821825
    Abstract: An air-portable all-terrain vehicle is provided with six wheels on three equidistant axles all driven from a single engine via two transfer boxes and differential gear units on each axle. The axles are fully floating beam axles on long travel coil springs and controlled by radius arms and Panhard rods. The radius arms may be parallel to and co-extensive with the respective propeller shafts coupling the differential gears to the transfer boxes and the connections between the propeller shafts and the transfer box outputs may include torsional vibration dampers. A dual circuit braking system with a deceleration sensing valve can be provided to limit the hydraulic pressure to the front wheel brakes. Loading/unloading in the field is facilitated by demountable side panels serving also as loading ramps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Escaro Limited
    Inventor: Michael Somerton-Rayner
  • Patent number: 4629021
    Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle has a chassis based on two longitudinal box section members and designed to permit a degree of torsional flexibility, with four beam axles equally spaced along the wheelbase. The drive transmission is arranged so that drive to the wheels on all four axles, or only the center two, can be selected, and the wheels on both the front and rear axles are steerable. The front axle wheels are positively steered whereas the rear axle wheels are arranged to castor to a smaller turning angle than the front wheels. All the wheels are fitted with extra large balloon tires. The axles are of the beam type, with coil suspension springs and swing axle radius rods permitting a considerable amount of vertical movement; limited lateral movement is permitted by Panhard rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1986
    Assignee: Esarco Limited
    Inventor: Michael Somerton-Rayner
  • Patent number: 4274502
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle is provided, for use inter alia as a mobile anti-tank guided missile-firing platform, which is sufficiently inexpensive to be expendable in battle and can be readily carried by a helicopter. The vehicle has a main frame comprising a pair of longitudinal closed box section members joined to form a ladder construction by a cross member and having strong points for the mounting of an engine and gearbox. The ground wheels, which lean outwards by about 5 degrees, are mounted on stub axles journalled in the box section members and are all driven by chains housed in oil baths within the box section members. Steering is accomplished by braking the transmission on one side or the other. The wheel tires are low pressure raw hide tires. The closed box section members project below the body of the vehicle and have toboggan-shaped ends to act as runners in snow. The body of the vehicle is constructed as a waterproof box to give buoyancy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1981
    Inventor: Michael Somerton-Rayner