Abstract: A drive assembly for a mining vehicle includes a frame, a housing coupled to the frame, and a motor positioned in the housing. The motor includes a motor frame with a first axial end and a second axial end opposite the first axial end. The drive assembly also includes a transmission that is positioned at least partially within the frame. The transmission is coupled to the motor frame at the first axial end. The drive assembly further includes a support assembly that couples the second axial end of the motor frame to the housing.

Abstract: An amphibious pumping vehicle has a floatable vehicle body, a ground engaging propulsion structure, a fluid pump, a plurality of fluid nozzles comprising a first fluid nozzle connected by a fluid conduit to the fluid pump and at least one second fluid nozzle connected to the fluid conduit, a valve structure in the fluid conduit, the plurality of fluid nozzles and the valve structure co-operating to provide directional control and motive power for the vehicle when floating, and a power source configured to provide power to both the ground engaging propulsion structure and the fluid pump.

Abstract: A reduced drag marine vessel providing a mechanism that will reduce or even eliminate the drag along the water-solid interface at the hull of the marine vessel. This mechanism is made up of a revolving elastic shell which is similar to a donut shaped belt. This belt forms an interior volume which houses rollers and a framework to support the tubular belt which can be further inflated with a gas to counter the hydraulic pressure of the water outside. Finally, this belt may be housed within a rigid outer tubular shell and contain a propeller within its center so as to form a marine nozzle.

Abstract: A propulsion system for water vessels using an endless track system in which flexible material is attached to the inside edges of the track to reduce water friction or to reduce the thickness of the endless track. Further improvements include methods of forcing air beneath the tracks and methods of containing air beneath the tracks and methods of providing traction to the water vessel.

Abstract: A drag-reduction system incorporated within an inwardly stepped underside of a boat hull for reducing a degree of water pressure forces exerted upon the boat hull during travel of the boat upon a body of water. A plurality of spaced apart rollers are secured at a generally aft location of the boat hull associated with the inwardly stepped underside and extend in parallel spaced apart fashion and perpendicularly to a longitudinal water flow across the boat hull experienced during propulsion of the hull. An elongate and planar shaped belt of a water impervious material having an established width and defining a continuous extending and closed loop is mounted over the plurality of spaced apart rollers. A first linearly extending location of the continuous belt is recessed within the stepped underside of the hull and a second linearly extending location is in contact with the longitudinal water flow.

Abstract: An improved marsh craft construction uses spaced apart pontoons with endless belts (e.g.,. rubber) that encircle the pontoons and ride upon a rail system. Lugs are fastened to the belts for sliding against the rails. Drive wheels have cylindrical pins that intermesh with correspondingly shaped surfaces of the lugs. This improved construction eliminates any roller chain.

Abstract: A non sinkable, easily re-rightable aquatic vehicle has a lightweight body with a front, a rear, a bottom and opposite sides and contains a seat for supporting a pilot. A pair of front sheaves are rotatably mounted to opposite sides of the body near the front of the body and a pair of rear sheaves are rotatably mounted to opposite sides of the body near the rear thereof. A first flotation track is engaged around and extends between the front and rear sheaves on one side of the body and a second flotation track is engaged around and extends between the front and rear sheaves on the other side of the body. Each said flotation track includes an endless band engaged around a front and rear sheave and a multiplicity of buoyant flotation treads connected to the band at spaced apart locations therealong to form upper and lower series of flotation treads extending between the associated front and rear sheaves.

Abstract: An amphibious vehicle has a land mode and a water mode wherein in the land mode the front end and the rear end angles of inclination are reduced to minimize the damage to the landscape of the earth's terrain. The amphibious vehicle comprises first and second pontoons, each having a bottom curved surface wherein the bottom curved surface has a knuckle-like point for facilitating turning thereabout.

Abstract: A light weight track system for a buoyant amphibious vehicle, the vehicle having two pontoons, the pontoons having a flat horizontal top surface and a flat horizontal bottom surface, each end of the flat horizontal top surface and the flat horizontal bottom surface being connected by a flat inclined surface, the track system including a plurality of treads connected by a single continuous drive chain assembly around the outside of each of the pontoons, the flat horizontal top surface and the flat horizontal bottom surface having a channel therein for rotatable receipt of the drive chain assembly, the drive chain assembly including a plurality of rotatable drive rollers connected to the treads and connected to adjacent drive rollers by links to form a continuous drive chain extending completely around the outer surface of each of the pontoons, each tread having an idler roller connected at each end thereof which contacts the surface of the pontoon to support the tread.

Abstract: A recreational paddle board is provided having a floating board, a substantially flat board portion and two paddle drives affixed thereto. A drive shaft has pedals rotatably mounted thereto so that the user may rotate the paddle drives. Each paddle drive includes first and second cranks and an endless flexible member, having a plurality of paddles hingedly affixed thereto, is entrained around the cranks. The paddles are engaged by fixed paddle guide element along the lower run of the flexible member so that, when the drive shaft is pedalled, the paddles generate a reactive thrust only in the desired linear direction. Each paddle drive also includes speed conversion device which changes the rotational speed of the flexible member relative to the drive shaft. In a first preferred embodiment, the substantially flat portion comprises a buoyant foam or plastic panel. In second and third preferred embodiments, the substantially flat portion comprises a net and air mattress respectively.

Abstract: The invention relates to a linear propeller device capable of use for propulsion of amphibious vehicles or for liquid pumping, the device having an endless outer surface having a substantially uniform width and being arranged to be movable along a predetermined path substantially perpendicular to the width, at least one row of spaced blades extending along the length of the outer surface and projecting outwardly therefrom, and each blade being disposed at a predetermined acute angle to the path, whereby, upon movement of the outer surface along the path with a portion of the row of blades submerged in a liquid, the blades induce relatively undisturbed flow of the liquid from one side of the blades to the other side of blades through the spaces between the blades and thereby produce thrust for propelling a craft in water or pumping liquids.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an adapter for rendering an earth mover amphibious, comprising a buggy assembly having a pair of buoyant pontoons and tracks that are driven around the pontoons by hydraulic motors situated coaxially with drive sprockets for the track. The track is driven by the motor without an intermediate chain drive, thus avoiding certain environmental and personal dangers.

Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle driven by endless propulsion tracks. The wheels are sufficiently bouyant to maintain the upper section of the endless track above the water line when the vehicle is fully loaded. A series of generally linear cleat segments project from the outer surface of the endless track and extend substantially across the width of the track. The cleat segments are arranged in a zig-zag pattern about the length of the endless track in order to provide a combination of forward and lateral thrust components as the endless track is rotated about the wheels. The generally longitudinal character of the cleat pattern reduces the chance of mud and loose soil being carried on the cleats to the top portion of the endless track. In one embodiment of the invention, four pneumatic tire wheel assemblies are provided in longitudinally spaced relation along each side of the vehicle and a pair of endless tracks, each trained around two adjacent wheel assemblies, are provided on each side of the vehicle.

Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle driven by endless propulsion tracks. The wheels are sufficiently bouyant to maintain the upper section of the endless track above the water line when the vehicle is fully loaded. A series of generally linear cleat segments project from the outer surface of the endless track and extend substantially across the width of the track. The cleat segments are arranged in a zig-zag pattern about the length of the endless track in order to provide a combination of forward and lateral thrust components as the endless track is rotated about the wheels. The generally longitudinal character of the cleat pattern reduces the chance of mud and loose soil being carried on the cleats to the top portion of the endless track.