US 12,746,791 B1Granted

Amphibious rescue and utility vehicle

AssigneeSchibler Systems Integration, llC

InventorsMatthew Schibler, Michael Schibler

Life of this patent

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Abstract

An amphibious vehicle is configured to transport people, cargo, or equipment safely and effectively over both land, and water, to include swift flowing water often encountered in flood scenarios and zero turn radius maneuverability required in confined areas. The forward side thrusters provide turning force for yaw control and are controlled primarily through the driver's use of pedals in a similar arrangement to aircraft rudder pedals. An articulating, telescoping ladder fitted with an overhead winch at the end functions as a ladder, a crane, and a hoist for accessing upper levels of buildings, moving people or cargo around the perimeter of the vehicle, and loading people or cargo into the front of the vehicle via the forward door that can be lowered to horizonal or ramp positions.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A vehicle, configured to access and/or transport people, equipment, or cargo on land and over water;

the vehicle comprising:
a chassis joined to a forward bulkhead, a rear bulkhead, a first side bulkhead, and a second side bulkhead;
each bulkhead is joined to a plurality of body fairing sections that provide a function;
at least two wheels arranged proximate the first side and the second side of the vehicle;
a propulsion system, joined to the chassis and further comprising a prime mover powering independent electric or hydraulic motors driving the wheels on the first side and the second sides;
at least one rear mounted water jet arranged between the at least two wheels at a height substantially above the lowest point of the wheels, and two electric or hydraulically powered, transversely arranged, side thrusters mounted on the first side and the second side proximate the front of the vehicle;
a control system comprising:
a direction controller, arranged at a driver station arranged within chassis, wherein the direction controller controls the direction of vehicle travel through inputs that variably and independently control speed and direction of the at least two wheels, and/or control a left and right nozzle deflection of the at least one rear mounted water jet, and/or actuation of side thruster vectoring cups;
a throttle lever, arranged proximate to the steering wheel or joystick that controls the vehicle speed and direction in forward or reverse wherein a prime mover, hydraulic motor, or electric motor rotational speed is increased with increased throttle lever movement from neutral, and water jet reversing bucket actuation is dictated by the position of the throttle lever;
a pair of pedals arranged proximate the driver's feet wherein the side thrusters are controlled to provide immediate and precise yaw control by means of fore and aft positioning of the inversely moving pedals that control direction and magnitude of turning thrust near the front of the vehicle, and the pedals also control vectoring cups on the side thrusters to provide forward and aft thrust in some modes of operation;
and
wherein the vehicle is precisely propelled and controlled by simultaneous and/or independent actuation of the wheels, rear water jet, and transverse side thrusters.

9 more elements

A vehicle, configured to access and/or transport people, equipment, or cargo on land and over water;

the vehicle comprising:
a chassis joined to a forward bulkhead, a rear bulkhead, a first side bulkhead, and a second side bulkhead;
each bulkhead is joined to a plurality of body fairing sections that provide a function;
at least two wheels arranged proximate the first side and the second side of the vehicle;
a propulsion system, joined to the chassis and further comprising a prime mover powering independent electric or hydraulic motors driving the wheels on the first side and the second sides;
at least one rear mounted water jet arranged between the at least two wheels at a height substantially above the lowest point of the wheels, and two electric or hydraulically powered, transversely arranged, side thrusters mounted on the first side and the second side proximate the front of the vehicle;
a pair of externally mounted, vertically pivoting sponsons proximate to the outer edge of the drive wheels to reduce eddy current drag around the wheel assemblies, to increase waterplane area with draft, to widen the vehicle beyond the maximum width allowed to be towed on highways with provisions to reduce overall width to within highway width limits, provide flotation or ballast near the perimeter of the vehicle to balance against loads being hoisted or moved beyond the opposite perimeter of the vehicle;
and
wherein the vehicle is precisely propelled and controlled by simultaneous and/or independent actuation of the wheels, rear water jet, and transverse side thrusters.

6 more elements

A vehicle, configured to access and/or transport people, equipment, or cargo on land and over water;

the vehicle comprising:
a chassis joined to a forward bulkhead, a rear bulkhead, a first side bulkhead, and a second side bulkhead;
each bulkhead is joined to a plurality of body fairing sections that provide a function;
at least two drive wheels arranged in line on the first side and the second side of the vehicle, wherein the vertical positions of the wheels are varied along longitudinally along the side of the vehicle to provide a slight arc where the wheels contact the ground, allowing the vehicle to rock slightly when traversing uneven terrain;
a propulsion system, joined to the chassis and further comprising a prime mover powering independent electric or hydraulic motors driving the wheels on the first side and the second sides;
at least one rear mounted water jet arranged between the at least two wheels at a height substantially above the lowest point of the wheels, and two electric or hydraulically powered, transversely arranged, side thrusters mounted on the first side and the second side proximate the front of the vehicle;
a plurality of internally partitioned fairings that function as flotation, liquid storage tanks, or ballast enable manipulation of the vehicle's center of gravity to affect the rocking motion of the vehicle when traversing uneven terrain wherein a forward center of gravity stiffens the rocking motion when rolling over bumps and an aft center of gravity permits higher rocking amplitude resulting in a softer ride but with more overall vertical motion;
and
wherein the vehicle is precisely propelled and controlled by simultaneous and/or independent actuation of the wheels, rear water jet, and transverse side thrusters.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/531,484Filed 6 Dec 2023 · us provisional application
Priority: 6 Dec 2022
Granted: 29 Sep 2026
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

B60F 3/0061
Amphibious vehicles, i.e. vehicles capable of travelling both on land and on water; Land vehicles capable of travelling under water: amphibious…
B60F 3/0007
Amphibious vehicles, i.e. vehicles capable of travelling both on land and on water; Land vehicles capable of travelling under water: arrangement…
B60F 3/0038
Parts or details of the vehicle structure; vehicle arrangements not otherwise provided for: flotation, updrift or stability devices
B60F
Vehicles for use both on rail and on road