# US 5,707,261 A · Hydrocopter > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,707,261 A - Document ID: US5707261A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/737,509 - Filed: 1996-11-13 - Granted: 1998-01-13 - Earliest claimed: 1994-05-18 - Inventors: Glenn Fagerudd - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5707261A ## CPC - B63H 7/02: using propellers - B60F 3/0007: {Arrangement of propulsion or steering means on amphibious vehicles} - B60F 3/0069: {Recreational amphibious vehicles} - B63B 1/14: the hulls being interconnected resiliently {or having means for actively varying hull shape or configuration (collapsible, foldable, inflatable or like vessels B63B7/00)} - B63B 2001/126: {comprising more than three hulls} - B63H: MARINE PROPULSION OR STEERING (propulsion of air-cushion vehicles B60V1/14; specially adapted for submarines, other than nuclear propulsion, B63G; specially adapted for torpedoes F42B19/00) - B60F: VEHICLES FOR USE BOTH ON RAIL AND ON ROAD; VEHICLES CAPABLE OF TRAVELLING IN OR ON DIFFERENT MEDIA, e.g. AMPHIBIOUS VEHICLES (air-cushion vehicles B60V) - B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06) ## Abstract The present invention relates to a hydrocopter. A hydrocopter is a vehicle by which it is possible to move over water, particularly in an archipelago, under difficult conditions, e.g., during the thaw. The waterproof hull of the hydrocopter bears against the underlying surface, such as snow, ice, slush or water, and is driven forward by an air propulsion unit mounted on top of the hull. The problem with the current hydrocopters is that they are very difficult to steer and uncomfortable to ride in. Division of the hydrocopter hull into two portions connected to each other by a hinge joint, in accordance with the invention, makes it possible to use frame steering. This new structure makes the hydrocopter easier to handle. The invention provides a vehicle which has a small turning radius and which is steerable even at very slow speeds. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A hydrocopter having a hull comprising a bow portion (1) having a compartment for a driver and for transport, and a stern portion (2) having a compartment for transport and for a propulsion unit, the propulsion unit comprising a motor and an air propeller for moving the hydrocopter over the underlying surface, characterized in that the bow and stern portions (1, 2) are pivotedly connected to each other by means of a hinge joint (3), and that the bow and stern portions (1, 2) are provided with pontoons (4, 5, 6, 7) which support the bow and stern portions. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A hydrocopter according to claim 1, characterized in that the hinge joint (3) comprises at least two joining points. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A hydrocopter according to claim 2, characterized in that the hinge joint (3) comprises bushings (16, 17), lock plates (18, 19, 20, 21) provided with openings and positioned at both ends of the bushings, and pin members (25, 26) for connecting the bushings and lock plates rotatably with respect to each other. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A hydrocopter according to claim 1, characterized in that the hull is provided with a steering device (29) which makes the bow and stern portions (1, 2) pivot in opposite directions about the hinge joint. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A hydrocopter according to claim 4, characterized in that the steering device (29) comprises a cylinder which is connected to the bow and stern portions (1, 2) and the length of which can be changed telescopically. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A hydrocopter according to claim 1, characterized in that the pontoons (4, 5, 6, 7) are long and narrow, and they are resiliently connected to the bow and stern portions (1, 2). ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A hydrocopter according to claim 6, characterized in that the pontoons (4, 5, 6, 7) are pivotedly connected to supporting arms (30, 31, 32, 33), which are pivotedly secured to the bow and stern portions (1, 2). ### Claim 8 A hydrocopter, comprising: a hull having a bow portion and a stern portion; a hinge connecting joint positioned between said bow portion and stern portion such that said bow and stern portions are free to pivot with respect to each other about a vertical pivot axis; an air propulsion unit mounted on said stern portion; a first pontoon laterally spaced from a first side of said bow portion; a first support arm connecting said first pontoon to said bow portion; a second pontoon laterally spaced from a second, opposite side of said bow portion; and a second support arm connecting said second pontoon to said bow portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A hydrocopter according to claim 8, wherein said first pontoon is pivotably connected to said first support arm and said second pontoon is pivotably connected to said second support arm. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A hydrocopter according to claim 9, further comprising a first and a second turning movement restriction arm, said first turning movement restriction arm being pivotably connected at one end to a front portion of said first pontoon and pivotably connected at a second end to a front end of said bow portion, and said second turning movement restriction arm being pivotably connected at one end to a front portion of said second pontoon and an opposite end of said second turning movement restriction arm being pivotably connected to the front end of said bow portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) A hydrocopter according to claim 8, further comprising a third pontoon laterally spaced from a first side of said stern portion and a third support arm connecting said third pontoon to said stern portion, said hydrocopter further including a fourth pontoon laterally spaced from a second, opposite side of said stern portion and a fourth support arm connecting said fourth pontoon to said stern portion; and wherein each of said first, second, third and fourth pontoons are pivotably connected to said hull by said first, second, third and fourth support arms such that said pontoons are free to pivot about a horizontal axis extending perpendicular to a direction of travel of said hydrocopter. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) A hydrocopter according to claim 8, wherein said air propulsion unit includes an air propeller and said air propulsion unit is mounted in an open, top portion of said stern portion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) A hydrocopter according to claim 8, further comprising a steering device connected between said bow and stern portions. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A hydrocopter according to claim 13, wherein said steering device is an expandable and contractible member laterally spaced from said hinge connecting joint so as to pivot said bow and stern portions in opposite directions about said hinge connecting joint upon expansion and contraction. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A hydrocopter according to claim 14, where said expandable and contractible member is a telescoping, hydraulic cylinder assembly. ### Claim 16 (depends on 8) A hydrocopter according to claim 8, wherein said hinge connecting joint includes a bushing having a housing and a rubber block received within said housing, said rubber block having a through-hole within which is received a tube member, said hinge connecting joint further comprising a pair of bracketing members which are pivotably connected with said housing through a pivot member extending between said bracketing members and through said tube member positioned between said bracketing members. ### Claim 17 (depends on 8) A hydrocopter according to claim 8, wherein said hinge connecting joint includes first and second, independent pivot connection bushings with said first pivot connection bushing being vertically spaced from said second pivot connection bushing. ### Claim 18 A hydrocopter, comprising: a hull having a bow portion and a stern portion; a hinge joint pivotably connecting said bow and stern portions; pontoons connected to said hull at opposite sides of said hull; an air propulsion unit mounted on said stern portion; and an extendable and contractible steering device connected to said bow and stern portions for causing said bow and stern portions to pivot in opposite directions about the hinge joint. ### Claim 19 A hydrocopter, characterized in that a hull of said hydrocopter comprises a bow and a stern portion connected to each other by means of a hinge joint with the hinge joint comprising at least two joining points, and in that the hull is provided with a steering device which makes the bow and stern portions pivot in opposite directions about the hinge joint, and said hull supporting an air propeller propulsion assembly.