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US 7,445,530 B2Granted
Amphibious wheel, vehicle and method
OwnerTodd Munshaur, Steven Van Osdellinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An amphibious vehicle for one or more operators is equipped with four buoyant amphibious propulsion wheels, the wheels having a number of collapsible pockets disposed about the surface of the wheel. Each pocket comprises an opening oriented in the direction of rotation of the wheel and an outlet means distal to the opening for draining the pocket. Methods for using the amphibious wheel are also disclosed.
Claims15
A wheel for amphibious propulsion comprising:
- a buoyant toroid comprising an outward rolling surface and a central hub;
- and
- a plurality of collapsible pockets disposed substantially about the outward rolling surface, at least one said pocket comprising an opening oriented in the direction of rotation of the wheel and an outlet means disposed distal to the opening for draining the pocket.
An amphibious vehicle comprising:
- a frame comprising a pair of axles having a direction of rotation, at least one seat, a steering means, and a drive means;
- and
- a plurality of wheels, at least one wheel comprising a buoyant toroid comprising an outward rolling surface and a central hub, the wheel further comprising a plurality of collapsible pockets disposed substantially about the outward rolling surface, at least one said pocket comprising an opening oriented in the direction of rotation of the wheel, and an outlet means disposed distal to the opening for draining the pocket, wherein the steering means and drive means are operably connected to said wheels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.