# US 8,539,899 B2 · Multifunctional recreational vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,539,899 B2 - Document ID: US8539899B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/001,408 - Filed: 2009-06-23 - Published: 2011-10-13 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2008-06-23 - Assignees: Getaway Concepts Pty Ltd - Applicants: Brian Mervin Gimpel; Mark Evans - Inventors: Brian Mervin Gimpel; Mark Evans - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8539899B2 ## CPC - B63C 13/00: Equipment forming part of or attachable to vessels facilitating transport over land (amphibious craft, land vehicles convertible for use on water B60F; land vehicles for carrying boats B60P; {hand carts for transporting boats B62B; } harnesses attachable to vessels for personal carrying A45F) - B60P 3/1033: {on a loading frame, e.g. the vehicle being a trailer (B60P3/1008 takes precedence)} - B63B 1/121: {comprising two hulls (B63B1/107 takes precedence)} - B63B 34/00: Vessels specially adapted for water sports or leisure; Body-supporting devices specially adapted for water sports or leisure (water sports boards B63B32/00; swimming frameworks A63B35/00; propulsion arrangements actuated by muscle power B63H16/00) - B63C: LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS (floating nets, floating slipways, or the like for recovering aircraft from the water B63B35/52) - B60P: VEHICLES ADAPTED FOR LOAD TRANSPORTATION OR TO TRANSPORT, TO CARRY, OR TO COMPRISE SPECIAL LOADS OR OBJECTS (vehicles with special provisions for transporting patients or disabled persons, or their personal conveyances A61G3/00) - 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 A vessel having an elongate base frame with a transverse tubular member adjacent each end of said base frame. The vessel also has elongate buoyancy members extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the base frame adjacent opposite sides thereof. The elongate buoyancy members are movable between respective extended and retracted positions relative to the base frame by support beams telescopically located within respective ends of a respective tubular member. The vessel also has a drive system to selectively move the elongate buoyancy members between the extended and retracted positions. The vessel also has a mobile transportation unit. The transportation unit includes an elevation mechanism to move the vessel between a raised position with retracted buoyancy members for road transportation and a lowered position with extended buoyancy members. The mobile transportation unit is detachable from the vessel when in the lowered position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multifunctional recreational vehicle system comprising: a vessel having an elongate base frame with a transverse tubular member adjacent each end of said base frame; elongate buoyancy members extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said base frame adjacent opposite sides thereof, said elongate buoyancy members being movable between respective extended and retracted positions relative to said base frame by support beams telescopically located within respective ends of a respective said tubular member; a drive system to selectively move said elongate buoyancy members between said extended and retracted positions; and, a mobile transportation unit for said vessel, said transportation unit including an elevation mechanism to move said vessel between a raised position with retracted buoyancy members for road transportation and a lowered position with extended buoyancy members; a road transportation position structured and arranged to place said vessel in a position capable of road transportation, while on said road transportation unit; a launch position structured and arranged to place said vessel in a position capable of launching, while on said mobile transportation unit, into a body of water; wherein said launch position is lower than said road transportation position; wherein said mobile transportation unit is detachable from the vessel when the vessel is in the lowered position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The multifunctional recreational vehicle system of claim 1 wherein said base frame comprises two or more elongate members coupled to a plurality of transverse members. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The multifunctional recreational vehicle system of claim 1 wherein said base frame includes upper and lower cladding members to form a hollow chamber therebetween. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The multifunctional recreational vehicle system of claim 1 wherein the elongate buoyancy members include closed buoyancy chambers. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The multifunctional recreational vehicle system of claim 1 wherein the elongate buoyancy members include storage compartments. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The multifunctional recreational vehicle system of claim 1 wherein, said drive system comprises electrically powered linear actuators. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The multifunctional recreational vehicle system of claim 6 wherein said electrically powered linear actuators have electrically coupled control systems for synchronized movement of said buoyancy members between extended and retracted positions. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The multifunctional recreational vehicle system of claim 1 wherein the mobile transportation unit comprises a powered road vehicle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The multifunctional recreational vehicle system of claim 1 wherein the mobile transportation unit comprises a wheeled road trailer. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The multifunctional recreational vehicle system of claim 1 wherein the elevation mechanism of said mobile transportation unit comprises spaced extendable arms releasably engageable with said base frame. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The multifunctional recreational vehicle system of claim 10 wherein said extendable arms may support a cradle structure releasably engageable with said base frame. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The multifunctional recreational vehicle system of claim 1 wherein said base frame supports a deck structure. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The multifunctional recreational vehicle system of claim 1 wherein said deck structure may include an enclosed cabin structure. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The multifunctional recreational vehicle system of claim 1 wherein said cabin structure includes a retractable roof structure. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The multifunctional recreational vehicle system of claim 1 wherein said elevation mechanism comprises linear motion between such raised position and such lowered position. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The multifunctional recreational vehicle system of claim 1 wherein said buoyancy members comprises stairs structured and arranged to permit user access to said vessel. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The multifunctional recreational vehicle system of claim 13 wherein said cabin comprises an upper portion and a lower position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The multifunctional recreational vehicle system of claim 17 wherein said upper portion is retractable into said lower position.