Amphibious marsh craft
OwnerJohn B. Coastinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tracked, amphibious vehicle, provides at least two, spaced, elongated pontoons disposed generally parallel to one another. A platform structure can be supported by and structurally connects the pontoons, the platform structure including a transom and a lowermost generally horizontally extending panel. A continuous, endless belt can encircle each pontoon engaging bogie wheels on the pontoon. A supplemental, marine drive assembly includes a hydraulic motor having a shaft with an axis, a propeller shaft having an axis, wherein the motor axis and propeller axis are aligned. A universal joint connects the hydraulic motor to the transom. A housing includes a sleeve that contains the propeller shaft.
Claims20
A tracked, amphibious vehicle, comprising:
- a) at least two, spaced, elongated pontoons disposed generally parallel to one another in left and right positions;
- b) a platform structure supported by and structurally connecting the pontoons, the platform structure including a transom, a lowermost generally horizontally extending panel above a free clearance area under a bottom panel and between the pontoons through which terrain and debris can pass;
- c) a hydraulic drive system that propels the vehicle, said drive system including left and right hydraulic motors mounted on the pontoons, the left motor mounted on the left pontoon, the right motor mounted on the right pontoon;
- d) at least one series of longitudinally spaced bogie wheels for supporting said vehicle mounted along a bottom of each of said pontoons;
- e) a continuous, endless belt encircling each pontoon and engaging the bogie wheels;
- f) ground-engaging cleats assembled on the outer surface of each belt and covering the pontoon bottom for providing traction to the vehicle;
- g) wherein each of the hydraulic motors interfaces with the endless belts;
- and
- h) a supplemental, marine drive assembly that includes:
- a hydraulic motor having a rotary device, shaft, with an axis;
- a propeller shaft having an axis;
- wherein the motor axis and propeller axis are aligned;
- a universal joint that connects the hydraulic motor to the transom;
- wherein the universal joint includes an attachment that is on the transom;
- a housing including a sleeve that contains the propeller shaft, a first plate connected to the sleeve and a second plate connected to the sleeve below the first plate.
A tracked, amphibious vehicle, comprising:
- a) at least two, spaced, elongated pontoons disposed generally parallel to one another in left and right positions;
- b) a platform structure supported by and structurally connecting the pontoons, the platform structure including a transom, a lowermost generally horizontally extending panel above a free clearance area under a bottom panel and between the pontoons through which terrain and debris can pass;
- c) a hydraulic drive system that propels the vehicle, said drive system including left and right hydraulic motors mounted on the pontoons, the left motor mounted on the left pontoon, the right motor mounted on the right pontoon;
- d) at least one series of longitudinally spaced bogie wheels for supporting said vehicle mounted along a bottom of each of said pontoons;
- e) a continuous, endless belt encircling each pontoon driven by the hydraulic drive system and engaging the bogie wheels;
- f) ground-engaging cleats assembled on the outer surface of each belt and covering the pontoon bottom for providing traction to the vehicle;
- g) wherein each of the hydraulic motors interfaces with the endless belts;
- and
- h) a supplemental, marine drive assembly that includes:
- a hydraulic motor having a rotary device, shaft, with an axis;
- a propeller shaft having an axis;
- wherein the motor axis and propeller axis are aligned;
- a universal joint that connects the hydraulic motor to the transom;
- wherein the universal joint includes an attachment that is on the transom;
- a housing including a sleeve that contains the propeller shaft, a first plate connected to the sleeve and a second plate connected to the sleeve below the first plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.