Patent ID: 6945832
Filing Date: 2005-09-20
Classification: B60F,B60G,B62D

Abstract:
1. A suspension arrangement for an amphibious vehicle comprising a control arm pivotally mounted to the vehicle body and extending to a wheel support, the control arm and the wheel support being mounted for pivotal movement one relative to the other, and the wheel support including means for supporting a vehicle wheel; the suspension arrangement further comprising drive means pivotally mounted to the vehicle body in spaced relationship to the mounting for the control arm and operative to rotate the control arm about its pivotal connection to the body to displace the wheel support, and hence the vehicle wheel, for movement between a pair of limiting positions, in the first of which the wheel lies generally vertically for road engagement and in the second of which the wheel lies in a retracted position for use of the vehicle on water; wherein the drive means is pivotally mounted to the vehicle body at a position intermediate its length, such that, in use, the drive means pivots relative to the vehicle body as the wheel support moves between the first and second limiting positions; and when the wheel is in a retracted position said wheel lies at an angle to the vertical and overlaps the drive means in both longitudinal and transverse directions of the vehicle.