Patent ID: 7520239
Filing Date: 2009-04-21
Classification: B60F,B63C

Abstract:
1. A retractable leg assembly for an amphibious vehicle, comprising: an adapter fitting that is fastenable to a bow of the vehicle; a leg that is pivotally connected to the fitting; and a linear actuator that is pivotally connected with a pivotal connection both to the fitting and to the leg, the linear actuator having a cylinder and an extendable rod, the cylinder being pivotally connected to the fitting at or adjacent a rod end of the cylinder, the actuator being configured to move the leg through an arc of travel from a retracted position to an extended position, whereby the pivotal connection of the actuator when extended, is located in front of the leg assembly, wherein the actuator is movable about its pivotal connection in a manner ensuring that a force exerted on the leg by the actuator in a direction that is tangential to the arc of travel of the leg remains substantially optimal during a greater portion of the arc of travel, and the retractable leg assembly is a nose leg assembly located outside a hull of the amphibious vehicle without moving through an overall streamline or watertight skin of the hull, the actuator traveling in a recess provided in the hull.