Patent ID: 7004801
Filing Date: 2006-02-28
Classification: B60F,B63B,B63C

Abstract:
1. A self propelled and steerable amphibious vehicle comprising: at least one hull, a bow, a stern, and at least three leg assemblies, each of said leg assemblies having at least one substantially rigid elongate member, at least one hydraulically, electrically or pneumatically powerable actuator, and at least one ground engagement means, said elongate member of each of said leg assemblies being pivotally connected at or adjacent a first end to said at least one hull and having at least one ground engagement means connected thereto at or adjacent a second end, and said actuator of each of said leg assemblies being connected to its associated said elongate member, and each said actuator also being connected to said at least one hull, wherein at least two of said leg assemblies and their respective said actuators are connected to the stern and are arranged and adapted to support their respective said ground engagement means in a retracted position to the stern of the vehicle outside of a primary structure of said hull and above a waterline of the vehicle, and said at least two stern-mounted leg assemblies are able to move their respective said ground engagement means to an extended position where said ground engagement means supports the vehicle on land, travel of said ground engagement means from the retracted to the extended position being through an arc which does not pass through any opening or openings in the primary structure of said hull, and wherein a further one of said leg assemblies and its associated actuator is connected to the bow and is configured such that said further leg assembly supports its respective ground engagement means in a retracted position to the bow of the vehicle outside of the primary structure of the hull and where at least a portion of said ground engagement means is situated above the waterline of the vehicle and below a top of the bow of the vehicle, such that said bow mounted ground engagement means acts as a bumper or fender to provide at least partial protection to the bow of the vehicle when the vehicle is operated on water, and said bow mounted leg assembly is arranged and adapted so that its said ground engagement means move down and rearwardly in a general direction towards the stern from the retracted position to an extended position, in an arc, without passing through any openings in any of the primary structure of the hull.