Patent ID: 7210549
Filing Date: 2007-05-01
Classification: B64C

Abstract:
1. A ground-effects vehicle for movement over a surface, said vehicle comprising: a platform; a propulsion system for moving said vehicle with respect to said surface in a principal travel direction, said propulsion system being connected to said platform; an annular inflatable member adjacent the outer periphery of said platform and beneath said platform, said annular inflatable member being disposed to form a supporting airspace beneath said platform and inside said annular inflatable member; a source of air pressure for directing air, at greater than ambient pressure, to said airspace and said annular inflatable member such that said vehicle can be supported by air pressure above said surface; and at least one surface engaging member, within said supporting airspace, said surface engaging member being disposed to selectively engage said surface only when said platform is tilted by being spaced vertically from said surface a sufficient distance from said surface such that said at least one surface engaging member engages said surface only when said platform is tilted when said vehicle is supported by air pressure above said surface, said at least one surface engaging member also being spaced from the center of said platform a sufficient distance from said center to generate a turning force to said vehicle such that said vehicle deviates from said principle principal travel direction when said surface engaging member engages said surface.