Patent ID: 7950973
Filing Date: 2011-05-31
Classification: B60F

Abstract:
1. An amphibious vehicle, comprising: a hull having laterally opposed first and second sides, a bow, and a stern, the hull extending between the bow and stern, defining a longitudinal axis; first and second front rotating supports, each of the front supports being rotatably attached to the hull adjacent the bow, each of the front supports being attached to a respective one of the laterally opposed first and second sides of the hull; first and second rear rotating supports, each of the rear supports being rotatably attached to the hull adjacent the stern, each of the rear supports being attached to a respective one of the laterally opposed first and second sides of the hull; first and second track drive assemblies, each of the track drive assemblies extending along the longitudinal axis, the first track drive assembly being rotatably attached to the first front and first rear rotating supports at longitudinally opposed ends of the track drive assembly, the second track drive assembly being rotatably attached to the second front and second rear rotating supports at longitudinally opposed ends of the track drive assembly, each of the first and second track drive assemblies being selectively rotatable between a downward position and an upright position, wherein each of said first and second track drive assemblies comprises: each of said first and second rear rotating supports and each of said first and second front rotating supports having an interior portion and an exterior portion, the interior portions thereof being positioned within said hull, the exterior portions thereof being positioned outside of the hull, said first and second track drive assemblies being attached to the exterior portions of said front supports and said rear supports; and means for selectively driving rotation of the first and second track drive assemblies between the downward and upright positions, wherein said means for selectively driving rotation of said first and second track drive assemblies comprises first and second front hydraulic cylinders mounted within said hull, each of said first and second front hydraulic cylinders having a cylinder and a piston extendable therefrom, each of the pistons being pivotally joined to a respective one of the interior portions of said first and second front rotating supports, and wherein said means for selectively driving rotation of said first and second track drive assemblies further comprises first and second rear hydraulic cylinders mounted within said hull, each of said first and second rear hydraulic cylinders having a cylinder and a piston extendable therefrom, each of the pistons being pivotally joined to a respective one of the interior portions of said first and second rear rotating supports.