Vehicle transporter

An amphibious single vehicle transporter. The transporter is of the type having its power and steering provided by the vehicle being transported. The transporter, in one embodiment, has an impeller roller which projects below the transporter. This impeller roller is frictionally driven by the drive wheels of the vehicle through an intermediate drive roller to propel the transporter on land or water. In another embodiment, the transporter has at least one loading ramp which is also constructed to act as a rudder for the transporter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention is directed toward a vehicle transporter. The invention is 
more particularly directed toward an amphibious single vehicle 
transporter. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Single vehicle transporters for transporting a land vehicle on water, and 
often on land as well, are well known. These transporters generally 
operate using the drive means of the vehicle to be transported to drive 
the transporter. The transporter itself has no power means to drive it. 
Examples of such transporters are shown in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 
928,955; 1,419,977; 1,568,307; 2,997,012; 3,011,184; 3,646,904 and 
3,965,843; and in U.K. Pat. No. 1,388,298. 
Generally, the known transporters comprise a flotation platform on which a 
vehicle, such as a car, is loaded, propeller drive means on the platform, 
and means to operatively connect the drive wheels of the vehicle to the 
propeller so that when the vehicle is operated while on the platform, it 
propels the transporter in the water. In addition, the platform is 
provided with a steering rudder which is often operatively connected to 
the steered wheels of the transported vehicle to be operated thereby. U.S. 
Pat. No. 2,997,012, for example, shows such a steering arrangement. 
The known transporters have disadvantages, however. Those employing 
propellers to drive the transporter require a fairly complicated drive 
train mechanism. This, of course, is expensive both to manufacture and 
maintain. Also, many of the known water transporters cannot transport a 
vehicle on land. Thus, vehicle loading docks must usually be provided at 
the water's edge to use the non-amphibious transporters. In addition, 
transporters employing propellers, which are to be amphibious, require 
separate land drive means thus adding to the transporter's expense. 
Many of the known transporters also employ rather primitive water steering 
means making steering difficult. Those transporters that employ regular, 
fixed rudders for better steering can have difficulty operating as 
amphibious transporters since the rudders can be easily damaged by 
obstructions in shallow water. 
Some of the known amphibious transporters also employ separate loading 
ramps to load and unload a vehicle. This entails additional expense, and 
handling and stowage problems. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is the purpose of the present invention to provide an improved vehicle 
transporter which avoids, and/or minimizes, many of the above prior art 
disadvantages. 
More particularly, it is a purpose of the present invention to provide a 
vehicle transporter having simplified drive means for use in propelling 
the transporter on land or water using the drive means of the transported 
vehicle. 
It is another purpose to provide a vehicle transporter having simplified 
vehicle loading means. It is a further purpose of the present invention to 
provide a vehicle transporter having simple, reliable, steering means. 
It is yet another purpose of the present invention to provide a vehicle 
transporter which can be easily adjusted to properly transport vehicles of 
different wheel-base width and length. 
In accordance with the present invention, a vehicle transporter is provided 
having at least one impeller roller mounted on a flotation means. A drive 
roller is provided to be frictionally interposed between the impeller 
roller and the drive means of a vehicle on the transporter. The impeller 
roller projects below the flotation means to propel the transporter both 
on land and water, when the vehicle drive means is operated. No separate 
propeller, or propeller drive, is required. 
Further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a 
vehicle transporter having flotation means, and vehicle loading means at 
the rear of the flotation means for use in loading a vehicle. The loading 
means comprises at least one loading member which is pivotably mounted on 
the flotation means at least to an upright axis so that the loading member 
can be moved from side to side to act as a rudder, as well as a loading 
ramp. Thus, the one member serves two functions. The loading member is 
also mounted to swing up out of the way when encountering an obstruction 
to facilitate travel in shallow water. 
The invention in one embodiment is particularly directed toward a vehicle 
transporter having flotation means for supporting a vehicle and at least 
one drive means on the flotation for use in propelling the transporter on 
land or water using power from the drive means of the supported vehicle. 
Each drive means has an impeller rotatably mounted on the flotation means 
and projecting below the flotation means. A drive roller is mounted on the 
flotation means above the impeller and in friction contact with the 
impeller, the drive roller adapted to be contacted by the vehicle drive 
means. 
The invention is also particularly directed toward a vehicle transporter 
having flotation means for supporting a vehicle and loading means at the 
rear of the flotation means for use in loading a vehicle on the flotation 
means. Means pivotably mount the loading means to the flotation means for 
pivoting movement about an upright axis. Means are also provided for 
pivoting the loading means about the upright axis to steer the transporter 
when in water.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The vehicle transporter 1 of the present invention, for transporting a 
vehicle "V", such as a car, has flotation means 3 for supporting the 
vehicle on water. The flotation means 3 preferably comprises a pair of 
elongated floats 5. Each float 5 has a bow end 7, which is generally 
streamlined for ease of passage through water, and a flat, generally 
upright stern end 9. The top 11 of each float is flat. 
Means 13 are provided for joining the two floats 5 together in parallel, 
spaced-apart relation. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 4, the joining means 
13 are adjustable so that the distance between the floats can be adjusted 
to have the transporter receive vehicles of different width. The joining 
means 13 can comprise a pair of tubular members 15 extending transversely 
from the inner side wall 17 of each float, one member 15a near the bow, 
the other 15b near the stern. The stern located tubular members 15b are 
joined together by a rod 19b, and the bow located tubular members 15a are 
joined together by a rod 19a, the rods 19 passing into the open ends 21 of 
the tubular members. The rods 19 have a series of holes 23 along their 
length. The rods 19 are fixed to the tubular members 15 by pins (not 
shown) passing through selected holes 23 in rods 19 and holes (not shown) 
at the ends 21 of the tubular members 15. Clamps 25 on the ends 21 of the 
tubular members 15 retain the pins in place locking the floats 5 together 
in their selected spaced-apart position. 
Water deflector means 31 can be provided on the transporter near its bow 
end, as shown in FIG. 4 to protect a vehicle engine from being splashed by 
waves from underneath between the floats. The deflector means 31 comprises 
a flexible sheet 33 made of rubber and reinforced along the edges with a 
fabric. The sheet is joined along each side edge 35 of a flange 37 
extending from the inner side wall 17 of each float 5 adjacent its top 
wall 11. Each flange 37 has a series of holes 39 along its length and each 
side 35 of the fabric piece 33 can have a series of grommets 41 along its 
length. Suitable lacing 43 joins the fabric piece 33 to the flanges 37 
through the holes 39 and grommets 41. The fabric piece 33 is made wide 
enough to extend between the floats when at their widest position. If the 
floats are moved together, the fabric piece can merely hang slack between 
the floats. 
Vehicle loading means are provided at the rear of the transporter. The 
loading means comprises a loading platform 51 at the stern end of each 
float 5 on which a vehicle can drive up to board the transporter. Each 
loading platform 51 has an open ramp 53 and at least one, and preferably 
two, upright side plates 55. The ramp 53 is rectangular in shape and is 
made in a rigid open pattern so that it passes water. Each side plate 55 
has a generally full oval shape and is attached to one side 57 of ramp 53 
along its long axis to be perpendicular to the ramp. The side plates 55 
help to guide a vehicle up ramp 53 onto the floats 5, and also steer the 
transporter as will be described. Wear strips 59 can be attached to each 
side plate 55 along the bottom portion of their lower edge, if desired. 
The loading platform 51 is mounted to float 5 by a mounting bracket 61 
fixed centrally to the stern 9, near the top wall 11, by a pair of 
fasteners 63. The bracket 61 has an upright mounting pin 65. Mounted on 
the bottom of ramp 53, near its top edge 67 is a hinge 69. The axis of the 
hinge 69 is parallel to the top edge 67 of the ramp. One leaf 71 of the 
hinge 69 is fastened to the ramp 53. The other leaf 73 has a hole for 
receiving the pin 65 of bracket 61 when the platform is mounted thereon. 
The upper end of pin 65 can be threaded to receive a nut which holds the 
platform on the pin. The platform 51 moves up and down about the 
horizontal axis of the hinge 67, and it can also move from side to side 
about upright pin 65. If unsupported, the platforms 51 would hang straight 
down. On land, however, the platforms 51 drag behind the transporter at an 
angle to the stern permitting vehicle loading since they are longer than 
the height of the top of the floats above the ground. In the water, the 
platforms are maintained at an angle to the stern by connecting means used 
to move the platforms about their upright pins as will be described. 
Means are provided on the transporter for use in moving the platforms 51 
from side to side to steer the transporter. The side plates 55 of the 
platforms act as rudders when the platforms are moved about upright pins 
65 to steer the transporter. Preferably, the platforms 51 are moved by 
operating the steering wheel "S" of the vehicle "V" being ferried. To this 
end, each float 5 is provided with a turntable 81 on the top of the float 
near its bow end 7. A front wheel "FW" of the vehicle is located on each 
turntable when the vehicle is driven onto, and positioned on, the 
transporter. The turntable 81 comprises a round top plate 83 detachably 
fastened by suitable fastening means 85 to an adjacent sprocket 87 which 
in turn lies adjacent the top wall 11 of the float. The sprocket 87 has a 
short, central sleeve 89 extending down through an opening 91 in the top 
wall 11. The end wall 93 of the sleeve 89 sits on a bearing 95 which in 
turn is mounted on a support 97. The support 97 is mounted on a support 
wall 99 within the float. An axle 101 extends up from support 97, 
centrally through end wall 93 of sleeve 89. The sprocket 87 rotates freely 
about axle 101 on bearing 95. 
The sprocket 87 on each float 5 is operatively connected by suitable means 
to each platform 51 to move the platform about upright pin 65. These 
connecting means can include a short length of chain 103 positioned about 
the sprocket 87. The ends 105, 107 of the chain 103 are connected by 
cables 109, 111 to the upper corners 113, 115 of the platform 51, the 
cables crossing over, on the top wall 11 of the float in passing to the 
platform 51. The cables 109, 111 maintain the platforms 51 at an angle to 
the sterns of the floats. In passing over on the float top wall 11, the 
cables 109, 111 can extend through rigid guide tubes 117, 119, fixed to 
the top wall 11, which tubes protect the cables from damage when the front 
wheels of the vehicle pass over them during loading or unloading of the 
vehicle. 
A retaining roller 121 is mounted on the float 5 at its outer wall 123 to 
be located adjacent the turntable 81. The retaining rollers 121 extend 
generally parallel to wall 123 and serve to retain the front wheels "FW" 
of the vehicle on the turntables 81. 
Each float 5 of the transporter 1 is provided with novel drive means 131 
for use in propelling the transporter. The drive means 131 are preferably 
operated by the drive wheels "DW" of the vehicle being transported. Each 
drive means 131 has an impeller 133, generally cylindrical in shape, 
mounted in a well 135 near the stern 9 of the float. The impeller 133 is 
positioned in the well 135 and projects out of the well below the bottom 
wall 137 of the float 5. The impeller is fixedly mounted on an axle 139 
which in turn is rotatably mounted at its ends in the side walls 17, 123 
of the float 5, the rotational axis of the impeller extending 
perpendicular to the float. The outer cylindrical surface 141 of the 
impeller 133 is provided with a set of shallow V-shaped, impelling vanes 
143, extending across the impeller and projecting radially therefrom. 
Mounted directly above the impeller 133 in the well 135 is a drive roller 
151 which makes friction contact with the impeller 133 and is parallel to 
it. The axle 153 of the drive roller 151 is rotatably mounted in the side 
walls 17, 123 of the float. The driver roller 151 is centrally located 
with respect to an opening 155 in the top wall 11 of the float 5. A pair 
of guide rollers 157 are rotatably mounted between the side walls of the 
float 5, one guide roller 157 on each side of drive roller 151 and 
parallel to it. The guide rollers 157 are spaced somewhat from the drive 
roller 151 and are located slightly above it, adjacent the ends 159 of the 
top opening 155. A retaining roller 161 is mounted adjacent the outer side 
163 of opening 155. The retaining roller 161 is located slightly forward 
of the drive roller 151 and angled slightly toward it. The retaining 
rollers 161 retain the drive wheels of the vehicle on the drive rollers 
151. 
A front wheel 165 is mounted in each float 5 near its bow end. The axle 167 
of the front wheel 165 is rotatably mounted in the side walls 17, 123 of 
the float 5 and the wheel projects below the bottom wall 137 of the float. 
In operation, the transporter 1 sits on land, near a body of water, on its 
front wheels 165 and on the impellers 133 which act as rear wheels for the 
transporter on land. The loading platforms 51 hang freely from the 
horizontal axis of their hinges 69 to have their bottom portions 59 rest 
on the ground. A vehicle "V" to be transported is driven up the ramps 53 
of the sloping platforms 51 onto the top of the floats 5 and positioned 
thereon with its front wheels "FW" on the turntables 81 and its rear 
wheels "DW" resting on the guide rollers 157 to project down into the 
openings 155 onto the drive rollers 151. The vehicle can be tied down to 
the transporter in this position by suitable tie means 171 attached to 
anchor means 173 located on the top wall 11 of each float 5 adjacent its 
bow and stern ends 7, 9. The vehicle "V", while stationary on the 
transporter, is then operated to drive its rear wheels "DW" in a forward 
direction which, through drive roller 151, rotates the impellers 133 in 
the same direction as the rear wheels to propel the transporter over land 
into water. Continued operation of the vehicle wheels "DW" continues 
rotation of the impellers 133 to propel the transporter through the water. 
In the water, the platforms 51 are free to lift if any obstruction is 
encountered. To steer the transporter in the water, the front wheels "FW" 
of the vehicle are turned in the direction the transporter is to go. 
Turning the front wheels "FW" in one direction on the turntables 81 causes 
the turntables 81 to rotate about their axles 101 and, via sprockets 87 
and crossed cables 109, 111, to move the platforms 51 in the opposite 
direction. This ramp movement turns the transporter, via the side plates 
55 acting as rudders, in the desired one direction. The transporter is 
driven back up on the shore riding on wheels 165 and impellers 133 and the 
vehicle is then untied and backed off the transporter down the platforms 
51. 
It is desirable to have the turntables 81 adjustably mounted on the floats 
5 so that they can be moved longitudinally on the top of the float toward 
or away from the drive rollers 151 to fit vehicles of different wheel base 
length. To this end, the turntable support 97 is slidably mounted on a 
guide member 175 fixed to the support wall 99 and extending longitudinally 
of the float. The axle 101 passes through longitudinal slots 177, 179 both 
in the guide member 175 and the support wall 99. The bottom end 181 of the 
axle 101 is threaded and a nut 183 and washer 185 fasten on the threaded 
bottom end 181 against the bottom surface 187 of the support wall 99. The 
upper portion 189 of the axle 101 is also threaded with the upper end 191 
shaped to receive a wrench. The upper portion of the axle 101 extends into 
the sleeve 89 and a nut 193 is threaded onto the axle 101 within the 
sleeve 89. The opening 91 in the top wall 11 of the float, through which 
the sleeve 89 passes is also formed as a longitudinal extending slot, 
aligned with slots 177, 179. To adjust the position of the turntable 81, 
the cover plate 83 is removed from the sprocket 87 providing access to the 
nut 193 in the sleeve 89. The nut 193 is loosened on the axle 101 to allow 
the support 97, and the sprocket 87 carried by it, to move longitudinally 
of the float along the guide member 175 to the desired position. At this 
time the cables 109, 111 are disconnected from the platform 51. When the 
sprocket 87 has been moved to the desired position, the nut 193 is 
tightened, locking the support 97 in place and the cover plate 83 is 
fastened to the sprocket 87. The cables 109, 111 are drawn tight and 
refastened to the platform 51. 
The front retaining roller 121 is also adjustably mounted on the outer side 
123 of the float 5 so that it can be moved longitudinally to be positioned 
opposite the turntable. To this end, the roller 121 is rotatably mounted 
on a bracket 201 having a pair of vertical arms 203 joined by a horizontal 
arm 205. A clamp 207 extends along the side 123 of the float, adjacent the 
top wall 11. The clamp 207 has a first leg 209 fixed to the side wall 123, 
and a second leg 211 pivotally connected at one end by a pivot pin 213 to 
one end of the first leg 209. The outer face 215 of the first leg 209 has 
a longitudinal bottom groove 217 formed therein and a series of short 
vertical grooves 219 extending up from the bottom groove 217. The inner 
face 221 of the outer second leg 211 can have matching longitudinal and 
vertical grooves. The bracket 201 is mounted between the legs of the clamp 
207 with its vertical arms 203 positioned in two of the vertical grooves 
219 and its horizontal arm 205 positioned in the longitudinal groove or 
grooves 217. The legs 209, 211 of the clamp are closed on the bracket 201 
with a screw or bolt 223 holding the legs 209, 211 together. The bracket 
201 carrying the retaining roller 121 can be moved along the length of the 
clamp to position it opposite the turntable 81. 
The embodiment of the transporter described above is adapted for 
transporting four-wheeled vehicles such as cars or trucks. The novel drive 
means can also, however, be incorporated in a transporter adapted for 
transporting two-wheeled vehicles such as motorcycles. As shown in FIGS. 7 
and 8, such a transporter 231 has flotation means in the form of a main 
rear float 233 and a secondary front float 235. The rear float 233 carries 
the drive means 237 for use in propelling the transporter 231. The drive 
means 237 is similar to that employed in transporter 1 and comprises a 
cylindrical impeller wheel 239 mounted on the rear float 233 and 
projecting from the bottom 241 of the float, a drive roller 243 mounted on 
top of, and in friction contact with, the impeller 239, and a pair of 
guide rollers 245, one on each side of, and slightly above, the drive 
roller 243. 
An opening 251 in the top 253 of the rear float 233 provides access to the 
drive and guide rollers 243, 245. Retaining rollers 255 are mounted on the 
top 253 of the rear float, one on each side 257 of the opening 251. 
Small pontoons 261 can be carried by the main rear float 233 on each side 
to provide stability. Each pontoon 261 is mounted in outrigger fashion to 
the end 263 of a cross arm 265, which arm extends transversely of the main 
float. The cross arm 265 is mounted to the top of the float, as its 
center, near the front end 267 of the float 233. 
The front secondary float 235 is separate from the main float and has a 
streamlined bow end 271. A pair of clamps 273 are provided on the top 275 
of the front float, one on each side of the float opposite one another for 
clamping the front wheel of a motorcycle thereon. The rear wheel of the 
motorcycle sits in the opening 251 on the main float 233 on the guide and 
drive rollers 243, 245. Anchor means 277 can be provided on the top 
corners of both floats to help in tying down the motorcycle when mounted 
on the floats. 
The motorcycle can be manually mounted on the floats of the transporter 
when they are on land. Operation of mounted motorcycle will then cause 
rotation of the impeller 239 via drive roller 243 impelling the 
transporter into the water while the front float 235 skids along the 
ground on its bottom 279 into the water. Once in the water, the continued 
operation of the motorcycle will drive the transporter through the water 
via the impeller 239, the transporter being steered by steering the 
motorcycle, which through the clamped front wheel, will steer the front 
float 235. 
The transporter shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 is essentially the same as that 
shown in FIGS. 1 to 6. The main difference is that the transporter 
including the float 305 is arranged to receive a front-wheel drive 
vehicle. The drive impeller 333 is located near the bow of the float 305. 
It is driven by roller 353 which is in direct contact with the front drive 
wheel DW of the vehicle shown in dotted lines. The drive wheel DW is also 
supported by rollers 357. 
The transporter is steered by means of a holder 360 mounted on an arcuate 
track 362. The cables 317 are controlled by chains 307 connected to the 
holder 360 which moves on the track 362 in response to the drive wheel DW 
imprisoned between holder arms 364.