Abstract:
An amphibious passenger vehicle having several open or covered holes and a surrounding cover to accommodate fishing and hunting. An aft mounted engine, forward/reverse transmission, drive linkage and disk/caliper brake assembly controls a pair of rear wheels. Electric, screw actuated cylinders and pistons or manual linkage control the steering of a pair of forward wheels. Independent front and rear elevation control linkages independently control the elevation of the fore and aft wheels.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to amphibious vehicles and, in particular, to an all-terrain vehicle with flotation capabilities for use in activities such as duck hunting and ice fishing, among other outdoor recreational and commercial activities.  
         [0002]     A variety of motorized all terrain vehicles (ATV) have been developed in recent years for recreational use. The vehicles typically include large floatation tires and multi-axle drive transmissions to permit travel over off-road terrain (i.e. sand, woods and swamp). Sportsmen frequently use versions of these vehicles that have 3, 4 or more wheels. Most of these vehicles do not accommodate amphibious use. Many of these vehicles have also been adapted to commercial uses such as farming and ranching.  
         [0003]     One amphibious vehicle sold by Argo provides 8 driven wheels. The vehicle includes an uncovered, watertight passenger compartment.  
         [0004]     Other amphibious vehicles adapted to the chassis of a car or boat are also known that provide floatation. The body is constructed to float and wheels are mounted to the associated frames to power the vehicle over land. Wheel support assemblies may also permit the elevation of the wheels while waterborne to reduce drag. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,632,221 and 5,176,098 disclose two boat-like, amphibious vehicles with retractable wheels.  
         [0005]     The present invention was developed to provide a hybrid, multi-wheel vehicle that is capable of travel over off-road terrain and water and, in particular, swamp, ice and snow, yet float in the event of ice breakage. The body provides a hull that is constructed to float. Several holes are included in a passenger compartment that can be aligned with drilled ice fishing holes. Electrically actuated cylinders and pistons coupled to fore and aft wheel assemblies permit a selective raising and lowering of the wheels, whereby the front and rear ends of the body can be raised and lowered relative to a desired support surface. Other electrically actuated cylinders and pistons and/or manual linkages are coupled to a steering linkage having double link arms to accommodate steering control. A gas motor, brake assembly and hand-operated tiller control and direct vehicle operation.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     It is a primary object of the present invention to provide an amphibious all-terrain vehicle that is adapted to travel in swamps and over snow and ice.  
         [0007]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a vehicle that floats.  
         [0008]     It is a further object of the invention to provide a vehicle wherein the drive wheels can be independently raised and lowered to lower the vehicle onto a support surface or facilitate extraction of the vehicle, such as after breaking through ice or when emerging onto soft soil.  
         [0009]     It is a further object of the invention to provide a vehicle with electrically operated cylinders to control wheel elevation and steering.  
         [0010]     It is a further object of the invention to provide a vehicle that can be fitted with external coverings adapted to sporting recreation activities, such as duck and goose hunting and/or ice fishing.  
         [0011]     The foregoing objects, advantages and distinctions of the invention, among others, are found in a presently preferred assembly that provides a body having a passenger compartment that accommodate passenger seating for multiple individuals. Several open or covered holes in the passenger compartment open to the bottom of the vehicle to permit fishing through the vehicle floor. An aft mounted engine, forward/reverse transmission and disk/caliper brake assembly drives a pair of rear wheels via a drive linkage. A manual linkage or an electric, screw actuated cylinder and piston controls a steering linkage coupled to a pair of forward wheels. Separate forward and aft electric, screw actuated cylinders independently control the raising and lowering of the fore and aft wheels.  
         [0012]     Still other objects, advantages and distinctions of the invention will become more apparent from the following description with respect to the appended drawings. Considered alternative constructions, improvements or modifications are described as appropriate. The singular features may also be combined into vehicles offering a variety of different combinations. The following description should therefore not be literally construed in limitation of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention should be broadly interpreted within the scope of the further appended claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the amphibious vehicle of the invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  shows a sectioned perspective view of the vehicle drive train.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  shows a view of the tiller control for the throttle, steering, brakes and elevation of the amphibious vehicle of the invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the vehicle with a fabric enclosure.  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  shows a partially sectioned perspective view of an electrically controlled, front suspension of the vehicle.  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  shows a partially sectioned perspective view of a manually controlled front suspension of the vehicle.  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of an alternative mounting arrangement of a transaxle-based drive train and an elevation control support assembly. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0020]     With attention to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view is shown to the amphibious vehicle  2  of the invention. The vehicle  2  is adapted to all terrain travel over sand, woods, mud, swamp, snow and/or ice via four wheels  4  that support lugged floatation tires  6 . A two or  4  cycle gas engine  8  having a suitable horsepower rating sized to the vehicle  2  (e.g. 5 to 15 hp) provides drive power via a suitable transmission or gear box  10  that accommodates one or more forward speed ranges and/or reverse gearing. One or more handles  12  or other operator mechanisms control travel direction and/or select an appropriate gear range. The engine  8  and transmission  10  are supported on a platform  11  that projects from the aft end of the vehicle  2 .  
         [0021]     For the depicted drive train, power is directed from the engine  8  to a power take-off pulley  14 , belt  16  and transfer pulley  18  to the input side of the transmission  10 . A chain  20  is coupled from a sprocket  21  at the output side of the transmission  10  to an idler axle  22  and idler sprocket  23  rigidly secured to the idler axle  22 , see also  FIG. 2 . A second chain  24  is coupled from another idler sprocket  25  at the idler axle  22  to a drive sprocket  26  at a rear drive axle  28 . Although a hybrid belt and chain drive linkage is shown, a chain drive, belt drive, shaft-drive, direct drive, transaxle or other suitable singular or hybrid drive linkage can be coupled between the engine  8  and rear axle  28  and rear wheels  4 . The drive assembly may also be coupled to the front wheels, such as where a 4-wheel drive is desired. Preferably, the drive assembly should be low cost, safe and accessible to permit clearing of any debris or the like that might impede travel, and be sufficiently rugged to withstand the normal travel conditions. A transaxle-based assembly is shown at  FIG. 7  and will be discussed below.  
         [0022]     A hand controlled throttle  30  and cable linkage  32  shown at  FIG. 3  are secured to a tiller support arm  34  that extends from an interior operator&#39;s bench seat  36 , that spans the width of the vehicle  2 , to control the vehicle speed. A brake handle  38  and cable linkage  40  are also secured to the tiller arm  34  and control vehicle braking. The cable  40  mounts to a brake caliper  42  to control included brake pads (not shown) and the gripping of a rotor  44  secured to the drive axle  28 .  
         [0023]     The rear wheels  4  and idler and drive axles  22  and  28  are suspended from the chassis  46  at left and right, lower axle support arms  48 . In particular, each end of the idler axle  22  is secured to a truss bracket  49  between a chassis rear wall  45  and the engine platform  11 . The distal ends of the idler axle  22  extend through the truss brackets  49  and attach to the lower support arms  48 , where the arms  48  are mounted to pivot about the ends of the axle  22 . The interior ends of the lower support arms  48  are thereby mounted to pivot relative to the chassis  46  and the significance of which will become more apparent below. The outer ends of the drive axle  28  are separately mounted to extend through the outer ends of the lower support arms  48 .  
         [0024]     The bottom ends of shock absorbers  50  are anchored to pivotally extend above each of the lower support arms  48 . The upper ends of the shock absorbers  50  are independently secured to left and right upper shock arms  52 . The shock arms  52  pivot relative to the end wall  45  at a pivot axle  56  that extends through the trusses  49 . Collectively, the arms  48  and  52  and shock absorbers  50  dampen shocks and other jostling motions encountered when traveling over typical off-road terrain. Although shock absorbers  50  are presently provided only at the aft end of the chassis  46 , they could be added to the front end in a similar or other appropriate fashion, if desired.  
         [0025]     The interior of the chassis  46  is formed to provide a passenger compartment  58 . The compartment  58  contains the seat  36  and several holes  60  that are formed in a floor pan  62 . The floor pan  62  is raised sufficiently above the floor bottom and water line of the vehicle  2  such that water will not enter the compartment  58  through the holes  60 ; for example, if the vehicle  2  breaks through ice or is otherwise floating on water. A cover  64  may also be mounted to each hole  60  to prevent water from splashing into the passenger compartment  58 . The holes  60  find advantage when ice fishing and permit the operator and passenger(s) to fish directly from the vehicle  2 . No other amphibious recreation vehicle is known that provides this convenience.  
         [0026]     The buoyancy of the vehicle  2  is particularly advantageous in permitting safe fishing during early or thin ice conditions, when fish are typically active. Similarly, the vehicle  2  provides a safe mode of transport over frozen and partially frozen swamps and slews when duck and goose hunting. The vehicle  2  also finds use for rescue operations over thin ice, among a variety of other applications.  
         [0027]     To further facilitate use of the vehicle  2  during each of the former activities, an enclosure cover  66  is shown at  FIG. 4  that can be secured to the chassis  46  to protect the passenger compartment  58  from the elements and seal in heat. The cover  66  can comprise any variety of constructions from molded or framed panel assemblies to fabric assemblies supported from a series of internal bowed struts or ribs that are mounted to the chassis  46 . The cover assembly  66  can pivot relative to the chassis  46  or compartment  58  or may include a door of appropriate construction (not shown). A zippered window  68  and zippered top  70  opening facilitate access to the compartment  58 . The cover  66  presently accommodates both ice fishing and duck hunting applications.  
         [0028]     An alternative duck and goose hunting cover (not shown) might also be secured to the vehicle. Such a cover can comprise vertical, open-topped or hinged side and/or top frames. The sidewalls of the frames can be thatched with swamp grass and the like to camouflage the vehicle  2 , yet permit shooting from the compartment  58 .  
         [0029]     Extending from the forward end of the vehicle  2  is a steering compartment  72  that is shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The compartment  72  has a removable cover  74  that is constructed from floor plate. The upper surface of the cover  74  includes raised protrusions to prevent slipping, such as when accessing the front of the vehicle  2 . Supported within the compartment  72  is an electrically controlled steering linkage  76 .  
         [0030]     A steering arm  78  extends laterally through the compartment  72  and couples at each distal end to a steering coupler  80  that is pivotally fitted to an axle support  82  at each of the front wheels  4 . An electrically actuated, screw drive cylinder  84  and piston  86  is mounted to the compartment  72  and coupled to the steering arm  78  at a pivot coupler  88 . Appropriate DC control signals are applied to the cylinder  84  via one or more switches  87  secured to the compartment  58  and coupled to movements of the tiller handle  34  to induce the piston  86  to extend and retract, which directs the steering arm  78  to turn the front wheels  4  right or left.  
         [0031]     Although a single steering arm  78  is shown, multiple arms can be used. A manual, cable directed or other mechanical steering linkage might also be coupled to the tiller arm  34 . An appropriate operator steering wheel, tiller, handle or other steering control device would be mounted adjacent the operator&#39;s seat  36  to direct the vehicle movements.  
         [0032]     In the latter regard, an alternative manual steering linkage is shown at  FIG. 6 . The manual assembly includes a handle  73  that is fitted adjacent the seat  36 . A link arm  75  of appropriate shape and/or numbers of pieces is pivotally coupled to the handle  73  and directed through and/or below or inside the chassis  46 . Movement of the handle  73  is translated at link arms  77 ,  79  and  81  and transferred to laterally manipulate the steering arm  78 . The link arms  77  and  79  are shown as being coupled to a pivot  81  mounted to the axle support  92 , although a variety of pivot mountings can be employed.  
         [0033]     Separately secured to each axle support bracket  82  is an elevation control linkage arm  90 . The arm  90  is supported at sleeved, bearing support assemblies  92  fitted to the side walls of the compartment  72 . Separate end couplers  94  pivotally couple the opposite distal ends of the arm  90  to each axle support bracket  82 . A stub linkage arm  96  is secured to the compartment  72  and a second pivot coupler  94  extends from each arm  96  to each axle support bracket  82 . The arrangement of double axle support arms  90  and  96  and linkage arms  94  provides a rugged and stable linkage to each axle support bracket  82  and whereby the front wheels  4  and tires  6  can be rotated into our out of engagement with the terrain.  
         [0034]     Returning attention to  FIG. 5 , front wheel elevation is directed with a second electrically controlled, screw drive cylinder  98  that is secured to the compartment  72 . A piston I  00  is coupled to the control arm  90  with a pivoting coupler  102 . The coupler  102  is secured to the arm  90  at a slot with a woodruff key, although alternative fastenings may also be used. With the application of suitable control signals applied via a “front—up/down” push button adjacent the operator&#39;s bench seat  36  (reference  FIG. 3 ), the arm  90  can be rotated to elevate or lower the wheels  4 . The front tires  6  are thereby lowered to engage the terrain to direct the vehicle  2  or raised to lower the front of the vehicle  2  onto the ground or ice.  
         [0035]     The rear wheel elevation control linkage is shown at  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Separately attached to the engine platform  11  and supported from a vertical frame piece  104  is a third electrically actuated, screw drive cylinder  106  and piston  108 . The extension and retraction of the piston  108  are independently controlled with a “rear—up/down” pushbutton mounted adjacent the operator&#39;s bench seat  36 . A pivot coupler  110  is secured to the piston  108  and a transfer arm  111  is keyed to the pivot axle  56 . Rotation of the axle  56  via movements of the piston  108  and arm  111  independently direct the raising and lowering of the lower control arms  48  and rear wheels  4 .  
         [0036]     The ability of the vehicle  2  to independently raise and lower the front and rear wheels  4  allows the operator to adjust the level of the chassis  46  when supported on the terrain. The separate elevation adjustment also permits the operator to extricate either the front or rear end of the vehicle  2  from ice of other crumbling terrain and find purchase to re-initiate travel. That is, by incrementally moving the vehicle  2  to and/or fro and incrementally and repeatedly elevating and lowering the vehicle  2  with each movement, the vehicle  2  can be made to effectively crawl onto either solid ice or ground, such as when the vehicle  2  breaks through thin ice or when departing or landing at a shoreline or land adjacent a swamp.  
         [0037]     Although several screw actuated cylinders  84 ,  98  and  106  have been adapted to steer and control the elevation of the wheels  4  of the present vehicle  2 , it is to be appreciated other mechanical, hydraulic or pneumatic linkages can be adapted to control vehicle steering and elevation. For example,  FIG. 7  depicts a line diagram to one side of an alternative transaxle drive linkage and elevation control assembly. The engine  8  and a transaxle  120  of this linkage are secured to the rear wall  45  with a suitable support frame  119  and sets of laterally displaced parallel support arms  122  and  124  (only one set of which is shown). The sets of support arms  122  and  124  control the raising and lowering of the rear wheels  4  as described below. The transaxle  120  is constructed to receive the engine  8  at the top of the housing for the transaxle  120 . The drive axles  28  extend transversely from the sides of the transaxle  120 . A shift axle  121  is exposed at the transaxle  120  to accommodate coupling to an associated drive linkage (not shown).  
         [0038]     The interior ends of the support arms  122  and  124  mount to the ends of pivot axles  126  and  128  at a bracket  130  fitted to the chassis  46 . The outer ends of the arms  122  and  124  are secured to a bracket  132  mounted to the transaxle  120  and to either side of the engine  8 . The electrically actuated, screw cylinder  106  and piston  108  depend from the bracket  130  and the piston  108  is pivotally coupled to an elevation control arm  134  that is rigidly keyed to the pivot axle  128 . That is, the extension and retraction of the piston  108  rotates the axle  128  to lower and raise the wheels  4 .  
         [0039]     A pair of shock absorbers  50  are separately coupled to resiliently bias the engine  8  and transaxle  120  against the terrain. The shocks  50  mount between the bracket  132  and a pair of shock control arms  136  that separately pivot at the axle  128 . Vibrations transmitted from the wheels  4  are thereby absorbed by the shocks  50  with movement of the arms  122 ,  124  and  136 .  
         [0040]     While the invention has been described with respect to presently preferred assemblies and considered alternative assemblies and improvements or alternatives thereto, still other assemblies may be suggested to those skilled in the art. It is also to be appreciated that selected ones of the foregoing components and subassemblies can be used singularly or can be arranged in different combinations to provide a variety of further improved amphibious vehicle assemblies. The foregoing description should therefore be construed to include all those embodiments within the spirit and scope of the following claims.