Abstract:
A collapsible, inexpensive and lightweight vehicle powered by an engine for movement over frozen bodies of water. In one embodiment, an internal combustion engine, a kayak and a drive system assembly comprising detachable studded wheels is detachably connected to a collapsible chassis. The vehicle provides transport across frozen bodies of water and the kayak provides buoyancy sufficient to support the vehicle and a passenger should the ice collapse underneath the vehicle. The vehicle thus provides fast, convenient and safe transport across frozen bodies of water.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/819,876 filed on May 6, 2013 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is generally directed to buoyant vehicles for transport over frozen bodies of water. 
         [0003]    Every year many people travel across frozen bodies of water. In particular, many sports, including ice fishing, require extensive travel over frozen bodies of water. Travel across the frozen bodies of water is risky because of the grave risk of falling through the ice into the freezing water. This risk is exacerbated during the early and late portions of the season when the ice is at its thinnest. 
         [0004]    Oftentimes, people use snowmobiles as a means of transport across frozen bodies of water. However, snowmobiles are large, expensive and heavy. In addition, the additional weight from snowmobiles can further increase the risk of collapse and the snowmobiles provide no safety when the ice collapses. Furthermore, snowmobiles often require another vehicle with a towing means to transport the snowmobile to the desired launching location. 
         [0005]    Prior attempts to solve the problem of safe travel across frozen bodies of water often resulted in inconvenient, expensive and complicated vehicles. Thus, individuals must choose between using a snowmobile and take the chance of falling though the ice or purchase an expensive and unwieldy vehicle that mitigates the risk of collapsing ice. Furthermore, another vehicle equipped with a towing means is often required to transport the vehicle to a launching point. 
         [0006]    From the above, it is therefore seen that there exists a need in the art to overcome the deficiencies and limitations described herein and above. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through an inexpensive, lightweight and collapsible vehicle that satisfies these needs of inexpensive and convenient but safe transport across frozen bodies of water. A vehicle having features of the present invention comprises a collapsible chassis, a floatation device, a buoyant housing device, an engine, a drive system assembly, and a running gear selection. The running gear selection further consists from the group of: at least one wheel and axle, a track system or a screw system. The collapsible chassis further comprises a system for attaching the floatation device, the engine, and a drive system assembly. The floatation device provides sufficient buoyancy so that the buoyant device floatably supports the vehicle and a passenger in a body of water. The engine also provides sufficient power to the drive system to propel the vehicle when the drive system is engaged to drive the vehicle across a solid surface. For the purposes of discussion, water hereinafter refers to liquid water, as opposed to solid water, which is hereinafter referred to as ice. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment of the invention, the engine comprises an ice auger motor that detachably connects to a drive system assembly. The drive system assembly is dimensioned and configured to drive the drive wheels which propel the vehicle along a solid surface. 
         [0009]    Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention. 
         [0010]    The recitation herein of desirable objects which are met by various embodiments of the present invention is not meant to imply or suggest that any or all of these objects are present as essential features, either individually or collectively, in the most general embodiment of the present invention or in any of its more specific embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of practice, together with the further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a side view of one embodiment of the invention with a kayak, ice auger motor engine, and wheels attached to the collapsible chassis. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the collapsible chassis of one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of the invention wherein the engine comprises an ice augur motor that is detachable from the collapsible chassis for use with an ice augur drill. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4-7  illustrates one embodiment of the drive assembly for transferring power from the engine to the drive system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , one embodiment of a buoyant ice transport vehicle comprises a collapsible chassis  4  configured to receive the following: a detachable buoyant device comprising a kayak  35 , a detachable engine comprising the engine from an ice auger  1   a , and a detachable drive means comprising studded rear wheels  25  mounted on an drive axle  21 , two skis  3  and a center steering ski  31 . 
         [0017]    As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the chassis  2  of this vehicle is preferably fabricated from a light weight metal such as aluminum or other similar strong, lightweight and rigid material. The chassis is also preferably collapsible such that the chassis may be stowed and transported on or within a typical passenger automobile. 
         [0018]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the detachable buoyant device includes, but is not limited to, use of a kayak or a canoe  35 . In this embodiment, the buoyant housing device  36  secures the body of the detachable buoyant device to the chassis by means of straps such that if the chassis and the buoyant device are placed in a body of water, the buoyant device floatably supports the entire vehicle. 
         [0019]    The detachable engine includes, but is not limited to, a gasoline or propane engine  1   a . The engine preferably provides sufficient power to propel the vehicle forward when on a solid ground surface. As best seen in  FIG. 3 , one embodiment comprises a gasoline engine  1   a  that may be removed and used to power an ice auger. The embodiment places the engine on the top end of the chassis such that the drive shaft is oriented in a downward position. The engine is detachably secured to the chassis, such as by means of utilizing bracket mounts  7 . Placing the engine at the top end of the chassis prevents contamination of the engine should the vehicle encounter water. In addition, the dual purpose nature of the engine for powering the vehicle and for powering an ice auger adds to convenience, particularly when the vehicle is used for traversing frozen bodies of water for the sport of ice fishing. 
         [0020]    Furthermore, in one embodiment, the running gear selection comprises of 2 studded rear wheels  25 . In this embodiment, the rear wheels are attached to the chassis by the drive axle  21 . The studded rear wheels provide additional traction when driven on ice or snow. The wheels and drive axle are powered by the drive system assembly. This embodiment, seen in  FIG. 2 , also includes three skis: two fixed lateral skis  3  as a means of front support and for reduced friction on ice or snow, and a third center steering ski  31 , used for steering the vehicle while traveling on ice or snow. 
         [0021]    As best seen in  FIG. 4-7 , this embodiment comprises a drive system assembly that transfers power from the engine to the running gear selection. The drive system comprises a drive shaft sleeve  8 , which the motors drive shaft inserts into. A fastening means holds the drive shaft in place, which in this embodiment is a locking pin  1   b . The drive shaft attaches to a drive shaft sleeve  8  that in turn attaches to a primary draft belt pulley  9 . The primary drive belt pulley  9  mounts on the sealed bearing assembly  10 . The drive assembly makes use of a sealed bearing assembly  10  that allows for adjustment of the assembly on the horizontal axis. The drive belt  12  is connected to the primary drive belt pulley  9 , and then twisted ninety degrees before being connected to a secondary belt pulley  13 . In this embodiment, the twisted relationship is necessary because the axis of the primary drive belt pulley  9  and the axis of the secondary belt pulley  13  are disposed in a perpendicular relationship. The drive belt twists in either direction permitting use of different engines that rotates the drive shaft in either clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The secondary belt pulley  13  mounts to a jack shaft  14  to transition the engine&#39;s force from a torque along the horizontal axis to a torque on the vertical axis that can be applied to the axle and drive the wheels. Torque is transferred to the drive axle  21  by use of a primary drive sprocket  18  mounted on the jack shaft  14  that drives a chain  19  that in turn drives a secondary drive sprocket  20  mounted on the drive axle  21 . Upon applying torque to the secondary drive sprocket, the secondary drive sprocket  20  in turn applies a torque to the drive axle  21  which turns the wheels and propels the vehicle forward. 
         [0022]    Therefore, in this embodiment of the running gear selection and drive system assembly, when the engine is started, the drive shaft is rotated, causing the drive belt to turn and rotate the jack shaft  14 . The jack shaft then turns the chain  19  rotating the drive axle  21  and turning the wheels, thereby propelling the vehicle forward. 
         [0023]    In one embodiment, as seen in  FIG. 1-2 , a brake system for the vehicle comprises two elongated aluminum brake handles  27  with a handle on one end and a sharpened end opposite the handle end. The bars are fastened to the chassis and configured within reach of the vehicle operator. The operator slows the vehicle by pulling up on the handle causing the sharpened brake handle end  28  to grip the ground creating friction, thus slowing the vehicle. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, as seen in  FIG. 2 , a steering system comprises a center steering ski  31  pivotally attached to the center of the chassis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chassis. The center ski contains an aluminum skeg  32  along the bottom of the ski parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ski. In addition, the center ski is attached to two brake handles  27  by steering ski tensioning springs  33  and steering ski adjustment cables  34 . Upon lifting either handle, the vehicle turns in the direction to the corresponding side the handle was lifted. Upon lifting the vehicle operator&#39;s right brake handle, the handle pulls the center steering ski to pivotally angle to the right, causing the vehicle to turn in the right direction. Upon lifting the left brake handle, the vehicle turns in the left direction. Furthermore, when both handles are lifted simultaneously, the sharpened brake handle ends contact the surface, thus slowing the vehicle. 
         [0025]    While the invention has been described in detail herein in accordance with certain preferred embodiments thereof, many modifications and changes therein may be effected by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.