Abstract:
A tracked, amphibious vehicle, comprising at least two, spaced, elongated pontoons disposed generally parallel to one another. A platform structure can be supported by and structurally connects the pontoons, the platform structure including a transom, a lowermost generally horizontally extending panel above a free clearance area under a bottom panel and between the pontoons through which terrain and debris can pass. A hydraulic drive system can propel the vehicle, said drive system including left and right hydraulic motors mounted on the pontoons. At least one series of longitudinally spaced bogie wheels for supporting said vehicle can be mounted along the bottom of the pontoons. A continuous, endless belt can encircle each pontoon and engages the bogie wheels. Ground-engaging cleats assembled on the outer surface of each belt and covering the pontoon bottom provide traction to the vehicle. Gearing interfaces the motor with the endless belts. A supplemental, marine drive assembly includes: a hydraulic motor having a rotary device, shaft, with an axis, a propeller shaft having an axis wherein the motor axis and propeller axis are aligned, a universal joint connecting the hydraulic motor to the transom, and a housing including a sleeve that contains the propeller shaft, a first vertical plate connected to the sleeve and a second vertical plate connected to the sleeve below the first plate.
Abstract:
A propulsion system for a watercraft including a motor and a drive connected to the motor. At least one belt is carried by the drive. The belt includes at least one paddle extending outwardly from the belt.
Abstract:
An amphibious vehicle for traversing a body of water or solid terrain such as a layer of ice floating atop the body of water. The vehicle includes a floatable boat hull having an elongate aperture there-through, and a snowmobile for traveling over the solid terrain received in the opening and sealed to the hull in water impervious relation. The snowmobile includes an endless drive track for supporting the hull in spaced relation with solid terrain being traversed and for rearwardly propelling water in the body of water to forwardly propel the vehicle over solid terrain or through the water, and a pair of skis which support the front of the hull in spaced relation with the solid terrain being traversed and include upturned forward ends mounting upstanding rudders for steering the boat hull as the vehicle traverses a body of water. The hull includes upwardly extending, downwardly opening pockets for receiving the front upturned ends of the skis and stabilizing arms which are coupled between the frame and the skis. Upwardly inclined guides are provided on the underside of the hull for upwardly guiding the skis out of the water onto the ice floating on the water as the vehicle exits the water and moves onto the ice.
Abstract:
An improved marsh craft construction uses spaced apart pontoons with endless belts (e.g.,. rubber) that encircle the pontoons and ride upon a rail system. Lugs are fastened to the belts for sliding against the rails. Drive wheels have cylindrical pins that intermesh with correspondingly shaped surfaces of the lugs. This improved construction eliminates any roller chain.