Vehicles are disclosed which have a lower center of gravity than existing all-terrain, amphibious, and unmanned ground vehicles due to the location of propulsion units and other vehicle components inside the wheels of the vehicle. The vehicles can climb over large obstacles yet are also able to corner at high speeds. The vehicles can be configured for direct manual operation or operation by remote control, and can also be configured for a wide variety of missions.

The present invention provides, with reference to FIG. 2, an amphibian operable in land and marine modes, the amphibian comprising a hull, at least one discontinuity (wheel bay) provided in the hull, and at least one retractable wheel or track assembly at least partially located in the at least one discontinuity (wheel bay). The hull is a planing hull, and the at least one discontinuity (wheel bay) is provided in the front half of the hull of the amphibian. The amphibian further comprises at least one conduit which opens, or is provided with an entry which opens, into or at the at least one discontinuity (wheel bay) and is configured for channelling, in use, fluid away from the at least one discontinuity (wheel bay).

A trailer system for transporting multiple adult passengers and/or supplies over harsh terrain (e.g., snow, ice, wetland, etc.) when towed behind a vehicle. The trailer system includes a cabin, first and second skis, and first and second suspension assemblies. The suspension assemblies connect the skis, respectively, with the cabin. The suspension assemblies incorporate multiple pivot points that effectively isolate the skis from cabin, and promote true “tracking” of the trailer system relative to the towing vehicle. In some embodiments, the cabin has a highly buoyant construction, allowing the trailer system to float in water.

One aspect provides a modular infrastructure asset inspection robot, including: a plurality of modules for use in fluid conveyance infrastructure assets; each of the plurality of modules including at least one standardized electromechanical connection permitting a connection to be established with another of the plurality of modules; the plurality of modules being interchangeable and allowing reconfiguration of said modular infrastructure asset inspection robot to perform one or more of: two or more deployment methods for a first infrastructure asset type; and one deployment method for the first infrastructure asset type and a second infrastructure asset type. Other aspects are described and claimed.

A power train for an amphibian includes a first prime mover, a first speed change transmission, a first land propulsion unit and a first marine propulsion unit. The first prime mover is arranged to selectively drive the first land propulsion unit and the first marine propulsion unit through the first speed change transmission. The power train further comprises a second prime mover, a second speed change transmission, a second land propulsion unit and a second marine propulsion unit. The second prime mover is arranged to selectively drive at least one of the second land propulsion unit and a second marine propulsion unit through the second speed change transmission.

A utility sled is formed from a lightweight material and includes a handle flexibly attached to the front end thereof. The handle includes a hook that is seated within a small opening of the utility sled when not in use. A pair of retractable wheels is attached to an exterior of each sidewall of the utility sled. The sidewalls are biased outward when no load is present. When loaded, the sidewalls advantageously tend to straighten vertically. The formed bottom of the sled includes a plurality of ribs which both add strength to the sled as well as function as sled runners when the wheels are retracted. The ribs operate to reduce friction between the sled bottom and the underlying surface.

The present invention provides, with reference to FIG. 1, an amphibian operable on land and in/on water. The amphibian comprises a planing hull, at least one retractable wheel, the at least one retractable wheel being retractable from a protracted land engaging position when the amphibian is operated on land to a retracted position when the amphibian is operated in/on water, at least one prime mover for providing power to drive, directly or indirectly, the amphibian on land and/or in/on water, and at least one steerable wheel which is, at least when the amphibian is operated on land, connected directly or indirectly to a steering control device operable by a driver to steer the amphibian. In addition the present invention provides that either i) the steering control device is moveable between at least two distinct laterally spaced positions across the width or beam of the amphibian; ii) the amphibian comprises side-by-side seating; iii) the amphibian comprises a roll over protection system; iv) the amphibian comprises an open cargo area cargo or truck-like bed; v) the amphibian comprises two seat belts and three seat belt buckles or buckle positions, or two seat belt buckles or buckle positions, and three seat belts; vi) the amphibian comprises a footwell area having no transmission tunnel; vii) the amphibian comprises a footwell and seating area configured so as not to impede or restrict driver and/or passenger entry via one side of the amphibian, egress from the other side of the amphibian, and through movement therebetween; viii) the amphibian comprises a positive buoyancy system and/or deployable righting system; or ix) the amphibian comprises an interlock or safety system which prevents operation/activation of at least one driver or automatically controlled parameter of the amphibian unless sensing/determining a first condition has been satisfied.

An improved amphibious vehicle comprising: a drive train; a plurality of ground engaging wheels; a cooling system; a water propulsion system; and a hull which defines a passenger compartment, wherein the form/shape of the hull below the waterline is substantially defined by a plurality of buoyancy modules that are demountably mountable to the amphibious vehicle.

The invention relates to the vehicles for off-road driving, both on land and on water, which can be used for construction of vehicles with good cross-country ability, (all-terrain vehicles). An all-terrain vehicle comprises a cabin with a glazing and a door, a passenger compartment, a frame, an engine with an exhaust system, a transmission gearbox, a steering gear, a running gear comprising a final drive system connected with at least two pairs of axle shafts with the wheels mounted on them having the low pressure tires, a suspension connected with the wheel tires, a tire inflation system, a heating system, a control system, is different in that it comprises an air line connected simultaneously with all wheel tires and associated with a tire inflation system. A suspension of an all-terrain vehicle comprises a wheel suspension system connected with the wheel tires, a fluid power drive, and a tire inflation system, is different in that a wheel suspension system is configured as an air line formed by the hollow tubes welded together to make a frame formed by the side members and the cross bars or it is configured outside a frame to form a closed circuit connected with each tire by means of the pipelines with the valve members, whereas as a fluid power drive and a tire inflation system the claimed invention provides an engine exhaust system equipped with a damper and connected with an air line through a pipeline with a valve member.

The invention relates to the vehicles for off-road driving, both on land and on water, which can be used for construction of vehicles with good cross-country ability, (all-terrain vehicles). An all-terrain vehicle comprises a cabin with a glazing and a door, a passenger compartment, a frame, an engine with an exhaust system, a transmission gearbox, a steering gear, a running gear comprising a final drive system connected with at least two pairs of axle shafts with the wheels mounted on them having the low pressure tires, a suspension connected with the wheel tires, a tire inflation system, a heating system, a control system, is different in that it comprises an air line connected simultaneously with all wheel tires and associated with a tire inflation system. A suspension of an all-terrain vehicle comprises a wheel suspension system connected with the wheel tires, a fluid power drive, and a tire inflation system, is different in that a wheel suspension system is configured as an air line formed by the hollow tubes welded together to make a frame formed by the side members and the cross bars or it is configured outside a frame to form a closed circuit connected with each tire by means of the pipelines with the valve members, whereas as a fluid power drive and a tire inflation system the claimed invention provides an engine exhaust system equipped with a damper and connected with an air line through a pipeline with a valve member.