An amphibious vehicle comprises a buoyant hull, a boat motor affixed to the hull to propel the amphibious vehicle in water, two or more powered wheel assemblies affixed to the hull to propel the amphibious vehicle on land, and two or more selectively rotatable arms affixing each wheel assembly to the hull. One or more of the wheel assemblies are affixed to opposing sides of the hull. Two or more selectively rotatable arms affix each wheel assembly to the hull. The arms affixing each respective wheel assembly are selectively rotatable in unison to move the respective wheel assembly between a lowered position and a raised position.

A universal receiver for transporting a watercraft may include a first knuckle receiver attachable to the watercraft, an adapter repositionable within the knuckle receiver, and a wheeled support leg. Typically, the adapter is detachable from the support leg and includes a ridge to mate with a corresponding channel and recessed cavity in the receiver. The result is a wheel assembly to repositionably secure the support leg between a first position and at least a second position that is generally angular offset from the first position, thereby securing the leg and preventing rotation about the watercraft.

A retractable wheel and/or track drive assembly for an amphibian comprising an actuator, a retraction linkage assembly movable between a protracted position and a retracted position, a suspension assembly at least partially connected to the retraction linkage assembly and movable between a protracted position and a retracted position, and at least one wheel and/or track drive, wherein when the retraction linkage assembly and the suspension assembly are protracted then the retraction linkage and/or suspension assembly supports and/or holds at least one wheel and/or track drive in a ground engaging position for use on land.

A dual mode vehicle that operates on guided rails and roadways includes a capsule, a carriage, a front left drive system, a front right drive system, a rear left drive system, a rear right drive system, a pod control unit, and at least one battery. The carriage includes a spherical frame-housing and a base. A spherical cabin of the capsule is attitudinally mounted within the spherical frame-housing. The front left drive system, the front right drive system, the rear left drive system, and the rear right drive system each includes a motor, a drive axle, a road wheel, and a rail wheel. The road wheel and the rail wheel are axially mounted to the drive axle. The motor that is mounted to the base is operatively coupled with the drive axle through the at least one battery and the pod control unit to operate a roadway or railway transportation mode.

A wheel suspension and retraction apparatus (2) for an amphibious vehicle comprises a suspension unit having transverse upper and lower suspension links (4, 8); spring and damper unit (12), and suspension upright (6) supporting wheel (10), and pivotally connected to outboard ends of links (4 and 8). The wheel retraction mechanism has a retraction linkage (14, 16, 18), pivotably connectable to the vehicle, and an actuator (38) for moving the wheel suspension between a protracted position for land use and a retracted position for use on water. The retraction mechanism supports the suspension unit spaced apart transversely from the vehicle. Tie bar (16) is connected to upper retraction arm (14) at an intermediate location (30) to ensure a large angle of tilt on retraction, to ensure that the wheel is retracted above hull line (156). The wheel suspension does not have to be compressed on retraction.

The present invention includes a retractable single front wheel or track drive assembly for an amphibian comprising a single front wheel or track drive. The retractable single front wheel or track drive assembly comprises an actuator, a suspension assembly movable between a protracted position and a retracted position, and a single front wheel or track drive. When the suspension assembly is protracted then the suspension assembly supports and/or holds the single front wheel or track drive in a ground engaging position for use on land, and the front single wheel is moved forward and upwards on retraction. The present invention also provides a retractable single rear wheel or track drive assembly for an amphibian. The present invention further provides an amphibian comprising the retractable single front or rear wheel or track drive assembly.

A trailer pontoon bottom has built in wheels designed to fold under the trailer pontoon to be clear of the water and to extend out and lock for land use and be clear of the pontoons. A pair of swing arms each having a first end attached to an inside axial hub of the wheel are designed to rotate on a boss of the first end. A second end of the swing arm is configured to rotate a maximum of 90 degrees from its folded position into a trailer position. An axis parallel to a back end of the trailer pontoon is configured to attach to each of the pair of swing arms at a respective pivot located a swing arm distance from an edge of the trailer pontoon. The axis is rotatable by less than 90 degrees to enable each wheel to retract against a suspension bumper.

A retractable wheel and/or track drive assembly for an amphibian comprising an actuator, a retraction linkage assembly movable between a protracted position and a retracted position, a suspension assembly at least partially connected to the retraction linkage assembly and movable between a protracted position and a retracted position, and at least one wheel and/or track drive, wherein when the retraction linkage assembly and the suspension assembly are protracted then the retraction linkage and/or suspension assembly supports and/or holds at least one wheel and/or track drive in a ground engaging position for use on land.

A sit-astride amphibious vehicle configuration which supports a high performance envelope both on land as well as in water. The vehicle has a planing hull and four retractable wheels. Handlebars provide for directional control in both modes of operation. Each road wheel is retractable by pivoting through at least 45 so as to maximize ground clearance when in the land mode of operation and to minimize drag at substantial lean angles when in the marine mode of operation. While a jet drive may remain directly connected to the engine at all times, the driven wheels are only connected during land mode via a speed-change transmission. The entire power train is supported by a frame that is separable from the hull which in turn has a detachable top deck portion, whereby such configuration simplifies the construction, repair and servicing of the vehicle.

A two wheeled planing amphibian (10) has a hull (20), bow (24), front wheel (30) and rear wheel (40). Front suspension (32) and rear suspension (42) are retractable, separately or simultaneously. Front wheel (30) may retract vertically or rotationally. Steering is by handlebars (50), link (54), and forks (36). Front wheel (20) may be located outside the hull in both protracted and retracted positions. The underside of hull (20) may be continuous in both land mode and marine mode along and across its centreline from the bow to the rearmost underside point on the hull along the centreline; or from the forwardmost underside point on the hull when it is planing at its lowest speed to the rear. There may be no wheel closures attached to the hull. A wheel bay (22), which is open at its top side, may be provided to allow rear wheel retraction.