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.

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.

There is provided an amphibious vehicle for use on land and water comprising lateral floaters which increases the stability of the vehicle when in water. While on land, the lateral floaters may be retracted within the body of the vehicle to reduce the width of the vehicle.

A vehicle capable of multiple varieties of locomotion having a main body; a plurality of motors and blades providing flying capability; each motor being associated with and powering a blade assembly; two legs extending from opposing sides of the main body creating a ground propulsion system. The ground propulsion system having two legs; each leg connected to a track body at the opposing leg end; each track body comprised of a plurality of drive gears; each track body connected to and retaining a track providing ground propulsion. The vehicle can either drive or fly based on its base structure, in additional to carrying a payload. The payload is carried below the main body of the vehicle and between the tracks or running gear. When the vehicle is in flight, the tracks are able to rotate up into a fly/flight mode to protect the blades during flight.

An amphibious vehicle having a frame that includes a plurality of floatable members. Mounted to the frame is one or more power sources. Also mounted to the frame and connected to the power source are a plurality of propellers with each of the plurality of propellers having a thrust vector configured to be adjusted to provide agitation and propulsion. In addition, mounted to the frame are a plurality of ground engaging devices and one or more pumps.

To enlarge a collapsible flap and store the collapsible flap appropriately. In an amphibious vehicle (1) in which a flap (13) which receives lift from water in water navigation is provided to be deployable and storable at a front side in a travel direction of a vehicle body (11), the flap (13) includes a lower flap (21) which is stored to come close to a front surface (11a) of the vehicle body (11) and an upper flap (22) which is stored to come close to an upper surface (11b) of the vehicle body (11), and at least one of the lower flap (21) and the upper flap (22) includes a first flap member (31) and a second flap member (32) and is configured such that a flap length (L.sub.13) in a direction orthogonal to a vehicle width direction is variable.

An amphibious vehicle has a floatable vehicle body; ground engaging propulsion structure having a plurality of ground engaging elements powered by a hydraulic motor; a fluid pump for pumping liquid manure; a power source connected to a hydraulic pump and configured to provide power to both the ground engaging propulsion structure and the fluid pump; and, remote control structure for controlling the ground engaging propulsion structure and a flow of fluid from the fluid pump. The speed and/or direction of the vehicle is remotely controllable by an operator remote from the vehicle when the vehicle is ground engaging and when the vehicle is floating.