AMPHIBIOUS TRANSPORT SYSTEM

Abstract

An amphibious transport apparatus includes forward and aft ends, a pair of spaced apart pontoons including tracks, and a transversely extending structure, which can include a platform, that spans between the pontoons and connects the pontoons together. The amphibious transport apparatus further includes a sled vessel that can be used to transport materials or personnel. The sled can be releasably attached to the amphibious transport apparatus with tow bar and a pivotal connection. Said tow bar can be rotatable between an upper storage position wherein the tow bar engages the vessel away from said pivotal connection and above a terrain surface, and a lower towing position. A towing position of said amphibious craft and sled can be defined by the sled connected to the amphibious craft at the releasable pivotal connection, with the amphibious craft being self propelled with said tracks for engaging the underlying terrain and with the sled in the lower towing position so that the sled bottom drags along on the underlying terrain during movement of the amphibious transport apparatus and sled. A trailer for loading and unloading the sled can also be provided. The amphibious craft can push the sled onto the trailer during loading.

Claims

1-36. (canceled)

37. An amphibious transport apparatus comprising: a) an amphibious craft having forward and aft ends, a pair of spaced apart pontoons, a transversely extending structure that spans between the pontoons and connecting the pontoons together; b) wherein the transversely extending structure includes a platform having a user's control station and a transom in front of the aft end of said amphibious craft; c) a sled vessel that has a length, a generally flat bottom that extends over a majority of said length, side walls extending up from the bottom; d) a rigid tow bar movably attached to the vessel at a connection that enables the tow bar to rotate up or down relative to the vessel; e) a releasable connection that enables the tow bar to releasably attach to the amphibious craft in between the pontoons, the releasable connection including a first connector on the amphibious craft and a second connector on the tow bar; f) wherein said tow bar is rotatable between an upper storage position wherein the tow bar engages the vessel away from said releasable connection and a lower towing position; g) said towing position of said amphibious craft and sled vessel defined by the sled vessel connected to the amphibious craft with said first and second connectors, the amphibious craft being self propelled with tracks engaging underlying terrain and the sled vessel generally flat bottom dragging on the underlying terrain.

38. The amphibious transport apparatus of claim 37 wherein in the lower towing position the second connector portion is above the sled vessel bottom.

39. The amphibious transport apparatus of claim 37 wherein the sled vessel has a ramp that movably attaches to the sled vessel, the ramp being movable between an upper storage position and a lower cargo unloading position.

40. The amphibious transport apparatus of claim 37 wherein the tow bar attaches to the amphibious craft at the transom

41. The amphibious transport apparatus of claim 37 wherein the bottom is lined with a polymeric layer of material.

42. The amphibious transport apparatus of claim 37 wherein at least a part of the side walls are lined with a polymeric layer of material.

43. The amphibious transport apparatus of claim 37 wherein at least part of the bottom is covered with a layer of polymeric material.

44. The amphibious transport apparatus of claim 37 wherein the amphibious craft has a length and the sled has a length that is greater than the length of the amphibious craft.

45. The amphibious transport apparatus of claim 37 wherein the amphibious craft has a towing capacity and the sled when connected to the amphibious craft with said first and second connectors generates a drag on said amphibious craft that is less than half of said towing capacity.

46. The amphibious transport apparatus of claim 37 wherein the amphibious craft has a towing capacity and the sled when connected to the amphibious craft with said first and second connectors generates a drag on said amphibious craft that is less than twenty five percent of said towing capacity.

47. The amphibious transport apparatus of claim 37 wherein the amphibious craft has a towing capacity and the sled when connected to the amphibious craft with said first and second connectors generates a drag on said amphibious craft that is less than ten percent of said towing capacity.

48. The amphibious transport apparatus of claim 37 wherein the amphibious craft has forward and reverse mobility and wherein the amphibious craft pushes the sled when in reverse.

49. The amphibious transport apparatus of claim 48 wherein the amphibious craft and sled vessel are so configured in the towing position that the amphibious craft is able to push the sled into a body of water wherein the amphibious craft is above the sled on a higher elevational terrain while the sled vessel bottom is in a lower elevational position on a water surface of said body of water.

50. The amphibious transport apparatus of claim 48 wherein the amphibious craft and sled are so configured in the towing position that the amphibious craft is able to push the sled upwardly and upon a bed of an inclined trailer wherein the amphibious craft is below the sled vessel bottom on an underlying terrain while the sled vessel bottom is at a higher position on the bed of said inclined trailer.

51. The amphibious transport apparatus of claim 48 wherein the amphibious craft and sled are so configured in the towing position that the amphibious craft is able to push the sled vessel upwardly and upon a bed of an inclined trailer wherein the amphibious craft is below the sled on an underlying terrain while the sled is in a higher position on the bed of said inclined trailer.

52. A method of transporting personnel and or equipment to a remote locale that includes marsh, wetland and/or water, comprising the steps of: a) providing an amphibious craft having forward and aft ends, a pair of spaced apart pontoons, a transverse platform that spaces the pontoons apart and includes an operator's control station and a transom in front of said aft end, endless tracks around each pontoon, and a drive system that drives the tracks relative to the pontoon, said drive system enabling the craft to travel in forward or reverse directions; b) providing a sled having a generally flat bottom, a top, side walls, first and second sled ends and a cargo deck that has an area greater than the area of said platform; c) connecting the sled to the amphibious craft with a rigid tow bar that enables the amphibious craft to selectively pull or push the sled; d) wherein said rigid tow bar is attached to the amphibious craft at a connector to define a connected position; e) selectively pulling or pushing the sled with the amphibious craft when in said connected position; f) wherein the connected position is so configured that the sled can be pushed when the sled bottom is selectively either above all or part of the amphibious craft, below all or part of the amphibious craft, or at the same level as the amphibious craft; and g) wherein said sled has a movable ramp and using said movable ramp to access the cargo deck for enabling transfer to or from said cargo deck of personnel and/or equipment to be transported.

53. The method of claim 52 further comprising the step of providing a trailer having a bed that is movable between an inclined loading position and a travel position, wherein in step e the trailer bed is in the inclined loading position and further comprising the steps of the amphibious craft pushing the sled upon the bed and moving the trailer bed to the travel position.

54. The method of claim 52 further comprising placing a layer of polymer on the bottom of the sled.

55. The method of claim 52 wherein in step c the tow bar can be pivoted above the top of the sled.

56. The method of claim 52 wherein in step c the tow bar can be pivoted below the bottom of the sled.

57. The method of claim 52 wherein in step c the tow bar connector includes a universal joint.

58. The method of claim 52 wherein in step c the tow bar connector is connected to the amphibious craft at a first elevational position and to the sled at a second elevational position that is lower than said first elevational position.

59. The method of claim 53 wherein the tow bar connection to the sled is higher than the tow bar connection to the amphibious craft in the travel position.

60. The method of claim 53 wherein the tow bar is connected to the amphibious craft and to the sled when moving from inclined loading position to travel position.

61. The amphibious transport apparatus of claim 37 wherein the amphibious craft has a maximum load carrying capacity of about 2,000 pounds.

62. The amphibious transport apparatus of claim 37 wherein the sled vessel has a load carrying capacity of about 2,000-5,000 pounds.

63. The amphibious transport apparatus of claim 37 wherein the sled vessel has a load carrying capacity of about 3,500 pounds.

64. The amphibious transport apparatus of claim 37 wherein a load carrying capacity of the sled vessel is greater than a load carrying capacity of the amphibious craft.

65. The method of claim 52 wherein the amphibious craft has a maximum load carrying capacity of about 2,000 pounds.

66. The method of claim 52 wherein the sled has a load carrying capacity of about 2,000-5,000 pounds.

67. The method of claim 52 wherein the sled has a load carrying capacity of about 3,500 pounds.

68. The method of claim 52 wherein the sled has a greater length than the length of the amphibious craft.

69. The method of claim 52 wherein the load carrying capacity of the sled is greater than the load carrying capacity of the amphibious craft.

70. A method of transporting personnel and or equipment to a remote locale that includes marsh, wetland and/or water, comprising the steps of: a) providing an amphibious craft having forward and aft ends, a pair of spaced apart pontoons, a transverse platform that spaces the pontoons apart and includes an operator's control station and a transom in front of said aft end, endless tracks around each pontoon, and a drive system that drives the tracks relative to the pontoon, said drive system enabling the craft to travel in forward or reverse directions; b) providing a sled having a generally flat bottom, a top, side walls, and a cargo deck that has an area greater than the area of said platform; c) connecting the sled to the amphibious craft with a rigid tow bar that enables the amphibious craft to selectively pull or push the sled; d) wherein said rigid tow bar is attached to the amphibious craft at a connector to define a connected position; e) selectively pulling or pushing the sled with the amphibious craft when in said connected position; f) wherein the connected position is so configured that the sled can be pushed when the sled bottom is selectively either above all or part of the amphibious craft, below all or part of the amphibious craft, or at the same level as the amphibious craft; and g) loading the cargo deck with personnel and/or equipment to be transported.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:

[0045] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0046] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0047] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0048] FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0049] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0050] FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0051] FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0052] FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention;

[0053] FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing the sled or load carrying hull in travel or transport position;

[0054] FIGS. 10-17 are perspective views of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the method of the present invention when loading the sled device on a transport trailer;

[0055] FIG. 18 is a partial bottom view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; and

[0056] FIGS. 19-20 are fragmentary views of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing tow bar angular position just prior to loading on the transport trailer and after loading is complete.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0057] FIGS. 1-20 show a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral 10. Amphibious transport system 10 employs an amphibious vehicle 11 which can be a tow vehicle in one embodiment of a method of the present invention. The amphibious vehicle (designated generally by the numeral 11 in the drawings) can be a double pontoon tracked vehicle. Such amphibious tow vehicles are known such as can be seen and described in the above listed John B. Coast patents, each hereby incorporated herein by reference. In general, such amphibious vehicles 11 have spaced apart pontoons 12, 13. Each pontoon 12, 13 typically is fitted with an endless belt or track 14. A transverse, elevated platform 15 as shown in FIG. 2 connects to the pontoons 12, 13 and spaces them apart. The transverse platform 15 can have an operators station 16 or cabin, an engine, and hydraulic components (see FIGS. 1-2).

[0058] In a preferred embodiment, a connecting part/ball/hitch 17 is provided at the aft or stern end portion of amphibious vehicle 11 (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIGS. 1-13 for example, a sled or load carrying buoyant hull 20 of improved configuration is provided. The sled 20 has a bottom 21 that can include a central, generally flat section 22. The bottom 21 also can include forward rake 23 and aft rake 24. The sled 20 has sidewalls 25, 26, forward edge 55 and an interior 27 that can be used to contain personnel and/or equipment to be transported. The interior 27 preferably has a floor 18 that can be used as a work platform for holding equipment, supplies, or personnel. Sled 20 can be of welded metal (e.g., aluminum) construction. Personnel can walk upon floor 18 when accessing equipment or performing jobs such as maintenance. Transportable equipment can include, for example: motors, pumps, blasting equipment, tools, pipe, paint, or the like.

[0059] Sled 20 preferably has a tow bar 30 connected to forward rake 23 as shown in FIGS. 1-13. Tow bar 30 can have a connecting part or eyelet 31 and a universal joint or swivel at 32 (see FIGS. 3 and 11 and 19-20). This arrangement of connecting part/eyelet 31 and universal joint or swivel 32 enable articulation between the amphibious tow vehicle 11 and sled 20.

[0060] The tow bar 30 has a first arm or strut 33 and a second arm or strut 34. The arms, struts 33, 34 connect to transverse edge 35 of sled 20 as shown in FIGS. 5, 7, 11 for example. A similar transverse edge 36 is provided at the aft or stern end of sled 20 and can be fitted with receiver or hitch 60 as shown in FIG. 12. Hitch 60 can be fitted with a commercially available ball, eyelet or other hitch that enables connection to a second sled 20 wherein amphibious craft 11 pulls both first and second sleds 20, one behind the other. Spaced apart gussets/plates/eyelets 37, 38 can be provided on edge 35. A pinned or pivotal connection can be formed between each arm/strut/bar 33, 34 and a gusset or plate or eyelet 37, 38 as shown in FIGS. 5, 11. A pinned connection or pivot 39, 40 can be formed using a locking pin. Such locking pins are commercially available.

[0061] Sled 20 bottom 21 can be fitted with a polymer layer/layer of material 41 such as plastic or other low friction material. Such a polymer layer 41 (see FIG. 18) can extend from side to side between side walls 25, 26 and forward to aft, extending to and covering forward rake 23 (at edge 35) to and covering and aft rake 24 (at edge 36).

[0062] A polymer layer of material, or plastic layer, or layer of low friction material (e.g., UHMW polyurethane or Teflon) can be provided on side or side wall 25 as layer 42 (see FIGS. 8, 16-17). Similarly, side or side wall 26 can provide layer of material at 43 which can be a polymer layer, plastic layer or layer of low friction material (see FIGS. 4, and 6, 10-11). Fasteners such as screws or other threaded fasteners can be used to secure the layers 41, 42, 43 to the sled 20. Sled 20 can thus slide upon layer 41. Each of the sides or side walls 25, 26 can be fitted with a longitudinal rib or bumper 44, 45. The side wall 25 has longitudinal rib or bumper 44. The side wall 26 has longitudinal rib or bumper 45. Layers 41, 42, 43 can be between about and inches thick.

[0063] In the figures, e.g., in FIGS. 9-17, there can be seen a trailer 50 which can be used to transport sled 20. Trailer 50 preferably has a lowered travel position 51 and an inclined position or loading position 52. Such a trailer 50 is commercially available, including a trailer bed or platform 53 with an upper surface 54 and wherein bed 53 is preferably movable. Expandable cylinders 68 (e.g., hydraulic cylinders or pneumatic cylinders or a rack and pinion arrangement) can be used to elevate bed 53 between an elevated or inclined position 52 (see FIGS. 14-16) and a flat or travel position 51 (see FIGS. 9, 11, 17).

[0064] The tow bar 30 can be stored in an upper, storage or transport position 49 using a gusset, plate or padeye 56 and locking pin 57 as shown in FIGS. 5, 11. Another gusset or plate or padeye 58 is spaced from the gusset/plate/padeye 56 and can be used to lock the bar 30 in an upper position 49 with locking pin 59. Each of the bar arms 33, 34 has a gusset/plate/padeye 61, 62 as shown. In order to secure the tow bar 30 in an upper, transport position 49, a user can place a locking pin 57 or 59 through gusset plate or padeye 56 or 58 and through the gusset or plate or padeye 61 or 62 on the tow bar 30 (see FIGS. 5, 11). This transport position 49 of the tow bar 30 can be seen in FIG. 5.

[0065] FIGS. 14-17 and 19-20 illustrate a loading of sled 20 upon trailer 50 and more particularly upon a trailer 50 bed or platform 53 having upper surface 54. In FIG. 14, the amphibious vehicle 11 is shown connected to sled 20. Trailer 50 has been placed in the loading or inclined position 52. In FIG. 15-17, the amphibious vehicle 11 has pushed sled 20 so that the bottom 21 of sled 20 engages upper surface 54 of trailer bed or platform 53.

[0066] Notice in FIG. 19 that the tow bar 30 forms an acute angle 69 with a horizontal plane 71. In FIG. 19, tow bar 30 is lower at its attachments to sled 20 at pivots 39, 40 and higher at its attachment to vehicle 11 at hitch 17. In this position, if a horizontal plane is defined as zero degrees, tow bar 30 forms an angle with horizontal of between about 10 and 60 degrees (see FIG. 19). In FIG. 19, the sled 20 and vehicle 11 are both resting on the earth's surface 72. In FIGS. 14-17, as the amphibious vehicle 11 moves toward trailer 50, the tow bar 30 forms an increasingly larger acute angle with horizontal, beginning with an initial angle 69 of about 10 to 60 degrees to a final angle 70 of about 20-60 degrees (see FIG. 20). The sled 20 forms an acute angle of about 20-60 degrees with a horizontal plane 71 once the sled is positioned upon the trailer 50 bed 53 and the trailer 50 moved to the travel position 51 (FIGS. 17 and 20) and wherein the amphibious vehicle 11 remains upon the surface of the earth at 72 or like underlying surface (see FIGS. 17 and 20).

[0067] The sled 20 is pushed by vehicle 11 onto the trailer 50 bed 53 while bed 53 is in inclined position 52. The bed 53 can then be lowered toward the travel position 51 and preferably when the tow bar 30 is connected to the sled 20 (see FIGS. 17 and 20), thus preventing the sled 20 from sliding off of the trailer 50 bed 53. Once the angle of the trailer bed 53 with respect to horizontal 71 has been reduced (see travel position 51, FIG. 17), the tow bar 30 can be disconnected from the sled 20 using the disconnectable pin connection at 39, 40. If sled 20 is mistakenly disconnected from amphibious vehicle 11 before loading to position 52 is completed (e.g. the FIG. 16 position), the sled 20 could possibly shift positions or possibly slide relative to the trailer bed 30.

[0068] In one embodiment, one of the rakes 23 or 24 includes a ramp 65 that is movable between elevated and lowered positions. Ramp 65 is hinged to sled 20 at hinge 66. Ramp 65 can be secured in the closed position using closure pins 67 or other closure device, latch or lock(s). The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention:

PARTS LIST

[0069]

TABLE-US-00001 PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION 10 amphibious transport system 11 amphibious tow vehicle 12 pontoon 13 pontoon 14 endless belt/track 15 transverse platform 16 operators station/cabin 17 connecting part/ball/hitch 18 floor 20 sled/hull 21 bottom 22 central, generally flat section 23 forward rake 24 aft rake 25 side wall/side 26 side wall/side 27 interior 30 tow bar 31 connecting part/eyelet 32 universal joint/swivel 33 arm/strut/bar 34 arm/strut/bar 35 transverse edge 36 transverse edge 37 gusset/plate/eyelet 38 gusset/plate/eyelet 39 pinned connection/pivot 40 pinned connection/pivot 41 polymer layer/layer of material 42 polymer layer/layer of material 43 polymer layer/layer of material 44 longitudinal rib/bumper 45 longitudinal rib/bumper 49 upper or transport/storage position 50 trailer 51 travel position 52 inclined position/loading position 53 trailer bed/platform 54 upper surface 55 forward edge 56 gusset/plate/padeye 57 locking pin 58 gusset/plate/padeye 59 locking pin 60 receiver/hitch/square tubing 61 gusset/plate/padeye 62 gusset/plate/padeye 65 ramp 66 ramp hinge 67 latch/pin/closure 68 hydraulic/pneumatic cylinders/lift cylinders 69 angle 70 angle 71 horizontal line 72 earth's surface

[0070] All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.

[0071] The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.