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This invention relates to an amphibious vehicle for manually advancing provided with wheels to move both on land an in water.

More specifically, according to this invention, a vehicle for moving on land is equipped with special floats for movement also in water and a movement system of the type with oars, or, more specifically, rotary blades, which do not require any rest or rowlocks, as in the case of oars on a boat, and they are not held only with the hands as in the case with paddles, but they have a rotary retaining system designed to allow the rotation like a wheel with blades with the possibility of rotation, on the two sides of the boat.

This invention can be advantageously applied in the sector of hybrid vehicles and in particular terrestrial and aquatic vehicles which can be operated manually, that is to say, by using suitable gripping and actuating means for applying the muscular force of arms or legs .

BACKGROUND ART

Is known that pleasure boats, that is to say, floating units for transporting on water and, more specifically, harbour craft, that is to say, floating units having a hull of less than 10 metres, may be driven by various propulsion systems, such as sails, engines, oars or other means .

Amongst the various propulsion systems, one of the most simple and for this reason the most commonly used is that of rowing which provides for the use of oars or paddles which are generally actuated with the force of the arms, levering during the thrust phase with the immersion of the blade in the water.

The oar, a tool used on a any boat which is free to move, is considered to be a second class lever since its operation, as a tool to impart motion to the boat, is based on the principle of the resistance exerted by the water on the surface of the blade. The configuration as a second class lever derives from the fact that the power is applied by the rower on the handgrip, and the resistance is given by the opposition of the blade which presses on the water generating the thrust, whilst the fulcrum lies at the point where the oar pivots with respect to the water, that is to say, at the rowlock.

The oar is different from the paddle as the latter is held by the rower whilst the oar is connected to the boat through the rowlock.

Amongst the problems encountered with the use of oars on the traditional boats there are those relating to safety, and these concern the fact that the oars are not normally stably anchored to the boat, but simply inserted in the rowlocks .

On the one hand, the oars may be forgotten or even lost after falling in the water, for example after becoming detached from the rowlocks, forcing the performance of manoeuvres for their recovery which are often dangerous, and on the other hand they may represent a potential danger since during their use, as they protrude for a certain distance from the boat, they may strike persons nearby, thus risking their safety.

There is, for example, the prior art solution described in patent document WO2011/055098 which comprises an amphibious vehicle comprising floating means, a housing for the user, wheels connected to the floating means eguipped with blades for advancing in water, wherein the blades are formed by the spokes of the wheel, so that this system is not very effective in terms of pushing in water and, moreover, there are no constraining and disengaging means between blade and wheel.

There is also the solution described in document CH 377 214 according to which the amphibious vehicle consists of a bicycle applied on a pair of floats and according to this solution the blades comprise a structure which must be applied on the wheels of the bicycle, with all the resulting application difficulties.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The aim of this invention is to provide an amphibious vehicle which allows the movement of a person both on land and in water preventing the loss of oars and reducing the overall dimensions during rowing, also allowing the movement of the boat between one thrust and the next, achieving a condition which can eliminate or at least reduce the problems described above.

The invention aims in particular to provide an amphibious vehicle which can allow the transport of persons on land to reach an expanse of water with the possibility of entering the water, without the need for pushing by other persons.

The typical environment of use is that of a sandy beach leading into water or a coastal, area provided with access into the water such as a ramp or the like.

This is achieved by means of a vehicle for use on land and in water whose features are described in the main claim .

The dependent claims of the solution according to this invention describe advantageous embodiments of the invention .

Basically, the vehicle according to the invention comprises a seat, if necessary associated with at least a hull, comprising a pair of floating wheels, one on each side, connected by a shared rotation shaft, each of which can be operated for advancing on land by manually pushing and, after connection to the floating wheels of a pair of blades positioned mutually opposite on each of the wheels, for movement in water.

More generally, the means for moving the oar are positioned between the latter and the rotation unit in such a way that the oar is movable between the extended configuration and an initial configuration wherein the oar withdraws within the lateral dimensions of the rotation unit .

This construction method and in particular the arrangement of the oars which rotate on planes substantially vertical and at right angles relative to the direction of advance limits the overall dimensions of the means of propulsion in the water, which protrude in a very limited manner from the overall shape, thus preventing the risk of striking any individuals swimming in the vicinity.

Moreover, this arrangement of the oars prevents them being lost or falling in the water, since,- due to their design, they always remain constrained to the vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear on reading the description given below of one embodiment, provided as a non-limiting example, with the help of the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figures 1 and 2 illustrate schematic and perspective views of the amphibious vehicle according to the invention in its entirety, with the blades located, respectively, in the rest position for movement on land and working position for movement in water;

- Figures 3 and 4 show schematic plan views of the vehicle according to the invention with, respectively, the oars located in the rest position for movement on land and working position for movement in water;

- Figures 5 to 11 are further schematic views according to different angles in which the blades of the oars are in a withdrawn position, that is to say, for use on land;

- Figures 12 and 13 show further details relative to the wheel movement means associated with the oar movement means ;

- Figures 14 to 17 illustrate further details of the movement means of the oars.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the above-mentioned drawings, the numeral 20 denotes in its entirety an amphibious vehicle or boat according to this invention. More specifically, the amphibious vehicle 20 or boat comprises floating means 24 for supporting the vehicle during the movement in water .

More specifically, each of the floating means 24 has a respective elongate extension along the direction of advancing of the vehicle. Preferably, there are two floating means 24 spaced apart from each other. Even more preferably, the floating means 24 also comprise a rear roller 32 in such a way as to give greater stability to the vehicle.

In the preferred case wherein the means of transport is only an amphibious vehicle 20, the rear roller 32 also defines a further additional supporting wheel relative to the wheels described below and is designed to enter into contact with the ground during the movement on land.

Moreover, the amphibious vehicle 20 or boat comprises at least one use station 21 for a user preferably positioned between the floating means 24 and connected to them in such a way that it can be supported in water. Preferably, the use position 21 comprises a seat. Moreover, the amphibious vehicle 20 or boat comprises at least one movement unit 22 of the vehicle configured to move the latter both on land and on water. The movement unit 22 protrudes downwards relative to the floating means 24 and relative to the use station 21 for the user in such a way as to come into contact with the land or with the water .

Preferably, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the movement unit 22 comprises a rotation unit 25 rotatable about a central axis 28. In the preferred embodiment of the amphibious vehicle 20, the rotation unit 25 is a wheel. Alternatively, if the movement unit 22 is applied to a boat, the rotation unit 25 might be a spider or a drum or a disk or another similar structure not specifically mentioned.

More in detail, the amphibious vehicle 20 or boat comprises a central shaft 23 coinciding with the central axis 28. Preferably, the central shaft 23 extends between two opposite ends at which are connected the floating means 24. In other words, the floating means 24 are positioned on opposite sides of the central shaft 23.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the movement unit 22 is preferably mounted between the station 21 for the user and the floating means 24 in such a way that the user can access the movement unit 22 with the arms. In other words, the movement unit 22 is located in the proximity of the user station 21.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the amphibious vehicle 20 or boat comprises two movement means 22 located at two opposite sides relative to the use station 21 of the user. In this way, the user may advantageously use arms and hands to rotate the movement units 22 towards the desired direction of advance. As mentioned, in the preferred case of the amphibious vehicle 20, the movement means 22 preferably comprise two respective wheels 25 which are actuated manually by a user. The two wheels 25 rotate on the same central shaft 23 or they could rotate on different shafts.

Preferably, each movement unit 22 comprises a circular handrail 30 positioned at a relative inner side facing towards the user station 21 for facilitating manual pushing on the wheels. Alternatively, the movement unit 22 could comprise cranks or the like so as to rotate the movement unit 22 back on itself.

In more detail, the rotation unit 25 has respective lateral dimensions in a direction radial to the central axis 28.

In the preferred case wherein the rotation unit 25 is a revolving wheel, it should be noted that it has two opposite lateral surfaces 29 substantially circular. The wheel 25 defines relative lateral dimensions according to a radial direction relative to the axis of rotation. In other words, the lateral dimensions of the of the wheel 25 are defined by an imaginary cylindrical surface having a diameter less than or equal to the wheel 25 and extending parallel to the central axis 28.

Moreover, the movement unit 22 comprises at least one oar 26 connected to the rotation unit 25 which in turn comprises a blade 27 and a base portion 31. Usually, the base portion 31 is a rod.

More specifically, the blade 27 of the oar 26 protrudes (in a radial direction relative to the central axis 28) outside the lateral dimensions of the rotation unit 25 at least during an extended configuration for moving in water shown in Figure 6. In other words, during the use condition, the blade 27 of the oar 26 projects radially from the rotation unit 25 in such a way as to able to come into contact with the water to exert the rowing action.

According to this invention, the movement unit 22 comprises means for moving the oar 26 positioned between the latter and the rotation unit 25 in such a way that the oar 26 is movable between the extended configuration and an initial configuration wherein the oar 26 withdraws within the lateral dimensions of the rotation unit 25. More specifically, the oar 26 has a maximum extension, in a radial direction relative to the central axis 28, less than or at most equal to the lateral dimensions of the rotation unit 25 during the initial configuration.

In other words, the oar 26 is connected laterally to the rotation unit 25 and is movable between a withdrawn position and a position protruding from it. In this position, the oar 26 withdraws completely inside the lateral dimensions as illustrated in Figures 3, 9, 10 and 11.

In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 13, the base portion 31 of each oar is mounted on a runner 40 positioned slidably on a guide 41 which is in turn applicable, with the possibility of releasing, diametrically on the surface of the rotation unit 25. More specifically, the oar 26 applied on the removable guide 41 is connected to the outer lateral surface 29 that is, the one not facing the user station 21.

In other words, the oar 26 is slidable in a radial direction relative to the axis of the wheel between the extended configuration in which it protrudes towards the outside of the lateral dimensions and a folded or withdrawn configuration, corresponding to the initial configuration, wherein it withdraws within the lateral dimensions of the wheel.

The removability of the guide 41 is achieved using locking means 47, shown in Figures 3, 4, 6 and 9, which retains the guide on the surface 29 of the wheel 22 facing the outside of the driving station 21.

In one embodiment, the locking means 47 comprise a through screw which passes through the wheel 25 from the inside to the outside where it intercepts a threaded seat made on the guide 41, the screw being equipped with a head with a knob which can be actuated by hand to easily perform the application or removal of the guide 41.

The removability of the guide gives the possibility that the rowing sector of the vehicle can be released from the wheels 25 if required.

Advantageously, it should be noted that the blade 27 of the oar 26 is oriented at right angles to a direction of advancement of the amphibious vehicle 20 in such a way as to exert a rowing action in the water.

In the case of the amphibious vehicle 20 the operating surface of the blade 17 is oriented at right angles to the lateral surface 29 on which is mounted the oar 26 at least during the initial configuration in such a way as to exert a rowing action in the water. In other words, the blade 27 of the oar 26 acts on the water also during the initial configuration .

In this way, it is advantageously possible to move the amphibious vehicle 20 or boat even when the water level not is sufficiently high as to be able to fully or partly extract the oar 26 (or the oars 26) from the initial configuration the use configuration. In effect, the rotation of the rotation unit 25 rotates the oar 26 in the initial configuration around the central axis 28. In other words, the blade 27 of the oar 26 is connected to the rotation unit 25 and rotates around the central axis 28 even during the initial configuration.

It should also be noted that the operating surface of the oar 26 is adjustable as desired relative to the base portion 31 in such a way as to incline the surface relative to a vertical plane in order to the soften the initial impact of the blade 27 against the water.

The base portion 31 of the oar 26 is mounted as mentioned on a runner 40 positioned slidably on a guide 41 positioned diametrically on the surface of the rotation unit 25 and more specifically, in the preferred embodiment wherein the movement unit comprises two blades 27 spaced relative to the central axis 28 of the wheel, the guide 41 allows the blades 27 to move from a mutually close position to a far position relative to the central axis 28.

Moreover, the blades 27 are mounted on the guide with the interposition of the sliding runner 40 symmetrically and specularly opposite relative to the axis of rotation of the shaft 23, and are associated with movement means of the belt type 42 which determines synchronisation of the movements of the two blades 27 during extension and withdrawal relative to the shape of the wheel.

The movement of the runner 40 is achieved using a pulling element 43 with a rope or belt or other similar traction means located in a drive condition between the inner sector and the outer sector of the rotation unit 25 according to an alignment which is substantially diametric relative to this.

More specifically, as illustrated in Figure 7, the pulling element 43 passes through two drive seats 44, 45 so as to form an internal pulling portion, facing towards the user, that is, towards the tubular element 30, or circular handrail, set up for the gripping and the thrust of each wheel with the hands, and an outer pulling portion of in which the rope intercepts one of the two sliding runners which support the blades 27.

Further, according to an embodiment, the two ends of the rope 43 are connected to and retained mutually by locking means 46, shown in Figure 12, engaged on a plate 48 integral with the runner 40, so as to allow the slidable movement of each oar 26 towards or away from the central rotation shaft 23.

Moreover, the rope-type movement means 43 comprise means operatively associated with the guide lane 41 for locking the oar 26 in the withdrawal position or in the extended position or in an intermediate position between the two.

More specifically, the sliding movement to bring each oar 26 of a same rotation unit 25 from the withdrawal position to the position of use and vice versa follows the same direction of sliding. In this way, the two oars 26 do not make contact with each other during their sliding. Moreover, during the withdrawal position the two oars 26 are positioned one alongside the other but overturned relative to each other.

In a further embodiment, the oars 26 can be moved from an extended position to a withdrawn position by a rotating movement instead of translational .

The invention achieves the preset aims.

More specifically, this invention allows the movement of the amphibious vehicle or boat to be speeded up when the water level not is sufficiently high to be able to fully extract the oars. In effect, in this invention the oars in the initial configuration remain inside the lateral dimensions of the rotation unit, but the respective blades are positioned in such a way as to exert in any case a rowing activity also in this initial configuration under conditions of minimum depth of the water .

Moreover, this invention facilitates the movement of the oars from the withdrawn position to the use position and vice versa since the latter are easily operated by the user as they are positioned at the rotation unit (and hence close to the user) and need not be aligned to the hooks in order to be used.

It should also be noted that this invention is relatively easy to implement and that the cost of implementing the invention is relatively low.

The invention as described above refers to preferred embodiments. It is nevertheless clear that the invention is susceptible to numerous variations falling within the scope of the disclosure, in the context of technical equivalents.