Patent US3610443A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3568624A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Vehicle for transporting and launching a boat
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1968-12-09
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Granted: 1971-03-09
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Expires: 1988-12-09
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle for transporting, launching and recovering a boat which said vehicle comprises a power-steering unit attached to a boat trailer having variable buoyancy. The power-steering unit includes a power source which is coupled to driven wheels in such a manner that the driven wheels are steerable by rotation of the power source housing. A fixed level of buoyancy is obtained by the incorporation of hollow structural members into the powersteering unit and the trailer frame. Variable buoyancy is provided by ballast tanks in association with a ballast control system so that the pressure between the boat and the launch vehicle may be varied to expedite the launch and recovery operations. Propulsion and steering control of the launch vehicle during water borne operations are provided by bladed propulsion discs attached to the driven wheels.
Inventors
- 👤 Floyd E Bjorklund
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 10:41
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60P; B60P3/00; B60P3/06; B60P3/10; B60P3/1033
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
283 words
An apparatus for transporting and launching a boat comprising: a first axle structure having at least one pair of wheels rotatably mounted thereto; a frame mounted on said first axle structure, said frame being adapted for supporting the boat; a power unit housing, said power unit housing containing a power source; a second axle structure, having at least one wheel rotatably mounted thereto; an attachment housing, having a port formed along the first dimension thereof, said attachment housing being rotatably mounted along said first dimension between said power unit housing and said second axle structure, said attachment housing being connected to one end of said frame; transmission means for coupling said power sour source through the port in said attachment housing to said wheel on said second axle structure so that said wheel is driven in response to said power source; connection means for connecting said power unit housing through said port in said attachment housing to said second axle structure so that as said power unit housing is rotated, said second axle structure rotates therewith; a second wheel rotatably mounted on said second axle structure; a differential unit mounted on sAid second axle structure for coupling said transmission means to each of said wheels of said second axle structure; at least one ballast tank attached to each side of said frame; ballast control means coupled to said ballast tanks for regulating the buoyancy of said tanks; a steering wheel couple to said power unit housing; and at least one propulsion disc attached to each of said wheels of said second axle structure for propelling said apparatus in the water, said propulsion disc having a plurality of fins for providing propulsion in water.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
283 words
An apparatus for transporting and launching a boat comprising: a first axle structure having at least one pair of wheels rotatably mounted thereto; a frame mounted on said first axle structure, said frame being adapted for supporting the boat; a power unit housing, said power unit housing containing a power source; a second axle structure, having at least one wheel rotatably mounted thereto; an attachment housing, having a port formed along the first dimension thereof, said attachment housing being rotatably mounted along said first dimension between said power unit housing and said second axle structure, said attachment housing being connected to one end of said frame; transmission means for coupling said power sour source through the port in said attachment housing to said wheel on said second axle structure so that said wheel is driven in response to said power source; connection means for connecting said power unit housing through said port in said attachment housing to said second axle structure so that as said power unit housing is rotated, said second axle structure rotates therewith; a second wheel rotatably mounted on said second axle structure; a differential unit mounted on sAid second axle structure for coupling said transmission means to each of said wheels of said second axle structure; at least one ballast tank attached to each side of said frame; ballast control means coupled to said ballast tanks for regulating the buoyancy of said tanks; a steering wheel couple to said power unit housing; and at least one propulsion disc attached to each of said wheels of said second axle structure for propelling said apparatus in the water, said propulsion disc having a plurality of fins for providing propulsion in water.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a alignment rail attached adjacent to the sides of said trailer, said alignment rail being constructed of padded hollow structural tubing so as to provide a degree of buoyancy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said ballast tanks are incorporated as structural members of said frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said attachment housing and said frame include hollow structural members, said hollow structural members being of such relative size that the end of the trailer coupled to the attachment housing is more buoyant than the opposite end thereof.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
72 words
An apparatus for launching and recovering a boat comprising: a trailer adapted for supporting the boat; at least one flotation tank attached to said trailer for providing buoyancy therefor; flotation control means coupled to said flotation tank for regulating the buoyance thereof; and whereby said flotation tank in response to said control means varies the flotation level of said apparatus so that the boat may be launched and recovered while water borne.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
72 words
An apparatus for launching and recovering a boat comprising: a trailer adapted for supporting the boat; at least one flotation tank attached to said trailer for providing buoyancy therefor; flotation control means coupled to said flotation tank for regulating the buoyance thereof; and whereby said flotation tank in response to said control means varies the flotation level of said apparatus so that the boat may be launched and recovered while water borne.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a alignment rail mounted on said trailer, said alignment rail being so constructed as to provide a fixed degree of buoyancy to said apparatus sufficient to support the trailer when submerged.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said trailer includes a plurality of flotation frame members, said frame members being so distributed that the apparatus is more buoyant at the bow than at the stern.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 5 with said flotation tanks being incorporated as side structural members of said trailer.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
197 words
An apparatus for transporting and launching a boat comprising: a first axle structure having at least one pair of wheels rotatably mounted thereto; a frame mounted on said first axle structure, said frame being adapted for supporting the boat; a power unit housing, said power unit housing containing a power source; a second axle structure having at least one wheel rotatably mounted thereto; an attachment housing, having a port formed along a first dimension thereof, said attachment housing being rotatably mounted along said first dimension between said power unit housing and said second axle structure, said attachment housing being connected to one end of said frame; transmission means for coupling said power source through the port in said attachment housing to said wheel on said second axle structure so that said wheel is driven in response to said power source; connection means for connecting said power unit housing through said port in said attachment housing to said second axle structure so that as said power unit housing is rotated, said second axle structure rotates therewith; ballast tanks connected to said frame; and ballast control means coupled to said ballast tanks for regulating the buoyancy of said tanks.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
197 words
An apparatus for transporting and launching a boat comprising: a first axle structure having at least one pair of wheels rotatably mounted thereto; a frame mounted on said first axle structure, said frame being adapted for supporting the boat; a power unit housing, said power unit housing containing a power source; a second axle structure having at least one wheel rotatably mounted thereto; an attachment housing, having a port formed along a first dimension thereof, said attachment housing being rotatably mounted along said first dimension between said power unit housing and said second axle structure, said attachment housing being connected to one end of said frame; transmission means for coupling said power source through the port in said attachment housing to said wheel on said second axle structure so that said wheel is driven in response to said power source; connection means for connecting said power unit housing through said port in said attachment housing to said second axle structure so that as said power unit housing is rotated, said second axle structure rotates therewith; ballast tanks connected to said frame; and ballast control means coupled to said ballast tanks for regulating the buoyancy of said tanks.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising; propulsion means connected to said frame for propelling said apparatus in the water.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said propulsion means includes at least one propulsion disc attached to said wheel of said second axle structure, said propulsion disc having fins located at intervals along the circumference thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 including a steering wheel coupled to said power unit housing, whereby In response to torque applied to said steering wheel said power unit source and said second axle structure are rotated.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 wherein said attachment housing and said frame include hollow structural members so that said apparatus is characterized by a fixed degree of buoyancy.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 10 including flotation tanks attached to said apparatus so that said apparatus exhibits a fixed flotation level.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-08 | 1974-09-07 | 1975-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-08 | 1978-09-07 | 1979-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-08 | 1982-09-07 | 1983-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |