Yachtcar

Claim 2

In an amphibious vehicle, the combination of a hull including a pair of power motors, said hull including four wheel assemblies for travel on the land, a pair of propeller assemblies on said hull for optional travel over a body of water, means mounting said wheel assemblies for vertical adjustment between an operative and inoperative position, said wheel assemblies each including hydraulic motors in wheel hubs thereof, said power motors including internal combustion motors and hydraulic pumps for supplying hydraulic pressure to said hydraulic motors in the hubs of said wheel assemblies, each of said wheel assemblies including an outer box connected to said hull and an inner box vertically slidable in said outer box, each of the inner boxes having a wheel journaled therein, one pair of wheels comprising front steering wheels and the other pair of wheels comprising rear wheels.

Claim 3

The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said power motors comprise dual purpose hydraulic motors and hydraulic pumps, each said hydraulic motor comprising a circular center rotor oil powered motor which fits into each wheel of said vehicle, said hydraulic motor reversing with the reversal of oil flow and operating with equal power and speed in reverse or forward, said oil powered center rotor motor having spring loaded seals which compensate automatically for wear of moving parts and which keep the motor highly efficient, and said oil powered center rotor motor having four sliding vanes which are automatically sealed against leakage of oil around them on both sides and at the bottom by the pressure against them and which are sealed at the top or outer circumference by spring pressures.

Claim 4

The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein said oil powered center rotor motor has four sliding vanes which seal against oil passage in a clockwise rotation and in a counterclockwise rotation, said oil powered center rotor motor containing a block in the lower portion which fills the space between the circular plates up to an axle, the block carrying three seals to compensate for wear of the inner surfaces of said plates and said axle, said block separating the pressure side from the outlet side, and controls inward and outward movement of said vanes.

Claim 5

The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein said oil powered center rotor motor becomes a high pressure oil pump operative in either clockwise or counterclockwise direction when said axle is connected directly to the power output shaft of an input motor, thus producing a pumping force for propelling oil through pipes or hoses to said driving motors in said wheel hubs.

Claim 6

The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said outer box of said wheel housing contains a flange around the outside of a lower edge thereof which bolts in a watertight manner to a lower frame and floor support of said housecar, the upper part of said outer box extending upward into said housecar, said inner box containing a base for two coil springs and openings at the top of said inner box through which said springs can transfer thrust against the top of said outer box thus carrying the weight of said housecar, said inner box containing small wheels which extend through the end walls of said inner box to engage suitable vertical tracks on the end walls of said outer box to guide the up and down movement of said inner box and to absorb thrust from all sides, said inner box carrying said wheel and a hydraulic driving motor on a short axle between and attached to the side walls of said inner box thus giving even support to each of the two sides of said wheel.

Claim 7

The combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said inner box of each said wheel housing is vertically movable by two threaded bars each of which has a sprocket secured thereto engaged by a sprocket chain powered by a motor, each said threaded bar threadingly engaging a threaded receptacle forming a part of said inner box, whereby each said wheel may be lifted up into said box when the vehicle is in the water.

Claim 8

The combination as set forth in claim 6 wherein said wheel housing has adjustable means for a road clearance from a few inches up to 18 inches.

Claim 9

The combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein vertically extending boxes are formed at each corner of the said inner box, said vertical boxes being comprised of opposing channels within which guide wheels travel protected from roadway dirt, said guide wheels absorbing thrust.

Claim 10

The combination as set forth in claim 8 wherein flexible, collapsible bellows enclose that portion of said threaded bars extending above said inner box, said bellows enclosing thrust bearings at the upper ends of said bars to prevent road dirt gaining access thereto and to a chain drive traveling around gears at the upper ends of said threaded bars.

Claim 11

The combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein another flexible, collapsible bellows encloses a central vertical grooved shaft extending upwardly above said inner box, said bellows protecting said grooved shaft from roadway dirt, said grooved shaft vertically slidably engaging a spur gear wheel which is a part of a steering mechanism.

Claim 12

The combination as set forth in claim 10 wherein said steering mechanism is contained within the vehicle protected from roadway dirt or slush.

Claim 13

The combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein dual shock absorbers in each said wheel housing are of a type to compensate for variable load weight, said housing including means for limiting the down travel of said wheels to eliminate need of antisway bars, and a down travel limiting device stopping the expansion of springs on a rising side when said vehicle leans while traveling on a curve.

Claim 14

The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said vehicle has surface riding hydroplanes which allow it to skim the water surface for increased travel speed and lower fuel consumption.

Claim 15

The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein a steering mechanism is fully contained within said hull body protected from roadway dirt and water.

Claim 16

The combination as set forth in claim 14 wherein said steering mechanism is carried forward from the top of a vertical steering axle by means of a series of spur gears and rack gears working in grease to connect with a power steering cylinder.