US3841649A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Snow and water vehicle
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-01-31
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Granted: 1974-10-15
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Expires: 1993-01-31
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle adapted for use over water and snow having a floatable elongated hull or body supportable on a tripod of laterally fixed elongated lifting support members, such as skis or pontoons. The lifting support members are associated with the hull by a control linkage system, a center lifting support member, and symmetrical side lifting support members. All the lifting support members are simultaneously extendible and retractable relative to the hull. The side lifting support members are selectively extendible and retractable relative to one another to impart directional control to the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, seat means cooperate with a steering column and the control linkage system to extend the lifting support members and maintain them in the extended configuration with respect to the hull.
Inventors
- 👤 W Mcmullen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 12:06
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62M; B62M27/00; B62M27/02; B62B; B62B13/00; B62B13/02; B62B13/06; B62B13/08; B62B13/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A vehicle for travel over snow and water including: a buoyant hull; a plurality of generally horizontal lifting support means assembled to the hull to provide lifting support to the hull, including a pair of side lifting support members symmetrically positioned on either side of the hull; linkage means interconnecting the plurality of support means; first extension and retraction means associated with the linkage means operable to selectively simultaneously extend the lifting support means and retract the lifting support means relative to the hull; and second extension and retraction means associated with the linkage means operable to selectively extend one side lifting support member relative to the hull and to retract the other side lifting support member relative to the hull to impart directional control to the vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A vehicle for travel over snow and water including: a buoyant hull; a plurality of generally horizontal lifting support means assembled to the hull to provide lifting support to the hull, including a pair of side lifting support members symmetrically positioned on either side of the hull; linkage means interconnecting the plurality of support means; first extension and retraction means associated with the linkage means operable to selectively simultaneously extend the lifting support means and retract the lifting support means relative to the hull; and second extension and retraction means associated with the linkage means operable to selectively extend one side lifting support member relative to the hull and to retract the other side lifting support member relative to the hull to impart directional control to the vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The vehicle of claim 1 wherein: the lifting support means includes a center lifting support member assembled to the hull.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The vehicle of claim 2 wherein: said lifting support members are skis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The vehicle of claim 2 wherein: said lifting support members are streamlined pontoons.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
The vehicle of claim 1 wherein: said first extension and retraction means includes an elongated column rotatably assembled to the hull, said column operably associated with the linkage means whereby upon rotation of the column in one direction the side lifting support members simultaneously extend relative to the hull, and upon rotation of the column in the opposite direction, the side lifting support members simultaneously retract relative to the hull.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
100 words
The vehicle of claim 5 wherein: said column is a hollow tubular column and wherein said second extension and retraction means includes an elongated steering shaft having a portion positioned in said column and axially rotatable within said column, said shaft operably associated with the linkage means whereby upon rotation of the shaft within the column in one direction a side lifting support member is retracted relative to the opposite side lifting support member, and upon rotation of the shaft in the opposite direction the same side lifting support member is extended relative to the opposite side lifting support member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
The vehicle of claim 5 including: lever means, seat means attached to one end of the lever means, said lever means assembled to the hull, said lever means operably connected to the column whereby upon application of a downward force to the seat means, lever means rotates the column to simultaneously extend the lifting surface members relative to the hull.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The vehicle of claim 7 including: locking means cooperating with lever means to releasably lock the lifting surface members in an extended position relative to the hull.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The vehicle of claim 1 including: propulsion means mounted to the hull to propel the vehicle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The vehicle of claim 9 wherein: said propulsion means includes an internal combustion engine mounted rearwardly on the hull, a rearwardly directed propelLer, and drive means between the engine and the propeller whereby the engine drives the propeller.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
115 words
The vehicle of claim 1 wherein: the lifting support means includes a longitudinally fixed center lifting support member movably connected to a forward portion of the hull, said first extension and retraction means including an elongated column, pivot means rotatably mounting the column to the hull for movement about a transverse axis, said linkage means being connected to the column whereby upon rotation of the column on the pivot means in one direction the side lifting support members and center lifting support members simultaneously extend relative to the hull and upon rotation of the column in the opposite direction the side lifting support members and center lifting support members simultaneously retract relative to the hull.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
118 words
A vehicle for travel over a yieldable surface including: a buoyant hull; a plurality of lifting support members movably assembled to the hull; said plurality of lifting support members movable between a first retracted position relative to said hull and a second extended position relative to said hull; two of said lifting support members being extendible and retractable relative to each other; first means for simultaneous movement of the plurality of lifting support members between the first retracted position and the second retracted position; and second means for extending movement of one of said two lifting surface members and retracting movement of the other lifting surface member relative to the hull to impart directional control to the vehicle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
118 words
A vehicle for travel over a yieldable surface including: a buoyant hull; a plurality of lifting support members movably assembled to the hull; said plurality of lifting support members movable between a first retracted position relative to said hull and a second extended position relative to said hull; two of said lifting support members being extendible and retractable relative to each other; first means for simultaneous movement of the plurality of lifting support members between the first retracted position and the second retracted position; and second means for extending movement of one of said two lifting surface members and retracting movement of the other lifting surface member relative to the hull to impart directional control to the vehicle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
58 words
The vehicle of claim 12 wherein the plurality of lifting support members includes: a pair of side lifting support members disposed on either side of the hull and a center lifting member longitudinally spaced from the side lifting support member, and wherein said side lifting support members are movable in extended and retracted relationship relative to one another.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The vehicle of claim 13 wherein said lifting support members are skis.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The vehicle of claim 12 wherein: said linkage means includes releasable lock means for holding the lifting support members in their extended positions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
The vehicle of claim 15 including: movable seat means and means connecting the seat means to the linkage means whereby movement of the seat means will move the lock means to a position holding the lifting support members in their extended positions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-14 | 1978-04-15 | 1978-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-14 | 1982-04-15 | 1982-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-14 | 1986-04-15 | 1986-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |