US3860982A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Convertible trailer/boats
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-05-17
•
Granted: 1975-01-21
•
Expires: 1991-05-17
Abstract
Abstract A vehicular trailer structure capable of carrying a standard truck camper, a removable, solid cover commonly referred to as a ''''cap,'''' or collapsible tent is convertible into an efficient water craft by rotating pontoon floats on longitudinal hinges by means of a toggle locking linkage whereby the road wheels are elevated above the water and the width is substantially increased for stability. Provision is made to resiliently connect the floats to the trailer in order to isolate the relatively frail superstructure from racking and pounding loads imposed by rough water at high speeds. Provision is also made for ram air augmented lift to improve high speed operation. With camper removed or tent folded, the unit may be effectively operated as a sailing catamaran or utility runabout.
Inventors
- 👤 Rollin Douglas Rumsey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 07:32
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60F; B60F3/00; B60F3/0061; B60F3/0092
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
An amphibious camping vehicle comprising: a frame, a pair of elongated pontoon floats, means mounting said floats relative to said frame for pivotal movement about parallel axes extending longitudinally of said frame between an outer extended position and an inner collapsed position, wheel means carried by said floats for engagement with a ground surface in said inner collapsed position of said floats, means resiliently suspending said floats from said frame, and means for pivoting said floats between said extended and collapsed positions including toggle linkages operatively connected to said suspension means, said toggle linkages being connected to said floats, and means for actuating said toggle linkages to swing said floats between said extended and collapsed positions, and means for transmitting the forward weight of said frame to said floats in a manner distributing the weight substantially equally to said floats while allowing said floats to pitch differentially.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
An amphibious camping vehicle comprising: a frame, a pair of elongated pontoon floats, means mounting said floats relative to said frame for pivotal movement about parallel axes extending longitudinally of said frame between an outer extended position and an inner collapsed position, wheel means carried by said floats for engagement with a ground surface in said inner collapsed position of said floats, means resiliently suspending said floats from said frame, and means for pivoting said floats between said extended and collapsed positions including toggle linkages operatively connected to said suspension means, said toggle linkages being connected to said floats, and means for actuating said toggle linkages to swing said floats between said extended and collapsed positions, and means for transmitting the forward weight of said frame to said floats in a manner distributing the weight substantially equally to said floats while allowing said floats to pitch differentially.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
An amphibious camping vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said frame is provided with an open top, shelter means attached to said frame and adapted to cover said open top, said shelter means comprising frame portions foldable into a collapsed position within the confines of said frame, a collapsible tent connected to said frame portions, said frame portions being extendable to enable said tent to expand to form a shelter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
An amphibious camping vehicle according to claim 1 wherein a space is defined between said frame and the water level when said floats are extended and further including means for closing the space on three sides between said floats and under said frame for trapping ram air thereunder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
An amphibious vehicle according to claim 3 wherein said space closing means comprises a flap pivotably connected to said float and engageable with said frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
An amphibious vehicle according to claim 4 wherein said space closing means further includes a flap connected between the rear end of said frame and said float to close the rear end of said space.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
An amphibious camping vehicle according to claim 1 including hitch means at one end of said frame for connection to a powered vehicle and means mounting water propulsion means at the other end of said frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
An amphibious vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said means resiliently suspending said floats from said frame comprises a torque tube extending longitudinally of said frame, said toggle linkages being connected to the opposite ends of said torque tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
An amphibious camping vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said means for transmitting the forward weight of said frame to said floats comprises a frame member of generally inverted Y configuration mounted adjacent the bottom ends thereof to said frame and a beam pivotally connected adjacent the middle thereof to the upright portion of said inverted Y-shaped frame member and pivotally connected adjacent each end thereof to said means resiliently suspending said floats from said frame.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
An amphibious camping vehicle according to claim 1 wherein said means for transmitting the forward weight of said frame to said floats comprises resilient tie rod means mounted adjacent the middle thereof to said frame and pivotally connected adjacent each end thereof to said means resiliently suspending said floats from said frame.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
155 words
An amphibious camping vehicle comprising: a frame, a pair of elongated pontoon floats, means mounting said floats relative to said frame for pivotal movement about parallel axes extending longitudinally of said frame between an outer extended position and an inner collapsed position, wheel means carried by said floats for engagement with a ground surface in said inner collapsed position of said floats, means resiliently suspending said floats from said frame, means for pivoting said floats between said extended and collapsed positions including toggle linkages operatively connected to said suspension means, said toggle linkages being connected to said floats, and means for actuating said toggle linkages to swing said floats between said extended and collapsed positions, said means mounting said floats further comprising a parallelogram linkage and said means resiliently suspending said floats comprising torque tube means extending longitudinally of said frame, said toggle linkages being connected to the opposite ends of said torque tube means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
155 words
An amphibious camping vehicle comprising: a frame, a pair of elongated pontoon floats, means mounting said floats relative to said frame for pivotal movement about parallel axes extending longitudinally of said frame between an outer extended position and an inner collapsed position, wheel means carried by said floats for engagement with a ground surface in said inner collapsed position of said floats, means resiliently suspending said floats from said frame, means for pivoting said floats between said extended and collapsed positions including toggle linkages operatively connected to said suspension means, said toggle linkages being connected to said floats, and means for actuating said toggle linkages to swing said floats between said extended and collapsed positions, said means mounting said floats further comprising a parallelogram linkage and said means resiliently suspending said floats comprising torque tube means extending longitudinally of said frame, said toggle linkages being connected to the opposite ends of said torque tube means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
160 words
An amphibious camping vehicle comprising: a frame, a pair of elongated pontoon floats, means mounting said floats relative to said frame for pivotal movement about parallel axes extending longitudinally of said frame between an outer extended position and an inner collapsed position, wheel means carried by said floats for engagement with a ground surface in said collapsed position of said floats, means resiliently suspending said floats from said frame, means for pivoting said floats between said extended and collapsed positions including toggle linkages operatively connected to said suspension means, said toggle linkages being connected to said floats, means for actuating said toggle linkages to swing said floats between said extended and collapsed positions, and sealing means operatively associated with said frame and said floats for closing in sealing relation the space on three sides between said floats and under said frame and over a water surface in the extended position of said floats for trapping ram air under said frame.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
160 words
An amphibious camping vehicle comprising: a frame, a pair of elongated pontoon floats, means mounting said floats relative to said frame for pivotal movement about parallel axes extending longitudinally of said frame between an outer extended position and an inner collapsed position, wheel means carried by said floats for engagement with a ground surface in said collapsed position of said floats, means resiliently suspending said floats from said frame, means for pivoting said floats between said extended and collapsed positions including toggle linkages operatively connected to said suspension means, said toggle linkages being connected to said floats, means for actuating said toggle linkages to swing said floats between said extended and collapsed positions, and sealing means operatively associated with said frame and said floats for closing in sealing relation the space on three sides between said floats and under said frame and over a water surface in the extended position of said floats for trapping ram air under said frame.
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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) | 1978-01-20 | 1978-07-22 | 1979-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-20 | 1982-07-22 | 1983-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-20 | 1986-07-22 | 1987-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |