US3581701A - Amphibious vehicle - Google Patents

Amphibious vehicle Download PDF

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Publication number
US3581701A
US3581701A US800416A US3581701DA US3581701A US 3581701 A US3581701 A US 3581701A US 800416 A US800416 A US 800416A US 3581701D A US3581701D A US 3581701DA US 3581701 A US3581701 A US 3581701A
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vehicle
ramps
length
planks
buoyant
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Expired - Lifetime
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US800416A
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English (en)
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Hermann Walter Gehlen
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Individual
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    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01D—CONSTRUCTION OF BRIDGES, ELEVATED ROADWAYS OR VIADUCTS; ASSEMBLY OF BRIDGES
    • E01D15/00—Movable or portable bridges; Floating bridges
    • E01D15/14—Floating bridges, e.g. pontoon bridges
    • E01D15/22—Floating bridges, e.g. pontoon bridges designed as, or mounted on, vehicles

Definitions

  • Jacob ABSTRACT Amphibious vehicle adapted for use as a ferry or a bridge unit with a vehicle body in the form of a floating unit having auxiliary floating members at its longitudinal sides which can be blown up and swung outwardly, and ramps linked to both ends of the body that have a pivot joint centrally with respect to the length thereof, where the ramps are also in the form of buoyant hollow bodies and which, when unfolded, are of a length corresponding to the length of the vehicle and when folded are shortened to one-half the length, and are equipped with coupling means at the end surfaces thus established, where furthermore loose planks are arranged on the vehicle the length of which corresponds to the width of the lateral auxiliary floating members in blown up or unfolded condition, and where associated retaining and connecting means are provided on the vehicle, the ramps and the auxiliary floating members on the one hand and on the planks on the other hand.
  • the invention relates to amphibious vehicles of the type which can be utilized as bridging units on land as well as in the water. More in particular, the invention is concerned with an amphibious vehicle derived from known embodiments which are adapted to be deployed individually as a ferry or in combination with other vehicles as a larger ferry, on land for bridging obstacles in the terrain such as valleys or the like, or as bridge vehicles in combination with a floating bridge, and which have two ramps linked to the ends as well as auxiliary floating bodies provided laterally of the vehicle.
  • amphibious vehicles of this type must, on the one hand, be extremely versatile in their appointments, particularly their ramps and similar equipment, permitting the most difflcult kind of cargoes and which permit optional coupling together of the vehicles in various different ways, which also permit safe docking of the vehicles against piers or land, while on the other hand, the vehicles require sturdy readily operable and controllable drive means which are nevertheless sensitive and extremely responsive, especially during operation on water.
  • a vehicle of this type which is based on an amphibious vehicle having a vehicle body in the form of a floating body, along the longitudinal sides of which auxiliary floating bodies are arranged that may be blown up or unfolded and at both ends of which vehicle body ramps are pivotally connected which have a folding or pivot joint at the center as related to their length, where these ramps are likewise in the form of hollow floating bodies which in accordance with the invention may be unfolded to a length corresponding to the length of the vehicle body and folded to be shortened to half the length, where the end sur-- faces thus formed are equipped with coupling means, and furthermore loose planks are associated with the vehicle, the length of which is about half the length of the vehicle, i.e., corresponding at the same time to the length of the folded ramps, and the width of which corresponds to the width of the lateral auxiliary floating bodies in blown up or unfolded condition that normally disappear in the sidewalls of the main floating body and
  • the ramps'that are pivotally connected at the ends are preferably interchangeable, and thus they are implicitly removable.
  • a plurality may be coupled together to form independent floating bodies, in which event, however, they are without driving means.
  • the parts of the ramps are furthermore equipped with corresponding connecting means at their top and bottom sides which permit more or less extensive sliding over one another of the ramp parts of adjacent vehicles and of coupling them together in different positions.
  • the vehicle is preferably equipped at the stem with a second operating or piloting station, which is adapted to be swung out about a vertical axis at the vertical side corner of the stern and which is furthermore removable.
  • a second operating or piloting station which is adapted to be swung out about a vertical axis at the vertical side corner of the stern and which is furthermore removable.
  • the means provided for the pivotal movement thereof may be operated from the stations as well as also from the drivers cabin.
  • the ramps pivotally connected to the stern may be equipped with laterally unfoldable enlargement or widening bridges in a manner already known per se.
  • the covers for the expandable or unfoldable auxiliary floating bodies are formed on the vehicle body proper as such widening bridges. When the aforementioned additional planks are used, the widening bridges of the ramps are folded in.
  • the vehicle is equipped with four rudder propellers, two each of which are provided at the bow and two at the stern of the vehicle. These rudder propellers are pivotally mounted in recessed bights of the vehicle body which are adapted to the current conditions for forward, rearward and lateral driving.
  • FIG. I shows the bow portion of the vehicle in a lateral view for propulsion on land
  • FIG. 2 shows this bow portion in an end view
  • FIG. 3 shows the bow portion for water propulsion in a side view
  • FIG. 4 is an end view of the portion illustrated in FIG. 3,
  • FIG. 5 is a side view of the complete vehicle in condition for travel on land
  • FIG. 6 illustrates an example of deployment as a double ferry
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a special coupling possibility for two vehicles which FIGS. 8 to 13 illustrate more in detail
  • FIG. 14 shows the deployment of removed ramps solely as a floating bridge.
  • FIG. 15 is a side view of the vehicle arranged for travel on water with the end ramps unfolded
  • FIG. 16 is a top view corresponding to FIG. 15,
  • FIG. 17 shows the vehicle connected to a bank
  • FIG. 18 illustrates an example of deployment of a plurality of vehicles as a floating bridge
  • FIGS. 19 and 20 show deployment examples for bridging obstacles on solidterrain
  • FIG. 21 shows the bridging of a ditch filled with water
  • FIG. 22 illustrated the deployment of two vehicles coupled together as a ferry
  • FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate the coupling means employed between ramps when folded on top of the vehicles as shown in FIG. 5.
  • the vehicle in accordance with the invention has a vehicle body I in the form of a floating body having a deck surface la, along the sides of which expandable auxiliary floating members 2 are provided. At the bow the vehicle has a pilot cabin 3. Furthermore, the vehicle is equipped with ramps linked to the two ends composed of parts 4,5 and 6,7 which can be collapsed or folded together about pivot points 8,9 provided centrally thereof. These ramp parts 4,5 and 6,7 are likewise in the form of buoyant or floatable hollow bodies.
  • the pivotal movement for folding and unfolding the ramps is effected by means of hydraulic cylinders and 11.
  • the wheels 12 are completely retractable in a known and conventional manner into wheel bays 13 as indicated in dot and dash lines.
  • the ramps 4,5 and 6,7 when unfolded are of a length corresponding to the vehicle body 1, and when collapsed or folded, they each have one surface proximate said deck surface la, are shortened to half the length, and at the end surfaces 14,15 thus formed they are equipped with coupling devices to be connected with one another end to end.
  • coupling devices may be of any desirable form of construction.
  • One embodiment of coupling means is illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24, where prongs 41 on one ramp end engage recesses 42 in the oppositely disposed end of the other ramp so that the ramps are first aligned. Thereupon the ramps are clamped together by means of bolts 45 inserted through eyelets in cramps 43,44 mounted on the ends of the ramps.
  • planks 16 are provided with the vehicle, the length of which corresponds approximately to half the length of the vehicle, i.e., also to the length ofthe folded ramps 4,5 or 6,7, and the width of which is adapted to the width of the lateral auxiliary floating bodies 2 in blown up or expanded condition.
  • These planks 16 as well as also the vehicle body I, the ramps 4,5 and 6,7, as well as the auxiliary floating bodies 2 are equipped with individual supporting and connecting means that are coordinate to one another.
  • these supporting and connecting means are constructed in a manner that they permit of loosely hanging or hooking in the planks 16.
  • suitably disposed hydraulic cylinders that may be connected with the planks 16 are adapted to place the planks 16 into different angular positions.
  • the ramps 4,5 and 6,7 are removable and interchangeable.
  • a ferry may be formed by two vehicles (FIG. 6) when they are coupled together while using one auxiliary floating body between the two vehicles.
  • the intermediate space can be bridged by planks 16, while the planks 16 may also serve as laterally disposed ramps.
  • Ramps 4,5 and 6,7 are opened in folded condition so that in their turn they contribute to the increase of buoyancy.
  • the vehicles in accordance with the invention can moreover be coupled together at the ends to form a floating bridge having two runways, in which even the lateral arrangement of the planks 16 as ramp members is eliminated.
  • the ramps 4,5 and 6,7 may be equipped with enlargement or widening bridges 17.
  • a second control or operating station 18 is provided at the stern of the vehicle which is pivotally movable about a vertical pivot axis at the lateral comer of the stern of the vehicle and which, moreover, can be dismounted.
  • an additional observation stand or platform 19 may be provided, which is likewise pivotally movable about a vertical pivot axis and which is also dismountable (FIG. 16).
  • the operators station 18 is, of course, equipped with suitable connecting means which also permit steering of the vehicle from this operators station. Furthermore, pivoting means for both stations may be provided, which are operable from the pilot cabin as well as also from the stations proper.
  • the aforementioned widening bridges 17 of the ramps 4,5 and 6,7 can be operated by suitable bars or brackets 20 by means of hydraulic cylinders 21.
  • the covers 22 of the lateral auxiliary floating bodies 2 serve as such enlargement bridges.
  • the vehicle is furthermore equipped with four rudder propellers 23 or corresponding other water driving means, two each of which are provided at the bow and two at the stern of the vehicle.
  • These rudder propellers 23 are arranged in recessed bights 24 of the vehicle body that are adapted for the current conditions for forward, rearward and lateral travel.
  • the rudder propellers are pivotable about a horizontal axis 25 into the bights 24 and beyond that in their unfolded condition they are pivotable by means of their vertical axis.
  • the construction of the bights 24 and the current flow conditions indicated by means of arrows 26 are indicated especially in FIGS. 3 and 4, for forward travel in FIG. 3, and in FIG. 4 for side travel.
  • the ramp parts 5,7 may be equipped with special adjustable connecting means 27 (FIG. 7) which permit end to end connection of vehicles coupled together with completely unfolded ramps with the ramps overlapping at different widths. In this manner the loading surface and carrying capacity or buoyancy can be varied, and furthermore the distance can be regulated in connection with floating bridge arrangements.
  • special adjustable connecting means 27 FIG. 7
  • FIGS. 8 to 12 the connecting means 27 are illustrated in detail.
  • the top sides of the unfolded ramp parts 4,5 and 6,7 are provided along their central axis with spaced T-shaped recess 31 as well as with bores 32 along their borders.
  • T-shaped recess lugs 33 are inserted which are pivotally movable upwardly out of the plane of the top surfaces of the ramp portions 4, 5, 6, 7 and provided with a bore 34 in the area of their free ends.
  • the components cooperating with these means at the bottom sides of the ramp parts 4, 5, 6, 7 are horizontally extending bolts 35 which, guided by a hydraulic cylinder 36, engage or release bores 34 of the lugs 33. Furthermore, studs 37 that are pivotally movable downwardly are provided in the end area of the outer ramp parts 5,6 which are adapted to engage the bores 32.
  • the ramps 4,5 and 6,7 can also be deployed independently of the vehicle bodies as floating bodies, for example, as parts of a floating bridge (FIG. 14), in which event the planks 16 may be utilized as auxiliary ramps for connection with the bank or shore.
  • FIGS. 18 to 22 show further examples of deployment.
  • three vehicles are coupled together to from a floating bridge for spanning a river.
  • the ramp parts 5,7 of successive vehicles are slid entirely over one another.
  • the ramps can be slid more or less over one another.
  • FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate the vehicle in accordance with the invention deployed for spanning obstacles on solid ground, for example, ditches (FIG. 19) or steps in the terrain (FIG. 20).
  • FIG. 21 shows an individual vehicle deployed for bridging a small waterway.
  • FIG. 22 illustrates a ferry assembled from two vehicles, where contrary to FIG. 6, the two vehicles are coupled to one another end to end with the ramp parts 4,5 of one vehicle extending completely under the ramp parts 6,7 of the other vehicle.
  • the vehicle can be utilized as an individual vehicle with the ramps unfolded and with the ramps folded; it can be utilized as an individual vehicle while using the lateral auxiliary floating body or without the same; it can as a single vehicle require the use of additional planks 16, but deployment without these planks is possible.
  • the vehicle can be coupled in any desired manner to form ferries and floating bridges again with variable utilization of the ramps and planks.
  • Amphibious vehicle for deployment as ferry or bridge I vehicle comprising a buoyant vehicle body having a deck surface, inflatable and unfoldable auxiliary floating bodies disposed along the longitudinal sides of said vehicle body and buoyant end ramps linked to both ends of said vehicle body which as related to their length are provided with a central folding joint, said ramps being in the form of buoyant hollow bodies each having a length when unfolded corresponding to the length of the vehicle body and when folded being shortened to half the length and having a surface proximate said deck surface, and presenting adjacent end surfaces, coupling means on said end surfaces, loose planks associated with said vehicle, the length of said planks corresponding to the length of the folded ramps and the width of said planks corresponding to the width in expanded condition of the buoyant hollow bodies that otherwise disappear in the sidewalls of the buoyant vehicle body, and coordinated supporting and connecting means provided on the vehicle body, the ramps and the auxiliary floating bodies on the one hand and on the other hand on the planks, said vehicle furthermore comprising connecting means, permitting coupling of
  • Amphibious vehicle in accordance with claim 1 including an additional control station mounted at the stern of said vehicle and a vertical pivot axis at the stern supporting said station for pivotal movement.
  • Amphibious vehicle in accordance with claim 1 including four rudder propellers, two each mounted at the bow and two each at the stern ofthe vehicle.
  • Amphibious vehicle in accordance with claim 4 including bights recessed in said vehicle wherein said rudder propellers are mounted and pivot means operable to turn and adapt said rudder propellers to the current flow conditions for forward, rearward and lateral travel.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Bridges Or Land Bridges (AREA)
  • Motorcycle And Bicycle Frame (AREA)
  • Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
US800416A 1968-02-27 1969-02-19 Amphibious vehicle Expired - Lifetime US3581701A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE1556451 1968-02-27

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US (1) US3581701A (fr)
CH (1) CH484763A (fr)
DE (1) DE1556451B2 (fr)
FR (1) FR1592501A (fr)
GB (1) GB1208221A (fr)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4328601A (en) * 1979-12-26 1982-05-11 Fmc Corporation Inflatable bow
US4621385A (en) * 1983-09-19 1986-11-11 Chaudronnerie Et Forges D'alsace - C.E.F.A. Amphibious vehicle that can be used as an independent ferry and able to form a pontoon bridge
WO1999058396A1 (fr) * 1998-05-14 1999-11-18 Dickenson Robert P Proue d'echouage pour plates-formes flottantes et navire
US20030143900A1 (en) * 2002-01-30 2003-07-31 Klaus Eberl Amphibian bridge-forming and ferrying vehicle
CN105415993A (zh) * 2015-12-01 2016-03-23 北京理工大学 一种混合动力履带式浮桥
US20160298304A1 (en) * 2013-11-20 2016-10-13 Cruise Ventures As Device to Transfer Personnel and Materials to and from a Land Site and Use Thereof

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2488926A1 (fr) * 1980-08-21 1982-02-26 France Etat Dispositif automatique d'assemblage a clin sur l'intrados ou l'extrados de deux elements de ponts et procede de mise en oeuvre
FR2495657A1 (fr) * 1980-08-21 1982-06-11 France Etat Dispositif automatique d'assemblage a clin de deux elements de ponts et element de pont le comportant
FR2488925A1 (fr) * 1980-08-21 1982-02-26 France Etat Dispositif d'accrochage a clin de deux elements de ponts sur intrados ou extrados et element de pont de comportant
FR2500504B1 (fr) * 1981-02-20 1985-12-27 Goeppner Kaiserslautern Eisen Pont flottant motorise
FR2531469B1 (fr) * 1982-08-03 1987-06-26 Alsace Chaudronnerie Forges Pont flottant automobile
GB2134857B (en) * 1983-02-11 1986-07-16 Stanley Gordon Rex Simpson Improvements in or relating to watercraft
GB2141682A (en) * 1983-06-20 1985-01-03 James Stadler Ballantine Water-going vessel
GB2445552B (en) 2007-01-15 2009-05-13 Gibbs Tech Ltd Wheel suspension and retraction apparatus
DE102014008178A1 (de) 2014-06-10 2015-12-17 General Dynamics European Land Systems-Germany Gmbh Transportierbare faltbare Brücke

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3269349A (en) * 1964-03-28 1966-08-30 Gehlen Hermann Walter Amphibious vehicle
US3446176A (en) * 1966-10-05 1969-05-27 France Armed Forces Amphibious crossing equipments

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3269349A (en) * 1964-03-28 1966-08-30 Gehlen Hermann Walter Amphibious vehicle
US3446176A (en) * 1966-10-05 1969-05-27 France Armed Forces Amphibious crossing equipments

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4328601A (en) * 1979-12-26 1982-05-11 Fmc Corporation Inflatable bow
US4621385A (en) * 1983-09-19 1986-11-11 Chaudronnerie Et Forges D'alsace - C.E.F.A. Amphibious vehicle that can be used as an independent ferry and able to form a pontoon bridge
WO1999058396A1 (fr) * 1998-05-14 1999-11-18 Dickenson Robert P Proue d'echouage pour plates-formes flottantes et navire
US6000358A (en) * 1998-05-14 1999-12-14 Dickenson; Robert P. Beaching bow for floating platforms and watercraft
US20030143900A1 (en) * 2002-01-30 2003-07-31 Klaus Eberl Amphibian bridge-forming and ferrying vehicle
US6722931B2 (en) * 2002-01-30 2004-04-20 General Dynamics Santa Bárbara Sistemas GmbH Amphibian bridge-forming and ferrying vehicle
US20160298304A1 (en) * 2013-11-20 2016-10-13 Cruise Ventures As Device to Transfer Personnel and Materials to and from a Land Site and Use Thereof
US9777446B2 (en) * 2013-11-20 2017-10-03 Cruise Ventures As Device to transfer personnel and materials to and from a land site and use thereof
CN105415993A (zh) * 2015-12-01 2016-03-23 北京理工大学 一种混合动力履带式浮桥

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE1556451A1 (de) 1970-08-20
FR1592501A (fr) 1970-05-19
GB1208221A (en) 1970-10-07
CH484763A (de) 1970-01-31
DE1556451B2 (de) 1971-12-16

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