Displacement hull amphibious vehicle using a front wheel drive system

Abstract

The present invention provides an amphibious vehicle with improved vehicle movement means. Specifically, the invention provides an amphibious vehicle comprising a vehicle body which functions as a displacement hull during marine use, land motive means for providing land motive force which incorporates a front wheel drive system, marine motive means for providing marine motive force, an engine positioned within the vehicle and operatively connected to provide power to both said land motive means and said marine motive means, and a single power train for transmitting torque generated by said engine, wherein manual switching means is provided for selectively directing said torque to said land motive means and said marine motive means.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An amphibious vehicle comprising: 
 a) a vehicle body, wherein said vehicle body functions as a displacement hull during marine use;    b) land motive means for providing land motive force, wherein said land motive means incorporates a front wheel drive system;    c) marine motive means for providing marine motive force;    d) an engine positioned within the vehicle and operatively connected to provide power to both said land motive means and said marine motive means; and    e) a single power train, wherein said power train transmits torque generated by said engine, and wherein manual switching means is provided for selectively directing said torque to said land motive means and said marine motive means.    
     
     
         2 . The amphibious vehicle as in  claim 1 , wherein said power train comprises: 
 a) a transmission which is operatively attached to the engine and an output shaft operatively attached to a primary drive shaft;    b) a transfer case operatively attached to said primary drive shaft, having two output shafts, wherein one output shaft is operatively attached to said marine motive means; and    c) a front drive steer axle operatively attached to one of said output shafts.    
     
     
         3 . The amphibious vehicle as in  claim 1 , wherein said vehicle body is selected from the group comprising: a bus, a sports utility vehicle, a limousine, a recreational vehicle, a car and a truck wherein said vehicle body has been adapted for marine use.  
     
     
         4 . The amphibious as in  claim 3 , wherein said vehicle body has been elongated.