Retractable road wheel and steering arrangement for an amphibious vehicle

Abstract

The arrangement has at least one retractable steered wheel, and comprises: at least one wheel rotatbly mounted on a steerable leg member; said leg member being pivotably mounted on pivot means which is pivotable around a substantially horizontal axis relative to a hull of said amphibious vehicle, said axis also being transverse to a longitudinal direction of travel of said hull; a steering arm member operably connected to said steerable leg member; and means to raise said wheel by pivoting said wheel about said horizontal axis; wherein an end of said steering arm member remote from said steerable leg member is closely adjacent said horizontal axis and operably connected to steering arm moving means.

1 . A steering and wheel mounting arrangement for an amphibious vehicle having at least one retractable steered wheel, said steering and wheel mounting arrangement comprising: said at least one wheel rotatably mounted on a steerable leg member; said leg member being pivotably mounted on pivot means which is pivotable around a substantially horizontal axis relative to a hull of said amphibious vehicle; a steering arm member operably connected to said steerable leg member; and means to raise said wheel by pivoting said wheel about said horizontal axis; wherein an end of said steering arm member remote from said steerable leg member is closely adjacent said horizontal axis and operably connected to steering arm moving means.  
   
   
       2 . An arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein the steering arm moving means comprises a cable or rod linkage.  
   
   
       3 . An arrangement according to  claim 2  wherein the cable is a flexible Bowden-type cable.  
   
   
       4 . An arrangement according to  claim 2  wherein the rod linkage is connected to the steering arm by a ball joint or universal joint.  
   
   
       5 . An arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein there is a single steerable wheel.  
   
   
       6 . An arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein said axis is transverse or generally parallel to a longitudinal direction of travel of said hull.  
   
   
       7 . An arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein the steering mechanism continues to be able to turn the steering arm member and wheel when the wheel is in retracted position.  
   
   
       8 . An arrangement according to  claim 7  wherein the steering arrangement is also connected to water guidance means which are operable when the wheel is in the retracted position.  
   
   
       9 . An arrangement according to  claim 8  wherein the water guidance means is a rudder or hydrojet.  
   
   
       10 . An arrangement according to  claim 1  wherein said pivot means includes a bracket on which said steerable leg member is mounted.  
   
   
       11 . An amphibious vehicle having a steering and wheel mounting arrangement for at least one retractable wheel, comprising: said at least one wheel rotatable mounted on a steerable leg member; said leg member being pivotably mounted on pivot means which is pivotable around a substantially horizontal axis relative to a hull of said amphibious vehicle; a steering arm member operably connected to said steerable leg member; and structure operative to raise said wheel by pivoting said wheel about said horizontal axis; wherein an end of said steering arm member remote from said steerable leg member is closely adjacent said horizontal axis and operably connected to said structure.  
   
   
       12 . An amphibious vehicle according to  claim 11  wherein shock absorbing properties are effected by a low-pressure tire or additional suspension means.  
   
   
       13 . An amphibious vehicle according to  claim 1  wherein the structure means comprises a cable or rod linkage.  
   
   
       14 . An amphibious vehicle according to  claim 2  wherein the cable is a flexible Bowden-type cable.  
   
   
       15 . An amphibious vehicle according to  claim 2  wherein the rod linkage is connected to the steering arm by a ball joint or universal joint.  
   
   
       16 . An amphibious vehicle according to  claim 1  wherein there is a single steerable wheel.  
   
   
       17 . An amphibious vehicle according to  claim 1  wherein said axis is transverse or generally parallel to a longitudinal direction of travel of said hull.  
   
   
       18 . An amphibious vehicle according to  claim 1  wherein the steering mechanism continues to be able to turn the steering arm member and wheel when the wheel is in a retracted position.  
   
   
       19 . An amphibious vehicle according to  claim 18  wherein the steering arrangement is also connected to water guidance means which are operable when the wheel is in the retracted position.  
   
   
       20 . An amphibious vehicle according to  claim 19  wherein the water guidance means is a rudder or hydrojet.