Aquatic search device

• US 5,769,676 A
• Filed: 12/04/1996
• Issued: 06/23/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Antoni Ortiz-Flotats
• Original Assignee: Antoni Ortiz-Flotats
• Inventors: Ortiz-Flotats, Antoni
• Primary Examiner(s): Sotelo, Jesus D.
• Application Number:
  US08/760,314
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• Field of Search: 441/80, 441/82, 441/83, 441/13, 114/61, 114/270
• US Class Current: 441/13
• CPC Class Codes: B60F 3/0061 Amphibious vehicles specially adapted for particular purposes or of a particular type armoured amphibious vehicles F41H7/00; equipment for working under water B63C11/00; flating bridges designed as or mounted on vehicles E01D15/22
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 13/00 Equipment forming part of or attachable to vessels facilitating transport over land amphibious craft, land vehicles convertible for use on water B60F; land vehicles for carrying boats B60P; hand carts for transporting boats B62B; harnesses attachable to vessels for personal carrying A45F
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/02 Lifeboats, life-rafts or the like, specially adapted for life-saving floatable furniture B63C9/30; boats in general B63B; inflatable vessels B63B7/00; equipment for handling lifeboats or the like B63B23/00; rafts B63B35/58

Abstract

The device comprises a body which can float in water and, at the same time, has wheels for movement on land, having independent elements for driving the wheels and for movement on the water, and having internal-combustion and electric drive apparatus as well as steering, rescue, remote vision and auxiliary devices, all of the members of the device being operable by remote control both on land and on the water.

Claims

1. Aquatic search device comprising:

a body which can float in water and has wheels for movement on land,

said body having independent means for driving the wheels and for movement in water, and having one of internal-combustion and electric drive means, as well as steering means, rescue means, remote vision means and auxiliary means, all of said means being operable by remote control both on land and in the water.

2. Aquatic search device according to claim 1, including video cameras in an upper front portion of a hull and on rear side portions, all of the cameras being operated by remove control and rear cameras being able to swing on vertical shafts.

3. Aquatic search device according to claim 1, wherein the search device has remote-controlled infra-red lights on its front portion.

4. Aquatic search device according to claim 1, including a remotely operable acoustic alarm in the body of the search device.

5. Aquatic search device according to claim 1, including large-capacity batteries incorporated in the interior of the body of the search device.

6. Aquatic search device according to claims 5 wherein said batteries are supplied from the exterior.

7. Aquatic search device according to claim 5 wherein said batteries are supplied by an autonomous charging device including at least one of a wind-operated charging device and a panel of photovoltaic solar cells.

8. Aquatic search device according to claim 1, wherein:

said body is moulded and has a bottom keel,

said means for movement in water includes one of a driving screw propeller and turbine,

a hydraulic pump,

a first motor coupled to said hydraulic pump and to said one of a driving screw propeller and turbine,

a second motor, which is one of a hydraulic motor and an electric motor,

said means for driving the wheels including said second motor and a sprocket and chain set intermediate said second motor and wheels,

a transverse rear axle having said wheels connected thereto, and a front wheel.