Quad tracked vehicle

Abstract

A quad tracked vehicle may include a forward starboard track arm, an aft starboard track arm, a forward port track arm, and an aft port track arm. Forward track arms may be mounted for rotation about a vehicle body around axis of forward track arm by a forward coaxial transmission and motor, while aft tracks arms may be mounted for rotation about vehicle body around axis of aft extended coaxial transmission by an aft motor. Tracks may be mounted for rotation around track arms and rotate about minor axes. Forward tracks may rotate about forward major axis and aft tracks about aft major axis. Starboard tracks may be rotated by starboard motor, and port tracks by port motor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a quad tracked vehicle with its engine compartment open.

FIG. 2 is top view of the quad tracked vehicle of FIG. 1 with its track arms in a retracted configuration.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the quad tracked vehicle of FIG. 1 with its track arms in an extended configuration.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the quad tracked vehicle of FIG. 1 with its track arms in a vertically downward configuration.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the quad track vehicle of FIG. 1 in an erect configuration for climbing obstacles, such as stairs.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the quad track vehicle of FIG. 1 in an overturned configuration.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the quad track vehicle of FIG. 1 in an erect configuration after being overturned.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a remote control handle.

FIG. 9 is a front view of a remote control handle.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a remote control handle.

FIG. 11 is a top view of an embodiment of the vehicle.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the vehicle of FIG. 11 in an upright configuration.

FIGS. 13-21 are side views of the vehicle of FIG. 11 climbing and descending steps.

FIG. 22 is a side view of an adjustable track length track arm in a full length configuration.

FIG. 23 is a side view of the adjustable track length track arm of FIG. 22 in a reduced length configuration.

FIG. 24 is a side view of a wheeled track arm.

FIG. 25 is a schematic top view of a tracked vehicle with undercarriages.

FIG. 26 is a side view of a tracked vehicle with an accordion body portion which permits the wheel base of the vehicle to be shortened or lengthened.

FIG. 27 is a side view of a tracked vehicle in which the axis of a pair of track arms can be moved for an aft.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising: a vehicle body having a first axis near a first end of the body and a second axis at a near a second end of the body;a first pair of track arms mounted for rotation about the first axis;a first pair of tracks each mounted for rotation about one of the first pair of track arms;a second pair of track arms mounted for rotation about a second axis near the second end of the body, each of the second pair of track arms extending from the second axis more than half the distance to the first axis and rotatable through a point of rotation nearest to the first axis;a second pair of tracks each mounted for rotation about one of the second pair of track arms; anda control system selectively rotating the first and second pairs of tracks to move and turn the vehicle in forward and reverse directions and selectively rotating the first and second pairs of track arms about the first and second axes respectively.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the control system selectively rotates the second pair of track arms about the second axis from a point of rotation furthest from the first axis through a point of rotation nearest the second axis in both clockwise and counter clockwise directions.

3. The invention of claims 1 or 2 wherein the control system selectively rotates the second pair of track arms about the second axis from a point of rotation furthest from the first axis through a point of rotation nearest the second axis in both clockwise and counter clockwise directions.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein the second pair track arms are mounted for rotation about the second axis at a sufficiently greater distance from the body than the distance from the body at which the first pair of track arms are mounted for rotation about the first axis that the pairs of track arms may rotate into an overlapping position.

5. The invention of claims 1 or 2 wherein the controller is further operable to climb an obstacle by rotating the first and second pairs of track arms below a horizontal level to raise the body above the terrain,rotating the first and second pairs of tracks to move the vehicle to contact the obstacle, andfurther rotating the pair of track arms closest the obstacle, and further rotating the first and second pairs of tracks, to climb the obstacle.

6. The invention of claims 1 or 2 wherein the body has a concave lower body surface nearest the terrain to slide over edges of obstacles.

7. The invention of claims 1 or 2 wherein each track arm has a convex upper and a convection lower surface to slide over edges of obstacles.

8. The invention of claims 1 or 2 wherein the body has a convex upper body surface so that rotation of one or more track arms may be used to move the vehicle into an upright position if the upper body surface makes contact with the terrain.

9. The invention of claims 1 or 2 wherein a length of the first pair of track arms is adjustable within a first range.

10. The invention of claim 9 wherein the first pair of tracks is not sufficiently elastic to compensate for adjustments of the length of the first pair of track arms within the first range.

11. The invention of claim 10 wherein each of the first pair of track arms further comprises: a first wheel rotatable about the first axis;a second wheel;an adjustable length arm mounted adjacent the first wheel and supporting the second wheel for rotation about another axis;an additional wheel adjustably mounted for maintaining support for the track at different lengths of the track arm.

12. The invention of claims 1 or 2 wherein a distance between the first and second axes is adjustable.

13. The invention of claim 12 wherein the vehicle body is adjustable to adjust the distance between the first and second axes.

14. The invention of claim 13 wherein the position of one of the axes with respect to the vehicle body is adjustable.

15. The invention of claims 1 or 2 wherein the vehicle further comprises: a steerable undercarriage mounted for rotation about an axis at a right angle to the first axis and supporting the first pair of track arms.

16. The invention of claims 1 or 2 wherein each of the first pair of track arms comprises: a support member mounted for rotation about the first axis; andthree wheels, each wheel supported by the support member for rotation about a separate axis.