Amphibious vehicle and float support mechanism

Abstract

To provide an amphibious vehicle or the like having good mounting workability of a float and capable of obtaining sufficient buoyancy from the float.SOLUTION: The amphibious vehicle 1 includes a vehicle body 2, tires 3 which are running wheels attached to the vehicle body 2, an engine-equipped screw 4 which is a water propulsion device attached to the vehicle body 2, a float support mechanism 5 attached to the vehicle body 2, a float mounting part 6 which is displaced by the float support mechanism 5, and a float 7 which can be mounted on the float mounting part 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an amphibious vehicle and a float support mechanism used therein. [Background technology]

[0002] The amphibious vehicle disclosed in Patent Document 1 comprises a body that ensures the watertightness of the cabin, land tires attached to the body, water tires (tires with water deflectors attached) attached to the body, and a body float that can be attached to the space between the front and rear wheels of the water tires.

[0003] When traveling on land, the vehicle is fitted with land tires, but when traveling on water, these are replaced with water tires, and body floats are fitted in the space between the front and rear water tires, allowing the vehicle to travel on the water by rotating the water tires. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-171222 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, since the body float is mounted in the space below the body, it is necessary to get under the body to perform the mounting work, which has the problem of poor mounting workability.

[0006] In addition, the body floats are installed in the space below the body, which is limited to the space between the front and rear wheels, so there is a possibility that they may not be able to provide sufficient buoyancy.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an amphibious vehicle in which floats can be easily attached and in which sufficient buoyancy can be obtained from the floats, and a float support mechanism for use therein. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and is (1) an amphibious vehicle comprising a vehicle body, running wheels attached to the vehicle body, a water propulsion device attached to the vehicle body, a float support mechanism attached to the vehicle body, a float mounting section that is moved by the float support mechanism, and a float mounted to the float mounting section, wherein the float support mechanism is movable between a standby position in which the float mounting section is located above the vehicle body, and a mounting position in which the float mounting section is located to the side and outside the vehicle body.

[0009] (2) In the above (1), the float support mechanism is located within the vehicle width range in the standby position, and the float mounting portion is at a height close to the contact surface of the running wheel in the mounting position.

[0010] (3) In the above (1), the float support mechanism is characterized by having a first link mechanism portion that moves the float mounting portion between a standby position and a mounting position.

[0011] (4) In the above (3), the float support mechanism is characterized by having a second link mechanism portion that moves the float mounting portion further downward from the mounting position.

[0012] (5) In the above (1), the float mounting portion has a float mounting surface portion for mounting the float, and is movable between a mounting position in which the float mounting surface portion is oriented vertically and a float holding position in which the float mounting surface portion is oriented horizontally, and is characterized in that in the float holding position, the float mounting surface portion is positioned above the float.

[0013] (6) In the above (5), the float mounting portion has an auxiliary surface portion that is oriented horizontally in the mounting position together with the float mounting surface portion for mounting the float.

[0014] (7) In the above (1), the float support mechanism is provided in pairs at the left and right positions of the vehicle body.

[0015] (8) In the above (1), the float has a towing attachment portion and casters that can freely retract and protrude from the outer surface of the float.

[0016] (9) In the above (1), the float support mechanism is attached to the bed of the vehicle body.

[0017] (10) A float support mechanism that is attached to a vehicle body, characterized in that the float mounting portion to which the float is attached can be moved between a standby position located above the vehicle body and a mounting position located to the side of the vehicle body and outside the vehicle body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, since the float mounting portion is located at a lateral position outside the vehicle body when in the mounted position, there is no need to go under the vehicle body to mount the float, which improves mounting workability. The floats are mounted on the sides of the vehicle body, so there is ample space for them without being restricted by the position of the running wheels, etc. As a result, an amphibious vehicle can be provided in which the floats are easily mounted and sufficient buoyancy is obtained from the floats. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] The drawings illustrate specific embodiments of the invention according to the present disclosure, including essential features of the invention as well as alternative and preferred embodiments.

[0020] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the amphibious vehicle with the float mounting portion positioned in the standby position, as viewed from diagonally behind the vehicle, according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the amphibious vehicle showing the embodiment, with the float mounting portion in the mounting position. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the amphibious vehicle, seen obliquely from the rear, showing the embodiment with the float mounting portion in the float holding position. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the float support mechanism in which the float mounting portion is located at the mounting position, showing the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a main part of the float support mechanism, showing the embodiment, in which the float mounting portion is in the middle of moving from the mounting position to the float pressing position. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main part of the float support mechanism in which the float mounting portion is located in the float pressing position, according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the float with the casters in the retracted position, showing the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the float with the casters in the protruding position, showing the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the amphibious vehicle traveling on land with the float mounting portion in the standby position, according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the amphibious vehicle showing the embodiment, with the float mounting portion positioned midway between the standby position and the mounting position. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the amphibious vehicle showing the embodiment, with the float mounting portion in the mounting position. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a rear view of the amphibious vehicle according to the present embodiment, with the float mounting portion in the mounting position and floats mounted thereon. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a rear view of the amphibious vehicle traveling on water, with the float mounting portion in the float holding position and the float holding position further lowered. [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an amphibious vehicle towing a float according to the present embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a side view of an amphibious vehicle towing a float according to this embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a vehicle in a modified example of the present embodiment, in which the float mounting portion is in a standby position and the float is placed on the cargo bed. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a vehicle in a modified example of the present embodiment, in which the float mounting portion is positioned at a float pressing position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] Each embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In these embodiments, a description of already known technologies will be omitted. Furthermore, the following merely illustrates devices and methods for embodying the technical concept of the invention, and the technical concept of the present invention is not limited to the following. Various modifications can be made to the technical concept of the present invention within the scope of the claims. It should be noted that the drawings are schematic and may differ from the actual product.

[0022] (Embodiment) Figures 1 to 15 show this embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, an amphibious vehicle 1 comprises a body 2, tires 3 which are running wheels attached to the bottom of the body 2, a propeller 4 with an engine which is a water propulsion device attached to the rear of the body 2, a float support mechanism 5 attached to the body 2, a float mounting part 6 which is moved by the float support mechanism 5, and four floats 7 attached to the float mounting part 6.

[0023] The vehicle body 2 has a cabin 2a with a driver's seat, and the upper position of the vehicle body 2 is above the cabin 2a. There are four tires 3, two in the front and two in the rear. The engine-equipped screw 4 is provided at the lower end of a lifting rod 4a attached to the rear of the vehicle body 2. The lifting rod 4a is configured to be movable in the vertical direction, and the height of the engine-equipped screw 4 can be adjusted by changing the position of the lifting rod 4a. A pair of float support mechanisms 5 are attached to the left and right positions of the vehicle body 2. Each float support mechanism 5 has a pair of link mechanisms 20 that move the pair of float mounting parts 6, and an actuator 40 that applies a moving force to each link mechanism 20.

[0024] Each link mechanism 20 has a first link mechanism 21 that moves the float mounting part 6 between a standby position and a mounted position, and a second link mechanism 30 that moves the float mounting part 6 up and down at the mounted position. As shown in Fig. 1, the standby position is a position where the float mounting part 6 is located above the vehicle body 2 and within the vehicle width range of the vehicle body 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the mounted position is a position where the float mounting part 6 is located to the side of the vehicle body 2 and at a height above the contact surface of the tire 3.

[0025] The first link mechanism 21 comprises a pair of front and rear fixed frames 22 which are common components of the pair of first link mechanism 21, and a pair of parallel movement arm portions 23, 24 which connect the fixed frames 22 and the second link mechanism 30.

[0026] Each fixed frame 22 is fixed to the vehicle body 2 and is composed of a pair of vertical rod portions 22a standing upright from left and right positions on the upper part of the vehicle body 2, a horizontal rod portion 22b connecting the upper ends of the pair of vertical rod portions 22a, an intermediate rod portion 22c connecting the pair of vertical rod portions 22a at an intermediate position, and a protruding rod portion 22d extending from the lower end of each vertical rod portion 22a towards the outside of the vehicle body 2. The fixed frames 22 at the front and rear of the vehicle are connected to each other by front and rear connecting rod portions 22e.

[0027] One end of each pair of parallel movement arms 23, 24 is rotatably supported by the vertical rod 22a and the horizontal rod 22b, respectively. The other end of each pair of parallel movement arms 23, 24 is connected to a pair of vertical connecting rods 31 of the second link mechanism 30. Each pair of parallel movement arms 23, 24 are components of a parallel link structure and move parallel to each other.

[0028] The second link mechanism 30 includes the pair of vertical connecting rods 31, an upper horizontal rod 32 that connects the pair of vertical connecting rods 31 and is also connected to the other end of the upper parallel moving arm 23 of the first link mechanism 21, a pair of slide rods 33 slidably mounted on the pair of vertical connecting rods 31, a lower horizontal rod 34 that connects the pair of slide rods 33, a pair of rotating rods 35 rotatably connected to the lower parts of the pair of slide rods 33, and an inclined rod 36 that connects the slide rods 33 to the tips of the rotating rods 35 and has a bent portion 36a at an intermediate position. The pair of rotating rods 35 are fixed to one surface of the float base member 10 of the float mounting portion 6 (the surface facing the center of the vehicle body in FIGS. 1 and 2).

[0029] In the standby position shown in FIG. 1, the parallel movement arm portions 23, 24 of the first link mechanism portion 21 can be locked (positioned) by a knob-fastening locking member 26 (shown in FIG. 1).

[0030] In the mounting position shown in FIG. 2, the parallel movement arm portions 23, 24 of the first link mechanism portion 21 can be locked (positioned) by a knob tightening lock member 27 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0031] In the float holding position shown in FIG. 3 (described below), the inclined rod portion 36 of the second link mechanism portion 30 can be locked (positioned) by the knob tightening lock member 28 (shown in FIG. 3) so as not to bend.

[0032] The actuator 40 includes a first actuator portion 41 that drives each of the first link mechanism portions 21 and a second actuator portion 45 that drives the second link mechanism portion 30.

[0033] The pair of first actuator units 41 has a fixed unit (no particular reference number) and a movable rod unit (no particular reference number) extending from the tip of the fixed unit. The movable rod unit expands and contracts using electromagnetic force, hydraulic pressure, or the like. When the pair of first actuator units 41 are driven, the pair of parallel movement arm units 23, 24 rotate (swing) around their upper ends as rotation fulcrums, thereby displacing the float mounting unit 6 between the standby position and the mounting position.

[0034] The pair of second actuator parts 45 are composed of jacks. When the second actuator parts 45 are driven, the slide rod part 33 slides up and down relative to the vertical connecting rod part 31. This causes the float mounting part 6 at the mounting position to move up and down, allowing the mounting position to be changed.

[0035] Each float mounting section 6 has a single float base member 10 fixed to a pair of rotating rod sections 35 at the front and rear of the vehicle body. In other words, the float base member 10 is arranged in a state of being suspended between the pair of rotating rod sections 35 at the front and rear of the vehicle body. The float base member 10 has a float mounting surface section 10a which is a mutually flat surface, and an auxiliary surface section 10b which is perpendicular to this.

[0036] The width of the float mounting surface 10a is approximately the same as the width of the float 7. The length of the float mounting surface 10a is shorter than the length of two floats 7 arranged in series, but is large enough to allow the two floats 7 to be arranged in series with some of them protruding in the front-to-rear direction. The auxiliary surface 10b is large enough to allow the widthwise end of the float 7 to be placed on it.

[0037] The float base member 10 is provided with a knob-type locking member 29 (shown in FIG. 3) for locking the float 7.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the float base member 10 moves between the mounting position (position in FIG. 4) and the float pressing position (position in FIG. 6) by the rotation of the rotation rod portion 35 when in the mounting position.

[0039] In the mounting position shown in Figure 4, the float mounting surface 10a is oriented vertically and the auxiliary surface 10b is oriented horizontally. In the float holding position shown in Figure 6, the float mounting surface 10a is oriented horizontally and the auxiliary surface 10b is oriented vertically. Figure 5 shows an intermediate position in the transition process between the mounting position and the float holding position.

[0040] The rotation fulcrum portion 11 of the float base member 10 is provided at the lower end of the float mounting surface portion 10a at the mounting position.

[0041] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, each float 7 has a substantially elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape. Each float 7 is made of a strong, lightweight material, such as fiber-reinforced plastic. The interior space of each float 7 is a sealed, waterproof space, and, combined with being made of a lightweight material, it has high buoyancy. The floats 7 arranged in the forward position when sailing on water differ in their forward shape from those arranged in the rear position. The floats arranged in the forward position have a substantially triangular front side in plan view to reduce resistance from water when sailing on water.

[0042] Each float 7 is provided with a caster 7a that can be freely extended and retracted from the outer surface. When in the extended position, the caster 7a is provided rotatably so that it automatically faces the direction of movement. In addition, all or some of the four floats 7 are provided with a towing device attachment part (not shown).

[0043] Since each float 7 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, they can be bundled together to form a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole by being in surface contact with one another. As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the four floats 7 in this bundled shape can be bound together with cable ties 8 to form a compact configuration, and can be towed by a vehicle using a towing tool 9. Figures 14 and 15 show the state in which the amphibious vehicle 1 is towing the bundled floats 7 connected to the towing tool attachment part 46 (shown in Figure 1, etc.) at the rear of the vehicle body 2 via the towing tool 9.

[0044] Next, the operation of the amphibious vehicle 1 will be described. As shown in Figure 9, when traveling on land, the propeller 4 is positioned high enough not to come into contact with the ground surface of the tire 3, and the float mounting section 6 is in a standby position. The four floats 7 may be towed by the amphibious vehicle 1, or may be carried by or towed on another vehicle, as shown in Figures 14 and 15.

[0045] When switching from land travel to water travel, the float mounting unit 6 is placed in the standby position and the boat is driven on land as close to the water's edge as possible. Once close to the water's edge, the knob fastening lock members 26 of the parallel moving arm units 23 and 24 are unlocked. Then, as shown in Figure 10, the float mounting unit 6 is moved from the standby position to the mounting position by the driving force of the first actuator unit 41.

[0046] 11, when the float mounting part 6 is located at the mounting position, the parallel moving arm parts 23, 24 are locked by the knob fastening lock members 27. Next, as shown in FIG.

[0047] To attach the float to the mounting part 6, first, if the casters 7a are in the protruding position, they are stored in the retracted position. Next, the float 7 is temporarily placed on the auxiliary surface 10b of the float base member 10, and while it is temporarily placed, the bottom surface of the float 7 is brought into close contact with the auxiliary surface 10b, and the side surface of the float 7 is brought into close contact with the float mounting surface 10a. In this close contact position, the float 7 is locked to the float base member 10 with each of the knob tightening lock members 29. This procedure is performed for all four floats 7.

[0048] Next, the amphibious vehicle 1 is driven on land using the tires 3 and enters the water from the water's edge. After entering the water, as shown in Figure 13, the knob-fastening locking member 28 of the tilting rod portion 36 is unlocked, and the float mounting portion 6 is rotated 90 degrees from the mounting position to the float holding position. Then, the knob-fastening locking member 28 of the tilting rod portion 36 is set to the locked position, and the float base member 10 is locked in the float holding position. During the process of moving the float mounting portion 6 from the mounting position to the float holding position, the float 7 enters the water, and the buoyancy of the float 7 gradually acts on the vehicle body 2. In the float holding position, it is desirable that the vehicle body 2 is subjected to a large buoyancy, causing the tire 3 to float.

[0049] If the tire 3 does not float, or if you want to lower the waterline below the bottom of the vehicle body 2, you can manually operate the jack of the second actuator part 45 of the second link mechanism part 30 to move the float base member 10 downward, lower the float holding position, and lower the position of the float 7. This allows the float 7 to be fully immersed in water, providing great buoyancy, allowing various adjustments to be made, such as floating the tire 3 or lowering the waterline below the bottom of the vehicle body 2.

[0050] When sailing on the water, the height of the screw 4 is set to a predetermined depth in the water, and sailing on the water is possible by rotating the screw 4. If it is necessary to change the position of the waterline during sailing on the water due to waves, wind, etc., the height of the float holding position of the float base member 10 is adjusted by the same operation as above. To switch from water navigation to land navigation, simply follow the steps above in reverse.

[0051] As described above, the amphibious vehicle 1 of this embodiment comprises a body 2, tires 3 which are running wheels attached to the body 2, an engine-equipped screw 4 which is a water propulsion device attached to the body 2, a float support mechanism 5 attached to the body 2, a float mounting part 6 which is movable by the float support mechanism 5, and a float 7 which can be mounted on the float mounting part 6, and the float support mechanism 5 is movable between a standby position in which the float mounting part 6 is located above the body 2, and a mounting position in which the float mounting part 6 is located at a lateral position outside the body 2.

[0052] Therefore, in the mounted position, the float mounting portion 6 is located at a lateral position outside the vehicle body 2, so there is no need to get under the vehicle body 2 to mount the float 7, making mounting easy. Because the mounting position is at a lateral position outside the vehicle body 2, it is possible to ensure space for arranging the float without being restricted by the positions of the front and rear tires 3. In this embodiment, the float 7 is positioned longer than the space between the front and rear tires 3, and higher than the height between the bottom surface of the vehicle body 2 and the installation surface of the tire 3. As described above, an amphibious vehicle 1 can be provided in which the float 7 is mounted easily and sufficient buoyancy can be obtained from the float 7.

[0053] Furthermore, in the standby position, the float mounting part 6 is located above the vehicle body 2, so it does not get in the way when the vehicle is traveling. Problems caused by the float mounting part 6 interfering with flying objects such as stones and mud when the vehicle is traveling do not occur. In the standby position, the float support mechanism 5 is located within the vehicle width, and in the mounting position, the float mounting part 6 is in a high position close to the contact surface of the tire 3. In the standby position, the float support mechanism 5 is located within the vehicle width, so the vehicle can be driven on land without having to worry about the vehicle protruding from the vehicle width.

[0054] Furthermore, when in the mounted position, the float mounting portion 6 is at a height close to the ground contact surface of the tire 3, so the float 7 can be mounted while visually checking the mounting location of the float 7, which also makes the mounting work easy.Furthermore, since the boat can enter the water while traveling along the water's edge with the float 7 mounted, the transition from traveling on land to traveling on water can be made smooth.

[0055] In this embodiment, the float support mechanism 5 has a first link mechanism 21 that moves the float mounting part 6 between the standby position and the mounting position. Therefore, the first link mechanism 21 can be configured by assembling multiple link members, which results in a lighter weight and a simpler configuration.

[0056] In this embodiment, the float support mechanism 5 has a second link mechanism 30 that moves the float mounting portion 6 further downward from the mounting position.

[0057] Therefore, the float mounting portion 6 can be further lowered (for example, to a position below the contact surface of the tire 3), which allows the vehicle body 2 to navigate on water in a sufficiently floated position, and has the advantage of minimizing the number of waterproof structural parts of the vehicle body 2. In addition, the second link mechanism portion 30 can be constructed by assembling multiple link members, which results in a lighter weight and a simpler structure.

[0058] In this embodiment, the float mounting portion 6 has a float mounting surface portion 10a for mounting the float 7, and the float mounting surface portion 10a is movable between a mounting position in which the float mounting surface portion 10a is oriented vertically and a float holding position in which the float mounting surface portion 10a is oriented horizontally, and in the float holding position, the float mounting surface portion 10a is positioned above the float 7.

[0059] Therefore, in the mounting position, the float mounting surface 10a is oriented vertically, allowing the float 7 to be mounted while being visually checked, improving mounting workability. Also, in the float holding position, the float mounting surface 10a presses the float 7 from above, so the float mounting surface 10a is positioned in the direction in which the buoyancy of the float 7 acts (directly upward), allowing it to reliably absorb the buoyancy and stabilizing the position of the float 7.

[0060] In this embodiment, the float mounting portion 6 has a float mounting surface portion 10a for mounting the float 7, and an auxiliary surface portion 10b that is oriented horizontally in the mounted position.

[0061] Therefore, when attaching the float 7 to the float mounting part 6, the float 7 can be temporarily placed on the auxiliary surface part 10b, and in that state the float 7 can be brought into close contact with the float mounting surface part 10a and the mounting work can be carried out, which improves the ease of installation. In addition, since the float 7 is held by the float mounting surface part 10a and the auxiliary surface part 10b, the float 7 is held securely and is stable.

[0062] In this embodiment, the float support mechanism 5 is driven by an automatic first actuator unit 41. Therefore, the float support mechanism 5 can be displaced by the driving force of the first actuator unit 41, which is convenient.

[0063] In this embodiment, a pair of float support mechanisms 5 are provided on the left and right sides of the body 2. Therefore, floats 7 can be attached to the left and right sides of the body 2, which improves stability when traveling on water.

[0064] In this embodiment, the float 7 has a towing attachment portion (not shown) and a caster 7a that can freely protrude and retract from the outer surface of the float 7.Therefore, the float 7 can be transported by connecting the vehicle body 2 and the float 7 with a towing device 9 and towing the float 7.

[0065] (Variation) 16 and 17 show a modified example of this embodiment. In this modified example, the vehicle body 2 has a cabin 2a with a driver's seat and a loading platform 2b behind the cabin 2a, and a float support mechanism 5 is attached to the loading platform 2b. The loading platform 2b of a truck or the like has sufficient space to install the float support mechanism 5, and the side wall 2c of the loading platform 2b can also be used as a fixing portion for the float support mechanism 5, so the float support mechanism 5 can be easily fixed to the loading platform 2b. FIG. 16 shows the float mounting portion 5 in the standby position, with the float 7 placed on the loading platform 2b. FIG. 17 shows the float mounting portion in the float holding position. The water propulsion device is, for example, an external device.

[0066] Therefore, a vehicle body 2 having a loading platform 2b such as a truck can be easily converted into an amphibious vehicle.

[0067] The standby position of the float mounting part 6 is above the vehicle body 2, but in a vehicle having a loading platform 2b such as a truck, the above position of the vehicle body 2 is the space above the loading platform 2b.

[0068] (Other variations, etc.) In the above embodiment, the amphibious vehicle 1 is driven on land with the float mounting parts 6 in a standby position. The standby position of the float mounting parts 6 is a position where the float mounting parts 6 are above the vehicle body 2 and within the vehicle width range of the vehicle body 2, but it may be in a range that exceeds the vehicle width range of the vehicle body 2. However, when driven on public roads, it is sufficient that the amount of protrusion from the vehicle width is within the range permitted by law, and current law allows the left and right protrusion dimensions to be within a range of up to 0.1 times the vehicle width on each side.

[0069] In the above embodiment, the link mechanism 20 has the first link mechanism 21 and the second link mechanism 30, but if sufficient buoyancy can be obtained at the mounting position by the first link mechanism 21 due to the relationship between the weight of the vehicle body 2, the buoyancy of the float 7, etc., then the second link mechanism 30 need not be provided. In this case, the float mounting portion 6 is attached to the tip of the parallel moving arm portions 23, 24. In this way, if the link mechanism 20 is configured only with the first link mechanism 21, the configuration of the link mechanism 20 can be simplified, and the cost and weight can be reduced.

[0070] In the above embodiment, the float 7 has a substantially elongated rectangular parallelepiped shape, but the shape is not limited thereto. Four floats 7 are used, but the number of floats is not limited thereto.

[0071] In the above embodiment, the running wheels were tires 3, but any configuration that allows the vehicle to travel on land, such as caterpillar tracks, may be used. In the above embodiment, the water propulsion device was an engine-equipped screw 4, but any device that can provide propulsive force for traveling on water, such as a water jet device, may be used. Of course, the water propulsion device may be retrofitted to the vehicle body 2.

[0072] The first actuator unit 41 is configured as an automatically operating device, and the second actuator unit 45 is configured as a manually operated device (jack). However, both the first and second actuator units 41, 45 may be configured as automatically operating devices, or both the first and second actuator units 41, 45 may be configured as manually operated devices, or the first actuator unit 41 may be configured as a manually operated device, and the second actuator unit 45 may be configured as an automatically operated device. When an actuator is configured as an automatically operating actuator, the type of energy source is not important. Any of electricity, air pressure, hydraulic pressure, magnetic force by an electromagnet, steam, heat, etc. may be used.

[0073] In the above embodiment, the amphibious vehicle 1 is a four-wheeled automobile, but any type of vehicle can be used as long as it can be equipped with the float support mechanism 5. If the float support mechanism 5 and other components are made smaller, an amphibious motorcycle, for example, can also be used.

[0074] The towing device 9 connecting the amphibious vehicle 1 and the float 7 can be used to tow rubber boats, rescuers, necessary materials, etc. by increasing the length of the towing device 9.

[0075] Although each embodiment has been described in detail above, it is not limited to a specific embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the claims. It is also possible to combine all or a plurality of components of the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1. Amphibious vehicles 2. Body 3 Tires (running wheels) 4. Engine-equipped screw (water propulsion device) 5 Float support mechanism 6 Float mounting part 7. Float 7a Caster 10a Float mounting surface 10b Auxiliary surface part 20 Link mechanism 21 First link mechanism 30 Second link mechanism

Claims

1. a vehicle body, a running wheel attached to the vehicle body, a water propulsion device attached to the vehicle body, a float support mechanism attached to the vehicle body, a float mounting part displaced by the float support mechanism, and a float mounted to the float mounting part; The float support mechanism is movable between a standby position in which the float mounting portion is positioned above the vehicle body and a mounting position in which the float mounting portion is positioned laterally outward from the vehicle body.

2. 2. The amphibious vehicle according to claim 1, wherein in the standby position, the float support mechanism is located within a range of the vehicle width, and in the mounted position, the float mounting portion is at a height close to the contact surface of the running wheel.

3. 2. The amphibious vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the float support mechanism includes a first link mechanism that moves the float mounting portion between a standby position and a mounting position.

4. 4. An amphibious vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the float support mechanism has a second link mechanism that moves the float mounting portion further downward from the mounting position.

5. 2. An amphibious vehicle as described in claim 1, wherein the float mounting portion has a float mounting surface portion for mounting the float, the float mounting surface portion being movable between a mounting position in which the float mounting surface portion is oriented vertically and a float holding position in which the float mounting surface portion is oriented horizontally, and in the float holding position, the float mounting surface portion is positioned above the float.

6. 6. An amphibious vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the float mounting portion has an auxiliary surface portion which is oriented horizontally in the mounted position together with the float mounting surface portion for mounting the float.

7. 2. The amphibious vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the float support mechanisms are provided in pairs on the left and right sides of the vehicle body.

8. 2. The amphibious vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the float has a towing attachment portion and casters that can be freely extended and extended from the outer surface of the float.

9. 2. The amphibious vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the float support mechanism is attached to a loading platform of the vehicle body.

10. A float support mechanism attached to a vehicle body, The float support mechanism is characterized in that the float mounting portion, to which the float is mounted, can be moved between a standby position located above the vehicle body and a mounting position located to the side of the vehicle body and outside.

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