| 摘要 |
As an amphibious pontoon craft it is used for but not limited to land or water transport. The construction incorporates pontoons designed for maximum stability and load carrying capacity. The craft contains separate watertight compartments that make up the pontoons and may be accessible for storage purposes when fully waterproof hatches are installed. These compartments may be as few or as many as desired. At a particular dimension the pontoons may be cross-sectioned making room for a non-watertight compartment or wheel-well where a wheel assembly for land transport purposes is housed. Accessory mounting pockets may be incorporated into the top or side area of the pontoons where items may be inserted or mounted for any given reason. The portion of the craft making up the main deck may also be constructed as a watertight compartment or filled with flotation foam and semisealed, making it a flotation chamber. The bow of the craft incorporates a removable watertight gate, which can be lowered or raised acting as a ramp to provide access to the main deck. Incorporated into the bow sections of the pontoons, are built in lights which are wired or plugged into the tow vehicle for towing purposes. When being towed, the ground clearance of the craft can be adjusted at will by means of hydraulic, electric, pneumatic or manual power assistance etc, to accommodate the trailer hitch height of the tow vehicle by making changes to the adjustable axle, suspension or wheel. The stern section of the craft is designed in such a way that it not only ties together the aft section, but disperses load throughout the entire craft applied to it by the tow bar or propulsion devices. A removable tow bar is incorporated into the stern of the craft; it is inserted into a receiver built therein. When the craft is launched for use as water transport, the wiring for the lights is disconnected, the craft is disconnected from the tow vehicle, the retaining pin inserted through the receiver and tow bar located at the aft end of the main deck is removed and then the tow bar is removed. The wheels may be removed or retracted into the nonwatertight compartment or wheel-well in the pontoons. If the wheel assembly or assemblies are of a retractable design, they may be retracted through any desired height to a maximum by means of hydraulic, electrical, pneumatic, or manual power assistance etc, therefore reducing drag in the water when the craft is being used as water transportation. The craft may be designed to use any means of propulsion when being used for water transport.
|
