Importance

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Abstract

This toy propels itself along the surface of a pool of water or along an extremely steep, irregular nonwater surface. A battery powers a motor, which drives the vehicle's four wheels and a steerable water jet. The wheels carry pronounced peripheral cleats for propulsion along both a water surface and a very steep, irregular nonwater surface. The hollow wheels, several times overscale, contribute significantly to overall buoyancy. The water-jet impeller aids propulsion along a water surface and can be rotated horizontally to direct the vehicle in circles of variable diameter. The motor shaft is aligned with the direction of vehicle travel and extends both forwardly and rearwardly from the motor to drive a symmetrical geartrain for nonwater-surface propulsion: fixed on each shaft end is a pinion that drives a spur gear, which in turn drives a worm, that in its turn drives a worm gear keyed to an axle. The worm gear drives the axle, which drives the wheels and tires. The forward and rearward ends of the motor shaft drive the front and rear wheels respectively; the rearward end also drives the water jet, through an extension of the rear pinion and a crown gear fixed to the water-jet impeller. A shifting bar is also provided in the vehicle for manual shifting of the worm gears in and out of mesh with the worms.

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First Claim