Inventors:
Charles E. Allen - Ledyard CT
Brian J. Watrous - Ledyard CT
Assignee:
Ice Rescue Vehicle, Inc. - Branford CT
International Classification:
B63C 932
Abstract:
An ice rescue vehicle used to aid a victim who has fallen through thin ice. The ice rescue vehicle is capable of traveling over ice, water, a broken ice and water mixture, mud, snow and solid ground. The vehicle has a buoyant hollow sled pulled behind a traction wheel that includes a plastic, buoyant, rotating drum. The drum has a number of fins to propel the vehicle in water. Mounted to the fins are three annular rings having tangs for traction on ice. A small internal combustion engine provides power to turn the drum via two gear belt drives on each side of the drum. Handle bars are used to steer the vehicle, and a throttle control, similar to those used on motorcycles, provides the rescuer with a means to control the engine and vehicle speed. The sled and drum both provide flotation during travel over broken ice and open water.
