1945 patent for a one-legged hopping tank

Hop-Bot


Peter Steinkamp, who makes neat little walker devices, sent me this 1945 patent for a one-legged hopping tank. Imagine a battlefield full of these things bouncing around.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a tank having an extensible leg capable of imparting a series of vertical oscillations to the tank, and having means to vary the angle of inclination of the leg to obtain directional movement of the tank.

Another of the objects of the invention is to provide a tank which is adapted to traverse difficult terrain.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a tank which is propelled in such a manner that its progress is intermittent, thereby rendering it a difficult target.
Still another object is to provide a tank provided with means whereby the direction of its course may be rapidly changed, thereby rendering it a difficult target.