Motor vehicles – Including one or more ski-like or runner members
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-19
2001-11-06
Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)
Motor vehicles
Including one or more ski-like or runner members
C180S190000, C280S016000, C280S086757
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311798
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to snowmobiles, and in particular, to snowmobiles having an improved front suspension.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A variety of snowmobile ski suspension systems have been employed on snowmobiles over the years. In the early 1980's the assignee of the present invention introduced to the snowmobiling industry an independent front suspension system utilizing a trailing arm—ie., an elongated arm having its front end connected to the steering spindle, and the rear end pivotably connected to the chassis (see, e.g., Canadian Pat. No. 1,227,823, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference). The trailing arm is oriented generally parallel to the snowmobile's longitudinal centerline and generally parallel to the ground. The pivotal connection of the rear end of the trailing arm to the chassis is provided to permit the front end of the arm to move upwardly and downwardly as the ski encounters uneven terrain.
Snowmobiles used for trail riding are sold with relatively wider suspensions (as measured by the distance between the front skis or ‘ski stance’). Such wider suspensions generally provide greater comfort and stability. In contrast, snowmobiles used for racing, off-trail use, mountain climbing, etc. are sold with relatively narrower suspensions. Such narrower suspensions in general allow a rider to lean into turns better. Riders must therefore choose at the time of purchase what type of snowmobile (and corresponding ski stance) will be best suited for their intended type of use. Once a snowmobile is purchased, its rider may be forced to use the snowmobile on terrain other than that which the snowmobile's front suspension is best suited.
In addition, other factors may influence snowmobile purchasers' choice of ski stance. For instance, snowmobile trails may be groomed (likely by previous riders' tracks) at the width associated with the most common ski stances. A snowmobile rider following such a groomed trail with an uncommon ski stance (either wider or narrower) will not be able to keep both of the snowmobile's skis in the groomed tracks. Instead, the snowmobile will likely fall in and out of the groomed tracks or drift from one ski track to the other, creating a rougher ride. Another factor that may influence snowmobile purchasers' choice of ski stance relates to possible jurisdictional regulation of ski stances. Certain countries regulate snowmobile ski stances, requiring them to be of a particular width. A snowmobile purchaser who may be riding the snowmobile in any such country must account for that country's ski stance regulations. Accordingly, several factors limit snowmobile purchasers' freedom to choose any available snowmobile and its corresponding suspension.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a snowmobile having a front suspension of adjustable width. With adjustable width, the suspension may be adjusted relatively wider for snowmobile riding such as on trails or other flat-terrain. The suspension may also be adjusted relatively narrower such as that which may be best suited for off-trail use, mounting climbing, etc. The flexibility permits the suspension to be adjusted to match a particular trail's pre-groomed tracks or a particular country's required ski stance. The adjustable suspension may permit the adjustment of only the left ski, only the right ski, or both the left and right skis.
A preferred embodiment of the snowmobile has a chassis and has left and right front skis spaced laterally from each other. A mounting column extends generally upwardly from at least one of the skis. An upper and a lower radius rod, which are generally parallel to each other, are each pivotally connected between the chassis and the mounting column.
In one embodiment, the radius rods may be of adjustable length. The lateral spacing of the front skis can be adjusted based on the adjustable length of the radius rods.
In another preferred embodiment, the upper and lower radius rods are pivotally connected at their outboard ends to respective upper and lower mounting points on the mounting column. The chassis has an upper and a lower set of rod mounting points, where the rod mounting points in each set are laterally spaced from each other. The upper radius rod is removably pivotally attached at its inboard end to any selected mounting point in the upper set of mounting points on the chassis. The lower radius is removably pivotally attached at its inboard end to any selected mounting point in the lower set of mounting points on the chassis. The lateral spacing of the front skis can be adjusted based on which mounting points in the upper and lower sets of laterally spaced mounting points on the chassis are the selected mounting points.
In yet another preferred embodiment, the upper and lower radius rods are pivotally connected at their inboard ends to respective upper and lower mounting points on the chassis. The mounting column has an upper and a lower set of rod mounting points, where the rod mounting points in each set are laterally spaced from each other. The upper radius rod is removably pivotally attached at its outboard end to any selected mounting point in the upper set of mounting points on the mounting column. The lower radius rod is removably pivotally attached at its outboard end to any selected mounting point in the lower set of mounting points on the mounting column. The lateral spacing of the front skis can be adjusted based on which mounting points in the upper and lower sets of laterally spaced mounting points on the mounting column are the selected mounting points.
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Fredrikson & Byron , P.A.
Johnson Brian L.
Lerner Avrhaham H.
Polaris Industries Inc.
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