Motor vehicles – Including one or more ski-like or runner members – With at least one surface-engaging propulsion element
Patent
1987-04-08
1989-04-25
Marmor, Chales A.
Motor vehicles
Including one or more ski-like or runner members
With at least one surface-engaging propulsion element
180 925, 180 956, 180291, B62D 5506
Patent
active
048239038
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle and particularly to a vehicle adapted for movement in the snow. The invention relates more particularly to an improvement of this type of vehicle.
2. Discussion of Background and Material Information
Numerous vehicles are known which are adapted to move on snow. Such conventional vehicles are commonly referred to as snow mobiles or snow machines and are typically composed of a rear support assembly equipped with a motor for activating a tread, and a steering mechanism in the front including journalled handlebars connected to one or more skis by a steering column. The vehicle described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,645,347 is a representative example of prior art snow machines. This type of motorized snow vehicle includes an assembly of numerous elements. These snow vehicles are thus heavy, expensive, unreliable and particularly awkward.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention thus attempts to overcome these various disadvantages and proposes a particularly simple and reliable vehicle. To this end the vehicle according to the present invention includes a front steering assembly and a rear support assembly composed of a support chassis and a motor for activating a tread. The front steering assembly includes a pivotable steering column on the chassis connected at its lower portion to a front runner or ski and at its upper portion to a handlebar or similar steering mechanism.
A unique and novel feature of the snow machine of the present invention is that the chassis is composed of a principaL beam extending towards the rear above which the motor is positioned. Preferably, the motor is attached above the front portion of the chassis and behind the steering column.
According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the chassis is composed of a hollow beam which serves as a reservoir adapted to hold fuel for the motor.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the chassis forms in the longitudinal vertical plane of the vehicle, an obtuse angle which opens upwardly.
In accordance with the invention, the motor is positioned sufficiently high to be protected from snow and, if the air has cooled, such a placement of the motor makes it possible to warm the driver. Furthermore inasmuch as the starter is positioned in the vicinity of the driver it is relatively easy to start the motor while the driver is seated on the machine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clear from the description which follows with reference to the annexed drawings which are given by way of non-limiting example only.
FIG. 1 is a lateral exterior view showing the motorized snow vehicle according to the invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the vehicle without its aerodynamic shell.
FIG. 3 is a top view of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a top view illustrating the chassis.
FIG. 5 is a front view of the vehicle.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the chassis and of the front retention arm of the tread support.
FIG. 7 is a cross section along VII--VII of the chassis.
FIG. 8 is cross sectional view along VIII--VIII of the chassis.
FIG. 9 is a side view similar to FIG. 2 showing an alternative embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a top view illustrating the motor and its transmission to the tread.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As illustrated in the drawings, the motorized snow vehicle is constituted by a front steering assembly (1) journalled around an axis (XX') on a rear support assembly (2). The front steering assembly (1) includes a steering column (3) connected at its lower portion (4) to a front runner or ski (5) and at its upper end (6) to handlebars or similar means for steering (7). The rear support assembly (2) includes a chassis (8), a motor (9) for activating a tread (10), and a seat (11) adapted to support the driver. The motor is preferably positioned in an aerodynamic shell (12) assuring a pleasing asthetic appearance to the motorized snow vehicle as well as serving different functions such as housin
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Bibollet Jean-Claude
Isambert Alain
Bibollet S.A.
Diederiks, Jr. Everett G.
Marmor Chales A.
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