Motor vehicles – Including one or more ski-like or runner members – With at least one surface-engaging propulsion element
Reexamination Certificate
1996-12-02
2001-09-04
Boehler, Anne Marie (Department: 3618)
Motor vehicles
Including one or more ski-like or runner members
With at least one surface-engaging propulsion element
C180S009540, C305S116000, C305S128000, C305S131000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283241
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a snowmobile and more particularly to a rear or drive belt suspension system for snowmobiles.
As is well known, the drive belt of a snowmobile is normally suspended relative to the frame assembly by a suspension system that includes at least one shock absorber and spring arrangement. Frequently, the shock absorber and spring arrangement is adjustably mounted so that the damping characteristics could be varied to some extent to compensate for changes in loading and/or individual riding preferences.
Normally, the way this is accomplished is that one end of the shock absorber and spring arrangement has a connection to the frame assembly that is provided by an adjustable pivot pin. With this type of arrangement, the cushioning unit has an opening that receives a cross-bolt that spans the side rails of the frame and which permit adjustment of the position of the end of the cushioning unit relative to the side rail. Since there are a pair of side rails, one at each side of the drive belt, the connection at each side must be adjusted.
This means that an operator must place himself on one side of the snowmobile, detachably connect with one of the connections, move around to the other side and then detachably connect that connection, move it to a new location, and then lock it in place. The operator must then go back to the other side and finish the connection at that side. Obviously, this is a cumbersome operation. Furthermore, the connection is low in the area where the drive belt engages the ground and thus can frequently become encrusted with snow and ice.
Furthermore, this type of adjustment also requires adjustment to be made in such a manner that the weight of the snowmobile is not totally borne by the shock absorber and hence the operator must either load the shock absorber element, hold the body up, or both in order to complete the adjustment.
It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide an improved arrangement for adjusting the suspension system of a drive belt of a snowmobile.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a drive belt suspension arrangement for a snowmobile that embodies a cushioning element and a connection in the loading mechanism that permits ease of adjustment and which does not require the operator to move from one side of the snowmobile to the other to effect the adjustment.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved adjustment mechanism for a snowmobile suspension wherein the adjustment may be made without the operator having to apply force to either compress or expend the cushioning unit when making the adjustment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a snowmobile comprised of a frame assembly, a drive belt, an engine transmission assembly for driving the drive belt and a suspension system for suspending the drive belt for suspension movement relative to the frame assembly. The suspension system includes at least one guide rail that is associated with the backup side of the drive belt and which assists in maintaining the drive belt in driving contact with the terrain over which the vehicle travels. In addition, a cushioning unit is provided that has a pair of relatively movable end portions and which cushions the movement of the end portions relative to each other. The suspension system further includes a linkage assembly for suspending the guide rail for suspension movement relative to the frame assembly and for loading the cushioning unit by moving the two ends of the cushioning element relative to each other in opposite directions upon suspension movement. At least one of the connections of the linkage system is adjustable for adjusting the suspension characteristics of the cushioning unit.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3727709 (1973-04-01), Newman
patent: 3773126 (1973-11-01), Irvine
patent: 3788412 (1974-01-01), Vincent
patent: 3856099 (1974-12-01), Bowers
patent: 3944005 (1976-03-01), Tomita
patent: 4462480 (1984-07-01), Yasui et al.
patent: 5730242 (1998-03-01), Furusawa
patent: 5860486 (1999-01-01), Boivin et al.
Beutler Ernest A.
Boehler Anne Marie
Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
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