Motor vehicles – Including one or more ski-like or runner members
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-12
2001-05-22
Culbreth, Eric (Department: 3611)
Motor vehicles
Including one or more ski-like or runner members
C180S186000, C180S190000, C280S093510
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234262
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a steering and suspension system for a snowmobile which moves the center of gravity of the skis toward the inside of a turn to place additional pressure on an inside ski when turning. This lessens the necessity of the snowmobile operator to lean into the turn.
Several previous patents have illustrated means for stabilizing a snowmobile during a turn. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,608,658 to Woodfill and U.S. Pat. No. 3,777,831 to Hale describe mechanisms for tilting the snowmobile during a turn. U.S. Pat. No. 3,847,239 to Copeland describes a steering mechanism for snowmobiles which moves the snowmobile body over the skis in a direction opposite the turning direction to stabilize the snowmobile during the turn.
The present invention is directed to a steering and suspension system that can be used with modern snowmobiles to stabilize the snowmobile during a turn. The present invention may be incorporated into the existing suspension system of conventional snowmobiles.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
A suspension mounting device is mounted on a modern snowmobile having a frame with shock absorbers, fixed length tie rods and trailing brace arms extending between the snowmobile frame and a pair of skis. The skis have conventional steering spindles affixed thereto which may be pivotally turned to turn the snowmobile skis.
A suspension mount of the present invention is mounted for moving substantially horizontally across the frame in response to turning movements of the steering handlebars. A pair of pitman arms is provided, each of which have one end fixedly attached to a respective steering spindle. These fixed length tie rods have one end connected to a respective free end of a pitman arm. The opposite ends of these fixed length tie rods are connected to the snowmobile frame on the centerline of the snowmobile.
With the present invention, the shock absorbers are connected between the frame and the trailing brace arms. Radius rods extend between the suspension mount and the trailing brace arms. As the suspension mount moves horizontally across the frame, the radius arms move the spindles horizontally in the same direction. This causes the skis to turn in the opposite direction because the tie rods, which are connected to the ends of the pitman arms that are furthest removed ahead of the spindle, are anchored and are of fixed length. These tie rods do not move horizontally even though the spindles do move in a direction opposite the turn. This movement inherently shifts the weight of the snowmobile toward the inside of a turn.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3145030 (1964-08-01), Millis
patent: 3608658 (1971-09-01), Woodfill et al.
patent: 3734219 (1973-05-01), Christensen et al.
patent: 3760895 (1973-09-01), Martinmaas
patent: 3777831 (1973-12-01), Hale
patent: 3847239 (1974-11-01), Copeland
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patent: 5029664 (1991-07-01), Zulawski
patent: 5033572 (1991-07-01), Zulawski
patent: 5038882 (1991-08-01), Zulawski
patent: 5305844 (1994-04-01), Ducote
patent: 5364114 (1994-11-01), Petersen
patent: 5660245 (1997-08-01), Marier et al.
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patent: 6009966 (2000-01-01), Olson et al.
Conover Richard C.
Culbreth Eric
Lum L.
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