Motor vehicles – Including one or more ski-like or runner members – Member substitutable for wheel type support structure
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-10
2001-07-17
Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)
Motor vehicles
Including one or more ski-like or runner members
Member substitutable for wheel type support structure
C280S016000, C280S021100, C074S551300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260648
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a linking system for linking a steering rod to a steering gear in a steerable vehicle, particularly a snowmobile.
BACKGROUND
The following documents are directed to various mechanisms using rigid tie rods and levers in snowmobiles:
US-5,054,798
US-3,731,755
US-4,826,184
US-3,608,658
US-4,768,794
US-3,550,707
US-4,591,173
US-3,550,706
US-4,364,447
US-3,530,950
US-4,319,656
US-3,464,510
US-3,877,533
CA-2,168,269
US-3,847,239
CA-994,839
US-3,827,516
CA-975,658
US-3,777,830
CA-971,208
US-3,760,895
CA-942,359.
The following documents are directed to suspensions and suspension elements in snowmobiles:
US-6,009,966
US-4,337,958
US-5,064,208
US-4,328,878
US-5,029,664
US-4,252,354
US-4,671,521
US-4,143,729
US-4,633,964
US-4,082,155
US-4,544,170
US-4,034,820
US-4,424,979
US-3,982,597
US-4,422,657
US-3,977,485
US-4,375,293
US-3,967,692
US-4,352,501
US-3,931,862
US-3,930,547
CA-2,168,905
US-3,815,696
CA-1,332,623
US-3,692,130
CA-1,231,123
US-3,853,507
CA-1,174,258
US-3,739,867
CA-1,123,479
US-3,650,341
CA-1,012,189
US-3,140,752
CA-973,240
US-2,702,088
CA-972,783.
The following documents are directed to steering mechanisms using sprocket wheels and chains for vehicles other than snowmobiles:
US-5,855,386
US-4,299,407
US-5,251,715
US-4,248,444
US-4,776,604
US-4,158,901
US-4,637,481
US-4,095,250
US-4,504,074
US-3,977,693
US-4,367,881
US-3,972,538.
Snowmobiles known in the prior art have steering mechanisms using rigid tie rods to control the skis. The main problem of using rigid tie rods is that it clutters the front part of the snowmobile and makes it difficult to mount a motor therein. Also, in the case where the legs of a driver are forwardly positioned under a steering rod, using rigid tie rods would interfere with leg clearance. Furthermore, in the case of a low positioned steering wheel which is close to the skis, it is mechanically difficult to connect the steering wheel to the skis by means of tie rods.
SUMMARY
An object of the present invention is to provide a linking system for linking a steering rod to a steering gear in a steerable vehicle. The linking system comprises a drive sprocket mounted for common rotation with the steering rod. It also comprises a chain having a first end and a second end. The chain is trained about the drive sprocket. A pair of driven sprockets redirect the first and second ends of the chain. The chain is trained about the pair of driven sprockets.
The system further comprises a sliding rod having a middle portion connected to the first and second ends of the chain, and a pair of end portions connected to the steering gear of the steerable vehicle which, in practice, can be of any type even though the invention is more specifically directed for use in snowmobiles.
Thus, another objet of the present invention is to provide snowmobile having a frame, a pair of skis pivotally mounted on the frame, a handlebar rotatably mounted onto the frame, and a linking system for linking the handlebar to the skis for steering the snowmobile. The linking system of the snowmobile comprises a steering rod mounted for common rotation with the handlebar. It also comprises a drive sprocket mounted for common rotation with the steering rod and a chain having a first end and a second end. The chain is trained about the drive sprocket. A pair of driven sprockets redirect the first and second ends of the chain. The chain is trained about the pair of driven sprockets. The system further comprises a sliding rod slidably mounted on the frame. The sliding rod has a middle portion connected to the first and second ends of the chain and a pair of end portions each connected to pivotally mounted tie rods attached to the skis. In use, the sliding rod slides and pivots the tie rods in response to rotation of the steering rod, and the skis are pivoted in response to a pivoting of the tie rods.
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Johnson Brian L.
Luby Matthew
McDermott & Will & Emery
Robert Bessette Technologie Inc.
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