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US 2006/0032686 A1Published application
Spindle for snowmobile suspension
OwnerNorman Berginventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A suspension support spindle for a recreational vehicle that is lightweight, strong, and that improves aerodynamic performance by reducing friction and drag. An extruded spindle design for use in a front suspension system of a snowmobile, using aluminum as the extrusion material and performing the extrusion along an axis that is generally parallel to a forward direction of travel of the snowmobile. A method of manufacturing an extruded snowmobile suspension spindle.
Claims31
A support for a recreational vehicle, the support comprising:
- a body having
- a front side, a rear side, an inner side, a lower portion adapted to be moveably coupled to a ground engaging element of the recreational vehicle,
- a first protrusion projecting from the inner side of the body, and
- a second protrusion projecting from the inner side of the body, wherein the first protrusion is disposed generally above the second protrusion, the first and second protrusions being adapted to be moveably coupled to a portion of a suspension system of the recreational vehicle.
1 more element
A support for a recreational vehicle, the support comprising:
- an elongated body having
- a front side defined by a forward direction of travel of the recreational vehicle,
- a rear side defined by a rearward direction of travel of the recreational vehicle,
- an inner side proximate a longitudinal centerline of the recreational vehicle,
- a lower portion adapted to be moveably coupled to a ground engaging element of the recreational vehicle,
- first and second protrusions projecting from the inner side of the body, the first protrusion being disposed generally above the second protrusion, the first and second protrusions being adapted to be moveably coupled to a portion of a suspension system of the recreational vehicle.
3 more elements
A support for a recreational vehicle, the support comprising:
- an elongated body having
- a front side defined by a forward direction of travel of the recreational vehicle,
- a rear side defined by a rearward direction of travel of the recreational vehicle,
- an inner side proximate a longitudinal centerline of the recreational vehicle,
- an outer side distal a longitudinal centerline of the recreational vehicle,
- an upper portion adapted to be moveably coupled to a portion of a steering system of the recreational vehicle,
- a lower portion adapted to be moveably coupled to a ground engaging element of the recreational vehicle,
- first and second protrusions projecting from the inner side of the body, the first protrusion being disposed generally above the second protrusion, the first and second protrusions being adapted to be moveably coupled to a portion of a suspension system of the recreational vehicle;
- wherein the body has an axis of rotation defined by a line which passes through the first and second protrusions and wherein the body is adapted to rotate about the axis of rotation upon actuation of the steering system.
6 more elements
A spindle for a snowmobile, the spindle comprising:
- an elongated body having
- a front side defined by a forward direction of travel of the recreational vehicle,
- a rear side defined by a rearward direction of travel of the recreational vehicle,
- an inner side proximate a longitudinal centerline of the recreational vehicle,
- an outer side distal a longitudinal centerline of the recreational vehicle,
- an upper portion adapted to be moveably coupled to a portion of a steering system of the recreational vehicle,
- a lower portion adapted to be moveably coupled to a ground engaging element of the recreational vehicle,
- first and second protrusions projecting from the inner side of the body, the first protrusion being disposed generally above the second protrusion, the first and second protrusions being adapted to be moveably coupled to a portion of a suspension system of the recreational vehicle;
- wherein the elongated body has an axis of rotation defined by a line which passes through the first and second protrusions, and
- wherein the elongated body is formed as an aluminum extrusion, the aluminum extrusion having a direction of extrusion that is generally parallel to the forward direction of travel of the recreational vehicle.
7 more elements
A method of supporting a recreational vehicle comprising:
- providing a body having
- a front side defined by a forward direction of travel of the recreational vehicle,
- a rear side defined by a rearward direction of travel of the recreational vehicle,
- an inner side proximate a longitudinal centerline of the recreational vehicle,
- an outer side distal a longitudinal centerline of the recreational vehicle,
- an upper portion adapted to be moveably coupled to a portion of a steering system of the recreational vehicle,
- a lower portion adapted to be moveably coupled to a ground engaging element of the recreational vehicle,
- first and second protrusions projecting from the inner side of the body, the first protrusion being disposed generally above the second protrusion, the first and second protrusions being adapted to be moveably coupled to a portion of a suspension system of the recreational vehicle,
- wherein the elongated body has an axis of rotation defined by a line which passes through the first and second protrusions;
- attaching the body to the portion of a suspension system of the recreational vehicle;
- and
- attaching the body to the ground-engaging element.
9 more elements
A method of supporting a snowmobile comprising:
- providing a body having a front side defined by a forward direction of travel of the snowmobile,
- a rear side defined by a rearward direction of travel of the snowmobile,
- an inner side proximate a longitudinal centerline of the snowmobile,
- an outer side distal a longitudinal centerline of the snowmobile,
- an upper portion adapted to be moveably coupled to a portion of a steering system of the snowmobile,
- a lower portion adapted to be moveably coupled to a ground engaging element of the snowmobile,
- first and second means for movably coupling a portion of a suspension system to an inner side of the body, the first means being disposed generally above the second means,
- wherein the elongated body has an axis of rotation defined by a line which passes through the first and second means, and
- wherein the elongated body is formed as an aluminum extrusion, the aluminum extrusion having a direction of extrusion that is generally parallel to the forward direction of travel of the snowmobile;
- attaching the body to the portion of a suspension system of the snowmobile;
- and
- attaching the body to the ground engaging element of the snowmobile.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.