Vehicle tracking control system
AssigneeArtic Cat Inc.
InventorsKirk Hibbert, Russell Ebert
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The specification herein discloses a tracking control system for a vehicle such as a snowmobile. Such a vehicle includes a chassis with at least one ride member, such as a ski. The tracking control system includes a suspension arm, a spindle, and a slide bar. The suspension arm extends outwardly from the chassis, the arm being pivotally secured to the chassis. The spindle is secured to an outward end of the suspension arm. The spindle has an upper end a lower end with the slide bar secured to the lower end. The slide bar is oriented generally transverse to the spindle and to a major axis of the ski. The ski is movably coupled to the slide bar and spring biased in a direction away from the chassis.
Claims21
An attachment coupling for a vehicle riding member arranged for engagement with a riding surface, the attachment coupling securing said riding member to a vehicle suspension having an outer end, the coupling comprising:
- a. a translational member secured to an outer end of the vehicle suspension, said translational member allowing said riding member to translate generally transversely to said vehicle, said translational member having a outer end and an inner end;
- and
- b. a biasing member coupled to said riding member, said biasing member biasing said riding member to a preset position on said translational member between said outer end and said inner end.
A vehicle suspension secured between a vehicle and a riding member, the suspension comprising:
- a. a suspension arm extending from the vehicle;
- b. a spindle secured to the end of said suspension arm;
- c. a slide member secured to said spindle, said slide member having an inner end and an outer end, wherein said riding member is slidably mounted on said slide member;
- and
- d. a biasing member coupled to said riding member, said biasing member biasing said riding member toward the outer end of said slide member.
A tracking control system for a snowmobile ski suspension, wherein the suspension includes a suspension arm secured to a chassis on one end and to a steering spindle on the other end, the spindle being secured to a ski, said tracking control system comprising:
- a. a slide member secured to the ski and to the spindle, said slide member having an inner end, an outer end, and a transverse axis relative to the spindle, the spindle coupled to said slide member for transverse movement on said axis;
- and
- b. a biasing member coupled between the ski and the spindle, said biasing member biasing the ski to one end of the slide member.
A tracking control system for a snowmobile having a chassis and at least one ski, the system comprising:
- a. a suspension arm extending outwardly from the chassis, said arm being pivotally secured to the chassis;
- b. a spindle secured to an outward end of said suspension arm, said spindle having an upper end and a lower end;
- and
- c. a slide bar secured to the lower end of said spindle, said slide bar being oriented generally transverse to said spindle and generally transverse to a major axis of the ski, said ski being movably coupled to said slide bar.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.