Endless Belt Drive for a Vehicle

A drive system suitable for use on a vehicle having:

• a frame having a front portion, a rear portion and a longitudinal axis;
• an engine supported by the frame;
• a seat supported by the frame to accommodate a rider;
• and
• a manually-operable steering device connected to the frame to accept steering input from the rider;
• the drive system comprising:
• a drive-system frame operatively connectable to the frame of the vehicle
• so as to be capable of pivotal movement with respect to the frame of the vehicle relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle such that the drive system may be pivoted to steer the vehicle, and
• so as to be incapable of pivotal movement with respect to the frame of the vehicle in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis and normal to the ground when the vehicle is on flat level terrain and steered straight;
• a rail pivotally mounted to the drive-system frame;
• a ground-engaging endless belt in sliding engagement with the rail such that a ground contact area of the belt is below the rail when the vehicle is on flat level terrain, the belt being operatively connectable to the engine to propel the vehicle;
• and
• the drive system being operatively connectable to the steering device of the vehicle.

A vehicle comprising:

• a frame having a front portion, a rear portion and a longitudinal axis;
• an engine supported by the frame;
• a seat supported by the frame to accommodate a rider;
• a manually-operable steering device connected to the frame to accept steering input from the rider;
• a suspension system movably connected to the frame, the suspension system including a shock absorbing element;
• a drive system connected to the suspension system and capable of pivotal movement with respect to the longitudinal axis of the frame to steer the vehicle, the drive system operatively connected to the steering device, the drive system having:
• a plurality of wheels;
• ground-engaging endless belt rotatable about the plurality of wheels;
• a steering angle stopper limiting a steering angle of the drive system, the steering angle stopper disposed on the vehicle such that a steering linkage of the vehicle does not bear a force created when the stopper is engaged.