Aluminum studs for snowmobile track
OwnerGlenn E. Kafkainventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Improved snowmobile acceleration and higher snowmobile top speeds can be obtained using a studded snowmobile belt track with lightweight studs preferably made of aluminum. Higher snowmobile top speeds and improved snowmobile acceleration are accomplished because aluminum studs weigh as much as 66 percent less than conventional steel studs. The aluminum studs can be push-through type studs with or without a spade face, or T-nut type studs with or without a spade face. Spade faces on the push-through studs are preferably tapered at 5.degree. in relation to a longitudinal axis of the stud. Push-through type studs preferably have a grip ridge that projects from the head of the stud into the snowmobile belt to prevent bulging of the belt near the stud.
Claims21
A push-through stud for a snowmobile belt track comprising:
- a generally flat head;
- and
- an elongated shank integral with and projecting from a center of the head, the shank having a penetration portion opposite the head and a cylindrical threaded portion between the head and the penetration portion;
- wherein the stud is made of a hardened aluminum alloy having a yield strength of no less than 50 ksi and a tensile strength of no less than 60 ksi.
A T-nut type stud for a snowmobile belt track comprising:
- a flange having two generally flat sides and a thickness;
- a cylindrical threaded portion projecting perpendicularly from one of the sides of the flange;
- and
- a penetration shank projecting perpendicularly from the other side of the flange;
- wherein the stud is made of a hardened aluminum alloy having a yield strength of no less than 50 ksi and a tensile strength of no less than 60 ksi.
A push-through stud for a snowmobile belt track comprising:
- a generally flat head;
- and
- an elongated shank integral with and projecting from a center of the head, the shank having a penetration portion opposite the head and a cylindrical threaded portion between the head and the penetration portion, the cylindrical threaded portion having a core diameter of at least one fifth of an inch, and the penetration portion having a flat spade face extending substantially the entire length of the penetration portion and facing backwards when the stud is properly mounted through a bottom side of the belt, the spade face tapering forward as the face extends away from the threaded portion at approximately 5.degree. in relation to a longitudinal axis of the elongated shank;
- and
- wherein the stud is made of aluminum.
A push-through stud for a snowmobile belt track comprising:
- a generally flat head;
- and
- an elongated shank integral with and projecting from a center of the head, the shank having a penetration portion opposite the head and a cylindrical threaded portion between the head and the penetration portion, the cylindrical threaded portion having a core diameter of at least one fifth of an inch, and the penetration portion having a flat spade face extending substantially the entire length of the penetration portion and facing backwards when the stud is properly mounted through a bottom side of the belt, the spade face tapering forward as the face extends away from the threaded portion;
- wherein the stud is made of aluminum and wherein the penetration portion further has a chisel-shaped tip including a chisel surface on the front side of the stud and a flattened edge at the tip of the stud between the spade face and the chisel surface.
A T-nut type stud for a snowmobile belt track comprising:
- a flange having two generally flat sides and a thickness;
- a cylindrical threaded portion projecting perpendicularly from one of the sides of the flange;
- and
- a penetration shank projecting perpendicularly from the other side of the flange, the penetration shank having a flat spade face extending substantially the entire length of the shank and facing backwards when the stud is properly mounted through a bottom side of the belt, the spade face tapering forward as the face extends away from the flange at approximately 5.degree. relative to a longitudinal axis of the stud;
- and
- wherein the stud is made of aluminum.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.