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US 6,199,648 B1Granted
Floatation and snow exclusion components for a suspension system for a snowmobile
OwnerRonald C. Kananinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved suspension mechanism for snowmobiles. In particular, an additional set of skis which provide support and stability to a snowmobile when the snowmobile is in deep powder is described. The skis also provide an effective structure for preventing the build-up of snow and ice in the snowmobile's suspension wells. Additionally, a suspension well skirt which provides a barrier from snow for a snowmobile's suspension well is described. The additional skis, in conjunction with the skirt, allow a snowmobile to be propelled quickly through deep snow as well as provide increased steerability to the snowmobile when it is in deep snow.
Claims32
A suspension for a snowmobile, said suspension comprising:
- a first and second primary ski, said first and second primary ski supporting a front end of said snowmobile, said first and second primary ski being steerably connected to means for steering said snowmobile, and first and second skis having a first bottom horizontal plane which contacts the ground when said snowmobile is at rest;
- a first strut linkage assembly comprising one or more parts which is linkably connected between a first chassis point of said snowmobile and said first primary ski;
- a second strut linkage assembly comprising one or more parts which is linkably connected between a second chassis point of said snowmobile and said second primary ski;
- a cowling defining a belly pan, said belly pan having a bottom side;
- and
- an auxiliary ski secured to said bottom side of said belly pan, said auxiliary ski having a second bottom horizontal plane which is higher than said first horizontal plane such that said auxiliary ski does not contact the ground when said snowmobile is at rest on a flat surface.
3 more elements
A suspension for a snowmobile, said suspension comprising:
- a first and second primary ski, said first and second primary ski supporting a front end of said snowmobile, said first and second primary ski being steerably connected to means for steering said snowmobile, said first and second skis having a first bottom horizontal plane which contacts the ground when said snowmobile is at rest;
- a first strut linkage assembly comprising one or more parts which is linkably connected between a first chassis point of said snowmobile and said first primary ski;
- a second strut linkage assembly comprising one or more parts which is linkably connected between a second chassis point of said snowmobile and said second primary ski;
- a first and second auxiliary ski, said first auxiliary ski secured to said first strut of said first primary ski and said second auxiliary ski secured to said second strut of said second primary ski, said first and second auxiliary skis having a second bottom horizontal plane which is higher than said first horizontal plane such that said auxiliary skis do not contact the ground when said snowmobile is at rest on a flat surface, and said first auxiliary ski has a first top side and first outside horizontal edge and said second auxiliary ski has a second top side and a second outside horizontal edge;
- a cowling defining a belly pan, said belly pan defining a first and second suspension well whereby the first suspension well defines a first rim and the second suspension well defines a second rim;
- a first skirt secured between said first rim and said first auxiliary ski;
- and
- a second skirt secured between said second rim and said second auxiliary ski.
5 more elements
A suspension for a snowmobile, said suspension comprising:
- a first and second primary ski, said first and second primary ski supporting a front end of said snowmobile, said first and second primary ski being steerably connected to means for steering said snowmobile, said first and second skis having a first bottom horizontal plane which contacts the ground when said snowmobile is at rest;
- a first strut linkage assembly comprising one or more parts which is linkably connected between a first chassis point of said snowmobile and said first primary ski;
- a second strut linkage assembly comprising one or more parts which is linkably connected between a second chassis point of said snowmobile and said second primary ski;
- first and second auxiliary ski, said first auxiliary ski secured to said first strut of said first primary ski and said second auxiliary ski secured to said second strut of said second primary ski, said first and second auxiliary skis having a second bottom horizontal plane which is higher than said first horizontal plane such that said auxiliary skis do not contact the ground when said snowmobile is at rest on a flat surface, and said first auxiliary ski having a first top side and a first inside horizontal edge and said second auxiliary ski having a second top side and a second inside horizontal edge;
- a cowling defining a belly pan, said belly pan defining a first and second suspension well whereby the first suspension well defines a first inside rim and the second suspension well defines a second inside rim;
- a first skirt, said first skirt secured between said first inside rim and said first auxiliary ski;
- and
- a second skirt, said second skirt secured between said second inside rim and said second auxiliary ski.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.