US 6,491,125 B2Granted

Snowmobile with pivotable rear snow flap

AssigneeBombardier Inc.

InventorsBruno Girouard, Berthold Fecteau, Jér{dot over (o)}me Wubbolts, Eric Bertrand

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A snowmobile includes a chassis having a generally reduced length and a snow flap pivotally attached to the rear portion of the chassis, above the track system. The track system extends rearwardly beyond the chassis, and the snow flap shields the track system above and behind from spraying snow. The snow flap is linked to the track system so that as the track system moves through a range of travel relative to the chassis, the snow flap pivots relative to the chassis with the track system. This configuration prevents damaging contact between the tread and the undersurface of the snow flap and/or the chassis. The reduced length of the chassis decreases the weight of the snowmobile and the polar moment of inertia, thereby improving turning performance. A bumper extends from the snow flap and can be used to lift the rear of the snowmobile more easily.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A snowmobile, comprising:

a chassis;
a handlebar disposed on said chassis;
a ski support system mounted at a forward portion of said chassis and including at least two skis operatively connected to said handelebar to provide steering control of said snowmobile;
a propulsion-providing track system having an endless track, said track system being movably mounted under a rear portion of said chassis and configured to move through a range of travel with respect to said chassis;
and
a snow flap disposed above said track system, said snow flap being connected to said track system and pivotally connected to said rear portion of said chassis so as to pivot relative to said chassis, moving with said track system as said track system moves through said range of travel, wherein said snow flap comprises a handle-forming bumper member extending rearwardly from a rear portion of said snow flap and wherein said snow flap is pivotally connected to said rear portion of said chassis by a forward portion of said handle-forming bumper member.

3 more elements

A snowmobile, comprising:

a chassis;
a handlebar disposed on said chassis;
a ski support system mounted at a forward portion of said chassis and inluding at least two skis operatively connected to said handlebar to provide steering control of said snowmobile;
a propulsion-providing track system having an endless track, said track system being movably mounted under a rear portion of said chassis and configured to move through a range of travel with respect to said chassis;
and
a snow flap disposed above said track system, said snow flap being connected to said track system and pivotally connected to said rear portion of said chassis so as to pivot relative to said chassis, moving with said track system as said track system moves through said range of travel, wherein said snow flap comprises an upper snow guard attached to a skirt member and a bumper member attached to and extending rearwardly from said skirt member, and wherein said snow flap is pivotally connected to said rear portion of said chassis by a forward portion of said skirt member.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/877,213Filed 11 Jun 2001 · continuation in part
Priority: CA 225694423 Dec 1998
Published: US 2002/0027028 A17 Mar 2002
Granted: 10 Dec 2002
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

B62J 35/00
Fuel tanks specially adapted for motorcycles or engine-assisted cycles
B62M 27/02
Propulsion devices for sledges or the like: power driven
Y10S 280/90
Land vehicles: runner vehicle attachments
B62J
Cycle saddles or seats

Family

Application60/167,614Us provisional application · filed 26 Nov 1999
Application09/472,134Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 23 Dec 1999
Application09/472,133Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 23 Dec 1999
Application60/252,404Us provisional application · filed 22 Nov 2000
US 2002/0027028 A1Pre-grant publication · published 7 Mar 2002
US 2003/0201128 A1Published application
US 6,491,125 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.