US3552515A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Front wheel device for snowmobiles
Assignee: Yamaha Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1968-12-24
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Granted: 1971-01-05
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Expires: 1988-12-24
Abstract
Abstract A front wheel device, for a snowmobile having a power driven endless track and a steerable ski, comprising a vertically elongated strut, a wheel journaled at the bottom of the strut, and a ski supporter. The upper end of the strut is removably mountable on the steering ski under the body of the snowmobile, with the ski supporter lifting the ski from ground engagement, thereby enabling steerage of the snowmobile by the wheel while running over snowless and ice-free roads and terrain.
Inventors
- 👤 Fujihiko Tomita
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 16:52
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62B; B62B13/00; B62B13/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
In a snowmobile of the type having a steering ski structure including a ski, shock-absorbing means and support means mounting said ski to a transverse pivot at the bottom of a steering column, the improvements comprising a strut, means for removably mounting said strut on said steering column, a wheel journaled in said strut, and a ski supporter carried by said strut and engaging said steering ski structure so as to compress said shock-absorbing means and lift and hold the ski above the wheelengaging surface in such manner as to avoid pitching and pivotal movements about said transverse pivot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
In a snowmobile of the type having a steering ski structure including a ski, shock-absorbing means and support means mounting said ski to a transverse pivot at the bottom of a steering column, the improvements comprising a strut, means for removably mounting said strut on said steering column, a wheel journaled in said strut, and a ski supporter carried by said strut and engaging said steering ski structure so as to compress said shock-absorbing means and lift and hold the ski above the wheelengaging surface in such manner as to avoid pitching and pivotal movements about said transverse pivot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
In a snowmobile the combination set forth in claim 1, wherein said shock-absorbing means is a downwardly bowed, leaf spring assembly secured to a bracket at substantially the center of its upper surface and at its bottom ends to said ski, said bracket being pivotally mounted on said transvers pivot means, and said ski supporter frictionally engaging the undersurface of said ski at the outer edge thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
In a snowmobile the combination set forth in claim 1, wherein the said wheel is installed on the outside of the lower end of the said strut, the said ski supporter being secured to the inner surface and the lower end of said strut and being adapted to engage and lift the steering ski at its ground-touching face of one edge, and said means for removably attaching the strut cooperating with the upper end of the strut.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
In a snowmobile the combination set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for removably mounting the strut comprises a nut threadable on a portion of said transverse pivot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
In a snowmobile the combination set forth in claim 4, wherein said means for removably mounting the strut additionally comprises a bolt threadable into a sleeve affixed at one end to said steering column.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
In a snowmobile the combination set forth in claim 1, wherein said ski supporter comprises A bracket having one leg secured to said strut and another leg adapted to engage the underside of said ski and lift the same against the pressure of said shock-absorbing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
In a snowmobile the combination set forth in claim 6, wherein said bracket comprises an inverted L-shaped member having its said one leg secured to the inner surface of the lower end of said strut and its said other leg capped by a rubber stop for engaging the bottom of the ski.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
In a snowmobile the combination set forth in claim 1, wherein said strut comprises a vertically elongated sheet of rigid material, said sheet having a pair of apertures for said mounting means near its upper end and being bowed outwardly in the direction of its lower end, and a bearing race for said wheel secured to its lower end.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
In a snowmobile the combination set forth in claim 8, wherein said sheet comprising the strut is channel-shaped in horizontal cross section to strengthen and rigidify the same.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
102 words
A wheel device, for a snowmobile of the type equipped with a steering ski structure including a ski, a resilient shock-absorbing means and support means connected to the bottom of the steering column by transverse pivot means, comprising a strut, means for removably mounting the strut on said steering column, a wheel journaled in said strut, and a ski supporter carried on said strut and adapted to engage said steering ski structure so as to compress said shock-absorbing means and lift and hold said ski above the wheel supporting surface in such manner as to avoid pivotal movements around the transverse pivot.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
102 words
A wheel device, for a snowmobile of the type equipped with a steering ski structure including a ski, a resilient shock-absorbing means and support means connected to the bottom of the steering column by transverse pivot means, comprising a strut, means for removably mounting the strut on said steering column, a wheel journaled in said strut, and a ski supporter carried on said strut and adapted to engage said steering ski structure so as to compress said shock-absorbing means and lift and hold said ski above the wheel supporting surface in such manner as to avoid pivotal movements around the transverse pivot.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-04 | 1974-07-06 | 1975-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-04 | 1978-07-06 | 1979-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-04 | 1982-07-06 | 1983-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |