US3570616A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rear wheel device for snowmobiles
Assignee: Yamaha Motor Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1969-04-01
•
Granted: 1971-03-16
•
Expires: 1989-04-01
Abstract
Abstract A rear wheel device, for a snowmobile having a power-driven endless track, a steerable ski and an optionally attachable front wheel device, characterized by a pair of brackets secured to the rear of the sides of the snowmobile, a pair of wheel-carrying upright members pivotally mounted on said brackets, and a pair of brace bars, each pivotally secured to said upright members and removably attachable to different parts of said brackets. Said pair of wheels on the uprights, when in ground-engaging position, enabling the rear of the snowmobile and the endless track to be elevated above ground and, therefore, warmed up in advance of operation. The rear wheels, in combination with the front wheel device, enabling the snowmobile to be readily transported on snowless terrain. The uprights carrying the rear wheels may be positioned in horizontal or vertical orientations for towing persons or articles and protecting the rear of the snowmobile while running over snow-covered ground.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshiaki Tominaga
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 14:14
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62M; B62M27/00; B62M27/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
In a snowmobile with a steerable ski and a power-driven endless track, the improvement comprising a wheel device mounted on the rear portion of the snowmobile, said wheel device comprising, a bracket, an upright member pivotally mounted on said bracket, a wheel journaled to said upright, a brace bar having one end pivotally connected to said upright, and means for removably securing the other end of said brace bar to said bracket, whereby said rear wheel may be moved from a groundengaging position to an elevated position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
In a snowmobile with a steerable ski and a power-driven endless track, the improvement comprising a wheel device mounted on the rear portion of the snowmobile, said wheel device comprising, a bracket, an upright member pivotally mounted on said bracket, a wheel journaled to said upright, a brace bar having one end pivotally connected to said upright, and means for removably securing the other end of said brace bar to said bracket, whereby said rear wheel may be moved from a groundengaging position to an elevated position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein said wheel includes an elastomeric material taken from the group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber or rubberlike materials.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The combination set forth in claim 1, wherein said wheel device includes a pair of brackets, a pair of upright members, a pair of wheels and a pair of brace bars, one bracket, upright member, wheel and brace bar being mounted on each side of the rear frame portion of said snowmobile.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination as set forth in claim 3, wherein said upright members are connected by a transverse reinforcing member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for removably securing said brace bar to said bracket comprise a pressure-activated set bolt.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination as set forth in claim 5, wherein said means for removably securing the bracket and brace bar include elongated apertures therein adapted for coaxial alignment with each other for receiving said spring-loaded set bolt.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The combination as set forth in claim 6, wherein said set bolt includes a shank having a transversely protruding pin positioned near one end, and wherein said brace bar elongated aperture includes a radially projecting groove displaced from the elongated portion of the aperture for securing said pin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination as set forth in claim 7, wherein said bracket includes a plurality of elongAted apertures for alternate positioning of said brace bar.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bracket includes a forward portion with means for attachment to said frame and a rearward portion with aperture means for securing said upright member and brace bar.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combination as set forth in claim 9, wherein said bracket is L-shaped and mounted so that the forward portion is elongated and in a substantially horizontal position, with the rear portion being vertical and extending beyond the rear frame of said snowmobile.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
101 words
A wheel device for use with a snowmobile of the type equipped with a front steering ski and a rear power-driven endless belt, comprising a bracket for mounting on the rear frame portion of said snowmobile, an upright member having its upper end pivotally mounted on said bracket, a brace bar having one end pivotally connected to said upright, a wheel rotatably mounted on the lower end of said upright, and means for removably securing the other end of said brace bar to said bracket, whereby said wheel may be moved from a ground-engaging position to an alternate position elevated therefrom.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
101 words
A wheel device for use with a snowmobile of the type equipped with a front steering ski and a rear power-driven endless belt, comprising a bracket for mounting on the rear frame portion of said snowmobile, an upright member having its upper end pivotally mounted on said bracket, a brace bar having one end pivotally connected to said upright, a wheel rotatably mounted on the lower end of said upright, and means for removably securing the other end of said brace bar to said bracket, whereby said wheel may be moved from a ground-engaging position to an alternate position elevated therefrom.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
A wheel device as set forth in claim 11, wherein said bracket and brace bar each includes elongated apertures adapted for coaxial alignment and for receiving said means for removably securing said brace bar to said bracket.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A wheel device as set forth in claim 12, wherein said securing means comprises a pressure-activated set bolt.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
A wheel device as set forth in claim 11, wherein a pair of brackets, a pair of upright members, a pair of wheels and a pair of brace bars are provided, one bracket, upright member, wheel and brace bar being adapted for positioning on each of the opposite sides of the rear portion of said snowmobile.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
A wheel device as set forth in claim 14, wherein said upright members are connected by a transversely extending rod and a reinforcing member thereby providing additional strength and rigidity to said device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
143 words
A snowmobile having a power-driven endless track, a steering column and a steerable ski, in combination with a detachable front and an adjustable rear ground-engaging wheel device which permit the snowmobile to be operated or transported on snowless terrain, said front wheel device comprising a strut removably mounted on said steering column, a front wheel journaled at a lower portion of said strut, and means to elevate said ski from the ground when the front wheel is in ground-engaging position, said rear wheel device comprising a bracket secured along the rear portion of said snowmobile, a rear wheel-carrying upright member pivotally mounted on said bracket, and a brace bar with one end pivotally connected to said upright and the other end removably and adjustably secured to said bracket, whereby said rear wheel may be moved from ground-engaging position to alternate positions elevated therefrom.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
143 words
A snowmobile having a power-driven endless track, a steering column and a steerable ski, in combination with a detachable front and an adjustable rear ground-engaging wheel device which permit the snowmobile to be operated or transported on snowless terrain, said front wheel device comprising a strut removably mounted on said steering column, a front wheel journaled at a lower portion of said strut, and means to elevate said ski from the ground when the front wheel is in ground-engaging position, said rear wheel device comprising a bracket secured along the rear portion of said snowmobile, a rear wheel-carrying upright member pivotally mounted on said bracket, and a brace bar with one end pivotally connected to said upright and the other end removably and adjustably secured to said bracket, whereby said rear wheel may be moved from ground-engaging position to alternate positions elevated therefrom.
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) | 1974-03-15 | 1974-09-14 | 1975-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-15 | 1978-09-14 | 1979-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-15 | 1982-09-14 | 1983-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |