Removable flotation means and water drive assembly for snowmobiles

Claim 2

In combination with a snowmobile, flotation, steering and drive means to permit said snowmobile to operate as a water vehicle comprising: a pontoon assembly having a pair of elongated pontoons extending along each side of the body of said snowmobile and removably secured thereto; a steering rudder detachably connected to said snowmobile and having linkage means connected thereto for providing turning movement thereof about a vertical axis, said linkage means extending forwardly from said rudder and being connected to the ski spindle turning mechanism of said snowmobile for operation thereby; a power output shaft drivingly connected to a propeller supported below said snowmobile for imparting movement to said snowmobile in water, said power output shaft being connected by power transmission means to a power input shaft rotatably supported between the side frames of said snowmobile in bearings within which the front drive shaft of said snowmobile is normally supported, said power input shaft being connected at one end thereof to the engine driven sprocket normally utilized for driving said front drive shaft of said snowmobile.

Claim 3

A snowmobile modified for water operation as defined in claim 1 wherein: said rudder includes an upright shaft vertically slidable and adjustable to different elevations within a mounting sleeve secured to said snowmobile.

Claim 4

A snowmobile modified for water operation as defined in claim 1 wherein: said power output shaft is contained within an elongated housing secured at its inner end to a transmission case containing said power transmission means and rotatable about the horizontal axis defined by said power input shaft, said elongated housing having a linkage mechanism connected thereto by means of which it may be lowered or raised into the space defined between said side frame of said snowmobile by pivotal movement about said horizontal axis.

Claim 5

A snowmobile modified for water operation as defined in claim 1 wherein: said power output shaft extends longitudinally rearwardly from said power input shaft within an elongated housing; and further including a generally horizontally extending cavitation plate secured to said elongated housing in overlying relation to said propeller.

Claim 6

A snowmobile modified for water operation as defined in claim 4 wherein: said elongated housing is pivotally supported at the inner end thereof for pivotal movement about the horizontal axis defined by said rotatably supported power input shaft; and further including a lift mechanism having linkage means connected to said cavitation plate by means of which said power output shaft, elongated housing and propeller may be lowered and raised by pivotal movement about said horizontal axis.

Claim 7

A conversion kit for adapting a snowmobile for use as a water vehicle comprising: flotation means removably attachable to a snowmobile; a steering rudder at the rear end of said flotation means; linkage means connected to said rudder for providing turning movement thereof about a vertical axis, said linkage means extending forwardly from said rudder and including coupling means at the forward end thereof particularly constructed and located for detachable connection to the ski spindle turning mechanism of said snowmobile; and power transmission means including a power input shaft adapted to be connected at one end thereof to the engine drive mechanism to which the front drive shaft of said snowmobile is normally connected, said power input shaft being of such a length and diameter as to be rotatably supportable transversely between the side frames of said snowmobile within the bearings normally provided in said side frames for rotatably supporting the front drive shaft of said snowmobile, and said power transmission means further including a power output shaft driven by said power input shaft through gear means and drivingly connected to a propeller for imparting movement to said snowmobile in water.

Claim 8

A conversion kit for adapting a snowmobile for use as a water vehicle comprising: flotation means removably attachable to a snowmobile; a steering rudder at the rear end of said flotation means; linkage means connected to said rudder for providing turning movement thereof about a vertical axis, said linkage means extending forwardly from said rudder and including coupling means at the forward end thereof particularly constructed and located for detachable connection to the ski spindle turning mechanism of said snowmobile; and power transmission means including a power input shaft adapted to be connected at one end thereof to the engine drive mechanism to which the front drive shaft of said snowmobile is normally connected, said power input shaft being of such a length and diameter as to be rotatably supportable transversely between the side frames of said snowmobile within the bearings normally provided in said side frames for rotatably supporting the front drive shaft of said snowmobile, and said power transmission means further including a power output shaft driven by said power input shaft through gear means and drivingly connected to a propeller for imparting movement to said snowmobile in water.