US3658145A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Novel suspension for track-laying vehicles
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-09-23
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Granted: 1972-04-25
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Expires: 1990-09-23
Abstract
Abstract A novel suspension system for track-laying vehicles such as snowmobiles where there is a minimum clearance between the upper and lower portions of an endless track has now been invented. The invention, in a preferred embodiment, comprises an upper drive wheel and an upper idler each fixed by axle means to the frame of said vehicle and forward and rear support arms pivotally attached to the frame, the upper pivot points of said arms being spaced longitudinally. The lower extremities of said arms connect with track contact means adapted to maintain the track in contact with the terrain surface. The forward arm is pivotally connected to said forward track contact means and trails rearward to the upper pivot point of said forward arm while the rear arm projects forward from the rear track contact means to its upper pivot point. Horizontal spring means are preferably connected directly to the rear portion of the forward track contact means and to the forward portion of said rear track contact means. The horizontal spring means preferably interconnects the forward and rear track contact means. The novel suspension system of this invention is especially useful on snowmobiles having a rear mounted powerplant.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugen O Bergmann
- 👤 Robert L Cook
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 00:47
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62M; B62M27/00; B62M27/02; B62M2027/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
275 words
A suspension system for a track-laying vehicle having minimal clearance between the upper and lower portions of the endless track wherein said track is located at the rear of said vehicle and supports less than the full weight of said vehicle, comprising a. an upper drive-wheel fixed to said vehicle and connected to power means for driving said track, b. an upper idler-wheel fixed to said vehicle and supporting said track, c. support arms pivotally attached to the frame of said vehicle comprising at least one forward arm and at least one rear arm, the upper pivot points being spaced longitudinally, d. a forward rigid longitudinal member provided with track contact means adapted to maintain the lower, forward portion of said track in contact with the terrain surface, and pivotally connected to said forward arm which trails rearward to the upper pivot point of said forward arm, e. a rear rigid longitudinal member provided with track contact means adapted to maintain the rear portion of said track in contact with the terrain surface, and pivotally connected to said rear arm which projects forward to the upper pivot point of said rear arm, f. forward horizontal tension spring means operatively connected to said forward longitudinal member and adapted to force said forward track contact means rearward under no-load conditions, g. rear horizontal tension spring means operatively connected to said rear longitudinal member and adapted to force said rear track contact means forward under no-load conditions, and h. said horizontal spring means located to impose its force upon said forward and rear longitudinal members at positions below said upper pivot connections of said forward and rear arms.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
275 words
A suspension system for a track-laying vehicle having minimal clearance between the upper and lower portions of the endless track wherein said track is located at the rear of said vehicle and supports less than the full weight of said vehicle, comprising a. an upper drive-wheel fixed to said vehicle and connected to power means for driving said track, b. an upper idler-wheel fixed to said vehicle and supporting said track, c. support arms pivotally attached to the frame of said vehicle comprising at least one forward arm and at least one rear arm, the upper pivot points being spaced longitudinally, d. a forward rigid longitudinal member provided with track contact means adapted to maintain the lower, forward portion of said track in contact with the terrain surface, and pivotally connected to said forward arm which trails rearward to the upper pivot point of said forward arm, e. a rear rigid longitudinal member provided with track contact means adapted to maintain the rear portion of said track in contact with the terrain surface, and pivotally connected to said rear arm which projects forward to the upper pivot point of said rear arm, f. forward horizontal tension spring means operatively connected to said forward longitudinal member and adapted to force said forward track contact means rearward under no-load conditions, g. rear horizontal tension spring means operatively connected to said rear longitudinal member and adapted to force said rear track contact means forward under no-load conditions, and h. said horizontal spring means located to impose its force upon said forward and rear longitudinal members at positions below said upper pivot connections of said forward and rear arms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The suspension system of claim 1 wherein the spring means interconnects the forward and rear longitudinal members.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The suspension system of claim 1 wherein the horizontal spring means is fitted with adjustable tensioning means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The suspension system of claim 1 wherein the spring means is connected to said forward longitudinal members to the rear of the pivot connection to said forward arm and connected to said rear longitudinal members forward of the pivot connection to said rear arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The suspension system of claim 1 wherein the rear arm is fitted with spring means adapted to force said arm forward under no-load conditions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The suspension system of claim 1 wherein the upper pivot point of the forward arm is adjustable to provide different included angles between said arm and the terrain.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The suspension system of claim 1 wherein the upper pivot points of said arms are located in substantially the same horizontal plane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The suspension system of claim 1 wherein the track laying vehicle is a snowmobile supported in the front by ski means and having a box shaped opening in the rear thereof for accommodating an endless track drive means and suspension system.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The suspension system of claim 8 wherein the snowmobile has rear power means and said upper drive wheel is journaled to bearing means rigidly fixed to the rear frame of said snowmobile.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The suspension system of claim 9 wherein the snowmobile has a forward idler wheel journaled to bearing means rigidly fixed to the forward frame of said snowmobile.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The suspension system of claim 9 wherein the forward arm is longer than said rear arm and has a smaller included angle between said forward arm and the terrain surface than exists between said rear arm and the terrain surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The suspension system of claim 9 wherein the upper pivot point of the forward arm is located longitudinally so that the guide skiis bear substantially the same weight per unit area as the track.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The suspension system of claim 1 wherein said spring means interconnects said longitudinal members by connection to the lower portion of said forward arm and said rear arm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The suspension system of claim 13 wherein the forward longitudinal members is fitted with compression spring means adapted to force the rear portion of said forward longitudinal members downward under no-load conditions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The suspension system of claim 1 wherein the longitudinal members comprises forward and rear slide-rail assemblies.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The suspension system of claim 15 wherein the forward arm is connected to said forward slide-rail assembly at a point forward of its longitudinal midpoint and said rear arm is connected to said rear slide-rail assembly at a point behind its longitudinal midpoint.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The suspension system of claim 1 wherein the track contact means comprises forward and rear trucks formed by a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal each having at least two axles interconnecting said longitudinal members and supporting bogie wheels.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
50 words
The suspension system of claim 17 wherein each truck has three axles and said forward arm connects to said forward truck at a point between the most forward pair of axles and said rear arm connects to said rear truck at a point between the most rearward pair of axles.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-04-25 | 1975-10-25 | 1976-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-25 | 1979-10-25 | 1980-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-25 | 1983-10-25 | 1984-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |