US3701394A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drive means for snowmobile devices
Assignee: VIKING SNOWMOBILES Inc
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Filing: 1971-07-23
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Granted: 1972-10-31
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Expires: 1991-07-23
Abstract
Abstract A drive and suspension assembly for snowmobiles or similar vehicles having endless track propulsion means, wherein the angular disposition of the base of the track is responsive to increases in torque being applied to the drive sprockets. The snowmobile vehicles are provided with conventional frames with forward and rear mounts for attaching the drive and suspension assembly to the frame, and means are provided on the drive and suspension assembly for receiving a drive track. Forward drive sprocket means are provided for delivering power to the track and rear idler sprockets are provided to support the track and define upper and lower spans in the track. The drive and suspension assembly comprises an elongated generally longitudinally disposed suspension support means having a forward end portion journaled to the forward frame mount and being adapted for pivotal motion thereabout. A rearwardly disposed mounting means is provided including a generally transversely disposed mounting shaft having stabilizing means resiliently coupling the rear mounting shaft to the rear frame mount, with the stabilizer means normally urging the suspension support means away from the rear frame mount. The stabilizer means normally include shock absorbers and coil springs. The suspension support means further has a rear pivotal coupling means disposed adjacent the rear portion thereof, the rear pivotal coupling means being attached to longitudinally arranged support rails for the lower span of the drive track. The longitudinal support rails are journaled with the rear pivotal coupling means of the suspension support, with lug means being provided extending upwardly from the support rail means for mounting the rear axle shaft for the rear idler sprockets. The longitudinal support rail means further are provided with track contacting means which support the inner surface of the lower span of the drive track to define a running surface for the lower span.
Inventors
- 👤 George Vernon Hendrickson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:13
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D55/00; B62D55/06; B62D55/07; B62D55/08; B62D55/104; B62D55/108; B62M; B62M27/00; B62M27/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
290 words
A drive and suspension assembly for vehicles having endless drive track propulsion means, the vehicle having a frame with forward and rear mounts for attaching the drive and suspension assembly to the frame, means for receiving a drive track on said drive and suspension assembly, and forward drive sprocket means for delivering power to said track, and rear idler sprocket means supporting said track and being journaled on rear axle shaft means, said sprockets defining an upper and lower span in said drive track, said drive and suspension assembly comprising: a. an elongated generally longitudinally disposed suspension support means having a forward end portion journaled to said forward frame mount and adapted for pivotal motion thereabout, and with a rearwardly disposed mounting means including a generally transversely disposed mounting shaft having stabilizing means resilieNtly coupling said rear mounting shaft to said rear frame mount with said stabilizer means normally urging said longitudinal suspension support means away from said rear frame mount, said suspension support means having a rear pivotal coupling means disposed adjacent the rear portion thereof; b. longitudinal support rail means for the lower span of said drive track journaled with said rear pivotal coupling means, said support rail means having lug means extending from said support rail means for mounting said rear axle shaft means thereto, the axis of said rear axle shaft being generally parallel to and spaced upwardly from said rear pivotal coupling means; and c. said longitudinal support rail means having track contacting means supporting the inner surface of the lower span of said endless drive track and defining a running surface for said lower span, said support rail means being adapted for arcuate pivotal rotation with said lug means about said rear pivotal coupling.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
290 words
A drive and suspension assembly for vehicles having endless drive track propulsion means, the vehicle having a frame with forward and rear mounts for attaching the drive and suspension assembly to the frame, means for receiving a drive track on said drive and suspension assembly, and forward drive sprocket means for delivering power to said track, and rear idler sprocket means supporting said track and being journaled on rear axle shaft means, said sprockets defining an upper and lower span in said drive track, said drive and suspension assembly comprising: a. an elongated generally longitudinally disposed suspension support means having a forward end portion journaled to said forward frame mount and adapted for pivotal motion thereabout, and with a rearwardly disposed mounting means including a generally transversely disposed mounting shaft having stabilizing means resilieNtly coupling said rear mounting shaft to said rear frame mount with said stabilizer means normally urging said longitudinal suspension support means away from said rear frame mount, said suspension support means having a rear pivotal coupling means disposed adjacent the rear portion thereof; b. longitudinal support rail means for the lower span of said drive track journaled with said rear pivotal coupling means, said support rail means having lug means extending from said support rail means for mounting said rear axle shaft means thereto, the axis of said rear axle shaft being generally parallel to and spaced upwardly from said rear pivotal coupling means; and c. said longitudinal support rail means having track contacting means supporting the inner surface of the lower span of said endless drive track and defining a running surface for said lower span, said support rail means being adapted for arcuate pivotal rotation with said lug means about said rear pivotal coupling.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The drive and suspension assembly as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that the axis of said rear axle shaft is disposed normally forwardly of the axis of said rear pivotal coupling means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The drive and suspension assembly as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said stabilizer means includes a pair of elongated shock absorbers coupling said rear frame mount to said longitudinal support rails.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The drive and suspension assembly as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said longitudinal support rails include a pair of generally parallelly disposed rails disposed adjacent the lateral outer edges of said endless track.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The drive and suspension assembly as defined in claim 4 being particularly characterized in that a plurality of bogie wheels are secured to said longitudinal support rails at longitudinally spaced intervals therealong.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The drive and suspension assembly as defined in claim 4 being particularly characterized in that slide rail means are disposed along the lower surface of said support rails.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The drive and suspension assembly as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said resilient means coupling said rear mounting shaft to said rear frame mount includes a coil spring, and means are provided for adjusting a bias force normally urging said suspension support means away from said rear frame mount.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The drive and suspension assembly as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that forward stabilizer means are provided for controlling the lateral disposition of said support rails relative to said longitudinally disposed suspension support means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The drive and suspension assembly as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that second resilient means are disposed adjacent the forward end of said support rail means for normally urging the forward end of said support rail means downwardly away from said forward frame mount.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The drive and suspension assembly as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that adjustment means are provided for controlling the length of said longitudinally disposed suspension support means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The drive and suspension assembly as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said suspension support means includes an axially disposed shaft extending a substantial portion of the distance between said forward and rear frame mounts.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
42 words
The drive and suspension assembly as defined in claim 11 being particularly characterized in that said suspension support means includes a yoke member disposed at the rear portion thereof, with said yoke member coupling said suspension support means to said lug means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
45 words
The drive and suspension assembly as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that the pivotal motion of said rear axle shaft and said support rails about said rear pivotal coupling is arranged to maintain substantially constant tension in said lower drivE track span.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
56 words
The drive and suspension assembly as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said elongated generally longitudinally disposed suspension support means is adapted for pivotal motion in two coordinates of planes, the first being about said forward frame mount, and the second being about the central axis of said longitudinally disposed suspension support means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-31 | 1976-05-01 | 1976-10-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-31 | 1980-05-01 | 1980-10-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-31 | 1984-05-01 | 1984-10-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |