US3705637A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Snowmobile suspension system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-05-27
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Granted: 1972-12-12
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Expires: 1991-05-27
Abstract
Abstract A track suspension means for vehicles having an endless track drive and support surface, the vehicle having frame means with forward and rear mounting points. The track suspension means which is coupled to the vehicle at the mounting points includes longitudinally disposed flexible leaf spring means normally arranged convexly to the running surface, with the leaf spring means having an axis disposed generally parallel to the track axis, and being adapted to flex vertically. The leaf spring, which carries a plurality of supporting means such as bogie wheels for the track, is secured at its forward end to the vehicle frame at the forward mounting point. The endless track suspension means includes forwardly and rearwardly disposed sprockets inscribed within the endless track, and mounting means are provided for the sprockets including axle shafts. Track propelling means are coupled to the forwardly disposed sprockets, while track tensioning means and the rear of said leaf spring are operatively coupled to the rearwardly disposed sprockets. Pivot linkage means are provided for coupling the rear sprocket mounting means to the vehicle at the rear mounting point. The pivot linkage means includes rear support shaft means journaled for pivotal rotation generally concentrically with the common axis of said rear frame mounting points, a first torque arm coupled at one end to said rear support shaft means and with a floating pivot shaft journaled to the other end of the first torque arm. A second arm is provided having one end journaled to the floating pivot, and with the other end coupled to the rear sprocket mounting means, such as the rear axle shaft. Resilient spring bias means are coupled between the frame means and the rear support shaft means and normally urge the mounting shaft means for the rearwardly disposed sprockets such as the rear axle shaft in a direction toward the lower span of the endless track.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles V Harvey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:55
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62M; B62M27/00; B62M27/02; B62M2027/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
367 words
Track suspension means for vehicles having endless track drive and support surfaces, and comprising: a. frame means for said vehicle, and track suspension means coupled thereto at longitudinally spaced forward and rear mounting points, with the endless track having a longitudinal axis, said rear mounting points having a common axis disposed generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of said endless track; b. said track suspension means including longitudinally flexible leaf spring means having an axis disposed generally parallel to the axis of the endless track and adapted to flex vertically about said spring axis, said leaf spring means being coupled at its forward end to said frame at said forward mounting point; c. a plurality of track running support means secured to said leaf spring means at spaced points along the longitudinal axis thereof; d. said track suspension means including forwardly and rearwardly disposed sprockets inscribed within said endless track to form upper and lower track spans, sprocket mounting means including mounting shaft means for said sprockets, track propelling means and track tensioning means coupled to said forwardly and rearwardly disposed sprockets, said leaf spring means being generally convex to the lower span of said endless track and being coupled at its rearward end to the mounting means for said rearwardly disposed sprockets; e. pivot linkage means coupling said rear sprocket mounting means to said rear frame mounting point, said pivot linkage means including rear support shaft means journaled for pivotal rotation generally concentrically with the common axis of said rear frame mounting points, a first torque arm coupled at one end to said rear support shaft means and with a floating pivot shaft journaled to the other end of said arm, a sEcond torque means having one end journaled to said floating pivot shaft and with the other end thereof coupled to the mounting shaft means for said rearwardly disposed sprockets; and f. resilient spring bias means coupled between said frame means and said rear support shaft means and normally urging said rear support shaft means about said rear frame mounting points in an arcuate direction such that the forward end of said first torque arm is biased toward the lower span of said endless track.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
367 words
Track suspension means for vehicles having endless track drive and support surfaces, and comprising: a. frame means for said vehicle, and track suspension means coupled thereto at longitudinally spaced forward and rear mounting points, with the endless track having a longitudinal axis, said rear mounting points having a common axis disposed generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of said endless track; b. said track suspension means including longitudinally flexible leaf spring means having an axis disposed generally parallel to the axis of the endless track and adapted to flex vertically about said spring axis, said leaf spring means being coupled at its forward end to said frame at said forward mounting point; c. a plurality of track running support means secured to said leaf spring means at spaced points along the longitudinal axis thereof; d. said track suspension means including forwardly and rearwardly disposed sprockets inscribed within said endless track to form upper and lower track spans, sprocket mounting means including mounting shaft means for said sprockets, track propelling means and track tensioning means coupled to said forwardly and rearwardly disposed sprockets, said leaf spring means being generally convex to the lower span of said endless track and being coupled at its rearward end to the mounting means for said rearwardly disposed sprockets; e. pivot linkage means coupling said rear sprocket mounting means to said rear frame mounting point, said pivot linkage means including rear support shaft means journaled for pivotal rotation generally concentrically with the common axis of said rear frame mounting points, a first torque arm coupled at one end to said rear support shaft means and with a floating pivot shaft journaled to the other end of said arm, a sEcond torque means having one end journaled to said floating pivot shaft and with the other end thereof coupled to the mounting shaft means for said rearwardly disposed sprockets; and f. resilient spring bias means coupled between said frame means and said rear support shaft means and normally urging said rear support shaft means about said rear frame mounting points in an arcuate direction such that the forward end of said first torque arm is biased toward the lower span of said endless track.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The track suspension means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said rear support shaft means includes a central shaft extending between opposed rear frame mounting points, and a housing is arranged about the outer diameter of said central shaft, said housing being journaled for pivotal rotation about said central shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The track suspension means as defined in claim 2 being particularly characterized in that said housing comprises a pair of segments, each extending over substantially one-half the length of said central shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
The track suspension means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that crank arm means are provided and secured to said rear support shaft means for rotation with said rear support shaft means in response to arcuate motion of said first torque arms, and shock absorber means are provided and coupled between said crank arm means and said frame means for resisting shock motion between said rear sprocket mounting means and said frame means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
The track suspension means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that means are provided for adjustably coupling said resilient spring bias means between said frame means and said rear support shaft means for controlably varying the magnitude of torque normally applied to said rear support shaft means by said resilient spring bias means in resistance to arcuate motion of said first torque arms responsive to an increase in load on said vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
The track suspension means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said mounting shaft means includes front and rear axle shaft means for said respective forwardly and rearwardly disposed sprockets, and first sleeve means are provided about said rear axle shaft means and are coupled to the rear of said flexible leaf spring means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The track suspension means as defined in claim 6 being particularly characterized in that adjustment means are coupled to said first sleeve means to adjustably control the normal distance between said front and rear axle shaft means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The track suspension means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said flexible leaf spring means are bowed convex to the said lower track span.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The track suspension means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that means are provided in association with said track tensioning means for adjustably shifting the mounting shaft means for said rearwardly disposed sprocket relative to and along the axis of said endless track.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The track suspension means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that track tensioning means includes idler wheels disposed adjacent said forwardly disposed sprockets, with said idler wheels being normally urged toward and against said lower track span.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The track suspension means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said clevis means are secured to said rear support shaft means for adjustably coupling said resilient spring bias means between said rear support shaft means and said frame means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The track suspension means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said torque arm of said pivot linkage means is normally biased to extend downwardly from said rear frame mounting point.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The track suspension means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said track running support means are bogie wheels.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The track suspension mEans as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said track propelling means are coupled to said forwardly disposed sprockets.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The track suspension means as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that slot means are formed in said first sleeve means for adjustably positioning the mounting shaft means for said rearwardly disposed sprockets.
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) | 1975-12-12 | 1976-06-12 | 1976-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-12 | 1980-06-12 | 1980-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-12 | 1984-06-12 | 1984-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |