US3707198A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Suspension system for tracked vehicles
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-11-27
•
Granted: 1972-12-26
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Expires: 1990-11-27
Abstract
Abstract A new suspension system for tracked vehicles is disclosed by means of its application to a snowmobile including body, motor, bogie frame, track mounted on the bogie frame, and drive mechanism connected between the bogie frame and the track to propel the snowmobile. A preferred embodiment of the suspension system of the present invention as applied to such snowmobiles includes a pair of front linkage arms pivotally and symmetrically connected between a drive shaft of the drive mechanism and the front portion of the bogie frame, a pair of upstanding arms fixedly connected to the front linkage arms and further connected to the bogie frame by an adjustable spring, a body supporting shaft extending from side to side of the snowmobile body over the approximate longitudinal center of the bogie frame, a coil spring positioned between the supporting shaft and the bogie frame, and double pivoting rearwardly positioned stabilizer arms further connecting the body supporting shaft and the rear portion of the bogie frame. Track tightening apparatus is also positioned adjacent the rear of the bogie frame.
Inventors
- 👤 Neil W Pierson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 00:05
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62M; B62M27/00; B62M27/02; B62D; B62D55/00; B62D55/06; B62D55/07; B62D55/08; B62D55/104; B62D55/108; B62M2027/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
256 words
In a tracked vehicle, such as a snowmobile and the like, having a body portion, a motor, a shaft mounting a track engaging drive mechanism powered by the motor, a bogie frame, and a track supported upon the bogie frame for moving in response to the drive mechanism to propel the vehicle, a new suspension system, comprising: first arm means pivotally connected between the drive mechanism mounting shaft and a front portion of the bogie frame for maintaining substantially constant tension on the track under various conditions of motor torque output and contour of terrain by allowing pivotal motion of the bogie frame with respect to the drive mechanism; a supporting shaft arranged between the upper and lower track runs in a direction transverse to the intended direction of motion of the vehicle in a manner to support at least a portion of the vehicle body; second arm means having one end connected to the body supporting shaft; third arm means pivotally connected between the second end of the second arm means and a rear portion of the bogie frame for allowing the second and third arm means to stabilize the rear of the bogie frame while allowing the bogie frame as a unit to move upward and downward and forward and backward, with respect to the intended direction of motion of the vehicle, in relation to the vehicle body; and spring means positioned between the supporting shaft and the bogie frame for supporting at least a portion of the vehicle body on the bogie frame.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
256 words
In a tracked vehicle, such as a snowmobile and the like, having a body portion, a motor, a shaft mounting a track engaging drive mechanism powered by the motor, a bogie frame, and a track supported upon the bogie frame for moving in response to the drive mechanism to propel the vehicle, a new suspension system, comprising: first arm means pivotally connected between the drive mechanism mounting shaft and a front portion of the bogie frame for maintaining substantially constant tension on the track under various conditions of motor torque output and contour of terrain by allowing pivotal motion of the bogie frame with respect to the drive mechanism; a supporting shaft arranged between the upper and lower track runs in a direction transverse to the intended direction of motion of the vehicle in a manner to support at least a portion of the vehicle body; second arm means having one end connected to the body supporting shaft; third arm means pivotally connected between the second end of the second arm means and a rear portion of the bogie frame for allowing the second and third arm means to stabilize the rear of the bogie frame while allowing the bogie frame as a unit to move upward and downward and forward and backward, with respect to the intended direction of motion of the vehicle, in relation to the vehicle body; and spring means positioned between the supporting shaft and the bogie frame for supporting at least a portion of the vehicle body on the bogie frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the body supporting shaft is positioned approximately centrally of the longitudinal dimension of the bogie frame, with respect to the intended direction of the motion of the vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
102 words
The suspension system of claim 2, where the bogie frame includes a pair of spaced frame members extending along the intended direction of movement of the vehicle, wherein the first arm means comprises a pair of arms, each arm pivotally connected between the drive mechanism and one of the bogie frame members; wherein the second arm means comprises a pair of arms, each having one end connected to the body supporting shaft; and wherein the third arm means comprises a pair of arms pivotally connected between the second ends of the second arms and the rear portions of the bogie frame members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
165 words
The suspension system of claim 3, including a pair of fourth arms, with a first fourth arm having one end fixedly connected to one of the pair of first arms in a manner that the second end projects from the first arm in a substantially perpendicular direction to the longitudinal axis of the first arm, and with a first end of the other of the fourth arms fixedly connected to the other of the first arms in a manner that the second end of the fourth arm projects from the other first arm in substantially a perpendicular direction to the longitudinal axis of the other first arm; spring means connected between the second ends of the fourth arms and the bogie frame; and means for adjusting the spring tension on the spring means for maintaining stability between the bogie frame and the vehicle body by retarding the climbing action of the vehicle body with respect to the bogie frame upon rapid acceleration of the vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The suspension system of claim 4, wherein the spring means supporting the vehicle body comprises a coil spring positioned between the bogie frame and the vehicle body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The suspension system of claim 2, wherein the first arm means comprises a pair of arms symmetrically pivotally connected about the longitudinal vehicle axis in the intended direction of motion of the vehicle between the drive mechanism and the front portion of the bogie frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
85 words
The suspension system of claim 2, wherein the second arm means comprises a pair of arms, each having one end connected to the body supporting shaft symmetrically about the longitudinal vehicle axis in the intended direction of motion of the vehicle, and wherein the third arm means comprises a pair of arms pivotally connected between the second ends of the second arms and the rear portion of the bogie frame symmetrically about the longitudinal vehicle axis in the intended direction of motion of the vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
110 words
The suspension system of claim 2, including fourth arm means having one end connected to the first arm means in a manner that the second end of the fourth arm means projects from the first arm means in a direction other than along the longitudinal axis of the first arm means; spring means connected between the second end of the fourth arm means and the bogie frame; and means for adjusting the spring tension of the spring means for maintaining stability between the bogie frame and the vehicle body by retarding the climbing action of the vehicle body with respect to the bogie frame upon rapid acceleration of the vehicle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the first arm means comprises a pair of arms symmetrically pivotally connected about the longitudinal vehicle axis in the intended direction of motion of the vehicle between the drive mechanism and the front portion of the bogie frame.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
85 words
The suspension system of claim 1, wherein the second arm means comprises a pair of arms, each having one end connected to the body supporting shaft symmetrically about the longitudinal vehicle axis in the intended direction of motion of the vehicle, and wherein the third arm means comprises a pair of arms pivotally connected between the second ends of the second arms and the rear portion of the bogie frame symetrically about the longitudinal vehicle axis in the intended direction of motion of the vehicle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
110 words
The suspension system of claim 1, including fourth arm means having one end connected to the first arm means in a manner that the second end of the fourth arm means projects froM the first arm means in a direction other than along the longitudinal axis of the first arm means; spring means connected between the second end of the fourth arm means and the bogie frame; and means for adjusting the spring tension of the spring means for maintaining stability between the bogie frame and the vehicle body by retarding the climbing action of the vehicle body with respect to the bogie frame upon rapid acceleration of the vehicle.
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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) | 1975-12-26 | 1976-06-26 | 1976-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-26 | 1980-06-26 | 1980-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-26 | 1984-06-26 | 1984-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |