US5474146A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Snow vehicle
Assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1993-03-01
•
Granted: 1995-12-12
•
Expires: 2013-03-01
Abstract
Abstract A snow vehicle of the saddle-riding type utilizes essentially the same upper structure as a motorcycle but mounts a ski on the front fork for steering and an engine-driven endless belt track assembly for powering the device. The endless belt track assembly is arranged for mounting on a rear arm structure in order to maintain surface contact between the endless belt and the snow and thereby improve the operating efficiency of the vehicle. The arm may be pivotally mounted or integral with a rear fork pivotally mounted to the vehicle. An improved endless belt construction is described in which the belt is strengthened by core members and the driving cogs of particular configuration and disposed at prescribed locations with respect to the propelling lugs in order to maintain surface contact between the belt edge and the snow surface during cornering. Also disclosed are various forms of cover structures for the track assembly that prevent the scattering of snow from the belt onto the rider or vehicle parts. Grab rails attached to the rear swing arm elements facilitate manipulation of the vehicle in confined spaces. A stopper belt adjustment is also shown mounted to a rear fork with the stopper belt extruding to an articulated rear swing arm structure. The adjustment accommodates for adjustments to the drive chain for tensioning.
Inventors
- 👤 Toshiharu Yoshioka
- 👤 Takashi Ohzeki
- 👤 Hideaki Suzuki
- 👤 Takumi Tottori
- 👤 Munehito Nakamura
- 👤 Mamoru Matsui
- 👤 Michio Ohkubo
- 👤 Kanau Iwashita
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:33
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62M; B62M27/00; B62M27/02; B62K; B62K13/00; B62M2027/021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
A saddle-riding snow vehicle comprising a vehicle body including a head pipe at the front end of said vehicle body; an endless belt; a rear fork pivotally supported by said vehicle body at the rear end thereof and extending to either side of said endless belt; an axle mounted to said rear fork; a drive wheel mounted to said axle, said endless belt extending over said drive wheel, said drive wheel having engaging elements extending laterally therfrom, said endless belt having engage surfaces to receive said engaging elements, said endless belt being substantially under than the width of said drive wheel including said engaging elements, said belt being flexible outwardly of said engaging elements; a guide wheel, said endless belt extending over said guide wheel and substantially laterally outwardly thereof; a rear arm connected at the front end of said rear arm to said rear fork, said rear arm extending rearwardly from said rear fork and rotatably mounting said guide wheel at the rear end of said rear arm; a steering ski; a front fork pivotally mounted to said head pipe about a steering axis, said steering ski being supported at the lower end of said front fork, said steering ski and said driving wheel being substantially equal in width.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
A saddle-riding snow vehicle comprising a vehicle body including a head pipe at the front end of said vehicle body; an endless belt; a rear fork pivotally supported by said vehicle body at the rear end thereof and extending to either side of said endless belt; an axle mounted to said rear fork; a drive wheel mounted to said axle, said endless belt extending over said drive wheel, said drive wheel having engaging elements extending laterally therfrom, said endless belt having engage surfaces to receive said engaging elements, said endless belt being substantially under than the width of said drive wheel including said engaging elements, said belt being flexible outwardly of said engaging elements; a guide wheel, said endless belt extending over said guide wheel and substantially laterally outwardly thereof; a rear arm connected at the front end of said rear arm to said rear fork, said rear arm extending rearwardly from said rear fork and rotatably mounting said guide wheel at the rear end of said rear arm; a steering ski; a front fork pivotally mounted to said head pipe about a steering axis, said steering ski being supported at the lower end of said front fork, said steering ski and said driving wheel being substantially equal in width.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle of claim 1 wherein said rear arm is rigidly connected to said rear fork.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The saddle-riding type snow vehicle of claim 1 wherein said endless belt is convexly curved outwardly of said guide wheel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The saddle-riding type snow vehicle of claim 1 wherein said endless belt includes a base sheet and a coextensive juxtaposed tread sheet, said base sheet being convex in lateral cross section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 1 including a bracket securing said steering ski to said front fork, a pivot axle connecting said bracket to said front fork, said pivot axle having an axis intersecting said steering axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 5 including means forming a cushion between said bracket and said steering ski.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 6 in which said cushion is formed of a body of elastic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 5 including a shock cushion extending between and mounting said steering ski at one end and said front fork at the other end thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 1 including longitudinally extending edge members disposed on opposite sides of said steering ski and means for adjustably mounting said edge members with respect to said ski.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
74 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 1 in which said endless belt includes: a plurality of mutually spaced propelling lugs formed on its exterior surface and extending transversely thereof; a plurality of core members embedded in a central region of said belt in substantial alignment with said propelling lugs; and a plurality of transversely extending thick-walled members formed on the interior surface of said belt in substantial overlying relation to said propelling lugs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 10 including notches formed in each of said thick-walled members to facilitate lateral flexure of said belt.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle apparatus according to claim 11 in which said notches are located in said thick-walled members at or exteriorly of the lateral ends of said core members.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 12 in which said propelling lugs, said core members and said thick-walled members are disposed in substantial mutually aligned relation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 10 including means on said driving wheel for engaging said thick-walled members for driving said belt.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 14 in which said belt driving means comprises: an annular rim on said driving wheel; and a plurality of driving pins extending in laterally opposite directions from said rim, said pins being disposed in circumferentially spaced relation about the periphery of said rim.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 9 in which said pins are generally cylindrically formed and are fixedly secured to said rim.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 1 in which said rear arms are disposed laterally within and are enclosed by said belt.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle of claim 1 wherein said drive wheel includes a rim over which said endless belt extends, said rim being constrained to rotate in a plane perpendicular to said axle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
151 words
A saddle-riding snow vehicle comprising a vehicle body; an endless belt; a rear fork pivotally supported by said vehicle body at the rear end thereof and extending to either side of said endless belt; a rear cushion extending between said rear fork and said vehicle body; an axle mounted to said rear fork; a drive wheel mounted to said axle, said endless belt extending over said drive wheel; a guide wheel, said endless belt extending over said guide wheel and substantially laterally outwardly thereof; a rear arm connected at the front end of said rear arm to said rear fork and pivotally mounted to said rear fork, said rear arm extending rearwardly from said rear fork and rotatably mounting said guide wheel at the rear end of said rear arm; a cushion extending between said rear fork and said rear arm to resiliently support said rear arm to said rear fork.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
151 words
A saddle-riding snow vehicle comprising a vehicle body; an endless belt; a rear fork pivotally supported by said vehicle body at the rear end thereof and extending to either side of said endless belt; a rear cushion extending between said rear fork and said vehicle body; an axle mounted to said rear fork; a drive wheel mounted to said axle, said endless belt extending over said drive wheel; a guide wheel, said endless belt extending over said guide wheel and substantially laterally outwardly thereof; a rear arm connected at the front end of said rear arm to said rear fork and pivotally mounted to said rear fork, said rear arm extending rearwardly from said rear fork and rotatably mounting said guide wheel at the rear end of said rear arm; a cushion extending between said rear fork and said rear arm to resiliently support said rear arm to said rear fork.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle of claim 19 further comprising a stopper belt, said stopper belt extending between said rear fork and said rear arm to limit rotation of said rear arm relative to said rear fork.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
133 words
A saddle-riding snow vehicle comprising a vehicle body; an endless belt; a rear fork pivotally supported by said vehicle body at the rear end thereof and extending to either side of said endless belt; an axle mounted to said rear fork; a drive wheel mounted to said axle, said endless belt extending over said drive wheel; a guide wheel, said endless belt extending over said guide wheel and substantially laterally outwardly thereof; a rear arm connected at the front end of said rear arm to said rear fork, said rear arm extending rearwardly from said rear fork and rotatably mounting said guide wheel at the rear end of said rear arm; a scraper plate fixed to said rear arm and extending to adjacent said drive wheel at a point about the periphery thereof.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
133 words
A saddle-riding snow vehicle comprising a vehicle body; an endless belt; a rear fork pivotally supported by said vehicle body at the rear end thereof and extending to either side of said endless belt; an axle mounted to said rear fork; a drive wheel mounted to said axle, said endless belt extending over said drive wheel; a guide wheel, said endless belt extending over said guide wheel and substantially laterally outwardly thereof; a rear arm connected at the front end of said rear arm to said rear fork, said rear arm extending rearwardly from said rear fork and rotatably mounting said guide wheel at the rear end of said rear arm; a scraper plate fixed to said rear arm and extending to adjacent said drive wheel at a point about the periphery thereof.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
242 words
A saddle-riding type snow vehicle comprising a vehicle body; an endless belt including a plurality of mutually spaced propelling lugs formed on its exterior surface and extending transversely thereof, a plurality of core members embedded in a central region of said belt in substantial alignment with said propelling lugs, and a plurality of transversely extending thick-walled members formed on the interior surface of said belt in substantial overlying relation to said propelling lugs; a rear fork pivotally supported by said vehicle body at the rear end thereof and extending to either side of said endless belt; an axle mounted to said rear fork; a drive wheel mounted to said axle, said endless belt extending over said drive wheel, said drive wheel including engaging elements extending laterally therefrom, said endless belt having engaging surfaces to receive said engaging elements, said endless belt being substantially wider than the width of said drive wheel including said engaging elements, said belt being flexible outwardly of said engaging elements; a rear arm connected at the front end of said rear arm to said rear fork, said rear arm extending rearwardly from said rear fork and rotatably mounting said guide wheel at the rear end of said rear arm;. a plurality of guide clips attached to the interior surface of said belt, said clips having oppositely spaced, inwardly extending guide arms; a downwardly extending slide rail fixed with respect to said rear arms for slidingly engaging said clips;
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
242 words
A saddle-riding type snow vehicle comprising a vehicle body; an endless belt including a plurality of mutually spaced propelling lugs formed on its exterior surface and extending transversely thereof, a plurality of core members embedded in a central region of said belt in substantial alignment with said propelling lugs, and a plurality of transversely extending thick-walled members formed on the interior surface of said belt in substantial overlying relation to said propelling lugs; a rear fork pivotally supported by said vehicle body at the rear end thereof and extending to either side of said endless belt; an axle mounted to said rear fork; a drive wheel mounted to said axle, said endless belt extending over said drive wheel, said drive wheel including engaging elements extending laterally therefrom, said endless belt having engaging surfaces to receive said engaging elements, said endless belt being substantially wider than the width of said drive wheel including said engaging elements, said belt being flexible outwardly of said engaging elements; a rear arm connected at the front end of said rear arm to said rear fork, said rear arm extending rearwardly from said rear fork and rotatably mounting said guide wheel at the rear end of said rear arm;. a plurality of guide clips attached to the interior surface of said belt, said clips having oppositely spaced, inwardly extending guide arms; a downwardly extending slide rail fixed with respect to said rear arms for slidingly engaging said clips;
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 22 including a plurality of through-holes forming openings in said belt intermediate said thick-walled members adjacent said core members, and means for attaching of said clips to said core members.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
98 words
A saddle-riding snow vehicle comprising: a vehicle body; a rear fork pivotally supported by said vehicle body at the rear end thereof; an axle mounted to said rear fork; a driving wheel rotatably supported by said axle mounted to said rear fork; a pair of oppositely disposed rear arms pivotally supported at their front ends by said axle and rotatably mounting a guide wheel at the rear ends thereof; at least one cushion extending between said rear fork and a said rear arm; and an endless belt extending between and enclosing said drive wheel and said guide wheel.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
98 words
A saddle-riding snow vehicle comprising: a vehicle body; a rear fork pivotally supported by said vehicle body at the rear end thereof; an axle mounted to said rear fork; a driving wheel rotatably supported by said axle mounted to said rear fork; a pair of oppositely disposed rear arms pivotally supported at their front ends by said axle and rotatably mounting a guide wheel at the rear ends thereof; at least one cushion extending between said rear fork and a said rear arm; and an endless belt extending between and enclosing said drive wheel and said guide wheel.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
42 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 24 including: a head pipe at the front end of said vehicle body; a front fork pivotally mounted in said head pipe; and a steering ski supported by the lower end of said front fork.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 24 including shock cushions extending between said rear fork and each of said rear arms.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
40 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 26 in which said rear arms comprise frame structures mounting upper and lower guide wheels for said endless belt; and said shock cushions extend upwardly from said rear fork to said rear arms.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 24 in which said endless belt has a lateral width greater than the axial length of said driving wheel.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 24 in which said rear fork contains oppositely spaced, rearwardly extending extensions, and said rear arms are disposed laterally interiorly of said rear fork extensions.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
26 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 29 in which said belt has substantially the same lateral dimensions as the lateral space between said rear arms.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
57 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 29 including an engine on said vehicle body, a driven member fixed to said driving wheel on an outer side thereof, means for operatively connecting said driven member to said engine and the rear arm disposed adjacent said driven member being positioned between said driving wheel and said driven member.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
38 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 29 in which said vehicle body is defined by frame members and in which the vertical position of said driving wheel axle is higher than the lowermost of said frame members.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
30 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 32 in which said driving wheel axle and said rear axle mounting said guide wheel are configured to incur substantially equal axle weight.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
39 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 29 including a pair of oppositely extending footrests on said vehicle body, and the lateral width of said rear fork extending not substantially outwardly of the lateral outer ends of said footrests.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
32 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 29 including shock cushions extending between said rear fork and said rear arms, said shock cushions being disposed laterally within and enclosed by said belt.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
32 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 29 including a braking device operatively engageable with said driving wheel, said braking device being mounted within said rear fork and enclosed by said belt.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
46 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 36 in which said braking device comprises a brake disc on said driving wheel, a caliper bracket secured with respect to said rear arms, and a brake caliper mounted on said bracket and operatively engageable with said brake disc.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
27 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 24 including means forming a track belt cover mounted to said rear arms and extending across and covering said belt.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
23 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 38 including means forming discharge openings in said cover for discharging snow from the interior thereof.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
17 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 38 including grab rail means secured to said rear arms.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
25 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 40 in which said grab rail means comprises individual grab rails secured to each of said rear arms.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
38 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 40 in which said grab rail means comprises a grab rail in spaced, overlying relation to said cover and having each of its ends connected to one of said rear arms.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
47 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 40 in which said grab rail means comprises a grab rail disposed in generally spaced horizontal relation With respect to the rear ends of said rear arms and having each of its ends connected to one of said rear arms.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
136 words
A saddle-riding snow vehicle comprising: a vehicle body; a rear fork pivotally supported by said vehicle body at the rear end thereof; an axle mounted to said rear fork; a driving wheel rotatably supported by said axle mounted to said rear fork; a pair of oppositely disposed rear arms pivotally supported at their front ends by said axle and rotatably mounting a guide wheel at the rear ends thereof; an endless belt extending between and enclosing said drive wheel and said guide wheel; means forming a track belt cover mounted to said rear arms and extending across and covering said belt, said track belt cover including a front cover component secured to said rear fork and a rear cover component in overlapped relation with respect to said front cover component and secured to said rear arms.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
136 words
A saddle-riding snow vehicle comprising: a vehicle body; a rear fork pivotally supported by said vehicle body at the rear end thereof; an axle mounted to said rear fork; a driving wheel rotatably supported by said axle mounted to said rear fork; a pair of oppositely disposed rear arms pivotally supported at their front ends by said axle and rotatably mounting a guide wheel at the rear ends thereof; an endless belt extending between and enclosing said drive wheel and said guide wheel; means forming a track belt cover mounted to said rear arms and extending across and covering said belt, said track belt cover including a front cover component secured to said rear fork and a rear cover component in overlapped relation with respect to said front cover component and secured to said rear arms.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
27 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle according to claim 44 including means forming discharge openings in said front cover component for discharging snow from the interior of said cover.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
33 words
The saddle-riding snow vehicle of claim 24 wherein said drive wheel includes a rim over which said endless belt extends, said rim being constrained to rotate in a plane perpendicular to said axle.
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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) | 1998-12-11 | 1999-06-12 | 1999-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-12-11 | 2003-06-12 | 2003-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-12-11 | 2007-06-12 | 2007-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |