US3967692A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Snowmobile suspension system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-09-26
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Granted: 1976-07-06
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Expires: 1994-09-26
Abstract
Abstract An improved snowmobile suspension system includes a pair of rails mounted on each of the skis supporting the front end of a snowmobile. A link is pivotally mounted between the rails and the snowmobile steering gear bracket and has a lever arm biased by a resilient means, such as a coil spring, for positioning the link with respect to the skis. A second resilient means is mounted between the rear end of the ski and the snowmobile steering gear bracket for positioning the ski with respect to the snowmobile.
Inventors
- 👤 Elmer H. Hoffman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:27
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62B; B62B13/00; B62B13/02; B62B13/06; B62B13/08; B62M; B62M27/00; B62M27/02; B62M2027/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A suspension system for mounting an elongated ski like member having forward and rear ends below a vehicle comprising: a link having a lower end including a pivot point rotatably mounted on a central portion of the ski and an upper end pivotally secured in means on the vehicle, the mounting of said link providing movement in the vertical longitudinal plane of the ski; first compressively resilient means coupled between said lower end of said link and the ski for inclinedly positioning said link relative to the ski and for resisting first relative pivotal movement between the ski and said link about said pivot point exemplified by a raising of the rear end of the ski; and second compressively resilient means coupled between the rear end of the ski and said means pivotally securing the upper end of said link for resisting rotation of the ski which raises the rear end of the ski.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A suspension system for mounting an elongated ski like member having forward and rear ends below a vehicle comprising: a link having a lower end including a pivot point rotatably mounted on a central portion of the ski and an upper end pivotally secured in means on the vehicle, the mounting of said link providing movement in the vertical longitudinal plane of the ski; first compressively resilient means coupled between said lower end of said link and the ski for inclinedly positioning said link relative to the ski and for resisting first relative pivotal movement between the ski and said link about said pivot point exemplified by a raising of the rear end of the ski; and second compressively resilient means coupled between the rear end of the ski and said means pivotally securing the upper end of said link for resisting rotation of the ski which raises the rear end of the ski.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The suspension system according to claim 1 wherein said first resilient means is coupled to said link at a location thereon which provides a moment arm about said pivot point for resisting said first relative pivotal movement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The suspension system according to claim 2 wherein said link has a lever arm extending from said pivot point on said link and said first resilient means is coupled to said lever arm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The suspension system according to claim 1 wherein said link has stop means operatively associated therewith for preventing rotation of the ski which raises the forward end of the ski.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The suspension system according to claim 4 wherein said stop means is further defined as operatively associated with said first resilient means for preventing second relative pivotal movement between the ski and said link about said pivot point exemplified by a raising of the forward end of the ski.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
The suspension system according to claim 5 wherein said first resilient means includes a member of predetermined length coupled to said link and being slidably received in retaining means on the ski, said member having a stop engagable with said retaining means for preventing said second relative pivotal movement and for establishing the inclined position of said link.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The suspension system according to claim 6 wherein said member comprises a shaft having operatively associated therewith spring means for resiliently resisting said first relative pivotal movement and for urging said stop into engagement with said retaining means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The suspension system according to claim 5 wherein said resilient means is adjustable in length for controlling the inclined position of said link with respect to the ski.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The suspension system according to claim 8 wherein said adjustable length resilient means is joined to the ski at a fixed location.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The suspension system according to claim 1 wherein said upper end of said link is rearwardly inclined with respect to the ski.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The suspension system according to claim 7 wherein said shaft is adjustable in length for determining the inclined position of the link with respect to the ski.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The suspension system according to claim 7 wherein said spring means is a coil spring surrounding said shaft between said link and said retaining means, said spring being compressible for resisting said first relative pivotal movement.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The suspension system according to claim 1 wherein said first resilient means is compressible for resisting said first relative pivotal movement and said second resilient means is compressible for resisting said rotation, said second resilient means having a greater compressive resistance than said first resilient means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The suspension system according to claim 1 including a bracket means for pivotally securing the upper end of said link to the snow vehicle, said second resilient means being coupled to said bracket means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The suspension system according to claim 14 wherein said upper end of said link and said second resilient means are mounted out of vertical alignment in said bracket means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The suspension system according to claim 1 wherein said second resilient means comprises a spring means compressible for resisting said rotation movement.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The suspension system according to claim 16 wherein said spring means comprising said second resilient means include stabilizing means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The suspension system according to claim 1 wherein said second resilient means comprises a shock absorber.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The suspension system according to claim 1 wherein said suspension system includes a pair of spaced longitudinal rails mounted on said ski and said link is rotatably mounted between said rails.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
The suspension system according to claim 3 wherein said suspension system includes a pair of spaced longitudinal rails mounted on said ski and said link is rotatably mounted between said rail and wherein said lever arm is located between said rails.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The suspension system according to claim 19 wherein said link has a pair of laterally spaced side members abutting said rails.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
46 words
The suspension system according to claim 21 wherein said side members contain lever arms extending from said pivot point on said link and located between said rails and wherein said first resilient means is pivotally mounted between said lever arms and retained there by said rails.
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) | 1979-07-06 | 1980-01-05 | 1980-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-07-06 | 1984-01-05 | 1984-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-07-06 | 1988-01-05 | 1988-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |