CA1141802A

CA1141802A - Snowmobile pivot means

Info

Publication number: CA1141802A
Application number: CA000354897A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Andri A. Amodeo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1980-06-26
Filing date: 1980-06-26
Publication date: 1983-02-22

Abstract

SNOWMOBILE PIVOT MEANS

ABSTRACT

A snowmobile machine having the traction provided by the usual rear tracks and steered by handlebars attached to a pair of forward ski means, is provided with vertically mounted spikes fixed to move downward to the road surface in sleeves on a holding bracket fixed to the foot rest of the frame adjacent the foot of the operator on each side of his driving position. a spur for receiving the operators foot is slidable in a channel of the sleeve and is fixed to the spike to transfer the operator foots' force-push thereto. A return spring is mounted between the spur on the spike and the bracket to cause the spike to retract into the sleeve when the force-push of the operators foot is removed. The use of the pivot when the snowmobile is moving forward is to cause it to change direction abruptly to the slde of the mschine on whioh tho spike pivot is mounted.

Description

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SNOWMOBI~E P~VOT MEANS

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for pivoting a snowmobile from its general path of travel into a sharply divergent different direction. In particular the invention comprises a steel spike means vertically mounted amidships of a snowmobile body with means for receiving a force push from an operators' foot thereon to thrust the spike into the path below the snowmobile to thereby cause pivoting of the snowmobile to the side of the direction of travel of the spike mounting. The spike is spring loaded in a sleeve which retracts the spike when the foot pressure of the operator is removed.

PRIO~ ART
Snowmobiles and other light-weight snow travelling tracked machines are difficult to steer and direct around corners. The common means, of changing direction of travel sharp~y is for the operator to thrust out his leg and allow his foot to contact the path and act as a turning pivot at the place of contact of his foot on the road surface.
It is also known that the means for steering a snowmobile, namely the pair of steerable front ski'runners manually operated by the operator handlebars, is not satisfactory for providing any more than a general change of direction because the ski runners tend to slide around the corner when a sharp turn is attempted. The runners cannot pull the machine through the corner because the traction is to rearward on the tracks. Therefore a more positive means of sharply turning a snowmobile is desired by the users thereof.

OBJECTS OF TH~ INVENTION
It is the principal object of the invention to provide a snow-mob~le ma~hine with a simple foot operable means for sharply pivoting the moving snowmobile to cause it to change direction.

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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A spike is vertically mounted in a sleeve member which is fixed by a bracket to the body of a snowmobile adjacent the running board or foot rest thereof. A foot receiving spur is attached to the upper end of the spike and return spring means is mounted between the upper and lower ends of the spike. A force-push by an operators foot on the spur causes the spur to travel downwards in a channel in the sleeve and to carry the spike downward towards the path beneath the snowmobile where it will dig into the road surface. The moving snowmobile will pivot about the extended spike causing it to change its direction of travel quite sharply.

IN T~E DRAWINGS

With the foregoing object in view and such other objects that become apparent from consideration of this disclosure the present invention consists of the inventive concept which is comprised, embodied and included in the construction method and combination of parts herein exemplified, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like parts.
Figure 1 is a perspective view from below of the retractable and foot operable pivot means of the invention herein showing the spike partly extended under the force-push of a foot.
Figure 2 shows the spike-pivot of the invention attached adjacent the running board of a snowmobile.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF T~E INVENTION.
In figure 1 the numeral 10 designates the pivot device of the invention adapted for attachment to a snowmobile. A sleeve member 12 is attached by welding to a bracket 14 having apertures 20 therein for attachment by bolting to the,,running board of a snowmobile. A solid shaft of steel 15 in the form of a spike is slidably mounted in the sleeve 12 and through an opening in the sleeve bracket 14.

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A spur or foot receiving step 16 is welded to the spike proximate the upper end 22 thereof and protrudes outwardly from the spike 15 to ride in a channel li extending through the side of the sleeve 12 from a point near the top of the sleeve to the sleeve retaining bracket 14 which is attachable to the snowmobile body.
A pair of spring members 18,19 are attached to the spur 16 by being fixed to a ring member 25 which freely rides over the sleeve 12 when the spur 16 and attached ring 25 are forced down by the operators foot 27. Springs 18,19 are also attached to the lower part of the device 10 adjacent the bracket plate 14.

OPERATION OF THE DEVICE

When the snowmobile shown as numeral 40 in figure 2 is moving under the action of the tracks 44 on the road surface 45 and while the operator is steering the craft by means of handlebars 46 linked to a pair of ski runners 47, the operator can cause the craft 40 to turn sharply to the right by application of his foot 27 to the spur 16 which will drive spike 15 into road 45. The momentum of the snowmobile 40 will cause the near track to pivot on the spike held into the road while the far track carries through a sharp turn . Release of the operators foot on the spur 16 causes the spring to react and ret-rack the spike 15 into the sleeve 12 thereby allowing the snowmobile to continue on in its forward path but in the changed direction.
An identical pivot device is fixed adjacent the operators left foot and on the running board of the snowmobile to allow him to turn left by applying his foot to a spur which drives a spike into the road adjacent the far or left track as seen in figure 2.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. In a snowmobile having a frame with a footrest portion thereto, a foot actuated means for causing said snowmobile to change its direction of travel abruptly comprising in combination;
a vertically disposed open-ended sleeve member fixed by bracket means to said foot rest substantially adjacent the position of rest of a snowmobile operators foot when operating said machine;
a solid steel spike member slidably mounted in said sleeve and having a spike end directed downwardly through the open end of said sleeve;
foot receiving spur means projecting from the upper end of said spike and slidably moveable within a channel in said sleeve, and adapted to receive the force-push of an operators foot to cause said spike to dig into the road surface below said moving machine, and cause it to pivot thereabout and change direction of travel;
a return spring member attached to said spike adjacent said spur and to said bracket of said sleeve to cause said spike to retract into said sleeve when the force-push of the operators foot is removed from the spur thereon, said spike being capable of being driven into the road surface substantially below the said snowmobile under the force-push control of the operators foot.