Soucy International Inc.

Kimpex Inc.

Other

Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.

Robert Bessette

Robert Handfield

Louis-Frederic Marchildon

Louis-Frédéric Marchildon

Chad M Olson

André Todd

Bertrand Mallette

Rémi Breton

Jonathan Thibault

Andre Todd

Andre Leger

Steve Frechette

André Léger

Steve Fréchette

Guillaume Provencher

Jeannnot Belanger

Jeannot Belanger

Chad Olson

Rene Archambault

A snowmobile steering ski comprises a longitudinally extending body having a front portion, a central portion, a rear portion, a top surface configured to be secured to a snowmobile, and a bottom running surface configured to travel or glide over snow. The steering ski comprises at least one keel blade typically removably mounted to the body and downwardly extending from the bottom surface and generally extending longitudinally along at least a portion of the bottom surface. The bottom surface is further slightly upwardly arched, generally along the central portion thereof, such that the bottom surface defines a generally front pressure zone and a generally rear pressure zone. The rear pressure zone is located longitudinally behind the at least one keel blade, and is configured for substantially filling the trace(s) formed in the snow by the at least one keel blade such that the steering ski leaves little or no trace(s) in its wake.

Snowmobile steering ski

The present invention generally provides a wheel replacing traction assembly which uses, for propulsion, a longitudinally extending traction band disposed around and cooperating with a sprocket wheel, a supporting structure, and idler and/or road wheels. The supporting structure of the traction assembly comprises an independent suspension generally replacing the suspension of the vehicle. In use, the suspension of the vehicle is replaced by a rigid member that can be adjustable in length in a further embodiment. The presence of a suspension in the supporting structure of the traction assembly decreases its unsprung mass.

Traction assembly for vehicle

This invention generally relates to track systems and traction assemblies for use as wheel replacement for normally wheeled vehicles. The track system uses a traction band disposed about a sprocket wheel, idler wheels and road wheels for propulsion. The idler wheels and road wheels are typically pivotally mounted to a support frame, itself configured to be coupled to the sprocket wheel via a support member. The track system also comprises a movement limiting link mounted both to the support member and to the vehicle frame. The movement limiting link limits longitudinal and lateral movements of the track system, such as to prevent contact between the track system and the vehicle.

Track system

A membrane applying apparatus comprises a wheeled frame adapted to ride on a surface to be covered with the membrane. The rear end of the wheeled frame is generally configured to support a roll of membrane. The apparatus also comprises a roller support frame pivotally mounted to the wheeled frame at the rear end thereof. The roller support frame pivotally supports an idler roller and a pressing roller for respectively guiding and pressing the membrane as the membrane is unrolled during its application. The roller support frame is pivotable between an operative position in which the idler roller and pressing roller respectively guides and presses the membrane, and an inoperative position. In the inoperative position, the roller support frame is pivoted substantially upwardly, thereby providing access to the rear end of the wheeled frame to allow the installation or removal of the roll of membrane.

Membrane applying apparatus

A traction assembly for replacing a wheel on a vehicle is disclosed. The traction assembly uses a traction band disposed about a sprocket wheel, idler wheels and road wheels for propulsion. The idler wheels and road wheels are pivotally mounted to a support frame which is coupled to the sprocket wheel via a support arm. The support arm is pivotally yet non-drivingly connected to the sprocket wheel and is pivotally connected to the support frame. The support arm is able to pivot forwardly and rearwardly, albeit in a limited fashion, with respect to the support frame. Such forward and rearward pivotal movements allow the weight of the vehicle to be transferred on the trailing portion, i.e. either the front or the rear portion, of the support frame depending on the direction of movement of the vehicle, thereby generally preventing the leading portion from diving or digging into the ground.

Traction assembly

A hitch, which can be rigidly yet removably attached to a vehicle-mounted sleeve, comprises a longitudinally extending member which is configured to slide into the sleeve and which locks therewith with a transverse locking device in a conventional manner. The member is divided into two sections along a plane which is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the member. The sections are connected together by a bolt threading into one section while being operable from the outside of the other section. Due to the inclined plane separating both sections, tightening of the bolt causes the sections to slide in opposite directions within the sleeve until they abut and press on opposite inner walls of the sleeve, thereby eliminating play between the member and sleeve. The hitch is conceived such to prevent a user to drive without the locking device in place.

Hitch

An assembly is provided for limiting the displacement of a track system mounted to the axle of a vehicle. The assembly generally comprises an anchor bracket and a stabilizing rod. The anchor bracket is configured to be fixedly mounted to the chassis of the vehicle whereas the stabilizing rod is pivotally and slidingly mounted, at one end, to the anchor bracket, and generally only pivotally mounted, at the other end, to the track system. While allowing limited rotation, the limiting assembly generally prevents excessive rotation of the track system about the axle.

Displacement limiting assembly for a track system

The present invention generally provides a wheel replacing traction assembly which uses, for propulsion, a longitudinally extending endless track disposed around and cooperating with a sprocket wheel, idler and road wheels, and a guide rail.

The field-repair assembly is used for temporarily repairing a ruptured or otherwise damaged elastomeric track mounted on a vehicle and generally allows the vehicle to proceed, preferably on its own, to a maintenance site located nearby where replacement or permanent repair of the track can be undertaken. The assembly comprises a plurality of spaced-apart and generally parallel support members, each of which being generally transversely disposed on the ground engaging outer surface of the track. The transverse members are secured to each side of the track via retention brackets. The transverse members are further linked together via flexible cables which are fixedly mounted to retention brackets. The assembly further comprises a bridging element generally mounted to a subset of the transverse members. The bridging element is generally located over the damaged area of the track and on the outer surface thereof for providing continuity and support to the damaged track.

Elastomeric track field-repair assembly

This invention relates to a traction assembly for a vehicle which uses an endless traction band and a plurality of wheels for propulsion. More particularly, the traction assembly comprises a sprocket wheel which has a different size and number of sprocket teeth depending on whether the traction kit replaces the front wheels or the rear wheels of the vehicle. The sprocket wheel of the traction kit can also be configured such that its sprocket teeth are laterally offset. The traction kit can also comprise an anti-torque system that prevent physical contact between the traction kit and the vehicle and that can bias the position of the traction kit in order to improve the steering performance. Finally, the traction assembly can comprise a pivotable extension which lengthens the traction assembly and improves its traction capabilities.

Anti-torque system for a traction assembly

A drive system has a drive-system frame operatively connectable to a vehicle. The drive-system frame is capable of pivotal movement relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle to steer the vehicle. The drive-system frame is incapable of pivotal movement with respect to the frame of the vehicle in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis and normal to the ground when the vehicle is on flat level terrain and steered straight. A rail is pivotally mounted to the drive-system frame. A ground-engaging endless belt is in sliding engagement with the rail. The belt is operatively connectable to an engine to propel the vehicle. The drive system is operatively connectable to the steering device of the vehicle. A steering angle stopper is disposed on the vehicle such that a steering linkage of the vehicle does not bear a force created when the stopper is engaged. A vehicle is also described.

Endless belt drive for a vehicle

The present invention generally provides a wheel replacing traction assembly which uses, for propulsion, a longitudinally extending endless track disposed around and cooperating with a sprocket wheel, idler and/or road wheels and a supporting frame. The endless track generally comprises an inner wheel-engaging surface and an outer ground-engaging surface, the latter being provided with traction lugs. The outer surface further comprises at least one laterally extending portion which also extends along the circumference of the track; the traction lugs located on this laterally extending portion being generally higher than the traction lugs located on the remainder of the outer surface.

Traction assembly with endless track having variable ground-contacting area

Traction assembly for a vehicle

This invention relates to a traction assembly for a vehicle which uses an endless traction band and a plurality of wheels for propulsion. The traction assembly pivots around a pivot point located under the traction axle of the vehicle. This pivot point is preferably longitudinally displaced in relation to such axle.

Growing community of inventors

Drummondville, Canada

Robert Bessette