CA2067409C - Travelling vehicle - Google Patents
Travelling vehicle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2067409C CA2067409C CA 2067409 CA2067409A CA2067409C CA 2067409 C CA2067409 C CA 2067409C CA 2067409 CA2067409 CA 2067409 CA 2067409 A CA2067409 A CA 2067409A CA 2067409 C CA2067409 C CA 2067409C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- vehicle body
- drive means
- travelling
- steering
- steering handle
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Abstract
A travelling vehicle including a vehicle body, a steering portion, including a steering handle and a grip portion thereon in a front part of the vehicle body, a drive means pivotably supported in a rear part of the vehicle body for vertical movement, a shock absorbing unit interposed between the drive means and the vehicle body, and a power unit connected for power transmission with the drive means. The power unit is disposed forward of the pivoted portion of the driving means to the vehicle body. A riding portion adapted to support a driver thereon is formed on the vehicle body, the riding portion extending to a position rearwardly of a line L1 connecting the grip portion of the steering handle with a grounding point at the rearmost end of the drive means to form a substantially flat foot portion, and the shock absorbing unit is connected to the vehicle body in a position forward of the line L1.
Description
The present invention relates to a travelling vehicle such as a snowmobile or the like and more particularly to a vehicle wherein the grounding load distribution between front and rear can be changed by shifting of the driver's weight.
A travelling vehicle of the type to which this invention relates is disclosed in the form of a snowmobile in Japanese Patent Publication No. 50914/1983. In this known snowmobile, a steering sledge is connected to a lower front part of the snowmobile body through a plate spring, while a driving device in the form of an endless track is connected to a lower rear part of the same body, through a suspension system, to a power unit. A seat is mounted on the snowmobile body, and a driver sitting on the seat steers the sledge using a handle, while the endless track is driven by the power unit, thereby allowing the snowmobile to travel.
In the above conventional snowmobile, however, since the steering sledge which constitutes a front steering portion contacts the ground at a load proportional to a load distribution ratio between it and the track of the driving device at the rear portion, the sledge is apt to sink into snow when travelling on a weak surface such as fresh snow, resulting in increased travelling resistance.
An object of the present invention is to provide a travelling vehicle capable of travelling lightly even on a weak road surface without substantially increasing its travelling resistance.
~!~67409 According to the present invention, a travelling vehicle comprises a vehicle body, a steering portion, including a steering handle and a grip portion in a front part of the vehicle body, a drive means pivotably supported at a rear part of the vehicle body for vertical movement, a shock absorbing unit interposed between the drive means and the vehicle body, and a power unit connected for power transmission with the drive means, said power unit being disposed forward of the pivoted portion of the driving means to the vehicle body, characterized in that the vehicle body is provided with a generally flat elongate riding portion extending rearwardly of a line L1 connecting the grip portion of the steering handle with a grounding point at the rearmost end of the drive means to a position rearwardly of said grounding point, and said shock absorbing unit is connected to the vehicle body in a position forward of the line Ll, said riding portion being adapted to support a standing driver at different locations including a location rearwardly of said grounding point and a location at least as far forward as the position at which the shock absorbing unit connects to the vehicle body.
In one embodiment the steering handle is tiltably supported by the vehicle body for tilting movement in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and there is provided a biasing means for urging the steering handle to a predetermined stand-up or neutral position.
In the travelling vehicle according to the invention, when the driver puts his feet on the riding portion
A travelling vehicle of the type to which this invention relates is disclosed in the form of a snowmobile in Japanese Patent Publication No. 50914/1983. In this known snowmobile, a steering sledge is connected to a lower front part of the snowmobile body through a plate spring, while a driving device in the form of an endless track is connected to a lower rear part of the same body, through a suspension system, to a power unit. A seat is mounted on the snowmobile body, and a driver sitting on the seat steers the sledge using a handle, while the endless track is driven by the power unit, thereby allowing the snowmobile to travel.
In the above conventional snowmobile, however, since the steering sledge which constitutes a front steering portion contacts the ground at a load proportional to a load distribution ratio between it and the track of the driving device at the rear portion, the sledge is apt to sink into snow when travelling on a weak surface such as fresh snow, resulting in increased travelling resistance.
An object of the present invention is to provide a travelling vehicle capable of travelling lightly even on a weak road surface without substantially increasing its travelling resistance.
~!~67409 According to the present invention, a travelling vehicle comprises a vehicle body, a steering portion, including a steering handle and a grip portion in a front part of the vehicle body, a drive means pivotably supported at a rear part of the vehicle body for vertical movement, a shock absorbing unit interposed between the drive means and the vehicle body, and a power unit connected for power transmission with the drive means, said power unit being disposed forward of the pivoted portion of the driving means to the vehicle body, characterized in that the vehicle body is provided with a generally flat elongate riding portion extending rearwardly of a line L1 connecting the grip portion of the steering handle with a grounding point at the rearmost end of the drive means to a position rearwardly of said grounding point, and said shock absorbing unit is connected to the vehicle body in a position forward of the line Ll, said riding portion being adapted to support a standing driver at different locations including a location rearwardly of said grounding point and a location at least as far forward as the position at which the shock absorbing unit connects to the vehicle body.
In one embodiment the steering handle is tiltably supported by the vehicle body for tilting movement in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and there is provided a biasing means for urging the steering handle to a predetermined stand-up or neutral position.
In the travelling vehicle according to the invention, when the driver puts his feet on the riding portion
- 2 -and shifts his weight backward, the center of gravity of the vehicle also shifts backward to reduce the grounding load of the steering portion in the front part of the vehicle body.
Thus improvements in rear wheel travelling and trick riding characteristics are achieved.
When the riding portion extends to the rear of the grounding point at the rearmost end of the driving device, it is possible to shift the vehicular center of gravity backward to a greater extent.
When the steering handle is tiltably supported for tilting movement in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and a biasing means is provided for urging the steering handle to a predetermined stand-up or neutral position, the driver can easily grasp the handle grip, even with his feet at the very rear of the foot portion. Since the steering handle is urged to a predetermined stand-up position, it is possible to suppress the tendency of the steering handle to wobble during normal travelling of the vehicle.
In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention:
Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a travelling vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2(a) is an enlarged side view of a part of the steering mechanism;
Figure 2(b) is an enlarged sectional view along the line C-C in Figure 2(a);
Figure 3(a) is a side view of a travelling vehicle
Thus improvements in rear wheel travelling and trick riding characteristics are achieved.
When the riding portion extends to the rear of the grounding point at the rearmost end of the driving device, it is possible to shift the vehicular center of gravity backward to a greater extent.
When the steering handle is tiltably supported for tilting movement in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body and a biasing means is provided for urging the steering handle to a predetermined stand-up or neutral position, the driver can easily grasp the handle grip, even with his feet at the very rear of the foot portion. Since the steering handle is urged to a predetermined stand-up position, it is possible to suppress the tendency of the steering handle to wobble during normal travelling of the vehicle.
In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention:
Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a travelling vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2(a) is an enlarged side view of a part of the steering mechanism;
Figure 2(b) is an enlarged sectional view along the line C-C in Figure 2(a);
Figure 3(a) is a side view of a travelling vehicle
- 3 -~~6T409 according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3(b) is a plan view of the travelling vehicle - 3a -of Figure 3 (a) ;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a travelling vehicle according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a side view of the vehicle of Figure
Figure 3(b) is a plan view of the travelling vehicle - 3a -of Figure 3 (a) ;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of a travelling vehicle according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5 is a side view of the vehicle of Figure
4;
Figure 6 is a plan view of the vehicle of Figure 4;
Figure 7 is a front view, partially in section, of a principal portion of the vehicle of Figure 4;
Figure 8 is a partially enlarged partially sectional view showing another embodiment of the principal portion of Figure 7; and Figure 9 is a side view of a travelling vehicle according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a first embodiment of the present invention, of which Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a travelling vehicle in the form of a snowmobile, Figure 2(a) is a partially enlarged side view of a detail thereof, and Figure 2(b) is a partially enlarged sectional front view of the detail.
In Figure 1, the numeral 11 denotes a generally flat plate-like body, and a planar riding portion lla comprises substantially the whole upper surface of the body 11. As schematically shown in the figure, a driver M gets on the riding portion lla in a standing posture in such a manner that his feet can be placed on a rear end part of the riding portion lla. The rear end part of the riding portion lla comprises a foot portion 77.
To a front end of the body 11 is fixed a head tube 12, into which is rotatably inserted a steering shaft 13. A
steering handle 14 is fixed to an upper end of the steering shaft 13, while a steering member in the form of a ski 16 is mounted to a lower end of the steering shaft 13. The ski 16 is vertically movable through a trailing link mechanism 15. The steering shaft 13 has a biasing mechanism 5 at the lower end thereof, and the ski 16 is moved pivotally about the steering shaft 13 by the operation of the steering handle 14. Although the details are here omitted, the link mechanism 15 incorporates a cushion spring 15a therein, which urges the ski 16 downwards toward the travel-ling surface.
As shown in Figures 2(a) and (b), the biasing mechanism 5 comprises a square-section shaft 115 fixed to a steering shaft 15a of the link mechanism 15, an outer casing 113 mounted to a joint plate 13a at a lower portion of the steering shaft 13, and four biasing rubber pieces 5a disposed between the square-section shaft 115 and the outer casing 113. The biasing mechanism 5 generates a restoring force against torsion between the square-section shaft 115 and the outer casing 113, for shift-ing the steering shaft 13 back to a neutral position A as illustrated in Figure 1.
A power unit 17 is mounted to the body 11 behind the head tube 12, and a driving device 18 is suspended from a lower portion of the body 11 behind the power unit 17_ As is well known, the power unit 17 comprises an engine and a transmission
Figure 6 is a plan view of the vehicle of Figure 4;
Figure 7 is a front view, partially in section, of a principal portion of the vehicle of Figure 4;
Figure 8 is a partially enlarged partially sectional view showing another embodiment of the principal portion of Figure 7; and Figure 9 is a side view of a travelling vehicle according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a first embodiment of the present invention, of which Figure 1 is a schematic side view of a travelling vehicle in the form of a snowmobile, Figure 2(a) is a partially enlarged side view of a detail thereof, and Figure 2(b) is a partially enlarged sectional front view of the detail.
In Figure 1, the numeral 11 denotes a generally flat plate-like body, and a planar riding portion lla comprises substantially the whole upper surface of the body 11. As schematically shown in the figure, a driver M gets on the riding portion lla in a standing posture in such a manner that his feet can be placed on a rear end part of the riding portion lla. The rear end part of the riding portion lla comprises a foot portion 77.
To a front end of the body 11 is fixed a head tube 12, into which is rotatably inserted a steering shaft 13. A
steering handle 14 is fixed to an upper end of the steering shaft 13, while a steering member in the form of a ski 16 is mounted to a lower end of the steering shaft 13. The ski 16 is vertically movable through a trailing link mechanism 15. The steering shaft 13 has a biasing mechanism 5 at the lower end thereof, and the ski 16 is moved pivotally about the steering shaft 13 by the operation of the steering handle 14. Although the details are here omitted, the link mechanism 15 incorporates a cushion spring 15a therein, which urges the ski 16 downwards toward the travel-ling surface.
As shown in Figures 2(a) and (b), the biasing mechanism 5 comprises a square-section shaft 115 fixed to a steering shaft 15a of the link mechanism 15, an outer casing 113 mounted to a joint plate 13a at a lower portion of the steering shaft 13, and four biasing rubber pieces 5a disposed between the square-section shaft 115 and the outer casing 113. The biasing mechanism 5 generates a restoring force against torsion between the square-section shaft 115 and the outer casing 113, for shift-ing the steering shaft 13 back to a neutral position A as illustrated in Figure 1.
A power unit 17 is mounted to the body 11 behind the head tube 12, and a driving device 18 is suspended from a lower portion of the body 11 behind the power unit 17_ As is well known, the power unit 17 comprises an engine and a transmission
- 5 -~Q67409 both mounted integrally with each other. An output shaft of the transmission is connected to the driving device 18 in a power transferable manner through a chain 19.
In the driving device 18, a driving wheel 20 and a floating wheel 21 are supported by the lower portion of the body 11 pivotably in longitudinally spaced relation to each other through a holder 23. An endless crawler belt 22 is entrained about both wheels 20 and 21. Between an intermediate part of the holder 23 and the body 11 is interposed a shock absorbing unit 24. The driving wheel 20 is connected to the power unit 17 through chain 19. The crawler belt 22 contacts the ground over a large area and is driven by the power unit .17 to generate a driving force.
In the snowmobile of this first embodiment, the riding portion lla is formed on the body 11, and the rear part of the riding portion lla has the foot portion 77 extending rearward-ly beyond a line L1 through the handle grip 14a and a grounding point at the rearmost end of the crawler belt 22. The driver M
can stand up on the riding portion lla. Specifically, the driver M can place his feet on the foot portion 77 located in a position rearwardly of the line Ll and ride the snowmobile in a standing posture. The forces indicated by arrows in Figure 1 are exerted on the body 11. Therefore, as the driver M moves in the longi-tudinal direction as indicated by solid and chain lines in the same figure, the center of gravity of the entire vehicle shifts in the same direction. A moment around a transverse axis is
In the driving device 18, a driving wheel 20 and a floating wheel 21 are supported by the lower portion of the body 11 pivotably in longitudinally spaced relation to each other through a holder 23. An endless crawler belt 22 is entrained about both wheels 20 and 21. Between an intermediate part of the holder 23 and the body 11 is interposed a shock absorbing unit 24. The driving wheel 20 is connected to the power unit 17 through chain 19. The crawler belt 22 contacts the ground over a large area and is driven by the power unit .17 to generate a driving force.
In the snowmobile of this first embodiment, the riding portion lla is formed on the body 11, and the rear part of the riding portion lla has the foot portion 77 extending rearward-ly beyond a line L1 through the handle grip 14a and a grounding point at the rearmost end of the crawler belt 22. The driver M
can stand up on the riding portion lla. Specifically, the driver M can place his feet on the foot portion 77 located in a position rearwardly of the line Ll and ride the snowmobile in a standing posture. The forces indicated by arrows in Figure 1 are exerted on the body 11. Therefore, as the driver M moves in the longi-tudinal direction as indicated by solid and chain lines in the same figure, the center of gravity of the entire vehicle shifts in the same direction. A moment around a transverse axis is
- 6 -~~ fi~449~
generated in the body 11, whereby it is possible to adjust the distribution of the grounding load between the ski 16 and the crawler belt 22 of the driving device 18.
More particularly, in this snowmobile, when the driver M moves forward (solid line), the grounding load of the ski 16 can be increased, while when the driver moves backward (chain line), it is possible to decrease the grounding load of the ski. Thus, it is easy to change the load distribution. In the case where the snowmobile travels on fresh snow, the driver M
moves backward as indicated by the chain line to decrease the grounding load of the ski 16, whereby the ski can be prevented from sinking into the fresh snow.
Figure 3 illustrates a travelling vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which Figure 3(a) is a side view and Figure 3(b) is a plan view. In this second embodiment, the same elements as in the above first embodi-ment are identified by the same reference numerals and explana-tion thereof will be omitted.
In the second embodiment, a front wheel 31 is provided in place of the ski used in the first embodiment, and there is used a driving device 18 having three roller-like wheels 34a, 34b and 34c.
In the driving device 18, a wheel holder 33 is mounted to a rectangular, pivotable frame 32 supported pivotably by the body 11, and the three wheels 34a, 34b and 34c are suppor-ted by the wheel holder 33. The holder 33 rotatably supports _ 7 _ ~~67403 three axles 35a, 35b and 35c arranged longitudinally in the form of a ladder, with the wheels 34a, 34b and 34c being fixed onto those axles. A central part of the holder 33 is pivotably supported by the pivotable frame 32 through a pivot shaft 36 with the axle 35b coaxially inserted therein.
Onto the axle 35b are fixed a driven sprocket 36b and two power transmitting sprockets 37a and 37b. Further, power transmitting sprockets 38a and 38b are fixed onto the axles 35a and 35c, respectively. A chain 19 is stretched between the driven sprocket 36b and a driving sprocket 36a of the power unit 17.
Further, a chain 39a is stretched between the power transmitting sprockets 37a and 38a, and a chain 39b between the power transmitting sprockets 37b and 38b.
Also in this second embodiment, a riding portion lla is formed on the body 11. The riding portion lla extends rear-wardly beyond a line L1 through a handle grip 14a and a grounding point of the rearmost end wheel 34c of the driving device 18.
A rear end part of the riding portion lla comprises a foot portion 77. Therefore, like the previous embodiment, the load distribu-tion between the front wheel 31 and the driving device 18 can be changed by a longitudinal movement of the driver M standing on the riding portion lla.
Figures 4 to 8 illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention, of which Figure 4 is a perspective view of a snowmobile as a travelling vehicle, Figure 5 is a side view thereof, Figure 6 is a plan view thereof, with some components of the _ g _ snowmobile being removed, Figure 7 is a front view of a principal portion thereof, and Figure 8 is a partially enlarged view showing another mode of the said principal portion.
In those figures, the numeral 40 denotes a body of the snowmobile. The body 40 comprises a main frame 41 of a generally rectangular shape constituted by tubular members, and a body member 42 of a synthetic resin or the like fixed to the main frame 41. An upper portion of the body 40 comprises a riding portion 40a which permits the driver M to stand thereon. A rear end part of the riding portion 40a is bent upwards to form a foot portion 77 over a predetermined length w of an upper surface of the rear part. A power unit 43 is mounted to a front portion of the body 40. The foot portion 77 is formed substantially flat so that the driver can place his feet thereon, and it extends rearwardly beyond a rear end of a driving device which will be described later (see Figure 5).
The power unit 43 comprises an engine and a transmission both mounted integrally with each other, and an upper portion thereof is covered with a bonnet 44. In the power unit 43, an output shaft of the transmission is disposed below the body 40, and a driving sprocket 45a is fixed to the transmission output shaft and is connected to the driving device through a chain 46. The bonnet 44 is fixed to a bonnet frame 47 erected on the front portion of the body 40, and within the bonnet 44, though not shown in detail, there are accommodated an air cleaner 52, a fuel tank 53, a battery 54 and a muffler 69 together with the power unit 43. The numeral 69a denotes an exhaust pipe.
A head tube 48 is fixed to a front end of the body 40, and a lower steering shaft 49 is rotatably inserted into the head tube 48. To an upper end of the lower steering shaft 49 is connected an upper steering shaft 55 tiltable in the longitudinal direction through a universal joint 56, while a lower end of the lower steering shaft 49 is connected to a ski 51 through a trailing link mechanism 50 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The trailing link mechanism 50 includes a shock absorber or cushion spring 50a disposed between the link mechanism - lower steering shaft 49 connection and the link mechanism - ski 51 connection. The numeral 51a denotes a handle provided at a front end of the ski 51, and the numeral 80 denotes a flexible boot for protection of the universal joint 56.
A steering handle 81 is fixed to an upper end of the upper steering shaft 55, and a sleeve 59 is rotatably fitted on the outer periphery of an intermediate portion of the upper steering shaft. A pair of left and right stays 57L, 57R, are mounted bridgewise between the sleeve 59 and the bonnet frame 47.
As shown in detail in Figure 7, the stays 57L and 57R are disposed in between the sleeve 59 and the bonnet frame 47 and are connec-ted through ball joints 58 to the sleeve 59 and the bonnet frame 47. The stays 57L and 57R prevent the upper steering shaft 55 from collapsing either to the right or to the left. Further, coil springs 100L and 1008 are mounted to the stays 57h and 57R, respectively, to generate a force for returning the steering ~~674~~
shaft 55 to a neutral position A'.
The construction of the stays 57L and 57R is not limited to the one described above. A construction such as that shown in Figure 8 may be adopted. As illustrated in this figure, a sleeve 59 is rotatably and axially slidably fitted on the upper steering shaft 55, and one end of stays 57L and 57R is connected to the sleeve 59 through ball joints 58, while opposite ends of the stays 57L and 57R are connected with bolts 99 to the bonnet frame 47 for pivotal movement about such bolts. Also in this case, the upper steering shaft 55 is prevented from collapsing either to right or left.
As shown in Figure 5, a pair of right and left brackets 61 are suspended from the body 40, and a driving device 60 is pivotably supported by the brackets 61. In the driving device 60, two floating wheels 64 and 65 are mounted rotatab)_y to a wheel holding member 63 in front and rear positions, respective-ly. The wheel holding member 63 is supported by a link 62 for vertical movement. A driving wheel 66 is mounted to the brackets 61, and an endless crawler belt 67 is entrained about the floating wheels 64, 65 and the driving wheel 66. The driving wheel 66 is fixed to a rotary shaft (not shown) mounted bridgewise between the brackets 66, and a driven sprocket 45b is fixed to the rotary shaft. The chain 46 is stretched between the driven sprocket 45b and the driving sprocket 45a, and the driving wheel 66 is thereby driven by the power unit.
A torsion spring 68 is mounted to each of the ~~fi740~
brackets 61, and a front end of the wheel holding member 63 is urged downward by the torsion springs 68. A lower end portion of a shock absorber or cushion unit 70 is mounted to an upper portion of the wheel holding member 63 in a position between the floating wheels 64 and 65. An upper end of the shock absorber 70 is mounted to a lower portion of the body 40. As in the first embodiment, the mounted portion of the shock absorber 70 to the body 40 is positioned ahead of the line L1 through the steering handle 81 and the grounding point at the rearmost end of the crawler belt 67.
In this third embodiment, the load distribution between the ski 51 and the driving device 60 can be adjusted by shifting of the weight of the driver M standing up on the riding portion 40a of the body 40, and when the snowmobile travels on fresh snow, the ski 51 can be prevented from sinking into the snow by backward shift of the driver's weight.
In this third embodiment, the riding portion 40a is extended rearwardly beyond a rear end of the driving device 60 to form a foot portion 77 located behind the rear end of the driving device rear end. Therefore, when the driver puts his feet on the riding portion 77, an upwardly tilting moment for the front portion of the body 40 can be increased and it is easy to reduce the grounding load of the ski 51.
Figure 9 is a side view of a snowmobile as a travelling vehicle according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which the same elements as in the third embodiment are identified by the same reference numerals and explanation thereof will therefor be omitted.
In the fourth embodiment, a rear end of a body 40 is bent sharply upwards to form a stepped foot portion 77, so that the foot portion 77 can be used as a seat. A hole is formed in the foot portion 77 and a grip 97 is provided. Also, at a front end of the body 40 there is also provided a grip 98.
In a driving device 60, an arm member 96 is mounted bridgewise between a rotary shaft and a wheel holding member 63, the rotary shaft being mounted between brackets 61, and a shock absorber or cushion unit 70 is connected to the connection of arm member 96 to the wheel holding member 63, while a cushion spring 95 is disposed between the arm member 96 and a front floating wheel 64.
Further, a lower steering shaft 49 and an upper steering shaft 55 are connected together tiltably by means of a transversely extending connecting shaft 75 having rubber biasing members which Generates a force for returning the steering shaft 55 to a neutral position A'.
In this fourth embodiment, since the foot portion 77 is formed in a stepped fashion on the body 40, the driver can sit on the foot portion and thus a great degree of freedom can be obtained in the riding posture.
Although snowmobiles have been illustrated in a number of the embodiments, it will be apparent that the present invention is applicable also to vehicles having normal tires.
generated in the body 11, whereby it is possible to adjust the distribution of the grounding load between the ski 16 and the crawler belt 22 of the driving device 18.
More particularly, in this snowmobile, when the driver M moves forward (solid line), the grounding load of the ski 16 can be increased, while when the driver moves backward (chain line), it is possible to decrease the grounding load of the ski. Thus, it is easy to change the load distribution. In the case where the snowmobile travels on fresh snow, the driver M
moves backward as indicated by the chain line to decrease the grounding load of the ski 16, whereby the ski can be prevented from sinking into the fresh snow.
Figure 3 illustrates a travelling vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention, in which Figure 3(a) is a side view and Figure 3(b) is a plan view. In this second embodiment, the same elements as in the above first embodi-ment are identified by the same reference numerals and explana-tion thereof will be omitted.
In the second embodiment, a front wheel 31 is provided in place of the ski used in the first embodiment, and there is used a driving device 18 having three roller-like wheels 34a, 34b and 34c.
In the driving device 18, a wheel holder 33 is mounted to a rectangular, pivotable frame 32 supported pivotably by the body 11, and the three wheels 34a, 34b and 34c are suppor-ted by the wheel holder 33. The holder 33 rotatably supports _ 7 _ ~~67403 three axles 35a, 35b and 35c arranged longitudinally in the form of a ladder, with the wheels 34a, 34b and 34c being fixed onto those axles. A central part of the holder 33 is pivotably supported by the pivotable frame 32 through a pivot shaft 36 with the axle 35b coaxially inserted therein.
Onto the axle 35b are fixed a driven sprocket 36b and two power transmitting sprockets 37a and 37b. Further, power transmitting sprockets 38a and 38b are fixed onto the axles 35a and 35c, respectively. A chain 19 is stretched between the driven sprocket 36b and a driving sprocket 36a of the power unit 17.
Further, a chain 39a is stretched between the power transmitting sprockets 37a and 38a, and a chain 39b between the power transmitting sprockets 37b and 38b.
Also in this second embodiment, a riding portion lla is formed on the body 11. The riding portion lla extends rear-wardly beyond a line L1 through a handle grip 14a and a grounding point of the rearmost end wheel 34c of the driving device 18.
A rear end part of the riding portion lla comprises a foot portion 77. Therefore, like the previous embodiment, the load distribu-tion between the front wheel 31 and the driving device 18 can be changed by a longitudinal movement of the driver M standing on the riding portion lla.
Figures 4 to 8 illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention, of which Figure 4 is a perspective view of a snowmobile as a travelling vehicle, Figure 5 is a side view thereof, Figure 6 is a plan view thereof, with some components of the _ g _ snowmobile being removed, Figure 7 is a front view of a principal portion thereof, and Figure 8 is a partially enlarged view showing another mode of the said principal portion.
In those figures, the numeral 40 denotes a body of the snowmobile. The body 40 comprises a main frame 41 of a generally rectangular shape constituted by tubular members, and a body member 42 of a synthetic resin or the like fixed to the main frame 41. An upper portion of the body 40 comprises a riding portion 40a which permits the driver M to stand thereon. A rear end part of the riding portion 40a is bent upwards to form a foot portion 77 over a predetermined length w of an upper surface of the rear part. A power unit 43 is mounted to a front portion of the body 40. The foot portion 77 is formed substantially flat so that the driver can place his feet thereon, and it extends rearwardly beyond a rear end of a driving device which will be described later (see Figure 5).
The power unit 43 comprises an engine and a transmission both mounted integrally with each other, and an upper portion thereof is covered with a bonnet 44. In the power unit 43, an output shaft of the transmission is disposed below the body 40, and a driving sprocket 45a is fixed to the transmission output shaft and is connected to the driving device through a chain 46. The bonnet 44 is fixed to a bonnet frame 47 erected on the front portion of the body 40, and within the bonnet 44, though not shown in detail, there are accommodated an air cleaner 52, a fuel tank 53, a battery 54 and a muffler 69 together with the power unit 43. The numeral 69a denotes an exhaust pipe.
A head tube 48 is fixed to a front end of the body 40, and a lower steering shaft 49 is rotatably inserted into the head tube 48. To an upper end of the lower steering shaft 49 is connected an upper steering shaft 55 tiltable in the longitudinal direction through a universal joint 56, while a lower end of the lower steering shaft 49 is connected to a ski 51 through a trailing link mechanism 50 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The trailing link mechanism 50 includes a shock absorber or cushion spring 50a disposed between the link mechanism - lower steering shaft 49 connection and the link mechanism - ski 51 connection. The numeral 51a denotes a handle provided at a front end of the ski 51, and the numeral 80 denotes a flexible boot for protection of the universal joint 56.
A steering handle 81 is fixed to an upper end of the upper steering shaft 55, and a sleeve 59 is rotatably fitted on the outer periphery of an intermediate portion of the upper steering shaft. A pair of left and right stays 57L, 57R, are mounted bridgewise between the sleeve 59 and the bonnet frame 47.
As shown in detail in Figure 7, the stays 57L and 57R are disposed in between the sleeve 59 and the bonnet frame 47 and are connec-ted through ball joints 58 to the sleeve 59 and the bonnet frame 47. The stays 57L and 57R prevent the upper steering shaft 55 from collapsing either to the right or to the left. Further, coil springs 100L and 1008 are mounted to the stays 57h and 57R, respectively, to generate a force for returning the steering ~~674~~
shaft 55 to a neutral position A'.
The construction of the stays 57L and 57R is not limited to the one described above. A construction such as that shown in Figure 8 may be adopted. As illustrated in this figure, a sleeve 59 is rotatably and axially slidably fitted on the upper steering shaft 55, and one end of stays 57L and 57R is connected to the sleeve 59 through ball joints 58, while opposite ends of the stays 57L and 57R are connected with bolts 99 to the bonnet frame 47 for pivotal movement about such bolts. Also in this case, the upper steering shaft 55 is prevented from collapsing either to right or left.
As shown in Figure 5, a pair of right and left brackets 61 are suspended from the body 40, and a driving device 60 is pivotably supported by the brackets 61. In the driving device 60, two floating wheels 64 and 65 are mounted rotatab)_y to a wheel holding member 63 in front and rear positions, respective-ly. The wheel holding member 63 is supported by a link 62 for vertical movement. A driving wheel 66 is mounted to the brackets 61, and an endless crawler belt 67 is entrained about the floating wheels 64, 65 and the driving wheel 66. The driving wheel 66 is fixed to a rotary shaft (not shown) mounted bridgewise between the brackets 66, and a driven sprocket 45b is fixed to the rotary shaft. The chain 46 is stretched between the driven sprocket 45b and the driving sprocket 45a, and the driving wheel 66 is thereby driven by the power unit.
A torsion spring 68 is mounted to each of the ~~fi740~
brackets 61, and a front end of the wheel holding member 63 is urged downward by the torsion springs 68. A lower end portion of a shock absorber or cushion unit 70 is mounted to an upper portion of the wheel holding member 63 in a position between the floating wheels 64 and 65. An upper end of the shock absorber 70 is mounted to a lower portion of the body 40. As in the first embodiment, the mounted portion of the shock absorber 70 to the body 40 is positioned ahead of the line L1 through the steering handle 81 and the grounding point at the rearmost end of the crawler belt 67.
In this third embodiment, the load distribution between the ski 51 and the driving device 60 can be adjusted by shifting of the weight of the driver M standing up on the riding portion 40a of the body 40, and when the snowmobile travels on fresh snow, the ski 51 can be prevented from sinking into the snow by backward shift of the driver's weight.
In this third embodiment, the riding portion 40a is extended rearwardly beyond a rear end of the driving device 60 to form a foot portion 77 located behind the rear end of the driving device rear end. Therefore, when the driver puts his feet on the riding portion 77, an upwardly tilting moment for the front portion of the body 40 can be increased and it is easy to reduce the grounding load of the ski 51.
Figure 9 is a side view of a snowmobile as a travelling vehicle according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which the same elements as in the third embodiment are identified by the same reference numerals and explanation thereof will therefor be omitted.
In the fourth embodiment, a rear end of a body 40 is bent sharply upwards to form a stepped foot portion 77, so that the foot portion 77 can be used as a seat. A hole is formed in the foot portion 77 and a grip 97 is provided. Also, at a front end of the body 40 there is also provided a grip 98.
In a driving device 60, an arm member 96 is mounted bridgewise between a rotary shaft and a wheel holding member 63, the rotary shaft being mounted between brackets 61, and a shock absorber or cushion unit 70 is connected to the connection of arm member 96 to the wheel holding member 63, while a cushion spring 95 is disposed between the arm member 96 and a front floating wheel 64.
Further, a lower steering shaft 49 and an upper steering shaft 55 are connected together tiltably by means of a transversely extending connecting shaft 75 having rubber biasing members which Generates a force for returning the steering shaft 55 to a neutral position A'.
In this fourth embodiment, since the foot portion 77 is formed in a stepped fashion on the body 40, the driver can sit on the foot portion and thus a great degree of freedom can be obtained in the riding posture.
Although snowmobiles have been illustrated in a number of the embodiments, it will be apparent that the present invention is applicable also to vehicles having normal tires.
Claims (7)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A travelling vehicle comprising a vehicle body, a steering portion, including a steering handle and a grip portion in a front part of the vehicle body, a drive means pivotably supported at a rear part of the vehicle body for vertical movement, a shock absorbing unit interposed between the drive means and the vehicle body, and a power unit connected for power transmission with the drive means, said power unit being disposed forward of the pivoted portion of the driving means to the vehicle body, characterized in that the vehicle body is provided with a generally flat elongate riding portion extending rearwardly of a line L1 connecting the grip portion of the steering handle with a grounding point at the rearmost end of the drive means to a position rearwardly of said grounding point, and said shock absorbing unit is connected to the vehicle body in a position forward of the line L1, said riding portion being adapted to support a standing driver at different locations including a location rearwardly of said grounding point and a location at least as far forward as the position at which the shock absorbing unit connects to the vehicle body.
2. A travelling vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said drive means includes a driving wheel.
3. A travelling vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a rear end of said riding portion rearwardly of said grounding point slopes upwardly.
4. A travelling vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the rear end of said riding portion is upwardly stepped whereby a part of the riding portion rearwardly of said grounding point is parallel with and elevated above the remainder of the riding portion.
5. A travelling vehicle according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein said steering handle is tiltably supported for movement in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and there is provided a biasing means for urging the steering handle to a predetermined stand-up position.
6. A travelling vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said riding portion is adapted to support a standing driver at different locations including a location forwardly of the position at which the shock absorbing unit connects to the vehicle body.
7. A travelling vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in the form of a snowmobile, the steering handle being mounted through a steering shaft to a ski.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPHEI-3-128555 | 1991-04-30 | ||
| JP3128555A JP2801794B2 (en) | 1991-04-30 | 1991-04-30 | Traveling vehicle |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2067409A1 CA2067409A1 (en) | 1992-10-31 |
| CA2067409C true CA2067409C (en) | 2000-10-03 |
Family
ID=14987659
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2067409 Expired - Fee Related CA2067409C (en) | 1991-04-30 | 1992-04-28 | Travelling vehicle |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP2801794B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2067409C (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA2197612C (en) | 1996-02-16 | 2005-07-26 | Shizuo Kawano | Snowmobile |
| US6354389B1 (en) * | 2000-05-08 | 2002-03-12 | Air-Link Performance Llc | Suspension mechanism for a snowmobile |
| CA2541534A1 (en) | 2005-04-01 | 2006-10-01 | Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. | Snow vehicle |
| ES2251886B1 (en) * | 2005-06-21 | 2007-07-16 | Pablo Ferrer Almazan | MOTORIZED VEHICLE FOR SNOW. |
| CN110682973A (en) * | 2019-11-15 | 2020-01-14 | 苏州博众机器人有限公司 | Universal wheel device |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS5097134U (en) * | 1973-12-29 | 1975-08-13 | ||
| JPS6136098A (en) * | 1984-07-27 | 1986-02-20 | Yamaha Motor Co Ltd | Steering apparatus for water playing device |
| JPH0284678U (en) * | 1988-12-20 | 1990-07-02 | ||
| JPH02139194U (en) * | 1989-04-21 | 1990-11-20 |
-
1991
- 1991-04-30 JP JP3128555A patent/JP2801794B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1992
- 1992-04-28 CA CA 2067409 patent/CA2067409C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP2801794B2 (en) | 1998-09-21 |
| CA2067409A1 (en) | 1992-10-31 |
| JPH04331659A (en) | 1992-11-19 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US4502560A (en) | Small-sized snowmobile | |
| CA1194804A (en) | Saddle riding type motorcar having four wheels | |
| JP3819939B2 (en) | Bicycle suspension | |
| US7708106B1 (en) | Rear swing arm suspension for an ATV | |
| US6321864B1 (en) | Snow vehicle track suspension | |
| US6382338B1 (en) | Snow vehicle | |
| JPH0647387B2 (en) | Four-wheel drive vehicle | |
| JPS59120504A (en) | Four-wheel-drive motor vehicle | |
| EP1415905B1 (en) | Suspension unit and snowmobile comprising a suspension unit | |
| US4453616A (en) | Rear suspension system for a motor-tricycle | |
| US4984650A (en) | Motorcycle | |
| CA2067409C (en) | Travelling vehicle | |
| US4592441A (en) | Three-wheeled motor vehicle with pivotable frame | |
| US3213955A (en) | Powered sled | |
| CA3061397C (en) | Tracked vehicle | |
| EP0988214B1 (en) | A suspension arrangement for a wheeled conveyance | |
| US3877534A (en) | Snowmobile track suspension system | |
| US4055229A (en) | Frames for motorcycles | |
| US3885640A (en) | Slide assembly for snowmobiles | |
| US6039136A (en) | Floatation component for a suspension system for a snowmobile | |
| US7108270B2 (en) | All-weather sled | |
| CA3126289A1 (en) | Snow vehicle for stand-up use | |
| JP3585196B2 (en) | Crawler belt type vehicle suspension system | |
| JPS61160384A (en) | Car | |
| JP3137193B2 (en) | Tracked vehicle |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |