EP0659136A1

EP0659136A1 - An arrangement pertaining to engine-driven vehicles

Info

Publication number: EP0659136A1
Application number: EP93919789A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sten ASTRÖM
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-09-10
Filing date: 1993-09-07
Publication date: 1995-06-28
Also published as: AU4990893A; CA2144415A1; SE505011C2; NO950901D0; FI951118A0; NO950901L; WO1994005541A1; SE9202603L; SE9202603D0; FI951118A

Abstract

An arrangement pertaining to a vehicle (2), such as a scooter, which comprise an endless drive element, such as a drive band, which functions to move the vehicle over a running surface (3), such as snow-covered ground, wherein the drive element includes within a delimited section (2a) thereof a pattern (6) which will leave a vehicle identifying pattern in the track (4) formed by the drive element in or on the running surface (3). In relation to a first plane (A) allocated to a drive-element supportive surface (2b) a patterned support surface (5b) belonging to said delimited section extends beyond said first plane (A) through a determined distance in a direction towards a second plane (B) which extends tangentially to drive ridges or traction grooves (2e) on said drive element (2).

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION: An Arrangement Pertaining to

Engine-Driven Vehicles

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an arrangement for use with engine-driven vehicles, such as a scooter or the like, said arrangement comprising an engine-driven endless drive element, such as a drive band by means of which the vehicle is moved on a running surface, such as snow-covered ground, wherein the drive element includes a defined, patterned section which as the vehicle moves on said surface leaves an imprint in the running surface which is significant to and identifies the vehicle concerned.

BACKGROUND ART

It is earlier known to provide the drive bands of snow scooters with embossments which as the scooter moves leave an imprint at intervals of about 1.5 m in the track left behind the scooter in the running surface, this imprint or impression disclosing the registration number of the scooter.

One such arrangement is the subject of Swedish Design Application 91-2030 and has earlier been published in the magazine "Kuriren" , Monday, the 2nd March 1992, under the heading "Skall han fa slut pa busakningen?" (translation "Will This Succeed in Ending Rough Driv¬ ing?").

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

TECHNICAL PROBLEMS

When considering the present state of techniques as described above, it will be seen that a technical problem resides in providing conditions with the aid of simple means whereby a track left by a snow scooter or similar vehicle in the running surface will include a pattern which clearly identifies the vehicle con¬ cerned, such as its registration number, by providing within a delimited section of the drive element a mirror image of said pattern, and therewith ensure that when the scooter is driven normally on said surface, among other things on snow-covered ground, the identifying pattern will be clearly imprinted in the track irrespective, or essentially irrespective, of the nature of the snow.

Another technical problem is one of realizing the significance of adapting the position of a pattern- carrying plate so that the plate will not only leave a pronounced pattern in the track but will also provide a support surface and a ground-gripping surface which corresponds, or essentially corresponds, to the sup¬ port surface and the gripping surfaces that have been removed from the drive band to provide space for the plate.

It will also be seen that a technical problem resides in realizing the significance of spacing the aforesaid support surface belonging to said delimited section at a well-adapted distance outside a first plane of a drive-band support surface.

Another technical problem resides in realizing the significance of choosing said distance within prede¬ termined limits, so as to ensure that a clearly de¬ fined track will be left by the vehicle and that clear identification of the significant pattern will be obtained on different types of running surface.

Another technical problem resides in realizing the significance of positioning the upper surface of the pattern relative to a plane which is tangential to the traction ridges or traction grooves of the drive element. It will also be seen that a technical problem resides in dimensioning the height and the length of an iden¬ tification code in the vehicle-identifying pattern so that the pattern-carrying section of said drive ele¬ ment will provide the same or essentially the same traction force as the remainder of the traction band, and to provide said section with the same or essen¬ tially the same degree of elasticity and mechanical strength as the remainder of the traction band.

Another technical problem is one of realizing the significance of manufacturing the delimited section from an elastic material, such as rubber material, with a base plate whose one surface can be fastened to the (normally) outer carrier surface of the drive element, with the aid of bolts or by vulcanization, where the opposite surface of the plate carries in relief a significant pattern, such as a combination of alphabetical letters or numbers, in mirror image to the pattern formed in the running surface.

It will also be seen that a technical problem is one of realizing the significance of forming the combina¬ tion of alphabetical letters and/or numbers from a number of letters and/or numbers where each has a form and a length which will provide a readily identified imprint and a clear significant pattern in the running surface, and primarily to give the letters/numbers a form and size with which curving of the traction band around the band-guide rollers will automatically clean the letters and numbers from snow or other dirt forms.

It will also be seen that a technical problem resides in realizing the significance of giving each letter and/or number in the pattern a predetermined height above the base plate.

It will also be seen that a further technical problem is one of realizing the significance of providing the delimited section of a snow scooter drive band with a registered number which includes three rows and two columns as seen in the longitudinal direction of the track or the drive element and which can be correctly read in the direction of vehicle movement.

SOLUTION

The present invention provides a solution to one or more of the aforesaid technical problems with the aid of an arrangement included in an engine-driven vehi¬ cle, such as a scooter or snow scooter, which has been registered with the pertinent registration authority and which is driven by an endless drive element, such as a drive band, which functions to drive the vehicle over a running surface, such as snow-covered ground, wherein a delimited section of said drive element is provided with a vehicle identification pattern or stamp which leaves an imprint in the track left by the vehicle as it moves on said running surface.

It is proposed in accordance with the present inven¬ tion that in relation to a first plane allocated to a drive-element supportive surface, a pattern-carrying surface extends through a determined distance beyond the first plane in a direction towards a second plane which extends tangential to drive ridges or traction grooves on said drive element.

As proposed embodiments which lie within the scope of the present invention, it is proposed that said deter¬ mined distance is greater than 2 mm from said first plane, and preferably smaller than 25 mm.

A third plane allocated to upper surface parts of the pattern shall lie in or close to said second plane.

Alternatively, a third plane allocated to the upper surface parts of the pattern or stamp shall lie on one side of said second plane, distal from said first plane.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the delimited section is comprised of an elastic material, preferably a rubber pad, and includes a base plate whose one surface is fastened to or adjacent the drive element and the opposite surface of which carries in relief a pattern, such as combinations of alphabetical letters and/or numbers, significant to the vehicle concerned.

Each alphabetical letter and/or digit of the aforesaid alphabetical and/or numerical combinations forming said pattern will preferably have a length of between 4 and 15 cm and a width which corresponds to 50% of their 1engths.

The height of each letter and/or number in said pat- tern above the base plate will preferably be 3 to 15 mm, preferably 3 and 7 mm.

Finally, the delimited section is conveniently adapted to include a registration number comprised of three rows and two columns as seen in the longitudinal direction of the track, with the number read correctly in the direction of vehicle movement.

ADVANTAGES

Those advantages primarily associated with a device constructed in accordance with the invention mainly reside in the ability to imprint in or on the vehicle running surface, such as snow-covered ground, a vehi- cle identification pattern, such as a pattern of the vehicle registration number, in a selected section of the running surface, essentially irrespective of the nature of the running surface, thereby making it possible to subsequently identify a vehicle that has passed and the direction in which the vehicle was travelling.

The main characteristic features of an inventive device are set forth in the characterizing clause of the following Claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplifying embodiments thereof at present preferred and also with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an engine-driven vehicle in the form of a snow scooter which is provided in accordance with the invention with a vehicle identifying pattern which will leave a clearly defined imprint in a running surface, for instance snow-covered ground;

Figure 2 is a horizontal view of the vehicle identi¬ fication pattern and shows the pattern ap¬ plied to a section of an endless drive element, in the form of a drive band;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of a delimited drive- means section in which a first embodiment of the vehicle identification pattern is ap¬ plied; and Figure 4 is a sectional view of the delimited drive- means section in which a second embodiment of the vehicle identification pattern is applied.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS AT PRESENT PREFERRED

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an engine-driven vehicle 1 in the form of a snow scooter, having an endless drive element 2 in the form of a drive band, by means of which the vehicle 1 is driven by said motor (not shown) on a running surface 3, in the illustrated case snow-covered ground, in the direction of the arrow shown.

Imprinted in the track 4 formed by the drive element 2 in the running surface 3 is a vehicle identifying pattern 4a "GLG 407", this pattern being significant to the vehicle.

The pattern 4a is obtained with the aid of a delimited pattern section 2a of the drive element, as shown in Figure 2.

The drive element 2 includes ground-support surfaces (2b) which support against the running surface 3, and also with drive or traction surfaces, in the form of ridges or grooves (2b') which coact with the running surface 3 to move the vehicle therealong. (The ridges also serve as small supportive surfaces).

The delimited section 2a may be formed by removing parts or sections of adjacent ridges or grooves, so as to form a well-defined inner area which presents a flat surface 2d.

Mounted on the flat surface 2d is an elastic part 5, which is made of rubber or like material, comprising a base plate 5' whose one surface 5a (not shown in Figure 2) is fastened onto the drive element 2 and the opposite surface 5b of which carries in relief a vehicle-significant pattern 6, such as combinations of alphabetical letters and/or numbers which correspond to a vehicle registration number allocated by a perti¬ nent authority and which is in mirror image to the pattern 4a formed in the track and easily readable, said surface 5b being referred to as the pattern surface.

The pattern surface 5b can be considered to form a drive-element supportive surface while the letters 6a and the numbers 6b can be considered to form traction ridges or traction grooves in the elastic part 5.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of the invention, in which the endless drive element 2 is provided with mutually parallel drive ridges or trac¬ tion grooves 2b' , 2b" with inserted reinforcements 2c', 2c", said reinforcements having a construction which will ensure that they cannot be easily severed and fall onto the surface 2d.

The base plate 5 of the Figure 3 embodiment is provid- ed with a plurality of recesses 5c, each of which corresponds to the cross-section of a traction groove 2b". The surface 5a of the base plate 5 can be vulca¬ nized to an opposing surface 2d of the drive element or band 2.

Alternatively, the base plate 5 may be secured to the drive band 2 by means of nuts and bolts.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of a second embodiment of the invention, in which drive ridges or traction grooves have been cut-out and removed from within a central section of the endless drive element 2, there¬ by enabling the entire flat surface 5a of the base plate 5 to be fastened, preferably vulcanized, to the totally flat surface of the drive band 2 within said section, here referenced 2d.

The base plate 5 is provided with an inner reinforce- ment 5d which assists in imparting the necessary strength to the drive-band section 2a, from which the drive ridges or traction grooves were previously removed.

According to the invention, in relation to a plane "A" allocated to drive-means supportive surface 2b or 2d, a patterned surface 5b on said delimited section extends beyond said first plane "A" through a deter¬ mined distance in a direction towards a second plane "B" which extends tangentially to the surface parts 2e of the drive ridges or traction grooves 2b' and 2b" of the drive element or drive band 2.

The distance between the plane "A" and the patterned surface 5b is greater than 2 mm from the first plane "A" (Figure 4) and less than 25 mm (Figure 3).

A third plane "C" allocated to the upper surface 6a' of the pattern is placed in or close to the second plane "B".

The upper surface 6a' of the pattern and its allocated third plane "C" in Figure 3 may also be placed on that side of the second plane "B" which lies distal from the first plane "A" through a much greater distance than that illustrated in Figure 4.

Each of the letters and/or numbers in the alphabetical and/or numerical combinations forming said pattern have a length "L" between 4 and 15 cm, preferably from 4, 12 or 15 cm in the case of snow scooter drive bands which are constructed to move the vehicle over snow- covered ground. The width of said letter 6a and/or said number 6b may be between 30 and 70% of its length, preferably 50%.

In the illustrated pattern, each letter 6a and/or each number 6b has a height "H" of 3 to 15 mm above the outer surface 5b of the base plate 5, preferably a height of between 3 and 7 mm.

As shown in Figure 2, the delimited section is adapted to carry a vehicle registration number in three rows and two columns, as seen in the longitudinal direction of the track or the drive band.

It will be seen from Figure 1 that the pattern 4a formed in the track 4 is readable in the direction in which the vehicle moves.

The edges of the letters 6a and/or the numbers 6b of the combination are bevelled at an angle of 45° and with a bevelled edge of 2-10 mm, normally 2-6 mm.

It will be understood that the invention is not re¬ stricted to the aforedescribed and illustrated embodi¬ ments thereof and that modifications can be made within the scope of the following Claims.

Claims

1. An arrangement pertaining to vehicles, such as scooters, which comprise an endless drive element, such as a drive band, which functions to move the vehicle over a running surface, such as snow-covered ground, wherein the drive element includes within a delimited section thereof a pattern which will leave a vehicle identifying pattern in the track formed by the drive element in or on the running surface, c h a r ¬ a c t e r i z e d in that in relation to a first plane (A) allocated to a drive-element supportive sur¬ face (2b) a patterned support surface (5b) belonging to said delimited section extends beyond said first plane (A) through a determined distance in a direction towards a second plane (B) which extends tangentially to drive ridges or traction grooves (2e) on said drive element (2) .

2. An arrangement according to Claim 1, c h a r ¬ a c t e r i z e d in that said distance is more than 2 mm from said first plane (A) and less than 25 mm.

3. An arrangement according to Claim 1, c h a r - a c t e r i z e d in that a third plane (C) belonging to the upper surface (6a') of the pattern is intended to extend in or close to the second plane (B).

4. An arrangement according to Claim 1, c h a r - a c t e r i z e d in that a third plane (C) belonging to the upper surface (6a') of the pattern is intended to extend on one side of the second plane (B) distal from said first plane (A) .

5. An arrangement according to Claim 1, c h a r ¬ a c t e r i z e d in that the delimited section is comprised of elastic material and includes a base plate whose one surface (5a) is secured to the drive element (2) and whose opposite surface carries in relief a vehicle significant pattern, such as a combi¬ nation of alphabetical letters (6a) and/or numbers (6b).

6. An arrangement according to Claim 5, c h a r ¬ a c t e r i z e d in that each letter and/or each number in the alphabetical and/or numerical combina¬ tion forming said pattern has a length of between 4 and 15 cm.

7. An arrangement according to Claim 5, c h a r ¬ a c t e r i z e d in that each letter and/or each number of the pattern has a height (H) above the base plate of 3 to 15 mm, preferably between 3 and 7 mm.

8. An arrangement according to Claim 1, c h a r ¬ a c t e r i z e d in that the delimited section is adapted to carry a registration number in three rows and two columns, as seen in the longitudinal direction of the track.