US3643978A - Ski flange - Google Patents

Ski flange Download PDF

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Publication number
US3643978A
US3643978A US883428A US3643978DA US3643978A US 3643978 A US3643978 A US 3643978A US 883428 A US883428 A US 883428A US 3643978D A US3643978D A US 3643978DA US 3643978 A US3643978 A US 3643978A
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Prior art keywords
ski
flange
runner
snowmobile
keel
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Expired - Lifetime
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US883428A
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Russell C Westberg
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B13/00—Sledges with runners
    • B62B13/02—Sledges with runners characterised by arrangement of runners
    • B62B13/06—Sledges with runners characterised by arrangement of runners arranged in two or more parallel lines
    • B62B13/08—Sledges with runners characterised by arrangement of runners arranged in two or more parallel lines with steering devices

Definitions

  • One or more flanges are attached [58] Field Of Search ..l80/3, 4, 5, 6, 280/28, 21 to each of the Steering skis of a snowmobile to prevent the Ski and snowmobile from sliding sideways in snow or on icy sur- [56] References Cited faces. The flange engages the snow or icy surfaces and UNITED STATES PATENTS prevents lateral movement of the ski when the snowmobile is making a turn. 1,053,876 2/1913 Riley ..280/28 UX 1,054,673 3/1913 Charles ..280/28 UX 1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures l9 l3 l8 ⁇ /H I ll PATENTED E Z I97? 3, 643.978
  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for stabilizing a ski and more particularly to a flange attached to the side of a ski to prevent it from sliding sideways.
  • Snowmobiles use skis as a steering mechanism. These skis function with reasonable satisfaction except when the snowmobile is turned at relatively high speeds. When this turning occurs, the skis tend to slip sideways and consequently, the driver, however skillful, looses control of his machine at these times. This loss of control is particularly noticeable when the machine is driven on icy surfaces such as in races on the frozen surfaces of lakes.
  • FIG. 1 is a isometric view of a ski flange in accordance with the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a front view of the flange illustrated in FIG. 1,
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a snowmobile ski with a flange shown in FIG. 1 attached to the edge thereof and an optional second edge of the ski,
  • FIG. 4 is a front view of a snowmobile ski and flange
  • FIG. 5 is an alternate embodiment of a ski flange shown in FIG. 1 which illustrates a spring used to form a flexible mount for the flange.
  • FIG. 1 of the drawings shows a ski flange 11.
  • the flange 11 has a runner 12 which forms. a 90 angle with the flange side 13.
  • the flange 11 is mounted on the edge 17 of a ski 13.
  • the flange side 13 is mounted flush against the top surface 19.
  • the runner 12 extends perpendicular to the bottom surface of the ski 18.
  • Keel 21 is a replaceable keel which extends substantially the entire length of the ski 18 from the curved front end 22 to the flat rear end of the ski 18.
  • the keel 21 is parallel to the edges 17 and 24 of the ski 18. It was found while testing the flange 11 that the runner 12 must not extend to the bottom of the keel 21 or below the keel 21, as viewed in FIG. 3 of the drawings, or the flange 11 does not work properly.
  • the runner 12 preferably extends more than half the distance from the bottom surface 20 of the ski to the bottom ofthe keel 21.
  • the flange 11 is mounted on the snowmobile ski l8, illustrated in FIG. 4, at the pivot point 25 of the ski 18.
  • the typical snowmobile 26 is mounted on the ski 18 with an intermediate leaf spring 27.
  • the typical snowmobile ski tips downward at the front end 22 when the skis are off the surface of the snow.
  • the flange is mounted to the ski 18 by at least two bolts 28 which extend through the ski 18 and through holes 29 of the flange 11.
  • the flange 11 provides a means for preventing the ski 18 from slipping sideways in the snow or ice as the snowmobile is making a turn using the ski 18 as the steering mechanism.
  • FIG. 3 of the drawing An alternate embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawing in which two flanges 11 are illustrated mounted on the parallel edges 17 and 24 of the ski 18,
  • the flanges 11 are mounted directly across the ski from each other and thus enhance the stability of the ski.
  • one edge of the ski tends to tip and loose contact with the snow. If this edge happens to be the edge carrying the flange 11, then some of the effectiveness of the flan e is lost. This condition can be remedied by using a flange 1 on each edge of the ski 18.
  • FIG. 5 of the drawings shows a flexible mounted for the flange 11.
  • a bolt 30 is sufficiently long to extend beyond the flange side 13 so that a coil spring 31 can be mounted over the bolt 30 between the flange side 14 and nut 32.
  • the nut 32 compresses coil spring 31 when the nut is put on the bolt 30.
  • the coil spring 31 thus forces the flange side 13 against the top surface 19 of ski 18.
  • the runner 12 strikes a very hard object such as a stone, the flange 11 will move upward, as viewed in FIG. 5, against the coil spring 31 thus preventing damage to the flange 11 or to the ski 18.
  • An apparatus which includes a snow ski; said ski having a curved front end, parallel edges, :1 top surface and a bottom surface; a keel forming a part of said ski and extending substantially the entire length of the ski; said keel located midway between the edges of the ski and extending below the bottom surface of said ski; a flange mounted on a first edge of said ski midway between said front end and back end; said flange having a runner extending perpendicular to the bottom surface of said ski and extending below the bottom surface; said runner terminating between the bottom surface of said ski and the bottom of said keel at least tow bolts; said flange having a flange side which is perpendicular to said runner; said flange side is attached to said ski by said bolts; a nut for each of said bolts; and a spring mounted over each of said bolts; each of said springs being entrapped between said flange side and said nuts; said springs compressed by said nuts to force

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)

Abstract

A flange for snowmobile ski. One or more flanges are attached to each of the steering skis of a snowmobile to prevent the ski and snowmobile from sliding sideways in snow or on icy surfaces. The flange engages the snow or icy surfaces and prevents lateral movement of the ski when the snowmobile is making a turn.

Description

United States Patent Westberg 51 Feb. 22, 1972 [54] SKI FLANGE FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS [72] Inventor: Russell C. Westberg, 10342 Pleasant Ave. 396,225 1/1909 France ..280/21 8-, B m g n, Mich- 55420 430,477 2/1967 Switzerland 180/5 [22] Filed: Dec. 9, 1969 Przmary Exammer-R|chard J. Johnson [21] Appl- 833,428 Attorney-Harold D. Jastram 52 us. CI .l ..2s0/2s [571 ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl ..B62b 17/00 A flan f ge or snowmo l e Skl. One or more flanges are attached [58] Field Of Search ..l80/3, 4, 5, 6, 280/28, 21 to each of the Steering skis of a snowmobile to prevent the Ski and snowmobile from sliding sideways in snow or on icy sur- [56] References Cited faces. The flange engages the snow or icy surfaces and UNITED STATES PATENTS prevents lateral movement of the ski when the snowmobile is making a turn. 1,053,876 2/1913 Riley ..280/28 UX 1,054,673 3/1913 Charles ..280/28 UX 1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures l9 l3 l8\ /H I ll PATENTED E Z I97? 3, 643.978
l7 l3/-2 24 I2 20 F l G 3 FIG-5 INVENTOR.
RUSSELL C. WE STBERG BY W /WAfi SKI FLANGE The present invention relates to an apparatus for stabilizing a ski and more particularly to a flange attached to the side of a ski to prevent it from sliding sideways.
Snowmobiles use skis as a steering mechanism. These skis function with reasonable satisfaction except when the snowmobile is turned at relatively high speeds. When this turning occurs, the skis tend to slip sideways and consequently, the driver, however skillful, looses control of his machine at these times. This loss of control is particularly noticeable when the machine is driven on icy surfaces such as in races on the frozen surfaces of lakes.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved apparatus for stabilizing a ski.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a flange for a ski to prevent the ski from slipping sideways when the ski is in a turn.
The invention can be more clearly understood by reference to the specification and the drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a isometric view of a ski flange in accordance with the invention,
FIG. 2 is a front view of the flange illustrated in FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a snowmobile ski with a flange shown in FIG. 1 attached to the edge thereof and an optional second edge of the ski,
FIG. 4 is a front view ofa snowmobile ski and flange, and
FIG. 5 is an alternate embodiment of a ski flange shown in FIG. 1 which illustrates a spring used to form a flexible mount for the flange.
Refer first to FIG. 1 of the drawings which shows a ski flange 11. The flange 11 has a runner 12 which forms. a 90 angle with the flange side 13.
The runner 12 has a rounded leading edge 14 to permit the runner 12 to easily penetrate icy surfaces or compacted snow. The trailing end 16 of the runner 12 forms a converging line with the flange side 13 and the taper thus formed tends to permit the runner 12 to clean itself as it moves through snow and ice.
The flange 11 is mounted on the edge 17 of a ski 13. The flange side 13 is mounted flush against the top surface 19. The runner 12 extends perpendicular to the bottom surface of the ski 18.
The runner 12 extends below the bottom surface 20 of the ski 18 but terminates between the bottom surface 20 and keel 21 of the ski l8. Keel 21 is a replaceable keel which extends substantially the entire length of the ski 18 from the curved front end 22 to the flat rear end of the ski 18. The keel 21 is parallel to the edges 17 and 24 of the ski 18. It was found while testing the flange 11 that the runner 12 must not extend to the bottom of the keel 21 or below the keel 21, as viewed in FIG. 3 of the drawings, or the flange 11 does not work properly. FUrther, the runner 12 preferably extends more than half the distance from the bottom surface 20 of the ski to the bottom ofthe keel 21.
The flange 11 is mounted on the snowmobile ski l8, illustrated in FIG. 4, at the pivot point 25 of the ski 18. The typical snowmobile 26 is mounted on the ski 18 with an intermediate leaf spring 27. Thus mounted, the typical snowmobile ski tips downward at the front end 22 when the skis are off the surface of the snow.
The flange is mounted to the ski 18 by at least two bolts 28 which extend through the ski 18 and through holes 29 of the flange 11. Thus mounted, the flange 11 provides a means for preventing the ski 18 from slipping sideways in the snow or ice as the snowmobile is making a turn using the ski 18 as the steering mechanism.
An alternate embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawing in which two flanges 11 are illustrated mounted on the parallel edges 17 and 24 of the ski 18, The flanges 11 are mounted directly across the ski from each other and thus enhance the stability of the ski. As a snowmobile turns, one edge of the ski tends to tip and loose contact with the snow. If this edge happens to be the edge carrying the flange 11, then some of the effectiveness of the flan e is lost. This condition can be remedied by using a flange 1 on each edge of the ski 18.
A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings which shows a flexible mounted for the flange 11. A bolt 30 is sufficiently long to extend beyond the flange side 13 so that a coil spring 31 can be mounted over the bolt 30 between the flange side 14 and nut 32. The nut 32 compresses coil spring 31 when the nut is put on the bolt 30. The coil spring 31 thus forces the flange side 13 against the top surface 19 of ski 18. When the runner 12 strikes a very hard object such as a stone, the flange 11 will move upward, as viewed in FIG. 5, against the coil spring 31 thus preventing damage to the flange 11 or to the ski 18.
The above specific embodiments and examples are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting thereof since many variations thereof may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus which includes a snow ski; said ski having a curved front end, parallel edges, :1 top surface and a bottom surface; a keel forming a part of said ski and extending substantially the entire length of the ski; said keel located midway between the edges of the ski and extending below the bottom surface of said ski; a flange mounted on a first edge of said ski midway between said front end and back end; said flange having a runner extending perpendicular to the bottom surface of said ski and extending below the bottom surface; said runner terminating between the bottom surface of said ski and the bottom of said keel at least tow bolts; said flange having a flange side which is perpendicular to said runner; said flange side is attached to said ski by said bolts; a nut for each of said bolts; and a spring mounted over each of said bolts; each of said springs being entrapped between said flange side and said nuts; said springs compressed by said nuts to force said flange side against the top surface of said ski.

Claims (1)

1. An apparatus which includes a snow ski; said ski having a curved front end, parallel edges, a top surface and a bottom surface; a keel forming a part of said ski and extending substantially the entire length of the ski; said keel located midway between the edges of the ski and extending below the bottom surface of said ski; a flange mounted on a first edge of said ski midway between said front end and back end; said flange having a runner extending perpendicular to the bottom surface of said ski and extending below the bottom surface; said runner terminating between the bottom surface of said ski and the bottom of said keel at least tow bolts; said flange having a flange side which is perpendicular to said runner; said flange side is attached to said ski by said bolts; a nut for each of said bolts; and a spring mounted over each of said bolts; each of said springs being entrapped between said flange side and said nuts; said springs compressed by said nuts to force said flange side against the top surface of said ski.
US883428A 1969-12-09 1969-12-09 Ski flange Expired - Lifetime US3643978A (en)

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US88342869A 1969-12-09 1969-12-09

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Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3718341A (en) * 1971-09-17 1973-02-27 R Westberg Snowmobile anti-skid device
US3785448A (en) * 1972-01-26 1974-01-15 Valmet Oy Device in connection with the steering ski of a vehicle for improving its control
US3799565A (en) * 1972-05-23 1974-03-26 W Burtis Recreation vehicle
US3871675A (en) * 1973-01-05 1975-03-18 Arctic Ets Snowmobile ski
US4161323A (en) * 1977-10-03 1979-07-17 Wetteland Maxwell T Snow ski board apparatus
US5700020A (en) * 1993-08-12 1997-12-23 Noble; James K. Snowmobile steering ski
US6086101A (en) * 1998-01-16 2000-07-11 Cormican; Dale Dewayne Adjustable flex ski apparatus
US6264215B1 (en) * 1999-02-17 2001-07-24 Caleb Carlson Snowboard instructional attachment
US6331008B2 (en) 1998-08-07 2001-12-18 Cormican Dale Dewayne One piece molded ski apparatus
US6626444B2 (en) 1993-08-12 2003-09-30 Polaris Industries Inc. Snowmobile steering ski
US20030189302A1 (en) * 2002-04-04 2003-10-09 Kalevi Makitalo Adjustable ski for a snowmobile
US20040046338A1 (en) * 2001-03-26 2004-03-11 Ouellette Michael J. Convertible ski-supported vehicle
US20040160026A1 (en) * 2003-02-18 2004-08-19 Lund Jerome Edward Dual ski skag
USRE39012E1 (en) 1993-08-12 2006-03-14 Polaris Industries Inc. Snowmobile steering ski
US20060208459A1 (en) * 2005-03-16 2006-09-21 Harris Gerald W Jr Ski with improved edging characteristics
US20080303228A1 (en) * 2007-03-12 2008-12-11 Wrightman Robert A Snowmobile ski assembly
US8690182B2 (en) 2007-03-12 2014-04-08 Robert A. Wrightman Strut for snowmobile
US8794642B2 (en) * 2005-01-03 2014-08-05 Robert Musselman Stamped dual snowmobile runner and method of manufacture

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR396225A (en) * 1908-11-13 1909-04-05 Nikolaus Leszl Single track sled system
US1053876A (en) * 1911-09-30 1913-02-18 Daniel E Riley Sled.
US1054673A (en) * 1911-03-29 1913-03-04 Sewall L Charles Sleigh attachment for automobiles.
CH430477A (en) * 1965-11-19 1967-02-15 Berthod Remy Motor vehicle mounted on skis

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR396225A (en) * 1908-11-13 1909-04-05 Nikolaus Leszl Single track sled system
US1054673A (en) * 1911-03-29 1913-03-04 Sewall L Charles Sleigh attachment for automobiles.
US1053876A (en) * 1911-09-30 1913-02-18 Daniel E Riley Sled.
CH430477A (en) * 1965-11-19 1967-02-15 Berthod Remy Motor vehicle mounted on skis

Cited By (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3718341A (en) * 1971-09-17 1973-02-27 R Westberg Snowmobile anti-skid device
US3785448A (en) * 1972-01-26 1974-01-15 Valmet Oy Device in connection with the steering ski of a vehicle for improving its control
US3799565A (en) * 1972-05-23 1974-03-26 W Burtis Recreation vehicle
US3871675A (en) * 1973-01-05 1975-03-18 Arctic Ets Snowmobile ski
US4161323A (en) * 1977-10-03 1979-07-17 Wetteland Maxwell T Snow ski board apparatus
US6626444B2 (en) 1993-08-12 2003-09-30 Polaris Industries Inc. Snowmobile steering ski
USRE39012E1 (en) 1993-08-12 2006-03-14 Polaris Industries Inc. Snowmobile steering ski
US5700020A (en) * 1993-08-12 1997-12-23 Noble; James K. Snowmobile steering ski
US6086101A (en) * 1998-01-16 2000-07-11 Cormican; Dale Dewayne Adjustable flex ski apparatus
US6331008B2 (en) 1998-08-07 2001-12-18 Cormican Dale Dewayne One piece molded ski apparatus
US6264215B1 (en) * 1999-02-17 2001-07-24 Caleb Carlson Snowboard instructional attachment
US20040046338A1 (en) * 2001-03-26 2004-03-11 Ouellette Michael J. Convertible ski-supported vehicle
US6983943B2 (en) * 2001-03-26 2006-01-10 Ouellette Michael J Convertible ski-supported vehicle
US20030189302A1 (en) * 2002-04-04 2003-10-09 Kalevi Makitalo Adjustable ski for a snowmobile
US7195254B2 (en) * 2002-04-04 2007-03-27 Brp Finland Oy Adjustable ski for a snowmobile
US20040160026A1 (en) * 2003-02-18 2004-08-19 Lund Jerome Edward Dual ski skag
US6974139B2 (en) 2003-02-18 2005-12-13 Arctic Cat Inc. Dual ski skag
US8794642B2 (en) * 2005-01-03 2014-08-05 Robert Musselman Stamped dual snowmobile runner and method of manufacture
US20060208459A1 (en) * 2005-03-16 2006-09-21 Harris Gerald W Jr Ski with improved edging characteristics
US7445227B2 (en) * 2005-03-16 2008-11-04 Harris Jr Gerald W Ski with improved edging characteristics
US20090058046A1 (en) * 2005-03-16 2009-03-05 Harris Jr Gerald W Ski with improved edging characteristics
US7866684B2 (en) * 2005-03-16 2011-01-11 Harris Jr Gerald W Ski with improved edging characteristics
US20080303228A1 (en) * 2007-03-12 2008-12-11 Wrightman Robert A Snowmobile ski assembly
US8376389B2 (en) 2007-03-12 2013-02-19 Robert A. Wrightman Snowmobile ski assembly
US8690182B2 (en) 2007-03-12 2014-04-08 Robert A. Wrightman Strut for snowmobile
US9365232B2 (en) 2007-03-12 2016-06-14 Robert A. Wrightman Snowmobile and suspension assembly therefor

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