Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) includes a frame and a pair of front and rear wheels suspended from the frame. A straddle-type seat has a main portion and a secondary portion to accommodate a driver and a passenger. The wheelbase of the ATV is increased in length (compared to conventional ATVs) so as to increase stability and comfort for the driver, and/or to accommodate a passenger behind the driver. The passenger and secondary seat portion are disposed in front of the rear wheel axis and moved closer to the center of the wheelbase. Moreover, the combined center or gravity of the ATV, rider, and passenger is moved closer to the center of the wheelbase to improve stability, comfort and/or safety. The driver and passenger each have sufficient space to actively position themselves without significantly interfering with each other.

Abstract: A snowmobile is provided that includes a frame, an engine, an endless belt drive system, and an air intake system for the engine. The frame has a forward portion and an aft portion. The engine is mounted to the forward portion and the belt drive system is mounted to the aft portion and is operatively connected to the engine. The engine is a turbocharged four-stroke type engine.

Abstract: A watercraft for towing a performer equipped with a water sport implement having a support surface on a deck thereof adapted to support a water sport implement and a performer of the water sport for the performer to put on the water sport implement. A first abutment is secured to the watercraft and protrudes with respect to the support surface of the watercraft, such that a water sport implement laid on the support surface is abutted against the first abutment when a performer is putting on the water sport implement.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump includes a drive section and a pump section. The drive section has a reciprocating coil assembly to which alternating polarity control signals are applied during operation. A permanent magnet structure of the drive section creates a magnetic flux field which interacts with an electromagnetic field produced during application of the control signals to the coil. Depending upon the polarity of the control signals applied to the coil, the coil is driven in one of two directions of movement. A drive member transfers movement of the coil to a pump element which reciprocates with the coil to draw fluid into a pump chamber and expel the fluid during each pump cycle. The pump is particularly well suited to cyclic pumping applications, such as fuel injection systems for internal combustion engines.

Abstract: A cover for protecting and covering at least an upper portion of a snowmobile, includes an upper weatherproof portion and a fastening strap for securing the upper weatherproof portion to the snowmobile. A lower lip of the upper weatherproof portion circumscribes an elongated lower opening and defines therein a passage which extends at least partially around the lower lip. Strap openings which communicate with the passage are disposed on each of opposed lateral sides of the lower lip. The fastening strap is disposed within the passage and has free ends which project out from the strap openings. Each of the free ends has a length which permits it to be crossed under the snowmobile and fastened to the lower lip on a lateral side thereof opposite from that of the strap opening from which the free end projects. Fastening members removably attach the free ends to the lower lip.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for conditioning an internal combustion engine for storage is disclosed. The engine includes an ECU that is programmed to initiate an auto-fogging procedure. The auto-fogging procedure automatically introduces increased amounts of lubricating oil into the engine thereby coating the cylinders and some of the internal components of the engine with a protective film of oil for storage.

Abstract: A throttle linkage for use with an internal combustion engine is disclosed which connects a throttle actuator to a throttle assembly. The throttle linkage is nonadjustable and interacts with a plurality of throttle stops integrally formed with an engine block. Such an arrangement prevents tampering in advanced two-stroke engines and ensures emission output at a level well below that allowed.

Abstract: An all terrain vehicle has a frame and front and rear wheels suspended from the frame. The vehicle includes a body structure attached to the frame having at least one ventilation opening. An engine is mounted on the frame to provide a mode of power to at least one of the front and rear wheels. An air box is connected to the frame and supplies intake air to the engine. The air box includes an intake tube connected to and receiving intake air from the at least one ventilation opening. A filter is disposed within the intake tube.

Abstract: A three-wheel vehicle has two forward steered wheels and one rear powered wheel operatively connected to an engine disposed on a frame assembly. A straddle-type seat is disposed between the forward and rear wheels. A rear swing arm is pivotally connected at a first end to the frame at a pivot point and rotatably supports the rear wheel at a second end. A concentric sprocket assembly having first and second sprockets is attached to the swing arm at the pivot point. A transmission member operatively connects an output shaft of the engine and the first sprocket and a second endless flexible transmission member is operatively connnected between the rear wheel and the second sprocket. An eccentric endless flexible transmission member tension adjustment mechanism is attached to the swing arm to move the concentric assembly sprocket relative to a longitudinal axis of the swing arm.

Abstract: A combustion chamber and method of distributing fuel in a combustion chamber is disclosed. The combustion chamber includes a first section that is generally centrally positioned in the combustion chamber. A second section is offset from the first section and maintains a uniform distance between a fuel spray and a perimeter of the second section. Such a combustion chamber improves combustion by maintaining a generally uniform fuel spray spacing to the combustion chamber walls.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting a towline from a watercraft, comprising a support structure of inverted U-shaped configuration comprising a pair of side supports. An overhead structure extends at upper ends of the side supports. The overhead structure includes fore and aft substructures. The support structure is adapted to be releasably mounted to a watercraft. A towline connector is provided on the aft substructure of the overhead structure for receiving a fore end of a towline. A protective cover is attached to the fore and aft substructures of the overhead structure.

Abstract: A suspension for a vehicle includes an upper A-arm and a lower A-arm. A leg with an axis is rotatably connected to both the upper A-arm and the lower A-arm. A mechanical link is rotatably connected to the leg so that movement of the mechanical link applies rotational force to the leg to cause the leg to rotate about the axis.

Abstract: A shift enabling interrupt system that facilitates the shifting of gears of an outboard engine is disclosed. The system is activated by the signal from a sensor that determines if the user is attempting to shift the gears by detecting a lost motion in a shift linkage manually activated by the user to shift the gear train of the engine. Upon such activation, the system ECU carries out a set of steps that periodically reduce the speed of the engine by disabling one or more cylinders to facilitate the gear shift. After a predetermined number of revolutions, the disabled cylinders are again enabled to return the engine speed back to normal operation. A timer establishes a maximum elapsed time to complete the shifting operation and the gear shifting itself is only permitted if the RPM of the engine is less that a predetermined value.

Abstract: An arrangement of a four cycle engine is disclosed for use in a vehicle providing a relatively low center of gravity for improved handling and maneuverability. The engine components are located on opposing sides of the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and behind the axis of the crankshaft to move the center of gravity to the middle of the vehicle.

Abstract: An adjustable steering column comprises a steering column shaft, a handlebar, and an adjustable clamp assembly securing the handlebar to the steering column shaft. The adjustable clamp assembly comprises a handlebar clamp to secure the handlebar to the adjustable clamp assembly. An extension is secured to the handlebar clamp and extends away from the handlebar clamp. The extension has first and second opposing sides. A first clamp surface is attached to the steering column. The first clamp surface is disposed on the first side of the extension. A second clamp surface is disposed on a second side of the vertical extension. The second clamp surface is moveable with respect to the first clamp surface from a first position where the extension is immovable to a second position where the extension is moveable.

Abstract: A helmet is particularly well suited for cold-weather use. The helmet includes a jaw shield that is detachable from a head portion. A breathing mask connects to the jaw shield via a mask adjustment mechanism that selectively axially moves the breathing mask toward and away from an inner surface of the jaw shield to precisely and accurately position the breathing mask against the nose and mouth of the helmet's wearer. A spring-loaded quick-release tinted shield is controlled by a lever that selectively raises and lowers the tinted shield. An eye shield pivotally connects to the helmet and is disposed in front of the tinted shield. An eye shield heating system on the eye shield electrically connects to the head portion of the helmet to provide electric power to the heating system.