Patents Assigned to Arctic Cat, Inc.
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Patent number: 10239571Abstract: A vehicle configuration wherein the center of mass of the vehicle is approximately superimposed upon the passenger and driver centers of mass when seated within the vehicle. An occupant's center of mass can be approximated using a standard center of mass position approximation, or a combination of any number of standard center of mass position approximations. The vehicle's center of mass can be approximately superimposed upon the occupant's center of mass in at least the longitudinal and vertical directions.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2018Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: ARCTIC CAT INC.Inventors: Craig R. Kennedy, Ryan J. Hughes, Adam Eric Kuiken
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Publication number: 20180326843Abstract: An off-highway recreational includes a frame, a prime mover, a transmission, an intermediate shaft and a main shaft. The transmission is mechanically coupled to receive power from the prime mover and to provide mechanical power at a transaxle output shaft. The intermediate drive shaft is mechanically coupled to the transaxle output shaft, wherein the intermediate drive shaft has a first diameter. The main drive shaft is mechanically coupled to the intermediate drive shaft, wherein the main drive shaft has a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2018Publication date: November 15, 2018Applicant: Arctic Cat Inc.Inventors: Devin Joseph Danielson, Joel Merlyn Braun, Steven Allen Mathison, Gary Orlen Homme, Brent Orlin Magner, Jacob Tyler Crosby, Kevin David Thompson, Douglas Robert Grangroth, Ricky Allen Warne
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Patent number: 10124667Abstract: Systems, vehicles, and assemblies that include a prime mover, a transmission, and a coupler. The coupler couples the prime mover and the transmission. A preferred embodiment includes a system for forming a rigid body that includes a rotational prime mover and a transmission assembly. The transmission assembly transmits at least a portion of the rotational energy from the prime mover to a driven member at a frequency. The system includes a first and a second bridging member. Coupling the first bridging member to the second bridging member forms a symmetric bridge or coupler. The symmetric bridge is symmetric about a first plane of symmetry. Furthermore, coupling a first portion of the bridge to the rotational prime mover and coupling a second portion of the bridge to the transmission assembly forms the rigid body. The rigid body further includes the bridge.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2017Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Arctic Cat, Inc.Inventor: Brian G. Eck
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Patent number: 10119450Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles that control the temperature of a device included in the vehicle are presented herein. The temperature of the device is controlled by ventilating the device with drivetrain air, such as transmission cooling air. In some embodiments, the device is at a greater temperature than the drivetrain air, which cools the device. In other embodiments, the device is at a lesser temperature than the drivetrain air, which heats the device. The drivetrain air is provided to the device through an exhaust duct coupled to the vehicle's transmission. The drivetrain exhaust air is preferably circulated by the transmission. The transmission may be a continuously variable transmission. The device may be an oxygen sensor that is coupled to an engine exhaust pipe. The oxygen sensor is thermally coupled to the engine exhaust and the engine exhaust pipe, which are at greater temperatures than the transmission exhaust air.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2018Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: Arctic Cat, Inc.Inventors: Wayne L. Minnichsoffer, Jeremy B. Parsons
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Publication number: 20180186430Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a snowmobile including a chassis, a tunnel, an engine, a drive track and a drivetrain. The tunnel is attached to the chassis and includes running boards located on either side of the tunnel. The engine is attached to the chassis and within an engine bay. The drivetrain is operatively connected to the engine to deliver propulsive power to the drive track, wherein the running boards extend forward alongside at least a portion of the engine bay.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2017Publication date: July 5, 2018Applicant: Arctic Cat Inc.Inventor: David L. Vigen
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Publication number: 20180154985Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a snowmobile including an engine mounted on the chassis, a drive track in contact with the chassis, and a drive train, operatively interconnecting the engine with the drive track for delivering propulsive power to the drive track. The drive train includes a driveshaft, comprising a tubular driveshaft including two or more interior channels, the channels positioned in a substantially longitudinal orientation, two or more sprocket driving features on an exterior surface of the tubular driveshaft, and one or more fitting components, positioned at one or more distal ends of the driveshaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2017Publication date: June 7, 2018Applicant: Arctic Cat Inc.Inventors: Kevin David THOMPSON, Gary O. HOMME, Devin Joseph DANIELSON, Andrew Jon ELLSWORTH
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Publication number: 20180134343Abstract: A system and method for deploying scratchers for a tracked vehicle, such as a snowmobile, are described. The scratchers can be deployed in response to the engine temperature of the tracked vehicle exceeding a predetermined threshold. Alternatively, the scratchers can be deployed via actuation of a switch by an operator.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2017Publication date: May 17, 2018Applicant: Arctic Cat Inc.Inventor: Morgan L. Bernier
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Patent number: 9919657Abstract: A retaining device for securing one or more accessory racks to a base rack on a vehicle is provided herein. The device comprises a housing member that extends through the one or more accessory racks and into the base rack, a head, secured to the housing member that engages one or other of the racks, a detent that engages the other of the racks, and an engagement mechanism that extends the detent and pulls it toward the head. The device may further comprise a lock that secures the detent in a clamping position. The lock may comprise a ratchet and pawl arrangement defined by first and second levered tabs disposed on the head, the first tab being operably connected to the engagement mechanism. An ATV comprising one or more accessory racks secured to a base rack by a retaining device as described herein is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2015Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Arctic Cat, Inc.Inventors: Timothy Benedict, Jeffrey Lane
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Publication number: 20180065465Abstract: Embodiments relate to an off-road vehicle comprising a frame, including at least one cargo box support member, a suspension movably coupled to the frame, a passenger compartment, an engine, a transmission operatively coupled to the engine, and a cargo box. The cargo box includes a floor and a plurality of upwardly extending sidewalls, wherein at least a portion of the cargo box floor extends over the at least one cargo box support member and wherein the cargo box is removably coupled to the at least one cargo box support members and is removable from the off-road vehicle via the removal of fewer than eight fasteners.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2017Publication date: March 8, 2018Applicant: Arctic Cat Inc.Inventors: Nicholas Keegan Ward, Chadwick Allen Williams, Luke Adam Baker, Ross Leonard Nygren, Aaron Lee Swanson, Cody Tove Kallock, Kyle Douglas Olason, Lucas Grant Purcell, Reid Dale Anderson, Casey Leland Root, Michael Jeffrey Lupelow, Thomas Robert Brausen, Stephen Tyler Deck, Shane Dean Kruse, Robby Gordon
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Patent number: 9909483Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles that control the temperature of a device included in the vehicle are presented herein. The temperature of the device is controlled by ventilating the device with drivetrain air, such as transmission cooling air. In some embodiments, the device is at a greater temperature than the drivetrain air, which cools the device. In other embodiments, the device is at a lesser temperature than the drivetrain air, which heats the device. The drivetrain air is provided to the device through an exhaust duct coupled to the vehicle's transmission. The drivetrain exhaust air is preferably circulated by the transmission. The transmission may be a continuously variable transmission. The device may be an oxygen sensor that is coupled to an engine exhaust pipe. The oxygen sensor is thermally coupled to the engine exhaust and the engine exhaust pipe, which are at greater temperatures than the transmission exhaust air.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2017Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Arctic Cat, Inc.Inventors: Wayne L. Minnichsoffer, Jeremy B. Parsons
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Publication number: 20170305500Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention describe a recreational vehicle spindle, including a spindle body having one or more sockets in the spindle body, and an upper attachment mechanism in contact with the spindle body and adapted to attach to a steering component. The spindle also includes a lower attachment mechanism in contact with the spindle body and adapted to attach to a ski or wheel. The one or more sockets are adapted to each receive a ball and stud forming one or more ball joints.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2017Publication date: October 26, 2017Applicant: Arctic Cat Inc.Inventors: David L. Vigen, Guy L. Sibilleau
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Patent number: 9771112Abstract: A recreational off-highway vehicle includes side-by-side passenger and driver seats held within a chassis that is approximately 50 inches wide. The seats sit low in the chassis and are covered by a roll cage. Grab handles are positioned on the sides of the passenger seat. Select large round tubing protects the vehicle, while rectangular tubing frames the portions of the vehicle beneath body panels. The vehicle is powered by an engine rearward of the seats that is connected to a transaxle. The engine and transaxle are isolation mounted together with a portion of the air intake assembly. The vehicle is suited for rough terrain travel.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2016Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.Inventors: Jared Spindler, Mark Esala, Derek Sorenson, Peter Schoenecker, Brian Eck, Andrew Hulstein, Scott Mazour, John Seal, Craig Kennedy
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Patent number: 9771130Abstract: A skid frame for a snowmobile is disclosed including a generally planar skid surface extending between front and rear idler wheels. The front and rear idler wheel are offset from one another and define a longitudinal direction. A track encircles the skid frame having the skid surface positioned over a center of the track such that a major longitudinally extending portion of the track that is coextensive with the skid surface has first and second unsupported lateral portions on either side of the skid surface. The first and second unsupported lateral portions extend in the horizontal direction at least 25 percent of a width of the track. A suspension arm member may mount the skid rail and include mount portions for mounting to a tunnel and spanning a distance at least twice the width of the longitudinal beam.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2016Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.Inventor: Andrew Beavis
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Publication number: 20170259877Abstract: A snow vehicle having a combined brake and clutch handle is herein disclosed. Further, the snow vehicle can include a controller for managing operation of the snow vehicle, including shifting and engine management regiments, which can be selected by the operator depending upon operator preferences. Additionally, the snow vehicle can include an engine cooling heat exchanger for cooling liquid which is circulated through the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Applicant: Arctic Cat Inc.Inventors: Kevin David Thompson, Ricky Allen Warne, Andrew Jon Ellsworth, Cord M. Christensen, Andrew Beavis
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Publication number: 20170138247Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles that control the temperature of a device included in the vehicle are presented herein. The temperature of the device is controlled by ventilating the device with drivetrain air, such as transmission cooling air. In some embodiments, the device is at a greater temperature than the drivetrain air, which cools the device. In other embodiments, the device is at a lesser temperature than the drivetrain air, which heats the device. The drivetrain air is provided to the device through an exhaust duct coupled to the vehicle's transmission. The drivetrain exhaust air is preferably circulated by the transmission. The transmission may be a continuously variable transmission. The device may be an oxygen sensor that is coupled to an engine exhaust pipe. The oxygen sensor is thermally coupled to the engine exhaust and the engine exhaust pipe, which are at greater temperatures than the transmission exhaust air.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2017Publication date: May 18, 2017Applicant: Arctic Cat, Inc.Inventors: Wayne L. Minnichsoffer, Jeremy B. Parsons
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Publication number: 20170136865Abstract: A drive package includes a remote located CVT and a motor where the CVT is positioned rearward (or forward) of the motor. An auxiliary drive mechanism couples a drive shaft of the CVT to a crankshaft of the motor. The auxiliary drive mechanism is a belt or chain. The drive shaft is substantially parallel to, and longitudinally offset from, the crankshaft. Thus, the width of the drive package is reduced as compared to ATVs having a CVT located adjacent the motor. A method of making an ATV with the drive package is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2017Publication date: May 18, 2017Applicant: Arctic Cat, Inc.Inventor: Michael J. Tiry
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Patent number: 9592725Abstract: A drive package includes a remote located CVT and a motor where the CVT is positioned rearward (or forward) of the motor. An auxiliary drive mechanism couples a drive shaft of the CVT to a crankshaft of the motor. The auxiliary drive mechanism is a belt or chain. The drive shaft is substantially parallel to, and longitudinally offset from, the crankshaft. Thus, the width of the drive package is reduced as compared to ATVs having a CVT located adjacent the motor. A method of making an ATV with the drive package is provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2014Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Arctic Cat, Inc.Inventor: Michael J. Tiry
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Patent number: 9587548Abstract: Methods, systems, and vehicles that control the temperature of a device included in the vehicle are presented herein. The temperature of the device is controlled by ventilating the device with drivetrain air, such as transmission cooling air. In some embodiments, the device is at a greater temperature than the drivetrain air, which cools the device. In other embodiments, the device is at a lesser temperature than the drivetrain air, which heats the device. The drivetrain air is provided to the device through an exhaust duct coupled to the vehicle's transmission. The drivetrain exhaust air is preferably circulated by the transmission. The transmission may be a continuously variable transmission. The device may be an oxygen sensor that is coupled to an engine exhaust pipe. The oxygen sensor is thermally coupled to the engine exhaust and the engine exhaust pipe, which are at greater temperatures than the transmission exhaust air.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Arctic Cat, Inc.Inventors: Wayne L. Minnichsoffer, Jeremy B. Parsons
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Patent number: 9579973Abstract: Systems, vehicles, and assemblies that include an prime mover, a transmission, and a coupler. The coupler couples the prime mover and the transmission. A preferred embodiment includes a system for forming a rigid body that includes a rotational prime mover and a transmission assembly. The transmission assembly transmits at least a portion of the rotational energy from the prime mover to a driven member at a frequency. The system includes a first and a second bridging member. Coupling the first bridging member to the second bridging member forms a symmetric bridge or coupler. The symmetric bridge is symmetric about a first plane of symmetry. Furthermore, coupling a first portion of the bridge to the rotational prime mover and coupling a second portion of the bridge to the transmission assembly forms the rigid body. The rigid body further includes the bridge.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.Inventor: Brian G. Eck
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Patent number: 9366331Abstract: A cover for a transmission having improved airflow path is disclosed. The interior of the cover has a progressively narrowing airflow path to reduce pressure drop through the cover, thereby improving the cooling efficiency of the airflow through the cover. The cover includes a diverter sheltering the air inlet to the cover to prevent air in the cover from exerting outward pressure on the incoming air.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2013Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.Inventor: Ryan Eberhardt