Abstract: A ski for a snowmobile is provided with a pair of lateral wings and a central channel for increasing the flow of snow under a gliding surface at the bottom of the ski. The increased flow of snow enhances flotation of the ski. The channel may be formed by two downwardly extending keels. The wings are defined between the keels and outer edges of the ski. The keels may be asymmetric with a shorter keel being positioned toward an outer edge of the snowmobile to improve handling characteristics of a snowmobile.

Abstract: A ski for a snowmobile is provided with a pair of lateral wings and a central channel for increasing the flow of snow under a gliding surface at the bottom of the ski. The increased flow of snow enhances flotation of the ski. The channel may be formed by two downwardly extending keels. The wings are defined between the keels and outer edges of the ski. The keels may be asymmetric with a shorter keel being positioned toward an outer edge of the snowmobile to improve handling characteristics of a snowmobile.

Abstract: A ski for a snowmobile or other snow machine is provided with a pair of lateral wings and a central channel for increasing the flow of snow under a gliding surface at the bottom of the ski. The increased flow of snow enhances flotation of the ski. The channel may be formed by two downwardly extending keels. The wings are defined between the keels and outer edges of the ski.

Abstract: A wear bar assembly is disclosed for aiding in the steering of a snow machine. The assembly may include a wear bar for attachment to a bottom of a snow machine ski and one or more hardened inserts, each insert extending outward from the bottom of the wear bar. The one or more inserts extend outward from the bottom of the wear bar with a varying height. An apparatus for use as a snow machine ski is also disclosed. The apparatus may include a base, a tip formed integrally with the base and extending longitudinally forwardly from the base, a tail formed integrally with the base and extending longitudinally rearwardly from the base, at least one keel disposed to extend downwardly from the base, and the wear bar assembly with progressively varying inserts extending downwardly from the keel.

Abstract: A ski for a snowmobile or other snow machine is provided with a central channel for increasing the flow of snow under a gliding surface at the bottom of the ski. The increased flow of snow enhances flotation of the ski. The channel may be formed by two keels, one disposed to either side of a gliding surface of the ski. A series of longitudinal grooves may also be formed within the contoured gliding surface, alternately interspersed with lands. The grooves and lands increase a shear force exerted against the snow over which the ski travels, when the orientation of the ski is altered out of the line of travel. The increased shear force causes the snowmobile to consistently follow the course of the ski, improving tracking and handling of the ski.

Abstract: A snowmobile ski having a front portion the bottom of which is slightly concave. On each side of the middle portion of the snowmobile ski there is a downwardly extending longitudinal side portion. At the front of each downwardly extending longitudinal side portion are located a forward-facing horizontal wedge and a forward-facing vertical wedge. At the rear of each downwardly extending longitudinal side portion are placed a rear-facing horizontal wedge and a rear-facing vertical wedge. A flexible loop is attached to, and mounted flush with, the bottom of the front portion of the snowmobile ski. The flexible loop curves in front of, and above, the front portion of the snowmobile ski, before being slidably attached to the top of the front portion of the snowmobile ski. The middle portion of the snowmobile ski is thicker than either the front portion or the rear portion of the snowmobile ski.

Abstract: A snowmobile ski flexing apparatus comprises a flexible snowmobile ski with a curved front portion and a flexible elongate loop attached at a first end to the front portion of the ski and bending upward and rearward and then down upon the ski to abut it at a second end at approximately its midpoint. A retainer comprising a chain is secured at one end to the ski at its front portion, while its other end is slidably engaged to the loop, allowing the latter to move lengthwise relative to the ski. A tubular sleeve with rectangular cross-section circumscribes the loop near the second end thereof and allows sliding movement of the loop when the ski is flexed, allowing flexing of a large portion of the ski and acting as a shock absorber.

Abstract: A cleat is disclosed for mounting on the outer surface of an endless belt used as a track for a snowmobile. The cleat comprises a relatively narrow, elongate, essentially planar fin whose elongate length is no greater than about ten centimeters and whose width is no greater than about 4 centimeters. A relatively narrow, elongate, essentially planar flange extends along an elongate side edge of the fin. The flange has an elongate length which is substantially the same as the length of the fin and a width which is no greater than about 4 centimeters. An opening through the flange is used for attaching the flange to the outer surface of an endless belt used as a track for a snowmobile. A plurality of sharp projections extend from the broad side of the flange which faces away from the planar fin. The projections are adapted to engage the outer surface of the endless belt when the cleat is attached to the endless belt.

Abstract: A track used to drive a snowmobile over a terrain comprises an endless drive belt having an outer surface which engages the terrain. A plurality of longitudinally spaced cleats are securely mounted on the outer surface of said drive belt, each of said cleats comprising a relatively narrow, elongate, essentially planar fin which extends transversely across at least a portion of the endless belt. The planar fin slants rearward of the direction of travel of the track as the track is driven in its normal operation of propelling the snowmobile forward over the terrain, such that the planar fin makes an acute, included angle with the surface of the track of between about 30 and 75 degrees. The track and the fins of the cleats cooperate to provide forward traction for the snowmobile while simultaneously providing lift to the track and the snowmobile to avoid the tendency of the snowmobile to dig into the terrain and bog down in the terrain.