Abstract: An engine mount system for connecting an engine to a chassis, includes a mounting plate and first, second and third engine mounts. The first engine mount secures a first engine side to a first side of the chassis. The second and third engine mounts secure the mounting plate to the chassis. The mounting plate is also secured to a second side of the engine and is configured to mount a drive shaft of the engine and a driven shaft of a vehicle transmission system.

Abstract: A power distribution module for a personal recreational vehicle includes a housing and a cover. The housing defines an interior and includes a wall having an array of receptacle openings. The receptacle openings are adapted to receive and secure electrical components inside the housing. A distribution harness includes a plurality of electrical conductors and is coupled to the housing wherein the electrical conductors are in electrical communication with the electrical components inside the housing. The power distribution module can optionally include a decal to assist quick and accurate placement of the electrical components during the manufacturing process. A method for producing a personal recreational vehicle having a standardized housing over a range of models. The housing includes a component arrangement guide for locating and installing electrical components.

Abstract: Disclosed is a snowmobile including a reduction drive system including planetary gears. In an alternate embodiment, a reversing unit is provided. In a further alternate embodiment, an offset is provided in the drive system.

Abstract: A sectional receiver rack includes a main framework piece that is attached to a mounting surface of the personal recreational vehicle. The main framework may be flat and may be fashioned generally in the image of a cargo rack. The main framework may have mounting flanges for facilitating its connection to the recreational vehicle. The main framework has couplers along one or more portions of its periphery. The couplers enable the main framework to be joined to one or more auxilliary frame pieces that contain coupling members that mate with the couplers of the main framework. The auxilliary frame pieces may be removed, thereby exposing the couplers to which they were attached. The exposed couplers may be used for joining cargo unit to the main framework. Accordingly, the cargo units may be secured to the main framework by joining their attached coupling members to the couplers attached to the main framework.

Abstract: A belt-driven clutch system having a driven clutch with a particular arrangement of cam followers and cam slots. One embodiment of the invention is a clutch having a fixed sheave, a movable sheave and a housing mounted to the movable sheave. The housing has a cam slot with first and second cam surfaces. The clutch also includes a pair of cam followers that is secured to the fixed sheave for acting upon the cam surfaces of the cam slot. A first cam follower of the pair of cam followers acts upon a first cam surface of the cam slot and a second cam follower of the pair of cam followers acts upon the second cam surface of the cam slot to reduce backlash. The invention also provides adjustment of spring tension and belt width of the clutch without requiring removal or disassembly of the clutch.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transmission for a recreation vehicle, such as an all-terrain vehicle that includes a locking assembly for locking a differential joint in the front- or rear-end portion of the transmission. A vehicle having both front and rear differentials may include separate locking assemblies for each differential to lock and unlock the differentials for various combinations of power allocation to wheels of the vehicle. A differential joint according to the invention may include a ring gear and spider gears that drive a universal joint coupled to wheels of the vehicle. A coupler of the locking assembly includes an inner surface configured to engage outer surfaces of the ring gear and the universal joint, and an outer surface configured to be engaged by an actuator. The actuator adjusts the coupler between a locked position wherein the ring gear and the universal joint are locked together, and an unlocked position wherein the universal joint is free to rotate relative to each other.

Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle, having at least first and second shock absorbers. The first shock absorber has a first main piston, and the second shock absorber has a second main piston. The shock absorbers are motively linked such that when the first main piston retracts, the second main piston is also caused to retract. The first and second shock absorbers may be hydraulic shock absorbers, wherein the first shock absorber defines a first hydraulic chamber therein, and the second shock absorber defines a second hydraulic chamber therein, the first and second hydraulic chambers being connected with a hydraulic line, so that causing the first main piston to retract reduces the size of the first hydraulic chamber, which increases the size of the second hydraulic chamber, which then causes the second main piston to retract. The suspension system may include an adjustor for convenient adjusting of the suspension system.

Abstract: A skag for a ski, such as a vehicle ski. The skag includes a carrier platform to be attached to the bottom surface of a ski. First and second longitudinal rails are disposed on the lower surface of the carrier platform. The longitudinal rails are spaced apart laterally from one another. First and second longitudinal keels are disposed on the first and second rails, respectively. At least a portion of the first rail may extend beyond the first lateral edge of the carrier platform, and at least a portion of the second rail may extend beyond the second lateral edge of the carrier platform. The back ends of the rails may be shaped so as to be flush against the carrier platform, or to have some other shape that at least partially fills in the grooves left by the keels. The skag may be made to have a unitary structure, as by welding the components thereof together to form a single piece.

Abstract: An air intake system for a vehicle, having a hood that defines at least one intake aperture therethrough. The hood may be configured such that the intake apertures have substantially zero exposed area in the upper surface of the hood, such that debris cannot fall from directly above the hood into the intake apertures. A screen is engaged with the hood. The screen may define at least one screen aperture therethrough. A screen mount may be disposed within the screen aperture, and is engaged with the lower surface of the hood and with the screen. The air flow path may be shaped such that air must rise near the intake apertures and fall near the outflow aperture. The air intake system may include an air plenum adapted to supply air to an engine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle headlight assembly having a lamp housing that is pivotally mounted to the vehicle body. One embodiment of the invention includes a lamp housing that is pivotally mounted to the vehicle body and includes a threaded aperture for receiving a threaded adjustment mechanism that is inserted through an aperture in the vehicle body and into the housing aperture. Rotation of the adjustment mechanism adjusts a position of the lamp housing relative to the vehicle body. Typically, a head portion of the adjustment mechanism is positioned on an exterior of the vehicle and is accessible by an operator of the vehicle from a normal operating position of the vehicle for adjusting the position of the housing relative to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A position-sensitive shock absorbing device with a single cast body construction is provided. The device has a tubular member, a moveable piston within the tubular member, a first hydraulic fluid chamber defined by an interior volume of the tubular member, a bypass member attached to an outside area of the tubular member. The bypass member surrounds a portion of the tubular member and a second hydraulic fluid chamber is defined by a volume between the tubular member and the bypass member. A first and a second opening in a side of the tubular member are arranged such that the openings are fluidly connected with each other and with both the first and second hydraulic fluid chamber.

Abstract: A method for improving engine performance, by increasing fuel efficiency and/or power output, and/or by decreasing the output of pollutants. When the temperature of the engine's exhaust system is lower than a target temperature, the ignition position of the cylinders of the engine is changed such that fuel and air propagate from the cylinders into the exhaust system while undergoing combustion. The heat from the combustion of the fuel and air in the exhaust system increases the temperature of the exhaust system. The ignition position may be retarded from the normal operating ignition position by up to 40 degrees or more, or to 10 to 20 degrees after top dead center. The ignition position may be changed manually or automatically. The exhaust temperature may be sensed and displayed. An engine control system for improving engine performance includes an ignition changing mechanism to change the ignition position of the cylinders, and an activating mechanism for activating the ignition changing mechanism.

Abstract: An auto-enrichener for an engine, including an enriching conduit for carrying fuel and air to an engine, and a valve disposed in the conduit. The valve is adjustable between at least an open configuration and a closed configuration. In the open configuration passage of fuel and air through the conduit is enabled, and in the closed configuration passage of fuel and air through the conduit is not enabled. The auto-enrichener also includes a thermal expansion element in communication with the valve. The thermal expansion element expands with increasing temperature and contracts with decreasing temperature to activate the valve. The auto-enrichener also includes a heater that hears the thermal expansion element when the engine is operated.

Abstract: A snowmobile including a chassis, a body secured to the chassis, a ski suspension, an engine, an exhaust pipe, a resonator, and an outlet pipe. The body includes a belly pan. The ski suspension is mounted to the chassis. The belly pan forms a suspension well around at least a portion of the ski suspension. The engine is mounted to the chassis and includes an exhaust exit port. The exhaust pipe is mounted to the exhaust exit port. The resonator is secured to the chassis and in fluid communication with the exhaust pipe. The outlet pipe is secured to a forward side of the resonator and extends through the rearward side of the suspension well, rearward of the suspension. The terminal end of the outlet pipe is directed downwardly and includes a deflector shield thereabout. A heat shield is also secured to the belly pan below the terminal end of the outlet pipe.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a snowmobile with an improved center of gravity. The snowmobile utilizes an oil pan with a bottom portion and a set of side portions that cooperate with the bottom portion to form a sump in which oil collects. The bottom portion may be grooved to permit a steering shaft to pass through the groove, thereby extending from one side of the oil pan to the other side. Optionally the bottom portion is formed to be congruous with a surface of a mechanism, such as a steering shaft, positioned at least partially beneath the oil pan. Furthermore, the oil pan may have a reduced depth.

Abstract: A track for a tracked vehicle, consisting of a track substrate. Terrain lugs are distributed about the circumference the track substrate on its outer surface. Drive profiles, each consisting of at least one drive lug arranged across the width of the track substrate, are distributed about the circumference of the track substrate on its inner surface. The drive profiles may consist of at least two drive lugs spaced apart across the width of the track substrate. Projections are distributed on the inner surface of the track substrate, arranged so as to engage a wheel in a track system that includes the track. The projections are disposed circumferentially between two drive profiles, and may also be disposed laterally between two drive lugs. The projections have a height such that the noise generated when the track moves in a track system is less than the noise generated when a track without such projections moves in a track system. A noise reduction of at least 6 to 8 dB is achievable.

Abstract: A movable fender for a vehicle. The fender body is movable between at least first and second positions relative to the vehicle, and is removable so as to be readily installed, removed, and replaced. The fender body may be engaged with the vehicle via a mounting assembly. The fender body may be disposed at the first and second positions with either of a unique first and second mounting assemblies, with either of a first and a second mounting assembly having some common components, with a fully common mounting assembly, or with both first and second mounting assemblies simultaneously arranged on the fender bodies. The mounting assembly may include a bracket disposed between the vehicle and the fender body, and may include connectors for connecting the fender body in place. The mounting assembly may engage a first mounting location on the vehicle to dispose the fender body at the first position, and a second mounting location on the vehicle to dispose the fender body at the second position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a snowmobile including reduction drive including a planetary gear system having a shaft with a sun gear, a plurality of planetary gears spaced around the sun gear and engaging a ring gear. A second shaft is driven by said planetary gears or ring gear.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an integrally formed skid plate and bumper for a motorized vehicle. The integrally formed skid plate and bumper member is particularly useful for a snowmobile. One embodiment of the invention includes a bumper and a skid plate that are integrally formed as a single member and capable of being secured to a vehicle frame. The skid plate may include hollow rib members that extend longitudinally along a downward facing side of the skid plate. The skid plate also may include a roll-up feature at a rear portion of the skid plate that curves upward to mate with a lower portion of the vehicle frame. As applied to snowmobiles, the integrally formed skid plate and bumper may define a nose cone between the bumper and the skid plate.

Abstract: An auto-enrichener for an engine, including an enriching conduit for carrying fuel and air to an engine, and a valve disposed in the conduit. The valve is adjustable between at least an open configuration and a closed configuration. In the open configuration passage of fuel and air through the conduit is enabled, and in the closed configuration passage of fuel and air through the conduit is not enabled. The auto-enrichener also includes a thermal expansion element in communication with the valve. The thermal expansion element expands with increasing temperature and contracts with decreasing temperature to activate the valve. The auto-enrichener also includes a heater that heats the thermal expansion element when the engine is operated.