Abstract: A steering system for a vehicle is provided. The steering system has a handlebar assembly and a steering column assembly connected to the handlebar assembly. The handlebar assembly includes a first conical surface and a first angular position limiter. The steering column assembly includes a second conical surface mated with the first conical surface, and a second angular position limiter configured to engage the first angular position limiter to limit an angular position of the handlebar assembly relative to the steering column assembly about a steering axis of the steering system. A compression element engages the handlebar assembly and the steering column assembly to compress the first and second conical surfaces against one another in order to fix the handlebar assembly to the steering column assembly. A plurality of linkages is configured to operatively connect the steering column assembly to at least one ground-engaging member of the vehicle.

Abstract: A protective cover for a vehicle, the protective cover including a forward portion for covering at least a portion of at least one front cowl of the vehicle when installed thereon; a rearward portion for covering at least a portion of a seat of the vehicle when installed thereon; and an intermediate portion extending between the forward portion and the rearward portion for covering at least a handlebar of the vehicle when installed thereon, the intermediate portion defining an aperture for selectively accessing the handlebar when the protective cover is installed on the vehicle, the aperture being sized, shaped, and located to allow the intermediate portion to be pushed down around the handlebar such that the handlebar extends through and above the protective cover, the vehicle being capable of being operated with the protective cover being installed thereon.

Abstract: A muffler has a housing enclosing a plurality of chambers. A first flow path extends from an inlet to an outlet passing through a bypass chamber. A flow tube has a plurality of perforations being open to a chamber other than the bypass chamber. A second in flow path passes from the inlet to the outlet without passing through the bypass chamber and passing through the perforations. Exhaust gas is introduced into the muffler via the inlet and discharged therefrom via the outlet. A first portion of the exhaust gas flows from the inlet to the outlet along the first flow path. A second portion of the exhaust gas flows from the inlet to the outlet along the second flow path, the first and second portions mixing at least in the outlet chamber. A semi-closed tube has an open end being open to one of the chambers and a closed end.

Abstract: An electric system is disclosed. The electric system comprises first and second battery subassemblies, an interrupter, and a system controller. The interrupter connects the first battery subassembly in series to the second battery subassembly via a switched current-limiting path in parallel with a switched non-current-limiting path. The first battery subassembly causes closing of the switched current-limiting path when an energizing trigger is applied to the electric system. The system controller causes closing of the switched non-current-limiting path when energized by the first and second battery subassemblies. The electric system may be integrated in an electric vehicle. A method for energizing an electric system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A helmet has a helmet shell. The helmet shell defines an inner space and a passage. The passage has an open end. The passage fluidly communicates with the inner space via the open end. The helmet further comprises an electrical heating device. The electrical heating device is disposed within the helmet shell for heating the passage.

Abstract: A method for controlling a motor of a vehicle and the vehicle are presented. The vehicle includes the motor, a control unit, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) comprising a primary pulley, a secondary pulley, and a belt looped around the primary and secondary pulleys, the belt transmitting torque between the primary and secondary pulleys and at least one ground engaging member operatively connected to the secondary pulley. The method is performed at least in part by the control unit. The method comprises determining a CVT ratio of the CVT; determining a current power output of the motor; determining a power boundary based in part on the CVT ratio; determining, when the current power output of the motor is greater than the power boundary, a torque setting based at least in part on the CVT ratio; and controlling the motor to operate under conditions corresponding to the torque setting.

Abstract: A method and a system for starting an internal combustion engine (ICE) having a crankshaft and an electric turning machine (ETM) operatively connected to the crankshaft are disclosed. An absolute angular position of the crankshaft related to a top dead center position of a piston in a combustion chamber of the ICE is determined. Electric power is delivered to the ETM at a first level to rotate the crankshaft. Electric power is then delivered to the ETM at a second level greater than the first level when the piston reaches a predetermined position before the TDC position. Fuel is injected in the combustion chamber after the piston has passed beyond the TDC position. The fuel is then ignited. In an implementation, the ICE is started in less than 110 degrees of rotation of the crankshaft.

Abstract: A window frame assembly for a vehicle has a cage frame segment connectable to a roll cage, a door frame segment connectable to a door having a hinged end and an opening end such that its first end is disposed proximate the opening end and its second end is disposed proximate the hinged end, and a linking frame segment having a first end pivotable about a pivot axis for pivoting the linking and door frame segments relative to the cage frame segment and a second end movably connected to the door frame segment such that the linking frame segment moves relative to the door frame segment as the linking and door frame segments pivot about the pivot axis, the cage, door and linking frame segments together forming a frame. Door assemblies for vehicles, window frame kits for vehicles, and vehicles provided with same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle has a driver module and a propulsion module selectively connected to the driver module. The modules are separable from each other as independent units. The driver module has a driver module frame, at least one front wheel operatively connected to the driver module frame, at least one front suspension assembly operatively connecting the at least one front wheel to the driver module frame, and a seat connected to the frame. The propulsion module has a propulsion module frame, at least one rear wheel operatively connected to the propulsion module frame, at least one rear suspension assembly operatively connecting the at least one rear wheel to the propulsion module frame, a motor operatively connected to the at least one rear wheel, and an energy storage device operatively connected to the motor.

Abstract: A limited slip differential (LSD) transfers a torque from an engine to left and right wheels of a vehicle. A current angle of a steering device is determined. Rotational speeds of 5 the left and right driven wheels are also determined. A current wheel slip of is calculated as a difference between the rotational speeds of the left and right wheels. Maximum and minimum allowed wheel slips are calculated as a function of the current steering angle. The LSD is controlled so that the current wheel slip stays in a range between the maximum and minimum allowed wheel slips. To this end, the LSD is loaded if the wheel slip falls outside of the range 0 between the maximum and minimum allowed wheel slips.

Abstract: A clip assembly and a windshield for selectively connecting a windshield to a vehicle. The windshield defines at least one windshield aperture and the clip assembly includes a windshield member including a windshield member head larger than a corresponding portion of the at least one windshield aperture, and a windshield member body being sized and shaped for passing through the at least one windshield aperture; a vehicle member including a projection for extending through the frame aperture when the windshield is connected and defining a pivot axis about which the vehicle member pivots with respect to the at least one frame member when transitioning between a latched position and an unlatched position; and a connecting member selectively connected between the windshield member and the vehicle member, the connecting member, the windshield member and the vehicle member forming an overcenter latch.

Abstract: A track assembly is to be mounted on a drive axle of a vehicle. The track assembly has a frame, at least one leading idler wheel mounted to the front of the frame for rotation about a transverse leading idler wheel axis, at least one trailing idler wheel mounted to the rear of the frame for rotation about a traverse trailing idler wheel axis parallel to the leading idler wheel axis, a single drive wheel assembly, and at least two slide rails. The slide rails have corresponding forward-facing portions, central portions, and rearward-facing portions. The forward-facing portions project from the front ends of the central portions by a projection that is greater than a length of the central portions. A vehicle having the track assembly is also described.

Abstract: An anchor assembly for insertion in a panel aperture in a receiving panel has a flange. The flange has an engagement surface locatable on a first side of the receiving panel. A plurality of resilient arms project from the engagement surface and are insertable in the panel aperture. At least two of the plurality of resilient arms define a channel therebetween for receiving a threaded fastener. The channel is sized to limit inward deflection of the at least two of the plurality of resilient arms when the threaded fastener extends within the channel. A threaded surface is located in the flange and forms at least in part an anchor aperture for alignment with the panel aperture. The channel is aligned with the anchor aperture. The threaded surface is located between the plurality of resilient arms and is adapted for threadingly engaging the threaded fastener.

Abstract: A hull for a personal watercraft includes a compression-molded hull body. A main portion of the hull body includes a thermoplastic material embedded with non-directional chopped glass fibers. The main portion extends along an entirety of the length and of the width of the hull body. Port and starboard portions of the hull body include the thermoplastic material embedded with directional glass fibers. The directional glass fibers include longitudinally-oriented glass fibers. A majority of the longitudinally-oriented glass fibers have a length at least ten times greater than a mean length of the chopped glass fibers. The port and starboard portions extend vertically from proximate an upper edge of the hull towards a keel, and longitudinally along at least 50% of the length of the hull body.

Abstract: A jet propulsion system for a watercraft includes a duct defining an inlet, a venturi unit, an impeller housing disposed between the inlet and the venturi unit, and an impeller disposed within the impeller housing. The impeller is rotatable in a forward direction and a reverse direction. The venturi unit includes a venturi conduit and at least one door connected thereto. The venturi conduit has a peripheral wall defining at least one aperture. The at least one door is movable between a closed position when the impeller rotates in the forward direction, and an open position when the impeller rotates in the reverse direction. In the closed position, the at least one door closes the at least one aperture. In the open position, the at least one door opens the at least one aperture such that water flows into the venturi conduit via the at least one aperture.

Abstract: A method and system for assembling a vehicle of a family of vehicles includes providing a group of engines. A first engine including a first number of cylinders corresponds to a first vehicle. A second engine including a second number of cylinders corresponds to a second vehicle. The second number is greater than the first number which is at least one. A cylinder plane extends vertically and longitudinally. At least one cylinder is disposed at least partly forward of a front wheel plane. The transmission assembly is rearward of the selected engine and one of the transmission assembly and the selected engine is in a same location whether the selected engine is the first or the second. The seat is at least in part longitudinally rearward of the transmission assembly. The selected engine is laterally disposed between the centers of the footrests.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises at least one cylinder, at least one cylinder head connected to at least one cylinder, at least one piston disposed in the at least one cylinder, a crankshaft operatively connected to the at least one piston, a crankcase housing at least a portion of the crankshaft, a motor-generator operatively connected to the crankshaft, a recoil starter operatively connected to the crankshaft, and a drive pulley of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) operatively connected to the crankshaft, the motor-generator. The recoil starter, the crankshaft and the drive pulley are coaxial. The motor-generator operates in motor mode to rotate the crankshaft and in generator mode to generate electricity.