Patents Assigned to Great Lakes Sound & Vibration, Inc.
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Patent number: 10005506Abstract: A suspension assembly is provided for use with a vehicle having a chassis enclosing a drive system for rotatably driving a closed-loop track. The suspension assembly includes at least one elongated ground contact engaged with the closed-loop track, and an elongated swing arm angularly disposed in the closed-loop track. The swing arm extends between a front end portion adapted to be coupled to the chassis, and a rear end portion coupled to the at least one ground contact. A mounting arrangement is coupled to the swing arm for permitting at least rotation of the swing arm about a pivot axis extending longitudinally of the at least one ground contact wherein the mounting arrangement includes a wire rope mount.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2016Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: Great Lakes Sound & Vibration, Inc.Inventors: Christian Michael Muehlfeld, Gerald Ball
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Publication number: 20160251043Abstract: A suspension assembly is provided for use with a vehicle having a chassis enclosing a drive system for rotatably driving a closed-loop track. The suspension assembly includes at least one elongated ground contact engaged with the closed-loop track, and an elongated swing arm angularly disposed in the closed-loop track. The swing arm extends between a front end portion adapted to be coupled to the chassis, and a rear end portion coupled to the at least one ground contact. A mounting arrangement is coupled to the swing arm for permitting at least rotation of the swing arm about a pivot axis extending longitudinally of the at least one ground contact wherein the mounting arrangement includes a wire rope mount.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2016Publication date: September 1, 2016Applicant: Great Lakes Sound & Vibration, Inc.Inventors: Christian Michael Muehlfeld, Gerald Ball
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Patent number: 9346518Abstract: A suspension assembly adapted for use in a snowmobile having a closed-loop track includes at least one ground contact engaged with the closed-loop track. An elongated swing arm is angularly disposed in the closed-loop track and extends between a front end portion adapted to be coupled to the chassis, and a rear end portion coupled to the at least one ground contact. A front resilient member is disposed in the closed-loop track and has an upper end pivotably coupled to the front end portion of the swing arm, and a lower end pivotably coupled to the at least one ground contact. A rear resilient member is disposed in the closed-loop track and has an upper end adapted to be pivotally coupled to the chassis, and a lower end pivotally coupled to the at least one ground contact. A pivot arrangement is connected to the swing arm for permitting at least rotation of the swing arm about a pivot axis extending longitudinally of the at least one ground contact.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Great Lakes Sound & Vibration, Inc.Inventors: Stephen E. Polakowski, Christian Muehlfeld, Cody McKinney
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Patent number: 9286882Abstract: A controlled noise source is for attachment to an exhaust pipe of a vehicle. The noise source comprises an axially compliant member that couples to the exhaust pipe such that an enclosed internal volume of the axially compliant member is in fluid communication with the interior of the exhaust pipe. A dynamic driver is coupled to the axially compliant member. The dynamic driver oscillates the axially compliant member so as to vary the internal volume of the axially compliant member and thereby introduce controlled pressure waves to the interior of the exhaust pipe that counteract sound produced by the engine.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2013Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: Great Lakes Sound & Vibration, Inc.Inventors: Stephen E. Polakowski, Steven G. Mattson, Greg A. Kangas, Zach R. Bustos
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Publication number: 20150145188Abstract: A multi-stage shock absorber with closed ends has a plurality of tubular shock bodies telescopically interconnected together, and includes a piston arrangement slidably mounted within certain of the shock bodies to define a number of chambers variously containing damping and/or spring elements for enabling damping of shock forces applied to the shock absorber.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2015Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: GREAT LAKES SOUND & VIBRATION, INC.Inventors: Stephen E. Polakowski, Christian Michael Muehlfeld, Steven G. Mattson, David Labyak
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Patent number: 8967346Abstract: A multi-stage shock absorber with closed ends has a plurality of tubular shock bodies telescopically interconnected together, and includes a piston arrangement slidably mounted within certain of the shock bodies to define a number of chambers variously containing damping and/or spring elements for enabling damping of shock forces applied to the shock absorber.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2010Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Great Lakes Sound & Vibration, Inc.Inventors: Stephen E. Polakowski, Christian Michael Muehlfeld, Steven Mattson, David Labyak
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Publication number: 20150034404Abstract: A suspension assembly adapted for use in a snowmobile having a closed-loop track includes at least one ground contact engaged with the closed-loop track. An elongated swing arm is angularly disposed in the closed-loop track and extends between a front end portion adapted to be coupled to the chassis, and a rear end portion coupled to the at least one ground contact. A front resilient member is disposed in the closed-loop track and has an upper end pivotably coupled to the front end portion of the swing arm, and a lower end pivotably coupled to the at least one ground contact. A rear resilient member is disposed in the closed-loop track and has an upper end adapted to be pivotally coupled to the chassis, and a lower end pivotally coupled to the at least one ground contact. A pivot arrangement is connected to the swing arm for permitting at least rotation of the swing arm about a pivot axis extending longitudinally of the at least one ground contact.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Applicant: GREAT LAKES SOUND & VIBRATION, INC.Inventors: Stephen E. Polakowski, Christian Muehlfeld, Cody McKinney
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Patent number: 8360449Abstract: A suspension assembly for a land vehicle comprises a spindle defining a steering axis for the land vehicle and configured to pivotably couple to a ground contact; an upper pivotable member having an inboard end configured to pivotably couple to the land vehicle and an outboard end pivotably coupled to the spindle; a lower pivotable member having an inboard end configured to pivotably couple to the land vehicle and an outboard end pivotably coupled to the spindle; a resilient member having an upper end configured to pivotably couple to the land vehicle and a lower end pivotably coupled to the spindle; a caster adjustment mechanism adjusting the position of one of the upper pivotable member and lower pivotable member relative to the spindle to thereby adjust caster; and a camber adjustment mechanism adjusting the position of one of the upper pivotable member and lower pivotable member relative to the spindle to thereby adjust camber.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2010Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Great Lakes Sound & Vibration, Inc.Inventors: Stephen E. Polakowski, Christian Michael Muehlfeld, Jeffrey Edward Pruetz
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Patent number: 8167073Abstract: A suspension assembly for a snowmobile is provided that rotatably supports a closed-loop track in the rear tunnel of the snowmobile and also supports both vertical and horizontal travel of said closed-loop track during suspension system travel. The suspension assembly includes at least one elongated ground contact that supports rotational travel of the closed loop track and at least one swing arm angularly disposed in the closed-loop track and having a front end portion pivotably coupled to the rear tunnel and a rear end portion coupled to the at least one ground contact. In the preferred arrangement, a front resilient member is arranged to bias against displacement between the chassis and the at least one ground contact during suspension assembly travel and a rear resilient member arranged to bias against displacement between the chassis and the swing arm during suspension assembly travel. A tensioner couples the rear end portion of the swing arm to the at least one ground contact.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2009Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Great Lakes Sound & Vibration, Inc.Inventors: Stephen E. Polakowski, Steven G. Mattson, Christian Muehlfeld
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Publication number: 20110115180Abstract: A suspension assembly for a land vehicle comprises a spindle defining a steering axis for the land vehicle and configured to pivotably couple to a ground contact; an upper pivotable member having an inboard end configured to pivotably couple to the land vehicle and an outboard end pivotably coupled to the spindle; a lower pivotable member having an inboard end configured to pivotably couple to the land vehicle and an outboard end pivotably coupled to the spindle; a resilient member having an upper end configured to pivotably couple to the land vehicle and a lower end pivotably coupled to the spindle; a caster adjustment mechanism adjusting the position of one of the upper pivotable member and lower pivotable member relative to the spindle to thereby adjust caster; and a camber adjustment mechanism adjusting the position of one of the upper pivotable member and lower pivotable member relative to the spindle to thereby adjust camber.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2010Publication date: May 19, 2011Applicant: Great Lakes Sound & Vibration, Inc.Inventors: Stephen E. Polakowski, Christian Michael Muehlfeld, Jeffrey Edward Pruetz
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Publication number: 20110101579Abstract: A multi-stage shock absorber with closed ends has a plurality of tubular shock bodies telescopically interconnected together, and includes a piston arrangement slidably mounted within certain of the shock bodies to define a number of chambers variously containing damping and/or spring elements for enabling damping of shock forces applied to the shock absorber.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2010Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: Great Lakes Sound & Vibration, Inc.Inventors: Stephen E. Polakowski, Christian Michael Muehlfeld, Steven Mattson, David Labyak
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Publication number: 20090294197Abstract: A suspension assembly for a snowmobile is provided that rotatably supports a closed-loop track in the rear tunnel of the snowmobile and also supports both vertical and horizontal travel of said closed-loop track during suspension system travel. The suspension assembly includes at least one elongated ground contact that supports rotational travel of the closed loop track and at least one swing arm angularly disposed in the closed-loop track and having a front end portion pivotably coupled to the rear tunnel and a rear end portion coupled to the at least one ground contact. In the preferred arrangement, a front resilient member is arranged to bias against displacement between the chassis and the at least one ground contact during suspension assembly travel and a rear resilient member arranged to bias against displacement between the chassis and the swing arm during suspension assembly travel. A tensioner couples the rear end portion of the swing arm to the at least one ground contact.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2009Publication date: December 3, 2009Applicant: Great Lakes Sound & Vibration, Inc.Inventors: Stephen E. Polakowski, Steven G. Mattson, Christian Muehlfeld
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Patent number: 7594557Abstract: A suspension assembly for a snowmobile is provided that rotatably supports a closed-loop track in the rear tunnel of the snowmobile and also supports both vertical and horizontal travel of said closed-loop track during suspension system travel. The suspension assembly includes at least one elongated ground contact that supports rotational travel of the closed loop track and at least one swing arm angularly disposed in the closed-loop track and having a front end portion pivotably coupled to the rear tunnel and a rear end portion coupled to the at least one ground contact. In the preferred arrangement, a front resilient member is arranged to bias against displacement between the chassis and the at least one ground contact during suspension assembly travel and a rear resilient member arranged to bias against displacement between the chassis and the swing arm during suspension assembly travel. A tensioner couples the rear end portion of the swing arm to the at least one ground contact.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2006Date of Patent: September 29, 2009Assignee: Great Lakes Sound & Vibration, Inc.Inventors: Stephen E. Polakowski, Steven G. Mattson, Christian Muehlfeld
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Patent number: 7128180Abstract: A rear suspension system for a snowmobile includes a plurality of adjacent closed-loop tracks disposed in a rear tunnel of the snowmobile. Each of the plurality of adjacent closed-loop tracks are rotatably driven by a drive system. One of a plurality of independent suspension assemblies is disposed in each closed-loop track and the plurality of independent suspension assemblies articulate independently of each other during travel of the rear suspension system.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2005Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignee: Great Lakes Sound & Vibration, Inc.Inventors: Stephen E. Polakowski, Steven G. Mattson
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Publication number: 20050183899Abstract: A rear suspension system for a snowmobile includes a plurality of adjacent closed-loop tracks disposed in a rear tunnel of the snowmobile. Each of the plurality of adjacent closed-loop tracks are rotatably driven by a drive system. One of a plurality of independent suspension assemblies is disposed in each closed-loop track and the plurality of independent suspension assemblies articulate independently of each other during travel of the rear suspension system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2005Publication date: August 25, 2005Applicant: Great Lakes Sound & Vibration, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Polakowski, Steven Mattson
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Patent number: 6926108Abstract: A rear suspension system for a snowmobile includes a plurality of adjacent closed-loop tracks disposed in a rear tunnel of the snowmobile. Each of the plurality of adjacent closed-loop tracks are rotatably driven by a drive system. One of a plurality of independent suspension assemblies is disposed in each closed-loop track and the plurality of independent suspension assemblies articulate independently of each other during travel of the rear suspension system.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2003Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Great Lakes Sound & Vibration, Inc.Inventors: Stephen E. Polakowski, Steven G. Mattson