Abstract: A runner and method of making a runner for mounting on a snow ski including a runner body fabricated of one piece of stamped metal which includes a central base portion and a pair of longitudinally extending runner portions which are bent downwardly from the base portions in laterally spaced relationship to one another. Carbide wear strips are secured to the lower edges of the runner portions, while the base portion 18 is fitted with mounting structure 48 which extends upwardly from the base portion and does not extend into the channel 36. The mounting structure 48 may be formed as one piece with the runner body 16 of the same material, has one or more tab features, and may be threaded and/or pierced to accommodate an associated net or mounting pin as desired for mounting the runner.

Abstract: A stud mount for detachably mounting a traction stud to a snowmobile track assembly including an endless drive belt having at least one laterally extending reinforcing rod embedded in the drive belt. At least one stud mount is secured about the reinforcing rod by way of a mounting head and is opened to the ground-engaging side of the track to receive a traction stud. One or more stabilizing arms project laterally from the mounting head and are adapted embedded in the endless drive belt to provide lateral stability to the stud mounts under torque load.

Abstract: A runner for a snowmobile ski is fabricated from flat metal plate stock and incorporates mounting features for securing the runner to the ski and a wear strip of a relatively harder material provided on and projecting from a lower surface of the runner body. A quick release mounting system is provided for attaching the runner to the ski, including quick installation and release wedge mounting systems. The thin runner blade and wear strip are of the same thickness and are joined by a brazed joint. The invention contemplates a method of fabricating the runner and a method of mounting the runner.

Abstract: A snowmobile ski including a runner fabricated from flat metal plate stock and incorporating mounting features for securing the runner to the ski and a wear strip of a relatively harder material provided on and projecting from a lower surface of the runner body. A quick release mounting system is provided for attaching the runner to the ski, including quick installation and release wedge mounting systems. The thin runner blade and wear strip are of the same thickness and are joined by a brazed joint. The invention contemplates a method of fabricating the runner and a method of mounting the runner.

Abstract: A runner and method of making a runner for mounting on a snow ski including a runner body fabricated of one piece of stamped metal which includes a central base portion and a pair of longitudinally extending runner portions which are bent downwardly from the base portions in laterally spaced relationship to one another. Carbide wear strips are secured to the lower edges of the runner portions, while the base portion 18 is fitted with mounting structure 48 which extends upwardly from the base portion and does not extend into the channel 36. The mounting structure 48 may be formed as one piece with the runner body 16 of the same material, has one or more tab features, and may be threaded and/or pierced to accommodate an associated net or mounting pin as desired for mounting the runner.

Abstract: A stud stabilizing, positioning and force distributing member for mounting a stud on the outer face of an endless track which includes a plurality of integrally formed traction lugs that extend outwardly beyond the outer track base. The force distributing member includes a hollow enclosure wall, defining an inwardly opening cavity, having a terminal rim which lies in a predetermined plane for abutting the outer face of the track portion between the traction lugs. The enclosure wall includes an aperture there-through which mounts a traction stud at a rearwardly forwardly inclined angle, relative to the direction of track travel and relative to a line perpendicular to the plane, to dispose the stud on the underside of the lower run of the track at a forwardly outwardly inclined angle relative to the vertical line when the track is not under load and a vertical position when the track is under load to drive a snowmobile.

Abstract: A one-piece stud mount for mounting a traction stud on a reinforcing rod adapted to be embedded in a yieldable drive track. The stud mount includes an elongated, stud receiving receptacle having a threaded opening therein for threadedly receiving a traction stud and a transversely disposed head defining an aperture which has a shape complemental to the shape of the rod for slidably receiving the rod prior to the molding of the track. The invention contemplates a method of manufacturing the stud mount and mounting the stud mount on a track reinforcing bar. The invention also contemplates a method of manufacturing a track in which the stud mount is embedded after being mounted on a reinforcing rod which is also embedded in the track.

Abstract: A traction stud and method of making and mounting a one-piece traction stud having a mounting end, a ground engaging end and an intermediate section therebetween which has an outer surface that flares radially outwardly in an axially outward direction to provide a self locking surface for detachably locking the stud to a snowmobile track. A stud mount is provided for mounting the stud on a snowmobile track including a threaded cylinder for threadedly receiving the threaded mounting end of the stud and a skirt, which radially outwardly flares in axially outer direction, to provide an internal self locking bearing surface against which the tapered surface on the traction stud bears to detachably lock the stud to the drive track. The stud mount is embedded in the track and may include a hollow transverse mounting head which is disposed on a reinforcing bar that is embedded in the track.

Abstract: A traction stud for an endless snowmobile belt including an elongate rod having a ground engagable end and a threaded end which can be coupled to the track with a threaded fastener. A slot is cut into the threaded portion of the track such that the terminal end threaded portion is separated from the remaining threaded portion by a gap but coupled thereto via a reduced stem which, after installation, can be broken away so that the remaining portion of the stud shank is flush with the fastener. The invention also contemplates the method of making the stud and the method of installing the stud with a transverse slot providing a weakened break away portion which can be severed by the application of transverse force to remove the axially inner terminal end of the stud.

Abstract: A stud for snowmobiles and the like including an elongate shank and an integral, transversely disposed head. The shank may be mounted in an aperture provided in an endless snowmobile drive track with the head engaging one side of the snowmobile track. A fastener is detachably mounted on the shank for engaging the opposite side of the track. The head includes a concavo-convex flange having a concave inner surface for radially inwardly urging a portion of the track which is adjacent the shank and which is axially displaced when the head is mounted on the track. The head also includes an axially outer surface having an axially inwardly extending, central recess having a radius of curvature which matches the radius of the snowmobile track drive wheels.