Patents Assigned to POLARIS
  • Methods and apparatus for steering an ATV
    Patent number: 6767022
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to the suspension and steering of all terrain vehicles (ATVs) are disclosed. An ATV having a frame and a wheel carrier for rotatably supporting a wheel is provided. A tie rod is coupled to the wheel carrier at an outer joint. An inner joint of the tie rod is preferably located in a desirable location. A method for identifying the desirable location may include the steps of defining a first reference plane associated with a full compression position of the suspension, defining a second reference plane associated with a full extension position of the suspension, identifying a reference line formed by an intersection of the first reference plane and the second reference plane, and selecting a location proximate the reference line as the desirable location for the inner joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Chevalier
  • Protective helmet with detachable shell piece
    Patent number: 6766537
    Abstract: Protective helmet comprising a two piece shell, an electric motor and impeller useful for creating a positive pressure environment in the head space, and a filter for removing particulates and other substances. The impeller introduces atmospheric air into an air channel defined by two detachably attached shell pieces. The air is pushed through a particulate filter in the air channel and then through at least one aperture into the head space. A heating element may be used to heat the air flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Richard R. Maki, Joshua J. Leonard, Robert E. Mekash
  • Snowmobile drivetrain
    Patent number: 6755271
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for propelling snowmobiles are disclosed. A snowmobile in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a chassis defining a tunnel, a drive shaft at least partially disposed in the tunnel, and at least one drive sprocket fixed to the drive shaft. A drive track overlays a portion of the at least one drive sprocket. A bearing is disposed within an interior of the drive track for rotatably supporting the drive shaft. The drive shaft is preferably operatively coupled to an engine by a drivetrain. In an advantageous embodiment, the drivetrain comprising a reduction mechanism that is substantially disposed within the tunnel defined by the chassis. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the reduction mechanism is disposed within a projection extending from a drive sprocket fixed to the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Norman O. Berg
  • Oil tank drain system for watercraft
    Patent number: 6755704
    Abstract: An oil drain system and method for draining oil for a personal watercraft that includes an oil reservoir coupled to a flow regulator, located in the interior of the personal watercraft. The flow regulator is additionally coupled to a cover that seals an access opening formed on the exterior of the personal watercraft by means of a tether such that when the cover is removed for an oil change the tether pulls the flow regulator to the exterior of the watercraft so that oil in the reservoir can be drained to the exterior of the watercraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Leinonen
  • Water drain conduit between exhaust pipe and expansion chamber for a watercraft
    Patent number: 6755705
    Abstract: An exhaust system for a personal watercraft that includes a water drain conduit coupling the exhaust pipe to the expansion chamber. The water drain conduit is located at the lowest point of the exhaust pipe and expansion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Gordon Slattery
  • Snowmobile accessory attachment system and integrated snowmobile cargo rack
    Patent number: 6749036
    Abstract: A snowmobile having an accessory attachment system and a cargo rack storage compartment. The snowmobile includes a chassis having a front portion, a central portion, and a rear portion. The front chassis portion mounts a pair of steerable skis and includes an engine cradle for mounting an engine that powers a drive track. The central chassis portion includes a drive tunnel having the drive track disposed therein, an operator seat being mounted to the top portion of the drive tunnel, a top portion of the tunnel supporting an operator seat. The rear chassis portion includes a rear close-off that reinforces the drive tunnel and defines a cargo rack storage compartment co-extensive with a portion of the drive tunnel. An optional passenger seat may be removably mounted above a portion of the storage compartment. The rear close-off also includes plurality of mounting points, such as hooks or bracket holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Nick Schrapp, Bob Aronson
  • Bag clip for a pool cleaner filter bag
    Patent number: 6740233
    Abstract: A bag clip is provided for removably mounting a filter bag onto a suction mast of a pool cleaner to collect and retain debris vacuumed by the pool cleaner from submerged floor and side wall surfaces of a swimming pool. The bag clip includes an inner support collar for reception into an open mouth of a porous filter bag, in combination with an outer clamp ring for releasibly clamping the bag mouth onto the inner support collar. The bag clip additionally includes quick release latch tabs for snap fit mounting onto the pool cleaner suction mast. In use, the outer clamp ring can be quickly and easily opened to permit filter bag removal and disposal of collected debris, followed by re-installation of the same or a replacement filter bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Polaris Pool Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhardus J. Stoltz, David A. Klimas
  • Recreational vehicle seat with storage pocket
    Patent number: 6739655
    Abstract: A recreational vehicle comprising a seat with a storage pocket for transporting items is disclosed. The recreational vehicle may be a snowmobile, watercraft, all-terrain vehicle, or other similar small vehicle intended for entertainment and transportation. The vehicles is provided with a seat which typically comprises a sturdy and resilient frame which supports one or more cushioning layers, and an outer cover. The vehicle seat contains a cavity which serves as a storage compartment. The seat cover contains a pocket which inserts into the storage compartment to serve as a readily removable liner. The pocket is covered with a lid which can be reversibly closed over the pocket opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey F. Schwochert, Kathryn L. Johnson, Paul Pueschner
  • System and method for option commodity recommendation
    Publication number: 20040068457
    Abstract: A system for option commodity recommendation. The system include's a network interface, a processing unit, and an option trade unit. The processing unit selects a plurality of candidate option commodities from the option trade unit according to the investment direction and the predicted stock trend received via the network interface, and calculates a possible return for each candidate option commodity under a win probability. The processing unit selects the candidate option commodity with the highest return as a recommendation option commodity under the win probability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicant: POLARIS SECURITIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hung Te Tao, Ding-Goe Yang, Wei-Han Tuan, Ying-Zhe Hong
  • Personal watercraft having ventilated sponsons
    Patent number: 6712016
    Abstract: Ventilated sponsons, personal watercraft having ventilated sponsons, and methods for adjusting the handling characteristics of personal watercraft by ventilating the sponsons. The present invention provides ventilated sponsons, sponsons, having holes formed through the sponsons to allow high pressure water trapped under the sponson to escape. The holes formed through the sponson thus allow for fine tuning and adjusting the performance characteristics and handling characteristics of the personal watercraft long after the point of manufacture. Ventilating the sponsons can increase straight line stability while maintaining tight cornering characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley R. Morisch, Dallas B. Wynne
  • Sparkle light bulb with controllable memory function
    Patent number: 6685339
    Abstract: The specification and drawings describe and show one embodiment of the present invention in the form of a sparkle light bulb with a plurality of different colored LED bulbs controlled by a circuit that selectively operates the LED bulbs in color wash mode or color dance mode. The controller circuit also has memory for further selectively locking the LED bulbs in a desired color pattern. The sparkle light housing has guides for aligning and guiding the lamp bulb into a multi-pin receptacle. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope of meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Polaris Pool Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Daughtry, Douglas Ruthenberg
  • Watercraft footwell pad pattern
    Patent number: D485799
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Dan Nugteren, John Thompson
  • Embellishment for a watercraft grab handle
    Patent number: D487246
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Ron Alan Bills, Robert Brady
  • Watercraft hood
    Patent number: D487718
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Ron Alan Bills, Robert Brady
  • Portion of a boat
    Patent number: D487883
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Ron Alan Bills, Robert Brady
  • Portion of a boat
    Patent number: D488117
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Ron Alan Bills, Robert Brady
  • Rear bezel for a snowmobile
    Patent number: D489644
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Norman Berg, Robert Aronson, Steven Collins
  • Portion of a fuel tank for a motorcycle
    Patent number: D489670
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Michael M. Song
  • Rear portion of a snowmobile
    Patent number: D490018
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Norman Berg, Robert Aronson, Steven Collins
  • Rear storage trunk lid of a snowmobile
    Patent number: D491104
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Norman Berg, Robert Aronson, Steven Collins