Patents by Inventor David L. Vigen

David L. Vigen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20250243834
    Abstract: A fuel injection system for an engine of a vehicle includes a throttle body and an elastomeric injection manifold coupled to the downstream end of the throttle body. The injection manifold defines a fuel injector socket. The fuel injection system also includes a fuel injector receivable by the fuel injector socket of the injection manifold and a fuel rail fluidly coupled to the fuel injector. The fuel rail supplies fuel to the fuel injector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2024
    Publication date: July 31, 2025
    Applicant: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Vigen, Benjamin Taylor Langaas
  • Publication number: 20250196968
    Abstract: A torque control link for maintaining a stable center to center distance between a primary clutch and a secondary clutch of a continuously variable transmission of a snowmobile. The torque control link includes a root section, a tip section and a main body that extends between the root section and the tip section. The root section has a plurality of engine mounting features that couple to the engine and a crankshaft aperture that receives the crankshaft therethrough with a clearance therebetween. The tip section has at least one chassis mounting feature that couples to the chassis and a jackshaft aperture that rotatably supports a jackshaft therein via a bearing. The main body has a waveform cross section with a substantially uniform thickness that not only improves the manufacturability of torque control link but also improves the strength of torque control link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2024
    Publication date: June 19, 2025
    Applicant: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus Moldaschel, David L. Vigen, Benjamin Taylor Langaas
  • Patent number: 12330743
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a snowmobile including a chassis, a tunnel, an engine, a drive track and a drivetrain. The tunnel is attached to the chassis and includes running boards located on either side of the tunnel. The engine is attached to the chassis and within an engine bay. The drivetrain is operatively connected to the engine to deliver propulsive power to the drive track, wherein the running boards extend forward alongside at least a portion of the engine bay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2025
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Vigen
  • Publication number: 20250108886
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a snow vehicle including an engine mounted on a frame, a drive track in contact with the frame, a drive train operatively interconnecting the engine with the drive track for delivering propulsive power to the drive track, a fork connected to the frame, one or more skis connected to the fork, a drop fork component positioned between a fork and handlebars, and an exhaust system. The drive train includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) positioned within a CVT housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2024
    Publication date: April 3, 2025
    Inventor: David L. Vigen
  • Patent number: 12258891
    Abstract: An exhaust system for a snowmobile includes a muffler housing, the bottom end of the muffler housing including a muffler exhaust outlet configured to emit exhaust. The exhaust system includes a muffler housing cover spaced from the muffler housing to define an airflow channel therebetween, the muffler housing cover forming a bottom opening. The exhaust system also includes a gas combiner at least partially surrounding the muffler exhaust outlet on the bottom end of the muffler housing and extending through the bottom opening of the muffler housing cover. The gas combiner receives air from the airflow channel and the exhaust from the muffler exhaust outlet to emit a combined air-exhaust stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Tweet, David L. Vigen
  • Publication number: 20250083771
    Abstract: A snowmobile includes a forward frame assembly defining an engine bay. An engine is positioned within the engine bay. The engine has a plurality of intake ports positioned on an aft side of the engine and a plurality of exhaust ports positioned on a forward side of the engine. An air intake system has at least one air inlet and a plurality of air outlets. The air intake system is coupled to the aft side of the engine such that each of the air outlets is configured to provide air to one of the intake ports. An exhaust system has a plurality of exhaust inlets and at least one exhaust outlet. The exhaust system is coupled to the forward side of the engine such that each of the exhaust inlets is configured to receive exhaust from one of the exhaust ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Applicant: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Guy L. Sibilleau, Cord Miller Christensen, David L. Vigen, Nenad Malinovic
  • Patent number: 12208855
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention describe a recreational vehicle spindle, including a spindle body having one or more sockets in the spindle body, and an upper attachment mechanism in contact with the spindle body and adapted to attach to a steering component. The spindle also includes a lower attachment mechanism in contact with the spindle body and adapted to attach to a ski or wheel. The one or more sockets are adapted to each receive a ball and stud forming one or more ball joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Vigen, Guy L. Sibilleau
  • Patent number: 12208856
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a snow vehicle including an engine mounted on a frame, a drive track in contact with the frame, a drive train operatively interconnecting the engine with the drive track for delivering propulsive power to the drive track, a fork connected to the frame, one or more skis connected to the fork, a drop fork component positioned between a fork and handlebars, and an exhaust system. The drive train includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) positioned within a CVT housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Vigen
  • Publication number: 20250026444
    Abstract: A steering system for a snowmobile includes a handlebar assembly and a steering column that has upper and lower ends. The upper end of the steering column is coupled to the handlebar assembly. The lower end of the steering column is coupled to an input shaft of an electronic steering assist unit. An output shaft of the electronic steering assist unit is coupled directly to a steering arm assembly. First and second tie rods respectively couple the steering arm assembly to first and second ski assemblies such that turning the handlebar assembly, together with the assistance of the electronic steering assist unit, causes the ski assemblies to pivot. The steering column and the electronic steering assist unit share a common axis of rotation that is positioned along a centerline of the snowmobile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2024
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Applicant: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Guy L. Sibilleau, David L. Vigen
  • Publication number: 20240375726
    Abstract: A drive track system for a snowmobile includes a slide rail having a forward section and an aft section. The aft section of the slide rail has a monolithic construction and defines an aftmost wheel station, a second-to-aftmost wheel station forward of the aftmost wheel station and a clearance notch that is at least partially disposed between the aftmost wheel station and the second-to-aftmost wheel station in a longitudinal direction of the slide rail. An aftmost wheel is rotatably coupled to the slide rail at the aftmost wheel station. A second-to-aftmost wheel is rotatably coupled to the slide rail at the second-to-aftmost wheel station. A drive track has a path of travel between the aftmost wheel and the second-to-aftmost wheel such that the drive track and the slide rail form a gap therebetween at the path of travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Applicant: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Janzow, David L. Vigen
  • Publication number: 20240167414
    Abstract: An exhaust system for a snowmobile includes a muffler housing, the bottom end of the muffler housing including a muffler exhaust outlet configured to emit exhaust. The exhaust system includes a muffler housing cover spaced from the muffler housing to define an airflow channel therebetween, the muffler housing cover forming a bottom opening. The exhaust system also includes a gas combiner at least partially surrounding the muffler exhaust outlet on the bottom end of the muffler housing and extending through the bottom opening of the muffler housing cover. The gas combiner receives air from the airflow channel and the exhaust from the muffler exhaust outlet to emit a combined air-exhaust stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2024
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Applicant: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Tweet, David L. Vigen
  • Publication number: 20240124096
    Abstract: A running board assembly for a snow vehicle includes a support member positioned outboard from a tunnel of the snow vehicle. The support member includes a first end, a second end, and an attachment element located intermediate of the first end and the second end. One or more foot support members is disposed inboard from the support member. A support leg is removably securable to the attachment element of the support member. The support leg includes a mounting feature securable to a rear suspension component disposed below an upper surface of a drive track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Jacob Tyler Crosby, David L. Vigen, Benjamin Tyler Langaas
  • Publication number: 20240083545
    Abstract: A steering system for a snowmobile includes a handlebar assembly and a steering column that has an upper end coupled to the handlebar assembly. An electronic steering assist unit is coupled to the steering column between upper and lower posts of the steering column. A steering arm assembly is coupled to a lower end of the lower post. First and second tie rods respectively couple the steering arm assembly to first and second ski assemblies such that turning the handlebar assembly, together with the assistance of the electronic steering assist unit, causes the ski assemblies to pivot. A floating mounting system couples the electronic steering assist unit to forward spars of the frame assembly to prevent a torque pre-load on the electronic steering assist unit. The steering column and the electronic steering assist unit share a common axis of rotation that is positioned along a centerline of the snowmobile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Vigen, Benjamin Taylor Langaas, Guy L. Sibilleau
  • Publication number: 20240084726
    Abstract: An exhaust system for a snowmobile includes a muffler housing, the bottom end of the muffler housing including a muffler exhaust outlet configured to emit exhaust. The exhaust system includes a muffler housing cover spaced from the muffler housing to define an airflow channel therebetween, the muffler housing cover forming a bottom opening. The exhaust system also includes a gas combiner at least partially surrounding the muffler exhaust outlet on the bottom end of the muffler housing and extending through the bottom opening of the muffler housing cover. The gas combiner receives air from the airflow channel and the exhaust from the muffler exhaust outlet to emit a combined air-exhaust stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Tweet, David L. Vigen
  • Patent number: 11927121
    Abstract: An exhaust system for a snowmobile includes a muffler housing, the bottom end of the muffler housing including a muffler exhaust outlet configured to emit exhaust. The exhaust system includes a muffler housing cover spaced from the muffler housing to define an airflow channel therebetween, the muffler housing cover forming a bottom opening. The exhaust system also includes a gas combiner at least partially surrounding the muffler exhaust outlet on the bottom end of the muffler housing and extending through the bottom opening of the muffler housing cover. The gas combiner receives air from the airflow channel and the exhaust from the muffler exhaust outlet to emit a combined air-exhaust stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Tweet, David L. Vigen
  • Publication number: 20240067304
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a snow vehicle including an engine mounted on a frame, a drive track in contact with the frame, a drive train operatively interconnecting the engine with the drive track for delivering propulsive power to the drive track, a fork connected to the frame, one or more skis connected to the fork, a drop fork component positioned between a fork and handlebars, and an exhaust system. The drive train includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) positioned within a CVT housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventor: David L. Vigen
  • Patent number: 11840309
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a snow vehicle including an engine mounted on a frame, a drive track in contact with the frame, a drive train operatively interconnecting the engine with the drive track for delivering propulsive power to the drive track, a fork connected to the frame, one or more skis connected to the fork, a drop fork component positioned between a fork and handlebars, and an exhaust system. The drive train includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) positioned within a CVT housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Vigen
  • Publication number: 20230373593
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a snowmobile including a chassis, a tunnel, an engine, a drive track and a drivetrain. The tunnel is attached to the chassis and includes running boards located on either side of the tunnel. The engine is attached to the chassis and within an engine bay. The drivetrain is operatively connected to the engine to deliver propulsive power to the drive track, wherein the running boards extend forward alongside at least a portion of the engine bay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventor: David L. Vigen
  • Publication number: 20230312055
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention describe a recreational vehicle spindle, including a spindle body having one or more sockets in the spindle body, and an upper attachment mechanism in contact with the spindle body and adapted to attach to a steering component. The spindle also includes a lower attachment mechanism in contact with the spindle body and adapted to attach to a ski or wheel. The one or more sockets are adapted to each receive a ball and stud forming one or more ball joints.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: David L. Vigen, Guy L. Sibilleau
  • Publication number: 20230294512
    Abstract: An off-road vehicle includes a frame, an engine, a rear ground engaging member, and a first rear trailing arm and a second rear trailing arm. Each of the trailing arms have at least one housing and wherein, within each housing is a drive belt, the drive belt drivingly coupled to the engine and a rear ground engaging member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: David L. Vigen, Dustin Keller