Patents by Inventor Gerard J. Karpik
Gerard J. Karpik 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).
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Patent number: 6889787Abstract: A snowmobile assembly including a snowmobile chassis having a motor compartment at a front portion and an endless belt channel at a rear portion. A motor is located substantially in the motor compartment substantially in front of the endless belt channel. The motor includes at least one fuel control mechanism arranged toward a front portion of the snowmobile chassis. By arranging the at least one fuel control mechanism toward the front portion of the snowmobile chassis, the snowmobile assembly provides for greater mass centralization and/or a lower center of gravity than it would otherwise have if the at least one fuel control mechanism arranged toward the rear t portion of the snowmobile chassis. The greater mass centralization and/or a lower center of gravity can also be achieved by arranging the at least one exhaust port toward the rear of the snowmobile chassis. A drive train couples the motor to an endless belt drive shaft located in the endless belt channel.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2004Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Inventor: Gerard J. Karpik
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Publication number: 20040173390Abstract: A suspension system for suspending an endless track beneath a tracked vehicle chassis. At least one suspension arm is pivotal connection to the vehicle chassis at an upper end and pivotally connected to a suspension rail at a lower end. A biasing mechanism provides a biasing force that biases the suspension rail away from the vehicle chassis. At least one rear wheel is coupled proximate a rear portion of the suspension rail. A track tensioning system displaces the rear wheel relative to the suspension rail to apply a tensioning force to the endless track in response to displacement of the suspension arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2004Publication date: September 9, 2004Applicant: Formula Fast RacingInventor: Gerard J. Karpik
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Publication number: 20040134702Abstract: A snowmobile assembly including a snowmobile chassis having a motor compartment at a front portion and an endless belt channel at a rear portion. A motor is located substantially in the motor compartment substantially in front of the endless belt channel. The motor includes at least one fuel control mechanism arranged toward a front portion of the snowmobile chassis. By arranging the at least one fuel control mechanism toward the front portion of the snowmobile chassis, the snowmobile assembly provides for greater mass centralization and/or a lower center of gravity than it would otherwise have if the at least one fuel control mechanism arranged toward the rear t portion of the snowmobile chassis. The greater mass centralization and/or a lower center of gravity can also be achieved by arranging the at least one exhaust port toward the rear of the snowmobile chassis. A drive train couples the motor to an endless belt drive shaft located in the endless belt channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2004Publication date: July 15, 2004Applicant: Formula Fast RacingInventor: Gerard J. Karpik
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Patent number: 6715575Abstract: A suspension system for suspending an endless track beneath a tracked vehicle chassis. The suspension system can be a fully coupled suspension, a partially coupled suspension or a non-coupled suspension. The suspension system includes at least one elongated suspension rail having a front portion, a rear portion and a bottom track-engaging portion. At least one suspension arm has an upper end adapted for pivotal connection to the vehicle chassis and a lower end pivotally connected to the suspension rail. The lower end of the suspension arm can optionally have a displacement with a non-linear component. A biasing mechanism provides a biasing force to bias the suspension rail away from the vehicle chassis. The track tensioning system coupled to the suspension arm applies a tensioning force to the endless track in response to displacement of the suspension arm. The tensioning force generates a supplemental force transmitted by the endless track that augments the biasing force of the biasing mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2002Date of Patent: April 6, 2004Assignee: Formula Fast RacingInventor: Gerard J. Karpik
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Patent number: 6691812Abstract: A snowmobile assembly including a snowmobile chassis having a motor compartment at a front portion and an endless belt channel at a rear portion. A motor is located substantially in the motor compartment substantially in front of the endless belt channel. The motor includes at least one fuel control mechanism arranged toward a front portion of the snowmobile chassis. By arranging the at least one fuel control mechanism toward the front portion of the snowmobile chassis, the snowmobile assembly provides for greater mass centralization and/or a lower center of gravity than it would otherwise have if the at least one fuel control mechanism arranged toward the rear t portion of the snowmobile chassis. The greater mass centralization and/or a lower center of gravity can also be achieved by arranging the at least one exhaust port toward the rear of the snowmobile chassis. A drive train couples the motor to an endless belt drive shaft located in the endless belt channel.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2003Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Formula Fast RacingInventor: Gerard J. Karpik
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Publication number: 20030183436Abstract: A snowmobile assembly including a snowmobile chassis having a motor compartment at a front portion and an endless belt channel at a rear portion. A motor is located substantially in the motor compartment substantially in front of the endless belt channel. The motor includes at least one fuel control mechanism arranged toward a front portion of the snowmobile chassis. By arranging the at least one fuel control mechanism toward the front portion of the snowmobile chassis, the snowmobile assembly provides for greater mass centralization and/or a lower center of gravity than it would otherwise have if the at least one fuel control mechanism arranged toward the rear t portion of the snowmobile chassis. The greater mass centralization and/or a lower center of gravity can also be achieved by arranging the at least one exhaust port toward the rear of the snowmobile chassis. A drive train couples the motor to an endless belt drive shaft located in the endless belt channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2003Publication date: October 2, 2003Applicant: Formula Fast RacingInventor: Gerard J. Karpik
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Patent number: 6561302Abstract: A snowmobile design, including a modular front suspension system and a stabilizer assembly, a lightweight frame structure and a drive train that reduces the center of gravity of the snowmobile. The modular front suspension system for a snowmobile that is substantially self-contained and self-supporting. The present modular front suspension system is assembled around a primary support structure, such as an extrusion or other structural member. The primary support structure can be easily attached to or detached from, the snowmobile frame. The modularity of the present suspension system decreases assembly costs. A stabilizer assembly extends through the center opening and is mechanically coupled to the ski spindle housings. The chassis for a snowmobile includes a plurality of front structural members defining a motor compartment.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2002Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Formula Fast RacingInventor: Gerard J. Karpik
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Publication number: 20030034191Abstract: A suspension system for suspending an endless track beneath a tracked vehicle chassis. The suspension system can be a fully coupled suspension, a partially coupled suspension or a non-coupled suspension. The suspension system includes at least one elongated suspension rail having a front portion, a rear portion and a bottom track-engaging portion. At least one suspension arm has an upper end adapted for pivotal connection to the vehicle chassis and a lower end pivotally connected to the suspension rail. The lower end of the suspension arm can optionally have a displacement with a non-linear component. A biasing mechanism provides a biasing force to bias the suspension rail away from the vehicle chassis. The track tensioning system coupled to the suspension arm applies a tensioning force to the endless track in response to displacement of the suspension arm. The tensioning force generates a supplemental force transmitted by the endless track that augments the biasing force of the biasing mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2002Publication date: February 20, 2003Inventor: Gerard J. Karpik
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Patent number: 6499551Abstract: A snowmobile design, including a modular front suspension system and a stabilizer assembly, a lightweight frame structure and a drive train that reduces the center of gravity of the snowmobile. The modular front suspension system for a snowmobile that is substantially self-contained and self-supporting. The present modular front suspension system is assembled around a primary support structure, such as an extrusion or other structural member. The primary support structure can be easily attached to, or detached from, the snowmobile frame. The modularity of the present suspension system decreases assembly costs. A stabilizer assembly extends through the center opening and is mechanically coupled to the ski spindle housings. The chassis for a snowmobile includes a plurality of front structural members defining a motor compartment.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2001Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Formula Fast RacingInventor: Gerard J. Karpik
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Publication number: 20020175013Abstract: A snowmobile design, including a modular front suspension system and a stabilizer assembly, a lightweight frame structure and a drive train that reduces the center of gravity of the snowmobile. The modular front suspension system for a snowmobile that is substantially self-contained and self-supporting. The present modular front suspension system is assembled around a primary support structure, such as an extrusion or other structural member. The primary support structure can be easily attached to, or detached from, the snowmobile frame. The modularity of the present suspension system decreases assembly costs. A stabilizer assembly extends through the center opening and is mechanically coupled to the ski spindle housings.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Applicant: Formula Fast RacingInventor: Gerard J. Karpik
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Publication number: 20020053477Abstract: A snowmobile design, including a modular front suspension system and a stabilizer assembly, a lightweight frame structure and a drive train that reduces the center of gravity of the snowmobile. The modular front suspension system for a snowmobile that is substantially self-contained and self-supporting. The present modular front suspension system is assembled around a primary support structure, such as an extrusion or other structural member. The primary support structure can be easily attached to, or detached from, the snowmobile frame. The modularity of the present suspension system decreases assembly costs. A stabilizer assembly extends through the center opening and is mechanically coupled to the ski spindle housings.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2001Publication date: May 9, 2002Applicant: Formula Fast RacingInventor: Gerard J. Karpik
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Patent number: 6357543Abstract: A snowmobile design, including a modular front suspension system and a stabilizer assembly, a lightweight frame structure and a drive train that reduces the center of gravity of the snowmobile. The modular front suspension system for a snowmobile that is substantially self-contained and self-supporting. The present modular front suspension system is assembled around a primary support structure, such as an extrusion or other structural member. The primary support structure can be easily attached to, or detached from, the snowmobile frame. The modularity of the present suspension system decreases assembly costs. A stabilizer assembly extends through the center opening and is mechanically coupled to the ski spindle housings. The chassis for a snowmobile includes a plurality of front structural members defining a motor compartment.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1999Date of Patent: March 19, 2002Assignee: Formula Fast RacingInventor: Gerard J. Karpik
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Patent number: 6237706Abstract: A vehicle suspension system with a variable geometry. A moveable suspension arm is pivotally attached to a vehicle chassis. A biasing/dampening mechanism is operatively attached to the vehicle chassis at a first end. An actuator mechanism operatively connects the second end of the biasing/dampening mechanism to the moveable suspension arm. The actuator mechanism has a mechanism for moving the second end along at least one axis when the vehicle is in a static or dynamic mode to increase or decrease the motion ratio or displacement of the biasing/dampening mechanism to the total displacement of the suspension system relative to the vehicle chassis. A control mechanism is provided for activating the actuator mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2000Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: Fast Action Support Team, Inc.Inventors: Gerard J. Karpik, David J. Karpik, Scott A. Miers, Michael A. Lehman
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Patent number: 6032752Abstract: A vehicle suspension system with a variable geometry. A moveable suspension arm is pivotally attached to a vehicle chassis. A biasing/dampening mechanism is operatively attached to the vehicle chassis at a first end. An actuator mechanism operatively connects the second end of the biasing/dampening mechanism to the moveable suspension arm. The actuator mechanism has a mechanism for moving the second end along at least one axis when the vehicle is in a static or dynamic mode to increase or decrease the motion ratio or displacement of the biasing/dampening mechanism to the total displacement of the suspension system relative to the vehicle chassis. A control mechanism is provided for activating the actuator mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1997Date of Patent: March 7, 2000Assignee: Fast Action Support Team, Inc.Inventors: Gerard J. Karpik, David J. Karpik, Scott A. Miers, Michael A. Lehman
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Patent number: 5370198Abstract: A snowmobile construction comprising a body frame and having slide rails suspended from the body frame through a front and rear suspension arm, and an endless track which runs under tension upon a drive and a plurality of driven wheels rotatably borne on the slide rails. The rear suspension has front and rear suspension arms which connect the body frame and the slide rails in parallelogram linkage fashion. Compression coil springs and shock absorbers are operatively mounted between the slide rails and the front and rear suspension arms. An inclined slide block and slot coupling interconnects the rear suspension arm and each slide rail to automatically react both front and rear suspension arms upon initial encounter of the slide rails with a snow bump. This coupling also urges the chassis of the snowmobile into an upwardly pitched condition upon acceleration with the forward ends of the slide rails digging into the ground surface for enhanced traction.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1993Date of Patent: December 6, 1994Inventor: Gerard J. Karpik
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Patent number: RE38124Abstract: In a snowmobile track suspension, the slide frame is supported upon downwardly and rearwardly angled front and rear suspension arm assemblies. The suspension arm assemblies are of similar construction, length, and orientation, having upper ends connected to fixed pivots in the snowmobile chassis and lower ends pivoted to the slide frame. The lower end of the rear suspension arm assembly has a pivot mount that is movable longitudinally of the slide frame. Movement in the forwards direction being blocked by an abutment which ensures that during suspension travel the front end of the slide frame cannot move higher than the rear end thereof.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1995Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignees: Bombardier Inc., Polaris Industries Partners L.P.Inventors: Bertrand Mallette, Gerard J. Karpik