Abstract: A isolation unit for a snowmobile connects to the forward frame members of the snowmobile and provides a plurality of receptacles and mounting points for receiving and securing various front-end components to the snowmobile. The isolation unit not only facilitates assembly and maintenance of the snowmobile but also protects and isolates vibration-sensitive components from the vibrations of the engine. The isolation unit is molded from plastic to accommodate a variety of components, including a hood, a console, a headlight, an ignition coil, fuel tank vent pipe, stepper motor, a km/MPH converter, an electrical wire harness, an electronic control unit, an exhaust pipe temperature sensor wires, a fuse box, an engine reverse buzzer, and a capacitor.

Abstract: A snowmobile includes a side panel that is mounted to the snowmobile's frame about a generally vertically extending side panel axis. In a closed position, the side panel protects and encloses a lateral side of the snowmobile's engine. In an open position, the side panel facilitates easy access to the engine. The side panel includes a lower leg support that includes a knee rest, a lower front leg support, and an inner leg support. The lower leg support improves the rider's comfort and ability to actively position himself on the snowmobile. The snowmobile also includes a rewind starter operatively connected to the engine. The rewind starter is accessible through a hole formed in the side panel.

Abstract: A snowmobile includes a pivotally mounted motor cover that moves between open and closed positions relative to the snowmobile's frame. A latch fastener selectively secures the motor cover in its closed position. The latch fastener includes a pin that is rigidly mounted to the frame and positioned such that the pin extends through an opening in the motor cover when the motor cover is in the closed position. A resilient latch mounts to the frame and selectively engages the pin to hold the motor cover in the closed position. When the motor cover is in the closed position, the pin engages the peripheral edge of the opening to discourage the motor cover from moving relative to the frame. The latch covers the tip of the pin to discourage clothing, debris, etc. from catching on the pin.

Abstract: A isolation unit for a snowmobile connects to the forward frame members of the snowmobile and provides a plurality of receptacles and mounting points for receiving and securing various front-end components to the snowmobile. The isolation unit not only facilitates assembly and maintenance of the snowmobile but also protects and isolates vibration-sensitive components from the vibrations of the engine. The isolation unit is molded from plastic to accommodate a variety of components, including a hood, a console, a headlight, an ignition coil, fuel tank vent pipe, stepper motor, a km/MPH converter, an electrical wire harness, an electronic control unit, an exhaust pipe temperature sensor wires, a fuse box, an engine reverse buzzer, and a capacitor.

Abstract: A snowmobile includes a detachable windshield assembly in generally overlying relation to the hood assembly. The snowmobile includes a windshield assembly with a windshield support frame that includes a plurality of elongated support frame members. Each of the plurality of elongated support frame members is laterally spaced from one another and includes at least a windshield locking structure. A windshield is detachably mounted to the windshield locking structure by at least a releasable securing structure attached to the windshield.

Abstract: A side panel for a recreational vehicle, such as a snowmobile is disclosed. The side panel extends from the windshield portion of the snowmobile to the pan portion. The side panel is hingedly attached at a front edge to the snowmobile so that the side panel opens outwardly along vertically oriented hinges. The side panel includes a windshield to protect the operator's legs. The side panel also includes an airbox which provides an air charge to the engine for combustion. In addition, an airbox, divisible into two parts is also disclosed. The airbox includes a portion adapted to be attached to the interior of the side panel or to a belt guard. A second portion of the air box can be disposed within the engine compartment.

Abstract: A snowmobile includes a side panel that is mounted to the snowmobile's frame about a generally vertically extending side panel axis. In a closed position, the side panel protects and encloses a lateral side of the snowmobile's engine. In an open position, the side panel facilitates easy access to the engine. The side panel includes a lower leg support that includes a knee rest, a lower front leg support, and an inner leg support. The lower leg support improves the rider's comfort and ability to actively position himself on the snowmobile. The snowmobile also includes a rewind starter operatively connected to the engine. The rewind starter is accessible through a hole formed in the side panel.

Abstract: A side panel for a recreational vehicle, such as a snowmobile is disclosed. The side panel extends from the windshield portion of the snowmobile to the pan portion. The side panel is hingedly attached at a front edge to the snowmobile so that the side panel opens outwardly along vertically oriented hinges. The side panel includes a windshield to protect the operator's legs. The side panel also includes an airbox which provides an air charge to the engine for combustion. In addition, an airbox, divisible into two parts is also disclosed. The airbox includes a portion adapted to be attached to the interior of the side panel or to a belt guard. A second portion of the air box can be disposed within the engine compartment.

Abstract: A snowmobile includes a side panel that is mounted to the snowmobile's frame about a generally vertically extending side panel axis. In a closed position, the side panel protects and encloses a lateral side of the snowmobile's engine. In an open position, the side panel facilitates easy access to the engine. The side panel includes a lower leg support that includes a knee rest, a lower front leg support, and an inner leg support. The lower leg support improves the rider's comfort and ability to actively position himself on the snowmobile. The snowmobile also includes a rewind starter operatively connected to the engine. The rewind starter is accessible through a hole formed in the side panel.

Abstract: A snowmobile includes a side panel that is mounted to the snowmobile's frame about a generally vertically extending side panel axis. In a closed position, the side panel protects and encloses a lateral side of the snowmobile's engine. In an open position, the side panel facilitates easy access to the engine. The side panel includes a lower leg support that includes a knee rest, a lower front leg support, and an inner leg support. The lower leg support improves the rider's comfort and ability to actively position himself on the snowmobile. The snowmobile also includes a rewind starter operatively connected to the engine. The rewind starter is accessible through a hole formed in the side panel.

Abstract: A snowmobile includes a pivotally mounted motor cover that moves between open and closed positions relative to the snowmobile's frame. A latch fastener selectively secures the motor cover in its closed position. The latch fastener includes a pin that is rigidly mounted to the frame and positioned such that the pin extends through an opening in the motor cover when the motor cover is in the closed position. A resilient latch mounts to the frame and selectively engages the pin to hold the motor cover in the closed position. When the motor cover is in the closed position, the pin engages the peripheral edge of the opening to discourage the motor cover from moving relative to the frame. The latch covers the tip of the pin to discourage clothing, debris, etc. from catching on the pin.

Abstract: A snowmobile includes a side panel that is mounted to the snowmobile's frame about a generally vertically extending side panel axis. In a closed position, the side panel protects and encloses a lateral side of the snowmobile's engine. In an open position, the side panel facilitates easy access to the engine. The side panel includes a lower leg support that includes a knee rest, a lower front leg support, and an inner leg support. The lower leg support improves the rider's comfort and ability to actively position himself on the snowmobile. The snowmobile also includes a rewind starter operatively connected to the engine. The rewind starter is accessible through a hole formed in the side panel.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for a vehicle, e.g., a snowmobile, includes a latch and a base. The latch is resiliently coupled to the base using a resilient member, for example, a ring-shaped member. The latch is movable, e.g., pivotable, between first and second stable positions. In the first stable position, the latch can be inserted through an aperture in the base, and in the second stable position, the latch can be moved or pivoted to secure the base with respect to the latch. The base may be attached to a cover member for an engine compartment of the vehicle. In the second stable position, a tab of the latch engages against a first engageable surface of the base, and portion of the latch opposite the tab includes a second engagement surface that cooperates with a second engageable surface provided on the base.

Abstract: A snowmobile is described including a detachable windshield assembly in generally overlying relation to the hood assembly. The snowmobile includes a windshield assembly with a windshield support frame that includes a plurality of elongated support frame members. Each of the plurality of elongated support frame members is laterally spaced from one another and includes at least a windshield locking structure. A windshield is detachably mounted to the windshield locking structure by at least a releasable securing structure attached to the windshield.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for a vehicle, e.g., a snowmobile, includes a latch and a base. The latch is resiliently coupled to the base using a resilient member, for example, a ring-shaped member. The latch is movable, e.g., pivotable, between first and second stable positions. In the first stable position, the latch can be inserted through an aperture in the base, and in the second stable position, the latch can be moved or pivoted to secure the base with respect to the latch. The base may be attached to a cover member for an engine compartment of the vehicle. In the second stable position, a tab of the latch engages against a first engageable surface of the base, and portion of the latch opposite the tab includes a second engagement surface that cooperates with a second engageable surface provided on the base.

Abstract: A side panel for a recreational vehicle, such as a snowmobile is disclosed. The side panel extends from the windshield portion of the snowmobile to the pan portion. The side panel is hingedly attached at a front edge to the snowmobile so that the side panel opens outwardly along vertically oriented hinges. The side panel includes a windshield to protect the operator's legs. The side panel also includes an airbox which provides an air charge to the engine for combustion. In addition, an airbox, divisible into two parts is also disclosed. The airbox includes a portion adapted to be attached to the interior of the side panel or to a belt guard. A second portion of the air box can be disposed within the engine compartment.