Abstract: A snowmobile rear suspension assembly has a first and second suspension arms, a pair of slide rails pivotally connected to lower ends of the suspension arms and at least one shock absorber, a pair of extension arms pivotally connected to a rear portion of the pair of slide rails about a lateral axis and being pivotable between raised 5 and lowered positions about the lateral axis, a pair of rear idler wheels rotationally connected to a rear portion of the pair of extension arms, and at least one spring biasing the pair of extension arms toward the lowered position. At least a portion of at least one of the suspension arms is pivotable about a longitudinally extending axis relative to the pair of slide rails. A snowmobile having the rear suspension, a method 10 of replacing the slide rails of the rear suspension and a slide rails replacement kit are also disclosed.

Abstract: A snowmobile has a frame having a tunnel, a motor mounted to the frame, the motor having a motor shaft, at least one ski operatively connected to the frame and a continuously variable transmission. The continuously variable transmission has a driving pulley operatively connected to the motor shaft, a driven pulley, and a drive belt looped around the driving pulley and the driven pulley. The snowmobile also has a drive track operatively connected to the driven pulley, a flexible mechanical element operatively connecting the drive track to the driven pulley, the drive track rotating in a first direction during operation of the snowmobile, and at least one of the motor shaft. The driving pulley and the driven pulley rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction during operation of the snowmobile.

Abstract: A snowmobile rear suspension assembly has a first and second suspension arms, a pair of slide rails pivotally connected to lower ends of the suspension arms and at least one shock absorber, a pair of extension arms pivotally connected to a rear portion of the pair of slide rails about a lateral axis and being pivotable between raised 5 and lowered positions about the lateral axis, a pair of rear idler wheels rotationally connected to a rear portion of the pair of extension arms, and at least one spring biasing the pair of extension arms toward the lowered position. At least a portion of at least one of the suspension arms is pivotable about a longitudinally extending axis relative to the pair of slide rails. A snowmobile having the rear suspension, a method 10 of replacing the slide rails of the rear suspension and a slide rails replacement kit are also disclosed.

Abstract: A snowmobile has a front suspension and ski assembly having a right side and a left side. The right and left sides each have an upper arm, a lower arm and a spindle. A ski is connected to the lower portion of each spindle. At least one of the upper arms has a least one protrusion extending therefrom.

Abstract: A post-accident network probe and a method of using such a probe are disclosed. The probe is configured to be deployed in a confined environment (e.g. an underground mine), typically after an accident has occurred, in order to establish a connection with the wireless network, or a portion thereof, located therein. The probe generally allows the rescuers to determine the position of potentially trapped miners and can allow the rescuers to have access to environment-related information collected by the network, to get vital signs information, and/or to communicate with the trapped miners. The probe can be deployed using different access methods such as bore holes (existing or new), ventilation shafts, preventive installations of probes, etc. Notably, since the probe establishes a connection with the network, the location of the probe does not have to be exactly where the miners are located as long as the miners are tracked by the network.

Abstract: A snowmobile has a front suspension and ski assembly having a right side and a left side. The right and left sides each have an upper arm, a lower arm and a spindle. A ski is connected to the lower portion of each spindle. At least one of the upper arms has a least one protrusion extending therefrom.