Patents by Inventor Norman O. Berg
Norman O. Berg 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: 8226120Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle that permits adjustment of rider supports to ergonomically accommodate both a single rider and multiple riders.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2008Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventor: Norman O. Berg
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Publication number: 20110109153Abstract: A ground engaging track for a vehicle has a continuous loop or endless belt body portion having an exterior surface to engage the ground and an interior surface including driven members. The driven members are configured to be engaged by a drive sprocket to rotate the body portion to move the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2011Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC.Inventor: Norman O. Berg
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Patent number: 7866766Abstract: A ground engaging track for a vehicle has a continuous loop or endless belt body portion having an exterior surface to engage the ground and an interior surface including driven members. The driven members are configured to be engaged by a drive sprocket to rotate the body portion to move the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2008Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventor: Norman O. Berg
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Patent number: 7708105Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) includes a straddle-type seat mounted on a frame of the vehicle generally above and between left and right rear wheels. A left rear fender of the ATV is disposed over the left rear wheel and includes a left surface extending alongside a left side of the seat, the left fender surface may be disposed flush with or above a seating area of the seat. A right rear fender is disposed over the right rear wheel and includes a right fender surface extending alongside a right side of the seat, the right fender surface may be disposed flush with or above the seating area of the seat. The left and right rear fenders may each further provide a resilient interface for an operator shifting over the left and right sides of the seat, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2005Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventor: Norman O. Berg
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Patent number: 7673711Abstract: The present invention relates generally to recreational vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for traversing challenging terrain with a recreational vehicle. A vehicle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a first drive track that is supported by a first rear suspension and a second drive track of vehicle is supported by a second rear suspension. The first drive track and the second drive track may be operatively coupled to an engine by a drive train for propelling the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2003Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventor: Norman O. Berg
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Publication number: 20090224598Abstract: A method for manufacturing a polymeric article having an integrated reinforcing element. A thermoplastic material is introduced into a mould, after which reinforcing elements are inserted into the mould cavity. A second layer of the thermoplastic material is introduced into the mould, after which the mould is closed, pressing and heating the mould to melt the thermoplastic material and form the article. The thermoplastic layers may be provided in powder, sheet, or pellet form. The reinforcing elements may comprise reinforcing fibres or reinforcing fabrics. A polymeric track for a vehicle may be produced from this method.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2007Publication date: September 10, 2009Inventors: Pascal St-Amant, Nicolas Demers, Norman O. Berg
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Patent number: 7559576Abstract: A straddle seat type vehicle with adjustable steering. The vehicle comprises a handlebar adjustment apparatus functionally formed on a chassis that fixes the pivot of a steering post in angular positions about a pivot mechanism. A method of adjusting a steering control position is also included.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: July 14, 2009Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventors: Bruce A. Honkala, Norman O. Berg, Jeffrey A. Eaton, Greg A. Peppel, Bruce J. Stone
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Patent number: 7516998Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a vehicle having a chassis and an engine supported by the chassis, the engine coupled to a drive train useful for propelling the vehicle. The vehicle may be convertible between a first seating configuration having a first seat disposed generally along the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle and a second seating configuration having a lateral seat disposed laterally of the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2005Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventors: Norman O. Berg, Robert C. Aronson, Levi J. McCarroll, Lance L. Anderson
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Patent number: 7490694Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention include a vehicle having a chassis and an engine supported by the chassis, the engine coupled to a drive train useful for propelling the vehicle. The vehicle may include a steering indexing assembly useful for positioning a steering control between a first steering position having the steering control positioned generally along the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle and a second steering position having the steering control positioned laterally of the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2005Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventors: Norman O. Berg, Robert C. Aronson, Levi J. McCarroll, Lance L. Anderson
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Patent number: 7484584Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for providing a heat exchanger for vehicles that have liquid cooled engines. The heat exchanger is positioned within the vehicle so as to accept airflow moving across the vehicle when the vehicle is in motion. The heat exchanger is positioned within the vehicle so as not to adversely affect the vehicle's center of gravity. A divider is used with the heat exchanger to help channel at least a portion of the airflow to the heat exchanger, while also preventing any byproduct produced from contact between airborne materials and the heat exchanger from causing a nuisance to the operator.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2007Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventors: Rick Kerner, Norman O. Berg
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Publication number: 20080217088Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle that permits adjustment of rider supports to ergonomically accommodate both a single rider and multiple riders.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2008Publication date: September 11, 2008Inventor: Norman O. Berg
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Publication number: 20080174176Abstract: A ground engaging track for a vehicle has a continuous loop or endless belt body portion having an exterior surface to engage the ground and an interior surface including driven members. The driven members are configured to be engaged by a drive sprocket to rotate the body portion to move the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2008Publication date: July 24, 2008Applicant: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventor: Norman O. Berg
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Patent number: 7401674Abstract: A snowmobile includes a seat having a rear end with a rear end face. The rear end face is inclined upwardly and rearwardly from an upper surface of a tunnel of a frame so that a cavity is defined beneath the seat between the inclined rear end face of the seat and the upper surface of the tunnel.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2006Date of Patent: July 22, 2008Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventors: Norman O Berg, Keith W Peppel, Richard H Bates, Jr., Edwin M Monsrud
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Patent number: 7296645Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for providing a heat exchanger for vehicles that have liquid cooled engines. The heat exchanger is positioned within the vehicle so as to accept airflow moving across the vehicle when the vehicle is in motion. The heat exchanger is positioned within the vehicle so as not to adversely affect the vehicle's center of gravity. A divider is used with the heat exchanger to help channel at least a portion of the airflow to the heat exchanger, while also preventing any byproduct produced from contact between airborne materials and the heat exchanger from causing a nuisance to the operator.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2006Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventors: Rick Kerner, Norman O. Berg
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Patent number: 7147074Abstract: A snowmobile including a chassis, shell, and an engine. The shell may be fixed to a front portion of the chassis and extend away from the chassis in a forward direction. The shell may be disposed forward of the steering axis. The shell may define a chamber that fluidly communicates with the engine via a flexible coupling interposed between the shell and the engine.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2004Date of Patent: December 12, 2006Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventors: Norman O. Berg, Keith W. Peppel, Richard H. Bates, Jr., Edwin M. Monsrud
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Patent number: 7104353Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 21, 2004Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventor: Norman O. Berg
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Patent number: 7080704Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for providing a heat exchanger for vehicles that have liquid cooled engines. The heat exchanger is positioned within the vehicle so as to accept airflow moving across the vehicle when the vehicle is in motion. The heat exchanger is positioned within the vehicle so as not to adversely affect the vehicle's center of gravity. A divider is used with the heat exchanger to help channel at least a portion of the airflow to the heat exchanger, while also preventing any byproduct produced from contact between airborne materials and the heat exchanger from causing a nuisance to the operator.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2003Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventors: Rick Kerner, Norman O. Berg
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Patent number: 7059440Abstract: A snowmobile including a frame, drive track, and an engine. The engine extends in a first direction from a cylinder bore axis of the engine and a back side extends in a second direction from the cylinder bore axis. Air may enter a cylinder bore of the engine from the front side and exhaust gases may exit the engine from the front side.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2005Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventors: Norman O. Berg, Keith W. Peppel, Richard H. Bates, Jr., Edwin M. Monsrud
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Patent number: 7040426Abstract: The present invention relates generally to recreational vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for traversing challenging terrain with a recreational vehicle. A vehicle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a first drive track that is supported by a first rear suspension and a second drive track of vehicle is supported by a second rear suspension. The first drive track and the second drive track may be operatively coupled to an engine by a drive train for propelling the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2003Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: Polaris Industries, Inc.Inventor: Norman O. Berg
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Patent number: 6942050Abstract: The snowmobile having a longitudinal axis, a chassis, a pair of skis each having a steering spindle, and a suspension system. The suspension system comprises, for each ski, a first control arm pivotally mounted to the chassis for pivotal movement about a first pivot axis and having a first pivotal connection to the spindle and a second control arm pivotally mounted to the chassis for pivotal movement about a second pivot axis and having a second pivotal connection to the spindle spaced from the first connection. The pivot axis of each control arm and the connection of that control arm to the spindle define a control arm plane; the control arm planes intersect to define a control line that intersects a vertical plane containing said longitudinal axis.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2004Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.Inventors: Bruce A. Honkala, Jeffrey A. Eaton, Guy L. Sibilleau, Norman O. Berg