Abstract: A suspension assembly adapted for use in a snowmobile having a closed-loop track includes at least one ground contact engaged with the closed-loop track. An elongated swing arm is angularly disposed in the closed-loop track and extends between a front end portion adapted to be coupled to the chassis, and a rear end portion coupled to the at least one ground contact. A front resilient member is disposed in the closed-loop track and has an upper end pivotably coupled to the front end portion of the swing arm, and a lower end pivotably coupled to the at least one ground contact. A rear resilient member is disposed in the closed-loop track and has an upper end adapted to be pivotally coupled to the chassis, and a lower end pivotally coupled to the at least one ground contact. A pivot arrangement is connected to the swing arm for permitting at least rotation of the swing arm about a pivot axis extending longitudinally of the at least one ground contact.

Abstract: A controlled noise source is for attachment to an exhaust pipe of a vehicle. The noise source comprises an axially compliant member that couples to the exhaust pipe such that an enclosed internal volume of the axially compliant member is in fluid communication with the interior of the exhaust pipe. A dynamic driver is coupled to the axially compliant member. The dynamic driver oscillates the axially compliant member so as to vary the internal volume of the axially compliant member and thereby introduce controlled pressure waves to the interior of the exhaust pipe that counteract sound produced by the engine.

Abstract: A multi-stage shock absorber with closed ends has a plurality of tubular shock bodies telescopically interconnected together, and includes a piston arrangement slidably mounted within certain of the shock bodies to define a number of chambers variously containing damping and/or spring elements for enabling damping of shock forces applied to the shock absorber.

Abstract: A multi-stage shock absorber with closed ends has a plurality of tubular shock bodies telescopically interconnected together, and includes a piston arrangement slidably mounted within certain of the shock bodies to define a number of chambers variously containing damping and/or spring elements for enabling damping of shock forces applied to the shock absorber.

Abstract: A suspension assembly adapted for use in a snowmobile having a closed-loop track includes at least one ground contact engaged with the closed-loop track. An elongated swing arm is angularly disposed in the closed-loop track and extends between a front end portion adapted to be coupled to the chassis, and a rear end portion coupled to the at least one ground contact. A front resilient member is disposed in the closed-loop track and has an upper end pivotably coupled to the front end portion of the swing arm, and a lower end pivotably coupled to the at least one ground contact. A rear resilient member is disposed in the closed-loop track and has an upper end adapted to be pivotally coupled to the chassis, and a lower end pivotally coupled to the at least one ground contact. A pivot arrangement is connected to the swing arm for permitting at least rotation of the swing arm about a pivot axis extending longitudinally of the at least one ground contact.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for a land vehicle comprises a spindle defining a steering axis for the land vehicle and configured to pivotably couple to a ground contact; an upper pivotable member having an inboard end configured to pivotably couple to the land vehicle and an outboard end pivotably coupled to the spindle; a lower pivotable member having an inboard end configured to pivotably couple to the land vehicle and an outboard end pivotably coupled to the spindle; a resilient member having an upper end configured to pivotably couple to the land vehicle and a lower end pivotably coupled to the spindle; a caster adjustment mechanism adjusting the position of one of the upper pivotable member and lower pivotable member relative to the spindle to thereby adjust caster; and a camber adjustment mechanism adjusting the position of one of the upper pivotable member and lower pivotable member relative to the spindle to thereby adjust camber.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for a snowmobile is provided that rotatably supports a closed-loop track in the rear tunnel of the snowmobile and also supports both vertical and horizontal travel of said closed-loop track during suspension system travel. The suspension assembly includes at least one elongated ground contact that supports rotational travel of the closed loop track and at least one swing arm angularly disposed in the closed-loop track and having a front end portion pivotably coupled to the rear tunnel and a rear end portion coupled to the at least one ground contact. In the preferred arrangement, a front resilient member is arranged to bias against displacement between the chassis and the at least one ground contact during suspension assembly travel and a rear resilient member arranged to bias against displacement between the chassis and the swing arm during suspension assembly travel. A tensioner couples the rear end portion of the swing arm to the at least one ground contact.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for a land vehicle comprises a spindle defining a steering axis for the land vehicle and configured to pivotably couple to a ground contact; an upper pivotable member having an inboard end configured to pivotably couple to the land vehicle and an outboard end pivotably coupled to the spindle; a lower pivotable member having an inboard end configured to pivotably couple to the land vehicle and an outboard end pivotably coupled to the spindle; a resilient member having an upper end configured to pivotably couple to the land vehicle and a lower end pivotably coupled to the spindle; a caster adjustment mechanism adjusting the position of one of the upper pivotable member and lower pivotable member relative to the spindle to thereby adjust caster; and a camber adjustment mechanism adjusting the position of one of the upper pivotable member and lower pivotable member relative to the spindle to thereby adjust camber.

Abstract: A multi-stage shock absorber with closed ends has a plurality of tubular shock bodies telescopically interconnected together, and includes a piston arrangement slidably mounted within certain of the shock bodies to define a number of chambers variously containing damping and/or spring elements for enabling damping of shock forces applied to the shock absorber.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for a snowmobile is provided that rotatably supports a closed-loop track in the rear tunnel of the snowmobile and also supports both vertical and horizontal travel of said closed-loop track during suspension system travel. The suspension assembly includes at least one elongated ground contact that supports rotational travel of the closed loop track and at least one swing arm angularly disposed in the closed-loop track and having a front end portion pivotably coupled to the rear tunnel and a rear end portion coupled to the at least one ground contact. In the preferred arrangement, a front resilient member is arranged to bias against displacement between the chassis and the at least one ground contact during suspension assembly travel and a rear resilient member arranged to bias against displacement between the chassis and the swing arm during suspension assembly travel. A tensioner couples the rear end portion of the swing arm to the at least one ground contact.

Abstract: A suspension assembly for a snowmobile is provided that rotatably supports a closed-loop track in the rear tunnel of the snowmobile and also supports both vertical and horizontal travel of said closed-loop track during suspension system travel. The suspension assembly includes at least one elongated ground contact that supports rotational travel of the closed loop track and at least one swing arm angularly disposed in the closed-loop track and having a front end portion pivotably coupled to the rear tunnel and a rear end portion coupled to the at least one ground contact. In the preferred arrangement, a front resilient member is arranged to bias against displacement between the chassis and the at least one ground contact during suspension assembly travel and a rear resilient member arranged to bias against displacement between the chassis and the swing arm during suspension assembly travel. A tensioner couples the rear end portion of the swing arm to the at least one ground contact.

Abstract: A rear suspension system for a snowmobile includes a plurality of adjacent closed-loop tracks disposed in a rear tunnel of the snowmobile. Each of the plurality of adjacent closed-loop tracks are rotatably driven by a drive system. One of a plurality of independent suspension assemblies is disposed in each closed-loop track and the plurality of independent suspension assemblies articulate independently of each other during travel of the rear suspension system.

Abstract: A rear suspension system for a snowmobile includes a plurality of adjacent closed-loop tracks disposed in a rear tunnel of the snowmobile. Each of the plurality of adjacent closed-loop tracks are rotatably driven by a drive system. One of a plurality of independent suspension assemblies is disposed in each closed-loop track and the plurality of independent suspension assemblies articulate independently of each other during travel of the rear suspension system.

Abstract: A support system is provided for an outboard motor which uses four connectors attached to a support structure and to an engine system for isolating vibration from being transmitted to the marine vessel to which the outboard is attached. Each connector comprises an elastomeric portion for the purpose of isolating the vibration. Furthermore, the four connectors are disposed in a common plane which is generally perpendicular to a central axis of a driveshaft of the outboard motor. Although precise perpendicularity with the driveshaft axis is not required, it has been determined that if the plane extending through the connectors is within forty-five degrees of perpendicularity with the driveshaft axis, improved vibration isolation can be achieved. A support structure, or support saddle, completely surrounds the engine system in the plane of the connectors.

Abstract: A support apparatus for a marine propulsion system in a marine vessel is provided with a compliant member that is attachable to the transom of a marine vessel. In certain applications, the compliant member is directly attached to an intermediate plate and to an external frame member that is, in turn, attached directly to the transom of the marine vessel. The intermediate plate is attached directly to components of the marine propulsion system to provide support for the marine propulsion system relative to the transom, but while maintaining non-contact association between the marine propulsion system and the transom.

Abstract: A personal watercraft having exhaust pipes which discharge exhaust gases to either side of the craft's hull, is disclosed The exhaust system of the personal watercraft has one or more valves which can be used to selectively direct exhaust gases to one side or the other of the hull to thereby generate a steering force to at least aid in the steering of the personal watercraft. Also disclosed, are a pair of sponsons with perforated bottoms which are attached to either side of the hull. Exhaust gases are directed into the sponsons which release exhaust gas bubbles under the waterline and thus muffle the exhaust noise. In conjunction with the sponsons, multi-compartment tuning chambers can be provided inside the hull. A method for steering a personal watercraft using exhaust gases and a method and arrangement for automatically shutting off exhaust gas flow when the craft leaves the water, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A coupler is provided which responds to relative rotation of a driving and a driven shaft with variable rates of stiffness. As the two shafts experience slight degrees of relative rotation, such as at idle speed, the elastically deformable member of the coupler responds in a relatively soft manner with a slight degree of stiffness. As relative rotation increases because of the transmission of higher torque between the driving and driven shafts, the elastically deformable member responds with a stiffer reaction. The elastically deformable member also reacts in a similar manner with differing rates of stiffness to misalignment of the driving and driven shafts.