Patents by Inventor Vernal D. Forbes

Vernal D. Forbes 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).

  • Patent number: 6626258
    Abstract: A motor driven or pedal powered snow vehicle designed to emulate the steering and balancing characteristics of motorcycles and bicycles. The snow vehicle includes a frame, a swing arm, a track carriage, an endless loop track, a snow compacting ramp, an elongated steering member and a ski. The swing arm pivots upon the frame and angles downward behind the frame. The track circulates a fixed path around the track carriage. The track carriage extends forward from a pivot connection with the rear of the swing arm, and pivots vertically under the swing arm in scissors-fashion. The snow vehicle is suspended upon the track carriage using a single shock absorber and load-distributing bell crank. A snow compacting ramp attached to the track carriage compresses the snow ahead of the track. The steering member is like the front suspension fork of a motorcycle or bicycle, and is connected to the frame so that it rotates about a steering axis. The ski is mounted to the lower portion of the steering member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventor: Vernal D. Forbes
  • Patent number: 6431301
    Abstract: A conversion kit with track and ski steering assemblies to convert a two-wheeled land vehicle such as a motorcycle or bicycle to a vehicle suitable for over-snow travel. A ski assembly mounts to the steering fork of the land vehicle in place of the front wheel. A track assembly mounts to the land vehicle in place of the rear wheel. A swing arm connects to and pivots upon the land vehicle frame and angles downward behind the frame. A track circulates a fixed path around a track carriage. The track carriage extends forward from a pivot connection with the rear of the swing arm, and pivots vertically under the swing arm in scissors-fashion. The land vehicle is suspended upon the track assembly using a single shock absorber and load-distributing bell crank. A snow compacting ramp attaches to the track carriage compresses the snow ahead of the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventor: Vernal D. Forbes
  • Patent number: 6382338
    Abstract: A motor driven or pedal powered snow vehicle designed to emulate the steering and balancing characteristics of motorcycles and bicycles. The snow vehicle includes a frame, a swing arm, a track carriage, an endless loop track, a snow compacting ramp, an elongated steering member and a ski. The swing arm pivots upon the frame and angles downward behind the frame. The track circulates a fixed path around the track carriage. The track carriage extends forward from a pivot connection with the rear of the swing arm, and pivots vertically under the swing arm in scissors-fashion. The snow vehicle is suspended upon the track carriage using a single shock absorber and load-distributing bell crank. A snow compacting ramp attached to the track carriage compresses the snow ahead of the track. The steering member is like the front suspension fork of a motorcycle or bicycle, and is connected to the frame so that it rotates about a steering axis. The ski is mounted to the lower portion of the steering member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Vernal D. Forbes
  • Patent number: 6321864
    Abstract: An improved snow vehicle track suspension employing a force-distributing mechanism comprising a swingarm, a three-arm bell crank, a connecting linkage, and a telescoping limiter linkage. The force-distributing mechanism apportions cushioning force from a shock absorber to track carriage components that bear upon a lower run of an endless-loop track to establish a desired weighting distribution of the track upon the surface of the snow. The force-distributing mechanism allows the track carriage to incline and decline within a limited angular range to enable the track to maintain tractional compliance with the surface of the snow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Inventor: Vernal D. Forbes
  • Patent number: 6302232
    Abstract: A motor driven or pedal powered snow vehicle designed to emulate the steering and balancing characteristics of motorcycles and bicycles. The snow vehicle includes a frame, a swing arm, a track carriage, an endless loop track, a snow compacting ramp, an elongated steering member and a ski. The swing arm pivots upon the frame and angles downward behind the frame. The track circulates a fixed path around the track carriage. The track carriage extends forward from a pivot connection with the rear of the swing arm, and pivots vertically under the swing arm in scissors-fashion. The snow vehicle is suspended upon the track carriage using a single shock absorber and load-distributing bell crank. A snow compacting ramp attached to the track carriage compresses the snow ahead of the track. The steering member is like the front suspension fork of a motorcycle or bicycle, and is connected to the frame so that it rotates about a steering axis. The ski is mounted to the lower portion of the steering member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Inventor: Vernal D. Forbes
  • Patent number: 6112840
    Abstract: A motor driven or pedal powered snow vehicle designed to emulate the steering and balancing characteristics of motorcycles and bicycles. The snow vehicle includes a frame, a swing arm, a track carriage, an endless loop track, a snow compacting ramp, an elongated steering member and a ski. The swing arm pivots upon the frame and angles downward behind the frame. The track circulates a fixed path around the track carriage. The track carriage extends forward from a pivot connection with the rear of the swing arm, and pivots vertically under the swing arm in scissors-fashion. The snow vehicle is suspended upon the track carriage using a single shock absorber and load-distributing bell crank. A snow compacting ramp attached to the track carriage compresses the snow ahead of the track. The steering member is like the front suspension fork of a motorcycle or bicycle, and is connected to the frame so that it rotates about a steering axis. The ski is mounted to the lower portion of the steering member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: Vernal D. Forbes
  • Patent number: 4127811
    Abstract: A voltmeter having multiple voltage ranges comprises substantially linear elements such that the transfer functions of the elements can be independently measured and logically combined to derive the transfer function of a given combination of elements configured to obtain a given voltage range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1978
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Albert B. Gookin, Jr., Vernal D. Forbes, Stephen B. Venzke