Patent ID: 8820458
Filing Date: 2014-09-02
Classification: B62D,B62M

Abstract:
1. A snowmobile, comprising: a frame comprising a tunnel; a swing arm having a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end being operably coupled to the frame and extending into the tunnel, the tunnel extending below the forward end of the swing arm; endless track at least partially positioned in the tunnel; slide rails for mounting the endless track; at least one linkage between the slide rails and frame, the linkage comprising a pivot link directly coupled to the tunnel at a first point with a first coupler received by the pivot link and the tunnel, where the pivot link pivots in response to movement between the slide rails and the frame; and at least one linear force element (LFE) positioned between the pivot link and the frame, the at least one LFE being coupled to the pivot link at a second point and coupled to the frame at a third point, the second point being positioned rearward of the first point and rearward of the rearward end of the swing arm, and the third point being forward of the first point, whereby pivotal movement of the pivot link strokes the LFE, and the first, second, and third points are positioned above an upper run of the endless track.