SNOW MOBILE TRACK STUD BACKER

A snowmobile stud backer includes a body extending from a backer base, the body narrowing from the base to a narrow end, the body further including an axial opening extending from the backer base to the narrow end, the axial opening including internal threads, the body including a plurality of channels providing a surface within which a tool is configured to be keyed for the purpose of tightening the backer to the stud structure. Further disclosed is a snowmobile stud assembly, a snowmobile track, and a snowmobile, as well as tools for installing the snowmobile stud backer to the snowmobile track.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to snow mobiles. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved snow mobile track stud backers.

BACKGROUND

Flexible snow mobile tracks can be configured to receive studs which may be affixed to the flexible tracks in order to provide additional traction. A stud is typically a metallic nail, pin, peg, or spike, which is configured to penetrate the ground upon which the snow mobile traverses (e.g. snow, ice or the like). Studs can thus increase handling, performance, or even speed of a snowmobile. A stud may be mounted through the track and through a backer, which acts as a washer and stabilizer to prevent the stud from ripping through the track. Typically, a mechanical fastener, such as a nut, is then used to secure the stud and the backer to the flexible track. A tradeoff often exists between the weight or mass of the stud, backer and nut system, and the performance and durability of the stud system.

Thus, a lightweight high performance stud backer that is strong and durable but low in mass would be well received in the art.

SUMMARY

According to a described aspect, a snowmobile stud assembly comprises: a stud structure including a stud base and a pin extending from the base, the pin including a threaded portion; and a stud backer including a body extending from a backer base, the body narrowing from the base to a narrow end, the body further including an axial opening extending from the backer base to the narrow end, the axial opening including internal threads, the body including a plurality of channels providing a surface within which a tool is configured to be keyed for the purpose of tightening the backer to the stud structure.

According to another described aspect, a snowmobile stud backer comprises: a body extending from a backer base, the body narrowing from the base to a narrow end, the body further including an axial opening extending from the backer base to the narrow end, the axial opening including internal threads, the body including a plurality of channels providing a surface within which a tool is configured to be keyed for the purpose of tightening the backer to the stud structure.

According to another described aspect, a snowmobile track comprises: a track configured to rotate about idler wheels and a track driver of a snowmobile; and a stud assembly connected to the track of the snowmobile, the stud assembly including: a stud structure including a stud base and a pin extending from the base, the pin including a threaded portion; and a stud backer including a body extending from a backer base, the body narrowing from the base to a narrow end, the body further including an axial opening extending from the backer base to the narrow end, the axial opening including internal threads, the body including a plurality of channels providing a surface within which a tool is configured to be keyed for the purpose of tightening the backer to the stud structure, wherein the pin of the stud extends through an opening of the track, and wherein the stud backer is attached to the stud such that the track is located between the stud base and the backer base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of the hereinafter-described embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference made to the Figures. Although certain embodiments are shown and described in detail, it should be understood that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The scope of the present disclosure will in no way be limited to the number of constituting components, the materials thereof, the shapes thereof, colors thereof, the relative arrangement thereof, etc., and are disclosed simply as an example of embodiments of the present disclosure. A more complete understanding of the present embodiments and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features.

FIG.1depicts a side view of a snow mobile1having a track2and a stud assembly10, according to one embodiment. The stud assembly10may be removably connected to the track2of the snowmobile1. The track2may be a flexible track configured to rotate about the idler wheels and track driver of the snowmobile1. The stud assembly10is configured to provide traction to the flexible track2such that the flexible track2can more efficiently move the snowmobile1over various terrain, such as snow, ice or the like.

FIG.2Adepicts a perspective view of a stud12prior to attaching a pin16to a base14, according to one embodiment.FIG.2Bdepicts a perspective view of the stud12ofFIG.2Aafter attachment according to one embodiment. The stud12may be made of two separate components which are attached together during a manufacturing process, as shown inFIG.2A. In particular, the stud12includes the base14and the pin16, which may be fuse welded together, for example, with a flat surface of the base14welded to a flat surface15at the end of the pin16. While fuse welding is contemplated in order to form the stud12as shown inFIG.2B, other manufacturing processes are contemplated. Whatever the embodiment, the stud12may extend between a first end and a second end. The first end may include a tip18. The tip18may be a spiked or pointed end, which may be configured to dig into the surface over which the snowmobile1is traversing. The tip18may be coated with a carbide coating, in order to reduce wear at the contact point.

The pin16may further include a threaded portion17extending between the first and second ends. The threaded portion17may comprise the majority of the pin16. However, in various embodiments, the length of the threaded portion17may correspond to the amount of the pin16necessary to interface with a backer device20(shown inFIGS.3A-3F). Thus, the threaded portion17may be located at the second end of the pin16, as shown. In other embodiments, the threaded portion17may be closer to the first end. Whatever the embodiment, the pin16may include external threads which are configured to interface with internal threads of a backer20(shown inFIGS.3A-3F).

FIG.3Adepicts a perspective view of a backer20for attachment to the stud12ofFIGS.2A and2B, according to one embodiment.FIG.3Bdepicts a side view of the backer20ofFIG.3A, according to one embodiment.FIG.3Cdepicts a top view of the backer20ofFIGS.3A and3B, according to one embodiment.FIG.3Ddepicts a bottom view of the backer20ofFIGS.3A-3C, according to one embodiment.FIG.3Edepicts a cutaway view of the backer20ofFIGS.3A-3D, taken at arrows A-A, according to one embodiment.FIG.3Fdepicts an enlarged view of the backer20ofFIGS.3A-3E, taken at detail B, according to one embodiment.

The backer20includes a generally circular base22. Extending from the base22is a body23which narrows as it approaches a narrow end. The backer20includes an axial opening24which is configured to receive the pin16of the stud12. In particular, as shown in the cutaway view ofFIG.3E, the axial opening24includes internal threads27which are configured to receive the external threaded portion17of the pin16of the stud12.

The backer20further includes a plurality of channels26a,26b,26c,26d,26e,26f. In particular, the plurality of channels26a,26b,26c,26d,26e,26fmay comprise six channels, cuts outs, or the like, but the disclosure is not limited to this number. More or less channels are contemplated. The channels26a,26b,26c,26d,26e,26fmay provide a surface within which a tool may be keyed for the purpose of tightening the backer20to the stud12. Rather than including a hexagonal shaped base, the channels26a,26b,26c,26d,26e,26factually remove material from the structure of the backer20in order to reduce mass and weight for the backer20. Because rotating mass on the track reduces the amount of horsepower left to move the vehicle, the channels26a,26b,26c,26d,26e,26fmay provide for better horsepower while remaining tough and durable.

As shown inFIGS.3D and3F, the backer20includes an underside of the base having alternating channels29and protrusions, which are configured to better grip the track2of the snowmobile1when the stud assembly10is connected. While five separate circumferential channels29are shown, other embodiments may include more or less channels. In some embodiments, there may be no channels but instead the bottom of the backer may be flat.

FIG.4Adepicts a perspective view of another backer120, according to one embodiment. The backer120may include the same general structure as the backer20, including a generally circular base122, a body123which narrows as it approaches a narrow end, and an axial opening124configured to receive the pin16of the stud12. The backer120includes a plurality of channels126which may be the same as the channels26a,26b,26c,26d,26e,26fof the backer20.

FIG.4Bdepicts a bottom view of the backer120ofFIG.4A, according to one embodiment. Unlike the backer20, the backer120includes an underside which includes a plurality of protrusions129. The protrusions129form an array of curved swirls radially extending from the center inner axis and the axial opening124to the outer circumference. While the protrusions129are shown extending as projections from the bottom or underside of the backer120, in other embodiments, the same swirl pattern may be formed with channels. Whatever the embodiment, the protrusions129may be configured to aid in gripping the backer120to a snowmobile track2when assembled as described.

FIG.5Adepicts a perspective view of still another backer220, according to one embodiment. The backer220may include the same general structure as the backer20, including a generally circular base222, a body223which narrows as it approaches a narrow end, and an axial opening224configured to receive the pin16of the stud12. The backer220includes a plurality of channels226which may be the same as the channels26a,26b,26c,26d,26e,26fof the backer20.

FIG.5Bdepicts a bottom view of the backer220ofFIG.5A, according to one embodiment. Unlike the backer20, the backer120includes an underside which includes a plurality of protrusions229. The protrusions229form an array of straight projections extending from the center inner axis and the axial opening124to the outer circumference. While the protrusions129are shown extending as projections from the bottom or underside of the backer120, in other embodiments, the same pattern may be formed with channels. Whatever the embodiment, the protrusions229may be configured to aid in gripping the backer120to a snowmobile track2when assembled as described.

FIG.6Adepicts a tool50for attaching the backers20,120,220ofFIGS.3A-5Bto the stud12ofFIGS.2A-2Baccording to one embodiment.FIG.6Bdepicts a top view of the tool50ofFIG.6A, according to one embodiment.FIG.6Cdepicts an enlarged view of the tool50ofFIGS.6A and6B, taken at arrows A-A, according to one embodiment. The tool50includes a handle52configured to provide leverage for turning the backer20about the pin16of the stud12. The handle52is shown as a flat handle such that the entire tool50may be made from a single sheet of material (such as metal, a composite, a plastic or the like). In other embodiment, the handle52may include any particular features, ergonomic dimensions or the like.

The tool50includes an interfacing end54, which may be generally circular in shape. The interfacing end54includes an opening56. The opening56may include a plurality of projections58which may be keyed to the dimensions of the channels26a-26fof the backer20. Thus, each of the projections58may fit into one of the channels26a-26fof the backer20in order to grip the backer20and allow the tool50to provide a torque to rotate the backer20about the stud12. Thus, the opening56is shown generally circular in shape, but having six separate U-shaped projections58spaced evenly about the circumference of the opening56and extending into the circumference of the opening56.

Referring back toFIG.1, the stud assembly10includes the combination of the stud12ofFIGS.2A-2Band the backer20ofFIGS.3A-3F. While not shown, the backers120,220may be attached to create a stud assembly10in the same manner. To assemble the stud assembly10to a snowmobile track2, the stud12is inserted through the backside of the track2. The backer20is then screwed onto the external threads17of the stud12, thereby completing the stud assembly10. In order to screw the backer20to the stud12, the tool50may be used. In particular, the opening56of the tool50may be aligned with backer20such that the projections58are inserted into the channels26a,26fof the backer20. The user may then torque, rotate or otherwise twist the backer20with the tool50, and repeat this process until the backer20is tightly attached to the stud12with the body of the track2located between the base22of the backer20and the base14of the stud12.

The backers20,120,220described herein and/or the stud12can each be made of a metallic material such as aluminum, or steel. Alternatively, while the stud12may be made of metal, the backers20,120,220can be made of a composite, plastic, or any other suitable, lightweight, yet strong material. Further, the stud assembly10can be formed of a two-piece construction, comprising the stud12and one of the backers20,120,220. The stud assembly10thereby provides a lightweight and strong solution for providing grip or traction to the track2. The stud12may be a 1.75 inch stud in one embodiment. However, any length stud is contemplated.

FIG.7depicts a perspective view of a stud assembly300and the tool50ofFIGS.4A-4C, according to one embodiment. The stud assembly300includes the backer20ofFIGS.3A-3F, as well as the stud12ofFIGS.2A-2Bafter the backer20is threadably attached to the stud12. While not shown, any of the backers120,220may be threadably attached to create a stud assembly as shown. In practice, the space between the backer20and the stud12shown inFIG.7will be filled, at least in part, by the track2of a snowmobile.

The view inFIG.7further illustrates a configuration of the relative size between a backer, such as the backer20,120,220, and the tightening tool50. However, the tightening tool50is not the only tightening tool which may accomplish tightening of the backer20,120,220to a stud.

FIG.8Adepicts a front perspective view of a socket tool400for attaching the backers20,120,220ofFIGS.3A-5B, according to one embodiment.FIG.8Bdepicts a back perspective view of the socket tool300ofFIG.8A, according to one embodiment. At a first end (shown inFIG.8A), the socket tool400may include a ratchet tool opening420configured to receive a square-drive connector of a standard ratchet tool (not shown). On an opposite end (shown inFIG.8B), the socket tool400may include an interface opening430having a plurality of projections (i.e. in a 6-prong star shape) which may be keyed to the dimensions of the channels26a-26fof the backer20, and/or the channels126,226of the backers120,220, respectively. In practice, the socket tool400, when attached to a ratchet, can operate in a similar manner to the tool50in order to tighten the backer20,120,220to the stud12to create the stud assembly300, as shown inFIG.7.

Thus, as described above, the stud assembly10may comprise a one piece backer design, where there is no separate washer and tightening nut. Rather, the present invention proposes a one piece backer20,120,220which attaches to a one piece stud12without a male hex, but rather with a female nut having cutouts for weight reduction. A customized tool50, or socket tool300, has also been proposed for rotating the female nut of the backer20,120,220.