Adjustable steering post with bearings

A steering post for a snowmobile is positionable in more than one position and includes a bearing which has a two part bearing block and a two part bearing. The bearing includes a generally spherical body with axially aligned oppositely extending cylindrical extensions and a bore substantially the same diameter as the steering post axially aligned with and extending through the spherical body and extensions. The bearing body includes openings axially aligned and communicating with a cavity adapted to receive the spherical body therein. The openings include an encircling chamfered area engagable by the extensions on the spherical body such that when the steering post is out of alignment that it does not engage the bearing body and bind.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to an improved adjustable steering 
post assembly with self-aligning bearings, and more specifically to an 
improved bearing assembly which substantially eliminates binding of the 
steering post, facilitates assembly during manufacture, and permits the 
positioning of the steering post in more than one position for the 
improved comfort of the driver. 
Snowmobiles typically have a steering post which is supported by bushings 
relative to the chassis, the steering post having a set of handle bars at 
the upper end thereof for gripping by the driver for the inducement of 
torque which results in the steering control of the skis. The steering 
post includes a pitman arm at its lower end which is a torque inducing 
component such that as the torque is transmitted along the steering post 
from the handlebars, the torque is then transferred through the pitman to 
the steering linkages of the steering system for the control of the skis. 
It has been known for a steering post to bind in the typical prior art 
bushing type arrangements during flexing of the snowmobile chassis or when 
the driver is creating stresses in the steering post. 
It is the elimination of binding of the steering post, the facilitating of 
assembly during manufacturing and the provision of adjustability that are 
the results of this invention. A significant advantage of the new and 
improved bearing assembly in conjunction with the steering post of a 
snowmobile is the adjustability of the inclination of the steering post 
relative to the chassis. Accordingly, people of varying heights and body 
sizes can be more comfortably accommodated. 
One prior art arrangement, as depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 4,779,695, shows a 
snowmobile with a steering shaft assembly 42 which is shiftable forward 
and backward relative to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. There 
is no adjustability of the inclination of the steering column relative to 
the chassis. 
THE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention solves a number of problems with an innovative and 
improved bearing assembly which is self-aligning, light-weight, and easily 
assembled. 
In accordance with the present invention, an improved steering post can be 
adjusted to more than one position relative to the chassis of the 
snowmobile thereby permitting a greater degree of comfort for a person 
utilizing the steering assembly. It has been known in prior art 
arrangements for the steering post to become bound when the snowmobile is 
being used for racing or for traveling over rugged terrain where stresses 
are induced in the chassis which twist and distort the mounting 
configuration for the steering post thereby making steering difficult and 
at times nearly impossible. Drivers of a snowmobile utilizing the bearing 
assembly of the instant invention can rest assured that the steering post, 
and consequently the steering of the snowmobile, will not be jammed or 
bound during flexing of the chassis of the snowmobile or when undue 
stresses are induced into the steering post and its mountings. 
The instant invention utilizes a bearing assembly which is constructed of 
inexpensive materials and is light weight. The bearing assembly includes a 
two-part bearing block which has a cavity formed therein for receiving and 
rotatably supporting a bearing. The cavity is of a spherical configuration 
and is substantially the same size as the generally spherical bearing such 
that when the bearing is supported in the cavity, it is free to rotate but 
without excess tolerance. The bearing is generally spherical and has 
cylindrical extensions extending from either side thereof, the extensions 
being aligned so as to be coaxial. There is a bore through the spherical 
bearing which is a cylindrical bore with the axis of the cylindrical bore 
being aligned with the axis of the cylindrical extentions. The bearing 
block includes an annular chamfer disposed so as to act as a limiting stop 
for the rotatable movement that the bearing has relative to the block. 
Both the bearing block and bearing are formed in two pieces with the 
bearing having male and female cooperating elements for alignment thereby 
facilitating assembly of the bearing. 
In a typical steering post assembly one bearing assembly is usually used 
near the upper end of the steering post and a second bearing assembly is 
used near the lower end of the steering post. The lower bearing assembly 
may be fixedly mounted relative to the chassis while the upper bearing 
assembly may be positionable in different positions without the need for 
changing the positioning of the lower assembly due to the self-aligning 
ability of the bearing within the bearing block. Additionally, any slight 
imperfections or misalignments which may occur during manufacturing are 
accommodated by the self-aligning nature of the bearing. 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an 
improved steering post with self-aligning bearings for a snowmobile. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a self-aligning 
bearing for a shaft which is light-weight, simple to manufacture and easy 
to assemble to the shaft being supported. 
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent and 
understood from the following detailed description when taken in 
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
It should be noted that like reference numerals are used throughout the 
various views to designate similar elements or components. 
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a portion of a snowmobile chassis 10, of 
the type having a forwardly mounting engine (not shown), is depicted as 
having a traction unit 12, a seat area 14, a steering post assembly 16, 
and a steering linkage arrangement 18 attached to a pair of steerable skis 
20. 
Referring now to FIG. 1, steering post assembly 16 is shown as having 
handle bars 22 attached to the upper end of a steering post 24. Steering 
post 24 has a pitman 26 fixedly secured at its lower end which in turn is 
attached to the steering linkage system 18. Steering post 24 is supported 
relative to a frame member 28 of chassis 10 by bearing assemblies 30 
constructed in accordance with the instant invention. As seen in FIG. 2, 
upper bearing assembly 30 can be attached to either side of frame member 
28 by bolts 32 thereby providing for more than one inclined position of 
the steering post 24 relative to the chassis 10. The dashed-line 
configuration of steering post 24 shows a more upright position while the 
solid line position of steering post 24 is in a lower position. 
Referring now to FIGS. 3 through 5, FIG. 4 shows a bearing assembly 30 with 
a bearing 36 received in a bearing block 46. Apertures 34 receive bolts 32 
for mounting of the bearing assembly to a supporting structure such as 
frame member 28 of chassis 10. It being clearly evident that bolts 32 
received through bores 34 will also serve to secure the portions of the 
bearing 36 and bearing block 46 relative to one another. FIG. 5 shows the 
bearing 36. Bearing 36 includes a generally spherical body 38 with 
cylindrical extensions 40 extending in opposite directions from the 
spherical body 38. The cylindrical extensions 40 are axially aligned 
relative to one another. Bearing 36 has a cylindrical bore 42 extending 
through the cylindrical extensions 40 and spherical body 38 so as to be 
axially aligned with cylindrical extensions 40. Bearing 36 is made in two 
parts and is preferably is of a solid material such as a nylon or a teflon 
or any other structural plastic-type material which is light-weight, 
durable, and essentially self-lubricating. 
Bearing 36 is supported in cavity 44 of bearing block 46. Cavity 44 has a 
generally spherical surface (see FIG. 3) which is complementary to the 
spherical body 38 and has tolerances such that spherical body 38, when 
received and supported by bearing block 46, is rotatable relative thereto. 
Bearing block 46 includes annular chamfered surfaces 48 which coact with 
outer surfaces 50 of the cylindrical extensions 40 to limit rotational 
movement of the bearing 36 within the bearing block 46. 
As seen in FIG. 4, bearing block 46 has two identical portions which are 
able to be split apart for receiving the bearing 38 in the cavity 44. 
Bearing 38, in turn, is formed in two parts and includes male and female 
alignment elements associated with each mating surface of the split 
bearing such that assembly of the two-part bearing around a shaft such as 
steering post 24 is facilitated. 
As seen in FIG. 3, steering post 24 may have a fixed stop 52 spaced 
generally the length of bearing 36 from another structural portion 54 
fixedly attached to steering post 24 such that the two-part bearing 36 can 
be assembled around steering post 24 between the stop 52 and structural 
portion 54 with the bearing block 46 then assembled over the bearing parts 
and secured relative to the mounting frame member 28. 
Referring again to FIG. 1, it should be readily apparent that the 
inducement of torque in steering post 24 by the rotation of handle bars 22 
will in turn induce torque in pitman 26 thereby driving the steering 
linkage system in the desired direction. Bearings 36 of bearing assemblies 
30 have the ability to self-align relative to the steering post 24 and any 
distortion of frame member 28 or steering post 24 will not bind steering 
post 24 thereby rendering it inoperative. The combined benefits of a 
nonbinding steering post with an adjustable steering post, such that the 
inclination of the steering post relative to the chassis may be changed is 
of substantial benefit in terms of safety and comfort. 
It should be understood that other forms of the improved steering post with 
self-aligning bearings are contemplated by the present invention and that 
numerous modifications may be made by those of skill in the art without 
departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.