Abstract:
A gasoline engine powered snowboard having an endless track trained about a support frame containing driven and idler wheels. A molded chassis having a contoured track support pan cooperates with a fringed track and forward and rear foot supports to enable steering with foot and body movements. Engine operation is directed from operator directed servos coupled to the engine. The support pan exhibits a beveled contour and includes a recessed center region. The track is divided into center and right and left fringe portions defined by seriatim, lateral slits. Alternating rows of transverse, laterally offset drive lugs and ground contact lugs project from internal and external surfaces of the track. The drive lugs rotate within a contoured recess provided in the support pan. The ground contacting lugs exhibit contoured thickness profiles and provide transverse horizontal and obtuse extending portions that exhibit elongated, inverted V-shapes. Steering movements can also be effected with rollers or pads mounted to engage the ground contacting filamentary members of the track.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a powered snowboard assembly and, in particular, to a gas engine powered snowboard having an endless, laterally slotted track supported to rotate about a frame assembly in contact with a chassis support pan having a recess, rails and beveled surfaces that directionally promote track flexion and steering in response to weight adjustments placed on foot control surfaces. 
         [0002]    A wide variety of engine powered, personal vehicles have been developed for recreational travel over land, water and snow. Some dry land skateboard type vehicles that accommodate a standing operator are shown at U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,435,290; 5,127,488; and 4,143,728. Some snow based vehicles that accommodate seated operators are shown at U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,534,437 and 3,794,131. Several track supported snow vehicles that accommodate standing operators are shown at U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,698,540; 6,193,003; 5,662,186; 5,305,846; 4,984,648; and 4,307,788. 
         [0003]    Different types of downhill snowboards and related improvements have also been developed to satisfy the ever changing human desire for challenging recreational devices. The U.S. Pat. No 5,662,186 is directed to a powered snowboard having a multi-section operator and engine platforms that align at different inclinations. The latter vehicle is not particularly adapted to mimic the operating experience of a conventional un-powered snowboard. 
         [0004]    The present invention was developed to provide a motorized snowboard. The device supports a standing operator and, except for engine operation, is controlled and steered with foot movements that mimic the experience of riding a conventional snowboard. The present snowboard, however, can be used over all types of surfaces from steep to moderate hills and undulating or flat terrains. The snowboard particularly extends the experience of riding a snowboard to flat and moderate hilly recreational areas that normally might only accommodate snowmobiles. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is a primary object of the invention to provide an engine powered vehicle that can be steered with foot and/or body movements. 
         [0006]    It is further object of the invention to provide a snowboard type vehicle supported over an operator steered endless track. 
         [0007]    It is further object of the invention to provide a snowboard type vehicle that is steered by a standing operator. 
         [0008]    It is an object of the invention to provide a track support frame having a drive sprocket and a plurality of idler wheels that cooperate with an engine mounted to a surrounding chassis. 
         [0009]    It is further object of the invention to provide an operator directed cable-type or electromechanical engine control linkage. 
         [0010]    It is further object of the invention to provide a track having a plurality of slits that laterally extend from a central track portion and define flexible fringe pieces. 
         [0011]    It is further object of the invention to provide a track having fringe pieces that support flexible ground contacting lugs. 
         [0012]    It is further object of the invention to provide a track having rows of transversely extending ground contact steering lugs that depend from a central track portion and adjoining lateral fringe pieces that are laterally staggered at adjacent rows. 
         [0013]    It is further object of the invention to provide ground contact steering lugs at the fringe pieces that exhibit raised isosceles triangular-shaped surfaces and that transversely extend at obtuse angles from interconnected lugs depending from the center portion of the track. 
         [0014]    It is further object of the invention to provide a contoured track support pan at the bottom of the chassis that cooperates with the drive and steering lugs to steer the vehicle with operator foot and body movements. 
         [0015]    It is further object of the invention to provide a beveled chassis bottom having a drive lug receiving recess, rail(s) and/or other mechanisms to prevent track dislodgement. 
         [0016]    The foregoing objects, advantages and distinctions of the invention are obtained in alternative track frame assemblies. In one construction, the snowboard comprises an endless track trained about a track support frame containing driven and idler or “bogie” wheels. The track support frame is mounted to a molded chassis having forward and rear foot supports. A gasoline engine mounts to upper surfaces of the chassis and a drive linkage couples the engine to the track support frame and depending track. Engine drive power is transferred via a clutch and interconnected chain/belt drive linkages to a drive shaft that supports a track drive sprocket and idler shafts that support drive wheels that engage an interior surface of the track. 
         [0017]    Engine operation is directed from cabling and/or electromechanical servos coupled to the engine. The bottom surface of the chassis (i.e. chassis support pan) includes a longitudinal recess formed adjacent contoured edge surfaces that engage interior track surfaces to directionally promote track movements that steer the vehicle in response to operator movements and weight shifting at the foot control surfaces. Drive lugs that engage the drive sprocket project from the interior track surface. The edges of the track follow the contours of the chassis support pan. The pan can exhibit bevels and/or valleys, recesses, cutouts and/or other surface shapes that directionally promote track movement in cooperative response to operator or other induced movements that flex the track. 
         [0018]    The track is divided into a center portion containing upright interior drive lugs and right and left fringe portions. The center portion exhibits a relatively narrow width (e.g. less than one-third the overall track width) and from which the drive lugs project in rows and pass along a longitudinal recess having arcuate (e.g. ovular) sidewalls. Adjoining surfaces of the fringe portions ride over beveled edge surfaces of the support pan. Lateral movement of the track is restrained as the drive lugs cooperate with the side walls of an ovular recess in the support pan. 
         [0019]    External surfaces of the right and left fringe portions contain rows of laterally depending ground contact or steering lugs. The fringe portions each comprise a number of filamentary members defined by seriatim, slots or gaps. The fringe pieces support rows of ground engaging lugs that are transversely offset from centered steering lugs. The region of ground contact of the steering lugs of each fringe piece transversely overlaps the span of the steering lugs of the adjoining fringe pieces. 
         [0020]    The ground engaging lugs exhibit contoured thickness profiles. Depending forward and trailing surfaces taper to a ridged apex. The lateral extension of the forward and trailing lug surfaces define a straight central portion and end portions that obtusely radiate relative to the central portion. Collectively, the lugs direct forward track movement as rows of depending ground contacting lugs at the filamentary members flex with operator movements as the filamentary members follow the contoured support pan to directionally promote steering movements. 
         [0021]    Still other objects, advantages, distinctions, constructions and combinations of individual features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description with respect to the appended drawings. Similar components and assemblies are referred to in the various drawings with similar alphanumeric reference characters. The description to each combination should therefore not be literally construed in limitation of the invention. Rather, the invention should be interpreted within the broad scope of the further appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view to a personal, engine powered snowboard assembly. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  shows a right side view of the assembly and wherein the mounting relationship of the engine, clutch, and chain and belt track drive linkages are more apparent. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  shows a longitudinal cross section view to the track support frame and drive sprocket. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view to the mounting relation of the track to the bottom track support pan and ground engaging surfaces of the snowboard assembly. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view to the right side and bottom control surface of the snowboard assembly with the drive linkage cowling and track removed. 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  shows a plan view of the ground engaging, exterior surface of the track depicting the arrangement of the displaced, transverse, laterally extending steering lugs. 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  shows a transverse cross section view through the track taken along reference lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  shows a transverse cross section view through the track taken along reference lines  8 - 8  of  FIG. 6 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  shows a diagrammatic plan view of a portion of the track in an un-flexed, straight line condition and wherein alternative operator directed, wheeled steering assemblies (shown in dashed line) are mounted to mechanically flex the track. 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  shows an end view of the track centered along the chassis support pan in an un-flexed, straight line condition. 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  shows a diagrammatic view of the interior surface of the track in a flexed, turning condition. 
           [0033]      FIG. 12  shows an end view of the track laterally shifted relative to the chassis support pan corresponding to the flexed, turning condition of  FIG. 11  and wherein operator directed steering members of the alternative assemblies of  FIG. 9  are shown in dashed line. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]    With attention to the perspective view of  FIG. 1 , an improved snowboard assembly  2  of the invention is shown. The assembly  2  provides a chassis  4  that is formed to support an upright operator. Fore and aft operator steering platforms  6  and  8  are shaped and oriented to comfortably support an operator&#39;s booted feet. The exposed surface of each platform  6  and  8  is constructed to provide traction to facilitate operator steering movements. The platforms  6  and  8  can include surface knurling, granular coatings, fastened matting or other traction enhancing materials  10  that assure non-slippery contact with the platform surfaces during normal use. Straps, bindings or surfaces shaped to mate with an operator&#39;s foot ware (not shown) can also be provided at the platforms  6  and  8 . 
         [0035]    Each platform  6  and  8  is shaped and sized to accommodate independent movement of the operator&#39;s feet within the space and/or shifting of the operator&#39;s weight laterally and/or fore and aft. The shifting of the operator&#39;s weight particularly induces a supported drive track  12  shown at  FIGS. 2-4  and  6 - 12  to flex and dynamically vary the contact of the track  12  with a bottom surface of a support pan  14  of the chassis  4  and ground engaging lugs at the track  12  with the snow. Steering is thus obtained with the dynamic changes in track contact with the supporting snow or ice. 
         [0036]    Steering control is particularly obtained by constructing the support pan  14  to include elongated contoured edge regions  16  (e.g. beveled) that bound a longitudinal recessed region  18  (e.g. having ellipsoid, ovular or other arcuate-shaped sidewalls). The regions  16  and  18  are aligned to contact interior surfaces of the track  12  to direct track flexion and retain the track to the chassis  4  over a range of steering motions. Simultaneous variations in vehicle speed can be applied to modulate steering motions. Particular details to the construction of the contoured surfaces  16  and recess  18  and responsive flexion of the track  12  are discussed below with respect to  FIGS. 7 through 10 . One or more rails might also be provided alone or in combination with the recess  18  to limit lateral track movement and facilitate track retention. 
         [0037]    A gasoline engine  20  (e.g. 5-10 hp) is mounted between the foot platforms  6  and  8 . The engine  20  is located relative to the platforms  6  and  8  to slightly overweight the vehicle&#39;s aft end to maintain an upward trim angle at the fore end. The risks of possible operator discharge from the vehicle  2  due to porpoising or nose-diving with a downward trim angle are thereby alleviated. A DC motor with a storage battery and appropriate controls might alternatively be incorporated into the vehicle  2 . 
         [0038]    A mechanical (e.g. cable) or electromechanical control linkage  22  extends from the engine  20  and is manipulated by the operator. The linkage  22  is routed along an upright support column  24  or can be held in an operator&#39;s hands. Manual, cowling covered hand controls  26  coupled to a cable  22  and fitted to the support column  24  are presently preferred. The column  24  also provides a degree of stabilization to the operator during steering motions. The shape of the column  24  (e.g. tilt angle, bends, supports etc.) and coupling to the chassis  4  can be adjusted as desired to accommodate operator ergonomics and stabilize the operator. 
         [0039]    Although a cable  22  is presently used, a wireless, radio frequency (RF) electro-mechanical drive might also be adapted to the engine  20 . In such a circumstance, an operator handheld controller  27  (shown in dashed line) might transmit RF signals via provided actuators (e.g. button, slide or joy stick) and a transceiver to one or more electromechanical servos coupled to the vehicle  2  (e.g. engine throttle). Engine operation and other operating mechanisms and parameters might thereby be controlled. Other servos might be mounted to the chassis  4 , for example, to vary the shape of the support pan  14 , change the ground contact surface of the chassis  4  or direct track flexion. 
         [0040]    In the latter regard, one or more slide pads or roller(s)  29 ′ (shown in dashed line at  FIG. 3 ) can be mounted to bear on an appropriate interior surface(s) of the track  12  to vary track flexion and induce a desired steering. The rollers  29 ′ can exhibit different shapes (e.g. circular, elliptical) or be mounted for eccentric rotation from a supporting assembly. The rollers  29 ′ might also be mounted to a support frame that actively or passively moves relative to the support pan  14  to appropriately flex filamentary members at the track  12 . Control of the rollers  29 ′ might be actively directed with linkages that direct the rollers  29 ′ to contact the track with varying force at preferred locations (e.g. bounded or unbounded filamentary pieces) as appropriate. Details to the construction of the track  12  and cooperation with the chassis  4  to effect steering are provided below. 
         [0041]    The engine  20  is encased beneath a cover or safety shroud  28  to prevent operator contact with any moving parts or the exhaust system. The engine  20  is mounted to direct exhaust gases away from the operator. A hinged shroud  31  is mounted to the side of the shroud  28  and covers a clutch and drive linkage assembly  30  coupled to the track  12 . The chassis  4  can include other safety features and can be formed to exhibit any desired aerodynamic and/or aesthetic shape. The chassis  4  might also be constructed to accommodate multiple operators, passengers or permit towing of sleds or accessory appliances. 
         [0042]    With attention to  FIGS. 2 through 5 , views are shown to the drive linkage  30 . The linkage  30  includes a centrifugal clutch  32  that is mounted to an output shaft  33  of the engine  20 . A drive belt  34  extends from the clutch  32  and is trained around another centrifugal clutch  36  supported to a transfer shaft  38 . A belt  40  is trained from another sprocket (not shown) mounted beneath the clutch  36  to a sprocket  44  fitted to an idler shaft  46 . Yet another belt  48  extends to a track drive shaft  50  and sprocket  52  mounted to the shaft  50 . 
         [0043]    A track drive sprocket  54  is centered on the shaft  50  and provides several lateral extending teeth  56  that engage upright drive lugs  58  that project from an interior surface of the track  12 . Multiple drive sprockets  54  can also be fitted to the chassis  4 . Exposed ground contact lugs  59  depend from the exterior surface of the track  12  and engage the snow. The lugs  59  are constructed and positioned to direct forward motion and facilitate steering. 
         [0044]    Separately depicted at  FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic view to the routing of the track  12 . The interior surface of the track  12  is trained around the aft drive sprocket  54  and a pair of forward idler wheels  60  mounted to an idler shaft  61 . The chassis support pan  14  supports the track  12  intermediate the aft sprocket  54  and front wheel(s)  60 . Several rubber coated idler wheels  51  and  53  ride on the upper surface of the track  12 . The idler wheels  51  and  53  are mounted to intermediate idler shafts  55  and  57  fitted to the chassis  4 . The idler wheels  51  and  53  support the track  12  to direct the track in non-contacting relation beneath the foot support platforms  6  and  8  and engine  20 . The idler wheels  51  and  53  are mounted to be adjustable and/or resiliently biased to maintain a relatively constant track tension on the track  12 . 
         [0045]    With additional attention to  FIG. 5 , the track  12  otherwise contacts and rotates over the contoured, longitudinal slide surface of the support pan  14 . Exposed longitudinal flanges  63  and  65  extend along the sides of the support pan  14  and glide over the snow. Adjacent the flanges  63  and  65  are track contact surfaces  66  and  68  that exhibit a slight V-shaped bevel when viewed end-on, reference  FIGS. 10 and 12 . The drive lug recess  18  extends the length of the support pan  14  and is centered between the track contact surfaces  66  and  67 . The drive lugs  58  rotate in the recess  18 . More details to the cooperation of the track  12  with the beveled surfaces  66  and  68  to achieve steering are discussed below with respect to  FIGS. 9 through 12 . 
         [0046]    Mounted to the chassis  4  to engage opposite ends of the forward idler axle  61  are adjustable tensioners  72 . The tensioners  72  are supported to rotate the shaft  61  in an eccentric fashion. Upon rotating the tensioners  72  and shaft  61 , the idler wheels  60  vary the tension of the track  12 . The tension is normally set to center the rotation of the track  12  relative to the idler wheels  60  and support pan  14 . 
         [0047]    The novel construction of the track  12  is particularly depicted at the partial plan and cross section views of  FIGS. 6-8 . The cooperation of the track surfaces with the support pan  14  to provide steering control and maneuverability over the snowboard  2  is shown and discussed with respect to  FIGS. 9-12 . Returning attention to  FIG. 6  however and in distinction to a continuous, constant width belt, the belting of the track  12  is constructed with a number of lateral notches, gaps or slots  76  that are formed-into the left and right sides of the track  12 . The slots  76  are inset approximately two-thirds of the track width and terminate at a central band  78 . The slots define filamentary members or lateral fringe pieces  80  that radiate from the central band  78  and a longitudinal center axis “A” along transverse axes “B”. Smooth interior surfaces  82  of the fringe pieces  80  engage the support pan surfaces  66  and  68 . Although the slots  76  are shown open ended, the slots  76  may be closed ended. That is, the filamentary members  80  may be bounded by portions of the track  12   
         [0048]    A series of laterally displaced drive lugs  58  project from the interior surface of the band  78  and engage the sprocket teeth  56  and also the central portion of the pan  14  at the top of the recess  18 , reference  FIGS. 7 and 8 . Rows of the ground engaging drive lugs  59  depend from the opposite, exterior side of the band  78  and the fringe pieces  80 . The drive lugs  59  are shaped and arranged to optimize forward travel. 
         [0049]    The drive lugs  59  are organized into alternating rows  82  and  84  of lugs  86  and  92  that exhibit shapes designed to optimize vehicle performance over snow. The rows  82  each provide a single lug  86  that approximately spans the width of the central band  78 . The lugs  86  depend from the track  12  between the overlying drive lugs  58 . Each lug  86  provides an upright center piece  88  having a center recess  89 . End pieces  90  extend at obtuse angles from opposite ends of the center piece  88 . Leading and lagging surfaces (relative to the track travel direction) of the lug pieces  88  project from a relatively wide base at the track surface to a narrow elevated apex  91 . The lugs  86  thereby exhibit an elongated, inverted V-shape relative to the rotational travel direction of the track  12 . 
         [0050]    The alternating rows  84  separately provide lugs  92  that span both-the center belt region  78  and the fringe pieces  80 . The rows  84  extend beneath the drive lugs  58 . Each lug  92  is constructed of a trapezoid-shaped center piece  94  and laterally displaced end pieces  96 . The center and end pieces  94  and  96  are coupled together with straight, upright web pieces  98 . 
         [0051]    The end pieces  96  extend the width of the fringe pieces  80  at the rows  84 . The end pieces  96  include short horizontal sections  100  and longer end sections  102  that extend at obtuse angles from the horizontal sections  100 . The lug and web pieces  96  and  98  project from a relatively wide base at the track surface to a narrow apex  104 . The center piece  94  rises to an apex  106  approximately twice the width of the apex  104 . 
         [0052]    The lugs  92  also exhibit an elongated, inverted V-shape relative to the rotational travel direction of the track  12 . Rotation of the center pieces  94  overlaps the regions of ground contact of the lugs  86  and movement of the fringe pieces  80  and particularly the end sections  102  provides steering control. 
         [0053]    In the latter regard and with attention to  FIGS. 9 through 12 , vehicle steering is achieved by dynamically varying the contact of the smooth interior surfaces  82  of the fringe pieces  80  and tops of the drive lugs  58  with the beveled support pan surfaces  66  and  68  and the top wall of the recess  18 .  FIGS. 9 and 10  depict a straight line condition wherein the operator&#39;s weight is centered on the chassis  4  with the support pan  14  generally riding horizontal to the ground. The fringe pieces  80  are correspondingly centered over the support pan  14 . 
         [0054]    Steering is achieved by varying the operator&#39;s position and/or weight on the foot pads  6  and  8  to change the contact dynamics of the track  12  with the support pan  14 . For example, as the operator applies weight to the left side of the chassis  4  and with attention to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the support pan  14  tilts. The left side of the track  12  engages the snow, the left fringe pieces  80  collapse or compress inward against themselves and contact the beveled surface  66 . The compression of the left side of the track  12  causes the left side to cup which action exaggerates the gripping action of the left side lug end sections  102  with the snow. The drive lugs  58  correspondingly move to the right in the recess  18  and contact the sidewalls of the recess  18 . 
         [0055]    The respective slots and fringe pieces  76  and  80  at the right side of the track  12  independently diverge and the right side track interior surface  82  rotates limited contact with the beveled surface  68 . The vehicle  2  responds to the opposing compression and expansion of the fringe pieces  80  at the slots  76  to turn left or right. The simultaneous gripping of the snow by the left lugs  96  enhances the responsiveness of the vehicle  2  to turn. 
         [0056]    In a similar fashion, the controlled application of force on the fringe members  80  via the rollers  29  shown in dashed line at  FIGS. 9 and 12  can produce directional steering flexion. The flexion can be derived by depressing one side of the rollers  29  and/or elevating the other side relative to the fringe members  80 . The axles  25  can be manipulated in different fashions similar to shifting an operator&#39;s weight to derive appropriate track contact. Additional rollers  29 ″ can also be mounted at the ends of the recess  18  to re-center the track  12  relative to the drive sprocket  54  and/or idler rollers  60 . 
         [0057]    Also shown at  FIG. 9  in dashed line is a sliding assembly wherein rollers  29 ′ and axles  25  are mounted to “L” brackets  110  that span a cutout region  112  in the pan  14 . The brackets  110  permit the rollers  29 ′ to laterally slide to and fro to engage the fringe members  80 . Contact of the lugs  58  with the recess  18  or other pan surfaces limit lateral track movement. Stops (not shown) may also be fitted to the pan  14  to engage the brackets  110 . The brackets  110 , rollers  29 ′ and/or axles  25  can be mounted for passive, operator directed movement or active movement with an appropriate actuator and linkage. 
         [0058]    While the invention has been described with respect to a presently preferred assembly and considered improvements, modifications and/or alternatives thereto, still other assemblies and arrangements may be suggested to those skilled in the art. It is also to be appreciated that the features of the foregoing chassis, frame and track can be arranged in different combinations. For example, the track might be included with a different chassis configuration; the bottom contour of the support pan may be configured differently; a different track drive assembly may be coupled to the track; and/or the drive and/or ground contact lugs at the track and/or the slots between flexible filamentary members can be configured differently. The foregoing description should therefore be construed to include all those embodiments within the spirit and scope of the following claims.