Patent ID: 8056655

Claim:
A drive system suitable for use on a vehicle having: a frame having a front portion, a rear portion and a longitudinal axis; an engine supported by the frame; a seat supported by the frame to accommodate a rider; and a manually-operable steering device connected to the frame to accept steering input from the rider; the drive system comprising: a drive-system frame operatively connectable to the frame of the vehicle so as to be capable of pivotal movement with respect to the frame of the vehicle relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle such that the drive system may be pivoted to steer the vehicle, and so as to be incapable of pivotal movement with respect to the frame of the vehicle in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis and normal to a ground when the vehicle is on a flat level terrain and steered straight; a rail pivotally mounted to the drive-system frame; and a ground-engaging endless belt in sliding engagement with the rail such that a ground contact area of the belt is below the rail when the vehicle is on flat level terrain, the belt being operatively connectable to the engine to propel the vehicle, the drive system being operatively connectable to the steering device of the vehicle.