Snowmobile with Leaning Capability and Improvements Therefor

Abstract

A snowmobile has a suspension with a spring. The spring has a central loop portion and an elastomeric bushing disposed in the central loop portion. A limiting cable is disposed adjacent to the spring. The snowmobile also has a rear snowmobile suspension with a torsion link structure. A control arm is pivotally connected to a first end of the torsion link structure. A wheel assembly is pivotally connected to a second end of the torsion link structure. A first slide rail is attached to the wheel assembly with a sliding mechanism. A track around the rear snowmobile suspension has a paddle oriented substantially perpendicular to the track. A first gripping element is disposed on the face of the paddle.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A snowmobile, comprising:
 a suspension arm;   an outboard suspension attached to an end of the suspension arm;   a first spring attached to the outboard suspension;   a bushing disposed in a loop of the first spring; and   a ski attached to the outboard suspension by the first spring.   
     
     
         2 . The snowmobile of  claim 1 , wherein the bushing includes:
 a substantially rigid inner portion; and   a pliable outer portion.   
     
     
         3 . The snowmobile of  claim 1 , wherein the first spring includes:
 a first pillar coupled between the loop and the outboard suspension; and   a second pillar coupled between the loop and the ski.   
     
     
         4 . The snowmobile of  claim 1 , wherein the outboard suspension includes a mount plate with the first spring attached between a first corner of the mount plate and the ski. 
     
     
         5 . The snowmobile of  claim 4 , further including:
 a second spring attached between a second corner of the mount plate and the ski;   a third spring attached between a third corner of the mount plate and the ski; and   a fourth spring attached between a fourth corner of the mount plate and the ski.   
     
     
         6 . The snowmobile of  claim 5 , further including:
 a first cable attached between the mount plate and the ski adjacent to the first spring;   a second cable attached between the mount plate and the ski adjacent to the second spring;   a third cable attached between the mount plate and the ski adjacent to the third spring; and   a fourth cable attached between the mount plate and the ski adjacent to the fourth spring.   
     
     
         7 . The snowmobile of  claim 5 , wherein the first spring, second spring, third spring, and fourth spring are configured to allow the ski to flex along an entire length of the ski independent of the outboard suspension. 
     
     
         8 . A snowmobile, comprising:
 an outboard suspension;   a first spring attached to the outboard suspension;   a bushing disposed in an opening of the first spring; and   a ski attached to the outboard suspension by the first spring.   
     
     
         9 . The snowmobile of  claim 8 , wherein the bushing includes an inner portion and an outer portion. 
     
     
         10 . The snowmobile of  claim 9 , wherein the inner portion of the bushing is substantially rigid and the outer portion of the bushing is pliable. 
     
     
         11 . The snowmobile of  claim 8 , further including a cable extending from the outboard suspension to the ski. 
     
     
         12 . The snowmobile of  claim 8 , wherein the bushing is interchangeable. 
     
     
         13 . The snowmobile of  claim 8 , further including a second spring, wherein the ski is attached to the outboard suspension by the first spring and second spring. 
     
     
         14 . The snowmobile of  claim 13 , wherein the first spring and second spring are configured to allow the ski to flex independent of the outboard suspension. 
     
     
         15 . A snowmobile, comprising:
 a mount plate;   a ski; and   a first spring coupled between the mount plate and ski.   
     
     
         16 . The snowmobile of  claim 15 , further including a second spring coupled between the mount plate and ski in front of the first spring. 
     
     
         17 . The snowmobile of  claim 15 , wherein the first spring includes a bushing. 
     
     
         18 . The snowmobile of  claim 17 , wherein the bushing includes a rigid portion and a pliable portion. 
     
     
         19 . The snowmobile of  claim 17 , wherein the bushing is interchangeable. 
     
     
         20 . The snowmobile of  claim 15 , further including a cable coupled between the mount plate and ski.