Long track mountain snowmobile and track therefor

Abstract

A novel mountain snowmobile comprises a frame, an engine disposed on the frame, at least one ski disposed on the frame, a seat disposed on the frame, a steering device disposed on the frame forward of the seat that is operatively connected to the at least one ski for steering the snowmobile, and a novel long length drive track disposed below the frame and connected operatively to the engine for propulsion of the snowmobile. The novel drive track comprises an endless body having a ground-engaging outer surface with a central portion flanked by first and second lateral portions, a plurality of longitudinally spaced reinforcing rods disposed in the body along a transverse direction of the body. The rods define a plurality of pitches, and a plurality of profiles project from the outer surface of the body along the plurality of pitches. A plurality of non-profile regions is defined along the plurality of pitches, and the profiles and profile-free regions define a pattern for each pitch. The pitch pattern for the novel track has a six pitch tread pattern which repeats every successive sixsomes of pitches. A height profile that varies between the first and second lateral portions is defined by the profiles. Such height profile has each profile with a height of not less than about 1¼ inches. The long length track has a length greater than about 141 inches.

1 . A snowmobile, comprising: 
 a frame including a tunnel;    an engine disposed on the frame;    a drive track disposed below the tunnel and connected operatively to the engine for propulsion of the snowmobile, the drive track having a plurality of profiles disposed thereon;    two skis disposed on the frame;    a seat disposed on the tunnel behind the engine; and    handlebars disposed on the frame forward of the seat, the handlebars being operatively connected to the skis for steering the snowmobile,    wherein each profile has a height of not less than about 1¼ inches; and    wherein the drive track has a length of 141 inches+/−1 inch.    
   
   
       2 . A snowmobile as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the height of each profile is between about 1½ and 2 inches.  
   
   
       3 . A snowmobile as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the height of each profile is between about 1¾ and 2 inches.  
   
   
       4 . A snowmobile as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the drive track has 56 pitches+/−2 pitches in its longitudinal direction.  
   
   
       5 . A snowmobile as claimed in  1 , wherein the ratio of length to width is not greater than 10.067+/−1.  
   
   
       6 . A snowmobile as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of length to width is between 9.6+/−1 and about 10.067+/−1.  
   
   
       7 . A snowmobile, comprising:. 
 a frame including a tunnel;    an engine disposed on the frame;    a drive track disposed below the tunnel and connected operatively to the engine for propulsion of the snowmobile, the drive track having a plurality of profiles disposed thereon;    two skis disposed on the frame;    a seat disposed on the tunnel behind the engine; and    handlebars disposed on the frame forward of the seat, the handlebars being operatively connected to the skis for steering the snowmobile,    wherein each profile has a height of not less than about 1¼ inches; and    wherein the drive track has a length of 144 inches+/−1 inch.    
   
   
       8 . A snowmobile as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the height of each profile is between about 1½ and 2 inches.  
   
   
       9 . A snowmobile as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the height of each profile is between about 1¾ and 2 inches.  
   
   
       10 . A snowmobile as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the drive track has 56 pitches+/−2 pitches in its longitudinal direction.  
   
   
       11 . A snowmobile as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the ratio of length to width is not greater than 10.067+/−1.  
   
   
       12 . A snowmobile as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the ratio of length to width is between 9.6+/−1 and about 10.067+/−1.  
   
   
       13 . A snowmobile, comprising: 
 a frame including a tunnel;    an engine disposed on the frame;    a drive track disposed below the tunnel and connected operatively to the engine for propulsion of the snowmobile, the drive track having a plurality of profiles disposed thereon;    two skis disposed on the frame;    a seat disposed on the tunnel behind the engine; and    handlebars disposed on the frame forward of the seat, the handlebars being operatively connected to the skis for steering the snowmobile,    wherein each profile has a height of not less than about 1¼ inches; and    wherein the drive track has a length of 151 inches+/−1 inch.    
   
   
       14 . A snowmobile as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the height of each profile is between 1½+/−0.25 and 2+/−0.25 inches.  
   
   
       15 . A snowmobile as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the height of each profile is between about 1¾+/−25 and 2+/−0.25 inches.  
   
   
       16 . A snowmobile as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the drive track has 56 pitches+/−2 pitches in its longitudinal direction.  
   
   
       17 . A snowmobile as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the ratio of length to width is not greater than 10.067+/−1.  
   
   
       18 . A snowmobile as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the ratio of length to width is between 9.6+/−1 and about 10.067+/−1.