Snowmobile Rider Positioning

Abstract

A snowmobile positions riders close to the center of gravity of the snowmobile, reduces jostling forces, and improves the comfort and ridability of the snowmobile. The snowmobile has a steering position on a steering device that is disposed forward of the forward-most drive axle and center of gravity of the snowmobile. A steering shaft, which operatively connects the steering device to the skis, forms an angle of less than 45 degrees with vertical. The seat may have seat positions for one, two, or three riders, the first seat position being disposed less than 590 mm behind the forward-most drive track axle. The seat may be divided into two sections, the second seat section being removably attached to the frame behind the first seat section. The back of the seat and the rearward-most seat position may be disposed behind the back end of the snowmobile's frame.

1 . A snowmobile, comprising: 
 a frame;    a straddle-type seat disposed on the frame;    first and second seat positions defined by the seat;    an engine disposed on the frame in front of the seat;    a drive track disposed below the frame and connected operatively to the engine for propulsion of the snowmobile;    a forward-most drive track axle disposed on the frame;    two skis disposed on the frame;    a steering device having a steering position; and    a steering shaft operatively connecting the two skis to the steering device for steering the snowmobile, the first seat position is disposed less than 590 mm behind the forward-most drive track axle, the second seat position is disposed behind the first seat position by between 265 mm and 365 mm.    
   
   
       2 . The snowmobile of  claim 1 , wherein the steering shaft is disposed over the engine at an angle ε of between 25° and 40° from vertical.  
   
   
       3 . The snowmobile of  claim 1 , wherein the first seat position is disposed between 550 mm and 580 mm behind the forward-most drive track axle.  
   
   
       4 . The snowmobile of  claim 1 , wherein the second seat position is disposed behind the first seat position by between 325 mm and 355 mm.  
   
   
       5 . The snowmobile of  claim 1 , wherein the second seat position is disposed behind the first seat position by between 275 mm and 305 mm.  
   
   
       6 . The snowmobile of  claim 1  further comprising a third seat position on the seat, wherein the third seat position is disposed behind the second seat position by between 285 mm and 370 mm.  
   
   
       7 . The snowmobile of  claim 6 , wherein the third seat position is disposed behind the second seat position by between 330 mm and 360 mm.  
   
   
       8 . The snowmobile of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second seat positions are disposed on a singular seat unit.  
   
   
       9 . The snowmobile of  claim 1 , wherein the seat comprises first and second seat sections, the second seat section being removable, the first seat position being on the first seat section, and the second seat position being on the second seat section.  
   
   
       10 . The snowmobile of  claim 9 , wherein a cargo space is provided behind the first seat section beneath the second removable seat section.  
   
   
       11 . The snowmobile of  claim 6 , wherein the first, second, and third seat positions are disposed on a singular seat unit.  
   
   
       12 . The snowmobile of  claim 6 , wherein the seat comprises first and second seat sections, the second seat section being removable, the first and second seat positions being on the first seat section, and the third seat position being on the second seat section.  
   
   
       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;    a forward-most drive track axle disposed on the frame;    two skis disposed on the frame;    a steering device disposed on the frame and operatively connected to the two skis for steering the snowmobile, the steering device having a steering position;    a steering shaft operatively connecting the two skis to the steering device for steering the snowmobile; and    a straddle-type seat disposed on the frame, wherein a back end of the seat extends behind a rearward-most portion of the frame; and    a front suspension system operatively connecting the two skis to the frame, wherein the front suspension system is one of an A-arm suspension system and a trailing arm suspension system.    
   
   
       14 . The snowmobile of  claim 13 , wherein the back end of the seat extends behind the rearward-most portion of the frame by between 205 mm and 255 mm.  
   
   
       15 . The snowmobile of  claim 13 , wherein the seat comprises first, second and third seating positions, the seat further comprising first and second seat sections, the second seat section being removable, the first and second seat positions being on the first seat section, and the third seat position being on the second seat section.  
   
   
       16 . A snowmobile, comprising: 
 a frame;    a straddle-type seat disposed on the frame;    a seat position defined by the seat;    an engine disposed on the frame in front of the seat;    a drive track disposed below the frame and connected operatively to the engine for propulsion of the snowmobile;    a forward-most drive track axle disposed on the frame;    two skis disposed on the frame;    a steering device having a steering position; and    a steering shaft operatively connecting the two skis to the steering device for steering the snowmobile, wherein the seat position is disposed less than 590 mm behind the forward-most drive track axle.    
   
   
       17 . The snowmobile of  claim 16 , wherein the seat position is disposed between 550 mm and 580 mm behind the forward-most drive track axle.  
   
   
       18 . The snowmobile of  claim 17 , wherein the seat position is disposed between 560 mm and 570 mm behind the forward-most drive track axle.  
   
   
       19 . The snowmobile of  claim 16 , further comprising a front suspension system operatively connecting the two skis to the frame, wherein the front suspension system is one of an A-arm suspension system and a trailing arm suspension system.  
   
   
       20 . The snowmobile of  claim 16 , wherein the seat position is a first seat position, the seat further comprises second and third seating positions, the seat further comprising first and second seat sections, the second seat section being removable, the first and second seat positions being on the first seat section, and the third seat position being on the second seat section.