Traction stud mount and method of manufacture

Abstract

A stud mount for detachably mounting a traction stud to a snowmobile track assembly including an endless drive belt having at least one laterally extending reinforcing rod embedded in the drive belt. At least one stud mount is secured about the reinforcing rod by way of a mounting head and is opened to the ground-engaging side of the track to receive a traction stud. One or more stabilizing arms project laterally from the mounting head and are adapted embedded in the endless drive belt to provide lateral stability to the stud mounts under torque load.

1 . A snowmobile track assembly comprising:
 an endless drive belt, moveable in an endless path, having an inner surface, an outer ground-engaging surface, and at least one laterally extending reinforcing rod embedded in said drive belt; and
 at least one stud mount, at least partially embedded in said drive belt, extending between an outer stud-receiving end communicating with said outer ground-engaging surface for receiving a traction stud therein and an inner opposite mounting head secured directly to said at least one reinforcing rod, and 
 wherein said stud mount includes at least one transverse stabilizing arm projecting laterally outwardly of said reinforcing rod and embedded in said endless drive belt to provide lateral support to said stud mount. 
   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein there is a plurality of said stud mounts. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said at least one stabilizing arm extends in the endless path of said drive belt. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said at least one stabilizing arm comprises a stabilizing arm projecting from opposite sides of said stud mount in the direction of the endless path of said drive belt. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4  wherein said wing feature is formed of one piece with said mounting head of said stud mount. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said mounting head extends substantially about said reinforcing rod. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said stud mount is fabricated of metal. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said stud mount is fabricated at least in part of plastics material. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said stud-receiving end has a bore for receiving the traction stud. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9  wherein said bore is threaded. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said mounting head includes a first set of strap portions wrapped about said reinforcing rod and a second set of strap portions projecting laterally away from said first set of strap portions on opposite sides thereof in the endless path of said endless belt and defining said at least one stabilizing arm. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 11  wherein said second set of strap portions are cantileverly supported by said first set of strap portions. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 11  wherein said second set of strap portions comprises four strap portions and said first set of strap portions comprises two strap portions. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said at least one stabilizing arm includes opposite surfaces embedded in and engaging said endless drive belt. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein said endless drive belt is fabricated at least in part of rubber. 
     
     
         16 .- 34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A traction stud mount for mounting a traction stud on a snowmobile track assembly comprising an endless drive belt having an inner surface, an outer ground-engaging surface, and at least one laterally extending reinforcing rod embedded in said drive belt;
 said traction stud mount comprising
 at least one stud mount adapted to be at least partially embedded in the drive belt, extending between a stud-receiving end communicating with said outer ground-engaging surface for receiving a traction stud therein, and an inner opposite mounting head adapted to be secured directly to the at least one reinforcing rod, and 
   at least one transverse stabilizing arm projecting laterally outwardly of said mounting head and adapted to be embedded in the endless drive belt to provide lateral support to said stud mount.   
     
     
         36 . The stud mount of  claim 35  wherein said at least one stabilizing arm comprises a wing feature projecting from laterally opposite sides of mounting head, 
     
     
         37 . The stud mount of  claim 36  wherein said wing feature is formed of one piece with said mounting head of said stud mount. 
     
     
         38 . The stud mount of  claim 35  wherein said stud-receiving end has a threaded bore for receiving the traction stud. 
     
     
         39 . The stud mount of  claim 35  wherein said mounting head includes a first set of strap portions for wrapping about the reinforcing rod and a second set for strap portions projecting in opposite directions laterally away from said first set of strap portions on opposite sides thereof in the circumferential direction of said endless belt and defining said at least one stabilizing arm. 
     
     
         40 . The stud mount of  claim 39  wherein said second set of strap portions are cantileverly supported by said first set of strap portions.