Snowmobile ski dampener

Abstract

An improved snowmobile ski dampener for dampening articulation between a steering spindle and a snowmobile ski. The ski dampener may be constructed of an elastomeric material and include one or more progressive surfaces that progressively come in contact with a base surface of the steering spindle as progressively increased compressive loads are applied between the steering spindle and snowmobile ski. As the progressive surfaces come in contact with the base surface, the shape factor of the ski dampener may change (e.g., increase), reducing compressive strain for a given compressive stress. Various design and material characteristics including width, shape of the progressive surface, and durometer and bulk modulus of the elastomeric material may be selected to provide various performance characteristics such as dampening effect, impact absorption, approach angle, initial flex force, and service life.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An elastomeric dampener for dampening articulation between a steering spindle and a ski of a snowmobile, comprising:
 a bottom side, the bottom side in contact with a top surface of the ski when installed on the ski;   a top side comprising at least one surface in contact with a forward base surface of the steering spindle when the steering spindle and the ski are in a preload condition; and   a plate between a first portion of the elastomeric dampener comprising the top side and a second portion of the elastomeric dampener comprising the bottom side.