Power-assisted ski track setter system

Abstract

A power-assisted ski track setter including a user control assembly, a track cutter assembly, and a drive assembly configured to operably engage the track cutter assembly is provided. The user control assembly is configured to control the direction of the power-assisted ski track setter. The track cutter assembly comprises a frame, a set of wheels operably coupled to the frame, a set of axles operably coupled to the wheels, and a set of tracks encircling the set of wheels. The set of wheels rotatably supports the frame. The drive assembly is configured to be mounted adjacent to the frame. The drive assembly comprises a motor configured to transmit power to the track cutter assembly, a battery electrically connected to the motor, and a drive gear operably coupled to the motor.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A device, comprising:
 a frame;   a handlebar assembly coupled to the frame;   one or more first wheels coupled to the frame;   one or more second wheels coupled to the frame;   a first track engaged with the one or more first wheels, the first track being configured to form a first groove within a surface on which the device traverses;   a second track engaged with the one or more second wheels, the second track being configured to form a second groove within the surface on which the device traverses; and   a drive mechanism including a motor operably coupled to at least one of the one or more first wheels or the one or more second wheels.   
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the handlebar assembly is configured to adjust in length and angle relative to the frame. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the device is configured to travel in a first direction; and   the first track and the second track are spaced apart in a second direction that is substantially transverse to the first direction.   
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the first track and the second track are spaced apart in the second direction by a distance between approximately 8 inches and approximately 14 inches. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the first track includes a first width between approximately 2 inches and approximately 3 inches; and   the second track includes a second width between approximately 2 inches and approximately 3 inches.   
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein the frame is one of:
 partially interposed between the one or more first wheels and the one or more second wheels; or   completely interposed between the one or more first wheels and the one or more second wheels.   
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein:
 the one or more first wheels comprise a first wheel and a second wheel;   the one or more second wheels comprise a third wheel and a fourth wheel; and   the drive mechanism operably couples to at least one of:
 the first wheel, 
 the second wheel, 
 the third wheel, or 
 the fourth wheel. 
   
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 21 , further comprising an axle, the axle operably coupling at least a first wheel of the one or more first wheels and at least a second wheel of the one or more second wheels. 
     
     
         29 . A system, comprising:
 a frame;   a track cutter comprising:
 a first front wheel, 
 a first rear wheel, 
 a first track operably coupling the first front wheel and the first rear wheel, the first track being configured to form a first ski track in a surface on which the system traverses, 
 a second front wheel, 
 a second rear wheel, and 
 a second track operably coupling the second front wheel and the second rear wheel, the second track being configured to form a second ski track in the surface on which the system traverses; 
   a drive unit operably coupled to at least one of:
 the first front wheel, 
 the first rear wheel, 
 the second front wheel, or 
 the second rear wheel; and 
   a handlebar assembly coupled to the frame.   
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein:
 the drive unit is configured to cause the system to move in a first direction;   the first track and the second track are spaced apart in a second direction that is substantially transverse to the first direction; and   the first track and the second track are spaced apart, in the second direction, by a distance between approximately 8 inches and approximately 14 inches.   
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein:
 the first track includes a first width between approximately 2 inches and approximately 3 inches; and   the second track includes a second width between approximately 2 inches and approximately 3 inches.   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the drive unit comprises:
 at least one of an electric motor or an internal-combustion engine; and   one or more pulleys or one or more gears operably coupling the at least one of the electric motor or the internal-combustion engine to the at least one of the first front wheel, the first rear wheel, the second front wheel, or the second rear wheel.   
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the handlebar assembly is configured to adjust in at least one of length or angle relative to the frame. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the handlebar assembly further includes comprising a throttle configured to adjust an output of the drive unit. 
     
     
         35 . A device, comprising:
 a frame;   a handlebar assembly coupled to the frame;   a track cutter configured to form a first ski track for a first ski and a second ski track for a second ski within a surface on which the device traverses, the track cutter comprising:
 a first front wheel, 
 a first rear wheel, 
 a first track operably coupling the first front wheel and the first rear wheel, 
 a second front wheel, 
 a second rear wheel, and 
 a second track operably coupling the second front wheel and the second rear wheel, the second track being spaced apart from the first track by a distance for forming the first ski track and the second ski track; and 
   a drive unit operably coupled to at least one of:
 the first front wheel, 
 the first rear wheel, 
 the second front wheel, or 
 the second rear wheel. 
   
     
     
         36 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein the distance is between approximately 8 inches and approximately 14 inches. 
     
     
         37 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein:
 the first track includes a first width between approximately 2 inches and approximately 3 inches; and   the second track includes a second width between approximately 2 inches and approximately 3 inches.   
     
     
         38 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein the handlebar assembly is configured to adjust in at least one of length or angle relative to the frame. 
     
     
         39 . The device of  claim 35 , wherein the drive unit is at least one of:
 mounted vertically above the frame; or   mounted laterally adjacent to the frame.   
     
     
         40 . The device of  claim 35 , further comprising at least one of:
 a first tensioner configured to adjust a first tension of the first track; or   a second tensioner configured to adjust a second tension of the second track.