Ice scratcher for a snowmobile

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9610987-B2
Application number	US-201414448397-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 31, 2014
Priority date	Jul 31, 2013
Publication date	Apr 4, 2017
Grant date	Apr 4, 2017

Abstract

An ice scratcher for attachment to a snowmobile includes first and second ice scratcher end portions opposite to each other, an elongate member connected to the second ice scratcher end portion, and a spring connecting the first ice scratcher end portion to the elongate member. The spring has a plurality of coils defining a coil radius. The spring is movable between an unbent configuration, wherein a centerline passing through respective centers of each coil of the plurality of coils defines a coil axis, and a bent configuration, wherein at least a portion of the centerline is displaced from the coil axis. At least a portion of the first ice scratcher end portion is radially spaced from the coil axis by a distance less than the coil radius and adapted for attachment to the snowmobile. Ice scratcher assemblies, kits and snowmobiles having the ice scratcher are also disclosed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An ice scratcher for attachment to a snowmobile comprising:
a first ice scratcher end portion adapted for attachment to the snowmobile;
a second ice scratcher end portion opposite the first ice scratcher end portion;
an elongate member connected to the second ice scratcher end portion; and
a spring connecting the first ice scratcher end portion to the elongate member, the spring comprising a plurality of coils defining an inner coil radius,
the spring, when attached to the snowmobile by the first ice scratcher end portion, being movable between an unbent configuration wherein a centerline passing through respective centers of each coil of the plurality of coils defines an unbent configuration coil axis and a bent configuration wherein at least a portion of the centerline is displaced from the unbent configuration coil axis, at least a portion of the first ice scratcher end portion being radially spaced from the unbent configuration coil axis by a distance less than the inner coil radius when attached to the snowmobile.

2. The ice scratcher of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the first ice scratcher end portion is radially spaced from the unbent configuration coil axis by a distance greater than the inner coil radius.

3. The ice scratcher of claim 1 , wherein, in the unbent configuration, the second ice scratcher end portion extends downwardly and forwardly from the elongate member when the ice scratcher is attached to the snowmobile.

4. The ice scratcher of claim 1 , wherein, in the unbent configuration, the elongate member is disposed forwardly of the unbent configuration coil axis when the ice scratcher is attached to the snowmobile.

5. The ice scratcher of claim 1 , wherein, in the unbent configuration, an upper portion of the elongate member extends away from the spring in a direction parallel to the unbent configuration coil axis.

6. The ice scratcher of claim 1 , wherein the spring is wound in a direction such that when the ice scratcher is attached to the snowmobile, a rearward displacement of the elongate member winds the spring tighter.

7. The ice scratcher of claim 1 , wherein a length of the spring in a direction parallel to the unbent configuration coil axis is smaller than a length of the elongate member.

8. The ice scratcher of claim 1 , wherein the elongate member is integrally formed with the spring.

9. The ice scratcher of claim 1 , wherein the second ice scratcher end portion is integrally formed with the elongate member.

10. The ice scratcher of claim 1 , further comprising a wear-resistant tip connected to the second ice scratcher end portion.

11. An ice scratcher assembly comprising:
an ice scratcher according to claim 1 ; and
a mounting bracket adapted for attachment to the snowmobile, the first ice scratcher end portion being fixed to the mounting bracket.

12. The ice scratcher assembly of claim 11 , wherein the first ice scratcher end portion is detachably fastened to the mounting bracket.

13. The ice scratcher assembly of claim 11 , wherein the mounting bracket comprises a first aperture, a center of the first aperture being radially spaced from the unbent configuration coil axis by a distance less than the inner coil radius, and further comprising a first threaded fastener inserted through the first aperture and fastening a first portion of the first ice scratcher end portion to the mounting bracket.

14. The ice scratcher assembly of claim 13 , wherein the mounting bracket comprises a groove, the first portion of the first ice scratcher end portion being at least in part received in the groove.

15. The ice scratcher assembly of claim 13 , wherein the mounting bracket comprises a second aperture, a center of the second aperture being radially spaced from the unbent configuration coil axis by a distance greater than the inner coil radius, and further comprising a second threaded fastener inserted through the second aperture and fastening a second portion of the first ice scratcher end portion to the mounting bracket.

16. The ice scratcher assembly of claim 11 , further comprising a hook adapted for attachment to the snowmobile, the ice scratcher having a stowed configuration when attached to the snowmobile wherein at least one of the elongate member and the second ice scratcher end portion is supported by the hook.

17. A snowmobile comprising:
a frame including a tunnel;
a motor connected to the frame;
a suspension assembly connected to the frame;
an endless track connected to the frame via the suspension assembly and operatively connected to the motor; and
an ice scratcher according to claim 1 , the first ice scratcher end portion being connected to at least one of the frame and the suspension assembly, the unbent configuration coil axis extending laterally,
the ice scratcher having an operative configuration wherein the second ice scratcher end portion is in contact with a surface on which the snowmobile operates at a position laterally outward of the track.

18. The snowmobile of claim 17 , wherein the suspension assembly comprises a slide rail contacting an inner surface of the track, the ice scratcher being attached to the slide rail.

19. The snowmobile of claim 17 , wherein the ice scratcher has a stowed configuration wherein the second ice scratcher end portion is spaced from the surface on which the snowmobile operates.

20. The snowmobile of claim 19 , wherein the second ice scratcher end portion is disposed rearward of the spring in the stowed configuration.

21. The snowmobile of claim 19 , wherein, when viewed from a side of the snowmobile:
the plurality of coils is wound in one of a clockwise and a counter-clockwise direction with the ice scratcher in the unbent configuration; and
the second ice scratcher end portion is displaced in the one of the clockwise and the counter-clockwise directions to move the ice scratcher from the operative configuration to the stowed configuration.

22. The snowmobile of claim 19 , wherein the suspension assembly comprises a slide rail contacting an inner surface of the track;
the snowmobile further comprising a hook attached to the slide rail, the hook extending laterally outwardly from the slide rail and selectively supporting at least one of the elongate member and the second ice scratcher end portion when the ice scratcher is in a stowed configuration.

23. An ice scratcher kit for providing an ice scratcher assembly on a snowmobile, the kit comprising:
an ice scratcher according to claim 1 ;
a mounting bracket adapted to be fastened to the snowmobile; and
at least one fastener adapted to fasten the ice scratcher to the mounting bracket.

24. The ice scratcher kit of claim 23 , wherein the at least one fastener is further adapted to fasten the mounting bracket to the snowmobile.

Assignees

• Bombardier Recreational Products Inc

Inventors

• Bedard Yvon

Classifications

• B62M29/00

  Ground engaging propulsion devices for cycles, sledges, or rider-propelled wheeled vehicles, not otherwise provided for {(non-motorized scooters with skis or runners B62K3/002)} · CPC title

• B62M2027/027

  Snow mobiles characterised by the tracks · CPC title

• B62D55/092 Primary

  with lubrication means (lubricating in general F16N) · CPC title

• B62M27/02

  power driven · CPC title

• B62D55/07

  Mono-track vehicles · CPC title