A tracked vehicle has a chassis including a tunnel. An engine is connected to the chassis. An endless drive track is disposed below the tunnel and operatively connected to the engine. A suspension assembly supports and tensions the endless drive track. The suspension assembly has a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction. The suspension assembly includes a rail engaging the endless drive track. The rail extends in the longitudinal direction. A suspension arm has an upper end pivotally connected to the chassis about a first lateral axis, and a lower end pivotally connected to the rail about a second lateral axis. At least one shock absorber is connected between the chassis and the rail for biasing the rail away from the chassis. The chassis is pivotally connected to the rail via the suspension assembly about a longitudinally extending axis. A suspension assembly is also disclosed.

A tracked vehicle has a chassis including a tunnel. An engine is connected to the chassis. An endless drive track is disposed below the tunnel and operatively connected to the engine. A suspension assembly supports and tensions the endless drive track. The suspension assembly has a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction. The suspension assembly includes a rail engaging the endless drive track. The rail extends in the longitudinal direction. A suspension arm has an upper end pivotally connected to the chassis about a first lateral axis, and a lower end pivotally connected to the rail about a second lateral axis. At least one shock absorber is connected between the chassis and the rail for biasing the rail away from the chassis. The chassis is pivotally connected to the rail via the suspension assembly about a longitudinally extending axis. A suspension assembly is also disclosed.

A snow vehicle is disclosed comprising a uni-body frame having a forward engine compartment, a propulsion unit coupled to the frame, and a front ski steered by a steering mechanism. The snow vehicle has a chain coupling the sprocket of the propulsion unit located outside of the frame and directly coupled to the belt drive.

A snow vehicle is disclosed comprising a uni-body frame having a forward engine compartment, a propulsion unit coupled to the frame, and a front ski steered by a steering mechanism. The snow vehicle has a chain coupling the sprocket of the propulsion unit located outside of the frame and directly coupled to the belt drive.

A track for traction of a vehicle (e.g., a snowmobile), in which the track is studded, i.e., comprises studs, to enhance its traction, including to optimize acceleration, control, and/or braking of the vehicle, such as, for example, by increasing engagement of the studs with a ground on which the vehicle travels (e.g., increasing their number and/or exposure) and/or improving retention of the studs in the track (e.g., better orienting and/or anchoring them), while being lightweight, reducing noise, and/or withstanding high speeds.

A long-travel continuously-rising-rate track carriage and suspension mechanism for motive drive and cushioned support of a tracked land vehicle upon a ground-contacting lower run of an endless-loop track. A present practical application of the invention is to convert a motorcycle into a snowbike for over-snow use wherein the rear wheel and swingarm of the motorcycle are replaced by the track carriage and suspension mechanism of the present invention and the front wheel is replaced by one or more skis. The unique long-travel rising-rate track suspension is accomplished employing a single swingarm connected pivotally between the vehicle chassis and a track skid, and using a bell crank and connecting rod to provide progressive actuation of a shock absorber upon compression of the track suspension. The track is carried and driven by components mounted to the single swingarm.

A snow vehicle is disclosed comprising a vehicle frame, a propulsion unit coupled to the frame, and a front ski steered by a steering mechanism. The snow vehicle has a chain coupling the sprocket of the propulsion unit and a chain tensioning device to take up the chain tension. The chain has a chain guide positioned below a lower run of the chain which directs the chain towards an upper run of the chain.

A snow vehicle is disclosed comprising a vehicle frame, a propulsion unit coupled to the frame, and a front ski steered by a steering mechanism. The snow vehicle has a chain coupling the sprocket of the propulsion unit and a chain tensioning device to take up the chain tension. The chain has a chain guide positioned below a lower run of the chain which directs the chain towards an upper run of the chain.

A ski system and a track system for a vehicle. The ski system includes a ski and a ski mount to connect the ski to the vehicle. The track system includes a track-engaging assembly and a track disposed around the track-engaging assembly. The ski system and the track system may be designed to enhance travel of the vehicle on the ground, including to facilitate banking of the vehicle (e.g., to turn, on a side hill, etc.), steering of the vehicle by turning the ski system, and/or moving on harder snow (e.g., packed snow).

A ski system and a track system for a vehicle. The ski system includes a ski and a ski mount to connect the ski to the vehicle. The track system includes a track-engaging assembly and a track disposed around the track-engaging assembly. The ski system and the track system may be designed to enhance travel of the vehicle on the ground, including to facilitate banking of the vehicle (e.g., to turn, on a side hill, etc.), steering of the vehicle by turning the ski system, and/or moving on harder snow (e.g., packed snow).