SNOWMOBILE THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM

Abstract

A snowmobile throttle control system comprises a throttle block with a throttle thumb lever pivotally connected thereto, the throttle block clamped to a snowmobile handlebar next to a right hand grip. The hand grip and/or thumb lever having electric heaters. The configuration of the throttle block and thumb lever reducing issues associated with snow and or ice buildup between the two during operation of the throttle control system by vertically and horizontally spacing respective confronting portions of each, effecting shear forces on any such ice or snow between the two, and by minimizing heat transfer between the handlebar and throttle block by reducing the contact between clamping surfaces of the throttle block engaging the handlebar thereby minimizing melting and freezing of the snow and ice at the throttle control system. The thumb lever and throttle block providing integrated securement structure for wires associated with the electric heaters.

Claims

1. A throttle control system for a snowmobile comprising: a throttle block having an upper portion and a lower portion defining a generally cylindrical handlebar opening for clamping to a snowmobile handlebar at a right hand grip, the throttle block having a forward portion that is positioned forward of the handlebars and a rearward portion that extends rearwardly from the handlebar when the throttle block is mounted on the handlebar, the forward portion having a vertical pivot pin therein, the rearward portion having a throttle cable conduit connection portion; a thumb lever having a proximal portion with a pair of lever arms, each with a forwardmost end, a mid portion with a throttle cable wire connection portion, and a distal portion with a thumb gripping portion, the thumb lever pivotally attached to the throttle block with each of the forwardmost ends of the lever arms captured by the vertical pivot pin in the throttle block, wherein when thumb lever and throttle block is mounted on the handlebar, the thumb lever has an undepressed position where the midportion is confronting the throttle cable conduit connection portion of the throttle block, the thumb lever depressible to a position away from the undepressed position, wherein each of the pair of lever arms have a pin attachment portion connecting to a traversing portion that extends across the handlebar when the system is attached thereto, and an expanding thickness portion connecting to the traversing portion, the expanding thickness portion extending to the thumb lever mid portion, and wherein the traversing portion of each arm portion is vertically spaced from the throttle block providing a vertical clearance therebetween

2. The throttle control system of claim 1, wherein the throttle block is formed of an injection molded polymer.

3. The throttle control system of claim 2, wherein the throttle block has a handlebar engagement portion that is configured with a plurality of ribs or projections that provide a plurality of air gaps between the exterior surface of the handlebar and the handlebar engagement portion.

4. The throttle control system of claim 1, wherein the upper portion of the throttle block comprises an upwardly extending boss and wherein the lower portion comprises a downwardly extending boss, wherein a pivot pin hole extends through the upwardly extending boss and the downwardly extending boss, the upwardly extending boss and the downwardly extending boss providing separation of the thumb lever arms from the throttle block above and below the handlebar when the throttle block is attached to the handlebar.

5. The throttle control system of claim 1, wherein the rearward portion of the throttle block has a stop portion the projects towards the mid portion of the thumb lever, the stop portion positioned rearwardly from the throttle cable connection portion of the rearward portion, the stop portion providing a horizon separation of the throttle cable conduit connection portion from the mid portion of the thumb lever when viewed from above.

6. The throttle control system of claim 1, wherein one or both of the throttle block and thumb lever have wire management structure comprising a pair of unitary walls defining a channel at a bottom side of the throttle block and/or thumb lever.

7. The throttle control system of claim 1, wherein the throttle block portions are clampable to the handlebar with a pair of screws extending upwardly through the lower portion into the upper portion, and wherein the pivot pin is a screw that extends through a lower arm of the pair of lever arms of the thumb lever, through the upper portion and into an upper arm of the pair of lever arms of the thumb lever.

8. The throttle control system of claim 1 wherein the two throttle block portions and the thumb lever are comprised of glass filled nylon or a carbon fiber matrix with a polymer resin.

9. A throttle control system for a snowmobile comprising a throttle block clampable to the snowmobile handlebar, the throttle block having a body portion that clamps about the handlebar and a forward portion positioned forward of the handlebar with a pivot pin, a thumb lever pivotally connected to the throttle block at the pivot pin, the thumb lever having two traverse arms extending above and below the body portion of the throttle block that clamps about the handlebar, the two traverse arms spaced in a direction parallel to the pivot pin a distance of at least 1/16 of inch from the body portion of the throttle block that clamps about the handlebar.

10. The throttle control system of claim 9, wherein the throttle block has a raised portion extending from the pivot pin to a throttle cable conduit connection portion placed opposite the handlebar from the pivot pin, and except for at the pivot pin, the raised portion is displaced from the thumb lever when viewed from above such that the thumb lever arms do not overlap with the raised portion except at the pivot pin.

11. The throttle control system of claim 10, wherein the raised portion and an upper arm of the thumb lever arms are horizontally separated when viewed from above, the horizontal separation being at least ⅜ of an inch and wherein said separation increases when the thumb lever is depressed.

12. The throttle control system of claim 10, wherein when viewed from above, the raised portion forms a C-shape with one leg extending to the pivot pin and the other leg providing a stop for the thumb lever.

13. The throttle control system of claim 12, wherein the stop engages a mid portion of the thumb lever that has a flat surface facing the stop and further has a throttle cable wire connection portion.

14. The throttle control system of claim 9, wherein the body portion of the throttle block has a plurality of ribs or projections for engaging the handlebar and for reducing the surface of the throttle block that contacts the handlebar for reducing the heat transfer from the handlebar to the throttle block from a hand grip heater.

15. The throttle control system of claim 14, wherein the body portion is comprised of a polymer that has a lower heat capacity than steel or aluminum.

16. A throttle control system for a snowmobile comprising a throttle block clampable to the snowmobile handlebar, the throttle block having a body that clamps about the handlebar and a forward portion positioned forward of the handlebar with a pivot pin, a thumb lever for controlling the throttle pivotally connected to the throttle block at the pivot pin, the thumb lever having two traverse arms extending above and below the body of the throttle block that clamps about the handlebar, the thumb lever traverse arms substantially displaced horizontally and vertically from the throttle block when the thumb lever is not depressed, wherein when the thumb lever is depressed the horizontal displacement increase providing a gap between the body and the thumb lever when viewed from above.

17. The throttle control system of claim 16, wherein the body of the throttle block has a plurality of projections configured as ribs or nubs for engaging the handlebar and for minimizing the surface of the throttle block that contacts the handlebar for reducing the heat transfer from the handlebar to the throttle block from a hand grip heater.

18. The throttle control system of claim 17, wherein the body is formed of nylon and comprises two half portions screwed together.

19. The throttle control system of claim 16, wherein the throttle block comprises a pair of half portions and wherein the half portions have an arcuate shape to follow the curvature of the exterior surface of the handlebar, and wherein when the thumb lever is depressed, the thumb lever does not overlap with the arcuate shape of the body that extends over the handlebar when viewed from above.

20. The throttle control system of claim 16, wherein a vertical gap between the throttle block body and an upper arm of the thumb lever is at least ⅛ of an inch when the thumb lever is not depressed.

21-42. (canceled)

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the right side of a snowmobile handlebar with a throttle control system mounted thereon.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of throttle control system of FIG. 1 without the handlebar.

[0013] FIG. 3A is a top plan view of the throttle control system of FIG. 2.

[0014] FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the throttle control system of FIG. 3A taken at a plane illustrating the connection of the throttle cable and showing the throttle thumb lever in two positions including a throttle closed position.

[0015] FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the throttle lever connecting end portion of the throttle cable.

[0016] FIG. 4A is a top plan view of a throttle block with a throttle thumb lever with the thumb lever in the undepressed or closed throttle position.

[0017] FIG. 4B is a top plan view of the throttle block with thumb lever of FIG. 4A with the thumb lever depressed.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the throttle block and throttle thumb lever of FIG. 4.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the throttle block with a throttle thumb lever of FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0020] FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the throttle block and throttle thumb lever of FIGS. 4-6.

[0021] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the throttle block and throttle thumb lever of FIGS. 4-7.

[0022] FIG. 8B is a perspective view of an embodiment of the throttle block assembly illustrating ribs and standoffs.

[0023] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the throttle block and throttle thumb lever of FIGS. 4-8

[0024] FIG. 10 is another exploded view of the throttle block and throttle thumb lever of FIGS. 4-8.

[0025] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the throttle block with the ribs and standoffs.

[0026] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a cooperating clamp portion to the throttle block of FIG. 11.

[0027] FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of a throttle block and thumb lever assembly attached to a handlebar.

[0028] FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of the throttle block and thumb lever assembly of FIG. 13.

[0029] FIG. 15 is elevational view of the throttle block and thumb lever assembly of FIG. 13 at the throttle block side.

[0030] FIG. 16, is a perspective view of the throttle block and thumb lever assembly of FIG. 15 looking upwardly.

[0031] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of throttle thumb lever of the throttle block assembly of FIGS. 13-14.

[0032] FIG. 18 is another perspective view of the throttle thumb lever of FIG. 17.

[0033] FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the throttle block components of the throttle assembly of FIGS. 13 and 14.

[0034] FIG. 20 is another exploded view of the throttle block components of the assembly of FIGS. 13 and 14.

[0035] FIG. 21 is another exploded view of the components of the throttle block components of the assembly of FIGS. 13 and 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Embodiments of a throttle control system provide resistance from snow and ice affecting the operation of the throttle control system and wire management features. Configuration is particularly applicable to snowmobiles with heated handgrips and/or heated throttle thumb levers. Referring to FIGS. 1-4B, in embodiments, a throttle control system 20 generally comprises a throttle block 24, a throttle thumb lever 26 pivotally connected to the throttle block at a pivot pin 27 and having a pivot axis α1, and a throttle cable 28 comprising a cable conduit 29, an inner wire 30, and an anchor 31 attached at the end of the inner wire 30. The throttle block clamped to a snowmobile handlebar 32 having an axis α2, the throttle cable conduit attached to a cable conduit connection portion 34 of the throttle block with the throttle cable inner wire 30 connecting to the thumb lever 26 at a throttle cable inner wire connection portion 36. The anchor 37 at the end of the inner wire is attached to the thumb lever at a slot 38 in the thumb lever as best depicted in FIG. 3B. A hand grip 38 is on the end of the handlebar. The hand grips may have electric hand grip heaters, not shown, with power provided by electrical cable 39 that may be accommodated by the throttle block by way of recess 40.

[0037] The thumb lever 26 is connected to the snowmobile engine by way of the throttle cable 28 and controls the speed or level of operation of the snowmobile engine. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, 3B and 4A the thumb lever is in an undepressed state where the throttle is “closed” or at a minimum operating level in which the snowmobile is at idle and not moving. Depressing the thumb lever with a user's thumb as shown in FIGS. 1, to the depressed position of thumb lever 26′, see dashed line, and in FIG. 4B, pulls the inner wire 30 in the cable conduit and actuates or opens up the throttle to increase the level or speed of operation of the snowmobile engine as is well known to those skilled in the art. The thumb lever 26 may also have an electric heater element 39 positioned as shown in FIG. 17. Wiring for the thumb lever is illustrated in shown in FIGS. 14 and 17.

[0038] The throttle block 24 may be comprised of a pair of cooperating throttle block halves or portions 42, 43, one configured as main body portion 42 and one configured as a clamping portion 43. The throttle block portions clamp onto the handlebar and may be split horizontally, see FIGS. 6-12. As illustrated, the portions may not be equal geometric halves but do form a clamp for containing the handlebar and are secured together and clamped to the handlebar by screws 45, 46. The respective throttle block portions define a handlebar opening that when clamped about the handlebar has an axis α2′ that is coincident with a handlebar axis α2. The upper portion 42 defines a wall 44 having an reduced thickness arcuate portion 48 with a generally constant wall thickness that follows the curvature of the handlebar with has the axis α2′, and a raised or projecting portion 50 that extends from the pivot pin receiving portion 51 of the throttle block 24 to the cable conduit connection portion 34 on the opposing corner of the throttle block 24. The raised portion may be raised relative to the arcuate portion 48 and as illustrated in FIG. 3 and, when viewed from above, has a C-shape. The raised portion 50 providing structural support for the throttle cable conduit connection portion 34. Notably the raised portion 50 is horizontally spaced from the thumb lever 26, even in the non-depressed state, thereby minimizing the opportunity of snow and/or ice to get captured between the raised portion 50 and the thumb lever 26. As best illustrated in FIG. 3A, the horizontal gap 53, in embodiments may be at least ⅜ of an inch. In embodiments the gap may be at least ½ of an inch. The raised portion 50 is also vertically spaced from an upper arm 56 of the thumb lever and except at the pivot pin receiving region 51, the upper arm does not overlap the raised portion 50, when viewed from above. As shown in FIGS. 3-4B the throttle block has a forward portion 57, forward of the handlebar when mounted thereon, and a rearward portion 58 that is rearward of the handlebar when mounted thereon. The pivot pin receiving region 51 with the pivot pin 27 therein is in the forward portion, the throttle cable conduit connection portion 34 is positioned in the rearward portion. The rearward portion defines an elongate projection 59 that extends towards the thumb lever and has an axis α3 that is generally aligned with an axis α4 of the throttle cable 28. The elongate projection includes a stop surface 60. The stop surface 60 confronts or engages the throttle cable inner wire connection portion 36 of the throttle thumb lever 26.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 2, the throttle block may have a plurality of standoffs configures as ribs 61 and/or nubs 62 that are unitary with one of the throttle block halves 42, 43. When the hand grip is heated, the handlebar is also heated and these ribs 61 and/or nubs 62 minimize the contact area of the throttle block with the handlebar 32 thereby reducing the heat transfer from the heated handlebar 32 to the throttle block 24. Such heating is believed to cause snow and ice melting and refreezing in the region of the throttle block and thumb lever that may increase the throttle control issues, for example, precluding the thumb lever from returning to its non depressed or normal, closed throttle position. Reduction of the heating is believed to minimize the melting and refreezing issues. Additionally, the ribs 61 and nubs 62 define air pathways 64 allow air to circulate between the handlebars and throttle block, again reducing heat transfer from the heated handlebar to the throttle block 24. The ribs and/or standoffs may extend around the entire handlebar contact region 65 of the throttle block.

[0040] As best shown in FIGS. 6-10, the handlebar contact region 65 of the throttle block 24 includes the recess 40 with an axis α5 that runs parallel to the handlebar opening axis α2 and extends the full length of the throttle block in the direction of said handlebar axis. The recess providing a pathway for a cable, such as a cable for a hand grip heater for the right hand grip, the heater is not shown. Referring specifically to FIG. 7, the two throttle block halves 42, 43 cooperate to clamp onto the handlebar. After insertion of the screws and before tightening the screws 45, 46, a gap 71 is provided that allows the compressive and circumferential tightening on and about the handlebar 32.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 4A-12, the throttle thumb lever 26 has a proximal portion 75 extending from the pivot pin 27 to a mid portion 76. The mid portion including the throttle cable wire connection portion 36. The proximal portion configured as two thumb lever arms, the upper arm 56 and a lower arm 77, that extend from the pivot pin to cross over and cross under respectively the handlebar when the throttle block and thumb lever are attached to the handlebar 32. Significantly the thumb lever arms 56, 77 are separated from the throttle block 24 except at the two projecting bosses 79, 80 where the arms pivotally connect to the pivot pin 27. The thumb lever 26 may have cooperating bosses 81, 82 projecting inwardly from the lever arms 56, 77. The cooperating surfaces 83 of the bosses being bearing surfaces. When viewed from above, as best illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the thumb lever may barely overlap the throttle block except at the pivot pin receiving portion 51 and the region outlined by the dashed line of FIG. 4A. When the thumb lever is depressed, as shown in FIG. 4B, the thumb lever does not overlap the portion of the throttle block that engages the handlebar. As is illustrated best by FIG. 7, significant vertical gaps 84, 85 are present when viewed from the side. These vertical gaps do not change when the thumb lever is depressed. The gaps at the portion of the throttle block that engages the handlebar can be, for example, ⅛ inch or more, in embodiments. In embodiments greater than 1/16 inch. The mid portion 76 of the thumb lever 36 connects to the distal portion 87 configured as a thumb gripping portion.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 13-21, an embodiment of a throttle control system 120 is depicted which has throttle block 124 and a thumb lever 126 pivotally connected to the throttle block at pivot pin 127 and mounted to the handlebar 132 adjacent to handgrip 134. The throttle block having an upper half 142 and a lower half 143 secured together with three screws 145 that may be received by threaded metal inserts 148 embedded in the upper half 142 of the throttle block. As best shown in FIGS. 14, 20, and 21 the lower half 143 having a rounded triangular shape when viewed from above.

[0043] Continuing to refer to FIGS. 13-21, in an embodiment, the upper half 142 of the throttle block has standoffs configured as ribs 161 and nubs 162 and the lower half 143 does not. The lower half 143 having an insert 165 with lobes or projections 166 on one side and a handlebar engaging surface 167 on the opposite side with a partial cylindrical shape corresponding to the shape of the handlebar. The insert 165 is received into recesses 171, 172, 173 of the lower half 143 and presents the insert 165 for engagement with the handlebar opposite the ribs and nubs of the upper half 142 of the throttle block 124. The insert 165 may be formed of an elastomeric material that compresses and facilitates a tight and secure grip of the throttle block on the handlebar. In embodiments the insert may be formed of other materials that provide desired characteristics for interfacing with the handlebar and may be formed of polymers, metals, composites, or other materials or combination of materials. The insert may provide the entirety of the handlebar contact with the throttle block half that has the insert, in this case the lower half. In embodiments, the insert provides a contact region 176 extends circumferentially about the handlebar when engaged from about 60 degrees to about 185 degrees. In embodiments, the insert provides a contact region 176 extends circumferentially about the handlebar when engaged from about 80 degrees to about 130 degrees. In embodiments, the insert provides a contact region 176 extends circumferentially about the handlebar when engaged from about 80 degrees to about 105 degrees. In embodiments, both throttle block halves may utilize respective inserts for engagement of the handlebar. In embodiments, the inserts may have nubs, ribs, or other projections for engaging the handlebar. Similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4A, the thumb lever has a proximal portion 175, a mid portion 177, a traversing portion 178, and a distal portion 187. See FIG. 13.

[0044] Referring in particular to FIGS. 14 and 17, the thumb lever 126 may have an electric heater 185 disposed on the forward concave portion 184 with electrical wires 186 extending therefrom. For accommodating the electrical wires 186, the thumb lever may have wire management structure 190 on the bottom side 191 of the lower throttle portion 143. The wire management structure may be configured as a channel 192 with a pair of downwardly projecting wall portions 193, 195 extending therefrom and defining a slot 196. Means 197 may be provided for capturing the wire cable therein such as channel cover 199 which may be configured as a U-shaped metal spring clip that press fits onto the pair of wall portions. The wire management structure is advantageously formed as a unitary with the thumb lever body and is positioned inconspicuously at the bottom side where even if it is not used, such as where there is no thumb lever heater, it is not readily visible and is not projecting into any user regions where it might be an annoyance.

[0045] Referring in particular to FIGS. 14, 16, and 19, in an embodiment the lower throttle block 143 half may have also have wire management structure 210 on the bottom side 212 of the throttle block half. The wire management structure may be configured as a channel 222 with a pair of downwardly projecting wall portions 223, 224 extending therefrom and defining a slot 226. Means 230 may be provided for capturing a wire cable therein, for example, the thumb lever heater wire. The means 230 may be, for example, a “beak” shaped projection 231 on one of the projecting wall portions 223, 224. The wall portion may be provided with some resilience from the throttle block material allowing the wall portion 223 to deflect to allow insertion. In embodiments the opening 227 is wide enough for the wire insertion. The means 230 may also be a cover 199 to bridge the two wall portions as described in association with the thumb lever 126.

[0046] In embodiments, the throttle block may be formed of a polymer, for example a glass filled nylon. In embodiments the throttle block may be formed of aluminum or steel or other materials. In embodiments, the thumb lever may also be formed of a polymer such as a glass filled nylon, or a carbon fiber matrix with a polymer resin, or formed of aluminum, or steel. As described above, each of the throttle block halves and thumb lever may be formed, for example, by injection molding. Other known manufacturing methods such as machining, casting, printing, powder metal compacting, metal injection molding may also be used in embodiments. The throttle block may be formed as a single unitary component rather than two clamping halves. In such a case the gap 71 may be increased in dimension and/or the block may be attached to the handlebar before the right handgrip is installed. The single component throttle block may still utilize an insert for enhancing the clamping action on the handlebar.

[0047] When “vertical” or “horizontal” or other forms of those words are used herein, such usage does not require precise vertical or horizontal alignment. “Vertical” meaning only generally more vertical than horizontal for instance; “horizontal” meaning more horizontal than vertical, for instance. When “portion” is used herein, such may refer a distinct member that is separable from other adjoining members, or it may refer to a region or section of a component that is unitary or integral with the rest of the component.

[0048] All the features disclosed in this specification (including the references incorporated by reference, including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The following U.S. patents and U.S. patent applications are incorporated herein for all purposes: 2004/0007567; 2004/0011777; 2009//0194518; 2015/0353156; 2020/0114999; U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,671,299; 5,757,165; and 9,394,859.

[0049] Each feature disclosed in this specification (including references incorporated by reference, any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[0050] The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any incorporated by reference references, any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

[0051] Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose could be substituted for the specific examples shown. This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be defined by the attached claims and their legal equivalents, as well as the following illustrative aspects. The above described aspects embodiments of the invention are merely descriptive of its principles and are not to be considered limiting. Further modifications of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention.