Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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1 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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1. Field of Invention
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This invention relates generally to snow cycles for self
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propelled movement on snow, and more particularly to a snow
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cycle having one track propelling means
.
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2. Description of the Related Art
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Heretofore a wide variety of means for propelling and
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moving a human through snow have been proposed and
implemented, such as skis, snowmobiles, and snow cycles For
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1
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1 example, U.S. Patent Nos. 5,738,361 issued to Landucci Apr.
2 14, 1998 and, 5,423,559 issued to Rhode on Jun. 13, 1995.
3 Such prior snow cycles suffered from significant limitations
4 such as excessive weight, high friction, lack of structural
integrity, and cumbersome gear changing means, which
6 undoubtedly has been a reason why they have not gained
7 widespread acceptance.
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9 The snow cycle of the present invention is light weight,
has a very low friction and drag on the snow surface, has
11 superior structural integrity and track support and is very
12 maneuverable on a wide variety of terrain types and snow
13 conditions. The track of the snow cycle of the a present
14 invention is of sufficient surface area to float the rider
and cycle on the upper snow surface and provides a gear
16 changing means for changing the gears on varying snow
17 conditions and terrain.
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19 Accordingly, the objects and advantages of the present
invention include a chain track which reduces the energy
21 required to propel the snow cycle forward. The chain track of
22 the present invention requires only the sliding of a chain
23 link on an oiled pin which significantly reduces the friction
24 involved in rotating a track. The track of the present
invention also includes rigid cross pieces that minimize
26 compression and decompression of the track further reducing
27 the energy requirements as compared to prior track systems.
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1 The track is also configured so that the width of the track
2 and the surface area may be increased without appreciably
3 adding to the weight of the snow cycle. Preferably, the shape
4 described by the circumference of the track is much longer
than it is tall. This shape minimizes the amount of track
6 which is not in contact with the snow at any given moment in
7 time, and thereby decreases the total length of the track and
8 the overall weight of the snow cycle. Moreover, the track is
9 mounted closely to the frame of the snow cycle by front and
rear gears. This design provides a snow cycle which is
11 extremely durable and strong and can easily and reliably be
12 used on a wide variety of terrain types and conditions.
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14 The single track configuration of the present snow cycle
is lighter and more durable than prior snow cycles as a
16 single track requires only half as many track chains and
17 rollers. Further, the fame required to support two tracks is
18 heavier and more cumbersome to control and maneuver.
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The present snow cycle may be provided with front and
21 rear derailers allowing a multi-gear system, so the user can
22 easily and reliably adjust the gear ratio for varying snow
23 conditions and hills. The front and rear track gears, because
24 of the aforementioned design features, do not have to bear as
much weight as prior roller type designs, which allows larger
26 front and rear gears to be built lighter than prior designs.
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1 Additional objects and advantages of the invention will
2 be set forth in the description which follows, and in part
3 will be obvious from the description, or may be learned
by
4 practice of the invention. The objects and advantages the
of
invention may the
be realized and
obtained by means
of
6 instrumentality' s and combinations particularly pointed out
7 in the appended claims.
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1 BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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S The present invention is a snow cycle for transport and
6 recreational activities in snow, comprising a frame member
7 with a seat assembly and a front tube element with a ski to
8 secured thereto . A handle bar set is operably secured to the
9 front tube element and a pedal drive assembly is mounted on
the frame. The pedal drive assembly comprises a front chain
11 ring secured to a first chain linked to a pair of pedals. The
12 first chain is linked to a rear gear cluster. The rear gear
13 cluster includes an outer gear and an inner gear cluster. A
14 derailer assembly is linked to the first chain, and a second
chain is moveably secured to the outer gear cluster and to an
16 outer track gear secured to a first slotted axle. A track
17 element is secured to the frame member and includes a
18 plurality of gear rollers. A track drive gear is secured to
19 the track element and to the outer track gear, with the outer
track gear being mounted on a second rear axle secured to the
21 frame member. A brake assembly for controlling the movement
22 of the snow cycle is secured to the frame member.
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24 The snow cycle disclosed herein is light weight,
maneuverable, and easy to operate. The track and ski
26 configuration provide a low friction surface which has great
27 structural integrity but with sufficient surface area to
28 glide and float the user and snow cycle on the upper snow
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1 surface. A gear assembly is provide allowing for the user to
2 change gear ratios for varying snow conditions or terrain.
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4
S BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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7
8 The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
9 constitute a part of the specification, illustrate a
preferred embodiment of the invention and, together with a
11 general description given above and the detailed description
12 of the preferred embodiment given below, serve to explain the
13 principles of the invention.
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16 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a snow cycle, according to
17 the invention.
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19 Fig. 2 shows the rear gear assembly of such snow cycle,
according to the invention.
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22 Fig. 3 shows the drive track and outer track gear of such
23 snow cycle, according to the invention.
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Fig. 4 shows an exploded view of the drive track assembly of
26 such snow cycle, according to the invention.
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1 Fig . 5 is an exploded view of the front track gears of such
2 snow cycle, according to the invention.
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4 Fig. 6 is a top view of the track element or such snow cycle,
according to the invention.
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7 Fig. 7 is the track gear roller of such snow cycle, according
8 to the invention.
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Fig. 8 is a view of the brake assembly of such snow cycle,
11 according to the invention.
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1 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
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7 Reference will now be made in detail to the present
8 preferred embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the
9 accompanying drawings.
11 In accordance with the present invention, there is
12 provided an improved snow cycle comprising a frame member
13 with a seat assembly and a front tube element with a ski
14 secured thereto. A handle bar set is operably secured to the
front tube element and a pedal drive assembly is mounted on
16 the frame. The pedal drive assembly comprises a front chain
17 ring secured to a first chain linked to a pair of pedals. The
18 first chain is linked to a rear gear cluster. The rear gear
19 cluster includes an outer gear and an inner gear cluster. A
derailer assembly is linked to the first chain, and a second
21 chain is moveably secured to the outer gear cluster and to an
22 outer track gear secured to a first slotted axle. A track
23 element is secured to the frame member and includes a
24 plurality of gear rollers. A track drive gear is secured to
the track element and to the outer track gear, with the outer
26 track gear being mounted on a second rear axle secured to the
27 frame member. A brake assembly for controlling the movement
28 of the snow cycle is secured to the frame member.
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1
2
3 In Fig. 1, a snow cycle 10 is shown according to a
4 preferred embodiment of the invention having frame member 1
with a front tube element 3 and means for securing a ski 5 to
6 tube element 3. Means for securing ski 5 to tube element 3
7 preferably comprises a leaf spring 4. Ski 5 is used to steer
8 and glide snow cycle as well as bearing a part of the weight
9 of the frame and the user. A handle bar set 2 is secured to
front tube element 3 at a proximal end thereof, and seat
11 means, such as seat 19, is positioned at a mid-portion of
12 frame 1.
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14 A pedal drive assembly 29 is mounted to frame 1 and
includes a front chain ring 6 with cranks 18 and pedals 17
16 secured thereto. Chain 7 is operably secured to front chain
17 ring 6 and to a rear gear cluster 26 for power transfer. In
18 alternative embodiments chain 7 may be replaced by a belt or
19 other drive means. Rear gear cluster 26 includes an outer
gear 11 and an inner gear 28. Both the rear gear cluster 28
21 and outer gear 11 have slots 25, seen in Fig. 2,
22 complimentary to slots 25A of first rear axle 30, so as to
23 fit on first rear axle 30 without rotating with respect to
24 first rear axle 30. A rear derailer 12 is operably secured to
chain 7, and a front derailer 25 may be provided to support
26 multi-gear assemblies.
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1 As seen in Figs. 2 and 4, first rear axle 30 rotates
2 within two bearing cartridges 14A which are both clamped to
3 frame 1 one either side of rear cluster 26 by mechanical
4 fastening means such as nuts 14B which thread onto the
outside of cartridges 14A.
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7 In Fig. 1, a second chain 8 transfers power from outer
8 gear 11 to an outer track gear 13, also seen in Fig. 3. Power
9 is transferred to track drive gears 14 from outer track gear
13 through a second slotted axle 14C. Second slotted axle 14C
11 rotates within two bearing cartridges 14A, similar to those
12 described above for first slotted axle 30. Track drive gears
13 14 fit into chains 9A of track 9, seen in Fig. 6, and when
14 rotated cause track 9 to rotate which propels snow cycle 10
forward. In alternative embodiments, chain 9 may be replaced
16 by a belt or other drive means.
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18 Track 9 preferably rotates around track drive gears 14,
19 front track gears 16 with axle 16A seen in Fig. 5, and below
track gear rollers 15. Both the weight of the user and other
21 components of snow cycle 10 are transferred to track 9
22 primarily through track gear rollers 15, preferably
23 positioned below the level of the front track gear 14 and the
24 rear track gear 16.
26 In a preferred embodiment of the invention, track 9
27 comprises a plurality of cross elements 9C, seen in Fig. 6,
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1 which are connected to a pair of weight bearing chains 9A.
2 Chains 9A have a plurality of weight bearing links which are
3 connected to each other with an outer link 9B, which is
4 similar to the conventional outer link found on bicycle
chains. Track gear rollers 15 are preferably loaded with
6 bearings 31 and are slid onto a plurality of short threaded
7 rods which are braised onto frame 1.
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9 with reference now to Fig. 8, a brake assembly for snow
cycle 10 is shown according to a preferred embodiment of the
11 invention. Two brake pads 22 clamp rear drive gear 14 when
12 cable 23 is shortened by clamping brake handle 32 mounted on
13 handle bars 2. Arms 20 to which brake pads 22 are mounted are
14 preferably secured to frame 1 by a slotted rod 21 which is
fastened to frame 1 by braising or mechanical fastening means
16 such as bolts, screws or the like. Arms 20 are each provided
17 with a spring loaded fitting 33 with a configuration which
18 corresponds to slotted rod 21. Spring loaded fitting 33
19 withdraw brake pads 22 from drive gear 14 when cable 23
tension is relaxed.
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22 As is evident from the above description, a very
23 lightweight, stable, efficient, and maneuverable snow cycle
24 is disclosed herein and additional advantages and
modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art.
26 The invention in its broader aspects is, therefore, not
27 limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and
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1 illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly,
2 departures from such details may be made without departing
3 from the spirit or scope of the applicant's general inventive
4 concept.
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