Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
SNOWMOBILE SKI AND TRACK DOLLIES, TUNNEL BOX MOUNTING SYSTEMS,
AND RELATED METHODS OF USE
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This document relates to snowmobile ski and track dollies, tunnel
box
mounting systems, and related methods of use.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The following paragraphs are not an admission that anything
discussed in
them is prior art or part of the knowledge of persons skilled in the art.
[0003] Various dollies with casters are positioned under skis or tracks
of a
snowmobile to move the snowmobile short distances, for example in a workshop
or garage.
SUMMARY
[0004] A low-profile snowmobile ski dolly is disclosed comprising: a
structural
frame; a first pair of casters spaced from one another along a left side of
the structural frame;
and a second pair of casters spaced from one another along a right side of the
structural
frame; and in which a top surface of the structural frame pitches downward
from the left and
right sides of the structural frame to define a ski-receiving cradle.
[0005] A snowmobile track dolly is disclosed comprising: a structural
frame; a first
pair of casters spaced from one another along a left side of the structural
frame; and a second
pair of casters spaced from one another along a right side of the structural
frame; and in
which a top surface of the structural frame defines a track support surface
for a snowmobile
track, and in which a track support spline of the structural frame projects
upward from the
structural frame to define a track axis, the track support spline being
structured to insert in
use within a slot defined between adjacent paddles depending from a bottom
surface of a
snowmobile track.
[0006] A snowmobile tunnel box mounting system is disclosed comprising:
left and
right tunnel adaptors, each having: a tunnel mounting base plate part
structured to secure in
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use to a tunnel of a snowmobile with the left tunnel adaptor adjacent a left
side of the tunnel
and the right tunnel adaptor adjacent a right side of the tunnel; and a first
quick release
connector part; a tunnel box adaptor, with left and right tunnel box bracket
parts each
having: a tunnel box mounting plate part structured to secure in use to a
tunnel box sized for
the tunnel with the left tunnel box bracket part adjacent a left side of the
tunnel box in use
and the right tunnel box bracket part adjacent a right side of the tunnel box
in use; and a
second quick release connector part; in which the second quick release
connector parts are
structured to releasably engage in use with the first quick release connector
parts to secure
the tunnel box to the tunnel.
[0007] In various embodiments, there may be included any one or more of
the
following features:
[0008] The structural frame comprises a longitudinal member and cross
members. The
longitudinal member comprises left and right longitudinal members
interconnected by the
cross members. The ski-receiving cradle extends below a plane defined by top
surfaces of the
left and right longitudinal members. A base of the ski-receiving cradle is
below a plane defined
by bottom surfaces of the left and right longitudinal members. The left and
right longitudinal
members are parallel to each other. The first and second pairs of casters
depend from the left
and right longitudinal members, respectively. The first and second
longitudinal members
define the left and right sides of the structural frame. The cross members are
parallel to each
other. The structural frame comprises box beams. Each caster of the first pair
of casters and
the second pair of casters comprises: a ground engaging wheel; a wheel
mounting bracket; and
an upright wheel pivot spindle. The dolly is supporting a front ski of a
snowmobile in the ski-
receiving cradle. A method comprising mounting a front ski of a snowmobile
within the ski-
receiving cradle of the low-profile snowmobile ski dolly. The track support
spline comprises
a support bar. The support bar is mounted to the structural frame via brace
posts that are spaced
from one another. The brace receiving posts are each mounted on cross members
of the
structural frame. The brace receiving posts are mounted to inside walls of the
cross members.
The track support spline mounts to the structural frame via reversible
connectors to permit the
low profile snowmobile track dolly to be reconfigurable between: a spline mode
where the
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track support spline is mounted to or projected from the structural frame to
define a slot portion
of the track support surface and insert in use within a slot defined between
adjacent paddles
depending from a bottom surface of a dual paddle snowmobile track; and a
splineless mode
where the track support spline is absent or retracted from the structural
frame to permit the
structural frame to define a track portion of the track support surface. The
structural frame
comprises a longitudinal member and cross members. The longitudinal member
comprises left
and right longitudinal members interconnected by the cross members. The first
and second
pairs of casters depend from the left and right longitudinal members,
respectively. The track
support spline is parallel to the longitudinal member. A top surface of the
structural frame
pitches downward from the left and right sides of the structural frame to
define a track-
receiving cradle. The dolly is supporting a track of a snowmobile on the track
support surface.
A method comprises mounting a track of a snowmobile on the track support
surface of the
low-profile snowmobile track dolly. A snowmobile dolly system includes the low-
profile
snowmobile ski dolly and the snowmobile track dolly. First and second shovel
shaft adaptors,
each having: a tunnel box shovel shaft mounting part; and a shovel shaft
receiver. Each shovel
shaft receiver comprises a collar. The tunnel box shovel shaft mounting parts
are structured to
in use mount to a top surface of the tunnel box. The tunnel box shovel shaft
mounting parts
define fastener apertures. The tunnel box adaptor is mounted to a tunnel box
with the left and
right tunnel box bracket parts adjacent left and right sides of the tunnel
box; the tunnel box
shovel shaft mounting plate parts mounted to a top surface of the tunnel box;
and a shovel pan
mounted along the top surface of the tunnel box. The shovel pan is mounted
along the top
surface of the tunnel box via a fastener. Each pair of the first quick release
connector and the
second quick release connector form a latch connection. The first quick
release connector parts
comprise hook receiver parts; the second quick release connector parts
comprise latch arm
parts connected to actuate hook parts; and the first quick release connector
parts are movable
between a locked position where the hook parts engage the hook receiver parts,
and an
unlocked position where the hook parts are out of alignment with the hook
receiver parts to
disengage with the hook receiver parts. The hook parts are cam hook parts that
rotate upon
rotation of the latch arm parts between the locked and unlocked positions. The
tunnel box
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adaptor comprises a U-shaped bracket that defines a tunnel box receiving gap.
The tunnel box
adaptor is mounted to a tunnel box via a plurality of fasteners with the left
and right tunnel
box bracket parts adjacent left and right sides of the tunnel box. Installing
the snowmobile
tunnel box mounting system, the method comprising: installing the tunnel box
bracket to the
tunnel box, with the left and right tunnel box bracket parts adjacent a left
and right side,
respectively, of the tunnel box; installing the left and right tunnel adaptors
adjacent a left and
right side, respectively, of a tunnel of a snowmobile; and locking the tunnel
box to the tunnel
by aligning and engaging the first quick release connector parts with the
second quick release
connector parts.
[0009] The foregoing summary is not intended to summarize each potential
embodiment or every aspect of the subject matter of the present disclosure.
These and other
aspects of the device and method are set out in the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0010] Embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures,
in which
like reference characters denote like elements, by way of example, and in
which:
[0011] Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a snowmobile ski dolly, with a
profile of a
snowmobile ski illustrated in dashed lines.
[0012] Fig. 2 is an end view of the snowmobile ski dolly of Fig. 1.
[0013] Fig. 3 is a side elevation view of the snowmobile ski dolly of
Fig. 1.
[0014] Fig. 4 is a top plan view of a snowmobile track dolly with a
track support
spline mounted to the structural frame, and a profile of a dual paddle row
snowmobile track
illustrated in dashed lines.
[0015] Fig. 5 is a front-end view of the snowmobile track dolly with a
track support
spline mounted to the structural frame of Fig. 4.
[0016] Fig. 6 is side elevation partially projected view of the
snowmobile track dolly
with a track support spline mounted to the structural frame of Fig. 4, and the
track (in dashed
lines) resting on the track support spline, with the track support spline
shown in solid lines
connected to the dolly, and in dashed lines in projected view.
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[0017] Fig. 7 is another side elevation view of the snowmobile track
dolly without a
track support spline mounted to the structural frame of Fig. 4, with the track
resting on the
structural frame.
[0018] Fig. 8 is a front-end view of a snowmobile mounted on the
snowmobile ski
dolly of Fig.2 and on the snowmobile track dolly of Fig. 5.
[0019] Fig. 9 is a side elevation view of the combination shown in Fig.
8, illustrating
a tunnel box system mounted on a tunnel of a snowmobile.
[0020] Fig. 10 is a side elevation view of the tunnel box system from
Fig. 9 mounted
on the tunnel of the snowmobile.
[0021] Fig. 10A is a close-up view of a latch system enclosed within the
dashed lines
of Fig. 9, with the latch in a closed position.
[0022] Fig. 10B is a close-up view of the latch system of Fig. 10A with
the latch
open.
[0023] Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the tunnel box system of Fig. 9.
[0024] Fig. 12 is a front-end view of the tunnel box system of Fig. 9.
[0025] Fig. 13 is an exploded front-end view of the tunnel box system of
Fig. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] Immaterial modifications may be made to the embodiments described
here
without departing from what is covered by the claims.
[0027] An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) for winter operation must be capable
of
navigating a wider variety of terrain than a road vehicle. The presence of
snow and ice in the
winter creates traction challenges for such machines. Adequate traction on
snow and ice is
imperative for an ATV suitable for winter use to ensure safe traversal
throughout snowy
terrain as reduced traction increases the risk of skidding, loss of control
and collision. There
are modifications that can be made to an ATV to make it better equipped for a
snowy
environment, such as modifications to tires, or replacement of tires with a
track system.
Modifications to the tires of an ATV may include adding one or more of the
following:
ridges, large radial paddles, raised ribs, chains, and increased tire widths.
Replacement of
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-22
tires with a continuous track system may allow an ATV to navigate through
snowy terrain
with relative ease. Tracks are much less likely to lose traction in snow
relative to tires since
tracks distribute the weight of the vehicle over a larger contact area,
decreasing ground
pressure and increasing overall friction between ground members and terrain.
[0028] A snowmobile is a motorized, tracked, vehicle designed for winter
travel and
recreational use on snow and ice. A snowmobile may use a single or double
continuous track
system with one or more skis at the front end of the snowmobile to provide
directional
control. While the majority of annual snowmobile use is recreational in
nature, such
machines are also used for utilitarian purposes, such as winter rescue work,
use on ski hills,
avalanche control, forestry, power and telephone line repair, and for
accessing remote
locations. In some areas the snowmobile has all but replaced the use of the
dogsled.
[0029] Many types of skis are available for snowmobiles depending on the
surface
that the snowmobile is intended to tread and on the preferences of the user.
Skis may come
in various lengths and widths depending on preference and the nature of
intended use. The
shape and features of a ski blade may vary. A ski runner or a ski carbide may
be added to
snowmobile skis to find a suitable combination that works for a rider. A ski
runner, also
known as a wear bag or skeg, is a replaceable bar attached to the underside of
the ski that
may serve as the contact patch that directs the snowmobile in the right
direction. Various
shapes and sizes of ski runners are available, and each type may impact sled
handling.
Generally, a large ski runner handle may be more aggressive than a small ski
runner handle
because of the added surface area for the ski runner to bite into the snow as
the sled is
maneuvered. The shape of the ski runner may also affect the aggressiveness of
the sled. A
square shaped ski runner has a large surface area which may require greater
steering effort to
turn the sled. A round ski runner has smaller surface area than a square
shaped ski runner,
and may allow the rider to make shorter, less aggressive turns. A "hybrid" ski
runner, which
may be characterized as both round and square, is also available. The
different combinations
of size and shapes of ski runners may be chosen by the rider, depending on
their ability to
maneuver aggressive steering and the need based on the tracks that the
snowmobile will be
used on. Another ski attachment is a ski carbide, which may be a sharp wear
surface attached
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to the bottom of the skis. A ski carbide blade may come in multiple lengths
from 3 inches up
to 14 inches. The size of the ski carbide changes the surface area in contact
with the snow,
which affects the aggressiveness of steering in a similar way to the ski
runner, where longer
blades have more surface area and may require more steering power from the
rider. The
many possible combinations of ski runners and ski carbides provide the rider
with a
multitude of options to maneuver a snowmobile, depending on the needs and
accommodations of the rider.
[0030] Snowmobile tracks come in many shapes and sizes depending on user
preference and nature of intended us. Such tracks may be made from tough
materials such as
carbon fiber or Kevlar. Tracks use one or more of the following features to
precisely
influence track performance: length, width, drive pitch, and lug height.
Longer tracks
generally provide better ride quality and floatation, whereas shorter tracks
generally provide
better handling and stability. Wider tracks provide better floatation in soft
deep snow,
whereas narrower tracks reduce weight for better acceleration and top speed.
Drive pitch is
defined as distance from the center of one lug to the center of the next lug
going around the
track, and generally the shorter the pitch the faster the track will run,
translating to higher
speeds. Lug height is the distance the lugs extend above the track surface.
More lug height
equals better traction.
[0031] Modern snowmobiles are remarkably reliable and easy to operate,
but like
most other machines, still require routine maintenance and repair to preserve
dependability,
safety, and performance. While tracks may be built from tough materials, the
track is one of
the most expensive wear items on a snowmobile. A properly tensioned and
aligned track
contributes to better fuel economy and less wear on drivetrain components,
making track
adjustment an important part of snowmobile maintenance. The first step of
snowmobile track
pre-season maintenance is to inspect it for damage and wear. Damage in the
form of torn
lugs, missing chunks and separated layers (delamination) may be observable. It
may be
beneficial to elevate a snowmobile off the ground during long term or off-
season storage to
maintain the snowmobile tracks in good condition. An elevated snowmobile may
prevent the
tracks from otherwise freezing to the ground due to buildup of moisture under
the tracks.
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Frozen tracks may be otherwise stuck on the ground and may promote degradation
or rotting
of the tracks. A user may check for worn, missing or bent track clips, which
typically can be
replaced if necessary. Alignment of the track should also be inspected; the
track may need to
be adjusted to the left or right so the rear suspension will be centered
within the track. After
snowmobile track alignment has been set, track tension may be adjusted. Other
forms of
maintenance and repair may be required to be carried out on the snowmobile,
and it may be
advantageous to have a way of conveniently maneuvering a snowmobile around a
repair or
maintenance area.
[0032] A snowmobile dolly may be used to maneuver the machine around a
shop or
garage. A dolly includes a platform on wheels and may be ideal for moving
large and heavy
items, such as a snowmobile. Without the use of a snowmobile dolly, a
snowmobile may be
moved by pulling and yanking on the skis of the machine, or lifting and
depositing the
machine, potentially damaging the unit. Dollies may come in various sizes,
shapes, and
designs, depending on the equipment or object the dolly needs to carry. Full
size shop dollies
may balance the sled's weight perfectly, making the machine feel almost
weightless and easy
to move on all surfaces. Other smaller dollies (one under the track and one
under each ski)
may be useful for navigating the tight quarters of a garage. There is no set
mechanism for
transferring or placing the snowmobile onto the dolly. The snowmobile may be
lifted
manually, or a device, such as a mechanical jack, may be used to help mount
the snowmobile
onto the dolly. The use of dollies elevates the snowmobile, potentially making
it top heavy,
presenting a safety risk of tipping. Some dollies may also inadvertently cause
damage to
contact points on the snowmobile, such as to the track paddles or ski runners.
[0033] Referring to Figs. 1, 4, and 8, a snowmobile dolly system may
incorporate
one or more of a ski dolly 12 and a track dolly 14. Each dolly 12, 14 may have
a structural
frame, for example frames 16 and 18, respectively. Each structural frame 16,
18 may have
one or more longitudinal members 40, 72 and one or more cross members 44, 76.
The dollies
12 and 14 may have casters 68, such as two, three, four, or more casters,
which may allow
movement of a snowmobile 30 mounted on either or both the ski dolly 12 and the
track dolly
14. Low profile dollies 14, 16 or one or more of them, may allow stable
movement of the
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mounted snowmobile 30 within an area, such as a garage or a workshop. A user
may first be
required to lift and mount the snowmobile 30 on top of the dollies, although
such movement
may be carried out by lifting one end or side of the unit as opposed to
lifting the entire unit.
One of the dollies 12, 14, or both dollies may be structured to be low
profile. A low-profile
snowmobile dolly system may have features that allow a snowmobile 30 to be
mounted and
moved with stability and relatively low center of gravity.
[0034] Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a snowmobile ski dolly 12 may
comprise the
structural frame 16, a first pair of casters 68, and a second pair of casters
68, defining a ski-
receiving cradle 52. The structural frame 16 of the ski dolly 12 may comprise
longitudinal
members 40 and cross members 44. The first and second longitudinal members 40'
and 40",
respectively, may define the left and right sides of the structural frame 16.
The longitudinal
members 40 may be interconnected by cross members 44. The assembly of the
longitudinal
members 40 and cross members 44 may configure the structural frame 16 of the
ski dolly 12.
The structural frame 16 may serve as the support structure of the ski dolly
12, which may
bear the weight of a front ski 56 of a snowmobile.
[0035] Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the ski dolly 12 may have one or more
pairs of
casters 68 attached on the structural frame 16, to allow movement of the ski
dolly 12. A first
pair of casters 68' may be attached along a left side 16A of the structural
frame 16. The first
pair of casters 68' may be spaced from one another, for example axially, on
the left side 16A
of the structural frame 16, such as parallel to an axis 16E of the frame 16.
The pair of casters
68' may be attached to each end of the left longitudinal member 40', such as
if the casters 68
are adjacent the front and rear ends 16C and 16D of the frame 16. A second
pair of casters
68" may be attached along a right side 16B of the structural frame 16. The
second pair of
casters 68" may be spaced from one another, for example axially, on the right
side 16B of
the structural frame 16, such as parallel to an axis 16E of the frame 16. The
pair of casters
68" may be attached to each end of the right longitudinal member 40", such as
if the casters
68" are adjacent the front and rear ends 16C and 16D of the frame 16.
[0036] Referring to Figs. 1 - 2 the ski dolly 12 may define a ski-
receiving cradle 52.
The cradle 52 may be defined by a top surface 160, for example of the cross
members 44,
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that may pitch downward moving from the left and right sides 16A, 16B of the
structural
frame 16. A trough 52A of the cradle 52 may align centrally with the dolly 12,
for example
parallel to the longitudinal axis 16E. In use, a front ski 56 of a snowmobile
may be mounted
within the ski-receiving cradle 52 of the ski dolly 12. The ski-receiving
cradle 52 may be
configured to support the front ski 56 of a snowmobile, for example shaped to
receive an
understructure of the ski 56. The cradle 52 may fit the front ski 56 to
support the front weight
of a mounted snowmobile. The ski dolly 12 may support and allow the movement
of the
front part of a snowmobile vehicle around an area, such as a garage or a
workshop.
[0037] A caster (sometimes spelled as castor) has a wheel and may be
attached to the
bottom of a larger object to enable the object to be moved. A caster wheel has
different
modifications, depending on use. Some caster wheels may be fixed to roll along
a straight
path, and some may be mounted to pivot such that the wheel may align itself to
the direction
of travel. An industrial caster wheel may be designed to carry relatively
heavy loads in a
variety of applications such as with dolly carts, assembly turntables, heavy
duty storage
racks, and maintenance equipment. A caster wheel may have a brake or lock
feature, to
prevent the wheel from turning when not in use, and may be activated when a
lever presses a
brake against the wheel. A caster may have different designs and features,
depending on its
intended use.
[0038] Referring to Figs. 1 - 3, the low-profile snowmobile ski dolly 12
may have
one or more pairs of casters 68 attached to the structural frame 16. The first
and second pairs
of casters 68 may depend from the left and right longitudinal members 40' and
40",
respectively. The first pair of casters, such as left casters 68', may depend
from a bottom
surface 64' of the left longitudinal member 40'. The second pair of casters,
such as right
casters 68", may depend from a bottom surface 64" of the right longitudinal
member 40.
The pairs of casters 68 may be attached from the bottom surface 64 of the
structural frame 16
of ski dolly 12.
[0039] Referring to Fig. 2, casters may comprise suitable parts, such as
a ground
engaging wheel 58, and a wheel mounting bracket 60, to cooperate to allow the
ski dolly 12
to move or be moved around an area. The casters may comprise an upright wheel
pivot
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-22
spindle 70. The ground engaging wheel 58 of the caster 68 may contact the
ground surface,
in which the caster 68 may tread along a direction to allow movement of the
ski dolly 12.
The wheel mounting bracket 60 of the caster 68 may have one or more arms that
support the
wheel 58 and attach the wheel 58 via a wheel axle 62 mounted to the center of
the wheel 58,
such as shown in Fig. 2. The upright wheel pivot spindle 70 of the caster 68
may mount the
wheel 58 and wheel mounting bracket 60 to the structural frame 16 of the ski
dolly 12. The
spindle 70 may attach the wheel 58 and the wheel mounting bracket 60 to the
longitudinal
member 40 of the structural frame 16. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the
left spindle 70A
may be inserted in an upright position (for example vertical) in the left
longitudinal member
40'. A bottom end 70A-1 of the left spindle 70A may penetrate the top surface
60A-1 of the
left wheel mounting bracket 60A, for example if the spindle 70 inserts into an
aperture in the
bracket 60 as shown. The spindle 70 may allow the wheel 58 to pivot around an
upright
wheel axis 166 along a spindle 70 to allow the wheel 58 to engage in a
plurality of
directions.
[0040] Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the structural frame 16 of the ski
dolly 12 may be
oriented in a suitable fashion to define the ski support structure of the ski
dolly 12. The left
and right longitudinal members 40' and 40", respectively, of the structural
frame 16 may be
parallel to each other. One longitudinal member may be provided in some cases,
such as
defining a center axis of the dolly 12. As shown in Fig. 1, the left
longitudinal member 40' is
parallel to the right longitudinal members 40". The cross members 44 of the
structural frame
16 may be parallel to each other, as shown in Fig. 1. The parallel arrangement
of the
longitudinal members 40 and of the cross members 44 may form a stable support
structure
for the ski dolly 12.
[0041] Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the cradle 52 may be shaped in a
suitable fashion
to support the snowmobile ski 56. The cross members 44 of the structural frame
16 may each
comprise the first and second members 44' and 44", respectively, which may be
connected
end to end, for example by securing (such as by welding, fastening, or other
mechanisms)
abutting ends 44A of the cross members 44 together. The cross members 44 may
be oriented
to pitch a top surface 160 downward from the left and right sides 16A, 16B of
the structural
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-22
frame 16 to define the ski-receiving cradle 52. Referring to Fig. 2, each
cross member 44
may have a suitable shape, such as having a horizontal portion 44C defining an
outer end
44B from which extends a downwardly angled portion 44D defining an inner end
44A. The
portions 44D of adjacent members 44 may cooperate to define the cradle 52. The
portions
44D of the cross members 44 may be inclined downwards at or near ends 44A and
may
define the ski receiving cradle 52 of the structural frame 16. The ski-
receiving cradle 52 or
part of it may extend below a plane 52B, which may be defined by top surfaces
162 of the
left and right longitudinal members 40. A base 48 of the ski-receiving cradle
52 may be
aligned below a plane 52C defined by bottom surfaces 64 of the left and right
longitudinal
members 40' and 40", respectively. The structural frame, which may comprise
the
longitudinal members 40 and the cross members 44, may define the ski support
structure of
the ski dolly 12, where the ski 56 may be mounted and rested on the top
surface 160 of the
ski receiving cradle 52. Referring to Fig. 2, the cradle 52 may be shaped to
receive a ski
runner 56A depending from an underside 56B of the ski 56.
[0042] Snowmobiles have different track systems. There are several main
characteristics that a rider may want to consider when choosing a snowmobile
track. The
first characteristic is the length of the track, for example measured by the
inside conference
of the track, which ideally fits the skid frame of the snowmobile. A shorter
track generally
provides better handling and stability, while a longer track may provide
smoother ride
quality and better flotation. The second characteristic to consider is the
width of the track,
such as measured across the track and may be governed by the width of the
tunnel. A narrow
track may reduce weight for better acceleration and speed, while a wider track
may provide
better floatation in soft and deep snow. The third characteristic is the drive
pitch which is the
drive lug center distance around the circumference of the lugs (also known as
cogs or
paddles) on the inside of the tracks. Drive pitch may range from 2.5 inches up
to 3.5 inches,
where lugs that are spaced further apart may result in a reduced track weight
to increase
speed and acceleration which allow the rider to control the snowmobile better.
However, the
most common size in snowmobiles is the 2.5-inch drive pitch. Another
characteristic to
consider is lug height, which is the distance that the lugs extend above the
track surface.
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Common lug height ranges from 1 inch to 1.5 inches, but there may be available
lug heights
of up to 3 inches long. More lug height may result in better traction because
the taller
paddles can grip more snow and may provide better stability. A further
characteristic is
whether the track has dual paddles or a single set of paddles. In some cases,
having dual
tracks or dual paddles may increase traction, while potentially limiting top
speed. The wide
variance in user preference leads to a wide variety of shapes and sizes of
snowmobile tracks.
[0043] Referring to Figs. 4 - 7, a snowmobile track dolly 14 may
comprise a
structural frame 18, a first pair of casters 78, and a second pair of casters
78, and may define
a track support surface 168. The structural frame 18 of the track dolly 14 may
comprise one
or more longitudinal members 72 and one or more cross members 76. First and
second
longitudinal members 72' and 72", respectively, may define left and right
sides 18A, 18B,
respectively, of the structural frame 18. The longitudinal members 72 may be
interconnected
by cross members 76, in which the assembly of the longitudinal members 72 and
cross
members 76 may configure the structural frame 18 of the track dolly 14. In
some cases, the
dolly 18 may have a central longitudinal member with cross members attached.
[0044] Referring to Figs. 4 - 7, the track dolly 14 may have one or more
pairs of
casters 78 attached on the structural frame 18, to facilitate movement of the
track dolly 14. A
first pair of casters 78' may be attached along a left side 18A of the
structural frame 18. The
first pair of casters 78' may be spaced from one another, for example axially,
on the left side
18A of the structural frame 18, such as parallel an axis 18E of the dolly 14,
with axis 18E
defined between front and rear ends 18C and 18D, respectively, of the frame.
The pair of
casters 78' may be attached to each end of the left longitudinal member 72'. A
second pair of
casters 78" may be attached along a right side 18B of the structural frame 18.
The second
pair of casters 78" may be spaced from one another, for example axially, on
the right side
18B of the structural frame 18, such as parallel the axis 18E. The pair of
casters 78 may be
attached to each end of the right longitudinal member 72".
[0045] Referring to Figs. 4 - 7, the frame 18 may define a track support
surface for a
snowmobile track 34. A top surface 168 of the structural frame 18, for example
of the
longitudinal member or members 72, may at least partially define the track
support surface.
13
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-22
A track support spline 22 of the structural frame 18 may project upward from
the structural
frame 18, for example upward from the top surface 168 of the structural fame
18 and may at
least partially define the track support surface. The spline 22 and/or frame
18 may define a
track axis 170. The track support spline 22 may be structured to be inserted
in use within a
longitudinal slot 34B defined between adjacent sets of paddles 34A depending
from or
forming a bottom surface 172 of a snowmobile track 34 and running from end to
end on the
track 34. The track dolly 14 may support the track 34 of a snowmobile on the
track support
surface 168 and/or on the spline 22. The track dolly 14 may support and allow
the movement
of the rear part of a snowmobile vehicle, such as the track or tracks 34,
around an area, such
as a garage or a workshop.
[0046] Referring to Figs. 4 - 5, the longitudinal members 72 of the
structural frame
18 of the snowmobile track dolly 14 may have casters 78, such as dual pairs of
casters 78, to
allow movement of the track dolly 14. The longitudinal member 72 may comprise
left and
right longitudinal members (72' and 72" respectively), with the first pair of
casters 78'
spaced along the left longitudinal member 72', and the second pair of casters
78" spaced
along the right longitudinal member 72". The first pair of casters 78' may be
spaced from
one another, for example axially (parallel with axis 18e) along the left side
18a, for example
the left longitudinal member 72', of the structural frame 18. The second pair
of casters 78"
may be spaced from one another, for example axially, along the right side 18b,
for example
the right longitudinal member 72", of the structural frame 18. The casters 78
of the track
dolly 14 may attach to longitudinal members 72 or cross members 76 and may
function
similarly to the casters 68 of the ski dolly 12 discussed above.
[0047] Referring to Figs. 4 - 6, the track support spline 22 of the
structural frame 18
may have various characteristics. The track support spline 22 may define track
axis 170
along which the track 34 aligns to mount upon the dolly 14. The track axis 170
may align
with the channel defined by slot 34B between adjacent paddles 34A, in which
the track
support spline 22 may mount and rest on. The track support spline 22 may
comprise a
support bar 80, which may extend parallel to the axis 170, and may extend
parallel to
longitudinal member(s) 72 of the structural frame 18. For example, as shown in
Fig. 4, the
14
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-22
longitudinal members 72 may be parallel to the support spline 22. The track
support spline
22 and frame 18 may be structured such that a height 22A of the spline 22
(defined from the
top surface 168) is greater than a slot depth 34B-1 of the slot 34B, so that
the weight of the
track and rear end of the snowmobile rest upon the spline 22 rather than on
the frame 18. In
some cases, the height 22A of the spline 22 is selected so that the track 34
rests upon both
the spline 22 and the top surface 168, to distribute the weight of the track
34. In some cases,
the height 22A is adjustable, for example telescopically or in increments, for
further example
with a clamp or spring pin and aperture system, or by adding or removing
segments. A
longitudinal length of the spline 22 may be adjustable, for example
telescopically or in
increments, for further example with a clamp or spring pin and aperture
system, or by adding
or removing segments. The use of the spline 22 locks the track 34 in place on
the dolly 14
and also lifts the track 34, for example the paddles) off of the frame 18 to
prevent damage to
the track 34 from contact with the rigid frame 18.
[0048] Referring to Figs. 4 - 6, the track support spline 22 may be
mounted to the
structural frame 18 of the track dolly 14 by a suitable mechanism. The support
bar 80 of the
support spline 22 may be mounted to the structural frame 18 via brace posts 24
that are
spaced from one another, for example spaced along axis 18e. For example, as
shown in Fig.
6, a front brace post 24' may be connected at, for example depending from, or
near a front
end 80C of the support bar 80 and a rear brace post 24" may be connected at,
for example
depending from, or near a rear end 80D of the support bar 80. A brace
receiving post 26 may
be mounted to cross members 76 of the structural frame 18, or in other cases
on member 72.
Brace receiving posts 26 may be mounted to frame 18 to receive posts 24 of
spline 22 to
mount the spline 22. For example, posts 26', 26" may be mounted to inside wall
174 of the
cross members 76. For example, as shown in Fig. 4, the front brace post 24' is
mounted on
the brace receiving post 26 on the inside wall 174 of front cross member 76',
and the rear
brace post 24" is mounted on the brace receiving post 26 on the inside wall
174 of the rear
cross member 76". In other cases, the brace receivers or other parts that
receive and mount
the spline 22 may be located at other suitable locations, such as on the cross
members 76, or
on outside walls of the members 76, or on the members 72. The brace posts 24
attached to
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-22
the support bar 80 may permit the mounting of the track support spline 22 to
the track
structural frame 18 via brace receiving posts 26 attached to the inside wall
174 of the cross
members 76. In other cases, the spline 22 may have post receivers that mount
to posts on the
frame 18.
[0049] Referring to Figs. 5-7, the spline 22 may be removable. The track
support
spline 22 may mount to the structural frame 18 via reversible connectors, such
as a sheath
seat provided by brace receiving posts 26, which may have an inner diameter
larger than
brace posts 24 to receive and seat such posts 24 or a nose thereof, for
example by a suitable
mechanism such as one or more of gravity, friction, or with a lock mechanism
such as a
fastener or latch. A removable spline 22 may permit the low-profile snowmobile
track dolly
14 to be reconfigurable between a spline mode 14' (spline present or extended)
and a
splineless mode 14" (spline removed or disengaged, for example retracted).
[0050] Referring to Fig. 6, when the dolly 14 is in the spline mode
(spline 22 in solid
lines), the spline 22 may be mounted to the structural frame 18 to define a
slot portion (slot
34B) of the track support surface. Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, the use of the
spline mode is
advantageous with dual track or dual paddle snowmobiles, or in other
situations where there
is a defined slot 34B between snow-engaging gripping elements that extend from
the track
34. In the example shown the slot 34B may be defined as the channel between
adjacent sets
34C of paddles 34A depending from a bottom surface of a dual paddle snowmobile
track 34,
in which the spline 22 may be inserted to provide track support to bear the
weight of the
track 34. The dual paddle of the snowmobile track may be defined by sets 34C
of paddles
34A that are separated laterally (perpendicular to the longitudinal track axis
170) to define a
channel such as slot 34B. Each set 34C of paddles 34A may be provided in
series as part of
an endless loop of paddles. In some cases, more than one spline 22 may be
present, for
example more than one aligned axially to fit within the slot 34B, or plural
splines 22 aligned
laterally to fit within respective slots between adjacent paddle sets, where
there are more
than two sets of paddles laterally arranged.
[0051] Referring to Fig. 7, when the dolly 14 is in the splineless mode
the spline 22
may be either absent from, or retracted relative to, the structural frame 18
to permit the
16
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-22
structural frame 18 to define the track support surface without the spline 22.
The track
support surface in the splineless mode may be defined by the top surface 168
of the frame
16, or another suitable surface, for example on a plate or platform or simply
the top of the
members 72 and/or 76, and may support the track 34, for example the paddles
34A. The
splineless mode may allow the frame 16 to bear the weight of the track 34, for
example in
the case of the dolly 14 supporting a single paddle set snowmobile track. A
single paddle set
snowmobile track may be defined by having a single set of paddles, for example
that span
the width of the snowmobile track 34, shown in Fig. 7 as an end view. The user
may select
either splined or splineless mode depending on the type of track 34 that the
dolly 14 is used
to support. In such a fashion the dolly 14 may be reconfigurable to support a
variety of
distinct track types of snowmobiles, increasing versatility and use case.
[0052] Referring to Fig. 4, a snowmobile track dolly 14 may have a
variety of
characteristics. The top surface 168 of the structural frame 18 may pitch
downward from the
left and right sides 18A, 18B, respectively, of the structural frame 18 to
define a track-
receiving cradle (not shown in the Figures). The left and right longitudinal
members 72' and
72", respectively, may be installed to the structural frame 18 in a downward
angle. By
pitching or angling downward to form a cradle the track support dolly 14 may
be made
relatively more low profile. The structural frame 18 may also be configured to
have one or
more longitudinal members, and in one case the support spline 22 is one of or
the only one of
the longitudinal members 72.
[0053] Referring to Figs. 1 - 7, the structural frames, such as the ski
dolly structural
frame 16 and the track dolly structural frame 18, may be made of suitable
structural
elements, such as box beams. A box beam, or box column, includes a beam that
may form an
enclosed tube with multiple walls. A box beam may be made out of metal such as
iron, steel,
aluminum, or other materials such as plastics or concrete, and may come in
different
diameters, thickness, and length. The long straight members of the beams may
be welded to
be shaped and/or connected to other beams to form a structure. Fasteners,
including for
example nuts and bolts may also be incorporated into a beam to allow access
and attachment
of other beam members, or other parts that may or may not be welded onto the
box beam.
17
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-22
The many walls of a box beam allow for simple and numerous possible structural
shapes by
reinforcing or plating together sectioned beams. Angular structures may be
possible when a
beam is cut at an angle and is attached to a wall of another beam. Welded and
structured box
beams can become solid and sturdy foundations that can support heavy load. The
structural
frame 16, 18 may have rigid frames to increase the maximum support load
capacity of each
dolly and the system as a whole.
[0054] Referring to Figs. 8 and 9, the snowmobile ski dolly 12 and the
snowmobile
track dolly 16 may cooperate to form a snowmobile dolly system. The snowmobile
dolly
system may comprise the snowmobile ski dolly 12 and the snowmobile track dolly
14. The
front ski or skis 56', 56" of a snowmobile 30 may be mounted within the ski-
receiving cradle
52 of the ski dolly or dollies 12, such as shown in Fig. 8. The track 34 of a
snowmobile may
be mounted on the track support surface 168 of the track dolly 14, such as
shown in Fig. 8.
For example, as shown in Fig. 8, a left ski 54' may be mounted on one low
profile
snowmobile ski dolly 12 and a right ski 54" may be mounted on another low-
profile
snowmobile ski dolly 12. The track 34 may be supported by the track dolly 14,
either in the
splined or splineless modes. The combination of using a plurality of dollies,
such as ski
dollies 12 and track dollies 14, may allow the mounted snowmobile 30 to be
moved around
in an area, such as a garage or a shop. In some cases, the dollies 12, 14 are
passive systems
that are constructed to be manually pushed around by a user, and in other
cases the dollies
may be motorized, for example via a suitable motor and power system (not
shown).
[0055] Referring to Fig. 9 and 13, a snowmobile tunnel 122, also known
as a running
board, may be provided as part of the base frame of snowmobile, usually at or
near a rear end
30B of a snowmobile 30 opposite the front end 30A of the snowmobile 30. The
tunnel 122
may define a platform that provides a surface with space for accessories and
equipment such
as passenger seats, fuel cans, fishing accessories, and tunnel boxes. The
tunnel 122 may have
several roles in a snowmobile 30 including providing structure, housing,
protection, cooling,
and space for accessories and equipment. The tunnel 122 may provide solid
connection
points for the skid, which holds the snowmobile tracks, and may mount the rear
suspension
of the snowmobile 30. The tunnel 122 may define a central line 126 parallel or
coplanar with
18
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-22
a snowmobile center longitudinal axis 30e. The skid of the snowmobile may
center the tracks
34 and the tunnel 122 of the snowmobile 30. The tunnel 122 may serve as an
attachment
point for many parts of the snowmobile 30 such as seats, foot rails, rear
bumpers, snow laps,
and rear lights. The tunnel 122 may protect a rider and the sled from snow,
ice, dirt, rocks,
and debris that the snowmobile track may pick up along the way. The tunnel 122
may
indirectly form part of an engine cooling system, where snow collects by the
tracks 34 and is
trapped by ridges, such as ridges 124 that may extend to the top of the tunnel
122, to keep
the engine cool.
[0056] Referring to Figs. 9 and 12, a tunnel box 83 may be mounted on a
tunnel 122
of a snowmobile 30. A tunnel box 83 may be a storage compartment that is
mounted on the
snowmobile 30. A tunnel box may have a casing with a briefcase-like
appearance, and may
have a handle 108 with opening clips 110. Referring to Fig. 10, the box 83 may
have a
suitable design, such as a clamshell design as shown with first and second
housings 83F and
83G that close about a hinge 83H at a rear end 83D of the box 83, with a front
opening 831 at
a front end 83C of the box 83. The handle 108 may be used to carry the tunnel
box 83 when
the tunnel box 83 is not mounted on the tunnel. The opening clips 110 may be
used to access
the storage compartment of the tunnel box 83. The tunnel box 83 may provide
storage
function, for example to hold accessories or items that a rider may need.
Example items
include gloves, lights, chains, shovels, winches, first aid components, food,
parts, and other
items. Chains may be stored in a tunnel box. A shovel may be used by a user to
remove snow
that surrounds a snowmobile, in case the snowmobile gets stuck. Other items
that the rider
needs may be placed in a tunnel box.
[0057] Referring to Figs. 10-13, a snowmobile tunnel box mounting system
82 may
comprise one or more of a plurality of adaptors 178 and/or 180. The mounting
system 82
may comprise one or more of a tunnel adaptor 178 and a tunnel box adapter 180.
The tunnel
adaptor 178 may comprise a left tunnel adaptor 178' and a right tunnel adaptor
178". Each
tunnel adaptor 178 may have a tunnel mounting base plate part 176 and a first
quick release
connector part 112. The tunnel mounting base plate part 176 may be structured
to secure in
use to a tunnel 122 of a snowmobile with the left tunnel adaptor 178' adjacent
a left side of
19
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-22
the tunnel 122" and the right tunnel adaptor 178" adjacent a right side of the
tunnel 122",
as shown in Fig. 12. In some cases, plural tunnel adaptors 178 may be provided
with a
common base plate forming the respective base plate parts 176 of both adaptors
178. The
tunnel adaptors 178 may each have a first quick release connector part 112.
[0058] Referring to Figs. 10-13, the tunnel box adaptor 180 may have
suitable parts,
and may be installed to the tunnel box 83 via a suitable mechanism. The
adaptor 180 may
have a plurality of bracket parts, such as a left tunnel box bracket part 84'
and a right tunnel
box bracket part 84". Each bracket part may have a tunnel box mounting plate
part 88, such
as parts 88', and 88", which may be structured to secure in use to a tunnel
box 83 sized for
the tunnel 122 with the left tunnel box bracket part 84' adjacent a left side
83A of the tunnel
box 83 and the right tunnel box bracket part 84" part adjacent a right side
83B of the tunnel
box 83. The mounting plate parts 88 may form a single mounting plate in some
cases (not
shown). Each tunnel box bracket part 84 may have a second quick release
connector part 86.
The second quick release connector parts 86 may be structured to releasably
engage in use
with the first quick release connector parts 112 to secure the tunnel box 83
to the tunnel 122.
A fastener 94 or other suitable mounting mechanism may be used to mount
together the
tunnel adaptor 180, for example the tunnel box bracket part 84, and in some
cases the first
quick release connector part 112, to the tunnel box 83, for example via bores
96 and 98 in
the plate part 88 and tunnel box 83, respectively, to install the tunnel
adaptor 180 to the
tunnel box 83 as shown in the assembled system in Fig. 12.
[0059] Referring to Figs. 10-13, the tunnel adaptors 178 may have
suitable parts, and
may be installed on a tunnel 122 via a suitable mechanism. The tunnel adaptors
178 may
come pre-installed on a tunnel 122 or may be retrofitted onto a tunnel 122.
The left and right
tunnel adaptors 178 may be installed adjacent the left and right side 122',
122", respectively,
of a tunnel 122 of a snowmobile. As shown in Fig. 13, a fastener 118 or other
suitable
mounting mechanism may be used to mount the tunnel mounting base plate part
176 to the
tunnel 122 via a bore 120 in tunnel 122. In the example shown the second quick
release
connector parts 112 may be connected to, for example integrally, the tunnel
mounting base
plate part 176, or may be connected by a different mechanism such as
fasteners.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-22
[0060] Referring to Figs. 10-13, once the tunnel box adaptor 180 is
connected to the
tunnel box 83, the adaptor 180 may be connected to the tunnel 122 using the
quick release
connector parts. For example, the second quick release connector parts 86 may
be aligned
and engaged with the first quick release connector parts 112. As shown in Fig.
13, the first
quick release connector parts 112 may be inserted into the second quick
release parts 86. The
engagement of tunnel adaptors 178 and the tunnel box adaptors 180 may allow
the
snowmobile tunnel box system 82 to mount the tunnel box 83 to the tunnel 122
of the
snowmobile.
[0061] Referring to Fig. 13, the tunnel bracket parts 84 that mount the
tunnel box 83
may have suitable characteristics. The tunnel box adaptor 180 may have a
suitable shape,
such as if it formed a U-shaped bracket, to define a tunnel box receiving gap
85, with tunnel
box mounting plate parts 88' and 88" separated by a connector member such as a
plate 87.
The tunnel box receiving gap 85 may be sized to receive the tunnel box 83, for
example to
span a width of the tunnel box 83 such that plate parts 88' and 88" are
located on adjacent
sides 81A and 83B of the box 83. The tunnel box bracket 84 may also be formed
via a
plurality of pieces, not shown in the Figures, for example the bracket parts
84 are separate
and independent from one another.
[0062] Referring to Figs. 10, 10A and 10B, the quick release connector
parts may
secure to one another via a latch connection to mount and unmount the tunnel
box 83 to the
tunnel 122. The latch connection may be formed by pairs of quick release
connectors, in
which each pair is formed by a first quick release connector part 112 and a
second quick
release connector part 86. The first quick release connector parts 112 may
comprise a hook
receiver part 116, such as a slot. The second quick release connector parts 86
may comprise
latch arm parts 90 connected to actuate hook parts 92. The hook receiver parts
116 of the
first quick release connector parts 112 may define an axial insertion aperture
to receive the
hook parts 92 via an insertion axis 119 while the parts 92 and 116 are in an
entry angular
position. Referring to Figs. 10A, 10B, and 11, the hook parts 92 may comprise
cam hook
parts that may be rotated about axis 119 upon rotation of the latch arm part
90 between a
locked position (Fig. 10B, latch arm part 90' in Fig. 11), and an unlocked
position (Fig. 10A,
21
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-22
latch arm part 90" in Fig. 11). The locked position is shown in Fig. 10A,
where the hook
parts 92 are inserted into and engage the hook receiver parts 116, for example
by rotating out
of alignment with the axial insertion aperture and underling a ledge 117, in
which the ledge
117 may engage the hook parts 92 of the second quick release connector parts
86, to secure
the latch connection. The latch connection system may be the SkiDooTM LinQ TM
system,
where a Ski- DooTM LinQ TM Cargo Base Kit may be the first quick release
connector, and
the Ski- DOOTM LinQ TM Fastener may be the second quick release connector. The
latch
connection system, which may comprise the pair of first quick release
connector parts 112
and second quick release connector parts 86, may allow the mounting of the
tunnel box 83 to
the tunnel 122 of a snowmobile.
[0063] Referring to Figs. 10-13, a shovel may be an essential tool for a
snowmobile
rider. It may be necessary for a user to have a shovel to dig for emergencies,
to free stuck
snowmobiles, or with avalanche rescues, which may occur while a rider is using
the
snowmobile. In some cases, a shovel may be used to remove a chunk of snow
stuck on the
skis and/or the tracks which may prevent the snowmobile from running. A shovel
may also
be used to dig under the tracks to get a snowmobile out of a hole. Some
shovels may also be
configured to have sharp edges or a blade to allow the shovel to cut through
bushes and tree
branches.
[0064] Referring to Fig. 11 - 13, the snowmobile tunnel box mounting
system 82
may have a shovel shaft adaptor 106 to allow mounting of a shovel shaft 102. A
shovel shaft
adaptor 106 may comprise first and second shovel shaft adaptors 106' and 106",
and in some
cases more than two such adaptors. The shovel shaft adaptors 106' and 106" may
align on
the system 82 to allow the shovel shaft 102 to be inserted via a shovel shaft
axis 148.
Referring to Fig. 12, a shovel shaft adaptor 106 may have a tunnel box shovel
shaft
mounting part 132 and a shovel shaft receiver 105. The shovel shaft receiver
105 may
comprise a collar, which may be sized to fit the shovel shaft 102. The tunnel
box shovel shaft
mounting parts 132 may be structured to in use mount to a top surface 182 of
the tunnel box
83, or another suitable location on the tunnel box 83. The tunnel box shovel
shaft mounting
parts 132 may define fastener apertures, to which a fastener, such as fastener
130, may
22
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-22
mount the shovel shaft adaptors 106 to the tunnel box 83, such as through the
top surface
182 of the tunnel box 83. The shovel shaft 102 may lock to the adaptor 106 via
a suitable
mechanism, such as via a spring pin 156 that aligns and pops into a
corresponding aperture
in the adaptor 106. The spring pin 156 may also be used to lock the shovel
shaft 102 to a
shovel pan 100 when assembling the shovel. The shovel shaft 102 may have a
hand grip of
handle 103.
[0065] Referring to Figs. 11 - 13, the tunnel box 83 of the snowmobile
tunnel box
mounting system 82 may mount a shovel pan 100 in a suitable fashion. In one
case, the
system 82 mounts pan 100 along a top surface 182 of the tunnel box 83. The
shovel pan 100
may be mounted via a fastener 104. As shown in Fig. 13, the fastener 104 may
secure the
shovel pan 100 to the tunnel box 83. The fastener 104 may have a head, such as
formed by
wing nut 134, and a threaded body 136, in which the body 136 may be inserted
through a
bore 140 in the shovel pan 100 and through slot 142 in the tunnel box 83. The
bore 140 in
the shovel pan 100 may be situated at a suitable location, such as in a trough
146 of the
rearside of the shovel pan 100. The shovel pan 100 may be mounted on the
tunnel box 83 as
shown in Figs. 11 and 2612, where the rear face 184 of the shovel pan 100 is
exposed, and a
scoop face 186 of the shovel pan 100 may face inwards and towards the top
surface of the
tunnel box 83. The shovel pan 100 may be mounted in a plurality of
orientations, where the
sharp edges 188 of the shovel pan 100 may face or overlie an end of the tunnel
box 83. The
shovel pan may have a shaft receiving slot 144 structured to adjoin the shovel
shaft 102 with
the shovel pan 100 when a user may need to use the shovel.
[0066] The dollies in this document may be rated sufficient to their
purpose, for
example a ski dolly may be rated to carry at least 700 pounds each. Each
caster may be rated
sufficiently, such as to support 175 pounds each.
[0067] In the claims, the word "comprising" is used in its inclusive
sense and does
not exclude other elements being present. The indefinite articles "a" and "an"
before a claim
feature do not exclude more than one of the features being present. Each one
of the
individual features described here may be used in one or more embodiments and
is not, by
23
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-22
virtue only of being described here, to be construed as essential to all
embodiments as
defined by the claims.
24
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-22
