IP Library Granted Patent US 7,195,254
Granted Patent B2
US 7,195,254 · App. 10/404,649 · Granted Mar 27, 2007

Adjustable ski for a snowmobile

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,195,254
App. No.
10/404,649
Granted
Mar 27, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A snowmobile ski includes an elongate ski element. The elongate ski element has a tip and a tail defining a length therebetween, top and bottom surfaces, first and second lateral edges extending longitudinally between the tip and the tail defining a width therebetween, and an attachment flange extending upwardly from the top surface. At least one lateral extension element is detachably secured to one of the lateral edges to thereby increase the lateral width of the snowmobile ski.

Claims (33)

1. A snowmobile ski comprising:

an elongate ski element having a tip and a tail defining a length therebetween, top and bottom surfaces, first and second lateral edges extending longitudinally between the tip and the tail defining a width therebetween;

at least one lateral extension element detachably secured to the ski, the lateral extension element having a bottom surface configured to extend the bottom surface of the ski element beyond one the lateral edges thereof so as to increase the width of the ski element,

the lateral extension element defining a maximum width increase by which the lateral extension element increases the width of the ski element,

the lateral extension element defining at each point along a longitudinal length of the lateral extension element a downward extension distance by which the lateral extension element extends downwardly below the bottom surface of the ski element;

wherein over a majority of the longitudinal length of the lateral extension element, the downward extension distance is less than the maximum width increase by which the lateral extension element increases the width of the ski element; and

at least one fastener releasably securing the at least one lateral extension element to the ski.

2. The snowmobile ski of claim 1 , wherein the at least one lateral extension element further comprises:

a top surface,

a lateral extension attachment flange extending upwardly from the top surface,

first and second lateral edges defining a width therebetween, and

a tip and a tail defining the longitudinal length therebetween.

3. The snowmobile ski of claim 2 , wherein:

the elongate ski element further comprises a ski element attachment flange including at least one hole;

the lateral extension attachment flange includes at least one hole; and

the at least one fastener removably connects the elongate ski element and the at least one lateral extension element together through the at least one hole in the ski element attachment flange and the lateral extension attachment flange.

4. The snowmobile ski of claim 3 , wherein the fastener comprises a threaded fastener.

5. The snowmobile ski of claim 3 , wherein the ski element attachment flange is one of the lateral edges of the elongate ski element.

6. The snowmobile ski of claim 3 , wherein the attachment flange of the elongate ski element is adapted to attach the ski to a steering element of a snowmobile.

7. The snowmobile ski of claim 3 , wherein the at least one fastener is a bolt that is adapted to simultaneously secure the ski to a ski leg.

8. The snowmobile ski of claim 2 , wherein:

the ski element attachment flange is substantially in the same plane as one of the elongate ski element lateral edges; and

the at least one lateral extension attachment flange is substantially in a same plane as one of the at least one lateral extension element lateral edges.

9. The snowmobile ski of claim 2 , wherein the length of the at least one lateral extension element is substantially equal to the length of the elongate ski element.

10. The snowmobile of claim 2 , wherein the at least one lateral extension element progressively increases the width of the elongate ski element from the tip toward the tail and also from the tail toward the tip such that a maximum width is obtained between the tip and the tail.

11. The snowmobile of claim 2 , where a portion of the bottom surface of the at least one lateral extension element and a portion of the bottom surface of the elongate ski element are overlapping.

12. The snowmobile ski of claim 1 , wherein the bottom surface of the at least one lateral extension element is at least partially coplanar with the bottom surface of the elongate ski element.

13. The snowmobile ski of claim 1 , wherein the elongate ski element and the at least one lateral extension element are made from plastic.

14. The snowmobile ski of claim 1 , wherein the at least one lateral extension element attaches to the tip and tail of the elongate ski element attachment.

15. The snowmobile ski of claim 1 , wherein the at least one lateral extension element is a first lateral extension element configured to extend the bottom surface of the ski element beyond the first lateral edge thereof; the ski further comprising a second lateral extension element having a bottom surface configured to extend the bottom surface of the ski element beyond the second lateral edge thereof so as to increase the width thereof.

16. The snowmobile ski of claim 15 , further comprising:

a first ski element attachment flange at the first lateral edge; and

a second ski element attachment flange at the second lateral edge.

Assignments (3)
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Jul 15, 2020
From: BRP FINLAND OY
To: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.
Reel/Frame 053211/0491 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 3, 2006
From: BRP-NORDTRAC OY
To: BRP FINLAND OY
Reel/Frame 017754/0714 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2003
From: MAKITALO, KALEVI
To: BOMBARDIER-NORDTRAC OY
Reel/Frame 014338/0060 →