Frame construction for a vehicle
View Patent ↗A frame assembly is described including a tunnel, an engine cradle disposed forward of the tunnel and connected thereto, and a sub-frame disposed forward of the engine cradle and connected thereto. A forward support assembly extends upwardly from the subframe. An upper column extends upwardly from the engine cradle to connect with the forward support assembly. A rear brace assembly extends upwardly from the tunnel to connect with the forward support assembly and the upper column. In one embodiment, the frame assembly further includes an engine disposed in the engine cradle. An endless track is operatively connected to the engine and disposed beneath the tunnel for propulsion. A pair of skis is operatively connected to a steering device for steering. In another embodiment, the frame assembly further includes an engine disposed in the engine cradle. A rear wheel is operatively connected to the engine and disposed beneath the tunnel for propulsion, and two front wheels are operatively connected to a steering device for steering.
1. A snowmobile, comprising:
a frame including a tunnel and an engine cradle forward of the tunnel;
an engine mounted in the engine cradle;
a drive track disposed below and supported by the tunnel and connected operatively to the engine for propulsion of the snowmobile;
left and right skis disposed on the frame;
a straddle seat disposed on the tunnel above the drive track and rearward of the engine;
a pair of footrests supported by the frame;
a steering column movably connected to the frame other than via a head tube and operatively connected to the two skis;
a handlebar connected to the steering column;
a pyramidal brace assembly connected to the frame, the assembly including:
left and right rear legs extending forwardly and upwardly from the tunnel, each of the left and right rear legs having a front end and a rear end, the rear ends of the rear legs being spaced further from each other than the front ends of the rear legs, and
left and right front legs extending rearwardly and upwardly from the frame forward of the tunnel, each of the left and right front legs having a front end and rear end, the front ends of the front legs being spaced further from each other than the rear ends of the front legs.
2. The snowmobile of claim 1 , wherein the pyramidal brace assembly further includes a cross-member interconnecting the front legs.
3. The snowmobile of claim 1 , wherein the legs of the pyramidal brace assembly form an apex not forward of the engine.
4. The snowmobile of claim 1 , wherein the front legs of the pyramidal brace assembly are forward of and above the steering column.
5. The snowmobile of claim 1 , wherein the rear ends of the front legs of the pyramidal brace assembly and the front ends of the rear legs of the pyramidal brace assembly are interconnected.
6. The snowmobile of claim 1 , wherein the rear ends of the front legs of the pyramidal brace assembly and the front ends of the rear legs of the pyramidal brace assembly are interconnected and form an apex not forward of the engine.
7. The snowmobile of claim 6 , further comprising an upper column extending upwardly from the frame.
8. The snowmobile of claim 7 , wherein the upper column forms the apex with the front ends of the rear legs of the pyramidal brace assembly and the rear ends of the front legs of the pyramidal brace assembly.
9. The snowmobile of claim 2 , wherein:
the frame further includes a sub-frame forward of the engine cradle,
the snowmobile further comprises left and right suspension arms pivotally connected to the sub-frame on respective sides of the sub-frame, and
the left and right skis are disposed on the frame via a connection to the respective suspension arm.
10. The snowmobile of claim 3 , wherein:
the frame further includes a sub-frame forward of the engine cradle,
the snowmobile further comprises left and right suspension arms pivotally connected to the sub-frame on respective sides of the sub-frame, and
the left and right skis are disposed on the frame via a connection to the respective suspension arm.
11. The snowmobile of claim 4 , wherein:
the frame further includes a sub-frame forward of the engine cradle,
the snowmobile further comprises left and right suspension arms pivotally connected to the sub-frame on respective sides of the sub-frame, and
the left and right skis are disposed on the frame via a connection to the respective suspension arm.
12. The snowmobile of claim 5 , wherein:
the frame further includes a sub-frame forward of the engine cradle,
the snowmobile further comprises left and right suspension arms pivotally connected to the sub-frame on respective sides of the sub-frame, and
the left and right skis are disposed on the frame via a connection to the respective suspension arm.
13. The snowmobile of claim 6 , wherein:
the frame further includes a sub-frame forward of the engine cradle,
the snowmobile further comprises left and right suspension arms pivotally connected to the sub-frame on respective sides of the sub-frame, and
the left and right skis are disposed on the frame via a connection to the respective suspension arm.
14. The snowmobile of claim 7 , wherein:
the frame further includes a sub-frame forward of the engine cradle,
the snowmobile further comprises left and right suspension arms pivotally connected to the sub-frame on respective sides of the sub-frame, and
the left and right skis are disposed on the frame via a connection to the respective suspension arm.
15. The snowmobile of claim 8 , wherein:
the frame further includes a sub-frame forward of the engine cradle,
the snowmobile further comprises left and right suspension arms pivotally connected to the sub-frame on respective sides of the sub-frame, and
the left and right skis are disposed on the frame via a connection to the respective suspension arm.