IP Library Granted Patent US 11,623,487
Granted Patent B2
US 11,623,487 · App. 17/202,730 · Granted Apr 11, 2023

All terrain vehicle

Inventors: Stephen L. Nelson (Osceola, WI); Benjamin J. Dieter (Roseau, MN); Alan S. Olson (Roseau, MN); Brian L. Thompson (Warroad, MN); Jeffrey D. Bennett (Roseau, MN); Ronnie Danielson (Roseau, MN); Donald E. Frost (Roseau, MN); Dan Weber (North Branch, MN); Ty P. Warner (Eagle River, WI)
Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
B60G3/20B60K5/02B60K17/08B60K17/22B60T1/065B62K5/01B60G2200/144B60G2300/124B62J25/04B62K2005/001F16D65/123
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,623,487
App. No.
17/202,730
Granted
Apr 11, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

An all-terrain vehicle including a frame having longitudinally-spaced ends defining a first longitudinal axis, and an engine supported by the frame. The engine includes a crankshaft defining a second longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis.

Claims (43)

1. A vehicle comprising:

a frame;

ground engaging members supporting the frame;

a seat supported by the frame;

an engine supported by the frame, the engine including an output member rotatable about an axis;

a continuously variable transmission (“CVT”) including a drive pulley operatively coupled to the output member of the engine and a driven pulley operatively coupled to the drive pulley, the driven pulley operatively coupled to a shiftable transmission comprising a transmission housing;

a torsional damper coupled between the output member of the engine and the drive pulley of the CVT, the torsional damper being rotatable with the output member about the axis;

an intermediate shaft coupled between the torsional damper and the drive pulley of the CVT, the intermediate shaft extending through a portion of the transmission housing; and

the engine is coupled to the transmission housing independent of the CVT and independent of the frame.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the drive pulley of the CVT is rotatable about an input shaft, and the torsional damper is spaced apart from the input shaft by a rotational member.

3. The vehicle of claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the rotational member is received by the torsional damper.

4. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the engine further includes a flywheel, and the torsional damper is coupled to the flywheel.

5. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the torsional damper is positioned rearward of the engine.

6. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the torsional damper is positioned forward of the drive pulley.

7. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the drive pulley being rotatable about the axis.

8. The vehicle of claim 1 , further comprising:

a first differential operatively coupled to a first portion of the plurality of ground engaging members and operatively coupled to the CVT through the shiftable transmission; and

a second differential operatively coupled to a second portion of the plurality of ground engaging members and operatively coupled to the CVT through the shiftable transmission.

9. The vehicle of claim 8 , wherein both the CVT and the shiftable transmission are completely rearward of a forwardmost portion of the seat.

10. A vehicle comprising:

a frame;

ground engaging members supporting the frame;

a seat supported by the frame;

an engine supported by the frame, the engine including an output member rotatable about an axis;

a continuously variable transmission (“CVT”) including a drive pulley operatively coupled to the output member of the engine and rotatable about an input shaft and a driven pulley operatively coupled to the drive pulley and a shiftable transmission operatively coupled to the driven pulley, the shiftable transmission comprising a transmission housing;

a torsional damper coupled between the output member of the engine and the drive pulley of the CVT, wherein the torsional damper is spaced apart from the input shaft by a rotational member; and

the torsional damper is positioned intermediate the engine and at least a portion of the transmission housing and the transmission housing is disposed between the CVT and the engine.

11. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein at least a portion of the rotational member is received by the torsional damper.

12. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein a rotational axis of the torsional damper is coaxial with the axis of the output member.

13. The vehicle of claim 10 , further comprising:

a first differential operatively coupled to a first portion of the plurality of ground engaging members and operatively coupled to the CVT through the shiftable transmission; and

a second differential operatively coupled to a second portion of the plurality of ground engaging members and operatively coupled to the CVT through the shiftable transmission.

14. The vehicle of claim 13 , wherein both the CVT and the shiftable transmission are completely rearward of a forwardmost portion of the seat.

15. A vehicle comprising:

a frame;

ground engaging members supporting the frame;

a seat supported by the frame;

an engine supported by the frame, the engine including an output member rotatable about an axis;

a continuously variable transmission (“CVT”) including a drive pulley operatively coupled to the output member of the engine and rotatable about an input shaft and a driven pulley operatively coupled to the drive pulley and a shiftable transmission operatively coupled to the driven pulley, the shiftable transmission comprising a transmission housing;

a first differential operatively coupled to a first portion of the plurality of ground engaging members and operatively coupled to the CVT through the shiftable transmission;

a second differential operatively coupled to a second portion of the plurality of ground engaging members and operatively coupled to the CVT through the shiftable transmission;

a torsional damper coupled between the output member of the engine and the drive pulley of the CVT, wherein the torsional damper is spaced apart from the input shaft by a rotational member; and

the torsional damper is positioned intermediate the engine and at least a portion of the transmission housing and each of the CVT and the shiftable transmission are positioned completely rearward of a forwardmost portion of the seat.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 14, 2025
From: PLUGGE, JASON C.
To: POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC.
Reel/Frame 071107/0606 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 23, 2022
From: NELSON, STEPHEN L.; DIETER, BENJAMIN J.; OLSON, ALAN S.; THOMPSON, BRIAN L.; BENNETT, JEFFREY D.; DANIELSON, RONNIE; FROST, DONALD E.; WEBER, DAN; WARNER, TY P.
To: POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC.
Reel/Frame 060873/0305 →
Continuity (8)
Continuation 16685066 · Nov 15, 2019
Continuation 15795755 · Oct 27, 2017
Continuation 14570843 · Dec 15, 2014
Continuation 14095829 · Dec 3, 2013
Continuation 12272377 · Nov 17, 2008
Continuation In Part 12069515 · Feb 11, 2008
Provisional Application 60960361 · May 16, 2007
Related Publication 20210197662A1 · Jul 1, 2021
Cited By (1)
US 12,510,013