Compact pulling apparatus

• US 8,453,769 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2012
• Issued: 06/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yvon Martel
• Original Assignee: Yvon Martel
• Inventors: Martel, Yvon
• Primary Examiner(s): Hurley, Kevin
• Application Number:
  US13/650,925
• Publication Number:
  US 20130037332A1
• Time in Patent Office: 235 Days
• Field of Search: 180/9.1, 180/9.22, 454/69, 454/141
• US Class Current: 180/9.22
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 11/10 Apparatus for towing skis ski-lifts B61B11/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 51/007 the vehicle being of the endless track type endless track vehicles in general B62D55/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 51/04 the driver walking
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/07 Mono-track vehicles

Abstract

The apparatus includes a watertight elongate housing extending along a longitudinal axis and defining an inner chamber, a track disposed around the housing on its longitudinal axis and enabling the apparatus to move when the track is rotatably driven around the housing, a handlebar connected to the housing and extending rearward, and a track-driving motor. The motor is located within the inner chamber of the housing and includes an output shaft mechanically connected to the track. The apparatus can also include a ventilation circuit for ventilating the inner chamber of the housing and a generator for producing electricity.

Claims

1. A compact pulling apparatus including:

a watertight elongate housing extending along a longitudinal axis and defining an inner chamber, the housing including a top wall and a bottom wall;

a track disposed around the housing along its longitudinal axis and enabling the apparatus to move when the track is rotatably driven around the housing;

a track-driving motor, the motor being located within the inner chamber of the housing and including an output shaft mechanically connected to the track; and

a ventilation circuit for the inner chamber of the housing, the ventilation circuit including an air inlet and an air outlet which communicate with the exterior of the housing, the ventilation circuit allowing the interior of the inner chamber to be kept above the freezing point when the outside temperature is lower and allowing the inner chamber of the housing to be cooled when the outside temperature is above an upper threshold.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further including:

a pair of top skids disposed longitudinally on the top wall of the housing;

a pair of bottom skids disposed longitudinally on the bottom wall of the housing;

at least one front roller rotatably connected at the front of the housing; and

;

at least one rear roller rotatably connected at the rear of the housing;

the track including an inner face which is supported by the skids and the rollers.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further including a transmission which forms at least part of the mechanical connection between the motor and the track.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the motor is a gasoline engine supplied in fuel from a tank located within the inner chamber of the housing.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, further including a generator located within the inner chamber and that can produce electricity to power an external equipment.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the generator includes a rotation axis disposed transversely to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the generator and the gasoline engine are mechanically connected through an electric clutch.

8. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the air inlet of the ventilation circuit includes an air inlet box disposed at the top of the inner chamber and which mitigates snow ingestion toward the inner chamber.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the air inlet box includes apertures located on at least one side of the housing.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the apertures of the air inlet box are located on both sides of the housing, each aperture being connected to an air outlet of the air inlet box, the air outlet of the air inlet box being connected to a cooling shroud of the motor.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the air outlet of the ventilation circuit includes an air outlet box located at the top of the inner chamber.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the air outlet box includes apertures located on at least one side of the housing.

13. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the apparatus includes an exhaust pipe, the exhaust pipe including a first end connected to the engine and a second end leading to the exterior of the inner chamber, the second end of the exhaust pipe leading to the rear of the apparatus, between the housing and inside of the track.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inner chamber is maintained at a positive pressure with reference to the atmospheric pressure.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the motor is an electric motor powered by at least one battery located within the inner chamber of the housing.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the ventilation circuit uses heat released by the electric motor as a heat source.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the temperature within the inner chamber is maintained approximately between 20 and 25°

C. so as to ensure an optimal efficiency of the at least one battery.

18. The apparatus according to claim 1, further including a handlebar connected to the housing, the handlebar extending substantially rearward.

19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the air inlet and the air outlet of the ventilation circuit are provided on the handlebar.

20. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation circuit includes a thermostat.