Joseph L Putney2306 Ray Ave, Caldwell, ID 83605

2002008, Jul 4, 2002

Oct 30, 2001

10/003475

Travis Cook - Prairie ID, US
Joseph Putney - Caldwell ID, US

B62M027/02
B62M029/00
B62B013/14

180/182000, 280/016000, 280/028110

The present invention comprises a braking or steering mechanism that is located near the steering pivot point of a runner of a ski vehicle. In a conventional snowmobile, for example, the steering pivot point is near the middle of the longitudinal axis of the runner, and, hence, the preferred braking and steering mechanism extends from near, but not at the rear end of, the runner, to contact the snow or ground to slow or stop the snowmobile movement relative to the snow or ground. The preferred braking or steering mechanism comprises a brake that is a retractable, protruding member that extends down from the runner bottom surface near the steering pivot point a sufficient distance to frictionally engage the snow/ground significantly more than does the bottom of the runner. The protruding member may take the forms of a prong or spike, a blade or plate, or other single, plural, smooth or toothed member(s) that can make frictional contact with the snow/ground. For example, the protruding member may be a moveable portion of the keel of the ski runner. Preferably, the brake comprises one or more elongated members that extend through and from the bottom of the runner to -6 inches into the snow/ground. Optionally, there may be included a control system for partial or incremental application of the brake, for example, for moving the brake varying depths into the snow/ground, or moving the brake to varying angles and positions relative to the snow/ground for varying amounts of frictional engagement or digging action. Also, there may be included a control system for differential application of the brake on one side of the ski vehicle relative to the other side. This way, assistance in steering the vehicle may also be obtained.

2004014, Jul 22, 2004

Oct 14, 2003

10/685998

Travis Cook - Prairie ID, US
Joseph Putney - Caldwell ID, US

B62B009/04

280/028110

An emergency ski brake system located above and to the side and acting in the close vicinity of the pivot point of the runner of a ski vehicle. The preferred embodiment has one or more protruding braking members on each ski that when released by a latching mechanism, rotate forward helically around the outside edge of the runner to substantially engage the terrain more so than does the bottom surface of the runner. The protruding member may take the form of a blade or spike, prong or other single, plural, smooth or toothed members that extend around and under the ski to stab 1-6 inches into the terrain provided that the mechanism and attached protruding member is located alongside and perpendicular to the pivot point of the runner and actuates in a forward, helical rotation in relation to the direction of the runner. There may also be included a safety tether or other operator absence detecting mechanism located on the ski vehicle which actuates the emergency ski brake system in case of accidental operator dismount.

6308966, Oct 30, 2001

Dec 1, 1999

9/452912

Travis A. Cook - Prairie ID
Joseph L. Putney - Caldwell ID

B62B 1314
B60T 708

280 2811

A braking and steering mechanism that is located near, but behind the steering pivot point of a runner of a ski vehicle. In a conventional snowmobile, for example, the steering pivot point is near the middle of the longitudinal axis of the runner, and, hence, the preferred braking and steering mechanism extends from behind the middle of the runner, but not at the rear end of the runner, to contact the snow or ground to slow or stop the snowmobile movement relative to the snow or ground. The preferred braking and steering mechanism has a brake that is a retractable, protruding member that extends down from the runner bottom surface near, but behind the steering pivot point a sufficient distance to frictionally engage the snow/ground significantly more than does the bottom of the runner. The protruding member may take the forms of a prong or spike, a blade or plate, or other single, plural, smooth or toothed member(s) that can make frictional contact with the snow/ground. Preferably, the brake has one or more elongated members that extend through and from the bottom of the runner to stab 2-6 inches into the snow/ground, provided that the center of gravity of the elongated members and their actuating mechanism combined is located near, but behind, the steering pivot point of the ski.