COMPOSITE RUNNING BOARD

Abstract

A composite running board for a snow vehicle includes a first side rail a first side rail positionable along an outboard side of a side panel of a snowmobile tunnel and a second side rail positionable outboard of the first side rail adjacent a support member. The second side rail defines one or more retaining features that are engageable with the support member. One or more cross members extend from the first side rail to the second side rail. The first side rail, the second side rail, and the cross members comprise a fiber reinforced polymer.

Description

Claims

1. A composite running board for a snow vehicle, comprising: a first side rail positionable along an outboard side of a side panel of a snowmobile tunnel;a second side rail positionable outboard of the first side rail adjacent a support member, wherein the second side rail defines one or more retaining features that are engageable with the support member; andone or more cross members extending from the first side rail to the second side rail, wherein the first side rail, the second side rail, and the one or more cross members comprise a fiber reinforced polymer.

2. The composite running board of claim 1, wherein the one or more retaining features include a channel, the channel including a downward facing opening configured to receive the support member therein.

3. The composite running board of claim 2, wherein the support member is configured to be received within the channel via an interference fit.

4. The composite running board of claim 3, wherein the one or more retaining features include a first plurality of retaining members extending into the downward facing opening from an outboard side of the channel that are engaeable with the support member when the support member is positioned in the channel.

5. The composite running board of claim 4, wherein the one or more retaining features includes a second plurality of retaining members extending into the downward facing opening from an inboard side of the channel that are engaeable with the support member when the support member is positioned in the channel.

6. The composite running board of claim 5, wherein each of the first plurality of retaining members and the second plurality of retaining members comprise flexible clips, wherein the channel and the first plurality of retaining members extend around at least 51% of a circumference of the support member to apply a compressive force to the support member when the support member is positioned in the channel.

7. The composite running board of claim 6, wherein one or both of the first plurality of retaining members and the second plurality of retaining members extend below an underside of the first side rail and the one or more cross members.

8. The composite running board of claim 1, wherein the fiber reinforced polymer has a fiber weight ratio of between 45% and 55%.

9. The composite running board of claim 1, wherein the second side rail extends forward of the first side rail.

10. A snow vehicle, comprising: a tunnel including top panel and a side panel, the side panel including a first end connected to the top panel and a second end extending downward therefrom;a support member spaced apart from and extending along the side panel to define a gap therebetween; anda running board comprising a polymeric material, the running board including: a first side rail positionable along an outboard side of the second end of the side panel,a second side rail positionable outboard of the first side rail,wherein the second side rail defines one or more retaining features that engage the support member.

11. The snow vehicle of claim 10, further comprising: a track operably positioned in the tunnel, wherein the track is driven by a track drive shaft;a vehicle component operably connected to the track drive shaft, anda toe guard comprising a polymetric body, the toe guard including a first portion defining a toe pocket and a second portion positioned inboard of the toe pocket, wherein the second portion at least partially defines a chamber that at least partially receives the vehicle component therein,wherein a forward end of the running board is secured to the toe guard.

12. The snow vehicle of claim 11, wherein the forward end of the running board and the toe guard define an opening positioned outboard of the second portion of the toe guard that extends from the toe pocket to an underside of the snow vehicle.

13. The snow vehicle of claim 12, wherein the second side rail extends forward of the first side rail, the second side rail is secured to the toe guard, and wherein the second side rail at least partially defines an outboard side of the opening.

14. The snow vehicle of claim 10, wherein the running board includes a forward end positioned a first distance from the side panel, and a rearward end positioned a second distance from the side panel, wherein the first distance is different than the second distance.

15. The snow vehicle of claim 10, further comprising a bracket including a body positioned on an inboard side of the side panel, and a flange that extends from the body underneath the second end of the side panel and outboard therefrom, wherein the first side rail of the running board is positioned on the flange of the bracket.

16. The snow vehicle of claim 12, further comprising a forward frame positioned at least partially forward of the tunnel, wherein the toe guard defines a rearward facing surface, wherein the support member extends forward from the running board and along the rearward facing surface, and wherein the support member extends from the rearward facing surface to the forward frame.

17. A snow vehicle, comprising: a tunnel including top panel, and a side panel with a first end connected to the top panel and a second end extending downward therefrom;a track operably positioned in the tunnel, wherein the track is driven by a track drive shaft;a vehicle component operably connected to the track drive shaft;a support member spaced apart from and extending along the side panel to define a gap therebetween;a running board comprising a polymeric material, a first side rail positionable along an outboard side of the second end of the side panel, a second side rail positionable outboard of the first side rail, wherein the second side rail is engaged with the support member; anda bottom-out protector comprising the polymeric material, wherein the bottom-out protector is secured to the running board, and the bottom-out protector at least partially houses the vehicle component therein.

18. The snow vehicle of claim 17, wherein a forward end of the running board and the bottom-out protector at least partially define an opening that extends from a toe pocket to an underside of the snow vehicle.

19. The snow vehicle of claim 18, further comprising a toe guard comprising a polymeric body, the toe guard including a first portion defining the toe pocket, and a second portion positioned inboard of the toe pocket, wherein the second portion at least partially receives the vehicle component therein, wherein the running board is secured to the toe guard, and wherein the running board is positioned between the toe guard and the bottom-out protector with the toe guard positioned on an upper surface thereof, and the bottom-out protector positioned on a lower surface thereof.

20. The snow vehicle of claim 19, wherein the toe guard houses a sensor that detects movement of the vehicle component.