Abstract: A centrifugal advance mechanism has drive and driven members connected with one another to rotate about a common axis as they move toward and away from each other along the common axis. A resilient element biases the members toward each other. A ramp on one of the members has an inner end portion and an outer end portion. The inner end portion is closer to the common axis than the outer end portion, the ramp rising as it moves from the inner end portion toward the outer end portion. A ba1l contacts the ramp and the other member. The resilient element biases the ball down the ramp, the ball traveling radially outward and up the ramp as the members rotate at increasing angular velocity thereby causing the members to separate from each other against the bias of the resilient element and to rotate with respect to each other.
Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, a folding seat assembly, and a utility bed. The utility bed is attached to the frame and is moveable with respect to the frame between a hauling position and a dumping position. The folding seat assembly is moveable between an erected position and a collapsed position. The utility bed comprises a bed floor and a cargo lid. The bed floor includes a first cargo supporting surface and defines an aperture. The cargo lid is movable between a closed position and an opened position. In the closed position, the cargo lid at least substantially covers the aperture. In the opened position, the cargo lid facilitates selective passage of at least a portion of the folding seat assembly into the aperture when both the utility bed is in the hauling position and the folding seat assembly is in the erected position.
Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a base, a body, and at least one of a front wheel assembly and a rear wheel assembly. The base includes a first curved member, a second curved member, and a cross member securing the first curved member to the second curved member. The first curved member includes a first front arm and a first rear arm and the second curved member has a second front arm and a second rear arm. The front wheel assembly includes a first front wheel assembly and a second front wheel assembly having respective first and second wheels. The front wheel assemblies mount to the respective first front arms. The front wheels are movable between among at least one of a first position and a second position. Methods of converting a toy vehicle are also provided herein.
Abstract: A playhouse is provided that includes an outer structure and a roof supported by and positioned atop the outer structure. The outer structure and the roof cooperate to at least partially define a first playspace. In one embodiment, the playhouse can further include a fence that at least partially defines a second playspace. The first and second playspaces can communicate with one another such that a person can travel between the first and second playspaces.
Abstract: A motorcycle includes a frame and a flexible drive member. The frame is provided with an aperture. An engine is attached to the frame and is configured to selectively rotate a drive sprocket. A driven sprocket is attached to a rear wheel. A flexible drive member operably couples the drive sprocket and the driven sprocket and, in doing so, passes through the aperture in the frame. Methods of manufacturing a motorcycle are also provided.
Abstract: An electronic steering damper system is provided for a vehicle. The electronic steering damper system can be supported with respect to the vehicle's frame and can selectively impose resistance to steering of one or more of the vehicle's wheels in response to a vehicle condition signal received from a sensor such as, for example, a vehicle speed sensor. An actuator connected with the electronic steering damper system can be configured for use by an operator to adjust the manner in which the electronic steering damper system selectively imposes resistance to steering of the wheel(s) in response to the vehicle condition signal. Vehicles including an electronic steering damper system are also provided.
Abstract: Left and right axle portions are provided for attachment to respective left and right wheels of a vehicle. The left axle portion can be rotatably supported by a left hub support portion, and the right axle portion can be rotatably supported by a right hub support portion. The left and right hub support portions can be movably supported with respect to the frame. Vehicles are also provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 28, 2008
Date of Patent:
June 28, 2011
Assignee:
Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
Inventors:
Daniel Thomas Sellars, Prince Rodriguez, Scott Daniel Batdorf
Abstract: A sliding door comprises a door structure and a guide rail. The door structure comprises a first surface, a second surface and at least one attachment assembly and defines at least one door aperture extending from the first surface to the second surface. The at least one attachment assembly comprises a first attachment member and a second attachment member. The second attachment member engages the first attachment member and extends through the at least one door aperture having at least a portion of the second attachment member extending beyond the second surface. The guide rail comprises a first contact surface and a second contact surface and defines at least one rail aperture configured to align with the at least one door aperture of the door structure. The second attachment member abuts the second contact surface of the guide rail. Methods of attaching a guide rail to a door structure are also provided herein. Vehicles are also provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 12, 2009
Date of Patent:
June 21, 2011
Assignee:
Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
Inventors:
Steven R. Thiele, James Allen Hull, Jr., Matthew W. Schmitt
Abstract: A retention system for a vehicular spare tire includes a chamber having a bottom portion. A tray is configured for movement in a first direction relative to the bottom portion between an extended position and a stored position. At least one removable interconnecting member is configured to selectively interface with both the tray and the chamber for substantially preventing movement of the tray relative in the first direction. At least one guide member is configured to selectively interface with a back portion of the tray for substantially preventing movement of the back portion of the tray in a second direction relative to the bottom portion while the tray is in the stored position. The second direction is generally perpendicular to the first direction.
Abstract: A cargo rack assembly is provided for a vehicle. The cargo rack assembly defines an inner region and includes a restraint assembly disposed at least partially within the inner region. The restraint assembly includes a belt and a carrier. The belt extends between a first end portion and a second end portion. The second end portion of the belt is attached to the carrier. The carrier is configured to facilitate selective dispensation of the first end portion of the belt between a stored position in which the first end portion is adjacent to the cargo rack assembly, and an extended position in which the first end portion is spaced from the cargo rack assembly. A vehicle including a cargo rack assembly is also provided.
Abstract: A construction block is provided that includes at least one base member that includes a plurality of lower side wall receptacles. The construction block further includes a plurality of side wall assemblies. Each of the side wall assemblies includes a plurality of interconnected panels. Each of the panels is hingedly connected to each adjacent one of the panels of the respective one of the side wall assemblies. Each of the side wall assemblies defines a hollow load chamber having an open top and an open bottom. At least some of the panels of each of the side wall assemblies are angled relative to one another. Each of the lower side wall receptacles receives one of the side wall assemblies.
Abstract: A motorcycle is provided that includes a frame and an engine supported by the frame. The motorcycle also includes a continuously variable transmission operatively driven by the engine and a reduction gearset operatively driven by the continuously variable transmission. The motorcycle further includes a rotatable rear wheel operatively, indirectly driven by the reduction gearset and a swing-arm assembly pivotably mounted, at a forward end thereof, on the frame. The swing-arm assembly is coupled, at a rear end thereof, to the rear wheel. The swing-arm assembly includes first and second elongated and laterally spaced fork members. The reduction gearset set is positioned forward of the rear wheel and laterally between the first and second fork members.
Abstract: A suspension assembly includes an axle and a resilient member. The axle includes a first end and a second end and is movable with respect to a vehicle's frame between an unloaded position and a loaded position. The resilient member is configured to be spaced from at least one of the axle and the frame when the axle is in the unloaded position. The resilient member is also configured to selectively progressively bias the axle towards the unloaded position. A vehicle including a suspension assembly is also provided.
Abstract: A motorcycle includes a fork assembly and a headlight. The fork assembly is provided with a cavity. The headlight is at least partially disposed within the cavity in the fork assembly and is configured to selectively provide illumination ahead of the motorcycle.
Abstract: A tailgate assembly is provided for a cargo bed of a vehicle. The tailgate assembly includes a support panel and a tailgate panel. The support panel is configured for attachment to a vehicle such that the support panel is selectively pivotable between horizontal and vertical positions. The tailgate panel is attached to the support panel. The tailgate panel is configured to selectively define an end wall for the cargo bed when the support panel is in the horizontal position. The tailgate panel is configured to selectively define a step when the support panel is in the vertical position. A vehicle including a cargo bed having such a tailgate assembly is also provided.
Abstract: A vehicle, such as a motorcycle, includes an engine having first and second cylinder housings arranged in a V-shape such that a space is defined between the first and second cylinder housings. The first cylinder housing includes a first exhaust port and the second cylinder housing includes a second exhaust port. A first exhaust pipe is attached to the first exhaust port and is configured to facilitate passage of exhaust fluid from the first cylinder housing and toward a muffler. A second exhaust pipe is attached to the second exhaust port and is configured to facilitate passage of exhaust fluid from the second cylinder housing and toward the muffler. The second exhaust pipe extends through the space.