Including Rotating Element For Frictionally Engaging And Driving A Wheel Patents (Class 180/221)
  • Patent number: 11912548
    Abstract: A motorcycle loader 100 for moving a motorcycle 10 without turning the motorcycle 10 on, and in particular, moving the motorcycle 10 to an elevated surface by attaching a friction wheel 102 to one of the tires 16 of the motorcycle 10 using a frame 110 that attaches to the motorcycle 10, and uses a motor 103 operatively connected to the friction wheel 102 to power the friction wheel 102, which causes the motorcycle wheel 16 to turn, thereby mobilizing the motorcycle 10. A controller 104 connected to the motor 103 of the motorcycle loader 100 can control the power, direction, and speed of the motor 103. The controller 104 can be connected to the battery of the motorcycle 10 to power the friction wheel 102. A clamp 160 operatively connected to the friction wheel 102 can be used to engage or disengage the friction wheel 102 from the tire 16 of the motorcycle 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Inventor: Frank Iudica
  • Patent number: 11431225
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an apparatus for generating energy in response to a vehicle wheel rotation. The apparatus may include a first roller comprising a curved roller surface configured to be positioned in substantial physical contact with a first wheel of the vehicle. The first roller may be configured to rotate in response to a rotation of the first wheel. The apparatus may further include a first shaft rotatably couplable to the first roller such that rotation of the first roller causes the first shaft to rotate. The apparatus may further include a first generator operably coupled to the first shaft. The generator may be configured to generate an electrical output based on the rotation of the first shaft and convey the electrical output to an energy storage device or to a motor of the vehicle that converts electrical energy to mechanical energy to rotate one or more wheels of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Inventor: Anthony Macaluso
  • Patent number: 11289974
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an apparatus for generating energy in response to a vehicle wheel rotation. The apparatus may include a first roller comprising a curved roller surface configured to be positioned in substantial physical contact with a first wheel of the vehicle. The first roller may be configured to rotate in response to a rotation of the first wheel. The apparatus may further include a first shaft rotatably couplable to the first roller such that rotation of the first roller causes the first shaft to rotate. The apparatus may further include a first generator operably coupled to the first shaft. The generator may be configured to generate an electrical output based on the rotation of the first shaft and convey the electrical output to an energy storage device or to a motor of the vehicle that converts electrical energy to mechanical energy to rotate one or more wheels of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Inventor: Anthony Macaluso
  • Patent number: 10843506
    Abstract: An omni-directional rotational drive mechanism and a moving body in which production and maintenance can be facilitated, while the size can be reduced, by making the number of components smaller. A rotating body provided for a wheel member rotatable about a ring-shaped shaft having a rotating shaft of the wheel member as its center. The rotating body is configured to rotate integrally with the wheel member about the rotating shaft. A pair of worms rotatable about the same shaft as the rotating shaft of the wheel member. A pair of worm wheels are provided for the wheel member so as to be rotatable by meshing with different worms, and capable of transmitting each of rotations to the rotating body. The rotating body is configured so as to rotate or stop with respect to the wheel member in accordance with the rotational direction and the rotational speed of the respective worms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: TOHOKU UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kenjiro Tadakuma, Eri Takane, Masahiro Fujita, Masashi Konyo, Satoshi Tadokoro
  • Patent number: 10179627
    Abstract: In a propulsion device including a main wheel having a plurality of driven rollers fitted on and arranged circumferentially along an annular core member so as to be rotatable around tangential lines of the annular core member at respective positions thereof on the annular core member, a pair of drive disks positioned on either side of the main wheel in an individually rotatable manner, a plurality of drive rollers supported along an outer periphery of each drive disk so as to be each rotatable around a rotational center line extending in a skewed relationship to a rotational center line of the corresponding drive disk, and a drive unit for individually rotatively driving the drive disks, a plurality of guide rollers are rotatably supported by a body frame and engage at least one driven roller not engaged by any of the drive rollers from either side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru Yada, Tsutomu Yoshino, Jun Inada
  • Patent number: 10103566
    Abstract: A suitcase integrated charging and powering device integrated into a suitcase includes a suitcase that has a housing, which defines an internal space. A plurality of rollers is coupled to a bottom of the housing. A power module is positioned in the internal space and coupled to the housing. The power module comprises at least one rechargeable battery that is removable from the housing, such that the power module can be connected to an external power source and recharged. A generator is positioned in the internal space and coupled to the bottom of the housing proximate to the plurality of rollers. The generator is operationally coupled to the plurality of rollers and the power module. A plurality of ports is coupled to and positioned on the housing. The ports are operationally coupled to the power module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Inventors: Gennes Curescu, Marius Strizu
  • Patent number: 9546731
    Abstract: A bicycle gear changing control apparatus includes a controller that is programmed to control a gear changing state of a bicycle transmission according to an operation of a gear changing operating device upon determining a bicycle traveling speed is greater than a first speed. The controller controls the transmission automatically to be in a first prescribed gear changing state upon determining the bicycle traveling speed becomes less than or equal to the first speed and upon determining a gear ratio of a current gear changing state of the transmission is larger than a preset gear ratio of the first prescribed gear changing state. The controller controls the transmission automatically, after controlling the transmission to be in the first prescribed gear changing state, to a larger gear ratio than the gear ratio of the first prescribed gear changing state, upon determining the bicycle traveling speed becomes greater than a second speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Etsuyoshi Watarai
  • Patent number: 9242698
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electric drive for bicycles, comprising two symmetrically arranged external-rotor type counter-rotating motors which are fed via two separate motor actuators/regulators that obtain the same control signal for power regulation purposes. The motors are mounted in an oscillating manner about an axis which is parallel, in particular substantially parallel, to the motor axis but offset with respect to the motor axis in a lateral manner, in particular in a parallel manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: VELOGICAL engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Frieden
  • Patent number: 9027693
    Abstract: An inverted pendulum type vehicle is configured to permit a user to easily get on to the vehicle in a forward-facing posture from the rear of a vehicle body. The vehicle includes a seat for supporting a user thereon, as well as a main wheel driven by an inverted pendulum control, a vehicle body frame which rotatably supports the main wheel, and a tail wheel attached to a tail wheel arm, supported for pivotal motion on the vehicle body frame. The seat is attached to the vehicle body frame at an uppermost portion thereof. The vehicle body frame pivots rearwardly around an axle of the driving wheel together with the seat upon cancellation of the inverted pendulum control and the range of pivotal motion thereof is limited by contact thereof with the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Muto, Makoto Mitsukawa, Motoharu Yokoi, Yasuka Mori
  • Patent number: 9027691
    Abstract: A driving unit for use in an electric assist bicycle includes a rotation detection device in addition to a torque detection device such that the detection resolution of the rotation detection device is increased. The driving unit includes a housing, a crankshaft, a torque detection device, a rotating member, and a rotation detection device. The rotating member includes a connecting shaft and an output shaft. The connecting shaft is located at one of the ends of the rotating member disposed along its axis, and is coupled with the crankshaft in the housing. The output shaft is located at the other one of the ends of the rotating member disposed along its axis. The rotation detection device includes a detected portion and a detector. The detected portion is provided on the rotating member, and located around the central axis of the crankshaft in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyasu Ishida, Noriyasu Ishikawa, Shinnosuke Moji
  • Patent number: 9002555
    Abstract: An electric-bicycle driving apparatus includes a speed change mode operator to output a low-speed mode signal or a high-speed mode signal, a controller to receive the low-speed mode signal or high-speed mode signal outputted from the speed change mode operator and to output a first control signal corresponding to the low-speed mode signal or a second control signal corresponding to the high-speed mode signal, a generation-signal provider to provide a generation signal outputted from a generator, and a stepping operation load booster to boost a load of the generation signal outputted from the generation-signal provider by receiving the first control signal or second control signal when the speed change mode operator outputs the low-speed mode signal or high-speed mode signal, and to send a stepping operation provider a resulting signal of the boost in a stepping operation signal corresponding to the low-speed mode signal or high-speed mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Mando Corporation
    Inventors: Hong Youp Son, Sang Hoon Han
  • Patent number: 8886426
    Abstract: A power-assisted bicycle includes a bicycle body with a power assistance provider and a derailleur, a microcomputer, a gear-shift control driver, and sensors. When the microcomputer decides to perform gear shifting, it controls the power assistance provider to provide an assistant power output and the gear-shift control driver to drive the derailleur to shift gears properly subject to a before-shifting time period, an in-shifting time period and an after-shifting time period. Further, the microcomputer controls the power assistance provider to change the current assistant power to a predetermined low assistant power during the before-shifting time period, or to maintain the predetermined low assistant power during the in-shifting time period, or to change the assistant power output to a level higher than the current assistant power and then to return to the said current assistant power after the end of the after-shifting time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: J.D. Components Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chi-Chang Cheng
  • Patent number: 8813893
    Abstract: An inverted pendulum type vehicle includes electrical components configured and arranged efficiently to provide a compact structure. The inverted pendulum type vehicle includes a traveling unit, including a main wheel driven under inverted pendulum control. The vehicle also includes a vehicle body frame supported on, and extending upwardly from the traveling unit, as well as a driving unit, including a pair of driving motors supported on the vehicle body frame and disposed above the main wheel for driving the main wheel. An electrical control unit is supported on the vehicle body frame in front of the driving motors for controlling the driving unit. The driving unit is disposed behind a front edge of the main wheel, and the electrical control unit is disposed between a front edge of the main wheel and the front edge of the driving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Muto, Yasuka Mori, Motoharu Yokoi
  • Patent number: 8678124
    Abstract: An inverted pendulum type vehicle includes a first control processor that adds up a basic velocity command in a longitudinal direction and a lateral direction based on an operation through a joystick and a desired center of gravity velocity addition amount in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction based on the movement of the body weight of the rider, thereby determining a desired velocity. A longitudinal travel velocity command limiter sets a desired center of gravity velocity addition amount, which is based on the basic velocity command based on a longitudinal manipulated variable of the joystick and a center of gravity offset influence amount based on the movement of the body weight of the rider, to a smaller value as a basic turn angular velocity command value increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Takenaka, Shinya Shirokura, Hideo Murakami, Makoto Araki
  • Patent number: 8534408
    Abstract: An electrically-operated two wheeled vehicle provided with a swing unit which pivotally supports a drive wheel WR. The swing unit includes: a first rotary electric machine having a first rotor; a second rotary electric machine having a second rotor; and a planetary gear mechanism which combines a rotational drive force of the first and second rotors to each other and transmits a product of rotational drive forces to a drive wheel WR in a state where a rotational speed is increased. The first and second rotary electric machines are arranged parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle such that an axis Ax2 of the second rotor is positioned in front of an axis Ax1 of the first rotor along the vehicle body. This arrangement prevents a height position of a lower surface of a swing unit from becoming excessively low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eisuke Kajihara, Dai Kataoka, Jun Adachi, Junya Ono, Asuka Ito
  • Patent number: 8357072
    Abstract: A direct drive transmission system suitable for use with scooters, go-carts or motorcycles is disclosed. The transmission system comprises a drive shaft coupled to a motor shaft and a friction element which is guided longitudinally on said drive shaft, rotating with the rotation of the drive shaft. The system further comprises a roll bearing fixedly attached around at least part of the periphery of its inner ring to an end of the friction element and a stopper which is fixedly attached to the outer ring of said roll bearing. The stopper is adapted to affix a wire, which when pulled, moves longitudinally said friction element towards the inner end of the drive shaft so as to allow engagement of said friction element onto a traction surface of the drive wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Cakir Aga Motorlu Tasitlar Sanayi ve Ticaret Ltd. Sti.
    Inventor: Cem Cakirogullari
  • Patent number: 8162092
    Abstract: In a frictional drive vehicle, a load acting on the vehicle such as the weight of a rider is converted into a force that urges two frictionally engaging parts (3L, 3R, 25) toward each other. Thereby, the contact pressure between the two frictionally engaging parts is maintained at an optimum level under all conditions. A weight of a rider may be transmitted to a drive member that frictionally engages a main wheel via a four-link parallel link mechanism (40, 50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Takenaka, Makoto Hirano, Hideharu Izumi, Kazuya Kuwabara, Taiji Koyama, Masao Sasaki, Hiroshi Gomi, Shinichiro Kobashi
  • Patent number: 7669681
    Abstract: A motorbike whose driving force is enhanced and whose wheels are prevented from slipping is disclosed. The present invention includes a main body; an air suction section provided in the main body; a front rear wheel assembly provided in the front and rear side of the main body; a connection bar and a connection link; a brake mechanism constituted by a brake disc fixed to the rotation shaft of the main body and a caliper which presses portions of the brake disc to apply a braking force; and a controller constituted by an acceleration pedal and a braking pedal which are respectively connected to the engine and the brake mechanism through a flexible cable, the acceleration pedal and the braking pedal being hinge-joined to each other at one end thereof to control driving of the engine and braking of the rear wheel shaft, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Eshim Tech. Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Tae Geun Lee
  • Publication number: 20090200096
    Abstract: An auxiliary power drive system is incorporated into a bicycle either as a retrofit or in initial construction. The power for the drive system is derived either from an electric motor or an internal combustion engine. The power developed by said motor or engine is delivered to the rear wheel of the bicycle by a flexible drive shaft which either drives a friction wheel operating on the tire of the rear wheel or to worm gear affixed to the rear wheel. The flexible drive shaft includes a friction clutch which discontinues the power of the drive shaft from driving the rear wheel when normal pedaling is resumed. The flexible drive shaft also includes a telescoping coupling to compensate any change in lengths of the drive shaft due to impacts on the rear wheel caused by the terrain the bicycle is riding on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventor: Jack Ray Pittman
  • Patent number: 7441621
    Abstract: The invention concerns a member for fixing (1) a bicycle wheel friction drive device comprising a first part (2) linked to said driving device (3), so as to be pivotable about a first pivot pin (4), and a second part (5) attached to the first part (2), so as to enable mutual pivoting between them about a second pivot pin (6), said second part (5) including a fastener (7) located at a predetermined distance from said second pivot pin (6), said fixing member (1) further comprising adjusting means designed to fix in an adjustable angular position the first part (2) relative to the second part (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Inventor: Gilles Jacques Abel Marie Motte Dit Falisse
  • Publication number: 20080207399
    Abstract: Riding comfort of a vehicle is improved by reducing deceleration and acceleration exceeding the expectation of a rider due to gear changes. A gear change control device calculates current torque being transmitted from a drive-side member of a clutch to a driven-side member of the clutch, and calculates post-completion torque estimated to be transmitted from the drive-side member to the driven-side member after the completion of engagement of the clutch. The gear change control device then controls the degree of engagement of the clutch according to the difference between the current torque and the post-completion torque, and receives a next gear change command according to the difference between the current torque and the post-completion torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kengo MINAMI, Makoto KOSUGI
  • Publication number: 20080081727
    Abstract: An optimum arrangement of a control unit is obtained, the acquisition of a large bank angle by narrowing a lateral width of a power unit is enabled, and a power unit is formed in a compact form by shortening a longitudinal length of the power unit in a transmission. The transmission is provided to transmit a drive force of an internal combustion engine of a motorcycle to an output side. A control unit is integrally formed of a gear-change-use control unit and a clutch-use control unit. The control unit is mounted on a transmission case. A pulley of a continuously variable transmission is arranged behind the center of a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine. A drive pulley and a driven pulley are arranged substantially vertically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Atsushi Ogasawara, Toshimasa Mitsubori
  • Patent number: 7344468
    Abstract: A bicycle crank speed change sprocket module includes a fixed star gear having a ratchet around its internal periphery, at least two planet gears and two chains pivotally coupled and axially disposed on both sides of a plate, and the plate is driven to rotate by a crank pedal, and the fixed star gear is engaged to the ratchets on the internal periphery of the planet gear and acted by the planet gear for a faster rotation; a freewheel sprocket freely and rotably coupled to the axle of the crank pedal and disposed proximate to the two chain wheels; and a ratchet disposed on the external periphery of the freewheel sprocket, a chain wound thereon, and the chain is engaged by at lest one chain gear, so that the rotary speed of the chain is much faster than that of the crank pedal for a speed change effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Inventor: Chin-Chuo Chuo
  • Publication number: 20070199755
    Abstract: A clutch failure detector is provided for detecting failure of an automatic clutch system. The clutch failure detector can include a current value detector and a determination device. Upon turning ON a main switch, an operation to disengage and engage a clutch can be performed by a clutch actuator, and a totalized value of current supplied to a clutch actuator can be calculated for a specific period of time while the clutch is in the process of engaging in the operation to disengage and engage the clutch. The totalized value can be compared with a preset threshold, and if a difference between the totalized value and the threshold is equal to or greater than a given value, it is determined that an automatic clutch system has a failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Inventor: Yoshihiko Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 7150339
    Abstract: An electrically powered bicycle is disclosed including a rear fork assembly having a pair of structures extending from a frame, a wheel attached between the structures of the rear fork assembly, an electric motor mounted adjacent to the wheel, and a drive mechanism disposed between the electric motor and the wheel. The drive mechanism includes a first gear connected to a shaft of the electric motor and a second gear connected to the wheel. The first gear has a first set of teeth meshed with a second set of teeth of the second gear such that when the shaft of the electric motor turns, the second gear provides a rotating force to the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: HL Corporation
    Inventors: Hsueh-Chin Liao, T'sui Hsiao Hung
  • Patent number: 7040443
    Abstract: A scooter having a fuselage with a front portion and a rear portion that includes a rear wheel rotatably mounted at the rear portion. The scooter also includes a standing platform supported by the fuselage for supporting a rider and a transmission system mounted under the standing platform in the rear portion of the fuselage. The transmission system having a motor with a wheel engagement element being operatively coupled with the rear wheel to allow the wheel engagement element to rotate the rear wheel when the wheel engagement element is engaged with the rear wheel. Another embodiment of the transmission system includes a motor, a first drive cone coupled the motor; and, a drive cone engagement mechanism configured to allow the first drive cone to be operatively coupled with a wheel to rotate the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Go Sporting Goods, LLC
    Inventors: David Roth, Lawrence Diener, David R. Goetz
  • Patent number: 6886651
    Abstract: A material transportation system includes one or more material transportation vehicles, each having magnetic wheels coupled to a magnetically attractive surface that can include a ceiling, a wall, a floor, and/or a transition region. The material transportation vehicles are adapted to carry material from place to place. Each material transportation vehicle has sensors and motor controls that reduce swing motion of the material transportation vehicle and the material coupled thereto. A collision avoidance and traffic control system prevents collisions between the one or more material transportation vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Alexander H. Slocum, Shorya Awtar, Anastasios John Hart
  • Patent number: 6878084
    Abstract: A power transmission apparatus for a bicycle is provided comprising: a transmission driving part for transmitting a rotating force generated by a pedaling force applied to a sun gear shaft of a pedal part in the bicycle to a rear wheel through a crown sprocket gear, the transmission driving part comprising a planet gear part operated by a gear shift; and a transmission driven shaft part connected to a driven shaft to transmit a transmission rotational force through a rear roller gear part, the transmission rotational force being increased by changing an auxiliary transmission part to a hub crown sprocket gear of a hub shaft of a rear wheel through a front roller gear part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Bikevalley Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chil-Sung Hwang
  • Publication number: 20040251068
    Abstract: A drive mechanism for use in a man-driven vehicle having a front fork to which a wheel is rotatably connected includes a rack, a power drive and a quick-release lock. The rack is affixed to the front fork of the man-driven vehicle. The power drive has a transmission shaft pressable on a periphery of the wheel of the front fork, and a motor coupled to the transmission shaft for driving the transmission shaft to rotate. The quick-release lock is coupled between said power drive and said rack for locking said power drive and said rack together, thereby enabling the user to select the man power driving mode or motor driving mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: Razor USA LLC
    Inventors: Wei-Pin Chen, Erich A.T. Chang
  • Patent number: 6672419
    Abstract: The present invention provides a motorcycle that includes a frame, a wheel mounted to the frame for rotation with respect to the frame, a rotor mounted to the wheel, and a caliper selectively clamping the rotor to slow down the rotation of the wheel. A biasing member is provided between the rotor and the wheel and is offset from a fastener. The biasing member biases the rotor against the head of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Buell Motorcycle Company
    Inventors: Erik F. Buell, Julian A. Galgoczy, Abraham Askenazi
  • Publication number: 20030188907
    Abstract: The present invention provides a motorcycle that includes a frame, a wheel mounted to the frame for rotation with respect to the frame, a rotor mounted to the wheel, and a caliper selectively clamping the rotor to slow down the rotation of the wheel. A biasing member is provided between the rotor and the wheel and is offset from a fastener. The biasing member biases the rotor against the head of the fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Applicant: Buell Motorcycle Company
    Inventors: Erik F. Buell, Julian A. Galgoczy, Abraham Askenazi
  • Patent number: 6609584
    Abstract: The present invention is an electric scooter having batteries concealed below the standing platform in a multipurpose battery pan, an anti-lock brake, a dual suspension, a stow and carry feature, integrated electronics including brake control, throttle control, safety measures and theft protection. The dual suspension scooter includes a chassis; a steering column; a front wheel rotatably mounted on a front axle assembly; a rear wheel rotatably mounted on a rear axle assembly; a front cantilevered suspension mechanism mounted between the steering column and the front axle assembly; and a rear suspension mechanism mounted between the rear end of the chassis and the rear axle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Patmont Motor Werks
    Inventors: Steven J Patmont, Timothy Chow
  • Patent number: 6561298
    Abstract: A motorcycle that includes a frame, a wheel mounted to the frame for rotation about an axis of rotation, a rotor mounted to the wheel, and a caliper selectively clamping the rotor to slow down the rotation of the wheel. The rotor includes a slot having flat sides that are non-parallel with respect to each other. The assembly further comprises a spacer positioned within the slot and having flat sides substantially parallel to said sides of the slot such that the flat sides of the spacer maintain contact with the flat sides of the slot during thermal expansion of the rotor. A spring is preferably provided between the rotor and the wheel and is offset from a fastener. The spring biases the rotor against the head of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Buell Motorcycle Company
    Inventors: Erik F. Buell, Julian A. Galgoczy, Abraham Askenazi
  • Patent number: 6537173
    Abstract: A transmission system provided for a bicycle, including a primary transmission sub-assembly having a set of rear sprockets, whose number of teeth, from one sprocket to the next sprocket in the ascending order, varies according to a ratio of the numbers of teeth that is greater than or equal to a value n such as n greater than 1. The invention also includes a control of the transmission system, as well as a bicycle that includes the transmission system and the control for same. The transmission system includes a single chain wheel for driving the chain, associated with a bottom bracket assembly, and a secondary transmission sub-assembly having at least two drive output ratios, whose ratio of the highest drive speed to the lowest drive speed is equal to a value R between 1 and n so as to introduce at least one intermediate transmission ratio between two successive sprockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Mavic S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Mercat, Bertrand Cauvin
  • Patent number: 6531838
    Abstract: An electric motor assembly to power a wheeled vehicle is disclosed comprising a support bracket having a horizontal mounting plate and a vertical mounting plate, each of which has edges and a central notch in one edge. An electric motor with an elongated spindle is adjustably secured to the bracket, and a battery capable of powering the motor is also mounted on the bracket. The notch of the horizontal plate receives a steering column of the vehicle in clamped engagement. The notch on the vertical mounting plate is sized to straddle and clear a front wheel of the scooter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Mobile Transport Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Lance C. Parks
  • Patent number: 6497299
    Abstract: Drive apparatus (2) for a cycle (4), comprising an electric motor (6), a first pulley (8) driven by electric motor (6), a second pulley (10), an endless belt (12) which passes around two pulleys (8, 10) and is driven by first pulley (8), and a swinging link mounting (14). During use, endless belt (12) is in driving engagement with a tire (16) of a wheel (18). Mounting (14) enables the distance between centers of first and second pulleys (8, 10) and tire (16) to vary during use of drive apparatus (2), which enables drive apparatus (2) to exert on tire (16) a varying contact pressure which increases as transmitted torque increases. Mounting (14) comprises an attachment for attaching drive apparatus (2) to cycle (4), and a pivot (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Sinclair Research Limited
    Inventors: Clive Marles Sinclair, Alexander Joseph Kalogroulis
  • Patent number: 6482121
    Abstract: A drive arrangement clamps an output disc such as a tire with two driving rollers so as to drive the output disc. The drive arrangement is compact, light-weight, low-noise and inexpensive, and can be used for a bicycle equipped with an electrical assist drive or various kinds of welfare-specific vehicles. The drive apparatus includes an input shaft and two output shafts extending in a single plane in parallel to each other. The input shaft has an input roller, and each of the output shafts has an output roller. A loading roller is located between the input roller and one of the output rollers, and an axis of the loading roller is slightly spaced from the plane of the two output shafts. An outer peripheral surface of each roller is a substantially cylindrical rolling surface. The loading roller is preloaded by a preload spring such that it squeezes between the input roller and one of the output rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignees: Hideo Okoshi, Mikuni Sogyo Company
    Inventor: Hideo Okoshi
  • Patent number: 6457374
    Abstract: A gearbox for a motorcycle includes a casing containing a gear train therein. The gear train includes an input gear shaft rotatably mounted in the casing and operably connected to and thus driven by an engine of the motorcycle, and an output gear shaft rotatably mounted in the compartment and operably connected to one of at least two wheels of the motorcycle. A first gear and a second gear are rotatably mounted around the output gear shaft. A follower block is mounted around the output gear shaft and located between the first gear and the second gear. The follower block is slidable along a longitudinal axis of the output gear shaft for releasably engaging with one of the first gear and the second gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Inventor: Yen-Hsing Shen
  • Publication number: 20020063007
    Abstract: A motorized retrofit kit for lightweight collapsible mini scooter is described as a complete conversion for a lightweight push scooter to motor driven units. Owners of existing scooters can install a mini electric motor battery system, wiring and on/off button to drive rear wheel with limited skills and equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventor: Leonard Allan Dodd
  • Patent number: 6394213
    Abstract: A scooter is provided with a power clutch mechanism enabling the scooter to be moved by a motor of the mechanism, or by pushes made by one foot of a rider of the scooter. The mechanism has a drive wheel mounted on an output shaft of the motor which is mounted on a suspension seat. The suspension seat is pivoted to the base of the scooter such that the suspension seat is urged by an urging member of the mechanism to enable the drive wheel to disengage the rear wheel of the scooter, and that the suspension seat is not urged by the urging member to enable the drive wheel to engage the rear wheel of the scooter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Shui-Te Tsai
  • Patent number: 6347681
    Abstract: An electric scooter having batteries concealed below the standing platform in a multipurpose battery pan, an anti-lock brake, a dual suspension, a stow and carry feature, integrated electronics including brake control, throttle control, safety measures and theft protection. The dual suspension scooter includes a chassis; a steering column; a front wheel rotatably mounted on a front axle assembly; a rear wheel rotatably mounted on a rear axle assembly; a front cantilevered suspension mechanism mounted between the steering column and the front axle assembly; and a rear suspension mechanism mounted between the rear end of the chassis and the rear axle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Patmont Motor Werks
    Inventors: Steven J. Patmont, Timothy Chow
  • Patent number: 6343667
    Abstract: An electric-powered scooter is disclosed having a chassis with a platform upon which the rider stands, a front wheel mounted to provide steering control and a rear wheel rotatably mounted at the rear section of the chassis. A pedal is pivotably mounted at the rear section of the chassis and is attached to the motor and drive wheel. The pedal, in an inactive position, holds such drive wheel in a position where it does not contact the rear wheel. When the pedal is depressed by the foot of the rider, the motor is turned on and the drive wheel contacts the rear wheel, propelling the scooter forward. When released, the pedal returns automatically by spring means to its inactive position, breaking the contact of the rear wheel with the drive wheel, and automatically turning the motor off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventor: Dennis N. Sauve
  • Patent number: 6318491
    Abstract: A driving brake assembly of a scooter includes a connecting bracket secured to a frame and having two sides each provided with an ear plate for pivoting a wheel; a base pivotally mounted on the connecting bracket and having a first end formed with a front pedal, and a second end formed with a rear pedal, a wheel protecting slot defined in the base for receiving the wheel, a brake pad formed on the base to pivot with the base to press the wheel; an elastic member mounted between the base and the connecting bracket; a driver secured on the base and including a rotatable friction wheel pivoted with the base to press the wheel for driving the wheel to rotate; and a microswitch mounted on the base and connected to the driver for starting and stopping operation of the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Ko Chen Tung
  • Patent number: 6305485
    Abstract: A mounting and gearing system for power-assisted bicycles comprising a system frame 12 that mounts to brake posts 14 and to an axle clamp bolt 22 of a bicycle 21, an extension arm 3 use extension arm bolts 33 to bolt to an electric motor 1, that has square flanges at each end, so that one corner will pivot on a motor pivot tube 13 on the system frame 12, the extension arm 3 with adjustment slots 23 are used to vary the tension of a primary drive belt 18 that connects a motor pulley 2 and a clutch pulley 4, a clutch sprocket 10 is pressed on a roller clutch 9 that rides on a clutch shaft 8 supported by a pair of support bearings 7 that are sandwiched between a bolster plate 6 and the extension arm 3 using standoffs 5, the clutch sprocket 10 connects to a wheel sprocket 11 via a secondary drive chain 19, the wheel sprocket 11 is connected to a tire 20 via wheel spokes 28 and a wheel hub 27, the tension of the secondary drive chain 19 is adjusted using a support strut 17 that mounts on the standoffs 5 and a supp
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Inventor: Seek In Kwan
  • Patent number: 6273212
    Abstract: A lightweight, easily maneuverable and transportable power chair, that may be manually propelled, includes a pair of freely rotatable wheels and a corresponding pairs of friction rollers and braking surfaces that are selectively engageable therewith to effect propulsion and steering of the chair. A pair of toggle levers are operated by a corresponding pair of control handles for selectively engaging the friction rollers and brake surfaces with the wheels. A single caster wheel is vertically rotatable at the front of the power chair frame. This forms a tricycle rolling system that always maintains a load on each of the driving wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventors: Royce H. Husted, Joel P. Husted
  • Patent number: 6273205
    Abstract: A power clutch mechanism of a scooter is formed of a power unit, an elastic member, a connection rod set, and an urging member. The power unit comprises a suspension seat pivoted with a footboard of the scooter, and a motor mounted on the suspension seat and provided with an output shaft on which a drive wheel is mounted in such a manner that the drive wheel is detachably engaged with a rear wheel of the scooter. The elastic member connects the suspension seat and a rear fork of the scooter. The connection rod set is formed of a first rod member and a second rod member pivoted with the first rod member by a pivot such that the second rod member and the first rod member form therebetween an angle, and that the first rod member is pivoted with the rear fork, and further that the second rod member is pivoted with the suspension seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: Shui-Te Tsai
  • Patent number: 6227324
    Abstract: An electrically powered scooter is disclosed having a chassis with a platform upon which the rider stands, a front wheel mounted to provide steering control and a rear wheel rotatably mounted at the rear section of the chassis. A pedal is pivotably mounted at the rear section of the chassis and is attached to the motor and drive wheel. The pedal, in an inactive position holds such drive wheel in a position where it does not contact the rear wheel. When the pedal is depressed by the foot of the rider, the motor is turned on and the drive wheel contacts the rear wheel, propelling the scooter forward. When released, the pedal returns automatically by spring means to its inactive position, breaking the contact of the rear wheel with the drive wheel, and automatically turning the motor off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Inventor: Dennis N. Sauve
  • Patent number: 6102148
    Abstract: An improved electrically powered driving mechanism for use on a bicycle can be readily mounted onto a common bicycle without making any additional conversion work. It is particularly designed to improve the inefficiency of a conventional friction-type transmission of an electrically powered driving mechanism. It has a dual-purpose power transmitting device having a pair of wheels adapted for either friction transmission or gear engagement transmission. Each driving wheel is divided into two sides, one side for frictional transmission and the other side equipped with a plurality of consecutively spaced gear teeth for gear engagement transmission so that the wheels can be selectively assembled to make the driving device to be either frictionally operable or gear drivable. Besides, a dual-shaft electric motor provides power to the driving mechanism. Between the driving device and the dual-shaft electric motor is disposed a pair of shifting gear sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Inventor: Hsi-Hai Chien
  • Patent number: 6095274
    Abstract: An "all terrain" scooter is provided with a large central tubular chassis having two central brackets supporting a platform. At the rear, the tubular frame is offset to one side of the chassis for cantilevered support of the rear driven wheel. From this portion of the frame, an engine is pivotally mounted on a pivot arm at a pivot point offset from the axis of rotation of the driven wheel. This engine has a protruding driving shaft overlying the driven wheel for moving into and out of contact with the ground contact surface of the driven wheel. The pivot point of the pivot arm is offset relative to a line between the point of contact of the protruding driving shaft and the center of driven wheel rotation. This offset is in the direction of driven wheel rotation at the point of contact of the protruding driving shaft and causes increased driving contact with required increased scooter driving force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventor: Steven J. Patmont
  • Patent number: 6065557
    Abstract: The assembly of the invention provides a direct frictional drive system for a wheeled vehicle having a vehicle frame whereby at least one drive roller is in frictional contact with a vehicle wheel, which includes a hub portion having a wheel axle, a rim portion, and a tire portion having a tread surface. The assembly comprises an assembly frame structure including an upper frame portion, an upper drive roller carrier portion, and a lower wheel axle coupling portion for attaching the assembly to a hub portion of the vehicle frame. The upper frame portion is connectable to the vehicle frame and the drive roller carrier portion rotatably supports at least one drive roller in frictional contact with the tread portion. A drive motor mounted to the drive roller carrier portion rotates the drive roller when the motor is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Inventor: Peter H. von Keyserling