Body Banking On Turning Patents (Class 280/124.103)
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Patent number: 9469365Abstract: A folding tricycle (1) for transporting a person, wherein the tricycle (1) comprises a front wheel (2), two rear wheels (3) and a frame joining the wheels (2, 3) wherein the frame comprises two arms (7) that carry the rear wheels (3). The arms (7) are connected to the rest of the frame in such a manner that the arm (7) can adopt different positions relative to the rest of the frame. The width and length of the tricycle (1) are therefore adjustable. In all positions of the arms (7), the 10 planes wherein the rear wheels (3) are located are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tricycle (1), and the tricycle (1) can be driven.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: N.G.M. SPRLInventor: Johan Neerman
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Patent number: 9457862Abstract: A support system (1) for a cycle (2) having a support surface (9) capable of carrying persons and/or a load, wherein the height adjustment of the support surface (9) is simple and rapid. The support system (1) comprises a base element (5a, 5b) and a support element (6a, 6b), presenting the support surface (9), and the support element (6a, 6b) is rotatably connected to the base element (5a, 5b), such that the support element (6a, 6b) can rotate relative to an axis of rotation (10). The support surface (9) is located a certain distance from said axis of rotation (10) and extends substantially parallel to this axis of rotation (10).Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: N.G.M. SPRLInventor: Johan Neerman
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Patent number: 9452804Abstract: A tricycle (1), designed to move a user, that is more ergonomic and easier to operate to carry a person, comprising a front wheel (2), two rear wheels (3), a frame (4) joining the wheels (2, 3), substantially comprising a stationary rear section (4a) relative to the support plane of the three wheels (2, 3) and a front section (4b) being able to pivot laterally, relative to the substantially stationary section (4a), about a tilting axis (19) substantially in the longitudinal direction of the tricycle (1), a footrest (5) located on the pivoting section (4b) and an ischiatic support (6) located on the essentially stationary section (4a).Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: N.G.M. SPRLInventor: Johan Neerman
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Patent number: 9434439Abstract: A vehicle includes a body frame that leans, two front wheels, a link mechanism, and a hydraulic unit. The link mechanism includes cross members and is supported on a link support portion of the body frame. The hydraulic unit is smaller than a cross member movable area where the cross members move relative to the body frame as seen from the direction of middle axes of the cross members. The hydraulic unit overlaps at least a portion of the cross member movable area and at least a portion of external vehicle components as seen from the direction of the middle axes and between the cross member movable area and the external vehicle components in relation to the direction of the middle axes. The hydraulic unit is supported on the link support portion of the body frame that supports the link mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Toshio Iizuka, Yosuke Hirayama
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Patent number: 9428240Abstract: A vehicle body frame for a saddle-ride type vehicle is manufactured by laser welding, and has good dimensional accuracy in a vehicle length direction. A pivot frame includes a grooved member, a lid member put on an opening of the grooved member, and laser-weld beads with which this lid member is joined to the grooved member. The molten metal shrinks during its solidification, and shrinkage occurs in the vehicle width direction. However, no shrinkage occurs in the vehicle longitudinal direction. As a result, the distance between a head pipe and a pivot shaft is maintained properly.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2015Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tomoya Matsuo, Yusuke Inoue
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Patent number: 9371106Abstract: A vehicle includes a body frame that leans and two front wheels that prevent enlargement of a peripheral construction around a steering shaft above the two front wheels while maintaining a function of a link mechanism. An upper cross portion and a lower cross portion of the link mechanism each include a portion supported at a right end portion and a left end portion thereof and supported on a body frame at a middle portion thereof. The upper cross portion and the lower cross portion preferably have different volumes. Upper displacements that result when a rearward test force is exerted on an upper right bearing and an upper left bearing that support the upper cross portion with the lower cross portion removed, and lower displacements that result when a rearward test force is exerted on a lower right bearing and a lower left bearing that support the lower cross portion with the upper cross portion removed are equal or substantially equal.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2013Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kazuhisa Takano
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Patent number: 9359007Abstract: A suspension system for a vehicle may include a knuckle assembled to a wheel, and a tie rod having one end assembled to a rack bar moving by operation of a steering wheel, another end assembled to the knuckle, and a linkage apparatus changing a pivot trajectory of the knuckle by moving a rotation center of a pivot trajectory of the tie rod when the vehicle bumps.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2014Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Jong-woo Lee
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Patent number: 9340249Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body frame that can lean, a right front wheel and a left front wheel, and an upper cross portion and a lower cross portion of a link mechanism each including a right end portion, a left end portion, and a middle portion supported on the vehicle body frame. The upper cross portion and the lower cross portion have different shapes. An upper right displacement and an upper left displacement that result when a rearward test force is exerted on an upper right bearing and an upper left bearing that support the upper cross portion with the lower cross portion removed are equal or substantially equal, and a lower right displacement and a lower left displacement that result when a rearward test force is exerted on a lower right bearing and a lower left bearing that support the lower cross portion with the upper cross portion removed are equal or substantially equal.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Kazuhisa Takano
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Patent number: 9321323Abstract: An adjustable wheel suspension for the wheels of an axle of a motor vehicle is disclosed, wherein each wheel is guided by means of wheel guide elements and each wheel is operatively connected to a torsion bar, which can be adjusted by means of an adjusting device, via its wheel guide elements, the torsion bars being partially aligned with each other and each torsion bar being mounted on an auxiliary frame by its associated adjusting device. The two adjusting devices are connected to one another via a crossmember of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: AUDI AGInventors: Andreas Schindler, Heinrich Beringer, Ruben Goldberg, Christian Isakiewitsch, Joachim Schmitt
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Patent number: 9238482Abstract: The present invention provides a road holding ability mechanism applied to a motorcycle with two wheels in front. The mechanism may be configured on a three-wheeled motorcycle which has two front wheels and a single rear wheel or on a four-wheeled motorcycle with two front wheels as well as two rear wheels. Under any operating condition, the mechanism enables the two front wheels to offer great road holding ability, that is, to remain stable when moving so as to ensure the motorcycle against rollovers. The present invention includes a simple and innovative structure.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2014Date of Patent: January 19, 2016Assignee: AEON MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Huei-Huay Huang, Chin-Chi Lin
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Patent number: 9193407Abstract: An example can include a frame of a vehicle. An example can include at least two wheels coupled to the frame, wherein at least one of the wheels is configured to pivot around a steering axis. An example can include a cornering force sensor to measure a cornering force of the frame with respect to the surface and produce a cornering force signal. An example can include a thrust generation controller to receive the cornering force signal and to produce a desired downforce signal. An example can include and a thrust generator to receive the desired downforce signal and to pump air through at least one of the at least two wheels to produce lateral force on the wheel in association with the desired downforce signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2013Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Inventor: John Austin Muth
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Patent number: 9050872Abstract: A vehicle wheel suspension has a suspension spring, by which the vehicle body is proportionally supported on a supporting bracket of the wheel suspension. The wheel load acting upon a pertaining wheel as a result of this support is changeable in that the transmission ratio at a shift lever provided in the load path of the support and swivelably disposed at the vehicle body with respect to the latter can be changed by an actuator. Parallel to the load path containing the shift lever and a first suspension spring element, an additional load path with a second suspension spring element effective between the vehicle body and the pertaining wheel is provided. The transmission ratio at the shift lever may be changed over a wide range by displacement of the supporting point of the first suspension spring element or a transmission rod supported with its other end at the supporting bracket of the wheel suspension.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2014Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Ludwig Seethaler, Hubert Scholz
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Publication number: 20150137472Abstract: Provided herein is a vehicle having high driving operability during turning. The vehicle having a right wheel provided at the right of a main body and a left wheel provided at the left of the main body, includes a right lower arm that connects the main body to the right wheel, a left lower arm that connects the main body to the left wheel, and foot placement sections that are respectively mounted to the right and left lower arms in order to place feet of a driver thereon. A mounting position of the right lower arm to the main body is to the left of the main body and a mounting position of the left lower arm to the main body is to the right of the main body.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2014Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventors: Kohshi KATOH, Kuniaki GOTOU, Eishi TAKEUCHI
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Patent number: 8991542Abstract: A motorized reverse trike with a tiltable body comprises a frame with a header pipe, two front wheels, a tilting mechanism arranged on the header pipe, two suspension mechanisms hinged between the two front wheels and the tilting mechanism respectively, a steering mechanism with handlebars hinged between the header pipe and the two suspension mechanisms, and a locking mechanism for locking the tilting mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Inventor: Jinjun Yu
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Patent number: 8973930Abstract: A land vehicle, according to various aspects of the present invention allows the driver to lean with a frame that supports the driver and that pivots on a base. Motion of the frame is coupled to the wheels to adjust a camber of the wheels. The wheels are coupled to the base that provides a reference for independent wheel suspension mechanisms. As a result, banking of the vehicle does not affect the suspension of the wheels. Hydraulic assistance to counteract the forces of the suspension systems is unnecessary.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2014Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Inventor: Michael Rhodig
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Patent number: 8925940Abstract: A tilting, preferably three-wheeled, vehicle is disclosed that has a tilting mechanism that allows the vehicle to have leaning characteristics substantially similar to those offered by an in-line two-wheeled vehicle, but that does not require complex linkages and/or control systems to operate effectively. A tilting linkage is operably secured to a frame to allow a pair of spaced apart wheels to remain substantially aligned with the plane of the vehicle throughout its range of movement while still allowing the steering axes of each wheel to intersect the substantially vertical centerline of each wheel. The linkage also allows the caster angle of each wheel's pivot axis can be optimized independently of the angle of the vehicle's handlebar steering shaft.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2012Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Tilting Motor Works, Inc.Inventor: Robert Mighell
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Patent number: 8899600Abstract: The present invention relates to a device mounted on a wheel set that comprises: a rocker beam 14 connected firstly to a tiltable frame 10 by means of a shock absorber 17 and secondly to two oscillating arms 7, 8 via two connecting rods 13, 15; and blocking means 27 having a first anchor point on said rocker beam 14. Furthermore, the device comprises decoupling means constituted by a horizontal lever 21 and a vertical lever 22 that are connected together by a connection point 24 about which they are capable of pivoting, the free ends of said levers being connected respectively to said frame and to said rocker beam, the second anchor point of said blocking means 27 being on said decoupling means. The invention also provides a vehicle, in particular a quadricycle, provided with the device.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2011Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: VeleanceInventors: Jerome Gaillard-Groleas, Gilles Schaeffer
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Patent number: 8857834Abstract: The invention relates to an ARS (active roll stabilization) assembly (1) for vehicles, as well as to a suspension system equipped with such ARS assembly. The assembly comprises a torsion bar (3) and an actuator (10) for adjusting a torsion angle of said torsion bar. The ARS assembly furthermore comprises an additional torsion bar (5). This additional torsion bar is arranged such that its torsion axis extends substantially parallel to the torsion axis of the first, adjustable torsion bar, or coincides therewith.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie Voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNOInventors: Albertus Clemens Maria Van der Knaap, Robert Marijn Anthony Frank Verschuren, Raymond Bernardus Gerhardus Tinsel, Ronny Maria Theophilus Wouters
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Publication number: 20140265204Abstract: A motor powered riding vehicle with an airplane appearance consisting of a chassis, body and shell. The chassis is in contact with the ground via the wheels. The body includes a seat for the operator and an area to accommodate the controls and battery, if electric power is used. The shell surrounds the body, and gives form to the type of plane being imitated. The body/shell combination are connected to the chassis at two longitudinal pivot points which allow the body to simulate a banking motion as the rear wheel is turned. In addition, the body can contain a bracket to which a toy gun or some electronic “shooting” device is attached to allow two or more planes to engage in simulated combat.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventor: Jerry L. Lanser
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Patent number: 8818700Abstract: The motor vehicle of the invention is provided with at least three wheels and includes a driving cab capable of accommodating a single person in the width direction. The motor vehicle comprises a bend-balancing means that acts by the inclination of at least the portion of the chassis that bears the driving cab. According to the invention, the vehicle is also provided with speed, acceleration and/or inclination sensors, and the balancing means are automatically controlled when the information supplied by the sensors is lower than a main predetermined threshold. The invention also provides that the automatic control of the balancing means is deactivated when the information provided by the sensors is higher than said main threshold.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2014Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Inventors: Daniel Moulene, Thierry Moulene
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Patent number: 8777242Abstract: A linkage mechanism for double-wheel combination of vehicle mainly includes a main frame, connecting rod, and two sway rods. With the simple assembly, the two sway rods are pivoted to the main frame and the connecting rod respectively so as to sway identically and simultaneously for better vehicle stability and mobility.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2013Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Bentech Marketing & Engineering Co., Ltd.Inventor: Bo-Sheng Cheng
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Patent number: 8762003Abstract: A leaning vehicle has a frame pivotally connected to the lower end of a shock tower, the pivotal connection defining a frame leaning axis wherein the frame is adapted to lean to a right side and to a left side relative to the shock tower about the frame leaning axis. The leaning vehicle includes an actuator operatively connected to the frame and to the shock tower which is adapted to impart a leaning motion to the frame relative to the shock tower about the frame leaning axis.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2009Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.Inventor: Daniel Mercier
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Patent number: 8746717Abstract: A saddle riding type vehicle includes a right wheel and a left wheel, a right lower arm and a left lower arm swingably provided on a vehicle arranged to support the right wheel and the left wheel to be movable up and down, and a right stopper member and a left stopper member arranged to contact the right lower arm and the left lower arm to stop the vehicle body from leaning in excess of a predetermined amount, which do not stop leaning of the vehicle body when the lean amount of the vehicle body is less than the predetermined amount. The vehicle body is arranged to lean freely when the lean amount of the vehicle body is in a range not exceeding the predetermined amount. Therefore, the rider can preferably travel comfortably.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2010Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Eiichirou Tsujii, Kazuhiro Nishida, Atsushi Imai
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Patent number: 8739914Abstract: A three-wheeled vehicle having two steerable front wheels is provided with steering structure configured to enhance turning performance during banking of a vehicle body. A bushing is secured to the vehicle body, and includes an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder connected by an elastic member. Knuckles, for pivotally supporting the front wheels, are supported by knuckle supports installed on steering arms secured to the outer cylinder. A first lever mounted on a steering shaft is connected via a connecting rod to a second lever mounted on a sub-steering shaft pivotally passing through the inner cylinder. A third lever installed on the sub-steering shaft is connected to the knuckles via corresponding tie rods. A rigid rod has a first end connected to a fourth lever secured to the outer cylinder via a first universal joint and a second end connected to the body frame via a second universal joint.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2013Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mikio Kashiwai, Yoshitaka Kobayashi, Takashi Tominaga, Takato Watanabe, Yoshiyuki Horii, Hisashi Matsuo
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Publication number: 20140125027Abstract: A land vehicle, according to various aspects of the present invention allows the driver to lean with a frame that supports the driver and that pivots on a base. Motion of the frame is coupled to the wheels to adjust a camber of the wheels. The wheels are coupled to the base that provides a reference for independent wheel suspension mechanisms. As a result, banking of the vehicle does not affect the suspension of the wheels. Hydraulic assistance to counteract the forces of the suspension systems is unnecessary.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2014Publication date: May 8, 2014Inventor: Michael Rhodig
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Patent number: 8690174Abstract: A slewing motor for an active roll stabilizer, which can be connected by its drive to one stabilizer half, and which can be connected on the stator side to another stabilizer half of a divided stabilizer. A torsion element, whose rotational rigidity is lower than the rotational rigidity of the stabilizer, is effectively arranged between the drive and the one stabilizer half.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2010Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Ulrich Grau, Ralf Mayer
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Patent number: 8690168Abstract: The present patent application provides a reciprocal motor tricycle with a lockable frame including a frame, two front wheels, a limiting plate, two balance plates, an upper rocker and lower rocker both connected between the frame and the front wheels, and a limiting block connected onto the balance plate. A directing mechanism is disposed between the frame and the front wheels. A damping mechanism is disposed between the balance plate and the lower rocker. A number of limiting grooves for working with the limiting block are disposed at the left and right of the limiting plate. A fixing plate is disposed at a lower portion of the frame. The balance plate and the fixing plate are movably connected.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Inventor: Jinjun Yu
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Patent number: 8657301Abstract: A vehicle body tilting apparatus includes: a right/left-wheels holding member having an elongated shape, and holding a right side wheel and a left side wheel of a vehicle which are disposed to be spaced apart from each other in a width direction of the vehicle such that each of the wheels is movable in a vertical direction; and a lean actuator disposed between the right/left-wheels holding member and a body of the vehicle, and configured to tilt at least the body of the vehicle in a lateral direction with respect to a normal line that is perpendicular to a road surface, by pivoting the right/left-wheels holding member and the body of the vehicle relative to each other. An output shaft of the lean actuator is fixed to the right/left-wheels holding member, and the body of the vehicle is fixed to a main body of the lean actuator.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2010Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Koichi Itoh, Ippei Yamazaki, Shiro Monzaki, Yuichi Onoda
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Patent number: 8651503Abstract: A land vehicle, according to various aspects of the present invention allows the driver to lean with a frame that supports the driver and that pivots on a base. Motion of the frame is coupled to the wheels to adjust a camber of the wheels. The wheels are coupled to the base that provides a reference for independent wheel suspension mechanisms. As a result, banking of the vehicle does not affect the suspension of the wheels. Hydraulic assistance to counteract the forces of the suspension systems is unnecessary.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2010Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Inventor: Michael Rhodig
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Patent number: 8641064Abstract: A tilting multi-wheeled vehicle includes a tilting frame supporting at least one seat; a body; and a suspension assembly, wherein the suspension assembly is structured and arranged to permit a transversely disposed pair of the wheels to tilt with the tilting frame. While the tilting frame tilts, the body remains in a controlled relationship with the tilting frame. In an embodiment, the controlled relationship with the tilting frame permits the body to remain substantially parallel to the road surface. Accordingly, the vehicle can support a wider automobile-like body which will not contact the road surface when the tilting frame tilts while navigating a turn. In another embodiment, the body can be allowed to remain substantially parallel to and equidistant from the road surface while navigating a turn.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2012Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Inventor: Garbis Krajekian
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Patent number: 8613340Abstract: An anti-rollover motorized vehicle includes a chassis, a front wheel and a rear two wheels assembly including a tilting base and a four-bar linkage structure. The tilting base is connected to the chassis through a supporting structure. The four-bar linkage structure suitable for connecting the chassis with two rear wheels includes first, second, third and fourth linkages. The first and second linkages are pivoted to the tilting base. The third and fourth linkages pivoted to two ends of the first and second linkages respectively are connected to the supporting brackets of the two rear wheels respectively. When the chassis is tilted, the tilting base and the supporting structure are also tilted, the first and second linkages are maintained at a constant angle relative to a road surface, and the third and fourth linkages are also tilted, such that track width of the two tilting rear wheels is maintained.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2011Date of Patent: December 24, 2013Assignee: National Taiwan University of Science and TechnologyInventors: Mau-Pin Hsu, Jyun-Jie Lin, Hsing-Hung Lee, Hsin-Wei Su
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Patent number: 8602421Abstract: A leaning vehicle has a frame, a straddle seat, an engine, and a shock tower having a lower end pivotally connected to a front portion of the frame about a pivot axis. Front left and right suspension assemblies operatively connect to the front portion of the frame. A steering assembly has a steering column and a handlebar. A rear suspension is connected to the rear portion of the frame. Each front suspension assembly has a spindle, a lower suspension arm having an end pivotally connected to the frame and another end pivotally connected to the lower end of the spindle, a leaning rod having an end pivotally connected to the frame and another end pivotally connected to the upper end of the spindle via a ball joint, and a shock absorber having an upper end connected to the shock tower and a lower end connected to the lower suspension arm.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2012Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.Inventor: Daniel Mercier
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Patent number: 8596660Abstract: A three-wheeled motor vehicle includes a main body, two shafts, two wheel bases, a blocking structure fixed to the main body and a linkage module. Each shaft has first, second and third pivot points. The third pivot point between the first and second pivot points is pivoted to the main body. One wheel base is pivoted to the first pivot points. The other wheel base is pivoted to the second pivot points. The wheel bases and the shafts form a parallelogram four bar mechanism. The linkage module is coupled between the main body and the parallelogram four bar mechanism. When the main body tilts as the three-wheeled motor vehicle turning, the linkage module changes from a first state to a second state to drive the wheel bases to tilt. The linkage module in the second state leans against the blocking structure to limit the tilt range of the wheel bases.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2012Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: National Taiwan University of Science and TechnologyInventors: Mau-Pin Hsu, Hsin-Wei Su, Chih-Hao Wang
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Publication number: 20130214503Abstract: Tilting devices suitable to vehicles that are free to tilt and free to be steered, apt to let them lean when driving and to keep them standing when stopped only by means of their brakes (or the like) (61, 62), characterized in that, due to a suitable tilt axis inclination with reference to the ground and to a proper combination and proportion of parts, any lateral rotation of the tilting vehicle around its tilt axis (at) is kinematically linked to a differential longitudinal displacement (fdd) of at least two wheels (wh1, wh2) (or endless tracks, snow skis, ice skates, or the like), in a way that the tilting vehicle can effectively be kept standing when stopped and can be parked perpendicular to the ground and crosswise a slope of at least 15% by simply operating the vehicle's brakes (or the like) (61, 62) and without further locking devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2012Publication date: August 22, 2013Applicant: Dastrada SrlInventor: Giovanni Antonio Chiuppani
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Publication number: 20130207363Abstract: A tilting, preferably three-wheeled, vehicle is disclosed that has a tilting mechanism that allows the vehicle to have leaning characteristics substantially similar to those offered by an in-line two-wheeled vehicle, but that does not require complex linkages and/or control systems to operate effectively. A tilting linkage is operably secured to a frame to allow a pair of spaced apart wheels to remain substantially aligned with the plane of the vehicle throughout its range of movement while still allowing the steering axes of each wheel to intersect the substantially vertical centerline of each wheel. The linkage also allows the caster angle of each wheel's pivot axis can be optimized independently of the angle of the vehicle's handlebar steering shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2012Publication date: August 15, 2013Inventor: Robert Mighell
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Patent number: 8500148Abstract: A device for reducing roll in motor vehicles. The device includes a first and second traction mechanism and at least a first and second deflecting and rebounding suspension part connected to different vehicle sides of a vehicle body, the first and second traction mechanisms connected at one end to the first suspension part at a first connecting point and at the other end to the second suspension part at a second connecting point. Furthermore, the first traction mechanism is guided deflectably between the first and second connecting points by a first guide means mounted on the vehicle body above the first connecting point and below the second connecting point, and the second traction mechanism is guided deflectably between the first and second connecting points by a second guide means mounted on the vehicle body below the first connecting point and above the second connecting point.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2011Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Thomas Gerhards, Ralf Hintzen
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Publication number: 20130161919Abstract: The present invention relates to a device mounted on a wheel set that comprises: a rocker beam 14 connected firstly to a tiltable frame 10 by means of a shock absorber 17 and secondly to two oscillating arms 7, 8 via two connecting rods 13, 15; and blocking means 27 having a first anchor point on said rocker beam 14. Furthermore, the device comprises decoupling means constituted by a horizontal lever 21 and a vertical lever 22 that are connected together by a connection point 24 about which they are capable of pivoting, the free ends of said levers being connected respectively to said frame and to said rocker beam, the second anchor point of said blocking means 27 being on said decoupling means. The invention also provides a vehicle, in particular a quadricycle, provided with the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2011Publication date: June 27, 2013Applicant: VELEANCEInventors: Jerome Gaillard-Groleas, Gilles Schaeffer
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Publication number: 20130131923Abstract: The vehicle that includes a primary chassis supported by a road; a secondary chassis adapted for supporting the driver and movably linked to the primary chassis; the secondary chassis being out of a mechanical contact to the road; and at least one mechanism adapted for controlling movement of the vehicle. The mechanism non-resiliently reacts to changing positions of the secondary chassis and the driver's body such that the driver is able to maintain resultant vector of forces applied to the secondary chassis directed to a point of a linkage between the primary chassis and the secondary chassis.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2013Publication date: May 23, 2013Inventor: Ofer TZIPMAN
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Publication number: 20130113174Abstract: A leaning vehicle has a frame, a straddle seat, an engine, and a shock tower having a lower end pivotally connected to a front portion of the frame about a pivot axis. Front left and right suspension assemblies operatively connect to the front portion of the frame. A steering assembly has a steering column and a handlebar. A rear suspension is connected to the rear portion of the frame. Each front suspension assembly has a spindle, a lower suspension arm having an end pivotally connected to the frame and another end pivotally connected to the lower end of the spindle, a leaning rod having an end pivotally connected to the frame and another end pivotally connected to the upper end of the spindle via a ball joint, and a shock absorber having an upper end connected to the shock tower and a lower end connected to the lower suspension arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2012Publication date: May 9, 2013Applicant: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.Inventor: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC .
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Patent number: 8419027Abstract: A steering apparatus includes a first joint disposed on a control rod that extends rotatably through a head tube, two second joints disposed respectively on two suspension units, and two connecting bars each connected between the first joint and a respective one of the second joints. The first joint includes a seat disposed fixedly on the control rod, at least one first rotating member having a central axis and rotatable on the seat about the central axis of the first rotating member, and at least one second rotating member having a central axis and rotatable on the first rotating member about the central axis of the second rotating member. The axes of the first and second rotating members of the first joint are perpendicular to each other.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2011Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Kwang Yang Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hsin-Chih Ting, Yen-Hsiu Lee, Chun-Hao Huang
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Patent number: 8387740Abstract: A motor vehicle has a frame and drive mechanism mounted to the frame. A differential gear box is mounted to the frame and coupled to the drive mechanism. The differential gear box includes a housing cover, differential planetary gear assembly mounted within the housing cover, CV joint housing mounted within the housing cover and rotationally coupled to the planetary gear assembly, and CV joint bearing having a plurality of rounded bearing surfaces contacting the slotted bearing drive surfaces. The CV joint housing includes a cavity with a plurality of slotted bearing drive surfaces formed in a sidewall of the cavity. An axle has a spring-loaded plunger disposed through a center portion of the CV joint bearing and contacting a bearing surface formed in the cavity of the CV joint housing. The slotted bearing drive surfaces permit angular movement of the CV joint bearing within the CV joint housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Inventor: Thomas W. Melcher
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Patent number: 8376372Abstract: A multiple wheel vehicle according to the present invention enables to incline freely the two wheels together with the vehicle body while keeping the ground contacting pressures of the two wheels equal. The multiple wheel vehicle comprises a pair of swinging arms 4 each comprising one-side end portion supported pivotably with right and left support shaft portions 3A and an interlocking device 6 for interlocking them alternately up-and-down. The interlocking device 6 comprises a pair of tilted members 17, a divertible member 19, and a cord-like body 20 connecting them. Each of the tilted members 17 comprises a first circular surface part 21 that has a center of a circular arc as a shaft center 3i of the support shaft portion 3A, and tiltably supported integrally with the swinging arm 4.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2010Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Inventor: Kinya Kanou
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Patent number: 8360440Abstract: A leaning vehicle has a frame, a straddle seat, an engine, and a shock tower having a lower end pivotally connected to a front portion of the frame about a pivot axis. Front left and right suspension assemblies operatively connect to the front portion of the frame. A steering assembly has a steering column and a handlebar. A rear suspension is connected to the rear portion of the frame. Each front suspension assembly has a knuckle, a spindle passing through the knuckle and being rotatable relative to the knuckle about a steering axis, a lower suspension arm having an end pivotally connected to the frame and another end pivotally connected to the lower end of the spindle about a tilting axis parallel to the pivot axis, and a shock absorber having an upper end connected to the shock tower and a lower end connected to the lower suspension arm.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2012Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.Inventor: Daniel Mercier
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Patent number: 8342548Abstract: A suspension system for a motor vehicle including a frame assembly; a differential supported on the frame assembly; two half shaft assemblies engaging the differential and being pivotally connected to the frame assembly; and at least one air spring operatively positioned between the frame assembly and each of the half shaft assemblies. The air springs are connected to a rotating linkage which maintains a substantially linear axis of compression for the air springs.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2010Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Motor Trike, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey L. Vey, John Petry, Jeffrey D. Vey, Christopher Vey, Adam Schumann, Ryan Reineck
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Patent number: 8317207Abstract: A leaning vehicle has a frame pivotally connected to the lower end of a shock tower, the pivotal connection defining a frame leaning axis wherein the frame is adapted to lean to a right side and to a left side relative to the shock tower about the frame leaning axis. An actuated lock locks the frame to the shock tower and prevents relative movement between the frame and the shock tower about the frame leaning axis.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2012Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.Inventor: Daniel Mercier
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Publication number: 20120267870Abstract: A leaning vehicle has a frame, a straddle seat, an engine, and a shock tower having a lower end pivotally connected to a front portion of the frame about a pivot axis. Front left and right suspension assemblies operatively connect to the front portion of the frame. A steering assembly has a steering column and a handlebar. A rear suspension is connected to the rear portion of the frame. Each front suspension assembly has a knuckle, a spindle passing through the knuckle and being rotatable relative to the knuckle about a steering axis, a lower suspension arm having an end pivotally connected to the frame and another end pivotally connected to the lower end of the spindle about a tilting axis parallel to the pivot axis, and a shock absorber having an upper end connected to the shock tower and a lower end connected to the lower suspension arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2012Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: BOMBARDIER RECREATIONAL PRODUCTS INC.Inventor: Daniel MERCIER
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Patent number: 8286978Abstract: System to control the trim of motorcycles with three or four wheels, the motorcycle having two couples of front and rear wheels, or one front wheel and a couple of rear wheels, or a couple of front wheels and one rear wheel.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2006Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Quadro Tecnologie S.R.L.Inventor: Luciano Marabese
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Patent number: 8272650Abstract: A low-end adjusting mechanism for vehicle suspensions useful for compensating rolling and pitching motions and for leveling purposes, in which a vehicle spring (1) having a longitudinal axis is mounted between two spring seats or receptacles (2, 3), and at least one spring seat can be adjusted in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the spring by rod shaped coupling elements which are mounted at both ends in an articulated or pivotable manner.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2008Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: asturia Automotive Systems AGInventors: Wolfgang Freund, Daniel Lezock, Andreas Kissler, Juergen Schulze
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Patent number: 8262111Abstract: A suspension for a motorized rear wheel driven tricycle which can lean into turns includes a planar central upright frame which is mounted coaxially to the main frame of the tricycle. Upper and lower control arms are hinged to the central upright frame and extend to the left and to the right to connect to wheel bearing knuckles. An inverted rocker member is hinged to the central frame, pivotable about the front and rear ends of the central frame at about the midpoint between the top and bottom of the frame. The rocker member provides connection points for shock absorbers which interconnect the rocker member with each link member of the lower control arm on each side of the central frame. Drive members are supported on the central frame to continuously drive the rear wheels as the tricycle leans into turns.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2010Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Inventor: Steven W. Lucas
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Patent number: RE44854Abstract: A three wheeled vehicle that has an improved dual front wheel integrated steering and suspension system that allows the vehicle to be maneuvered by a combination of arm and leg steering movements coupled with front end leaning that shifts the center of mass of the vehicle down and toward the inside wheel. This transfer of mass counteracts a conventional cornering vehicle's tendency to fling its mass to the outside wheel and lift the inner wheel off the ground as well as changing the angle of the line of force exerted through the tires, and enhancing the vehicles's grip on the ground. The vehicle has a reduced amount of sliding and potential of flipping when turning sharply. The steering system is compatible with traditional ACKERMAN steering geometry wherein the inner wheel turns in a smaller diameter circle than the outer wheel.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2012Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Inventor: Laddie Gene Henderson