Checked Patents (Class 280/272)
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Patent number: 7318592Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided a steering damper (10) in which the interior of a cylinder (12) is divided into two oil chambers (A), (B) by a piston (14) which slides in the cylinder (12) as a steering operation takes place, an oil hole (15) is formed in the piston (14) for providing a communication between the two oil chambers (A), (B) and a bypass passageway (16) is provided for allowing oil in one (A or B) of the oil chambers to flow into the other oil chamber (B or A) by bypassing the oil hole (15), the motorcycle steering damper being characterized in that a subsidiary chamber (17) is defined at an intermediate position along the length of the bypass passageway (16), and in that a check ball (18) is provided in the subsidiary chamber (17).Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2003Date of Patent: January 15, 2008Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tadamitsu Iwamoto, Takafumi Fujimori
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Patent number: 7306248Abstract: A steering damper device having a cylindrical damper disposed between a steering side member and a vehicle body side member, wherein said cylindrical damper includes a damper casing and a damper rod which is slidably displaced in the damper casing. The amount of slidable displacement of the damper rod with respect to a steering angle of the handlebar is small when the steering angle of the handlebar is near 0° and the amount of slidable displacement is larger as the steering angle is progressively changed from 0°. The damping coefficient of the cylindrical damper is large when the steering angle of the handlebar is near 0° and the damping coefficient is smaller when the steering angle is progressively changed from 0°.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2005Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuhiko Gogo, Akimi Watanabe
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Patent number: 7281725Abstract: A tricycle includes a mainframe with front and rear sections. The front section may include a steering assembly with a rotatable wheel. The rear section may provide support for two spaced wheels and may be configured to provide a substantially unencumbered open area between the spaced wheels. The tricycle features a guide handle removeably connected to the tricycle and a locking mechanism configured to lock the steering assembly in a predetermined stationary position.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2005Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Assignee: Huffy CorporationInventors: David M. Gunter, Andrew J. Bean
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Patent number: 7267350Abstract: A steering damper includes a steering damper body installed in a steering system of a vehicle, and having a fluid path therein, and a pressure control valve for controlling a damping force in the steering system, and provided in the fluid path, wherein the pressure control valve controls the damping force so that an increasing rate of the damping force with respect to a steering angular velocity when the steering angular velocity is large is lower than that when the steering angular velocity is small.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2004Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd, Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinichi Yamada, Takeshi Wakabayashi, Takehiko Nanri, Kiyotaka Sakai
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Patent number: 7258356Abstract: A steering damper apparatus for a two-wheeled vehicle includes a steering damper housing with a lower end portion fixed to the motorcycle's main frame. A first torque arm has a first end fixed to a pivotally movable shaft, and a second end which is connected, via a first pin, to a first end of a second torque arm. The second torque arm has a second end bolted to a top bridge on the main frame. The first and second torque arms are pivotally movable relative to one another, via the pivot shaft and the first pin. The apparatus is capable of accommodating a change in distance between the pivot shaft and the bolt on the second torque arm. A two-part cover is provided for the steering damper body, including a housing cover secured to a fixed side thereof, and a torque arm cover secured to a movable side thereof.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2004Date of Patent: August 21, 2007Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasunori Okazaki, Kaori Inada, Shinichi Ozeki, Katsuyuki Konishi, Masayuki Dazai, Taisuke Nimura, Masayuki Fujita
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Patent number: 7156408Abstract: Vehicle steering head including a connecting element adapted to engage a handlebar. A support tube rotatably supports the connecting element. A connecting member is adapted to connect a wheel fork to a handlebar. The connecting member is rotatable with respect to the support tube. A mechanism limits the rotational movement of the connecting member in each of two directions. A lower bearing support is mounted to the support tube. The mechanism and the lower bearing support cooperate to limit the rotational movement of the connecting member.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2003Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Assignee: Heinz Kettler GmbH & Co. KG.Inventors: Heinz Kettler, Joachim Kettler, Reinhard Rocholl
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Patent number: 7052027Abstract: A cylindrical steering damper apparatus for a motorcycle has a relatively simple structure, in which a gradually increasing damping force is generated according to the turned angle when a handlebar is turned, and the damping force is not generated when the handlebar is returned. The cylindrical damper is disposed between a head pipe, for pivotally supporting a steering stem, and a fork bridge of a front fork, so as to be the shortest when the handlebarbar is at a neutral position. The cylindrical damper is connected to the head pipe and the fork bridge via spherical ball-and-socket joints. The cylindrical damper generates the damping force when being expanded. Since the cylindrical damper is expanded when the handlebar is turned in either a left or right direction, a damping force is generated.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2004Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazuhiko Gogo, Akimi Watanabe
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Patent number: 7044489Abstract: To make steerability more satisfactory in conformity with actual operation, by correcting the regulation of a damping force based on a variable quantity which has a close relationship with the magnitude of kick-back and with which the steering conditions at the time of actual operation can be grasped appropriately, in contrast to the system in which the regulation of the damping force is controlled linearly in proportion to a variable quantity related to the magnitude of kick-back. In a steering damper system of the liquid pressure type in which a damping force is exerted on a front wheel steering system provided at a front portion of a vehicle body and which comprises a control valve for making the damping force variable, the damping force is controlled based on the steering speed.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Osamu Bunya, Takehiko Nanri, Kanji Hayashi, Takeshi Wakabayashi
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Patent number: 7021642Abstract: A steering damper device for a two-wheeled vehicle presents a problem with regard to facilitating the viewability of a meter and to increase the degree of freedom of the meter in layout to bring down the center of gravity of the vehicle. A two-wheeled vehicle includes, at a front end of a main frame, a head pipe for rotatively supporting a steering shaft. At the front part of the head pipe, there is installed a meter stay for supporting a meter. Between the head pipe side and the steering shaft side there is interposed a steering damper device for restricting abrupt run-out of the handlebar. The steering damper device is arranged forward of the head pipe and below the meter stay to make effective use of the space of the vehicle and further to increase the degree of freedom of the meter in design.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2004Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shin Sato, Shogo Kanaumi, Kuniaki Wakamatsu, Hidetoshi Toyoda
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Patent number: 7011324Abstract: A dual purpose competition stunt bicycle steering brake and stabilizing system consists of a disk brake on the steering shaft which allows unlimited 360 degrees rotation of the steering wheel and allows the rider to start, stop or change direction of the relative rotation of the frame of the bicycle to the wheel. Also the rider can add as much steering resistance as desired for greater steering stabilization.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2004Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Inventors: James Philip Salonia, Philip James Salonia
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Patent number: 7000935Abstract: A tricycle includes a mainframe with front and rear sections. The front section may include a steering assembly with a rotatable wheel. The rear section may provide support for two spaced wheels and may be configured to provide a substantially unencumbered open area between the spaced wheels. The tricycle features a guide handle removeably connected to the tricycle and a locking mechanism configured to lock the steering assembly in a predetermined stationary position.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2003Date of Patent: February 21, 2006Assignee: Huffy CorporationInventors: David M. Gunter, Andrew J. Bean
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Patent number: 6848698Abstract: If a steering damper is fixed to a top bridge, since the steering damper is comparatively heavy and the top bridge is on the steering side, steering inertia increases. An arrangement structure of the steering damper which does not greatly influence the steering inertia has been realized. A rotatable partition wall is provided in a hydraulic chamber of a steering damper to partition the inside into a right hydraulic chamber and a left hydraulic chamber. Both hydraulic chambers are in communication with each other by a liquid passage. A control valve is provided in an intermediate part of the passage and is switched to a lock or a throttle thereby a damping force zero status or a damping force generation status is set.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2002Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yosuke Hasegawa, Takeyasu Itabashi, Kanji Hayashi, Takeshi Wakabayashi, Osamu Bunya
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Patent number: 6834734Abstract: An electrical scooter includes a chassis having front and rear ends to which front and rear wheels are mounted. A seat is mounted on the chassis for supporting a rider thereon. A steering shaft is rotatably mounted to the front end of the chassis in an upright manner and has a lower end attached to the front wheel for swiveling the front wheel. A control device is mounted to an upper end of the steering shaft. An electrical motor is mounted to one side of the front wheel and coupled to the front wheel for driving the front wheel under the control of the control device. Since the motor is mounted to one side of the front wheel, the weight of the motor induces a torque to the steering shaft and thus yawing the front wheel and making directional offset of the scooter in the moving thereof. An offset compensating device is provided to overcome the directional offset of the electrical scooter.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2002Date of Patent: December 28, 2004Inventor: Donald P. H. Wu
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Publication number: 20040239069Abstract: A steering damper includes a steering damper body installed in a steering system of a vehicle, and having a fluid path therein, and a pressure control valve for controlling a damping force in the steering system, and provided in the fluid path, wherein the pressure control valve controls the damping force so that an increasing rate of the damping force with respect to a steering angular velocity when the steering angular velocity is large is lower than that when the steering angular velocity is small.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2004Publication date: December 2, 2004Applicants: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., KAYABA INDUSTRY CO., LTDInventors: Shinichi Yamada, Takeshi Wakabayashi, Takehiro Nanri, Kiyotaka Sakai
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Patent number: 6824153Abstract: A steering device for a two-wheeler of the present invention includes: a frame; a support member for a front wheel; a steering shaft connecting the support member to the frame so as to be rotatable about an axis thereof; and a rotary type steering damper providing a hydraulic resistance force in no matter which direction the support member rotates with respect to the frame. The steering damper has a vane adapted to swing in synchronism with rotation of the support member, oil chambers defined on both sides of the vane and filled with working fluid, a flow passage causing working fluid to flow from one oil chamber to the other oil chamber as the vane swings, and a damping valve arranged in a flow passage for the working fluid, and an opening of the damping valve is varied by a signal from outside to thereby generate a damping force optimized according to the travel condition.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2003Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Nobumichi Hanawa, Masaru Mishima
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Patent number: 6817265Abstract: A steering damper device attenuating the oscillations of the handlebar of a motorcycle during operation, and more particularly, a device capable of varying a damping force variable. The steering damping device prevents the adverse effect of oscillations of the handlebar that would otherwise occur when the load on the front wheel of the motorcycle becomes light. The device includes a rotary steering damper provided in a coaxial manner on a steering shaft. Either a damping force or zero damping force is produced by a variable valve arranged in the bypass passage communicating with a right liquid chamber and a left liquid chamber. The variable valve is controlled by a control device and generates a damping force in the steering damper only when the acceleration of the motorcycle as detected by the acceleration sensor exceeds a threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2002Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yosuke Hasegawa, Takeyasu Itabashi, Kanji Hayashi, Takeshi Wakabayashi, Osamu Bunya
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Patent number: 6802519Abstract: A hydraulic damper for the steering assembly of a cycle is provided with several circuits by which the resistance to fluid flow and hence the damping afforded by the damper can be adjusted. Two of the circuits have manually adjusted progressive valves therein, one of which is positioned adjacent a hand grip on the handlebar. Another circuit provides progressive reduction in damping when the steering assembly is moved toward a fully turned position. And a further circuit reduces damping as the assembly is turned toward neutral. Major damper components are preferably associated with the tube clamp of the steering assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2002Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Assignee: RTT Motorsports, LLCInventors: Jason J. Morgan, Sonny J. Morgan, Gene M. Bronsart, Jay D. Morgan
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Patent number: 6799772Abstract: Vehicle steering head including a connecting element adapted to engage a handlebar. A support tube rotatably supports the connecting element. A fork member adapted to connect a wheel fork to a handlebar. The fork member is rotatable with respect to the support tube. A mechanism limits the rotational movement of the fork member in each of two directions. A lower bearing support is mounted to the support tube. The mechanism and the lower bearing support cooperate to limit the rotational movement of the fork member.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2002Date of Patent: October 5, 2004Assignee: Heinz Kettler GmbH & Co.Inventors: Heinz Kettler, Joachim Kettler, Reinhard Rocholl
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Patent number: 6796571Abstract: A hydraulic steering damper (9) is designed to be fitted inside a steering sleeve (3) between the steering sleeve (3) itself and a steering pin (2) that is coaxial with the sleeve (3) and having an axis of rotation (A). The damper (9) includes a cylindrical lining (11), that can be fixed to the steering sleeve (3), and a cylindrical wall (13), that can be fixed to the steering pin (2). The lining (11) and the wall (13) form between them a gap (16) designed to hold a hydraulic fluid (17) and divided into a first and a second chamber (28, 29), which are in fluid communication with each other through a conduit (30). The damper (9) further includes a blade (25) attached to the cylindrical wall (13) and designed to push the fluid (17) from one to the other of the chambers (28, 29) when the steering pin (2) is rotated relative to the steering sleeve (3).Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2002Date of Patent: September 28, 2004Assignee: Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A.Inventor: Gianluigi Mengoli
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Patent number: 6769707Abstract: In a steering damper utilizing hydraulic pressure, even if generation of a damping force is controlled in correspondence with an external force inputted to a handle upon external perturbations and the like, the damping force changes due to change in liquid temperature of working liquid. Accordingly, to precisely control the damping force, correction based on change in liquid temperature of the working liquid is required. However, to measure the change in liquid temperature of the working liquid, it is necessary to provide a particular measurement device requiring a complicated structure, which increases the number of parts and costs. Accordingly, the present invention has an object to provide a steering damper which can easily temperature-correct the damping force without such difficulty. A liquid chamber is provided in a main body of a steering damper.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2002Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yosuke Hasegawa, Takeyasu Itabashi, Kanji Hayashi, Takeshi Wakabayashi, Osamu Bunya
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Patent number: 6742794Abstract: A liquid pressure type steering damper system for generating a damping force for preventing a handle from being swung due to a kick-back upon a disturbance wherein the generation of the damping force is nonlinear so that the steering angle would not be enlarged so much even if the kick-back becomes greater. A liquid pressure type steering damper is provided with a restriction passage for a working liquid and a solenoid-type control valve for varying the passage sectional area of the restriction passage. A needle portion is formed at the tip end of a plunger constituting the solenoid valve and is made to advance and retract in a restriction portion connected to a bypass passage.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2002Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Osamu Bunya, Takehiko Nanri, Kanji Hayashi, Takeshi Wakabayashi
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Patent number: 6726232Abstract: A steering damper for reducing the inertia of steering that is attached in a low position relative to the steering shaft. The upper portion of a steering shaft is fitted in the center of the rear of a top bridge as a fitting part and a lower screw part of a shaft is tightened in the fitting part and is integrated with the fitting part. The shaft is provided with a shaft main part having a small diameter extending in an axial direction of the steering shaft, when the shaft main part is made to pierce a turning shaft in the steering damper. A steering nut is attached to an upper screw part at the upper end and the upper screw part is tightened. The steering damper and the top bridge are fixed to the upper portion of the steering shaft by jointly fastening. Hereby, a steering nut heretofore provided under the steering damper can be omitted and a position in which the steering damper is attached can be lowered by the quantity.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2002Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yosuke Hasegawa, Takeyasu Itabashi, Kanji Hayashi, Takeshi Wakabayashi, Osamu Bunya
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Patent number: 6722675Abstract: A moveable load-carrying assembly including a chassis (1) having a plurality of wheels (6) arranged as a first wheel set and a second wheel set, each wheel (6) being rotatable and swivellable relative to the chassis (1); the wheels (6) of the first wheel set being connected by a first linkage (21), and the wheels (6) of the second wheel set being connected by a second linkage (22); and wherein one of the wheels (6) of the second wheel set is linked to the opposite one of the wheels (6) of the first wheel set by a link (11) such that when one of the wheels (6) of the first wheel set is swivelled in one direction relative to the chassis (1), all the wheels (6) of the first wheel set swivel in that direction in unison, and all the wheels (6) of the second wheel set swivel in the opposite direction in unison. Means are included to provide three distinct modes of operation for a wheel set, the modes corresponding to straight-line travel, fully-steerable travel and a braking mode.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2003Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: IGC (Australia) Pty. Ltd.Inventor: Alan Leslie Bidwell
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Patent number: 6705631Abstract: A steering damper system for motorcycles provided for generating an adjustable damping force for restraining the shaking of the steering system at the time of disturbance. The system includes a cross member laid between the front portions of the mainframes branching to the left and right from the head pipe and extending to the rear, and a steering damper mounted at the center of the cross member. A sector gear projects forward from the housing, and the teeth thereof are inserted through the opening formed on the head pipe, and are engaged with the drive gear integrally mounted around the steering stem rotatably supported within the head pipe. The resulting steering damper provides the desired adjustable damping force without adversely increasing the inertia of the steering system.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yosuke Hasegawa, Takeyasu Itabashi, Kanji Hayashi, Takeshi Wakabayashi, Osamu Bunya, Tomoyuki Harada
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Publication number: 20040046351Abstract: A hydraulic damper for the steering assembly of a cycle is provided with several circuits by which the resistance to fluid flow and hence the damping afforded by the damper can be adjusted. Two of the circuits have manually adjusted progressive valves therein, one of which is positioned adjacent a hand grip on the handlebar. Another circuit provides progressive reduction in damping when the steering assembly is moved toward a fully turned position. And a further circuit reduces damping as the assembly is turned toward neutral. Major damper components are preferably associated with the tube clamp of the steering assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2002Publication date: March 11, 2004Applicant: RTT Motorsports, LLC.Inventors: Jason J. Morgan, Sonny J. Morgan, Gene M. Bronsart, Jay D. Morgan
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Publication number: 20030234508Abstract: A steering device for a two-wheeler of the present invention includes: a frame; a support member for a front wheel; a steering shaft connecting the support member to the frame so as to be rotatable about an axis thereof; and a rotary type steering damper providing a hydraulic resistance force in no matter which direction the support member rotates with respect to the frame. The steering damper has a vane adapted to swing in synchronism with rotation of the support member, oil chambers defined on both sides of the vane and filled with working fluid, a flow passage causing working fluid to flow from one oil chamber to the other oil chamber as the vane swings, and a damping valve arranged in a flow passage for the working fluid, and an opening of the damping valve is varied by a signal from outside to thereby generate a damping force optimized according to the travel condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2003Publication date: December 25, 2003Inventors: Nobumichi Hanawa, Masaru Mishima
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Patent number: 6666470Abstract: A children's tricycle is formed of a front frame, a rear frame, and a bridging frame connecting the front frame and the rear frame. The bridging frame is fastened with the front frame in conjunction with a connection seat which is provided with a stop projection for confining the rotation of the front frame, thereby preventing the front wheel of the tricycle from being jammed.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2002Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Inventor: Hsing Li
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Publication number: 20030178806Abstract: A steering lock, and a method of use, for connecting child's bicycle (2) behind adult bicycle (4), with the front wheel (6) of child's bicycle (2) being elevated so that the adult rider retains steering control. The steering lock comprises receiver (20) or pivot receiver (30) attached to the head tube (13) of child's bicycle (2), a coupler (22) attached to a bicycle tow bar (24) on adult bicycle (4), and a steering lock pin (10). As coupler (22) is secured against receiver member (20) or pivot receiver (30) with quick-release safety pin (25), steering lock pin (10) is forced through aligned holes in head tube (13), steering fork tube (15), and handlebar stem tube (17) on child's bicycle (2) to lock one to the other during tandem travel. Thus, child's bicycle (2) can be expediently converted from independent operation to a tandem configuration multiple times during the same ride.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2002Publication date: September 25, 2003Inventor: Edward Scott Nelson
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Patent number: 6623021Abstract: A steering lock, and a method of use, for connecting child's bicycle (2) behind adult bicycle (4), with the front wheel (6) of child's bicycle (2) being elevated so that the adult rider retains steering control. The steering lock comprises receiver (20) or pivot receiver (30) attached to the head tube (13) of child's bicycle (2), a coupler (22) attached to a bicycle tow bar (24) on adult bicycle (4), and a steering lock pin (10). As coupler (22) is secured against receiver member (20) or pivot receiver (30) with quick-release safety pin (25), steering lock pin (10) is forced through aligned holes in head tube (13), steering fork tube (15), and handlebar stem tube (17) on child's bicycle (2) to lock one to the other during tandem travel. Thus, child's bicycle (2) can be expediently converted from independent operation to a tandem configuration multiple times during the same ride.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2002Date of Patent: September 23, 2003Inventor: Edward Scott Nelson
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Publication number: 20030146594Abstract: To make steerability more satisfactory in conformity with actual operation, by correcting the regulation of a damping force based on a variable quantity which has a close relationship with the magnitude of kick-back and with which the steering conditions at the time of actual operation can be grasped appropriately, in contrast to the system in which the regulation of the damping force is controlled linearly in proportion to a variable quantity related to the magnitude of kick-back. In a steering damper system of the liquid pressure type in which a damping force is exerted on a front wheel steering system provided at a front portion of a vehicle body and which comprises a control valve for making the damping force variable, the damping force is controlled based on the steering speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2002Publication date: August 7, 2003Inventors: Osamu Bunya, Takehiko Nanri, Kanji Hayashi, Takeshi Wakabayashi
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Publication number: 20030132598Abstract: A liquid pressure type steering damper system for generating a damping force for preventing a handle from being swung due to a kick-back upon a disturbance wherein the generation of the damping force is nonlinear so that the steering angle would not be enlarged so much even if the kick-back becomes greater. A liquid pressure type steering damper is provided with a restriction passage for a working liquid and a solenoid-type control valve for varying the passage sectional area of the restriction passage. A needle portion is formed at the tip end of a plunger constituting the solenoid valve and is made to advance and retract in a restriction portion connected to a bypass passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2002Publication date: July 17, 2003Inventors: Osamu Bunya, Takehiko Nanri, Kanji Hayashi, Takeshi Wakabayashi
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Publication number: 20030132597Abstract: Vehicle steering head including a connecting element adapted to engage a handlebar. A support tube rotatably supports the connecting element. A fork member adapted to connect a wheel fork to a handlebar. The fork member is rotatable with respect to the support tube. A mechanism limits the rotational movement of the fork member in each of two directions. A lower bearing support is mounted to the support tube. The mechanism and the lower bearing support cooperate to limit the rotational movement of the fork member.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2002Publication date: July 17, 2003Applicant: HEINZ KETTLER GmbH & Co.Inventors: Heinz Kettler, Joachim Kettler, Reinhard Rocholl
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Publication number: 20030127824Abstract: A steering damper for reducing the inertia of steering that is attached in a low position relative to the steering shaft. The upper portion of a steering shaft is fitted in the center of the rear of a top bridge as a fitting part and a lower screw part of a shaft is tightened in the fitting part and is integrated with the fitting part. The shaft is provided with a shaft main part having a small diameter extending in an axial direction of the steering shaft, when the shaft main part is made to pierce a turning shaft in the steering damper. A steering nut is attached to an upper screw part at the upper end and the upper screw part is tightened. The steering damper and the top bridge are fixed to the upper portion of the steering shaft by jointly fastening. Hereby, a steering nut heretofore provided under the steering damper can be omitted and a position in which the steering damper is attached can be lowered by the quantity.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2002Publication date: July 10, 2003Inventors: Yosuke Hasegawa, Takeyasu Itabashi, Kanji Hayashi, Takeshi Wakabayashi, Osamu Bunya
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Publication number: 20030047904Abstract: In a steering damper utilizing hydraulic pressure, even if generation of a damping force is controlled in correspondence with an external force inputted to a handle upon external perturbations and the like, the damping force changes due to change in liquid temperature of working liquid. Accordingly, to precisely control the damping force, correction based on change in liquid temperature of the working liquid is required. However, to measure the change in liquid temperature of the working liquid, it is necessary to provide a particular measurement device requiring a complicated structure, which increases the number of parts and costs. Accordingly, the present invention has an object to provide a steering damper which can easily temperature-correct the damping force without such difficulty. A liquid chamber is provided in a main body of a steering damper.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2002Publication date: March 13, 2003Inventors: Yosuke Hasegawa, Takeyasu Itabashi, Kanji Hayashi, Takeshi Wakabayashi, Osamu Bunya
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Publication number: 20030047903Abstract: If a steering damper is fixed to a top bridge, since the steering damper is comparatively heavy and the top bridge is on the steering side, steering inertia increases. An arrangement structure of the steering damper which does not greatly influence the steering inertia has been realized. A rotatable partition wall is provided in a hydraulic chamber of a steering damper to partition the inside into a right hydraulic chamber and a left hydraulic chamber. A shaft provided at one end of the partition wall is integrally and rotatably coupled to a coaxial steering shaft. Both hydraulic chambers are in communication with each other by a liquid passage. A control valve is provided in an intermediate part of the passage and is switched to a lock or a throttle thereby a damping force zero status or a damping force generation status is set. The switching is controlled by a control device in correspondence with the ON/OFF of a main switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2002Publication date: March 13, 2003Inventors: Yosuke Hasegawa, Takeyasu Itabashi, Kanji Hayashi, Takeshi Wakabayashi, Osamu Bunya
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Patent number: 6497300Abstract: A motorcycle includes an integrated locking system. The locking system actuates a seat lock from the main switch as well as a handlebar or steering lock. The steering lock is structured such that an overlap of components results in a locking pin passage that extends into a locking pin chamber. The locking pin passage is substantially shielded by a labyrinth defined by overlapping components. The main switch is positioned forward of at least one gauge and a meter cover surrounds at least the gauge and the main switch as well as covers at least a portion of the fuel tank.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2001Date of Patent: December 24, 2002Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shuuichi Mori, Masaaki Kuwata, Yutaka Kubo, Shinsuke Okada
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Patent number: 6491312Abstract: A scooter steering control on small-wheeled scooter having a steerable front wheel on a handlebar, the control comprising two split sleeves fitted around the handlebar and the mounting tube on the scooter body, and a control pin slidable on the upper sleeve into and out of a recess on the lower sleeve. The recess has angularly spaced sidewalls forming stops for limiting turning of the front wheel. A spring-loaded latch holds the pin releasably in engaged and disengaged positions, and a second spring urges the pin toward the disengaged position.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2001Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Inventors: Timothy C. Reynolds, Keyvan T. Diba
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Publication number: 20020175489Abstract: A steering damper system for motorcycles provided for generating an adjustable damping force for restraining the shaking of the steering system at the time of disturbance. The system includes a cross member laid between the front portions of the mainframes branching to the left and right from the head pipe and extending to the rear, and a steering damper mounted at the center of the cross member. A sector gear projects forward from the housing, and the teeth thereof are inserted through the opening formed on the head pipe, and are engaged with the drive gear integrally mounted around the steering stem rotatably supported within the head pipe. The resulting steering damper provides the desired adjustable damping force without adversely increasing the inertia of the steering system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Inventors: Yosuke Hasegawa, Takeyasu Itabashi, Kanji Hayashi, Takeshi Wakabayashi, Osamu Bunya, Tomoyuki Harada
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Patent number: 6471229Abstract: The present invention is directed to stabilizing a bicycle handle from vibration and wobbling while the bicycle is ridden over rough terrain or ridden at high speed. The present invention includes an adapter coupled to the front wheel of the bike. An arcuate rod that is substantially a half-circular rod with two free ends is coupled to the adapter, along the two free ends. The arcuate rod also runs through a dampening cartridge, which stabilizes the bike handle. Furthermore, the dampening cartridge is coupled to the connector via a universal joint along the lowermost frame of the bike. Within the dampening cartridge is a dampening material, and on one end of the cartridge is a cap and on the opposing end is an adjustable nut. Both the cap and the adjustable nut have a concave inner surface facing the dampening material, such that when the adjustable nut is tightened, the dampening material is compressed both radially and axially.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2001Date of Patent: October 29, 2002Inventor: Gary L. Stewart
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Patent number: 6450519Abstract: A waist-twisting leisure bike includes a front body frame, a rear body frame, and a lateral frame. The front body frame has a handle, a support rod, a front fork tube, a front fork base, a front fork and a front wheel. The rear body frame has a driving device, a seat and a rear wheel. The lateral frame consists of a first and a second lateral frame respectively connected to the front body frame and the rear body frame. The first and the second lateral frame are pivotally connected to each other. Then a rider can twist the waist for changing swaying angle of the first and the second lateral frame so as to change the moving direction of the bike. So the bike in the invention can move by pedaling but also be used for waist-twisting exercise as well.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2002Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Inventor: Ping Tien Wang
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Patent number: 6378884Abstract: A vehicle steering head including a fork tube adapted to engage a handlebar, a support tube which rotatably supports the fork tube, a latch element disposed within the support tube, and a slide which is moveable with respect to the support tube, wherein the slide is moveable from at least one position wherein linkage element prevents the fork tube from rotating with respect to the support tube to at least another position wherein the linkage element allows the fork tube to rotate with respect to the support tube in at least two directions.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2000Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: Heinz Kettler GmbH & Co.Inventor: Heinz Kettler
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Patent number: 6343806Abstract: A bicycle head set assembly includes a threaded steerer tube extending through a head tube and a collar is mounted to the steerer tube 61 and securely mounted to a top of the head tube. Two lugs extend radially outward from the collar and a ring is mounted to the steerer tube. The ring has a skirt with two protrusions extending therefrom and a bearing is retained between the skirt and the collar. A locking nut is threadedly connected to the steerer tube and compresses the ring to position the bearing. A handlebar is connected to the steerer tube. The range of rotation of the handlebar is limited when the protrusions are rotated to contact the lugs.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2001Date of Patent: February 5, 2002Inventor: Qun-Yuan Lee
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Publication number: 20010022247Abstract: A motorcycle includes an integrated locking system. The locking system actuates a seat lock from the main switch as well as a handlebar or steering lock. The steering lock is structured such that an overlap of components results in a locking pin passage that extends into a locking pin chamber. The locking pin passage is substantially shielded by a labyrinth defined by overlapping components. The main switch is positioned forward of at least one gauge and a meter cover surrounds at least the gauge and the main switch as well as covers at least a portion of the fuel tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2001Publication date: September 20, 2001Inventors: Shuuichi Mori, Masaaki Kuwata, Yutaka Kubo, Shinsuke Okada
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Publication number: 20010015539Abstract: The present invention is directed to stabilizing a bicycle handle from vibration and wobbling while the bicycle is ridden over rough terrain or ridden at high speed. The present invention includes an adapter coupled to the front wheel of the bike. An arcuate rod that is substantially a half-circular rod with two free ends is coupled to the adapter, along the two free ends. The arcuate rod also runs through a dampening cartridge, which stabilizes the bike handle. Furthermore, the dampening cartridge is coupled to the connector via a universal joint along the lowermost frame of the bike. Within the dampening cartridge is a dampening material, and on one end of the cartridge is a cap and on the opposing end is an adjustable nut. Both the cap and the adjustable nut have a concave inner surface facing the dampening material, such that when the adjustable nut is tightened, the dampening material is compressed both radially and axially.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2001Publication date: August 23, 2001Inventor: Gary L. Stewart
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Patent number: 6237710Abstract: A motorcycle includes an integrated locking system. The locking system actuates a seat lock from the main switch as well as a handlebar or steering lock. The steering lock is structured such that an overlap of components results in a locking pin passage that extends into a locking pin chamber. The locking pin passage is substantially shielded by a labyrinth defined by overlapping components. The main switch is positioned forward of at least one gauge and a meter cover surrounds at least the gauge and the main switch as well as covers at least a portion of the fuel tank.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1999Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shuuichi Mori, Masaaki Kuwata, Yutaka Kubo, Shinsuke Okada
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Patent number: 6145637Abstract: A steering damper particularly for mountain bicycles of the type having a steer-tube including a cylinder having closures at the ends filled with oil of high viscosity. Within the cylinder there are a dam and vanes. The steering damper is integrated with the steer-tube and with the handlebars and steer-stem. The vanes of the steering damper are connected to the frame and are fixed. The housing and dam connected internally to the housing are disposed in, and connected to, the steer-tube so that when the handlebars are rotated, the housing and dam are rotated relative to the vanes. When the handlebars are being displaced from center, pressure is applied to the oil between the dam and a vane and the movement is damped. On the return stroke of the handlebars, the one-way valve in the vane involved is open, the oil between the dam and the vane is discharged, pressure is reduced and the damping is suppressed.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1998Date of Patent: November 14, 2000Inventor: Timothy C. Hopey
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Patent number: 6138596Abstract: A hydraulic damper is provided for a steering system, such as that of a boat or watercraft. A manually movable steering mechanism, such as a steering wheel, is connected to a piston and cylinder combination in such a way that rotation of the steering wheel causes relative movement between the piston and cylinder. Hydraulic fluid is disposed within the cylinder in such a way that movement between the cylinder and piston requires the hydraulic fluid to move from one portion of the cylinder to another portion of the cylinder. This fluid movement is conducted through a conduit which can be external to the cylinder or internal to the cylinder and extending through the piston.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 1999Date of Patent: October 31, 2000Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: Steven J. Gonring, Kerry J. Treinen, Brian L. Fisher
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Patent number: 6082754Abstract: A steering mechanism for a child's toy provided with a steering member linked to at least one steering wheel, a shaft traversed by a steering rod, a fork being linked to the steering wheel and positioned on one and the other side of the steering wheel, characterized by being provided with a mechanism for blocking rotation of the fork with respect to the shaft, in such a manner that the wheel is kept in a position essentially parallel to a main axis of the toy.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1997Date of Patent: July 4, 2000Assignee: Etablissements Maurice ChartonInventors: Christian Jeunet, Philippe Prost Petit Jean, Gilbert Pauly
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Patent number: 5941548Abstract: A tricycle has two non-steerable rear wheels connected to a rear frame structure, and a single steerable front wheel connected to a front frame structure. The front frame structure includes a horizontal tubular frame element extending underneath the rear frame structure for swingable connection to the rear frame structure, such that the front frame structure can lean away from a normal upright position centered between the rear wheels. During a turning maneuver the leaning capability is advantageous in maintaining the rear wheels in pressure contact with the road surface so as to enhance the stability of the tricycle. A manually-operated locking mechanism is provided for releasably locking the front frame structure in its normal upright centered position. The locking mechanism keeps the front frame structure in a stable mode when the person is mounting or dismounting the tricycle, and also when the tricycle is being driven at low speeds in which there is minimal danger of the tricycle tipping or overturning.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 1997Date of Patent: August 24, 1999Inventor: Peter Owsen
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Patent number: 5927740Abstract: A steering damper particularly for a bicycle which is integrated into the bicycle. The damper includes a housing closed at the top by a cap from which sidewalls extend and at the bottom. The housing contains a damping medium. Within the housing thee is a dam connected to the housing and a single vane connected to a shaft which passes through the housing. There is an opening in the shaft which communicates with the vane to circulate the medium during the damping when the bicycle departs from the path in which it is being directed and during the suppression of the damping when the bicycle returns to the path along which it is directed. The effective cross-section of the opening in the shaft is of sufficient magnitude to permit unrestricted flow of the medium. The housing and dam are supported within the steer-tube by the clamp from the steer-stem and are connected to the clamp by a tapered bearing rotatably with the steer-tube as the steer-tube is rotatable by the handlebars.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1996Date of Patent: July 27, 1999Inventor: Timothy C. Hopey