Patents Assigned to Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
  • Oil tank cover
    Patent number: 6926110
    Abstract: A motorcycle comprising a frame, a front wheel coupled to the frame, and a rear wheel coupled to the frame. An engine is coupled to the frame and adapted to propel the motorcycle. An oil tank is coupled to the frame and adapted to contain oil used to lubricate the engine. The oil tank has an exposed surface. A cover is removably coupled to at least one of the frame and the oil tank to substantially cover the exposed surface of the oil tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Harley Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Armstrong, Scott W. Matthews
  • Lubrication system and method of lubricating an internal-combustion engine
    Publication number: 20050166694
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for lubricating an internal-combustion engine includes a shaft extending through a gearbox, a gear and a sliding sleeve coupled to rotate with the shaft and adapted to move axially along the shaft, a gearshift fork in mating engagement with the sliding sleeve and moveable parallel to the shaft, a rib in the gearbox adjacent the shaft, and a duct extending into the gearbox. The duct preferably directs a lubricant onto the gearshift fork and the sliding sleeve. Preferably, the rib directs the lubricant from the duct onto the gearshift fork and the sliding sleeve. In an alternative embodiment, at least some of the lubricant flung from the shaft, gear, and sliding sleeve contacts the rib and is directed onto the sliding sleeve and the gearshift fork. Further preferably, a projection extends from the rib to direct the lubricant onto the sliding sleeve and the gearshift fork.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Publication date: August 4, 2005
    Applicant: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Stefan Fegg
  • Mounting configuration and method for a motorcycle seat
    Patent number: 6913099
    Abstract: A motorcycle having a frame and a seat mounting stud extending upwardly from a seat support of the frame. A seat assembly includes a seat pan having a forward mounting tab that is coupled to the frame adjacent a fuel tank, a rearward mounting tab extending rearwardly from the seat pan and coupled to a rear fender, and a mounting aperture positioned between the forward and rearward mounting tabs. The mounting stud is received within the mounting aperture and cooperates with the forward and rearward mounting tabs to couple the seat assembly to the frame. A method for installing the seat assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Harley Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventor: John S. Scott
  • Lubrication system and method of lubricating an internal-combustion engine
    Patent number: 6910398
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for lubricating an internal-combustion engine includes a shaft extending through a gearbox, a gear and a sliding sleeve coupled to rotate with the shaft and adapted to move axially along the shaft, a gearshift fork in mating engagement with the sliding sleeve and moveable parallel to the shaft, a rib in the gearbox adjacent the shaft, and a duct extending into the gearbox. The duct preferably directs a lubricant onto the gearshift fork and the sliding sleeve. Preferably, the rib directs the lubricant from the duct onto the gearshift fork and the sliding sleeve. In an alternative embodiment, at least some of the lubricant flung from the shaft, gear, and sliding sleeve contacts the rib and is directed onto the sliding sleeve and the gearshift fork. Further preferably, a projection extends from the rib to direct the lubricant onto the sliding sleeve and the gearshift fork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Stefan Fegg
  • Geroter type internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 6907855
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine including a housing, an intake port defined in the housing, an exhaust port defined in the housing, and a generally cylindrical combustion chamber defined in the housing. The combustion chamber communicates with the intake port and the exhaust port and a combustion geroter is received by and rotatable within the combustion chamber. During operation, the combustion geroter receives a fuel mixture, compresses the fuel mixture, combusts the fuel mixture, and discharges the combusted fuel mixture to the exhaust port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew James Mueller
  • Turn signal mounting assembly
    Patent number: 6905234
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for adjustably supporting a turn signal from a motorcycle handlebar. The mounting assembly includes an L-shaped one-piece mounting bracket having a mounting end and a supporting end. The mounting end is coupled to the handlebar and the supporting end is spaced from the handlebar and defines a supporting bore. The supporting bore includes a reduced portion that defines a first engagement surface and a support shaft is received by the supporting bore and includes an externally threaded portion that supports the turn signal, and frusto-spherical portion that engages the first engagement surface. A set screw is received by the supporting bore and defines a second engagement surface that can be tightened against the frusto-spherical portion opposite the first engagement surface to clamp the second portion and to hold the turn signal substantially fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip J. Zagrodnik, Todd S. Schaetz, Gregory S. Hahn, William A. Scheiding
  • Engine mounting system for a motorcycle
    Patent number: 6902023
    Abstract: A motorcycle including an engine assembly that is resiliently supported by a frame assembly. First and second resilient mount assemblies resiliently couple rearward and forward ends of the engine to the frame. A group of tie links, each extending generally transversely to the frame, are arranged to reduce transverse movement of the engine with respect to the frame, while allowing movement of the engine in fore-aft and up-down directions with respect to the frame to isolate engine vibrations. Each of the first and second mount assemblies includes a pair of substantially identical resilient mounts. The resilient mounts are configured to have a limited range of motion, thereby limiting the overall movement of the engine with respect to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Brendelson, Michael J. Doperalski, Dominic Keogh
  • Motorcycle fuel tank mounting arrangement
    Patent number: 6896293
    Abstract: A motorcycle including a frame having a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a backbone portion positioned between the forward and rearward portions. A fuel tank includes a top wall, side walls that extend generally downwardly from the top wall, and bottom walls that extend from the side walls generally toward one another. A tunnel wall extends between the bottom walls and defines a concave tunnel portion of the fuel tank, which is configured to receive the backbone portion of the frame. A one-piece mounting bracket is coupled to and extends along the tunnel wall. The mounting bracket includes a forward mounting portion coupled to the forward portion of the frame, and a rearward mounting portion coupled to the rearward portion of the frame to secure the fuel tank to the motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Philipps, Scott W. Matthews
  • GEROTER TYPE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE
    Publication number: 20050081818
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine including a housing, an intake port defined in the housing, an exhaust port defined in the housing, and a generally cylindrical combustion chamber defined in the housing. The combustion chamber communicates with the intake port and the exhaust port and a combustion geroter is received by and rotatable within the combustion chamber. During operation, the combustion geroter receives a fuel mixture, compresses the fuel mixture, combusts the fuel mixture, and discharges the combusted fuel mixture to the exhaust port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2003
    Publication date: April 21, 2005
    Applicant: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Mueller
  • Motorcycle frame having removable portion
    Patent number: 6846018
    Abstract: A motorcycle frame including a base portion and a removable portion that both bear operating loads of the motorcycle. The removable portion and base portion are fastened together at a joint comprising a first end cap having a protrusion, a second end cap having a recess, and a fastener having a fastener axis and extending through the first and second end caps. The protrusion and the recess are characterized by angled walls oriented at an acute angle with respect to the fastener axis. The angled wall engagement of the end caps ensures that substantially all shear loads in the joint are born by the end caps and not by the fastener. The motorcycle footpeg position can be changed by replacing the removable portion with a second removable portion having footpeg mounting structure at a different location than the removable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Dennert, R. Bruce Dennert, Paul Lohr, Michael W. Hamann
  • Fastener cover
    Patent number: 6843493
    Abstract: A motorcycle including a frame and a triple clamp supported by the frame for rotation relative to the frame. The motorcycle includes an engaging member, a triple clamp fastener, and a cover. The engaging member includes a first engagement portion and is positioned between the triple clamp fastener and the surface of the triple clamp. The cover includes a second engagement portion that engages the first engagement portion to cover at least a portion of the triple clamp fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Buckhouse, Jeff W. Hughes
  • Engine mounting system for a motorcycle
    Publication number: 20050006163
    Abstract: A motorcycle including an engine assembly that is resiliently supported by a frame assembly. First and second resilient mount assemblies resiliently couple rearward and forward ends of the engine to the frame. A group of tie links, each extending generally transversely to the frame, are arranged to reduce transverse movement of the engine with respect to the frame, while allowing movement of the engine in fore-aft and up-down directions with respect to the frame to isolate engine vibrations. Each of the first and second mount assemblies includes a pair of substantially identical resilient mounts. The resilient mounts are configured to have a limited range of motion, thereby limiting the overall movement of the engine with respect to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Publication date: January 13, 2005
    Applicant: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventors: James Brendelson, Michael Doperalski, Dominic Keogh
  • Motorcycle fuel tank mounting arrangement
    Publication number: 20050006162
    Abstract: A motorcycle including a frame having a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a backbone portion positioned between the forward and rearward portions. A fuel tank includes a top wall, side walls that extend generally downwardly from the top wall, and bottom walls that extend from the side walls generally toward one another. A tunnel wall extends between the bottom walls and defines a concave tunnel portion of the fuel tank, which is configured to receive the backbone portion of the frame. A one-piece mounting bracket is coupled to and extends along the tunnel wall. The mounting bracket includes a forward mounting portion coupled to the forward portion of the frame, and a rearward mounting portion coupled to the rearward portion of the frame to secure the fuel tank to the motorcycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Publication date: January 13, 2005
    Applicant: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Philipps, Scott Matthews
  • Luggage rack and backrest mounting system
    Patent number: 6840344
    Abstract: A mounting member for mounting a luggage rack and/or a backrest to a motorcycle includes a concave recess on at least one side for snugly receiving a rounded side surface of a backrest assembly. This recess provides support to the back rest assembly such that vertical loads encountered during normal operation are carried by the snug engagement of the concave recess and the rounded side surface, reducing shear stress on fasteners used to couple the backrest to the mounting member. A portion of a motorcycle luggage rack is disposed over a rear portion of the mounting member and fasteners are extended through apertures in the luggage rack and threaded into substantially vertical threaded bores in the mounting member to affix the luggage rack to the mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Galbraith, Brian R. Sucharski
  • Radio for a motorcycle
    Publication number: 20050000747
    Abstract: A motorcycle including a frame defining left and right sides and a riser supported by the frame. An electronic device including a housing is coupled to the riser. The housing has a left portion disposed on the left side and a right portion disposed on the right side. The motorcycle also includes a plurality of controls on the housing operable to control the electronic device, wherein a majority of the plurality of controls are located on the left portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Publication date: January 6, 2005
    Applicant: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Richlen, Daniel Matre, James Busse, Nelson Cobb
  • Motorcycle saddlebag
    Patent number: 6832710
    Abstract: A saddlebag includes a body and a lid pivotally attached to the body by a hinge assembly. The lid moves in a substantially translational manner to disengage and engage the body, and moves in a pivotal manner when not engaging the body. The saddlebag also includes a locking assembly selectively securing the lid in a closed position and being operable via a push-button located on an outer surface of the saddlebag body. A gas spring is interconnected between the body and the lid of the saddlebag, biasing the lid toward the open position such that depressing the push button releases the lid, allowing the gas spring to expand and fully open the saddlebag with no further intervention by the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2004
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Galbraith, Thomas R. Wargin, P. Kirk Rasmussen
  • Ventilated garment with vent opening system
    Publication number: 20040237168
    Abstract: A ventilated garment includes a body portion, a vent opening defined by the body portion, and a vent closure coupled to the vent opening. The vent opening has an opened configuration and a closed configuration, and the vent closure secures the vent opening in the closed configuration. The ventilated garment also includes a pull that is coupled to the vent closure and extends along the body portion. The pull has a first exposed portion that is spaced from the vent closure and that affords remote operation of the vent closure to adjust the vent opening from the opened configuration to the closed configuration, and a second exposed portion that is spaced from the vent closure and that affords remote operation of the vent closure to adjust the vent opening from the closed configuration to the opened configuration. The exposed portions of the pull may be positioned in pockets of the ventilated garment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Braun
  • Portion of a motorcycle frame
    Patent number: D498182
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Willie G. Davidson, Louis Netz, Kirk Rasmussen, Jeff Coughlin, Rick Pierson, Brian Campbell, Alexander Bozmoski, Anthony Senger, Jeff Romenesko, Robb Dennert, Bob Hofmann, Al Zemlicka, Mike Hamann, John Myers, Mike Nixdorf, Patrick Keller, Manfred Schuermann, Klaus Fuoss, Andreas Schneider, Thomas Geffert, Stefan Fegg, Johannes Weyandt, Wolfgang Schnepf, Alfons Linder, James McNaughton, Frank Savage, Paul Lohr, Friedrich Seiler, Chris Ojstrsek
  • Portion of a motorcycle oil tank
    Patent number: D499361
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Armstrong, Scott W. Matthews
  • Motorcycle master cylinder housing
    Patent number: D499673
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Harley Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Savage