Patents by Inventor Erik F. Buell

Erik F. Buell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8307933
    Abstract: A motorcycle including at least two wheels. The at least two wheels include a front wheel and a rear wheel, the rear wheel defining a rotational axis. The motorcycle includes an engine for driving at least one of the wheels. A radiator assembly includes a radiator configured to receive coolant from the engine and dissipate heat from the coolant. The radiator assembly further includes an inlet guide configured to direct air toward the radiator. The inlet guide has an inlet opening positioned closer to the rear wheel than the front wheel. At least a portion of the inlet opening is positioned below the rotational axis of the rear wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Buell Motorcycle Company
    Inventor: Erik F. Buell
  • Publication number: 20120012414
    Abstract: A motorcycle including at least two wheels. The at least two wheels include a front wheel and a rear wheel, the rear wheel defining a rotational axis. The motorcycle includes an engine for driving at least one of the wheels. A radiator assembly includes a radiator configured to receive coolant from the engine and dissipate heat from the coolant. The radiator assembly further includes an inlet guide configured to direct air toward the radiator. The inlet guide has an inlet opening positioned closer to the rear wheel than the front wheel. At least a portion of the inlet opening is positioned below the rotational axis of the rear wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventor: Erik F. Buell
  • Patent number: 8056668
    Abstract: A motorcycle including at least two wheels. The at least two wheels include a front wheel and a rear wheel, the rear wheel defining a rotational axis. The motorcycle includes an engine for driving at least one of the wheels. A radiator assembly includes a radiator configured to receive coolant from the engine and dissipate heat from the coolant. The radiator assembly further includes an inlet guide configured to direct air toward the radiator. The inlet guide has an inlet opening positioned closer to the rear wheel than the front wheel. At least a portion of the inlet opening is positioned below the rotational axis of the rear wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Buell Motorcycle Company
    Inventor: Erik F. Buell
  • Patent number: 8035305
    Abstract: A multi-headlight assembly of a motorcycle includes a pair of headlights. A first one of the pair of headlights includes a low power main lamp and a second one of the pair of headlights includes a high power main lamp, the low power main lamp being configured to illuminate in a first operating condition and the high power main lamp being configured to illuminate in a second operating condition. A secondary lamp is associated with one of the pair of headlights and is configured to illuminate when the main lamp of the other one of the pair of headlights is illuminated. The secondary lamp is of a lower power than the low power main lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Buell Motorcycle Company
    Inventors: Erik F. Buell, Nancy Kardos, Anthony Stefanelli, Michael R. Medina, Steven W. Osgood
  • Patent number: 7963358
    Abstract: The present invention provides a motorcycle including a frame having a forward portion and a rearward portion. The forward portion includes a steering head. The motorcycle also includes an engine coupled to the frame and a steering assembly pivotably coupled to the steering head. The steering assembly includes a fork and a front wheel rotatably coupled to the fork. The motorcycle further includes a swing arm pivotably coupled to the rearward portion, a rear wheel rotatably coupled to the swing arm, and a first cavity defined in the frame. The first cavity is in fluid communication with the engine to provide fuel to the engine. The motorcycle also includes a second cavity defined in the frame. The second cavity is in fluid communication with the engine to provide combustion air to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Buell Motorcycle Company
    Inventors: Erik F. Buell, Steven H. Anderson, Edward A. Weston, Edward M. Laben
  • Publication number: 20100230200
    Abstract: A motorcycle including at least two wheels. The at least two wheels include a front wheel and a rear wheel, the rear wheel defining a rotational axis. The motorcycle includes an engine for driving at least one of the wheels. A radiator assembly includes a radiator configured to receive coolant from the engine and dissipate heat from the coolant. The radiator assembly further includes an inlet guide configured to direct air toward the radiator. The inlet guide has an inlet opening positioned closer to the rear wheel than the front wheel. At least a portion of the inlet opening is positioned below the rotational axis of the rear wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: BUELL MOTORCYCLE COMPANY
    Inventor: Erik F. Buell
  • Patent number: 7743868
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes a front wheel defining a forward direction, a rear wheel defining a rotational axis, an engine for driving at least one of the wheels, coolant positioned at least partially in the engine, and a radiator assembly containing at least a portion of the coolant. The radiator assembly includes a radiator and an inlet guide. The radiator is positioned forward of the rotational axis and has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is positioned forward of the lower portion. The inlet guide is positioned adjacent the radiator and includes an inlet opening. At least a portion of the inlet guide extends upwardly from the inlet opening of the radiator, and the inlet opening is positioned closer to the rear wheel than to the front wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Buell Motorcycle Company
    Inventor: Erik F. Buell
  • Publication number: 20100096208
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes a frame having a front, a rear, a top, a bottom, and a centrally-located longitudinal axis extending through the front and the rear. The longitudinal axis defines a vertical plane. An engine is supported by the frame. A radiator coil is coupled to the frame and spaced apart from the vertical plane. A shroud is coupled to the frame and at least partially surrounds the radiator coil. The shroud directs an airflow through the radiator coil and toward the vertical plane as the airflow passes in the rearward direction. The shroud directs the airflow downwardly as the airflow passes through the radiator coil in the rearward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: BUELL MOTORCYCLE COMPANY
    Inventors: Erik F. Buell, John W. Fox, Matthew J. Sheahan
  • Patent number: 7654357
    Abstract: A motorcycle including a frame having a top, a bottom, a front, a rear, and a centrally-located longitudinal axis extending through the front and the rear. The longitudinal axis defines a vertical plane. The motorcycle also includes an engine supported by the frame and a radiator coil obliquely mounted to the frame. The radiator coil is spaced apart from the vertical plane and includes a forward end and a rearward end as viewed from above the motorcycle. The forward end defines a first distance measured normal to the vertical plane and the rearward end defines a second distance measured normal to the vertical plane. The first distance is shorter than the second distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Buell Motorcycle Company
    Inventors: Erik F. Buell, John W. Fox, Matthew J. Sheahan
  • Publication number: 20090160343
    Abstract: A multi-headlight assembly of a motorcycle includes a pair of headlights. A first one of the pair of headlights includes a low power main lamp and a second one of the pair of headlights includes a high power main lamp, the low power main lamp being configured to illuminate in a first operating condition and the high power main lamp being configured to illuminate in a second operating condition. A secondary lamp is associated with one of the pair of headlights and is configured to illuminate when the main lamp of the other one of the pair of headlights is illuminated. The secondary lamp is of a lower power than the low power main lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: Buell Motorcycle Company
    Inventors: Erik F. Buell, Nancy Kardos, Anthony Stefanelli
  • Publication number: 20090008178
    Abstract: The present invention provides a motorcycle including a frame having a forward portion and a rearward portion. The forward portion includes a steering head. The motorcycle also includes an engine coupled to the frame and a steering assembly pivotably coupled to the steering head. The steering assembly includes a fork and a front wheel rotatably coupled to the fork. The motorcycle further includes a swing arm pivotably coupled to the rearward portion, a rear wheel rotatably coupled to the swing arm, and a first cavity defined in the frame. The first cavity is in fluid communication with the engine to provide fuel to the engine. The motorcycle also includes a second cavity defined in the frame. The second cavity is in fluid communication with the engine to provide combustion air to the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventor: Erik F. Buell
  • Publication number: 20090008182
    Abstract: A motorcycle including a frame having a top, a bottom, a front, a rear, and a centrally-located longitudinal axis extending through the front and the rear. The longitudinal axis defines a vertical plane. The motorcycle also includes an engine supported by the frame and a radiator coil obliquely mounted to the frame. The radiator coil is spaced apart from the vertical plane and includes a forward end and a rearward end as viewed from above the motorcycle. The forward end defines a first distance measured normal to the vertical plane and the rearward end defines a second distance measured normal to the vertical plane. The first distance is shorter than the second distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Erik F. Buell, John W. Fox, Matthew J. Sheahan
  • Publication number: 20080314669
    Abstract: A motorcycle having a frame, at least two wheels mounted for rotation relative to the frame, an engine coupled to the frame, and an air intake system coupled to the engine. The air intake system includes an intake port having an intake axis along which air enters the intake port, and an airbox having an inlet opening in communication with the atmosphere and an outlet opening in communication with the intake port. The airbox further includes a contoured baffle positioned adjacent the intake port and adapted to guide air from the inlet opening toward and into the intake port. The contoured baffle preferably includes a guide surface (e.g., a three-dimensionally contoured surface that approximates a tractroid) positioned substantially in alignment with the intake axis. For example, a least one tangent line of the guide surface can pass through the intake port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: BUELL MOTORCYCLE COMPANY
    Inventor: Erik F. Buell
  • Publication number: 20080314671
    Abstract: A motorcycle having at least one front wheel, at least one rear wheel, an engine for driving at least one of the weeks, coolant positioned at least partially in the engine, and a radiator assembly containing at least a portion of the coolant. In one aspect of the invention, the radiator assembly includes a radiator having an upper portion that is positioned forward of a lower portion (e.g., by at least about 15 degrees relative to a vertical axis). In a different aspect, the radiator has an inlet surface into which air is received and an outlet surface through which air is expelled. In this aspect, the inlet surface faces downward (e.g., by at least about 15 degrees relative to a horizontal axis). In another aspect, the radiator assembly further includes an inlet guide positioned near the inlet surface and having an inlet opening. In this aspect, at least a portion of the inlet opening is positioned at an elevation lower than the outlet surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Buell Motorcycle Company
    Inventor: Erik F. Buell
  • Publication number: 20080314670
    Abstract: A motorcycle having at least two wheels, a fuel tank for storing fuel, a fuel pump positioned in an opening in the fuel tank, and a retaining clip (e.g., a snap ring, circlip, a cotter pin, a hair pin, a clevis pin, a roll pin, an e-clip, a c-clip, a retainer spring, or a toothed washer) securing the fuel pump in the opening. In one embodiment, the opening is adapted to receive the fuel pump in an axial direction, and the opening is formed by a seal surface (e.g., substantially cylindrical in shape) that is substantially parallel to the axial direction. In this embodiment, the fuel pump includes a pump housing and a gasket (e.g., an O-ring) positioned between the pump housing and the seal surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: BUELL MOTORCYCLE COMPANY
    Inventors: Erik F. Buell, Matthew J. Sheahan
  • Patent number: 7198128
    Abstract: A motorcycle having one or more translucent body panels, such as an airbox cover and a flyscreen. The translucent body panels can be sufficiently opaque to mask the components positioned behind the body panel when the motorcycle is viewed from a distance, but yet allow visual inspection of those components when viewed from a position adjacent the motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Buell Motorcycle Company
    Inventors: Erik F. Buell, Michael D. Samarzja, Charles A. Hirsch
  • Patent number: 7144030
    Abstract: A protective device for a motorcycle. The protective device protects portions of the motorcycle, such as the frame and body panels, from damage due to a tip-over incident or a sliding incident. The protective device of some embodiments includes a shell and a cushion designed to disperse and absorb impact energy. The shell is coupled to the motorcycle with an adhesive. The adhesive has a high shear strength to prevent removal of the shell during a sliding incident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Buell Motorcycle Company
    Inventors: Erik F. Buell, Michael D. Samarzja, Brain R. Sucharski, Stephen Fiacchino
  • Patent number: 6866112
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes a frame, and an engine and transmission mounted to the frame. A swingarm is pivotably mounted to the frame, and a rear wheel is rotatably mounted to the swingarm. An output shaft of the transmission is coupled to the rear wheel to cause rotation of the rear wheel under power of the engine. A stationary tensioner is mounted to the frame such that as the rear wheel bounces up and down with respect to the frame, the tensioner maintains substantially constant tension and belt path length in the belt without requiring the tensioner to move in a translational or pivotal sense.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Buell Motorcycle Company
    Inventors: Dane J. Hoechst, Erik F. Buell
  • Patent number: 6773077
    Abstract: The present invention provides a motorcycle wheel that includes a rim, a hub, and a spoke. The rim is adapted to receive a motorcycle tire and the hub is adapted to receive and support a motorcycle axle. The spoke extends between the rim and the hub. The spoke includes first and second walls that are separated by a distance. The first and second walls are substantially entirely unconnected to each other between the hub and the rim. The spokes are all connected to the hub substantially centered about a central plane and connected to the rim on one side of the central plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Buell Motorcycle Company
    Inventors: Erik F. Buell, Vance C. Strader, Abraham Askenazi, Julian A. Galgoczy
  • Patent number: 6672419
    Abstract: The present invention provides a motorcycle that includes a frame, a wheel mounted to the frame for rotation with respect to the frame, a rotor mounted to the wheel, and a caliper selectively clamping the rotor to slow down the rotation of the wheel. A biasing member is provided between the rotor and the wheel and is offset from a fastener. The biasing member biases the rotor against the head of the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Buell Motorcycle Company
    Inventors: Erik F. Buell, Julian A. Galgoczy, Abraham Askenazi