Patents by Inventor Kenji Kofuji
Kenji Kofuji 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).
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Patent number: 10286976Abstract: A swing arm structure includes pivot shafts extending in a vehicle width direction and disposed in a vehicle body frame, a pair of wall portions disposed in the vehicle width direction in the vehicle body frame, and an interposed portion disposed between the wall portions in a swing arm. The wall portions have wall portion-side pass-through portions, which receive the pivot shafts passed therethrough. The interposed portion has interposed portion-side pass-through portions formed therein at, out of both end portions in the vehicle width direction, portions facing the wall portion-side pass-through portions. The interposed portion-side pass-through portions receive the pivot shafts passed therethrough. The interposed portion has a non-pass-through portion formed therein at a middle portion in the vehicle width direction of the interposed portion. The non-pass-through portion does not receive the pivot shafts.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2016Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Naoki Kuwabara, Kenji Kofuji, Kazuho Nakai, Takafumi Irie, Katsumasa Mukai
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Publication number: 20170088233Abstract: A structure promoting a reduction in size and weight of a swing arm structure. Pivot shafts that extend in a vehicle width direction are disposed in the vehicle body frame. A pair of wall portions is disposed in the vehicle width direction in the vehicle body frame. An interposed portion is disposed between the wall portions in the swing arm. The wall portions have wall portion-side pass-through portions, which receive the pivot shafts passed therethrough. The interposed portion has interposed portion-side pass-through portions formed therein at, out of both end portions in the vehicle width direction, portions facing the wall portion-side pass-through portions, respectively. The interposed portion-side pass-through portions receive the pivot shafts, respectively, passed therethrough. The interposed portion has a non-pass-through portion formed therein at least at a middle portion in the vehicle width direction of the interposed portion. The non-pass-through portion does not receive the pivot shafts.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2016Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: Naoki Kuwabara, Kenji Kofuji, Kazuho Nakai, Takafumi Irie, Katsumasa Mukai
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Patent number: 9415829Abstract: In a rear wheel suspension structure of a motorcycle includes a body frame, a swing arm swingably supported by the body frame through a pivot shaft and a drive shaft for transmitting drive power to a rear wheel. A drive shaft insertion hole is formed in the swing arm with the drive shaft being inserted in the insertion hole. The pivot shaft is arranged so as to overlap with the drive shaft insertion hole in a side view. The pivot shaft is provided as a one-side supporting shaft. Another-side supporting shaft is provided independent from each other on the left and right. A thrust bearing and a radial bearing are arranged between the swing arm and the one-side supporting shaft as well as the another-side supporting shaft provided in the swing arm.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2015Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Takatoshi Ebinuma, Kenji Kofuji, Masayuki Fujita
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Publication number: 20150307155Abstract: In a rear wheel suspension structure of a motorcycle includes a body frame, a swing arm swingably supported by the body frame through a pivot shaft and a drive shaft for transmitting drive power to a rear wheel. A drive shaft insertion hole is formed in the swing arm with the drive shaft being inserted in the insertion hole. The pivot shaft is arranged so as to overlap with the drive shaft insertion hole in a side view. The pivot shaft is provided as a one-side supporting shaft. Another-side supporting shaft is provided independent from each other on the left and right. A thrust bearing and a radial bearing are arranged between the swing arm and the one-side supporting shaft as well as the another-side supporting shaft provided in the swing arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2015Publication date: October 29, 2015Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Takatoshi EBINUMA, Kenji KOFUJI, Masayuki FUJITA
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Patent number: 8444164Abstract: A pulsar ring includes a portion to be detected and a pulsar ring mounting portions that project in a radially outward direction from an outer peripheral portion of the portion to be detected. The portion to be detected and a pulsar ring mounting portion are arranged so as to form continuous planar surfaces. The pulsar ring is rigidly mounted on a mounting boss of a wheel using a bolt by fastening a brake disc wherein the pulsar ring overlaps with the brake disc mounting portion. Even when the brake disc thermally deforms at the time of braking so that the pulsar ring mounting portion is pulled radially outwardly, the portion to be detected and the pulsar ring mounting portion are arranged on the same plane thus forming the continuous planar surfaces. Thus, the portion to be detected is hardly twisted with hardly any deformation of the portion to be detected.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2012Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Keita Mikura, Kenji Kofuji
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Publication number: 20130026731Abstract: A pulsar ring includes a portion to be detected and a pulsar ring mounting portions that project in a radially outward direction from an outer peripheral portion of the portion to be detected. The portion to be detected and a pulsar ring mounting portion are arranged so as to form continuous planar surfaces. The pulsar ring is rigidly mounted on a mounting boss of a wheel using a bolt by fastening a brake disc wherein the pulsar ring overlaps with the brake disc mounting portion. Even when the brake disc thermally deforms at the time of braking so that the pulsar ring mounting portion is pulled radially outwardly, the portion to be detected and the pulsar ring mounting portion are arranged on the same plane thus forming the continuous planar surfaces. Thus, the portion to be detected is hardly twisted with hardly any deformation of the portion to be detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2012Publication date: January 31, 2013Inventors: Keita MIKURA, Kenji KOFUJI
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Patent number: 8297398Abstract: A two-wheeled motor vehicle provided with a drive shaft (32) rotatably supported by a swing arm (28) rockable on a pivot shaft (27). The longitudinal center axis (32J) of the drive shaft (32) is located below a line (28C) interconnecting the pivot shaft (27) and an axle (40). The drive shaft (32) is surrounded by the swing arm (28).Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2009Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Taisuke Nimura, Kenji Kofuji, Kiyotaka Sakai, Saiji Suzuta, Toshiyuki Iwai, Satoshi Kogo, Eiji Toriyama
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Patent number: 8051963Abstract: A motorcycle with a disk brake device and an anti-dip device for improving the external appearance of the front forks and for simplifying the fixing of the hoses. A single hose includes a hydraulic passage k extending from a secondary master cylinder and one end of the hose is connected to one opening of a three-way opening coupling fixed to the front forks. One end of a single hose is supported by the secondary master cylinder and the other end is supported by the three-way opening coupling. Thus the hose clamps may be omitted, the number of components is conspicuously reduced and the arrangement is simplified. In comparison to extending two hoses from the secondary master cylinder, only a single hose is extended according to the present invention. Thus, the handling of the hoses is simplified and the outer appearance near the front forks is improved.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2009Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenji Kofuji, Shinichiro Ishida
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Patent number: 8002068Abstract: A motorcycle includes a swing arm, a rear wheel mounted on a leading end of the swing arm, a drive shaft disposed in the swing arm, and a final gear transmission mechanism interposed between the drive shaft and the rear wheel. The final gear transmission mechanism includes a gear case mounted on the leading end of the swing arm for supporting a rear axle; a first end bearing and a second end bearing for supporting a first end and a second end of the rear axle, respectively, a ring gear mounted on the rear axle for transmitting the rotary drive force of an engine to the rear axle; a holding portion for holding the first end of the rear axle in the axial direction of the rear axle; and a fastening member for fastening the second end bearing to the second end of the rear axle.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2009Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Taisuke Nimura, Kiyotaka Sakai, Kenji Kofuji, Yoshinobu Shiomi, Hidetoshi Toyoda, Yasuhiro Higashi
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Patent number: 7971674Abstract: A shaft drive type motorcycle includes a drive shaft, a constant-velocity universal joint interposed in the drive shaft, and the pinion gear provided at one end of the drive shaft and meshed with a final gear. A shaft part may be extended from a cup of the constant-velocity universal joint, the shaft part is provided with male splines, and a tubular part extends from the pinion gear. The tubular part is provided with female splines in which to fit the male splines, and the male splines and the female splines are coupled with each other.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2009Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Taisuke Nimura, Hidetoshi Toyoda, Kenji Kofuji
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Patent number: 7946374Abstract: A rear wheel drive mechanism acting as a drive force transmission mechanism provided in a vehicle is provided with a spline section provided on an outer periphery of one end of a first drive shaft acting as an output shaft, a spline hole provided on an inner periphery of a tubular engaging section of a universal joint and engaging with the spline section, and a circular clip disposed spanning the inner periphery and the outer periphery. An operating section of the clip faces a notched section provided on the tubular engaging section. The notched section is provided on a tip of the tubular engaging section and opens with respect to an axial dimension of the first drive shaft. The drive mechanism so configured simplifies the operation of mounting or removing a universal joint onto an output shaft of a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2009Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kenji Kofuji
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Publication number: 20110108346Abstract: A two-wheeled motor vehicle provided with a drive shaft (32) rotatably supported by a swing arm (28) rockable on a pivot shaft (27). The longitudinal center axis (32J) of the drive shaft (32) is located below a line (28C) interconnecting the pivot shaft (27) and an axle (40). The drive shaft (32) is surrounded by the swing arm (28).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2009Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Taisuke Nimura, Kenji Kofuji, Kiyotaka Sakai, Saiji Suzuta, Toshiyuki Iwai, Satoshi Kogo, Eiji Toriyama
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Patent number: 7926611Abstract: An easily connected universal joint for attaching to an output shaft of an engine. A drive shaft is connected to an output shaft of an engine which is mounted on a vehicle body by way of a universal joint with a wheel being connected to a distal end side of the drive shaft. Projection portions project outwardly from a yoke of the universal joint connected to the output shaft by splines. A swing arm rockably supported on the vehicle body using one shaft with the universal joint being arranged above the shaft. A boot mounted between a distal end of the swing arm and a peripheral portion of the output shaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2008Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Taisuke Nimura, Kenji Kofuji
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Patent number: 7913793Abstract: A motorcycle includes a swing arm, which is swingably supported on a vehicle body frame by a support member. A suspension link member is connected between a lower portion of the vehicle body frame and the swing arm, and a rear shock absorber is disposed extending between the suspension link member and an upper portion of the vehicle body frame. A rear wheel of the motorcycle is rotatably supported on a rear end of the swing arm, and the wheel is driven by a drive shaft extending through a hollow bore formed in the swing arm. The suspension link member is connected between a portion of the swing arm and a lower portion of the vehicle body frame, such that the portion of the swing arm which houses the drive shaft is positioned above the support member for the vehicle body frame.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2008Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kenji Kofuji
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Patent number: 7913824Abstract: A vehicular disk brake device having a first air discharge mouth and a first hose connection mouth connected to a center cylinder project from an outer face of the caliper case in close proximity and so that the axes of the first hose connection mouth and the first air discharge mouth are parallel. In addition, a difference of elevation h1 is provided on both tip end faces so that the tip end face of the first air discharge mouth is higher than the tip end face of the first hose connection mouth. Since an elevation difference h1 is provided on both tip end faces so that the tip end face of the first air discharge mouth is higher than the tip end face of the first hose connection mouth, obstructing components about an air valve mounted on the first air discharge mouth are avoided.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2009Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinichiro Ishida, Kenji Kofuji
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Patent number: 7874397Abstract: To provide the breather structure of a shaft-drive-type drive device which can miniaturize a gear casing as a whole and can exhibit an excellent appearance. A shaft-drive-type drive device is capable of transmitting an output of an engine mounted on a vehicle body to a wheel by way of a drive shaft by connecting one end of the drive shaft to an output shaft of the engine by way of a universal joint and by connecting the wheel to another end side of the drive shaft by way of gears or the like. A breather mechanism, which performs a breathing operation of the inside of a gear casing housing the gears or the like, is mounted on the gear casing, and an atmosphere opening portion of the breather mechanism is formed to open upwardly in the vertical direction of a vehicle and inwardly in the width direction of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2008Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Taisuke Nimura, Kenji Kofuji
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Patent number: 7810603Abstract: A swing arm structure, in a shaft-driven vehicle, is configured and arranged compactly to minimize the size and weight thereof. A drive shaft of the vehicle is housed in a right arm portion of a swing arm. A front end of the drive shaft is connected to a powertrain output shaft via a universal joint. A pivot sleeve is disposed such that a central axis thereof is disposed downwardly and rearwardly of a central portion of the universal joint, and a front-end opening protrudes forwardly of the pivot sleeve. The central portion of the universal joint, having the largest diameter, is disposed forwardly of the center of a pivot shaft. This helps to keep the opening diameter small at the front of the right arm portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2007Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenji Kofuji, Koichi Nozoe
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Patent number: 7717211Abstract: To provide a rear wheel structure which can easily perform the mounting and dismounting of a rear wheel without causing a fluctuation in a banking angle. In the rear wheel structure which includes a pair of left and right swing arms which are arranged to sandwich a rear wheel, a driving force transmission device is provided for transmitting a driving force to the rear wheel along one swing arm, and a spacer which is arranged on an axle of the rear wheel. A muffler is arranged outside the swing arm on a side opposite to the driving force transmission device. The spacer is arranged between the swing arm on the driving-force-transmission-device-side and the rear wheel for mounting the rear wheel relative to the one swing arm.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2007Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Ito, Kenji Kofuji, Masatsugu Nishimura
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Publication number: 20100081512Abstract: A shaft drive type motorcycle includes a drive shaft, a constant-velocity universal joint interposed in the drive shaft, and the pinion gear provided at one end of the drive shaft and meshed with a final gear. A shaft part may be extended from a cup of the constant-velocity universal joint, the shaft part is provided with male splines, and a tubular part extends from the pinion gear. The tubular part is provided with female splines in which to fit the male splines, and the male splines and the female splines are coupled with each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2009Publication date: April 1, 2010Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Taisuke Nimura, Hidetoshi Toyoda, Kenji Kofuji
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Patent number: 7644797Abstract: A motorcycle includes a vehicle body frame, a rear swing arm which is mounted on a vehicle body frame in a rockable manner by way of a pivot shaft, and a rear wheel which is pivotally supported on a rear portion of the rear swing arm and is rotated by a driving force of a drive shaft. The pivot shaft which constitutes a support portion and an axis of the rear wheel axle are arranged at the substantially same height. The drive shaft is arranged at a position upwardly spaced-apart from the drive shaft, that is, above the pivot shaft. The drive shaft includes a shaft-length variable mechanism which can change a length of the shaft. The resulting configuration provides a motorcycle having reduce weight while maintaining support rigidity of the rear swing arm.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2007Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kenji Kofuji