Patents by Inventor Toyoji Tanaka

Toyoji Tanaka 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: 5839536
    Abstract: A rear suspension unit for cushioning the suspension travel of a trailing arm rear wheel suspension for a motorcycle. The cushioning unit is a telescopic unit that is disposed beneath the frame and extends in a generally horizontal direction. At least a portion of the system unit is mounted beneath the frame and the crankcase transmission assembly of the motorcycle, to provide a compact and yet serviceable assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toyoji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5782313
    Abstract: The present invention is adapted to be embodied in a steering and suspension arrangement for the front wheel of a motorcycle. Specifically, the invention relates to a front wheel swing arm type steering and suspension arrangement. In the arrangement of the present invention, upper and lower swing arms connect a motorcycle frame to a steering knuckle which extends along one side of the front wheel. The upper swing arm is shorter in length than the lower swing arm and is pivotally connected to the frame of the motorcycle at a point forwardly of a pivotal connection for the lower swing arm. According to the invention, the swing arms are positioned so that forwards and backwards lateral movement of the suspension system is kept to a minimum and the rake angle of the steering arrangement is held nearly constant during suspension travel, as when the motorcycle encounters a bump during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ichiro Kurawaki, Toyoji Tanaka, Kazumasa Nakaya
  • Patent number: 5458213
    Abstract: Several embodiments of fully adjustable motorcycles so as to permit the use of a single motorcycle as either a touring or racing machine. The handlebar assembly is adjustable along an arc as are the foot pegs with the center of movement of the arc being midway disposed between the handlebar and the foot pegs. This permits the rider to assume either an upright touring position, or a reclined, crouched racing position. The seat is also adjustable and the adjustment further accommodates riders of varying stature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazumasa Nakaya, Ichiro Kurawaki, Toyoji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5361864
    Abstract: The present invention is adapted to be embodied in a steering and suspension arrangement for the front wheel of a motorcycle. Specifically, the invention relates to a front wheel swing arm type steering and suspension arrangement. In the arrangement of the present invention, upper and lower swing arms connect a motorcycle frame to a steering knuckle which extends along one side of the front wheel. The invention provides means for adjusting the relative lateral positioning between the steering knuckle and the upper swing arm for suspension tuning. The invention also provides a relative positioning arrangement between the upper swing arm and the steering knuckle which minimizes forwards and backwards lateral movement of the suspension arrangement when the swing arms are moved up and down, as when the motorcycle encounters a bump during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toyoji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5249650
    Abstract: A motorcycle front wheel and disc brake assembly wherein the caliper of the disc brake assembly is supported directly by an axle carrier of the front wheel and is nested between the axle carrier and the front wheel. The caliper assembly is mounted centrally on the axle carrier so as to minimize the length of its supporting bracket and to reduce adverse effects on the suspension and steering of the front wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toyoji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5248012
    Abstract: A motorcycle having leading and trailing front and rear arm suspensions for the front and rear wheels. The motorcycle has a frame that is made up of a pair of side pieces that are integrally connected with each other with portions of the side pieces removeable for accessing and removal of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ichiro Kurawaki, Toyoji Tanaka
  • Patent number: 4694748
    Abstract: A device for moving offset plates from a stack of such plates to a fixing device by grasping a plurality of offset plates having positioning engagement holes from a stack and moving them through a print-through device to a fixing device utilizing a transport mechanism having positioning pins to receive the engagement holes of the offset plates and to release them when the offset plates have completed the desired movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1987
    Assignee: Fujirex Company, Limited
    Inventors: Kunio Fujisawa, Toyoji Tanaka, Toshio Mochizuki, Norio Nakamura, Seiji Kaya
  • Patent number: 4637711
    Abstract: A method of rolling a photosensitive film on a drum wherein the film is wound on the drum being held at the seam by a double-sided adhesive band and then heat shrunk into a smooth surface on the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Assignee: Fujirex Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunio Fujisawa, Toyoji Tanaka, Toshio Mochizuki, Norio Nakamura, Seiji Kaya