Patents Issued in September 29, 2016
  • Publication number: 20160280273
    Abstract: A vehicle chassis includes a pair of rails spaced from each other. A beam is disposed between the pair of rails and defines a cavity. The beam includes walls and hinges connected in alternating arrangement about the cavity. Each hinge is connected to two of the walls. A wedge is disposed between one of the rails and the beam adjacent the cavity for driving the walls and hinges toward an expanded position during a side impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Saied Nusier, Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, James Chih Cheng, Jamel E. Belwafa
  • Publication number: 20160280274
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis having a pair of rails spaced from each other and a deployable reinforcing device extending between the rails. The deployable reinforcing device includes a beam disposed between the pair of rails and including walls and hinges connected in alternating arrangement. The walls are rotatable about the hinges from a collapsed position to an expanded position. The device includes a deployment mechanism disposed between the walls. When a vehicle impact is sensed, the deployment mechanism is deployed to expand the beam to the expanded position to reinforce the rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Saied Nusier, Mohamed Ridha Baccouche, James Chih Cheng, Jamel E. Belwafa
  • Publication number: 20160280275
    Abstract: An outer glass contact section, which is parallel to and comes into close contact with the outer surface of a windscreen, and inner glass contact parts, which have lips that press the inner surface of the windscreen, are formed at the vehicle rear-side edge of a cowl body. The lips each have a folded shape or a curved shape, have a folding point for the folded shape or a curving point for the curved shape as a boundary, and include a base-side first lip section and a distal-side second lip section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Koji Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20160280276
    Abstract: A fastener for securing a first vehicle module to a second vehicle module includes a head having a substantially vertical capturing surface configured for releasably engaging a portion of the second vehicle module, a body having a base configured for attachment to a back of the first vehicle module and a neck extending between the base and the head. The neck includes at least one reinforcing rib structure. The head defines a hook portion including the capturing surface configured for releasably engaging a cooperating flange disposed on the second vehicle module. The hook portion further includes a cam surface configured for slidingly translating over the cooperating flange, the capturing surface and the cam surface meeting at an acute angle. In embodiments, the fastener is used to variably secure a vehicle grille assembly to a vehicle front end module bolster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Steven Michael Lakatos, Jeffery Lee
  • Publication number: 20160280277
    Abstract: A vehicle hood includes an inner panel, an outer panel coupled to the inner panel, and an insert disposed between the outer panel and the inner panel. The insert is formed of a material that is brittle relative to a material of the outer panel. The insert includes a plurality of strips connected to each other. Each strip is elongated along and disposed adjacent to the outer panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Sushil Shastry, Randall R. Frank, Laike Misikir, Luis Jesus Chavela Guerra, Kevin Greene
  • Publication number: 20160280278
    Abstract: Modified vehicle hoods and methods of modifying truck hoods are provided herein. The modified vehicle hoods are narrowed in width compared to the original truck hood. The modified width of the modified hood may be less than the horizontal width between the forward support posts of a hauler rack, allowing the modified hood to be opened without contacting the support posts. Methods of modifying truck hoods include marking each of the pair of fenders of the vehicle with cut lines, cutting the pair of fenders to remove excess hood material, and then attaching a pair of fender panels to the pair of cut vehicle fenders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Dan R. JAYNES
  • Publication number: 20160280279
    Abstract: A vehicle hood structure includes a hood outer panel and a hood inner panel. The hood outer panel includes at least one character line extending substantially in a vehicle front-rear direction. The character line intersects a central line that extends in a vehicle width direction and that passes through a central point where a center of the hood outer panel in the vehicle front-rear direction and a center of the hood outer panel in the vehicle width direction are superposed on each other. The character line intersects the central line at an intersection point positioned within a region extending from the central point by 300 mm or less in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
    Inventors: Masatoshi YOSHIDA, Hiroko KASHIMA
  • Publication number: 20160280280
    Abstract: A vehicle hood covering an underhood object includes an inner surface of the vehicle hood facing the underhood object and spaced from the underhood object, and an outer surface of the vehicle hood opposite the inner surface. A local energy absorber is operatively attached to the inner surface of the vehicle hood. The local energy absorber is a multiply-connected structure. The local energy absorber includes a wall defining an interior surface having symmetry about a central plane normal to the inner surface of the vehicle hood. A plurality of apertures is defined in the wall symmetrically about the central plane to initiate buckling and fracture in the wall during an impact applied to the outer surface defining an impact event having a duration of less than 20 milliseconds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Nilesh D. Mankame, Hanif Muhammad, Louis G. Hector, JR., Anil K. Sachdev
  • Publication number: 20160280281
    Abstract: A modular fender assembly for a vehicle includes a fender body having first and second body portions defining respective portions of the exterior of the fender body. First and second joiner brackets are bonded onto inner ends of the first and second body portions respectively. The joiner brackets have joiner flanges which can be joined with one another in parallel abutment to join the first and second body portions. Either body portion of the fender can thus be trimmed to length to suit the application prior to bonding the joiner bracket in position according to the new trimmed length. The joiner brackets typically have multiple overlapping and interlocking joiner flanges which span across the abutted seam between the two adjacent fender body portions, including upright stiffener flanges, for improving strength to reduce bending and sagging of the fender assembly at the seam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: David Dyck, William Stanton
  • Publication number: 20160280282
    Abstract: [Object] Provided is a structural member for an automotive body, which is excellent in load transfer capability and rigidity by effectively enhancing energy absorption efficiency provided by disposing a groove in the structural member having a substantially gutter-shaped cross section and a groove in the top plate. [Solution] The structural member for an automotive body, the structural member consisting of a press-formed product made of a steel sheet, the press-formed product extending in a predetermined direction, including a top plate, a ridge continuing to the top plate, and a vertical wall continuing to the ridge, and having a substantially gutter-shaped cross section intersecting the predetermined direction, includes at least one groove formed in the top plate, and extending in the predetermined direction, and an outward flange formed at least in a region of the ridge in an end in the predetermined direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryuichi NISHIMURA, Kenichiro OTSUKA, Yasuhiro ITO, Yoshiaki NAKAZAWA
  • Publication number: 20160280283
    Abstract: A vehicle lower portion structure has: an undercover that is fixed to a lower portion of a vehicle body, and that covers a bottom surface side of the vehicle body; rockers that extend in a vehicle longitudinal direction at both sides in a vehicle transverse direction at the lower portion of the vehicle body; and rocker moldings that are fixed to the lower portion of the vehicle body, and are disposed at vehicle transverse direction outer sides of the undercover, and are provided from vehicle transverse direction outer sides of the rockers to vehicle lower sides. End portions at the vehicle transverse direction outer sides of the undercover, and end portions at vehicle transverse direction inner sides of the rocker moldings, are superposed one on another at least in a vehicle vertical direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keita ITO, Masahiro ISHIKAWA, Kenichiro YOSHIMOTO, Naoya SAKAGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20160280284
    Abstract: An underbody cladding is provided for a two-track motor vehicle with wheel-controlling links as part of a rear axle for cladding the underbody. The underbody cladding at least partially extends in a substantially horizontal plane and extends in the direction of the outside of the vehicle close to an inner side of a rear wheel. The underbody cladding is divided into three sections, a front section, a central section and a rear section. The central section extends at least over a region below the wheel-controlling links and is connected at least over part of the width thereof to the front section and/or the rear section. The central section is designed in such a manner that the section can at least partially follow and/or yield to a vertical movement of the wheel-controlling links. The front and the rear section of the underbody cladding can in each case be arranged in a positionally fixed manner on the motor vehicle and cannot follow and/or yield to a vertical movement of the wheel-controlling links.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Hubert SCHOLZ, Roland SCHMIDT
  • Publication number: 20160280285
    Abstract: A support structure in a framework construction is provided. The support structure includes a first and a second rod of an axle support of a motor vehicle, a positioning element, and a first and a second fiber winding. The positioning element fixes an alignment of the first rod relative to an alignment of the second rod. A first support section of the positioning element is drawn by the first fiber winding in the direction of a support section of the first rod, and a second support section of the positioning element is drawn by the second fiber winding in the direction of a support section of the second rod in order to hold the first and second rods in the fixed alignment relative to each other by a frictional connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Gerhard STEBER
  • Publication number: 20160280286
    Abstract: A cargo bed extender includes a pair of side mounting plates attached to a cargo bed sidewall, a center structure having a plurality of cross bars between a pair of end plates, and a pair of side structures with a plurality of cross bars between a front plate and a mast. Each side structure has a pivot rod engaging the side mounting plate, and a pair of spring biased feet, one of the feet extending from each end of the mast. Locking pins may be inserted through the front plate to engage the side mounting plate and hold the spring biased feet in a position where they exert forces against the tailgate or cargo bed floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Ryan Glover, Danney Dendy
  • Publication number: 20160280287
    Abstract: In a moving body side section structure that includes a flow correction fin 1A that is provided on a side section of a moving body, the flow correction fin includes a first inclined portion 1Ae which is formed at a front end in the longitudinal direction of the moving body and in which a width in a width direction of the moving body is widened toward a rear side in the longitudinal direction of the moving body, and a second inclined portion 1Af which is formed further rearward than the first inclined portion 1Ae in the longitudinal direction of the moving body and in which the width in the width direction of the moving body is narrowed toward the rear side in the longitudinal direction of the moving body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Narito FUJII, Masaaki MORIMOTO, Koshi YAMADA, Nagataka SASSA, Naohiko SAITO
  • Publication number: 20160280288
    Abstract: A rectifying device includes a rectifying member that is provided on a rear side of a vehicle with respect to a constituent member of a suspension device to extend substantially along a vehicle width direction and project downward. The constituent member of the suspension device is disposed to at least partly project from an underside part of a vehicle body and has a lower end disposed to be inclined in a front view of the vehicle. A lower edge of the rectifying member projects downward beyond the constituent member, and is inclined in a same direction as the lower end of the constituent member in the front view of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Takumi HASEGAWA
  • Publication number: 20160280289
    Abstract: A vehicle aerodynamic structure changes an airflow passing under a vehicle floor. The structure includes at least one aerodynamic add-on device that exerts an impact on the airflow passing under a lower surface of the vehicle floor. The device is disposed below the lower surface of the vehicle floor on the inboard side of an inboard surface of a tire so as to be located behind a front end of the tire or a flap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoto WATANABE, Shintaro HANAWA
  • Publication number: 20160280290
    Abstract: A vehicle mounted storage device for the ball mount and spring/torsion bar component of a trailer weight distribution system when the equipment is not in use. The storage device is comprised of a horizontal channel where the spring bars can be inserted, a vertical channel, where the ball mount can be inserted, and a horizontal tongue separating the two channels. When the spring bars are inserted into the horizontal channel with the heads of the spring bars resting on the tongue area and the ball mount is inserted into the vertical channel with the hitch ball directly above the spring bar heads, the spring bars are securely confined to the device. Once a locking device has been affixed to the ball mount, the device deters theft of the spring bars and ball mount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Terry R. Nehring
  • Publication number: 20160280291
    Abstract: A trailer hitch assembly and method characterized by having a hitch arm pivotally attached to a trailer such that when the hitch arm is placed in an unlocked position the hitch arm can pivot and when the hitch arm is placed in a locked position it is prevented from rotating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Calvin L. STEGEMOELLER
  • Publication number: 20160280292
    Abstract: A two track tractor with an active suspension system for reducing pitch jerk and a method of operation thereof utilizes a position sensor between a nose of the tractor and a front axle assembly connected to a forward rolling element. The gap between the nose and the front axle is continually measured and an average gap value is produced. An active suspension system is controlled by a microprocessor to vary the pitch angle between the tractor body and the axle assembly in order to maintain a target nose gap while limiting the pitch jerk experienced by the operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Ronald L. Satzler
  • Publication number: 20160280293
    Abstract: During the break-in period of track assembly components, galling can occur between the components during use. The components include a pin that is received within a bushing and alternatively a sleeve bearing between the pin and the bushing depending on the load. A method to prevent or reduce galling includes applying a coating of zinc phosphate and a low-friction layer on top of the zinc phosphate. The low-friction coating can be made of WS2 (Tungsten Disulphide), BN (Boron Nitride), MoS2 (Molybdenum disulfide) or PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) and deposited during a mechanical treatment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bao Feng, Mark Diekevers, William Baar, Douglas Weaver, Hyung Yoon
  • Publication number: 20160280294
    Abstract: The invention comprises a modular recreational vehicle platform comprising a plurality of pods, wherein the pods are joined to each other utilizing a floating tenon system, and wherein the platform comprises a user-selection assortment of pod types and sizes to achieve the desired platform configuration, with pod types including axle pods, mechanical pods, hitch pods, and spacer pods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Mark Dunithan, Mark Lucas
  • Publication number: 20160280295
    Abstract: An assembly of a vehicle fixed bodywork panel and a support part for this fixed bodywork panel, comprising one adjustment means in translation of the fixed bodywork panel comprising: a translation member engaging said support part along a member translation axis; a through hole arranged into a first portion of the bodywork panel, the member translation axis being offset from the through-hole, and; a translation coupling element for the translation member and the fixed bodywork panel engaging the through hole, so that moving the translation member along the member translation axis causes a translation of the fixed bodywork panel relative to the support part in a translation direction allowing the fixed bodywork panel to be in a desired position, e.g. flush with a mobile bodywork panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Ondrej SALAMON
  • Publication number: 20160280296
    Abstract: The presently disclosed technology is related to an assembly for the parking of one or more bicycles that includes a mounting bracket and an arm. The mounting bracket is configured for attachment to a wall. The proximal end of the arm is pivotally attached to the mounting bracket and the distal end of the arm has at least one opening configured for the attachment of a bicycle lock. The assembly is configured so that the arm may be secured in at least two different types of positions. The first type of position is a space-saving position, to which a user may position the assembly when no bicycle parking is needed. In the space-saving position, the arm may be positioned so as to be substantially parallel with the wall to which the assembly is mounted. The second type of position is a locking position, to which a user may position the assembly when bicycle parking is needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Joel Greenblatt
  • Publication number: 20160280297
    Abstract: A child's ride-on toy comprising a push rod and a removable cart connected to the child's ride-on toy is described. The push rod of a child's ride-on toy typically extends upward and rearward from a connector at the rear of the frame of the child's ride-on toy to a handle at a height that may be easily manipulated by an adult. The push rod may be manipulated by an adult to control the speed and direction of the child's ride-toy or removed and connected to the cart for use of the cart independently of the ride-on toy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2014
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Joachim Kettler
  • Publication number: 20160280298
    Abstract: A vehicle seat that provides rigidity of the seat while enabling weight reduction of the seat is provided. The vehicle seat has upper ribs projecting from a top surface and lower ribs projecting from a bottom surface in a seating region of a bottom plate. Also provided in the seating region are a center protrusion portion formed at a center portion and an annular protrusion portion formed outside the center protrusion portion to have a space therebetween. The upper ribs are formed at parts different from parts at which the center protrusion portion and the annular protrusion portion are formed, while the lower ribs are formed at the parts at which the center protrusion portion and the annular protrusion portion are formed. The upper ribs and the lower ribs are arranged alternately, while extending radially from the center protrusion portion toward the annular protrusion portion to form a honeycomb shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Tomohisa Chiba, Yoshinori Ueyama
  • Publication number: 20160280299
    Abstract: A control device for controlling a bicycle component in accordance with a seat position of a bicycle seat is provided. The control device may comprise a transmitter configured to transmit a signal relating to the seat position of the bicycle seat, and a mounting structure configured to detachably mount the transmitter to at least one of a bicycle seat post, a bicycle frame, and the bicycle seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Nobukatsu Hara
  • Publication number: 20160280300
    Abstract: A combined device for power generation, power regulation, and removable, rechargeable, power storage for a bicycle comprising of: a main housing, a primary drive gear located inside the main housing, said primary drive gear positioned on a bicycle such that the turning of the bicycle wheel turns the primary drive gear, a gear drive system having a rotor gear, an electronics module containing a plurality of electronic components to convert electrical input forms into a electrical output forms of preference, a rechargeable battery pack, a power output jack located on the removable battery pack housing, a hub mount that is clamped between a bicycle hub and a bicycle frame dropout by a clamping mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Aaron LATZKE
  • Publication number: 20160280301
    Abstract: A fuel pump of a straddle type vehicle is provided to be arranged suitably within a fuel tank. The fuel tank of the straddle type vehicle includes a vertically split upper tank and lower tank that have flanges joined by welding. The flanges are arranged to extend along an upper part of left and right main frames, which are inclined so as to extend in a forward and rearward direction. A fuel pump is arranged in an interior of the fuel tank through an opening provided in the lower tank. A pump flange section is provided in the fuel pump so as to close the opening. The lower tank is provided with a substantially horizontal flat portion. The flat portion has the opening, which is located on the lower side in an inclined direction of the main frames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Yusuke Inoue, Kohei Hirano
  • Publication number: 20160280302
    Abstract: A fuel supply device for a motorcycle having a fuel pump disposed on the outside of a fuel tank for saving with respect to an installation space and for making a fuel pipe connecting the fuel tank and the fuel pump shorter. A fuel supply device for a motorcycle includes a single main frame extending rearwardly from a head pipe; a fuel tank supported on the main frame; an internal combustion engine; a fuel injection device attached to the internal combustion engine; and a fuel supply portion having a fuel pump by which the fuel is supplied to the fuel injection device via a fuel pipe. The fuel pump is provided on the outside of the fuel tank and attached to the main frame in such a manner that an axial line in a direction in which to connect the fuel pipe is aligned along the main frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki OTO, Yuki MIZUKURA, Takeshi SHIMURA, Toshifumi GOTO
  • Publication number: 20160280303
    Abstract: A recumbent cycle includes a toothed belt drive system and rear suspension. It also includes a double A-arm suspension assembly and at least one transmission having a planetary gear arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: Recreation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: C. Martin Rasmussen
  • Publication number: 20160280304
    Abstract: A vehicle body frame structure of a straddle-type vehicle comprises a head pipe into which a steering shaft connected to a handle is inserted; and a pair of main frames extending rearward and outward in a vehicle width direction from the head pipe in such a manner that the main frames are spaced apart from each other in the vehicle width direction. Each of the main frames includes an upper frame extending rearward from an upper portion of the head pipe, and a lower frame extending rearward from a lower portion of the head pipe. Between the upper frame and the lower frame, a retraction space which is located inward in the vehicle width direction relative to an end portion of the handle in a turn operation state is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ishii, Tomo Yamamoto, Daisuke Saeki
  • Publication number: 20160280305
    Abstract: There is provided a saddle-ridden type fuel cell vehicle. The fuel cell vehicle includes: a body frame; a steerable wheel; a driving wheel; a motor; a fuel cell; a fuel tank; and a tank valve. The body frame includes: a head pipe; a down frame portion; a pair of upper main frame portions; a pair of lower main frame portions; and up frame portions. A tank placement portion is formed in a region encircled by the upper main frame portions and the lower main frame portions in the middle portion of the body frame in the front and rear direction. The fuel tank is placed on the tank placement portion so that an axis thereof extends in the front and rear direction. A guard frame is installed between the up frame portions to traverse the rear of the tank valve in a right and left direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinichiro TAKADA, Toru EGUCHI, Kazuyuki HIROTA
  • Publication number: 20160280306
    Abstract: In a saddle-type electric, a lower spring supporting a lower surface of a battery is provided on a bottom portion of a battery case. A cover covering the battery includes an upper spring to catch the battery together with the lower spring in the up and down direction. When the battery is placed in the battery case and the cover closes, the lower spring supports the lower surface of the battery and is elastically deformable in an extension direction and a compression direction and the upper spring presses the upper surface of the battery and is able to elastically deform in an extension direction and a compression direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shidehiko MIYASHIRO, Riki NAKAO
  • Publication number: 20160280307
    Abstract: A control device (60) of a mobile body (1) calculates a center-of-gravity displacement degree index value representing an estimate of the degree of displacement of the center of gravity of the operator in the lateral direction from a prescribed reference position with respect to a vehicle body (2), and determines a control input for an actuator (15) which can cause a moment in the roll direction to act on the vehicle body (2) so as to reduce the degree of displacement of the center of gravity of the operator indicated by the center-of-gravity displacement degree index value. The control device (60) controls the actuator (15) in accordance with the control input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Toru Takenaka, Kazushi Akimoto, Yuichi Uebayashi, Shinya Shirokura, Tomohiro Kawakami, Makoto Araki
  • Publication number: 20160280308
    Abstract: A front wheel suspension device for a saddle-ride type vehicle, includes a front fork for supporting a front wheel with a steering member that is rotated about a rotational axis in accordance with operation of a handlebar. A link member is composed of an upper link rockably connected to the steering member and a lower link rockably connected to the upper link and the front fork. A swing arm includes upper and lower arms. A supporting member forms a steering axis and rockably supports front ends of the upper and lower arms. The supporting member is of a cylindrical shape, and supports the front fork on the inside in the radial direction of the supporting member such that the front fork is rotatable about the steering axis. The length of the swing arm is ensured while increasing flexibility in the layout of the swing arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro TAGUMA, Hirotaka NAGATANI, Takayuki KITAYAMA, Konomu HOSHI, Hideki INAIZUMI
  • Publication number: 20160280309
    Abstract: A bicycle handlebar/stem/steering tube assembly has a handle bar diameter and a steering tube diameter there-within. One or both of the steering tube and the handlebar includes one of a depression, a diameter-reduction, and a through-hole configured to mate rigidly against the other of the steering tube and the handlebar and be affixed thereto by the stem at a handlebar/steering tube interface such that a stem offset is created of a dimension that is less than either the handlebar diameter and the steering tube diameter at the handlebar/steering tube interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Kirk A. Pacenti
  • Publication number: 20160280310
    Abstract: A motorcycle having an adjusting mechanism that allows a user to change the setting of at least a part forming a vehicle body by performing adjusting operation on the adjusting mechanism includes: a storage unit configured to store at least a plurality of pieces of adjustment information related to degrees of adjusting operation on the adjusting mechanism; a receiving unit configured to receive a request based on an input operation of the user; a selecting unit configured to select adjustment information corresponding to the request received by the receiving unit from the plurality of pieces of adjustment information in the storage unit; and an indicating unit configured to indicate the adjustment information selected by the selecting unit to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Keita MIKURA
  • Publication number: 20160280311
    Abstract: A vehicle height adjustment device includes a changer, a detector, and a controller. The changer is configured to change a relative position of a body of a vehicle to an axle of a wheel of the vehicle. The detector is configured to detect the relative position. The controller is configured to control the changer to change the relative position based on a detection value detected by the detector so as to control a height of the body as a vehicle height. The controller is configured to control the changer to maintain the vehicle height when there is a possibility of a malfunction in the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: Showa Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro KASUGA, Shunya SENDA, Takahiro KORESAWA
  • Publication number: 20160280312
    Abstract: A vehicle height adjustment device includes a changer and a controller. The changer is configured to change a relative position of a body of a vehicle relative to an axle of a wheel of the vehicle. The controller is configured to control the changer to make the relative position a target value so as to control a vehicle height of the body of the vehicle. The controller is configured to control the changer to maintain the relative position irrespective of the target value when a decreasing malfunction occurs causing the vehicle height to decrease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: Showa Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro KASUGA, Takahiro KORESAWA
  • Publication number: 20160280313
    Abstract: A vehicle height adjustment device includes a changer and a controller. The changer is configured to change a relative position of a body of a vehicle relative to an axle of a wheel of the vehicle. The controller is configured to control the changer to make the relative position a target value so as to control a vehicle height of the body. The controller is configured to control the changer to maintain the relative position when there is a possibility of a malfunction in a detector configured to detect a parameter for control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: Showa Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro KASUGA, Takahiro KORESAWA
  • Publication number: 20160280314
    Abstract: The front wheel suspension device for a saddle-ride type vehicle, includes a front fork having a lower end supporting a front wheel; a steering member rotatably supported by a body frame, and rotated about a rotational axis in accordance with operation of a handlebar; and a link member composed of an upper link and a lower link. The upper link of the link member has one end rockably connected to the steering member. The lower link has an upper portion rockably connected to the other end of the upper link and a lower portion rockably connected to an upper end of the front fork. A handlebar grip portion is formed at both ends of the handlebar in a vehicle width direction with the handlebar grip portion being disposed between the upper link and the lower link in a side view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro TAGUMA, Hirotaka NAGATANI, Konomu HOSHI, Takayuki KITAYAMA, Hideki INAIZUMI
  • Publication number: 20160280315
    Abstract: An object is to provide a front fork including a stroke sensor as well as a damping force variable device, and allowing structure of the front fork to be simplified. A front fork of an embodiment includes a pair of a first leg and a second leg. The first leg includes a stroke sensor section that detects a stroke amount of the front fork as a distance between extension and compression of the front fork. The second leg includes a damping force variable device that controls a flow of a working fluid contained in the second leg to enable a damping force to be varied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: Showa Corporation
    Inventor: Yosuke MURAKAMI
  • Publication number: 20160280316
    Abstract: An air suspension in an embodiment includes: a cylinder; a piston rod; a rod-side member disposed on the lower end side of the piston rod; a diaphragm; an axle-side attachment member having an upper end side of which is fixed to an opening at a lower end of the rod-side member, the axle-side attachment member including a fixing section for fixing the piston rod and an attachment hole joined to an axle; a gas passage formed in the axle-side attachment member, one end of the gas passage being opened to an upper end face of the axle-side attachment member and the other end of the gas passage being opened to a side section of the axle-side attachment member; and a valve section provided at the opening of the other end of the gas passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: Showa Corporation
    Inventor: Kojiro YOSHIDA
  • Publication number: 20160280317
    Abstract: A bicycle may include a rear suspension system to absorb forces impacting on the bicycle by allowing a rear wheel of the bicycle to be displaced relative to the bicycle frame. The rear suspension system may be adjusted in some versions to affect the travel path of the rear wheel as well as the leverage ratio curve to suit the rider's preference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Steven W. Hoogendoorn
  • Publication number: 20160280318
    Abstract: A brake for a bicycle includes a base, first and second arm assemblies. The first and second arm assemblies are pivoted to the base. The first arm assembly has a first end portion, for connection of a brake line a second end portion for frictionally contacting a brake side of a wheel rim. The second arm assembly is pivoted to the base and corresponds to the first arm assembly. The second aim assembly has a third end portion, a fourth end portion and a second abutting portion which is arranged on the third end portion. The second abutting portion is located correspondingly above the first abutting portion and interferable with the first abutting portion in a pivoting direction of the first abutting portion. The fourth end portion is swingable toward the brake side to clip the other brake side of the wheel rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Yuan-Hung Wen
  • Publication number: 20160280319
    Abstract: A two wheeled vehicle is propelled by the feet of a rider and hand-grasped poles when pushing against the ground. A forward wheel on a forward member and a rear wheel on a rearward member align along a longitudinal axis. The forward member rotates about a vertical steering axis. A saddle supports the rider. A torso brace allows the rider to balance and steer the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Robert B. Dodds
  • Publication number: 20160280320
    Abstract: Present invention provided a Pedal Driving Device for two wheels Scooter. It comprises a front driving-leg and a rear driving-leg rotatively connected to both upper ends. A driving-shoe provided at lower end of rear driving-leg. It imitates human' action, kicking back to produce momentum. A supporting-sliding wheel provided at front of the driving-shoe. For a two wheel scooter, it can be equipped with one or two set of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Wei Song, Feng Zhu, Ning Zhu
  • Publication number: 20160280321
    Abstract: A bicycle transmission device basically includes an input rotational shaft, an output part, a transmission mechanism that accelerates a rotational input that is input from the input rotational shaft and outputted to the output part, and a switching mechanism that selectively engages and disengages the transmission mechanism between the input rotational shaft and the output part. The transmission mechanism has first, second, third and fourth rotating bodies. The first rotating body is rotatable with the input rotational shaft. The second rotating body rotates around a stationary center axis with respect to the input rotational shaft and to which the torque of the first rotating body is transmitted. The third rotating body rotates with the second rotating body. The fourth rotating body receives torque from the third rotating body and rotates with the output part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventor: Takashi YAMAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20160280322
    Abstract: A torque sensor for electrically assisting a vehicle with pedals includes a housing, a rotating member, an actuator, and an resistor. The housing defines a receiving chamber and is configured to be coupled to the driving member. The rotating member is rotatably mounted in the receiving chamber and configured to rotate under an external force. The resistor is received in the receiving chamber and the actuator slides along the electrical resistance and compresses a spring as a rider applies force to the pedals. The variable resistor is coupled to a controlling module which governs the assisting power. The disclosure also includes an electric bicycle using the torque sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: YEN-CHI CHEN, CHANG-YUAN SHIH, SHIH-HSIN HSU