Frame Patents (Class 180/311)
  • Patent number: 8590910
    Abstract: A trailing arm mounting structure is capable of size reduction as well as weight saving of a trailing arm bracket while ensuring mounting rigidity. In the trailing arm mounting structure, a clearance is formed between an outer sidewall of a side member and an inner sidewall of an extended portion of a side sill. In addition, an inner sidewall of a mounting bracket for a trailing arm is attached to an outer sidewall of the side member while the mounting bracket for the trailing arm is disposed in the clearance. An outer sidewall of the mounting bracket for the trailing arm is attached to the inner sidewall of the extended portion of the side sill, and a base end portion of the trailing arm is supported between the inner sidewall and the outer sidewall of the mounting bracket for the trailing arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8562021
    Abstract: There is provided a front vehicle body structure including: a front sub frame mounted below front side frames; a tie rod disposed forwardly of an axle; a tie rod pressing member having a pressing portion which is mounted on the front sub frame forward of the tie rod and presses the tie rod when a collision occurs; and a rotational movement generating member for causing the tie rod pressing member to generate a rotational movement by deforming an area on which the tie rod pressing member is mounted in the front sub frame, by the load received when a collision occurs. The pressing portion is displaced by the rotational movement from a first position which is out of a steering range of the front wheels to a second position at which the pressing portion swings outward in the vehicle width direction and which allows pressing of the tie rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsumasa Kuwabara, Hiroyuki Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8544589
    Abstract: A deflector is attached to a frame on a vehicle in front of a front wheel which cooperates with the front wheel to glance a vehicle past a laterally offset impacting object. The deflector acts as a first boundary against the impacting object and the deflector turns the front wheel inboard to an inwardly turned position to act as a second deflecting boundary against the impacting object. The deflector and inwardly turned front wheel cooperate to deflect the vehicle past the object, such that the object passes outboard of a rocker member on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Dan Rupp, Michelle Duan, Hassen Hammoud, Benjamen David McClain, Stephen Thomas Kozak
  • Patent number: 8544587
    Abstract: A three wheeled vehicle is disclosed having a vehicle frame with a frame sidewall providing a substantially flat surface, with recesses in the flat surface. Alignment arms have inner ends and outer ends, where the inner ends are mounted to the frame sidewall, and the outer ends mount a wheel hub. The inner ends have couplings with pivotal portions and fixed portions, the pivotal portions being at least partially positioned within the recesses, and the fixed portions being attached to the substantially flat surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: James A. J. Holroyd, Gustavo A. Aramayo, Brian T. Utter, Jason J. Hohenstein, Vittorio Tomolillo, Mark Alan Ziliak
  • Patent number: 8534706
    Abstract: A vehicle frame having at least one elongated truss. The truss is elongated and generally triangular in cross sectional shape. Consequently, the truss includes three side walls. Each of the side walls is constructed from a sheet material, such as sheet metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Inventor: Herb Adams
  • Patent number: 8528683
    Abstract: A snowmobile chassis includes dual panels that form a lighter weight and stronger tunnel preferably without the need for structural doublers, plates or other attachable reinforcement devices. The dual panels take the form of inner and outer panels coupled together with selective gaps or spaces located between the panels. The gaps laterally separate the panels and may be continuous and take a variety of shapes as defined by each panel's configuration. The arrangement of the gaps may advantageously define a desired structural load path through the tunnel, increase a section modulus with respect to a centerline of the tunnel, and reduce an overall weight of the tunnel as compared with conventional tunnels that utilize added reinforcement devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Artic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Beavis, Jonathon Edwards, Ken Fredrickson, Ronald Bergman
  • Patent number: 8522909
    Abstract: An attachment structure of an electromotor, connected to rear wheels, of a vehicle, includes: a sub frame, to which the electromotor is assembled, provided at a rear portion of the vehicle, and having members extending in a longitudinal direction, and front and rear cross members extending in a width direction of the vehicle, the sub frame having a rectangular shape in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal and width directions; a receptacle provided at a front of the sub frame; and a rear motor mount provided at a rear of the rear cross member, a position of the rear motor mount being substantially the same as that of the electromotor in the perpendicular direction, the electromotor being provided at an upper side of the rear cross member; and a connection member, to which the electromotor is fixed, being provided at a lower side of the front cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yuzo Niina
  • Patent number: 8499878
    Abstract: A rear portion structure (100) of a motorcycle (1) comprises a chassis frame (5); a rear wheel (17) positioned below the rear portion of the chassis frame (5); a fender main body portion (110) anchored to the rear portion of the chassis frame (5) and positioned above the rear wheel (17); a fender hanging portion (120) configured separately from the fender main body portion (110) and covering at least a portion of the rear wheel (17); and a support stay (130) anchored to the rear end portion of the chassis frame (5) (rear end frame portion (5a), extending aft approximately horizontally from the rear end portion, and supporting the fender hanging portion (120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Yamakura, Jun Hirose
  • Patent number: 8499882
    Abstract: A utility vehicle comprises a vehicle body frame including a main frame including a floor member and a pair of right and left side members and a sub-frame for reinforcing the main frame, each of the side members includes a side pipe element, a first pillar pipe element, a second pillar pipe element and a third pillar pipe element, the sub-frame includes a first cross member provided between and coupled to second pillar pipe elements, one end portion of the first cross member is detachably coupled to one of the second pillar pipe elements and an opposite end portion of the first cross member is detachably attached to the other second pillar pipe element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Tsumiyama, Hidetoshi Kaku, Tyler Furman, Kazuhiro Maeda
  • Patent number: 8485303
    Abstract: A utility vehicle comprises a vehicle body frame, a first pair of pivot arms provided at right and left sides, respectively, at a front end portion of the vehicle body frame such that the pivot arms extend in a rightward and leftward direction from the front end portion and are vertically pivotable, the first pair of pivot arms being attached to front wheels at tip ends thereof, respectively, and a stabilizer having one end mounted to one of the first pair of pivot arms and an opposite end mounted to the other of the first pair of pivot arms. The stabilizer extends through a front side of the vehicle body frame, outside the vehicle body frame, from the one end thereof to the opposite end thereof, and has an intermediate portion located in front of the vehicle body frame and mounted to the front end portion of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Teruaki Yamamoto, Kazuhiro Maeda, Yoshinori Tsumiyama, Hidetoshi Kaku
  • Patent number: 8485555
    Abstract: A structural joint in a truck tractor frame includes a first frame member having an interface plate permanently mounted thereon, the interface plate having an interface surface contoured with a plurality of protrusions and depressions, which may be grooves and ridges. A second frame member has an interface surface contoured with a plurality of protrusions and depressions complementary to the plurality of protrusions and depressions of the interface surface of the interface plate. The second frame member is mounted to the first frame member with the interface surfaces in contact, with a plurality of releasable fasteners fastening the second frame member to the interface plate, wherein, the contoured interface surfaces interengage to resist linear and torsional shear forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Volvo Group North America, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Steven Hunt
  • Patent number: 8480102
    Abstract: In a lower vehicle-body structure of a vehicle, there is provided a rear connecting member swingably supporting a rear portion of a lower arm at a sub frame and a front side frame, the rear connecting member comprising a support portion to support the lower arm, a fifth connection portion to connect the sub frame and the support portion, and a fourth connection portion to connect the front side frame and the support portion. Further, there is provided a separation mechanism to separate the fourth connection portion off the front side frame in the vehicle frontal collision. Accordingly, the sub frame and the lower arm are separated off the front side frame by the separation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Ken Yamada, Kazuki Yamauchi, Hiroaki Takeshita, Masanobu Fukushima
  • Patent number: 8474870
    Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly includes a first frame member and a separate second frame member having an end portion connected to an end portion of the first frame member. A frame patch is interposed between and connected to the respective end portions of the first and second frame members. The frame patch together with the respective end portions of the first and second frame members defines a tri-layer patch configured to divide an input load applied longitudinally to the vehicle frame assembly into multiple force vectors which distribute the input load across a wide area of the vehicle frame assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert A. Ng, Brian E. Dressel, Kishore K. Pydimarry, David M. Edwards, Shawn T. Crichley, Takashi Nakano
  • Patent number: 8469132
    Abstract: A body frame for a motorcycle includes a seat rail formed from a circular pipe that extends horizontally rearward from an upper rear end of a main frame. A backstay formed from a square pipe extends obliquely upward and rearward from a lower rear end of the main frame. A bent part formed at a rear end of the backstay faces the seat rail in the longitudinal direction. Projecting parts are formed on both sides of a concave groove formed in an upper surface of the backstay. The projecting parts are offset in the width direction with respect to a center line of the seat rail and the backstay to allow the seat rail and the backstay to be easily welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Fumihiko Noichi
  • Patent number: 8465054
    Abstract: A system for providing crash compatibility between automotive vehicles is disclosed. The system includes crush horns and a bracket located below the longitudinal axis of the crush horns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Wlotkowski, Eric William Barrett, Michael M. Azzouz, Yu-Kan Hu, Leonard Anthony Shaner
  • Patent number: 8464827
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a vehicle body frame including a main frame to which an engine is mounted, the main frame including a round pipe having a circular cross-section and a rectangular pipe having a rectangular cross-section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Tsumiyama, Teruaki Yamamoto, Brian Butler
  • Patent number: 8453786
    Abstract: A front section for a motor vehicle body features a main frame that includes, but is not limited to an upper bumper carrier, a lower reinforcing element for the bumper that extends underneath the upper bumper carrier and a sub-frame that is elastically fixed on the main frame by means of a buffer. The buffer is held between an end piece of the reinforcing element and the main frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Theobald Hock, Viet-Hung Nguyen, Martin Leonhard Sachs
  • Patent number: 8453785
    Abstract: The application discloses embodiments of a universal pinning system for lift arms of a power machine or vehicle. In embodiments disclosed, the universal pinning system includes a universal shaft. Lift arms are coupled to the universal shaft to provide a common pivot axis for the lift arms. The universal shaft is coupled to a frame or support of the power machine or vehicle via a pinning assembly. As disclosed, the universal pinning system has application for radial lift arms operable along a radial path or vertical lift arms operable along a vertical path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Brandon J. Kisse, Mark F. Bares
  • Patent number: 8448732
    Abstract: In a vehicle in which side covers are disposed at the underfloor sides of a vehicle body, a totally enclosed main motor is disposed outside a frame of a chassis. The totally enclosed main motor includes an outside air ventilating flue through which the outside air is suctioned from a suction inlet, circulated and then exhausted from an exhaust outlet. The totally enclosed main motor uses the outside air ventilating flue to release heat generated internally to the outside. One end of a ventilating duct is connected to the suction inlet and the other end opens toward the outside of the vehicle at the side covers. With this, it is possible to supply the outside air from the outside of the vehicle thereby enhancing the cooling efficiency. Moreover, it is possible to use the totally enclosed main motor of a high capacity by disposing outside the frame of the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Masamichi Sakane
  • Patent number: 8444161
    Abstract: A vehicle has a frame, at least one front wheel, at least one front suspension assembly, at least one rear wheel, and at least one rear suspension assembly, a seat, a steering assembly, an engine, and an air intake system fluidly communicating with the engine. At least one of the front and rear suspension assemblies includes an air spring. An air compressor selectively supplies air to the at least one air spring. An inlet of the air compressor fluidly communicates with the air intake system. During operation of the air compressor to supply air to the at least one air spring, the air compressor draws air from the air intake system and simultaneously supplies the air to the at least one air spring. A control unit is electrically connected to the air compressor for controlling an operation of the air compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel LeClerc, Christian De Grammont
  • Patent number: 8434774
    Abstract: A vehicle has a frame, at least one front wheel connected to the frame, at least one front suspension assembly connecting the at least one front wheel to the frame, at least one rear wheel connected to the frame, and at least one rear suspension assembly connecting the at least one rear wheel to the frame. At least one of the at least one front and at least one rear suspension assemblies includes an air spring. A seat is connected to the frame. An engine is connected to the frame and is operatively connected to at least one of the wheels. An air compressor is connected to the frame and fluidly communicates with the at least one air spring for supplying air to the at least one air spring. A control unit is electrically connected to the air compressor for controlling an operation of the air compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Leclerc, Christian De Grammont
  • Patent number: 8413758
    Abstract: The vehicle body frame is configured in a manner that an upper tension pipe is removed from a first cross portion and a second cross portion. When mounting the engine in the vehicle body frame, the vehicle mounted component that is relatively heavy can be lowered into the vehicle body frame from above by removing the upper tension pipe. The vehicle body frame simplifies the removal and installation of the vehicle-mounted components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Shiina, Akihiro Yamashita, Hajime Uchiyama, Tatsuya Shiokawa, Yukinori Kurakawa, Masayuki Hirukawa
  • Patent number: 8408346
    Abstract: A motor vehicle front end has a frame, which supports a heat exchanger and has an upper horizontal crosspiece connected to two uprights by means of connection elements, which are plastically deformable so as to allow the upper horizontal crosspiece to be lowered in the event of an accident; the upper horizontal crosspiece comprises a rigid rear portion and a plastically deformable, front portion which is made of plastic material and is fixed to the rigid rear portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A.
    Inventor: Rosario Iania
  • Patent number: 8371595
    Abstract: A lower part structure in a vehicle body rear part has a rear suspension frame disposed in rear of a fuel tank and in front of a spare tire and has a mechanism for causing jump up of the rear part of the spare tire under load application from the vehicle rear. The lower part structure is configured so that the center in the vertical direction of the front part of the spare tire is located so as to lap on the extension line of vertical width of a frame in the vehicle width direction of the rear suspension frame, and when the spare tire is moved to the vehicle front by a load applied from the vehicle rear, the spare tire comes into contact with the rear suspension frame directly or indirectly, whereby the rear part of the spare tire is pushed up with the rear suspension frame side being the center, and is turned in the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kodai Taneda, Koji Uchida
  • Publication number: 20130020145
    Abstract: A receiver for towing is coupled to a vehicle that includes a frame, a rear axle, and a suspension system that couples the rear axle to the frame. The receiver including a body that defines a cavity sized to receive a towing attachment, and a suspension mount rigidly coupled to the body. At least a portion of the suspension system mounted to and supported by the suspension mount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Richard M. Mansfield, Matthew J. Zaremba
  • Patent number: 8353381
    Abstract: A transmission cross-member for supporting a vehicle's transmission includes a center portion, a pair of outer portions extending from the center portion and a pair of mounting flanges extending from the respective outer portions and connecting to the rails of the frame of the vehicle, wherein at least one of the mounting flanges is pivotally connected to one of the outer portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Inventor: Scott Melvin
  • Patent number: 8348006
    Abstract: A structure for mounting ancillaries on a vehicle wherein one end of a first bracket in a plate form extends downwardly and is fixed to a body frame and the other end of the first bracket supports a reservoir. In addition, the first bracket supports the regulator in the proximity of the reservoir. The reservoir attached to the forward end of the first bracket functions as a deadweight which, because of the inertia of the deadweight, suppresses the vibrations of the forward end of the first bracket due to vehicle traveling and engine rotation. Thus, this structure suppresses and attenuates the vibration of the regulator attached to the first bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Hirukawa, Taeko Togawa
  • Patent number: 8342282
    Abstract: Disclosed is a motorcycle fitted with a canister. A canister (55) is disposed along the body frame (20) at a position outside the body frame and closer to the body frame than the tip end of a tandem step (54R).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Kuramochi, Hikaru Yokomura, Yuji Tsujimoto, Koichi Nakayama
  • Patent number: 8287053
    Abstract: In a brake system for a motorcycle in which the operation of a pressure-regulating unit interposed between fluid pressure generator and a wheel brake is controlled by a control unit on the basis of a value detected by operating amount detector for detecting an operating amount of a brake operating element, to prevent the influence of vibrations transmitted from an engine from being exerted on the pressure-regulating unit. A support member for supporting the pressure-regulating unit is flexibly supported, though elastic members, by a pair of frame sections which are arranged on both the left and right sides of an engine body and by a crossmember which connects both the frame sections to each other on the rear side of the engine body so as to constitute a part of a body frame F together with the frame sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Tahara, Masatsugu Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8276276
    Abstract: A frame member for a frame assembly of a vehicle includes a first outer steel layer, a second outer steel layer and an aluminum core layer between the first outer steel layer and the second outer steel layer. The first outer steel layer, the second outer steel layer and the aluminum core layer are metallurgically bonded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas William Cordea
  • Publication number: 20120234979
    Abstract: The disclosure provides in one embodiment a method of insulating a structural frame member of a transport vehicle. The method comprises providing at least one flexible insulation member. The method further comprises providing at least two self-retaining foam insulation members. The method further comprises wrapping the flexible insulation member over a first end of a structural frame member of a transport vehicle and over at least portions of two sides of the structural frame member. The method further comprises positioning one self-retaining foam insulation member on each side of the wrapped structural frame member and in compression fit between each side of the wrapped structural frame member and adjacent structural frame members, such that the self-retaining foam insulation members impart one or more compression forces on the flexible insulation member to secure the flexible insulation member in place without use of any fastener device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Randall S. Smith
  • Patent number: 8256555
    Abstract: A three-wheel motorcycle having a support frame with rear wheels mounted on a double axle with differential there between for a drive from a powerful automobile type engine. A front portion of the frame supporting the front motorcycle type single steerable wheel and handlebars mounted thereto for conventional steering. Other features include a unique shock and spring mechanism for the support frame measuring no more than 6 inches off of the ground and having a center of gravity of 14 inches or less powered by an internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Raymond Ackley
  • Patent number: 8235156
    Abstract: A reinforced cab riser adapter, which adapts to standard roll-over protection structure (ROPS) to a swing frame on a hydraulic excavator resulting in improved rollover load bearing capacity, is disclosed. This invention is also retrofit-able and can be universally adapted to a wide variety of swing frames without cutting or welding of the base machine. The present invention relates to safety features with respect to attaching a cab to a frame on load bearing vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Koss
  • Publication number: 20120193162
    Abstract: In a saddle type vehicle having a swing type power unit swingably supported on the vehicle wherein the vehicle length can be made shorter. A motorcycle includes a link mechanism extending to the rear from a body frame through a link pivot. The swing type power unit includes an engine. A rear wheel is supported rotatably and swingably on the link mechanism. A cross frame extends between a pair of left and right lower frames with a link restriction section for restricting the turning amount of the link mechanism hanging downwardly from the cross frame. The link pivot is disposed under the lower frames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Hidenori NAGURA, Junichi SAKAMOTO
  • Publication number: 20120193163
    Abstract: An ATV is disclosed having a frame, a seat supported by the frame, front and rear wheels supporting the frame, a drivetrain supported by the frame, and an operator's compartment extending generally between the seat and a front enclosure. The front enclosure extends forwardly to a position proximate an axial centerline of the front wheels. Front lower alignment arms have an inner end and an outer end. Front struts have a shock absorber and a hub portion, where the front struts are coupled to the front lower alignment arms at a lower end of the front struts and the frame at an upper end. A steering mechanism is positioned forward of the axial centerline of the front wheels and is coupled to the front struts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Cory A. Wimpfheimer, Jeremy J. Utke, Matthew M. Kvien, Jeff S. Lovold, Jamie D. Omdahl, Timothy S. Wysocki
  • Patent number: 8226120
    Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle that permits adjustment of rider supports to ergonomically accommodate both a single rider and multiple riders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Norman O. Berg
  • Patent number: 8220581
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for locating a subframe to a vehicle body having a control hole. The device comprises a pin attached to the subframe and extending toward the vehicle body when the subframe is positioned for mounting to the vehicle body. The pin is adapted to engage the control hole to precisely align the subframe and the vehicle body. The invention also relates to a method for locating a subframe to a vehicle body having a control hole. The method comprises providing a pin on the subframe that extends toward the vehicle body when the subframe is positioned for mounting to the vehicle body, and engaging the pin with the control hole to precisely align the subframe and the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joe L. Buchwitz, Tim D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20120145471
    Abstract: A frame assembly and method for manufacturing such a frame assembly for a vehicle are disclosed. The frame assembly may comprise spaced apart tower walls separated by a middle portion and a foot joined to the tower wall. The foot and the tower wall may define a cavity. The foot may comprise a slanted front member, a rear member disposed opposite to the front member, and a side member. The side member may be disposed between the front and rear members and may be oriented to form an angle ? with the first tower wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Xiaoming Tan, Gerald Fuerst
  • Patent number: 8196958
    Abstract: A frame member for a frame assembly of a vehicle includes a first outer steel layer, a second outer steel layer and an aluminum core layer between the first outer steel layer and the second outer steel layer. The first outer steel layer, the second outer steel layer and the aluminum core layer are metallurgically bonded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas William Cordea
  • Patent number: 8196696
    Abstract: A vehicle frame structure includes a central frame member, extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction at a central portion of a body frame. The central frame member includes a front end joined to a second front cross pipe, and a rear end joined to a second lower crossmember behind the second front cross pipe. When viewed from the side, the central frame member extends in a substantially straight line along with the left and right front reinforcing pipes. The front end portion of the central frame member is joined to the second front cross pipe at a position inwardly of a joint between the left front reinforcing pipe and the second front cross pipe, and inwardly of a joint between the right front reinforcing pipe and the second front cross pipe. Such frame structure lowers level of a center of gravity of the vehicle, and enhances rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Karube, Toshiyuki Suzuki, Hiroyuki Kido, Ryota Yamagishi, Takeyuki Kariyasu, Naoki Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 8191930
    Abstract: Various embodiments of reduced-size vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and utility vehicles (UVs) are disclosed herein. In at least some embodiments, the vehicles include frames that are wider near the front and rear sections of the vehicles than within the mid-sections of the vehicles. This, in combination with the use of shock-absorbers that are substantially vertically oriented, allows for the opening-up of large interior cavities within the front and rear sections of the vehicles within which can be positioned large front and rear internal compartments that can provide storage/carrying capacity as well as added buoyancy for the vehicle, among other things. Also, in at least some embodiments, the vehicles can include special cooling and/or exhaust systems having components that are positioned substantially within the mid-sections of the vehicles, thus further increasing the amounts of space available for the cavities/compartments within the front and rear sections of the vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: American Off-Road Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eric A. Davis, Brian P. Davis, Richard A. Davis
  • Patent number: 8177017
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a traveling working machine, in particular an excavator, with an undercarriage on which the traveling gear is arranged, and an uppercarriage rotatably arranged on the undercarriage about a vertical axis of rotation. In accordance with the invention, the load-bearing steel construction of the uppercarriage is composed of at least one first and one second element, which are connected with each other via bolts and/or screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Liebherr-Hydraulikbagger GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Asam, Robert Foehr, Roland Wachter, Bernd Wager
  • Patent number: 8172029
    Abstract: A saddle-riding vehicle mounted with a V engine between a front wheel and a rear wheel, the V engine having a front cylinder portion extending obliquely forwardly and upwardly from a crankcase and a rear cylinder portion extending obliquely rearwardly and upwardly from the crankcase. A main switch is disposed between the front cylinder portion and the rear cylinder portion, and also an intake system is disposed between the front cylinder potion and the rear cylinder portion, wherein the main switch is fixed to the intake system. The main switch is disposed efficiently in terms of space utilization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenta Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8167382
    Abstract: A brake system for a motorcycle includes a pressure-regulating unit interposed between a fluid pressure-generating unit and a wheel brake. The operation of a pressure-regulating unit is controlled by a control unit on based on a value detected by an operating amount detector. The fluid pressure-generating unit is arranged between an engine body mounted on a body frame and an exhaust pipe extending from the engine body. The exhaust pipe is connected to the front surface of a cylinder head of the engine body, and is extended downwardly from the cylinder head. A support member for supporting the fluid pressure-generating unit is supported, through elastic members, by the engine body and frame members of a body frame of the motorcycle. The body frame extends rearwardly downwards from a head pipe connected to the body frame at a front end portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuji Tahara, Masatsugu Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20120097468
    Abstract: A construction machine is provided with a clamp receiver 30 with a projecting attachment pin 42, and a clamp body 31 attached onto the clamp receiver 30. The clamp body 31 includes a pair of clamping members 32, 33 which sandwich a hose 17 from both sides of the hose 17 in the diameter direction thereof, and a coupling mechanism which is operable to couple the clamping members 32, 33 to each other in a state that the hose 17 is sandwiched between the clamping members 32 and 33. Each of the clamping members 32, 33 is formed with a clamping member pin hole 40 for passing the attachment pin 42 therethrough. The clamp body 31 is thereby attached onto the clamp receiver 30 in a state that the clamp body 31 is movable in the length direction of the attachment pin 42.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki TAKEDA, Satoshi Kurushima, Daiki Nakabayashi
  • Publication number: 20120073893
    Abstract: In a motorcycle, a seat frame portion connects to a main frame portion and extends rearward. A seat is arranged above the seat frame. A rear wheel is arranged below the seat frame portion. A rear arm supports the rear wheel in a vertically moveable fashion. A rear fender connects to the rear arm. The rear fender is situated at least partly between the seat frame portion and the rear wheel in the vertical direction. A sari guard is arranged at least partly to the side of the rear wheel. The rear end of the rear fender is situated rearward from the upper end of the rear wheel. The lower portion of the sari guard connects to the rear arm. The upper portion of the sari guard connects to the rear fender.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Sakio MUROO, Jun HOSHIBA
  • Patent number: 8118127
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes a head pipe that supports a steering shaft which is arranged to rotate freely, a body frame connected to the head pipe, and an engine supported by the body frame in a suspended state. The body frame includes a main frame that extends obliquely downward to the rear from the head pipe and a pair of left and right subframes that extend obliquely downward to the rear from the main frame. The engine includes a crankcase and a cylinder that extends obliquely upward to the front from the crankcase. The cylinder is supported by a rear end of the main frame. The crankcase is supported by portions in two places separated to the front and the rear in the respective subframes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshimasa Miyabe
  • Patent number: 8113311
    Abstract: A chassis for a battery-operated industrial truck has a center chassis section (1) configured to hold a battery block. The center chassis section (1) is open on top, has a forward transverse wall (5), a rear transverse wall (6), an open side wall (7) provided with a lateral battery compartment opening (B), and a closed side wall (8) which is at a distance from the open side wall (7) in the transverse direction of the chassis. The center chassis section (1) has a chassis bottom (9) in the form of a rigid and torsion-resistant hollow body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Linde Material Handling GmbH
    Inventors: Udo Herrmann, Arne Eckhoff, Michael Harsche, Daniel Just, Marc Reinbott
  • Patent number: 8109535
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, the invention provides for a light truck including a frame with opposing longitudinal frame rails running along each side of the vehicle. The frame rails include at least a leading portion with vertical placement lowered and selected to substantially align with a passenger car energy management structure. In this embodiment, the vertical placement of the leading portion of the light truck frame rails is selected to direct impact energy to a passenger car longitudinal energy management structure, improving vehicle-to-vehicle compatibility in the event of a front longitudinal impact with a passenger car. The present invention also provides embodiments which increase the impact energy absorption capacity of a light truck by providing geometric softening of the frame rails and material softening of the frame rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Saeed D Barbat, James C Cheng, Raj Jayachandran, Senthilkumar Mahadevan
  • Patent number: 8104565
    Abstract: A body frame for a vehicle such as a motorcycle with a minimized number of parts. A main frame is connected to a head pipe and supports a rear arm to which a rear wheel is attached. A tank rail is connected to the head pipe at one end and to the main frame at the other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shidehiko Miyashiro, Toshio Okamoto