Front Forks And Heads Patents (Class 280/279)
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Patent number: 9399497Abstract: A straddle vehicle includes a steering stem coupled to a handle; a head pipe into which the steering stem is inserted; and a ring-shaped seal member provided at an end portion of the head pipe to seal a gap between the head pipe and the steering stem; wherein the seal member has a lip portion provided on an inner peripheral portion thereof and an engagement portion provided on an outer peripheral portion thereof; wherein the engagement portion is engaged with an inner peripheral surface of the head pipe; and wherein the lip portion is biased to slidably contact an outer peripheral portion of the steering stem.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2013Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Daisuke Watanabe, Taiga Takahashi, Shinsuke Nakazato, Takakiyo Yoshikawa
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Patent number: 9376160Abstract: An axle assembly for a bicycle is disclosed. The axle assembly is configured to be installed at a mounting structure on the bicycle to mount a rotating hub of a wheel on the bicycle. The axle is secured to the mounting structure by a bolt; the bolt is nested in a retainer secured to the mounting structure. The axle has at least one non-circular section engaging a corresponding non-circular section of the mounting structure. The retainer is installed in a threaded section of the mounting structure. At initial installation of the axle assembly the retainer and the bolt of the axle assembly are installed on the mounting structure; subsequent installation and removal of the wheel/hub is accomplished by installation and removal of the axle performed by rotation of the bolt (using a tool or a tool-free feature) nested in the retainer. The axle assembly can be installed in the front fork (such as a front suspension fork) or the rear frame of the bicycle or other wheeled vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2014Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: HAYES BICYCLE GROUP, INC.Inventor: Nicholas William Pye
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Patent number: 9371109Abstract: A tricycle may be operable between a first mode of operation steerable by a tricycle rider, and a second mode of operation steerable by an individual pushing the tricycle. A rider handle, in the first mode, may be configured to be rotationally coupled with the stem in a manner permitting a tricycle rider to exert forces on the rider handle and thereby turn the fork, and the rider handle in the second mode, being configured to be rotationally uncoupled from the stem, preventing forces on the rider handle from turning the fork. At least one rotation restrictor may be included for preventing the front wheel from turning to a position where the front wheel axis leads the fork axis, and for maintaining the front wheel axis in a position trailing the fork axis both when the tricycle is propelled by a tricycle rider in the first mode and when the tricycle is pushed from behind in the second mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2014Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Inventor: Yoram Baron
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Patent number: 9308960Abstract: A compression coupler is described that provides a robust and simple mechanism to couple threadless tubes in bicycles and/or scooters. Particularly, the handlebar/stem tube-to-fork joint is coupled with a compression sleeve. The coupler provides more surface area for binding and is tightened along a slot on the length of the coupler. The coupler can include a headtube bearing preloading mechanism , a keyway for aligning the handlebar/stem tube to the fork, and shims to accommodate different sized tubings.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2015Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Inventor: Andrew David Broussard
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Patent number: 9302729Abstract: A fork tube extension for motorcycles includes a cylindrical body having a reduced outer diameter at a first end forming a shoulder. A pair of the extensions is fitted between upper triple tree and lower triple tree portions of the motorcycle fork assembly. The fork tubes are fit up into the tube extensions in bored center cavities. Set screws provided in the cylindrical body are used to removably affix the fork tubes within the extensions. The depth of the center cavities determines the length of extension added to the fork tubes.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2014Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Inventor: Charles L. Brown
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Patent number: 9278480Abstract: Disclosed is a process for manufacturing composite material products, having the following operating steps: molding at least one main component made of a composite material and one or more secondary components made of a composite material by means of one or more main molds and one or more secondary molds, respectively; arranging one or more intermediate substrates of fibers, in particular carbon fibers, pre-impregnated with a resin, between the main component and/or the secondary components in a molding assembly comprising at least one main mold and/or one or more secondary molds; curing the resin of the intermediate substrates in the molding assembly, so that the main component and the secondary components are joined to each other through the intermediate substrates. The present invention also relates to a system which can be used in such process.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2012Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: AUTOMOBILI LAMBORGHINI S.P.A.Inventors: Attilio Masini, Nicolo Pasini, Luigi De Sario
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Patent number: 9266578Abstract: A replacement neck assembly for a motorcycle modifies the motorcycle frame to accept a larger front wheel diameter than the factory original, the replacement neck assembly providing the replacement neck, an optional fairing mount, the replacement neck accepting a factory or modified triple tree, whereby the motorcycle frame can accept the large front wheel without affecting the operating height of the motorcycle.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2014Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Misfit Industries US LLCInventor: Chris Eder
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Patent number: 9211933Abstract: There is provided a steering shaft modifier, capable of fundamentally preventing distortion generated in a new steering shaft, being easing aligned, and being simply assembled, including: a frame having a steering shaft penetrating portion formed in a front surface thereof and having a contact surface covering a portion of the steering head and disposed to be in contact with an upper bearing installation portion of a steering shaft installation portion; a shaft including a head portion caught by a lower bearing installation portion of the steering shaft installation portion of the steering head, a body portion passing through the steering shaft installation portion, and a connection portion connected to the frame; and a frame block including a lower contact surface tightly attached to a lower surface of the steering head in the rear of the lower bearing installation portion and coupled to the frame when installed.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2014Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Inventor: Hyun-Eui Lee
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Patent number: 9162726Abstract: A mobile vehicle 1A includes a front-wheel support mechanism 4 having a trail adjustment mechanism 9, a steering actuator 8 which generates a steering force for steering a front wheel 3f, a trail adjustment actuator 15 which generates a driving force for changing a trail of the front wheel 3f, and a control device 50. The control device 50 has a function of controlling the steering actuator 8 so as to stabilize the posture of a vehicle body 2, and a function of controlling the trail adjustment actuator 15 in accordance with an observed value of the vehicle speed.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2014Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Toru Takenaka, Kazushi Akimoto, Hiroshi Gomi, Yusuke Yamamoto, Takashi Kudo, Makoto Araki, Yoshiki Takahashi
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Patent number: 9156327Abstract: A suspension device includes a partition wall body which partitions the outside of a hollow pipe into a working chamber and a reservoir first chamber, a first piston which partitions the working chamber into an extension-side first chamber and a contraction-side first chamber, a first flow passage which allows communication between the extension-side first chamber and the reservoir first chamber, an extension-side second chamber which communicates with the extension-side first chamber, a second piston which partitions the interior of the hollow pipe into a contraction-side second chamber and a reservoir second chamber, a first damping flow passage which allows communication between an extension-side chamber and a contraction-side chamber, and a second damping flow passage which allows communication between the contraction-side chamber and a reservoir. A cross-sectional area of the extension-side second chamber is larger than that of the hollow pipe.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2013Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: KAYABA INDUSTRY CO., LTD.Inventor: Yasuhiro Kitamura
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Patent number: 9079631Abstract: A motorcycle neck adapter comprising a main body formed of a single piece of metal, and a cavity socket formed on an aft end of the main body. The cavity socket is configured to receive an existing motorcycle neck. An upper set screw opening is formed on a top surface of the main body. An upper set screw is installed into the upper set screw opening. The upper set screw is configured to engage an existing motorcycle neck at an existing motorcycle steering neck top opening. The upper set screw is secured to the upper set screw opening by a threaded connection. A lower set screw opening is formed on a bottom surface of the main body. A lower set screw is installed into the lower set screw opening.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2014Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Inventor: Vincenzo Costa
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Patent number: 9061727Abstract: In a motorcycle having a head pipe, and a pair of left and right frame sections including left and right down tubes extended rearward from the head pipe, a cross plate continuously connects the pair of left and right down tubes in a width direction of the motorcycle. The cross plate is elastically connected to the left and right down tubes. Such arrangement of the cross plate suppresses distortion of a pair of left and right frame sections including the down tubes extended so as to be connected by the head pipe, and also improves the controllability and straight traveling characteristic of the motorcycle.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2011Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shigeo Iijima
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Patent number: 9039023Abstract: In an outer tube for a front fork, a metal upper collar to which an upper vehicle body attaching bracket is connected is fitted and attached to an upper end portion of the plastic pipe, a metal sleeve is fitted and attached between an intermediate portion and a lower end portion of the plastic pipe, and the sleeve is provided with a lower collar to which a lower vehicle body attaching bracket is connected, and a seal case for inserting and supporting the inner tube.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2012Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Showa CorporationInventor: Tomoya Toda
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Patent number: 9027947Abstract: Embodiments of a fork brace for a bicycle are disclosed herein. In one aspect, a brace portion is integrally formed along with two tubular fork members and an overlay fits in a mating relationship with the brace portion to create a unitary, tubular brace.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2009Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.Inventors: Mario Galasso, William M. Becker, Andrew Laird
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Patent number: 9010789Abstract: A head parts assembly for a bicycle includes two bowls, a plurality of inserting members, two bead nests, and two end caps. The two bowls each are a circular structure and include a pipe-inserting hole, and a plurality of cable-inserting holes around the pipe-inserting hole. Each of the bowls further includes a receiving cavity in communication with the pipe-inserting holes, and the two bowls are disposed at two ends of the front frame pipe. The inserting members each are a hollow tubular structure with a cable hole for insertion of cables of the bicycle, and are screwed in the cable-inserting holes. The bead nests are rotatably disposed in the receiving cavities and abutted against the close ends, respectively. The two end caps are disposed in the open ends of the receiving cavities, and capable of rotating by abutting against the balls of the bead nests.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2014Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Neco Technology Industry Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yu-Hsin Wang
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Patent number: 9004517Abstract: A bicycle wheel carrier assembly is equipped with a rim brake with pads (5) which is built into the structure of the carrier assembly. The rim brake includes two actuating arms (3) and two pad-bearing brake arms (4). Each actuating arm (3) associated with a pad-bearing brake arm (4) is articulated in a recess of the structure of the carrier assembly between a first position in which it is retracted within the structure and a second position providing access to the pad-bearing brake arm (4).Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2012Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Look Cycle InternationalInventor: Sébastien Servet
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Patent number: 8998234Abstract: On a revolving frame (5), an operating oil tank (15) located on the front side of an engine (8) is provided, and a fuel tank (16) located on the front side of the operating oil tank (15) is arranged. A mounting member (17) is provided on the lower side of the fuel tank (16) across a part of a swing cylinder (14). Between the operating oil tank (15) and the mounting member (17), a vertical restraining element (20) for restraining the fuel tank (16) in a front-rear direction and a vertical direction and a lateral restraining element (25) for restraining the fuel tank (16) in a left-right direction are detachably provided. Therefore, the fuel tank (16) can be restrained in two directions, that is, in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2012Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventors: Makoto Motozu, Teruo Irino, Kouhei Urase, Yuuki Umizaki, Toshihiro Sako
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Publication number: 20150091272Abstract: The set of bicycle headsets that are threadless and/or have pressed frame cups/races can be locked to prohibit the nominal rotation of the headset and bicycle handlebars about the bicycle's steer tube by this invention. This invention uses standard threadless headset components in addition to three newly invented components: The upper head tube race with spin-lock grooves, the external ring lock, and the headset spacer with spin-lock grooves. The locking configuration is achieved by mating male pins on the interior surface of the external ring lock with female spin-lock grooves that are on the exterior surfaces of the upper head tube race with spin-lock grooves and headset spacer with spin-lock grooves. There are a sets of spin-lock grooves that, when the male pins are mated accordingly, provide the locked and unlocked configurations of the headset.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2013Publication date: April 2, 2015Inventor: Corrina Ladakis Gibson
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Patent number: 8991543Abstract: In a straddle type vehicle having front forks, the left front fork is in an elliptical shape portion whose axial cross section is formed so as to be wider in the width direction of the vehicle as compared to a length in the front and rear direction at the portion located in front of the brake caliper. The brake caliper is disposed so as to be overlapped with the elliptical shape portion, viewed from the front direction of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2013Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Akira Nagakubo
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Patent number: 8979110Abstract: A bicycle including a frame, a bottom bracket coupled to the frame and adapted to support a crankset, and a battery pack supported by the frame. The battery pack has a powered end cap with a tapered protrusion and a battery connector on an end of the tapered protrusion. The bicycle also includes a receiver supported by the frame and including a tapered socket in which the tapered protrusion is positioned. The tapered socket includes a power connector detachably coupled to the battery connector.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Jan Talavasek, Amber R. Lucas, Ian Hamilton, Robert F. Meyer, Markus Spenninger, Holger Krauss
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Patent number: 8974009Abstract: An axle for removably retaining a wheel on a vehicle. The axle comprises a rotary-type connector at a first end thereof; a cam assembly operatively connected to the second end, the cam assembly including a cam having an axis of rotation; a lever operatively connected to a second end of the axle, said lever being rotatable about an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the cam, between an open position in which the axle is removable from and mountable on the vehicle and a closed position in which the axle is retained on the vehicle; and a cam assembly operatively connected to the second end; and a lever stop ensuring that an angle of maximum rotation for the lever from the closed position is less than 180 degrees.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2012Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Laird, Mario Galasso, William Becker, David Haugen
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Patent number: 8950770Abstract: A vehicle steering head for a tricycle having a frame, the vehicle steering head including a support tube fixed to the frame of the tricycle. An upper bearing support mounted to the support tube. A lower bearing support is non-rotatably mounted to the support tube. A connecting element is mounted to the support tube via the upper and lower bearing supports. A wheel fork is arranged at a lower end of the connecting element. A mudguard is arranged between the wheel fork and the lower bearing support. The steering also includes non-axially movable angularly spaced stop surfaces and movable stop surfaces that can rotate with the connecting element.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2013Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Kettler International, Inc.Inventors: Heinz Kettler, Joachim Kettler, Reinhard Rocholl
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Publication number: 20150035249Abstract: A forged head pipe for a motorcycle frame is integrally formed and includes a main frame attachment portion, a pipe portion, and a lower extension extending downwardly from the pipe portion. A down frame attachment portion is provided on the lower extension, and is spaced away from the main frame attachment portion and the pipe portion. A down frame is welded to the down frame attachment portion by contacting the same without inserting the same. The down frame attachment portion is configured from a connecting portion, extending in parallel to the pipe portion, and an extension extending rearwardly from a lower end portion of the connecting portion. By eliminating an insertion socket, manufacturing cost is reduced, and welding quality is improved by spacing the down frame downwardly below the main frame attachment portion and the pipe portion, to which a high load is applied.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventor: Munehiro TODA
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Publication number: 20140375016Abstract: A tricycle having limited steering includes a front wheel mounted to a lower end of a wheel fork. A support tube is connected to a frame. A seat is mounted to the frame. A rear axle is included. Rear wheels are mounted to the rear axle. An upper end of the wheel fork extends upwards and into the support tube. A mudguard has front and back portions configured to extend over portions of the front wheel and side portions configured to extend over portions of the lower end of the wheel fork. A projection has an upper end arranged above an annular surface of the mudguard.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2014Publication date: December 25, 2014Inventors: Heinz KETTLER, Joachim KETTLER, Reinhard ROCHOLL
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Patent number: 8905409Abstract: A stroke detection device includes a stem shaft which is formed of a conductor in a shape of a cylinder, in which a center line of the cylinder is located in parallel to center lines of inner tubes and outer tubes of front forks coupled to a bracket, and which serves as a steering center axis of handlebars of a motorcycle, and a coil which is formed of a conductor and provided so as to be movable in a direction along the center line of the cylinder of the stem shaft with movement in a direction along the center line of the inner tubes and the outer tubes of the front forks, in which a variation in inductance of the coil based on change in length in which the coil and the cylinder of the stem shaft overlap each other is output.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2013Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Showa CorporationInventor: Yosuke Murakami
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Patent number: 8876137Abstract: A frame for a bicycle and a bicycle equipped therewith, wherein the frame includes a frame body having a top tube and a down tube, and at least one supporting device connecting the top tube to the down tube. A supporting device includes a flow-through opening through which, when used as intended, at least part of the arriving air flows.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2010Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Inventor: Morgan Nicol
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Publication number: 20140312591Abstract: A blow molded toy cycle has a female bearing area with tapered and recess sections. A fork has a corresponding male bearing area that includes a tapered section and an annular protrusion section. A protrusion spaced at a distance from the annular protrusion extends from the shaft and has a surface to contact a top surface of the body to secure the fork when the male and female bearing areas are in contact. The fork has integrally formed tabs that to bend around an axle to form a bearing area for the axle that allows the axle to rotate within the fork. A blow molded pedal attaches to a section of the axle and has a series of ribs disposed between side sections to form a bearing area that allows the pedal to rotate around the axle. Two rear and one front wheels attach to the body and fork respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2014Publication date: October 23, 2014Inventors: Jeffrey Scott Anderson, Andrew James McDonnough, Pamela Jo Naeve, Duane David Franzen, JR., Alan Walter Knapper, Michael Grinnall
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Patent number: 8864160Abstract: A front fork in which a stroke amount of a spring leg that relies on an air spring can be detected precisely, wherein pressure leaks in the spring leg are detectable. The front fork has: a guide cylinder that extends from one of a vehicle body-side tube or an axle-side tube that make up a spring leg; a piston mounted to the leading end of a guide rod extending from the other one of the tubes; an inner airspring chamber in the interior of the guide cylinder; an outer airspring chamber, outward of the inner airspring chamber, in the interior of the vehicle body-side tube and the axle-side tube; first and second detectors for detecting pressure and temperature in the outer airspring chamber the inner airspring chamber, respectively; and stroke detection compensator for detecting a stroke amount on the basis of outputs of the first and second detectors.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2013Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Showa CorporationInventor: Shigeki Awasa
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Patent number: 8864405Abstract: A releasably locking device, and clamping element for such a device, secures a bicycle component to a bicycle frame. The device has a traction rod associated with a rotation cam extending in a housing. The rotation of the cam is driven by a lever-operated manual actuation system between a clamping operating position and a release position. The rotation cam has two ends that can be commanded into synchronous rotation through said lever-operated manual actuation system.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2013Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.Inventor: Mario Meggiolan
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Publication number: 20140291960Abstract: A saddle-ride vehicle includes a steering shaft, a head pipe, a main frame, a top bridge and a bottom bridge, an upper end bearing and a lower end bearing, a potentiometer, a bracket, and a thread nut. The steering shaft has a shaft axis. The head pipe supports the steering shaft to be rotatable around the shaft axis. The main frame extends from the head pipe toward a rear side of a vehicle body. The top bridge and the bottom bridge are fixed to upper and lower ends of the steering shaft, respectively. The upper end bearing and the lower end bearing are provided inside the head pipe at upper and lower ends of the head pipe, respectively to support the steering shaft rotatably. The potentiometer includes a cable and is configured to output an electric signal in accordance with a pullout amount of the cable.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yotaro MORI, Kineo TOMURA, Zentaro KATSUNO
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Publication number: 20140284899Abstract: A two-wheeled vehicle 1 includes a steering section 6 which steers a front wheel 4. The steering section includes a steering shaft link 13 which turns about a first steering axis 10 together with a second steering axis 11, a front-wheel support section 14 which turns the front wheel 4 about the second steering axis 11, and a first motor 15 which causes the steering shaft link 13 to turn. A caster angle ? based on the first steering axis 10 is positive or 0. A trail t1 based on the second steering axis 11 is positive. When the two-wheeled vehicle 1 is in a basic posture state on a ground surface 12, the intersection point P3 of the second steering axis 11 and the ground surface 12 lies in front of the intersection point P2 of the first steering axis 10 and the ground surface 12.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2014Publication date: September 25, 2014Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Toru Takenaka, Hiroshi Gomi, Hiroyuki Makino, Kazushi Akimoto, Naoyuki Saito
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Patent number: 8833784Abstract: A vibration dampening bicycle fork assembly includes a pair of fork legs that sweep in a forward direction relative to a longitudinal axis of a steerer tube that extends in an opposite direction from a fork crown. A dropout is secured to a distal end of each fork leg and a dampener formed of an elastomeric material wraps about at least a portion of an exterior surface of each dropout. A passage extends through the dropout, is offset from the respective fork leg and is aligned with a pair of openings formed in opposite lateral sides of the dampener. An optional fastener cooperates with the passage and the openings and has a mass that is selected to further counteract vibration of the respective fork leg.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Trek Bicycle CorporationInventor: Steven Moechnig
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Patent number: 8833785Abstract: A clamping system for a vehicle fork with a suspension system features a lower triple clamp (24) and an upper support (25), the lower triple clamp (24) having a lower plate (242) and a fork shaft (240) to be mounted in a way that enables it to pivot on the vehicle frame (23), the lower plate (242) having two lower housings (241a, 241b) to receive two shock absorbers (21a, 21b) set parallel to one another and in front of the fork shaft (240). The clamping system (2) includes fitting devices to assemble the upper support (25) on the fork shaft (240) and stiffening devices (26a, 26b) set apart from the fork shaft (240) to maintain the relative orientations of the lower triple clamp (24) and the upper support (25).Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2010Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Eurl Stephane Wagner MecaniqueInventor: Stéphane Wagner
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Publication number: 20140252744Abstract: A bicycle including a front wheel, a rear wheel, and a bicycle frame assembly supported on the front and rear wheels. The bicycle frame assembly includes a front fork supported by the front wheel, and a main frame that has a head tube and a down tube extending rearward and downwardly relative to the head tube. The down tube has a front wall, a rear wall, and an internal strut connecting the front wall and the rear wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.Inventor: Christopher P. D'Aluisio
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Patent number: 8825322Abstract: A bicycle component controlling includes at least a first sensor and a controller. The first sensor detects a first operating condition, whether a rider is sitting on a bicycle seat. A second sensor is provided that detects a second operating condition. The sensors output signals indicative of the respective operating conditions. The controller is operatively connected to at least the first sensor and possibly the second sensor. The controller is configured to generate a component control command to control a bicycle component based on at least the first signal and the possibly the second signal. The bicycle component is a component other than an automatic transmission and a suspension when the second sensor is not provided. If the second sensor is provided, a suspension and automatic transmission is controlled, or components other than an automatic transmission and a suspension is controlled.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2013Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Hideki Ikemoto, Tadashi Ichida, Nobukatsu Hara, Toyoto Shirai
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Patent number: 8770609Abstract: A bicycle is provided having a unitary steering tube-crown member and a unitary crank arm-spindle member. A multistage aluminum 3D forging process is used to form the unitary members. This may allow the fabrication of components with substantially hollow interior areas to reduce weight, reduce part count while maintaining high strength and ductility. The multistage 3D forging process provided also allows the combination of multiple components into a single unitary part.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2010Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Cycling Sports Group, Inc.Inventors: Christopher P. Dodman, Stephen B. Metz, Morten Kristiansen
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Patent number: 8770610Abstract: A suspension for a two-wheeled vehicle includes first and second fork legs. Each fork leg includes a dropout. Each dropout has an opening therethrough. At least a portion of one of the openings is threaded. Each of the dropouts includes a split-clamp pinch bearing defining the opening and operable between an open position and a locked position, and a hand operable actuator pivoted to the bearing for operation thereof. The suspension further includes a one-piece axle. The axle is disposed through the openings. The axle has a threaded first end engaged with the threaded portion. The axle has an ergonomic grip formed at a second end. The bearing tightly engages an outer surface of the axle in the locked position, thereby rotationally coupling the axle to the dropout.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2012Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.Inventor: Andrew Laird
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Patent number: 8769793Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a suspension. In one embodiment, a method includes altering a temperature of a first suspension component and then pressing the first suspension component and a second suspension component into engagement while the temperature remains substantially altered.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2011Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Fox Factory, Inc.Inventors: William M. Becker, Derek D. Beich
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Publication number: 20140175768Abstract: A bicycle including a frame, a bottom bracket coupled to the frame and adapted to support a crankset, and a battery pack supported by the frame. The battery pack has a powered end cap with a tapered protrusion and a battery connector on an end of the tapered protrusion. The bicycle also includes a receiver supported by the frame and including a tapered socket in which the tapered protrusion is positioned. The tapered socket includes a power connector detachably coupled to the battery connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2014Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventors: Jan Talavasek, Amber R. Lucas, Ian Hamilton, Robert F. Meyer, Markus Spenninger
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Publication number: 20140167382Abstract: A front wheel supporting structure for a vehicle comprises a front arm for supporting a front axle and a suspension mechanism for resiliently suppressing vertical swinging motion of the front arm. The suspension mechanism includes a damper member disposed along a lateral direction between a head pipe and the front arm, and a connecting member for connecting the front arm with the damper member such that vertical swinging motion of the front arm is converted into lateral motion of the damper member.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2013Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroshi ISHII, Daisuke SAEKI
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Publication number: 20140167381Abstract: A front wheel supporting structure for a straddle-type vehicle includes a front arm which supports a front axle and which extends rearward from a front axle to a location behind a front wheel, and a pair of upper and lower link members which is turnably connected to two vertically separated portions of a rear end of a front arm. The link members extend rearward. Rear ends of the link members are turnably connected to a vehicle body-configuring member. The front wheel supporting structure includes a front suspension mechanism which suppresses turning motion of the front arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2013Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hiroshi ISHII, Daisuke SAEKI
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Publication number: 20140151975Abstract: A method of designing and manufacturing a model of bicycles in such a manner that the size (e.g., diameter) of the head tube bearings and/or the stiffness of the forks varies between frame sizes. The method includes selecting first and lower headset bearing sizes for the first and second frame sizes, respectively, wherein the first lower headset bearing size is different than the second lower headset bearing size. The method further includes manufacturing first bicycles of the first frame size and second bicycles of the second frame size, and coupling first and second lower headset bearings to the first and second bicycles, respectively. The same model designations are then attached to each of the first and second bicycles. This same method can also be used with models having more than two frame sizes. The difference in size of the lower headset bearings and/or fork steerer tubes can be substantially proportional to the difference in length of the seat tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2014Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.Inventor: Christopher P. D'Aluisio
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Publication number: 20140145413Abstract: The invention relates to a front suspension fork stanchion/slider torsion brace structure which attaches to the axle clamp portion of each front fork leg of a two wheeled vehicle whose primary function is to externally resist the legs twisting along the primary steering axis of the fork to reduce flexure of the fork during operation and use by resisting the rotation of the stanchions inside the upper tubes of the fork legs. The added stiffness of the system thus transmits torque to the upper clamps/crowns and maintains perpendicularity between the wheel and the handlebars.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2012Publication date: May 29, 2014Inventors: Christopher Joshua Baltaxe, Bryson Martin
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Publication number: 20140138932Abstract: The present invention discloses a tricycle vehicle having a cart. According to the invention the tricycle vehicle includes a riding module (101) having a front wheel (102), a steering assembly (107) and a frame (105) having a rear tube. The tricycle vehicle also includes a cart module (103) having two wheels (104), a body (111) configured to carry a bag, a base having a base frame and a handle (112) configured for steering the tricycle vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2012Publication date: May 22, 2014Inventor: Yoram Baron
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Patent number: 8727081Abstract: A restraint device for being secured on a telescopic suspension comprising a first portion, which may be a fork band comprising a first restraining hook, a second portion comprising a body, a trigger, at least one magnetic member, and a second restraining hook, wherein the first restraining hook and the second restraining hook are configured to selectively engage one another to secure the suspension in a compressed position, and wherein the at least one magnetic member is configured to retract the second restraining hook when the device is disengaged to permit normal operation of the suspension.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2012Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Works Connection, Inc.Inventor: Eric Phipps
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Publication number: 20140131974Abstract: A bicycle frame assembly having a number of elongate tubes that are connected to define a shape of the bicycle frame. The assembly includes a passage that is defined by the elongate member, a partition, and a bridge. The partition isolates the passage from an interior volume of the elongate tube. The bridge extends in a direction normal to an elongate direction of the passage and defines an inlet and an outlet of the passage. The inlet, outlet, and bridge are generally flush with an exterior surface of the elongate tube and provide a passage that cooperates with a flexible connector, such as a cable tie, for securing supplemental structures, such as brake and shift control cables, to the elongate tube of the bicycle frame assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2013Publication date: May 15, 2014Inventor: James Colegrove
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Publication number: 20140131128Abstract: A two-wheeled vehicle includes a frame, a plurality of ground-engaging members for supporting the frame, and an engine supported by the frame and operably coupled to the ground-engaging members. Additionally, the two-wheeled vehicle includes a windshield assembly operably coupled to the frame and an adjustment member operably coupled to the windshield assembly. A vehicle control unit is operably coupled to the adjustment member and is configured to automatically actuate the adjustment member for adjusting the position of the windshield assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2013Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: Indian Motorcycle International, LLCInventors: Kory J. Schuhmacher, Gustavo A. Aramayo, II, Clark D. Davis, Clark E. Zellmer, Jeffrey P. Wolf, Andrew J. Novak, Ryan P. Lenton, Donald W. Kahl
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Patent number: 8720928Abstract: This invention allows motorcycle owner to easily change the rake and height of a motorcycle by the providing an upper tree assembly with spherical bearing connected by a center stem internally to the frame neck bearing housing. The lower tree assembly with a spherical bearing and an interchangeable degree rake puck being connected to the center stem. Tube extensions inserted into the motorcycle stock factory fork tubes and attached to the upper tree and lower tree allows height adjustments. A removable screw in the top of tube extensions inserted into a hollow bore through the center of tube extension allows service of the motorcycle fork tube hydraulic oil.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2011Date of Patent: May 13, 2014Inventors: Paul David Delpit, Charles Leonard Hudson, David Kenneth Howlett
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Publication number: 20140125033Abstract: A steerer tube suitable for a bicycle fork assembly. The steerer tube comprises an inner tube formed of a metal, an outer layer, the outer layer being wrapped around a section of the metal inner tube; and the outer layer being formed of a material, wherein the material is lighter than the metal for the inner tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Inventors: Philip Gordon White, Ted Peter Orfanogiannis
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Publication number: 20140091551Abstract: An apparatus is provided for bicycles to make them more utilitarian and functional. The attachment is easily attached, and potentially attached without damage or significant modification to the bicycle. The apparatus includes a frame member attached to the bottom bracket portion of the existing bicycle, and a gimbal attached to the fork of the existing bicycle in place of the original front tire. The apparatus is steerable using the handle bars and fork on the existing bicycle frame, and is configured for stability when cornering. The apparatus includes a cargo carrier located in front of the cycler where it is easy to see, while maintaining a stable center of gravity and also an ability to lean into corners for cornering stability. Variations include one or two front wheels, and one or two steering drive links. Also, the apparatus is a flexible design providing multiple potential utilitarian uses.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: Hauler Cycles, LLCInventor: Christopher J. Walter