Front Forks And Heads Patents (Class 280/279)
  • Patent number: 7543835
    Abstract: A fiber reinforced plastic bicycle fork uses a reinforced crown steer tube junction extending the steer tube through a tapered socket to the brake bolt such that the metal steer tube coacts with the fiber reinforced plastic fork to preserve structural integrity in the event of application of high stress to the fork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Trek Bicycle Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Paul Murphy, Chad Manuell
  • Publication number: 20090140508
    Abstract: A fork assembly for a bicycle including a frame having a head tube. The fork assembly includes a fork having a fork crown, a steerer tube, and a transition that couples the fork crown to the steerer tube. The transition is adapted to be positioned within the head tube, and defines a transition point between the transition and the steerer tube. The transition has an outer dimension that increases from the steerer tube toward the fork crown. The fork assembly also includes a bearing located adjacent the transition point and configured to rotatably support the fork within the head tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Callahan, Christopher Paul D'Aluisio
  • Publication number: 20090134598
    Abstract: The following method involves a bicycle steering assembly on a steerer member attached to the bicycle's front fork. A threaded top portion of a headset bottom cup is inserted into a threaded bottom end of a head tube and the headset bottom cup is rotated until a bottom portion of the headset bottom cup abuts against the head tube. A threaded bottom portion of a headset top cup is inserted into a threaded top end of the head tube and the headset top cup is rotated until a top portion of the headset top cup abuts against the head tube. A bearing is juxtaposed between the bottom portion of the headset bottom cup and the top portion of the headset bottom cup. A bearing is juxtaposed between the top portion of the headset top cup and the bottom portion of the headset top cup. The steerer member is slid through the following in order: the headset bottom cup, the head tube, and the headset top cup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Michael McKernan, Eric Kackley
  • Patent number: 7537231
    Abstract: A bicycle fork and frame assembly comprising a frame having a head tube including an outer dimension, a fork including a fork crown and a steerer tube positioned in the head tube, an upper bearing, and a lower bearing having a diameter. The upper and lower bearings are configured to rotatably support the fork within the head tube. The head tube includes a first end proximal to the fork crown and a second end distal to the fork crown. A ratio is defined by a distance from the first end of the head tube to the lower bearing divided by the diameter of the lower bearing, and the ratio is at least about 0.20, preferably at least about 0.25 and more preferably at least about 0.30. The assembly can further include a transition coupling the fork crown to the steerer tube and defining a transition point between the transition and the steerer tube. The transition has an outer dimension that increases from the steerer tube toward the fork crown, and the lower bearing is located adjacent to the transition point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Callahan, Jan Talavasek
  • Patent number: 7533894
    Abstract: A cycle direction control which pivotally couples each of the opposed ends of an axle to a corresponding one each of a pair of members which operate in directionally opposed travel to control direction of an annular member which rotates about the axis of the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Inventor: Bradley Dean Ehler
  • Publication number: 20090108558
    Abstract: A system for limiting a range of motion of a handlebar including a support tube adapted to be fixed to a frame, a member adapted to connect a wheel fork to the handlebar, an upper bearing support mounted to an upper end of the support tube, a plastic lower bearing support mounted to a lower end of the support tube, the member being rotatably mounted to the support tube via the upper and lower bearing supports, and a movement limiting system limiting a range of rotational movement of the member and utilizing stop surfaces arranged on the lower bearing support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: HEINZ KETTLER GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Heinz KETTLER, Joachim Kettler, Reinhard Rocholl
  • Patent number: 7520520
    Abstract: A bicycle fork assembly that includes a fork having a fork crown, a steerer tube, and a transition that couples the fork crown to the steerer tube to define a transition point between the transition and the steerer tube. The transition has an outer dimension that increases from the steerer tube toward the fork crown. A bearing is configured to rotatably support the fork within a head tube of a bicycle frame, and the bearing is located adjacent the transition point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Callahan, Christopher Paul D'Aluisio
  • Publication number: 20090096185
    Abstract: A bike stem with angle adjustable includes a drum shaped inner insertion body contained in a linking base provide to a body of the stem; an accommodation portion disposed in the linking base to receive the drum shaped inner insertion body also indicates a drum shape; a spacing is defined between the drum shaped inner insertion body when received in the accommodation portion and a top of the linking base; the drum shaped inner insertion body is inserted and secured onto a fork; a cover is disposed externally to the linking base; a spacing defined between the drum shaped inner insertion body and the drum shaped accommodation portion of the linking base permits the stem to execute longitudinal swing for angular adjustment for the stem to achieve easy adjustment and provide more functionalities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Sung Yun Wu, Chun Yang Wu
  • Publication number: 20090079160
    Abstract: A stem assembly for a bicycle has a body, a clamp and a connecting device. The body is connected to the bicycle between a head tube and a handlebar and has a handlebar mount and a fork mount having two recesses. The clamp is mounted in the body and around the head tube and has two jaws. Each jaw is curved and has a convex hemisphere corresponding to the recesses of the fork mount to allow an angle of the stem assembly to be adjusted. The connecting device is connected to the clamp and the head tube and has a cap, a spacer and a fastener. The cap is mounted on the fork mount. The spacer is mounted on the cap. The fastener is presses against the spacer and is connected to the head tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: CHUHN-E INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Wu-Shih LAI
  • Publication number: 20090076684
    Abstract: A motorcycle is provided with a fork-like wheel carrier, on the lower end of which a front wheel is supported, a handlebar by which the wheel carrier can be steered in a steering direction to the left or the right during travel, and a transmission unit by which the handlebar is coupled to the wheel carrier. The transmission unit is provided for transmitting steering forces, introduced into the handlebar, to the wheel carrier and bringing same into a corresponding steering position. The wheel carrier is mounted so as to be pivotable with respect to the handlebar, such that for a specified steering position, the wheel carrier can be moved, at least over a certain range, relative to the handlebar in the steering direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Josef Seidl
  • Patent number: 7503575
    Abstract: A body frame of a two-wheeled vehicle. The body frame typically includes a head pipe to which a steering shaft extending substantially vertically is rotatably mounted. The head pipe includes an upper head pipe and a lower head pipe that are configured to be molded and to be coupled to each other. The upper head pipe includes an upper tubular portion into which the steering shaft is inserted and a main frame tongue portion that is configured to extend rearward from the upper tubular portion and is configured to support a front portion of the main frame from above. The lower head pipe includes a lower tubular portion into which the steering shaft is inserted and a down tube tongue portion that is configured to extend downward from the lower tubular portion and to support an upper portion of the down tube from forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuhiko Kurokawa, Yoshihiro Masuda, Takehiro Nakashima, Akira Takasu, Toshiyuki Miyake, Kaoru Sugita
  • Patent number: 7503576
    Abstract: A molded assembly for a unique combination of a steering tube and crown for use in a two vehicle fork such as a bicycle fork, wherein the steering tube transversely connects to the crown at the crown's center position. The crown is further connected to the fork leg housings. The steering tube is comprised of a bottom neck portion and a main round body portion, wherein the bottom neck is varies in shape from a round to non-round exterior which is used to eliminate rotation when the tube is molded into the crown. The interior of the crown at the location where it is molded into the steering tube is also formed in a matching non-round shape. The steering tube is chemically made of uncured resin blended with carbon fiber composites, which can be cured under heat after the assembly is molded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Answer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Brady Matthew Schroeder
  • Patent number: 7500415
    Abstract: An object clamp includes first and second clamp portions having recesses therein defining a generally circular cylindrical opening for receiving an object to be clamped. The first and second opposing clamp portions have at least one pair of opposing ends when in a preclamped state and at least one fastener for urging the ends towards each other when in a clamped state. At least one relief area is formed in the recesses and is deflected into engagement with the object when the object clamp is in the clamped state. The object to be clamped may be a bicycle steering tube, a bicycle handle bar, or a bicycle seat tube, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: L.H. Thomson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Loronzo H. Thomson, Brian Thomson
  • Publication number: 20090051140
    Abstract: A fork protector that inhibits damage to an inverted fork of a straddle-type vehicle. First protector sections cover inner tubes of the inverted fork at front sides of the inner tubes and extend in a length direction of the inner tubes. Second protector sections extend from one end section at a front wheel side of the first protector sections as far as a rear side of the inner tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hitoshi Saguchi
  • Patent number: 7490843
    Abstract: A suspension assembly for a front end of a vehicle to provide lateral flex for absorption of lateral forces. The suspension assembly comprises a steering shaft including two ends: an end coupling to an upper triple clamp and the other end coupling to a lower triple clamp. A spring unit is coupled to one of the two ends of the steering shaft and absorbs forces that are transferred from a road surface up through a front wheel and the pair of forks retained by the upper and lower triple clamps. A pivot mechanism is coupled to the other one of the two ends of the steering shaft to create a pivoting axis. The suspension assembly permits the front end to pivot about the pivoting axis and the spring unit to flex in response to bumps in the road surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: MotoCzysz LLC
    Inventor: Michael Czysz
  • Patent number: 7487988
    Abstract: Vehicle steering head for a trike includes a hollow support. A connecting member is adapted to connect a wheel fork to a handlebar. The connecting member is rotatably mounted to the hollow support. A pin is arranged within the hollow support and is structured and arranged to move parallel to an axis of the connecting element. The vehicle steering head is structured and arranged to limit rotational movement of the connecting member in each of two directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Heinz Kettler GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Heinz Kettler, Joachim Kettler, Reinhard Rocholl
  • Publication number: 20090028637
    Abstract: A captured shim head set for a bicycle has a bearing set for mounting on the head tube of a bicycle; a member for axially loading the bearing set and radially affixing the bearing set to a steerer tube of a bicycle front fork; a top cap for covering the bearing set and with which an axial load is applied to the member; and at least one washer-shaped shim for adjusting the spacing between the top cap and member. A lost motion mechanism is formed between the member and top cap and at least one washer-shaped shim is selectively capturable in the lost motion mechanism for limiting the degree of movement between the member and top cap in a manner limiting the distance that the top cap is movable towards the member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Applicant: CANE CREEK CYCLING COMPONENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Joshua COAPLEN
  • Publication number: 20090014980
    Abstract: A front fork for a bicycle includes a bridge installed between a pair of tubes. A compartment is formed in the bridge. An adapting device which fits into the compartment is connectable with a bicycle peripheral product and adapted to allow a quick engagement and a quick disengagement of the bicycle peripheral product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventor: Louis Chuang
  • Publication number: 20080315551
    Abstract: A motorcycle handlebar includes a main handlebar having a tubular body that has opposite ends, with a handle grip secured to each of the opposite ends. The handlebar includes a lower bar secured to the body and extending below the body, the lower bar secured to about the center of the body and having a length that is parallel to, and spaced from, the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventor: Rikki Martin Battistini
  • Patent number: 7464950
    Abstract: A continuous fiber reinforced plastic bicycle fork has continuous fibers extending from the tip of the fork blades to the steer tube, formed through optimum compaction, low void molding resulting in precise forming of the fork shell such that a metal steer tube, metal bearing races, metal dropouts and metal brake mount are used to attach metal components such as a headset and star-fangled nut, handlebar stem, wheel and brake thereby eliminating metal component to carbon fiber contact to preserve the integrity of the fiber reinforcements and plastic matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Trek Bicycle Corporation
    Inventors: Brian E. Schuman, Douglas A. Cusack, Sridharan Madhavan, James Colegrove
  • Publication number: 20080296863
    Abstract: A motorcycle having a forked front wheel support with two rigid fork arms on which a front wheel of the motorcycle is mounted, an upper trailing link provided for supporting wheel support forces connected via an upper joint to an upper area of the wheel support, and lower trailing link provided for supporting wheel support forces situated below the upper trailing link and connected via a lower joint to the lower trailing link, in which at least one of the two joints is elastically connected to its respective upper or lower trailing link and/or to the wheel support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerrit HEYL, Josef Seidl
  • Publication number: 20080284127
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel securing structure includes a shaft member, a head member, and a lever member. The shaft member has a first end portion, a second end portion and a central portion disposed between the first and second end portions with a center axis extending between the first and second end portions. The head member is disposed on the second end portion of the shaft member. The lever member is operatively mounted to move the shaft member in an axial direction relative to the head member in response to movement of the lever member. The central portion of the shaft member has a radial thickness smaller than the first and second end portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventor: Etsuyoshi WATARAI
  • Publication number: 20080277897
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved bicycle front fork structure, wherein a reinforcement device is integrated with the inner wall of the joint between the front fork and the vertical tube to enhance the structural strength lest the joint be fractured or distorted. Thereby, the safety of riding a bicycle is promoted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: Sheng-Yuan Lin
  • Patent number: 7441622
    Abstract: A motorcycle springer type suspension has an upper fork tree and a stanchion tube having an upper end that fits within the upper fork tree. The upper end of the stanchion tube is hidden within the upper fork tree. A retainer clamp has a push rod tube having an upper end that fits within the retainer clamp. The upper end of the push rod tube is hidden within the retainer clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Inventor: Vincenzo F. Costa
  • Patent number: 7441961
    Abstract: A seal device for a bicycle steering bearing assembly includes a seal ring having a tubular insertion and a flange extends radially horizontally from one end of the insertion. A tapered mask has a first open end which is engaged with a groove in an outer periphery of the insertion and a second open end of the mask receives the steering bearing assembly therein. A locking nut is securely mounted to the steerer tube and has another groove defined in an inner periphery of one end thereof. The other end of the insertion is engaged with the groove of the locking nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Inventor: Kun-Yuan Li
  • Publication number: 20080258424
    Abstract: A unitary vehicular front end is provided comprising a left and right side, each having a handle section with a fork segment thereof, the left and right sides being bridged together via a connecting member having a central bar for receiving the frame of a vehicle, such as a motorcycle or other two or three-wheeled vehicle. A method of securing the unitary vehicular front end to the frame of a vehicle is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventor: John Paul
  • Patent number: 7438306
    Abstract: A motorcycle fork rake extension kit provides an increased fork rake without welding and maintains a favorable trail. The extension kit includes an upper adapter block fixedly attached to an upper end of a steering head of a motorcycle frame and a lower adapter block fixedly attached to a lower end of the steering head of the motorcycle frame. Triple trees are rotatably attached to triple tree ends of the adapter blocks through steering head bearings. The triple tree ends of the adapter blocks are spaced away from the frame, the lower adapter block having a greater spacing to increase fork rake. The lower triple tree may further space the fork tubes forward to further increase fork rake. In a preferred embodiment, approximately 45 degrees of rake is provided with favorable trail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Inventors: Matthew Mrdeza, Joseph Gschweng
  • Patent number: 7434823
    Abstract: A suspension arrangement for the wheels of vehicles comprising links (1 & 2), of equal pivotal length rotatably attached to the chassis or body at one end, at upper and lower chassis attachment points (3 & 4), and an axle support link (7), locating a wheel axle (8), at one end and attached at its other ends (5 & 6) to the opposite ends of the links (1 & 2). The spacing between attachments (3 & 4) is double that between (5 & 6) and the centre distance between the axle and its link attachment points is the same as the pivotal length of links (1 & 2). The geometry of said arrangement constrains the movement of the axle/wheel rectilinearly between the chassis attachment points and the angular displacement of the axle support link focuses to an axis (10), exhibiting slight rectilinear displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Inventor: Edwin Robinson
  • Patent number: 7425009
    Abstract: In a front fork apparatus of a two-wheeled vehicle or the like in which left and right front fork constituted by vehicle body side tubes and tire wheel side tubes which are slidably fitted to each other, are provided in both left and right sides of a front wheel, and a brake apparatus is attached only to the front fork in one side of the left and right sides, a thickness of the tire wheel side tube of the front fork in the one side to which the brake apparatus is attached, is made larger than a thickness of the tire wheel side tube of the front fork in the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Showa Corporation
    Inventors: Eitaro Namazue, Yousuke Hasumi
  • Publication number: 20080203697
    Abstract: In a rotor system, in particular for a bicycle (1), on which a frame (3) bears a fork (8) for the front wheel (10), and a handle bar (18) is connected to the fork (8) by means of a handle stem (14) on a fork shaft (12) of the fork (8), with a first line (52), for a fluid, associated with the handle bar (14), with a second line (55), for a fluid, associated with the frame (3), and a rotor that contains two components (14, 41) that can rotate relative to each other without limits and that, by intimate contact against each other, create a closed fluid connection between the first line (52) attached to one component (14) and the second line (55) attached to the second component (41) in order to transmit the actuation of an actuation mechanism (50) associated with the handle bar (18), the handle stem (14) is one of the two components (14, 41) that can rotate relative to each other without limits and contains at least one chamber (30) included in the fluid connection between the two lines (52, 55).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas Goring
  • Publication number: 20080197600
    Abstract: A wheel securing adapter is provided in a bicycle fork to attach a skewer of a wheel securing axle thereto. The wheel securing adapter is disposed in an axle mounting opening of the fork. The wheel securing adapter has an internally threaded bore and an external surface configured and arranged to cooperate with the axle mounting opening to prevent at least one of relative axial movement and relative rotational movement of the wheel securing adapter within the axle mounting opening. The fork includes a pair of fork legs having upper ends coupled to the fork stem and lower ends with axle mounting openings. Preferably, a cutout surrounds one of the axle mounting openings on an inner side surface that faces the other fork leg to form the mounting opening for the wheel securing adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Etsuyoshi WATARAI
  • Publication number: 20080197601
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel securing structure is basically provided with a bicycle fork, an adapter and a holding member. The adapter includes a first portion defining a maximum width of the adapter and a second portion extending axially from the first portion with the second portion being disposed in a hole in an axle support portion of the a bicycle fork. The second portion has an axial bore that is at least partially threaded. The holding member is attached to the axle support portion. The holding member is selectively movable between a retaining position to prevent rotation of the adapter with respect to the bicycle fork and a releasing position to permit rotation of the adapter with respect to the bicycle fork. The holding member remains attached to the axle support portion in both of the retaining and releasing positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: SHIMANO INC.
    Inventors: Takanori Kanehisa, Etsuyoshi Watarai
  • Patent number: 7413207
    Abstract: A front fork for a bicycle includes an upright tube and two arms all of which are made of fiber reinforced material. The two arms extend substantially parallel from a bottom of the upright tube. The two arms each have two inner tubes abutted together and an outer tube sleeved onto the two inner tubes. The abutted portions of the two inner tubes form a rib which is parallel to a plane where the two arms are disposed. Thus, the front fork has strong structure and light weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Yuan Min An Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuo-Pin Yu
  • Patent number: 7407176
    Abstract: A bicycle stem includes a handlebar clamping portion and handlebar clamping member having respective first and second clamp surfaces defining interlocking joints. Each interlocking joint may include a recess and a projection therein to resist relative sliding motion in a direction generally parallel to an axis of a handlebar-receiving passageway to thereby resist torsional loading. A plurality of fasteners may secure the handlebar clamp member to the handlebar clamping portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: L.H. Thomson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark P. McJunkin, Robert J. DeRose, Brian H. Thomson, Loronzo H. Thomson
  • Patent number: 7398986
    Abstract: A wheel support portion for a bicycle, such as a front fork assembly, arranged to reduce vibrations that originate at the bicycle wheel and are transmitted to the rider of the bicycle through the wheel support. Desirably, the front fork assembly is configured to be supported by a bicycle frame and includes a pair of fork legs, which extend in a downward direction along opposing sides of a front wheel of the bicycle. Preferably, the fork legs are configured to support the front wheel at their lower ends. Each of the fork legs defines a cavity and a damping member is positioned within the cavity. Also disclosed is a preferred method of manufacturing the wheel support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Sinyard, Bradley L. Waldron, Christopher P. D'Aluisio
  • Patent number: 7396032
    Abstract: A bicycle headset structure is provided to aid in the mounting of a steerer tube of a front fork to a head tube of a bicycle frame. The bicycle headset structure is configured such that a device can be mounted in the steerer tube and the headset is appropriately loaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Noriyuki Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 7360963
    Abstract: The disclosure describes a triple clamp. The triple clamp includes a body defining a first fork clamp opposite a second fork clamp along a fork centerline. The body defines a center steering pivot. The center steering pivot includes a pivot centerline. An offset is defined by the fork centerline and the pivot centerline. At least one clamp insert has an eccentric form insertable in each of the first fork and the second fork. The clamp insert is configured to shift the offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Inventor: Gregory Lee Burns
  • Patent number: 7357403
    Abstract: A fork tree upper clamp has a pair of leg holders, a frame holder and a pair of brake line channels formed in the lower surface. The leg holder can have a shelf for abutting a top end of a hollow fork leg, so that the shelf defines a well having a connecting aperture allowing the brake line to pass from the brake line channel to the well. The clamp can be of a generally planar configuration made of a thick slab of solid aluminum that is CNC milled and then finished. Each brake line channel can terminate at a terminating recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Inventor: Costa Vincenzo F.
  • Publication number: 20080079235
    Abstract: A tubular cushioning device for a bicycle includes a tubular and longitudinal member having a hollow bore and two or more grooves for allowing the tubular and longitudinal member to be temporarily bent or deformed and for allowing the tubular and longitudinal member to cushion and absorb a force that may be transmitted to the tubular and longitudinal member and to the bicycle riders and for allowing the bicycle riders to comfortably ride the bicycle. The grooves may be formed in the upper side, the lateral sides or the bottom side, and the tubular and longitudinal member includes a post binding cylinder for engaging with a handle post, and a bar binding collar for engaging with a handlebar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Kuo Chih Chao, Chia Pin Chen
  • Patent number: 7351000
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Mario Meggiolan
  • Patent number: 7347438
    Abstract: The present invention includes a front fork assembly for a cycle. The assembly includes a steering tube, front furcations fixed to the steering tube, and a drop-out bracket device fixed to a distal end of each front furcation. The drop-out bracket device has a tubular member having multiple drop-out brackets directed towards a front side of the cycle, a back side of the cycle, or both. Each drop-out bracket has a substantially planar fastening member and an opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Inventor: James C. Raddin
  • Patent number: 7344329
    Abstract: A riser for a motorcycle having a front wheel coupled to a steering assembly that is movable to pivot the front wheel and steer the motorcycle. The riser includes a first portion that is adapted to be coupled to the steering assembly and defines an axis. A carrier is adapted to engage the handlebar such that the carrier and the handlebar are fixedly attached to one another. The carrier is movably coupled to the first portion such that the carrier is movable along the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Ron Hutchinson, Frank Pruss, Steve Zenge, James Richard Schiltz, Wyatt Fuller, Jay M. Klubertanz
  • Patent number: 7343831
    Abstract: A clamp kit for motorcycles permitting a wide range of handlebar positions to fit the size of the rider, the comfort of the rider, or to change the riding style of the motorcycle. The clamp has two split rings, one for attaching to the fork tube of the motorcycle and one for accepting a handlebar. The clamp is rotatable to various positions on the fork tube to position the handlebar in a position, which is comfortable for the rider and does not interfere with the frame or component parts of the motorcycle. The height of the handlebars and the angle of the handlebars are easily adjustable by use of the second split ring on the clamp. The handlebars are spread apart and can rotate in case of an accident to improve motorcycle safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Inventor: Timothy A. Tamcsin
  • Patent number: 7341269
    Abstract: A bicycle headset structure is provided to aid in the mounting of a steerer tube of a front fork to a head tube of a bicycle frame. The bicycle headset structure is configured such that a device can be mounted in the steerer tube and the headset is appropriately loaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Noriyuki Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 7331594
    Abstract: A suspension system for the front wheel of single wheeled vehicles having a single front wheel, such as bicycles, tricycles and motorcycles. The suspension system consists of a frame with a variable arrangement of the steering points using at least one swingable arm, multiple fork joints at least one of which is designed as a two-part fork joint that provides for variable distances between the steering axis, and a telescopic fork connected to the front wheel and which has at least three parts so that the front wheel is guided through the entire system whether partly or fully sprung.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Inventor: Martin F. Wimmer
  • Patent number: 7316409
    Abstract: A front fork of a bicycle, which has damping function, has a lower fork having a closed bottom. An upper fork tube is inserted into the lower fork for reciprocation relative to the lower fork, which has a nozzle at a top thereof. Oil is received in a space between the lower fork and the upper fork tube. An air chamber is formed in a space between a surface of the oil and the nozzle, which a gas is issued therein and a pressure of the gas is greater than an atmospheric pressure, and a damping device, which is mounted at a bottom of the upper fork tube and under the surface of the oil, has multiple, variable oil flow paths through which oil passes as the upper and lower fork member reciprocate to provide various damping characteristics dependent on the relative speed or impact the fork members experience with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Spinner Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Leo Chen
  • Patent number: 7316410
    Abstract: In a frame structure of a small vehicle, an abutting surface abutting against a first frame member is provided on a second frame member constituting a part of a vehicle frame together with the first frame member. The second frame member is welded to the first frame member by an outer periphery of the abutting surface. The two frame members constituting a part of the vehicle frame are also welded together by the outer periphery of the abutting surface formed on the second frame member so as to abut against the first frame member. This achieves a decrease in the size and weight of the second frame member while sufficiently ensuring joining strength thereof. An opening portion open to an abutting surface is provided in a second frame member to expose a part of a first frame member. The second frame member is welded to the first frame member by a periphery of the opening portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Ogura, Hideo Amino, Atsushi Takasaki
  • Patent number: 7316285
    Abstract: A motorcycle has a structure in which the head pipe and the front fork are offset, the offset of the front fork in the rear direction being greater than that of the head pipe. The front wheel diameter is greater than ½ of the wheelbase between the front and rear wheels, and the caster angle of the head pipe is in the range from 20° to 25°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Kimori, Naoki Okamoto
  • Patent number: 7311321
    Abstract: A cycle that has two fixed frame arms extending down on each side of the head tube axis, and a steering arm rotatably mounted in the head tube extends down between the frame arms and has a laterally off-set lower portion. A mounting member is fixed to the lower end of the steering arm and has a hollow cylindrical wheel support section which carries the inner portion of a bearing or bearings for the front wheel, allowing this wheel to rotate while being steerable by the steering arm. A fixed pedal axle extends freely through the hollow wheel support section and is rotatably supported by lower ends of the frame arms, this axle being connected by drive means to one of the cycle's front or rear wheels. Parts of the mounting member have an enlarged interior space relative to that in the wheel support section to accommodate steering movement of the mounting means relative to the pedal axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Gerd Rutkowski
  • Patent number: 7303038
    Abstract: A heavy duty, low rise motorcycle includes a dual beam chassis having a pair of parallel, hollow fuel containing side members extending front to back along opposite sides of the motorcycle. The dual beam chassis also has front and rear hollow frame members joining front and rear portions of the side members, forming a low box section frame parallel to a road surface. A engine is mounted above and to the dual beam chassis between front and rear portions of the side frame members. An oil pan is attached below the engine block. The rear wheel receives driving power from the engine. The motorcycle is steered by a handle bar linkage controlling a front wheel mounted to the motorcycle. The steering linkage may be located inside a tubular front fender housing. Telescopic kickstand actuators may support the motorcycle when not in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Inventor: Albert W. Mathon