Saddle Type; Vehicle Frame Straddling Patents (Class 280/833)
  • Patent number: 11602987
    Abstract: A support system is provided for a vehicle. The support system can include one or more bracket assemblies in which each includes a coupling member and a curved member in which the coupling member is affixed to a structure of the vehicle. A housing can be supported by the one or more bracket assemblies in which the housing encloses a container that stores a material such that the housing protects the container and the material. The support system provides movement between a length of the container so as to reduce deterioration of the support system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: WORTHINGTON INDUSTRIES INC.
    Inventors: James B. Rike, Steven J. Tiede, Michael A. Pintz
  • Patent number: 11358669
    Abstract: A saddle riding vehicle includes a head pipe, left and right main frame pipes, a fuel tank supported on the left and right main frame pipes, an upper gusset plate provided between the left and right main frame pipes, a lower gusset plate provided below the upper gusset plate with an interval, a stay attached to the lower gusset plate below the upper gusset plate, and a fastening bolt configured to detachably fasten the lower gusset plate and the stay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kei Mayuzumi, Keita Mikura, Masaomi Yamada, Kazuya Sawasaki
  • Patent number: 11214327
    Abstract: A saddle riding vehicle includes a fuel tank supported by a body frame through a rear stay that is provided in the fuel tank. The rear stay includes: an upper stay that extends rearward from an upper surface of a fuel reservoir of the fuel tank; a lower stay that extends rearward from a lower surface of the fuel tank. The upper stay and the lower stay are combined with each other at the rear of the fuel reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Satoshi Matsushima
  • Patent number: 11091029
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the shape-matching and/or force-fitting fastening of an element, preferably of a tank, to a vehicle frame having at least one upper fastening plate couplable to an upper region of the tank and having at least one lower fastening plate couplable to the tank thereunder, wherein the fastening plates are configured in particular to largely or exclusively conduct the weight force of the tank into a metal top boom plate and/or into a metal bottom boom plate of a longitudinal beam of the vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: LIEBHERR-MINING EQUIPMENT COLMAR SAS
    Inventors: Frank Hundertpfund, Kai Kugelstadt
  • Patent number: 11014438
    Abstract: A hybrid straddle vehicle comprises a hybrid traveling driving power unit including an engine and a traveling motor, the hybrid traveling driving power unit being configured to generate driving power for allowing the hybrid straddle vehicle to travel; a fuel tank which stores therein fuel to be supplied to the engine; and a battery unit which stores therein electric power to be supplied to the traveling motor. An outer end of the fuel tank in a vehicle width direction is located outward of the battery unit in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshimoto Matsuda
  • Patent number: 10668970
    Abstract: A saddle riding vehicle includes: a fuel tank supported by a body frame; a filler opening provided in an upper surface of the fuel tank; a tank cover covering the upper surface of the fuel tank; and a fuel sump collecting fuel overflowing from the filler opening. The saddle riding vehicle includes a shroud covering a side surface of the fuel tank. The fuel sump is placed around the filler opening and under the tank cover. The fuel sump includes a drain pipe discharging fuel downward. The drain pipe extends between the tank cover and the shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Satoshi Matsushima
  • Patent number: 10427744
    Abstract: A handling performance is improved by a fuel tank fitting structure. A fuel tank is mounted to a vehicle body frame at three points: a first fixed section with a bolt and two second fixed sections with two bolts. A grommet provided in the first fixed section has an interference. Each of the second fixed sections has a fitting clearance between a collar and the grommet, and an axial clearance between the collar and the grommet. These clearances enable the grommet without an interference and the fuel tank to relatively movable to the vehicle body frame. The fuel tank and a vehicle body thus have different behaviors during cornering, thereby obtaining reduced inertial weight and light handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoya Matsuo, Hikaru Tsuchihashi, Hiroshi Nakashima, Shinya Morooka
  • Patent number: 10065699
    Abstract: A fuel tank disposed between a head pipe and a rider's seat is provided, which includes a pair of grooved portion that are positioned on a top surface in symmetrical relation with respect to a longitudinal center plane. The pair of the grooved portions are positioned rearwardly of a tank top portion, each so formed as to have a transverse sectional shape that is represented by a smooth curved line. The grooved portions are parallel to the longitudinal center plane or inclined to extend with a distance therebetween gradually decreasing towards a rear, the distance being set to be within the range of 0.25 to 0.40 at a front end of each of the grooved portions and within the range of 0.08 to 0.35 at a rear end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABSUHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Wada, Takeshi Kashihara
  • Patent number: 9944342
    Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle capable of restricting input of a load from a fastening member, which joins multiple tank covers to each other, to the surface of a fuel tank. A fastening member designed to join a first tank cover and a second tank cover together is disposed to face the surface of a fuel tank and at least one of the first tank cover. The second tank cover has a convex portion facing the surface of the fuel tank at a position near the fastening member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kohei Hirano, Yusuke Inoue, Kyohei Hosoya
  • Patent number: 9643677
    Abstract: A saddle-ride type vehicle, with rear frame provided with right and left side panel parts, and an upper cross part provided between upper parts of the right and left side panel parts. A rear fuel tank is a resin tank molded to have a bent surface with a boundary between a lateral surface part and a bottom surface part of the rear fuel tank bent, and the bent surface of the rear fuel tank 38 is fastened and fixed to the side panel parts. An upper part of the rear fuel tank is fastened and fixed to the upper cross part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Mizukura, Takashi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9248879
    Abstract: A cushion rubber provided independent from a flange of a fuel tank. A fuel tank is arranged above a main frame. A tank front stay, which is mounted on a front lower portion of the fuel tank, is made to overlap with a tank-front-side mounting boss, which is formed on a front end bent portion of the main frame, and is fastened to the tank-front-side mounting boss using a bolt from sideward. The tank front stay is provided independently from a flange, is welded to a bottom surface of the fuel tank, and projects downward from the inside of the flange. A sleeve portion is mounted on a lower end of the tank front stay, and a mount rubber is inserted into the sleeve portion thus providing a rubber mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoichi Nishida, Mitsuya Kawamura
  • Patent number: 9233722
    Abstract: A skirt access comprises a base operatively connected with the truck. A frame operatively connects with the skirt. The frame is pivotally connected with the base. An arm releasably fixes the base with the frame. A step is disposed on the skirt. A linkage operatively connects the step with the arm so that movement of the step causes movement of the arm thereby allowing movement of the skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Joseph Bixby, Glen Joel Durmisevich, James Michael Stanick, William J. Kobilsek, Daniel L. Imperati, Daniel A. Pucher
  • Patent number: 9199684
    Abstract: A straddle vehicle wherein a drain pipe from the fuel tank and a drain pipe from a canister can be efficiently connected. A canister includes at least a part being disposed below a fuel tank above a rear fender. A tank cover covers the upper surface side of the fuel tank. The tank cover forms a first tray portion in a recessed shape in the periphery of a fuel filler opening of the fuel tank. The first tray portion has a first drain portion to which a base end portion of a first drain pipe is connected. The rear fender forms a second tray portion in a recessed shape wherein a tip portion of the first drain pipe and a tip portion of a second drain pipe connected to a base end portion are connected to the canister. The second tray portion has a second drain portion discharging the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takumi Hara
  • Publication number: 20150014078
    Abstract: An intake structure for a motorcycle provides an intake air flow passage in a fuel tank arranged at an upper portion of a vehicle body. Left and right upper tank members are provided at an upper portion of a vehicle body. The upper tank portions are each provided with a recessed portion that is opened upward and inward. A tank wall, having an L-shaped cross section, extends rearward and subsequently downward. An upper opening of the recessed portion is covered with a lid member, and thereby, the recessed portion effectively functions as an air-supply passage leading to an interior portion of an air cleaners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Takashi SASAKI, Yotaro MORI, Katsuhiro KUNIKIYO, Yuki MIZUKURA, Noriya SHIMOZATO
  • Patent number: 8910675
    Abstract: A method for venting of a liquid tank with a valve, a primary compartment and a secondary compartment which are connected together via a bridge. The valve includes a chamber provided with a cover, which extends at least partly into the tank and is connected via an upper venting aperture to a venting circuit. A first device monitors a level of liquid in the primary compartment. A second device monitors a level of liquid in the secondary compartment. The valve configured to be closed when the first device detects that the level of liquid in the primary compartment is equal to or higher than a first predetermined filling level, and the second device detects that the level of liquid in the secondary compartment is equal to or higher than a second predetermined filling level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Philippe Coulon, Sebastien Jouie, Remi Thebault, Pierre Lacome, David Hill, Joseph Douglas Chiasson
  • Patent number: 8870226
    Abstract: There is provided an evaporated fuel control device for a saddle-type vehicle in which an air supply passage is laid out without being disposed at a higher position than a fuel tank. The fuel tank 12 is disposed at a higher position than the engine 20, an evaporated fuel passage 110 is routed as a descending passage from the fuel tank 12 to the engine 20, and an air supply passage 120 is jointed to a halfway position of the evaporated fuel passage 110 which is located at a fuel tank 12 side with respect to a first check valve 117 and positionally lower than the uppermost portion of the fuel tank 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Inaoka, Kazuo Fujihara, Toshinao Takigawa, Takeo Igari, Shuji Hirayama, Minehiro Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 8839999
    Abstract: A self-aligning tractor axle mounted tank system for vertically mounting a tank to a tractor is provided comprising; an integrated hub and spindle, a housing connected to the spindle so that the spindle can rotate with respect to the housing, and at least one housing bracket connected to the housing and adapted to mount a tank frame assembly, wherein the housing bracket is configured to align the tank frame assembly with the housing during vertical mounting. Additionally, an integrated hub and spindle assembly is provided comprising; a spindle connected to a hub, and a bearing housing connected to the spindle so that the spindle can rotate with respect to the bearing housing. Furthermore, a process for mounting a self-aligning tank to the rear axle of a tractor is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Dethmers Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Ryan Brent Mulder
  • Patent number: 8801039
    Abstract: A fuel pump mounting structure of a saddle-ride-type vehicle that can enhance the degree of freedom in the shape of a fuel tank with the construction where a fuel pump is arranged in the inside of the saddle-type fuel tank that straddles a main frame. A first opening portion is formed in a tank bottom plate of a fuel tank, and a mounting arm which closes the first opening portion by one end thereof and supports the fuel pump by the other end thereof is arranged in the inside of the fuel tank, the mounting arm extends along a vehicle widthwise direction toward a gap SA formed between a straddling bottom portion of the fuel tank that straddles a main frame and a tank side wall of the fuel tank, and supports the fuel pump in the inside of the gap SA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Karube, Shinya Koyama, Hiroyuki Sudo
  • Patent number: 8770330
    Abstract: An exterior member such as a shroud, for a saddle-type vehicle including a head pipe and a main frame extending rearward from the head pipe, has a hook member formed on an inner side thereof. The hook member is configured for being engaged onto the main frame such that the exterior member is supported by the main frame. The exterior member is locked to the vehicle by engaging the hook member onto the main frame, thereby supporting the exterior member on the main frame. Such arrangement enables the exterior member to be affixed to the frame with a simple structure, without detrimentally affecting the external appearance of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yusuke Inoue, Shiro Yama
  • Patent number: 8662229
    Abstract: A saddle-ride vehicle includes a vehicle-body frame, an engine, a seat, a storage box, a box lid, a box-side locking mechanism, a filler lid, a filler-side locking mechanism, an unlocking mechanism, a box-side cable, and a filler-side cable. The unlocking mechanism includes a key cylinder which is key-operated. The unlocking mechanism is disposed between a head pipe and the storage box. The box-side cable is connected to the key cylinder. The box-side cable is to be caused to unlock a lock of the box-side locking mechanism by turning a key in one of a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction. The filler-side cable is connected to the key cylinder. The filler-side cable is to be caused to unlock a lock of the filler-side locking mechanism by turning the key in another of the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nakagome, Tadashi Oshima, Kyohei Hosoya, Sunao Kawano, Manabu Fujii, Takeshi Kamiyama
  • Patent number: 8662422
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed which includes a chassis and a storage and dispensing apparatus. The storage and dispensing apparatus can be mounted directly to the chassis or disposed within or on a body, which in turn is mounted to the chassis. The storage and dispensing apparatus has an opening therein to permit material to be transported therethrough. A conveyor assembly for selectively conveying materials from the opening of the storage and dispensing apparatus is also included. The conveyor assembly can include a dual auger arrangement. The vehicle includes a spreader chute that is operably arranged with the conveyor assembly to direct the materials to a spreader. A liquid storage system for storing liquid is provided. A liquid dispensing system is provided for selectively dispensing liquid from the liquid storage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignees: Henderson Enterprises, Inc., Henderson Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Mart E. Ward, Randall L. Smedstad, Marc E. Cabalka, Scott G. Lueken, Glenn L. Ungerer
  • Patent number: 8500169
    Abstract: A saddle-ride type vehicle which for preventing the fuel tank from receiving a load imposed on the tank cover and for achieving a weight reduction of the fuel tank. A motorcycle includes a vehicle body frame; a fuel tank, fixed to the vehicle body frame, for storing fuel; a tank cover for covering at least part of the fuel tank; a flange part, provided to the fuel tank, for fastening the fuel tank to the vehicle body frame; and a cover supporting member, fastened to the flange part, for supporting the tank cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Koji Aoki
  • Patent number: 8485299
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes a fuel tank that stores fuel, a fuel filling joint hydraulically connected to the fuel tank, a first pressure reducing valve hydraulically connected to the fuel tank to reduce pressure of the fuel to first pressure, a second pressure reducing valve hydraulically connected to the first pressure reducing valve to reduce the pressure of the fuel to second pressure, a fuel cell unit hydraulically connected to the second pressure reducing valve to generate electric power via reaction of the fuel and an oxidizing agent, a high-pressure side structure that supports the fuel tank, the joint, and the first pressure reducing valve while keeping relative arrangement thereof, a low-pressure side structure that supports the second pressure reducing valve and the fuel cell unit while keeping relative arrangement thereof, and a main structure that detachably fixes the high-pressure side structure and the low-pressure side structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Iida
  • Patent number: 8439146
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes a pair of left and right main frames, a fuel tank placed on an upper side of the main frames, an engine suspended on a lower side of the main frames and provided with a cylinder assembly and a crankcase, and a canister that adsorbs an evaporated fuel gas generated in the fuel tank, wherein the canister is arranged inside the main frames in a plan view of the motorcycle and is disposed on a rear side of the cylinder assembly and on an upper side of the crankcase of the engine in a side view of the motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Koichi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 8302997
    Abstract: A system for integrating and embedding a fuel storage tank in the roof of an automotive vehicle is provided. The automotive vehicle may include a roof assembly having inner roof panels and outer roof panels. The roof panels may define a cavity that protrudes into the passenger compartment below the roof line of the automotive vehicle. A pressurized fuel tank may be disposed within the cavity of the roof assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Jon Veenstra
  • Patent number: 8292115
    Abstract: An insert ring is mounted on a resin-made fuel tank body, the insert ring has seat surfaces for mounting a fuel pump thereon and boss holes formed in the seat surfaces. An insert molded body is formed by insert molding of the insert ring using a first resin material while leaving the boss holes and the seat surfaces exposed. The insert molded body is inserted into an outer surface of the fuel tank body by insert molding using a second resin material which forms the fuel tank body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihito Kobayashi, Yuki Mizukura, Takahiro Matayoshi, Tomoyuki Matsumura
  • Patent number: 8256557
    Abstract: A saddle-type vehicle includes a canister mounting structure. The vehicle includes a vehicle body frame, an engine fastened to the vehicle body frame, an exhaust pipe connected to the engine, a fuel tank mounted on the vehicle body frame, a canister for storing gasoline vapors form the fuel tank and a purge control valve for controlling purge of the canister. The canister mounting structure includes a canister holder having a first mounting portion for mounting the canister, and a second mounting portion for mounting the purge control valve therein. The canister holder is disposed adjacent the exhaust pipe. The canister holder is formed so as to cover sides of the canister and a side of the canister adjacent the exhaust pipe. Such configuration of the canister mounting structure provides heat-shielding measures for the canister, and achieves a desired ease of assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shota Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8226123
    Abstract: A fuel tank has a primary sump and secondary sump. A first vent valve and a second vent valve are disposed within the fuel tank. The first vent valve is closed when a level of fuel in the primary sump is equal to or higher than a first predetermined filling level, and the second vent valve is closed when a level of fuel in the secondary sump is equal to or higher than a second predetermined filling level in a refueling procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Chino, Naoaki Tanimura, Masashi Kamei, Junichi Hanai
  • Patent number: 8038172
    Abstract: To provide a compact fuel tank including a fuel pump in accordance with one or more embodiments. For example in an embodiment, a motorcycle includes a tank rail forming an upper part of a body frame, a fuel tank having a pair of tank sections disposed across the tank rail in a vehicle width direction and mounted on and across the tank rail, and a fuel pump disposed in the fuel tank for supplying fuel to an engine, in which a mounting surface for the fuel pump is formed on a bottom of one of the pair of tank sections and the mounting surface is formed to be tilted in an in-and-out direction with respect to the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hisashi Morikawa
  • Patent number: 8029022
    Abstract: A fuel tank has a primary sump and secondary sump. A first vent valve and a second vent valve are disposed within the fuel tank. The first vent valve is closed when a level of fuel in the primary sump is equal to or higher than a first predetermined filling level, and the second vent valve is closed when a level of fuel in the secondary sump is equal to or higher than a second predetermined filling level in a refueling procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Chino, Naoaki Tanimura, Masashi Kamei, Junichi Hanai
  • Patent number: 8016321
    Abstract: A straddle type vehicle with its fuel tank covered with a tank cover, in which misalignment between a filler opening on an upper part of the fuel tank and an orifice for exposing the filler opening out of the tank cover is restrained. The tank cover includes a center cover on which the orifice is formed, and right and left side covers molded separately from the center cover and disposed on right and left sides of the center cover for covering the fuel tank from the side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tadashi Shimomura
  • Patent number: 7997622
    Abstract: A saddle-ride type four-wheeled vehicle has a structure that increases a tank capacity of a fuel tank and reduces a moment acting on a fixing position of a fuel pump disposed in the fuel tank. The saddle-ride type four-wheeled vehicle includes a fuel tank located above the head cover of the engine, and a fuel pump disposed in the fuel tank. The lower surface portion of the fuel tank includes, at a more forward position than the head cover, a deep bottom portion situated at a lowest position in the lower surface portion. The upper surface portion of the fuel tank includes, at a more rearward position than the deep bottom portion, an inclined portion arranged to extend rearward and obliquely downward. An upper end of the fuel pump is fixed to the inclined portion, and the fuel pump is arranged to extend forward and obliquely downward from the inclined portion toward the deep bottom portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masashi Yamada
  • Patent number: 7992901
    Abstract: In a straddle type of vehicle having a fuel tank (30) with a built-in fuel pump (42), the fuel pump (42) is placed in the fuel tank (30) with the pump axis (A) directed nearly in the vehicle width direction. The straddling type of vehicle is provided that a nearly horizontal surface portion (31b) is formed on the bottom of the fuel tank (30) and the fuel pump (42) is placed on the nearly horizontal surface portion (31b) with the pump axis (A) directed nearly in the horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumito Hirano, Satoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7984925
    Abstract: A liquid tank is provided for a heavy vehicle, suitable for fastening to a vehicle frame by at least one supporting bracket having shaped surfaces arranged for load bearing and locating contact against the liquid tank. The tank includes two end face portions and a shell portion with a non-symmetrical cross-section extending there between. The tank includes a first, shaped portion facing the vehicle frame, arranged for load bearing contact against a first shaped surface of the supporting bracket, a second, shaped portion extending partially below the frame, arranged to locate the tank relative to a second shaped surface of the supporting bracket, and a third, substantially rectangular portion facing away from the vehicle frame, and that the tank is fastened to the bracket by at least one clamping means. A bracket for supporting such a tank is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventors: Göran Levin, Jan-Olof Bodin
  • Patent number: 7963358
    Abstract: The present invention provides a motorcycle including a frame having a forward portion and a rearward portion. The forward portion includes a steering head. The motorcycle also includes an engine coupled to the frame and a steering assembly pivotably coupled to the steering head. The steering assembly includes a fork and a front wheel rotatably coupled to the fork. The motorcycle further includes a swing arm pivotably coupled to the rearward portion, a rear wheel rotatably coupled to the swing arm, and a first cavity defined in the frame. The first cavity is in fluid communication with the engine to provide fuel to the engine. The motorcycle also includes a second cavity defined in the frame. The second cavity is in fluid communication with the engine to provide combustion air to the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Buell Motorcycle Company
    Inventors: Erik F. Buell, Steven H. Anderson, Edward A. Weston, Edward M. Laben
  • Patent number: 7780198
    Abstract: A chassis skirt mounting assembly (110) for a vehicle having a tank (14) and a chassis skirt (16) includes a tank strap bracket (120) attached to the tank, the tank strap bracket having a first adjustment slot (130) with a first length dimension. An adjustment bracket (122) is attached to the chassis skirt (16) and has a second adjustment slot (138) with a second length dimension oriented generally 90-degrees offset from the first length dimension of the first adjustment slot (130). A double-sided stud (140) is disposed through the first adjustment slot (130) and the second adjustment slot (138) to allow the independent adjustment of the double-sided stud with respect to the first adjustment slot from the adjustment of the double-sided stud with respect to the second adjustment slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Lance A. Taylor, James H. Merriman
  • Patent number: 7744127
    Abstract: A fuel tank assembly includes a fuel tank, a bracket carried by the fuel tank and having a portion accessible from the outside of the fuel tank to permit the assembly to be mounted to a vehicle, and an outer layer disposed around at least part of the fuel tank and a portion of the bracket to connect the bracket to the fuel tank. In one implementation, the fuel tank includes layers of composite material that have fibers embedded in resin or the like. The bracket is carried or trapped between adjacent layers of the composite material so that the bracket is fixed to the tank. The bracket preferably is connected to the tank at one end and is flexible in at least one direction to accommodate changes in the shape or dimensions of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Reiner Essinger, Thomas Guelll, Thorsten Schuetz, Mirko Schwan
  • Patent number: 7731238
    Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle that reliably leads fuel that overflows from a fuel fill opening away to a safe area without specialist components. A fuel tank includes a recess portion that is formed around a fuel fill opening, and a raised section that is formed to the outer side of the recess portion and that is at a higher position than the recess portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Otsubo, Yasuo Okamoto
  • Patent number: 7690689
    Abstract: A saddle-type vehicle that securely supports a fuel tank with sufficient strength when load in a vertical direction is applied. A pair of frame members extend in a front-and-rear direction of the vehicle and support a fuel tank. The fuel tank has a pair of flanges contacting the outer sides of the frame members. The flanges are attached to the frame members by attachment members inserted from outside in a vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sakio Muroo, Hisashi Morikawa
  • Patent number: 7681920
    Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle with improved protection of a discharge part on a fuel tank. A seat is at least partially arranged above a fuel tank and is fitted on a front load receiving part and a rear load receiving part which are arranged on the fuel tank apart from each other in the front and rear direction of the vehicle. A fuel pump unit has a discharge part for discharging fuel in the fuel tank and supplying the fuel in to an engine. The discharge part is arranged on the fuel tank between the front load receiving part and the rear load receiving part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yusuke Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 7661714
    Abstract: A vehicle, such as an all terrain vehicle, includes a saddle type seat for the rider to sit on, and a fuel tank arranged below the seat. The fuel tank includes a fuel inlet positioned in front of the seat, in a traveling direction of the vehicle. The all terrain vehicle provides a comfortable ride to a rider by providing the fuel tank in the center of the vehicle, while mounting a fuel tank that is convenient to access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Kubota
  • Patent number: 7624829
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a fuel tank arranged underneath a seat, a fuel pump housed inside the fuel tank and including an attachment portion arranged to attach the fuel pump to an upper wall of the fuel tank, the fuel pump including at least one connector projecting upwards from the attachment portion, and a vehicle cover covering at least a portion of the vehicle. A portion of the vehicle cover extends between the upper wall of the fuel tank and the lower surface of the seat and includes an upright portion extending between an upper wall of the fuel tank and the lower surface of the seat. The vehicle protects the at least one connector of the fuel pump without causing an increase in the number of components and manufacturing steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoshi Kubota
  • Patent number: 7533904
    Abstract: A fuel pump for a vehicle is resistant to damage and effectively uses fuel in a fuel tank. The fuel tank is saddle-shaped and straddles an upper side frame section of the vehicle. A left side tank section extends downward on a left side of the upper side frame section and a right side tank section extends downward on a right side. A fuel pump in the interior of the fuel tank is fixed on the bottom surface of either the left or right side tank section. For off-road saddle-riding type vehicles, the fuel pump is provided anterior to a fuel tank central portion when viewed from a side of the vehicle to ensure easy handling and foot landing properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Munetaka Koike, Katsuhisa Abe, Takushirou Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 7513559
    Abstract: A vehicle with a cover member of a simple structure includes a flexible cover body section arranged to cover at least a portion of an on-the-vehicle part. The cover member includes bendable elongated sections extending outward from the edge portions of the cover body section. The vehicle also includes a leg shield for covering a driver's leg in front thereof and an on-the-vehicle part disposed inside the leg shield. The on-the-vehicle part is disposed along the inside surface of the leg shield, and the outside surface of the on-the-vehicle part opposite from the leg shield side is covered by the cover member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Gen Ohzono
  • Publication number: 20090085342
    Abstract: A fuel tank has a primary sump and secondary sump. A first vent valve and a second vent valve are disposed within the fuel tank. The first vent valve is closed when a level of fuel in the primary sump is equal to or higher than a first predetermined filling level, and the second vent valve is closed when a level of fuel in the secondary sump is equal to or higher than a second predetermined filling level in a refueling procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Minoru CHINO, Naoaki Tanimura, Masashi Kamei, Junichi Hanai
  • Patent number: 7484766
    Abstract: A fuel-tank assembly disposed in a space between a rear wheel and a seat of a straddle-type vehicle without impairing ride comfort, At least part of the seat is disposed above the rear wheel. A fuel tank has a bottom including a part inclined in a front-rear direction of the vehicle above the rear wheel and below the seat. A fuel pump unit for supplying fuel in the fuel tank to an engine has a body extending on and along the inclined part of the bottom in the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yusuke Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 7481411
    Abstract: A rear impact shock absorbing structure for a fuel cell vehicle. The shock absorbing structure appropriately absorbs shocks in the event of a rear impact, thus preventing hydrogen storage tanks from colliding with a chassis cross member arranged between the hydrogen storage tanks, therefore preventing the hydrogen storage tanks from being broken or damaged. The shock absorbing structure includes a front tank support for supporting a hydrogen storage tank provided in front of a chassis cross member. A rear tank support supports a hydrogen storage tank provided in back of the chassis cross member. Further, a shock absorbing member connects the front and rear tank supports to each other, and is deformed when shocks are applied to the front and rear tank supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jin-Han Jang
  • Patent number: 7422243
    Abstract: A fuel pump installation area for a vehicle for enhancing the stiffness of the fuel pump built in a fuel tank and for enhancing the stiffness of an installation area of a tank installation stay on the fuel tank side. In a motorcycle in which a fuel tank is installed to the body frame and a fuel pump is provided within this fuel tank, the fuel pump is installed to the fuel tank via a pump installation member. To the pump installation member, a tank installation stay for fixing the fuel tank to the body frame is installed. The left and right side walls may be formed by depressing the center of the underside of the fuel tank upwardly over the front and the rear. Concave-shaped engaging members are installed by engaging left and right convex portions provided on the body frame with these engaging members, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Kudo, Yoshitaka Yanagibashi
  • Patent number: 7416219
    Abstract: A swiveling work machine includes a swivel deck mounted to be pivotable about a vertical axis and a side cover for covering one lateral side on the swivel deck, an accommodating space capable of accommodating a work machine accessory being provided inside the lateral cover. The accommodating space accommodates, as the implement accessory, a work oil tank, a fuel tank and a control valve unit. The work oil tank is disposed at a fore-and-aft intermediate portion on one lateral side on the swivel deck. The fuel tank is disposed forwardly of the work oil tank with forming a gap relative thereto. The control valve unit is disposed upwardly of the fuel tank and longitudinally along the fore/aft direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Fumiki Sato, Shizuo Shimoie, Yoshihiro Kato, Takanori Matsumoto, Kenzo Koga
  • Patent number: 7410191
    Abstract: Tank mounting pieces are provided in a body frame for a fuel tank mounting structure for mounting a fuel tank to the body frame of a saddle-ride type vehicle. More particularly, an upper rear frame is provided, located under the fuel tank, with a band stay for mounting to the body frame in a bottom wall of the fuel tank. The band stay and the metallic tank mounting pieces are connected together through a band member to fix the fuel tank to the body frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Karube, Jeremy McGuire