Foot Operated Patents (Class 74/473.16)
  • Patent number: 11692620
    Abstract: There is provided a shift device for a straddle-type vehicle that is configured to cause a transmission device to perform a shift change in accordance with rotation of a shift shaft. The shift device includes: a shift lever provided with an operation portion that is configured to receive a shift operation; a shift sensor provided on the shift shaft so as to be integrally rotatable with the shift shaft; and a shift rod that couples the shift lever and the shift sensor. The shift sensor is configured to detect the shift operation on the shift lever in accordance with a movement of the shift rod. The operation portion and the shift sensor are positioned at the same side in a manner of sandwiching the shift rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kohei Kato, Takatoshi Maemori, Tatsushi Uchiyama, Hiroyasu Inohara
  • Patent number: 11585435
    Abstract: A device for a gear shift system for a vehicle, the gear shift system comprising a gear shift member, the device comprises a device member, and a member connector configured to connect to the gear shift member and thereby connect the device to the gear shift system so that, in use, one of the device member and the gear shift member is beneath a rider's foot to provide a first member, and the other of the device member and the gear shift member is above the rider's foot to provide a second member, wherein in use downwards movement of the first member effects a first gear shift and in use upwards movement of the second member effects a second gear shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Inventor: Ian Blakeman
  • Patent number: 11072393
    Abstract: A transmission for a saddled vehicle with which a posture of a rider is easily held during driving of the vehicle and a speed change detection device can be protected. A step for the driver extends outward in a vehicle width direction from a lower frame; a gear change pedal is turn-operated by a rider's foot for speed change; and a link for detection is coupled with the gear change pedal. A speed change detection device is coupled with a tip of the link for detection, and detects a speed change operation by the gear change pedal. The gear change pedal is arranged on an outer side of a lower frame in the vehicle width direction, and the speed change detection device is arranged on an inner side of pivot frames and the lower frame in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Satoru Kamijo
  • Patent number: 10921843
    Abstract: This accelerator pedal device includes a pedal arm having an accelerator pedal, a housing that supports the pedal arm so as to be capable of swinging about a prescribed axis line between a rest position and a maximum push position, a slider that slides over an inner wall of the housing, a contact part formed on the pedal arm in order to exert pressing force while separably coining into contact with the slider, and an urging spring disposed between the housing and the slider so that the urging force pressing the slider against the inner wall and the contact part increases in accordance with the pushing of the accelerator pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: MIKUNI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jun Nagashima, Satoshi Miyazaki, Kazunari Nakashima
  • Patent number: 10739810
    Abstract: This accelerator pedal device is provided with a pedal arm having an accelerator pedal, a housing that swingably supports the pedal arm, a slider that slides over the inner wall of the housing and that is pressed by the depressing of the accelerator pedal, a hysteresis-causing mechanism that includes a biasing spring for exerting biasing force through the slider so as to push back the pedal arm with and that causes hysteresis in the depressing force, and a return spring that exerts biasing force directly on the pedal arm in order to return the pedal arm to a rest position, the biasing spring and the return spring being disposed in the same area inside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: MIKUNI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jun Nagashima, Satoshi Miyazaki, Kazunari Nakashima
  • Patent number: 10730587
    Abstract: An apparatus disclosed herein includes a heel-shift lever. When the heel-shift lever is coupled to a motor vehicle, a first portion of the heel-shift lever is disposed higher than a first area of a floor of a floorboard of the motor vehicle, a second portion of the heel-shift lever is disposed lower than the first area of the floor of the floorboard, and a third portion of the heel-shift lever is disposed higher than a second area of the floor of the floorboard. The second portion is disposed between the first portion and the third portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Inventor: Paul Yaffe
  • Patent number: 10591048
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission pedal control system includes a forward pedal connected to a forward pivoting bracket, a reverse pedal connected to a reverse pivoting bracket, a first spring connecting the forward pivoting bracket to a linkage such as a bell crank at a first attachment point, and a second spring connecting the reverse pivoting bracket to the linkage at a second attachment point. The linkage may be connected by a motion control rod to a continuously variable transmission that provides a variable forward traction drive speed based on a position of the forward pedal and a variable reverse traction drive speed based on a position of the reverse pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Kenneth M. Reep, David W. Geiger
  • Patent number: 10532792
    Abstract: A gear shift lever assembly includes a gear shift lever arm which includes a distal foot-peg end and a bifurcated proximal end and first passageway for facilitating securement of the gear shift lever arm to a gear selector spindle shaft of a motorcycle. The assembly also includes a spindle shaft mount insert sized to fit within the bifurcated ends of the gear shift lever arm. The insert has a splined aperture that matches the splines of the splines of the gear selector spindle shaft, and a second passageway having a longitudinal axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the splined aperture. The gear shift lever assembly is mountable to the gear selector spindle shaft of the motorcycle with the spindle shaft mount insert interposed between the bifurcated proximal end of the gear shift lever arm with a mounting bolt passed through the aligned first and second passageways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Hammerhead Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Weston Rocco Furia, John Clark
  • Patent number: 10066744
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus for a vehicle includes a shift spindle having a clutch actuator, and also includes a shift actuator adapted to operate a shift drum. The apparatus also includes a motor for rotating the shift spindle, and a controller for controlling the motor. In use, the clutch actuator is rotated prior to the shift actuator when the shift spindle is rotated to a shift-down side. The controller rotates the shift spindle to a shift-up side and stores, as a standard duty, a driving duty of the motor at the time when a rotary angle of the shift drum reaches a drum angle threshold. Then, the controller rotates the shift spindle to a shift-down side, and learns a rotary angle of the shift spindle at the time when the standard duty is generated, as a touch point at which the clutch is initially partially engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junya Ono, Jun Adachi
  • Patent number: 9964208
    Abstract: A neutral biasing mechanism in a hydrostatic continuously variable transmission includes a plurality of springs attached so as to be spanned from a pivot arm to a base. The plurality of springs bias the pivot arm such that a roller is fitted into a cam portion. A variable spring configured such that a biasing force thereof can be changed and another spring that is different from the variable spring are provided as the plurality of springs. The variable spring and the other spring are arranged at separate positions in a state where attachment positions thereof in the pivot arm and the base are separate from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Akifumi Nishino, Ryo Masuda
  • Patent number: 9927026
    Abstract: A neutral biasing mechanism in a hydrostatic continuously variable transmission includes a plurality of springs attached so as to be spanned from a pivot arm to a base. The plurality of springs bias the pivot arm such that a roller is fitted into a cam portion. A variable spring configured such that a biasing force thereof can be changed and another spring that is different from the variable spring are provided as the plurality of springs. The variable spring and the other spring are arranged at separate positions in a state where attachment positions thereof in the pivot arm and the base are separate from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Akifumi Nishino, Ryo Masuda
  • Patent number: 9284011
    Abstract: Disclosed is a motorcycle clutch actuator, with mechanically linked foot clutch pedal and hand clutch lever, to be installed on motorcycles made with or to be converted from a conventional configuration of hand activated clutch and foot activated gear selection lever, to a configuration of foot activated clutch and hand activated gear selection lever, providing optimal clutch control with either a foot clutch pedal or a hand clutch lever, by means of innovative control linkage geometry and minimization of friction throughout the control linkage, releasing the rider's left foot from the foot clutch pedal, while holding the clutch in the disengaged position with a hand clutch lever, as the motorcycle is running while in gear, thereby enabling the rider to balance the motorcycle with both feet. The disclosed invention will improve safety in the operation of motorcycles equipped with a hand gear selection lever and a foot clutch pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Fernando Aguilar
  • Patent number: 9212744
    Abstract: A combination torsion spring is configured such that a predetermined reaction force is generated in a coil circumferential direction without a center of a wound coil tilting even when applied with a load. A first torsion spring and a second torsion spring of the combination torsion spring are each provided with a coil. Each coil is formed by spirally winding a copper wire in a different winding direction from one another. The inner diameter of the coil of the first torsion spring is approximately the same as the outer diameter of the coil of the second torsion spring. In the combination torsion spring, the coil of the second torsion spring is inserted into the coil of the first torsion spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tetsushi Saitoh
  • Publication number: 20140251052
    Abstract: A vehicle incorporating an engine, an automatic, robotic, or continuously variable transmission mechanically coupled to the engine, a vehicle control system coupled to the engine and the transmission, a breaking system, a gas pedal for controlling the operation of the engine, a break pedal for controlling the operation of the breaking system, the gas pedal and the break pedal being disposed in the vehicle for control by a right foot of the driver, the vehicle further comprising an additional pedal being disposed in the vehicle for control by a left foot of the driver and coupled to the vehicle control system. The additional pedal may be configured to control the gear shifting of the automatic, robotic, or continuously variable transmission of the vehicle. Upon an activation of the additional pedal, the automatic, robotic, or continuously variable transmission of the vehicle may be configured to downshift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Inventor: LEONID DESPOTULI
  • Patent number: 8689923
    Abstract: A saddle riding vehicle includes a vehicle body frame, a front wheel, a rear wheel, a power unit, a shift actuator, and an actuator guard. The power unit has a transmission and a shift mechanism for the transmission. The shift actuator is to actuate the shift mechanism and is attached to a lower portion of a side face of the power unit. The actuator guard is to protect the shift actuator from an obstacle and includes a guard frame and a guard member. The guard frame extends in a forward and backward direction of the saddle riding vehicle below the shift actuator. The guard frame is connected to the vehicle body frame. The guard member is connected to the guard frame and covers a lower face and an outer side face of the shift actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Keisuke Kishikawa
  • Patent number: 8573089
    Abstract: A speed change operation apparatus includes a pivotal body operatively connected to a trunnion shaft to be pivotally displaced in response to an operational displacement by an operational tool, a positioning body operatively coupled with the pivotal body so as to be pivotally displaced in response to a pivotal displacement of the pivotal body, a main urging mechanism for applying an urging force to the pivotal body via the positioning body for returning the pivotal body from an operational position to the neutral position, and an auxiliary urging mechanism for applying an auxiliary urging force to the pivotal body for returning the pivotal body from the operational position to the neutral position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Akifumi Nishino, Kiyokazu Nakanishi, Shinichi Morita
  • Patent number: 8555739
    Abstract: A shift control device in a saddle-ride-type vehicle includes a lost motion mechanism and a locking mechanism. The lost motion mechanism is disposed between a shift spindle and a shift drum and engages a shifter-side rotary member on a shift spindle side and a drum-side rotary member on a shift drum side, in a relatively rotatable manner while accumulating a force. The locking mechanism is engaged with the shifter-side rotary member and the drum-side rotary member, respectively, so as to restrict the rotation of the shifter-side rotary member and the rotation of the drum-side rotary member, individually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Ieda, Akihiko Tomoda, Osamu Emizu
  • Publication number: 20130253783
    Abstract: An operator selectable transmission and method for a vehicle with variable drivetrain and torque control. The operator selectable transmission includes a plurality of transmission modes, each mode including a plurality of selectable contour relationships between vehicle ground speed and transmission rim-pull, an operator mode selector for selecting transmission mode, and an operator contour selector for selecting a contour for the selected mode. There can be hydrostatic, torque converter, direct drive and other transmission modes. An operator interface can display the currently selected mode, and its affects on performance, fuel consumption, and brake wear. The contour selector can be a foot pedal, hand lever or other device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Inventors: Michael R. Gratton, Eric R. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8393240
    Abstract: An instrumented control pedal for a vehicle includes a lever portion, a pedal portion, a position sensor and at least one pressure sensor. The lever portion may include a first end, a second end and a pivot point disposed proximate the second end. The pedal portion may be disposed proximate the first end of the lever portion and the at least one pressure sensor may be disposed on the pedal portion. The position sensor may be operable to detect the displacement of the instrumented control pedal about the pivot point and output a position signal indicating the displacement of the instrumented control pedal. When a pressure is applied to the pedal portion, the pressure sensor outputs a signal indicating pressure is being applied to the pedal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael John Wolterman
  • Publication number: 20130055841
    Abstract: A gear shift control device of a saddle ride type vehicle includes an operation pedal; a movable part which includes a movable member interlocking with and connected to the operation pedal and which has at least one of a click mechanism configured to give click feeling to an operation of the operation pedal, a stopper mechanism configured to restrict a turning operation range of the operation pedal, and a return mechanism configured to apply a spring force in a return direction to the operation pedal; and a detector which detects a gear shift operation performed by using the operation pedal, the gear shift control device configured to make a transmission perform a gear shift on the basis of a detection result of the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Kenta Nakamura, Yuzuru Ishikawa, Shinichi Karube, Taichi Mori, Ippei Kawamura
  • Patent number: 8387477
    Abstract: A gear shift device is provided which changes speed by transmitting rotation of a shift spindle by gear shift operation input to rotation of a shift drum through an intermittent feed mechanism and a lost motion mechanism. An upstream rotation holding mechanism is provided to hold in a required rotational position an upstream rotating member of the lost motion mechanism which is rotated by gear shift operation input through the intermittent feed mechanism. When a required level of gear shift operation is done, the gear shift device changes speed adequately, without continuing gear shift operation, and thus improves operability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Ieda, Akihiko Tomoda, Osamu Emizu
  • Patent number: 8371412
    Abstract: A saddle riding type vehicle includes a sensor that generates a signal, a moving member that moves a movable portion of the sensor and a coupling member that couples the moving member to a change pedal. The change pedal, the coupling member, the moving member and the sensor are arranged sequentially alongside one another along a sub-frame. The sub-frame is an existing member constituting a part of a vehicle body frame. Thus, base plates dedicated to the moving member, the sensor and the like can be eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoyasu Sato
  • Patent number: 8327970
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a vehicle includes a vehicle body frame including a main frame extending rearward from a head pipe, and a pivot frame extending downward from a rear portion of the main frame. An engine is supported by the vehicle body frame. A shift pedal is provided, with which a driver performs a gear-shifting operation. A base part is provided, to which a detector and a moveable part are attached. The detector is configured to detect the gear-shifting operation, and the moveable part is configured such that an operation thereof is detected by the detector. A link is provided, which links the shift pedal and the moveable part to each other. The base part is detachably provided to the engine, and the base part and the moveable part are configured, in a plan view, inward of an outer side surface of the main frame in a vehicle width direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Furuse, Kenji Morita
  • Publication number: 20120247254
    Abstract: In a vehicle having a generator cover mounted on one side of a crankcase so as to cover an end portion of a crankshaft projecting from the crankcase and a shift spindle located on the rear side of the generator cover as an input member of a shifting mechanism, a shift actuator is located below the longitudinal range of the generator cover in parallel to the crankshaft and on the front side of the axis of the shift spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kinya Mizuno, Yasushi Fujimoto, Masazumi Naito, Toshimasa Mitsubori
  • Patent number: 8175783
    Abstract: An organ type accelerator pedal assembly may include a vibration generating module coupled to a carrier connected with a foot plate, and engaged with a first actuator through a power transfer member to bring a vibration to the carrier, a pushing-force generating module actuated by a second actuator and movably disposed under the vibration generating module to provide a pushing-force to the foot plate when contacting with the vibration generating module, and/or a control unit controlling the first actuator and/or the second actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hangil Park
  • Patent number: 8113080
    Abstract: A neutral hold device for a hydrostatic continuously variable speed change device having a trunnion shaft, comprising a first member which rotates integrally with the trunnion shaft and in which a cam having a concave part is formed; a second member that pivots about a support shaft provided parallel to the trunnion shaft, and that is provided with a cam follower for engaging with the cam; a spring for urging the cam follower against the cam so that the trunnion shaft is retained in a neutral position by the cam follower being positioned in a set position of the cam by the urging of the spring; and auxiliary urging means for generating an auxiliary urging force for urging the trunnion shaft toward the neutral position while the trunnion shaft is positioned in a proximate region of the neutral position set in advance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventor: Akifumi Nishino
  • Publication number: 20120024100
    Abstract: A speed change operation apparatus includes a pivotal body operatively connected to a trunnion shaft to be pivotally displaced in response to an operational displacement by an operational tool, a positioning body operatively coupled with the pivotal body so as to be pivotally displaced in response to a pivotal displacement of the pivotal body, a main urging mechanism for applying an urging force to the pivotal body via the positioning body for returning the pivotal body from an operational position to the neutral position, and an auxiliary urging mechanism for applying an auxiliary urging force to the pivotal body for returning the pivotal body from the operational position to the neutral position. The returning urging force by the main urging mechanism when the trunnion shaft is located at the neutral position is stronger than the returning urging force by the main urging mechanism when the trunnion shaft is located at the operational position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akifumi Nishino, Kiyokazu Nakanishi, Shinichi Morita
  • Patent number: 8056697
    Abstract: A brake/differential lock pedal linkage includes a two-stage manual control that may lock a differential before progressively engaging a brake. The manual control may be a foot pedal or hand lever. The linkage may include a brake cam lever that pivots on a brake cam shaft in response to movement of the manual control, a differential lock link connected between the brake cam lever and an actuator that can move a differential lock shaft to lock the differential, and a lost motion coupling between the brake cam lever and the actuator allowing the brake cam lever to pivot to a differential lock position in which the actuator moves the differential lock shaft sufficiently to lock the differential, before the brake cam lever pivots further to progressively engage the brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Eley, David L. Sprinkle, Brian E. Biles
  • Patent number: 8051739
    Abstract: A vehicle-use transmission manipulating device for substantially preventing a rider's foot from interfering with a rod thereof. In a vehicle-use transmission manipulating device having a pair of pivot support members for supporting a pivot shaft of a swing arm provided at left and right sides of a main pipe behind a transmission. A driver step and a support shaft of a change pedal are provided behind the pivot support member with the change pedal and a transmission shaft being connected with each other by way of a rod. A bell crank is arranged below the driver step. The rod includes a first rod for connecting the change pedal and the bell crank and a second rod for connecting the bell crank and the transmission shaft side. The second rod is arranged in front of the change pedal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hisao Nishiura
  • Publication number: 20110077829
    Abstract: A method is described for operating a vehicle fitted with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and having a lever for varying the transmission ratio of the CVT to permit the vehicle operator to vary the vehicle wheel speed. In the invention, the transmission ratio of the CVT is limited to a value dependent upon at least one of the prevailing engine speed and the rate of change of the engine speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Riccardo Morselli, MASSIMO Baroni, Francesco Roli
  • Publication number: 20110036192
    Abstract: An instrumented control pedal for a vehicle includes a lever portion, a pedal portion, a position sensor and at least one pressure sensor. The lever portion may include a first end, a second end and a pivot point disposed proximate the second end. The pedal portion may be disposed proximate the first end of the lever portion and the at least one pressure sensor may be disposed on the pedal portion. The position sensor may be operable to detect the displacement of the instrumented control pedal about the pivot point and output a position signal indicating the displacement of the instrumented control pedal. When a pressure is applied to the pedal portion, the pressure sensor outputs a signal indicating pressure is being applied to the pedal portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael John Wolterman
  • Patent number: 7832516
    Abstract: A vehicle is described with moveable foot control levers to accommodate different size riders The vehicle has one or more fuel tanks. The fuel tanks may be arranged in a split side-by-side configuration. The vehicle has a rear suspension. The rear suspension may include a rear suspension having a linkage which moves in a direction not parallel with a centerline plane of the vehicle. The vehicle may include a tip-over structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Bagnariol
  • Publication number: 20100212448
    Abstract: A saddle riding type vehicle includes a sensor that generates a signal, a moving member that moves a movable portion of the sensor and a coupling member that couples the moving member to a change pedal. The change pedal, the coupling member, the moving member and the sensor are arranged sequentially alongside one another along a sub-frame. The sub-frame is an existing member constituting a part of a vehicle body frame. Thus, base plates dedicated to the moving member, the sensor and the like can be eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventor: Tomoyasu SATO
  • Patent number: 7654358
    Abstract: A foot operated gear-shift assembly, gear shift conversion kit, and method for converting the shifting gears of a conventional motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle, and like vehicle wherein the heel and toe shift elements of the conventional rocker-arm gear shift assembly are separated and pivot about separate pivot axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventors: John Gilgallon, George Faleris
  • Publication number: 20100005916
    Abstract: A motorcycle foot control mechanism is described and claimed, said motorcycle foot control mechanism comprising a left rockerboard bracket, said rockerboard bracket being found on a left-hand side of a motorcycle in a left footrest position, said rockerboard bracket comprising a motorcycle footrest immovably affixed to a rockerboard bracket on a ventral side of said footrest, said rockerboard bracket being a member selected from the group consisting of a rockerboard bracket braking bracket and a rockerboard bracket shifting bracket, said rockerboard bracket comprising a toe end and a heel end; a right rockerboard bracket, said rockerboard bracket being found on a right-hand side of said motorcycle in a right footrest position, said rockerboard bracket comprising a motorcycle footrest immovably affixed to a rockerboard bracket on a ventral side of said footrest, said rockerboard bracket being a member selected from the group consisting of a rockerboard bracket braking bracket and a rockerboard bracket shifting
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventor: Richard Lee Briggs, JR.
  • Publication number: 20100000362
    Abstract: An adjustable operating mechanism for a kick down switch includes a stopper formed on a stopper bracket and having a slope surface inclined in one direction, a kick down switch including a member for providing different mechanical operating feeling and a protrusion having a slope surface corresponding to the slope surface of the stopper, and a groove formed on an acceleration pedal arm to receive the kick down switch, the kick down switch being configured and dimensioned to be movable therein to a predetermined position so that a kick down-generating time point is adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Eansoo CHO, Joonyoung Park
  • Publication number: 20090272215
    Abstract: A heel shifter for a motorcycle has a pivotable pedal so that the pedal may be pivoted up out of the way to give more room for the rider's foot on the left floor board.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas Plackis
  • Patent number: 7603925
    Abstract: A parking brake device for a vehicle includes a lever bracket, a brake lever, a brake mechanism, a plurality of brake cables and a link mechanism. The lever bracket is fixedly located near a driver seat of the vehicle body. The brake lever is tiltably supported by the lever bracket. The brake mechanism controls rotation of a drive system shaft member in the vehicle body. The brake cables operate the brake mechanism by tilting motion of the brake lever. Pull length of each brake cable caused by the tilting motion of the brake lever is set in a predetermined range. The link mechanism is connected to the brake lever so as to be displaced by the tilting motion of the brake lever. The link mechanism holds one end of each of the brake cables. The brake cables simultaneously operate the brake mechanism by the tilting motion of the brake lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventor: Mikio Murase
  • Publication number: 20090255360
    Abstract: A gear shifter for a motorcycle having a rotatable shifter shaft. The gear shifter includes a shifter arm having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the shifter arm is configured to engage the shifter shaft. The gear shifter further includes a shifter peg movably coupled to the second portion of the shifter arm such that the shifter peg is pivotable with respect to the shifter arm between a first position and a second position. A retainer assembly is operable to selectively retain the shifter peg in each of the first and the second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Brian Witteveen, Thomas Edward Strunsee, Brent Ahlers, Kristopher T. Lepkowski, Jesse David Williams
  • Publication number: 20090044652
    Abstract: A neutral hold device for a hydrostatic continuously variable speed change device having a trunnion shaft, comprising a first member which rotates integrally with the trunnion shaft and in which a cam having a concave part is formed; a second member that pivots about a support shaft provided parallel to the trunnion shaft, and that is provided with a cam follower for engaging with the cam; a spring for urging the cam follower against the cam so that the trunnion shaft is retained in a neutral position by the cam follower being positioned in a set position of the cam by the urging of the spring; and auxiliary urging means for generating an auxiliary urging force for urging the trunnion shaft toward the neutral position while the trunnion shaft is positioned in a proximate region of the neutral position set in advance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: Kubota Corporation
    Inventor: Akifumi Nishino
  • Patent number: 7478575
    Abstract: A brake actuating assembly for use in a vehicle includes a clutch assembly that includes a pinion provided on one of a lever and a mounting bracket of the actuating assembly. The pinion includes a shaft and a plurality of teeth that interact with an arcuate rack of teeth provided on the other of the lever and the mounting bracket. The clutch assembly also includes a torsion clutch spring that includes a plurality of coils wrapped around the shaft of the pinion, a fixed end at one end of the coils, and a free end at an opposite end of the coils. At least one of the shaft of the pinion and the spring is tapered in an axial direction thereof such that an interference fit between the spring and the shaft is lower near the free end of the spring than near the fixed end of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Ventra Group Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Revelis
  • Patent number: 7467682
    Abstract: A motorcycle shifting arrangement is connected to a transmission of the motorcycle for shifting the transmission between a higher gear and a lower gear. The motorcycle includes an original shifting structure having an original shift member pivotally mounted on an original pivot shaft coupled to the transmission at a location adjacent a foot rest attached to a bottom portion of the motorcycle. A supplemental shifting structure is pivotally attached relative to a supporting structure at a forward location on the motorcycle and has a foot engaging shift member adjacent the foot rest for permitting shifting of the motorcycle between higher and lower gears while the motorcycle operator has a foot supported on the foot rest by applying downward force of the operator's toe on either of the original shift member or the foot engaging shift member of the supplementary shifting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: SWH Enterprise, LLC
    Inventor: Scott W. Hahm
  • Publication number: 20080127766
    Abstract: To lower the center of gravity of the entire engine including a speed-change actuator for realization of the lowered center of gravity of a vehicle in which the engine is mounted and to suppress the effect on an arrangement space for components above the engine. In an engine including a transmission which is provided in a power transmission pathway to a drive wheel, a counter shaft which is an output shaft of the transmission, an engine case in which a crankshaft and the transmission are accommodated, and a speed-change actuator which is attached to the engine case, the speed-change actuator is arranged below relative to the counter shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Atsushi Ogasawara
  • Patent number: 7363832
    Abstract: A transmission system for a scooter has a gear train assembly and a gear shifting mechanism. The gear train assembly has an input shaft, which is provided with an integral gear, an intermediate shaft, an output shaft, an input fork, an intermediate fork, an output fork, three dog gears, four slotted gears, and gear. The system may be employed for manually or automatically changing gears in a scooter to enable the vehicle to be driven with different speeds and with varying load conditions. The system utilizes a compact three-shaft system designed to achieve required gear ratio steps in a positive efficient manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Bajaj Auto Limited
    Inventor: Joseph Abraham
  • Publication number: 20080016977
    Abstract: This invention relates to an active brake release device attached to the exterior of a door controller, comprising: a first electromagnet, in which a sliding portion can slide to activate a sliding bar when the electromagnet is energized for magnetic excitation; a first and a second actuator, in which the first actuator is located to abut against the break release bar of the door controller, and a sliding pin of the first actuator is yielding biased in the anti-activation direction of the bar; and, the second actuator is limited by a limit means at a fixed position; a second electromagnet, which is used to release the second actuator when it is energized for magnetic excitation; a circuit, which includes a limit-switch and provides instant power to the first electromagnet during the resetting of the device; and a capacitor, which is used to temporarily supply power to the second electromagnet in unexpected electricity failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Inventor: Chung Hsien Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7264099
    Abstract: A motorcycle transmission shifting mechanism includes a foot-operated gearshift assembly provided with a pedal and cam subassembly, displaceable relative to one another to establish a desired speed-ratio position, and a hand-operated clutch release mechanism operative to release a clutch for shifting through multiple speed-ratio positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas Duignan
  • Patent number: 7195096
    Abstract: A pedal pusher to provide for single handed manipulation of two (2) pedals of a motor vehicle, such as a golf cart, is disclosed. A first manipulation of the device in an arc range of motion controls a first pedal of the vehicle while a second manipulation of the device in a rotational range of motion controls a second pedal of the vehicle. Angular adjustment of the device to a desired orientation relative to the seat of the vehicle for the comfort of the operator is provided for.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: Bruce A Mawhinney
  • Patent number: 7104036
    Abstract: A reverse implement option for a tractor or mowing vehicle is activated by moving the reverse foot pedal to an intermediate position. An arm linked to the reverse foot pedal pivots in response to movement of the reverse foot pedal to the intermediate position to actuate a reverse sensing switch. The reverse sensing switch is actuated before a transmission control rod, which links the reverse foot pedal to a hydrostatic transmission swash plate, enables reverse travel of the tractor or vehicle. The PTO operates during reverse travel of the tractor if both the hand operated bypass switch and the reverse sensing switch are actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Harlin James Trefz
  • Patent number: 7040447
    Abstract: A pedal pusher to provide for hand manipulation of a pedal of a motor vehicle, such as a golf cart, is disclosed. Means are disclosed to provide for release of a substantial portion of the device where the pedal of the vehicle may be operated without substantial interference by the portion of the device remaining attached to the pedal of the vehicle. Means are disclosed to provide for angular adjustment of the device to a desired orientation relative to the seat of the vehicle for the comfort of the operator. Means are disclosed to provide for length adjustment for selectively adjusting a length of the device within a length range of motion for the comfort of the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventor: Bruce A Mawhinney
  • Patent number: 6988571
    Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to enable a crawler tractor to brake and stop certainly without applying a load to an engine and a driving mechanism, and without complicated operation. An operation link links a conic linkage (53) which links a steering wheel (7) with a main speed change lever (55) of the crawler tractor, and with an operation mechanism of a brake pedal (54). A neutral return mechanism for the operation link is provided. The operation link neutral return mechanism comprises a hook-like cam lever (61). When the brake pedal is depressed, the main speed change lever is moved to its neutral position before braking force occurs, and then, the brake is actuated. Accordingly, engine brake is used effectively, and the brake can be miniaturized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Inventors: Eiichi Okamoto, Masakazu Komatsu, Yukio Kubota, Susumu Nochi, Susumu Akashima, Takashi Uno, Gaku Higashiguchi, Shinsuke Tani, Kazuo Yamamoto