Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Multiple controlling elements for single controlled element
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-21
2001-06-26
Bucci, David A. (Department: 3682)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Multiple controlling elements for single controlled element
C074S531000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250173
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a cruise control for a motorcycle, in particular to such a cruise control which is easily attached to the throttle of a conventional motorcycle and provides a tactile and audio indication to the motorcyclist as he or she changes from one selected cruising speed to another while the cruise controls engaged.
2. Background Discussion
Automobiles frequently employ cruise controls that enable a driver to select the speed of the automobile and maintain this speed without depressing the foot pedal or throttle of the automobile. Attempts have been made to provide cruise controls for motorcycles, but so far, a safe and convenient to use device has not been developed. Conventional motorcycle cruise controls have been either inconvenient to use and, in many instances, are unsafe or unreliable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The motorcycle cruise control of this invention has several features, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of this invention as expressed by the claims which follow, its more prominent features will now be discussed briefly. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled, “DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT,” one will understand how the features of this invention provide its benefits, which include, but are not limited to, reliable, convenient, and safe setting of a selected speed for the motorcycle while enabling the motorcyclist to change speed without disengaging the cruise control.
The first feature of the motorcycle cruise control of this invention is that the throttle member for controlling the motorcycle's speed is turned manually using a normal torque to increase the speed of the motorcycle when the cruise control is in a neutral position and is turned using a substantially greater than normal torque when the cruise control is in a cruise position.
The second feature is that an indexer is manually moveable between the cruise position and the neutral position. The indexer in the cruise position holds the throttle member in a selected position yet enables the throttle member to be turned manually in a stepwise manner. The indexer includes a plurality of pressure plates or members mounted to the throttle member that engage each other at a first pressure when the indexer is in the neutral position and at a second pressure when the indexer is in the cruise position which is substantially greater than the first pressure. A pair of the pressure members forms a detent assembly that provides a tactile and audible indication as the throttle member is turned. The detent assembly enables the throttle member to be turned manually in a stepwise manner without disengaging the cruise control of this invention.
The third feature is that the pressure members are concentrically aligned with each other and mounted on the throttle member so that the throttle member extends through the central openings of the aligned pressure members. A spring member applies pressure to the pressure members so that the pressure members engage each other at the first pressure when the indexer is in the neutral position to enable the throttle member be turned manually using essentially the normal torque and at the second pressure when the indexer is in the cruise position which is substantially greater than the first pressure to hold the throttle member in a selected position yet enabling the throttle member be turned manually using substantially greater than the normal torque. One of the pressure members has a series of teeth and the detent assembly includes a ball member that engages the teeth one tooth at a time as the throttle is turned, providing stepwise movement of the throttle member.
The fourth feature is a housing adapted to be attached in a fixed position to the handlebar of the motorcycle. Preferably, the housing is removeably attached to the handlebar, and it at least partially encloses the pressure members, which comprise an engagement ring, a ball member retainer ring, and a detent ring. At least one ball member is seated between the engagement ring and the ball member retainer ring, and at least partially extends through the ball member retainer ring to contact the detent ring.
The fifth feature is that the engagement ring, ball member retainer ring, and detent ring are concentricity aligned within the housing. Upon attaching the housing to the handlebar, the throttle member extends through the rings. The engagement ring is seated on the throttle member to turn relative to the throttle member. Preferably, the ball member retainer ring is sized so that the engagement ring is disposed therein. The ball member retainer ring is in a fixed position between the engagement ring and the detent ring, and the detent ring is adapted to be fixedly attached to the throttle member upon attaching the housing to the handlebar. Thus, the detent ring moves in unison with the throttle member. A spring member brings the ball member, engagement ring, ball member retainer ring, and detent ring into engagement with each other.
The sixth feature is an actuator member extending outward from the engagement ring and the housing for manually turning the engagement ring to change from a neutral position to a cruise position. The actuator member is attached to a peripheral edge portion of the engagement ring. There is at least one pair of grooves in one face of the engagement ring. One groove is a deep groove corresponding to the neutral position and the other groove is a shallow groove corresponding to the cruise position. The ball member is normally seated within one of the deep grooves when in the neutral position and is moveable to the shallow groove with rotation of the engagement ring. The ball member retainer ring has at least one opening therein that receives at least a portion of the ball member to hold the ball member so that, with the rotation of the engagement ring, the ball member moves between the grooves. The ball member retainer ring has a peripheral lip portion with a passageway therein that receives the actuator member and exposes the actuator member for manual manipulation. Thus, the engagement ring may be manually rotated clockwise and counterclockwise. A circumferiential flange portion with at least one opening therein receives at least a portion of the ball member. Consequently, with the rotation of the engagement ring between the neutral position and the cruise position, the ball member moves from the deep groove to the shallow groove.
The seventh feature is that the detent ring has a series of teeth that engage a portion of the ball member. There is a lesser force of engagement between the ball member and teeth when the ball member is in the deep groove, so that essentially a normal torque repositions the throttle member. And there is a greater force of engagement between the ball member and teeth when the ball member is in the shallow groove, so that a substantially greater than normal torque repositions the throttle member and the throttle member remains in a selected cruise position until manually repositioned using such greater torque.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1185467 (1916-05-01), Beauchamp
patent: 1473326 (1923-11-01), Slawienski
patent: 4137793 (1979-02-01), Sowell
patent: 4364283 (1982-12-01), Ricardo
patent: 5893295 (1999-04-01), Bronnert
patent: 41 19 275 (1992-11-01), None
patent: 41 39 429 (1993-06-01), None
Bucci David A.
Connors John J.
Connors & Assoc.
Joyce William C
LandOfFree
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