Land vehicles – Wheeled – Occupant propelled type
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-31
2001-12-25
Johnson, Brian L. (Department: 3618)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Occupant propelled type
C280S279000, C180S222000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06332625
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to improvements in a steering system for a motorcycle.
2. Background Art
FIG. 7
is a schematic view of a conventional steering system for a motorcycle. In a steering system
100
, a top bridge
102
is rotatably attached to a head pipe
101
, and a handlebar
103
is attached to the top bridge
102
by handlebar holders
104
and a bolt
105
. Numerals
106
refer to right and left front forks, and numerals
107
denote grips.
To improve the steering system
100
by enhancing the vibration-proof effect of the handlebar
103
, which absorbs vehicle body vibration for the purpose of improved driving of a motorcycle, the use of a cushioning member in the steering system
100
has been proposed. The use of only the cushioning member in the conventional steering system, however, is not enough to obtain a vibration-proof effect. In addition, it is difficult to replace a conventional handlebar with an optional handlebar, which implements a cushioning member, because of a low degree of design freedom of conventional steering systems. Furthermore, since the cushioning member is visible from the driver's seat in the improved a conventional steering system as identified, the steering system still has room for improvement in appearance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a steering system having a high vibration-proof effect, a high degree of design freedom, and which has improved appearance.
With a view to achieving the above-described object, a steering system for a vehicle is provided having a steering stem rotatably mounted on a frame portion of the vehicle, a bridge member mounted on a substantially distal end of the steering stem, a flat plate member attached to and over the bridge member, wherein the flat plate member covers substantially an upper surface area of the bridge member, and is attached to the bridge member via at least one bolt passed through at least one through hole in the flat plate member and through at least one passage in the bridge member, the at least one bolt being fixed in place by a nut threaded onto an end thereof, that at least one through passage having a cushioning member disposed therein.
The steering system has a high vibration-proof effect because the handlebar bracket is connected in a floating state to the top bridge, via the use of the cushioning member therebetween. The vibration-proof effect of the steering system can be further improved by using a relatively heavy handlebar bracket which applies an increased load to the cushioning member to thereby lower the natural frequency of the cushioning member. Because the right and left handlebars are attached to the handlebar bracket, it is possible to attach a conventional handlebar, and also it is simple replace the handlebar with an optional handlebar despite of the presence of the cushioning member. The cushioning member mounted to the top bridge is covered with the handlebar bracket and therefore is invisible to the driver.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5301973 (1994-04-01), Truchinski
patent: 5967538 (1999-10-01), Callaluca et al.
patent: 6155370 (2000-12-01), Iwai et al.
patent: 6176339 (2001-01-01), Reichardt
Fukunaga Hirofumi
Yokoyama Mitsuru
Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Johnson Brian L.
Luby Matthew
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