Land vehicles – Wheeled – Occupant propelled type
Reexamination Certificate
2001-10-15
2003-01-14
DePumpo, Daniel G. (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Occupant propelled type
C280S286000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06505847
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to suspension apparatus and, more particularly, to a suspension apparatus built into the frame of a motorcycle or the like.
Rigid frame motorcycles have a “clean” look that is preferred by many riders, such as the wishbone style frame shown in FIG.
1
. Incorporating a suspension mechanism, for instance, by attaching a shock absorber between the upper and lower members of the frame, ruins the look.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a suspension mechanism that is built into the rigid frame members to provide a softer ride while preserving the clean look of the rigid frame.
An aspect of the present invention is directed to a suspension mechanism for a vehicle having a wheel mount for a wheel, a steering head for a steering handle, and a vehicle frame. The suspension mechanism comprises a lower frame member of the vehicle frame extending from the wheel mount, and an upper frame member of the vehicle frame extending from the wheel mount and being disposed above the lower frame member. An upper frame arm of the vehicle frame extends from the steering head and is movably coupled with the upper frame member at a location between the steering head and the wheel mount. The upper frame member is slidable relative to the upper frame arm along an upper arcuate path centered around a pivot axis disposed between the upper frame member and the lower frame member.
In some embodiments, the upper frame arm includes a shock absorber coupled with the upper frame member to absorb shock during movement of the upper frame arm relative to the upper frame member. The shock absorber comprises a hydraulic piston disposed in a hydraulic housing in the upper frame arm and a drive rod attached to the hydraulic piston. The hydraulic housing contains a compressed gas. The drive rod is coupled with the upper frame member to move the upper frame member relative to the upper frame arm from an unrotated position to a rotated position along the upper arcuate path.
In specific embodiments, the upper frame arm includes an upper guide channel forming the upper arcuate path, and the upper frame member includes at least one upper guide pin connected with the upper guide channel to slide along the upper guide channel. The upper frame member is slidable relative to the upper frame arm along the upper arcuate path between an unrotated position and a rotated position. The upper frame member and the upper frame arm are substantially aligned in the unrotated position.
In some embodiments, a lower frame arm of the vehicle frame extends from the steering head and is movably coupled with the lower frame member at a location between the steering head and the wheel mount. The lower frame member is slidable relative to the lower frame arm along a lower arcuate path centered around the pivot axis. The lower frame arm includes a plurality of lower guide channels, and the lower frame member includes a plurality of lower guide pins each connected with one of the plurality of lower guide channels to slide along each lower guide channel relative to the lower frame arm along the lower arcuate path. The lower frame member is slidable relative to the lower frame arm along the lower arcuate path between an unrotated position and a rotated position. The lower frame member and the lower frame arm are substantially aligned in the unrotated position.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a suspension mechanism for a vehicle comprises a lower frame member of the vehicle frame extending from the wheel mount, and a lower frame arm of the vehicle frame extending from the steering head and being movably coupled with the lower frame member at a location between the steering head and the wheel mount. The suspension mechanism further comprises an upper frame member of the vehicle frame extending from the wheel mount and being disposed above the lower frame member, and an upper frame arm of the vehicle frame extending from the steering head and being movably coupled with the upper frame member at a location between the steering head and the wheel mount. The upper frame member is movable relative to the upper frame arm and the lower frame member is movable relative to the lower frame arm, both in rotation centered around a pivot axis disposed between the upper frame arm and the lower frame arm.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a suspension mechanism for a vehicle comprises an upper frame member of the vehicle frame extending from the wheel mount, and an upper frame arm of the vehicle frame extending from the steering head and being movably coupled with the upper frame member at a location between the steering head and the wheel mount. The upper frame member is slidable relative to the upper frame arm along an upper arcuate path centered around a pivot axis disposed below the upper frame arm and between the steering head and the wheel mount. The upper frame arm comprises a tube which houses a shock absorber, which is coupled with the upper frame member to absorb shock during movement of the upper frame arm relative to the upper frame member.
In some embodiments, the upper frame arm includes an upper guide channel forming the upper arcuate path, and the upper frame member includes a plurality of upper guide pins connected with the upper guide channel to slide along the upper guide channel. The upper frame arm includes a retainer member which retains the upper guide pins in the upper guide channel to move along the upper guide channel. The upper frame arm includes a Teflon slide plate in the upper guide channel on which the upper guide pins slide. At least one bearing is disposed between the upper frame member and the upper frame arm to facilitate sliding movement therebetween.
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DePumpo Daniel G.
Luby Matthew
Paramount Custom Cycles
Townsend and Townsend / and Crew LLP
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