Land vehicles – Wheeled – Occupant propelled type
Reexamination Certificate
2002-09-09
2004-10-12
Morris, Lesley D. (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Occupant propelled type
Reexamination Certificate
active
06802519
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention is concerned with damping the steering movements of the steering assembly of a cycle, especially a motorcycle.
BACKGROUND ART
The desirability of damping the motion of the steering wheel assembly of a motorcycle has long been recognized whether to resist wobbling of the assembly at high speeds or to absorb sidewise shocks to the assembly when traversing rough terrain.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,514 granted Sep. 27, 1988 to Leif Gustafsson for “Hydraulic Damping Device” discloses a device for attachment to the steering assembly of a motorcycle. Damping is achieved by movement of a piston wing through a body of hydraulic fluid in a sector shaped chamber. The device includes means for adjusting the resistance to movement of the piston wing and the range of movement throughout which the resistance is effective. The resistance adjustment is made by manually turning a knob on the device requiring the rider to let go of the handlebar to make the adjustment. The range adjustment is made with a screwdriver and can be made only when the cycle is stopped.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,133 granted May 14, 1996 to D. L. Motrenec et al. for “Steering Stabilizer for Bicycles” discloses a device which dampens hydraulically. A valve in the hydraulic circuit controls the resistance to flow of hydraulic fluid and is remotely manually manipulated by a lever positioned near the hand grip on the handlebar. The valve provides three distinct levels of resistance. Unfortunately, the valve design blocks fluid flow completely as it is moved from one resistance level to another which momentarily locks the steering mechanism.
There continues to be a need for a reliable hydraulic damping system which can be easily and safely manipulated by the cycle rider while the cycle is in motion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention contemplates providing a hydraulic damper in which a paddle is positioned in and relatively movable with respect to an arcuate chamber filled with hydraulic fluid such as oil. Two hydraulic circuits provide for the flow of fluid from one side of the chamber to the other side of the chamber when there is relative movement between the paddle and the chamber. Each hydraulic circuit has a progressive valve therein for adjusting the resistance to fluid flow through its circuit. At least one of the valves is positioned adjacent a hand grip on the cycle handle bars for convenient manipulation by the cycle rider.
In accordance with the invention the chamber of the damper is preferably formed in the triple clamp which is the top member of the steering wheel fork suspension of the cycle. A cover for the chamber has portions of the fluid circuit ports and passages formed therein thereby forming a compact assembly positioned beneath the handlebars.
A further feature of the invention is the provision of fluid bypass grooves in a wall of the chamber preferably the wall formed by the cover. The grooves extend from a central region of the chamber outwardly in opposite directions toward the end regions of the chamber. The flow volume of each groove becomes progressively larger toward the end region of the chamber. These grooves allow increased flow of fluid past the paddle near the end of its relative motion to reduce the damping.
A still further feature of the invention is a further bypass fluid circuit connecting opposite sides of the chamber. This circuit has valve means therein which allow free flow of fluid between the sides of the chamber when the relative motion of the paddle is toward its central, or neutral, position.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4566712 (1986-01-01), Motrenec
patent: 4736962 (1988-04-01), Motrenec
patent: 4773514 (1988-09-01), Gustafsson
patent: 5492033 (1996-02-01), Hopey
patent: 5516133 (1996-05-01), Motrenec et al.
patent: 5836213 (1998-11-01), Hopey
patent: 5927740 (1999-07-01), Hopey
patent: 5967538 (1999-10-01), Callaluca et al.
patent: 6145637 (2000-11-01), Hopey
patent: 6390255 (2002-05-01), Kobori et al.
patent: 6401884 (2002-06-01), Norman et al.
patent: 6471229 (2002-10-01), Stewart
Bronsart Gene M.
Morgan Jason J.
Morgan Jay D.
Morgan Sonny J.
Cahill von Hellens & Glazer, P.L.C.
Morris Lesley D.
Royal, Jr. Paul
RTT Motorsports, LLC
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