Motor vehicles – Including one or more ski-like or runner members – With at least one surface-engaging propulsion element
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-28
2001-01-09
Hurley, Kevin (Department: 3619)
Motor vehicles
Including one or more ski-like or runner members
With at least one surface-engaging propulsion element
C180S335000, C074S502200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170590
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a throttle lever device for a small-sized vehicle. Particularly, the invention is directed to a throttle lever device wherein the length of throttle cable pulled is changed in accordance with the amount of operation of an operating lever, thereby making the opening of a throttle valve in a carburetor variable.
2. Description of the Background Art
A conventional throttle lever device is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1193/91. According to the background art disclosed therein, the amount of rotation of an operating lever and the length of a cable pulled thereby remain proportional to one another. This results in a flat operation feeling from a low speed range up to a full open range by operation of the operating lever.
According to the above conventional structure, the amount of operation of the operating lever is restricted to some extent, so when a carburetor throttle valve of a large diameter is to be operated, it is difficult to obtain a balance between the stroke and the load. on the other hand, in Japanese Utility Model Laid Open No. 37493/88, a throttle lever device is disclosed wherein the length of cable to be pulled is changed in accordance with the amount of operation of an operating lever. According to the construction disclosed therein, parallel links are used to change the length of the cable to be pulled relative to the amount of operation of the operating lever.
In the above construction, the device is large because parallel links are used. Particularly, a large external form results in an increase in size of the entire device, making it difficult to attach the device to the grip portion. Further, the links swing a large amount with respect to each other, and hence it is not convenient to use the device. Still further, the number of parts used increases and it is not easy to assemble the throttle operating mechanism. Since the amount of swing motion of the operating portion is large, especially that of the link mechanism, the device is difficult to position within a cover. If an attempt is made to accommodate the device within the cover, an extremely large sized cover must be used, which is not desirable. If the link mechanism is used on a snowmobile and exposed in an uncovered state, it is necessary to implement separate measures against the entry of snow into the mechanism.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to solving the above-mentioned problems of a throttle lever device having the ability to change the amount of cable pulled relative to the amount of operation of an operating lever.
It is an object of the invention to provide a throttle lever device which is simple in structure, and utilizes a minimal number of components.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a throttle lever device which is compact in external form, permitting the utilization of a cover used in a conventional proportion type throttle lever device, requiring only a change of parts for direct application to the conventional proportion type.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a throttle lever device which is superior in general purpose and also superior in point of function.
In order to solve the foregoing problems, there is provided a throttle lever device for a small-sized vehicle wherein an operating lever is rotated manually about a pivot shaft to pull or return a cable connected to a fuel supply unit such as a carburetor. The throttle lever device includes a first link adapted to rotate about the pivot shaft of the operating lever in accordance with the pivotal motion of the operating lever, and a second link rotatably supported by a shaft on a front end side of the first link. One end portion of the second link is engaged with the cable. The first link has a restricting portion for restricting the rotation of the second link. A stopper member is disposed in the rotating direction of the second link and abuts the second link.
The first link rotates with rotation of the throttle operation lever. The second link supported by the first link through a shaft is rotated by the restricting portion of the first link to pull the cable in proportion to the rotation of the throttle lever. Upon abutment of the second link with the stopper member, the second link rotates about the pivot shaft of the first link. The amount of rotation of the second link changes and increases relative, to the amount of rotation of the throttle lever, whereby the length of cable pulled also changes and increases.
It is possible to configure the throttle lever device in such a manner that in low and medium speed ranges of the engine, the throttle lever rotates by operation of a light load by an amount proportional to the amount of operation of the operation. However, in a full open range of the engine after abutment of the second link with the stopper member, the operating load of the throttle lever is increased to shorten the cable pulling stroke. Further, a restrictive feeling is created by abutment of the second link with the stopper member, whereby the operator can feel an approach to the full open range of the engine.
The position of abutment of the stopper member with the second link is adjustable. Therefore, by adjusting the abutting position of the stopper member, it is made possible to adjust the rotatable range of the throttle lever and thereby attain characteristics matching the engine characteristics, driver's taste and convenience of use. All that is required is a mere adjustment of the abutting position of the stopper member with respect to the second link, and therefore the adjusting work is easy and the structure is simple.
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.
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patent: 58-47143 (1983-03-01), None
patent: 37493 (1988-03-01), None
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patent: 83711 (1956-12-01), None
Birch & Stewart Kolasch & Birch, LLP
Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Hurley Kevin
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