US4324306A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Engine supporting structure for motorcycle
Assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1979-10-17
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Granted: 1982-04-13
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Expires: 1999-10-17
Abstract
Abstract An improved engine supporting structure for a motorcycle wherein a power unit is constructed integrally of an engine, a crankcase and a transmission case and is subjected to pivotal motions with respect to the frame together with a rear wheel. The engine is so arranged that its main axis of inertia is substanially horizontal, and the engine constituting a part of the power unit is pivotally connected to the lower end of a link which in turn has its upper end pivotally connected to the frame. The link is so arranged that its upper and lower pivots are substantially in a vertical line, and the rear portion of the power unit supporting the rear wheel is connected to the frame through a shock absorber. In this manner, the transmission of engine vibrations to the frame is restricted, the following characteristics of the rear wheel in the longitudinal direction are improved, and the riding quality is improved.
Inventors
- 👤 Takeo Ishihara
- 👤 Hidehiko Inoue
- 👤 Yuji Kishizawa
- 👤 Tsutomu Hayashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:48
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62M; B62M7/00; B62M7/02; B62M7/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
In a motorcycle of the type in which a power unit is constructed integrally of an engine, a crankcase and a transmission case and which is swingable with respect to a frame together with a rear wheel, said rear wheel being supported by said power unit at a rear portion thereof and connected to said frame through a shock absorber; an engine supporting structure wherein: said engine has the main axis of inertia thereof directed substantially in the longitudinal direction of said motorcycle; at least one link is provided, said link having the lower portion thereof pivotally connected to said engine through a lower pivot and the upper portion thereof pivotally connected to said frame through an upper pivot; said lower pivot and said upper pivot are arranged on a substantially vertical line so as to permit movement of said power unit, substantially in the direction of said main axis of inertia of said engine; a stopper is provided on each said link; and a member is provided on said frame in operative cooperation with each said stopper so as to regulate the pivotal motions of each said link.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
In a motorcycle of the type in which a power unit is constructed integrally of an engine, a crankcase and a transmission case and which is swingable with respect to a frame together with a rear wheel, said rear wheel being supported by said power unit at a rear portion thereof and connected to said frame through a shock absorber; an engine supporting structure wherein: said engine has the main axis of inertia thereof directed substantially in the longitudinal direction of said motorcycle; at least one link is provided, said link having the lower portion thereof pivotally connected to said engine through a lower pivot and the upper portion thereof pivotally connected to said frame through an upper pivot; said lower pivot and said upper pivot are arranged on a substantially vertical line so as to permit movement of said power unit, substantially in the direction of said main axis of inertia of said engine; a stopper is provided on each said link; and a member is provided on said frame in operative cooperation with each said stopper so as to regulate the pivotal motions of each said link.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
91 words
A motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein: a pair of brackets are provided to depend from said frame; a pair of supporting projections project respectively from both sides of an upper portion of said engine; and a pair of said links each have said upper portion thereof pivotally connected to one of said brackets through said upper pivot and said lower portion thereof pivotally connected to one of said supporting projections through said lower pivot, said upper and lower pivots of said pair of links being substantially aligned with each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein: rubber bushes are interposed between the upper pivot of said links and said frame and between the lower pivot of said links and said engine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein: rubber bushes are interposed between the upper pivot of said links and said frame; and bearings are interposed between the lower pivot of said links and said engine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein: bearings are interposed between the upper pivot of said links and said frame and between the lower pivot of said links and said engine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A motorcycle according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: said bearings comprise ball bearings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
A motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein: each said stopper provided on each said link is integrally formed with said link so as to extend forwardly of said upper pivot; and each said member provided on said frame and operatively cooperating with each said stopper comprises a stud element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A motorcycle according to claim 7, wherein: each said stud element is provided with a cushion rubber mounted thereon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A motorcycle according to claim 8, wherein: a predetermined clearance is normally defined between the outer circumference of each said cushion rubber and each said stopper on said link.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
A motorcycle according to claim 1, wherein: each said stopper provided on each said link comprises a collar element fixed to a front portion of said link; each said member provided on said frame and operatively cooperating with each said stopper comprises a stud element projecting from said frame; and a rubber bush is provided between each said collar element and each said stud element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
A motorcycle according to claim 10, wherein: each said rubber bush is formed with hollow portions extending substantially in the direction of pivotal motion of each said link so as to attenuate vibrations caused by said pivotal motion of each said link.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
185 words
In a motorcycle of the type in which a power unit is constructed integrally of an engine, a crankcase and a transmission case and which is swingable with respect to a frame together with a rear wheel, said rear wheel being supported by said power unit at a rear portion thereof and connected to said frame through a shock absorber; an engine supporting structure wherein: said engine has the main axis of inertia thereof directed substantially in the longitudinal direction of said motorcycle; at least one link is provided, said link having the lower portion thereof pivotally connected to said engine through a lower pivot and the upper portion thereof pivotally connected to said frame through an upper pivot; said lower pivot and said upper pivot are arranged on a substantially vertical line so as to permit movement of said power unit substantially in the direction of said main axis of inertia of said engine; and stoppers are provided in front of the upper pivot of said links and corresponding stoppers are provided on said frame to thereby regulate the pivotal motions of said links.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
185 words
In a motorcycle of the type in which a power unit is constructed integrally of an engine, a crankcase and a transmission case and which is swingable with respect to a frame together with a rear wheel, said rear wheel being supported by said power unit at a rear portion thereof and connected to said frame through a shock absorber; an engine supporting structure wherein: said engine has the main axis of inertia thereof directed substantially in the longitudinal direction of said motorcycle; at least one link is provided, said link having the lower portion thereof pivotally connected to said engine through a lower pivot and the upper portion thereof pivotally connected to said frame through an upper pivot; said lower pivot and said upper pivot are arranged on a substantially vertical line so as to permit movement of said power unit substantially in the direction of said main axis of inertia of said engine; and stoppers are provided in front of the upper pivot of said links and corresponding stoppers are provided on said frame to thereby regulate the pivotal motions of said links.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
A motorcycle according to claim 12, wherein: cushion rubbers are mounted on said stoppers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
197 words
In a motorcycle of the type in which a power unit is constructed integrally of an engine, a crankcase and a transmission case and which is swingable with respect to a frame together with a rear wheel, said rear wheel being supported by said power unit at a rear portion thereof and connected to said frame through a shock absorber; an engine supporting structure wherein: said engine has the main axis of inertia thereof directed substantially in the longitudinal direction of said motorcycle; at least one link is provided, said link having the lower portion thereof pivotally connected to said engine through a lower pivot and the upper portion thereof pivotally connected to said frame through an upper pivot; said lower pivot and said upper pivot are arranged on a substantially vertical line so as to permit movement of said power unit substantially in the direction of said main axis of inertia of said engine; stopper collars are provided in front of the upper pivot of said links; and stopper rubber bushes provided on said frame are fitted in said collars such that they can be warped in the direction of the pivotal motions of said links.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
197 words
In a motorcycle of the type in which a power unit is constructed integrally of an engine, a crankcase and a transmission case and which is swingable with respect to a frame together with a rear wheel, said rear wheel being supported by said power unit at a rear portion thereof and connected to said frame through a shock absorber; an engine supporting structure wherein: said engine has the main axis of inertia thereof directed substantially in the longitudinal direction of said motorcycle; at least one link is provided, said link having the lower portion thereof pivotally connected to said engine through a lower pivot and the upper portion thereof pivotally connected to said frame through an upper pivot; said lower pivot and said upper pivot are arranged on a substantially vertical line so as to permit movement of said power unit substantially in the direction of said main axis of inertia of said engine; stopper collars are provided in front of the upper pivot of said links; and stopper rubber bushes provided on said frame are fitted in said collars such that they can be warped in the direction of the pivotal motions of said links.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-04-12 | 1985-10-12 | 1986-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-04-12 | 1989-10-12 | 1990-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-04-12 | 1993-10-12 | 1994-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |