US4392664A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Front fork of motorcycle
Assignee: SHOWA MANUFACTURING Co Ltd
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Filing: 1981-03-02
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Granted: 1983-07-12
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Expires: 2001-03-02
Abstract
Abstract A front fork assembly for use on a motorcycle, including a fork pipe, a bottom casing slidably fitting the lower portion of the fork pipe and including means for connection to the axle of a front motorcycle wheel. The bottom casing, filled with oil, has a pipe seat anchored at the bottom portion of the bottom casing with its upper end slidably fitted to the fork pipe. An oil passage is provided for communication between the inside and outside of the pipe seat. A plunger which is equipped with a valve for opening and closing the oil passage is disposed to face a valve seat slidably fitted in the oil passage and supported by a spring adapted to slide in coaction with a braking mechanism. The front fork assembly will partly prevent nose-diving upon a braking operation of a motorcycle which includes the front fork assembly, and further will partly absorb the shocks from the road upon the braking operation of a motorcycle which includes the front fork assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Takayoshi Tsuchiya
- 👤 Masami Matsuo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:36
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16F; F16F9/00; F16F9/32; F16F9/50; B; B62; B62K; B62K21/00; B62K21/02; B62K25/00; B62K25/04; B62K25/06; B62K25/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A front fork assembly for use on a motorcycle, comprising: a fork pipe; a bottom casing slidably fitting the lower portion of said fork pipe and having means for connection to the axle of the front motorcycle wheel, said bottom casing having its inside filled with oil; a seat pipe anchored at the bottom portion of said bottom casing and having its upper end slidably fitted in said fork pipe; a valve seat slidably fitted in an oil passage for providing communication between the inside and outside of said seat pipe and supported by a spring; a plunger having a valve disposed to face said valve seat for opening and closing said oil passage; and coaction means for effecting coaction between said plunger and a braking mechanism.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A front fork assembly for use on a motorcycle, comprising: a fork pipe; a bottom casing slidably fitting the lower portion of said fork pipe and having means for connection to the axle of the front motorcycle wheel, said bottom casing having its inside filled with oil; a seat pipe anchored at the bottom portion of said bottom casing and having its upper end slidably fitted in said fork pipe; a valve seat slidably fitted in an oil passage for providing communication between the inside and outside of said seat pipe and supported by a spring; a plunger having a valve disposed to face said valve seat for opening and closing said oil passage; and coaction means for effecting coaction between said plunger and a braking mechanism.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A front fork assembly according to claim 1, further comprising adjusting means for adjusting the strength of said spring.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A front fork assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said coaction means includes a core cable extending in a flexible tube connected to said braking mechanism for pushing down said plunger.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A front fork assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said coaction means includes an oil hose having communication with the hydraulic unit of the braking mechanism for pushing down said plunger, an oil chamber connected with said oil hose, and a second plunger contacting end-to-end with the first-named plunger.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A fork assembly according to claim 4, further comprising a flexible diaphragm sandwiched between the two plungers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A front fork assembly according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a spring interposed between said valve seat and said valve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
A front fork assembly according to claim 2, wherein said adjusting means includes a bottom member screwed in said bottom casing, a spring seat receiving one end of said spring, and a screw screwed in said bottom member and having its one end supporting said spring seat.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
A front fork assembly according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: an oil lock piece mounted on the outer circumference of the lower portion of said seat pipe; and an annular check valve slidably fitted on said seat pipe and mounted on the upper end of said oil lock piece.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-07-11 | 1987-01-10 | 1987-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-07-11 | 1991-01-10 | 1991-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-07-11 | 1995-01-10 | 1995-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |