Patent US4565384A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4565384A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Motorcycle fork tree
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1983-12-12
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Granted: 1986-01-21
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Expires: 2003-12-12
Abstract
Abstract A motorcycle fork tree assembly includes a steering axle attached to a top tree piece and a bottom inner tree piece. The bottom inner tree piece is pivotally secured to a bottom intermediate tree piece which is adjustably positioned within a bottom outer tree piece. The fork tubes extend through the bottom outer tree piece and are attached to the top tree piece via plugs having offset bores positioned in one of a number of threaded holes of the top tree piece. The degree of trail of the steering assembly for the motorcycle can be easily and quickly adjusted by the independent adjustment of one or more of the bottom outer tree piece relative to the bottom inner tree piece or the plugs in the top tree piece.
Inventors
- 👤 Torbjorn Dehnisch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 12:08
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62K; B62K21/00; B62K21/18; B62K21/22; B62K21/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A fork tree assembly for a motorcycle, said fork tree assembly comprising: a steering axle rotatably mountable in a steering head of said motorcycle along a steering axis; a top tree piece fixed to a top end of said steering axle; a bottom inner tree piece fixed to a bottom end of said steering axle, said bottom inner piece having a first bore along a first axis transverse to said steering axis; a bottom intermediate tree piece pivotally mounted on said bottom inner piece about said first axis, said bottom intermediate piece having guide portions extending in a first direction orthogonal to said steering axis and first axis; a bottom outer tree piece to which fork tubes are securable, said bottom outer piece having a first portion shaped to correspond to said guide portions so that said guide portions can slidably engage said first portion along said first direction; and means for selectively securing said bottom intermediate and bottom outer tree pieces to one another relative to said first direction, whereby said bottom intermediate and bottom outer tree pieces are fixed to one another with selective adjustment in said first direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
A fork tree assembly for a motorcycle, said fork tree assembly comprising: a steering axle rotatably mountable in a steering head of said motorcycle along a steering axis; a top tree piece fixed to a top end of said steering axle; a bottom inner tree piece fixed to a bottom end of said steering axle, said bottom inner piece having a first bore along a first axis transverse to said steering axis; a bottom intermediate tree piece pivotally mounted on said bottom inner piece about said first axis, said bottom intermediate piece having guide portions extending in a first direction orthogonal to said steering axis and first axis; a bottom outer tree piece to which fork tubes are securable, said bottom outer piece having a first portion shaped to correspond to said guide portions so that said guide portions can slidably engage said first portion along said first direction; and means for selectively securing said bottom intermediate and bottom outer tree pieces to one another relative to said first direction, whereby said bottom intermediate and bottom outer tree pieces are fixed to one another with selective adjustment in said first direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first portion of said bottom outer piece comprises a recess in said bottom outer piece, said recess having a shape corresponding to a shape of said bottom intermediate piece at said guide portions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The assembly of claim 2 wherein said guide portions comprise lateral ribs extending from said bottom intermediate piece along a plane parallel to a plane defining said first axis and fitting into corresponding slots of said recess.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The assembly of claim 2 wherein said means for securing comprise a plurality of shims shaped to fit that portion of said recess not filled by said bottom intermediate piece.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The assembly of claim 4 wherein said means for securing further comprise: first bolts securing said bottom intermediate piece to said bottom outer piece in said first direction with said shims therebetween; and second bolts securing said bottom intermediate piece to said bottom outer piece in a direction orthogonal to said first direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
96 words
The assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of threaded holes on each lateral side of said top piece, said plurality of threaded holes extending in a direction parallel to said first axis; a plug threadably securable to a top of each said fork tube for permitting rotation of said plug in said fork tube about a rotating axis, each said plug having a portion including a bore offset from said rotating axis; and third bolts passing through said bores offset from said axes for securing said plugs to respective ones of said threaded holes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
197 words
A fork tree assembly for a motorcycle, said fork tree assembly comprising: a steering axle rotatably mountable in a steering head of said motorcycle along a steering axis; a top tree piece fixed to a top end of said steering axle; a bottom inner tree piece fixed to a bottom end of said steering axle, said bottom inner piece having a first bore along a first axis transverse to said steering axis; a bottom intermediate tree piece pivotally mounted on said bottom inner piece about said first axis; a bottom outer tree piece to which fork tubes are securable, said bottom outer tree piece being connected to said bottom intermediate tree piece; at least one threaded hole on each lateral side of said top piece, said hole extending in a direction parallel to said first axis; a plug securable to a top of each said fork tube for permitting rotation of said plug relatively to said fork tube about a rotating axis, each said plug having a portion including a bore offset from said rotating axis; and bolts passing through said bores offset from said axis for securing said plugs to respective ones of said threaded holes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
197 words
A fork tree assembly for a motorcycle, said fork tree assembly comprising: a steering axle rotatably mountable in a steering head of said motorcycle along a steering axis; a top tree piece fixed to a top end of said steering axle; a bottom inner tree piece fixed to a bottom end of said steering axle, said bottom inner piece having a first bore along a first axis transverse to said steering axis; a bottom intermediate tree piece pivotally mounted on said bottom inner piece about said first axis; a bottom outer tree piece to which fork tubes are securable, said bottom outer tree piece being connected to said bottom intermediate tree piece; at least one threaded hole on each lateral side of said top piece, said hole extending in a direction parallel to said first axis; a plug securable to a top of each said fork tube for permitting rotation of said plug relatively to said fork tube about a rotating axis, each said plug having a portion including a bore offset from said rotating axis; and bolts passing through said bores offset from said axis for securing said plugs to respective ones of said threaded holes.
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) | 1989-01-20 | 1989-07-22 | 1990-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-01-20 | 1993-07-22 | 1994-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-01-20 | 1997-07-22 | 1998-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |