Patent US4600207A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4600207A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Connection of steering column to frame
Assignee: BERND GROHE LES CRETES SWITZERLAND A CORP OF SWITZERLAND
•
Filing: 1985-07-22
•
Granted: 1986-07-15
•
Expires: 2005-07-22
Abstract
Abstract For adjusting the angle of inclination of a motorcycle steering column relative to the frame of the motorcycle the tubular steering column support has, near one of its ends, a pivot connection with the frame whereby its other end is swingable forward and rearward relative to the frame. Near the other end of the steering column support is an eccentric connection between it and the frame. Adjustment of the eccentric is effected by means of a swingable arm projecting rearward from one element of the eccentric and a lead screw actuator connected between that arm and the frame. Adjustment can be made while riding, to accommodate riding speed and conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Zosi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 10:38
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62K; B62K19/00; B62K19/30; B62K19/32; B62K11/00; B62K11/02; B62K11/04; B62K21/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/32; Y10T403/32254; Y10T403/32262; Y10T403/32271; Y10T403/32319
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
390 words
A motorcycle having a frame, a rear wheel mounted on the frame for rotation on a rear wheel axis that has a fixed orientation relative to the frame, a tubular steering column support on the frame that has upper and lower ends and defines an upwardly and rearwardly inclined steering axis, a front wheel, and a steering column with which said front wheel has a connection and which extends coaxially through the steering column support and is confined to swiveling therein about the steering axis to provide for steering displacement of the front wheel relative to the frame, said motorcycle being characterized by: A. trunnion means connecting the frame and one end portion of said steering column support and defining a pivot axis which is parallel to said rear wheel axis and about which the other end portion of the steering column support is swingable forwardly and rearwardly relative to the frame; B. means providing an adjustable connection between the frame and said other end portion of the steering column support, comprising (1) a shaft carried by the frame and having a shaft axis which is in fixed relation to the frame and which is parallel to said pivot axis and vertically spaced a substantial distance therefrom, (2) a driver on said shaft having a portion which is eccentric to said shaft axis and which is confined by said shaft to swinging in opposite directions about the shaft axis to be carried thereby in opposite forward and rearward directions relative to the frame; and (3) surface defining means carried by said steering column support near said other end thereof and providing a pair of opposing surfaces between which said portion of the driver is slidingly confined and whereby components of motion of the driver in said forward and rearward directions are imparted to said other end of the steering column support while sliding of the driver along said surfaces accommodates vertical components of swinging motion of the driver; C. an actuating arm which extends substantially transversely to said shaft and has a connection with said driver whereby swinging of said arm constrains the driver to swing in unison therewith about said shaft axis; and D. actuating means reacting between said frame and said actuating arm for adjustingly swinging the latter and holding it in selected positions of its swinging motion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
390 words
A motorcycle having a frame, a rear wheel mounted on the frame for rotation on a rear wheel axis that has a fixed orientation relative to the frame, a tubular steering column support on the frame that has upper and lower ends and defines an upwardly and rearwardly inclined steering axis, a front wheel, and a steering column with which said front wheel has a connection and which extends coaxially through the steering column support and is confined to swiveling therein about the steering axis to provide for steering displacement of the front wheel relative to the frame, said motorcycle being characterized by: A. trunnion means connecting the frame and one end portion of said steering column support and defining a pivot axis which is parallel to said rear wheel axis and about which the other end portion of the steering column support is swingable forwardly and rearwardly relative to the frame; B. means providing an adjustable connection between the frame and said other end portion of the steering column support, comprising (1) a shaft carried by the frame and having a shaft axis which is in fixed relation to the frame and which is parallel to said pivot axis and vertically spaced a substantial distance therefrom, (2) a driver on said shaft having a portion which is eccentric to said shaft axis and which is confined by said shaft to swinging in opposite directions about the shaft axis to be carried thereby in opposite forward and rearward directions relative to the frame; and (3) surface defining means carried by said steering column support near said other end thereof and providing a pair of opposing surfaces between which said portion of the driver is slidingly confined and whereby components of motion of the driver in said forward and rearward directions are imparted to said other end of the steering column support while sliding of the driver along said surfaces accommodates vertical components of swinging motion of the driver; C. an actuating arm which extends substantially transversely to said shaft and has a connection with said driver whereby swinging of said arm constrains the driver to swing in unison therewith about said shaft axis; and D. actuating means reacting between said frame and said actuating arm for adjustingly swinging the latter and holding it in selected positions of its swinging motion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
108 words
The motorcycle of claim 1, further characterized by: (1) said driver having opposite substantially flat surfaces which are spaced equal distances to opposite sides of said shaft axis and which are flatwise slidingly engaged with said opposing surfaces on the surface defining means; and (2) said surface defining means comprising a cylindrical rotor having a passage therein which defines said pair of opposing surfaces; and (3) means on said steering column support, near said other end thereof, confining said rotor to rotation relative to the steering column support about a rotor axis which is spaced vertically from said shaft axis by a distance smaller than said substantial distance.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The motorcycle of claim 2 wherein said actuating arm is rigidly connected with said rotor to swing about said rotor axis and impart swinging motion to the driver through the rotor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The motorcycle of claim 1 wherein said actuating means comprises a lead screw which is rotatable to effect adjusting swinging of said arm.
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) | 1989-07-14 | 1990-01-13 | 1990-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-07-14 | 1994-01-13 | 1994-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-07-14 | 1998-01-13 | 1998-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |