Patent US5361864A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5361864A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Front wheel suspension for motorcycle
Assignee: Yamaha Motor Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1992-10-19
•
Granted: 1994-11-08
•
Expires: 2012-10-19
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is adapted to be embodied in a steering and suspension arrangement for the front wheel of a motorcycle. Specifically, the invention relates to a front wheel swing arm type steering and suspension arrangement. In the arrangement of the present invention, upper and lower swing arms connect a motorcycle frame to a steering knuckle which extends along one side of the front wheel. The invention provides means for adjusting the relative lateral positioning between the steering knuckle and the upper swing arm for suspension tuning. The invention also provides a relative positioning arrangement between the upper swing arm and the steering knuckle which minimizes forwards and backwards lateral movement of the suspension arrangement when the swing arms are moved up and down, as when the motorcycle encounters a bump during operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Toyoji Tanaka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:59
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62K; B62K25/00; B62K25/04; B62K25/12; B62K25/22; B62K25/24; B62K25/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A steering and suspension arrangement for a front wheel of a motorcycle comprising: a frame, a steering knuckle extending along one side of said front wheel, a swing arm having first and second ends, a first connection whereat said first end of said swing arm is connected at said frame and a second connection whereat said second end of said swing arm is connected proximate said steering knuckle, said second connection movable through an arc, wherein said arc has upper and lower maximum positions; and further comprising a steering axis which passes through said second connection, said front wheel and said steering knuckle rotatable about said steering axis; wherein a longitudinal line extending through a portion of said swing arm nearest said second connection forms a right angle with respect to said steering axis when said second connection is positioned at a midpoint of said arc, between said upper and lower maximum positions; and further comprising means for adjusting the relative lateral positioning between said steering knuckle and said swing arm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A steering and suspension arrangement for a front wheel of a motorcycle comprising: a frame, a steering knuckle extending along one side of said front wheel, a swing arm having first and second ends, a first connection whereat said first end of said swing arm is connected at said frame and a second connection whereat said second end of said swing arm is connected proximate said steering knuckle, said second connection movable through an arc, wherein said arc has upper and lower maximum positions; and further comprising a steering axis which passes through said second connection, said front wheel and said steering knuckle rotatable about said steering axis; wherein a longitudinal line extending through a portion of said swing arm nearest said second connection forms a right angle with respect to said steering axis when said second connection is positioned at a midpoint of said arc, between said upper and lower maximum positions; and further comprising means for adjusting the relative lateral positioning between said steering knuckle and said swing arm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The steering and suspension arrangement of claim 1 wherein said swing arm is a first swing arm; and further comprising a second swing arm positioned below said first swing arm; wherein said adjusting means is located proximate said first swing arm proximate said second connection.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
149 words
An alignment adjusting arrangement for a steering and suspension system for a front wheel of a motorcycle comprising: a frame, a steering knuckle extending along one side of said front wheel, an upper swing arm having first and second ends, a first connection whereat said first end of said upper swing arm is connected at said frame and a second connection whereat said second end of said upper swing arm is connected proximate an upper portion of said steering knuckle, a lower swing arm having first and second ends, a third connection whereat said first end of said lower swing arm is connected at said frame and a fourth connection whereat said second end of said lower swing arm is connected at a lower portion of said steering knuckle; and further comprising means for adjusting the relative lateral positioning between said steering knuckle and one of said swing arms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
149 words
An alignment adjusting arrangement for a steering and suspension system for a front wheel of a motorcycle comprising: a frame, a steering knuckle extending along one side of said front wheel, an upper swing arm having first and second ends, a first connection whereat said first end of said upper swing arm is connected at said frame and a second connection whereat said second end of said upper swing arm is connected proximate an upper portion of said steering knuckle, a lower swing arm having first and second ends, a third connection whereat said first end of said lower swing arm is connected at said frame and a fourth connection whereat said second end of said lower swing arm is connected at a lower portion of said steering knuckle; and further comprising means for adjusting the relative lateral positioning between said steering knuckle and one of said swing arms.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The alignment adjusting arrangement of claim 3 wherein said first and third connections are pivotal connections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The alignment adjusting arrangement of claim 3 wherein said second and fourth connections are ball joint connections.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The alignment adjusting arrangement of claim 5 wherein said upper swing arm is generally arcuately shaped, and further comprising a support plate extending forwardly from a forward portion of said upper swing arm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The alignment adjusting arrangement of claim 6 further comprising a bracket plate interposed between, and attached to, both said support plate and a forward end of said upper swing arm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The alignment adjusting arrangement of claim 6 further comprising a ball positioned at a forwardmost portion of said support plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The alignment adjusting arrangement of claim 6 further comprising a ball receiving socket positioned at a forwardmost portion of said support plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The alignment adjusting arrangement of claim 5 wherein said adjusting means is located proximate said second connection.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The alignment adjusting arrangement of claim 7 wherein said adjusting means is located between said bracket plate and said support plate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The alignment adjusting arrangement of claim 3 further comprising means for locking said steering knuckle in place with respect to one of said swing arms.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
152 words
The alignment adjusting arrangement of claim 10 wherein said adjusting means comprises a nut body integrally formed with said second connection, and first and second extensions of an upper portion of said steering knuckle; said nut body positioned in a region between said first and second extensions; each of said extensions having a bore formed laterally therethrough; said nut body having a threaded bore formed laterally therethrough, said nut body bore coaxially positioned with respect to said bores of said first and second extensions; and further comprising a rotatable threaded screw shaft, wherein said screw shaft is positioned within said threaded bore of said nut body, and wherein each end of said screw shaft is received within a respective bore of each of said steering knuckle extensions; so that rotation of said screw shaft within said nut body changes the relative lateral positioning between said nut body and said steering knuckle extensions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
96 words
The alignment adjusting arrangement of claim 3 wherein said second connection is movable through an arc, and wherein said arc has upper and lower maximum positions; and further comprising a steering axis which passes through said second connection, said front wheel and said steering knuckle rotatable about said steering axis; wherein a longitudinal line extending through a portion of said upper swing arm nearest said second connection forms a right angle with respect to said steering axis when said second connection is positioned at a midpoint of said arc, between said upper and lower maximum positions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
154 words
An alignment adjusting arrangement for a steering and suspension system for a front wheel of a motorcycle comprising: a frame, a steering knuckle extending alone one side of said front wheel, an upper swing arm having first and second ends, a first connection whereat said first end of said upper swing arm is connected at said frame and a second connection whereat said second end of said upper swing arm is connected proximate an upper portion of said steering knuckle, a lower swing arm having first and second ends, a third connection whereat said first end of said lower swing arm is connected at said frame and a fourth connection whereat said second end of said lower swing arm is connected at a lower portion of said steering knuckle; and further comprising a swing arm positioned adjustment mechanism located on one of said swing arms proximate one of said steering knuckle and said frame.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
154 words
An alignment adjusting arrangement for a steering and suspension system for a front wheel of a motorcycle comprising: a frame, a steering knuckle extending alone one side of said front wheel, an upper swing arm having first and second ends, a first connection whereat said first end of said upper swing arm is connected at said frame and a second connection whereat said second end of said upper swing arm is connected proximate an upper portion of said steering knuckle, a lower swing arm having first and second ends, a third connection whereat said first end of said lower swing arm is connected at said frame and a fourth connection whereat said second end of said lower swing arm is connected at a lower portion of said steering knuckle; and further comprising a swing arm positioned adjustment mechanism located on one of said swing arms proximate one of said steering knuckle and said frame.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The alignment adjusting arrangement of claim 15 wherein said swing arm position adjustment mechanism is located at said first connection.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The alignment adjusting arrangement of claim 16 wherein said swing arm position adjustment mechanism includes means for adjusting the relative lateral positioning between said frame and said swing arm.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The alignment adjusting arrangement of claim 16 wherein said swing arm position adjustment mechanism includes a plurality of variably positioned attachment points along an upper, forwardly located portion of said frame at which said first connection can be located.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
79 words
The alignment adjusting arrangement of claim 17 wherein said adjusting means includes a rotatable threaded screw shaft portion received within a mating bore in said frame; wherein said adjusting means further includes a clamping portion which holds part of said swing arm adjacent said threaded screw shaft portion so that rotation of said screw shaft portion within said mating bore causes said clamping portion to move, thereby changing the relative lateral positioning between said frame and said swing arm
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
58 words
The alignment adjusting arrangement of claim 19 wherein said first end of said upper swing arm has two attachment points whereat said upper swing arm is connected to said frame; wherein said adjusting means comprises one of said two attachment points; and wherein the second of said two attachment points is comprised of a guide and bearing arrangement.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
153 words
A steering and suspension arrangement for a front wheel of a motorcycle comprising: a frame, a steering knuckle extending along one side of said front wheel, a swing arm having first and second ends, a first connection whereat said first end of said swing arm is connected at said frame and a second connection whereat said second end of said swing arm is connected proximate said steering knuckle, said second connection movable through an arc, wherein said arc has upper and lower maximum positions; and further comprising a steering axis which passes through said second connection, said front wheel and said steering knuckle rotatable about said steering axis; wherein a longitudinal line extending through a portion of said swing arm nearest said second connection forms a right angle with respect to said steering axis when said second connection is positioned at a midpoint of said arc, between said upper and lower maximum positions.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
153 words
A steering and suspension arrangement for a front wheel of a motorcycle comprising: a frame, a steering knuckle extending along one side of said front wheel, a swing arm having first and second ends, a first connection whereat said first end of said swing arm is connected at said frame and a second connection whereat said second end of said swing arm is connected proximate said steering knuckle, said second connection movable through an arc, wherein said arc has upper and lower maximum positions; and further comprising a steering axis which passes through said second connection, said front wheel and said steering knuckle rotatable about said steering axis; wherein a longitudinal line extending through a portion of said swing arm nearest said second connection forms a right angle with respect to said steering axis when said second connection is positioned at a midpoint of said arc, between said upper and lower maximum positions.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
59 words
The steering and suspension arrangement of claim 21 further comprising a lower swing arm having first and second ends, a third connection whereat said first end of said lower swing arm is connected at said frame and a fourth connection whereat said second end of said lower swing arm is connected at a lower portion of said steering knuckle.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The steering and suspension arrangement of claim 22 wherein said first and third connections are pivotal connections.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The steering and suspension arrangement of claim 22 wherein said second and fourth connections are ball joint connections.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
35 words
The steering and suspension arrangement of claim 21 wherein an upper, forwardly located portion of said frame is provided with a plurality of variably positioned attachment points at which said first connection can be located.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
42 words
The steering and suspension arrangement of claim 21 wherein said swing arm is generally arcuately shaped, and said portion of said swing arm nearest said second connection comprises a support plate extending forwardly from a forward portion of said arcuate swing arm.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The steering and suspension arrangement of claim 26 further comprising a ball receiving socket positioned at a forwardmost portion of said support plate.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The steering and suspension arrangement of claim 26 further comprising a ball positioned at a forwardmost portion of said support plate.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
The steering and suspension arrangement of claim 21 further comprising means for adjusting the relative lateral positioning between said steering knuckle and said swing arm.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
JPS5849435A
Cited
US4526249A
Cited
JPS62103277A
Cited
US4785905A
Cited
JPS62181988A
Cited
JPS62194987A
Cited
US4741545A
Cited
US4775025A
Cited
US4834408A
Cited
JPS63184583A
Cited
US5014808A
Cited
JPS63215478A
Cited
US5050699A
Cited
US5188192A
Cited
US5121809A
Cited
JPH02246892A
Cited
JPH032889A
Cited
JPH03136995A
Cited
JPH03136996A
Cited
JPH03136994A
Cited
JPH03248986A
Cited
JPH03248985A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-11-07 | 1998-05-09 | 1998-11-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-07 | 2002-05-09 | 2002-11-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-07 | 2006-05-09 | 2006-11-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |