Tilting Independent Suspension System for Motorcycle Trike
First Claim
1. A tilting suspension system for a vehicle having three wheels and a frame, the system comprising:
- two sets of control arms, each set of control arms being adapted to be pivotally connected to one side of the frame;
an upright pivotally connected to each set of control arms, each upright having a rotatable hub adapted to allow one of the wheels to be mounted thereto;
two rocker arms adapted to be pivotally connected to the frame;
a control link pivotally connected to each of the rocker arms, such that pivoting of one rocker arm causes corresponding pivoting of the other rocker arm;
a link member operably connecting each rocker arm to a corresponding upright, such that pivoting of each rocker arm causes corresponding movement of the uprights; and
an actuator configured to selectively pivot the rocker arms;
wherein actuation of the actuator pivots the rocker arms, thereby causing the frame to rotate about a generally longitudinal roll center and causing each upright to rotate about a generally longitudinal axis.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A tilting suspension system is adapted for use with a vehicle having three wheels and a frame. The system has two sets of control arms, each set of control arms being pivotally connected to one side of the frame. An upright is pivotally connected to each set of control arms, each upright having a rotatable hub for allowing one of the wheels to be mounted thereto. Two rocker arms are pivotally connected to the frame, and a control link is pivotally connected to each of the rocker arms, such that pivoting of one rocker arm causes corresponding pivoting of the other rocker arm. A link member operably connects each rocker arm to a corresponding upright, such that pivoting of each rocker arm causes corresponding movement of the uprights. An actuator is configured to selectively pivot the rocker arms, such that actuation of the actuator pivots the rocker arms, thereby causing the frame to rotate about a generally longitudinal roll center and causing each upright to rotate about a generally longitudinal axis.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A tilting suspension system for a vehicle having three wheels and a frame, the system comprising:
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two sets of control arms, each set of control arms being adapted to be pivotally connected to one side of the frame; an upright pivotally connected to each set of control arms, each upright having a rotatable hub adapted to allow one of the wheels to be mounted thereto; two rocker arms adapted to be pivotally connected to the frame; a control link pivotally connected to each of the rocker arms, such that pivoting of one rocker arm causes corresponding pivoting of the other rocker arm; a link member operably connecting each rocker arm to a corresponding upright, such that pivoting of each rocker arm causes corresponding movement of the uprights; and an actuator configured to selectively pivot the rocker arms; wherein actuation of the actuator pivots the rocker arms, thereby causing the frame to rotate about a generally longitudinal roll center and causing each upright to rotate about a generally longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A three-wheeled motorcycle, comprising:
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a frame; two sets of control arms, each set of control arms being pivotally connected to one side of the frame; an upright pivotally connected to each set of control arms, each upright having a rotatable hub; a first wheel and a second wheel, the first and second wheels each being connected to one of the hubs; a third wheel rotatably connected to the frame; two rocker arms pivotally connected to the frame; a control link pivotally connected to each of the rocker arms, such that pivoting of one rocker arm causes corresponding pivoting of the other rocker arm; a link member operably connecting each rocker arm to a corresponding upright, such that pivoting of each rocker arm causes corresponding movement of the uprights; and an actuator configured to selectively pivot the rocker arms; wherein actuation of the actuator pivots the rocker arms, thereby causing the frame to rotate about a generally longitudinal roll center and causing each upright to rotate about a generally longitudinal axis, such that the first, second, and third wheels are tilted. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of converting a two-wheeled motorcycle having a frame into a three-wheeled motorcycle, the method comprising:
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providing a two-wheeled tilting suspension system; removing the rear suspension from the two-wheeled motorcycle; providing at least one adapter bracket; connecting the two-wheeled tilting suspension system to the frame with the adapter bracket. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A method of converting a two-wheeled motorcycle having a frame into a three-wheeled motorcycle, the method comprising:
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pivotally connecting sets of control arms to opposite sides of the frame; pivotally connecting an upright to each set of control arms, each upright having a rotatable hub; connecting a first wheel to the hub of each upright; rotatably connecting a second wheel to the frame; pivotally connecting a pair of rocker arms to the frame; pivotally connecting a control link to each of the rocker arms, such that pivoting of one rocker arm causes corresponding pivoting of the other rocker arm; operably connecting each rocker arm to a corresponding upright with a link member, such that pivoting of each rocker arm causes corresponding movement of the uprights about the frame; and configuring an actuator to selectively cause pivoting of the rocker arms; wherein the pivoting of the rocker arms causes the frame to rotate in a rotational direction about a generally longitudinal roll center and causes each upright to rotate in the rotational direction about a longitudinal axis, such that the first and second wheels are tilted. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A chassis for a three-wheeled motorcycle, the chassis comprising:
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a frame configured to receive an engine; sets of control arms, each set of control arms pivotally connected to opposite sides of the frame; an upright pivotally connected to each set of control arms, each upright having a rotatable hub; a pair of first wheels, each first wheel being connected to the hub of one of the uprights; a second wheel rotatably connected to the frame; a pair of rocker arms pivotally connected to the frame; a control link pivotally connected to each of the rocker arms, such that pivoting of one rocker arm causes corresponding pivoting of the other rocker arm; a link member operably connecting each rocker arm to a corresponding upright, such that pivoting of each rocker arm causes corresponding movement of the uprights about the frame; and an actuator configured to selectively cause pivoting of the rocker arms; wherein the pivoting of the rocker arms causes the frame to rotate in a rotational direction about a generally longitudinal roll center and causes each upright to rotate in the rotational direction about a longitudinal axis, such that the first and second wheels are tilted. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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Specification