TWO-WHEELED VEHICLE

• US 20140262580A1
• Filed: 03/14/2014
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polaris Industries Incorporated (Polaris Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Polaris Industries Incorporated (Polaris Inc.)
• Inventors: Bagnariol, David L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,440,504 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/218
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 7/006 Attaching arms to sprung or unsprung part of vehicle, characterised by comprising attachment means controlled by an external actuator, e.g. a fluid or electrical motor B62D7/146 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 11/04 Arrangement or mounting of radiators, radiator shutters, or radiator blinds B60K11/085 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 13/02 concerning intake
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 13/06 using structural parts of the vehicle as ducts, e.g. frame parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 15/067 Mounting of tanks
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/12 Motorcycles, Trikes; Quads; Scooters
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 15/02 Fastening means; Stays
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 35/00 Fuel tanks specially adapted for motorcycles or engine-assisted cycles; Arrangements thereof fuel tanks forming part of cycle frames B62K11/00; tanks in general B60K ; closure caps for fuel tanks B60K15/0406
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 11/02 Frames motorcycles or cycles with auxiliary engines characterised by position of engine B62M
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 11/04 characterised by the engine being between front and rear wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 11/06 the frame being of single-beam type
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 19/18 Joints between frame members
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 19/24 Screwed joints
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 19/32 Steering heads bearings therefor B62K21/06
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 19/48 Fairings forming part of frame
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 2015/001 Frames adapted to be easily dismantled
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 25/283 for cycles without a pedal crank, e.g. motorcycles
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 7/04 below the frame
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 61/02 for driving cycles
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/0204 for connecting or joining to other devices, e.g. pipes
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/02491 : Flat filter elements, e.g. rectangular
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/048 : Arranging or mounting on or with respect to engines or vehicle bodies
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 35/162 : Motorcycles; All-terrain vehicles, e.g. quads, snowmobiles; Small vehicles, e.g. forklifts
• CPC Class Codes: F02M 37/103 : Mounting pumps on fuel tanks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

A two-wheeled vehicle includes a frame having a front frame portion, a mid-frame portion, and a rear frame portion. The mid-frame portion is coupled to the rear frame portion and the front frame portion. The vehicle further includes a plurality of ground-engaging members for supporting the frame. The front frame portion is removably coupled to the mid-frame portion with a plurality of frame members extending between the front frame portion and the mid-frame portion.

Claims

1. A two-wheeled vehicle, comprising:

a frame assembly including;

a front frame portion including a head portion, a plurality of generally vertically-extending frame tubes, and a plurality of generally longitudinally-extending frame tubes;

a mid-frame portion removably coupled to the front frame portion; and

a rear frame portion removably coupled to the mid-frame portion;

a plurality of ground-engaging members for supporting the frame assembly; and

an air intake assembly coupled to the head portion and the longitudinally-extending frame tubes, the longitudinally-extending frame tubes being angled outwardly to increase a distance therebetween, and the air intake assembly being positioned between the longitudinally-extending frame tubes and including channel members configured to receive the longitudinally-extending frame tubes.

2. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 1, wherein an upper portion of the air intake assembly is positioned above the longitudinally-extending frame tubes and a lower portion of the air intake assembly is positioned below the longitudinally-extending frame tubes.

3. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 2, wherein the head portion of the front frame portion defines an accumulator volume and is configured to received air from the air intake assembly.

4. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 3, wherein the air intake assembly includes a filter, and air is configured to flow from the filter into the head portion of the front frame portion.

5. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 2, further comprising a fuel tank supported by the longitudinally-extending frame tubes.

6. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 5, wherein the fuel tank is positioned above the air intake assembly.

7. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 6, further comprising a throttle body, and the air intake assembly is supported on the throttle body.

8. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 7, wherein the air intake assembly is frictionally retained between the longitudinally-extending frame tubes, the fuel tank, and the throttle body.

9. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the longitudinally-extending frame tubes are comprised of steel.

10. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 1, wherein the front and rear frame portions are cast.

11. A two-wheeled vehicle, comprising:

a frame assembly including;

a front frame portion including a head portion, a plurality of generally vertically-extending frame tubes, and a plurality of generally longitudinally-extending frame tubes;

a mid-frame portion removably coupled to the front frame portion; and

a rear frame portion removably coupled to the mid-frame portion;

a plurality of ground-engaging members for supporting the frame assembly;

an air intake assembly coupled to the head portion and including a filter, a first portion of air received into the air intake assembly is directed from the filter of the air intake assembly into the head portion of the front frame portion; and

a throttle body coupled to the air intake assembly, a second portion of the air received into the air intake assembly flow directly from the filter into the throttle body.

12. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 11, further comprising a fuel tank, and the air intake assembly is frictionally retained between the longitudinally-extending frame tubes, the fuel tank, and the throttle body.

13. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 11, wherein the filter is a semi-porous moldable foam.

14. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 11, wherein the air intake assembly further includes a tray positioned below the filter, and the tray is angled downwardly to direct air from the filter to an accumulator volume defined by the head portion of the front frame portion.

15. A two-wheeled vehicle, comprising:

a frame assembly including;

a front frame portion including a head portion, a plurality of generally vertically-extending frame tubes, and a plurality of generally longitudinally-extending frame tubes;

a mid-frame portion removably coupled to the front frame portion; and

a rear frame portion removably coupled to the mid-frame portion;

a plurality of ground-engaging members for supporting the frame assembly; and

a cooling assembly positioned below the head portion and intermediate the vertically-extending frame tubes, a lower end of the cooling assembly being coupled to a lower end of the vertically-extending frame tubes, and an upper end of the cooling assembly being frictionally retained at an upper end of each of the vertically-extending frame tubes.

16. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 15, wherein the cooling assembly includes a heat exchanger, a shroud, and a frame member coupled to the shroud, the frame member extending upwardly from the shroud and being configured to frictionally retain an upper end of the heat exchanger between the upper ends of the vertically-extending frame tubes.

17. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 16, wherein the cooling assembly further includes at least one vibration-isolating bracket configured to couple with the upper end of the heat exchanger and the frame member of the cooling assembly to frictionally retain the upper end of the heat exchanger between the upper ends of the vertically-extending frame tubes.

18. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 16, further comprising a plurality of fasteners for coupling the heat exchanger to the lower end of the vertically-extending frame tubes.

19. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 18, wherein the heat exchanger is configured to be removed from the frame assembly of the vehicle by removing the fasteners from the vertically-extending frame tubes.

20. A two-wheeled vehicle, comprising:

a frame assembly including;

a front frame portion including a head portion, a plurality of generally vertically-extending frame tubes, and a plurality of generally longitudinally-extending frame tubes;

a mid-frame portion removably coupled to the front frame portion; and

a rear frame portion removably coupled to the mid-frame portion;

a front ground-engaging member for supporting the frame assembly;

a rear ground-engaging member for supporting the frame assembly; and

a rear suspension assembly operably coupled to the rear ground-engaging member, the rear suspension assembly including a first swing arm coupled to the mid-frame portion, a second swing arm coupled to the mid-frame portion, and a pivot axle extending between the first and second swing arms, wherein rotation of the pivot axle is configured to adjust the position of the mid-frame portion relative to the first and second swing arms.

21. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 20, wherein the pivot axle includes an internally-profiled surface configured to receive a tool for rotating the pivot axle.

22. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 20, wherein an end of the pivot axle is threadedly received within an aperture of the mid-frame portion.

23. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 20, wherein a first fastener is received within a first end of the pivot axle and extends from a second end of the pivot axle to couple with a second fastener positioned outwardly from one of the first and second swing arms.

24. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 20, wherein the mid-frame portion is cast.

25. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 24, wherein the mid-frame portion is configured to move inwardly and outwardly in response to the rotation of the pivot axle.

26. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 20, further comprising a rear axle operably coupled to the rear ground-engaging member and a drive assembly operably coupled to the rear axle, the drive assembly includes an adjustment member for adjusting the position of the rear axle.

27. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 26, wherein the adjustment member includes a head portion and a post portion, the head portion includes an aperture for receiving the rear axle, and the post portion extends rearwardly from the rear axle.

28. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 20, wherein the rear frame portion is coupled to the mid-frame portion with a plurality of longitudinally-extending fasteners.

29. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 20, further comprising a rear fender coupled to the rear frame portion, and the rear fender has a shape complementary to that of the rear frame portion.

30. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 29, wherein a forward end of the rear fender includes a recess adjacent to the swing arm.

31. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 20, wherein the rear suspension assembly includes a first shock absorber operably coupled to the first swing arm and a second shock absorber operably coupled to the second swing arm, an upper end of the first shock absorber is angled forwardly relative to a lower end of the first shock absorber, and an upper end of the second shock absorber is angled forwardly relative to a lower end of the second shock absorber.

32. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 31, wherein the upper ends of the first and second shock absorbers are coupled to the mid-frame portion, and the lower ends of the first and second shock absorbers are coupled to the first and second swing arms.

33. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 32, wherein the upper ends of the first and second shock absorbers are angled forwardly approximately 45 degrees relative to the first and second swing arms.

34. A two-wheeled vehicle, comprising:

a frame assembly including;

a front frame portion including a head portion, a plurality of generally vertically-extending frame tubes, a plurality of generally longitudinally-extending frame tubes, and a plurality of plate members coupled to the longitudinally-extending frame tubes and extending downwardly therefrom;

a mid-frame portion removably coupled to the front frame portion; and

a rear frame portion removably coupled to the mid-frame portion;

a plurality of ground-engaging members for supporting the frame assembly; and

a fuel tank coupled to the plate members, an upper end of the plate members being permanently coupled to the longitudinally-extending frame tubes and a lower end of the plate members being coupled to the head portion.

35. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 34, further comprising post members extending outwardly from the plate members.

36. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 35, wherein the fuel tank is coupled to the post members.

37. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 36, wherein the fuel tank includes isolator members configured to receive the post members.

38. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 34, wherein the upper ends of the plate members are welded to the longitudinally-extending frame tubes and extend longitudinally along a lower surface of the longitudinally-extending frame tubes.

39. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 34, wherein the lower ends of the plate members are coupled to the head portion with at least one fastener.

40. The two-wheeled vehicle of claim 34, wherein the plate members have a generally triangular shape.

41. A method of assembling a two-wheeled vehicle comprising the steps of:

providing a modular front frame portion;

providing a modular mid-frame portion and coupling the mid-frame portion to the front frame portion;

providing a modular rear frame portion and coupling the rear frame portion to the mid-frame portion;

providing a plurality of vehicle components selected from the group consisting of handlebars, wheels, an exhaust assembly, a seat, a fuel tank, a front fender, a rear fender, and a swing arm assembly, wherein at least some of the vehicle components has a plurality of sizes, shapes, and styles; and

coupling the vehicle components to at least one of the front frame portion, the mid-frame portion, and the rear frame portion, wherein the modular frame portions are configured to accommodate the various sizes, shapes, and styles of the vehicle components.

42. The method of claim 41, further comprising the step of operably coupling the handlebars to the front frame portion, and the front frame portion is configured to support more than one size, shape, and style of the handlebars.

43. The method of claim 41, further comprising the step of operably coupling the wheels to the modular frame portions, and the modular frame portions are configured to support more than one size and style of the wheels.

44. The method of claim 41, further comprising the step of coupling the seat to at least one of the front frame portion and the mid-frame portion, and the front frame portion and the mid-frame portion are configured to support more than one size, shape, and style of the seat.

45. The method of claim 41, further comprising the step of coupling the fuel tank to at least one of the front frame portion and the mid-frame portion, and the front frame portion and the mid-frame portion are configured to support more than one size, shape, and style of the fuel tank.

46. The method of claim 41, further comprising the step of coupling the front fender to the front frame portion, and the front frame portion is configured to support more than one size, shape, and style of the front fender.

47. The method of claim 41, further comprising the step of coupling the rear fender to the rear frame portion, and the rear frame portion is configured to support more than one size, shape, and style of the rear fender.

48. The method of claim 41, further comprising the step of operably coupling the swing arm assembly to the mid-frame portion, and the mid-frame portion is configured to support more than one size, shape, and style of the swing arm assembly.

49. The method of claim 41, further comprising the step of operably coupling the exhaust assembly to the modular frame portions, and the modular frame portions are configured to support more than one size, shape, and style of the exhaust assembly.