LEAN-COMPENSATING MOTORCYCLE WITH CHANNEL WHEELS
First Claim
1. A motorcycle specifically configured for balancing a user, the motorcycle comprising:
- a lower frame having a wheel;
an upper frame having a user support;
a pivot structure coupled to the lower frame and coupled to the upper frame, the pivot set on an axis substantially parallel to the motorcycle'"'"'s axis of travel for allowing pivoting movement of the lower frame relative to the upper frame;
a pivot drive coupled to the lower frame and coupled to the upper frame, the pivot drive controlling pivoting movement of the lower frame relative to the upper frame about the pivot; and
a control system causing the pivot drive to maintain the upper frame in a substantially vertical position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A lean-compensating motorcycle for balancing a user includes a lower frame with wide wheels and an upper frame supporting a rider. The lower and upper frames pivot on an axis substantially parallel to the motorcycle'"'"'s line of travel, and a pivot drive governs pivoting movement. The pivot drive is controlled by a level-sensing control system that adjusts the pivot drive to maintain the upper frame upright by applying force against the lower frame, the lower frame counterbalancing the pivoting motion against the wide wheels. The wheels ideally include a central channel sized to accommodate raised pavement markers, such as dots and reflectors, to provide for smooth travel. The upper frame includes a housing in which the user sits, in a manner similar to a conventional automobile since propping the motorcycle up with the user'"'"'s legs is largely unnecessary.
36 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A motorcycle specifically configured for balancing a user, the motorcycle comprising:
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a lower frame having a wheel; an upper frame having a user support; a pivot structure coupled to the lower frame and coupled to the upper frame, the pivot set on an axis substantially parallel to the motorcycle'"'"'s axis of travel for allowing pivoting movement of the lower frame relative to the upper frame; a pivot drive coupled to the lower frame and coupled to the upper frame, the pivot drive controlling pivoting movement of the lower frame relative to the upper frame about the pivot; and a control system causing the pivot drive to maintain the upper frame in a substantially vertical position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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16. A lean compensating motorcycle for balancing a user, comprising:
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a pivoting frame having a lower section and an upper section in a pivoting relationship; the lower section coupled to a wheel of the motorcycle; the upper section having a housing for protecting the user; the lower section and the upper section connected by a pivot driver; wherein the wheel is substantially wider than the lower section, so that when the upper section pivots relative to the lower section, the lower section counterbalances itself against the wheel; and a level-sensing control system causing the pivot driver to maintain the upper frame upright whenever the upper frame lists away from vertical. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 17)
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18. A method of maintaining a motorcycle substantially upright at a stop, comprising the steps of:
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riding a motorcycle having two wheels; balancing the motorcycle against gyroscopic forces in the two wheels to keep the motorcycle substantially upright; bringing the motorcycle to a stop thereby eliminating the gyroscopic forces; monitoring the upper section for any leaning movement away from substantially upright; leaning the motorcycle away from substantially upright; twisting an upper section of the motorcycle relative to a lower section of the motorcycle to keep the upper section substantially upright; and counterbalancing the lower section against the wheels.
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Specification