Floating gauge mount for motorcycle

• US 5,855,388 A
• Filed: 01/18/1996
• Issued: 01/05/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bastin-Logan Water Services, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Bastin-Logan Water Services, Inc.
• Inventors: Brewer, Thomas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Brian L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAVITT, GARY H
• Application Number:
  US08/588,339
• Time in Patent Office: 1,083 Days
• Field of Search: 280/275, 280/276, 280/279, 280/280, 280/277, 280/283, 280/288.4, 248/904, 248/27.1, 224/413, 224/424, 224/447, 224/450, 16/237
• US Class Current: 280/288.4
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 11/14 Handlebar constructions, or arrangements of controls thereon, specially adapted thereto hand controls per se B62K23/02
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 19/40 for attaching accessories, e.g. article carriers, lamps
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 25/16 for front wheel
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/904 Indicator mount

Abstract

A springer fork assembly is provided for use on a motorcycle having handlebars. The springer fork assembly includes a springer fork and a gauge mount. The springer fork includes a non-moving portion that does not move relative to the handlebars and a moving portion that moves relative to the handlebars. The gauge mount is coupled to the moving portion of the springer fork for movement relative to the handlebars.

Claims

1. A springer fork for use on a motorcycle having handlebars, the springer fork comprising

a springer leg and

a gauge mount including a springer fork-mounting portion coupled to the springer leg for movement relative to the handlebars and a gauge-mounting portion configured to support a gauge, the gauge mount further including a neck extending between a first end appended to the springer fork-mounting portion and a second end appended to the gauge-mounting portion and a hinge connection between the second end of the neck and the gauge-mounting portion.

2. The springer fork of claim 1, wherein the springer leg includes a top portion situated adjacent the handlebars of a motorcycle, and the gauge mount is mounted to the top portion of the springer leg.

3. The springer fork of claim 1, wherein the springer leg includes a non-moving portion that does not move relative to the handlebars and a moving portion that moves relative to the handlebars, and the gauge mount is coupled to the moving portion of the springer leg for movement relative to the handlebars.

4. The springer fork of claim 3, further comprising a rigid fork leg, the non-moving portion of the springer leg including a spring brace coupled to the rigid leg, the moving portion of the springer leg including a spring fork leg coupled to the wheel and a springer fork rod coupled to the spring fork leg, the springer fork rod having a top end spaced apart from the spring brace, and the gauge mount being coupled to the top end of the springer fork rod.

5. A springer fork for use on a motorcycle having handlebars, the springer fork comprising

a springer leg having a non-moving portion that does not move relative to the handlebars and a moving portion that moves relative to the handlebars and

a gauge mount coupled to the moving portion of the springer leg for movement relative to the handlebars.

6. The springer fork of claim 5, wherein the gauge mount includes a springer fork-mounting portion coupled to the moving portion of the springer leg and a gauge-mounting portion configured to support a gauge.

7. The springer fork of claim 6, wherein the gauge mount further includes a first neck section appended to the springer fork-mounting portion and a second neck section appended to the gauge-mounting portion and configured to move relative to the first neck section.

8. The springer fork of claim 6, wherein the gauge mount further includes a neck extending between a first end appended to the springer fork-mounting portion and a second end appended to the gauge-mounting portion and a hinge connection between the second end of the neck and the gauge-mounting portion.

9. The springer fork of claim 8, wherein the hinge connection includes a cylindrical portion on the first end of the neck, the cylindrical portion having a first end and a second end, spaced-apart first and second ears connected to one of the gauge-mounting portion and springer fork-mounting portion and situated adjacent to the first and second ends of the cylindrical portion, respectively, and a hinge adjustment bolt extending through apertures formed in the cylindrical portion and first and second ears.

10. The springer fork of claim 6, wherein the gauge mount further includes a suspension system having a spring configured to bias the gauge-mounting portion relative to the springer fork-mounting portion.

11. The springer fork of claim 10, wherein the gauge mount further includes a neck having a first end appended to the springer fork-mounting portion and a second end appended to the gauge-mounting portion and the spring extends between the springer-fork mounting portion and the neck.

12. The springer fork of claim 10, wherein the gauge mount further includes a first neck section appended to the springer fork-mounting portion and a second neck section appended to the gauge-mounting portion and the spring extends between the springer fork-mounting portion and the second neck section.

13. The springer fork of claim 10, wherein the suspension system includes a spring guide bar having a first end appended to the springer fork-mounting portion and configured to extend upwardly toward the gauge-mounting portion to a second end spaced apart from the first end and the spring guide bar extends through the spring.

14. The springer fork of claim 13, wherein the second neck section includes a spring guide bar plate formed to include a spring guide bar-receiving aperture through which the spring guide bar extends and the spring includes a first end situated adjacent to the springer fork-mounting portion and a second end situated adjacent to the spring guide bar plate.

15. The springer fork of claim 10, wherein the second neck section is formed to include spaced-apart first and second tongues configured to engage the first neck section and guide the second neck section as the second neck section moves relative to the first neck section.

16. The springer fork of claim 6, further comprising a neck extending between a first end and a second end, the first end of the neck being appended to the springer fork-mounting portion and the second end of the neck being appended to the gauge-mounting portion.

17. The springer fork of claim 5, wherein the springer leg includes a top portion situated adjacent a handlebar of a motorcycle and the gauge mount is mounted to the top portion of the springer leg.

18. The springer fork of claim 6, wherein the springer fork-mounting portion includes spaced-apart first and second springer fork-mounting couplers.

19. The springer fork of claim 18, wherein the springer fork-mounting portion is formed to include a first aperture in the first springer fork-mounting coupler and a second aperture in the second springer fork-mounting coupler.

20. The springer fork of claim 5, further comprising a rigid leg, the non-moving portion of the springer leg including a spring brace coupled to the rigid leg, the moving portion of the springer leg including a spring fork leg and a springer fork rod having a top end spaced apart from the spring brace, and the gauge mount being coupled to the top end of the springer fork rod.

21. A springer fork for use on a motorcycle having handlebars and a wheel, the springer fork comprising

a springer leg having a bottom end adapted to couple to a wheel and a top end spaced-apart from the bottom end and

a gauge mount coupled to the top end of the springer leg to permit the gauge mount to move relative to the handlebars.

22. The springer fork of claim 21, wherein the gauge mount includes a springer fork-mounting portion adapted to couple to the top end of the springer fork rod, a gauge-mounting portion adapted to support a gauge, a first neck section appended to the springer fork-mounting portion, and a second neck section appended to the gauge-mounting portion and configured to move relative to the first neck section.

23. The springer fork of claim 21, wherein the springer leg includes a spring fork leg adapted to couple to a wheel and a springer fork rod coupled to the spring fork leg and having a top end spaced apart from the wheel and the gauge mount includes a springer fork-mounting portion adapted to couple to the top end of the springer fork rod, a gauge-mounting portion adapted to support a gauge, a neck extending between a first end appended to the springer fork-mounting portion, and a second end appended to the gauge-mounting portion, and a hinge connection between the second end of the neck and the gauge-mounting portion.

24. The springer fork of claim 23, wherein the hinge connection includes a cylindrical portion on the first end of the neck, the cylindrical portion having a first end and a second end, spaced-apart first and second ears situated adjacent to the first and second ends of the cylindrical portion, respectively, and a hinge adjustment bolt extending through apertures formed in the cylindrical portion and first and second ears.

25. The springer fork of claim 23, wherein the springer fork-mounting portion includes a neck support portion connected to he first end of the neck and spaced-apart first and second couplers connected to the neck support portion.

26. The springer fork of claim 21, wherein the gauge mount includes a springer fork-mounting portion adapted to couple to the top end of the springer leg, a gauge-mounting portion adapted to support a gauge, and a suspension system having a spring configured to bias the gauge-mounting portion relative to the springer fork-mounting portion.

27. The springer fork of claim 26, wherein the gauge mount further includes a neck having a first end appended to the springer fork-mounting portion and a second end appended to the gauge-mounting portion and the spring extends between the springer-fork mounting portion and the neck.

28. The springer fork of claim 26, wherein the gauge mount further includes a first neck section appended to the springer fork-mounting portion and a second neck section appended to the gauge-mounting portion and the spring extends between the springer fork-mounting portion and the second neck section.

29. The springer fork of claim 26, wherein the suspension system includes a spring guide bar having a first end appended to the springer fork-mounting portion and configured to extend upwardly toward the gauge-mounting portion to a second end spaced apart from the first end and the spring guide bar extends through the spring.

30. The springer fork of claim 29, wherein the second neck section includes a spring guide bar plate formed to include a spring guide bar-receiving aperture through which the spring guide bar extends and the spring includes a first end situated adjacent to the springer fork-mounting portion and a second end situated adjacent to the spring guide bar plate.

31. The springer fork of claim 21, wherein the gauge mount includes a springer fork-mounting portion adapted to couple to the top end of the springer leg, a gauge mounting portion adapted to support a gauge, and a neck extending between a first end and a second end, the first end of the neck is appended to the springer fork-mounting portion, and the second end of the neck is appended to the gauge-mounting portion.

32. The springer fork of claim 21, wherein the gauge mount includes a springer fork-mounting portion adapted to couple to the top end of the springer leg, a gauge-mounting portion adapted to support a gauge and the springer fork-mounting portion includes a neck support portion and spaced-apart first and second couplers connected to the neck support portion.

33. The springer fork of claim 32, wherein a first aperture is formed in the first coupler and a second aperture is formed in the second coupler.

34. The springer fork of claim 32, further comprising a neck extending between the neck support portion of the springer fork-mounting portion and the gauge-mounting portion.

35. The springer fork of claim 21, further comprising a rigid leg, the springer leg including a spring brace coupled to the rigid leg, a spring fork leg adapted to couple to the wheel, and a springer fork rod coupled to the spring fork leg, the motorcycle further including handlebars, the spring brace comprising a non-moving portion of the springer leg that does not move relative to the handlebars, the springer fork rod and spring fork leg comprising a moving portion of the springer leg, and the gauge mount being coupled to the moving portion of the springer leg so that the gauge mount moves relative to the handlebars.

36. A springer fork for use on a motorcycle having a wheel and handlebars, the springer fork comprising

a rigid leg,

a link coupled to the rigid leg and adapted to couple to the wheel,

a springer leg coupled to the link, the springer leg having a non-moving portion that does not move relative to the handlebars and a moving portion that moves relative to the handlebars, and

a gauge mount coupled to the moving portion of the springer leg for movement relative to the handlebars.

37. The springer fork of claim 36, wherein the gauge mount includes a springer fork-mounting portion coupled to the moving portion of the springer leg, a gauge-mounting portion configured to support a gauge, a first neck section appended to the springer fork-mounting portion, and a second neck section appended to the gauge-mounting portion and configured to move relative to the first neck section.

38. The springer fork of claim 36, wherein the gauge mount includes a springer fork-mounting portion coupled to the moving portion of the springer leg, a gauge-mounting portion configured to support a gauge, and a suspension system having a spring configured to bias the gauge-mounting portion relative to the springer fork-mounting portion.

39. The springer fork of claim 36, wherein the springer leg includes a top portion situated adjacent to the handlebars of a motorcycle and the gauge mount is mounted to the top potion of the springer leg.

40. The springer fork of claim 36, further comprising a rigid leg, the non-moving portion of the springer leg including a spring brace coupled to the rigid leg, the moving portion of the springer leg including a spring fork leg and a springer fork rod coupled to the spring fork leg and having a top end spaced apart from the spring brace, and the gauge mount is coupled to the top end of the springer fork rod.

41. A springer fork for use on a motorcycle including handlebars and a wheel having an axle, the springer fork comprising

a rigid leg,

a link coupled to the rigid leg and adapted to couple to a wheel,

a springer leg coupled to the link, the springer leg having a bottom end adapted to lie adjacent to the axle of the wheel and a top end spaced apart from the bottom end, and

a gauge mount coupled to the top end of the springer leg to permit the gauge mount to move relative to the handlebars.

42. The springer fork of claim 41, wherein the springer leg includes a non-moving portion that does not move relative to the handlebars and a moving portion that moves relative to the handlebars and the gauge mount includes a springer fork-mounting portion coupled to the moving portion of the springer leg, a gauge-mounting portion configured to support a gauge, a first neck section appended to the springer fork-mounting portion, and a second neck section appended to the gauge-mounting portion and configured to move relative to the first neck section.

43. The springer fork of claim 41, wherein the springer leg includes a non-moving portion that does not move relative to the handlebars and a moving portion that moves relative to the handlebars and the gauge mount includes a springer fork-mounting portion coupled to the moving portion of the springer leg, a gauge-mounting portion configured to support a gauge, and a suspension system having a spring configured to bias the gauge-mounting portion relative to the springer fork-mounting portion.

44. The springer fork of claim 41, further comprising a rigid leg, the springer leg including a spring brace coupled to the rigid leg, a spring fork leg adapted to couple to the wheel, and a springer fork rod coupled to the spring fork leg, the spring brace comprising a non-moving portion of the springer leg that does not move relative to the handlebars, the springer fork rod and spring fork leg comprising a moving portion of the springer leg, and the gauge mount being coupled to the moving portion of the springer leg so that the gauge mount moves relative to the handlebars.

45. A springer fork for use on a motorcycle having a wheel and having handlebars, the springer fork comprising

a rigid leg

a link coupled to the rigid leg and adapted to couple to the wheel,

a springer leg, and

a gauge mount including a springer fork-mounting portion coupled to the springer leg for movement relative to the handlebars and a gauge-mounting portion configured to support a gauge, the gauge mount further including a neck extending between a first end appended to the springer fork-mounting portion and a second end appended to the gauge-mounting portion and a hinge connection between the second end of the neck and the gauge-mounting portion.

46. The springer fork of claim 45, wherein the springer leg includes a top portion situated adjacent the handlebars of a motorcycle, and the gauge mount is mounted to the top portion of the springer leg.

47. The springer fork of claim 46, further comprising a rigid leg, the springer leg including a non-moving portion that does not move relative to the handlebars and a moving portion that moves relative to the handlebars, the non-moving portion of the springer leg including a spring brace coupled to the rigid leg, the moving portion of the springer leg including a spring fork leg and a springer fork rod coupled to the spring fork leg and having a top end spaced apart from the spring brace, and the gauge mount being coupled to the top end of the springer fork rod.