Lateral stability system for a vehicle
First Claim
1. A lateral stabilization system for a vehicle, the lateral stabilization system comprising:
- a frame attachable to the vehicle;
a pair of substantially parallel legs extending rearwardly of a forward end of the vehicle from the frame;
an articulating wheel assembly attached to a distal end of each of the pair of substantially parallel legs, wherein the pair of substantially parallel legs are configured to flex in combination with the articulating wheel assembly to allow the vehicle to lean laterally up to a permissible amount from vertical without tipping over; and
a position control device for controlling movement of the substantially parallel legs in response to at least one operating parameter of the vehicle.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A lateral stabilization system for a vehicle including a leg assembly attached to the vehicle, the leg assembly having a pair of spaced apart, substantially parallel legs extending rearwardly of a forward end of the vehicle, an articulating wheel assembly affixed to a distal end of each leg and a position control device that controls movement of the leg assembly in response to operating parameters of the vehicle. The articulating wheel assembly may be connected with the leg assembly so that it articulates in a first direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.
52 Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A lateral stabilization system for a vehicle, the lateral stabilization system comprising:
-
a frame attachable to the vehicle; a pair of substantially parallel legs extending rearwardly of a forward end of the vehicle from the frame; an articulating wheel assembly attached to a distal end of each of the pair of substantially parallel legs, wherein the pair of substantially parallel legs are configured to flex in combination with the articulating wheel assembly to allow the vehicle to lean laterally up to a permissible amount from vertical without tipping over; and a position control device for controlling movement of the substantially parallel legs in response to at least one operating parameter of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A motorcycle comprising:
-
a frame; a front wheel assembly and a rear wheel assembly secured to the frame; an internal combustion engine for powering the motorcycle; a pair of substantially parallel legs extending rearwardly of a forward end of the motorcycle from the frame; an articulating wheel assembly attached to a distal end of each of the pair of substantially parallel legs; a position control device for controlling movement of the substantially parallel legs between a retracted position and a deployed position in response to at least one operating parameter of the motorcycle;
the articulating wheel assembly comprising;a wheel holder supporting a wheel; means for biasing the wheel holder to rotate about a first axis so that the wheel is urged in a first direction; a wheel cap positioned relative to the wheel holder to limit rotation of the wheel holder in the first direction; and a plate affixed to the wheel holder that engages the wheel cap when the wheel is urged in a second direction in response to the articulating wheel assembly absorbing a load when the wheel engages a surface, the wheel cap and the plate operating to limit rotation of the wheel holder in the second direction. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
-
-
15. A motorcycle comprising:
-
a frame; a front wheel assembly and a rear wheel assembly secured to the frame; an internal combustion engine for powering the motorcycle; a pair of substantially parallel legs extending rearwardly of a forward end of the motorcycle from the frame; an articulating wheel assembly attached to a distal end of each of the pair of substantially parallel legs; a position control device for controlling movement of the substantially parallel legs between a retracted position and a deployed position in response to at least one operating parameter of the motorcycle;
the articulating wheel assembly comprising;a wheel holder supporting a wheel, the wheel holder rotatably mounted about a first axis to the distal end; a torsion spring in mechanical communication with the wheel holder to bias the wheel holder to rotate in a first direction about the first axis; a first mechanical stop limiting rotation of the wheel holder in the first direction; and a second mechanical stop limiting rotation of the wheel holder in a second direction when the wheel is urged in the second direction in response to engaging a surface and absorbing a load.
-
-
16. An apparatus for use in stabilizing a vehicle, comprising:
-
an attachment frame that may be affixed to the vehicle; a leg and wheel assembly connected with the attachment frame, the leg and wheel assembly having a first distal end and a second distal end; a pair of articulating wheel assemblies movably connected to a respective one of the first distal end and the second distal end of the leg and wheel assembly; and
each of the pair of articulating wheel assemblies comprising;a wheel holder supporting a wheel; means for biasing the wheel holder to rotate about a first axis so that the wheel is urged in a first direction; a wheel cap positioned relative to the wheel holder to limit rotation of the wheel holder in the first direction; and a plate affixed to the wheel holder that engages the wheel cap when the wheel is urged in a second direction in response to the articulating wheel assembly absorbing a load when the wheel engages a surface, the wheel cap and the plate operating to limit rotation of the wheel holder in the second direction. - View Dependent Claims (17)
-
Specification