Side supports for straddle-type seat
First Claim
1. A vehicle comprising:
- a frame;
an engine supported on the frame;
at least one propulsion device operatively connected to the engine to propel the vehicle;
a straddle-type seat disposed on the frame, the straddle-type seat having at least one seating portion;
a steering device disposed generally forwardly of the seat; and
left and right side supports disposed generally laterally of the at least one seating portion on opposite sides of a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle, the left and right side supports having respective left and right support surfaces facing generally laterally inwardly,the left and right support surfaces moving generally in a direction of a current lateral acceleration of the vehicle from a first position to a second position when the current lateral acceleration of the vehicle is greater than a first predetermined lateral acceleration, andthe left and right support surfaces moving from the second position toward the first position when the current lateral acceleration of the vehicle is less than a second predetermined lateral acceleration.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle has a straddle-type seat disposed on a frame. The straddle-type seat has at least one seating portion. A steering device is disposed forwardly of the seat. Left and right side supports are disposed laterally of the seating portion. The side supports have respective support surfaces facing laterally inwardly. The left and right support surfaces move in a direction of a current lateral acceleration of the vehicle in response to a current lateral acceleration of the vehicle. The left and right support surfaces move in a direction of a current rotation of the steering device in response to a current degree of rotation of the steering device. The support surfaces move in a direction of the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle when a force is exerted thereon in a direction opposite a current lateral acceleration of the vehicle. A method of supporting a rider is also described.
21 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A vehicle comprising:
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a frame; an engine supported on the frame; at least one propulsion device operatively connected to the engine to propel the vehicle; a straddle-type seat disposed on the frame, the straddle-type seat having at least one seating portion; a steering device disposed generally forwardly of the seat; and left and right side supports disposed generally laterally of the at least one seating portion on opposite sides of a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle, the left and right side supports having respective left and right support surfaces facing generally laterally inwardly, the left and right support surfaces moving generally in a direction of a current lateral acceleration of the vehicle from a first position to a second position when the current lateral acceleration of the vehicle is greater than a first predetermined lateral acceleration, and the left and right support surfaces moving from the second position toward the first position when the current lateral acceleration of the vehicle is less than a second predetermined lateral acceleration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of supporting a rider on a vehicle, the vehicle having:
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a frame; an engine supported on the frame; at least one propulsion device operatively connected to the engine to propel the vehicle; a straddle-type seat disposed on the frame, the straddle-type seat having at least one seating portion; a steering device disposed generally forwardly of the seat; and left and right side supports disposed generally laterally of the at least one seating portion on opposite sides of a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle, the left and right side supports having respective left and right support surfaces facing generally laterally inwardly; the method comprising; receiving a signal indicative of a current lateral acceleration of the vehicle; comparing a current lateral acceleration of the vehicle to a predetermined threshold lateral acceleration; moving the left and right support surfaces generally in a direction of the current lateral acceleration of the vehicle from a first position to a second position in response to the current lateral acceleration of the vehicle being greater than a first predetermined lateral acceleration; and moving the left and right support surfaces from the second position toward the first position in response to the current lateral acceleration of the vehicle being less than a second predetermined lateral acceleration. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A vehicle comprising:
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a frame; an engine supported on the frame; at least one propulsion device operatively connected to the engine to propel the vehicle; a straddle-type seat disposed on the frame, the straddle-type seat having at least one seating portion; a steering device disposed generally forwardly of the seat; and left and right side supports disposed generally laterally of the at least one seating portion on opposite sides of a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle, the left and right side supports having respective left and right support surfaces facing generally laterally inwardly, the left support surface moving generally in a direction of a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle when a force is exerted on the left support surface generally in a direction generally opposite a current lateral acceleration of the vehicle; and the right support surface moving generally in a direction of a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle when a force is exerted on the right support surface generally in a direction generally opposite the current lateral acceleration of the vehicle.
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18. A vehicle comprising:
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a frame; an engine supported on the frame; at least one propulsion device operatively connected to the engine to propel the vehicle; a straddle-type seat disposed on the frame, the straddle-type seat having at least one seating portion; a steering device disposed generally forwardly of the seat; and left and right side supports disposed laterally outwardly of the at least one seating portion, the left and right side supports having respective left and right support surfaces facing generally laterally inwardly, the left and right support surfaces moving generally in a first lateral direction from a first position toward a second position when the steering device is rotated in the first lateral direction, and the left and right support surfaces moving from the second position toward the first position when the steering device is rotated in a second lateral direction opposite the first lateral direction. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of supporting a rider on a vehicle, the vehicle having:
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a frame; an engine supported on the frame; at least one propulsion device operatively connected to the engine to propel the vehicle; a straddle-type seat disposed on the frame, the straddle-type seat having at least one seating portion; a steering device disposed generally forwardly of the seat; and left and right side supports disposed generally laterally of the at least one seating portion on opposite sides of a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle, the left and right side supports having respective left and right support surfaces facing generally laterally inwardly; the method comprising; receiving a signal indicative of a current degree of rotation of the steering device in a first direction; comparing a current degree of rotation of the steering device to a predetermined degree of rotation of the steering device; moving the left and right support surfaces generally in the first direction in response to the current degree of rotation of the steering device being greater than a first predetermined degree of rotation of the steering device; and moving the left and right support surfaces from the second position toward the first position in response to the current degree of rotation of the steering device being less than a second predetermined degree of rotation of the steering device.
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24. A method of supporting a rider on a vehicle, the vehicle having:
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a frame; an engine supported on the frame; at least one propulsion device operatively connected to the engine to propel the vehicle; a straddle-type seat disposed on the frame, the straddle-type seat having at least one seating portion; a steering device disposed generally forwardly of the seat; and left and right side supports disposed generally laterally of the at least one seating portion on opposite sides of a longitudinal centerline of the vehicle, the left and right side supports having respective left and right support surfaces facing generally laterally inwardly; the method comprising; moving the left and right support surfaces laterally outwardly in response to a current speed of the vehicle to the right being less than a predetermined speed; and moving the left and right support surfaces laterally inwardly in response to a current speed of the vehicle being greater than the predetermined speed. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification