Air bladder suspension system for three-wheeled vehicle

• US 6,886,842 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2003
• Issued: 05/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey L. Vey
• Original Assignee: Motor Trike Incorporated
• Inventors: Vey, Jeffrey, Orchard, Randy
• Primary Examiner(s): Dickson, Paul N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): To, Toan C
• Application Number:
  US10/610,384
• Publication Number:
  US 20040094346A1
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 280/124.1, 280/124.11, 280/124.157, 280/124.16, 280/124.161
• US Class Current: 280/124.157
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 11/27 wherein the fluid is a gas
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 2005/001 Suspension details for cycles with three or more main road wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/027 Motorcycles with three wheels specially adapted for disabled riders B62K5/023
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 5/06 Frames for tricycles

Abstract

An air bladder suspension system for a three-wheeled motorcycle is disclosed herein. The air bladders may be used alone or in combination with an existing suspension system and are positioned between the rear axle housing and rear frame of the three-wheeled motorcycle.

Claims

1. A three-wheeled motor vehicle comprising:

a. a three-wheeled vehicle motorcycle having a rear axle housing with a differential and said rear axle housing further being operatively connected to a pair of rear wheels;

b. a rear frame; and

c. at least one inflatable air bladder operatively positioned between said rear axle housing and said rear frame and offset from said rear axle.

2. The three-wheeled motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said air bladder comprises a tubular member having closed ends defining an interior volume, said tubular member having collapsible sidewalls.

3. The three-wheeled motor vehicle according to claim 2 further comprising a fitting attached to said bladder having a passageway therethrough whereby pressure within said air bladder may be adjusted.

4. The three-wheeled motor vehicle according to claim 2 further comprising a first bracket attaching said air bladder to said rear frame.

5. The three-wheeled motor vehicle according to claim 4 further comprising a second bracket attaching said air bladder to said rear axle housing.

6. The three-wheeled motor vehicle according to claim 2 comprising two air bladders positioned between said rear frame and said rear axle housing.

7. The three-wheeled motor vehicle according to claim 6 wherein said bladders are positioned behind said rear axle housing.

8. The three wheeled motor vehicle according to claim 2, further comprising a source of compressed air in fluid communication with said at least one air bladder.

9. The three-wheeled motor vehicle according to claim 1 further comprising at least one shock absorber connected between said rear axle housing and said rear frame.

10. The three-wheeled motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said offset of said air bladder is positioned to the rear of said axle housing.

11. A three-wheeled motor vehicle comprising:

a. a rear axle housing having a differential and being operatively connected to a pair of rear wheels;

b. a rear frame;

c. at least one inflatable air bladder operatively positioned between said rear axle housing and said rear frame and offset from said axle housing; and

d. at least one shock absorber connected between said rear axle housing and said rear frame.

12. The three-wheeled motor vehicle according to claim 11, wherein said shock absorber is an air shock absorber.

13. The three-wheeled motor vehicle according to claim 11, wherein said air bladder comprises a tubular member having closed ends defining an interior volume, said tubular member having collapsible sidewalls.

14. The three-wheeled motor vehicle according to claim 13 further comprising a fitting attached to said bladder having a passageway therethrough whereby pressure within said air bladder may be adjusted.

15. The three-wheeled motor vehicle according to claim 13 comprising two air bladders positioned between said rear frame and said rear axle housing.

16. The three-wheeled motor vehicle according to claim 13, further comprising a source of compressed air in fluid communication with said at least one air bladder.

17. A three-wheeled motor vehicle comprising:

a. a three-wheeled vehicle motorcycle having a rear axle housing with a differential and said rear axle housing further being operatively connected to a pair of rear wheels;

b. a rear frame; and

c. at least one inflatable air bladder operatively positioned between said rear axle housing and said rear frame.

18. The three-wheeled motor vehicle according to claim 17 further comprising a fitting attached to said bladder having a passageway therethrough whereby pressure within said air bladder may be adjusted.

19. The three-wheeled motor vehicle according to claim 17 further comprising a first bracket attaching said air bladder to said rear frame.

20. The three-wheeled motor vehicle according to claim 17 further comprising a second bracket attaching said air bladder to said rear axle housing.

21. The three-wheeled motor vehicle according to claim 17 comprising two air bladders positioned between said rear frame and said rear axle housing.