U.S. patent application number 11/390295 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-27 for multi-post shock absorber clamp system.
Invention is credited to Robert William Henrickson.
Application Number | 20060163831 11/390295 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31996394 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060163831 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Henrickson; Robert William |
July 27, 2006 |
Multi-post shock absorber clamp system
Abstract
An intermediate device that clamps the front suspension of a
two-wheeled and/or motorized vehicle as part of the steering system
that attaches to the frame structure and provides a mounting area
for the handlebar and controls. This multiple point mounting area
comprises of Acrylonitrile/Butadiene polymer or Urethane dampeners
positioned above and below the clamp plane. A shoulder bolt passing
through from the lower side captures these dampeners against a step
washer backed against the lower portion of the threaded handlebar
clamp. This assembly provides a contained system of absorption of
impact to the operators' forearms and hands while protecting
against handlebar position relocation in the event of a collision,
crash or aggressive rider input.
Inventors: |
Henrickson; Robert William;
(Westminster, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET
FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Family ID: |
31996394 |
Appl. No.: |
11/390295 |
Filed: |
March 27, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10811783 |
Mar 29, 2004 |
7018126 |
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11390295 |
Mar 27, 2006 |
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10010501 |
Dec 5, 2001 |
6712541 |
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10811783 |
Mar 29, 2004 |
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60251456 |
Dec 5, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
280/93.51 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 403/50 20150115;
B62K 21/18 20130101; Y10T 403/69 20150115; F16B 2200/509 20180801;
B62K 21/20 20130101; B62K 21/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
280/093.51 |
International
Class: |
B62D 7/16 20060101
B62D007/16 |
Claims
1. A multi-post shock absorber clamp system for reducing
transmitted impact to a vehicle operator comprising: a. A unitary
body of predetermined dimensions accommodating coupling of steering
and control components. b. A plurality of dampeners integrated
within said body. c. Handlebar clamps for attachment of vehicle
controls. d. Connection means for operatively interconnecting said
components.
2. Heretofore stated clamp of claim 1 further comprising a
structure of multiple dampened handlebar mounting locations.
3. The according clamp of claim 2, wherein said handlebar mounting
locations are contiguous to a contained mounting system
respectively comprising: a. A washer of predetermined step height.
b. Mounted dampeners. c. Encapsulating bosses. d. A means for
capturing said components to underside of handlebar lower mounting
bracket.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/811,783, filed Mar. 29, 2004, pending,
which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/010,501, filed Dec. 5, 2001, Issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,712,541,
which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/251,456, filed Dec. 5, 2000.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0002] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/811,783, filed Mar. 29,
2004, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/010,501, filed Dec. 5,
2001, Issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,712,541, and U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/251,456, filed Dec. 5, 2000, are hereby
incorporated by reference herein in their entireties and made a
part of this specification.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] This invention concerns an improved system of steering a
bicycle, motorcycle or other two-wheeled power vehicle or all
terrain vehicle (including watercraft and snowmobiles) via a
dampened, structurally supported multi-post mounting area for the
controls.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] Off-road motorcycles are well known forms of transportation,
generally used as a leisure or a competition activity. They are
built for use on rough, challenging terrain and riding them usually
requires maneuvering through turns and over jumps and obstacles.
Thus, the responsiveness of the machine to the rider and the
ability of the rider to stay physically able to maintain control
are critical to avoiding injury and achieving competition
success.
[0007] Currently "fork brackets" or "triple clamps" provide a
one-dimensional function of holding upper suspension components in
relation to a central steering stem and being a place to mount
handlebars with rider controls. These parts are typically a
one-piece aluminum die cast that has a solid lower handlebar mount
or a single post lower bar mount that passes through said part
incorporating a stiff durometer rubber dampener inset into the
upper and lower plane.
[0008] Triple clamps with a solid lower bar mount (cast into it or
bolted down to it) transmit every jolt and bump traversed by the
vehicle through to the operator. They also provide no capability to
handle or diffuse the harmonic of vibration. Both of these traits
leave the operator fatigued before his time, potentially suffering
from "chronic exertional compartment syndrome of the forearm",
(commonly knows as "arm pump"), blistered hands, a tingling feeling
in the arms and hands and an increasingly lessened ability to
control his vehicle. With the current market containing many new
models of handlebars that are larger in diameter and often
double-walled or in some way rigid by design and the proliferation
of models with stiffer frame designs the physical symptoms
described above are somewhat magnified.
[0009] Clamps with a single rubber dampener at each bar mounting
point suffer by design as every time the vehicle handlebars make
contact with the ground or experiences a sharp jolt or harsh
landing they twist in the area where the rubber encased bar mount
bolt passes through the triple clamp. This leaves the operator with
skewed handlebars and controls until he tears down the assembly and
re-locates it or reefs on it to "encourage" it back into a straight
setting. Dampening of the transmission of sharp jolts and shock,
vibration etc is also extremely limited due to the stiff rubber
compound necessary in an attempt to limit the previously mentioned
symptom.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
[0010] The object of the present invention is to enable the
operator to control his vehicle better for longer periods of time
without the potential for handlebar misalignment or premature
physical fatigue.
[0011] The multi-post design facilitates the use of softer
durometer dampening compounds, as these dampeners are no longer
relied upon to be part of the clamps structural support system. The
structural design of the multi-post clamp, while providing a
dampening action, gives forth a positive feel to the operator.
There is no sensation of "vagueness" of the front wheel as it
relates to the selection of a directional path via intended
obstacles. Furthermore the design allows "tuneability" via
adjustable captured dampener length and differing durometer
dampeners located strategically according to conditions, model
characteristics and operator preference.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention is a predominately machined aluminum
piece incorporating stainless steel and/or titanium hardware with a
dampening agent arranged in a system of structure and encapsulation
to eliminate the negative aspects of current/prior art outlined
above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 shows a complete triple clamp assembly.
[0014] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a cutaway view showing the assembled item and how
the different elements of the product relate to each other.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0016] Refer to FIG. 1 showing a complete triple clamp as it would
be axially attached at its axis hole 27 to the vehicle stem (not
shown). This same upper fork clamp 26 provides clamp support for a
set of two telescopic forks (not shown) by brackets 32 and 33, a
bracket clamp set (bar mounts/clamps) 11, 12 and 13 secured by
threaded bolts 51, 52, 53, 54. The handlebar clamps 12 and 13 are
attached to the upper fork clamp 26 via four bolts 22, 23, 24, 25
with specific shoulder dimensions 47, 48, 49, 50 that pass up and
through four lower rubber or polymer cones (or blocks) 18, 19, 20,
21 that are bonded to aluminum cup washers 38, 39, 40, 41
encapsulated by lower machined tapered bores 28, 29, 30, 31 of
upper fork clamp 26 and pass through upper cones 14, 15, 16, 17
bonded to aluminum cup washers 34, 35, 36, 37 which are encased by
upper machined tapers 28, 29, 30, 31, through step washers 43, 44,
45, 46 and thread into handlebar clamps 12 and 13.
[0017] The multi-post clamp is symmetrical from the centerline of
pivotal mounting point 27. Said mount is achieved via installation
over a steering stem that is attached to a lower fork tube clamp.
Once the fork tubes are mounted, the upper and lower fork tube
clamps pivot as a unit via the steering stem which locates and runs
axially on upper and lower bearings within the head stem of the
frame to form the steering action of the vehicle. The mounting
point 27 is secured generally via either a nut threaded over the
steering stem or a pinch-bolt assembly. FIG. 3 shows captured
length of dampener assembly A with handlebar clamp 13 securing
handlebars 10 incorporating but not limited to (not shown) a
throttle device clutch arm, brake lever and engine kill switch to
form a venue for vehicle control.
[0018] It will be noticed that other embodiments may contain
additional structural support in the way of a one piece upper bar
clamp mount 11 and a possible lower shoulder bolt 22, 23, 24, 25
brace or support bracket. Further embodiments may find as few as 3
lower bar clamp mounting points or as many as 6 points as
alternative to the existing 4 point system. Progressively this
could extend to a majority of dampening of a supported nature above
the plane of the upper clamp 26 beneath the clamping area of the
bar mounts 12, 13.
[0019] It will be noticed that cones 18, 19, 20, 21 are
encapsulated by step washers 34, 35, 36, 37 and shouldered bolts
22, 23, 24, 25 when the clamp is assembled. The dimension, acquired
dampener tension by captured length variation and component
diameters may differ in other embodiments. The diameters and the
pitch or distance apart of the fork tube clamping areas, the
machined tapered boss and stem pivot locations and all other angles
and lengths of regions may vary depending on the type of cycle or
motorcycle or other vehicle for which they are intended.
[0020] As suggested above, the invention is not limited to the
precise details of its current form. Many variations are possible
especially when consideration is given to the variety of
applications the concept of a dampened, supported structure as an
aid to vehicle control may potentially be applied to.
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