Motorcycle steering
OwnerJean-Michel Thiersinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A steering mechanism for a wheel of a vehicle defining a wheel centerline comprises a four-bar linkage. The four-bar linkage includes a ground link, a coupler link and a spaced pair of follower links. The ground link is connected to the vehicle. The coupler link is connected to the wheel and is located aft of the ground link. The follower links pivotally interconnect the ground link to the coupler link. Each of the follower links defines a link axis. The follower links extend aftwardly from the ground link at diverging angles such that the link axes intersect one another at a steering axis which is positioned forward of the wheel centerline. The steering mechanism may be fitted to a motorcycle having front and rear wheels wherein the four-bar linkage is housed within a wheel hub of the front wheel.
Claims19
A steering mechanism for a vehicle having a wheel defining a wheel centerline, comprising:
- a four-bar linkage, including:
- a ground link connected to the vehicle;
- a coupler link connected to the wheel and being located aft of the ground link;
- and
- a spaced pair of follower links pivotally interconnecting the ground link to the coupler link, each of the follower links defining a link axis;
- wherein the follower links extend aftwardly from the ground link at diverging angles such that the link axes intersect at a steering axis located forward of the wheel centerline;
- the vehicle including a steering drive interconnected to the coupler link and being configured to impart lateral movement to the coupler link for steering the vehicle.
A motorcycle defining a vehicle axis and having front and rear wheels each having a wheel hub defining a wheel centerline, the motorcycle comprising:
- a four-bar linkage having the front wheel mounted thereto and including:
- a ground link connected to the motorcycle and being oriented perpendicular to the vehicle axis;
- a coupler link connected to the wheel hub and being located aft of the ground link;
- and
- a spaced pair of follower links pivotally interconnecting the ground link to the coupler link, each of the follower links defining a link axis;
- wherein the follower links extend aftwardly from the ground link at diverging angles such that the link axes intersect at a steering axis located forward of the wheel centerline.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.