CA2004341A1 - Method and apparatus for providing a vehicle with two front ground contact members - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A motor vehicle having two front ground contact elements which may be wheels or skies or blades has a primary chassis with a frame, a motor, at least one rear wheel, a seat, and a front fork mount.
Attached to the chassis and a front fork is a suspension and steering dolly with a central beam axle, individual outer front corner axles, rotatably mounted to spindles on outer ends of the beam axle, a steering plate rotatably mounted on a fulcrum carried by the dolly and operatively connected to both corner axles and to the fork, and resilient suspension enabling up and down and fore-aft movement of the dolly. The suspension is particularly useful for conversion of existing motorcycles and 3-Wheelers into vehicles having two front wheels or skies. Methods of suspending vehicles on two front elements,and converting single front element vehicles to two front element vehicles are also provided.

Description

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION ' .~.- :,.:' FIELD OF THE INVENTION -``
This invention pertains to a vehicle and a suspension having two front ground contact elements such as wheels or skies, to a method of suspensing two front elements from a vehicle, and to a method of converting a single front element vehicle to a two front element vehicle.
THE PRIOR ART
The existing basis for this invention are the commonly seen motorcycles and 3-Wheelers, each of which has a single front wheel.
Motorcycles are next to useless in the winter season. There is an extensive number of old -motorcycles not even being used, such as dirt bikes and small older street motorcycles that are in fine running order. It would be useful to be able to use these motorcycles in the wlnter and to have a ~;~
worthwhile use for existing older vehicles.
3-Wheelers have proven to be notoriously dangerous and have been declared unsafe by the U.S.
Government. They are no longer sold and insurance is difficult, if not impossible, to obtain. Something to make these 3-Wheelers safe to use is desirable.
Something to convert these 3-Wheelers into 4-Wheelers would be desirable for the many recreational and :
agricultural 3-Wheel owners and users who have vehicles which are in otherwise fine and usable ~ -cond'ition.

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OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION i It is an object of this invention to provide a ~"
motorized vehile having a new front suspension and steering with 2 ground contact elements.
It is an object of this invention to provide a -motorized vehicle having two front ground contact -~
elements, which has been made from an existing vehicle having one front ground contact element.
It is an object of this invention to provide a fork type vehicle front suspension for two front ground contact elements.
It 19 an obJect of this invention to provide a suspension for converting a vehicle having a front fork and one front wheel into a vehicle still having the fork but having two front ~round contact elements.
It is an object of this invention to provide a method of suspending and steering two front ground contact elements on a vehicle having a front steering fork.
It is an object of this invention to provide a method of converting a vehicle having fork steering ;~
and a single front wheel into a vehicle having two ;
front ground contact elements. ;
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ~ ~;
A motor vehicle having two front ground contact elements has a primary chassis with known vehicle elements, a front fork rotatably mounted to :~ .

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- ' -' the chassis, a front suspension dolly having a beam axle and individual corner axles and radius structure and steering fulcrum, a radius joint connecting the dolly to the chassis, a rotatable steering plate mounted to the fulcrum and connected to the corner ~ `
axles, a fork connector connecting the plate to the fork, and two front ground contact elements mouted one on each corner axle.
A two ground contact element front suspension for a vehicle has a front suspension and steering dolly having a beam axle with independent outer axles rotatably mounted in uprights on the beam axles, axle radlus structure, a steering fulcrum centrally located between the corner axles, a dolly connector is provided for securement of the dolly to a vehicle chassis, a rotatable steering plate is rotatably mounted on the fulcrum, and a fork connector is provided to connect the steering plate to a front fork ~-, -, ~.
of the vehicle. ~

A method of suspending the front end of a ~ ;
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vehicle on two ground contact elements has the steps of fastening one end of a front steering and ~ ~;
suspension dolly to a vehicle chassis, rotatably journalling a steering plate to the dolly, connecting ..
the steering plate to a front fork of the vehicle and supporting the fork with the steering plate, supporting the plate with the beam axle, supporting the beam axle with the two ground contact elements, .: ,:
and turning both ground contact elements by turning;;~
the vehicle fork.

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These and other problems of the prior art, and objects and summaries of the invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon achieving knowledge of the teachings herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view looking down on `
the preferred embodiment of a vehicle according to the present invention;
' FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the new and novel vehicle front suspension of this invention, as embodied in the vehicle of FIG. l;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the suspension of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the suspension as shown in FIG. 3.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREVERRED EMBODIMENT :
According to the principles of the present invention, a vehicle such as shown in FIG. 1 and generally indicated by the numeral 10, is provided for a rider. This type of vehicle 10, as shown, is generically referred to as a 4-Wheeler.
The vehicle 10 has a primary chassis, .
generally indicated by the numeral 12, that for purposes of this document shall be considered to include the frame 14, a motor 16, and a riding saddle or seat 18. At the rear of the chassis 12 is at least one and preferably two rear ground contact members 20 which are shown to be a pair of "fat" wheels and tires -~ .
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such as is co~monly used on the rear of 3-Wheelers.
If the chassis 12 is from a motorcycle, the rear --ground contact member 20 may be a single wheel and tire. At the front of the chassis 12 is found a fork ~ -~
mount 22 for rotatable mount of the front suspension and steering in this type of vehicle 10.
A front steering and suspension fork, generally indicated by the numeral 24 is rotatably ;
mounted'in the fork mount 22. The fork 24 includes ~, :
the conventional pair of fork trees 26, a handlebar ~ ;
28, a pair of spaced apart down tubes 30 and a slider 32 on each down tube 30. Within each respective pair ~ ~;
of down tubes 30 and slides 32 are the conventional suspension spring and shock mechanisms (not shown).
At the bottom of each slider 32 is a cap 34 for ~`
retention of a front axle shaft 36. This entire fork 24 is conventional and may be part of an existing vehicle 10.
Normally, in both motorcycles and 3-Wheeler vehicles, a single wheel and tire (not shown) will be rotatably mounted upon the axle shaft 36 in-between the sliders 32.
An important feature of this invention is the ;~
front suspension and steering structure which is shown ~ ~
on the vehicle in FIG. 1 and shown by itself in FIGS. ~ --2-5 and generally indicated by the numeral 30,- and ,:. ::.. :~
which will hereinafter be referred to as the ,~

"suspension 40". The suspension 40 provides for the ~ ~;

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use of two front ground contact members 42 with the ~
conventional front fork 24. The front members 42 are. .
shown as wheels and tires, but may-be skies and/or - ;-blades or runners as commonly seen on snowmobiles and "
ice vehicles. They will hereafter be generically referred to as "front ground members 42".
The discrete construction of the new suspension 40 is best shown in detail in FIGS. 2-5.
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The principal structural element is a suspension and steering dolly generally indicated by the numeral 50 which has a transverse generally rigid beam axle 52 having an upright 54 with an upright journal on each end. An lndividual front outer corner axle 56 is ~ -rotatably mounted in the ~ournal of each upright 54 by ;-- -an upright spindle 58. A steering arm 60 extends preferably rearward from each spindle 58. Each corner axle 56 has an appropriate hub 62 and hub retainer 64 for the preferred front ground member 42. Radius rod structure 66 extends rearward from the beam axle 52 to ~
a slid collar 68 at the rear of the dolly 50. ~ , The slide collar 68 is a portion of a rear ' -dolly joint, generally indicated by the numeral 70, which secures the rear of the dolly 50 to the chassis 12 and forms one point of a three point connection of the suspension 40 into the vehicle 10. The rear joint 70 has a bracket 72 which can be slipped on and ~
clamped to the front tube of the frame 14, or to the .. j.~"
motor 16 as the case may be. In any event, a hinge . 6 -- - . . - ~.. . .. . . . .. . ... .

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, ~ ':'` ;' joint 74 is fixed between the chassis 12 and the dolly 50. If the bracket 72, as shown, is used, it can be easily loosened and be slid up and down the frame tube 14 to adjust the height of the joint 70 and the angle : -.
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and vector of action of the dolly 50 to produce :. :
different suspension operating characteristics. To .`~
the front of the joint hinge 74 is a slide bar 76 --~
extending forward from a hinge hub 78 and through the slide collar 68. Mounted on the slide bar 76 is a rear resilient spring 80 to the rear of the collar 68, :~
and a front resilient spring 82. The collar 68 is :
ad~ustsbly positioned back and forth on the slide bar :~
76 and the springs 80, 82 are adjustably tightened and loosened by selective plscement of the lock collars 84 -~
on the slide bar 76. The lock collars 84 are fastened in position by appropriate lock nut screws or device 86.
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A steering plate 88 is pivotally mounted to the dolly 50 on a steering fulcrum 90 located midway ~ .
between the corner axles 56 and preferably on the ~ :
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center of the beam axle 52 and therefore on the - ~.

centerline of the vehicle 10. The steering plate 88 - - :.,::.:
i9 held captive to the beam axle 50 by the fulcrum pin ;.:--90 and is operatively connected to the corner axles 56 :.:~, by steering links 92. The steering links 92 are ~ -preferably rearward of the beam axle 52 andare .

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connected to the rear end of the steering plate 88.
On the other end of the steering plate 88 is a fork connector generally indicated by the numeral 94. The fork connector has a rigid tube 96 which is welded to and which is an integral part of the steering plate ;~
88. A rigid connector shaft 98 extends through the A' connector tube 96 and is preferably separated from the connector tube 96 by a resilient isolator 100 which preferably is a tightly fitted elastomeric tube which `~
allows the connector shaft 98 to be rotated and moved around inside the connector tube 96. The connector `~
shaft 98 may be the original vehicle front axle 36, ~ `
and is fastened firmly in and to the fork 24 and in ,, partlcular to the sliders 32. The fulcrum 90 is held `-~
in its transverse position by the fork 24. The preferred location for the steering fulcrum 90 is on ~
the centerline of the fork mount 22 and therefore on ~ ' the centerlie of fork rotation which is preferably to the rear of the fork sliders 32 and down tubes 30. ~ `
In the use of the vehicle 10 and the suspension 40 and in the practice of the methods of '~
the present invention, the vehicle 10 may be equipped with the suspension 40 when new as manufactured.
It is quite likely that the suspension 10 will be installed upon an existing motorcycle or 3-Wheeler to convert it from a single front wheel to double front wheels or skies. To convert an existing vehicle, the existing front wheel and axle are removed - 8 - ,~

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2~0~341.

from the existing vehicle. The suspension 40 is brought into place at the front of the vehicle and the joint 70 is secured to the chassis 12. The connector ;~
shaft 98 is fastened to the fork 24. The two front wheels or skies are placed on the corner axles 56.
The vehicle 10 is now set on the front wheels 42 and the adjustable lock collars 84 are set to accommodate the particular vehicle size, the height of the joint :
70, and the expected load weight the vehicle 10 will csrry. The vehicle 10, with two front ground members 42 is now ready to go, most likely as a 4-Wheeler. A ;
motorcycle will usually also be converted into a 4-Wheeler by adding dual rear wheels and as any owner of an older motorcycle will appreciate, this is a ;
8reat new usage for old motorcycles.
In use, the front suspension 40 goes up anld ~;
down and the beam axle 52 follows the up and down path of the fork sliders 36. The beam axle 52 moves in an ~ ;
up-down path that approximates a radius swing from the joint 70. The collar 65 slides back and forth to - -accommodate up-down movement of the beam axle 52. The ~
collar 68 swivels about the slide bar 76 to -accommodate relative twist of the beam axle 52 during ~
swing of the vehicle 10 in cornering. The weight of ~;
the front of the vehicle 10 is supported by the fork 24 which is supported by the steering plate 88 which ' ~-in turn is supported by the beam axle 52. When the handlebar 28 and fork 24 are turned, the steering ~-'~

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Z00~a341 plate 88 likewise turns and the linkage 92 turns the corner axles 56 correspondingly. The resilient isolator 100 enables the steering plate 88 to turn with respect to the connector shaft 98 when the ;;~
suspension 40 goes up and down, and to compensate for other trivial mis-alignments and deviations.
It has not been determined exactly what the optimum angles and dimensions and spring rate and geometries should be on the suspension 40, but the suspension 40 has been tried and tested and it does work in fine fashion. It is of great value in ~
~ ''""`.~' increasing the safety and utility of 3-Wheelers, and in increasing the utility of motorcycles.
Although other advantages may and likely will be found and realized, and various modifications may be suggested by those versed in the art and those who have the benefit of my teachings, be it understood ~ ~
that I embody, within the scope of the patent ';`;.. 7 wsrranted hereon, all such embodiments as reasonably and properly come within the scope of my contribution ~
to the art. ~ ;
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Claims (30)

1. A motor vehicle having two front ground contact elements, comprising a) a primary chassis having a frame, a motor, at least one rear ground contact element, a seat, and a front suspension mount having an upright axis;
b) a front fork rotatably mounted to the front suspension mount;
c) a front suspension and steering dolly having 1) a transverse beam axle having a fixed upright on each end and front corner axle rotatably mounted to each upright,

2) axle radius structure extending rear-ward from the beam axle, and

3) a steering fulcrum fixed to the beam axle and centrally located between the corner axles;
d) a radius joint connecting the dolly to the primary chassis;
e) a rotatable steering plate rotatably mounted to the steering fulcrum, said plate being connected by steering linkage to the front corner axles;

1. (continued) f) fork connector means connecting said steering plate to said front fork upright, for pro-viding both vertical support of the chassis above the dolly and for steering the vehicle by turning of the fork with respect to the chassis; and g) two front ground contact elements mounted one on each corner axle.
2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said vehicle originally had a single front ground contact element mounted in said fork.
3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein said connector means is mounted in an original single axle holder for an axle of the original single ground contact element.

4. The vehicle of either of claims 2 or 3, wherein said vehicle is a motorcycle converted to have said two front ground elements.

5. The vehicle of either of claims 2 or 3, wherein said vehicle is a 3-Wheeler converted into a 4-Wheeler.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said radius joint includes resilient means for resilient fore-aft travel of the beam axle with respect to the chassis.

7. The vehicle of claim 6, wherein said resilient means is adjustable.

8. The vehicle of either of claims 1, 2 or 6 wherein said radius joint includes vertical adjustment means for moving the joint up or down with respect to the chassis.

9. The vehicle of either of claims 1, 2 or 6 wherein said fulcrum is fixed in said beam axle.

10. The vehicle of either of claims 1, 2 or 6, in-cluding a resilient isolator between said steering plate and said fork.

11. The vehicle of either of claims 1, 2 or 6, in which said fulcrum has an upright axis which is generally aligned with said upright axis of rotation of said fork.

12. The vehicle of either of claims 1, 2 or 6, in which the transverse location of said dolly with respect to the chassis is fixed by said fork and said steering plate.

13. The vehicle of either of claims 1, 2 or 6, in which said fork connector means is forward of said beam axle, and said steering linkage is rearward of said connector means.

14. The vehicle of either of claims 1, 2 or 6, including a) fore-aft dolly springing means in-between the dolly and the chassis for providing resilient fore-aft movement of the dolly with respect to the chassis;
b) a resilient spring structure in the fork for providing resilient up and down travel of the beam axle with respect to the chassis; and 14. (continued) c) a rotatable connection of steering plate to said front fork by said fork connector means.

15. A two ground contact element front suspension for a vehicle, comprising a) a front suspension and steering dolly having 1) a transverse beam axle having a fixed upright on each end, 2) a pair of uter front corner axles rotatably mounted one in each upright, 3) axle radius structure extending rearward from the beam axle, 4) a steering fulcrum centrally located between the corner axles and transversely fixed to the beam axle, b) dolly connector means on the rear of the radius structure for connecting the dolly to a vehicle chassis;
c) a rotatable steering plate rotatably mounted to the steering fulcrum, said plate being connected by steering linkage to both said front corner axles;
d) fork connector means on said steering plate for connecting the steering plate to a front fork of the vehicle; and 15. (continued) e) means on each of said front corner axles for accepting and retaining thereon a respective ground contact element.

16. The suspension of claim 15, for conversion of a single front wheeled motorcycle to a vehicle having said two front ground contact elements.

17. The suspension of claim 15, for conversion of a 3-Wheeler into a 4-Wheeler.

18. The suspension of either of claims 15, 16 or 17, in which said for, connector means includes means for attaching to an existing single ground contact element front axle in the vehicle.

19. The suspension of either of claims 15, 16 or 17, including a resilient isolator in said fork con-nector means.

20. The suspension of either of claims 15, 16 or 17, in which said fork connector means is on a front end of said steering plate and is forward of said beam axle.

21. The suspension of either of claims 15, 16 or 17, in which said steering linkage is rearward of said fork connector means.

22. The suspension of either of claims 15, 16 or 17, in which said dolly connector means includes means for adjusting the height of connection of the dolly to the vehicle chassis.

23. The suspension of either of claims 15, 16 or 17, in which said dolly connector means includes resilient fore-aft motion means for enabling the dolly to travel fore and aft with respect to the vehicle chassis.

24. A method of suspensing the front end of a vehicle on two ground contact elements, comprising the steps of a) fastening one end of a front steering and suspension dolly to a chassis of a vehicle and locating a beam axle of said dolly in a fore-aft position with respect to said chassis with said step of fastening;
b) rotatably journalling a rotatable steering plate to the beam axle and connecting the steering plate to rotatable front corner axles which have been rotatably mounted to fixed outboard uprights provided on outer ends of the beam axle;
c) connecting the steering plate to a front fork of the vehicle and supporting the front end of vehicle with the steering plate;
d) supporting the steering plate with the beam axle;
e) supporting the beam axle above ground with a pair of ground elements mounted and secured one on each front corner axle; and 24. (continued) f) turning both said ground contact elements by turning said fork with respect to said chassis and thereby turning said steering plate with respect to said beam axle and turning said corner axles and ground contact elements thereon with said steering plate.

25. The method of claim 24, including the step of adjusting the height of the fastening of the dolly to the chassis.

26. The method of claim 25, including the step of adjusting a nominal fore-aft position of the beam axle.

27. The method of claim 26, including the step of locating a nominal fore-aft position of the beam axle and then the further step of providing resilient fore-aft travel of the beam axle with respect to the chassis.

28. The method of either of claims 24, 25 or 26, including the step of transversely locating the beam axle with the vehicle fork and the steering plate.

29. The method of either of claims 24, 25 or 26, including the step of turning the steering plate about a fulcrum in the center of the beam axle.

30. The method of either of claims 24, 25 or 26, including the step of suspending the dolly with springs in the vehicle fork and with resilient elements interactable between the dolly and chassis at the location of the fastening of the dolly to the chassis.