FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a steering assembly of a three wheeled vehicle and more particularly to a greasing arrangement for the steering assembly of a three wheeled vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, the steering assembly of any three wheeled vehicle includes a head pipe, a steering column, and a bearing sub assembly, wherein said bearing sub assembly includes a top race and a bottom race. The bearing sub assembly is disposed around the steering column at two locations and facilitates steering.

The bearing sub assembly has to be frequently lubricated for improved performance and for prolonged life. Lubrication of said bearing sub assembly aids in minimizing friction and reducing wear. If the bearing sub assembly is not adequately lubricated at regular intervals of time, they impact steering responsiveness and transfer noise and vibration through the steering column to the rider.

Conventionally, lubrication of the bearing sub assembly involved dismantling the complete steering column assembly, a time consuming and tedious process, thereby discouraging customers from performing periodic greasing of said bearing sub assemblies. Moreover, the top race being exposed to the environment is prone to damage due to dust and water entry.

It is therefore desirable to provide a steering assembly; in a manner such that the serviceability, including the lubrication of the bearing sub assembly is eased. It is also desirable to provide a steering assembly in a manner such that the top race is secured from the environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter described herein therefore deals with a steering assembly of a three wheeled vehicle, wherein said steering assembly comprises a head pipe, a steering column and a bearing sub assembly including a top race and a bottom race.

According to the present invention, the steering assembly includes a reservoir unit, wherein the reservoir unit is disposed adjoining the head pipe and above the bearing sub assembly. In one embodiment of the present invention, the reservoir unit includes a top race reservoir and a bottom race reservoir, in a manner such that the top race reservoir is disposed around a circumference of the head pipe and above the top race, and the bottom race reservoir is disposed in a space formed between the head pipe and the steering column, and above the bottom race. Both the top race reservoir and the bottom race reservoir may be connected to an external lubrication device, in order to pump a lubricant into said top race reservoir and bottom race reservoir, thereby lubricating the top race and the bottom race. The external lubrication device may be disconnected once sufficient amount of lubricant has been pumped into the top and bottom race reservoirs.

Thus, the top race and bottom race of the steering assembly is lubricated effectively without having to dismantle the steering assembly and a handle bar assembly of said three wheeled vehicle, thereby aiding in a quick and convenient servicing of the steering assembly.

Summary provided above explains the basic features of the invention and does not limit the scope of the invention. Additional detailed information related to the enablement of the invention will be provided in the detailed description and accompanying claims. Scope of the invention shall be based on the claims provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and from the accompanying drawings incorporated herein. The accompanying drawings illustrate different embodiments of the invention and serve to explain the same, as described in the detailed description given below.

Figure 1 and Figure 2 illustrate a three wheeled vehicle having a steering assembly.

Figure 3 illustrates a cross sectional view of the steering assembly in accordance to the present invention.

Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of a top race reservoir in accordance to the present invention

Figure 5 illustrates a cross sectional view of a bottom race reservoir in accordance to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings. The invention may have application to all types of vehicles including two wheeled vehicles.

Referring to Figure 1 to Figure 3 a steering assembly 102 for a three-wheeled vehicle 100 is shown. As may be seen in the figure, the steering assembly 102 is disposed in a front portion of said three wheeled vehicle and is connected to a front wheel 104. A front fender 103 covers an upper portion of said front wheel 104.

The steering assembly 102 includes a head pipe 102a, a steering column 102b disposed within said head pipe 102a, and a bearing sub assembly 102c including a top race 102cc and a bottom race 102cd.

The bearing sub assembly 102c including the top race 102cc and the bottom race 102cd requires frequent lubrication for the efficient functioning of the steering assembly 102.

A reservoir unit 105 including a top race reservoir 105a and a bottom race reservoir 105b is provided for the lubrication of the bearing sub assembly 102c including the top race 102cc and the bottom race 102cd

As may be seen in Figure 3, the top race reservoir 105a is disposed adjoining the circumference of the head pipe 102a and above the top race 102cc. The bottom race reservoir 102cd is disposed in a space 106 formed between the head pipe 102a and the steering column 102b.

Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of the top race reservoir 105a. As may be seen in the figure, the top race reservoir 105a is a cylindrical member including a top surface 105ab having a centrally formed opening and a circumferential wall 105ac extending downwards from said top surface 105ab. Further, the construction of the circumferential wall 105ac is such that a hollow space is formed between an inner lining 105acd and an outer lining of the circumferential wall 105ac. Furthermore, a recess 105ad (shown in Fig 3) is formed in an inner side between the top surface 105ab and the circumferential wall 105ac. The top race reservoir 105a also includes a spout 105ae extending outwards from the circumferential wall 105ac and away from the head pipe 102a. A nipple 105af which is capable of being connected to an external lubrication device such as a greasing gun (not shown) is inserted in the spout 105ae.

Thus, the top race reservoir 105a having the above described construction is disposed around a circumference of the head pipe 102a and above the top race 102cc, in a manner such that the top surface 105ab receives the head pipe 102a and the circumferential wall 105ac encompasses the head pipe 102a and the top race 102cc. In such a condition, a bottom side of the top surface 105ab abuts against the top race 102cc so that when a lubricant, for e.g. oil or grease is pumped through the external lubrication device, it flows through the spout 105ae and fills the hollow space formed between the inner lining 105acd and outer lining of the circumferential wall 105ac and finally overflows through the recess 105ad and spreads on the top race 102cc.

Thus, the top race 102cc is effectively lubricated without having to dismantle the steering column assembly 102.

In the present embodiment, the top surface 105ab is composed of an alloy such as steel and the circumferential wall 105ac is composed of a plastic material.

Figure 5 illustrates a cross sectional view of the bottom race reservoir 105b. The bottom race reservoir 105b is a hollow semi cylindrical member and includes a threaded spout 105bc extending from an outer circumference thereof and projects outwards through an aperture (not shown) on the head pipe 102a. Further, a capping member 107 is fitted to the threaded spout 105bc, which in turn receives a nipple 108. The external lubrication device may be connected to the capping member 107 for pumping a lubricant into the bottom race reservoir 105b. Plurality of holes 105bd are provided on a bottom surface of said bottom race reservoir 105b, through which the lubricant seeps out and flows to the bottom race 102cd.

Complete lubrication of the top and bottom race 105cc and 105cd may be achieved by pumping said external lubrication device up to 40-50 times. However, depending on the output capacity of the external greasing gun, the number of pumps to be employed may vary. After few pumping, the steering assembly 102 has to be rotated by ±45° in order to spread lubricant in whole area of top and bottom races 102cc and 102cd respectively. Thus, by pumping in 70 to 80gms of lubricant such as grease and by swinging the steering assembly 102 by ±45°, one can assure the complete smearing of lubricant in the top race and the bottom race within few minutes and without dismantling complete the steering assembly. Thus, since the reservoir unit 105 comprising the top race reservoir 105a and the bottom race reservoir 105b is disposed around the steering assembly 102, in a mounted condition thereof, the steering assembly 102 can be conveniently lubricated by merely connecting the top race reservoir 105a and the bottom race reservoir 105b to an external lubrication device, without having to dismantle a handle bar assembly (not shown) and the steering assembly, thereby easing serviceability of the bearing sub assembly of the steering assembly.

While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes in form, connection, and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims:

WE CLAIM:

1. A steering assembly (102) for a three wheeled vehicle (100), said steering assembly (102) comprising a head pipe (102a), a steering column (102b) and a bearing sub assembly (102c), said bearing sub assembly including a top race (102cc) and a bottom race (102cd), characterized in that a reservoir unit (105) is disposed adjoining the head pipe (102a) and substantially above the bearing sub assembly (102c), wherein the reservoir unit (105) is adapted to receive a lubricant.

2. The steering assembly (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reservoir unit (105) is adapted to receive a lubricant from an external lubrication device.

3. The steering assembly (102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reservoir unit (105) includes a top race reservoir (105a) and a bottom race reservoir (105b), said top race reservoir (105a) being disposed adjoining the head pipe (102) and above the top race (102cc) and said bottom race reservoir (105b) being disposed in a space (106) formed between the head pipe (102a) and the steering column (102b) and above the bottom race (102cd).

4. The steering assembly (102) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the top race reservoir (105a) is a cylindrical member including a top surface (105ab), a circumferential wall (105ac) extending downwards and a spout (105ae) extending outwards from said circumferential wall (105ac).

5. The steering assembly (102) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the top surface (105ab) and the circumferential wall (105ac) together form a recess (105ad) on an inner side.

6. The steering assembly (102) as claimed in 2, wherein the bottom race reservoir (105b) is a hollow semi cylindrical member including a threaded spout (105bc) extending outwards from an outer circumference thereof towards the head pipe (102a), and a plurality of holes (105bd) on a bottom surface therein.