Lightweight Integrated Rear Suspension And Drive Enclosure For A Ridden Motorized Vehicle
Abstract:
A ridden motorized vehicle such as a motorized scooter, motorcycle, ATV, tricycle, snowmobile,
or lawn tractor, having a driven rear wheel may be equipped with an enclosed chain or belt drive
enclosure having a first end and a second end and an inner enclosure and an outer enclosure,
such that the inner enclosure has the rear suspension member and the ~ awrhe el mounted at the
second end, and concentrically pivots at the first end on the motor assembly output shaft of a
motor assembly fastened to or comprising part of the main vehicle fframe, anti the outer enclosure
pivoted on another bearing co-linear with the motor assembly output &aft, hi mounted on a
removable section of, or attachment to, said frame.
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Notices, Deadlines & Correspondence
34 COMMUNITY CENTER, BASANT LOK, VASANT VIHAR, NEW DELHI - 110057
Inventors
1. ERIK BUELL
S64W31705 ROAD X,
MUKWONAGO, WI 53149, U.S.A.
2. ANTHONY STEFANELLI
N7072 LAKESHORE AVE.,
ELKHORN, WI 53121, U.S.A.
3. JOHN FOX
S79 W29665 FROG ALLEY RD.,
MUKWONAGO, WI 53149, U.S.A.
4. JONATHAN BUNNE
N5076 BRIGGS RD., ELKHORN,
WI 53121, U.S.A.
5. GIANCARLO BATTAGLINI
S91 W34840 JOSHUA WAY,
EAGLE, WI 53119, U.S.A.
6. CHAD ANTCZAK
W327 S4085 SPRING RIDGE CT.,
WAUKESHA, WI 53189, U.S.A.
7. DEAN IWINSKI
W171 S8170 LANNON DR.,
MUSKEGO, WI 53150, U.S.A.
Specification
LIGHTWEIGHT INTEGRATED REAR SUSPENSION AND DRIVE ENCLOSURE FOR
A RIDDEN MOTORIZED VEHICLE
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 6 1/582,8 14, filed on January 3, 20 12, which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY
[0002] Presently disclosed is a rear suspension and drive enclosure for a ridden motorized
vehicle. The presently disclosed rear suspension and drive enclosure may be used with my
ridden motorized vehicle having a driven axle pivotally attached to the frame of the motorized
vehicle, the driven axle operably connected to a motor power source. Swh ridden motorized
vehicles may include motor scooters, motof-cycles, all-terrain-vehicles, tricycks, snowmobiles,
and lawn &actors.
[0003] Ridden motorized vehicles, such as those disclosed herein, gewdly comprise a frame, a
power system, a d at least one drive wheel. The at least one wheel may provide traction with the
ground dkedy, or may be part of a track system such as with a snow . TfPe power from the
power sys&xn must be tcasfei-red to one of the wheels, usually tke , to prep1 to the
vehicle. The power from the power system is usually tr~aferredto &e rwx wheel through a
swingam, or drive enclosure, disposed between tke frame of the nw k d the rear
wheel. A swkgmn is wx.4 to firnly hold the a l e , of the driven w k l , a d d &&wce latadiy
from the fratae while d h i ~ ti~he gret ar axle to pivot q w d y g asd
suspension to && bmps and vibratioas from the ground. Also the &we
whether a chive shaft, chain, or beit is disposed along the swingam, grw- pwer to the rear
*I.
[@@4] Use of an t2nc10d drive chain or belt be4ween the notor
known fm use with ridda vehlcks such as motorized scootess, , d - W - v & k i e s ,
a d s n o a s . In most cases &is includes a fixed mdti-piece chain mew bae
that is IWMto th e rear siqxmoion, an eaclosure for dne rndw s ~ k . S x d t o ~
motor, and flexible enc10sw1.e &ions which connect the upper and hwes sectims of the two
fured enclosures. This type of system is costly, heavy, and complex to manufacture and maintain.
In scooters it is also common to have a drive system wherein the motor is attached to the rear
suspension and drives the rear wheel via a gear drive, a drive shaft, or a mixture of gears and
chains. Such designs described, for example, by Japanese Patent Application Publication JP
2010-228627 are complex, and the motion of the motor with the suspension increases unsprung
weight to the detriment of ride quality.
[OM51 Unsprung weight is the mass of every component on a ridden vehicle not supported by
the suspension. Such components may include the wheels, brake systems, axel, and suspension
system. In systems such as those described by JP 2010-228627 this also includes the motor and
the gear system. A ridden vehicle having a lighter unsprung weight will have unsprung
components moving more readily with the road bumps lurid irregularities, rnaiittakaing the
traction between the road and and wheel, and therefore, provide a more uniform grip and
improved performance. A ridden vehicle having a heavier unsprung weight will have wasprung
components which will absorb less of the bumps and irregularities in the rod and, thedore,
vibrations will be transmitted to the rest of the vehicle, the rider, and passengers. For the same
reason road noise will increase with vehicles having a heavier unsprung we@t as well.
Therefore, there is presently a need for a ridden m o t o d vehicle, such as a motor scooter,
motorcycle, ATV, tricycle, snowmobile, or lawn tractor, having a lightweight rear s u s p s h
;and drive eaclowe system.
1-1 Further, systems of the piur art include motor scooters ;tnQ mokoreycbs hvhg a
swiqam type rear swzq.xmsion system, pivotkg on an axis && nmw&ed to the frame behid the
engine, such that the met sh& of the m~keis aot w i & t k e p i v o t ~ s f & d r 3 v e
enclosure or swingam, a d i nclude a chah drive enchwe in the s w i ~Tf~ww. sy stems
require at least two chains a d a dwbk i-&-ary qmcket on the swi pivot axis,
providing a system which is c+ex and &&dt to we and sewice. Tke
between ttae swiiqijarrm pivot piat and the rear wheel r& c a ~ a a t wh of
the motor vehicle. A ridden +fe having a swkg&a or drive each- piv& pi& aot
a vark& &st.ance frorn the wtpt &aft of tQPe Mer s d i y while the re=
u p w d y a d downwdy about the swingarm pivot @t. A vaiaB1e &
wheel axle and the motor assembly output shaft prevents a drive chain or belt having a fixed
length to directly connect the rear wheel axle with the motor assembly output shaft. Some prior
art systems have a sprocket on the output shaft of the motor assembly and a final sprocket
mounted on the rear wheel concentric with the axle which allows for loosening and tightening of
the chain during suspension movement, caused by the variation in distance between the engine
and wheel sprockets as the suspension moves, and, in turn, causing noise, wear, and imprecise
drive delivery. To overcome this problem other prior art systems have a double intermediary
sprocket at the swingarm pivot point, and two chains or drive belts, one between the sprocket on
the output shaft of the motor assembly and the double intermediary sprocket at the swingarm
pivot point, and a second between the double intermediary sprocket at the swingarm pivot point
and a sprocket on the rear wheel axle. Such prior art systems have may components comprised
within the drive train of the motorized vehicles and are, therefore, complex to manufactwe,
install, and maintain.
[W7] There is presently a need for a drive system in ridckn vehicles which provides both rear
suspension with an enclosed drive transfer system, such as a drive shaft, belt, or chain, while
reducing the unsprung weight of the system. Also, there is presently a need for a lightweight rear
suspension and drive enclosu~sy &m for a ridden motorid vehicle which has fewer parts, to
reduce the cost and complexity of maaufactmhg, installation and ~ f l a k ~ n - of such systems.
Presedy disclosed is a simple two pKce emckrswe wheizin tk drive traa&r system is t d y
enclosed, has integrated chi& hsio~mer, has one drive transfer syskm, w h as a chive A&,
chain, or belt beiween a ntotor assembly q u tM ta d ~ awrhe el axle, has lower u
weight, d provides easy service access to tke drive trarz&r sy&em.
between the frame and the sac wkd. Tke ridden vehicle having a frame, a mot01 a-My
attached to the frame, autd the motor assembly having an outgut shaft. Such a motor assembly
mity c-e any type of IgOfOT, for
mgine. The output && of the metor a s d ym ay be to dimcay or ixldk3~4yta a&ix
the power ficm tk Mve y to a &ired location at k t me drive wheel. h scwm
embodiments, the motor a s h yrn w ampri-e a motor, as previousfy d i r ~ ~ udw
with a p sysern or gear Box operably cQIlnectsd to the motor, the system
change the speed of the output shaft from the motor assembly. The motor and gear system may
be arranged as desired. In some embodiments, the gear system may be aligned with the output
shaft of the motor, such that the motor and gear system, included as part of the motor assembly,
are positioned side-by-side widthwise in the vehicle. In other embodiments, the motor and gear
system included as part of the motor assembly may be positioned lengthwise in the vehicle, such
that the gear system is next to, either behind or in front of, the motor, and operably connected to
the motor, the gear system having an output shaft, being the output shaft of the motor assembly.
[ O W ] The drive enclosure of the ridden vehicle has a fust end and a second end. The drive
enclosure adapted to allow the rear wheel to pivot upwardly and downwardly rel&ive to the main
chassis frame, with the first end pivotally attached to the frame, the aktachmmt poiat aligned
with the output shaft of the motor assembly, and the woad end having a rear wheel attacked.
The ridden vehicle may have a sprocket attached to the output shaft of the motor assembly at the
fust end of the drive enclosu~a da sprocket attached to the rear w k la xle at the m o de nd of
the drive enclosure, with a chain or belt disposed around and between the two sprockets
providing drive from the motor assembly to the rear wheel. The ridden vehicle may have a
shock absorber disposed between the drive enclosw an$ the main chassis frame providing
shock resistance for the riddea vehicle, about the first end pivoting on the frame, while being
ri- over uneven kda.
[M43 In some ed-ts, the drive enclosure may comprise an inner drive e ~ l o s wsee ction
and an outer drive mboure section fixed to the irt~~Gerk ive enclosure &on by h&mrs to
provide a monocoqtfe ~~ chive enclmwe c d w&hst&ag the forces
exerted by the wewt a d nzotjon of the vehicle as it is W n . The inmx drive eacisr:we section
beiag inward dong the 1-d axis of the motw vehicle, i.e. $lerearwhd,k
outer drive enclosure attack4 to the inner drive eilcloswe being outwd dong the l ~ ~ i R i + l
axis of the riddm motor v W k dative to the in= drive eaclosure, i.e. on the side of tdae imer
drive enclosure opposite the rear whtxl. S h a d g a u & n form a mmmxp &m&we.
Tke mcmocoque s t p t r e of tx&diinents ctf the drive tmdoswe provides a five mc
adapted to support the stmdma1 loads and torsim e x d by ttpe ridden vd&k
operation, by wing the drive eracloaw's external skin, as o p p d to an i-d or truss.
[0011] Such a monocoque structural drive enclosure provides a drive enclosure with fewer parts
compared to prior art drive enclosures. The presently disclosed monocoque structural drive
enclosure provides for reduced cost of manufacture, installation and maintenance, as well as
reduced complexity of manufacture, installation and maintenance. The presently disclosed
monocoque structural drive enclosure also provides for reduced unsprung weight of the ridden
vehicle, thereby improving ride quality and reducing road noise. Also, the presently disclosed
ridden vehicle, having a drive enclosure with a pivot point aligned with the motor assembly
output shaft, provides a vehicle providing a single drive chain or belt between the sprocket on the
motor assembly output shaft and the sprocket on the rear wheel axle while maintaining the
distance between the motor assembly output shaft and the rear wheel axle, as opposed to a dual
drive chain or belt system of the prior art.. Therefore, a ridden vehicle of the presently disclosed
design provides for reduced complexity of manufacture, installation a d maintenance, as well as
reduced cost for dl three phases.
[0012] In some embodiments, the ridden vehicle may be a motor scooter having a motor
assembly disposed on the main chassis frame, while also providing a flat board, step-through
construction. This embodiment provides a motor scooter with reduced unsprung weight while
also providing the *-through convenience of traditional motor scooters, which traditiondy
have their motor assembly disposed on the rear wheel axle. This easily maiiataias the atbction
of the motor scooter to both men and wornen aiike, while greatly reduchg w6png with
the motor assembly attached to the f m e of the motor scooter instead of the rear wheel a&.
The greatly redwed unsprung weight provides a motor scooter with an
reduced road noise!. In some embodirn~st,h e ridaen vefnick may be MI scootex or a
hybrid sc&r.
(M13j In some ernbodimep~tst, he monocoque structural drive enclosure is disposed on me side
of the motorized vehicle, such as a motor scooter, motorcyck, ATV, tricycle, snowmobik, or
lawn tractor, providing for easy access and rnainaenaxx to the ~?ewuh eel, d b w q the raw
wheel to be removed witkout disassembkg the drive enclwure. In other mWW, the
presently disclosed rnonocoque ~~ drive enclosure may be w&-d on Boch sides d the
vehicle, ha* a dual drive chain or bit, providing for inemad power to be tx
between the motor assembly and the rear wheel. Furthemore, the mokw aseddy, a6 Qscusd
above, may have an integrated or attached gear system disposed between the motor shaft and the
output sprocket at the first end of the drive enclosure, the output shaft for the gear system aligned
with the pivot point of the drive enclosure at the first end of the drive enclosure.
[@I141 Also disclosed is a ridden vehicle comprising a frame, at least one motor assembly
attached to the frame, and a motor assembly having an output shaft. The motor assembly may be
attached to a motor assembly mount portion, removabk from the frame. Such a configuration
provides for a more simple installation and manufacturing system for assembling the ridden
vehicle. The ridden vehicle may also have a drive enclosure having a first end and a second end,
the first end having a frame connection point aligned with the output shaft of the motor
assembly, and the second end having a wheel connection point, the drive cmclmwe adapted to
pivot about the frame connectim point. The ridden vehicle further comprises a wheel contatxed
to the wheel connection point at the second end of t.4~d rive enclosure and a lidcage app~atus
disposed between the output shaft of the motor assembly and the wheel co~mxkdad tEke word
end of the drive enclosure, the linkage apparatus ackq%d to transfer power ftom the output shaft
of the motor assembly to the drive wheel. The linkage apparatus between the o&pt shaft of the
motor and the wheel may be a drive shaft, a chain, or a belt.
[4%15] The drive enclosure of the presently disclosed ridden vehicle may comprise a f ~ spta rt
and a second put, the first part positioned inwwdy of the vehicle, adjacent the m r wheel, the
second part p o s i t i d o u t w d y and f a s t e d to the f i t pat. Such of the drive
enclosure may provide a momccxpe drive e 9 ~ ~ b d w e .
The motor a s d y c-xs a motor, or ahm&vely a motor a d at k s t me par.
The motor may be an i&emd combu&on @ae or MI electric motor or a c
The drive endosue may further comprise a tensimer mounted in the drive e~closure md
adapted to exert a tension face to the lidage s. A ~?&cdc
be disposed between the drive enclosule and the fr-, to provide Aock
@H7] TfK pserltly dJwsed xi&n vehicle m yf wdm comprise at lead o ~feh t qwdet
&tached to the output &aft of the motor assemMy, and at least one second s#m&d i&€aed to
the rear wheel axle, the linkage apparatus disposed between the first sprocket and the second
sprocket .
[@I$] In some embodiments, the ridden vehicle may comprise the drive enclosure disposed
between the frame and the rear wheel on a single side of a vehicle. In other embodiments, the
ridden vehicle may further comprise at least two drive enclosures, each drive enclosure disposed
on opposing sides of the vehicle, each drive enclosure having a first end and a second end, the
first end of each drive enclosure having a frame connection point aligned with the output shaft of
the motor assembly, and the second end of each drive enclosute having a wheel connection
point, the at least two drive enclosures adapted to pivot about the fmae con~ectionp oint. In
embodiments of the ridden vehicle having at least two drive encbsures, the frame connection
point of each drive enclosure may be adapted to attach to the frame. Where each drive ewloswe
is attached to the frame on opposite sides of the frame, or alternatively, each drive enclosure is
attached to the frame on the same side.
[@I91 Also disclosed is a drive enclosure for a ridden vehicle, comprising an inner drive
enclosure disposed between a vehicle frame and a rear wheel of a vehicle, the inner drive
enclosure having a fust end and a second end, the first end having a frame connection poi~ta,n d
the second end having a wheel connection point, the inner drive enclosure deed to pivot about
&e frame connection point with the output shaft of a v&kk motor assembly; d an
outer drive ettcluswe f a s W to fate imer drive eacbsue. IP1 some eadmke& the ae4et drive
encbsw comprises a first end and a d ed, tdre &st 4 h v k g a fi.iwiae c~~ pint,
about the fr- condos pokt w&harkkb IRO&W
Adc&M1y, or in the ive, taPe k r drive encbgure id ot&w &ve
m o ndriv~e mc 1mwe.
The scope and c ~ & o~f tt3s e pretm4y disclosed riddm vehicle, as Qgwsed above, may
dm be auggnmtd by the Wbwhg dadptkn of the h w i q ~ s . The ^^ardjitfieMu^ if^aratas between Ae
^i^ut shaft of tfw motor ass^»Uy a ^ te wk@el is a ^ v e shiA.
6. T^ ridden vehicle as c l a i t i^ in c i i ^ 1, fyi^er coaipisi^ a tmtsmimi m^Hitod m te
^ v e enclosure and adi^ed to exmt a t@asioii fcwee to Ae Imki^ m^maHas.
7. '^eridden v^ideasckiaaedinclaim l,«^F^teira^ieftB>lh!^c^^isesa
Bi^^vable motcH" assemUy mmM p@f^m.
$. flK ridden vehicle as ciaiMedki^Hm l , t e A e r c @ ^ d s ^ « t tei^ two Mve
^iciosiues, each drive enclost^e di^^ssd @n of^osi^ ^ ^ s sf ^ mMim v«Meie, @a^
^ v e ^iclosure having a first ^id and a second end, Ae first @md ^ @i^ drive ^k>^i»e
having a frame connection point aligned with the outfwt shaft of the motor assembly, and
the second end of each drive enclosure having a wheel connection point, the srt kast two
drive enclosures adapted to pivot about die frame connection point.
9. The ridden vehicle as claimed in claim 1, further comprising shock absorber, the shock
absorber disposed between the drive enclosure and tihe frame.
10. The ridden vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive enclosure comprises a first
part and a second part, the first part positioned inward of the ridden vehicle, adjacent the
rear wheel, the second part positioned outwardly a ^ fastened to Ae first part, opposite
the rear wheel.
11. The ridden vehicle as claimed in claim 1, where the ^ v e enclosure is a mtx^ococ^ chive
enclosure.
12. The ridden vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein tf» ridden vrfifcle is a waoiix scooter.
13. The ridden vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ridden vehicle is an etecteic
scooter.
14. The ridden vehicle as clainoed in claim 1, wherein ^ ridden v ^ k t e is a hj^cid scooter.
15. The nMesn \^mle as clain^d in clmm 1, fw^kec c^o^smg:
at least one first sprodket ^toched to te CM^ut stmA 8iife k di^omd
b^ween die fr^ne imd Ae rear wheel on a smgle skis (rf a liiAm^ veM^.
17. A (Mve &^ckmmc fm: a sMfen v^ttcde, @@nfti^g:
an ij»ier drive ^kdo^ire stisposed betwe^i a rij^i^i v d ^ i e ^mme imd a i ^ r wteri ^ a
ridden v^iiete, ^ ioa^ drive eaiclo^a^ Mvifflg a first e^ aad a seem^ @nd, Ibe 9sM. »id
havi^ a frame connection point, and fte ^G<»id end hftvt^ a v^@^ ^mmaetimm p^M,
17
the inner drive enclosure juiapted to pivot about the frame conn^tion point alig^sd wift
^ output shaft of a ivMm vehicle motor assemWy; md
an outer drive enclosure fastened to tiie inner drive ^iclosure.
18. The drive enclosure as claimed in claim 17, wherein the outer drive enclosuie coBE^ises
a first end and a secoi»l ^id, fte first end having a firaii^ coooectton point, ^ ^ ttie
s^(Mid end having a wheel connection point, die inner Aive ^tchnm^e ad^tod to ^ v ^
sbout the frame connection point alig^sd with a rM^^ vehicle aiotor msmiMy m^A
dMt.
19. Ifee ^ v e enclosure as claimed in claim 17 whei^^ te innor Mve &^^&sm^ aad m^mc
s^.
20. The drive enclosure as c i d i a ^ in claim 17, Mv^Fein ttie
Documents
Orders
Section
Controller
Decision Date
Application Documents
#
Name
Date
1
9-del-2013-GPA-(02-07-2013).pdf
2013-07-02
1
9-DEL-2013-IntimationOfGrant14-08-2023.pdf
2023-08-14
2
9-del-2013-Form-3-(02-07-2013).pdf
2013-07-02
2
9-DEL-2013-PatentCertificate14-08-2023.pdf
2023-08-14
3
9-DEL-2013-Written submissions and relevant documents [01-05-2023(online)].pdf
2023-05-01
3
9-del-2013-Form-1-(02-07-2013).pdf
2013-07-02
4
9-del-2013-Correspondence-Others-(02-07-2013).pdf
2013-07-02
4
9-DEL-2013-Correspondence to notify the Controller [21-03-2023(online)].pdf