IP Library Granted Patent US 7,487,988
Granted Patent B2
US 7,487,988 · App. 11/562,694 · Granted Feb 10, 2009

Vehicle steering head

Assignee: Heinz Kettler GmbH & Co. KG
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,487,988
App. No.
11/562,694
Granted
Feb 10, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

Vehicle steering head for a trike includes a hollow support. A connecting member is adapted to connect a wheel fork to a handlebar. The connecting member is rotatably mounted to the hollow support. A pin is arranged within the hollow support and is structured and arranged to move parallel to an axis of the connecting element. The vehicle steering head is structured and arranged to limit rotational movement of the connecting member in each of two directions.

Claims (56)

1. A vehicle steering head for a tricycle, comprising:

a support tube adapted to be fixed to a frame;

a connecting member adapted to connect a wheel fork to a handlebar;

an upper bearing support mounted to an upper end of the support tube;

a lower bearing support mounted to a lower end of the support tube and comprising a recess;

the connecting member being rotatably mounted to the support tube via the upper and lower bearing supports;

a mudguard comprising an integrally formed projection; and

a movement limiting system limiting the rotational movement of the connecting member in each of two directions when stop surfaces of the projection engage stop surfaces of the recess.

2. The steering head of claim 1 , wherein the mudguard rotates with the connecting member.

3. The steering head of claim 1 , wherein the connecting member is cylindrically shaped.

4. The steering head of claim 1 , further comprising a handlebar connected to one end of the connecting member and a wheel fork connected to another end of the connecting member.

5. The steering head of claim 4 , wherein the mudguard is arranged between the wheel fork and the lower bearing support.

6. A vehicle steering head for a tricycle, comprising:

a hollow support;

a connecting member adapted to connect a wheel fork to a handlebar;

the connecting member being rotatably mounted to the hollow support; and

a pin arranged within the hollow support and being structured and arranged to move parallel to an axis of the connecting element,

wherein the vehicle steering head is structured and arranged to limit rotational movement of the connecting member in each of two directions.

7. The steering head of claim 6 , further comprising an upper bearing support arranged on an upper end of the hollow support.

8. The steering head of claim 7 , further comprising a lower bearing support arranged on a lower end of the hollow support.

9. The steering head of claim 8 , wherein the connecting member is rotatably mounted to the hollow support via the upper and lower bearing supports.

10. The steering head of claim 6 , wherein the connecting member is cylindrically shaped.

11. The steering head of claim 6 , further comprising a handlebar connected to one end of the connecting member and a wheel fork connected to another end of the connecting member.

12. A tricycle steering head, comprising:

a hollow support;

a connecting member connecting a wheel fork to a handlebar;

the connecting member being rotatably mounted to the hollow support; and

a pin arranged within the hollow support and being structured and arranged to move parallel to an axis of the connecting element,

wherein the vehicle steering head is structured and arranged to limit rotational movement of the connecting member in each of two directions.

13. The steering head of claim 12 , wherein the connecting member is rotatably mounted to upper and lower bearing supports of the hollow support.

14. The steering head of claim 12 , wherein the connecting member is cylindrically shaped.

15. A vehicle steering head for a tricycle, comprising:

a support tube adapted to be fixed to a frame;

a connecting member adapted to connect a wheel fork to a handlebar;

an upper bearing support mounted to an upper end of the support tube;

a lower bearing support mounted to a lower end of the support tube and comprising a recess;

the connecting member being rotatably mounted to the support tube via the upper and lower bearing supports;

a mudguard; and

a projection which rotates with the connecting member, is oriented upwardly, and extends into the recess of the lower bearing support,

wherein the projection and recess limit rotational movement of the connecting member in each of two directions.

16. The steering head of claim 15 , wherein an upper portion of the projection extends into the support tube.

17. The steering head of claim 15 , wherein the recess is an arcuate recess.

18. The steering head of claim 15 , wherein the mudguard is arranged between the wheel fork and the lower bearing support and the lower bearing support is non-rotatably mounted to the lower end of the support tube.

19. The steering head of claim 15 , further comprising a locking system for preventing rotational movement of the connecting member.

20. A vehicle steering head for a tricycle, comprising:

a support tube adapted to be fixed to a frame;

a connecting member adapted to connect a wheel fork to a handlebar;

an upper bearing support mounted to an upper end of the support tube;

a lower bearing support mounted to a lower end of the support tube and comprising an arcuate recess;

the connecting member being rotatably mounted to the support tube via the upper and lower bearing supports;

a projection which rotates with the connecting member, extends upwardly, and is oriented to extend into the recess of the lower bearing support,

wherein the projection and recess limit rotational movement of the connecting member in each of two directions.

21. The steering head of claim 20 , wherein an upper portion of the projection extends into the support tube.

22. The steering head of claim 20 , further comprising a mudguard and a locking system for preventing rotational movement of the connecting member.

23. The steering head of claim 20 , further comprising a locking system for preventing rotational movement of the connecting member.

24. The steering head of claim 20 , wherein the lower bearing support is non-rotatably mounted to the lower end of the support tube.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 2, 2013
From: KETTLER, HEINZ; KETTLER, JOACHIM; ROCHOLL, REINHARD
To: HEINZ KETTLER GMBH & CO.
Reel/Frame 031697/0335 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 2, 2013
From: HEINZ KETTLER GMBH & CO.
To: HEINZ KETTLER GMBH & CO., KG
Reel/Frame 031745/0700 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 15, 2010
From: HEINZ KETTLER GMBH & CO., KG
To: KETTLER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 024982/0915 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 299 11 652 U · Jul 5, 1999 · national
Continuity (5)
Continuation 1067166800 · Sep 29, 2003
Continuation 1029800200 · Nov 18, 2002
Continuation 1009251600 · Mar 8, 2002
Continuation 0958449700 · Jun 1, 2000
Related Publication 20070096425A1 · May 3, 2007