IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,427,277
Granted Patent B2
US 11,427,277 · App. 16/940,729 · Granted Aug 30, 2022

Two-wheeled vehicle

Inventors: Bryan D. O'Rourke (Wyoming, MN); Cal W. Johnson (Gem Lake, MN); Chad M. Cunningham (Hugo, MN); Neil P. Quade (Buffalo, MN); Steven M. Hamlin (North Branch, MN)
Assignee: Indian Motorcycle International, LLC
B62J17/04B60K13/02B60K28/02B60K28/04B60R25/06B62J7/04B62J17/06B62J33/00B62K11/04F02B61/02F02M35/0201F02M35/0215F02M35/116F02M35/162F16M13/02B62D35/008B62J9/23F01P2001/026F16B2200/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,427,277
App. No.
16/940,729
Granted
Aug 30, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A two-wheeled vehicle includes a frame having a front frame portion, a mid-frame portion, and a rear frame portion. The mid-frame portion is coupled to the rear frame portion and the front frame portion. The vehicle further includes a plurality of ground-engaging members for supporting the frame. The engine includes an air deflector to assist in cooling a rear cylinder of a V-twin engine. An accessory windshield is also shown which may be coupled to the handlebars and front forks of the vehicle. Also, a rear accessory attachment is shown mountable to the rear fender.

Claims (27)

1. A motorcycle air cleaner housing comprising:

a housing element;

an air intake defined in the housing element;

an air output defined in the housing element;

an air cleaning path linking the air intake to the air output, the air cleaning path including an air cleaner disposed therein;

an air deflector integral with the housing element, the air deflector including a deflector input positioned to receive ambient air and a deflector output positioned to output air from the air deflector to ambient, the air deflector providing an air deflector path distinct from the air cleaning path,

wherein the air deflector has a curved shape that directs air from the deflector input rearward and upward around a periphery of the air cleaner to the deflector output, the deflector output positioned vertically higher than the deflector input.

2. The motorcycle air cleaner housing of claim 1 , wherein the housing element further includes cover mounts operable to couple an air cleaner cover thereto.

3. The motorcycle air cleaner housing of claim 2 , wherein the air deflector is shaped to route air from the deflector input along the air deflector path to the deflector output.

4. The motorcycle air cleaner housing of claim 3 , wherein the air deflector path traverses along a periphery of the air cleaner cover when the air cleaner cover is coupled to the housing element.

5. The motorcycle air cleaner housing of claim 1 , wherein, when in use coupled to a motorcycle frame, the air deflector is positioned on a lower end of the housing element.

6. The motorcycle air cleaner housing of claim 1 , wherein, when in use and coupled to a motorcycle frame, the deflector output is positioned at a rear end of the housing element.

7. The motorcycle air cleaner housing of claim 1 , wherein, when in use and coupled to a motorcycle frame, the deflector output is positioned such that air exiting therefrom contacts an engine cylinder head.

8. The motorcycle air cleaner housing of claim 7 , wherein the engine cylinder head is a rear cylinder head of an engine having at least two cylinders.

9. The motorcycle air cleaner housing of claim 1 , wherein the deflector output, when assembled to a motorcycle, is laterally adjacent to a cylinder head of an engine of the motorcycle.

10. The motorcycle air cleaner housing of claim 1 , further comprising an air intake duct and the air deflector is positioned lower than the air intake duct when coupled to a motorcycle.

11. A motorcycle, comprising:

a frame;

front and rear wheels supporting the frame;

a powertrain drivingly connected to the rear wheel, the powertrain including an internal combustion engine having at least first and second cylinders, the second cylinder being located rearward of the first cylinder;

an air cleaner;

an air deflector, the air deflector including an air intake receiving ambient air and an air output, the air deflector defining an air path from the air intake to the air output, the air output being positioned adjacent the second cylinder and vertically higher than the air intake,

wherein the air deflector has a curved shape that directs air from the air intake rearward and upward around a periphery of the air cleaner.

12. The motorcycle of claim 11 , wherein the air intake is located forward of the second cylinder.

13. The motorcycle of claim 11 , wherein the air output is laterally adjacent the second cylinder.

14. The motorcycle of claim 11 , wherein the air output is forward of a rearmost point of the second cylinder.

15. The motorcycle of claim 11 , wherein the air deflector is suspended from above via a connection to the air cleaner.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 3, 2022
From: O'ROURKE, BRYAN D.; JOHNSON, CAL W.; CUNNINGHAM, CHAD M.
To: INDIAN MOTORCYCLE INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Reel/Frame 060093/0447 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 3, 2022
From: HAMLIN, STEVEN M.; QUADE, NEIL P.
To: INDIAN MOTORCYCLE INTERNATIONAL, LLC
Reel/Frame 060093/0486 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 15937190 · Mar 27, 2018
Continuation 15183638 · Jun 15, 2016
Division 14341356 · Jul 25, 2014
Continuation In Part 14077037 · Nov 11, 2013
Related Publication 20200355318A1 · Nov 12, 2020