IP Library Granted Patent US 11,952,075
Granted Patent B2
US 11,952,075 · App. 17/684,524 · Granted Apr 9, 2024

Starting device for a motorcycle

Inventors: Bradley J. Smith (Lindale, TX); Paul Perebijnos (Wildomar, CA); Scott Boyer (Valencia, CA)
Assignee: Turn 14 Distribution, Inc.
B62K25/08B62K2025/047B62K2025/048
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,952,075
App. No.
17/684,524
Granted
Apr 9, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

According to an aspect of the disclosed embodiments, an apparatus for a vehicle includes a locking plate configured to be coupled to a first shaft of a suspension rod. A housing is configured to be coupled to a second shaft of the suspension rod that moves relative to the first shaft. The housing extends along a first longitudinal axis. A pin is configured to rotate about a second longitudinal axis. A locking mechanism is configured to lock the pin in starting position.

Claims (53)

1. An apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a locking plate configured to be coupled to a first shaft of a suspension rod,

a housing configured to be coupled to a second shaft of the suspension rod that moves relative to the first shaft, the housing extending along a first longitudinal axis,

a pin configured to rotate about a second longitudinal axis, wherein the pin is biased into an unlocked position, and wherein the pin is configured to engage the locking plate in a locked position, and

a locking mechanism configured to lock the pin in starting position, wherein, when the pin is released from the starting position, the pin moves into the locked position, wherein:

in the unlocked position, a tip of the pin is positioned in the housing, and

in the starting position, the tip of the pin is positioned outside of the housing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the locked position is between the unlocked position and the starting position.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first longitudinal axis is orthogonal to the second longitudinal axis.

4. An apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a locking plate configured to be coupled to a first shaft of a suspension rod,

a housing configured to be coupled to a second shaft of the suspension rod that moves relative to the first shaft, the housing extending along a first longitudinal axis,

a pin configured to rotate about a second longitudinal axis, wherein the pin is biased into an unlocked position, and wherein the pin is configured to engage the locking plate in a locked position, and

a locking mechanism configured to lock the pin in starting position, wherein, when the pin is released from the starting position, the pin moves into the locked position, wherein the locking plate includes:

a first arm segment, and

a pair of second arm segments hingedly attached to the first arm segment.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the pair of second arm segments are secured together with a fastener to secure the locking plate to the first shaft of the suspension rod.

6. An apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a locking plate configured to be coupled to a first shaft of a suspension rod,

a housing configured to be coupled to a second shaft of the suspension rod that moves relative to the first shaft, the housing extending along a first longitudinal axis,

a pin configured to rotate about a second longitudinal axis, wherein the pin is biased into an unlocked position, and wherein the pin is configured to engage the locking plate in a locked position, and

a locking mechanism configured to lock the pin in starting position, wherein, when the pin is released from the starting position, the pin moves into the locked position, wherein the pin is moved from the unlocked position to the starting position by rotating the pin about the second longitudinal axis.

7. An apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a locking plate configured to be coupled to a first shaft of a suspension rod,

a housing configured to be coupled to a second shaft of the suspension rod that moves relative to the first shaft, the housing extending along a first longitudinal axis,

a pin configured to rotate about a second longitudinal axis, wherein the pin is biased into an unlocked position, and wherein the pin is configured to engage the locking plate in a locked position, and

a locking mechanism configured to lock the pin in starting position, wherein, when the pin is released from the starting position, the pin moves into the locked position, wherein the pin is moved from the starting position to the locked position by applying a compressive force to the suspension rod.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the compressive force is applied along the first longitudinal axis.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the pin advances past the locking plate when the compressive force is applied.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein a lowered tapered surface of the pin advances along an upper tapered surface of the locking plate as the pin advances past the locking plate.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the pin engages the locking plate when the compressive force is released.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the pin is rotated to the locked position when the pin engages the locking plate.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the pin disengages from the locking plate when an additional compressive force is applied to the suspension rod.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the pin retracts to the unlocked position when the pin is disengaged from the locking plate.

15. An apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a locking plate configured to be coupled to a first shaft of a suspension rod,

a housing configured to be coupled to a second shaft of the suspension rod that moves relative to the first shaft, the housing extending along a first longitudinal axis,

a pin configured to rotate about a second longitudinal axis, wherein the pin is biased into an unlocked position, and wherein the pin is configured to engage the locking plate in a locked position, and

a locking mechanism configured to lock the pin in starting position, wherein, when the pin is released from the starting position, the pin moves into the locked position, wherein a guide tab of the pin is locked in the locking mechanism when the pin is rotated to the starting position.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the guide tab of the pin is disengaged from the locking mechanism when the pin is engaged with the locking plate.

17. An apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a locking plate configured to be coupled to a first shaft of a suspension rod,

a housing configured to be coupled to a second shaft of the suspension rod that moves relative to the first shaft, the housing extending along a first longitudinal axis,

a pin configured to rotate about a second longitudinal axis, wherein the pin is biased into an unlocked position, and wherein the pin is configured to engage the locking plate in a locked position, and

a locking mechanism configured to lock the pin in starting position, wherein, when the pin is released from the starting position, the pin moves into the locked position, wherein:

in the unlocked position, the pin is positioned at a first rotational angle relative to the second longitudinal axis, and

in the starting position, the pin is positioned at a second rotational angle relative to the second longitudinal axis,

wherein the first rotational angle is different than the second rotational angle.

18. An apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a locking plate configured to be coupled to a first shaft of a suspension rod,

a housing configured to be coupled to a second shaft of the suspension rod that moves relative to the first shaft, the housing extending along a first longitudinal axis,

a pin configured to rotate about a second longitudinal axis, wherein the pin is biased into an unlocked position, and wherein the pin is configured to engage the locking plate in a locked position, and

a locking mechanism configured to lock the pin in starting position, wherein, when the pin is released from the starting position, the pin moves into the locked position, wherein a notch of the pin is secured with a notch of the locking plate in the locked position.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 19, 2024
From: SMITH, BRADLEY J.; PEREBIJNOS, PAUL; BOYER, SCOTT
To: ED TUCKER DISTRIBUTOR, INC.
Reel/Frame 066624/0676 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 27, 2023
From: ED TUCKER DISTRIBUTOR, INC.
To: TURN 14 DISTRIBUTION, INC.
Reel/Frame 065373/0414 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation 16243456 · Jan 9, 2019
Related Publication 20220185423A1 · Jun 16, 2022