The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 28, 1999
Filed:
Feb. 11, 1998
Jonathan Watkins, Vista, CA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A single track vehicle having a foot pedal lever activated side wheel extension/retraction mechanism is fitted with a hydraulic system for responding to excessive feedback force imparted to the driver's leg via the foot pedal. The system includes a normally open needle valve installed mechanically in line with a linear actuator to sense the magnitude of the feedback force to the driver's feet. If the feedback force exceeds the amount the driver can counter comfortably, the needle valve is closed as a result of the opposing force vectors between the loaded side wheel and the driver's feet. The system further includes an inertially activated hydraulic valve installed on the vehicle frame. In the event of a head-on crash, the valve closes, freezing a gas strut and thereby holding the foot pedal lever in the aft position, preventing injury to the driver.