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:
Jul. 13, 2004
Filed:
Oct. 16, 2002
Hideo Kohda, Shizuoka, JP;
Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha, Shizuoka-ken, JP;
Abstract
A front suspension fork assembly suitable for use with a scooter-type vehicle. The front fork assembly is rotatably supported by a frame of the scooter and supports a front wheel of the scooter on its lower end. Desirably, the front fork assembly includes right and left fork legs extending along opposing sides of the front wheel. Each fork leg includes an upper fork tube telescopically engaged with a lower fork tube. An interconnecting portion, or support bridge, extends between the left and right fork legs. A central portion of the support bridge is coupled to a steering tube of the scooter and an intermediate portion of the support bridge extends between the central portion and each upper fork tube. Desirably, the left and right upper fork tubes and the support bridge are monolithically formed. Preferably, an upper end portion of each fork leg extends to a height above the central portion of the support bridge. In addition, preferably, an upper surface of the intermediate portions of the support bridge are generally horizontal, or normal to an axis of the fork legs. In one arrangement, a spring and/or damping member are disposed within an internal space of the upper fork tube above the central portion of the support bridge.