341 |
Vehicle with Tilt Detection Based on Fuel Gauge Output |
US12142704 |
2008-06-19 |
US20080314674A1 |
2008-12-25 |
Kunihiko Kamio |
A vehicle including an engine, a fuel tank configured to store a fuel supplied to the engine, a fuel gauge configured to detect a fuel level of the fuel inside the fuel tank, and a tilting detector configured to determine whether or not a body of the vehicle is tilted, based on a signal output from the fuel gauge. |
342 |
Method and device for protecting a motorcycle |
US11902517 |
2007-09-21 |
US20080296880A1 |
2008-12-04 |
Hsiu-Ping Lin |
A protecting device for a motorcycle. The protecting device may comprise a tilt-measuring module capable of measuring tilt of the motorcycle, an airbag capable of being inflated and expanding out of or to cover an outer surface of the motorcycle, a comparing module capable of comparing the tilt with a tilting limitation and generating a inflating signal if the tilt achieves or exceeds the tilting limitation and an inflation module capable of generating a gas to inflate the airbag if the inflation module receives the inflating signal. |
343 |
SEAT FOR MOTORCYCLES |
US12131578 |
2008-06-02 |
US20080290704A1 |
2008-11-27 |
Randy Chipkar |
An improved seat is disclosed. The seat is of the type for interchangeable use on internal combustion engine motorcycles. The improvement consists of magnetically soft material secured internally within the seat between its frame shell and its cushion to, in use, provide protection for a motorcyclist's groin from near field extremely low frequency magnetic fields produced by electrical components located immediately beneath the seat's base when installed on the motorcycle. The present invention provides a relatively cost effective seat replacement option for health minded or electrosensitive motorcycle consumers who want to reduce groin close exposure to motorcycle generated magnetic fields. |
344 |
MOTORCYCLE PASSENGER PROTECTING SYSTEM |
US12057021 |
2008-03-27 |
US20080238056A1 |
2008-10-02 |
Yuki KOBAYASHI; Norihiko KURATA; Emi SHIDA; Yoshiharu WADA; Makoto ISHIWATARI |
Multiple protecting devices, such as an air bag and an air bag jacket, are controlled and operated in accordance with the shape and size of an impact. A normal collision determining section causes the air bag and/or the air bag jacket to operate in accordance with the magnitude and direction of a collision based on outputs of G sensors. When a collision predicting section predicts a collision on the basis of other vehicle information obtained by a vehicle-to-vehicle communication device and own-vehicle information, it causes a stand-by collision determining section to start instead of the normal collision determining section. The stand-by collision determining section determines a collision mode in advance and sets a threshold value for determining the outputs of the G sensors to a value different from a value used in the determination of the normal collision determining section so as to permit quick determination of a collision. |
345 |
Tilt angle sensor layout structure for a vehicle, and vehicle incorporating same |
US11511556 |
2006-08-29 |
US07426788B2 |
2008-09-23 |
Toru Hasegawa; Seiji Hanafusa |
In a saddle-type vehicle having at least three wheels, a tilt angle sensor layout structure is provided which ensures that a tilt angle sensor is minimally influenced by a centrifugal force or vibration of a vehicle body while the vehicle is turned, and the tilt angle sensor is protected against flying stones and the like. The vehicle includes an engine, and a fuel injection system for supplying fuel from a fuel tank to the engine, with a steering mechanism including a steering shaft provided on the front side of the vehicle body. A plurality of frame members constituting the vehicle body frame supporting the steering mechanism are connected in the shape of a frame loop in vehicle side view, and the tilt angle sensor for detecting the tilt angle in the left-right direction of the vehicle body is attached to the loop-shaped portion of the vehicle body frame. |
346 |
MOTORCYCLE AIRBAG MODULE |
US12046924 |
2008-03-12 |
US20080224456A1 |
2008-09-18 |
Takeshi KUROE; Takashi SATO |
A motorcycle airbag module includes an inflatable airbag, which is deployed between the rider's seat and the steering handlebar of a motorcycle. First and second recessed portions are formed in the front face of the airbag, when in an inflated and deployed state. The first recessed portion extends in a longitudinal direction in the center part of the front face and the second recessed portion diverges and extends respectively to the right and left from the lower end of the first recessed portion arranged in the longitudinal direction. The front face of the airbag is sectioned by the first and second recessed portions to form right and left inflated portions as well as a lower inflated portion. The right and left inflated portions are positioned respectively on the right and left sides of the first recessed portion, and the lower inflated portion is positioned below the second recessed portions. |
347 |
Handguard apparatus and methods |
US11710313 |
2007-02-23 |
US20080203762A1 |
2008-08-28 |
Randall Shimanski |
This invention relates to handguards that may be used on motorcycles, snowmobiles, all terrain vehicles, and personal watercraft. The handguard according to the present invention includes a shield connected to a handlebar mount by an elongated support member. The elongated support member is of a unitary construction and is fabricated from an elastic material so that the shield may be movable within at least two planes by at least 90 degrees from a relaxed position to a deformed position upon the application of an external force. |
348 |
Rider restraint apparatus |
US11232041 |
2005-09-22 |
US07370887B2 |
2008-05-13 |
Hisashi Matsuo |
To provide rider restraint means capable of allowing a rider to freely leave a vehicle without a manual release operation when there is no need to restrain the rider to the vehicle. The rider restraint means includes a belt restraining a rider, buckles making the belt detachable, a guide rail making the buckles slidable, a retractor unit controlling the slide of the buckles, and coupling release means releasing coupling between the belt and the buckles in conjunction with the slide of the buckles. The coupling release means includes an inner wire, a wire stopper, and a wire end. The coupling release means releases the coupling between the belt and the buckles when the retractor unit loosens the winding after collision and the buckles slide by a predetermined distance or more or when the rider continues to pull the belt in a state other than collision and the buckles slide by a predetermined distance or more. |
349 |
Rider restriction device of two-wheeled vehicle |
US11175429 |
2005-07-05 |
US07364195B2 |
2008-04-29 |
Kazuhiko Tsunoda; Norihiro Kurata; Hideaki Akiyama; Yutaka Murata; Takashi Ogino |
The present invention provides a rider restricting device of a two-wheeled vehicle which is easily applicable to a small-sized vehicle and, at the same time, can absorb a frontward load and alleviate a load applied to a rider. The rider restricting device has left and right knee portion pads such that a pad support member for each mounts to a connecting member such that a load absorbing member is mounted in either the pad support member or the connecting member. |
350 |
Methods and systems for providing a rearward field of view for use with motorcycles |
US10715698 |
2003-11-18 |
US07353086B2 |
2008-04-01 |
Timothy James Ennis |
The present invention provides a system and method for using a camera and display screen to provide a vehicle operator with an image of all or part of the area surrounding the vehicle. A camera is attached to the vehicle that is in communication with a display screen viewable by the operator. A system for inverting the image from the camera makes the image more readily understandable to the operator when the operator is looking forward and the camera is pointed backward. The camera and display screen may be wired into a vehicle network. The network may comprise many other devices for added convenience and functionality. Many other advantages can be added to the basic system, for example an operator controlled zoom, automatic changes of camera angle, quick-release components, magnetic security keys, and the like. |
351 |
Slip control system for a single-track motor vehicle |
US11882061 |
2007-07-30 |
US20080001478A1 |
2008-01-03 |
Hans-Albert Wagner |
A slip control system is provided for a single-track motor vehicle, including devices for detecting the wheel revolution of the front and rear wheel of the motor vehicle, devices for detecting a tilting position angle of the motor vehicle, as well as devices for influencing the driving and/or braking forces acting upon a wheel of the motor vehicle. In addition, devices are provided for storing type-specific tire data, and the devices for influencing the driving and/or braking forces acting upon a vehicle wheel are constructed such that the influencing of the driving and/or braking forces takes place as a function of the type-specific tire data, in particular the different geometries of the front and rear wheel tires. |
352 |
Airbag apparatus, motorbike with the airbag apparatus |
US10848173 |
2004-05-18 |
US07267362B2 |
2007-09-11 |
Yasuhito Miyata |
An airbag configuration technology which contributes to intensive protection of a rider of a motorbike in case of accident, and other technologies related thereto are provided. An airbag apparatus including an airbag which is deployed and inflated in a rider protecting area defined in front of the rider in case of a front collision, an inflator capable of supplying inflation gas into the airbag, and a rectifying cloth capable of adjusting the flowing state of inflation gas fed from the inflator and flowing within the airbag is mounted to a motorcycle as a motorbike. |
353 |
Motorcycle safety saddle |
US11041686 |
2005-01-21 |
US07258357B1 |
2007-08-21 |
Thomas J. Berezny |
A motorcycle safety saddle having a fuel tank protector and a handle. The fuel tank protector protects and cushions the fuel tank, and is shaped to fit a wide variety of motorcycles. The safety saddle defines a cutout area therein, and the cutout area is aligned over the motorcycle tank gas cap to provide access thereto. The motorcycle safety saddle has particular utility in connection with providing motorcycle gasoline tank protection along with an integrated handle for use by a passenger. The handle provides improved stability, control, and safety for a passenger riding behind a motorcycle operator. |
354 |
Airbag System and Motorcycle with Airbag System |
US11626722 |
2007-01-24 |
US20070170703A1 |
2007-07-26 |
Yasuhito Miyata |
A technique is provided effective in improving rider retraining performance of an airbag in a motorcycle airbag system to be mounted to a motorcycle. In one form, an airbag system to be mounted to a motorcycle is constructed such that the way of folding the airbag is devised to set the fold release resistance of the rider-side airbag part lower than that of the other part of the airbag in the early stage of the airbag deployment. |
355 |
Airbag apparatus, motorcycle with airbag apparatus |
US11381501 |
2006-05-03 |
US07226074B2 |
2007-06-05 |
Yasuhito Miyata |
An airbag is provided in which thorough protection of a rider upon vehicle accident is achieved while downsizing the airbag to the minimum size. In one form, an airbag apparatus to be mounted to a motorcycle includes an airbag which is deployed and inflated upon front collision of a vehicle. The airbag is configured to constrain a rider by being deployed and inflated locally in terms of the vertical direction of a vehicle body in a lumbar part area of a rider protecting area formed in front of the rider. |
356 |
Airbag apparatus, motorcycle with airbag apparatus |
US11381491 |
2006-05-03 |
US07216893B2 |
2007-05-15 |
Yasuhito Miyata |
An airbag apparatus which can achieve thorough protection of a rider in case of a vehicle accident is provided. In one form, an airbag apparatus to be mounted to a motorcycle includes an airbag which is deployed and inflated in case of the front collision of the vehicle, and a retainer for storing the airbag. The position where the retainer is installed is set so that the retainer is positioned between a knee portion and an abdominal portion of a rider who has moved toward the front of the vehicle upon the front collision. |
357 |
Air bag support belt cover structure |
US11580835 |
2006-10-16 |
US20070085307A1 |
2007-04-19 |
Tadanori Horiuchi |
An air bag support belt cover structure is suitable for an air bag attached to a motorcycle. A right air bag support belt cover covers the top of a storage space for a support belt connected to an air bag. The belt cover is fixed to the support belt by set plates and squeezed portions each formed by squeezing a boss on the rear face of the belt cover. Therefore, the belt cover does not fly off when the support belt deploys along with the expansion and deployment of the air bag. A plurality of engaging hooks provided in the outer edge of the belt cover come off engaging slots located in the vehicle body at the instant when the tension load of the support belt reaches a predetermined value. The support belt can be fixed to the belt cover by a fitting groove formed on the boss and a collar. |
358 |
Vehicle interface to communicate a safety alert mode command |
US11239963 |
2005-09-30 |
US20070078569A1 |
2007-04-05 |
Jeffrey Schox; Joshua Coombs |
One of the embodiments of the invention includes an interface for communicating a vehicle command from a user to a vehicle. The interface preferably includes an engagement system to engage the torso and an appendage of a user, a sensor system to sense forces imparted by the user, and a processor to interpret a vehicle “safety alert mode” command based on a shift of the user and to communicate the vehicle “safety alert mode” command to a vehicle. The vehicle, armed with this vehicle “safety alert mode” command, may initiate a defensive action, such as tightening the suspension, lowering the vehicle, inflating an external and/or internal airbag, or any other suitable action. |
359 |
Airbag for inflating outside a vehicle |
US11516741 |
2006-09-07 |
US20070063492A1 |
2007-03-22 |
Tadahiro Igawa |
An airbag for deployment outside of a vehicle is made from a fabric that is coated on at least one of the surfaces of the fabric. The airbag fabric may be coated to increase the strength of the fabric so that the fabric is reinforced. By increasing the strength of the fabric, breakage of the airbag can be minimized. By employing an airbag that is made from a fabric that is coated on at least one of the surfaces of the fabric, the airbag is less likely to decrease in strength when the airbag comes into contact with a foreign object that presses or scratches against the airbag. The vehicle may be a motorcycle, automobile, train or other vehicle. |
360 |
AIR BAG SUPPORT BELT STORING STRUCTURE |
US11530219 |
2006-09-08 |
US20070063491A1 |
2007-03-22 |
Tadanori Horiuchi; Haruka Tsuda |
An air bag support belt storing structure includes an air bag module, support belts connecting an air bag to the vehicle body, storage spaces that extend in the front-rear direction of the vehicle body for storing the support belts. The storage spaces are provided on left and right sides on the rear side of the air bag module. |