Wheel suspension system for a vehicle

A wheel suspension system for two-wheeled vehicles such as motorcycles, bicycles, and the like, having a vehicle frame, a wheel assembly and a spring and shock absorber assembly. The wheel assembly includes an axle with a wheel rotatably disposed thereon. Paired wheel plates are rotatably attached to the opposite ends of the axle. A first pair of upwardly extending wheel supports have one end thereof secured to the wheel plates and the other end thereof attached to one end of the shock absorber assembly. The other end of the shock absorber assembly is attached to the vehicle frame. A second pair of wheel supports, extending transversely of the first supports, have one end thereof secured to the wheel plates and the other end thereof attached to the vehicle frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The field of the invention is that of wheel suspension systems for 
vehicles. More particularly, a wheel suspension system for two-wheeled 
vehicles such as motorcycles, bicycles and the like. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
Wheel suspension systems for two-wheeled vehicles such as motorcycles, 
bicycles and the like generally have been manufactured as an integral part 
of the vehicle frame or fork assembly. Some such vehicles are heavy, and 
it often becomes difficult to repair the wheel suspension systems of such 
vehicles. Traditionally, such vehicles are inverted for such repairs, but 
for many such vehicles this is cumbersome and not possible with the tools 
at hand. 
Thus, it would be highly desirable to provide an improved wheel suspension 
system for such vehicles which provides easy access to the wheel 
suspension system for repairs; and yet would be durable and relatively 
inexpensive to manufacture. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved wheel suspension 
system for two-wheeled vehicles. 
It is another object of the invention to provide an improved wheel 
suspension system for two-wheeled vehicles that is easily detachable from 
the main vehicle frame. 
It is another object of the invention to provide an improved wheel 
suspension system for two-wheeled vehicles that allows for relatively easy 
repair and yet is durable, relatively uncomplicated in design and 
relatively inexpensive to manufacture. 
Further, it is another object of the invention to provide an improved wheel 
suspension system for two-wheeled vehicles that allows the entire wheel to 
be partially disconnected from the main vehicle frame and moved into a 
repair position when the vehicle is supported on a jack or like device. 
Broadly, the invention is a wheel suspension system for two-wheeled 
vehicles having a vehicle frame, a wheel assembly, and a spring and shock 
absorber assembly. The wheel assembly is detachably connected to both the 
shock absorber assembly and the vehicle frame, and the shock absorber 
assembly is detachable from the vehicle frame. The wheel assembly includes 
an axle with a wheel rotatably disposed thereon. Paired wheel plates are 
attached to the opposite ends of the axle. A first pair of upwardly 
extending wheel supports connect the paired plates and the shock absorber 
assembly, and a second pair of wheel supports, extending transversely of 
the first supports, connect the paired plates to the vehicle frame.

DESCRIPTION OF A SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the invention comprises a vehicle 4 having 
a vehicle frame 6 with forward and rearward ends 8 and 10, respectively. 
Forward and rearward wheel suspension systems 12 and 14; respectively, are 
connected to vehicle frame 6 at the forward and rearward ends 8 and 10, 
thereof, respectively. The vehicle frame 6 is of a generally conventional 
structure and includes a steering fork assembly 16, a jack plate 18, an 
upper horizontal support member 20 and a motor assembly 22. A pair of 
steering fork arms 24 have opposite upper and lower ends 26 and 28 
respectively. The lower ends 28 thereof extend downward and are connected 
by a bracket 30. A vertical ear 32 with an aperture 34 therein is attached 
to the bracket 30 rearwardly thereof. 
The front wheel suspension system 12 is comprised of a front wheel assembly 
36 and a front spring and shock absorber assembly 38. The front wheel 
assembly is comprised of a front axle 40 having a front wheel 42 rotatably 
disposed thereon. Paired axle plates 44 are attached to the opposite ends 
46 and 46' of front axle 40. A first pair of front wheel supports 48 are 
generally upstanding and include a forked member 50 having opposite single 
and forked ends 52 and 54 respectively, and paired members 56 having 
opposite ends 58 and 60. Paired members 56 being detachably connected at 
ends 58 thereof to the forked ends 54 of forked member 50 by means of 
paired connectors 62. A second pair of front wheel supports 64 extend 
transversely of first pair of front wheel supports 48 and include a forked 
member 66 having opposite single and forked ends 68 and 70 respectively, 
and paired members 72 having opposite ends 74 and 76. Forked member 66 is 
detachably connected at forked ends 70 thereof to ends 74 of paired 
members 72 by means of paired connectors 78. These connections are such 
that forked members 50, 66 and paired members 56, 74 are immovably and 
rigidly held respectively in an end-to-end relationship, when connected, 
and yet can be disconnected when desired as described hereinafter. 
The front spring and shock assembly 38 includes a spring 80 compressibly 
confined around a front shock absorber 82 which has opposite forward and 
rearward ends 84 and 86, respectively. The single end 52 of forked member 
50 is secured to forward end 84 of shock absorber 82. Ends 60 of paired 
members 56 are secured to paired front axle plates 44. The single end of 
68 of forked member 66 is pivotally connected to the distal ends 28 of 
paired steering fork arms 24. Ends 76 of paired members 72 are secured to 
axle plates 44. Rearward end 86 of shock absorber 82 is pivotally 
connected to bracket 30 by means of aperture 34 located within vertical 
ear 32 thereof. 
The rearward wheel suspension system 14 is comprised of a rear wheel 
assembly 88 and a rear spring and shock assembly 89. The rear wheel 
assembly 88 is comprised of a rear axle 90 having a rear wheel 92 
rotatably disposed thereon. Paired axle plates 94 are attached to the 
opposite ends 96 and 96' of rear axle 90. A first pair of rear wheel 
supports 98 are generally upstanding and include a forked member 100 
having opposite single 102 and forked ends 104 respectively and paired 
members 106 having opposite ends 108 and 110. The forked ends 104 of 
forked member 100 are attached to the ends 108 of paired members 106 by 
means of paired connectors 112 so as to immovably and rigidly hold forked 
member 100 and paired members 106 in an end-to-end relationship. A second 
pair of rear wheel supports 114 extend transversely of the first pair of 
rear wheel supports 98 and include a forked member 116 having opposite 
single and forked ends 118 and 120, respectively, and paired member 122 
having opposite ends 124 and 126. The forked ends 120 of forked member 116 
are attached to the ends 124 of paired members 122 by means of paired 
connectors 128 so as to immovably and rigidly hold forked member 116 and 
paired members 122 in an end-to-end relationship. 
The rear spring and shock absorber assembly 89 includes a spring 130 
compressibly confined around a rear shock absorber 132 having opposite 
forward and rearward ends 134 and 136, respectively. The forward end 134 
of shock absorber 132 is connected to vehicle frame 6 at point 140. The 
rearward end 136 of shock absorber 132 is pivotally connected to the 
single end 102 of forked member 100. Ends 110 of paired members 106 are 
secured to paired rear axle plates 94. The single end 118 of forked member 
116 is pivotally connected to vehicle frame 6 at point 142. Ends 126 of 
paired members 122 are secured to paired rear axle plates 94. 
Referring to FIGS. 3, the detail of the connections between the various 
members 50, 56, 66, 72, 100, 106 and 122 as maintained by paired 
connectors 62, 78, 112, and 128, is shown in detail. Each connection in a 
specific embodiment, is identical; and thus, only the connection is 
between forked end 54 of forked member 50 and end 58 of paired members 56 
is shown. Connector 62 includes a bolt 150 having a threaded portion 152, 
a hexagonal collar 154 and a hexagonal head 156, and a nut 158 having a 
threaded aperture 160 located therein. Further, the corresponding ends 54 
and end 58 each have hexagonally shaped apertures 162 and 164 therein, 
respectively. In order to rigidly secure fork end 54 and end 58 together, 
bolt 150 is passed through apertures 162 and 164 and is threadedly 
attached to nut 58 so that hexagonal collar 154 is contained within 
apertures 162 and 164. The corresponding shape of collar 154 and apertures 
162 and 164 prevents any relative movement between ends 54, 58. 
It can now be seen that both the forward and rearward wheel suspension 
systems 12 and 14, respectively, are rotatably and resiliently mounted 
relative to vehicle frame 6. Thus, road shocks and the vehicle load, which 
includes passengers located on the vehicle 4, will be cushioned and 
dampened by wheel suspension systems 12 and 14. 
It can also now be seen that the wheel suspension system of the invention 
allows for either the complete removal or partial removal of either the 
front wheel assembly 36 or rear wheel assembly 88 from the vehicle frame. 
The design thereof being particularly suited for the easy removal of 
wheels 42, 92 in an emergency situation and without the aid of elaborate 
repair devices. 
Referring to FIG. 4, the repair of front wheel 42 and the rear wheel 92 
will be described. Since the procedure is the same, reference will be made 
to the front wheel 42 with the understanding that the same applies for 
rear wheel 92. A hydraulic jack 200, or the like, is placed underneath the 
vehicle jack plate 18 at a structurally sound position. In the 
alternative, the vehicle may be placed upon its side or otherwise 
positioned so that the front wheel 42 is free to rotate. In this position, 
front wheel 42 may be partially removed by removing either paired 
connectors 62 or 78, and partially removing the other connector. Partial 
removal of the connector requires that only collar 154 of bolt 150 be 
removed from apertures 162 and 164. This will allow front wheel 42 to 
pivot about the partially removed connector into a repair position. In 
order to completely remove front wheel 42, the remaining connector is 
completely removed. 
Thus, it can be seen that the invention provides an improved wheel 
suspension system for vehicles. The improved wheel suspension system of 
the invention allows for relatively easy repair and yet is durable, 
relatively uncomplicated in design, and relatively inexpensive to 
manufacture. The invention allows the entire wheel to be partially 
disconnected from the main vehicle frame and moved into a repair position 
when the vehicle is supported on a jack or like device or completely 
removed and disconnected from the frame, if desired. 
While there have been described above the principles of this invention in 
connection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood that 
this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation to 
the scope of the invention.