Abstract:
A suspension limiting device secured to a fork guard and telescopic suspension where upon compression of suspension, is latched onto a secondary, multi-piece ring that is fixed to the fork tube of a motorcycle front suspension fork, which when latched, lowers the weight bias of the vehicle and controls front-end lift during race starts, whereupon the latch automatically releases from the multi-piece ring immediately upon pressure to the suspension via applying the front brake on the vehicle or contacting a bump during forward motion which then automatically allows the suspension to use full travel. The suspension limiting device allows a user to limit front fork travel by pressing the suspension down and easily pressing the latch before, during or after the latch passes the multi-piece ring to secure connection upon retraction of the suspension.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to the function and adjustment of motorcycle suspension and the improvement of center of gravity, stability, and traction. Specifically, suspension limiting devices are made for the purpose of temporarily lowering the front end of a motorcycle thus lowering the center of gravity which restricts front wheel lift creating more traction resulting in higher speed for improved race starts. 
     BACKGROUND 
     At the start of any type of motorcycle race, motorcycles are lined up at a stop at a starting line. A race begins when all motorcycles leave the starting line at the same time as fast as they can to get ahead of all the other users thus creating a major advantage for winning the race. Typically, motorcycles tend to wheelie immediately upon takeoff from the starting line in a race resulting in unpredictable traction and lower terminal speed which can contribute to a lower finishing result. To counter this, users lean forward at the start of the race, putting more weight on the front end, thus creating slightly better traction in the front tire which contributes to minimal higher speed. Unfortunately, simply leaning forward does not solve the problem of the front wheel lifting off the ground because the high acceleration and speed quickly shifts a user&#39;s weight toward the rear end causing the front end to lift. 
     Existing products have been developed to help solve the issue of the front tire lifting off the ground at the start of races. When engaged, these products allow a user to temporarily lock down front suspension travel which lowers front vehicle weight bias and dramatically prevents the front wheel from rising as much off the ground as without the device thus improving elapse times from the starting line to the first corner. These products are designed to disengage with further compression of suspension with normal braking or a bump significant enough to compress the suspension past the engagement tension on the device, relieving the suspension to function as normal. 
     One existing product is a pin and coil spring system. Pin and coil spring systems are susceptible to damage and being torn off the motorcycle in close racing situations. Pin and coil systems wear out quickly due to crucial component exposure to elements which leads to difficulty of engagement. The pin and coil spring design is difficult to engage or lock into hold down position due to requirement of exact timing needed to catch the pin with the receptacle. 
     Another existing product that used for limiting suspension is a magnetic trigger system. The magnetic trigger lever is vulnerable to being torn off in close racing situations. The magnetic trigger system is also difficult to engage into locked position that holds the suspension down due to requirement of exact timing to release the magnetic trigger and precise alignment required to line up the two parts of that device. 
     The trigger system also requires higher focus from a user in order to pull the trigger for engagement. A user must compress the suspension as the trigger must be pulled the opposite direction of the compression, whereas the suspension limiting device uses the user&#39;s inertia to the advantage and can be engaged with one swift movement of the user. 
     In addition, both existing product types mentioned require complete removal of the entire suspension component from the motorcycle to install the restraint ring. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the detailed description when read in relation to the accompanying drawings. The drawings illustrate a variety of different aspects, features, and embodiments of the disclosure. As such, the illustrated embodiments are merely representative and not exhaustive in scope. The disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers refer to like elements. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a suitable environment showing a suspension limiting device comprising of a multi-piece ring mounted on a fork tube and a latch component mounted to a fork guard. 
         FIG. 2  is a top, front and left-side perspective view of the latch component in accordance with at least one embodiment as related to  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a top, rear and right-side perspective view of the latch component in accordance with at least one embodiment, the opposite view of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a front plan view of the latch component in accordance with at least one embodiment as related to  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a left side plan view of the latch component in accordance with at least one embodiment as related to  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of the latch component in accordance with at least one embodiment as related to  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7A  is a left side cut-away view of the latch component cut in half as related to  FIG. 4  in the open position engaged with a tapered receiver of the multi-piece ring.  FIG. 7A  shows the latch component and multi-piece ring connection action using a leaf spring to control latch component actions. 
         FIG. 7B  is a left cut-away view as related to  FIG. 4  in the closed position disengaged from the tapered receiver of the multi-piece ring.  FIG. 7B  illustrates the transition point or engagement zone where the latch component and multi-piece ring may either engage or disengage as related to  FIG. 7A .  FIG. 7B  shows the latch component and multi-piece ring system connection action using the flat spring to control latch component actions. 
         FIG. 7C  is a left side cut-away view of a latch component cut in half as related to  FIG. 4  in the closed position disengaged from a tapered receiver not in the engagement zone.  FIG. 7C  shows the latch component and multi-piece ring system connection action using the flat spring to control latch component actions. 
         FIG. 8A  is a left side cut-away view of the latch component cut in half as related to  FIG. 4  in the open position engaged with the tapered receiver.  FIG. 8A  shows the latch component and multi-piece ring system connection action using an elastomeric material to control latch component actions. 
         FIG. 8B  is a left side cut-away view of a latch component cut in half as related to  FIG. 4  in the closed position disengaged from the tapered receiver.  FIG. 8B  illustrates the transition point or engagement zone where the latch component and multi-piece ring may either engage or disengage as related to  FIG. 8A .  FIG. 8B  shows the latch component and multi-piece ring system connection action using the elastomeric material to control latch component actions. 
         FIG. 8C  is a left side cut-away view of a latch component cut in half as related to  FIG. 4  in the closed position disengaged from the tapered receiver not in the engagement zone.  FIG. 8C  shows the latch component and multi-piece ring system connection action using the elastomeric material to control latch component actions. 
         FIG. 9  is a rear view of the latch component in accordance with at least one embodiment, the opposite view of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 10  is a right side view of the latch component in accordance with at least one embodiment, the opposite view of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 11  is a bottom view of the latch component in accordance with at least one embodiment, the opposite view of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 12  is a top perspective view of the multi-piece ring in accordance with at least one embodiment as related to  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 13  is a top plan view of the multi-piece ring in accordance with at least one embodiment as related to  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is a bottom plan view of the multi-piece ring in accordance with at least one embodiment, the opposite view of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a left plan view of the multi-piece ring in accordance with at least one embodiment as related to  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is a right plan view of the multi-piece ring in accordance with at least one embodiment, the opposite view of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 17  is a front plan view of the multi-piece ring in accordance with at least one embodiment as related to  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 18  is a rear plan view of the multi-piece ring in accordance with at least one embodiment, the opposite view of  FIG. 17 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This present invention resolves the problems listed above and more. In the disclosure of illustrations this suspension limiting device is used on a telescopic front motorcycle suspension fork, but this design could be used in other applications where this system could be modified to limit the concentric movement on telescopic suspension on other types of vehicles. The illustrations show a telescopic suspension fork with an inner tube, outer tube and fork guard. The illustrations show the outer or larger tube as the upper tube, however; with slight design changes the inner tube could become the upper tube in alternative designs of suspension. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a suitable environment showing a suspension limiting device  100  in accordance with at least one embodiment showing two major elements; a multi-piece ring  200  mounted on an outer fork tube  130  with a secondary element, a latch component  300  mounted to a fork guard  120 . 
       FIG. 1  illustrates where the suspension limiting device  100  may be positioned in the disengaged location. The latch component  300  can be mounted into a fork guard  120  in a location determined by user preference with variations shown with upper arrow  102  and lower arrow  104 . 
     An inner fork tube  140  telescopes perpendicular with the outer fork tube  130  during normal operation. Inner fork tubes  140  and outer fork tubes  130  maintain an extended or full travel position with the use of spring(s), air, liquid, and/or nitrogen as original equipment from a manufacturer. On different models of telescoping forks, the mounting of the suspension limiting device  100  may be reversed with an outer fork tube  130  acting as a lower fork tube while an inner fork tube  140  acting as an upper fork tube opposite of the illustration in  FIG. 1 . 
     The suspension limiting device  100  may be changed or modified to limit or hold a mechanical or technical device in a restricted position in other applications. The multi-piece ring  200  can be substituted by manufacturing a tapered receiver  220  directly into the outer fork tube  130  during original equipment manufacturing. A latch component  300  can be incorporated into the fork guard  120  during the manufacturing process of the fork guard  120 . 
       FIG. 2  is a top, front and left-side perspective view of the latch component  300  in accordance with at least one embodiment as related to  FIG. 1 .  FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5  and  6  show different views of the latch component  300  comprising of two major elements; a latch housing  350  and a latch  320 . 
     The latch housing  350  is secured to the fork guard  120  by mounting points  302  designed to hold the latch  320  in the necessary positions. The latch housing  350  is attached using screws, however; the latch housing  350  can be attached to a fork guard  120  with other types of fasteners such as glue, weld, bolt(s), nail(s), clip(s), button(s), etc. 
     In this embodiment three (3) holes are penetrated into the fork guard  120  at precise locations for fasteners to enter through and secure the latch housing  350  to the fork guard  120 . The holes are penetrated using a tool with a drill jig specifically for the suspension limiting device  100 . A drill jig is not shown in drawings. 
     The latch  320  is positioned in the latch housing  350  and is a component that is significant to a secure connection between the latch component  300  and the multi-piece ring  200 . A press point  324  is located on the front of the latch  320 . When pressure is applied to the press point  324 , the latch  320  rotates on a pivot pin  330  located at a pivot point  334  to move the latch component  300  into the open position. Other embodiments may use other types of leverage elements. The pivot point  334  is where the latch  320  is secured to the latch housing  350 . Although the pivot point  334  is shown near the bottom of the latch housing  350 ; the pivot point  334  could be placed in any other area on the latch housing  350  to create leverage. The pivot point  334  is shown at the opposite end of the latch stop  326  for greatest leverage. 
     The press point  324  design is smooth and flat allowing a user to easily operate. The inertia used to compress the suspension by a user can be extended into their reach and touch the press point  324  with enough pressure to engage the latch  320  with the tapered receiver  220 . The direction the latch component  300  is secured to the fork guard  120  also adds to the benefit of the user by allowing any hand size with or without gloves to operate the latch component  300 . Other embodiments for a press point  324  may include a trigger, push-pin, button, switch, knob, and/or control. 
     A cover retaining groove  304  located within an elevated latch perimeter  307  is shown in  FIG. 2  where an elastomeric cover can be installed to keeps unwanted material out, allowing consistent proper function of the system. Another possible embodiment that could be used to keep unwanted material out of the latch component  300  is an elevated latch perimeter  307  that engulfs the latch  320  leaving little to no open space in the left, right, top, and/or bottom of the latch  320 . 
       FIG. 3  is a top, rear and right-side perspective view of the latch component  300  in accordance with at least one embodiment, the opposite view of  FIG. 2 . 
     A fork guard coupling surface  301  matches the curve of a fork guard  120  for proper fitment. The drill jig also includes the position for an opening to be placed in the fork guard  120  that allows the latch  320  to extend through a latch window  310  in a fork guard  120 . Although, the latch housing  350  is shown with three (3) mounting points  302 , other embodiments may include more or fewer mounting points  302 . 
     A spring retainer location  305  shows the placement of a fastener that may secure a flat spring  340 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . Although the spring retainer location  305  is shown near the bottom of the fork guard coupling surface  301  on the latch housing  350 , the spring retainer location  305  may be secured on the latch  320  or in another area on the latch housing  350 . 
     The radius perimeter of a pre-latch arc  322  allows the latch  320  to glide over the underside of the tapered receiver  220  while the latch  320  may be continually pressed in at the press point  324  for the open position. The latch window  310  allows the latch  320  to move the necessary distance for engagement and disengagement actions. A latch stop  326  at the interior of the latch point  325  retains the latch  320  in the proper closed position by contacting the lower portion of the latch window  310  at the closed latch housing stop  308 , shown in  FIG. 9 , with the latch  320  being forced into that position by the flat spring  340  or elastomeric material  360 . 
       FIG. 4  is a front plan view of a latch component  300  in accordance with at least one embodiment as related to  FIG. 2 . The mounting point  302  is shown with threads to accommodate a screw or bolt, however; other embodiments may include no holes, smooth holes, a different shape, and/or no extension from the latch housing  350 . A reference line for the cutaway location  370  relates to  FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 8A, 8B, and 8C  as the fore-mentioned figures are cut in half so that the inside can be envisioned to detail the functionality of the latch component  300  with the multi-piece ring  200 . 
       FIG. 5  is a left side plan view of the latch component  300  in accordance with at least one embodiment as related to  FIG. 4 . As shown in prior figures,  FIG. 5  illustrates the pre-latch arc  322 , cover retaining groove  304 , latch  320 , press point  324 , pivot pin  330 , pivot point  334 , and latch stop  326 . Other embodiments may include a stop in a different form or location on the latch housing  350  that keeps the latch  320  in the proper closed position. 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of the latch component  300  in accordance with at least one embodiment as related to  FIG. 4 . The fork guard coupling surface  301  is shown with a smooth curve, however; other embodiments may include different curve angles. 
     The forward or backward action of the pre-latch arc  322  moves at the rate of the pressure to the press point  324 . Although the press point  324  is the ideal portion of the latch  320  to apply pressure for engagement, pressure may be applied to any upper portion of the latch  320  for sufficient engagement. 
       FIG. 7C  is a left side cut-away view of the latch component  300  as related to  FIG. 4 . The telescopic suspension may be compressed or decompressed as shown with the up and down arrow next to the multi-piece ring  200 . As shown in  FIG. 7C , the latch  320  is not in the engagement zone in closed position as the multi-piece ring  200  is moving toward or away from the latch  320 . 
       FIG. 7C  with the arrow pointing up shows the latch component  300  and multi-piece ring  200  system returning to standard operation following the compression of the telescoping forks. The latch  320  defaults to the closed position using a flat spring  340  after clearing the tapered receiver  220 . The first time suspension is compressed with enough pressure via a bump or applying the front brake the latch  320  will clear the top of the tapered receiver  220 . The flat spring  340  or elastomeric material  360  will return and retain the latch  320  to the closed position allowing the suspension to operate as normal. The latch  320  may be pressed into the open position to prepare for engagement with the tapered receiver  220 . 
     The tapered receiver  220  has tapered sides that come to a point at the bottom. The tapered receiver  220  guides the latch  320  into the final engagement point and secures the latch in position until disengaged. 
       FIG. 7C  with the arrow pointing down shows the multi-piece ring  200  with the latch component  300  during compression of the telescopic suspension. As the suspension is compressed, the multi-piece ring  200  moves toward the engagement zone with the latch component  300 . The latch  320  is shown is in the closed position using a flat spring  340 . The flat spring  340  retains the latch  320  to the closed position allowing the suspension to operate as normal. The latch  320  may be pressed into the open position to prepare for engagement with the tapered receiver  220 . 
       FIG. 7B  is a left side cut-away view of the latch component  300  as related to the cutaway location  370  in  FIG. 4 . The latch component  300  is shown as disengaged in the closed position in the engagement zone with the tapered receiver  220 .  FIG. 7B  illustrates the transition point to engage the latch  320  into the tapered receiver  220  by pressing the latch  320  at the press point  324 .  FIG. 7B  also shows the position of the tapered receiver  220  moves down during compression of the telescopic suspension allowing the latch  320  to retract back to the closed position with the force of the flat spring  340 . 
       FIG. 7A  is a left side cut-away view of the cut-away location  370  as shown in  FIG. 4  of a latch component  300  in the open position latched into the tapered receiver  220 .  FIG. 7A  shows a latch component  300  and multi-piece ring  200  system with the latch  320  pressed in against a flat spring  340 . 
       FIG. 7A  shows the latch component  300  and multi-piece ring  200  system connection actions using the flat spring  340  to control latch component  300  actions. The suspension will be pressed down or compressed with the latch component  300  in closed position. While being compressed a latch  320  will move past the tapered receiver  220   FIG. 7B  at which time the latch  320  is pressed in at the press point  324 . 
     The flat spring  340  is secured into the latch housing  350  by a spring retainer fastener  336 , however; in other embodiments the flat spring  340  may be secured by other types of fasteners such as glue, weld, bolt(s), nail(s), clip(s), button(s), etc. 
     The latch  320  can be pressed into the open position before the suspension is compressed. As the latch  320  contacts the radius perimeter of a pre-latch radius  230  in conjunction with the pre-latch arc  322  on the latch  320 , those angled and/or radius surfaces allow the latch  320  to glide over the underside of the tapered receiver  220  with the latch  320  continually pressed into the open position during compression of the telescopic suspension. 
     While the latch  320  is still pressed in, pressure that was used to compress the suspension is removed after the latch  320  passes the engagement position shown in  FIG. 7B  allowing the suspension to return or rebound, at which time the latch  320  will be guided by the tapered receiver  220 . 
       FIG. 7A  shows the suspension still in rebound or return action towards full travel as the latch  320  is guided by the tapered receiver  220  to the final resting place of the latch  320  at the bottom of the tapered receiver  220  which then stops rebound movement of the suspension, temporarily limiting the full travel of the suspension. 
     Alternative embodiments of the latch  320  may comprise of a trigger-hook where a user must pull a trigger to engage a hook into a secondary connector for engagement or a pin button where a user must push a pin button to secure into a secondary connector. Other latch  320  control action embodiments may include magnets, coil springs, liquid, air, gas, tapered springs, torsion springs, compression springs, tension springs, leaf springs or garter springs. 
       FIG. 8C  is a left side plan view of the latch component  300  cut in half at the cutaway location  370  as related to  FIG. 4  disengaged in the closed position not in the engagement zone from the tapered receiver  220  in the engagement zone.  FIG. 8C  shows the latch component  300  and multi-piece ring  200  system connection actions using an elastomeric material  360  to control latch component  300  actions. Although  FIG. 7C  and  FIG. 8C  shows distinct latch  320  retention actions by the elastomeric material  360  or the flat spring  340 , other embodiments may include other types of latch  320  retention elements. 
       FIG. 8B  is a left side plan view of the latch component  300  cut in half as related to  FIG. 4  disengaged in the closed position from a tapered receiver  220 .  FIG. 8B  illustrates the engagement point where the latch component  300  and multi-piece ring  200  may either engage or disengage as related to  FIG. 8A .  FIG. 8B  shows the latch component  300  and multi-piece ring  200  system connection actions using the elastomeric material  360  to control latch component  300  actions. 
     Operating the suspension limiting device  100 , the suspension will be pressed down or compressed with a latch component  300  in closed position. While being compressed a latch  320  will move past the tapered receiver  220  at which time the latch  320  is pressed in at the press point  324 . 
       FIG. 8A  is a left side plan view of a latch component  300  cut in half as related to  FIG. 4  in the open position engaged into a tapered receiver  220 .  FIG. 8A  shows the latch component  300  and multi-piece ring  200  system connection actions using the elastomeric material  360  to control latch component  300  actions. 
     The latch  320  can be pressed into the open position before, during or after the suspension is pressed down or compressed. As the pre-latch arc  322  on the latch  320  contacts the pre-latch radius  230  on the multi-piece ring  200 , the fore mentioned pre-latch arc  322  and pre-latch radius  230  angled and radius surfaces will allow the latch  320  to slide over the pre-latch radius  230  on the underside of the tapered receiver  220  while the latch  320  was continually pressed into the open position. Other embodiments contain perimeters that could be chamfered, rounded, angled, sloped, curved, and/or arched. 
     The latch  320  automatically fully disengages from the tapered receiver  220  when the telescopic suspension is slightly compressed by the upward force upon contacting rough terrain and/or braking. 
       FIG. 9  is a rear view of the latch housing  300  in accordance with at least one embodiment, the opposite view of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 10  is a right side view of a latch component  300  in accordance with at least one embodiment, the opposite view of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 11  is a bottom view of a latch component  300  in accordance with at least one embodiment, the opposite view of  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the top of a multi-piece ring  200  in accordance with at least one embodiment as related to  FIG. 1 . A multi-piece ring  200  includes a rear segment  203  which provides the placement of fasteners  204  through the rear segment  203  to thread into the fastener lugs  207  on the receiver segment  202  which incorporates a tapered receiver  220  and a pre-latch radius  230 . 
     Fastener lugs  207  allow fasteners  204  to securely clamp the two halves around an outer fork tube  130  or inner fork tube  140  when tightened. Other embodiments of the fastener lugs  207  may be glue, weld, nail, clips, bolts, and/or screws. The fork guard stand-off  206  in conjunction with the fastener lugs  207  maintains proper clearance between the tapered receiver  220  on the multi-piece ring  200  and the interior are of the fork guard  120  during standard compression and rebounding action of telescopic suspension. 
       FIG. 13  is a top view of the top of a multi-piece ring  200  in accordance with at least one embodiment as related to  FIG. 12 . Two (2) fastener lugs  207  and two (2) fasteners  204  are shown in  FIG. 13 , however; only one (1) fastener lug  207  and one (1) fastener  204  may be present in another embodiment. Other embodiments could also include three (3) or more fastener lugs  207  and/or fasteners  204 . 
       FIG. 14  is a bottom view of the bottom of the multi-piece ring  200  in accordance with at least one embodiment, the opposite view of  FIG. 13 . The multi-piece ring  200  allows for installation without removing the outer fork tube  130  or inner fork tube  140  from a motorcycle while providing strong clamping force for the multi-piece ring  200  to grip the outer fork tube  130  or inner fork tube  140 . 
       FIG. 15  is a left plan view of the multi-piece ring  200  in accordance with at least one embodiment as related to  FIG. 14 . 
       FIG. 16  is a right plan view of the multi-piece ring  200  in accordance with at least one embodiment, the opposite view of  FIG. 15 . 
       FIG. 17  is a front plan view of the multi-piece ring  200  in accordance with at least one embodiment as related to  FIG. 14 . 
       FIG. 18  is a rear plan view of the multi-piece ring  200  in accordance with at least one embodiment, the opposite view of  FIG. 17 . Although this embodiment is shown with two (2) fastener lugs  207 , other applications may include one (1) or more fastener lugs  207  on a ring that is made of a bendable, yet structurally sound material that can be secured to a fork. 
     The above specification, examples and structures provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, appreciation may be expressed by those of ordinary skill in the art and others, that a wide variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown in the described without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, this invention is manifested and intended that the disclosure be limited only by the claims and the equivalence thereof.