Abstract:
A motorcycle wheel attachment or replacement of the existing drive pulley used on the rear rubber cushioned wheel of motorcycles and trikes. The attachment or replacement contains an apparatus that allows the operator of the motorcycle or trike to ride the motorcycle or trike in forward or reverse drive using a control linkage or electrical switch.

Description:
STATEMENT OF RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application is based on and claims the benefit of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 14/513,964 having a filing date of Oct. 14, 2014. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention pertains to the replacement or attachment of existing Harley-Davidson and other rubber cushioned drive sprockets or pulleys with a replacement or attachment that allows the motorcycle or trike to drive in forward and reverse. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0003]    Most motorcycles are very heavy and can weigh as much as 1,300 pounds. A rider trying to balance the weight of the motorcycle and passenger finds it very difficult to balance the motorcycle while pushing it with his or her feet to back up. There exists prior art mechanisms that allow a motorcycle to back up. However, in general, the prior art does not take into account the rubber cushioning in most modern motorcycle rear wheels. The pulley casing suffers from problems of heat expansion from heat generated by the drive belt running on the pulley. The subject invention solves this problem with the use of flexible bearings and gears. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In general, the invention replaces the rubber mounted or cushioned forward-only pulleys on Harley-Davidson brand motorcycles or other rubber cushioned pulleys with an attachment containing a forward-reverse drive apparatus and selector mechanism. The selector mechanism can be contained in a replacement axle for the existing rear wheel axle. 
         [0005]    In general, the invention contains a motorcycle or trike attachment or replacement apparatus including an outer hub to accept a drive belt, a flexible gear planetary to allow for heat expansion, a spline engage-disengage operated by a pneumatic or electrical piston inside a hollow axle, all of which allow the rider to select forward or reverse motion. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, the outer drive hub is always driving in forward and transferring power thru the rubber cushion in the rear wheel hub to the rear wheel and tire. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment the spline engage-disengage is actuated by the rider and engages the electric actuator or pneumatic piston to select forward and reverse. 
         [0008]    In another aspect, when selected by the rider, the spline engage-disengage locks up the center drive or drum which holds the flexible rollers which act as planetary gears to allow the rear of the hub housing to turn in reverse. This transfers power through the rubber cushion on the rear wheel hub to the rear wheel and tire. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, the invention transfers the high torque required to drive the motorcycle or trike up a steep hill or trailer ramp in reverse for loading. The high torque is spread out over both sides of the motorcycle or trike axle by torque plates which tie the axle to the motorcycle swing arm or trike suspension frame. 
         [0010]    Another advantage of the invention is the adjustability of the torque plates that transfer torque from the reverse effort to the swing arm of the motorcycle or trike suspension. These torque plates have the ability to travel with the hollow axle inside the motorcycle swing arm axle capture slots which allows the motorcycle or trike drive belt to be loosened or tightened for ease of installation, maintenance, and tire changes. 
         [0011]    In yet another embodiment, the forward-reverse engage-disengage is powered by pneumatic or electric piston and a pump-compressor controlled by the rider from the controls mounted in reach of the rider. 
         [0012]    Another aspect of the invention is the adjustable pressure set screws located on the torque plates. These set screws apply pressure to the rear of the swing arm casting where the replacement axle is located. These set screws prevent the axle opening from being over torqued and distorted or bent under heavy duty or steep backups of the motorcycle or trike. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1A  is a left-side view of a rubber-cushioned style rear motorcycle tire and wheel showing the reverse pulley attachment applied thereto with the drive belt loosened. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1B  is a left-side view of a rubber-cushioned style rear motorcycle tire and wheel showing the reverse pulley attachment applied thereto with the drive belt tightened. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the embodiment showing the axle-air shift assembly and air compressor. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the embodiment showing the locking plate assembly. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the embodiment showing the center hub assembly. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the embodiment showing the torque restraint assembly. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is left-side view of the rear motorcycle tire and wheel. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9A  is a left-side view of a rubber-cushioned style rear motorcycle tire and wheel. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9B  is a left-side view of a bolt-on style rear motorcycle tire and wheel. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    The device offers significant improvements over previous bolt-on forward-reverse gear pulleys by allowing the use of a non-bolt on forward-reverse rubber cushioned pulley to replace or attach to the existing forward only pulley. These rubber cushioned pulleys are held in place by an axle going through the rear wheel of the motorcycle or trike differential, and a hollow housing inside the rear wheel or trike differential. 
         [0025]    The key component of one embodiment is the support method by which the ends of the axle are supported to the swingarm of the motorcycle by the use of adjustable torque plates. The adjustable torque plates allow the drive belt  59  to be loosened ( FIG. 1A ) for pulley installation and tightening so the drive belt  59  is the correct tension between the front engine drive pulley and the reverse pulley assembly  60  ( FIG. 1B ). 
         [0026]    Now referring to  FIG. 4 , another key component of the embodiment is the sliding spline design that allows the device to change from forward to reverse. Said design consists of a spline collar  28 , and a reverse spline collar  29 . Because the outer pulley  7  is rubber mounted to the motorcycle wheel instead of bolted on, the axle acts as the main support. The axle now acts as the support for the spline collar  28  and allows for a precise method of engagement and disengagement. 
         [0027]    The present design is an improvement over prior art forward-reverse pulleys in that it reduces the problems of heat expansion of the metal occurring during operation. The internal drums and gears expand at different rates which in prior art devices have the potential to cause the internal drums to be forced into each other, jamming the device and bearing. The improved design described and claimed herein uses flexible urethane rollers that act as planetary gears to allow the device to run in either forward or reverse; even if the internal drums expand under heat. The flexible rollers can be compressed during heat expansion and still run without jamming. 
         [0028]    By using the compressible flexible rollers, no lubrication, oil, or grease is needed in the drive roller system. This is also an improvement over prior art as the improved device does not require oil or grease seals. 
         [0029]    Another key improvement of this reverse pulley attachment over prior art is the use of proprietary material plastic bearing and dowels that separate the moving surfaces from each other. These plastic bearings and dowels also allow for heat expansion to take place with no jamming of components turning against each other. The plastic bearings and dowels are self-lubricating by virtue of the plastic containing polycyclides which allows the device to run without the use of grease, oil, or seals. 
         [0030]    Power to push the internal piston inside the hollow axle comes from an externally mounted air compressor and valve system taking their power from the battery of the motorcycle or trike. The compressor is activated by a control switch or toggle located in easy reach by the rider of the motorcycle or trike. 
         [0031]    Another significant improvement of this reverse pulley attachment is the use of flexible planetary rollers acting as the connection between the drive and driven outside and inside drum. The flexibility of the rollers acts as an additional cushioning effect along with the rubber cushion inside the rear wheel. This reduces the impact on the other internal components inside the forward-reverse pulley during hard driving and hard gear shifting. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , this is an exploded view from the front left side of one embodiment of the invention. More specifically, the rubber-cushioned rear-wheel reverse assembly  1  is shown disassembled with the torque restraint assembly  3  fitting over the axle assembly  2 . The device&#39;s front housing plate  9  is held to the outer pulley  7  by final assembly screws  12 . 
         [0033]    The locking plate assembly  5  is held between the front housing plate  9  and the outer pulley  7 . The shift slider assembly  6  centers up on the axle assembly  2  to achieve alignment with the center of the locking plate assembly  5 . 
         [0034]    A plastic O-ring  38  prevents the center hub assembly  4  from coming into metal to metal contact with the locking plate assembly  5  Likewise, the spacer O-ring  10  prevents metal to metal contact with the back housing plate  8  and the center hub assembly  4 . 
         [0035]    The right side of the axle assembly  2  runs down the center of all of the components in  FIG. 1  and through the torque plate right  48  and the axle adjuster  11 . The existing axle nut  13  is threaded onto the right side of the axle assembly  2  and when the existing axle nut  13  is tightened, the components that make up  FIG. 1  act as a drive-pulley. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , which is a cross-section view of an assembled rubber-cushioned rear-wheel reverse assembly  1 , the axle assembly  2  acts as a centering device for all of the main components. The torque restraint assembly  3  supports the left side of the axle assembly  2 . The front housing plate  9  uses screws to secure the locking plate assembly  5  to the outer pulley  7 . Flexible ball bearing  47  and spacer O-ring  10  prevent metal to metal contact of the locking plate assembly  5 , the front housing plate  9  and the center hub assembly  4 . They also prevent metal to metal contact with the back housing plate  8  and the center huh assembly  4 . The flexible ball bearing  47  and spacer O-ring  10  are made of a durable plastic that can resist deformation during operation of the vehicle. The axle assembly  2  acts as a center and guide for the shift slider assembly  6  to move along The torque plate right  48  is on one side of the axle adjuster  11  and is secured by the existing axle nut  13 . 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , this is an exploded view of the axle assembly  2  with accompanying compressor  45 . The air compressor  45  supplies air to the hollow axle  14 . The compressed air pushes against the piston wear band  16  and the piston cup seal  17  captured in grooves on the piston  15 . The piston  15  is moved by the compressed air and pushes the piston return spring  21  at the same time it moves the actuator  18  which is held to the piston  15  by the pin  19  secured by the shoulder screw  20 . The washer  23  is captured by the axle retaining bolt  22  which acts as an air seal and a push stop for the piston return spring  21 . 
         [0038]    One of key component of the invention is a hollow axle  14  that contains the piston  15 , the piston wear band  16 , the piston cup seal  17 , the actuator  18 , the pin  19 , the shoulder screw  20 , the piston return spring  21 , the axle retaining bolt  22 , and the washer  23 . This allows the device to change from forward or reverse using an actuator  18  pushing through the top of the hollow axle  14  and engaging a spline collar  28  inside the outer pulley  7 . This actuator  18  is connected to a piston  15  inside the hollow axle  14 . The piston  15  is moved back and forth by air from a self-contained air compressor  45 . The hollow axle  14  is flat on the front and back which allows for increased belt adjustment versus if the hollow axle  14  were completely round. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , this is a cross-section view of the locking plate assembly containing the flexible ball bearing  47  and the flexible roller bearing  32 . The flexible roller gears  26  are held to the locking plate assembly  5  by roller axles  27  and hex bolts  57 . The spline collar  28  slides into the reverse spline collar  29 . The spline collar  28  is also supported by the spline support bearing  30  which is held in place by the bearing retainer clip  31 . 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , this is a cross-section view of the center hub assembly  4  containing the plastic O-ring  38 . The forward spline collar  34  is secured to the center hub  33  by hex bolts  57  and steel dowel pins  58 . The forward spline collar  34  is supported on an axle bearing  36  which is held in place by a retaining clip  37 . 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , this is an exploded, front view of the torque restraint assembly  3  which mounts onto the original mounting points of the rubber-cushioned rear-wheel reverse. The torque restraint  39  is on the left side of the rubber-cushioned rear-wheel reverse assembly  1 . The torque restraint  39  uses the set screw-long  42  and set screw-short  43  to adjust the axle assembly  2  for tightening and loosening the rubber-cushioned rear-wheel reverse assembly. The jam nut  44  prevents the set screw-short  43  from loosening. There is an adjust block  40  which is held to the torque restraint  39  by adjust screws  41  and jam nuts  44 . These screws help stabilize the torque restraint  39  and reduce load on the motorcycle swingarm  50  (see  FIG. 7 ). 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , this is a left side view of the stock rear wheel assembly  52  of a. motorcycle mounted on the stock swing arm  50  and showing stock shock absorber  51 . Mounted on the stock rear wheel  49  is the rubber-cushioned rear-wheel reverse assembly  1  held in place by the e restraint assembly  3  and the axle assembly  2 . 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 9A , this is a standard rubber-cushioned wheel which has a rubber cushioned rear-wheel rubber insert  55  located inside a stock rear wheel  49  with rubber-cushioned rear-wheel wheel hub  56  used to accept the rubber-cushioned rear-wheel rubber insert  55 . 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIG. 9B  this is a standard bolt-on wheel  54  which is non rubber-cushioned and has a wheel hub  53  for attaching the drive pulleys of standard motorcycles. 
       LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
           1 . Rubber-Cushioned Rear-Wheel Reverse Assembly 
           2 . Axle Assembly 
           3 . Torque Restraint Assembly 
           4 . Center Hub Assembly 
           5 . Locking Plate Assembly 
           6 . Shift Slider Assembly 
           7 . Outer Pulley 
           8 . Back Housing Plate 
           9 . Front Housing Plate 
           10 . Spacer O-Ring 
           11 . Axle Adjuster 
           12 . Final Assembly Screws 
           13 . Existing Axle Nut 
           14 . Hollow Axle 
           15 . Piston 
           16 . Piston Wear Band 
           17 . Piston Cup Seal 
           18 . Actuator 
           19 . Pin 
           20 . Shoulder Screw 
           21 . Piston Return Spring 
           22 . Axle Retaining Bolt 
           23 . Washer 
           24 . Air Inlet Elbow 
           25 . Locking Plate 
           26 . Flexible Roller Gear 
           27 . Roller Axle 
           28 . Spline Collar 
           29 . Reverse Spline Collar 
           30 . Spline Support Bearing 
           31 . Bearing Retaining Clip 
           32 . Flexible Roller Bearing 
           33 . Center Hub 
           34 . Forward Spline Collar 
           35 . Bearing Retainer 
           36 . Axle Bearing 
           37 . Retaining Clip 
           38 . Plastic O-Ring 
           39 . Torque Restraint 
           40 . Adjust Block 
           41 . Adjust Screw 
           42 . Set Screw-Long 
           43 . Set Screw-Short 
           44 . Jam Nut 
           45 . Air Compressor 
           46 . Air Line 
           47 . Flexible Ball Bearings 
           48 . Torque Plate—Right 
           49 . Stock Rear Wheel 
           50 . Stock Swing Arm 
           51 . Stock Shock Absorber 
           52 . Stock Rear Wheel Assembly 
           53 . Flat-Bolt Hub 
           54 . Bolt On Rear Wheel 
           55 . Rubber-Cushioned Rear-Wheel Rubber Insert 
           56 . Rubber-Cushioned Rear-Wheel Wheel Hub 
           57 . Hex Bolts 
           58 . Steel Dowels 
           59 . Drive Belt 
           60 . Reverse Pulley Assembly