GB2141392A - Removable fore-carriage for a motor cycle - Google Patents
Removable fore-carriage for a motor cycle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2141392A GB2141392A GB08415329A GB8415329A GB2141392A GB 2141392 A GB2141392 A GB 2141392A GB 08415329 A GB08415329 A GB 08415329A GB 8415329 A GB8415329 A GB 8415329A GB 2141392 A GB2141392 A GB 2141392A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- carriage
- fore
- motor cycle
- bulkheads
- wheel
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 239000003381 stabilizer Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 abstract description 6
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 abstract description 4
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 abstract description 2
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 229920002430 Fibre-reinforced plastic Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 239000002828 fuel tank Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000011151 fibre-reinforced plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000003365 glass fiber Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004760 aramid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003235 aromatic polyamide Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000037237 body shape Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- -1 e.g. Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002990 reinforced plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62K—CYCLES; CYCLE FRAMES; CYCLE STEERING DEVICES; RIDER-OPERATED TERMINAL CONTROLS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR CYCLES; CYCLE AXLE SUSPENSIONS; CYCLE SIDE-CARS, FORECARS, OR THE LIKE
- B62K13/00—Cycles convertible to, or transformable into, other types of cycles or land vehicle
- B62K13/04—Cycles convertible to, or transformable into, other types of cycles or land vehicle to a tricycle
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
- Arrangement Or Mounting Of Propulsion Units For Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
A removable fore-carriage for converting a motor cycle into a three-wheel motor car by removing the fork and front wheel of the motor cycle and attaching the fore-carriage in place of them. The conversion comprising the combination of the fore-carriage and the motor cycle is driven by the rear wheel 26 of the motor cycle 15 from the engine via the transmission system of the motor cycle. The fore-carriage is of a light-weight monocoque construction comprising a pair of transverse bulkheads 1, 2, a longitudinal spine 3 and a stressed casing 6. The fore-carriage is connected to the motor cycle frame at upper and lower mountings 13 and 17 on the rearward bulkhead 2. The forward bulkhead 1 supports at mountings 11 a wheel suspension and steering system for a pair of steerable front wheels. The casing 6 defines a cockpit 7 from which the conversion is driven. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Removable fore-carriage for a motor cycle
The invention relates to a removable fore-carriage for a motor cycle, whereby the motor cycle can be converted into a three-wheel motor car by removing the fork and front wheel of the motor cycle and attaching the fore-carriage in place of them, the fore-carriage having a pair of steerable front wheels and the combined fore-carriage and motor cycle being driven by the rear wheel of the motor cycle from the engine via the transmission system thereof, Similarfore-carriagesto effect the conversion of a motor cycle into a three-wheel motor car have been proposed hitherto but in each case, the fore-carriage has a frame structure which is costly to manufacture and which is heavy, thereby making the assembly and separation of the fore-carriage and the motor cycle difficult and time-consuming operations.An object of the invention is to provide a fore-carriage of a comparatively light-weight construction which is cheaper to manufacture and which can more readily be assembled with and separated from a motor cycle.
According to the invention, a removable forecarriage of the foregoing kind includes a monocoque body comprising a pair of longitudinally-spaced transverse bulkheads; a longitudinally-extending spine and a stressed casing extending laterally from the spine and longitudinally between the bulkheads, the rearward of the two bulkheads having upper and lower mountings by which the fore-carriage is connected to the motor cycle frame after removal therefrom of the fork and front wheel thereof and the forward of the two bulkheads supporting the steerable front wheels of the fore-carriage, the body defining between the two bulkheads a driver's compartment or cockpit and the fore-carriage including a steering system for the front wheels and steering, braking, transmission and other controls positioned in the driver's compartment or cockpit.
The upper mounting onthe rearward bulkhead may comprise a rearwardly-facing bracket to which the fork-receiving tube of the motor cycle is to be attached after removal therefrom of the fork.
The lower mounting on the rearward bulkhead may comprise a pair of laterally-spaced rearwardlyextending brackets to which a laterally-extending rigid mounting plate is to be attached, the mounting plate being arranged to be attached adjacent its rearward end to a lower part at the front end of the frame of the motor cycle.
The rearward bulkhead may also be connected at laterally-spaced positons thereon to the respective adjacent side of the motor cycle frame or body by a rearwardly-extending stabiliser member.
The monocoque body may also include an intermediate bulkhead or bulkheads. For example, an intermediate bulkhead may be provided at the front end of the driver's compartment or cockpit to give increased protection to the driver and may be used to support a wind-screen and instrument panel.
The driver's compartment or cockpit may also include a detachable shell-like cover or fairing. The
detachable cover or fairing may be made of a light
sheet metal, e.g., aluminium sheet, glass or other
fibre reinforced plastics or a plastics moulding.
The invention also includes a three-wheel motor
can comprising the combination of a motor cycle from which the fork and front wheel have been
removed and a fore-carriage as set out in any one of the immediately preceding six paragraphs.
By way of example, a fore-carriage and motor cycle conversion in accordance with the invention is
now described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a side elevation of the fore-carriage, the steerable front wheels being omitted;
Figure 2 is plan view ofthefore-carriage as shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a rear view of the rearward bulkhead of the fore-carriage;
Figure 4 is plan view of the aforesaid lower mounting plate;
Figure 5 is a detail showing a side view of the aforesaid upper bracket and the fork-receiving tube of the motor cycle;
Figure 6 is a forwardly-looking end view of the upper bracket and showing the fork-receiving tube of the motor cycle, and
Figure 7 is a side elevation of the motor cycle showing its attachment to the rearward bulkhead of the fore-carriage.
Referring to Figures 1-3, the fore-carriage has a body formed by a monocoque rigid structure comprising a forward bulkhead 1 and a rearward bulkhead 2 interconnected by an inverted channelshaped spine 3 and also including a stressed casing 6 extending laterally from the spine and longitudinally between the two bulkheads. The two bulkheads 1,2 and the spine 3 are all made of sheet metal and therefore the monocoque structure is cheaper to produce and of lighter weight than a previously proposed structure in which the bulkheads are constructed from tubular members or rods or bars and are interconnected by longitudinally-extending frame members. The monocoque structure also has an intermediate bulkhead 4 and a further bulkhead 5 adjacent the forward bulkhead 1 and both rigidly connected to the spine 3.Alternatively, the bulkheads 1,2 and the spine 3 may be made of a sandwich or honeycomb construction comprising thin outer skins e.g., of metal or plastics secured together by a light-weight "filler" of honeycomb or other construction. Another monocoque structure would be to construct the bulkheads and the spine in glass-fibre, carbon fibre or an aramid fibre reinforced plastics material.
The casing 6 may be made of a light metal sheet, e.g., of aluminium, or it may be a glass or other fibre reinforced plastics or a plastics moulding and defines the body shape and also a driver's compartment or cockpit 7, (hereinafter in this example called a "cockpit") between the bulkheads 2 and 4. The driver's compartment or cockpit may additionally be protected by rigid struts or ties 8 extending at each side between the two bulkheads. The struts or ties 8 may also be used to support a seat for the driver, or a passenger's seat as well. The bulkhead 4 also supports a windscreen 9 and an instrument panel 10.
The cockpit 7 may be covered by a detachable shell-like cover or fairing, which may be made of light metal sheet, eg., of aluminium, or it may be made of glass fibre reinforced plastics or be a plastics moulding.
The forward bulkhead 1 and the further bulkhead 5 support at mountings 11 a wheel suspension and steering system for a pair of front steerable wheels (not shown). They may also support between them an additional fuel tank 12. There will also be the original fuel tank of the motor cycle. The fuel tanks supply fuel to the engine of the motor cycle.
The rearward bulkhead 2 has rearwardly-facing brackets 13 thereon and these receive between them the fork-receiving tube 14 of the motor cycle 15 after the fork and front wheel have been removed.
The tube 14 is held between the brackets 13 buy a removable bolt 16, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, or by other rmovable attachment means.
The rearward bulkhead 2 also has adjacent its bottom edge on each side of the spine 3 a rearwardly facing lug to which a rigid mounting plate 18 is attached by a bolt or other removable attachement means extending through thelug 17 and a corresponding lug 19 on the plate 18. The mounting plate 18 also has a pair of laterally-spacedlugs 20 adjacent the rearward edge thereof which are attached at 21 to a forward position at or near the bottom of the motor cycle frame or body as shown in Figure 7.
The rearward bulkhead 2 also has a pair of laterally-spaced stabilisertubes or rods 22 bolted or otherwise attached thereto at 23 and extending forwardly at the respective sides of the motor cycle to supporting positons 24 on the motor cycle body or frame at which the stabilisertubes or rods 22 are detachably secured.
The braking system provided in the motor cycle for the rear wheel of the motor cycle is coupled buy a detachable coupling to a braking system for the front wheels of the fore-carriage and are controlled by a pedal or other control member in the cockpit 7. The throttle and other engine controls are likewise detachably connected to a pedal or other control member in the cockpit 7. The transmission controls of the motor cycle, i.e., clutch and gear change, and any other controls, such as speedometer and lighting are also detachably connected to controls or instruments provided in the cockpit 7.
When any suitable motor cycle is to be converted to a three-wheel motor car, the fork and front wheel of the motor cycle are removed and the rearward bulkhead 2 ofthefore-carriage is placed in position to enable the attachments to be made by attaching the fork-receiving tube 14 to the upper brackets 13 by, for example, the bolt 16; by attaching the mounting plate 18 to the bulkhead 2 and to the motor cycle at positions 21, and by connecting the stabilisertubes or rods 22 between the bulkhead 2 and to the motor cycle at positions 24. Finally the control and instrument connectors are effected. As the fore-carriage is comparatively light and therefore easily manoeuvrable the necessary attachments and connectors can readily be effected in a much shorter time than for known conversions. Similarly, the fore-carriage can quickly be detached and the motor cycle changed back to that use by replacing the fork and front wheel of the motor cycle. The motor cycle 15 may also be covered by a removable casing or fairing 25 which may be supported on the motor cycle and also on the upper bracket 13. The casing 25 may be hinged to provide ready access to the motor cycle. When the conversion has been effected the combined vehicle is driven like a motor car by the driver in the cockpit 7 and is propelled by the rear wheel 26 of the motor cycle which is driven by the engine of the motor cycle via the transmission thereof.
Claims (9)
1. A removable fore-carriage for a motor cycle, whereby the motor cycle can be converted into a three-wheel motor car by removing the fork and front wheel of the motor cycle and attaching the fore-carriage in place of them, the fore-carriage having a pair of steerable front wheels and the combined fore-carriage and motor cycle being driven by the rear wheel of the motor cycle from the engine via the transmission system thereof, the fore-carriage including a monocoque body comprising a pair of longitudinally-spaced transverse bulkheads; a longitudinally-extending spine and as stressed casing extending laterally from the spine and longitudinally between the bulkheads, the rearward of the two bulkheads having upper and lower mountings by which the fore-carriage is connected to the motor cycle frame after removal therefrom of the fork and front wheel thereof and the forward of the two bulkheads supporting the steerable front wheels of the fore-carriage, the body defining between the two bulkheads a driver's compartment or cockpit and the fore-carriage including a steering system for the front wheels and steering, braking, transmission and other controls positioned in the driver's compartment or cockpit.
2. Afore-carriage as claimed in Claim 1 in which the upper mounting on the rearward bulkhead comprises a rearwardly-facing bracket to which the fork-receiving tube of the motor cycle is to be attached after removal therefrom of the fork.
3. A fore-carriage as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which the lower mounting on the rearward bulkhead comprises a pair of laterally-spaced rearwardlyextending brackets to which a laterally-extending rigid mounting plate is to be attached, the mounting plate being arranged to be attached adjacent its rearward end to a lower part atthefront end of the frame of the motor cycle.
4. Afore-carriage as claimed in Claim 3 in which the rearward bulkhead is also arranged to be connected at laterally-spaced positions thereon to the respecitve adjacent side of the motor cycle frame or body by a rearwardly-extending stabiliser member.
5. A fore-carriage as claimed in any preceding claim in which the monocoque body also includes an intermediate bulkhead or bulkheads.
6. A fore-carriage as claimed in Claim 5 in which the or one of the intermediate bulkheads is posi tioned at the front end of the driver's compartment or cockpit.
7. Afore-carriage as claimed in any preceding claim in which the driver's compartment or cockpit also includes a detachable shell-like cover or fairing.
8. A fore-carriage for a motor cycle, whereby the motor cycle can be converted into a three-wheel motor car by removing the fork and front wheel of the motor cycle and attaching the fore-carriage in place of them, the fore-carriage having a pair of steerable front wheels and the combined forecarriage and motor cycle being driven by the rear wheel of the motor cycle from the ending via the transmission system thereof, the fore-carriage being constructed and arranged substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
9. A three-wheel motor car comprising the combination of a motor cycle from which the fork and front wheel have been removed and a fore-carriage according to any of the preceding claims.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08415329A GB2141392B (en) | 1983-06-17 | 1984-06-15 | Removable fore-carriage for a motor cycle |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB838316591A GB8316591D0 (en) | 1983-06-17 | 1983-06-17 | Removable fore-carriage |
| GB08415329A GB2141392B (en) | 1983-06-17 | 1984-06-15 | Removable fore-carriage for a motor cycle |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB8415329D0 GB8415329D0 (en) | 1984-07-18 |
| GB2141392A true GB2141392A (en) | 1984-12-19 |
| GB2141392B GB2141392B (en) | 1986-08-06 |
Family
ID=26286407
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08415329A Expired GB2141392B (en) | 1983-06-17 | 1984-06-15 | Removable fore-carriage for a motor cycle |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2141392B (en) |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2226996A (en) * | 1989-01-13 | 1990-07-18 | Michael Flowers | Convertible personal vehicle having a take-apart frame. |
| US7604382B2 (en) * | 2004-12-28 | 2009-10-20 | Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha | Vehicle component assembly for a straddle type vehicle |
| FR2934838A1 (en) * | 2008-08-08 | 2010-02-12 | Tony Lafaye | Tricar e.g. motor tricar, has connection units comprising vertical triangle shaped assembly and top and bottom supporting assemblies for connecting front part with rear part that has front frame of motorcycle |
| US7674023B2 (en) | 2004-12-27 | 2010-03-09 | Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha | Headlight assembly for a straddle-type vehicle |
| US7744260B2 (en) | 2004-11-16 | 2010-06-29 | Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha | Straddle type vehicle having rear cover and light assembly and method for assembling a light unit |
Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1313029A (en) * | 1969-07-23 | 1973-04-11 | Korff W H | Convertible motor vehicles |
-
1984
- 1984-06-15 GB GB08415329A patent/GB2141392B/en not_active Expired
Patent Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1313029A (en) * | 1969-07-23 | 1973-04-11 | Korff W H | Convertible motor vehicles |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2226996A (en) * | 1989-01-13 | 1990-07-18 | Michael Flowers | Convertible personal vehicle having a take-apart frame. |
| GB2226996B (en) * | 1989-01-13 | 1992-12-23 | Michael Flowers | Convertible personal vehicle having a take-apart frame |
| US7744260B2 (en) | 2004-11-16 | 2010-06-29 | Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha | Straddle type vehicle having rear cover and light assembly and method for assembling a light unit |
| US7674023B2 (en) | 2004-12-27 | 2010-03-09 | Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha | Headlight assembly for a straddle-type vehicle |
| US7604382B2 (en) * | 2004-12-28 | 2009-10-20 | Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha | Vehicle component assembly for a straddle type vehicle |
| FR2934838A1 (en) * | 2008-08-08 | 2010-02-12 | Tony Lafaye | Tricar e.g. motor tricar, has connection units comprising vertical triangle shaped assembly and top and bottom supporting assemblies for connecting front part with rear part that has front frame of motorcycle |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2141392B (en) | 1986-08-06 |
| GB8415329D0 (en) | 1984-07-18 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 19930615 |