Fork for a vehicle, and vehicle

Abstract

A fork for a vehicle, in particular a motor bike, comprising a fork shaft that extends along a rotational axis and terminates in a lower portion, the lower portion having an opening coaxially to the rotational axis, in which opening an auxiliary element, in particular a towing or lashing device, can be or is arranged.

Description

[0001] Fork for a vehicle and vehicle

[0002] The present invention relates to a fork for a vehicle, in particular a motorcycle, and to a vehicle.

[0003] Vehicles such as motorcycles, especially motorbikes, may need to be transported, for example on a trailer or the like. For this purpose, they are usually lashed or tied down accordingly. The lashing is often done indirectly via the vehicle's handlebars. One such concept is shown, for example, in US 2003 / 0103831 A1, which discloses handlebar plugs equipped with a belt or tensioning strap. These handlebar plugs can be inserted into the handlebars of the respective vehicle in order to then lash it down. The disadvantage is that such devices introduce forces into the handlebars for which the handlebars are not actually designed. If such belts or tensioning straps are routed around the frame or the like, unwanted damage, such as paint abrasion or the like, can occur.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fork for a vehicle, in particular a motorcycle, as well as a vehicle, wherein in particular a practical solution is to be provided in order to enable a secure lashing / locking of the respective vehicle.

[0005] This object is achieved by a fork according to claim 1 and by a vehicle according to claim 9. Further advantages and features emerge from the subclaims as well as the description and the attached figures.

[0006] According to the invention, a fork for a vehicle, in particular a motorcycle, comprises a fork shaft which extends along an axis of rotation and ends in a lower section, wherein the lower section has an opening coaxial with the axis of rotation, at which opening an auxiliary element, in particular a towing or lashing device, is or can be arranged. The fork shaft is typically a hollow, round tube which has a constant or a changing outer diameter along the axis of rotation. The same applies to the inner diameter, which can also be constant or changing. The inner diameter can, but does not have to, be round. The axis of rotation is the axis around which the fork shaft rotates (in the assembled state). Expediently, the lower section is designed directly for the arrangement of the towing or lashing device.For this purpose, the opening is provided, which is preferably aligned with the rotational axis of the fork stem. The fork stem is designed for placement in a corresponding head tube of the respective vehicle. According to a preferred embodiment, the vehicle is a motor vehicle, such as a motorcycle, for example a scooter or, in particular, a motorcycle. However, this can also include multi-track vehicles such as quads or LNM (Lean Multi Wheel) vehicles. Vehicles of the type in question can also be bicycles, whether with or without an auxiliary motor (e.g., an electric motor).

[0007] Depending on its use, the fork typically has a different design. Double-crown forks are typically used on motorcycles. Bicycles often have forks with only one crown, although double-crown forks are also used in sport / off-road applications. The fork can also be a Telelever fork. Whether the fork has suspension or not is irrelevant for the invention.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the opening is formed directly or immediately in the fork tube. Alternatively or additionally, the opening can also be formed or arranged in the fork bridge, in the case of a double-crown fork, particularly in the lower fork bridge. This advantageously allows for a force introduction that is completely unproblematic for the respective vehicle or fork.

[0009] Conveniently, the opening has one or more engagement elements for positive and / or non-positive fastening, in particular for positive and / or non-positive locking or screwing in, the auxiliary element. Conveniently, the auxiliary element can be screwed into the opening.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the opening has a correspondingly designed internal thread. In particular, if the fork stem is used directly for fastening or arranging the auxiliary element, the implementation of the invention is particularly simple, since the fork stem is typically hollow anyway. Therefore, the fork stem only needs to be subsequently provided with a corresponding thread. Typically, the diameter of the internal thread, for a motorcycle fork, is in the range of M14-M20, especially M16. For bicycles, the internal thread is correspondingly smaller.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the auxiliary element is fastened to the opening, in particular screwed therein. Expediently, the opening or the auxiliary element arranged there is accessible without having to remove any fairing or attachments. According to one embodiment, a fairing element is arranged on the lower fork bridge or on the only fork bridge, wherein the auxiliary element is accessible. Expediently, therefore, no fairing and / or attachments have to be removed in order to arrange the auxiliary element. The arrangement of the auxiliary element can advantageously be carried out very quickly, since the auxiliary element only has to be screwed in. Expediently, the auxiliary element is also automatically centered, whereby good accessibility and, in particular, force distribution can be achieved from both sides.According to one embodiment, the trim or attachment part comprises a cover designed to cover the opening when the auxiliary element is not installed. The cover is expediently designed to be removable, in particular, for example, foldable, for the arrangement of the auxiliary element.

[0012] It should be noted here that alternative fastening options are also conceivable, as an alternative to designing the opening with an internal thread. For example, a plug-in system can be used, which can be released and locked in a suitable manner. In principle, the auxiliary element is, or can be, arranged in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the auxiliary element is designed as a lashing eyelet, comprising at least one fastening opening. The fastening opening is designed, for example, for the arrangement or passage of one or more straps, bands, or the like. The lashing eyelet is expediently made of a metallic material.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the auxiliary element or, more generally, the auxiliary element comprises a fastening section for interacting with the opening, which, according to one embodiment, is rotatable relative to the fastening opening. Thus, the fastening opening can expediently be rotated relative to the fork when the lashing eye or the auxiliary element is arranged therein. The invention also relates to a motorcycle comprising a fork according to the invention. Possible types or types of motorcycles have already been mentioned. Furthermore, what has been said with regard to the fork applies analogously and accordingly.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the motorcycle has a storage area, in particular a slot, designed for storing the auxiliary element. The auxiliary element can thus conveniently be carried (at all times) in a suitable storage compartment / storage area / on-board tool kit.

[0016] Further advantages and features will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment of a fork with reference to the attached figures.

[0017] They show:

[0018] Fig. 1 : a schematic view of a fork in a side view;

[0019] Fig. 2: the fork known from Fig. 1 in a frontal view.

[0020] Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a fork 10, comprising two fork blades 14, which are connected to a fork stem 12 via a lower fork bridge 16 and an upper fork bridge 18. The fork stem 12 extends along an axis of rotation D. The fork stem 12 is designed for arrangement in a head tube (not shown here) of a corresponding vehicle. The fork stem 12 has a lower section 20, in or on which an opening 22 for arranging an auxiliary element is advantageously formed. The fork 10 shown schematically here is, for example, a fork such as is intended for use in a motorcycle.

[0021] Fig. 2 shows the fork 10 known from Fig. 1 in a frontal view, i.e. rotated 90° compared to the illustration in Fig. 1. In particular, the lower section 20, in which the opening 22 is formed, can be seen here. The opening 22 is formed directly through the hollow fork shaft 12, which has a suitable internal thread for arranging an auxiliary element 40. The auxiliary element 40 is designed, for example, as a lashing eye, in this case comprising a fastening section 42 and a fastening opening 44. The fastening section 42 is designed as a thread or threaded section, which is intended to be arranged in the opening 22. The fastening opening 44 serves to arrange or, in particular, to pass through one or more straps for tensioning the corresponding vehicle. The proposed solution provides a very effective and space-saving lashing or towing option for a corresponding vehicle.In addition, a force introduction into the fork or the respective vehicle can be realized, which takes into account the design of the forces occurring in the fork and does not introduce any additional moments or similar.

[0022] List of reference symbols

[0023] 10 forks

[0024] 12 Fork tube 14 Fork blade

[0025] 16 lower triple clamp

[0026] 18 upper triple clamp

[0027] 20 lower section

[0028] 22 Opening 40 Auxiliary element

[0029] 42 fastening section

[0030] 44 Mounting hole D Rotation axis

Claims

Claims 1. Fork (10) for a vehicle, in particular a motorcycle, comprising a fork shaft (12) which extends along an axis of rotation (D) and ends in a lower section (20), wherein the lower section (20) has an opening (22) coaxial with the axis of rotation (D), at which opening an auxiliary element (40), in particular a towing or lashing device, is or can be arranged.

2. Fork (10) according to claim 1, wherein the opening (22) has engagement elements for positive and / or non-positive fastening, in particular for positive and / or non-positive locking or screwing in, of the auxiliary element (40).

3. Fork (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening (22) comprises an internal thread.

4. Fork (10) according to claim 3, wherein the internal thread has a diameter in a range of M14 to M20, in particular M16.

5. Fork (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the auxiliary element (40) is attached to the opening (22).

6. Fork (10) according to claim 5, comprising a, in particular lower, fork bridge (16) on which a covering element is arranged, wherein the auxiliary element (40) is accessible.

7. Fork (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the auxiliary element (40) is a lashing eyelet comprising at least one fastening opening (44).

8. Fork (10) according to claim 7, wherein the lashing eyelet has a fastening portion (42) for cooperating with the opening (22) which is rotatable relative to the fastening opening (44).

9. Vehicle, in particular a motorcycle, comprising a (10) fork according to one of the preceding claims.

10. Vehicle according to claim 9, comprising an arrangement area, in particular a slot, for storing the auxiliary element (40).

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