A leaning vehicle including a vehicle body, two front wheels, and a support mechanism by which the two front wheels are supported by the vehicle body. The support mechanism includes a joint mechanism that is a ball joint and that includes a ball stud including a ball part connected to a shaft, and a holder having an open end part through which the ball stud is insertable, such that the ball part is freely rotatable in the holder. The open end part includes first to fourth inner edge parts. When the ball stud is in a steering neutral and leaning neutral position, in a direction along a central axis of the ball stud, the first and second inner edge parts do not overlap, and the third and fourth inner edge parts overlap, the ball part. The ball stud is tiltable between the first and second inner edge parts.

An apparatus and a method are provided for an offset tie rod joint for vehicle steering systems. The offset tie rod joint comprises a ball rotatably retained within a casing that is disposed in an opening of an offset housing. A threaded shank fixedly coupled with the offset housing is received by a steering rod. The opening is displaced from a longitudinal axis of the threaded shank by a distance that provides clearance between the offset housing and a spindle assembly during articulation of the spindle assembly during steering. A rear backstop and a front snap-ring in a groove retain the casing within the opening. A bore extending through the ball receives a bolt that fixates the ball between parallel prongs of the spindle assembly. A misalignment spacer on each side of the ball provides clearance for rotation of the ball within the offset housing.

An assembly comprising: a core in the form of a toroid; and at least one washer overlying the core, the washer comprising a polymer, wherein the washer has an arcuate cross-section so as to have a shape complementary to the core.

An apparatus and a method are provided for an offset tie rod joint for vehicle steering systems. The offset tie rod joint comprises a ball rotatably retained within a casing that is disposed in an opening of an offset housing. A threaded shank fixedly coupled with the offset housing is received by a steering rod. The opening is displaced from a longitudinal axis of the threaded shank by a distance that provides clearance between the offset housing and a spindle assembly during articulation of the spindle assembly during steering. A rear backstop and a front snap-ring in a groove retain the casing within the opening. A bore extending through the ball receives a bolt that fixates the ball between parallel prongs of the spindle assembly. A misalignment spacer on each side of the ball provides clearance for rotation of the ball within the offset housing.

A bicycle bearing system comprising: an integrated cup, the integrated cup having an outer diameter; a plurality of rolling elements configured to abut and rotate against a first race groove located on an inner surface of the integrated cup; a second race groove configured to abut and rotate about the plurality of rolling elements, the second race groove located on an inner surface of the inner race, the inner race having an inner diameter; where the rolling elements do not have a separate outer race, but rather the inner surface of the integrated cup acts as the outer race to the rolling elements; and where the rolling elements, integrated cup and inner race are axially locked when assembled as a single cartridge unit due to the geometry of the rolling elements, first race groove and second race groove.

A shock-absorbing front fork for a bicycle includes an inner part securely inserted in the crown of the front fork. The inner part includes multiple first slots and second slots defined axially in the outside thereof. Each first slot receives a pin therein, and each second slot receives a roller therein. A rod extends through a dust-proof unit, a first ring and a spring. The lower section of the rod is connected to the top end of the inner part. An outer part is a tube which includes multiple first grooves and second grooves defined axially in the inner periphery thereof. The outer part is mounted to the inner part. The pins are partially accommodated in the first grooves, and the rollers are partially accommodated in the second grooves. The outer part is axially movable relative to the inner part by the pins and the rollers with less friction.

A pair of elongated housings are positioned generally parallel to each other for connection of a wheel to a vehicle. An elongated member comprising a plurality of rollers is positioned within each of the housings. Spring biasing urges the elongated members downwardly, with the spring biasing absorbing shocks received at the wheel and conveyed to the elongated members, causing movement of the elongated members within the housing. The series of rollers on each of the elongated members traverse the housing to reduce friction between the housing and the elongated member as the elongated members traverse the housing. At least one vehicle wheel is mounted to the elongated members.

A shift operating device includes a frame body, a cable spool assembly, a first elastic component, an upshift lever, a driving pawl, a positioning pawl, a movable component, and a downshift lever. The cable spool assembly is disposed on the frame body. The first elastic component can force the cable spool assembly to rotate along a first direction. The upshift lever can rotate the cable spool assembly along a second direction by the driving pawl. The positioning pawl is disposed on the frame body and engaged with the cable spool assembly. The movable component is linearly and movably disposed on the frame body and in contact with the positioning pawl. The downshift lever is disposed on the frame body and in contact with the movable component. When the downshift lever is pivoted, the downshift lever forces the movable component to detach the positioning pawl from the cable spool assembly.

A bicycle bearing system comprising: an integrated cup, the integrated cup having a non-flanged outer diameter; a plurality of rolling elements configured to abut and rotate against an inner surface of the cup race; an inner race configured to abut and rotate about the plurality of rolling elements, the inner race having an inner diameter; wherein the rolling elements do not have a separate outer race, but rather the inner surface of the integrated cup acts as the outer race to the rolling elements; wherein the rolling elements' sizes are maximized to the limitation that the non-flanged outer diameter is smaller or equal to a first maximum diameter, and wherein the rolling elements sizes are maximized to the limitation that the inner diameter is greater or equal to a first minimum diameter.

Presented are multi-axis pivoting coupler joints for motorized vehicles, methods for making/using such coupler joints, and electric scooters with multi-axis pivoting coupler joints enabling multimodal scooter operation. A pivoting coupler joint includes first and second bearing assemblies each with a respective housing, respective inner and outer races concentric with each other and located in their respective housing, and a respective set of rolling elements rollably interposed between their respective inner and outer races. The first inner race of the first bearing assembly receives therethrough and circumscribes an axle shaft of a vehicle wheel. The second inner race attaches to a wheeled rider deck of the vehicle. The first and second bearing housings are joined together and angularly offset from each other. For some applications, the first bearing assembly includes a pair of longitudinally spaced needle roller bearings, and the second bearing assembly includes a pair of longitudinally spaced tapered bearings.