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.

A tiltable motor vehicle having 3 or more wheels and at least one bridge having opposite first and second ends where first and second wheel hub assemblies are disposed. First and second wheels are mounted on the first and second wheel hub assemblies. First and second suspension guides are also associated with the first and second wheel hub assemblies, each being attached to a respective end of the at least one bridge such that the suspension guide is rotatable about at least a tilt axis relative to the at least one bridge. Each wheel hub assembly being movable along or across the respective suspension guide such that the wheels are movable relative to the at least one bridge during suspension action. Movement of the wheels and the wheel hub assemblies associated with suspension rebound and compression action and rotation of the bridges relative to the body associated with tilting action are both substantially independent of movement of the steering element.

A tiltable motor vehicle having 3 or more wheels and at least one bridge having opposite first and second ends where first and second wheel hub assemblies are disposed. First and second wheels are mounted on the first and second wheel hub assemblies. First and second suspension guides are also associated with the first and second wheel hub assemblies, each being attached to a respective end of the at least one bridge such that the suspension guide is rotatable about at least a tilt axis relative to the at least one bridge. Each wheel hub assembly being movable along or across the respective suspension guide such that the wheels are movable relative to the at least one bridge during suspension action. Movement of the wheels and the wheel hub assemblies associated with suspension rebound and compression action and rotation of the bridges relative to the body associated with tilting action are both substantially independent of movement of the steering element.

This invention relates to a rolling motor vehicle with three or four wheels, comprising a frame 6 that extends from a forecarriage 8, which supports at least two front wheels 10′,10″, to a rear 12 which supports one or more rear wheels 14. The frame 6 defines an accommodating area 15 for a driver P. The forecarriage 8 in turn comprises: —a forecarriage frame 16; —at least one pair of front wheels 10′,10″ kinematically connected to each other and to the forecarriage frame 16 by means of a rolling kinematic mechanism 20 which enables the front wheels to roll in a synchronous and specular manner, each wheel 10′,10″ being connected to said rolling kinematic mechanism 20 by means of a respective axle journal 60, said axle journal 60 being mechanically connected to a rotation pin 68 of the wheel in order to support it rotatably around an axis of rotation R′-R′, R″-R″; —a roll control system 100 of the motor vehicle; —suspension means 90 which guarantee each axle journal 60 at least one spring suspension movement with respect to said rolling kinematic mechanism 20. The roll control system comprises a rod 110, which connects the two front wheels directly to each other at the respective axle journals 60 at its two ends by means of hinging means 72,73,74 which enable said rod 110 to passively follow the movements of the axle journals 60, the roll movements of the two front wheels and of the respective axle journals causing changes in the lying position of said rod 110 with respect to a vertical projection plane, which is transverse to a centre line plane M-M of the motor vehicle. The rod 110 is usable directly or indirectly by the driver P as a command element of the roll control system 100 to control the rolling movements of the two front wheels without having to put his feet on the ground, adjusting the lying position of the rod 110 itself with his own body. Said command element 110, 120 is disposed so as to be accessible and maneuverable by the driver P from the accommodating area 15.

This invention relates to a rolling motor vehicle with three or four wheels, comprising a frame 6 that extends from a forecarriage 8, which supports at least two front wheels 10′,10″, to a rear 12 which supports one or more rear wheels 14. The frame 6 defines an accommodating area 15 for a driver P. The forecarriage 8 in turn comprises: —a forecarriage frame 16; —at least one pair of front wheels 10′,10″ kinematically connected to each other and to the forecarriage frame 16 by means of a rolling kinematic mechanism 20 which enables the front wheels to roll in a synchronous and specular manner, each wheel 10′,10″ being connected to said rolling kinematic mechanism 20 by means of a respective axle journal 60, said axle journal 60 being mechanically connected to a rotation pin 68 of the wheel in order to support it rotatably around an axis of rotation R′-R′, R″-R″; —a roll control system 100 of the motor vehicle; —suspension means 90 which guarantee each axle journal 60 at least one spring suspension movement with respect to said rolling kinematic mechanism 20. The roll control system comprises a rod 110, which connects the two front wheels directly to each other at the respective axle journals 60 at its two ends by means of hinging means 72,73,74 which enable said rod 110 to passively follow the movements of the axle journals 60, the roll movements of the two front wheels and of the respective axle journals causing changes in the lying position of said rod 110 with respect to a vertical projection plane, which is transverse to a centre line plane M-M of the motor vehicle. The rod 110 is usable directly or indirectly by the driver P as a command element of the roll control system 100 to control the rolling movements of the two front wheels without having to put his feet on the ground, adjusting the lying position of the rod 110 itself with his own body. Said command element 110, 120 is disposed so as to be accessible and maneuverable by the driver P from the accommodating area 15.

The four wheel steering vehicle utilizes a cage system that extends along the longitudinal axis to protect the driver coupled to a center rail chassis. Front and Back independent suspension links extend outward along the lateral axis pivotally connected to the wheel assemblies enabling four wheel independent suspension. A centrally located pivoting shock provides both steering control and suspension attachment for the shock and spring. The vehicle is controlled by the driver using a steering wheel, acceleration pedal, and a brake pedal. The invention provides a feeling of integration with the vehicle as the driver rolls into turns with the vehicle, while minimizing fatigue caused by the continuous resistance to centrifugal cornering forces.

A dynamic joint structure (DJS) for movably connecting a wheel set to a chassis of a vehicle, and a vehicle including a front such DJS and a rear such DJS. The DJS includes an upper suspension plate having at least one upper recess with an upper opening; a middle suspension plate having at least one middle recess with a middle opening; and at least one connector assembly including: (i) an elongated bolt defining an insert axis “Zi” along its longer side; and (ii) a restriction unit configured to restrict the movement of the bolt over an XiYi plane that is perpendicular to Zi, for enhancing translation of tilting movements of the chassis of the vehicle into steering movements of the vehicle's wheels set to which the DJS connects.

A vehicle with a base frame to which at least two sprung suspensions, in particular sprung wheel suspensions, for driven, non-driven, steerable or non-steerable contact elements, for example wheels, are attached which can be steered by means of a steering knuckle and are located on both sides of the longitudinal direction of travel, in each case transversely to the direction of travel, a tilt frame, tiltable in a tilt axis with respect to the base frame. A steering tube is rotatably attached to the tilt frame in the steering axis and automatically tilts with the tilt frame, at least one track rod connected to the track rod actuating element, and a linear or rotary track rod actuating element rotatable over a guide element. The track rod actuating element is displaced by tilting the tilt frame about the tilt axis and independently thereof by rotating the steering tube about the steering axis in such a way that the steerable contact element is given a steering movement by the track rod actuating element by means of the at least one track rod and no substantial change in the camber of the contact elements takes place during cornering, wherein the vehicle comprises at least one spring damper system which is suitable and provided for reducing a pendulum tilt of a tilt frame about the vertical zero position.

A vehicle with a base frame to which at least two sprung suspensions, in particular sprung wheel suspensions, for driven, non-driven, steerable or non-steerable contact elements, for example wheels, are attached which can be steered by means of a steering knuckle and are located on both sides of the longitudinal direction of travel, in each case transversely to the direction of travel, a tilt frame, tiltable in a tilt axis with respect to the base frame. A steering tube is rotatably attached to the tilt frame in the steering axis and automatically tilts with the tilt frame, at least one track rod connected to the track rod actuating element, and a linear or rotary track rod actuating element rotatable over a guide element. The track rod actuating element is displaced by tilting the tilt frame about the tilt axis and independently thereof by rotating the steering tube about the steering axis in such a way that the steerable contact element is given a steering movement by the track rod actuating element by means of the at least one track rod and no substantial change in the camber of the contact elements takes place during cornering, wherein the vehicle comprises at least one spring damper system which is suitable and provided for reducing a pendulum tilt of a tilt frame about the vertical zero position.

Embodiments of the present invention describe a recreational vehicle spindle, including a spindle body having one or more sockets in the spindle body, and an upper attachment mechanism in contact with the spindle body and adapted to attach to a steering component. The spindle also includes a lower attachment mechanism in contact with the spindle body and adapted to attach to a ski or wheel. The one or more sockets are adapted to each receive a ball and stud forming one or more ball joints.