Suspension restraint devices

Abstract

Starting devices are provided that are adapted to help hold the front end of a motorcycle down, especially in a “hole shot” or starting applications. The devices allow a rider to compress the suspension fork of the motorcycle down by about 3 to about 4 inches and temporarily lock the fork in a given position. Certain variations provide for selection one of a number of positions. Lock-down and automatic release are accomplished by pushing in a spring loaded lock button while the fork struts are compressed. A pin member interfaces with a stop member located on the fork to prevent decompression of the fork. Upon further compression of the fork (e.g., due to braking) the pin is released and the spring member draws the pin out of the way to allow clearance for free fork travel.

1 . A suspension fork temporary restraint system comprising: 
 a base, a pin, a spring and a fork interface member, said base configured to slidingly receive said pin,    said pin configured to interlock with said interface member when said base is installed on said suspension fork, upon compression of said suspension fork followed by depression of said pin from an initial state,    said spring positioned to bias the depression of said pin and return said pin to said initial state upon additional compression of said suspension fork releasing the interlocking of said pin and said interface member.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said pin comprises a distal recess and said interface member comprises a complimentary ledge to provide lateral engagement between said pin and interface member.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said pin is capped by a button head at a proximal end.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein a coil spring is interposed between said base and said button head coaxially with said pin, and wherein a distal end of said base has an increased diameter relative to a body of said pin, thereby providing a stop against said base.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said base is attached to a fork guard for an inverted-style fork.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said base is attached to a strap attached to a standard-style fork.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said base includes a distal extension for receipt upon attachment to a fork guard or strap.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said interface member comprises a split ring for attach to said fork.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of pins.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein only two pins are provided.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , installed on a motorcycle suspension fork.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein said suspension fork is installed on a motorcycle.  
   
   
       13 . A method of installing a suspension fork temporary restraint system, the method comprising: 
 providing a motorcycle suspension fork and a system according to  claim 1;  and    attaching said base to provide between about 3 and about 5 inches of compression upon locking said pin with said fork interface member.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said base is attached to a fork guard.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said base is attached to a strap attached to said fork.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , where only one system according to  claim 1  is attached to said fork  
   
   
       17 . A method of using a motorcycle suspension fork temporary restraint system, the method comprising: 
 compressing said suspension fork is an amount between about 2 and about 5 inches;    depressing a spring-loaded pin and engaging it with an interface portion of said fork; and    releasing said pin from said interface portion, wherein said pin retracts to provide clearance from said interface portion.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said releasing is accomplished by braking a moving motorcycle.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said amount of compression is between about 3 and about 4 inches.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said amount of compression is selected between a plurality of corresponding locking positions.