GB2450511A

GB2450511A - Motorcycle rider torso support pad

Info

Publication number: GB2450511A
Application number: GB0712442A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Malcolm Shute
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-06-27
Filing date: 2007-06-27
Publication date: 2008-12-31
Anticipated expiration: 2027-06-27
Also published as: GB2450511B; GB0712442D0

Abstract

The articulated pad (1) is positioned in front of the torso of the motorcycle rider and against which the rider may lean his/her torso so as to obtain resistance to forces exerted on the rider's body due to motorcycle acceleration, deceleration and gravity, and which allows lateral movements of the riders body during cornering. It incorporates a suspension system (2) using a spring and damper (2), to attenuate the forces, and additionally when incorporating a collapsible energy absorbing device (4), will attenuate the transmission of collision forces to the rider. Articulation of the pad (1) is provided by elastomeric bushes at the joints.

Description

1 2450511 MOTORCYCLE RIDER FORCE REACTION DEVI( The typical motorcycle

riding position with the torso of the rider inclined forwards reduces frontal area and consequently reduces aerodynamic drag. This position can also give the rider a feeling of enhanced controllability of the motorcycle. To hold the inclined position under the vary conditions of motorcycle speed and excitation requires a continuously maintained1 but variable magnitude muscular effort by the rider via the torso and arms, and significant rider fatigue can result from this riding position.

During strong deceleration, typically as a result of heavy braking, the forces which must be resisted by the rider are considerable.

The act of motorcycle riding requires the rider to exert control forces, particularly via the handlebars.

Hence, the rider's arms must cope with a combination of forces: A) forces due to gravity and motorcycle accelerations/decelerations acting on the rider's body, B) control forces required to appropriately manuvre the motorcycle.

In practice, the necessary fineness of the control forces (B) can be disturbed by the variable forces having to be exerted to resist the forces on the rider's body (A).

The invention provides a device which reduces the forces (A) having to be resisted by motorcycle rider's arms such that control forces (B) can be more easily and finely exerted. In essence, the device allows the rider to use his/her arms for control of the motorcycle with much reduced parasitic effects of other forces normally also carried through the arms.

The description of the invention will refer to the following drawings and items: Figure_I motorcycle rider force reaction device (a) force reaction device (b) pad movement in "xy" plane (c) sideways movement of pad (d) force reaction device installed showing collision energy absorption movement Item 1 pad (cushion) Item 2 suspension unit (spring & damper system) Item 3 frame Item 4 collision energy absorber Item 5 shaft Figure_i shows a possible embodiment of the device which is positioned in front of the rider's upper body so as to provide a force reaction point for the rider's torso, thereby reducing the forces that must otherwise be carried by the muscles of the rider's arms and torso.

The device provides a mobile suspended pad (1) which resists the forces exerted on or by the motorcycle rider due to: o deceleration and braking o upper body weight in the forward leaning position o manuvres including cornering -and steadies the rider during movements of the rider's body, particularly during cornering, by allowing the pad to move sideways in sympathy (floating) with the riders body.

1gvie which transmits the forces acting upon it into the motorcycle frame either directly or via an ______ intermediate frame (3) or platform, is independent of the fuel tank and isrticulated sóis [óàI1oT sideways movements of the rider's upper body during cornering whilst still providing force reaction for the torso.

The device may incorporate some isolation of the upper body steady with respect to vibration, motion forces and shock loads in the principal plane of the motorcycle, namely fore & aft and up & down forces, by means of a sprng & damper suspension system (2) and/or elastomeric bushes positioned so as to reduce the transient forces transmitted to the upper body in contact with the steady. The device comprises a combination of some or all of the following: I. a pad (1) for contact with the rider's upper body which may have adjustable geometry ii. a spring & damper system (2) within the device providing suspension of the pad and allowing displacements of the pad in sympathy with the rider's natural upper body movements fore and aft, up and down, and sideways; a gas strut (2) is shown for this function in Figure 1 iii. elastonienc bushes at the articulations iv. adjustable suspension by means of one or more settings which may be adjusted by the rider so as to suit his/her weight and suspension performance preferences v. energy absorber (4) which collapses under the shock loads caused by a collision so as to attenuate the shock loads experienced by the rider vi. active adjustment of the suspension System (2) piloted as a function of the motorcycle's control signals, geometric displacements and monitored dynamic responses vii. active adjustment of the geometry of the device via the suspension system (2) piloted as a function of the motorcycle's control signals, geometric displacements and monitored dynamic responses Adjustment of the device by means of length adjustsments of (2) and/or (5) may be provided so as to adapt to the physical size and shape of the rider, as well as the rider's riding position preferences for inclination of the upper body. Variants with reduced ranges of adjustment or fixed geometry may be employed.

The device may be integrated into the core design of the motorcycle or separately added.

Claims

Claims 1. An articulated pad is positioned in front of the torso of a

motorcycle rider and against which the rider may lean his/her torso so as to obtain resistance to forces exerted on the riders body due to motorcycle acceleration and deceleration and gravity, and which allows lateral movements of the riders body so as to facilitate body movements during cornering
2. An arrangement according to claim I in which the afore mentioned pad is linked to a suspension system which attenuates the accelerations of the pad and the rider's body leaning against it
3. An arrangement according to claim 1 in which the afore mentioned pad is actively moved by a control system and actuator.
4. An arrangement according to claim I in which the afore mentioned pad is linked to an energy absorbing device which in the event of a collision of the motorcycle, collapses in a controlled fashion so as to absorb some of the collision energy and reduce the collision forces experienced by the rider.
5. A motorcycle having an arrangement as daimed in any of the claims I to 4 as a separated assembly fitted to it
6. A motorcycle having an arrangement as claimed in any of the claims I to 4 incorporated as an integral assembly. * ** * * I * I, **S. * S *S*s **S*

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5. An arrangement according to claim I and any or all of claims 2 to 4 in which an upper body force reaction device is a separate addition to a motorcycle manufactured without any such device.

6. An arrangement according to claim 1 and any or all of claims 2 to 4 in which an upper body force reaction device is incorporated as an integral part of a motorcycle (as manufactured) as parts of its core design.

Ameded claims have been filed as follows: Lt Claims 1. An arrangement comprising an articulated pad for positioning on a motorcycle in front of the torso of a rider and against which the rider may lean his/her torso so as to obtain resistance to forces exerted on the torso due to motorcycle acceleration, deceleration and gravity and which is movable laterally to the motorcycle in use to allow lateral movements of the riders body so as to facilitate body movements during cornering.

2. An arrangement according to claim I in which the pad is linked to a suspension system for attenuating accelerations of the pad and the rider's body.

3. An arrangement according to claim I in which the pad is actively movable by a control system and actuator.

4. An arrangement according to claim 1 in which the pad is linked to an energy absorbing device which, in the event of a collision of the motorcycle, is collapsible in a controlled fashion so as to absorb some of the collision energy and reduce the collision forces experienced by the rider.