WO1999041133A1

WO1999041133A1 - Motorcycle roll bar

Info

Publication number: WO1999041133A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/003004
Authority: WO
Inventors: Greysen C. Schmitt
Original assignee: Schmitt Greysen C
Priority date: 1998-02-12
Filing date: 1999-02-12
Publication date: 1999-08-19
Also published as: AU3290399A

Abstract

A roll bar attachment (10) for a motorcycle (12) is disclosed which is designed to reduce injury to the rider (14) in the event of an accident. The structure can be attached to substantially any conventional motorcycle without interfering with the operation of the same. In the preferred embodiment, the roll bar (10) includes an inverted U-shaped frame made of steel tubing (28, 30, 32) or the like having one lower end (18) connected to the lower portion of the motorcycle frame on one side thereof adjacent the seat (16) and which extends upwardly over the top of the rider (14) and downwardly where it again connects at its other free end to the motorcycle frame. The plurality of steel bars (28, 30, 32) that are running essentially parallel to each other are used to support an aerodynamically designed cover (38, 40) which extends throughout essentially the entire length of the bars. A plurality of lights (46, 48, 50, 52, 54) such as brake lights, turning lights, cornering lights and the like can be mounted on the forward (42) and rear (44) edges of the structure at substantially any height and on the sides thereof so as to make the motorcycle more visible to other drivers at night. The structure can also house or be used to support audio speakers (56) or the like on either side which would be located in close proximity to the rider's ears. The lower portions of the structure on either side of the motorcycle can also be used to support storage compartments (58) or the like.

Description

MOTORCYCLE ROLL BAR

Technical Field

The present invention is directed toward a motorcycle roll bar and, more particularly, toward a safety device in the form of a roll bar which is intended to not only protect a motorcyle rider in the event of a fall but also to make the motorcycle more visible to automobile drivers on the road.

Background Art

In recent years, motorcycles are again becoming more popular.

At one time, they were a relatively popular means of transportation but due to the inherent dangers thereof, many people stopped riding motorcycles and, in fact, the motorcycle industry had been in financial trouble.

There has, however, been a recent resurgence in the use of motorcycles. Many people enjoy riding them for the sense of freedom and control that they provide and for the ease and convenience of getting around. That is, motorcycles can maneuver where it is otherwise difficult for a larger vehicle to maneuver and can be more easily parked and garaged than a full size automobile. Furthermore, motorcycles provide a relatively inexpensive mode of transportation compared to automobiles.

It is believed that more people would ride motorcycles and that they would be even more popular but for the fear of injury that can result from riding the same. A minor collision in an automobile or other similar vehicle may result in some property damage but rarely results in significant bodily injury. Even a minor collision when riding a motorcycle, however, unfortunately can result in serious bodily injury. Because a motorcyle is a two-wheeled vehicle, it is also much more prone to fall over as a result of wet or slippery or sandy roads or as a result of rider error in misjudging a turn or the like. Again, this can cause serious bodily injury that would not result if one were driving an automobile.

Most states have laws or regulations requiring motorcycle riders to wear helmets or other protective head gear. Cautious riders, however, will wear helmets even if the same is not mandated by the state. However, even with helmets and other protective clothing, a motorcycle rider is much more likely to be injured in an accident than a person who is in an enclosed automobile or similar vehicle.

Motorcycles are also relatively small vehicles compared to most automobiles and clearly are much smaller than most vans and trucks. They not only are frequently much lower than most other types of vehicles but are clearly much narrower and are not as long. As a result, it is sometimes difficult to see a motorcycle on the road. This obviously also contributes to vehicular accidents with motorcycles.

While motorcycles are equipped with appropriate head, tail, turning and brake lights, because of the size of the motorcycle, all of these lights are relatively close together and are also frequently more difficult to see than corresponding lights on a larger vehicle. Again, this can contribute to more accidents involving motorcycles than other types of vehicles.

There have been proposals in the past to provide motorcycles with roll bars, protective cages or other structures to help reduce injuries.

Examples of such constructions are shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 1 ,473,956 and 4,416,463 and in Reissue Patent No. Re. 33,178. While such structures may be somewhat helpful in reducing injury, to Applicant's knowledge, they have not gained much acceptance. This is probably due to the fact that these proposed structures are either extremely bulky, aesthetically unpleasant, provide too much wind resistance or are too expensive. Furthermore, some of these systems require an entire redesign and custom construction of the motorcycle rather than providing a safety system that can be attached to an existing motorcycle. In any event, such safety structures, while clearly desirable, are not in wide use. To Applicant's knowledge, there is no commercially available structure on the market which can be attached to an existing motorcycle for protecting the rider in the manner proposed by the above-mentioned patents. Thus, there is a continuing need for improvements to motorcycles that would provide protection to riders against injuries in the event of a collision or fall. There is also a continuing need for improvements that would make a motorcycle more visible to other motorists and which would make the motorcycle more comfortable and convenient to ride.

Disclosure of the Invention

The present invention is designed to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art discussed above. It is an object of the present invention to provide an attachment for a motorcycle which protects a motorcycle rider in the event of an accident.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an attachment to a motorcycle which allows the motorcycle to be more easily visible by other motorists on the road.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an attachment for a motorcycle that not only helps to protect the rider from serious injury but is also more aerodynamically designed and aesthetically pleasing.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide an attachment for a motorcycle which can be attached to an existing motorcycle and which may include additional accessories for making the operator's ride more comfortable and convenient. In accordance with the illustrative embodiments, demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided an attachment for a motorcycle which is designed to reduce injury to the rider in the event of an accident. The structure can be attached to substantially any conventional motorcycle without interfering with the operation of the same. In the preferred embodiment, the invention includes an inverted U-shaped frame made of steel tubing or the like having one lower end connected to the lower portion of the motorcycle frame on one side thereof adjacent the seat and which extends upwardly, over the top of the rider and downwardly where it again connects at its other free end to the motorcycle frame. The plurality of steel bars that are running essentially parallel to each other are used to support an aerodynamically designed cover which extends throughout essentially the entire length of the bars. A plurality of lights such as brake lights, turning lights, cornering lights and the like can be mounted on the forward and rear edges of the structure at substantially any height and on the sides thereof so as to make the motorcycle more visible to other drivers at night. The structure can also house or be used to support audio speakers or the like on either side which would be located in close proximity to the rider's ears. The lower portions of the structure on either side of the motorcycle can also be used to support storage compartments or the like.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the accompanying drawings one form which is presently preferred; it being understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. Figure 1 is a front and right side perspective view of a motorcycle roll bar of the present invention shown mounted on and in use with a conventional motorcycle; Figure 2 is a rear elevational view thereof further showing a rider on the motorcycle;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing only the roll bar of the invention, and

Figure 4 is a partial perspective view showing the manner in which a plurality of steel tubes form the support structure for the roll bar.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Referring now to the drawings in detail wherein like reference numerals have been used throughout the various figures to designate like elements, there is shown in Figure 1 a motorcycle roll bar constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated generally as 10. The roll bar 10 is shown assembled on a substantially conventional motorcycle 12. The specific motorcycle 12 shown in the drawings is, of course, by way of example only. As should be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the motorcycle roll bar 10 of the present invention can be adapted to be secured to substantially any style of motorcycle.

The motorcycle roll bar 10 is designed to essentially encircle the rider 14 who is seated on the motorcycle seat 16. To accomplish this, the roll bar 10 has a lower right side portion 18 that connects to the frame of the motorcycle at a midportion thereof but at the lowermost part of the motorcycle frame. Extending upwardly from the bottom right portion 18 is a right side wall 20. A bottom portion 22 which is essentially a mirror image of the bottom portion 18 is attached to the left side of the motorcycle frame as shown in Figure 2. Similarly, a left side wall 24 extends upwardly from the left bottom portion 22 to the left side of the rider 14. A top wall 26 connects the upper portions of the right and left side walls 20 and 24.

While reference has been made to specific bottom portions 18 and 22, right and left side walls 20 and 24 and a top wall 26, it should be readily apparent that these individual elements are preferably part of a continuous structure and are not necessarily separate parts connected together. In the preferred embodiment, these walls may be molded or otherwise formed from a continuous sheet of a high-impact plastic material or the like.

The roll bar 10 is obviously intended to protect the rider 14 from injury. To this end, and as can best be seen from Figure 2, it is substantially in the shape of an omega or an inverted U and extends from the bottom of the motorcycle frame up and around the rider's leg, up over his head and back down again covering his other side and other leg. That is, the roll bar 10 is located essentially over that portion of the seat 16 where a rider 14 normally would sit in order to ride the motorcycle 12.

As shown diagrammatically in Figure 4, the strength of the roll bar 10 is provided by an internal framework of structural steel tubing. For example, structural steel tubing elements 28, 30 and 32 are each formed in essentially an inverted U-shape and extend from one side of the motorcycle up and around the rider to the other side within the interior of the roll bar 10. Appropriate coupling members such as shown at 34 and 36 may be used to connect the steel tubes 28, 30 and 32 to the motorcycle frame. The tubes 28, 30 and 32 are essentially parallel to each other and provide the internal support for the remaining portions of the roll bar 10 and also provide the structural strength needed to protect the rider 14 in the event of a fall or collision.

In order to form the other portions of the roll bar 10 described above, for example, the side walls 20 and 24 and the top wall 26, the steel bars 28, 30 and 32 are covered with a molded high impact plastic as suggested above in order to form continuous inner and outer walls 38 and 40, respectively. As best shown in Figures 1 and 3, the inner and outer walls 38 and 40 are formed so as to provide the roll bar 10 with aerodynamic efficiency. That is, the walls are relatively smooth and extend from the front to the back essentially parallel to the forward movement of the motorcycle 12. Preferably, the leading edge 42 and the trailing edge 44 are tapered so as to further reduce wind resistance. The roll bar 10 is also provided with a plurality of lights such as shown at 46, 48, 50, 52 and 54. Light 50 which is at the top of the roll bar is preferably connected to the brake lighting system so as to turn on when the brakes are applied to give notice to a vehicle behind the motorcycle that motorcycle is slowing down. The lights 46 and 48 on the right side of the roll bar and the lights 52 and 54 on the left side may be connected to the turn signal system and/or to other lighting systems simply for elimination in order to make the motorcycle more visible. Preferably, each of the lights 46, 48, 50, 52 and 54 may be comprised of multiple lamps for providing multiple functions. Furthermore, and particularly with reference to the right and left side lights, these are preferably designed so as to be visible from both the side of the motorcycle and the rear thereof. Some or all of the lights may also be designed so as to be visible from the front of the motorcycle.

The roll bar 10 can also be utilized to support other structures or devices that may help make driving a motorcycle more comfortable and convenient. For example, audio speakers such as shown at 56 can be mounted within the inner wall 38 at positions in the left and right side walls so as to be directed at the rider's ears. This will eliminate the need for the rider to wear earphones or the like if he or she wishes to listen to music while riding. These speakers could also form part of a two-way radio or telephone or other telecommunications system. 8

Furthermore, the roll bar 10 also provides support at the left and right lower portions thereof for storage compartments such as shown at 58 and 60. The storage compartments are preferably hinged at the bottom thereof and can be lowered to expose the center storage areas or raised to close the same. Appropriate latching and locking mechanisms can be provided for maintaining the storage compartments in their closed positions.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A motorcycle roll bar intended to be attached to a motorcycle in order to protect a rider thereon comprising: a structural metal support frame of substantially inverted U- shaped configuration adapted to be connected to the motorcycle frame on either side of the motorcycle, said support frame being arranged so as to extend upwardly and around rider seated on said motorcycle; a cover for said metal support frame, said cover being of a relatively thin aerodynamic configuration and substantially continuously covering said support frame throughout the length thereof; said cover forming continuous interior and exterior walls that are substantially parallel to each other and to the direction of movement of said motorcycle, and a plurality of lights carried by said cover.

2. The motorcycle roll bar as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least some of said lights are visible from the rear of said motorcycle when said roll bar is secured there to.

3. The motorcycle roll bar as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least some of said lights are visible from a side of said motorcycle when said roll bar is secured there to.

4. The motorcycle roll bar as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of said lights is adapted to be connected to the motorcycle brake system so as to provide a visual indication that the brakes have been applied. 10

5. The motorcycle roll bar as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of said lights is adapted to be connected to the motorcycle turn signal system so as to provide a visual indication that the turn signal has been turned on.

6. The motorcycle roll bar as claimed in claim 1 further including storage compartment means carried by said roll bar.

7. The motorcycle roll bar as claimed in claim 6 wherein said storage compartment means includes a pair of storage compartments with one being mounted on either side of said roll bar.