All weather cycle protector

Abstract

A detachable canopy-like cover intended to be used on motor scooters, which can protect cyclists from the elements and provide increased stability for a motor scooter. The cover's lightweight construction is water-resistant yet sturdy enough to be used on the highway. The cover includes a non-shattering molded front shield that protects a cyclist and its passenger from oncoming flying debris. The All Weather Cycle Protector effectively serves to reduce intense temperatures cyclists are exposed to while on a motor scooter. The frame for the cover is constructed of a lightweight material that can easily be attached to the front and back frame of a motor scooter. Clamps are used to hold the frame firmly in place on the under portion of a motor scooter.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Owning a motorcycle or a motor scooter is a great way for an individual to experience the open air feeling one gets while riding safely on the road. In addition, it is an economical approach for a means of transportation. Unfortunately, using a motorcycle or motor scooter as a means of transportation has drawbacks. Some of the significant drawbacks are the inability to “tour” or ride during inclement weather such as rain, coping with the intensity of harmful UV rays on a sunny day and increased safety risks.

[0002] Several motorcycle companies such as BMW and Quasar have designed and sold bikes that have offered cyclists protection during inclement weather. In the mid-1970's the Quasar motorcycle that was designed in the United Kingdom by Newall and Leamer was considered revolutionary for its time. The hood and the body of the motorcycle were made out of the same fiberglass material. In fact, the cycle resembled a small car made for one, which took away from the concept of a traditional motorcycle. Only 20 machines were sold between 1977 and 1982.

[0003] In more recent years, BMW Corporation markets a hooded motor scooter designed to protect cyclists during inclement weather. Cyclists are currently driving BMW's hooded motor scooter, called the C1, all across Europe. However, BMW does not have a patent for the C1 in the United States. The major drawback of BMW's C1 is that the canopy, which acts as the hood for the motor scooter, is non-detachable and does not sufficiently protect its passengers from the elements.

[0004] Over the years, other assemblies for a canopy or cover have been designed to offer a cyclist and their passenger protection during inclement weather. However, the canopy or cover designs that have been developed contain several drawbacks. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,173 issued Jan. 4, 2000 to Chyan-Luen has a metal frame that will eventually rust from exposure to the rain. Another patented item with drawbacks is U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,718 issued Aug. 11, 1998 to Boutin. When the cycle is fully enclosed the wind will shift the cover panel from side to side causing the driver to become unstable. This is due in part to the cover lacking a bar to support the sides of the transparent enclosure. Therefore, it still remained desirable to design a removable canopy or cover to address the various needs of cyclists and their passengers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is the primary object of the All Weather Cycle Protector to provide an efficient, economical and safe way to protect cyclists and passengers on motor scooters during inclement weather. While this invention is sturdy and rust resistant, it can be easily attached or detached depending on the conditions of the weather. It is designed to protect cyclist from the elements when they are on the road. The All Weather Cycle Protector acts as a canopy protecting cyclist from harmful UV sun rays and flying debris such as rocks, while providing stability in moderately windy conditions. When it is wet outside, the All Weather Cycle Protector will also allow the cyclist to remain reasonably dry. The All Weather Cycle Protector design enables cyclists to have added safety in turns. In addition, when a motor scooter is dropped low on its side the frames lower poles, which extend outward from the motor scooter, acts as a guard.

[0006] After using a variety of different materials, including sheet metal and plastic, a final design was developed with standard tarp, PVC pipes, and molded Plexiglas™. The standard tarp is used on the top as well as the back portion of the frame. The tarp has proved to be very beneficial because it is lightweight, water-resistant and economical. The canopy design has a streamlined, as well as, aerodynamic effect. The streamlined design protects the driver and/or the passenger from the elements and flying debris from the front, top, and back angles. The streamlined effect of the frame is useful to the driver because it will enable them to see at various angles while they are driving.

[0007] The front of the All Weather Cycle Protector that houses the molded Plexiglas™ windshield also adds to the aerodynamic effect of the design. This effect is achieved in part through the poles, which are tightly wrapped in standard tarp that extends downward and can be clamped onto the bottom of a motor scooter. Drivers will feel the benefit of this design when turning corners and under moderately windy conditions. The poles on the front portion of the frame in no way restrict driving and turning capabilities.

[0008] In addition, unlike traditional motor scooters, the elevated feature of the All Weather Cycle Protector's rear poles makes motor scooters more visible to other drivers. Also, when the cycle is in an unattended-parked position, such as a parking space, the elevated poles of the All Weather Cycle Protector will allow oncoming motorists to see that the parking space is being occupied.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION (CONT.)

[0009] In essence, the highly unique design of the All Weather Cycle Protector doesn't take away from the performance of the cycle when it is attached and it will not take away the look or feeling of riding a motor scooter. The All Weather Cycle Protector provides cyclists with a means of enjoying a ride on a motor scooter without concern for changes in weather conditions and added safety features not inherent in most motor scooters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0010] FIG. 1—Front and a portion of the top view of the All Weather Cycle Protector.

[0011] FIG. 2—Side view of the All Weather Cycle Protector when attached to a motor scooter.

[0012] FIG. 3—Overall construction of the All Weather Cycle Protector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The materials used in the construction of the All Weather Cycle Protector:

[0014] Stainless steel clamps

[0015] Flathead Phillips screws

[0016] PVC pipes

[0017] PVC glue

[0018] Molded Plexiglas™

[0019] Two & three-way PVC Pipe connectors

[0020] Standard tarp (8×9 inches)

[0021] The front of the All Weather Cycle Protector frame 1 is constructed of PVC Pipe and is held together with two and three-way connectors, (in various locations) screws, PVC glue and stainless steel clamps as shown in FIG. 1A. Two 61½-inch PVC pipes 2 run from top to bottom of the All Weather Cycle Protector. The pipes are in 4 sections—Top left-hand side, top right-hand side, middle left-hand since, and middle right-hand side—so that the PVC pipes could be connected into the three-way connectors with PVC glue for added durability for the outer side of the frame.

[0022] The molded Plexiglas™ 3 that shields cyclists from flying debris is screwed into the three-way connectors: middle right-hand side and the middle left-hand side 4. Three 21½-inch PVC pipes 5 are connected in the same manner for the top, bottom and middle sections of the front side. Next, the bottom front 21½-inch PVC pipes are connected with two-way connectors on the left and right side to the bottom portion of the motor scooter. The front end of the motor scooter 6 extends through the bottom portion of the All Weather Cycle Protector frame so that each side could be held together with two stainless steel clamps (for it to be removable) as depicted in FIG. 3 on the A and B sides 7.

[0023] The front top corners are at a 45-degree angle 8 while the top back corners are at a 90-degree angle 9. The top and back of the All Weather Cycle Protector frame is covered with standard tarp. This provides an adequate flow of air when the motor scooter is in motion. The PVC pipes are extended much longer on the front sides of the All Weather Cycle Protector where additional stainless steel clamps are located for extra security. In addition, consideration should be given to the width and length of the motor scooter since the front point of the motor scooter must stick out through the bottom section of the All Weather Cycle Protector frame in order to be adequately attached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (CONT.)

[0024] The back section of the All Weather Cycle Protector is constructed by using two 50-inch long PVC pipes 10. The two 50-inch pipes were cut into four sections. The sides of the top portion of the all Weather Cycle Protector frame 11 is attached with three-way connectors and PVC glue. Three 21½-inch PVC pipes 12 are also used for the top, middle and bottom sections of the frame. Again the top middle PVC pipes are connected with PVC glue and three-way connectors. The PVC pipe at the bottom is connected with two-way connectors 13. The bottom PVC pipes rests on the rear frame of the motor scooter and is attached with four stainless steel clamps 14. As depicted in FIG. 3, C and D indicates where the clamps are positioned on the All Weather Cycle Protector for it to be removable.

Claims

1. A removable All Weather Cycle Protector made for a motor scooter comprising:

a detachable rust resistant cover that can be used on a motor scooter during inclement weather. The front of the All Weather Cycle Protector frame is constructed of PVC Pipe and is held together with two and three-way connectors, (in various locations) screws, PVC glue and stainless steel clamps. Two 61½-inch PVC pipes run from top to bottom of the All Weather Cycle Protector. The pipes are in 4 sections—Top left-hand side, top right-hand side, middle left-hand since, and middle right-hand side—so that the PVC pipes could be connected into the three-way connectors with PVC glue for added durability for the outer side of the frame. The molded Plexiglas™ that shields cyclists from flying debris is screwed into the three-way connectors: middle right-hand side and the middle left-hand side. Three 21½-inch PVC pipes are connected in the same manner for the top, bottom and middle sections of the front side. Next, the bottom front 21½-inch PVC pipes are connected with two-way connectors on the left and right side to the bottom portion of the motor scooter. The front end of the motor scooter extends through the bottom portion of the All Weather Cycle Protector frame so that each side could be held together with two stainless steel clamps (for it to be removable). The top and back of the All Weather Cycle Protector frame is covered with standard tarp. The front top corners are at a 45-degree angle while the top back corners are at a 90-degree angle. This provides an adequate flow of air when the motor scooter is in motion. The back portion of the All Weather Cycle Protector acts as a back support for the passenger. In addition, the sides of the motor scooter were measured to further claim how the front point of the motor scooter must stick out through the bottom window section of the frame to depict how it is attached and act as a guard. The PVC pipes are extended much longer on the sides in the front to show where additional stainless steel clamps are located for extra security. The canopy design has a streamlined, as well as, aerodynamic effect. The streamlined design protects the driver and/or the passenger from the elements and flying debris from the front, top, and back angles. The highly unique design of the All Weather Cycle Protector doesn't take away from the performance of the motor scooter when it is attached.

2. All Weather Cycle Protector of claim 1, front molded Plexiglas™ and top and rear tarp gives airflow to keep driver and passenger reasonably cool.

3. All Weather Cycle Protector of claim 1, rear poles makes motor scooters more visible to other drivers.

4. All Weather Cycle Protector of claim 1 said streamlined effect useful to the driver to enable them to see at various angles.

5. All Weather Cycle Protector of claim 1 does not hinder the performance of the motor scooter.

6. All Weather Cycle Protector of claim 1, front, top and rear poles give stability from moving vehicles.

7. All Weather Cycle Protector of claim 1, front and rear poles act as a guard when the motor scooter is dropped on the side.

8. All Weather Cycle Protector of claim 1, lower front poles said stick out along the sides to protect the driver and passenger from unleveled roads when turning.