WEARABLE MOTORCYCLE HEAT-SHIELD

Abstract

A wearable motorcycle heat-shield, intended for use by a rider in order to prevent burns from the exhaust pipes of the motorcycle. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield is comprised of a planar central heat-shield with a planar fabric region disposed on either side. The planar fabric regions are temporarily attachable through the use of hook-and-loop fasteners, or other temporary fastening means. The planar central heat-shield is comprised of a heat-shield laminate covered with a heat-shield cover. The heat shield laminate contains at least one radiant-heat-reflecting layer, such as a foil, and at least one layer of thermally resistant material, such as woven or nonwoven thermally resistive felt.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to the class of apparel and the sub-classes of apparel for legs and guards or protectors. Specifically, this invention relates to a wearable heat-shield for a motorcycle rider.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention is a wearable motorcycle heat-shield. The present invention is intended to fill a need in the motor sports market—namely, the hazard of burning one's leg on the motorcycle exhaust pipe. Most motorcycles have an exposed exhaust pipe. In order to prevent burns, riders can wear expensive, bulky, and hot full-body protective suits. Although such a solution prevents burning, it is very uncomfortable in warm weather. Many riders rely on denim or other heavy pant material to prevent the hazard of exhaust burns on the leg, but this solution is prone to failure. Additionally, many heavy pant materials are uncomfortable in the warm summer months.

What the market is seeking is a light-weight and removable solution that can prevent the motorcycle enthusiast from being burned by the exhaust pipe without making the rider unduly warm or uncomfortable. There is currently no product on the market that adequately fills this market need. The present invention is a light-weight and durable wearable heat-shield that is localized, allowing the rider to wear it on the part of the leg most likely to be burned by the exhaust—the rider's calf. The present invention is easily wearable and storable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is intended to disclose the present invention, a wearable motorcycle heat-shield. The embodiments and descriptions are used to illustrate the invention and its utility, and are not intended to limit the invention or its use. The present invention is a wearable motorcycle heat-shield, intended to be worn by a motorcycle rider or passenger. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield is intended to be temporarily worn by a motorcycle rider or passenger, (“User”) in order to reduce or eliminate the risk of burning the User's leg(s) on the motorcycle exhaust.

The wearable motorcycle heat-shield has three regions or areas: a central heat-shield with a fabric region disposed on either side. In the preferred embodiment, the fabric regions and the central heat-shield share an integral base layer, which is constructed from a perforated synthetic fabric. The heat-shield region has a heat-shield cover and a heat-shield laminate. The heat-shield cover, enveloping the heat-shield laminate, is durably glued, thermal bonded, or sewn to the center of the two-ply fabric, making three distinct regions. The heat-shield region has a top seam, a bottom seam, and two side seams. Each fabric region has a top edge, a bottom edge, and an outer side edge. The inner edge of each fabric region is durably attached to the central heat-shield region at a side seam.

The base-layer of the fabric regions and of the central heat-shield region are constructed from light-weight and durable textiles or synthetic materials such as cotton, cotton-polyester blends, polyesters, rayon, polyester-polyurea co-polymer, nylon, fire-resistant polymers, fire-retardant polymers, or a combination of one or more of the above. The base-layer of the fabric regions and of the central heat-shield region may contain small perforations in order to dissipate heat. The central heat-shield region is durably attached to the fabric regions at the side seams, through gluing, thermal bonding, or stitching. In the preferred embodiment, this is accomplished by gluing, thermal bonding, or stitching the heat-shield cover to the base-layer.

The fabric regions have an outer surface and an inner surface. In the preferred embodiment, the outer surface and inner surface are separate plys of a two-ply material. The fabric regions have a fastening means, for temporarily attaching together the two fabric regions. The preferred embodiment is for the fabric regions to have at least one strip of a hook-and-loop fastener on each of its inner and outer surfaces. The strips of hook-and-loop fasteners on the outer surface of one fabric region mate with the strips of hook-and-loop fasteners on the inner surface of the other fabric region, and vice versa. In this way, the wearable motorcycle heat-shield can be wrapped in either direction about the leg of the user. The use of hook-and-loop fasteners in this configuration allows the present invention, a wearable motorcycle heat-shield, to be adjusted to fit any sized User, making it a one-size-fits all device. The present invention is intended to fit between the User's knee and ankle, on the User's calf.

The central heat shield is comprised of a heat-shield cover and a heat-shield laminate. Typically, the heat-shield laminate is constructed from alternating two layers of thermally resistive felt with two layers of radiant-heat-resistant foil. The laminate should be oriented so that a layer of radiant-heat-resistant foil is the outer-most. The felt may be woven or non-woven, and is generally fabricated from synthetic materials. The heat-shield laminate is contained in a heat-shield cover. In the preferred embodiment, the heat-shield cover of the central heat-shield is attached to the integral piece of two-ply fabric using adhesive, thermal bonding, or stitching along the top seam, bottom seam and side seams of the central heat-shield. The heat-shield cover may be made from light-weight and durable textiles or synthetic materials such as cotton, cotton-polyester blends, polyesters, rayon, polyester-polyurea co-polymer, nylon, fire-resistant polymers, fire-retardant polymers, or a combination of one or more of the above. The heat-shield cover and/or the integral fabric of the central heat-shield region may be treated with a high-friction surface material treatment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated with 9 drawings on 5 sheets.

FIG. 1 is a lateral view of the outer surface of the present invention, a wearable motorcycle heat-shield in a longitudinally extended configuration.

FIG. 2 is a lateral view of the present invention, a wearable motorcycle heat-shield in a partially enclosed configuration.

FIG. 3 is a lateral view of the present invention being used, in situ, by a user.

FIG. 4 a lateral view of the present invention, a wearable motorcycle heat-shield, in a circular enclosed configuration.

FIG. 5 is an isolation top view of the radiant-heat-resistant layer of the heat-shield laminate.

FIG. 6 is an isolation top view of the thermally resistive felt layer of the heat-shield laminate.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the heat-shield laminate, showing alternating layers of radiant-heat-resistant layers and thermally resistive layers.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the present invention in a partially enclosed configuration.

FIG. 9A is a lateral view of the inner surface of the present invention.

FIG. 9B is an isolation of two layers of the material used as the base-layer of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following descriptions are not meant to limit the invention, but rather to add to the summary of invention, and illustrate the present invention, a wearable motorcycle heat shield. The present invention is illustrated with a variety of drawings showing various aspects of the invention, including a currently preferred embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a lateral view of the outer surface of the present invention 1, a wearable motorcycle heat-shield 1; FIG. 9A is a lateral view of the inner surface of the present invention 1, a wearable motorcycle heat-shield 1. FIG. is a lateral view of the present invention 1 in a partially enclosed configuration. FIG. 3 is a lateral view of the present invention 1 being used by a motorcycle rider on their leg 100.

Motorcycle mufflers often burn motorcycle riders and passengers. The present invention 1, a wearable motorcycle heat-shield 1, is intended to be temporarily worn on the leg 100 of a motorcycle rider or passenger (“User”), in order to reduce or eliminate the risk of burning the User's leg 100 on the motorcycle exhaust. The present invention 1, a wearable motorcycle heat-shield 1, is one-size-fits-all. The present invention 1 is intended to be worn by the User on the thigh 101 or calf of the leg 102, 104. The present invention 1 is intended to be worn by a User on their leg 100, on a temporary basis.

In the preferred embodiment, the wearable motorcycle heat-shield 1 has a base layer constructed from an integral piece of fabric 300. The base layer has an outer surface 330 and an inner surface 440. The base layer 300 is trisected so that there are three regions, a central heat-shield region 110 and two fabric regions 11, 12. The two fabric regions 11, 12 are drawn to be equal in size, but that is not a limitation of the present invention 1. The central heat-shield region 110 is not the same shape and size as the fabric regions 11, 12. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield 1 has a central heat-shield region 110 with a fabric region 11, 12 disposed on each side. In FIG. 1, the central heat-shield region 110 is defined by the heat-shield cover 10. The central heat-shield region 110 and the fabric regions 11, 12 are planar. The heat-shield cover 10 has a top seam 26, a bottom seam 24, and two side seams 23, 25. The fabric region 11 has a top edge 21, a bottom edge 17, and an outer side edge 22. The fabric region 12 has a top edge 20, a bottom edge 18, and an outer side edge 19. The fabric region 11 and the central heat-shield 110 cover 10 meet at a seam 23 where the heat-shield cover 10 is durably joined to the integral fabric base layer 300 The fabric region 12 and the central heat-shield cover 10 meet at a seam 25 where the heat-shield cover 10 is durably joined to the integral fabric 300. The integral piece of fabric used in the base layer 300 is a light-weight and durable textile or synthetic material such as cotton, cotton-polyester blends, polyesters, rayon, polyester-polyurea co-polymer, nylon, fire-resistant polymers, fire-retardant polymers, or a combination of one or more of the above. Referring to FIG. 9B, in the preferred embodiment, the integral fabric base layer 300 is two-ply, meaning that the inner surface 440 and the outer surface 330 are two distinct layers of material. Making light-weight and durable textiles or synthetic fabrics from such materials is unremarkable and well-known in the art. The integral fabric base layer 300 may contain perforations 499 to dissipate heat away from the User's leg 100. The heat-shield cover 10 may be durably joined to the integral fabric base layer 300 using adhesive, thermal bonding, or stitching.

Each fabric region 11, 12 has an outer surface 31, 32 and an inner surface 41, 42. Like the fabric regions 11, 12, the central heat-shield region has an outer surface, the heat-shield cover 10, and an opposed and identical inner surface. In the preferred embodiment, the inner surface of the central heat-shield region 110 is bounded by four seams 23, 24, 25, 26 (see FIG. 9A). A heat-shield laminate is between the inner and outer surface of the central heat-shield region 110. The fabric regions 11, 12 of the wearable motorcycle heat-shield 1 have at least one strip of a hook-and-loop fastener on each surface.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer surface 31 of the fabric region 11 has two strips of hook-and-loop fasteners 13, 14; the outer surface 32 of the fabric region 12 has two strips of hook-and-loop fasteners 15, 16; the inner surface of the fabric region 11 has two strips of hook-and-loop fasteners 43, 44; and the inner surface 42 of the fabric region 12 has two strips of hook-and-loop fasteners 45, 46.

Now referencing FIG. 3, the strips of hook-and-loop fasteners 13, 14 on the outer surface 31 of the fabric region 11 mate with the strips of hook-and-loop fasteners 45, 46 on the inner surface 42 of the fabric region 12. Alternately (not shown in FIG. 3), the strips of hook-and-loop fasteners 15, 16 on the outer surface 32 of the fabric region 12 mate with the strips of hook-and-loop fasteners 43, 44 on the inner surface 41 of the fabric region 11. In this way, the wearable motorcycle heat-shield 1 can be wrapped in either direction about the leg 100 of the User. The configuration of the hook-and-loop fasteners 13, 14, 15, 16, 43, 44, 45, 46 on the inner 41, 42 and outer surface 31, 32 makes the present invention 1 one-size-fits-all. The present invention 1 fits between the User's knee 102 and ankle 104, commonly called the calf region, terminating above the user's 100 shoe 103. Alternately, the present invention 1 also fits on the User's thigh 101.

FIG. 4 shows the present invention 1 wrapped with its inner surfaces 41, 42 exposed. FIG. 8 shows the present invention 1 partially enclosed, with both the inner surfaces 41, 42 and outer surfaces 31, 32 exposed. The heat-shield cover 10 is also visible in FIG. 8. Previously discussed elements are visible in FIG. 4 such as the top edge 26 of the heat-shield covering 10, the top edge 21 of the fabric region 11, the top edge 20 of the fabric region 12, the bottom edge 24 of the heat-shield cover 10, the bottom edge 17 of the fabric region 11, the bottom edge 18 of the fabric region 12, and the at least one strip of hook-and-loop fasteners 43, 44, 45, 46.

FIGS. 5-7 show layers of the heat-shield laminate 200, as well as the layers, themselves. FIG. 5 shows the heat-resistant foil layer 210. The heat-resistant foil layer 210 of the heat-shield laminate 200 can be constructed from many commercially available radiant-heat-resistant foil materials. A heat-resistant foil layer 210 should be the outer-most layer of the heat-shield laminate 200. The inner layer 211 is a thermally resistive woven or non-woven synthetic fiber felt. FIG. 7 shows the preferred configuration for the heat-shield laminate 200 with two layers of thermally resistive felt 211 alternating with two layers of radiant-heat-resistant foil 210. The radiant-heat-resistant foil 210 layer is outer-most. The heat-shield laminate 200 is contained in a heat-shield cover 10. The heat-shield cover 10 may be made from light-weight and durable textiles or synthetic materials such as cotton, cotton-polyester blends, polyesters, rayon, polyester-polyurea co-polymer, nylon, fire-resistant polymers, fire-retardant polymers, or a combination of one or more of the above.

The central heat-shield 110 may be treated on one or both sides with a surface treatment such as an elastomer or other high-friction surface treatment. Typically, the elastomer will be taken as one or more of the following materials: Polyisoprene, Polybutadiene, Chloroprene rubber, Polychloroprene, Neoprene, Butyl rubber, Styrene-butadiene Rubber, Nitrile rubber, Hydrogenated Nitrile Rubber (HNBR), Ethylene Propylene Rubber, Ethylene Propylene Diene Rubber, Epichlorohydrin rubber, Polyacrylic rubber, Silicone rubber, Fluorosilicone Rubber, Perfluoroelastomers (FFKM), Chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM), and Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). Typically, the treatment will be added to the inner surface of the central heat-shield 110 between the seams 23, 24, 25, 26.

Claims

1. A wearable motorcycle heat-shield device comprised of

a planar central heat-shield having an inner and outer surface and being comprised of a heat-shield cover, having a top seam, a bottom seam, a first side seam, and a second side seam, the heat-shield cover being at least the outer surface of the planar central heat-shield, and a heat-shield laminate;

a first planar fabric region with an outer surface and an inner surface;

a second planar fabric region with an outer surface and an inner surface;

wherein each planar fabric region has a top edge, a bottom edge, and an outer edge;

wherein the heat-shield cover is durably attached to the first planar fabric region at the first side seam and the heat-shield cover is durably attached to the second planar region at the second side seam and

wherein the wearable motorcycle heat-shield device has a means for temporarily attaching, together, the two planar fabric regions, so that the device may be temporarily worn by a user.

2. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield device of claim 1, wherein the means of temporarily attaching, together, the two planar fabric regions are hook-and-loop fasteners.

3. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield device of claim 2, wherein the inner surface and outer surface of the two planar fabric regions have at least one strip of hook-and-loop fasteners

4. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield device of claim 3, wherein the hook-and-loop fasteners are arranged so that the hook-and-loop fastener on the outer surface of the first planar fabric region mates with the hook-and-loop fastener on the inner surface of the second planar fabric region.

5. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield device of claim 4, wherein the hook-and-loop fasteners are further so arranged that, alternately, the hook-and-loop fastener on the outer surface of the second planar fabric region mates with the hook-and-loop fastener on the inner surface of the first planar fabric region.

6. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield device of claim 5, wherein the configuration of the hook-and-loop fasteners on the first and second planar regions allows the wearable motorcycle heat-shield device to be adjusted to accommodate any sized user.

7. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield device of claim 1, wherein the heat-shield cover is durably attached to an integral piece of fabric as a base layer so that the inner surface of the central heat-shield, the inner surface of the first planar fabric region, and the inner surface of the second planar fabric region are all a common surface of the integral piece of fabric base layer.

8. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield device of claim 7, wherein the integral piece of fabric base layer is constructed from at least one of cotton, cotton-polyester blends, polyesters, rayon, polyester-polyurea co-polymer, nylon, fire-resistant polymers, fire-retardant polymers, and a combination of one or more of the above.

9. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield device of claim 8, wherein the integral piece of fabric base layer is perforated in order to dissipate heat.

10. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield device of claim 9, wherein the integral piece of fabric base layer is a two-ply fabric so that the inner surface of the base layer and the outer surface of the base layer are constructed from different plys.

11. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield device of claim 10, wherein the heat-shield cover is durably attached to the first planar fabric region at the first side seam using at least one of adhesive, thermal bonding, and stitching.

12. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield device of claim 11, wherein the heat-shield cover is durably attached to the second planar fabric region at the second side seam using at least one of adhesive, thermal bonding, and stitching.

13. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield device of claim 12, wherein the heat-shield cover is fabricated from a material, wherein the material is at least one of cotton, cotton-polyester blends, polyesters, rayon, polyester-polyurea co-polymer, nylon, fire-resistant polymers, fire-retardant polymers, and a combination of one or more of the above.

14. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield device of claim 13, wherein the heat-shield laminate is constructed from two layers of thermally resistive felt alternating with two layers of radiant-heat-reflecting foil, wherein a layer of the radiant-heat-reflecting foil is outer-most.

15. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield device of claim 14, wherein at least the inner surface of the central heat-shield region is treated with a high-friction material.

16. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield device of claim 15, wherein the high-friction material is an elastomer.

17. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield device of claim 16, wherein the elastomer is at least one of Polyisoprene, Polybutadiene, Chloroprene rubber, Polychloroprene, Neoprene, Butyl rubber, Styrene-butadiene Rubber, Nitrile rubber, Hydrogenated Nitrile Rubber (HNBR), Ethylene Propylene Rubber, Ethylene Propylene Diene Rubber, Epichlorohydrin rubber, Polyacrylic rubber, Silicone rubber, Fluorosilicone Rubber, Perfluoroelastomers (FFKM), Chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM), and Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA).

18. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield device of claim 1, wherein the heat-shield laminate has at least one layer of radiant-heat-reflecting material and at least one layer of thermally resistive material.