Occupant Engaging Patents (Class 280/304.4)
  • Patent number: 8967315
    Abstract: A kit for converting a motorcycle into a police motorcycle includes right and left-side drop bars, a rear drop bar, and a front impact guard. The kit further includes right and left-side saddlebags that open in a clamshell position or in a side-opening position. A controller compartment positioned above and between the saddlebags contains a controller for operation of the various electrical components of the police motorcycle, including visual and audio effects. The kit also includes flashers integrated into the front headlight and front handlebar risers that raise the handlebars sufficiently to allow a rider to sit upright, instead of prone, for better observation of the surroundings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventor: George Lescallett
  • Patent number: 8720930
    Abstract: A collision protection structure to protect the shoulders includes a connecting member for fixedly attaching to a vehicle frame and an external shell positioned on the outer side of said connecting member. The collision protection structure also includes a protective foam disposed on the inner side of the external shell, a shoulder protection bracket fixedly attached to the connecting member, and a mounting bracket fixedly attached to the shoulder protection bracket. The mounting bracket is positioned between the protective foam and the shoulder protection bracket, said protective foam being fixedly arranged between the mounting bracket and the external shell. The present collision protection structure improves overall safety performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Suzhou Eagle Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xueqing Zhang, Jian Yan
  • Patent number: 8388008
    Abstract: A leg support for a motorcycle and/or bicycle including a support member, a body portion and at least one securing means for securing said body portion and/or support member to the motorcycle, whereby the leg support provides a means of assisting a person to hold their body in a forward position while riding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Inventor: Stephen Smith
  • Patent number: 8382137
    Abstract: A motorcycle backrest with an integrated lighting system that can be connected to a motorcycle's existing lighting system. The motorcycle back rest additionally comprises of a protective cover with cushioning to protect any unique designs or paint applied to the motorcycle back rest frame. The lighting system can increase visibility of motorcyclist and may prevent any potential accidents. The lighting system implements a dim, bright, and flashing system to indicate that the motorcycle is either running, braking, or signaling for a turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Nusret
  • Patent number: 8215655
    Abstract: A retractable safety bar device for a rear passenger of a vehicle such as a water vehicle, snow vehicle, or motorcycle featuring two mounting brackets for attaching to sides of the vehicle; an inner bar pivotally attached to each mounting bracket; a generally U-shaped gripping component comprising two side bars and a horizontal bar, the side bars are adapted for telescopically receiving the inner bars; the device is adjustable in height by moving the gripping component upwardly and downwardly with respect to the inner bars, the device can pivot forwardly and backwardly between various pivot positions with respect to the mounting brackets; and locking mechanisms for securing the gripping component at a certain height with respect to the first inner bar and second inner bar and for securing the safety bar device in a particular pivot position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: Randall R. Wright
  • Patent number: 8141894
    Abstract: An invention apparatus designed to serve as a functional add-on accessory for V-twin cylinder motorcycle engines. The invention Custom Cylinder Grate Assembly (CCGA) is configured to perform three functions simultaneously as the invention protects V-twin engine cylinders from damage, reduces the risk potential burn injuries to motorcycle operators and provides an attractive custom appearance for the V-twin engine cylinders. Components of the invention are designed to encircle the V-twin engine cylinders shielding the cylinders from damage caused by flying road debris and exposure to environmental elements. The invention serves as a physical barrier between hot V-twin engine cylinders and the motorcycle operator. The inventions barrier prohibits the motorcycle rider from direct contact with the hot V-twin engine cylinders, mitigating the risk of burns or injury to the rider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Inventor: Terry Alan Young
  • Patent number: 7967316
    Abstract: A body frame of a straddle-type vehicle includes a frame extending along an outer side surface of a fuel tank. A first vibration isolating member is sandwiched between the frame and the fuel tank. Vibration transmitted to the fuel tank through the body frame is damped by the first vibration isolating member. A second vibration isolation member may be sandwiched between a seat of the vehicle and an upper surface of the fuel tank to further damp vibrations. The vibration members may be integrated with a cover of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshinori Chisuwa
  • Patent number: 7934741
    Abstract: A retractable safety bar device for a rear passenger of a motorcycle comprising a gripping component comprising a side bars adapted for telescopically receiving a inner bars, wherein the safety bar device is adjustable in height by moving the gripping component upwardly and downwardly with respect to the first inner bars, wherein the gripping component can be locked in place via a first locking mechanism; and mounting brackets pivotally attached to the inner bars, wherein the mounting brackets are for attaching the inner bars to sides of the motorcycle; wherein the safety bar device is adjustable in position by moving the inner bars forwardly and backwardly with respect to the mounting brackets, wherein the inner bars can be locked in place via a second locking mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Inventor: Randall R. Wright
  • Publication number: 20100219609
    Abstract: A motorcycle grip pad comprises a base layer of elastomeric material having spaced bumps on a top surface. An adhesive layer is on a bottom surface. The area of the pad is between 1000 and 4000 mm2. A motorcycle grip system also includes a reaction patch of relatively rigid material having apertures spaced and arranged in the same way as the bumps on the pad. The patch is adapted for connection to a motorcycle rider's suit or other apparel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: MOTO COMP LIMITED
    Inventor: Malcolm Wootton
  • Patent number: 7669678
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an all terrain straddle-type vehicle for carrying a load including a rider. The vehicle includes a frame, a plurality of wheels, a rear fender, a front fender, and a body panel. The wheels, including front and rear wheels coupled to the frame. The fenders are secured to the frame for covering the wheels. The fenders are formed from a plastic material having a smooth portion and a textured portion thereon. The smooth and textured portions are disposed adjacent to one another and formed integrally on the fender. The textured portion is positioned on the fender in a location of frequent rider or other load contact. The body panel is secured to the frame forward of the rear fender. The body panel includes a textured portion situated in a location of frequent rider contact. A method of manufacturing a fender is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy W. Benedict, Ole E. Tweet
  • Patent number: 7658252
    Abstract: Wheeled riding vehicles, including tricycles, with extremely thin stowed profiles are provided, which in one embodiment, include movable, collapsible tires/wheel axle assemblies, as well as folding frame parts and a unique handle that is removable and stowable within the vehicle frame when not used. The riding vehicle hangs totally flat on the wall, or fits in car trunks easily. One version is pedal powered, and a second embodiment provides for an integrated propulsion linkage providing for battery or motor power to the rear most wheels when they are moved into their operative position. The rear tire wheel assemblies also may be stowed and folded compactly inside a rear storage compartment with a lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Richard N. Shapiro
  • Publication number: 20100007115
    Abstract: A motorcycle grip pad comprises a base layer of elastomeric material having spaced bumps on a top surface. An adhesive layer is on a bottom surface. The area of the pad is between 1000 and 4000 mm2. A motorcycle grip system also includes a reaction patch of relatively rigid material having apertures spaced and arranged in the same way as the bumps on the pad. The patch is adapted for connection to a motorcycle rider's suit (74,88) or other apparel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: MOTO COMP LIMITED
    Inventor: Malcolm Wootton
  • Patent number: 7594673
    Abstract: A collar or sleeve configured to lie snugly adjacent the cavity formed by the inner wall of a bumper hitch receiver, and including a longitudinal gap allowing the sleeve to resiliently flex inwardly to facilitate insertion of the sleeve within the receiver, to assure contact with the inner wall of the receiver. The device may also include a flange or lip outstanding from the trailing edge of the sleeve, to prevent insertion within the receiver too far to allow easy extraction when no longer needed; a finger curl may also extend rearward from the sleeve, to facilitate extraction of the sleeve from the bumper hitch receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Inventor: Gary W. Devlin
  • Publication number: 20090236822
    Abstract: A bicycle rider seat brace for maintaining the buttocks of a bicycle rider in a stationary position on a racing bicycle seat during seated pedaling includes an elongate member for being attached to the bicycle at a position below the bicycle seat and having a rearwardly extending end positioned behind the bicycle seat, and a bracing element carried by the rearwardly extending end of the elongate member and positioned proximate a rearward most portion of the seat for engaging a central part of the buttocks of the rider and preventing the buttocks from moving rearwardly past the bracing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Kenneth Scott Andrews
  • Patent number: 7537233
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, a saddle seat, and a separation unit. The frame includes a seat support and a pedal assembly adapted to be operated by two legs of a rider. The saddle seat is mounted on the seat support above the pedal assembly. The separation unit is adapted to prevent interfering movements between the two legs of the rider. The separation unit is connected to the seat support, and is disposed in front of the saddle seat and above the pedal assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Gomier Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshi Huang
  • Patent number: 7364195
    Abstract: The present invention provides a rider restricting device of a two-wheeled vehicle which is easily applicable to a small-sized vehicle and, at the same time, can absorb a frontward load and alleviate a load applied to a rider. The rider restricting device has left and right knee portion pads such that a pad support member for each mounts to a connecting member such that a load absorbing member is mounted in either the pad support member or the connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Tsunoda, Norihiro Kurata, Hideaki Akiyama, Yutaka Murata, Takashi Ogino
  • Patent number: 7195248
    Abstract: An wheelbarrow attachment for a typical wheelbarrow, the attachment removably fitting over the lip and bucket of the back of the wheelbarrow and therefrom extending upward and backward from the rear of the bucket. The u-channels fitting the bucket are connectively braced. Inner uprights attach to the u-channels and are adjustably fitted for height, and fore and aft adjustment of a padded cross plate connecting the inner uprights. A user braces and pushes with his/her body, offering greater force for propelling the wheelbarrow and greater stability in handling a loaded wheelbarrow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Inventor: Gregg B. Miesch
  • Patent number: 7073808
    Abstract: An engine guard for a motorcycle is made so that it will mount onto a motorcycle frame and has horizontally extending rail sections on opposite sides of the frame. Foot pegs are mounted at the outer ends of the horizontally extending sections. The foot pegs are positioned on opposite sides of the motorcycle and will pivot about a generally horizontal axis from a deployed position where they extend outwardly from the horizontal rail sections to a stowed position wherein the foot pegs are nested into a recess provided in the top of the respective horizontal rail section. The foot pegs include anti-slip surfaces. The stowed position moves the foot pegs inwardly, and provides a surface for supporting the feet of a rider. When the pegs are extended outwardly, the feet on the pegs are spaced at a greater distance from the center plane of the motorcycle than when the foot pegs are in the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Kuryakyn Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig P. Egan
  • Patent number: 7040641
    Abstract: Disclosed is a wheelchair for transporting a patient. The wheelchair comprises a support frame having a front, a rear, and opposing sides with the front and rear facing in respective forward and aft directions and the opposing sides facing in opposing lateral directions. The wheelchair further comprises at least two main wheels mounted on the support frame and a seat base disposed upon the support frame between the main wheels. The seat base is configured for selectively raising and lowering the patient between a first level and a second level with the aid of at least one security beam disposed adjacent one of the main wheels. The security beam may have a substantially vertical orientation and may be configured as a hand hold for steadying the patient when transferring onto and off of the seat base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventor: Thomas W. Wing
  • Patent number: 7025368
    Abstract: A motorcycle is provided with a protective cage on the side portions of an engine. The cage has two side portions that are separated from one another and are coupled to a common bottom member which extends underneath and/or through the engine. The side portions are coupled to the sides of the motorcycle frame at coupling points. The cage provides a low profile protective barrier between the engine and the ground when the motorcycle is on its side and does not interfere with the rider who wants to perform stunts on the motorcycle. At least one of the coupling points on each side is provided with a projection, which projection has a replaceable cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Inventor: Timothy E. Barnes
  • Patent number: 7017932
    Abstract: A motorcycle exhaust pipe protector for use with a motorcycle having an exhaust pipe running adjacent a user's footrest. The protector includes an elongate rod which is shaped to have a bent fore portion bent toward the motorcycle, and a bent aft portion bent away from the motorcycle in a lateral direction substantially orthogonal to the fore-and-aft direction. The bent aft portion is positioned directly behind the footrest. Further, a bracket is provided for mounting the rod to the footrest at a position between the footrest and the motorcycle, and at an elevation above the footrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: Carl F. Miles
  • Patent number: 7011240
    Abstract: In a rear luggage-carrier device for a motorcycle, in which a rear carrier disposed in the rear of a pillion portion for a tandem rider is supported by a pair of stays secured to left and right rear portions of a vehicle body, a backrest is supported on the stays so that it can be turned between an upright position and a housed position. In the upright position, the backrest is located above a rear end of the pillion portion such that it can contact from behind the waist of a tandem rider on the pillion portion. In the housed position, the backrest has been turned rearward from above a rear end of the pillion portion and housed in a front portion of the rear carrier so that luggage can be placed on the backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Access Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Kan, Yoshinori Mifune
  • Patent number: 6991290
    Abstract: A motorcycle backrest system for providing a removable backrest for a motorcycle. The motorcycle backrest system includes a backrest, a pair of front legs extending downwardly from the backrest, a pair of receiver members attachable to a motorcycle for receiving the lower ends of the front legs and a pair of rear legs extending from the front legs at an angle. Each of the rear legs includes an engaging end formed to catchably receive a corresponding pair of spacer members attached to the motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Inventor: Vance Wiertzema
  • Patent number: 6971659
    Abstract: To provide a fuel tank capable of permitting the motorcycle rider to hang deep over the top of the fuel tank and also allowing the motorcycle rider to fix his or her position with respect to a direction laterally of the fuel tank, the fuel tank (14) has a groove-like recess (14a) defined in a portion of the top surface thereof generally intermediate of the width of the fuel tank (14), so that when the motorcycle rider (R) takes a forward tilting position, his or her head (r1) and chest (r2) can be received therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takumi Uemoto, Keishi Fukumoto
  • Patent number: 6971715
    Abstract: The motorcycle seat saddle is a motorcycle passenger seat extension device designed to widen the seat to increase the passenger's comfort and sense of security while riding and ultimately enable longer rides. The seat saddle has two covered, cylindrical pads attached to the ends of a sturdy but flexible, rectangular panel member. In use, the panel rests on top of the motorcycle passenger seat with the cylindrical pads on either side, comfortably expanding the total surface area of the top of the seat. When the passenger mounts the seat saddle, the passenger's weight presses the cylindrical pads both downward and inward, securing the saddle to the seat. When not in use, the seat saddle can be easily removed and the two cylindrical pads rolled inwards together beneath the flexible rectangular member to render the seat saddle more compact for storage purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Inventor: Randel W. Hankins
  • Patent number: 6969083
    Abstract: An engine guard for a motorcycle is made so that it will mount onto a motorcycle frame and has horizontally extending rail sections on opposite sides of the frame. Foot pegs are mounted at the outer ends of the horizontally extending sections. The foot pegs are positioned on opposite sides of the motorcycle and will pivot about a generally horizontal axis from a deployed position where they extend outwardly from the horizontal rail sections to a stowed position wherein the foot pegs are nested into a recess provided in the top of the respective horizontal rail section. The foot pegs include anti-slip surfaces. The stowed position moves the foot pegs inwardly, and provides a surface for supporting the feet of a rider. When the pegs are extended outwardly, the feet on the pegs are spaced at a greater distance from the center plane of the motorcycle than when the foot pegs are in the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Kuryakyn Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig P. Egan
  • Patent number: 6910704
    Abstract: Metal tubing is bent and shaped to form a metal cage and mounted on a motorcycle. The cage functions to prevent damage to engine case covers, plastic parts, handlebars, pegs, levers, gas tanks, etc. in the event that the motorcycle is inadvertently dropped or accidentally falls over. If such mishaps occur the motorcycle will rest on the cage instead of any of the motorcycle parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Inventors: Aaron D. Celiceo, Adrian A. Celiceo
  • Patent number: 6880658
    Abstract: A detachable passenger seat is selectively mountable onto a base frame of a snowmobile having a straddle-type rider seat. The passenger seat includes a cushioned seat portion supported by a seat frame. A forward portion of the passenger seat includes a bottom surface contoured to fit over and be supported by at least a portion of a rearward end of the rider seat when the passenger seat is attached to the snowmobile. Upwardly extending flexible grab handles are mounted to the lateral sides of the seat frame. Upper portions of the flexible grab handles extend higher than at least a portion of an upper surface of a cushioned seat portion of the passenger seat. The flexible grab handles are designed to be rigid enough to provide support to a passenger and flexible enough to allow a passenger to easily dismount the snowmobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventors: Éric Fournier, Jean-Rhillipe Crépeau
  • Publication number: 20040135342
    Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) includes a frame and a pair of front and rear wheels suspended from the frame. A straddle-type seat including a main portion and a secondary portion to accommodate a driver and a passenger. The wheelbase of the ATV is greater than 52 inches in length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventors: Pierre Rondeau, Claude Gagnon, Martin Portelance, Eric Dube, Martin Gagne, Daniel Nadeau, Charles Bombardier
  • Patent number: 6758484
    Abstract: A crash bar adapted to be mounted specifically to HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER® and EVOLUTION® motorcycle models from 1986 to present is provided to support a rider's feet in a more comfortable and stable riding position. The crash bar is designed and configured so as to prevent slippage of rider's feet therefrom and to provide the motorcycle with protection against damage should the motorcycle fall over. The crash bar is of a tubular configuration constructed of steel and defines a C-shaped portion serving as a first foot support surface, while a top member provides a second foot support surface. Spherical-shaped, chrome abutment elements are welded to the crash bar and provide a restraint against which rider's feet bear, thus preventing rider's feet from slipping while riding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Inventor: Henry Rice
  • Publication number: 20040113389
    Abstract: The present invention provides an ATV with a frame and at least three wheels suspended from the frame. At least one of the wheels is a front wheel and at least one of the wheels is a rear wheel. The front wheel defines a front wheel axis and the rear wheel defining a rear axis. The ATV has a power unit for driving at least one of the wheels and a straddle-type seat, including a main seat portion for a driver and a secondary seat portion, rearward of the main portion, for a passenger. A steering member is connected to the frame for steering at least one of the wheels. The secondary seat portion has a secondary supporting range with a center that is disposed in front of the rear axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Pierre Rondeau, Claude Gagnon, Martin Portelance, Eric Dube, Martin Gagne, Daniel Nadeau, Charles Bombardier
  • Patent number: 6659547
    Abstract: An adjustable back rest for a motorcycle comprising a carrier assembly connected to the frame of the motorcycle, a back plate assembly pivotally attached to the carrier assembly and positionable at an inclination angle, and an extensible slide connected between the carrier assembly and the back plate assembly that extends or retracts to thereby adjust the inclination angle of the back plate assembly and then is secured in place to position the back plate assembly as desired. A pillion rest is attached to the back plate assembly and is angularly adjustable by positioning a plurality of bar links connected between the pillion rest and the back plate assembly. The carrier assembly can be positioned and secured to the motorcycle frame to provide back rest support for the driver, or it may be positioned and secured to a cargo carrier attached to the frame to provide back rest support for the passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventor: David R. Petersen
  • Patent number: 6626448
    Abstract: A motorcycle exhaust pipe protector for use with a motorcycle having an exhaust pipe running adjacent an operator's footrest. The protector includes an elongate rod which is shaped to have a bent fore portion bent toward the motorcycle, and a bent aft portion bent away from the motorcycle in a lateral direction substantially orthogonal to the fore-and-aft direction. The bent aft portion is positioned directly behind the footrest. Further, a bracket is provided for mounting the rod to the footrest at a position between the footrest and the motorcycle, and at an elevation above the footrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventor: Carl F. Miles
  • Patent number: 6568699
    Abstract: An adjustable sissy bar mechanism for use with a cycle vehicle, such as a motorcycle, and which includes a body supported upon rotatable front and rear wheels and a seat secured atop the body. The sissy bar mechanism includes a pair of substantially planar plate-shaped members, each of the plate members being fixedly secured to the frame in aligning fashion and on opposite sides of the seat. An elongate and arcuately configured sissy bar has a central extending portion and first and second interconnecting and extending ends. The ends of the sissy bar are engaged with each of the plate shaped members in a plurality of differing and pivotally associated positions including first and second rider incline positions and a luggage rack carrying position, and in which said sissy bar is arranged substantially level with a horizontal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Inventor: Gilbert McCann
  • Patent number: 6390220
    Abstract: A motorcycle that includes a luggage rack and/or backrest secured to a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is positioned under the motorcycle seat and is secured to the rear fender of the motorcycle. Attaching the mounting bracket below the motorcycle seat conceals the mounting hardware that is used to secure the mounting bracket to the rear fender. Concealing mounting hardware on a motorcycle enhances the aesthetic appearance of the motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Galbraith, Brian Sucharski, Raymond W. Drea
  • Patent number: 6224081
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a motorcycle. The motorcycle includes a backrest that is coupled to a shaft. The shaft is positioned inside a torsion spring that inhibits rotation of the shaft in order to prevent movement of the backrest in a rearward direction. The backrest is adjusted rearwardly by disengaging the torsion spring from the shaft in order to permit the shaft and backrest to rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company
    Inventors: Stephanie J. Wayman, Richard A. Peller
  • Patent number: 6206399
    Abstract: A generally C-shaped arm (18) is releasably and adjustably connected to the seat tube (24) of a bicycle to extend rearwardly and upwardly of the seat. At the arm upper end a plate (34) is affixed having a replaceable pad (38) which braces the body of the bicycle user especially during high performance use. A further embodiment utilizes a sphere (42) rotatably located within a chamber to provide a wide adjustment range for the pad (38). In another embodiment the C-shaped arm is composed of two parts (46, 48) selectively interconnectable to provide a corresponding variety of adjustments for pad to body spatial arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: Francis X. Schnitzenbaumer
  • Patent number: 6189908
    Abstract: A shock-absorbing frame structure for bicycle includes a front frame unit formed of a head tube, a down tube, a seat tube, and a top tube, a bottom forks unit pivoted to the front frame unit, and a shock-absorbing device coupled between the front frame unit and the bottom forks unit, the seat tube having a seat pillar for holding a saddle and a top end for holding a seat back, the bottom forks unit including two bottom forks, and a connector connected between the bottom forks at a front side and pivoted to a bottom lug at the front frame unit, a cross tube connected between the bottom forks on the middle, an upward lug formed integral with the cross tube to support the shock-absorbing device, and an arched frame rod bridging the bottom forks at a rear end for the mounting of a luggage-carrier and a rear fender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Tech Cycle Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Julie Lu
  • Patent number: 6179313
    Abstract: A motorcycle exhaust pipe heat shield arranged for protecting the footwear, clothing, and the foot of the motorcycle passenger. The shield is attachable to the motorcycle in a location intermediate the engine exhaust pipe and the floorboard for the passenger's foot. The shield presents an upright planar portion for shielding from the heat of the exhaust pipe, and it also presents an attachment bracket for readily and securely attaching the entire shield to the motorcycle. The method of making the shield includes the cutting of the blank from a sheet of metal and then appropriately forming and bending the blank to present the final configuration of the shield which is also surface finished with a reflective surface for esthetics as well as heat reflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Inventor: Daniel C. Christensen