Abstract
A motorcycle safety and training device that selectively restricts the maximal effective height of a motorcycle's front wheel above the ground. The device generally comprises a lightweight, adjustable bracket assembly that may be affixed to a rear suspension swingarm of a motorcycle, and one or more preferably pneumatic wheels located at or near the free end of the assembly. When the device is affixed to a swingarm, the assembly extends generally rearward beyond the rear wheel of the motorcycle in one of a variety of selected positions, and during use the device moves in conjunction with the swingarm relative to the suspended chassis of the motorcycle.
Claims
1. A wheelie guard comprising: a main arm configured at a first end for attachment via conventional fasteners to a rear suspension swingarm of a motorcycle; and a pivot arm pivotally connected to the opposite second end of the main arm, the pivot arm comprising a wheel assembly at the free end thereof; wherein the pivotal attachment between the main arm and the pivot arm comprises means for securing the pivot arm at one of a selected number of different angular positions relative to the main arm.
2. The wheelie guard of claim 1, wherein the pivot arm comprises a primary pivot arm and an auxiliary pivot arm.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
[0013] For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the disclosed subject matter, as well as the preferred modes of use thereof, reference should be made to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate like or similar steps or parts.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic top plan view of a wheelie guard in accordance with one embodiment of the presently described subject matter.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the bracket assembly of the wheelie guard of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 3 is an exploded schematic view of the assembly of FIG. 2.
[0017] FIG. 4 is an exploded schematic view of the assembly of FIG. 2, showing the location and size of the bores drilled therethrough.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the fasteners of the wheelie guard of FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a rear perspective photograph of a wheelie guard in accordance with a further embodiment of the presently described subject matter.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a wheelie guard in accordance with a further embodiment of the presently described subject matter, showing the pivot arm thereof in a stowed position.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a wheelie guard of FIG. 7, showing the pivot arm thereof in a representative riding position.
[0022] FIGS. 9A and 9B are side elevation views of a wheelie guard in accordance with a further embodiment of the presently described subject matter, showing the pivot arm in two riding positions and one stowed position, respectively.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a schematic perspective view of a wheelie guard in accordance with a further embodiment of the presently described subject matter.
[0024] FIG. 11 is a schematic exploded top plan view of the wheelie guard of FIG. 10.
[0025] FIG. 12 is a schematic exploded rear end view of the wheelie guard of FIG. 10.
[0026] FIG. 13 is a schematic left side view of the wheelie guard of FIG. 10.
[0027] FIG. 14 is a schematic right side view of the wheelie guard of FIG. 10, showing the pivot arm in two riding positions and one stowed position, respectively.
[0028] FIG. 15 is a schematic exploded rear perspective view of the wheelie guard of FIG. 10.
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
[0029] The following description of preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. The wheelie guard of the present invention may take form in a number of different embodiments depending upon the particular requirements of the use.
[0030] With reference to FIGS. 1-5, there is illustrated one embodiment of a wheelie guard in accordance with the presently described subject matter. The wheelie guard 10 is shown in FIG. 1 in juxtaposition to a representative rear motorcycle wheel 12, and comprises main arm 14 affixed at a first end via fasteners 16, 18 (each comprising conventional threaded bolts, nuts and washers) to a first mounting plate 20, which in turn is connected via fasteners 22, 24 (each again comprising conventional threaded bolts, nuts and washers) to second mounting plate 26 and secured around (i.e. with plates 20, 26 on either side of, and fasteners 22, 24 above and below, respectively) a rear suspension swingarm 28 of a motorcycle. Also connecting main arm 14 to swingarm 28 is a threaded rod 30 extending through the hollow axle of rear motorcycle wheel 12 and secured at either end with nuts 32 and washers 34.
[0031] As best seen in FIG. 2, a pivot and pin apparatus comprising a central bore 36 surrounded by a plurality of bores 38 situated in a planetary arrangement around central bore 36 is provided at the second, opposite end of main arm 14 for the pivotal connection of main arm 14 to a pivot arm 40. As best seen in FIG. 3, a corresponding central bore 42 and planetary bores 44 are provided in pivot arm 40. Returning now to FIG. 1, a bolt 46 is passed through central bores 36, 42 and secured at the other end with washer 48 and nut 50, and the angular position of pivot arm 40 relative to main arm 14 is secured by at least one pin 52 passed and secured through bores 38, 44.
[0032] Pivot arm 40 includes a roughly 25 inward bend 54 and an extender element 56 with a roughly 25 outward bend 58. Pivot arm 40 and extender element 56 are connected together by conventional fasteners such as bolts 60, washers 62 and nuts 64 passed through bores 66, 68. As best seen in FIG. 3, a plurality of bores 66, 68 are provided in each of pivot arm 40 and extender element 56 to permit the telescopic extension or retraction of extender element 56 relative to pivot arm 40, thereby to selectively shorten or lengthen the overall length of the pivot arm, and/or to change the offset of the pneumatic wheels 70 of the device relative to the rear wheel 12 of the motorcycle. A pair of pneumatic wheels 70 are located at the free end of extender element 56 and secured thereto by conventional fasteners such as threaded bolts 72, washers 74 and nuts 76.
[0033] Each of main arm 14, pivot arm 40 and extender element 56 may include multiple alternative bores (i.e. like bores 66 of the pivot arm 40 and bores 68 of the extender element 56) for each of the connections described above in order to permit desired adjustments and to accommodate motorcycle swingarms of different sizes, and are preferably formed from 6061 aluminum sheeting. All fasteners of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 are preferably formed of grade 8 stainless steel threaded bolts and nuts. Such construction not only simplifies manufacture and assembly of the device, but also ensures that the device is sufficiently lightweight as to have no appreciable negative effect on the handling or performance of the motorcycle to which it is affixed, even if the motorcycle is itself relatively lightweight. Pneumatic wheels 70 may provide more or less cushioning as desired for a given application, depending upon inflation pressure.
[0034] FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a wheelie guard 80 in which the length of the pivot arm is adjustable, but the offset of the device wheels relative to the rear wheel of the motorcycle is not. In this embodiment, the pivot arm is straight, and extender element includes reverse 25 inward and 25 outward bends.
[0035] FIGS. 7 illustrates a further alternative embodiment of a wheelie guard 85 in a stowed position, and FIG. 8 illustrates this same embodiment in one of a plurality of riding positions.
[0036] FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a yet further alternative embodiment of a wheelie guard 90 in combination with a representative motorcycle. FIG. 9A shows the wheelie guard in alternative 0 (advanced), 15 (intermediate) and 30 (beginner) riding positions, and FIG. 9B shows the same embodiment in a stowed position.
[0037] FIGS. 10 to 15 illustrate a preferred further embodiment of a wheelie guard 100, which comprises many of the same components of wheelie guards 10, 80, 85 and 90 illustrated and described with reference to FIGS. 1-9. However, in wheelie guard 100, the pivot arm comprises a primary pivot arm 102 and an auxiliary pivot arm 103, and main arm 101 is configured for attachment (via conventional threaded bolts, nuts and washers) around the rear suspension swingarm of a motorcycle to clamp bar 104, thereby eliminating the requirement for a first mounting plate such as first mounting plate 20 of FIGS. 1-5. One or more rubber spacers 105, preferably constructed of EPDM, are fitted between main arm 101 and the motorcycle swingarm. As illustrated in FIGS. 10-15, wheelie guard 100 comprises main arm 101, primary pivot arm 102, auxiliary pivot arm 103, clamp bar 104, rubber spacers 105, pneumatic wheel 106, axle through bolt 107, wheel bolt 108, pivot bolts 109, joining bolts 110, height adjustment pins 111, clamp bolts 112, washers 113, lock washers 114, nuts 115, Ny-Lock nuts 116, large washers 117, washers 118, and Ny-Lock nuts 118.
[0038] The present description is of the best presently contemplated mode of carrying out the subject matter disclosed herein. The description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the subject matter and not to be taken in a limiting sense; the described subject matter can find utility in a variety of implementations without departing from the scope of the invention made, as will be apparent to those of skill in the art from an understanding of the principles that underlie the invention.
