Detachable windshield for motorcycles

• US 6,176,538 B1
• Filed: 05/28/1998
• Issued: 01/23/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Custom Windshields Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Custom Windshields Incorporated
• Inventors: Lawson, Michael V., Lay, Rodger W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pedder, Dennis H.
• Application Number:
  US09/086,182
• Time in Patent Office: 971 Days
• Field of Search: 296/78.1, 296/77.1, 296/79
• US Class Current: 296/78.1
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 17/04 Windscreens

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a detachable windshield for use primarily on motorcycles. In particular, it pertains to a windshield that may be quickly installed and removed from its place on the motorcycle without tools, and which requires no hardware to be permanently or semi-permanently attached to the vehicle. It further pertains to piecewise planar windshields that have been stiffened and strengthen by placing one or more vertical creases therein. It also pertains to detachable motorcycle windshields that are optically distortionless or nearly so.

Claims

1. A windshield for use on a motorcycle, said windshield acting to protect an operator of said motorcycle when said motorcycle is in motion, said motorcycle having a forward end and a rearward end, said windshield being mounted proximate to said forward end of said motorcycle, comprising:

(a) a piecewise planar sheet of transparent material, said piecewise planer sheet of transparent material containing at least one reinforcing crease therein, wherein said piecewise planar sheet of transparent materials has a front face and a rear face, said rear face of said piecewise planar sheet being oriented to face toward said rearward end of said motorcycle when it is mounted thereon; and

(b) a plurality of c-clips attached to said rear face of said piecewise planar sheet of transparent material, said c-clips for attaching said sheet of transparent materials to said motorcycle.

2. A windshield according to claim 1 wherein there are exactly two reinforcing creases.

3. A windshield according to claim 2 wherein said piecewise planer sheet of transparent material consists of a left planar section, a central planar section, and a right planar section, said left and said central planar sections being separated by a left reinforcing crease, and said right and said central planar sections being separated by a right reinforcing crease.

4. A windshield according to claim 3 wherein said left planar section and said central planar section meet at an angle of about 20°

and wherein said right planar section and said central planar section meet at an angle of about 20°

.

5. A removable windshield for use on a motorcycle having a steering section and a rearward end, comprising:

(a) a sheet of transparent material having a front face and a rear face, said rear face of said sheet of transparent material facing said rearward end of the motorcycle when said sheet of transparent materials is attached thereto; and

,

(b) a plurality of c-ciips attached to said rear face of said sheet of transparent material, said c-clips for attaching said sheet of transparent materials to said motorcycle steering section.

7. A removable windshield according to claim 5 wherein said sheet of transparent material is a planar sheet of transparent material.

8. A removable windshield according to claim 7 wherein said sheet of transparent material is a piecewise planar sheet of transparent material.

9. A windshield according to claim 8 wherein said piecewise planar sheet of transparent material consists of a left planar section, a central planar section, and a right planar section, said left and said central planar sections being separated by a left reinforcing crease, and said right and said central planar sections being separated by a right reinforcing crease.

10. A windshield according to claim 9 wherein said left planar section and said central planar section meet at an angle of about 20°

and wherein said right planar section and said central planar section meet at an angle of about 20°

.

6. A removable windshield for use on a motorcycle having handlebars and a front fork, said windshield acting to protect an operator of said motorcycle when said motorcycle is in motion, said motorcycle having a forward end and a rearward end, said windshield being mounted proximate to said forward end of said motorcycle, comprising:

(a) a piecewise planar sheet of transparent material containing at least one reinforcing crease therein, said piecewise planar sheet of transparent materials having a front face and a rear face, said rear face of said piecewise planer sheet of transparent material being oriented to face toward said rearward end of said motorcycle when it is mounted thereon; and

,

(b) a plurality of c-clips affixed to said rear face of said piecewise planar sheet of transparent material, said c-clips for mounting said sheet of transparent material on said motorcycle handlebars and front fork.

11. A windshield according to claim 6 wherein there are exactly two reinforcing creases.

12. A windshield according to claim 11 wherein said piecewise planer sheet of transparent material consists of a left planar section, a central planar section, and a right planar section, said left and said central planar sections being separated by a left reinforcing crease, and said right and said central planar sections being separated by a right reinforcing crease.

13. A windshield according to claim 12 wherein said left planar section and said central planar section meet at an angle of about 20°

and wherein said right planar section and said central planar section meet at an angle of about 20°

.