Remote control apparatus and method

• US 6,707,377 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2002
• Issued: 03/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Curtis R. Piper
• Original Assignee: Ironhead, Inc.
• Inventors: Mueller, R. Thomas, Piper, Curtis R.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US10/327,683
• Publication Number:
  US 20030160704A1
• Time in Patent Office: 452 Days
• Field of Search: 340/427, 340/440, 340/539.11, 340/540, 340/5.64, 362/473, 362/474, 362/475, 242/2, 243/8, 244/7
• US Class Current: 340/427
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 45/20 Cycle computers as cycle accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 23/02 hand actuated arrangements of controls on handle-bars of engine-driven cycles B62K11/14

Abstract

A remote control is remotely mounted and controlled by an activation switch. The remote control is mounted within a cavity of a motorcycle and in electrical communication with an activation switch. The activation switch is mounted for easy access and manipulation. A feedback device is provided for communicating that the remote control has been activated. A universal mounting bracket allows the operator to selectively mount the activation switch and feedback device in any location they desire.

Claims

1. A motorcycle comprising a generally longitudinal frame rail, a pair of fuel tanks mounted side by side along said frame rail, a dash panel positioned over an upper portion of said pair of fuel tanks and comprising an outside surface, a cavity being defined by said dash panel and a corresponding inside surface of each of said pair of fuel tanks, a remote control transmitter being positioned within said cavity, an activation switch and a confirmation indicator extending through said outside surface of said dash panel, said activation switch being in electrical communication with said remote control transmitter and said confirmation indicator being in electrical communication with at least one of said remote control transmitter and said remote control transmitter.

2. The motorcycle of claim 1, wherein the activation switch is of a momentary-type.

3. The motorcycle of claim 1 further comprising a seat positioned over said frame rail and rearward of at least a portion of said pair of fuel tanks, said cavity extending into a region located generally below a portion of said seat and said seat forming an access cover into said cavity.

4. The motorcycle of claim 1, wherein said dash panel comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, said confirmation indicator and said activation switch being disposed in said upper portion and said remote control transmitter being disposed beneath said lower portion.

5. The motorcycle of claim 1 further comprising a mounting bracket, said confirmation indicator and said activation switch both being mounted in said mounting bracket and said mounting bracket being secured to said motorcycle.

6. The motorcycle of claim 5, wherein said mounting bracket is secured to said frame rail.

7. The motorcycle of claim 6, wherein said mounting bracket comprises at least a pair of opposing members that are adapted to be secured in position on opposing sides of said frame rail.

8. The motorcycle of claim 1 further comprising a vibration damping component positioned between said remote control transmitter and a surface of said motorcycle.

9. The motorcycle of claim 8, wherein said surface of said motorcycle is a surface of one of said pair of fuel tanks.

10. The motorcycle of claim 9 further comprising a bracket interposed between said vibration damping component and said surface of said motorcycle.

11. The motorcycle of claim 1 further comprising an energy source that is coupled to said remote control transmitter.

12. The motorcycle of claim 11, wherein said energy source is a battery used for various electrical components of said motorcycle.

13. The motorcycle of claim 11, wherein said energy source comprises a battery holding housing and said housing is disposed within said cavity.