Motorcycle guard protection system

• US 6,837,509 B2
• Filed: 09/05/2002
• Issued: 01/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jim Welch, William T. Alexander
• Original Assignee: Jim Welch, William T. Alexander
• Inventors: Welch, Jim, Alexander, William T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris, Lesley D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WINNER, TONY H
• Application Number:
  US10/236,554
• Publication Number:
  US 20040046359A1
• Time in Patent Office: 852 Days
• Field of Search: 280/770, 280/304.3, 280/304.5, 280/850, 280/848, 280/152.3, 180/219, 296/78.1, 746/08, D12/107, D12/117, D12/115, D12/119, D12/126
• US Class Current: 280/304.3
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 27/30 Crash bars; Crash bungs

Abstract

A protector system configured to engage a portion of the exterior surface of tubular components of a motorcycle, such as engine guard(s), saddlebag guard(s), handle bars, to provide a surface deposed to prevent or minimize damage of such tubular components resulting from impact or to alter transmission of impact or operational forces to such tubular components.

Claims

1. A protector for a tubular component of a motorcycle, comprising:

a. a rigid protector having an interior surface, wherein said interior surface is configured to directly engage a portion of the exterior surface of said tubular component of said motorcycle; and

b. at least one releasable securement, whereby operation of said at least one releasable securement maintains engagement of said interior surface of said rigid protector to said portion of the exterior surface of said tubular component of said motorcycle, and wherein said at least one releasable securement comprises at least one mechanical fastener having a first fastener element and a second fastener element with operably mated securement surfaces, and wherein said second fastener element is continuously integral with said rigid protector.

2. A protector for a tubular component of a motorcycle, comprising:

a. a rigid protector having an interior surface, wherein said interior surface is configured to engage a portion of the exterior surface of said tubular component of said motorcycle; and

b. at least one releasable securement, whereby operation of said at least one releasable securement maintains engagement of said interior surface of said rigid protector to said portion of the exterior surface of said tubular component of said motorcycle, and wherein said at least one releasable securement comprises at least one mechanical fastener having a first fastener element and a second fastener element with operably mated securement surfaces, and wherein said at least one releasable securement comprises a lock member and a lock member engagement each continuously integral with said rigid protector.

3. A protector for a tubular component of a motorcycle, comprising:

a. a rigid protector having an interior surface, wherein said interior surface is configured to engage a portion of the exterior surface of said tubular component of said motorcycle; and

b. at least one releasable securement, whereby operation of said at least one releasable securement maintains engagement of said interior surface of said rigid protector to said portion of the exterior surface of said tubular component of said motorcycle, and wherein said rigid protector disposes said interior surface as a first rigid protector element and a second rigid protector element in opposed mated relation, and further comprising a hinge element coupled to said first rigid protector element and to said second rigid protector element, whereby operation of said hinge element allows opposed mated relation with said first protector element.

4. A method of protecting a tubular component of a motorcycle, comprising the steps of:

a. configuring an interior surface of a rigid protector to directly engage a portion of the exterior surface of said tubular component of said motorcycle, wherein said rigid protector comprises a first protector element and a second protector element disposed in opposed mated relation;

b. engaging said interior surface of said rigid protector to said portion of said exterior surface; and

c. releasably securing said rigid protector to said exterior surface of said tubular component of said motorcycle.

5. A method of protecting a tubular component of a motorcycle as described in claim 4, wherein said step of releasably securing said rigid protector to said exterior surface of said tubular component of said motorcycle comprises the steps of:

i. inserting at least one mechanical fastener into at least one interpenetration element communicating between a first location on the exterior surface of said first protector element and a location on the exterior surface of said second protector element, wherein a portion of said mechanical fastener inserted into said at least one interpenetration element has a securement surface; and

ii. engaging said portion of said mechanical fastener having said securement surface with a mated securement surface hinge.

6. A method of protecting a tubular component of a motorcycle as described in claim 5, rotating said first protector element and said second protector element about a rotation axis of a hinge.