Motorcycle Safety-Release Back Rest

When motorcycles and the like or equivalent unenclosed vehicles are being driven, there is unavoidably a considerable amount of vexatious, disturbing and disrupting wind pressure and turbulence action with which the driver must contend. This is oftentimes distracting and non-conductive to most careful and attentive operation of the vehicle. And, it is a condition that exists more or less independently, i.e., above and beyond particularly-encountered, naturally-occurring, ambient wind conditions. Of course, all of this is in relatively increasing or decreasing relationship (as the case may be) to the speed or forward velocity at which the vehicle is being driven as well as the general direction of existant wind (with respect to direction of vehicle travel).

Wind effects and the factors thereby generated aggrevate the typical lack of back and shoulder support problems and physical discomfort frequently, and often troublesomely, experienced by the unenclosed vehicle rider; being pronouncedly so in connection with motorcycling.

In this connection, even the inclusion and application of windshields on unenclosed vehicles does not entirely solve nor completely alleviate the problem. These are fine to thwart impact by insects, flying gravel, stones, and other particles. They are nonetheless incapable of eliminating or overcoming the mentioned wind factors and unsupported body aggrevations. The driver of a windshield-equipped motorcycle or the like still has to maintain some rather tight and strained body postures and steering control holding on operation of such conventionally-outfitted vehicles.

There have been heretofore proposed certain types of back-rest arrangements for motorcycles and the like. These, invariably, are of the constructions that offer support merely from the underside and/or from the rear of the rider.

Nonetheless, nothing in prior art appears to realistically concern itself with nor teach or lead to an effective, efficient and extremely comfortable and practical somewhat "sling-type", as it were, motorcycle or the like safety-release back rest contrivance or implementation in the manner of design and beneficial functionality and operability in the way so crucially indigenous as in the present contribution to the art.

The present invention, and the principle aims and objectives attainable in its practice, pertains(s) and direct(s) to a novel and, in the overall, unprecedented safety-release back rest rig or implementation in cooperative combination of the essential parts, elements and components therefor and thereof that effectuates:

(i) maximized positive and discomfort-avoiding or -preventing back and shoulder support and rider comfort for and during traveling operation of the vehicle by the driver thereof whereby the same is all afforded by a more or less sling-type holding arrangement of and for the driver; and

(ii) utmost convenience and safety in speedy and sure disengagement of the support rig from firm vehicle attachment at the will and wish of the driver and/or in the event of unexpected accident or other rider-throwing influence that may arise in use of or travel with the vehicle.

The achievement and provision of all indicated, with even more and additionally other benefits and advantages derivable in and from present practice appear and become more evident in the ensuing description and specification.

The present invention, in its genesis and as derives from the discovery on which it is based, pertains to an unprecedented and highly advantageous safety-release back rest rig assembly for a motorcycle having forward or stem and rearward stern terminations and like or equivalent vehicle(s) comprising, in cooperative interrelated association and combination: a basic vehicle body structure; means on said vehicle body structure for seating a driver of said vehicle in appropriately mounted driving disposition on and for said vehicle; vest-like and equivalent garment apparel means for wearing by said driver, said vest-like means being adapted to well receive and encasingly hold said driver; at least a single safety strap means attachable and securable at or about its rearwardly-extending end in sling-like, forwardly-disposable fashion to the frontal part of said vest-like means for wearing by said driver; a safety strap(s) means holding and releasing component unit secured fixedly on said body structure of the motorcycle forward of said seating means for said driver, which component upon and by electrical energization thereof is adapted to receive, anchor and lockingly-engage the forwardly-disposable portion at or near its forward end of each of said therein plugged-in safety strap(s) means when said component is in a "locking" and safety strap-retaining position and to also release and freely disconnect, disanchor and disengage said forwardly-disposable end of each of said safety strap(s) means when said component is in an "open" and safety strap-releasing position; an electrical switch and circuitry switching unit under said seating responsive for "on" and "off" setting purposes to applied driver weight when one is sitting thereupon and electrically connected with said component unit which is adapted to pass adequate electrical energy by means of interconnecting electrical circuitry so as to cause said component unit in said cooperative rig combination assembly to firmly and strongly anchor, engage and lock to close and secure any portion of said forwardly-disposable end(s) of any and all of said safety strap(s) means therein plugged when at least a predetermined portion, if not all, of the total supported weight of said driver is mounted and disposed and resting upon said seating means; and, conversely to cause said component unit to quickly, freely and easily disanchor, disengage and open to free and unsecured liberated disposition any portion of said forwardly-disposable end(s) of any and all of said safety strap(s) means therein plugged when more than said predetermined portion, if not all, of the total supported weight of said driver is dismounted and neither disposed nor resting upon said seating means.

Still other features and implementations of beneficial import and salience are advantageously combinable in and made integral part(s) of the basic, more-or-less "harness" sort of above-delineated safety-release back-rest rig assembly of the invention.

Thus, various suitable parts, elements, sub-assemblies and overall assemblies plus other equippage for utilization, as well as working details, embodimental instructions and parameters and other specifies of the invention are also set forth in the following Specification.

The invention is pictorially demonstrated in and by the fifteen (15) views of the accompanying Drawing (all of which, for simplicity and convenience, are illustrated in a more-or-less schematic and/or fanciful manner of representation and utilize insofar as possible the same reference numerals for like and/or similar parts and/or elements) wherein, as they are to be taken in conjunction with the Specification that follows:

FIG. 1 is a fanciful, partly broken-away, side elevation view of the essentials of a motorcycle (also representative of a like or equivalent vehicle) to the extent necessary to be illustrated in order to show inclusion therewith and thereon of the safety-release back rest provision and development in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fanciful top view of a motorcycle demonstrating in different aspect some of the features brought forth in FIG. 1 and also brings out a possible variation in the back-rest strap-connecting and supporting arrangement in assemblies in accordable with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a plan view, partly in section, of one embodiment of the essential releasing component to safely disengage the back-rest connection when actuated by rider weight relief on or removal of sitting pressure from the seat of a motorcycle equipped pursuant to the invention;

FIG. 4 is another plan view, in highly simplified form, of the releasing component of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view, also in greatly simplified representation, of the releasing component of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6, in side elevation partly in section, is a view of one simple mechanical way to attach the releasing component of FIG. 3 on the handlebar of a motorcycle;

FIGS. 7 and 8, respectively, are simplified side elevation views of the releasing component of FIG. 3 demonstrating its function and also showing it in a differently-mounted position on the handlebar neck part of a motorcycle;

FIGS. 9 and 10, respectively, are schematic front and rear views of one possible embodiment of a back-rest vest or other jacket or like vestment component utilized in assemblies pursuant to the invention;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of a typical (and representative) seat for a motorcycle or the like or equivalent vehicle showing one embodiment of a weight-responsive assembly and switching arrangement for activating the releasing component of FIG. 3 (and other of the FIGURES herein in which it is also depicted);

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the seat of FIG. 11 taken along the Line 12--12 in FIG. 11;

FIGS. 13 and 14 are, respectively, simplified perspective and top elevation views of the overall-effective safety-release apparatus combination of the present invention illustrating possible safety strap-securing connections and attachments between the releasing component detailed in FIG. 3 and the back-rest vest or the like illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10; and

FIG. 15 is a plan view, partly in perspective, demonstrating one advanteous variety of strap connection means or linkage for utilization in practice of the invention to interconnect the releasing component of FIG. 3 with the back rest vest or the like garment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

For expedience and enhanced clarity of associated parts, elements, components, subassemblies and assemblies, simultaneous reference is now had to all the included FIGURES in the Drawing with explanation thereof in the following catalogued description of parts, etc., as identified by the reference numeral(s) (i.e., "Ref. No(s).") therewith associated (and not given in strictly sequential numerical order):

With an overview of the several depictions, views and illustrations of the Drawing being maintained (especially in light of the foregoing explanatory parts, etc., elucidations), the subsequent portion of this Specification now turns to a somewhat more cohesive and particularized disclosure and exposure of and coordinated amplification upon the invention; including therein most appropriate and expedient (or best) manners and means stemming from the foregoing in which the same may be advantageously and propitiously embodied and practiced.

In this connection, the basic principles and limitations of: motorcycles; motorcyle seats; solenoid-powered and like or equivalent actuators; electrically-operated door and other article or item locking and/or clamping mechanisms; pressure and otherwise actuated and like or equivalent electric switch or circuit opening and closing devices; power supplies; fastening means; straps and belting and banding; clamping and hooking devices and contrivances for strap(s), rope and the like; and buckling and clasping (adjustable or otherwise) contraptions and implementations for strapping, belting, cordage and rope and so forth are so widely comprehended by those skilled in the art that greatly detailed elaboration of all the basics thereof is not herein made or attempted; the same being unnecessary for thorough understanding and recognition of the advance possibilitated for achievement and realization by and with the development in and of a motorcycle safety-release back rest and the like improvement that is according to and in keeping with the present invention.

As is clearly evident and readily-enough apparent in and not-difficultly deducible from the foregoing disclosure and description, the present invention in basic essence and substance contemplates a vest or other like or equivalent jacket or coat-type of vestment or garment that is wearable by the driver of a motorcycle (or like or equivalent vehicle as above contemplated and indicated) which, when assumed and worn by the driver, is optionally attached or "hooked-up" via safety strap or belt connections first made at the vest to be then "anchored" or locked to a forwardly-disposed holding or locking releasable component or unit to which the opposite end of the safety strap is secured when the assembly combination is fully connected and in operable function.

The locking elements or "anchors" at the point of safety strap securement to the releasing component or unit are so fixed that they unlock and release quickly and easily for complete disengagement when the cyclist, purposely or involuntarily, moves off or is lifted or thrown upwardly from the seat, (or like or equivalent driver support means in other than motorcycle vehicles). This automatic disengagement, especially in cases of unexpect disruptions and/or accidents, frees the cyclist (or driver or rider of other vehicle or like or equivalent locomoted transport equipment) from unescapable fixed and dangerously bound connection and association with an onward moving vehicle; thus tending to greatly minimize if not entirely escape more serious physical injury or even lethal trauma than if freedom from the vehicle attachment could not be so readily provided and obtained.

At the same time, when the safety-release back rest appliance or apparatus combination of the invention is will-fully utilized and put in effectively-functioning operability for its intended usage and purposes, the cyclist or (other vehicle driver) can quite comfortably and securely lean back during the ride in restful, more comfortable and safer (i.e, much less "nerve-wracking", strenous and/or tedious) posture position in the course of vehicle running and movement. This back-rest support, as has been mentioned, is ordinarily materially beneficial to vastly enhanced and much more relaxed ride enjoyment and comfort during the involved transportation. It greatly aids, as has been noted, in coping with the sheer wind velocity factor and influence in normal motorcycle and the like driving and riding.

Excepting when involuntarily caused and motivated by unintentional and/or unwanted accident or rough-road travel, the driver can readily release himself from attachment to the vehicle by simply getting off the seat. Or, as has been explained, he can purposely disengage and not utilize or take advantage of the unit by turning "off" of the optional hook up switch during travel. Any or all of this releases the safety strap from the locked engagement to the motorcycle or other vehicle. Also, especially when readily detachable couplings to the vest are employed (such as the illustrated snap hooks and the like catches or fastening clasps, the rider is also free to easily and completely disengage the strap from the vest, leaving him entirely unencumbered with unnecessary equippage and appendages.

Along this line and as been explained, it is generally more advantageous and desirable for the releasing-unit-actuating-seat switch to govern the unlocking of the strap when full rider weight is taken off the seat. However, as has also been mentioned, it is sometimes of preference or pre-determined choice to have such releasing motivation implemented when less than full driver weight is relieved from or taken off the seat. The seat switch can be readily designed and arranged to be so operative.

The mentioned 50-100 lb. or so weight-removal of or from (and upon) seat pressure in order to activate the seat switch is in the typical range when less than full rider weight removal provisions are wanted to work the seat switch. Naturally, other loading values to work the seat switch can also be adapted. Such reduced load actuating arrangements are frequently considered to be of advantage in order, especially in cases of accident, to not have the rider-uplifting action so violent or forceful as to cause him or her to be completely thrown off the seat in overcoming of involved full weight before effectuation of the desired safety-release action and mechanism.

In another possible and sometimes desired embodiment variation in practice of the invention, the releasing component or unit can be readily positioned as a unit assembly interconnected at the end or close thereto of the vest side of the safety strap or, for that matter, intermediate the length of the strap. While not previously discussed (and not shown or in any way depicted in the Drawing), this leaves the possibility of having the safety strap securely and dismountably fixed to the handlebar, neck or other portion of the vehicle (although it can also be thereat disengageable in such arrangements).

With such manner of arrangement, the releasing unit can then be easily and analogously disengaged from the vest when purposeful dismount or accidental throwoff from the seat is done or encountered by the rider.

In fact, as a further sophistication of such variation, a vest-side oriented or intermediate-of-safety strap disposition of the releasing unit can be equipped with an extra single or double set of quick-opening coupling connections (above and beyond the automatic unlocking disengagement mechanism) for achievement of entire flexibility in handling and use of a so-arranged releasing component.

Yet another refinement that can be included in incorporations of the present invention which, despite its lack of illustration in the Drawing is obviously and easily visualizable by and comprehensible from mere description thereof, is to have or make the safety strap(s) so arranged and storable when not extending in self-withdrawing, automatic recoil containers or structures, much in the manner of automatically retractable "measuring tape" and "wire- and/or -cable" dispensing and retracting devices. The generally spring-actuated recoil systems for the safety strap(s) can be of the entirely automatic variety which self-withdraw when no or insufficiently extending force or pull is thereon applied or in the style of those that require actuation of a button or other generally manually operated retracting-motion-starting means to effectuate the recoil mechanism. Such compementary arrangements avoid the bother and possible nuisance (or even danger) of having an uncoiled or unwrapped strap left free to dangle or fall about or upon the vehicle mechanism and/or the body of the rider involved when the strap is disengaged from full operative connection.

Somewhat along this line insofar as concerns neatness and compactness of embodiments of the invention, the releasable unit or component, no matter where positioned, is desirably as small and compact as possible. When handlebar mounted on a motorcycle, care should be taken that its placement does not hide or obscure the instrument panel.

A still further refinement of great advantage for complementary association with and additional inclusion in the safety-release back rest apparatus and combinations of the present invention (also not portrayed in the Drawing but fully understandable and visualizable from mere description thereof) is the incorporation of a "tether switch" or "kill button", as it were, supplement to and in the combination. These can well be the well known varieties and constructions commonly utilized in "snowmobiles" and like vehicles, and/or likes and equivalents thereof. A "tether switch" usually must be "on" in order for the vehicle to run or be capable of any operation. Its actuation (somewhat analogous to the setting off by the release or readying-for-explosion pin lifting or setting in a grenade or the like) requires very little force for the purpose. It is usually employed so as to be "on" when the driver has grasp of at least one of the handlebars or other steering means of the vehicle; but chain, cord or otherwise link-connected to the hand, wrist, elbow, belt loop or other vestment part of the driver, foot or wherever.

In this way, any excessive (and literally not very much at that) movement or displacement of the body part to which "tether switch" connection is made with the driver--indicating or caused by his disengaging manipulation for any reason with the operational devices necessary for good and orderly running of the vehicle--shuts everything off and immobilizes vehicular locomotion and running possibities (including stopping or instantaneous "killing" of motors and the like drive power sources).

The excellent and very practical and beneficial results achieved in practice of the present invention are obtained by the very propitions and functionally excellently adapted interrelationship and calculated, pre-conceived correlation of the seat switch actuating potential as regards its operation of the releasing component or unit and the latter's affecting of the back-rest vest (or the like) securement in holding place and position about the driver when his or her weight is on the seat; while at the same time entirely and with quick facility capable of disengaging and uncoupling all that when not enough driver weight is on the seat to push or urge the seat switch into safety strap locking and escape prevention release of the strap interconnection and engagement with the releasing unit.

While embodiments of the invention are well adapted to be installed on already-made motorcycles and the like or equivalent vehicles, it is plain and needless to mention that the presently-contemplated safety-release back rest arrangements are readily capable of being designed into and made integral appurtenant parts of newly-made, production-line or otherwise assembled new vehicles.

Many changes and modifications can readily be made in and adapted to embodiments and practices in accordance with the present invention without substantial departation from its apparent and intended spirit and scope, all in pursuance and accordance with the same as it is set forth and delineated in the hereto-appended claims.