AU3137001A

AU3137001A - Audio system for motorcycle

Info

Publication number: AU3137001A
Application number: AU31370/01A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Robert George Hume Booth
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-03-29
Filing date: 2001-03-29
Publication date: 2001-10-04

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT invention Title: "AUDI.O.S.YS.TEM FQR The following statement Is a full description of this Invention, including the best method of performing It known to me:- AUDIO SYSTEM FOR A MOTORCYCLE The invention relates to an audio system for a motorcycle and relates particularly to the means whereby audio equipment is mounted on the motorcycle.

In recent times, some new motorcycles have been provided with audio equipment such as a radio or a tape deck, which has been incorporated in the usual instrument console of the motorcycle. The present invention is particularly concerned with motorcycles on which such equipment has not been provided.

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The audio equipment used in the present invention may comprise a radio, preferably an AM-FM radio, and/or a cassette player. In some cases a CD player may be provided.

The audio equipment is connected to at least one speaker.

In accordance with the invention, an audio system for a motorcycle comprises a housing adapted to be rigidly mounted on the windscreen of a motorcycle. A rigid support is fitted firmly and snugly inside the housing. The support is provided with a recess.

Audio equipment is firmly fitted within the recess with the dial of the equipment visible and with the controls of the equipment accessible when the housing is open. One or more speakers are mounted on the support. Connections are provided within the housing between the audio equipment and the speaker or speakers. Connections are also provided through the housing wall between the audio equipment and a conveniently 3 positioned aerial and between the audio equipment and a battery, which is preferably the usual battery of the motorcycle.

The housing is adapted to be rigidly mounted on the windscreen of a motorcycle on the side nearest the cyclist, and at a position so that the vision of the cyclist of the way ahead 5 is not obstructed and the view of the instruments of the motorcycle is not impaired.

Further, the housing is adapted to be mounted in a position so that it does not hamper movement of the handlebars in any way or restrict access to the controls of the

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motorcycle. Preferably, the housing is mounted by the same means as the windscreen is •mounted on the motorcycle.

o0•* C. *C S* 10 One embodiment of the invention will be described in relation to the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a housing in the form of a pouch with a closure flap in closed position and a remote control mechanism leading to the inside of the pouch; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the pouch with the closure flap in open position; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a support which is fitted within the pouch; and Fig. 4 illustrates the pouch mounted on the windscreen of a motorcycle with the closure flap in open position.

4 In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the motorcycle audio system comprises a housing in the form of a pouch having an open topped body portion 1 and a closure flap 2 adapted to close the body portion 1. In Fig. 1, closure flap 2 is shown in its closed position and is held in that position by any suitable means such as a clip 3.

Alternatively, velcro strips may be used. When the motorcycle is in motion, closure flap 2 is held in its closed position.

In Fig. 2, closure flap 2 is shown in an open position revealing audio equipment 4 in the form of a combined AM-FM radio and cassette player. At the visible end of the audio equipment there is schematically illustrated a dial for the radio, access to the cassette compartment and various controls for the audio equipment. There is also illustrated an on-off switch 5 for the audio equipment, a jack 6 into which earphones may be connected and a cigarette lighter 7. Perforated speaker guards 8 cover apertures in the °eg o o g- body portion 1 of the pouch adjacent to where the speakers are located. When closure flap 2 is in an open position, the audio equipment may be adjusted manually.

The housing may be made of any suitable material. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the housing is in the form of a pouch, and preferably, is made of leather or leather-like material.

Fig.3 illustrates a rigid support 11 which is shaped to fit firmly and snugly inside the pouch. Support 11 has a back portion 12 which is substantially coextensive with and rests against the rear wall of body portion 1 of the pouch. Back portion 12 is provided with a number of holes such as 13 which mate with corresponding holes in the rear wall of the pouch and both are adapted to receive bolts used to mount the windscreen on the motorcycle. The fastening nuts for those bolts are located within the support so that both the back portion 12 of the support and the rear wall of the pouch are firmly clamped to the windscreen. Support 11 is fashioned to provide a recess 14 in which the audio -equipment is adapted to be mounted. Support 11 also is provided with two annular :...•portions 15 on which speakers are adapted to be mounted. Support 11 is also provided S:°i with suitably positioned apertures in which on-off switch 5, jack 6 and cigarette lighter 7 are mounted. Support 11 is fitted firmly and snugly inside the pouch with its back S 10 portion 12 and front portion firmly contacting the back and front walls of body portion 1 of the pouch, respectively.

The front wall of the pouch is provided with apertures corresponding to the apertures of 0* support 11 surrounded by annular portions 15. The speakers are mounted within supportl 1 and speaker guards 8 on the outside of the pouch. Suitable fastening means fit into holes 20 spaced around annular portions 15 and corresponding holes in the front wall of the pouch.

The bottom edge of cover 2 is preferably formed with a pair of eyebrows 21 to project outwardly over speaker guards 8.

6 Connecting leads from the audio equipment and the speakers, switch 5 and jack 6 are housed within support 11. Other connecting leads to a battery and aerial pass through a hole in the bottom of the pouch.

Because of the rigid assembly of all components of the audio system, there is negligible vibration even when the bike is in motion at speed. The audio equipment may be played using the speakers while the motorcycle is in motion. If desired the audio equipment may be played through earphones connected to the equipment via jack 6. In those circumstances, the speakers would be disabled. Earphones may be provided for the •cyclist and for any pillion passenger.

°"10 Preferably, the controls for the audio equipment are adapted to be adjusted remotely. As illustrated in Fig. 4, a remote control mechanism 16 may be mounted on the left handlebar closely adjacent the usual handgrip so that adjustments may be made to the audio equipment while the bike is in motion without the driver having to take his hand from the handgrip. Mechanism 16 is connected by a lead 17 to a remote control actuator located within the pouch.

The radio may be pre-selectively tuned to, say, 18 stations arranged in three sets. For example there may be one set of AM stations and two sets of FM stations Actuating lever 18 is mounted on actuating mechanism 16 so as to be capable of movement in three fixed directions. By moving actuating lever 18 in one direction, stations within a set may be selected. The actuating lever 18 may be moved in a second direction to 7 change sets and in a third direction to change volume. Another control 19 on actuating mechanism 16 may change the audio equipment from a radio mode to a cassette player mode.

The audio system is preferably provided with a removable all weather cover.

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Claims

2. An audio system as claimed in Claim I, wherein the housing is in the form of a pouch with a closable flap. S
3. An audio system as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the audio equipment SHcomprises an AM-FM radio and a cassette player.
4. An audio system as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, having a remote control mechanism adapted to be mounted on the handlebar of the motorcycle and connected to a control actuator inside the housing so that the audio equipment may be adjusted remotely. DATED this 29 h day of MARCH 2001. ROBERT GEORGE HUME BOOTH By His Patent Attorney, PAUL KILDEA.