GB2427996A - Safety system for a motorbike - Google Patents

Abstract

A safety system <B>14</B> for a motorbike comprises means for selectively restraining a rider of the motorbike on the motorbike, such that the rider remains on the motorbike in the event of an accident. A connector <B>20</B> or connectors may be provided on the motorbike to which the restraining means can be connected. The restraining means may include a harness <B>16</B> wearable by the rider. A strap member <B>18</B> or members may extend from a protective suit of a rider. The suit may be arranged such that the strap <B>18</B> or straps may locate in a pocket or other receptacle when not required. The straps <B>18</B> may automatically retract. Also disclosed is a safety system for a motorbike including at least one airbag mounted on the motorbike, the airbag being operable in the event of an accident.

Description

Safety Systems This invention concerns safety systems for motorbike

vehicles, and also motorbike vehicles incorporating such safety systems.

The term motorbike vehicle is to be understood in this specification as covering conventional two wheel motorbikes, as well as three wheel motorbikes, four wheel motorbikes such as quad bikes, as well as scooters, mopeds and other powered vehicles of a similar type.

A significant number of accidents occur to riders of motorbikes and similar vehicles. In such accidents the riders and also any passengers are generally afforded little protection. In many instances in an accident the rider and any passenger are thrown off the motorbike and often forwards of the motorbike. Aside from any injury caused by this, there is a significant risk of injury being caused subsequently by other traffic impacting with the rider and/or passenger.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a safety system for a motorbike vehicle as hereinbefore defined, the safety system including means for selectively restraining a rider of the vehicle on the vehicle, such that the rider should remain on the vehicle even in the event of an accident.

The restraining means preferably includes a strap member selectively extendible between the rider and the vehicle. A respective strap member is preferably provided on each side of the vehicle.

A connector or connectors may be provided on the vehicle to which connector an engagement member on the strap or straps is selectively engageable. The or each connector and the or each engagement member preferably respectively include either a male or a female member, which members are automatically engageable when the male member enters the female member. A release control may be provided to release the male member from the female member when required.

The restraining means may include a harness wearable by a rider, from which harness the strap member or members extend. The harness is preferably adjustable for different sized riders, and is desirably made of a light reflective material.

Alternatively, the strap member or members may extend from a protective suit for a rider. The suit may be arranged such that the strap or straps can locate in a pocket or other receptacle when not required. The suit may be arranged such that the strap or straps automatically retract into a pocket or other receptacle when not required, and the strap or straps may be spring mounted and/or elastic.

The safety system may include an inertia arrangement to allow some relatively slow movement of the rider relative to the vehicle, but not permit rapid movement as might occur in the event of an accident. The connector or connectors may be mounted on the vehicle by an inertia arrangement.

Restraining means are preferably also provided for use by a passenger on the vehicle According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a safety system including an airbag mounted on a motorbike vehicle as hereinbefore defined, the airbag being operable upon detection of an accident to protect a rider of the vehicle.

An airbag may be locatable at the front of a vehicle for the rider to engage against in an accident, and may be locatable behind the front cowling.

An airbag may be locatable on each side of the vehicle.

An airbag may be locatable at the rear of the vehicle, and may be locatable in a backrest for a pillion passenger.

A safety system may be provided which is according to both the first and second aspects of the invention.

The invention further provides a motorbike vehicle incorporating a safety system according to any of the preceding twelve paragraphs.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a motorbike vehicle incorporating a safety system according to the present invention; Figs. 2 to 4 are respectively front, side and rear views showing part of a safety system according to the invention; Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic front view of part of an alternative safety system according to the invention; and Fig. 6 is a similar view to Fig. 1 showing a safety system according to a second aspect of the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a motorbike 10 with a rider 12. A safety system 14 is provided in the form of a harness 16 with a respective strap 18 on each side selectively engageabJe in a respective mounting socket 20 on each side of the bike 10.

The harness 16 is made of a light reflective material and includes shoulder straps 22 interconnected by a back strap 24 and an openable chest strap 26. An openable belt 28 extends around the body at the end of the straps 22. The harness 16 is adjustable to fit different sized wearers. The side straps 18 extend from the belt 28 on each side and are each provided with a respective male member 30 at their free ends.

The mounting sockets 20 are provided on each side of the motorbike immediately beneath the seat 32, as shown in Fig. 1, such that the rider 12 can wear the harness 16 and plug the male members 30 into the respective sockets 20. Release buttons (not shown) are provided to permit release of the male members 30 from the sockets 20. Similar mounting sockets 34 are provided beneath the seat 32 further back on the bike 12 for use by a pillion passenger.

Fig. 5 shows an alternative arrangement where a harness is incorporated into a safety suit 36 for a rider. In this instance restractable side straps 38 are provided which may be spring mounted and elastic such that they only extend from the suit 36 when required. The side straps include similar male members 30.

In use, with the arrangements of Figs. 2 -4 and also Fig. 5, the rider 12 can ride the bike 10 in a conventional manner. The provision of the side straps 18 or 38 restrains the rider 12 on the bike 10 even in the event of an accident, such that the rider 12 will be afforded protection by the bike 10, and will not be thrown therefrom, potentially into the way of other traffic.

Fig. 6 shows a second aspect of the invention. Here airbags are fitted to the motorbike 10, operable upon detection of an accident in a conventional manner. A first airbag 40 is provided beneath a lower part of the cowling 42.

Second airbags 44 are provided beneath the seat 32 on each side, immediately behind the location for the rider's legs. A third airbag 46 is located in a backrest 48 for a pillion passenger.

In the event of an accident, and particularly upon detection of a sudden deceleration, the airbags 40, 44, 46 will inflate. The first airbag 40 will provide protection for the rider 10 who may well be thrown forwards in the event of an accident. The second airbags 44 provide protection in the event in particular that the bike 10 falls sideways, to protect the rider 12 and particularly the legs of the rider. The third airbag 46 will provide protection from the rear and provide protection if the rider 12, or any pillion passenger may otherwise fall rearwardly or be impacted from the rear.

It is to be realised that safety systems of the first and second aspects of the invention are readily combinable to provide enhanced protection for the rider 10. Any combination of the various features described may be combined as required.

It is also to be realised that a wide range of other modifications may be possible without departing from the scope of the invention. For example the harness and/or mounting arrangements for mounting the side straps to the bike may be varied. It may be possible to incorporate an inertia arrangement, perhaps mounting the sockets 20 on the bike, such that limited slow movement could be permitted, but in the invention of an accident, the mounting sockets would be held firm to the bike.

Air bags may be required in only some of the indicated positions, and it may be that airbags would be required at other locations on a motorbike, Whilst the invention has been described in relation to a motorbike, it is usable in a wide range of other motorbike vehicles, such as three wheeled or four wheeled versions such as quad bikes, or for use on scooters or mopeds or the like.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims (2)

1. Claims A connector or connectors may be provided on the vehicle to which

   connector an engagement member on the straps is selectively engageable each connector or each engagement member preferably respectively include either a male or female member which members are automatically engageable when the male member enters the female. A release control may be provided to release the male member from the female member when required the safety system is provided in the form of a harness or built in a motor bike suit
2. 2. Air bags mounted on a motorbike vehicle being operable upon detection of an accident to protect the rider and pillow.