WO2002081293A1

WO2002081293A1 - Canopy for motor cycles

Info

Publication number: WO2002081293A1
Application number: PCT/EP2002/003610
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luca Pons
Original assignee: Fiordalisi & C. S.R.L.
Priority date: 2001-04-09
Filing date: 2002-04-02
Publication date: 2002-10-17
Also published as: ITTO20010053V0; ITTO20010053U1; EP1383674A1

Abstract

A canopy (16) for a motor cycle, adapted to shelter the driver and a possible passenger from rain, includes a structure constituted by a framework of inflatable tubular members with at least one inflation inlet (46). Said structure is so shaped that, when it is inflated and installed on the motor cycle, it has, in side view, a configuration which is substantially in the shape of the Greek letter "Η", with a substantially horizontal cover limb (18) so arranged as to overhang the driver and the possible passenger, and a substantially vertical rear support limb (20) which is so arranged as to extend downwardly from the cover limb (18). A front edge of the cover limb (18) is provided with means (42, 44) for its anchorage to an upper edge of a windshield (12) of the motor cycle. A lower region of the support limb (20) is provided with means (22) for its anchorage to a rear part of the motor cycle.

Description

CANOPY FOR MOTOR CYCLES

The invention relates to a canopy for motor cycles according to the preamble of claim 1.

The invention has been conceived in its application to a motor scooter equipped with a windshield installed on the front leg shield or the handlebar, but it can be used on any motor cycle on which a windshield or the like can be installed or is already installed.

Many prior art documents, among which document JP-A-2 081 783, disclose motor scooters and other motor cycles equipped with a plexiglass fairing which, as well as having an aerodynamic function, constitutes a rigid canopy to shelter the driver and a possible passenger from rain.

The treat to drive a motor scooter or a motor cycle while travelling for pleasure or moving around in town is above all that of being allowed to ride in the open air, when the weather is fine, without an overhanging fixed canopy which, among the other things, is an expensive optional extra for a motor cycle.

It is only in case of rain that a scooterist or a motor cyclist would like to have a shelter over his head.

Document IT-U-FI99U000010, on which the preamble of claim 1 is based, discloses a shelter to protect the rider of a motor scooter from the rain when he is riding, which comprises a structure constituted by a framework of inflatable tubular members which supports, and is covered by, a cap of waterproof, transparent, flexible sheet material.

When the shelter is deflated, it may be stored in a luggage compartment of the motor scooter.

When the shelter is inflated, it takes the shape of a substantially hemispherical dome.

In use, the scooterist wears the shelter as a hood which rests on, and is supported by, his head, totally covers the head, the shoulders and the chest, and surrounds the latter. Side portions of the lower edge of the hood may be connected to the leg shield of the motor scooter.

A shelter of this known kind lends itself well to protect a motor cyclist from rain, but has the drawback to hinder the movements of the rider, and may give him a feeling of suffocation because his head and his chest are imprisoned in a dome-shaped hood which, in addition to being waterproof, is almost airtight, as if the head of the rider were enclosed in a diver's helmet.

Further, the inner surfaces of the transparent material of the hood may mist over, due to the breathing of the rider, and the mist may impair his vision, with a risk of road accidents.

Still further, the hood according to the prior art may prevent the rider from hearing the sounds from the environment, especially the sounds of blaring horns from other vehicles, with a further risk of road accidents.

The object of the present invention is to provide a canopy of the kind considered which is much less expensive than the rigid plexiglass fairings, which does not hinder the movements of the rider, which is not installed permanently, which is adapted to be readily and easily installed by a scooterist or a motor cyclist in case of rain, and which allows him to enjoy the pleasure of riding in the open air also in case of, rain, without giving him a feeling of suffocation.

According to the invention, this object is attained by means of a canopy as claimed.

Thanks to the claimed solution, the scooterist or the motor cyclist, if his vehicle is equipped with a windshield, has just to mount and inflate his canopy when it threatens to rain or it begins to rain. The driver and the possible passenger are then protected from the rain by the upper limb of the canopy, but nothing hinders the movements of the rider, and even less impairs his breathing capacity and his ability to see and hear.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear from the reading of the description which follows, made with reference to the attached drawings, given by way of non- limiting examples and in which:

figure 1 is a front perspective view of a motor scooter, shown in thin lines, which is equipped with an inflatable canopy according to a preferred embodiment of the invention,

figure 2 is a similar perspective view of the motor scooter from the rear, figure 3 is a plan view, partially broken away, of the developed canopy of figures 1 and 2, in the deflated condition, and

figure 4 is a plan view similar to that of figure 3, which shows a developed canopy according to a modification, in the deflated condition.

Referring to figures 1 and 2, a motor scooter 10 (or other motor cycle) includes among the other things a windshield 12 and an exhaust pipe 14 (figure 2) .

The motor scooter 10 is equipped with a removable canopy according to the invention, generally indicated 16.

Referring to figure 3 as well as to figures 1 and 2, the canopy 16, which is so shaped as to shelter the driver and a possible passenger from rain, is constituted by an inflatable structure, which is preferably in a single piece, of a flexible, waterproof sheet material, such as a fabric- reinforced polyurethane material.

In the inflated and installed condition of figures 1 and 2, the canopy 16, as seen from one side, has a configuration which is substantially in the shape of the Greek letter "r".

This ^λT" configuration defines a substantially horizontal upper cover limb 18 and a substantially vertical rear support limb 20.

A front edge of the cover limb 18 is provided with means for its anchorage to a forward edge of the windshield 12, as will be described below.

A lower region of the support limb 20 is provided with means for its anchorage to a rear part of the motor scooter.

Preferably, in the location of the lower region of the support limb 20, said anchorage means comprise a container 22 which is secured or adapted to be secured to the rear part of the motor scooter and is adapted to contain the deflated canopy 16.

The container 22 may be a tubular housing in which the deflated canopy 16 can be stored in a rolled up condition or folded in an accordion shape.

The structure of figures 1 to 3 includes a pair of inflatable, laterally spaced apart, longitudinal tubular members 24 which continuously extend along opposite sides of the structure from the front edge of the cover limb 18 to the lower region of the support limb 20.

The two longitudinal tubular members 24, in the inflated condition, have the said configuration substantially in the shape of the Greek letter "T", with a radiused section 26 in the corner region between the cover limb 18 and the support limb 20.

The space between the longitudinal tubular members 24 is completely straddled by a web 28 of a waterproof, flexible sheet material, which is preferably integral with, or heat sealed to, the material of the tubular longitudinal members 24. The longitudinal tubular members 24 are connected to each other by at least two inflatable cross members.

Preferably, two such cross members, indicated 30, 32, are located in an upper region and an intermediate region of the support limb 20, respectively.

The support limb 20 has a wide rectangular window 34 for the passage of the air, in order to keep the drag of the canopy 16 relatively low.

The window 34 is defined between the cross members 30, 32 and intervening portions of the longitudinal members 24.

The longitudinal tubular members 24 are connected to each other by further inflatable cross members one of which, indicated 36, is located on the front edge of the upper cover limb 18 and the other of which, indicated 38, is located on the lower edge of the support limb 20 and in the vicinity of said means 22 for the anchorage of the support limb 20 to the rear part of the motor cycle.

In the lower part of the support limb 18, also the space between the cross members 32, 38 and the intervening sections of the longitudinal members 24 is straddled by a web 40 of a waterproof, flexible sheet material, which acts as a shield to protect the back of the passenger from possible mud splashes.

In the modification shown in figure 4, the inflatable canopy, generally indicated 16a, has an upper cover limb, indicated 18a, which has an inflatable structure similar to that of an inflatable mattress and is so arranged as to overhang the driver and the possible passenger.

The rear support limb, indicated 20a, of the canopy 16a is inflatable as well and is so arranged as to extend downwardly from the cover limb 18a and behind the driver and the possible passenger.

As in the embodiment of figures 1 to 3, the lower region of the support limb 20 ^"" is preferably provided with anchorage means in the form of a container 22a which is secured or adapted to be secured to the rear part of the motor scooter and is adapted to contain the deflated canopy 16a.

Also preferably, the two limbs 18a, 20a are interconnected by a transverse hinging region 26a in order to allow their mutual angle to be changed according to the distance between the windshield 12 and the container 22a, so that the canopy 16a can be applied to various models of motor scooters or motor cycles in general.

Still preferably, as shown, the cover limb 18a comprises a succession of tubular ribs 28a which are transversally oriented with respect to the direction of travel of the vehicle .

This configuration is especially advantageous if the windshield 12 is fixed to the handle-bar rather than to the front leg shield of the motor scooter, since it allows the cover limb 18a to follow the movements of the handle-bar more easily by deforming in the manner of a concertina.

Preferably, as shown, the support limb 20a is constituted by a grid-like structure with tubular uprights and crosspieces, of which an upper crosspiece 30a is joined to the rear edge of the cover limb 18a and a lower crosspiece 32a is anchored to the rear container 22a.

As will be seen, the uprights and the crosspieces of the gridlike structure define windows 34a for the passage of the air in order to keep the drag of the canopy 16 relatively low.

In the embodiment of figures 1 to 3, as well as in the modification of figure 4, the anchorage means of the canopy 16 or 16a to the upper edge of the windshield 12 comprise a border or wing 42 of a flexible sheet material which extends from the front edge of the cover limb 18 or 18a and can be applied to the front face of the windshield 12 in an upper region of the latter.

More particularly, said anchorage means to the windshield are mutual securing means which preferably consist of eyelets 44, of metal or plastic material, which are provided in the border or wing 42, and of corresponding coupling members (not shown), which are provided on the windshield 12 and can be engaged in the eyelets 44 in the manner of buttons.

Still preferably, all the air chambers defined in the two limbs .18, 20 or 18a, 20a communicate with each other, and the canopy 16 or 16a is provided with a single inflation inlet 46 located in a lower region of the support limb 20 or 20a and equipped with an inner check valve to prevent unwanted deflation of the canopy.

The canopy 16 or 16a is preferably equipped with a flexible hose 48 (figure 2) whose ends are adapted to be connected, respectively, to the inflation inlet 46 and to the exhaust pipe 14 of the motor scooter of figures 1 and 2, so that the canopy can be inflated by means of the exhaust gas of the engine .

It has been found that the inflation of the canopy 16 or 16a by means of the exhaust gas of a small capacity engine, at a pressure little higher than atmospheric, sufficient to render the canopy substantially rigid and self-supporting, requires about twenty seconds.

It has also been also found that when the canopy 16 or 16a is inflated in this manner, a motor cycle can safely circulate, without the canopy undergoing any fluttering phenomena, at speeds over 90 kiti/h, and this above all thanks to the presence of the window 34 (figures 1 to 3) or the windows 34a (figure 4) for the passage of the air through the support limb 20 or 20a.

Claims

1. A canopy for a motor cycle provided with a windshield, which canopy (16; 16a) is so shaped as to shelter the rider from rain, and includes a structure constituted by a framework of inflatable tubular members with at least one inflation inlet (46) , characterized in that said structure is so shaped that, when it is inflated and installed on a motor cycle, it has, in side view, a configuration which is substantially in the shape of the Greek letter "I"' with a substantially horizontal cover limb (18; 18a) so arranged as to overhang the driver and a possible passenger, and a substantially vertical rear support limb (20; 20a) which is so arranged as to extend downwardly from the cover limb (18; 18a) and behind the driver and the possible passenger, in that a front edge of the cover limb (18; 18a) is provided with means (42, 44) for its anchorage to an upper edge of the windshield (12) of the motor cycle, and in that a lower region of the support limb (20; 20a) is provided with means (22; 22a) for its anchorage to a rear part of the motor cycle.

2. A canopy according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower region of the support limb (20; 20a) has a container (22; 22a) associated thereto, which is secured or adapted to be secured to the rear part of the motor cycle and is adapted to contain the deflated canopy (16; 16a) .

3. A canopy according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the framework includes tubular inflatable longitudinal members

(24) and tubular inflatable cross members (30, 32, 36, 38) .

4. A canopy according to claim 3, characterized in that, on the one hand, the inflatable longitudinal members (24) and, on the other hand, the inflatable cross members (30, 32, 36, 38) are spaced from each other, and in that, at least in the cover limb (18), the spaces between said inflatable members (30, 32, 36, 38) are straddled by one or more webs (28, 40) of a waterproof, flexible sheet material.

5. A canopy according to claim 4, characterized in that the inflatable structure includes a pair of laterally spaced apart longitudinal tubular members (24) which continuously extend along opposite sides of the structure from the front edge of the cover limb (18) to the lower region of the support limb

(20), in that said longitudinal tubular members (24), in the inflated condition, have the said configuration substantially in the shape of the Greek letter "I"', with a radiused section

(26) in the corner region between the cover limb (18) and the support limb (20), and in that in at least the cover limb (18) the space between the longitudinal tubular members (24) is completely straddled by a web (28) of a waterproof, flexible sheet material.

6. A canopy according to claim 5, characterized in that the longitudinal tubular members (24) are connected to each other by at least two inflatable cross members (30, 32) which are located in an upper region and an intermediate region of the support limb (20) , respectively, and in that the support limb (20) has a window (34) for the passage of the air, which is defined between the said cross members (30, 32) and intervening portions of the longitudinal members (24) .

7. A canopy according to claim 6, characterized in that the longitudinal tubular members (24) are connected to each other by further inflatable cross members (36, 38) one of which (36) is located on the front edge of the upper cover limb (18) and the other (38) of which is located on the lower edge of the support limb (20) and in the vicinity of said means (22) for the anchorage of the support limb (20) to the rear part of the motor cycle.

8. A canopy according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the upper cover limb (18a) has an inflatable structure similar to that of an inflatable mattress, and the rear support limb (20a) has an inflatable structure as well.

9. A canopy according to claim 8, characterized in that the rear support limb (20a) is constituted by a grid-like structure with tubular uprights and crosspieces, which defines windows (34a) for the passage of the air, and of which an upper crosspiece (30a) is joined to the rear edge of the cover limb (18a) and a lower crosspiece (32a) is anchored to the container (22a) .

10. A canopy according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the two limbs (18a, 20a) are connected to each other by a transverse hinging region (26a) in order to allow they mutual angle to be changed according to the distance between the windshield (12) and the means (22a) for the anchorage to the rear part of the motor cycle.

11. A canopy according to any of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the cover limb (18a) comprises a succession of parallel tubular members in the form of tubular ribs (28a) .

12. A canopy according to claim 11, characterized in that the tubular ribs (28a) are transversally oriented with respect to the direction of travel.

13. A canopy according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the anchorage means to the windshield comprise a border or wing (42) of flexible sheet material which extends from the front edge of the cover limb (18; 18a) and can be applied to the front face of the windshield (12) in an upper region of the latter, and in that mutual securing means are provided on said border (42) and on said upper region.

14. A canopy according to claim 13, characterized in that the mutual securing means consist of eyelets (44) provided in said border (42), and of corresponding coupling members provided on the windshield (12) and adapted to be engaged in the eyelets

(44).

15. A canopy according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that all the inflatable spaces defined in the two limbs (18, 20; 18a, 20a) communicate with each other, and the canopy (16; 16a) is provided with a single inflation inlet (46) located in a lower region of the support limb (20; 20a) .

16. A canopy according to claim 15, characterized in that it is equipped with a flexible hose (48) whose ends are adapted to be connected, respectively, to the inflation inlet (46) and to the exhaust pipe (14) of the motor cycle in order to allow the canopy (16; 16a) to be inflated by means of the exhaust gas .