WO2007038848A1

WO2007038848A1 - Motorcycle safety vest support frame

Info

Publication number: WO2007038848A1
Application number: PCT/BR2006/000202
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sônia Regina De Castro
Original assignee: De Castro Sonia Regina
Priority date: 2005-10-03
Filing date: 2006-09-28
Publication date: 2007-04-12
Also published as: WO2007038848B1; BRPI0504397A

Abstract

A bar frame installed on motorcycles, three wheelers and four wheelers, attached to the chassis by reinforced pieces and held in place with screws (8, 12 and 13). There are buckles (11) attached to bars parallel to the rider and passenger (4 & 5) for adjustable straps (24) to attach the safety vests on. There are two supporting backrests (19) going from their waists to their heads and a pair of connectable handles (21) at the user's chest for closing it. There are bars parallel to the rider's feet (10) and knees (6), to which canvas (9) is attached. A windshield (17), roof (16), and side-covers (18) may also be attached to bars at the front of the vehicle.

Description

MOTORCYCLE SAFETY VEST SUPPORT FRAME

The following documentation relates to a new invention: a support frame to attach safety vests to motorcycles, three-wheelers (trikes), and four wheelers

(ATVs). The purpose is to prevent riders being dragged or thrown from the vehicle in the event of an accident. The support frame also protects both the occupants and the vehicle, and additionally, a cover, windshield, and side covers can be attached, reducing exposure to bad weather.

Prior Art

Motorcycles on which the users remain seated do not offer any security at all. The helmet protects the head, however the rest of the body remains completely vulnerable. Therefore, a large percentage of accidents are fatal or result in serious physical and material damage. There are models which have safety belts, windshields and sun roofs. They are limited in application as they are only suitable for a single person who must remain in a seated position as the belts are attached to seats. These models still offer no lateral protection and such features are only installed during production and are not available to motorcycles already in circulation.

Exposition of the Invention

This invention may be adapted to any motorcycle model on the market, including those that the rider is in the mounted position. There is also room for the passenger, as a safety vest attached to side bars is used rather than a safety belt attached to a seat.

The vests keep the people secured to the vehicle. The metal bar structure, aside from supporting the vests, prevents or niinimizes damage caused to the vehicle by impact and reduces the risk of serious injury through collisions or hitting the ground when falling over or capsizing. There are specific bars for protecting the driver's feet and knees, and the side bars protect other body parts, especially the passenger's.

The roof, windshield, and covering reduce exposure to foul weather, making the vehicle more comfortable as well.

Descriptions of Drawings

DRAWING 1: refers to a view of a motorcycle with a Safety Vest Support Frame on it. DRAWING 2 : refers to a view of a part used to connect one of the rear bars to one of the rear wheel's axles.

DRAWING 3: refers to a view of a motorcycle with a Safety Vest Support Frame on it, with a roof, windshield, half-folded covers on both sides, and two occupants wearing safety vests. DRAWING 4: refers to a front view of a person wearing a safety vest.

DRAWING 5: refers to a front view of a safety vest attached to straps. DRAWING 6: refers to a rear view of a safety vest attached to straps. DRAWING 7: refers to a view of a motorcycle safety vest and backrest. DRAWING 8: refers to a view of a safety vest strap.

The Best Way to Produce this Invention

Referring to drawings 1 and 3, we can see that the structure is connected to the motorcycle's chassis by reinforced parts (8. 12, & 13). The main connector (12) goes from one side to the other and is screwed to the chassis.

On the Yamaha YBR 125, on which the drawings are based, it is necessary to cut the chain cover, in order to make room for the main connector.

According to drawing 2, the pieces connecting the side bars (2) and the rear bars (5) are made of a twisted metal plate (13), which should go around the chassis bars, and also serve as reinforcement. There are holes (14) in it to screw it on. Coinciding holes would need to be made in the chassis. Solid metal bars

(8) are welded onto the plate (13). The structure's main bars (2, 4 & 5) are connected to them, they fit into holes and are also screwed on, having a hole which coincides with another on the connecting part.

The part connecting the side bars (2) is screwed to the chassis bar that is directly below the gas tank.

After being connected to that part, the side bars (2) bend forwards, there is then a curvature, twisting towards the back again at headlight height. The incline degree is reduced and stops about 20 cm before reaching the central bars (4), then connects to the central bars (4). The side bars (2) continue straight up until they connect with the rear bars (5). The lower end of the rear bars (5) attaches and is screwed to the reinforced bar (8) of the connecting piece (13) near the center of the back wheel. There are four intermediary bars (1) between the side bars (2): at handlebar level, 20 cm before the central bars, at the center (4) and rear (5) bar level.

The central bars (4) are screwed to the central connecting piece (12) at their lower end and to the side (2) and intermediary bars at the other.

Specific bars (6) protect the rider's knees. These knee-bars (6) are in the shape of a V lying down. Both ends are connected to the side bar (2) : one directly below the headlight, the other near the lower end of the side bar (2). The upper part of the knee-bar (6) lies straight and is about 50 cm long. Some canvas (9) could be attached to the curvature to enhance its efficiency.

Another V shaped bar (10) is welded onto the lower part of the knee-bar (6), its curvature is near the pedal. Some canvas (9) is attached to its inner side as well. This bar (10) aims to protect the rider's feet.

Arch-shaped bars (3) act as bumpers and reinforcement between the main bars.

The front bumper is above the wheel and its ends connect with the side bars (2). The rear bumper goes above the license plate and its ends are connected to the main rear bars(5). There are two other arches (3) connected to the main rear bars(5), curving towards the back: a little above the passenger's elbow height and connecting the side bars(2).

The safety vests are attached to the main central (4) and rear bars (5) by metal buckles (11) on the bars. There are two buckles(ll) per bar: one at the waist and the other at armpit level.

The safety vest side straps (24) go through the buckles (11) and are then held in place by an adjustable clip (23). The other end of the straps (24) has a stitched fold, through which the other straps (20 and 25) pass. Abackrest (19) and apair of handles (21) supportthe safety vest The backrest

(19) protects the rider's spinal column.

The pair of handles (21) are made of metal or other resistant material. It is at the rider's abdominal level and it is attached by a snap-hook (22). As shown in drawing 8, each handle (21) is approximately 22cm x 1 cm. Each side has hollowed rectangles: one is placed horizontally at the upper end and the other two are placed vertically: one directly below the first (one) and the other at the lower end of the handle. The rectangles are approximately one centimeter wide and are longer than the width of the straps (20 and 25), so that they may slide easily. On the handle's (21) other side there is only an arch in the middle, for the snap-hook (22) that connects the pair of handles (21).

One of the vest's upper strap's (20) ends is sewn onto the horizontal rectangle on one of the vest's handles (21), it goes through two holes (26) in the backrest (19), then through a side strap (24), through the upper vertical and horizontal slots on the handle (21) on the other side, goes back through holes (26) in the backrest (19), through another side strap (24) and through the vertical upper rectangle and through the horizontal rectangle on the handle (21). On the other side, the same end of the strap again goes through holes (26) on the backrest (19), through another side strap (24) and through the upper vertical rectangle on the handle (21) on the same side where the other end is sewn (20). Finally, it is held in place by an adjustable clip, which allows the adjustment of the strap to the size of the one wearing it.

In the event of an emergency, the entire vest may be opened by releasing the clip (23) on the vest's upper strap (20) and the snap hook (22).

The other strap on the vest (25) is wrapped around the motorcyclist's waist. It is held in place by stitching to the lower vertical rectangle on one side, it goes through a side strap (24) and through the lower holes (26) on the backrest (19), through another side strap (24) and the lower rectangle on the handle (21), on the other side, where it is also held in place by clip (23), which also allows the adjustment of the size of the strap (25). As shown in drawing 7, the backrest (19) is made of a compact sheet, which should be made of a light and resistant material. It has six holes (26) through which the vest straps pass: two are placed at waist level and four at shoulder level. The holes must have a diameter superior to the width of the straps (20 and 25), so that they may slide easily. The vests must be adjusted without causing discomfort. There is always some margin for slack because the side bars do not allow the motorcyclists to hit the ground, if the vehicle should capsize.

A cover (16), which must be made of impermeable and resistant material, may be attached on the frame structure. A transparent material may be installed in front of the motorcyclist, acting as a windshield (17).

A detachable and foldable cover (18), preferably made of impermeable material, may be installed on the sides of the structure. Most of this cover (18) should be transparent, with the exception of some parts that will act as a sun shield, especially the parts next to the handlebars and upper edges. The bars are connected by screws and nuts, with the help of metal plates, which go around the connections and are also screwed onto the bars.

Possible Industrial Applications

This invention may be produced to be installed on any kind of motorcycle, three wheelers and four wheelers already in circulation. It can be adapted to the several models of vehicles of this kind available on the market. It can also be included in the assembly of new vehicles.

Above all, it is recommended for motorcycles on which the riders remain in the mounted position, but it can also be adapted for those models on which riders remain in the seated position. The models that have safety belts, windshields and sunroofs have room for only one person and are made by few manufacturers - most of these motorcycles leave the factory without the above-mentioned equipment, which is also not available on the market for vehicles already in circulation.

Claims

CLAIM

Some motorcycle models have seat belts, windshields and sunroofs, but such equipment is only installed during production. In addition, they offer little protection on the sides and there is ropm for only one person, who remains in the seated position, as the safety belts are attached to seats.

The Motorcycle Safety Vest Support Frame is characterized by its adaptability to any model of motorcycles, three wheelers (trikes) and four wheelers (ATV)₅ both during production and in vehicles already in circulation. It can be installed both on models on which riders remain in the seated position as well as on those on which riders remain in the mounted position. This is possible due to the structure that goes all around the vehicle: in front and behind (3), above (1 and 2) and the sides. Two safety vests are installed parallel to the rider (4) and passenger (5), attached to the frame by the side straps(24). Canvas (9) is attached to bars at the rider's knee (6) and feet (10) level. A roof (16), windshield (17), and side-covers (18) can also be attached to the frame.