Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Storm-front shield – apron – or robe
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-19
2001-09-25
Pape, Joseph D. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Storm-front shield, apron, or robe
C296S092000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06293606
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to adjustable motorcycle windshields.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known in the art to provide an adjustable windshield for motorcycles. U.S. Pat. No. 5,730,483 to Greger discloses one such device. The Greger patent discloses a windshield adjustment system that includes four guide arms, each pivotally connected to the windshield at one end and pivotally connected to the cycle body at the other end. The longitudinal centerline of the windshield separates the four guide arms into two pairs, each pair having a lower arms, and an upper arm. The lower guide arms are directly rotated by an actuator about a first fixed horizontal axis, causing the upper guide arms to rotate about a second fixed horizontal axis, and thereby adjusting the windshield inclination.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an adjustable motorcycle windshield assembly including a frame, a windshield, and a windshield actuating assembly interconnected between the windshield and the frame for adjusting the windshield inclination. Preferably, the actuating assembly includes an actuating member that is supported by the fame for movement (e.g., rotation). The actuating assembly also preferably includes first and second extension links interconnected between the actuating member and the windshield. Preferably, rotation of the actuating member causes the first and second extension links to move in combination to selectively elevate and increase the inclination of the windshield, or lower and decrease the inclination of the windshield. The actuating assembly is preferably operable in all intermediate positions between and including a lower position and an upper position.
A connecting member may be pivotally connected between the actuating member and the second extension link. The connecting member and second extension link are pivotally interconnected at a pivot point, and the pivot point is movable within a slot in the frame. The slot may be substantially linear. The adjustable motorcycle windshield assembly also preferably includes a fairing supported by the frame. The first extension link preferably linearly reciprocates through a bore in the fairing. Due to the arrangement of parts, when the actuating member is rotated, the first extension link moves the windshield a first distance with respect to the frame, while the second extension link and the connecting member move the windshield a second distance with respect to the frame. The second distance is preferably greater than the first distance, causing the windshield to move away from the frame while rotating about the point of interconnection with the first extension link.
Preferably, the actuating assembly includes a second actuating member, a third extension link, and a fourth extension link. The third and fourth extension links are preferably both pivotally interconnected between the second actuating member and the windshield in a manner substantially identical to the first and second extension links, respectively. The third and fourth extension links are positioned as substantial mirror images of the first and second extension links, respectively. In this construction, rotation of the first and second actuating members causes the first, second, third, and fourth extension links to move in concert to selectively adjust the inclination of the windshield.
Preferably, the actuating assembly is constructed to resist undesired movement of the windshield with respect to the frame. In this regard, the actuating assembly may include a pair of meshing helical gears. More information and a better understanding of the present invention can be achieved by reference to the following drawings and detailed description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1050944 (1913-01-01), Inshaw
patent: 3904238 (1975-09-01), Anderson et al.
patent: 4082345 (1978-04-01), Willey
patent: 4089556 (1978-05-01), Stobar
patent: 4166650 (1979-09-01), Saunders, IV
patent: 4168098 (1979-09-01), Willey
patent: 4269445 (1981-05-01), Gager, Jr.
patent: 4353590 (1982-10-01), Wei-Chuan
patent: 4355838 (1982-10-01), Hickman
patent: 4379584 (1983-04-01), Willey
patent: 4461508 (1984-07-01), Ogishima
patent: 4465315 (1984-08-01), Barstow
patent: 4489973 (1984-12-01), Willey
patent: 4606571 (1986-08-01), Fujita
patent: 4615556 (1986-10-01), Stahel
patent: 4632448 (1986-12-01), Yagasaki et al.
patent: 4696509 (1987-09-01), Yagasaki et al.
patent: 4707017 (1987-11-01), Minobe et al.
patent: 4790555 (1988-12-01), Nobile
patent: 4830423 (1989-05-01), Nebu et al.
patent: 5490573 (1996-02-01), Hagiwara et al.
patent: 5730483 (1998-03-01), Greger
patent: 5855404 (1999-01-01), Saunders
patent: 5857727 (1999-01-01), Vetter
patent: 2629731A1 (1978-01-01), None
patent: 3941875A1 (1991-06-01), None
patent: 3941875C2 (1991-06-01), None
patent: 4232239A1 (1994-03-01), None
patent: 0060807A1 (1982-09-01), None
patent: 0685385B1 (1995-12-01), None
patent: 2218060A (1989-11-01), None
Jarosz Michael J.
Kopp Anthony E.
Engle Patricia L.
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Michael & Best & Friedrich LLP
Pape Joseph D.
LandOfFree
Adjustable motorcycle windshield does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Adjustable motorcycle windshield, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Adjustable motorcycle windshield will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2540059