Locks – Operating mechanism – Key
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-27
2001-08-14
Barrett, Suzanne Dino (Department: 3627)
Locks
Operating mechanism
Key
C070S455000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06272890
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many motorcycles have a fork lock that locks the fork of the motorcycle in a cocked position. In some models, these locks also lock the ignition switch. These locks are conventional and have a recess into which a key is inserted. This recess, because it is uncovered, is exposed to the elements, and rain, ice, dirt or other debris can block this recess. It would be highly desirable to have a simple-to-install and use cover that would protect the fork lock from the elements, i.e., preventing rain, ice, dirt or other debris from entering the recess in the lock. Ideally, this cover should be simple to manufacture and install, and be durable and withstand weathering and corrosion.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,137 and copending U.S. design patent application Ser. No. 29/096,611, entitled “Ornamental Motorcycle Fork Lock Cover,” filed Nov. 16, 1998, both invented by the Applicant, there are disclosed fork lock covers. In particular, the fork lock cover disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,137 is designed to be installed on a motorcycle that has a mounting member on the fork adapted to receive screws that secure the fork lock cover to this mounting member. Many motorcycles, however, do not have such a mounting member that permits the fork lock cover to be screwed into position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The fork lock cover of this invention is designed to be attached securely to a mounting member on a fork of a motor cycle that does not have a convenient way to screw the fork lock cover to the mounting member.
This invention has several features, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of this invention as expressed by the claims that follow, its more prominent features will now be discussed briefly. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled, “DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT,” one will understand how the features of this invention provide its benefits, which include convenience of installation, low cost and precision manufacture, durability, and protection of a fork lock from the elements.
The first feature of the cover for a fork lock of a motorcycle of this invention is that it includes a cover plate and a base plate attached together by a pivot member. Preferably, the cover plate and the base plate each have a substantially trapezoidal-like configuration and each have essentially the same dimensions. There is an opening in the base plate that provides access to the fork lock when the base plate is attached to the motorcycle. The base plate has an underside to which is secured a double-sided adhesive member. One side of the adhesive member, which has an adhesive surface, is bonded to the underside of the base plate. Preferably, the underside of the base plate includes a recess portion that is sized to fit snugly over a mounting member for the fork lock. The other side of the adhesive member has an adhesive surface that is covered by a removable sheet member that protects this side until the cover is installed. The pivot member pivotally connects the cover plate to the base plate to enable the cover plate to be rotated with respect to the base plate to expose the opening in the base plate, so that a key may be inserted into the fork lock. There is an “O” ring in an underside of the cover plate that is seated around the opening in the base plate when the cover plate is in a closed position.
The second feature is that there is at least one detent member disposed between the base plate and the cover plate that maintains the relative position of the cover plate to the base plate. Consequently, the cover plate overlies the base plate to cover the opening until a turning force is applied to the cover plate. There also is a spacer positioned between the cover plate and the base plate. This spacer is coupled to the cover plate to rotate as the cover plate is rotated. Each detent member includes a spring element seated in a bore and a ball resting on the spring and partially seated in a hemispherical recess when the recesses are aligned with the balls. Preferably, there are a plurality of detent members and corresponding hemispherical recesses aligned with the detent members. Thus, as the cover plate is rotated with respect to the base plate, each ball of each detent member is forced into its respective bore to compress the spring in its respective bore and roll across the cover plate between the hemispherical recesses. The balls are forced into a recess by the springs when the recesses are aligned with the balls. Each detent member is spaced at 90 degrees with respect to each other and each recess spaced at 90 degrees with respect to each other.
The third feature is that the motorcycle includes a mounting member having a raised platform of a predetermined configuration in which the fork lock is seated. The raised platform has a substantially planar surface. The base plate includes a recess portion having a configuration substantially the same as the predetermined configuration of the raised platform. The mounting member has outwardly tapered side wall at a predetermined angle and the cover plate and base plate each have side walls with exterior surfaces that are outwardly tapered at substantially the same angle as the predetermined angle. The side wall of the base plate forms the recess portion of the base plate and has an inner surface that is tapered at substantially the same angle as the predetermined angle. Consequently, the base plate fits snugly over the platform and the planar surface contacts the adhesive surface of the adhesive member and bonds thereto. Preferably, the planar surface has a cavity therein having a predetermined configuration and predetermined depth. The adhesive member has a configuration which substantially fills the predetermined configuration of the cavity. Also, the adhesive member has a thickness substantially equal to the predetermined depth of the cavity, preferably being slightly greater than the depth of the cavity.
This invention also includes a method for protecting from the elements a fork lock attached to a mounting member on a motorcycle. This method comprises the steps of
(a) providing a cover for the fork lock, said cover including
a cover plate and base plate attached together in a manner that permits the cover plate to move relative to the base plate,
said base plate having an opening which provides access to the fork lock when the base plate is attached to the mounting member,
said base plate having an underside to which is secured a double sided adhesive member, one side of the adhesive member being bonded to the underside of the base plate and the other side of the adhesive member having an adhesive surface that is covered by a removable sheet member,
(b) removing the sheet member to expose the adhesive surface and positioning the cover over the fork lock,
(c) aligning the opening in the base plate with the fork lock, so that upon moving the cover plate relative to the base plate after attachment of the cover to the mounting member the fork lock may be accessed through said opening, and
(d) pressing the base plate against the mounting member to bond the cover to the mounting member.
Preferably, the mounting member is cleaned prior to attachment of the cover to the mounting member. Cleaning is accomplished by washing the surface of the mounting member with a solvent.
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patent: 5563387 (1996-10-01), Myers et al.
patent: 5615567 (1997-04-01), Kemp
patent: 5718
Barrett Suzanne Dino
Connors John J.
Connors & Associates
LandOfFree
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