Motor vehicles – Special wheel base – Having only two wheels
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-29
2001-08-14
Hurley, Kevin (Department: 3619)
Motor vehicles
Special wheel base
Having only two wheels
C280S290000, C297S195100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273207
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to motorcycle seat assemblies.
BACKGROUND
Prior art motorcycles include various means for mounting the motorcycle seat to the motorcycle frame. One way that the seat has been mounted to the frame in the past is by way of a tongue mounted to the undersurface of the seat, and a loop, strap, tube, or other hollow member mounted to the backbone of the frame. The tongue is inserted into the hollow member to resist upward movement of the seat. Additionally, some prior art motorcycles include various fasteners that further mount the seat to the frame at various locations.
Many countries have safety regulations for motorcycles. One common safety regulation is the requirement of a “seat strap” on a motorcycle onto which a passenger on the motorcycle may hold. In some countries, this regulation may also require that the seat strap be strong enough such that the entire motorcycle may be picked up by the strap alone. The strap is typically affixed by fasteners to the motorcycle frame on either side of the seat, and extends across the seat
Some motorcycles include a battery, fuses, a tool compartment, and other motorcycle components under the seat. In order to access these components, the seat must be moved from its operating position. Typically, prior art motorcycles permit the removal of the seat by sliding the seat from under the seat strap. Alternatively, some prior art motorcycles permit rotation of the seat to provide access to the components under the seat. A separate battery strap is often employed to hold the battery in place.
SUMMARY
Known designs calling for a hollow member mounted on the frame often give rise to particular manufacturing costs and inefficiencies. For example, the hollow member must be manufactured or purchased at some cost in addition to the cost of the motorcycle frame, and mounting the hollow member to the frame includes a manufacturing step, such as welding. Advantageously, the present invention provides a motorcycle that does not require a hollow member separate from the frame itself. This may result in production and manufacturing savings, as the separate part and separate assembly step of mounting the hollow member on the frame are not required.
The seat strap of known motorcycle designs often makes removal of the seat difficult. The seat strap is often tightly secured over the top of the seat to create a tight, compact aesthetic impression. Thus, it is often difficult to remove the seat from under the seat strap, and to insert the seat under the seat strap. Furthermore, the fasteners securing the seat to the frame often must be loosened with tools, further complicating removal of the seat. The present invention provides a motorcycle having a seat that is easily installed onto and removed from the motorcycle.
The present invention provides a motorcycle comprising a frame including a tubular portion providing structural support to the motorcycle and having an aperture, and a seat having an insert member that is positioned in the aperture. Thus, the insert member is positioned in a structural component of the motorcycle, and not a hollow member mounted to the motorcycle frame. Preferably, the insert member is mounted to an undersurface of the seat.
The motorcycle of the present invention may also include a strap extending over a portion of the seat to at least partially substantially fix the seat with respect to the frame. Preferably, a portion of the strap extends under a portion of the seat, and the strap defines a closed loop surrounding a portion of the seat such that the strap is substantially prevented from dangling into the motorcycle rear wheel or other moving parts. The strap may include a loop tightening member, such as a snap, that permits a portion of the strap to be doubled over to tighten the loop around the portion of the motorcycle seat. When it is desired to remove the seat from the loop, the snap may be disconnected to provide a sufficiently large loop for removing the seat. Preferably, the snap is provided on the portion of the strap extending under the seat.
At least one end of the strap may be manually releasably attached to the motorcycle frame. A coupling member is preferably interconnected with the strap. The coupling member may be, for example, a buckle having an opening therein. The buckle opening preferably includes a clearance portion and a retaining portion. Preferably, a bushing having a biasing member is mounted on the motorcycle, and is insertable into the clearance portion of the buckle opening. When the buckle is moved so that the biasing member is received within the retaining portion of the buckle opening, the biasing member resists movement of the buckle, and the seat is thus manually releasably attached to the frame by the strap. The biasing member may be, for example, a split ring constructed of spring steel.
The present invention also provides a method for installing a seat onto a motorcycle frame including a tubular backbone portion having an aperture. The method includes the steps of providing a seat having an insert member, inserting the insert member into the aperture in the backbone portion, and attaching a second portion of the seat to another portion of the motorcycle. Preferably, the method also includes the steps of providing a seat strap defining a loop, positioning a portion of the seat within the loop, inserting the insert member into the aperture in the backbone portion, and manually releasably attaching the strap to the frame. Preferably, the method further includes the steps of providing a coupling member having a retaining opening, attaching the coupling member to the strap, and mounting a biasing member on the frame. The step of manually releasably attaching the strap to the frame may include positioning the biasing member at least partially within the retaining opening.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims, and drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3844610 (1974-10-01), Adams
patent: 3940166 (1976-02-01), Smithea
patent: 5558260 (1996-09-01), Reichert
patent: 5608957 (1997-03-01), Hanagan
patent: 6012770 (2000-01-01), Rubin
patent: 6070896 (2000-06-01), Saiki
1987-1989 1340 Parts Catalog, pgs. 122-123.
1997 Motorcycles—1 page (not numbered).
1998 Star Yamaha—2 facing pages (not numbered).
1989 Custom Chrome Catalog.
1997 J & P Cycles, pgs. 21-10 and 21-11.
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Hurley Kevin
Michael & Best & Friedrich LLP
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