Abstract:
An illuminated shifter linkage apparatus for coupling the shifter pedal and the transmission of a motorcycle includes an inner rod having a plurality of light-emitting elements seated within a corresponding set of inner rod apertures, and an open-ended outer hollow shaft into which the inner rod is received. When fully assembled, the light-emitting elements align with the corresponding apertures in the outer hollow shaft to facilitate the passage of light through the shaft apertures, thereby providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance and enhancing the visibility of the motorcycle at night and in poorly lit areas.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to motorcycle shifter arms or linkages, and more particularly to an illuminated shifter linkage apparatus. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Motorcycle riders generally have a great concern with safety while riding their vehicles. Of particular concern is the lack of visibility of a rider&#39;s motorcycle at night and in poorly lit areas. For this reason, many motorcycle owners find to be desirable to incorporate auxiliary lighting. According to the prior art, one means of providing enhanced lighting is to attach additional lighting components to the existing motorcycle body. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,590,947 discloses an illuminated windscreen for a motorcycle fairing, incorporating a plurality of light bulbs adjacent a lower edge portion of the windscreen and attached by mechanical clips. While such auxiliary attachment may serve the purpose of improving visibility, many motorcycle owners would prefer to incorporate lighting into an existing feature of the motorcycle in a manner enhancing the aesthetic appearance of the vehicle. Such enhancements may also be desirable for distinguishing an owners motorcycle from his fellow riders&#39; bikes. Where the lighting is to be incorporated into an existing structure, an important consideration is that the chosen structure has either limited or smooth movement during operation, thereby minimizing agitation of the lighting components. 
     Most conventional motorcycles have a toe shift pedal enabling the motorcycle operator to shift transmission gears via elevation or depression of the pedal by foot. In many conventional types of motorcycles, the shifter pedal and the transmission lever are separated by a distance and, therefore, require a shifter rod or linkage coupled at opposite ends to the shift pedal and transmission lever to enable gear shifting. In this manner, the pedal is used to shift transmission gears indirectly via back-and-forth movement of the shift rod. 
     The class of motorcycle that would typically need a shifter rod are so-called touring and cruiser classes which have the floor board or foot peg positioned forward to provide a better seating position for a longer comfortable ride. Typically, American-made motorcycles, such as Harley Davidson brand motorcycles, have a rear mounted transmission behind the engine housing. Consequently, they require such a shift linkage to connect the transmission via the linkage to the shifting pedal or lever. Likewise, Japanese motorcycles available in the cruiser or touring classes have the foot controls moved slightly forward and require such a shift linkage. Still other motorcycles having transmissions incorporated directly into the engine housing utilize a shifter linkage. 
     In operation, when the shifter pedal is pressed downwardly it causes the shifter lever downward, pulling the shifter linkage forward, which also pulls the lever on the transmission forward to put it into first gear. Subsequently, the rider can lift the pedal up one click, urging the lever backwards and putting the transmission into neutral. The rider can then successively lift the pedal, each time shifting up one gear. The shifter linkage is limited to smooth back-and-forth movement during operation and would therefore provide a desirable structural element in which to incorporate auxiliary lighting. Furthermore, the positioning of the shifter linkage along the side of the motorcycle makes it a desirable location for enhancing visibility of the motorcycle. 
     Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a shift linkage apparatus incorporating illumination means for enhancing both the aesthetics and visibility of the motorcycle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is directed to a motorcycle shift linkage apparatus incorporating internal illumination means for enhancing the aesthetic appearance of the shift linkage as well as the visibility of the motorcycle at night and in poorly lit areas. 
     In one general aspect of the present invention, the illuminated shift linkage apparatus comprises a substantially rigid, longitudinally extending shaft having a hollowed portion defining an interior shaft space, and a light-emitting source disposed within the interior shaft space. Portions of the shaft wall have apertures or otherwise decorative cut regions provided therein for enabling transmission of the emitted light therethrough. Opposite ends of the shaft are configured for coupling to corresponding shift pedal and transmission of the motorcycle. 
     In another aspect of the invention, the illuminated shift linkage apparatus comprises a rigid open-ended substantially hollow shaft member having disposed therein a longitudinal base member supporting a plurality of light-emitting elements. The light-emitting elements are seated within spaced-apart base member apertures aligned with corresponding shaft member apertures to facilitate transmission of the emitted light therethrough. 
     In a further aspect of the invention, opposite ends of the base member beyond the open ends of the hollow shaft member and are adapted for coupling to corresponding shift pedal and transmission portions of the motorcycle. 
     In still another aspect of the invention an electronic circuit is provided electrically coupled to a power source and to the light-emitting source for controlling one or more output characteristics, such as controlling the intensity or rate of blinking of the light-emitting source. 
    
    
     These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a prior art motorcycle illustrating the relative positioning of the shifter linkage of the invention; 
     FIG. 1A is an enlarged fragment of the prior art motorcycle shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an illuminated shifter linkage apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the illuminated shifter linkage apparatus of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along cutting planes  4 — 4  in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 is cross-sectional view taken along cutting planes  5 — 5  in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the light supporting inner rod member portion of the illuminated shifter linkage of the invention; 
     FIG. 7 is side elevational view of the light supporting inner rod member of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an electrical circuit useful for controlling the illumination-providing Light Emitting Diodes of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a top plan view of an illuminated shifter rod linkage in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the illuminated shifter rod linkage apparatus of FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along cutting plane  11 — 11  in FIG. 9; and 
     FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along cutting plane  12 — 12  in FIG.  9 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Shown throughout the figures, the present invention is generally directed to an illuminated shifter linkage apparatus for use with motorcycles. The illuminated shifter linkage provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance and enhances the visibility of the motorcycle at night and in poorly lit areas. 
     Referring briefly to FIG. 1, the positioning of the illuminated shifter linkage  12  on a conventional motorcycle  10  is illustrated. The shifter linkage is coupled at a forward end  14  to a toe shifter pedal  16 , and at a rearward end  15  to a transmission lever  18 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2-7, a preferred embodiment of the illuminated shifter linkage apparatus of the present invention generally includes an outer cylindrical shaft member  20 , an inner base member  30 , a light-emitting source  40 , and electrically conductive means  42 ,  44  for coupling the light-emitting source  40  to a power supply  58  (shown schematically in FIG.  8 ). 
     Cylindrical shaft member  20  is generally defined by a longitudinally-extending substantially hollow shaft having open forward and rearward ends,  22  and  24 , respectively, and a plurality of spaced-apart apertures  26  extending through its side wall  21 . Preferably, the outer shaft member  20  is constructed from aluminum. However, it will be appreciated that alternate materials can be used for constructing the outer shaft. Similarly, it will be appreciated that shaft member  20  can have a non-cylindrical geometry without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     Longitudinally extending base member  30  is provided for supporting a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs)  40 , or any other suitable known light-emitting sources, and associated electrical conductors  42 ,  44 . Base member  30  is generally defined by a solid semi-cylindrical member having forward and rearward ends,  32  and  34 , respectively, and a recessed, or hollowed out, portion defining a planar or substantially flat surface  38  extending between solid semi-cylindrical end portions  35 . Preferably, the diameter of the semi-cylindrical end portions  35  is slightly less than the inner diameter of hollow semi-cylindrical member  20 , such that base member  30  can be snugly inserted therein. A threaded mechanical fastener  48  is configured for being received through a threaded aperture (not shown) in shaft wall  21  and an aligned threaded aperture  37  extending through semi-cylindrical portion  35  of base member  30  for providing attachment of the outer shaft member  20  to the inner base member  30 . It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that myriad alternative means are possible for securing the outer shaft member  20  to the inner base member including, for example, providing mating snap-fit structures, magnetic portions, and permanent welds, to name just a few. 
     Spaced-apart apertures  36  in substantially flat surface  38  are provided extending completely through base member  30 . Preferably, the apertures  36  are sized and shaped for snugly receiving corresponding light-emitting sources in general and light-emitting diodes (LEDs)  40  therein in particular. Significantly, the apertures  36  in base member  30  substantially align with the apertures  26  in outer hollow shaft member  20  such that light emitted from the light source or LEDs is directed through apertures  26  during operation. Although only a single source or LED  40  is depicted positioned in each aperture  36  in the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated that multiple sources or LEDs can be positioned, for example, in a back-to-back configuration, within each aperture to further enhance the intensity of the emitted light. 
     Preferably, base member ends  32  and  34  are externally threaded for mating with internally threaded portions (not shown) of corresponding shifter pedal and transmission lever portions of motorcycle  10 . In this manner, base member  30  provides a rigid structural linkage between the shifter pedal and transmission portions of the motorcycle for enabling gear shifting. The threaded configuration further enables subtle longitudinal adjustment of the base member depending upon the distance between the shifter pedal and transmission portions being coupled. Base member  30  also provides a structurally sound support for coupled outer shaft member  20 . 
     As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that alternative base member end configurations can be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, ends  32  and  34  can be configured for snap fit attachment, direct welding, and any other known means for providing secure coupling to the shifter pedal and gear shifting portions. 
     Electrical wire pairs  42 ,  44  or other electrical conductors are provided for transmitting power to the LEDs  40  from a power source  51  (FIG.  8 ). As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, power can be provided via coupling to the motorcycle battery or, alternatively, through a separately provided battery or like source. The individual positive and negative wires from each wire pair  42 ,  44  can be soldered, or otherwise electrically coupled, to corresponding positive and negative leads  41  of each LED  40 . In lieu of soldering the wires directly to the leads of each LED, planar surface  38  can be coated with an electrically insulating layer having electrically conductive lines disposed thereon and electrically connected to the respective LED leads. In this manner, the wires  42 ,  44  could be soldered, or otherwise electrically coupled, at a single location to the conductive lines or leads. 
     Base member  30  has a slot  39  provided adjacent forward end  32  which cooperates with a corresponding slot  28  adjacent forward end  22  of hollow shaft member  20  to create an opening through which the conductive members  42 ,  44  extend. 
     Referring briefly to FIG. 8, an electrical circuit  50  is provided for controlling one or more output characteristics of light-emitting source  40 . The exemplary circuit of FIG. 8 includes potentiometers  52 , NPN transistors  54 , fixed capacitors  56  and fixed resistors  58  for manipulating an electrical current provided by power source  51 . The potentiometers  52  in the exemplary circuit  50  provide adjustable flashing of LED sets  53  and  55 . Circuits for controlling a variety of light source output characteristics are well known and commercially available. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 9-12, in an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a rigid substantially hollow cylindrical shaft member  60  has coupling components  72  attached at forward and rearward shaft member ends,  62  and  64 , respectively. Preferably, the coupling components  72  each have a solid near end  74  extending into the hollow shaft member  60  and permanently welded to interior surface  63  of shaft wall  61 . An opposite distally-extending threaded end  76  is provided configured for mating engagement with corresponding threaded structures (not shown) in shifting pedal and transmission portions of the motorcycle. 
     An interior space  65  extends between solid portions  74  and is further defined by interior surface  63  of shaft wall  61 . Access to the interior space  65  is provided through an opening  68  extending through a bottom side of the shaft wall  61 . Apertures  66  are provided extending through the shaft wall  61  along the topside of the shaft member  60 . Preferably, the apertures are shaped and sized for having corresponding light-emitting diodes (LEDs)  40  received therethrough. Specifically, a plurality of LEDs electrically coupled to electrical wires or connectors  42  are disposed within interior space  65  and extend outwardly through the apertures  66 . The wires  42  are electrically attached to LED conductive leads  41 . Preferably, an electrically insulating member  46  is interposed between inner shaft surface  63  and the electrically conductive structures  41 ,  42  to prevent electrical shorting. 
     As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the openings or apertures  26  and  66  are not limited to the circular apertures illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures. The openings can have any geometric or ornamental configuration. Furthermore, in lieu of geometric openings, shaft wall cutout portions can be provided to depict ornamental configurations, decorative lettering and the like. Furthermore, in lieu of providing LEDs or other light devices configured for being received through individual apertures, a flexible neon light-emitting tubing or any other such structure can be incorporated within interior space of the illuminated shifter linkage apparatus of the invention. 
     Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.