Abstract:
A passenger bar for motorcycles is disclosed. The passenger bar is affixed to the gas tank of a motorcycle forward of the motorcycle driver such that a passenger behind the motorcycle driver with arms wrapped around the driver may grip the passenger bar to secure himself/herself while the motorcycle is accelerating, decelerating, or experiences lateral forces. The passenger bar comprises a mounting plate, in one embodiment, and a handle inclined away from the mounting bracket.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to motorcycle accessories, and more particularly relates to passenger bars for affixation to motorcycle gas tanks. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Motorcycle riders and passenger tend to slide forward on their seat into the gas tank and each other when a motorcycle brakes suddenly. Passengers behind motorcycle drivers are also particularly susceptible to sliding backward off the rear of the motorcycle when the motorcycle suddenly accelerates. Lateral sliding motion can be experienced by passengers when a motorcycle enters a curve at high velocities, or when the motorcycle rides over unavoidable potholes, or suddenly decelerates to avoid gravel. Riders of high performance or sport motorcycles are particularly prone to these forces. 
     Passengers desired handles, secured to the motorcycle, which they can grip to secure themselves during forceful motion of the motorcycle. There is no product on the market that is designed to provide effective passenger securement disposed forward of the motorcycle driver. Because passengers often wrap their arms around a driver&#39;s waist, a handle disposed forward of the driver is desirable and beneficial. 
     Most aftermarket motorcycle accessories that mount onto gas tanks do so using either integrated bungee cords or epoxy adhesives. These products are designed to protect the gas tank from scratching or some are designed as storage compartments. 
     There exists a need in the art for a simple and effective handle for motorcycle passenger disposed forward of the driver. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for a improved motorcycle passenger bar. Beneficially, such a passenger bar would overcome many of the difficulties with prior art by providing a secure handle secured to the gas tank of a motorcycle. 
     The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available apparatii and methods. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide a passenger bar for a motorcycle gas tank comprising: a semi-circular mounting bracket for attachment to a gas tank of motorcycle using a screw/bolt mechanism, wherein the mounting bracket partially circumscribes a gas fill access opening of the gas tank when attached; and a handle affixed to the mounting bracket, the handle inclined upward from the mounting bracket away from the gas tank, wherein the handle is for gripping a passenger on the motorcycle. 
     The passenger bar may further comprise an elastomeric sleeve partially enveloping the handle. The handle may be encapsulated by one of nylon, silastic gel, memory foam, and leather. The handle may comprise a rigid elastomeric material. In some embodiments, the handle comprises a flexible elastomeric material. The handle may be affixed at two points to the mounting bracket with bolts. 
     The handle may comprise a tubular alloy member. The passenger bar may further comprise a second handle affixed to the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket may fully circumscribe the gas fill access opening. In other embodiments, the handle comprises a rigid elastomeric material. The passenger bar may be manufactured as a single piece. 
     The mounting bracket may comprise an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the lower surfaces sits flush against the gas tank. The passenger bar may further comprise a plurality of hollow cylindrical protrusions affixed orthogonally to the lower surface of the mounting bracket for engaging cylindrical recesses circumscribing the gas fill opening of the gas tank, the cylindrical protrusions defining hollow channels for partially housing bolts used to secure the mounting bracket to the gas tank. 
     A second passenger bar for a motorcycle gas tank is disclosed comprising: a semi-circular mounting bracket for attachment to a gas tank of motorcycle using a screw/bolt mechanism, wherein the mounting bracket partially circumscribes a gas fill access opening of the gas tank when attached; and a handle hingedly affixed at two points to the mounting bracket such that the handle can be lifted up-and-down by a passenger on the motorcycle while the mounting bracket is attached; and an elastomeric sleeve partially enveloping the handle. 
     These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevational perspective view of a motorcycle passenger bar in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational perspective view of a motorcycle passenger bar in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevational perspective view of a motorcycle passenger bar in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an environmental perspective view of a motorcycle passenger bar and a gas tank in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a lower side perspective view of a motorcycle passenger bar in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a lower side perspective view of a motorcycle passenger bar in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a rear elevational side perspective view of a motorcycle passenger bar in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a lower perspective view of a motorcycle passenger bar in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a lower perspective view of a motorcycle passenger bar in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 10A  is a rear perspective view of a motorcycle passenger bar in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 10B  is a forward perspective view of a motorcycle passenger bar in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 11A  is a side perspective view of a motorcycle passenger bar in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIG. 11B  is a side perspective view of a motorcycle passenger bar in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. 
     Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevational perspective view of a motorcycle passenger bar  100  in accordance with the present invention. The motorcycle passenger bar  100  comprises a semi-annular mounting bracket  102 , a recessed bore  104   a , an inclined handle  104 , and a contoured grip  106 . 
     In the shown embodiment, both the handle  104  and the mounting bracket  102  may be made from one a rigid polymer, metal, alloy, wood, glass, elastomeric, or silastic material. The passenger bar  100  comprises a single manufactured piece in the shown embodiment. In various embodiments of the present invention, the mounting bracket  102  and/or the handle  102  comprise tubular, hollow members, while in other embodiments the mounting bracket  102  and/or the handle  102  comprise solid components formed using means known to those of skill in the art, including machining, milling, digital metal laser sintering (DMLS), and the like. 
     The mounting bracket  102 , in the shown embodiment, comprises a semi-circular, or semi-annular, ring partially circumscribing the gas fill opening of a motorcycle gas tank. The trailing ends of the mounting bracket  102  may be tapered or declined toward the lower surface of the passenger bar  100  as shown as to allow clearance for the gas fill opening cap. The mounting bracket  102  is bolted to the gas tank using a screw/bolt mechanism as known to those of the skill in the art. 
     The mounting bracket  102  comprises an planar lower surface and a planar upper surface spaced apart from each other by the body of the mounting bracket  102 . The mounting bracket  102  defines bolt holes  104   a  punched, or drilled, through the mounting bracket  102 . These holes  104  may comprise beveled or recessed upper and lower edges. 
     The handle  104  is affixed laterally to the sides of the mounting bracket  102 . In some embodiments, the handle  104  is welded or bolted to the mounting bracket  102 . In the preferred embodiment, the handle  104  is formed from a single piece with the mounting bracket  102 . 
     The handle  104  comprises a U-shaped or horseshoe-shaped member as shown. The handle  104  may be said to comprise two lateral members affixed to the mounting bracket  104 , the lateral sides affixed to and interconnecting a curved handle component. 
     The handle  104  comprises a non-planar inner surface. The inner surface of the handle  104  is contoured to form grooves for the fingers of a motorcycle passenger gripping the passenger bar  100 . In the shown embodiment, the inner surface of the handle  104  comprises four grooves for fingers. 
     The handle  104  is inclined in the shown embodiment. In the shown embodiment, the handle rising at an incline away from the upper surface of the passenger bar  100 . The handle may be inclined anywhere within the range of 1 to 90 degrees. 
     In some embodiments of the present invention, two handles  104  are affixed to the mounting bracket  102 . In other embodiments, the mounting bracket  102  comprises a full-annular ring, or circular ring, full circumscribing the gas fill opening. 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevational perspective view of a motorcycle passenger bar  100  in accordance with the present invention. The motorcycle passenger bar  100  comprises a semi-annular mounting bracket  102 , a bolt hole  202 , a handle  104 , and cylindrical protrusions  204   a - b.    
     The mounting bracket  102  and handle  104  are substantially described above in relation to  FIG. 1 . 
     The passenger bar  100  comprises a plurality of hollow cylindrical protrusions  204   a - b  jutting orthogonally downward from the lower surface of the passenger bar  100 . In some embodiments, the passenger does not comprise or consist of the cylindrical protrusions  204   a - b.    
       FIG. 3  is a side elevational perspective view of a motorcycle passenger bar  300  in accordance with the present invention. The motorcycle passenger bar  300  comprises a mounting bracket  102 , a handle  104 , and a sleeve  302 . 
     The mounting bracket  102  and handle  104  are substantially described above in relation to  FIG. 1 . 
     The sleeve  302  envelopes wholly or partially the handle  104 . In some embodiments, the sleeve  302  wholly envelopes the entire passenger bar  300  including the mounting bracket  102 . 
     The sleeve may comprise, or be formed, from any one of elastomeric material, silastic gel, memory foam, nylon, or any other padding material known to those of the skill in the art. In some embodiments, the sleeve  302  comprises an inflatable bladder, padding the passenger bar  300  with compressed air. 
       FIG. 4  is an environmental perspective view of a motorcycle passenger bar  100  and a gas tank  402  in accordance with the present invention. The motorcycle passenger bar  100  comprises a mounting bracket  102 , a handle  104 , and a cylindrical protrusion  204 . 
     The mounting bracket  102  and handle  104  are substantially described above in relation to  FIGS. 1-3 . 
       FIG. 4  shows the passenger bar  100  from a lower perspective. The cylindrical protrusion  204 , as shown, may comprise recessed, or beveled, distal ends. 
     The passenger bar  100  is affixed such that the mounting bracket  102  circumscribes the gas fill opening  404 . 
     The gas tank  402  is mounted on a chassis  406 . Although a “cruiser” style gas tank is shown environmentally in  FIG. 4 , the present invention is beneficial across the spectrum of motorcycle gas tanks of all sizes and styles, particularly streamlined, racing-designed motorcycle gas tanks found on higher performance motorcycles commonly called bullet bikes. 
       FIG. 5  is a lower side perspective view of a motorcycle passenger bar  100  in accordance with the present invention. The motorcycle passenger bar  100  comprises a mounting bracket  102 , a handle  104 , and a cylindrical protrusion  204 . The mounting bracket  102  and handle  104  are substantially described above in relation to  FIGS. 1-4 .  FIG. 5  shows the passenger bar  100  from a lower side perspective. 
       FIG. 6  is a lower side perspective view of a motorcycle passenger bar  100  in accordance with the present invention. The motorcycle passenger bar  100  comprises a mounting bracket  102 , and a handle  104 . The mounting bracket  102  and handle  104  are substantially described above in relation to  FIGS. 1-5 .  FIG. 6  shows the passenger bar  100  from a lower side perspective. 
       FIG. 7  is a rear elevational side perspective view of a motorcycle passenger bar  100  in accordance with the present invention. The motorcycle passenger bar  100  comprises a mounting bracket  102 , and a handle  104 . The mounting bracket  102  and handle  104  are substantially described above in relation to  FIGS. 1-6 .  FIG. 7  shows the passenger bar  100  from an upper-side perspective. 
       FIG. 8  is a lower perspective view of a motorcycle passenger bar in accordance with the present invention. The motorcycle passenger bar  100  comprises a mounting bracket  102 , and a handle  104 . The mounting bracket  102  and handle  104  are substantially described above in relation to  FIGS. 1-7 .  FIG. 8  shows the passenger bar  100  from a lower perspective. 
       FIG. 9  is a lower perspective view of a motorcycle passenger bar  800  in accordance with the present invention. The motorcycle passenger bar  800  comprises a mounting bracket  102 , bolts  802   a - b , and a detached handle  804 . The mounting bracket  102  is described above in relation to  FIGS. 1-7 . 
     The passenger bar  800  differs from the passenger bar  100  only in that the detached handle  804  replaces the handle  104 , and the detached handle  804  is hingedly affixed with bolts  204   a - b  to the mounting bracket  102 . 
     As shown, the partially threaded bolts  802   a - b  traverse the lateral sides of the handle  804  and secure the handle  804  to the mounting bracket  102  such that the handle  804  may rise when pulled up by a motorcycle passenger. The handle  804  may rotate axially around the bolts  802   a - b  when they are screwably attached to the mounting bracket  102 . 
       FIG. 10A  is a rear perspective view of a motorcycle passenger bar  100  in accordance with the present invention. The motorcycle passenger bar  100  comprises a mounting bracket  102  and a handle  104 . The mounting bracket  102  and handle  104  are described above in relation to  FIGS. 1-9 . 
       FIG. 10B  is a forward perspective view of a motorcycle passenger bar  100  in accordance with the present invention. The motorcycle passenger bar  100  comprises a mounting bracket  102  and a handle  104 . The mounting bracket  102  and handle  104  are described above in relation to  FIGS. 1-10A . 
       FIG. 11A  is a side perspective view of a motorcycle passenger bar  100  in accordance with the present invention. The motorcycle passenger bar  100  comprises a mounting bracket  102  and a handle  104 . The mounting bracket  102  and handle  104  are described above in relation to  FIGS. 1-10B . 
     As discussed above, the handle  104  is inclined away from the upper surface of the mounting bracket  102  by a inclined distance  1002 . In some embodiments, the lateral sides of the handle  104  are curved upward away from the mounting bracket  102 . 
       FIG. 11B  is a side perspective view of a motorcycle passenger bar  100  in accordance with the present invention. The motorcycle passenger bar  100  comprises a mounting bracket  102  and a handle  104 . The mounting bracket  102  and handle  104  are described above in relation to  FIGS. 1-11A . The handle  104  is inclined upward by an incline distance  1002  predetermined by the passenger bar  100  manufacturer. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.