Motorcycle protective cover

A flexible protective cover which attaches over the forward surfaces of a motorcycle. The protective cover includes a central portion and two attached side flaps. The central portion fits over the forward surfaces of the upper cowling. The two side flaps fit over the sides of the lower cowling. The cover's upper portion is attached by slipping adjustable tabs around the stalks of the rear view mirrors. The lower portion is attached around the radiator opening. The trailing edges of the two side flaps may also be attached to the lower cowling. The invention optionally includes an integrated fender cover which slips over the motorcycle's front fender and lock around the two struts supporting the front wheel. With this device installed, all the forward-facing painted surfaces are protected from bug strikes and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the field of motorcycles. More specifically, the invention comprises a removable cover for protecting the forward surfaces of a motorcycle.

2. Description of the Related Art

FIG. 1shows a motorcycle10. There are many types currently in use. The one shown is a high-performance liquid-cooled type. An aerodynamic fairing encloses its forward portion. This is denoted in the view as upper cowling26and lower cowling24. The upper and lower cowling may be made in multiple pieces or as one integral unit. The forward portion of upper cowling26opens into two air intakes14. Headlight12(which may contain two or more bulbs) is located just above these.

A pair of turn signals20are located on the upper cowling, with one signal for each side. Likewise, a pair of mirrors30extend outward from the upper cowling. These mirrors are connected to the motorcycle by stalks32. Windscreen28smoothly blends into the upper cowling.

Lower cowling24extends downward to the motorcycle's lower extreme. Radiator opening22is provided to allow air to flow into and through the radiator, which is located in the forward portion of lower cowling24. The front wheel is immediately forward of the radiator opening. It is connected to the chassis by a pair of struts16. Fender18is mounted over the front wheel to reduce spray.

Those skilled in the art will know that motorcycles such as the one shown inFIG. 1are driven at high speed. When traveling down the highway they often experience bug strikes. Such strikes can be harmful to the finish on the upper and lower cowling, which often feature painted and highly polished surfaces. Thus, it is desirable to provide a protective covering for these surfaces.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention comprises a flexible protective cover which attaches over the forward surfaces of a motorcycle. A motorcycle typically includes an upper cowling and a lower cowling. The upper cowling typically contains an air intake, a headlight, two turn signals, and two rear view mirrors. The lower cowling typically contains a radiator opening bounded by two side walls and a top wall.

The protective cover includes a central portion and two attached side flaps. The central portion fits over the forward surfaces of the upper cowling. The two side flaps fit over the sides of the lower cowling. The cover's upper portion is attached by slipping adjustable tabs around the stalks of the rear view mirrors. The lower portion is attached around the radiator opening. The trailing edges of the two side flaps may also be attached to the lower cowling.

The invention optionally includes an integrated fender cover which slips over the motorcycle's front fender and locks around the two struts supporting the front wheel. With this device installed, all the forward-facing painted surfaces are protected from bug strikes and the like.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN THE DRAWINGS

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 2shows the present invention laid out in a flattened state. Cowling cover34consists primarily of central portion84and two attached side flaps42. The view shows the outward facing side of device, denoted as outer surface52. Two turn signal openings40are provided near where central portion84joins the two side flaps42.

Central portion84also includes a pair of air intakes38and headlight opening36. Two stalk slots46are located near the upper corners of central portion84. Each stalk slot46is bounded by an upper tab44.FIG. 3shows a stalk slot46in more detail. Loop tab50and hook tab48are located near the open mouth of stalk slot46. These hook and loop fasteners (commonly known as VELCRO) can selectively close the open mouth of stalk slot46. Those skilled in the art will also know that they provide considerable adjustment, the purpose of which will be explained subsequently.

FIG. 4shows cowling cover34flipped over to reveal inner surface54(The surface which customarily faces the motorcycle). The central portion and the two side flaps are bounded on their lower extremes by a continuous lower edge64. A first loop block56is located near the right-hand extreme of lower edge64and a second loop block56is located near the left-hand extreme. Each loop block is a section of loop-type fastener material which is affixed to the cowling cover, such as by sewing, gluing, or other conventional means.

A third loop block56is located near the lower edge of the central portion. Two more loop blocks56are located in the two upper corners68of the two side panels. These loop blocks are positioned to mate with hook blocks affixed to the motorcycle. Of course, those skilled in the art will know that the hook and loop blocks can be reversed (the hook blocks on the cowling cover and the loop blocks on the motorcycle). It is also possible to substitute many other types of fasteners such as snaps.

FIG. 5shows the first step in the installation of the cowling cover. Cowling cover34is draped over the upper cowling as shown. The two stalk slots46are opened and the two upper arms44are passed over the two stalks32. The cowling cover is allowed to rest in this position while the next step is performed.

FIG. 6shows a detailed view of the area surrounding radiator opening22. The front wheel, struts, and fender have been removed in this view to aid visualization. The reader will observe that radiator opening22is bounded by two side walls62and a top wall60. A hook block58is attached to top wall60as shown. A hook block58is likewise attached to each side wall62. The blocks can be attached using many methods, but high-strength double-sided tape is particularly effective. In fact, such blocks often come already attached to such tape. Another hook block58is affixed to cowling side66(A corresponding block is found on the opposite side).

FIG. 7shows the next step in the installation process. With the cowling cover draped over the upper cowling, lower edge64of central portion84is tucked into the radiator opening. The centrally located loop block56is then pressed against the hook block58located on top wall60. This holds the lower extreme of the central portion in place.

Turning now toFIG. 8, the user pulls the cowling cover taut, then locks each stalk slot over each stalk32by securing loop tab50to hook tab48(The adjustable nature of the link between the hook and loop tabs allow the cowling cover to be properly tightened.

FIG. 9shows the next step. The user tucks lower edge64of the two side flaps into radiator opening22and secures them in position by pressing the two loop blocks56on the side flaps against the two hook blocks58on side walls62. Finally, the user can secure the two upper corners68by pressing the two loop blocks56on the two upper corners68against the two hook blocks58on the two cowling sides66.

Using this approach, the leading surfaces of the upper and lower cowling are well protected. The cowling cover can even incorporate mesh panels covering some or all of headlight opening36, air intake opening38, or turn signal opening40.

However, returning briefly toFIG. 1, the reader will observe that the finished surfaces on fender18are not protected by the cowling cover. An additional element is therefore desirable to protect the fender.

FIG. 10shows fender cover70. Main panel82opens into a pair of strut slots72toward the rear. These are selectively closed by cooperating hook tabs76and loop tabs78. A pair of flaps74bound the lower portions of the two strut slots72. Tube section80extends around most of the perimeter of main panel82.

FIG. 11shows a section view through the fender cover in its installed state. Tube section80is attached to main panel82. It is not closed however. It contains a slit along its entire length. The user can pry open this slit and slide it over the exposed edge of fender18. The tube section, which is made of a pliable material such as rubber, naturally tends to close. It thereby grips the edge of the fender and secures the device in position.

InFIG. 12, the user has slipped the two strut slots72around the two struts16. InFIG. 13, the user has closed the two strut slots by locking the hook and loop tabs together. The small portions of tube section80lying near the rear of the cover are then slipped over the edge of the fender guard and the installation is complete.

FIG. 14shows the complete invention installed, with the cowling cover and the fender cover protecting the forward surfaces of the motorcycle.

Although the preceding description contains significant detail, it should not be viewed as limiting the invention but rather as providing examples of the preferred embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be fixed by the following claims rather than by any examples given.