Day motorcycle cover/blanket

An architecture is presented that provides a lightweight durable cover for a motorcycle or other two-wheeled vehicle that protects the seat, sides, and fuel tank portions of the vehicle when not in use. Friction and/or hook and loop fasteners hold the form fitting cover in place on the motorcycle. The cover may be rolled or folded for convenient storage after removed from the motorcycle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains generally to a protective covering for a two-wheeled vehicle, and more particularly to a durable form fitted cover for a motorcycle that protects the seat, fuel tank, and painted elements of the motorcycle from exposure to weather and the elements when the motorcycle is not in use.

BACKGROUND

When not in use, motorcycles, motorized scooters, and other two-wheeled vehicles often sit uncovered outside in driveways or parking lots for extended periods of time. This may leave them exposed to damaging weather elements, such as rain, snow, and harsh sunlight. As a result, motorcycles can develop corrosion on painted or other metal areas, and leather seats may become faded and worn. Additionally, when exposed to the sun for too long, the seats can become extremely hot, making them too uncomfortable to sit on for immediate use.

While motorcycle covers are known in the art, heretofore, efforts to address the above referenced problems have been largely unsuccessful. For example, other covers known in the art are generically shaped and merely drape over the motorcycle being covered and are not form fitting. These types of covers are particularly susceptible to gusts of wind and can be blown off of repositioned on the cycle. Other covers are bulky and difficult to install and/or remove from a cycle, as well as being difficult to store and transport.

Other covers are designed to cover an entire motorcycle, which also makes these types of covers bulky and cumbersome for short trip applications when a user wants a quick alternative. Still other covers are designed to encapsulate the entire motorcycle, which are even bulkier than their counterparts which only cover the entire motorcycle, and are difficult to deploy, remove, store and transport. While these types of covers are useful for long term storage of the motorcycle, they are not practical for short term protection of the cycle, such as when a user is making frequent stops or on a day trip.

Yet other prior art covers utilize metal hooks or other fasteners to secure the cover to the motorcycle. The use of such fasteners may scratch the motorcycle if they disengage under tension or otherwise contact a painted or metal surface, which is undesirable and may result in the need for costly repairs.

Therefore, a need remains for a durable temporary protective covering for a motorcycle that protects the seat, fuel tank, and painted frame elements from sunlight exposure and the weather and that is securely and easily attachable to a wide variety of motorcycle designs and sizes. There is also a need for a short-term protective cover that addresses vehicles with a backrest.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the present invention overcomes the limitations of the prior art by providing a unique and usable durable protective day cover for a motorcycle that protects the seat, fuel tank, and painted frame elements from sun and weather exposure, and that is securely fitted and relatively easy to deploy and carry on the motorcycle.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved day motorcycle cover that better conforms to a plurality of different sizes and designs useful for protecting a seat, a fuel tank, and a plurality of painted or metal frame elements from exposure to sunlight and weather for an extended period of time.

It is a further object of the invention to present a temporary protective motorcycle cover that is simple to construct and folds or rolls up for convenient storage.

It is another object of the invention to provide a motorcycle cover that is easily customizable so that it is securely fitted around the seat, fuel tank, and part of the frame of a wide variety of motorcycles.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a cover for a motorcycle that is weather proof and protects from ultraviolet light and bird droppings.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a motorcycle cover that comprises an opening for a motorcycle seat further having a back rest or elevated support member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the novel embodiments can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. The intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. The invention relates generally to a relatively light weight, securely fitted cover that protects the seat, fuel tank, and frame elements of a motorcycle or other two wheeled vehicle from exposure to the sun or weather.

Referring initially to the drawings,FIG. 1illustrates a perspective side view of a protective cover100for a motorcycle150according to one embodiment of the invention. The protective cover100comprises a sheet element102. The sheet element102is preferably duck cloth, but may be manufactured from a variety of different materials such as, but not limited to, rubber, plastic, canvas, polymers, cotton fabrics, elastomeric materials, nylon, polyester, Lycra®, and the like. These materials allow the protective cover100to be substantially weather resistant while maintaining securely fitting properties so that the protective cover100may be securely attached when deployed. Additionally, the construction material may be coated with a protective waterproofing layer or spray, such as silicon for example, to further protect the sheet element102from environmental factors such as sun damage, ultraviolet rays, snow, ice, rain, dust, heat, animal droppings, tree sap, pollen buildup, and the like, as well as from the growth of mold or other fungus.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, sheet element102is generally symmetrical about its centerline and trapezoidal or triangular in shape. Sheet element102should also be securely fitted to the motorcycle150for which it is suited. However, this is not meant as a limitation as the inventor contemplates other shapes such as parallelograms, ovate, and non-geometrical shapes as part of the invention. Also, the sheet element102is designed to preferably cover only the seat, fuel tank, and adjacent parts of the motorcycle frame so that a handlebar170and a front wheel remain exposed. However, the shape of the sheet element102may vary and is customizable to fit a variety of vehicles requiring a temporary removable protective covering. For example, a customized motorcycle may have a non-symmetrical design due to the preference of the owner. Because the protective cover100is generally made to order, the sheet element102may be cut to fit the shape required, such as for example to also cover a motorcycle with a single saddlebag on only one side. Similarly, the sheet element102may be designed to cover a wide variety of other vehicles that may require temporary protection from the environment such as motorized scooters, bicycles, three-wheeled motorized vehicles, all terrain vehicles, jet skis, watercraft, snowmobiles, and the like.

The dimensions of the sheet element102may vary depending on the size and type of motorcycle or vehicle that is protected. While the construction material of the sheet element102is generally flexible so that it stretches from just behind the handlebars170to the rear of the motorcycle, the length is preferable between 70 and 74 inches. However, while this length may be appropriate for most motorcycles, this is not meant as a limitation in length as other sizes are contemplated to cover shorter and longer applications, such as a shorter dirt bike for example. The width of the sheet element102will similarly vary depending on the size of the vehicle to be covered. The thickness of the sheet element102is dependant on the material used but is generally less than ¼thof an inch.

Furthermore, the sheet element102is preferable a single panel of material. However, as the inventor contemplates customized applications for the protective cover, the sheet element102may comprise a plurality of panels (not shown) that are sewn or otherwise attached to each other. When not in use, the entire protective cover100is removable and folds and/or rolls into a compact size and shape for convenient storage.

The sheet element102further comprises an outer surface104. The outer surface104, generally comprise the same material, such as duck cloth or other materials as mentioned supra. The outer surface104serves as a layer that protects the motorcycle from the elements, and is therefore generally weather resistant. The outer surface104may also be coated or sprayed in a water repellent material.

Next, the sheet element102further comprises a front end108and a back end110. The front end108is generally the tapered end of the sheet element102and covers the fuel tank of the motorcycle150. As shown inFIG. 2, the front end108may comprise an inverted U-shape that extends from the top of the gas tank down the frame of the motorcycle150. The back end110is generally wider to encompass the seat which is typically wider than the fuel tank and other elements such as saddlebags.

As shown inFIGS. 2 and 4, an edge112forms a closed-loop seam around the perimeter of the sheet element102. The edge112may be stitched, double stitched, radio frequency welded, glued, folded and over sewn, and the like or formed by any method known to one of skill in the art. Also, the edge112is preferably double sewn.

FIGS. 3 and 4show a plurality of attachment elements116that are flexible and sewn to the sheet element102in a plurality of positions. The attachment elements116may be sewn, RF-welded, and the like, or attached by any method known to one of skill in the art. The attachment elements116preferably comprise hook and loop fasteners, such as Velcro®, to further attach the sheet element102to a plurality of attachment points on the motorcycle150. While hook and loop fasteners are the preferred method of attachment, this is not meant as a limitation as other fastening methods such as hooks and grommets, zippers, ties, and the like may be used as well to secure the protective cover100to the motorcycle150.

Referring back toFIGS. 1 and 1A, an embodiment of the protective cover100may further comprise a backrest opening122. The backrest opening122preferably transects the outer surface104of the sheet element102so that a backrest160for the motorcycle150may penetrate the backrest opening122. The backrest opening122may be constructed so that the sheet element102fits snugly around the backrest160so that the motorcycle seat (not shown) is still covered and protected by the sheet element102.

The backrest opening122may comprise a backrest opening seam124that lines the backrest opening122. The backrest opening seam124may be a closed-loop seam similarly constructed to the edge112seam as described supra. Additionally, the backrest opening seam124may be lined with hook and loop material or have attachment elements116that may be used to make the backrest opening122weather resistant

FIG. 4Aalso shows an embodiment of the protective cover100where the back end110is cut so that it only drapes the rear of the motorcycle150. Also, the inventor contemplates a storage bag/carrying pouch (not shown) for attaching to the motorcycle150for storage of the protective covering100when folded/rolled.

FIG. 5illustrates the protective cover100with decorative surface elements. For example, the outer surface104may be decorated with stitching, embroidery, decals, paint, dye, and the like. Similarly, the edge112may be decorated as well.