Motorcycle windshield

Abstract: A detachable motorcycle windshield assembly (11) includes a windshield (12), a pair of mounting brackets (27, 28) attached respectively to each side of the windshield (12) and each including an upper portion (3) and a lower portion (34) extending downwardly from the upper portion. A first socket (42) is formed on the lower portion (34) of each bracket (27, 28) for pivotally engaging a first bushing (60) fixed to the motorcycle and a second socket (44) is formed on the upper portion (30) of each bracket (27, 28) for engaging a second bushing (62) fixed to the motorcycle generally above the first bushing (60). Each bracket (27, 28) is also fitted with a latch (48) for releasably securing the second socket (44) to the second bushing (62).

Description: This invention relates to motorcycles and more particularly to a quick detachable motorcycle windshield. The use of motorcycle windshields is desirable for long distance highway travel to minimise fatigue caused by windloading on the rider's exposed upper body. On the other hand, many motorcycle riders prefer not to employ a windshield for short trips or lower speed street travel. However, because the installation and removal of prior art windshields was normally time-consuming and required the use of tools, rapid conversion was normally not a viable option. For example, motorcycle windshields were typically bolted to the vehicle and in some models, several other components had to be removed to permit removal or installation of the windshield. Moreover, in some cases, removal of the windshield exposed unsightly hardware or brackets which remained on the vehicle. Some vehicles also required the installation of spacers to fill the space previously occupied by the windshield. EP-A-0060807 discloses a motorcycle windshield which is provided with pairs of upper and lower sockets bonded to the rear of the windshield, and these are arranged to receive the ends of upper and lower mounting rods which are secured to the motorcycle and project considerably therefrom. The upper sockets may also have releasable latch means associated with them. The windshield assembly is detachable, but is designed primarily to reduce the likelihood of cracking of the windshield during use and also to allow the windshield to break away from the upper mounting rods and pivot forwards in the event of the rider being thrown forwardly against the windshield in an accident. It is a primary object of the invention to provide a motorcycle windshield which can be readily attached and detached from the vehicle, preferably without the use of tools and without exposing unsightly parts. Accordingly, the invention provides a detachable motorcycle windshield assembly comprising a windshield having first and second mounting means attached to opposite sides of the windshield and each including an upper portion and a lower portion, a first socket means formed in the lower portion of each mounting means for pivotally engaging a first lower mounting member when said first member is mounted on the corresponding side of the motorcycle, a second socket means formed on the upper portion of each mounting means for engaging a second mounting member when the second member is mounted on the motorcycle generally above the first mounting member, and releasable latch means mounted adjacent each second socket means for maintaining said second socket means on the second mounting member, characterised in that, when mounted, said first and second mounting members extend laterally from each side of the motorcycle, and said first socket means open downwardly to receive the first mounting members and said second socket means open rearwardly to receive said second mounting members. Preferably said first and second mounting means comprise brackets attached respectively to the opposite sides of the windshield, each of said brackets including a leg portion extending downwardly from the upper portion and having said first socket means formed adjacent the lower end thereof, said first socket means comprising a generally U-shaped socket facing downwardly, and said second socket means comprising a second generally U-shaped socket formed in said upper portion and facing rearwardly, and wherein said latch means comprises a spring member fixed to each bracket and having a portion extending downwardly across the open end of the second socket when said spring member is in an unflexed condition. Further preferred features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a motorcycle having a quick detachable windshield according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the motorcycle shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of part of the motorcycle windshield shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a top view of part of the motorcycle windshield shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the motorcycle shown in Figure 1; and, Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of Figure 5. Figure 1 shows a conventional motorcycle 10 having a quick detachable windshield assembly 11 according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. The windshield assembly as shown more particularly in Figures 2, 3 and 4 includes a windshield 12 formed of any suitable transparent, shatter-resistant material. A cutout is formed in the lower edge of the windshield 12 so that it fits over the front fork and the headlight 20 of the motorcycle 10. The cutout is framed by braces 22, 23 and 24 which are suitably secured to the windshield 12 by screws 25 and nuts 26. The windshield assembly 11 also includes brackets 27 and 28, fixed at the opposite sides of the windshield 12 to the braces 22, 23 and 24, with bracket 27 being a mirror image of bracket 28. In particular, each bracket 27 and 28 includes an upper portion 30, an arm 32 extending upwardly from the forward edge of portion 30 and a lower portion 34 extending downwardly from the rear edge of portion 30. A thin flange 36 is formed along the forward edge of the arm 32 and the upper portion 30 and extends at an angle relative thereto. The flanges 36 of the brackets 27 and 28 are attached to the rear surface of the windshield and in an opposed relation to the braces 22 and 24, respectively, by means of the screws 25 and nuts 26 which also secure the braces 22 and 24. A generally U-shaped first socket 42 is formed at the lower end of lower portion 34 and faces downwardly. A generally U-shaped second socket 44 is formed at the upper rear of upper portion 30 and opens rearwardly. A latch 48 is mounted adjacent to each of the sockets 44 on brackets 27 and 28 and each latch 48 consists of a heavy gauge wire spring bent to define a stem 50 and head 52. A first oval loop 54 is formed at the base of the stem 50 for receiving a pair of screws 55 each of which also passes through one of a pair of spaced apart openings in the brackets 27 and 28. Each screw 55 is threadably received in a nut 56 to secure the latches 48 in position. The head 52 of each latch 48 is formed with a downwardly extending, U-shaped loop 56 and upwardly extending loop 58. When the spring latches 48 are unflexed, the legs 56 extend downwardly across the open end of the sockets 44. A pair of bushings 60 and 62 are mounted at each side of the motorcycle 10 and are spaced apart the same distance as that between the sockets 42 and 44. Bushing 60 and 62 is shown in Figure 6 to comprise an elastomer member 64 having a central opening for receiving a screw 66 which secures the bushing to the motorcycle 10 and a pair of radially extending flanges 68 and 69. In addition, an annular metallic insert 71 is disposed between the flanges 68 and 69 for being engaged by the socket 42 or 44. In order to mount the windshield assembly 11 on the motorcycle 10, the assembly is positioned with the sockets 42 on the lower ends of the each of the brackets 27 or 28 located above the lower bushings 60. The width of each socket 42 is sufficient to embrace the metallic inserts 71. The assembly is lowered until the upper margin of the sockets 42 engage one of the bushings 71. The assembly is then rotated clockwise as viewed in Figure 2 and the latches 48 are flexed upwardly to move the legs 56 away from the open ends of the sockets 44. Continued rotation of the assembly moves the sockets 44 into engagement with the upper bushings 62. When the sockets 44 are fully seated, the latches 48 are released to lock the windshield assembly 11 in position. The elastomer bushings 64 are compressed slightly when the brackets 27 and 28 are mounted on the vehicle to help retain the brackets 27 and 28 in position. When it is desired to remove the windshield assembly 11 from the motorcycle 10, the latch springs 48 at the opposite sides of the vehicle are flexed upwardly thereby moving the legs 56 away from the open end of the sockets 44. This permits the assembly 11 to be pivoted counterclockwise as viewed in Figure 2 and then elevated to move the sockets 42 away from the lower bushing 60. It can thus be seen that the windshield assembly 11 can be mounted on and removed from the motorcycle 10 quickly and without the requirement for tools. While only a single embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it is not intended to be limited thereby but only by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims: A detachable motorcycle windshield assembly (11) comprising a windshield (12) having first and second mounting means (27, 28) attached to opposite sides of the windshield and each including an upper portion (30) and a lower portion (34), a first socket means (42) formed in the lower portion (34) of each mounting means (27, 28) for pivotally engaging a first lower mounting member (60) when said first member (60) is mounted on the corresponding side of the motorcycle, a second socket means (44) formed on the upper portion (30) of each mounting means (27, 28) for engaging a second mounting member (62) when said second member (62) is mounted on the motorcycle generally above the first mounting member (60), and releasable latch means (48) mounted adjacent each second socket means (44) for maintaining said second socket means on the second mounting member (62), characterised in that, when mounted, said first and second mounting members (60,62) extend laterally from each side of the motorcycle, and said first socket means (42) open downwardly to receive the first mounting members (60) and said second socket means (44) open rearwardly to receive the second mounting members (62). A detachable windshield assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first and second mounting means comprise brackets (27, 28) attached respectively to the opposite sides of the windshield (12), each of said brackets including a leg portion (34) extending downwardly from the upper portion (30) and having said first socket means (42) formed adjacent the lower end thereof, said first socket means (42) comprising a generally U-shaped socket facing downwardly, and said second socket means (44) comprising a second generally U-shaped socket formed in said upper portion (30) and facing rearwardly, and wherein said latch means (48) comprises a spring member fixed to each bracket (27, 28) and having a portion (56) extending downwardly across the open end of the second socket (44) when said spring member is in an unflexed condition. A motorcycle (10) fitted with a detachable windshield assembly (11) according to claim 1 or claim 2, such that said first and second mounting members (60, 62) extend laterally from each side of the motorcycle and the first mounting member (60) on each side is disposed generally below and spaced apart from the second mounting member (62), and said windshield (12) is detachably mounted with the first socket means (42) of each mounting means (27, 28) receiving and pivotally engaging the corresponding first mounting member (60), the second socket means (44) of each mounting means receiving and engaging the corresponding second mounting member (62), and the releasable latch means (48) maintaining said second socket means (44) on the second mounting members (62). A motorcycle according to claim 3, wherein each of said mounting members (60, 62) includes an elastomeric portion (64) coupled to the motorcycle and a metallic portion (71) engaged by the first or second socket means (42, 44). A motorcycle according to claim 3, wherein the first and second socket means (42, 44) are spaced apart by the same distance as said mounting members (60, 62).

Inventors: ARMSTRONG JEFFREY L, ARMSTRONG, JEFFREY L.
Applicants: HARLEY DAVIDSON MOTOR CO INC, HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY
Application year: 1995
Main classification: B62J17
IPC codes: B62J17