Abstract:
A motorcycle footrest used in combination with a motorcycle crash bar has a body member and a step member pivotally attached to the body member. The body member is disposed between adjacent portions of the crash bar. The footrest folds into the crash bar to provide a stream lined and custom appearance.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention generally relates to motorcycle accessories and more specifically to devices for a motorcycle rider to place and rest his or her feet while riding the motorcycle. 
   A variety of different footrests and foot-pegs are known for supporting the feet of a motorcycle rider. In particular, different devices are known for a rider to rest their feet during long extended riding, when it is not necessary for the rider to have their feet in immediate proximity to a foot brake pedal or a foot operated gear shifter. With this type of footrest, the rider is able to elevate their feet and assume more of a reclined position. One variety of this type of footrest mounts on a device referred to as an engine guard, also referred to as a “crash bar”. An example of a crash bar appears in U.S. Pat. No. 6,419,039 (Wagner). The known footrests which attach to a crash bar typically employ an attachment clamp to secure the footrest to the crash bar. However, these footrests may detract from the streamlined look that many motorcycle owners desire to achieve for their bike. In addition, if the clamp becomes loose, it can either rotate or slide upon the crash bar, providing a less than secure footrest. 
   The apparatus disclosed herein addresses these problems. The disclosed footrests may be included as an integral part of a newly purchased crash bar. Alternatively, the disclosed footrests may be purchased separately, and an existing crash bar modified to accept the footrests. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is a footrest used in combination with a motorcycle crash bar. As known in the art, a crash bar extends on either side of the front of a motorcycle, on the outward side of the engine. The crash bar utilized in the present invention comprises a downwardly facing member and an opposite facing upwardly facing member on the respective sides of the motorcycle. The footrest of the present invention comprises a body member having a first end and a second end. The first end of the body member is adapted to be attached to the downwardly facing member of the crash bar. The second end of the body member is adapted to be attached to the upwardly facing member of the crash bar. A step member is pivotally attached to the body member with fastening means. The step member comprises a attached end and a free end. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  schematically shows how the disclosed footrest generally attaches to a motorcycle. 
       FIG. 2  and  FIGS. 2   a – 2   d , show a first embodiment of the footrest 
       FIG. 3  and  FIGS. 3   a – 3   d  show a second embodiment of the footrest. 
       FIG. 4  and  FIGS. 4   a – 4   d  show a third embodiment of the footrest. 
       FIG. 5  and  FIGS. 5   a – 5   d  show a fourth embodiment of the footrest. 
       FIG. 6  and  FIGS. 6   a – 6   d  show a fifth embodiment of the footrest. 
       FIGS. 7   a – 7   d  show how a latch mechanism may be used with an embodiment of the footrest. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring now specifically to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows schematically a motorcycle  10  with crash bar  12  installed in front of engine  14 . As can be seen on  FIG. 1 , the crash bar  12  is located on the motorcycle  10  such that footrests  16  may be mounted on either side of the crash bar, allowing a rider to assume an alternate riding position, with the rider&#39;s feet resting on each of the footrests. The crash bar  12  may generally be manufactured from tubular materials, and plated or painted according to the desires of a rider. While the crash bar  12  may be fashioned in a number of different shapes, one known shape is the generally rectangular configuration shown in  FIG. 1 . The crash bar  12  may comprise a downwardly facing member  15  and an opposite facing upwardly facing member  17 , which may be on opposite sides of the crash bar as depicted in  FIG. 1 . An embodiment of the footrest  16  may be disposed between the downwardly facing member  15  and the opposite upwardly facing member  17 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . As generally shown in  FIG. 1 , and shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 2   a  through  7   a , footrest  16  may be pivoted or folded generally into alignment with an axis of the crash bar  12  such that the footrest appears to generally be an integral part of the crash bar, giving the crash bar a streamlined appearance. This feature also allows the footrest  16 , when not in use, to be pivoted such that the footrest does not extend outwardly from the motorcycle, decreasing the likelihood of passerby bumping into the footrest and injuring himself. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 2 through 7 , there are a number of different embodiments of the footrest. However, in general terms the footrest comprises a body member having a first end and a second end. The first end is adapted to be attached to the downwardly facing member  15  of the crash bar  12  and the second end is adapted to be attached to the upwardly facing member  17 . A step member is pivotally attached to the body member with fastening means, such that the step member has a attached end and a free end. 
   It is to be appreciated that a number of different modifications might be made to the footrest generally described above. For example, the location of the pivoting means may be outside of the body of the footrest as shown in  FIGS. 2 through 5 , or inside the body of the footrest as shown in  FIG. 6 . As another example, the step member has a locking mechanism  11  to positively retain the step member in either a generally vertical or generally horizontal orientation. An example of one type of locking mechanism  11  is shown in  FIGS. 7   a  through  7   d .  FIG. 7   c  also shows the step member having a spring  13  which might be used to bias the step member in either a horizontal or vertical position. It is to be appreciated that each of the embodiments described below may be configured to utilize either interior or exterior pivoting, and, if desired, to utilize any type of locking mechanism. 
   It is also to be appreciated that the footrest  16  may be attached in a number of different ways to the crash bar  12 . For example, the upper end of the footrest may be welded to the downwardly facing member  15  of the crash bar and the lower end of the footrest may be welded to the upwardly facing member  17 . It is to be appreciated that the various embodiments of the invention may be installed in a crash bar and sold as an integrated unit for installation on a motorcycle. Alternatively, the footrest  16  may be acquired separately and installed into a crash bar previously acquired for the motorcycle. 
   As an alternative means of attaching the footrest  16  to a crash bar  12 , the ends of the footrest may be adapted as either female or male ends which respectively receive or engage the opposite facing members of the crash bar. A variety of different attachment means might be used to attach the ends of the footrest to the adjacent facing members of the crash bar. For example, such attachment means may comprise a simple friction fit, matching splines, lockscrews, or a sliding wedge mechanism as illustrated in some of the figures. The user may desire that the particular attachment mechanism allows the footrest to be rotatable such that the step member might be rotated from a position generally perpendicular to the main axis of the motorcycle, to a position where the step member forms an angle with respect to the main axis of the motorcycle. This rotating feature would allow the user to adjust the angle of the step member according to the user&#39;s preference. 
     FIG. 2  shows one embodiment of the footrest  216  comprising a body member  220  and a step member  222  pivotally attached to the body member with fastening means, such as a retaining pin, bolt, or rivets and matching openings in step member  222  and body member  220 . The body member  220  has a first end  224  and a second end  226 . The step member  222  comprises a free end  228  and an attached end  230 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , first end  224  may be closed with an opening for insertion of fastening means which may be used for attachment of the footrest  216  to a crash bar  212  as depicted in  FIG. 2   a . Likewise, although not shown in  FIG. 2 , second end  226  may also be closed with an opening for insertion of fastening means which may be used for attachment of the footrest  216  to the crash bar  212 . 
     FIGS. 2   a  through  2   d  generally depict how this embodiment of the foot rest  216  is placed within a crash bar  212 . As shown in  FIG. 2   b , step member  222  may comprise solid semi-circular stock. Footrest  216  may be disposed between downwardly facing member  215  of the crash bar and upwardly facing member  217 . First end  224  may be inserted within downwardly facing member  215  and second end  226  may be inserted within the upwardly facing member  217 . A friction connection between the respective ends of the body member  220  and the respective facing members of the crash bar  212  may be sufficient to retain foot rest  216  in the desired location, or the ends may directly abut one another. However, additional attachment means may also be used to secure footrest  216  to the crash bar  212 . 
   For example, a first fastener  232  may be extend through first end  224 , and extend into the downwardly facing member  215 . First fastener  232  may engage a first wedge  234  disposed inside downwardly facing member  215 . Likewise, a second fastener  236  may extend through second end  226  and extend into upwardly facing member  217  and engage a second wedge  237  disposed inside upwardly facing member. As first fastener  232  is tightened, wedge  234  is pulled into contact with the inside surface of the downwardly facing member  215 , securing the footrest  216  to the downwardly facing member. Likewise, as second fastener  236  is tightened, second wedge  237  is pulled into contact with the inside surface of the upwardly facing member  217 , securing the footrest  216  to the upwardly facing member. The orientation of the footrest  216  may be adjusted by loosening the first fastener  232  and the second fastener  236  and rotating the footrest with respect to the crash bar  212 . 
   The downwardly facing member  215  and the upwardly facing member  217  of the crash bar may define a first longitudinal axis L 1 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the body member  220  may define a second longitudinal axis L 2 . First longitudinal axis L 1  may be parallel with the second longitudinal axis L 2 . The first longitudinal axis L 1  may also coincide with the second longitudinal axis L 2 . Step member  222  may pivot over a range of positions, from a first position in which the step member is axially aligned with the second longitudinal axis L 2  to a second position in which the step member is normal to the second longitudinal axis. It is to be appreciated that the step member  222  may be attached to body member  220  with the attached end  230  of the step member having a first arm  238  and a second arm  240 , with the body member disposed between the first arm and the second arm. In this arrangement, a pin In this arrangement, the step member  222  may be attached to the body member  220  with rivets  242  or other fastening means. 
     FIG. 3  shows another embodiment of the footrest  316  comprising a body member  320  and a step member  322  pivotally attached to the body member with fastening means, such as a pin, bolt or rivets and matching openings in step member  322  and body member  320 . The body member  320  has a first end  324  and a second end  326 . The step member  322  comprises a free end  328  and an attached end  330 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , first end  324  may be closed with an opening for insertion of fastening means which may be used for attachment of the footrest  316  to a crash bar  312  as depicted in  FIG. 3   a . Likewise, although not shown in  FIG. 3 , second end  326  may also be closed with an opening for insertion of fastening means which may be used for attachment of the footrest  316  to the crash bar  312 . 
     FIGS. 3   a  through  3   d  generally depict how this embodiment of the foot rest  316  is placed within a crash bar  312 . As shown in  FIG. 3   b , step member  322  may comprise semi-circular tubing stock. Footrest  316  may be disposed between downwardly facing member  315  of the crash bar and upwardly facing member  317 . First end  324  may be inserted within downwardly facing member  315  and second end  326  may be inserted within the upwardly facing member  317 . A friction connection between the respective ends of the body member  320  and the respective facing members of the crash bar  312  may be sufficient to retain foot rest  316  in the desired location, or the ends may directly abut one another. However, additional attachment means may also be used to secure footrest  316  to the crash bar  312 . 
   For example, a first fastener  332  may be extend through first end  324 , and extend into the downwardly facing member  315 . First fastener  332  may engage a first wedge  334  disposed inside downwardly facing member  315 . Likewise, a second fastener  336  may extend through second end  326  and extend into upwardly facing member  317  and engage a second wedge  337  disposed inside upwardly facing member. As first fastener  332  is tightened, wedge  334  is pulled into contact with the inside surface of the downwardly facing member  315 , securing the footrest  316  to the downwardly facing member. Likewise, as second fastener  336  is tightened, second wedge  337  is pulled into contact with the inside surface of the upwardly facing member  317 , securing the footrest  316  to the upwardly facing member. The orientation of the footrest  316  may be adjusted by loosening the first fastener  332  and the second fastener  336  and rotating the footrest with respect to the crash bar  312 . 
   The downwardly facing member  315  and the upwardly facing member  317  of the crash bar  312  may define a first longitudinal axis L 1 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the body member  320  may define a third longitudinal axis L 3  First longitudinal axis L 1  may be parallel with the third longitudinal axis L 3  The first longitudinal axis L 1  may also coincide with the third longitudinal axis L 3 . Step member  322  may pivot over a range of positions, from a first position in which the step member is axially aligned with the third longitudinal axis L 3  to a second position in which the step member is normal to the third longitudinal axis. It is to be appreciated that the step member  322  may be attached to body member  320  with the attached end  330  of the step member having a first arm  338  and a second arm  340 , with the body member disposed between the first arm and the second arm. In this arrangement, the step member  322  may be attached to the body member  320  with rivets  342 . 
     FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of the footrest  416  comprising a body member  420  and a step member  422  pivotally attached to the body member with fastening means, such as a pin, bolt or rivets and matching openings in step member  422  and body member  420 . The body member  420  has a first end  424  and a second end  426 . The step member  422  comprises a free end  428  and an attached end  430 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , first end  424  may be closed with an opening for insertion of fastening means which may be used for attachment of the footrest  416  to a crash bar  412  as depicted in  FIG. 4   a . Likewise, although not shown in  FIG. 4 , second end  426  may also be closed with an opening for insertion of fastening means which may be used for attachment of the footrest  416  to the crash bar  412 . 
     FIGS. 4   a  through  4   d  generally depict how this embodiment of the foot rest  416  is placed within a crash bar  412 . As shown in  FIG. 4   b , step member  422  may comprise solid stock. Footrest  416  may be disposed between downwardly facing member  415  of the crash bar and upwardly facing member  417 . First end  424  may be inserted within downwardly facing member  415  and second end  426  may be inserted within the upwardly facing member  417 , or the ends may directly abut one another. A friction connection between the respective ends of the body member  420  and the respective facing members of the crash bar  412  may be sufficient to retain foot rest  416  in the desired location. However, additional attachment means may also be used to secure footrest  416  to the crash bar  412 . 
   For example, a first fastener  432  may be extend through first end  424 , and extend into the downwardly facing member  415 . First fastener  432  may engage a first wedge  434  disposed inside downwardly facing member  415 . Likewise, a second fastener  436  may extend through second end  426  and extend into upwardly facing member  417  and engage a second wedge  437  disposed inside upwardly facing member. As first fastener  432  is tightened, wedge  434  is pulled into contact with the inside surface of the downwardly facing member  415 , securing the footrest  416  to the downwardly facing member. Likewise, as second fastener  436  is tightened, second wedge  437  is pulled into contact with the inside surface of the upwardly facing member  417 , securing the footrest  416  to the upwardly facing member. The orientation of the footrest  416  may be adjusted by loosening the first fastener  432  and the second fastener  436  and rotating the footrest with respect to the crash bar  412 . 
   The downwardly facing member  415  and the upwardly facing member  417  of the crash bar  412  may define a first longitudinal axis L 1 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the body member  420  may define a fourth longitudinal axis L 4  First longitudinal axis L 1  may be parallel with the fourth longitudinal axis L 4 . The first longitudinal axis L 1  may also coincide with the fourth longitudinal axis L 4  Step member  422  may pivot over a range of positions, from a first position in which the step member is axially aligned with the fourth longitudinal axis L 4  to a second position in which the step member is normal to the fourth longitudinal axis. It is to be appreciated that the step member  422  may be attached to body member  420  with the attached end  430  of the step member having a first arm  438  and a second arm  440 , with the body member disposed between the first arm and the second arm. In this arrangement, the step member  422  may be attached to the body member  420  with rivets  442 . 
     FIG. 5  shows another embodiment of the footrest  516  comprising a body member  520  and a step member  522  pivotally attached to the body member with fastening means, such as a pin, bolt or rivets and matching openings in step member  522  and body member  520 . The body member  520  has a first end  524  and a second end  526 . The step member  522  comprises a free end  528  and an attached end  530 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , first end  524  may be closed with an opening for insertion of fastening means which may be used for attachment of the footrest  516  to a crash bar  512  as depicted in  FIG. 5   a . Likewise, although not shown in  FIG. 5 , second end  526  may also be closed with an opening for insertion of fastening means which may be used for attachment of the footrest  516  to the crash bar  512 . 
     FIGS. 5   a  through  5   d  generally depict how this embodiment of the foot rest  516  is placed within a crash bar  512 . As shown in  FIG. 5   b , step member  522  may comprise solid stock. Footrest  516  may be disposed between downwardly facing member  515  of the crash bar and upwardly facing member  517 . First end  524  may be inserted within downwardly facing member  515  and second end  526  may be inserted within the upwardly facing member  517 . A friction connection between the respective ends of the body member  520  and the respective facing members of the crash bar  512  may be sufficient to retain foot rest  516  in the desired location, or the ends may directly abut one another. 
   However, additional attachment means may also be used to secure footrest  516  to the crash bar  512 . For example, a first fastener  532  may be extend through first end  524 , and extend into the downwardly facing member  515 . First fastener  532  may engage a first wedge  534  disposed inside downwardly facing member  515 . Likewise, a second fastener  536  may extend through second end  526  and extend into upwardly facing member  517  and engage a second wedge  537  disposed inside upwardly facing member. As first fastener  532  is tightened, wedge  534  is pulled into contact with the inside surface of the downwardly facing member  515 , securing the footrest  516  to the downwardly facing member. Likewise, as second fastener  536  is tightened, second wedge  537  is pulled into contact with the inside surface of the upwardly facing member  517 , securing the footrest  516  to the upwardly facing member. The orientation of the footrest  516  may be adjusted by loosening the first fastener  532  and the second fastener  536  and rotating the footrest with respect to the crash bar  512 . 
   The downwardly facing member  515  and the upwardly facing member  517  of the crash bar  512  may define a first longitudinal axis L 1 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the body member  520  may define a fifth longitudinal axis L 5  First longitudinal axis L 1  may be parallel with the fifth longitudinal axis L 5 . The first longitudinal axis L 1  may also coincide with the fifth longitudinal axis L 5 . Step member  522  may pivot over a range of positions, from a first position in which the step member is axially aligned with the fifth longitudinal axis L 5  to a second position in which the step member is normal to the fifth longitudinal axis. It is to be appreciated that the step member  522  may be attached to body member  520  with the attached end  530  of the step member having a first arm  538  and a second arm  540 , with the body member disposed between the first arm and the second arm. In this arrangement, the step member  522  may be attached to the body member  520  with rivets  542 . 
     FIG. 6  shows another embodiment of the footrest  616  comprising a body member  620  and a step member  622  pivotally attached to the body member with fastening means, such as a pin, bolt or rivets and matching openings in step member  622  and body member  620 . The body member  620  has a first end  624  and a second end  626 . The step member  622  comprises a free end  628  and an attached end  630 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , first end  624  may be closed with an opening for insertion of fastening means which may be used for attachment of the footrest  616  to a crash bar  612  as depicted in  FIG. 6   a . Likewise, although not shown in  FIG. 6 , second end  626  may also be closed with an opening for insertion of fastening means which may be used for attachment of the footrest  616  to the crash bar  612 . 
     FIGS. 6   a  through  6   d  generally depict how this embodiment of the foot rest  616  is placed within a crash bar  612 . As shown in  FIG. 6   b , step member  622  may comprise semi-circular solid stock. Footrest  616  may be disposed between downwardly facing member  615  of the crash bar and upwardly facing member  617 . First end  624  may be inserted within downwardly facing member  615  and second end  626  may be inserted within the upwardly facing member  617 . A friction connection between the respective ends of the body member  620  and the respective facing members of the crash bar  612  may be sufficient to retain foot rest  616  in the desired location, or the ends may directly abut one another. However, additional attachment means may also be used to secure footrest  616  to the crash bar  612 . 
   For example, a first fastener  632  may be extend through first end  624 , and extend into the downwardly facing member  615 . First fastener  632  may engage a first wedge  634  disposed inside downwardly facing member  615 . Likewise, a second fastener  636  may extend through second end  626  and extend into upwardly facing member  617  and engage a second wedge  637  disposed inside upwardly facing member. As first fastener  632  is tightened, wedge  634  is pulled into contact with the inside surface of the downwardly facing member  615 , securing the footrest  616  to the downwardly facing member. Likewise, as second fastener  636  is tightened, second wedge  637  is pulled into contact with the inside surface of the upwardly facing member  617 , securing the footrest  616  to the upwardly facing member. The orientation of the footrest  616  may be adjusted by loosening the first fastener  632  and the second fastener  636  and rotating the footrest with respect to the crash bar  612 . 
   The downwardly facing member  615  and the upwardly facing member  617  of the crash bar  612  may define a first longitudinal axis L 1 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the body member  620  may define a sixth longitudinal axis L 6 . First longitudinal axis L 1  may be parallel with the sixth longitudinal axis L 6 . The first longitudinal axis L 1  may also coincide with the sixth longitudinal axis L 6 . Step member  622  may pivot over a range of positions, from a first position in which the step member is axially aligned with the sixth longitudinal axis L 6  to a second position in which the step member is normal to the sixth longitudinal axis. It is to be appreciated that the step member  622  may be attached to body member  620  with the attached end  630  of the step member having a first arm  638  and a second arm  640 , with first arm  638  and second arm  640  disposed inside an opening in the body member. In this arrangement, the step member  622  may be attached to the body member  620  with rivets  642 . 
   While the above is a description of various embodiments of the present invention, further modifications may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the size, shape, and/or material of the various components may be changed as desired. Thus the scope of the invention should not be limited by the specific structures disclosed. Instead the true scope of the invention should be determined by the following claims.