Abstract:
According to the present invention, there is provided a novel auxiliary passenger seat cushion system adaptable to fit onto a passenger seat of a motorcycle. The auxiliary passenger seat cushion is used with a motorcycle seat having a width defined between opposite sides thereof. The passenger seat cushion system has a seat member having an upper surface configured for seating a passenger and an opposite lower surface positionable adjacent to the motorcycle seat and having a width greater than that of the motorcycle seat. The passenger seat cushion system also includes at least two stop members associated with the lower surface of the seat member and adjustably positionable relative to the width of the lower surface of the seat member so that one stop member is urgable against each of the opposite sides of the motorcycle seat. In another embodiment of the invention, the seat cushion member is composed of a number of separable sections for breakdown and storage into an auxiliary storage compartment. A fastener is included for fixedly securing the separable sections together to provide a composite cushion member. Furthermore, adjustable stop members are used to engage an existing motorcycle seat by urging against the opposite sides of the motorcycle seat. The adjustable stop members are adjustable enabling the auxiliary passenger seat cushion to engage motorcycle seats of varying dimensionality.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates generally to motorcycle seat cushions. More particularly, this invention relates to an auxiliary passenger seat cushion adaptable to a variety of motorcycles. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The sport of motorcycling has grown to epic proportions, and is continuing to grow in popularity. Almost all motorcycles designed for street use include rear seating to accommodate a passenger. It is very common for a passenger to be “doubled” with the motorcycle operator during the riding time. Production motorcycles designed to accommodate the passenger with seating even similarly comfortable as that of the operator are typically large “dressed” motorcycles, commonly referred to as the “cruisers.” 
     Many of the other so called “Big Bikes” do not have a comfortable passenger seat, these “Big Bikes” collectively outnumber the “cruisers” by a large margin. These are commonly referred to as “Customs.” Many “Customs” are factory designed, and many are owner-modified or hand-built. The “Customs” category of motorcycles typically have an undersized and uncomfortable passenger seat. The typical passenger seat on a “Custom” is 5 to 7 inches wide, compared to an average 12 to 14 inches wide seat for the operator. The small passenger seats are commonly referred to as “Pillion pads.” The use of such small pillion pads results mainly from aesthetic criterion. 
     The typical motorcycle ride lasts for several hours, and very often several days, covering hundreds of miles. The pillion pad is uncomfortable and the passenger is subjected to discomfort and fatigue. Currently, small pillows and cushions are placed on the pillion pad in an effort to improve comfort and ridability. In general, they do not work well. 
     Thus, there is a need for a device suitable for improving passenger comfort but which may be quickly removed when not in use for aesthetic purposes. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The foregoing and other needs are met by a novel auxiliary passenger seat cushion system adaptable to fit onto a passenger seat of a motorcycle. The auxiliary passenger seat cushion is intended to be used with a motorcycle seat having a width defined between opposite sides thereof. The seat cushion system has a seat member having an upper surface configured for seating a passenger and an opposite lower surface positionable adjacent to the motorcycle seat and having a width greater than that of the motorcycle seat. The seat cushion system also includes at least two stop members associated with the lower surface of the seat member and adjustably positionable relative to the width of the lower surface of the seat member so that one stop member is urgable against each of the opposite sides of the motorcycle seat to inhibit relative movement between the seat cushion member and the motorcycle seat. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the seat cushion member is composed of a number of separable sections for breakdown and storage into an auxiliary storage compartment. A fastener is included for fixedly securing the separable sections together to provide a composite cushion member. Furthermore, adjustable stop members are used to engage an existing motorcycle seat by urging against the opposite sides of the motorcycle seat thereby restricting relative motion between the passenger cushion seat and motorcycle seat. The adjustable stop members are adjustable enabling the auxiliary passenger seat cushion to adaptably engage motorcycle seats of varying dimensionality. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the detailed description when considered in conjunction with the figures, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements through the several views, and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 a front perspective view of a seat member for use in a seat cushion system in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional front end view of a seat cushion system in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 2 a  is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a component of the seat member of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of a component of the seat member of FIG.  1 ; 
     FIG. 4 a cross-sectional side view of another component of the seat member of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 a  is a cross-sectional side view of a component of the seat member of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of a component of the seat member of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 a cross-sectional side view of another embodiment of a component of the seat member of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 a  is a front-end view of another embodiment of a component of the seat member of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional front end view of another embodiment of a seat member component of the seat member of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 8 is cross-sectional front end view of a another embodiment of a portion of a seat cushion system in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a seat member for use in a seat cushion system in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 10 is top view of yet another embodiment the seat member for use in a seat cushion system in accordance with the invention; and, 
     FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional front end view of the embodiment of the seat member of FIG.  10 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With initial reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the invention relates to a seat cushion system  10  for use with a motorcycle of the type having a pillion pad as a passenger seat. The seat cushion system  10  includes a seat member  12  that is positionable onto a motorcycle seat or pillion pad  14  of a type generally affixed to a motorcycle frame  16  as by fasteners  18 . The motorcycle seat  14  shown herein is of a type designed for a passenger other than the driver of the motorcycle who rides behind the driver. Preferably the seat cushion  10  has a length of between about 9 inches and about 12 inches, a height of between about 1 inch and 4 inches, and the width is between about 9 inches and about 16 inches. 
     The seat member  12  preferably includes at least two separable seat portions or members which may be stored away when the seat cushion system  10  is not being used. Preferably, the seat member  12  includes a first outer seat member  20 , an inner seat member  22 , and a second outer seat member  24  interconnectable with one another to provide the seat member  12 . Alternatively, the seat member  12  could be provided by a single seat member  26  (FIG.  9 ). The use of a plurality of interconnectable seat members, such as the members  20 - 24 , is advantageous to enable the seat cushion system  10  to be quickly separable and compactable for ease of storage and portability when not in use. Accordingly, seat cushion system  10  may be stowed into a saddlebag or a separate carrier may be attached to the motorcycle for storage of seat cushion system  10 . 
     Preferably, seat members  20  and  24  are preferably identical mirror-images of one another and, accordingly, the description below refers to both seat members  20  and  24 , respectively. 
     Seat member  20  includes a substantially flat or planar bottom surface  28  and a contoured top surface  30  which has a generally contoured shape so that when seat members  20 ,  22 , and  24  are combined together, the resulting seat member  12  has a contoured shape typical of seats used to provide additional comfort to a passenger. Seat member  20  also has an inwardly facing surface  31  and an opposing contoured surface  33 . As shown in FIG. 2, which is not to scale, seat member  20  includes a base member  32 , a fill or padding material  34  and a cover  36 . Alternatively, seat member  20  could be composed of just one material such as a soft plastic material, rubber or some other semi-rigid material. Preferably, base member  32  is formed of wood, hard plastic or a lightweight metallic alloy. Fill material  34  is preferably any type of soft material which maintains its elasticity, such as foam. Alternatively, air or fluid could be utilized as another form of fill material  34 . Cover  36  is preferably a durable material such as leather, plastic, vinyl or the like. 
     Seat member  22  also includes a substantially flat or planar bottom surface  38 . When seat members  20 - 24  are releasably engaged to one another, the flat bottom surfaces  28  and  38  are aligned in a substantially planar configuration providing a stable base to the seat cushion system I 0 . Additionally, the flat bottom surfaces  28  and  38  provide a large surface area tending to maintain the seat cushion system  10  on the motorcycle seat  14 . The bottom surfaces  28  and  38  may be coated with a gripping or traction agent such as textural rubber or plastic film or foam material which provides additional traction characteristics maintaining the seat cushion system  10  on the motorcycle seat  14 . 
     Seat member  22  also includes a contoured top surface  40 , for the same reasons as described above for seat member  20 . The contoured top surfaces  30  and  40  of seat members  20 - 24  generally slope from a high portion at the rear  12   a  of the seat member  12  to a lower portion toward the front  12   b  of the seat member  12 . Alternatively, the seat member  12  may have a saddle-like shape wherein the front  12   b  and rear  12   a  portions are both elevated with respect to the interior of seat member  12 . The higher portions of seat member  12  tend to prevent a passenger from sliding off of the seat cushion system  10  when the motorcycle is accelerated or decelerated abruptly. Seat member  22  further includes two outwardly facing opposing surfaces, first side  42  and second side  44 , a base member  46 , fill material  48  and a cover  50 . Base member  46 , fill material  48  and the cover  50  of seat member  22  are preferably composed of similar materials as those described above for seat member  20 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 2-4, seat members  20 ,  22  and  24  are secured together to form the seat member  12  by utilizing a fastening mechanism  52  located on the inwardly facing surfaces  31  of seat members  20  and  24 , and a corresponding fastening mechanism  54  located on the outwardly facing surfaces  42  and  44  of seat member  22 . Preferably, the fastening mechanism  54  is configured for receiving the fastening mechanism  52  by pushing first and second outer members  20  and  24  down onto the inner seat member  22 . As shown in FIG. 2, first outer seat member  20  is shown secured to the inner seat member  22 , while second outer seat member  24  is separate from the inner seat member  22 . The seat member  12  is formed into the composite seat member  12  by combining the second outer seat member  24  with the inner seat member  22  by downwardly engaging fastening mechanism  52  with fastening mechanism  54 . 
     When the seat cushion system  10  is placed on the motorcycle seat  14  and a passenger sits on the seat cushion system  10 , two things occur to enhance the stability of the seat cushion system  10 . First, the passenger provides a downward force to the first and second outer seat members  20  and  24 , respectively. Second, there is a reactionary force from the motorcycle seat towards the bottom surface of the seat cushion system  10 . These two forces combine to securely interlock fastening mechanisms  52  and  54 . It is important that the fastening mechanism  52  and  54  be strong and secure when engaged to ensure rider safety, while also allowing ready detachability of the seat members  20 - 24  for quick and easy storage of the seat cushion system  10  when not in use. Fastening mechanisms  52  and  54  may be formed as part of the seat members  20 - 24  or attached separately as added on components to the seat members  20 - 24 . Furthermore, fastening mechanisms  52  and  54  may preferably be formed with a wedge-like cross-section, as shown in FIG. 2 a,  which tends to further the interlocking function of the fastening mechanisms  52  and  54  when a downward force is applied to the first and second outer seat members  20  and  24 , respectively, resulting in a stable seat member  12 . 
     A preferred embodiment of the fastening mechanisms  52  and  54  is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Preferably, fastening mechanisms  52  and  54  are each formed of a plurality of fingers or teeth  56  and  58 , respectively. A plurality of gaps  57  and  59  are located between the teeth  56  and  58  for receiving the teeth  56  and  58  in a complimentary interlocking arrangement. The teeth  56  of the outer seat member  20  are formed to interlock or mesh with the opposing teeth  58  located on the outwardly facing surfaces  42  and  44  of seat member  22  (FIG. 4 a ). 
     Preferably the teeth  56  and  58  have a base  56   a  and  58   a  and a distal portion  56   b  and  58   b  (FIG. 4 a ). The teeth  56  of fastening mechanism  52  are oriented on the inward surface  31  of outer seat member  20  so that the base  56   a  is located adjacent to the top surface  30  and the distal portion  56   b  is located adjacent to the bottom surface  28  (FIG.  3 ). Correspondingly, the teeth  58  of fastening mechanism  54  are oriented on the outwardly facing surfaces  42  and  44  of inner seat member  22  so that the base  58   a  is located adjacent to the bottom surface  38  and the distal portion  58   b  is located adjacent to the top surface  40  (FIG.  4 ). 
     As shown in FIG. 4 a  it is preferred that the teeth  56  or  58  taper from the wider base  56   a  or  58   a  to the narrower distal portion  56   b  or  58   b.  It is also preferable for the gaps  57  and  59  have similar geometrical configurations for releasably engaging the teeth  56  and  58 . In this fashion, when the three seat members  20 - 24  are press-fit together to form seat member  12 , the interlocking teeth  56  and  58  mesh together to provide a rigid and stable connection between seat members  20 - 24 . 
     The teeth  58  of fastening mechanism  54  are preferably formed in an upright configuration (FIG. 4) as compared to the downward configuration of teeth  56  of seat member  20  (FIG.  3 ). The teeth  56  and  58  are oriented in this manner to utilize the resultant torque force generated by the weight of a passenger onto seat members  20  and  24  and particularly to the fastening mechanism  52  and  54 . Depending on the width of the motorcycle seat  14 , the torque force maybe somewhat alleviated by the interaction of the lower surface  28  of seat members  20  and  24 , and the motorcycle seat  14 . Furthermore, when the seat member  12  is placed on top of motorcycle seat  14 , an upward force exerted by the motorcycle seat  14  to the seat member  22  coupled with the downward force exerted by a passenger onto seat members  20  and  24  furthers the interlocking function of the teeth  56  and  58 . The engaged interlocking teeth  56  and  58  further warrant that seat member  12  will remain together during periods of acceleration and deceleration of the motorcycle. 
     Referring to FIGS. 5-6 a,  an alternative embodiment for the fastening mechanisms  52  and  54  is shown. Accordingly, fastening mechanisms  52  and  54  are formed as elongate channel members  80  and  82 . First and second outer seat members  20  and  24  include an elongate channel member  80  on the inward facing surface  31 . The elongate channel member  80  is oriented so that the channel bottom  80   a  is located adjacent to the top surface  30  of the outer seat member  20 . The elongate channel member  80  also includes closed ends  80   b  to be described below. 
     Inner seat member  22  includes elongate channel members  82  on the first and second sides  40  and  42 , respectively. The elongate channel members  82  are oriented so that the channel bottom  82   a  is located adjacent to the bottom surface  38  of the inner seat member  22 . As described above for teeth members  56  and  58 , it is important to orient the elongate channel members  80  and  82  so that the first and second outer seat members  20  and  24  are engaged with inner seat member  22  by pushing the outer seat members  20  and  24  down onto the inner seat member  22 . The downward force applied by a passenger to the outer seat members  20  and  24 , furthers the interlocking function of elongate channel members  80  and  82 . Conversely, if the fastening mechanisms  52  and  54  were oppositely configured to the orientation described above for the teeth  56  and  58  and elongate channel members  80  and  82 , the downward torque force applied by the passenger&#39;s weight might tend to disengage the fastening mechanisms  52  and  54 . 
     As shown in FIG. 6 a,  the elongate channel members  80  have closed ends  80   b.  The closed ends  80   b  prevent the inner seat member from translating by confining the elongate channel member  82  within the closed ends  80   b  of elongate channel member  80 . The engagement of elongate channel members  80  and  82  prevents relative rotational translation of the inner and outer seat members  20 - 24  with respect to one another. The depth of the channels  80   a  and  82   a  of the elongate channel members  80  and  82  may be deeper or shallower according to preferred stability characteristics of the assembled seat cushion system  10 . As described above, the elongate channel members  80  and  82  may be separate components or formed as part of the inner and outer seat members  20 - 24 . 
     In yet another alternative embodiment of the invention, as best shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, fastening mechanisms  52  and  54  are formed as a ledge member  100  which is insertable into a recessed portion  102  of the inner seat member  22 . Accordingly, each outer seat member  20  and  24  includes the ledge member  100  on its inward facing surface  31 . It is preferred that the ledge member  100  and associated recessed portion  102 , substantially encompass the full lengths of the seat members  20 - 24 . Alternatively, however, the ledge member  100  may be divided into a plurality of finger elements also insertable into the recessed portion  102  of the inner seat member  22 . 
     FIG. 11 shows a locking pin member  104  contained in a blind bore  105  of the inner seat member  22 . The pin  104  is used to secure the ledge member  100  within the recessed portion  102  of inner seat member  22 . The locking pin member  104  includes an actuator spring  106  and a grasping member  108 . The grasping member  108  is rotatable and fits into a recess  107  of the inner seat member  22 , so that the bottom of the seat member remains planar having no protrusions which might damage the motorcycle seat  14 . The ledge member  100  includes a tapered front edge  100   a,  which actuates the pin member  104  when the ledge member  100  is inserted into the recessed portion  102 . More specifically, as the ledge member  100  is inserted into the recessed portion  102 , the tapered front edge  100   a  comes into contact with the pin member  104  which is actuated away from the ledge  100  as the pin  104  ‘rides up’ the tapered edge  100   a.  An aperture  100   b  on the ledge member  100  is configured to receive the pin  104  when the ledge member  100  is seated in the recessed portion  102 . The actuator spring  106  provides an impelling force which drives the pin into the aperture  100   b  once the pin  104  traverses the tapered edge  100   a.  Once the pin  104  is seated in the aperture  100   b,  the outer seat members  20  and  24  are fixedly secured to the inner seat member  22 , providing a substantially unitary seat member  12 . The seat members  20 - 24  are disengaged by grasping the grasping member  108  and pulling the pin member  104  away from the aperture  100   b  against the force of the actuator spring  106 , allowing the outer seat members  20  and  24  to be separated from the inner seat member  22  for storage. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, seat cushion system  10  includes at least two stop members  60 . The stop members  60  according to the invention are substantially similar in function and appearance so only one member  60  will be described in detail. Stop member  60  is preferably located adjacent to the bottom surface  28  of inner and outer seat sections  20  and  24 . Stop member  60  is adjustable along a track  62  defined along the bottom surface  28  of seat members  20  and  24 . The track  62  may be incorporated as part of base  32  or may be an add-on component securable to the seat member  20 . Stop members  60  preferably include an inwardly facing surface  64  configured for engaging a side of motorcycle seat  14  and an outwardly facing surface  66 . A plurality of apertures  68  are defined along the track  62  for receiving similarly spaced and configured projections  70 . Stop member  60  is adjustable along the length of track  62  by positioning the projections  70  as desired in the apertures  68  along the track  62 . 
     The stop members  60  are adjustable enabling the seat cushion system  10  to  25  adapt to fit varying sized motorcycle seats  14 . The stop members  60  also provide the important function of inhibiting relative movement of the seat member  12  with respect to the motorcycle seat  14 . Once the seat member  12  is assembled from inner and outer seat members  20 - 24 , the seat member  12  is centered and placed upon the motorcycle seat  14 . The stop members  60  are adjusted towards the motorcycle seat until they are adjacent to the motorcycle seat  14  and preferably impinging on the seat  14 . Once the stop members  60  are in position, they are snapped into place using the projections  70  and apertures  68  located in the track  62 . 
     As shown in FIG. 1, stop members  60  may include a unitary two-prong structure or the stop member  60  may be two separate prongs adjustable along respective tracks  62 . That is, seat cushion system  10  may include multiple track members  62  for accommodating multiple stop members  60 . For example two track members  62  may be located on the bottom surface of the seat cushion system  10  for accommodating four independently adjustable stop members  60 . Having four adjustable stop members  60  allows the seat cushion system  10  to adapt to irregularly contoured motorcycle seats or pillion pads  14 . 
     Once the seat member  12  is in place and stop members  60  are adjusted as described, the seat cushion system  10  is ready to accommodate a passenger. The passenger&#39;s weight, once applied, furthers the action of stop members  60  by compressing the underlying motorcycle seat  14  which thereby expands outward and applies a resultant force to the inwardly facing surfaces  64  of the stop members  60 . 
     With reference to FIG. 7, there is shown an alternative embodiment of a stop member  60 ′. Stop member  60 ′ is generally of the same geometry as the stop member  60 , but is adjustable along a shaft  72  contained on the bottom surface  28  of seat members  20  and  24 . Stop member  60 ′ includes an aperture  74  running along its length for slidably receiving the shaft  72 . Stop member  60 ′ is adjustably positionable along the shaft  72  as by a screw  76  threadably receivable within a threaded aperture  78  running transversely with reference to aperture  74 . Once stop member  60 ′ is adjusted against seat  14 , the screw  76  is threadably tightened against the shaft  72  to secure the stop member  60 ′. Once the seat member  12  is in place, the lower surfaces  28  and  38  further provide stability in conjunction with the motorcycle seat  14 . When a passenger sits on the seat cushion system  10 , the lower surfaces  28  and  38  provide a friction force which also tends to inhibit relative movement of the seat cushion system  10  with respect to the seat  14  in addition to the function of stop members  60 . 
     Referring to FIG. 8, another embodiment of stop member  60 ″ is shown. Stop member  60 ″ has a relatively long width, so that when the projections  70   a  are inserted into the apertures  68   a  of track  62   a,  preferably the stop member  60 ″ will lie adjacent to the inner and outer seat members  20 - 24 . Preferably, the track  62   a  will encompass the width of the seat member  12 . An advantage of this alternative stop member  60 ″ arrangement is that the motorcycle seat provides an upward force to the stop member  60 ″ when the seat cushion system  10  is on the motorcycle seat  14 . The stop member  60 ″ acts as an added brace or fastener in addition to fastening mechanisms  52  and  54 . Preferably, stop member  60 ″ can be adjustably positioned to the peripheral edge  35  of seat members  20  and  24  while encompassing a portion of the inner seat member  22  with stop member  60 ″. 
     Preferably, seat cushion system  10  is stored a motorcycle saddlebag or other container on the motorcycle when not being used. When a passenger desires a more comfortable seat member  12 , the seat cushion system  10  is removed from the container and assembled into the seat cushion system  10 , as described above. When the seat cushion system  10  is no longer needed, it is disassembled and stored in the container. 
     Alternatively the seat cushion system  10  may utilize a unitary seat member  26  as shown in FIG.  9 . The unitary seat member  26  would operate similarly as described above for the separable seat cushion system  10 . 
     Accordingly, the seat cushion system  10  provides comfort and relaxation to the riding passenger regardless of the size of the pillion pad or seat  14  fitted to the motorcycle. When the motorcycle is parked, removing the seat cushion system  10 , slipping it apart, and storing it in a container immediately restores the motorcycle&#39;s clean aesthetics. The container may be a pouch made of simple fabric for storage in the motorcycle saddlebags (if available), or the container may be a “biker leather” look for attaching to the motorcycle and blending in as a typical acceptable accessory bag. 
     Having described various aspects and embodiments of the invention, and several advantages thereof, it will be recognized by those of ordinary skills that the invention is susceptible to various modifications, substitutions and revisions within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it may be preferable to secure the seat cushion system  10  to the motorcycle pillion seat  14  by straps, a bungee cord, hooks, or other similar fastening mechanisms. The seat cushion system  10  may preferably be a unitary seat member that is collapsible. For example, the seat cushion system  10  may include a base member that is foldable or compactible without separating the seat system. The base member of the seat cushion system  10  may include a hinging mechanism allowing the seat cushion system  10  to “fold-in” on itself, thereby compacting for storage. Finally, the seat members  20 - 24  may have a longitudinal orientation instead of the lateral orientation as described above. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings are illustrative of preferred embodiments only, not limiting thereto, and that the true spirit and scope of the present invention be determined by reference to the appended claims.