Abstract:
A restraining system is configured to secure and release a rider&#39;s footwear to a vehicle footrest in response to inputs to a control interface. The vehicle is typically a motorcycle or bicycle. In the case of a motorcycle, a rider&#39;s boot is restrained to a motorcycle foot peg by the action of a restraining device. Exemplary restraining device embodiments include an electromagnet or a mechanical latch. The control interface may be located on the motorcycle handlebar or on the rider&#39;s helmet. The rider can provide the inputs directly to the control interface. Alternatively, the inputs may be received from a wireless source.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This non-provisional patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/314,103, entitled “Control Interface Activated Restraining System to Secure a Boot to a Foot Peg”, filed on Mar. 15, 2010, incorporated herein by reference under the benefit of U.S.C. 119(e). 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention concerns an improvement in a restraint of a rider to a vehicle such as a motorcycle or bicycle. More particularly, the present invention includes a control interface-activated restraining system to restrain a rider&#39;s footwear relative to a foot support of the vehicle while riding over challenging terrain or jumps. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    A vehicle such as a motorcycle or bicycle includes a seat on which a rider is seated and at least one pair of foot supports located at a lower portion of the vehicle relative to the seat. The foot supports may be the foot pegs of a motorcycle or the pedals of a bicycle. 
         [0004]    A motorcycle typically has foot-operated controls in close proximity to the foot pegs such as a brake and a gearshift. While in forward motion and in normal riding, the rider&#39;s feet typically rest upon the foot pegs. This is typically quite acceptable for riding on paved and/or smooth roads. 
         [0005]    However, if the rider encounters very rough terrain or jumps, the shaking may cause the rider&#39;s feet to lose contact with the foot peg. The loss of contact may be very dangerous. Experienced riders compensate for this by gripping the sides of the seat with their knees and/or thighs and hanging on to the handlebars. An example of such an experienced rider is a Motocross competitor who routinely rides over very rough terrain and jumps. 
         [0006]    Yet riding this way does not maintain an ideal amount of control for a Motocross competition. One solution proposed is described in patent application 2008/0179859 by Boehmke et al. filed on Jan. 27, 2007. Boehmke describes a mechanism for clipping the rider&#39;s boot to the foot peg. While offering some improvement, issues remain such as the inconvenience of having to manually eject the boot from the restraint and the potential for crashes with the boot still clipped. What is needed is a new solution that is more convenient to the rider and can be quickly engaged and disengaged. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  depicts a rider  4  on a motorcycle  2  utilizing a restraining system  6  of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a restraining system  6  of the present invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3A  is a block diagram of a first alternative embodiment of the restraining system  6  of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3B  is a block diagram of a second alternative embodiment of the restraining system  6  of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is an exemplary method of use of the present invention in flow chart form. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5A  is an isometric view of a boot  10 A and peg  10 B interface incorporating a first embodiment  14 - 1  of a restraining device  14  of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5B  is a side view of a boot  10 A and peg  10 B interface incorporating restraining device embodiment  14 - 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 5C  is a cross sectional view taken through section  5 C- 5 C of  FIG. 5B . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5D  is an end view of a boot  10 A and peg  10 B interface incorporating a restraining device embodiment  14 - 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 5E  is a cross sectional view taken through section  5 E- 5 E of  FIG. 5D . 
           [0017]      FIG. 5F  is detailed portion  5 F- 5 F taken from  FIG. 5C . 
           [0018]      FIG. 5G  is detailed portion  5 G- 5 G taken from  FIG. 5E . 
           [0019]      FIG. 6A  is an isometric view of an interface  10  incorporating restraining device embodiment  14 - 2 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 6B  is an isometric view of restraining device embodiment  14 - 2  in a locked state. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6C  is an isometric view of restraining device embodiment  14 - 2  in an unlocked state. 
           [0022]      FIG. 6D  is a bottom view of an interface  10  incorporating restraining device embodiment  14 - 2 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 6E  is a side view of an interface  10  incorporating restraining device embodiment  14 - 2 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 6F  is a detailed cross sectional view taken from section  6 F- 6 F of  FIG. 6E . 
           [0025]      FIG. 7A  is an isometric view of an interface  10  incorporating restraining device embodiment  14 - 3 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 7B  is a bottom view of an interface  10  incorporating restraining device embodiment  14 - 3 . 
           [0027]      FIG. 7C  is a side view of an interface  10  incorporating restraining device embodiment  14 - 3 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 7D  is a detailed cross sectional view of an interface  10  in a latched state taken from section  7 D- 7 D of  FIG. 7C . 
           [0029]      FIG. 7E  is a detailed cross sectional view of an interface  10  in an unlatched state taken from section  7 D- 7 D of  FIG. 7C . 
           [0030]      FIG. 8A  is an isometric view depicting restraining device embodiment  14 - 4 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 8B  is a top view of restraining device embodiment  14 - 4 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 9A  is an isometric view depicting restraining device embodiment  14 - 5 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 9B  is a side view of restraining device embodiment  14 - 5 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 9C  is a cross sectional view  9 C- 9 C taken from  FIG. 9B . 
           [0035]      FIG. 10A  is an isometric view of restraining device embodiment  14 - 6 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 10B  is a frontal view of a sixth embodiment of interface  10  with boot  10 A restrained to peg  10 B. 
           [0037]      FIG. 10C  is a top view of a sixth embodiment of interface  10  with boot  10 A restrained by restraining device  14 - 6 . 
           [0038]      FIG. 10D  is an isometric view of interface  10  including restraining device embodiment  14 - 6  with boot  10 A in ghost. 
           [0039]      FIG. 11A  is an isometric view of restraining device embodiment  14 - 7 . 
           [0040]      FIG. 11B  is a side view of a restraining device embodiment  14 - 7 . 
           [0041]      FIG. 11C  is a cross sectional view  11 C- 11 C taken from  FIG. 11B . 
           [0042]      FIG. 12A  is an isometric view looking up at boot  10 A resting on peg  10 B. 
           [0043]      FIG. 12B  is a side view of boot  10 A resting on peg  10 B. 
           [0044]      FIG. 12C  is an isometric view restraining device embodiment  14 - 8 . 
           [0045]      FIG. 12D  is a side view of restraining device embodiment  14 - 8 . 
           [0046]      FIG. 13A  is an isometric view of restraining device embodiment  14 - 9 . 
           [0047]      FIG. 13B  is a frontal view of restraining device embodiment  14 - 9 . 
           [0048]      FIG. 13C  is a side view of restraining device embodiment  14 - 9 . 
           [0049]      FIG. 14A  is an isometric view of restraining device embodiment  14 - 10 . 
           [0050]      FIG. 14B  is a side view of restraining device embodiment  14 - 10 . 
           [0051]      FIG. 14C  is an isometric view of restraining device embodiment  14 - 10 . 
           [0052]      FIG. 14D  is a side view of restraining device embodiment  14 - 10 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0053]    While the present invention will be primarily described in terms of its application to a motorcycle, it is to be understood that it is also applicable to a bicycle. The aforementioned needs of a motorcycle are similarly applicable to bicycles, particularly to those referred to as “mountain bikes” that tend to be ridden over rough terrain. 
         [0054]    A motorcycle  2  and rider  4  utilizing an exemplary embodiment of the restraining system  6  ( FIG. 2 ) of the present invention is depicted in illustrative form in  FIG. 1 . Restraining system  6  includes control interface  8  operatively coupled to peg and boot interface  10 . Control interface  8  is separated from interface  10  meaning that it may be remote or spaced at some distance and/or be a physically separate part from interface  10 . 
         [0055]    In one embodiment, control interface  8  is coupled to a handlebar of motorcycle  2  and may include a finger-actuated switch. In a second embodiment control interface device  8  is located in a helmet and may be sound activated (e.g., via a microphone). In a third embodiment, control interface  8  has portions in a plurality of locations such as both the handlebar and the helmet. Other locations and embodiments of control interface  8  are possible such as in boot  10 A. 
         [0056]    Control interface device  8  is configured to receive an input from rider  4 . In one embodiment the input is the finger-actuated closing and/or opening of a switch. In another embodiment, the input is a voice received by a microphone. In other embodiments, the input may be received in any one of a plurality of different ways, such as a finger input, a pressing of a button, a twisting of a dial, a twisting of a wrist, and a foot actuation to name a few examples. 
         [0057]    In another embodiment the control interface  8  is configured to receive a wireless signal that is remote from motorcycle  2 . In one embodiment the wireless signal is a GPS locator signal that may be indicative of a location along a race course. From here forward, the control interface  8  will be described as receiving first and second inputs from rider  4  but it is to be understood that control interface  8  may also receive the first and second inputs from an external source of wireless signals. 
         [0058]    The peg/boot interface  10  is configured to restrain boot  10 A to peg  10 B in response to a first input from rider  4  to control interface  8 . The peg/boot interface is configured to release boot  10 A from peg  10 B in response to a second input from rider  4  to control interface  8 . 
         [0059]    Hereafter, the invention will be described wherein interface  10  includes a restraining device  14  that is configured to couple to a restraining feature  18  in response to the first input to control interface  8 . In an exemplary embodiment restraining device  14  is primarily configured to restrain translational (but not necessarily rotational) motion of boot  10 A relative to peg  10 B along a z-axis that is generally aligned with a long axis of lower leg of rider  4 . Restraining device  14  may allow other motion of boot  10 A relative to peg  10 B such as rotation along other axes such as an x-axis that is parallel to the long axis of peg  10 B (coming out the page in  FIG. 1 ). Having the boot restrained along the z-axis yet otherwise less constrained may allow for braking and shifting using boot  10 A while the restraining device  14  is coupled to the restraining feature  18 . This may also allow for some boot motion, which would allow rider  4  to manually escape from interface  10  by rotating boot  10 A relative to peg  10 B. In other embodiments boot  10 A may be restrained along other axes such as a gravitational axis. 
         [0060]    Restraining device  14  is mounted proximate to foot peg  10 B meaning that it is mounted upon or in close proximity to foot peg  10 B. In the case of a bicycle, restraining device  14  is mounted upon a bicycle pedal  10 B. 
         [0061]    A block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of restraining system  6  is depicted in  FIG. 2 . Restraining system  6  includes control electronics  12  coupled to control interface  8  and restraining device  14  and receives power from power source  16 . In one embodiment, control interface  8  transmits a signal to control electronics  12  wirelessly. In another embodiment, control interface  8  is coupled to control electronics  12  by a signal wire. 
         [0062]    Control electronics  12  are configured to operate and change a state of restraining device  14  in response to receiving inputs from control interface  8 . In response to receiving a first input from control interface  8 , control electronics  12  are configured to activate restraining device  14  whereby restraining device  14  mechanically couples to complementary boot restraining feature  18 . Boot restraining feature  18  is referred to as complementary relative to restraining device  14  because they form an effective interface  10  whereby restraining feature  18  is secured to restraining device  14  in response to the first input. 
         [0063]    In one embodiment, the control interface  8  is configured to control restraint for both the left and right boots simultaneously. In a second embodiment, the control interface  8  is configured to control restraint for the left and right boots independently. In a preferred embodiment, the restraining feature  14  is the same for both left and right boots. In an alternative embodiment, different restraining features  14  are used for the left and right boots. In a preferred embodiment the control electronics  12  are coupled to a sensor or feedback device that is incorporated into restraining device  14  to indicate whether or not each boot has been properly restrained. 
         [0064]    A first alternative embodiment of restraining system  6  is depicted in block diagram form in  FIG. 3A . In this design, control interface  8  is a switch that opens and closes a circuit formed between power source  16  and restraining device  14 . When switch  8  is closed, power is coupled to restraining device  14  that then secures restraining feature  18  to restraining device  14 . When switch  8  is open, restraining device  14  is in a released state whereby restraining feature  18  is not secured to restraining device  14 . 
         [0065]    A second alternative embodiment of restraining system  6  is depicted in block diagram form in  FIG. 3B . In this design, control interface  8  is coupled to restraining device  14  via a coupling device  9  (depicted as a dashed line in  FIG. 1 ) when restraining device  14  is remote or spaced from control interface  8 . In one embodiment coupling device  9  is mechanical in nature and may include a cable, a lever, a gear train, or a combination thereof that provides mechanical coupling between control interface  8  and restraining device  14 . In another embodiment coupling device  9  is pneumatic in design and includes one or more air pressure lines that couple control interface  8  to restraining device  14 . In yet another embodiment coupling device  9  includes one or more conductive wires that couple control interface  8  to restraining device  14 . In still another embodiment coupling device  9  includes a wireless link that couples control interface  8  to restraining device  14 . 
         [0066]    Restraining device  14  is spaced from or remote from control interface  8  in that they are not integrated into the same component. In a preferred embodiment restraining device  14  is integral to peg  10 B while control interface  8  is physically separate from peg  10 B. Physically separated, spaced or remote in the context of this invention may be a small separation or it may indicate nearly opposite end portions of the motorcycle, or a location remote from the motorcycle. 
         [0067]    Yet another alternative embodiment relative to  FIG. 2  utilizes an air logic circuit rather than an electrical circuit for controlling a pneumatic restraining device  14 . The air logic circuit is responsive to inputs to control interface  8  and may use air pressure rather than electrical power to operate restraining device  14 . Power source  16  can optionally be an air pressure source  16  that provides logical responses to inputs from control interface  16  and provides pneumatic power to restraining device  14 . As a note any combination of electrical power and pneumatic response is anticipated. For example, control interface  8  may provide an electrical signal that is utilized by restraining device  14 , which in turn fixates the restraining feature  18  pneumatically. 
         [0068]    In yet another alternative embodiment relative to  FIG. 2  restraining device  14  is located on boot  10 A and restraining feature  18  is located on peg  10 B. In this alternative embodiment boot  10 A may include the control electronics  12  and the power source  16  depicted in  FIG. 2 . In the paragraphs that follow, it is anticipated that various alternatives for the location of restraining device  14  and restraining feature  18  are anticipated. 
         [0069]    An exemplary method of the present invention is depicted in flow chart form in  FIG. 4 . According to step  20 , the control interface  8  receives a first input from rider  4 . The input may be in the form of a button  8 A being pushed or it may be in the form of a voice input to a microphone  8 B. Alternatively an input may include other actions by rider  4  such as the moving of a lever or dial. Also according to  20 , the first input is transmitted from control interface  8  to control electronics  12  wirelessly, by a wired connection, pneumatically, or by a mechanical connection. 
         [0070]    In response to the first input, the control electronics  12  or a coupling device  9  activates the restraining device  14  to secure the restraining feature  18  to the restraining device  14  according to step  22 . Between steps  22  and  24 , the rider may be passing over a jump and/or rough terrain on motorcycle  2  after which the rider may want to release boot  10 A from peg  10 B. 
         [0071]    According to  24 , the control interface  8  receives a second input from rider  4 . According to  26 , the restraining device  14  releases the restraining feature  18  in response to the second input. In an alternative embodiment the first and second inputs may be wireless inputs received by control interface  8 . 
         [0072]    In the paragraphs that follow, various different embodiments of restraining system  6  including a restraining device  14  and restraining feature  18  will be discussed with figures focusing in on the interface  10 . The various embodiments of restraining device  14  will be referred to as  14 - 1  for the first embodiment,  14 - 2  for the second embodiment, and so on. 
         [0073]    A first embodiment of interface  10  is depicted in  FIGS. 5A-G  wherein restraining device  14 - 1  includes an electromagnet  30  (see  FIG. 5C ).  FIG. 5A  is an isometric view of boot  10 A secured to peg  10 B containing electromagnet  30 .  FIG. 5B  is a side view and  FIG. 5C  is a cross section taken through section lines  5 C- 5 C of  FIG. 5B . 
         [0074]    Boot  10 A includes a magnetic plate or magnet  32  integrated into sole  34 . The magnet or magnetic plate  32  may include one or more of a number of materials that may be metallic, non-metallic, polymeric, hard plastic, ceramic, or any combination thereof. The plate  32  is located proximate to a location of peg  10 B when rider  4  positions boot  10 A on peg  10 B. Peg  10 B includes electromagnet  30  (see  FIG. 5C ) that is configured to attract plate  32  when activated (when it receives current). 
         [0075]    One advantage of this design is automatic self-centering. When electromagnet  30  is activated, an attractive force is generated between electromagnet  30  and plate  32 . The force is maximized when the plate  32  completely overlaps the electromagnet  30 . If such overlap does not occur, there tends to be a force directed along the x and y axes (see  FIGS. 5B and 5C ) that will tend to urge the plate into optimal alignment. Thus, the rider who is preoccupied with riding does not need to be concerned about finding the optimal location for boot  10 A relative to peg  10 B. 
         [0076]      FIG. 5D  is an end view of boot/peg interface  10  and  FIG. 5E  is a cross section taken through section  5 E- 5 E of  FIG. 5D .  FIG. 5F  depicts a detailed cross section view of interface  10  taken through portion  5 F- 5 F of  FIG. 5C .  FIG. 5G  depicts a detailed cross section view of interface  10  taken through portion  5 G- 5 G of  FIG. 5E . 
         [0077]      FIGS. 5F and 5G  in particular illustrate some additional aspects of the electromagnet embodiment  30  of restraining device  14 - 1 . According to  FIG. 5F , peg  10 B has a rotational mount  36  relative to the motorcycle, allowing the electromagnet  30  to rotate relative to plate  32 . This advantageously assures that a planar surface  38  of electromagnet  30  will have a close alignment to a planar surface  40  (see  FIG. 5G ) of metal plate  32  along an axis x of the rotational mount  36  and to avoid having out of plane effects that reduce the holding force of electromagnet  30  to plate  32 . Also illustrated is a spring load mount  42  of electromagnet  30  relative to a housing  44  that biases the electromagnet  30  upwardly to assure a close proximity between electromagnet  30  and plate  32 . 
         [0078]    In operation, a first input is received by control interface  8  from rider  4 . In response, a first signal is sent to control electronics  12  that activate (provide current to) electromagnet  30 , self-aligning and securing metal plate  32  to electromagnet  30 . Later, control interface  8  receives a second input from rider  4 . In response, a second signal is sent to control electronics  12  that respond by shutting down the current to electromagnet  30 , thereby releasing plate  32  from electromagnet  30 . An additional advantage of restraining device  14 - 1  is that it is essentially not noticeable by rider  4  when it is not activated. 
         [0079]    A second exemplary embodiment interface  10  is now discussed, whereby restraining feature  18  includes an opening formed into the bottom of a boot sole configured to receive an extendable portion from restraining device  14 - 2 . The opening preferably has a reentrant geometry, which enables locking between the extendable portion and the opening. An example of a reentrant geometry is a hole or channel with a lip proximate to an exit to the hole. The extendable portion preferably has a widened top portion, which interferes with and is caught by the lip in a locking configuration. To unlock this configuration, the extendable portion is turned, collapsed, and/or translated to eliminate the interference between the top and the lip. The hole or opening can be of any geometry such as circular, square, rectangular, etc. 
         [0080]    A particular example of this second exemplary embodiment interface  10  utilizing a locking pin is depicted with respect to  FIGS. 6A-F .  FIG. 6A  is an isometric view of a boot sole  50  and a peg  10 B that incorporates restraining device  14 - 2  utilizing a locking pin  52  (see  FIGS. 6B ,  6 C).  FIG. 6B  depicts the restraining device  14 - 2  in a locked state (with locked pin  52 L) and  FIG. 6C  depicts the restraining device  14 - 2  in an unlocked state (with unlocked pin  52 U). In the unlocked state, pin  52 U has it sides parallel with and fitting between sides of channel  54  so that pin  52  can be readily inserted and removed from channel  54 . In the locked state the corners of pin  52 L overlap the sides of channel  54  thereby restraining pin  52  from being pulled out of channel  54 . 
         [0081]      FIG. 6D  is a bottom view of interface  10  depicting a mechanism for locking and unlocking pin  52  including a spring  56  and a cable  58 . Spring  56  exerts a torque on a shaft of pin  52  that urges pin  52 L toward the locked state. Actuation cable  58  is configured to exert an opposing torque on the shaft of pin  52  that rotates pin  52 U to the unlocked state. 
         [0082]      FIG. 6E  depicts a side view of the boot sole  50  and peg  10 B.  FIG. 6F  depicts a detailed cross sectional view taken through  6 F- 6 F of  FIG. 6E . In  FIG. 6F , pin  52 L is shown in a locked state in channel  54 . Pin spring  56  maintains pin  52  in the locked state. Interface  10  also includes a spring  58  configured to bias the pin  52  into an up position so that it will engage the channel  54  when the rider positions channel  54  on peg  10 B. 
         [0083]    In operation, pin  52  is initially in the locked state but is outside of the boot channel  54 , which is resting upon pin  52 . In response to a first input received by control interface  8  from rider  4 , pin  52  is momentarily rotated from a locked to an unlocked state, aligning pin  52  with channel  54 . Once pin  52  is aligned with channel  54 , spring  58  can then displace pin  52  up into channel  54 . At that point, pin  52  rotates back to the locked state in response to the force of spring  56 . In response to a second input received by control interface  8  from rider  4 , the pin again rotates to an unlocked state to allow rider  4  to lift boot  10 A away from being restrained. 
         [0084]    A third exemplary embodiment of interface  10  is now discussed, whereby the restraining feature is an upstanding member or a latch feature positioned on the sole of the boot  10 A. The restraining device  14 - 3  includes a latching device configured to latch to the upstanding member in response to the first input received by control device  8 . 
         [0085]      FIGS. 7A-E  depict a particular example of this third exemplary embodiment of interface  10  including a latch assembly  70  configured to fixedly couple to a boot rail  72 .  FIG. 7A  is an isometric view looking up at boot sole  74  resting upon peg  10 B. Within peg  10 B is latch assembly  70  that is coupled to boot rail  72 . 
         [0086]      FIG. 7B  is a bottom view and  FIG. 7C  is a side view of the sole  74 , boot rail  72 , and latch assembly  70 .  FIGS. 7D and 7E  are cross section views of the locked and unlocked states respectively of interface  10  taken through section  7 D- 7 D of  FIG. 7C . Latch assembly  70  includes a combination of a fixed arm  76  and a rotating latch arm  78 .  FIG. 7D  depicts a locked (latched) state of interface  10  in which boot rail  72  is captured between fixed arm  76  and rotating arm  78 .  FIG. 7E  depicts an unlocked (unlatched) state of interface  10  in which the fixed arm  76  and rotating arm  78  are relatively separated from each other and the boot rail is free. 
         [0087]    In operation, when a first input is received from rider  4 , an actuator (part of restraining device  14 - 3 ) rotates arm  78  to capture boot rail  72  as in  FIG. 7D . When a second input is received from rider  4 , the actuator rotates arm  78  to release boot rail  72  as in  FIG. 7E . 
         [0088]    In an alternative embodiment both of latch features  76  and  78  are configured to rotate inwardly and outwardly. In response to a first input latch features  76  and  78  rotate together to converge upon and latch upon rail  72  as in  FIG. 7D . In response to a second input latch features  76  and  78  separate from each other to release boot rail  72 . 
         [0089]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  depict a fourth exemplary embodiment of restraining device  14 - 4  that includes a spring loaded latch assembly  80  configured to engage a channel (not shown, similar to channel  54  in  FIG. 6A ) formed into the sole of a boot.  FIG. 8A  is an isometric view and  FIG. 8B  is a top view of boot peg  10 B having latch assembly  80  within. 
         [0090]    Springs  82  urge or bias latch assembly  80  upwardly (toward the boot, not shown). Latch assembly  80  includes a fixed bracket  84  and a rotating latch bracket  86 . Torsion spring  88  urges rotating latch bracket  86  toward an outward position that is away from fixed bracket  84 . Actuation cable  90  is coupled to rotating latch bracket  86  such that pulling on actuation cable  90  with sufficient force rotates rotating latch bracket  86  toward fixed bracket  84 . 
         [0091]    Before activation of latch assembly  80  boot  10 A (not shown) presses down against latch assembly  80 . Because torsion spring  88  urges rotating latch bracket outwardly it cannot enter the boot channel (not shown). However, when actuation cable  90  is momentarily activated (first input from rider  4 ), torsion spring  88  is counteracted and rotating latch bracket  86  is rotated inwardly, allowing the fixed bracket  84  and the rotating latch bracket  86  to enter the boot channel (not shown). The release of the actuation cable  90  thereby locks latch assembly  80  to the boot  10 A. 
         [0092]    To unlatch the boot channel (not shown) the cable  90  is again pulled (second input from rider  4 ) to rotate the rotating latch bracket  86  toward fixed bracket  84 . While the cable  90  is under tension, the rider  4  may release boot  10 A from latch assembly  80 . 
         [0093]      FIGS. 9A-C  depict a fifth embodiment of restraining device  14 - 5  that includes a telescoping latch assembly  92  integrated into peg  10 B. Telescoping latch assembly  92  includes latch tower  93  and lift cam  94 . Within latch tower  93  is drive pin  96 , bias spring  98 , and latch fingers  100 . 
         [0094]    Prior to activation of telescoping latch assembly  92 , the tower is in a “down position” so as not to interfere with a boot  10 A (not shown). Prior to activation the bias spring  98  biases latch fingers  100  inwardly together. 
         [0095]    Upon activation of latch assembly  92  (first input from rider  4 ), lift cam  94  is rotated and thereby begins to raise latch tower  93  in an upward direction along the z axis. Latch fingers  100  are lifted along with latch tower  93  and enter boot channel  102 . Latch fingers  100  are lifted until they reach an upper limit in boot channel  102 . Cam  94  also pushes up drive pin  96 , which continues to rise after the latch fingers  100  have reached the upper limit in boot channel  102 . Pin  96  then forces fingers  100  apart so that they lock or latch into boot channel  102 . 
         [0096]    Upon a second input from rider  4 , the cam rotates to allow pin  96  to drop along the z axis so that fingers  100  move back together. Then tower  93  retracts back down into peg  10 B. 
         [0097]      FIGS. 10A-D  depict a sixth embodiment of restraining device  14 - 6  within interface  10 . A boot  10 A is secured to peg  10 B utilizing an arcuate fixed inner extension  104  that cooperates with a rotating latch  106 . 
         [0098]    In use, boot  10 A is placed under arcuate fixed inner extension  104  so that the arcuate extension  104  curves up and over a portion of boot  10 A. Upon activation of restraining device  14 - 6  (first input from rider  4 ), the rotating latch  106  rotates over and captures a lip or top of boot sole  34  thus locking or latching boot  10 A to peg  10 B. Upon receiving a second input from rider  4 , the rotating latch  106  rotates out of engagement from boot sole  34 , releasing boot  10 A. 
         [0099]      FIGS. 11A-C  depict a seventh embodiment of restraining device  14 - 7  within interface  10 .  FIG. 11  is an isometric view;  FIG. 11B  is a side view;  FIG. 11C  is cross section  11 C- 11 C taken from  FIG. 11B . Restraining device  14 - 7  includes a rotatable keyway plate  107  having an opening  108  that includes notches  109  in plate  107  that have a keying effect relative to a boot cleat  110 . The boot cleat  110  has a complementary shape relative to opening  108  with two keys  111  that allow boot cleat  110  to be inserted into opening  108  when (and only when) the keys  111  are aligned with notches  109 . 
         [0100]    To activate device  14 - 7  the boot cleat  110  is passed into opening  108  while keys  111  are aligned with notches  109 . Then, rotating keyway plate  107  is rotated so that notches  109  are no longer in alignment with keys  111 . This locks boot sole  34  to peg  10 B. To unlock boot sole  34 , the keyway plate  107  is then rotated to align notches  109  with keys  111  so that boot cleat  110  may be lifted out of opening  108 . 
         [0101]      FIGS. 12A-D  depict an eighth embodiment of restraining device  14 - 8  for restraining boot  10 A to cleat  10 B.  FIG. 12A  is an isometric looking up at peg  10 B and boot  10 A.  FIG. 12B  is a side view of boot  10 A on peg  10 B.  FIG. 12C  is an isometric view and  FIG. 12D  is a side view of restraining device embodiment  14 - 8  that is incorporated into boot peg  10 B. A motor  116  is coupled to a worm gear  118  that in turn rotates a locking pin  120  that is similar to pin  52  discussed with respect to  FIGS. 6A-F . Boot  10 A has a channel (not shown) in sole  34  similar to channel  54  of  FIGS. 6A ,  6 D, and  6 F. 
         [0102]    In use the boot sole  34  is placed upon peg  10 B. In response to a first input from rider  4 , restraining device  14 - 8  is activated whereby pin  120  is aligned with the channel (not shown) in sole  34  and then rotated by ninety degrees to lock pin  120  to the boot sole  34 . In response to a second input from rider  4 , the locking pin  120  is rotated by ninety degrees from the locked position to free the boot sole  34  from peg  10 B. In an alternative embodiment the pin does not rotate a full ninety degrees from the unlocked to locked position but may rotate any angular amount in response to the first and second inputs to effectively lock and unlock sole  34  relative to peg  10 B. 
         [0103]      FIGS. 13A-C  depict restraining device embodiment  14 - 9 .  FIG. 13A  is an isometric view;  FIG. 13B  is an end view;  FIG. 13C  is a side view. Restraining device  14 - 9  includes a top portion  122  overhanging foot peg  10 B so that a boot  10 A (not shown) can be inserted between top portion  122  and foot peg  10 B. Top portion  122  is restrained relative to foot peg  10 B so as to provide the restraint to boot  10 A relative to foot peg  10 B along the Z-axis. 
         [0104]      FIGS. 14A-D  depicts a tenth embodiment of restraining device  14 - 10 .  FIG. 14A  is an isometric view and  FIG. 14B  is a side view of restraining device  14 - 10  in a closed position over foot peg  10 B.  FIG. 14C  is an isometric view and  FIG. 14D  is a side view of restraining device  14 - 10  in an open position relative to foot peg  10 B. 
         [0105]    Restraining device  14 - 10  includes vertical support member  124  that is fixedly coupled to foot peg  10 B. A horizontal restraining portion  126  is rotatingly coupled to vertical support member  124  via hinge  128 . Also coupled to horizontal restraining member  126  is an actuator (not shown) that is coupled to control interface  8 . 
         [0106]    The actuator (not shown) is configured to rotate horizontal restraining member from an open configuration ( FIGS. 14C , D) to a closed configuration ( FIGS. 14A , B) in response to a first input received by control interface  8  from rider  4 . The actuator (not shown) is configured to rotate horizontal restraining portion  126  from the closed configuration ( FIGS. 14A , B) to an open configuration ( FIGS. 14C , D) in response to a second input received by control interface  8  from rider  4 . 
         [0107]    In use a rider  4  places his boot  10 A (not shown) on foot peg  10 B. Before activating device  14 - 10 , the horizontal restraining portion  126  is in a vertical orientation as depicted in  FIGS. 14C , D. When the rider provides a first input to control interface  8 , an actuator (not shown) rotates horizontal restraining portion  126  from the vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation as depicted in  FIGS. 14A , B. When the rider provides a second input to control interface  8 , the actuator (not shown) rotates horizontal restraining portion  126  back to the vertical orientation as depicted in  FIGS. 14C , D. 
         [0108]    Other variations of this design are possible. For example, an electromagnet similar to the embodiment described with respect to  FIGS. 5A-G  may be used in combination with a pin embodiment similar to that described with respect to  FIGS. 6A-E . The electromagnet may serve the purpose of helping to align a boot channel with a pin. Likewise, an electromagnet similar to the embodiment described with respect to  FIGS. 5A-G  may be used in combination with a latch embodiment similar to that described with respect to  FIGS. 7A-E . The electromagnet in this case would help to align the boot rail with the latch. In yet another embodiment, a permanent magnet may be used in combination with either of the second ( FIGS. 6A-E ) or third ( FIGS. 7A-E ) embodiments to facilitate alignment between the restraining device  14  and the restraining feature  18 . 
         [0109]    While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made. The restraining system  6  of the present invention provides considerable advantages to the rider  4  of a motorcycle  2  over prior art systems. Rider  4  can quickly and easily restrain or disengage boot  10 A to peg  10 B using control interface  8 . Over rough terrain or jumps the rider  4  now has much greater control over the motorcycle  2  when boot  10 A is restrained to peg  10 B. Moreover, the system  6  can be quickly disengaged to release boot  10 A from peg  10 B when rider  4  prefers to operate the motorcycle in a more conventional mode. When restraining system  6  is thus disengaged, the restraining device  14  is hardly noticeable to the rider  4 . 
         [0110]    The specific embodiments and applications thereof described above are for illustrative purposes only and do not preclude modifications and variations encompassed by the scope of the following claims.