Abstract:
A forecab and additional electrical and mechanical components attachable to a motorcycle for converting a motorcycle between its standard configuration and a three-wheeled vehicle is disclosed. The forecab has two front wheels, chassis, a body, a motorcycle front wheel cradle, headlights and parking lights, and standard automobile-type components such as a steering wheel, foot brake, clutch, and foot-manipulated gas pedal. The forecab components are connected to corresponding motorcycle components using both electrical connections, and mechanical linkages as appropriate. The invention adds components to the motorcycle so that the linkages between the forecab and the motorcycle component may be implemented. The mechanical linkages, electrical connections and motorcycle-securing mechanisms are designed to they can be easily connected and disconnected in a manner so that the biker can easily transition between the three-wheeled motorcycle-powered vehicle and the standard motorcycle without tools.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/206,710 filed Feb. 3, 2009 by the present inventor. This provisional patent application is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The invention presented herein relates to motorcycle accessories. More particularly it relates to accessories that convert a motorcycle into a three-wheeled vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0003]    Motorcycles are a popular means of transportation providing an alternative to the automobile. They provide the biker with an exhilarating driving experience while at the same time reducing transportation costs and limiting the use of gasoline in a green environment. However, with the advantages of owning and riding a motorcycle come certain limitations, viz. exposure to the weather, lack of space for luggage, inconvenience of passengers, and a fatigue-inducing driving position for long distance trips. 
         [0004]    To overcome some of the limitations of riding a motorcycle mentioned above, various methods have been suggested. One of the more popular methods provides a cab that is attached to the motorcycle, and provides a hybrid-type of solution: a motorcycle with a cab. There are various ways of doing this: the sidecar provides a degree of passenger comfort, but adds a bit of instability to the motorcycle and does not alleviate the fatigue or weather factor for the biker. Forecabs that are permanently attached to the front of the motorcycle have also been proposed, but they typically require removal of the front wheel; therefore they largely take away from the biker the opportunity to conveniently use the motorcycle for normal use. Therefore there is a need for an alternate approach that provides a forecab when appropriate, but allows the biker to remove the forecab and easily revert to the standalone motorcycle when desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0005]    The invention presented herein solves the problem of providing a forecab for a motorcycle that is easily attached to the motorcycle, and provides an automobile-like driving experience while using the motorcycle&#39;s major functions such as braking, power, and transmission. The invention permits the forecab to be easily detached from the motorcycle so the motorcycle is available for use in its standard configuration. The forecab has a chassis with a cradle wherein the motorcycle&#39;s front wheel is inserted. The motorcycle is then secured to the chassis using securing devices such as compression rods, flex rods or ratchet straps such that only the motorcycle&#39;s back wheel touches the road, together with the forecab&#39;s front wheels. 
         [0006]    The forecab has two front wheels, chassis, a body, a motorcycle front wheel cradle, headlights, driver and passenger seats, and standard automobile-type components such as a steering wheel, foot brake, clutch, and foot-manipulated accelerator pedal. The forecab components are connected to the corresponding motorcycle components using both electrical connections and mechanical linkages as appropriate. In the present invention, components are added to the motorcycle so that the connections and linkages may be implemented easily. The linkages and motorcycle securing devices may be designed so they can be easily connected and disconnected in a manner so that the biker can easily transition between the three-wheeled motorcycle-powered vehicle and the standard motorcycle without the use of tools. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1A  is a side view of a first embodiment of the present invention when the first embodiment is in a three-wheeled vehicle configuration. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1B  is a top view of the first embodiment of the present invention when the motorcycle is not attached to the forecab. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a compression rod of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of a flex rod of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of the mechanical control components of the first embodiment of the present invention with the forecab attached to the motorcycle. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a front view of the brake hydraulic control components of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5A  is a front view of the accelerator mechanical control components of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5B  is a front view of a mechanical cable of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6A ,  6 B, and  6 C are two side views and a top view respectively of a cradle of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a clutch of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a front view of a shifter of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 9A  is a top view of the electrical components of the forecab of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9B  is a top view of the electrical components of the motorcycle used by the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a schematic view of the electrical components of the forecab and the motorcycle components of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a side view of a non-hydraulic motorcycle brake system of an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]    FIGS,  12 A and  12 B are a front view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention wherein the chassis and motorcycle is modified to allow towing of the forecab by the motorcycle. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    As used in this specification and claims the term standard motorcycle refers to a typical two-wheeled motorcycle. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a side view of the forecab  102  and the mechanical control components and the electrical wiring components attachable to a standard motorcycle M of a first embodiment  100  of the present invention. The standard motorcycle is not part of the invention. In  FIG. 1A , motorcycle M and forecab  102  are mated so they function as a three-wheeled vehicle. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a top view of first embodiment  100  and motorcycle M.  FIG. 1B  illustrates the forecab  102  and motorcycle M separated such that motorcycle M operates as a standalone motorcycle. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , first embodiment  100  is comprised of forecab  102  that has two front wheels  108 , a windshield  110 , a floor  112 , steering components  114  and a chassis  116  having a chassis front end  104  and chassis rear end  106 . An optional roof  132  is attached to a forecab body  134 . Chassis  116  has a cradle  120  with a pivotal ramp  121  designed to hold a motorcycle front wheel  122  of motorcycle M. Motorcycle M may be physically secured to forecab  102  by putting motorcycle front wheel  122  of motorcycle M into cradle  120  so that the cradle cradles the putting motorcycle front wheel  122 , and then using securing devices such as compression rods  124  and flex rods  126 . 
         [0027]    After motorcycle front wheel  122  of motorcycle M is inserted into cradle  120 , securing motorcycle M to forecab  102  is performed as follows. Referring to  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B,  2 A, and  2 B, a pair of compression rods  124  with a compression rod first end  136  is attached to chassis  116  and a compression rod second end  138  having an attaching mechanism such as a hook  128  that attaches to the motorcycle handle bars. When compression rods  124  are attached to motorcycle M and are tightened, the front springs of motorcycle M are compressed and motorcycle M is held tightly against chassis  116 . (Front springs are not shown in the figures). Two sets of flex rods  126  are then used to secure and stabilize the forecab  102  to the frame of motorcycle M. Forecab  102  is dimensioned and configured such that when motorcycle M is secured to chassis  116 , the two forecab front wheels  108  and motorcycle rear wheel  130  becomes a three-wheeled vehicle. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a compression rod  124 . Compression rod  124  has a top tube  140  fitting inside and ratchetly connected to a bottom tube  142 , a hook  128  positioned at compression rod second end  138  and rotationally attached to top tube  140  with top threads  148 , a ratchet handle  125  with a control knob  146 , and a threaded rod with an eyelet  144  rotationally attached to bottom tube  142  with bottom threads  150 . When threaded rod with an eyelet  144  is bolted to forecab chassis  116  and hook  128  attached to the motorcycle frame, compression rod  124  compresses compression rod first end  136  toward compression rod second end  138  when ratchet handle  125  is rotated in a first rotational direction and control knob  146  is set for compression, and moves compression rod first end  136  away from compression rod second end  138  when ratchet handle  125  is rotated in a second rotational direction and control knob  146  is set for expansion. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a flex rod  126 . Flex rod  126  has a single internally threaded hexagonal tube  152 , a threaded rod with an eyelet  158  threadingly attached to hexagonal tube  152  at hexagonal tube first end  160 , and a threaded rod with an attaching mechanism such as a hook  154  threadingly attached a hexagonal tube second end  162 . Flex rod  126  functions as a turnbuckle. When threaded rod with an eyelet  158  is bolted to forecab chassis  116 , then threaded rod with a hook  154  may be hooked on motorcycle frame and compressed or expanded by turning hexagonal tube  152  in a first rotational direction or a second rotational direction. 
         [0030]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating the mechanical and hydraulic connections between motorcycle M and forecab  102  when in the three-wheeled configuration.  FIG. 4  illustrates the linkage between an automobile-type forecab brake pedal  202  and the motorcycle braking system. Referring now to  FIGS. 1B ,  3  and  4 , forecab brake pedal  202  is installed on floor  112  of forecab  102 . Forecab brake pedal  202  has a hydraulic line  204  cooperatively communicating with forecab brake pedal  202  at a hydraulic line first end  208  with a nipple  206  installed at a hydraulic line second end  210 . A hydraulic fluid reservoir  207  is connected to hydraulic line  204 . First embodiment  100  has added to the hydraulic line  204  of motorcycle M a quick-connect hydraulic coupler  212  that is mated to nipple  206 , and additionally has added to the hydraulic line  204  a bleeder valve  214  that is used to purge air from hydraulic line  204  during installation. Hydraulic fluid reservoir  207  replenishes hydraulic fluid as needed when bleeder valve  214  is used. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1B ,  3  and  5 A, motorcycle M has, as standard equipment, a rotatable motorcycle right hand grip  216  located on a motorcycle right-hand handlebar  218 . Fuel is fed to the engine of motorcycle M as motorcycle right hand grip  216  is rotated. Forecab  102  has an automobile-type accelerator foot pedal  222  installed on floor  112  of forecab  102 . Accelerator foot pedal  222  has an accelerator mechanical cable  226  cooperatively communicating with the motorcycle right hand grip  216  using an added accelerator support bracket  220  slidingly hosting a cable wire  224  that is rotationally attached to motorcycle right hand grip  216 . As the forecab biker presses accelerator foot pedal  222 , the cable wire  224  of the accelerator mechanical cable  226  is pulled so that motorcycle right hand grip  216  rotates, thereby controlling the vehicle&#39;s acceleration. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 5A and 5B , the term mechanical cable used in this specification and the appended claims refers to an inner flexible wire  224  surrounded by a flexible cable sheaf  228 . Flexible sheaf  228  is attached to the first embodiment components (forecab chassis and the motorcycle attachments) of the present invention. Inner flexible wire  224  is free to move within cable sheaf  228 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 6A  is a side view of cradle  120  holding motorcycle front wheel  122 . A ramp  121  is pivotally attached to cradle  120 .  FIG. 6B  is a side view of cradle  120  with ramp  121  positioned to allow front wheel  122  of motorcycle M to be rolled into cradle  120 . As motorcycle front wheel  122  is rolled into cradle  120 , ramp  121  rotates counterclockwise as front wheel  122  eases into cradle  120 .  FIG. 6C  is a top view of cradle  120  with ramp  121  and motorcycle front wheel  122 . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A ,  6 A,  6 B, and  6 C, cradle  120  and ramp  121  are dimensioned and configured so that when the motorcycle front wheel  122  is secured to forecab  102 , front wheel  122  is securely held in cradle  120  and ramp is positioned such that it does not interfere with the three-wheel vehicle configuration, as shown in  FIG. 6A . To remove motorcycle M from cradle  120 , compression rods  124  and flex rods  126  are removed from motorcycle M. Motorcycle front wheel  122  is then rolled along ramp  121 . 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1B ,  3 , and  7 , motorcycle M has as standard equipment, a clutch lever  230  located on a motorcycle left-hand handlebar  232 . When clutch lever  230  is squeezed, the motorcycle&#39;s clutch is disengaged. Forecab  102  has an automobile-type forecab clutch pedal  234  installed on floor  112  of forecab  102 . Forecab clutch pedal  234  has a mechanical clutch cable  236  cooperatively communicating with clutch lever  230  located on left-hand handlebar  232 . Connection is facilitated using a clutch support bracket  238 , part of the first embodiment of the present invention that has been added to Motorcycle M. Clutch support bracket  238  guides a clutch cable wire  242 . As the forecab biker presses clutch pedal  234 , clutch cable wire  242  causes lever  230  to respond as if it is squeezed directly by the biker. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1B ,  3 , and  8 , motorcycle M has, as standard equipment, a motorcycle foot shift pedal  240  located on the left-hand side of motorcycle M. Forecab  102  has an automobile-type stick shift  244  installed on floor  112  of forecab  102 . Forecab stick shift  244  has a forecab shift cable  246  cooperatively communicating with motorcycle foot shift pedal  240 . As the forecab biker manipulates the forecab stick shift  244 , motorcycle foot shift pedal  240  acts as if is pressed by the forecab biker. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate a top view of the electrical systems on forecab  102  and motorcycle M used to convert motorcycle M to a three-wheeled vehicle. Referring to  FIG. 9A , the electrical system is grouped into a set of forecab performance gauges  302 , a forecab two-level lights switch  304  and a forecab turn signal lever  306  and an ignition switch  334 . The set of forecab performance gauges  302  include a fuel gauge, an oil pressure gauge, and a temperature gauge. Additional gauges such as a speedometer, tachometer and charging system gauge may also be included. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 9A , the set of forecab gauges  302  has a forecab instrument electrical wiring cable  310  such that electrical wiring cable first end  314  is cooperatively communicating with the set of forecab performance gauges  302  and the forecab electrical wiring cable second end  316  has a forecab male pigtail  318  cooperatively communicating with the electrical wiring cable second end  316 . 
         [0039]    Referring again to  FIG. 9A , forecab two-level lights switch  304  that controls headlights and parking lights on forecab  102  is located on a forecab dashboard  118 . Forecab turn signal lever  306  controls forecab and motorcycle turn signals lights and is located on a forecab steering wheel shaft  308 . Ignition switch  334  is located on dashboard  118 . Forecab two-level lights switch  304  has a switch electrical wiring cable  322  such that the forecab switch electrical wiring cable first end  324  is cooperatively communicating with forecab two-level lights switch  304  and the forecab switch electrical wiring cable second end  326  has a forecab switch plug  340  cooperatively communicating with electrical wiring cable second end  326 . Turn signal lever  306  has a turn signal electrical wiring cable  344  cooperatively communicating such that turn signal electrical wiring cable first end  346  is cooperatively communicating with turn signal lever  306  and a turn signal electrical wiring cable second end  348  has a turn signal plug  342  cooperatively communicating with the turn signal electrical wiring cable  344 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 10  is a schematic view illustrating the electrical wiring connections between motorcycle M and forecab  102 . Referring to  FIGS. 9A ,  9 B and  10 , motorcycle M, as standard equipment, has a motorcycle female pigtail as part of a male/female pigtail connector pair  356  that connects the motorcycle performance gauges to the motorcycle electrical system. An adapter female pigtail  320  of the first embodiment is added to a motorcycle instrument electrical wiring cable  312  on motorcycle M that has the same connection properties as motorcycle female pigtail on the motorcycle male/female pigtail  356 . Referring to  FIGS. 9A ,  9 B and  10 , forecab male pigtail  318  is configured so that it mates with the adapter female pigtail  320  installed on motorcycle M. To activate the forecab performance gauges  302  in forecab  102 , forecab male pigtail  318  is plugged into the adapter female pigtail  320  of motorcycle M. 
         [0041]    Referring again to  FIGS. 9A ,  9 B and  10 , forecab two-level lights switch  304  of forecab  102  is connected to the electrical system of motorcycle M using forecab switch plug  340  attached on the end of switch electrical wiring cable  322 . A lights switch socket  328  is installed on the motorcycle electrical wiring that accepts forecab switch plug  340 . The headlights and parking lights  332  are connected to the motorcycle electrical system through a headlight electrical wiring cable  330 . The charging system  336  of motorcycle M provides a consistent electrical charge to the motorcycle electrical components. The actual components depend on the specific motorcycle used; the major components generally include a battery and an alternator or generator. 
         [0042]    Referring again  FIGS. 9A ,  9 B and  10 , turn signal lever  306  of forecab  102  is connected to the electrical system of the motorcycle directly. The actual connection is accommodated by having a forecab turn signal plug  342  mated to a turn signal socket  325  that is installed on the motorcycle electrical wiring that accepts the forecab turn signal plug  342 . 
         [0043]    Referring again  FIGS. 9A ,  9 B and  10 , ignition switch  334  of forecab  102  is connected to the motorcycle ignition system  337 . The actual connection is accommodated by having a conductive removable clamp  338  clipped to the ignition system positive wire using an ignition system wiring cable  339  initiating from forecab ignition switch  334 . 
         [0044]    To convert forecab  102  into a three-wheeled vehicle configuration, motorcycle M is secured to forecab  102  by inserting the motorcycle front wheel  122  into cradle  120 , securing motorcycle M to the forecab chassis  116  using the compression rods  124  and stabilizer rods  126 , and then connecting the forecab mechanical linkages and electrical connections to the corresponding first embodiment mechanical and electrical components that have been added to the motorcycle. When first embodiment  100  is in the three-wheeled vehicle configuration, a biker sits in the biker&#39;s seat in forecab  102 , and drives the three-wheeled vehicle similar to driving a car. 
         [0045]    To convert first embodiment  100  back into a normal motorcycle configuration, compression rods  124  and stabilizer rods  126  are released, the forecab mechanical linkages and electrical connections are disengaged from the corresponding apparatus that have been added to motorcycle M. The motorcycle is then lifted from cradle  120  and removed from forecab  102 . Motorcycle M then functions as a standalone motorcycle. 
         [0046]    Alternate embodiments to the first embodiment are consistent with the inventive concept presented herein.  FIG. 11  illustrates an alternate embodiment when the motorcycle has a mechanical rather than a hydraulic brake. In this alternate embodiment, forecab hydraulic line  204  from the forecab is connected to a piston  358  that drives a mechanical linkage  360  that is operationally connected to motorcycle brake pedal  248 . 
         [0047]    In another alternate embodiment to the first embodiment, the hydraulic brake line from the forecab may be replaced by a mechanical cable brake line. 
         [0048]    In another alternate embodiment to the first embodiment, the compression rods and flex rods used for securing the motorcycle to the forecab may be replaced by other devices such as ratchet straps. 
         [0049]    Referring now to  FIG. 12A , in still another alternate embodiment to the first embodiment, chassis  112  may have a forecab slidable extension  362  at the forecab&#39;s chassis  112  located at the rear end  106  of chassis  112 . Chassis  112  also includes a trailer hitching post  364 . In this alternate embodiment, slidable extension  362  may be extended and secured with a removable bolt and wing nut  366  that goes through the slidable extension  362  and a hole in the chassis when used in the three-wheeled configuration. Motorcycle M has a hitching post connector  368  attached to the frame of motorcycle M. When motorcycle M is removed and used in its normal configuration, slidable extension  362  is retracted and secured with removable bolt and wing nut  366 , and the motorcycle can then tow forecab  102 . To tow the forecab with motorcycle M, hitching post connector  368  is attached to hitching post  364 . 
         [0050]    In still another alternate embodiment, the automobile-type mechanical connector components such as the accelerator pedal, the clutch pedal and the steering components may be replaced by a handle bar with motorcycle controls. 
         [0051]    All the connections between the forecab mechanical linkages and the electrical connections and the motorcycle with the added connectors may be implemented so that no tools are required to convert between a three-wheeled vehicle and a standard motorcycle. The electrical connectors are attached and removed using pigtails and plugs. The hydraulic connectors may be removed or attached using quick-connect couplers and bleeder valves wherein the hydraulic fluid reservoir  207  replaces lost fluid. The mechanical linkages may be similarly configured to allow them to be connected or released without tools. For example, accelerator foot pedal  222  is connected to right handlebar  218  using accelerator support bracket  220  supporting wire  224 . If accelerator support bracket  220  is secured to right handlebar  218  using a wing nut, then accelerator support bracket  220  may be loosened and wire  224  released from grip  216 . Similarly mechanisms may be used for forecab clutch pedal  234  operationally connected to left handlebar  232  with clutch support bracket  238 . If clutch support bracket  238  is loosened through a wing nut, it may be released. The connection between the mechanical linkage  360  and the motorcycle foot brake  248  may be made with a removable clamp attachable without tools. 
         [0052]    The disclosure presented herein gives several alternate embodiments of the invention. These embodiments are to be considered as only illustrative of the invention and not a limitation of the scope of the invention. Various permutations, combinations, variations and extensions of these embodiments are considered to fall within the scope of this invention. Therefore the scope of this invention should be determined with reference to the claims and not just by the embodiments presented herein.