Abstract:
A motorcycle accessory allows a user to rest their leg in a cradle, the leg cradle supported by a body which body is in turn clamped to the frame, crash bars, forks or other parts of the motorcycle. The leg cradle may be hinged so that it can be moved between a position for supporting the leg to a position allowing the rider to put their foot onto the body in a manner similar to a highway peg. The device may be made of aluminum, metal, polymer and so on, and may be customized with indicia. Padding on the leg cradle may increase the user&#39;s level of comfort.

Description:
COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
       [0001]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d). 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    This invention was not made under contract with an agency of the US Government, nor by any agency of the US Government. 
     
    
     CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0003]    N/A 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    This invention relates generally to motorcycle accessory devices, and specifically to motorcycle frame leg rest devices. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Motorcycle riding over long distances, or when injured, can present surprising challenges to the rider&#39;s endurance. Any rider will suffer leg cramps and discomfort on a long over the highway ride. Riders suffering from a disability, such as a leg injury requiring a wrapping or cast, are at additional disadvantages: it can be difficult merely to support a leg on a motorcycle, even if the controls have been modified to allow proper operation without use of one set of pedals. In addition, deep vein thrombosis, a problem common on airline flights, can also occur on long motorcycle rides. This problem occurs specifically because of inability to alter posture and leg position. 
         [0006]    In an effort to add to the comfort level of long rides, many riders resort to “highway pegs”: pegs or fixed pedals custom installed on the frame of the motorcycle at a convenient location to allow the rider to place their feet on the pegs. Usually such pegs are installed forward of the manufacturers&#39; pedals, so that the rider may have a choice of postures for the long ride. The reach from the rider and seat to the highway pegs allows the rider to straighten their legs and later their entire posture as well, thus increasing comfort and safety. 
         [0007]    However, since the highway pegs are in fact merely projections from the motorcycle, there is little utility or comfort in placing anything except the sole of a riding boot on the peg. 
         [0008]    It would be preferable to provide a device allowing riders to rest their legs and thus increase safety and comfort on long rides, and to allow additional postures for comfort. 
         [0009]    It would further be preferable to provide a device allowing riders with injured legs or feet to rest a leg, dressing, or cast on the motorcycle. 
         [0010]    A search in the collection of the United States Patent and Trademark Office reveals little that is useful in providing additional options beyond highway pegs. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,025,369 issued Apr. 11, 2006 to Sine, teaches a stirrup vaguely similar to the type used for horse-back riding. It does not teach anything away from supporting the foot of the user. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,893,038 to Egan on May 17, 2005, teaches a heel rest for a highway peg: the rest can swing in a horizontal plane. It does not teach anything away from supporting the foot of the user. 
         [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,663,129 to Smith on Dec. 16, 2003, teaches a highway peg which rotates but does not otherwise differ from known highway pegs. It does not teach anything away from supporting the foot of the user. 
         [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,451,057 to Lawson on May 29, 1984 teaches an elongated “running board” for a motorcycle, which is identified as a “foot rest”. It does not teach anything away from supporting the foot of the user. 
         [0015]    U.S. Pat. No. d338643 to Fuller et al on Aug. 24, 1993 teaches a “heelrest” vaguely similar in shape to a pedal for a motorcycle, but as it is identified as a “heelrest”, it does not teach anything away from supporting the foot of the user. 
         [0016]    Thus, for reasons of comfort, safety, and for assistance to disabled or injured motorcycle riders, it would be advantageous to provide a device teaching support of a leg, rather than a foot, on a motorcycle frame, crash bar, or other motorcycle structure. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    General Summary 
         [0018]    The present invention teaches that a motorcycle accessory may allow a motorcycle rider to rest their leg in a cradle. The cradle may be dimensioned and configured to comfortably support the rider&#39;s leg either having a width dimensioned for the average rider&#39;s leg in pants or chaps, or may have a width sufficient to support a rider&#39;s leg in medical dressings. 
         [0019]    The leg cradle is in turn supported by a sturdy body support, which may take the form of a projection from the axis of the motorcycle. The body, padding, and other parts may have thereon indicia in the form of incising, stitching, decals, stickers, painting, printing and any other type, which indicia may include the rider&#39;s name, product or corporate names or logos, political or social statements, interesting or eye-catching designs or the like. 
         [0020]    The body support is in turn clamped to the frame, crash bars, forks or other parts of the motorcycle. The leg cradle may be hinged so that it can be moved between a position for supporting the leg to a position allowing the rider to put their foot onto the body in a manner similar to a highway peg. The device may be made of aluminum, metal, polymer and other strong materials suitable for vehicle use. 
         [0021]    Padding on the leg cradle may increase the user&#39;s level of comfort. 
         [0022]    Summary in Reference to Claims 
         [0023]    It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the invention, in addition to those discussed previously, to provide a motorcycle accessory for use by a motorcycle rider having a leg, the motorcycle accessory comprising:
       a support body having first and second ends and having a first attachment at or near the first end and a second attachment;   a leg cradle secured by the second attachment to the support body, the leg cradle dimensioned and configured to support such motorcycle rider leg;   the first attachment dimensioned and configured to secure the motorcycle accessory to such motorcycle.       
 
         [0027]    It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the invention to provide a motorcycle accessory wherein the second attachment further comprises: a hinge 
         [0028]    It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the invention to provide a motorcycle accessory wherein the hinge further has at least a first position in which the leg cradle is disposed on a top side of the support body and oriented to support such motorcycle rider leg, and a second position in which the leg cradle is disposed on a side of the support body and not oriented to support such motorcycle rider leg. 
         [0029]    It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the invention to provide a motorcycle accessory wherein the hinge further comprises: 
         [0030]    a spring, the spring urging the hinge into the first position. 
         [0031]    It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the invention to provide a motorcycle accessory wherein the leg cradle further comprises: 
         [0032]    padding. 
         [0033]    It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the invention to provide a motorcycle accessory wherein the first attachment further comprises: 
         [0034]    a clamp dimensioned and configured to engage such motorcycle. 
         [0035]    It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the invention to provide a motorcycle accessory further comprising: 
         [0036]    decorative indicia on the body support. 
         [0037]    It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the invention to provide a motorcycle accessory further comprising: 
         [0038]    decorative indicia on the padding. 
         [0039]    It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the invention to provide a motorcycle accessory further comprising a metal material for the leg cradle and body support. 
         [0040]    It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the invention to provide a motorcycle accessory wherein the metal further comprises: aluminum. 
         [0041]    It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the invention to provide a motorcycle accessory further comprising a polymer material for the leg cradle and body support. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0042]      FIG. 1  is a partial front view of a motorcycle equipped with the device of the invention on the outside of both crash bars. 
           [0043]      FIG. 2  is a partial front view of a motorcycle equipped with the device of the invention on the inside of both crash bars. 
           [0044]      FIG. 3  is a partial side view of a motorcycle equipped with the device of the invention on the frame. 
           [0045]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the body/support (which may itself also function as a highway peg). 
           [0046]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the leg cradle of the invention. 
           [0047]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the leg cradle of the invention, showing details of the cradle which cooperate with the hinge to secure the leg cradle to the body/support. 
           [0048]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the invention showing the leg cradle and support in the normal position of use, with the leg cradle mounted in the straight alignment. 
           [0049]      FIG. 8  is also a front view of the invention showing the leg cradle and support, however, this view shows the device of the invention in the alternative position of use with the leg cradle folded forward, thus also partially displaying the hinge which connects the leg cradle and support. 
           [0050]      FIG. 9  is a partially cross-sectional side view of the device showing details of the hinge and bolts which attach the leg cradle and support. 
           [0051]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view of a clamp suitable for attaching the device of the invention to a motorcycle. 
       
    
    
     INDEX TO REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       [0000]    
       
         Motorcycle  100   
         Crash bar  102   
         Crash bar  104   
         Clamp  106   
         Clamp  108   
         Body/support  110   
         Body/support  112   
         Leg cradle  114   
         Leg cradle  116   
         Motorcycle  200   
         Crash bar  202   
         Crash bar  204   
         Clamp  206   
         Clamp  208   
         Body/support  210   
         Body/support  212   
         Leg cradle  214   
         Leg cradle  216   
         Motorcycle  300   
         Seat  302   
         Foot rest/pedal  304   
         Pedal  306   
         Frame  308   
         Leg rest  310   
         Body/support  402   
         Tang  404   
         Aperture  406   
         Leg cradle  502   
         Bottom portion  504   
         Upright  506   
         Upright  508   
         Bottom surface  512   
         Interior space  514   
         Pivot-point aperture  602   
         Adjustment aperture  604   
         Adjustment aperture  606   
         Adjustment aperture  608   
         Spring end groove  610   
         Spring end groove  612   
         Padding  702   
         Indicia, raised  704   
         Fastener  802   
         Fastener  804   
         Hinge  806   
         Indicia  808   
         Hinge  902   
         Spring  903   
         Hinge bed  904   
         Hinge flap  906   
         Hinge flap  908   
         Cradle bolt  910   
         Support bolt  912   
         Clamp  1002   
         Clamp extension  1004   
         Clevis bolt  1006   
         Clevis  1008   
         Tang bolt  1010   
         Tang bolt nut  1012   
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0110]      FIG. 1  is a partial front view of a motorcycle equipped with the device of the invention on the outside of both crash bars. Motorcycle  100  is simplified for clarity. Crash bar  102  and crash bar  104  are the position shown for mounting in  FIG. 1 : the crash bars  102  and  104  have attached thereto respective clamps  106  and  108 . These clamps (discussed later in reference to  FIG. 10 ) may encircle the crash bar and have a very strong frictional engagement thereto (be clamped thereto). Respective body/support  110  and body/support  112  project from the motorcycle connection points (crash bars, frame, etc) and support respective leg cradles  114  and  116 . Support body  110 ,  112  may each have two attachments. The first is at the end and connects the device to the clamp, or more broadly, is the tang and clamp. The second attachment may be elsewhere on the support body and connects the support body to the leg cradle. 
         [0111]    Most of the structural members of the device may be made of aluminum, other metals, composites, polymers, or combinations thereof. 
         [0112]      FIG. 2  is a partial front view of a motorcycle equipped with the device of the invention on the inside of both crash bars. Motorcycle  200  again is simplified, with extraneous parts not shown. Crash bar  202  and crash bar  204  customarily stand out from the side of the motorcycle by a large distance (exaggerated for clarity in the  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), but this allows clamp  206  and clamp  208  to be used to support body/support  210  and body/support  212  on the inside of the area traced by the crash bars  202  and  204 . This in turn means that respective leg cradles  214  and  216  are actually located on the inside of the crash bar&#39;s area, allowing the user to rest their legs on the leg cradles at an angle considerably closer to the axis of the bike and the seat. 
         [0113]      FIG. 3  is a partial side view of a motorcycle equipped with the device of the invention on the frame. Motorcycle  300  has been very greatly simplified for clarity in this case, and is shown only from seat  302  forward. Seat  302  is obviously the location at which the rider will sit, while foot rest/pedal  304 ,  306  is an example of the pedal controls of a motorcycle and the location at which a rider may advantageously place their feet while involved in driving requiring frequent use of the pedal controls. (Note that motorcycle controls do actually vary a bit, and thus not all foot rests are necessarily controls.) 
         [0114]    Frame  308  may be seen to be another advantageous position for the location of the device of the invention, with leg rest  310  thus disposed quite close to the axis of the motorcycle. 
         [0115]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the body/support (which may itself also function as a highway peg). Body/support  402  has a first attachment portion tang  404  at one end, which cooperates with a clamp to secure the device to the vehicle. Aperture  406  may have a bolt or other fastener passed therethrough in order to effect this attachment to the clamp/vehicle. 
         [0116]    It will be noted that when the leg cradles discussed below are moved to a position clear of the normal top/front of the device, the body support functions as a highway peg, that is, the user can easily rest the sole of their boot on the device. Holes, projections, tabs, treads and the like may serve to increase the friction of the boot sole on the body support, for example, the small tab seen in the diagrams. 
         [0117]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the leg cradle of the invention. Leg cradle  502  has bottom portion  504  and two raised areas, upright  506  and upright  508  which together define interior space  514 . Interior space  514  may be dimensioned and configured to support the calf of a user with the leg extending through the plane of the diagram  FIG. 5 . By this means, the body support  402  may be positioned at a convenient location to serve as a highway peg, yet the leg cradle  502  atop it may allow the user an alternative posture with their leg fully extended and the foot considerably past (forward of) the device, the calf resting comfortably on the cradle. The cradle may also be dimensioned and configured to allow a user having their leg in a dressing or cast to use the cradle in the exact same way: widening of the cradle will fit this definition of the term “dimensioned and configured to support the rider&#39;s leg”. By this means an incapacitated individual may ride a motorcycle with relative safety (leg secured and supported) while an individual without any disability may ride the motorcycle in a choice of at least two postures (actually three): a first posture with the feet on pedals, a second posture with the feet on the device and the device serving as a highway peg, and a posture with the leg supported by the cradle. 
         [0118]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the leg cradle of the invention, showing details of the cradle which cooperate with the hinge to secure the leg cradle to the body/support. Pivot-point aperture  602  is a first aperture through which a fastener such as a bolt or rivet may pass, securing the leg cradle to the body support. This fastener then serves as a pivot point about which the leg cradle and body support may rotate relative to one another. It will be appreciated that the body support is more firmly attached to the motorcycle and does not substantially pivot relative to the motorcycle (at least, not in the horizontal plane, the device may rotate vertically to be out of the way). By allowing the leg cradle to rotate horizontally relative to the support and vehicle, however, the device allows the user to find a comfortable angle of the leg cradle relative to the vehicle. Adjustment apertures  604 ,  606  and  608  then may be selected by the user/installer for passage of a second fastener (rivet, bolt, etc), thus fixing in place the desired angle. A single arcuate aperture may also be employed instead of multiple apertures, as may a slide, track, rail, race and so on and so forth. 
         [0119]    Spring end grooves  610  and  612  are very small scores in the undersurface of the leg cradle, in place to allow the spring ends to rest below the level of the surface of the leg cradle. This is necessary in order to achieve a closer, more secure fit of the cradle to the body support: if not used, the spring has ends which project from the hinge and prevent the cradle and support from resting on one another. Again, in place of the arcuate scores shown, multiple apertures, slides, tracks, rails, races and so on may be employed instead. 
         [0120]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the invention showing the leg cradle and support in the normal position of use, with the leg cradle mounted in the straight alignment. Padding  702  may cover leg cradle  504  on every side except bottom surface  512  (leaving bottom surface  512  free so as to create a solid rest on the body support  402 ), or the padding  702  may be partial or may be omitted entirely. 
         [0121]    Indicia  704  may be the marks or trademarks of motorcycle makers, sports teams, beverages or any other consumer product, identification with political, sports, media figures and so on, may be common symbols such as skulls and crossed bones, roses, revolvers and so on. It may be stitched, adhesive decal, dye transfer, applique and so on and so forth. 
         [0122]      FIG. 8  is also a front view of the invention showing the leg cradle and support, however, this view shows the device of the invention in the alternative position of use with the leg cradle folded forward, thus also partially displaying the hinge which connects the leg cradle and support. 
         [0123]    Fasteners  802  and  804  may be seen: fastener  802  passes through the pivot aperture (hidden) while fastener  804  passes through one of the adjustment apertures (hidden). (For discussion of these apertures, see the discussion of  FIG. 6 ). Hinge flap  806 , a portion of the hinge connecting the body support and cradle, may be seen obscuring portions of the bottom surface  512 . 
         [0124]    Indicia  808  may be seen on the body support, and may be etched, enameled, welded thereto and so on. Indicia  808  may have any common indicia meaning or content, as may indicia  704 . 
         [0125]    It is important to understand the difference between  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
         [0126]      FIG. 7  shows the device with the leg cradle in a first position, the position allowing a leg to rest therein.  FIG. 8  shows the device from the exact same view point as  FIG. 7 , however, the leg cradle has been rotated (by means of the hinge) into a second position such that the leg cradle is now out of the way of the user&#39;s boot, which may be placed on the body support like a highway peg. 
         [0127]    Thus, of the three user postures discussed previously in reference to  FIG. 5 , the position of the device of  FIG. 7  would correspond to the third rider posture (leg supported, foot extending beyond the device) while the position of the device shown in  FIG. 8  would correspond to the second rider posture (foot on the device like a highway peg). None of the prior art show a device having multiple postures (or even leg cradles at all) for motorcycle riders. 
         [0128]      FIG. 9  is a partially cross-sectional side view of the device showing details of the hinge and bolts which attach the leg cradle and support. Hinge  902  is visible along with spring  903 , which will tend to urge the device into one position or the other. Hinge bed  904  is a space cut into the body support  402  so as to make room for the hinge  902 . Hinge flap  906  is secured to the body support  402  by means of fastener  912 , which projects all the way through and well into the body support. On the other hand hinge flap  908  (previously seen as hinge portion  806  of  FIG. 8 ) is secured to leg cradle  504  by means of the fastener  910 , which does not project into the body support  402  but rather into the leg cradle  504 . Note that if the head of fastener  910  is selected carefully, so as not to disturb the ride of the leg cradle  504  on the body support  402 , then it becomes possible to have the fastener  910  project the opposite direction, that is, from the hinge flap  908  upward into the leg cradle. 
         [0129]    Hinge  902  thus serves as a second attachment, that of the body support to the leg cradle. 
         [0130]      FIG. 9  depicts the position shown in  FIG. 7 , that is, the leg cradle deployed for leg resting posture. 
         [0131]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view of a clamp suitable for attaching the device of the invention to a motorcycle. Clamp  1002  will pass about motorcycle frame, crash bars or other parts, while clamp extension  1004  has an aperture allowing clevis bolt  1006  to pass therethrough and into clevis  1008 , thus simultaneously securing the clevis to the clamp and also clamping the clamp about whatever vehicle part passes through the interior space of the clamp. Tang bolt  1010  will pass through the aperture  406  of tang  404  of body support  402  of  FIG. 4 , and into or through tang bolt nut  1012 , thus serving as a first attachment of the body support to the motorcycle. 
         [0132]    The disclosure is provided to allow practice of the invention by those skilled in the art without undue experimentation, including the best mode presently contemplated and the presently preferred embodiment. Nothing in this disclosure is to be taken to limit the scope of the invention, which is susceptible to numerous alterations, equivalents and substitutions without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is to be understood from the appended claims.