Patent Publication Number: US-2017361888-A1

Title: Quick-Release Rigid Deflector for Motorcycles

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Windshields and deflectors are common devices that have been used on motorcycles and bicycles since the 19th century. They are used to protect the rider from uncomfortable buffeting, wind, weather, and debris. Motorcycles were first fitted with windshields and deflectors shortly after their invention. It quickly became apparent that it is not always desirable to have a windshield on the vehicle for aesthetics or to prevent air stagnation when it is hot, so detachable windshields were invented. It further became apparent that detaching windshields rapidly was desirable so that a rider may decide immediately before departing based on that day&#39;s weather, and so quick-release windshields were invented. However similar principles have never been applied to rigid deflectors. 
     The present invention refers specifically to releasable and not simply detachable rigid deflectors. In this context, releasable is used to mean a quick-release system which can be quickly removed from or attached to a motorcycle. Conversely, detachable is used to mean a system which can be removed, but with such excessive time and effort that it is undesirable to remove or attach the device immediately before riding. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,958,761 discloses a shield which attaches to the cross member portion of the handlebars of a bicycle. It is used for shielding bicycles during transportation and is neither for motorcycles nor for use on a vehicle while it is being ridden. It uses a hook and compression ratchet as a releasement mechanism. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,753,430B1 discloses a deflector which attaches to the crash bars of a motorcycle. It uses a clamp and bolts with wing nuts as a detachment mechanism. To remove the device the user would need to use get a proper size wrench, remove multiple bolts, and then put the tools away and store the bolts. It does not feature a quick-release mechanism, nor is it usable as a generic releasable deflector, merely a detachable deflector for a specific part of a motorcycle. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,853,217A discloses a releasable windshield for a motorcycle. It describes a hook mechanism that is releasable, but does not anticipate a releasable deflector. 
     US 20,070,296,237A1 discloses another releasable windshield for a motorcycle. It describes a 10 different mechanisms, but it also does not anticipate a releasable deflector. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 438,496S1 discloses a releasable soft guard that provides a similar function, but is not a releasable rigid deflector and does not anticipate one. It uses a buckle, buttons, and straps as a releasement mechanism. The splash guard it depicts is made of a soft material such as leather and does not provide the protection of a rigid deflector. It is limited to webbing the crash bars and could not extend past that as designed without flopping over. It is also missing other advantages of a rigid body such as the ability to come in various sizes and shapes, modularity or attachability, and paintability. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention allows for a rigid deflector to be releasably attached to a motorcycle. When attached it can make the ride more comfortable for the rider, and protect the rider, his or her gear, and the motorcycle itself from damage and soiling. However, it can also add weight, make the bike look worse, or reduce airflow and make it uncomfortably hot. The present invention can be released or attached to the bike immediately before riding based on that day&#39;s weather. 
     A rigid deflector has a body made of a firm material, such as plastic or metal, which deflects oncoming wind, debris, and rain away from the motorcycle and rider as the motorcycle moves forward. A deflector may be planar, curved, or a complex shape that may be either functional or decorative, and may or may not resemble a fairing, a handlebar guard, a panel, a plate, a shield, or a wing. A deflector may be attached to any part or accessory of a motorcycle including, but not limited to the belly, crash bars, fairing, forks, gas tank, handle bars, or windshield itself. A deflector is not the windshield of a motorcycle. A windshield is rigid body, like a deflector, but positioned in the front of the motorcycle, centered, and high enough to deflect wind away from the torso and head of the rider. 
     The present invention attaches using a releasable mechanism such as clamps, claws, hooks, a lock and key, lock pins, push rivets, quick-release levers, toggle latches, or sliding on. It may attach with any releasement mechanism, which in this context means a detachment mechanism that does not take excessive time or effort. Excessive time or effort is such that releasing or attaching the device would make the rider substantially late to wherever he or she was going, if he or she didn&#39;t prepare extra time in advance to release or attach the deflectors. Excessive time or effort may be due to needing to retrieve, use, and put away hand tools such as screwdrivers or wrenches, but not using a quick releasement tool specifically for the device, such as a key. The present invention may engage into a fixture that is permanently attached to the motorcycle such that the rigid deflector releases from the fixture. 
     Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon study of the following description and the accompanying drawings which are merely illustrative of such invention. It is also anticipated that other changes could be provided to achieve a similar functionality of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention, which is installed on a motorcycle on the clutch lever side, as seen from the front of said clutch lever side. 
         FIG. 2  is a view of a second embodiment of the present invention from the same perspective as  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of a third embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention from the same perspective as  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of the present invention. A deflector  1  is attached to a crash bar  2   a  releasably. Said crash  2   a  bar fits into a set of grooves  5  in said deflector  1 . Said deflector  1  releasably attaches to said crash bar  2   a  using a set of clamps  4   a,  which may disconnect, allowing said deflector  1  to be removed from the motorcycle. Said deflector  1  may have a curve  3  to protect from wind or objects coming from the side. In this embodiment said deflector  1  is made from a sheet of plastic which has said grooves  5  cut into it and is then bent to produce said curve  3 . A standard releasement mechanism, such as said clamps  4   a,  is then coupled with said deflector  1  to provide releasement functionality. This has the advantages of providing a large amount of protection effectively, while being easily manufactured at a relatively low cost, and also being lightweight and aesthetically pleasing. 
       FIG. 2  depicts a second embodiment of the present invention. A deflector  1  is attached to a crash bar  2   a  releasably. Said crash bar  2   a  fits into an upper groove  5   b  and a lower groove  5   a,  which in this embodiment are shaped such that said groove  5   a  can be lowered onto the bottom portion of said crash bar  2   a  at an angle, and then said deflector  1  can be rotated so that the upper portion of said crash bar  2   a  snaps into said upper groove  5   b.  Said groove  5   a  has a grommet  4   b  which allows said deflector  1  to snap onto said crash bar  2   a.  This embodiment has the advantage of being even cheaper to produce, and having a simpler and quicker releasement mechanism than some other embodiments. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a third embodiment of the present invention. A deflector  1  is attached to a fork  2   b  releasably. Said deflector  1  has a set of clamps  4   a  to connect it to said fork  2   b.  This has the advantages of providing protection in a forward location, and being mountable on any motorcycle with said fork  2   b.    
       FIG. 4  depicts a fourth embodiment of the present invention. A deflector  1  is attached to an arbitrary surface of a motorcycle  2   c.  Said deflector  1  has a set of turn fasteners  4   c  to connect it to said surface  2   c.  This has the advantage of being placeable nearly anywhere on said surface  2   c  to block wind, such as that that would normally go past the primary rider&#39;s thighs and disturb the passenger of said motorcycle.