Patent Publication Number: US-2019176917-A1

Title: Wheelie guard

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The presently described subject matter relates generally to a safety devices for motorcycles, and in particular to safety and training devices that selectively restrict the maximal effective height of a motorcycle&#39;s front wheel above the ground during a wheelie. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Numerous attempts have been made to provide devices that can be affixed to or form part of a motorcycle or bicycle so as to stabilize it during a wheelie maneuver. In a wheelie maneuver, a rider rotates the motorcycle or bicycle upwards and backwards about its rear wheel axle, and balances it on the rear wheel while maintaining linear forward motion. If this rotation of the motorcycle or bicycle is allowed to progress too far beyond the balance point and into an over-rotated condition (i.e. in which the center of gravity of the rider/cycle combination extends backwards past the rear wheel axle), the stability of the motorcycle or bicycle may become unrecoverable and result in a fall. Wheelie safety devices accordingly seek to prevent such over-rotation, and generally accomplish this objective by providing a ground contact member on a structure that extends rearwardly from the motorcycle or bicycle. 
     By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,075,011 describes a device for sport configured motorcycles that restricts the angular inclination of the motorcycle, and in which a frame assembly trails behind the rear wheel of the motorcycle on pavement engaging secondary support wheels. U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,179 describes a wheelie stabilizer and safety device in which a pivotable arm assembly extends rearwardly from a spring-urged mounting bracket that is attached to the rear axle of a bicycle. U.S. Pat. No. 4,153,268 describes a cycle stabilization accessory for bicycles that includes a pair of telescopically adjustable arms secured to the structure of the bicycle and extending rearwardly to a wheel assembly carried at their free end. 
     A 2013 study by Virginia Tech reveals that close to 30% of motorcycle riders did not attend any prior motorcycle training; they simply taught themselves. Around 73% of the respondents in the study indicated that they have been involved in a crash, and  63 % state that it was purely due to rider error. 
     SUMMARY 
     In embodiments of the presently described subject matter, there is provided a motorcycle safety and training device that selectively restricts the maximal effective height of a motorcycle&#39;s front wheel above the ground. The device generally comprises a lightweight, adjustable bracket assembly that may be affixed to a rear suspension swingarm of a motorcycle, and one or more preferably pneumatic wheels located at or near the free end of the assembly. When the device is affixed to a swingarm, the assembly extends generally rearward beyond the rear wheel of the motorcycle in one of a variety of selected positions, and during use the device moves in conjunction with the swingarm (relative to the suspended chassis of the motorcycle). 
     The device may comprise a main arm that is affixed at one end to the motorcycle swingarm by means of one or more mounting plates and associated fasteners, and a pivot arm that is pivotally attached to the main arm at the opposite end thereof. As described in further detail below, the main arm of the assembly extends longitudinally rearwardly, generally in line with and preferably upwardly relative to the swingarm, and the pivot arms of the assembly may be secured in one of several positions relative to the main arm to permit rotation of the motorcycle up to a desired maximum angular inclination and effective front wheel height, or in a stowed position for transport/storage (or when desired to keep the assembly out of the way of branches, etc. while riding in dense bush). The axis about which pivot arms of the assembly pivots relative to the main arm of the assembly is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (and thus the direction of travel) of the motorcycle. 
     The one or more wheels of the device are located at or adjacent the free end of the pivot arm, and the pivot arm may further include an inward reverse bend or kink in order to bring the wheel(s) of the device generally into alignment with the rear wheel of the motorcycle. In some embodiments, the pivot arm may be constructed of a plurality of elements that telescope relative to one another in order to selectively shorten or lengthen the pivot arm, and/or to change the offset of the device wheel(s) relative to the rear wheel of the motorcycle. In some embodiments, the pivot arm may comprise a primary pivot arm and an auxiliary pivot arm, wherein the primary and auxiliary pivot arms are secured together at or near their free ends, and are both pivotally connected to the main arm, but on opposite lateral sides thereof so as to “sandwich” the main arm and thus provide additional lateral strength. In some such embodiments, the auxiliary pivot arm may be shorter than the primary pivot arm so as to save weight; alternatively, the auxiliary pivot arm may extend the full length of the primary pivot arm. 
     In preferred embodiments, the main arm and the pivot arm elements of the device are cut or constructed from 6061 aluminum sheeting, and connected together with conventional fasteners such as grade 8 stainless steel threaded bolts and nuts. Such construction not only simplifies manufacture and assembly of the device, but also ensures that the device is sufficiently lightweight as to have no appreciable negative effect on the handling or performance of the motorcycle to which it is affixed, even if the motorcycle is itself relatively lightweight (e.g. a motocross or trail bike). The wheels of the device preferably include pneumatic tires that can provide more or less cushioning as desired for a given application, depending upon inflation pressure. 
     The presently disclosed wheelie guard is primarily a safety device whose features enable riders of all experience levels to improve essential motorcycle riding skills (e.g. throttle &amp; brake control; balance &amp; body positioning) in a safe environment that reduces the risk of injury, whilst still providing the opportunity for a selected maximum amount of “rider error” in order to enhance learning. The wheelie guard accordingly has applications in a variety of aspects of motorcycling, including general riding safety, training and competition. 
     In the context of general riding safety, the wheelie guard can be used by beginner riders on a daily basis on both tarmac and gravel roads (thanks to its single sided design, adjustable settings and inflatable tires) to avoid the consequences of a common error known as a “whiskey throttle”, in which a sudden twist of the throttle causes an over-rotation of the motorcycle and typically sends the rider onto his/her back with the motorcycle more often than not landing on top of them. Common factors that precipitate this scenario include: a general lack of riding experience; underestimation of the power of the motorcycle engine; overestimation by the rider of their riding abilities; and incorrect hand position on the throttle during certain maneuvers. However, if the wheelie guard is set to permit only a small amount of rotation, the maximum height of the front wheel is restricted no matter how much power/throttle has been applied, and the front wheel is easily diverted back to the ground where the rider has the greatest chances of regaining control of the motorcycle. 
     In the context of training how to perform a wheelie, the wheelie guard may be adjusted at several different settings (each permitting a different amount of wheel lift and rotation), thereby enabling a rider to set a maximum front wheel height consistent with their current comfort level. Anything over the desired height/rotation is restricted by the device. Once the rider has become comfortable with beginner settings, they can move on to intermediate settings to continue practicing balance, throttle, and brake control. With time and practice, the rider finally moves up to the expert settings at which the device permits rotation up to (and in some settings also slightly beyond) the balance point, and restricts only severe over-rotation of the motorcycle. During this process, the rider is enhancing his reaction response time, bike control, maneuverability, and many other techniques to become almost “second nature”. A much faster response time and enhanced motorcycle control provides the rider with significantly higher chances of successfully avoiding sudden dangerous situations. 
     The wheelie guard also has applications in the context of competitive sports, including motocross, enduro, trail riding, and stunting disciplines. Use of the wheelie guard in a competitive sport context may: (a) provide mental confidence to an athlete by ensuring that their motorcycle will not over-rotate and thus allow them to push their limits; (b) provide stability when training on obstacles such as rocks, tree longs, hill climbs, motocross track “whoops” and many other obstacles that racers are expected to ride over in the shortest time possible; and (c) facilitate the practicing of “race starts” where as much throttle as possible should be applied without allowing the back wheel to spin and the front wheel to lift. Motorcycle over-rotation due to the application of too much power is a major safety concern while practicing this race technique if the wheelie guard is not used. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: 
       For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the disclosed subject matter, as well as the preferred modes of use thereof, reference should be made to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate like or similar steps or parts. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic top plan view of a wheelie guard in accordance with one embodiment of the presently described subject matter. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic perspective view of the bracket assembly of the wheelie guard of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded schematic view of the assembly of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded schematic view of the assembly of  FIG. 2 , showing the location and size of the bores drilled therethrough. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic perspective view of the fasteners of the wheelie guard of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a rear perspective photograph of a wheelie guard in accordance with a further embodiment of the presently described subject matter. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a wheelie guard in accordance with a further embodiment of the presently described subject matter, showing the pivot arm thereof in a stowed position. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a wheelie guard of  FIG. 7 , showing the pivot arm thereof in a representative riding position. 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  are side elevation views of a wheelie guard in accordance with a further embodiment of the presently described subject matter, showing the pivot arm in two riding positions and one stowed position, respectively. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic perspective view of a wheelie guard in accordance with a further embodiment of the presently described subject matter. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic exploded top plan view of the wheelie guard of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic exploded rear end view of the wheelie guard of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic left side view of the wheelie guard of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic right side view of the wheelie guard of  FIG. 10 , showing the pivot arm in two riding positions and one stowed position, respectively. 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic exploded rear perspective view of the wheelie guard of  FIG. 10 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description of preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. The wheelie guard of the present invention may take form in a number of different embodiments depending upon the particular requirements of the use. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , there is illustrated one embodiment of a wheelie guard in accordance with the presently described subject matter. The wheelie guard  10  is shown in  FIG. 1  in juxtaposition to a representative rear motorcycle wheel  12 , and comprises main arm  14  affixed at a first end via fasteners  16 ,  18  (each comprising conventional threaded bolts, nuts and washers) to a first mounting plate  20 , which in turn is connected via fasteners  22 ,  24  (each again comprising conventional threaded bolts, nuts and washers) to second mounting plate  26  and secured around (i.e. with plates  20 ,  26  on either side of, and fasteners  22 ,  24  above and below, respectively) a rear suspension swingarm  28  of a motorcycle. Also connecting main arm  14  to swingarm  28  is a threaded rod  30  extending through the hollow axle of rear motorcycle wheel  12  and secured at either end with nuts  32  and washers  34 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 2 , a pivot and pin apparatus comprising a central bore  36  surrounded by a plurality of bores  38  situated in a planetary arrangement around central bore  36  is provided at the second, opposite end of main arm  14  for the pivotal connection of main arm  14  to a pivot arm  40 . As best seen in  FIG. 3 , a corresponding central bore  42  and planetary bores  44  are provided in pivot arm  40 . Returning now to  FIG. 1 , a bolt  46  is passed through central bores  36 ,  42  and secured at the other end with washer  48  and nut  50 , and the angular position of pivot arm  40  relative to main arm  14  is secured by at least one pin  52  passed and secured through bores  38 ,  44 . 
     Pivot arm  40  includes a roughly 25° inward bend  54  and an extender element  56  with a roughly 25° outward bend  58 . Pivot arm  40  and extender element  56  are connected together by conventional fasteners such as bolts  60 , washers  62  and nuts  64  passed through bores  66 ,  68 . As best seen in  FIG. 3 , a plurality of bores  66 ,  68  are provided in each of pivot arm  40  and extender element  56  to permit the telescopic extension or retraction of extender element  56  relative to pivot arm  40 , thereby to selectively shorten or lengthen the overall length of the pivot arm, and/or to change the offset of the pneumatic wheels  70  of the device relative to the rear wheel  12  of the motorcycle. A pair of pneumatic wheels  70  are located at the free end of extender element  56  and secured thereto by conventional fasteners such as threaded bolts  72 , washers  74  and nuts  76 . 
     Each of main arm  14 , pivot arm  40  and extender element  56  may include multiple alternative bores (i.e. like bores  66  of the pivot arm  40  and bores  68  of the extender element  56 ) for each of the connections described above in order to permit desired adjustments and to accommodate motorcycle swingarms of different sizes, and are preferably formed from 6061 aluminum sheeting. All fasteners of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5  are preferably formed of grade 8 stainless steel threaded bolts and nuts. Such construction not only simplifies manufacture and assembly of the device, but also ensures that the device is sufficiently lightweight as to have no appreciable negative effect on the handling or performance of the motorcycle to which it is affixed, even if the motorcycle is itself relatively lightweight. Pneumatic wheels  70  may provide more or less cushioning as desired for a given application, depending upon inflation pressure. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a wheelie guard  80  in which the length of the pivot arm is adjustable, but the offset of the device wheels relative to the rear wheel of the motorcycle is not. In this embodiment, the pivot arm is straight, and extender element includes reverse 25° inward and 25° outward bends. 
       FIGS. 7  illustrates a further alternative embodiment of a wheelie guard  85  in a stowed position, and  FIG. 8  illustrates this same embodiment in one of a plurality of riding positions. 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate a yet further alternative embodiment of a wheelie guard  90  in combination with a representative motorcycle.  FIG. 9A  shows the wheelie guard in alternative 0° (“advanced”), 15° (“intermediate”) and 30° (“beginner”) riding positions, and  FIG. 9B  shows the same embodiment in a stowed position. 
       FIGS. 10 to 15  illustrate a preferred further embodiment of a wheelie guard  100 , which comprises many of the same components of wheelie guards  10 ,  80 ,  85  and  90  illustrated and described with reference to  FIGS. 1-9 . However, in wheelie guard  100 , the pivot arm comprises a primary pivot arm  102  and an auxiliary pivot arm  103 , and main arm  101  is configured for attachment (via conventional threaded bolts, nuts and washers) around the rear suspension swingarm of a motorcycle to clamp bar  104 , thereby eliminating the requirement for a first mounting plate such as first mounting plate  20  of  FIGS. 1-5 . One or more rubber spacers  105 , preferably constructed of EPDM, are fitted between main arm  101  and the motorcycle swingarm. As illustrated in  FIGS. 10-15 , wheelie guard  100  comprises main arm  101 , primary pivot arm  102 , auxiliary pivot arm  103 , clamp bar  104 , rubber spacers  105 , pneumatic wheel  106 , axle through bolt  107 , wheel bolt  108 , pivot bolts  109 , joining bolts  110 , height adjustment pins  111 , clamp bolts  112 , washers  113 , lock washers  114 , nuts  115 , Ny-Lock™ nuts  116 , large washers  117 , washers  118 , and Ny-Lock™ nuts  118 . 
     The present description is of the best presently contemplated mode of carrying out the subject matter disclosed herein. The description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the subject matter and not to be taken in a limiting sense; the described subject matter can find utility in a variety of implementations without departing from the scope of the invention made, as will be apparent to those of skill in the art from an understanding of the principles that underlie the invention.