Patent Publication Number: US-2020281285-A1

Title: Motorcycle Forearm and Shin Glider

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a forearm and shin glider for use in motorcycling. 
     During fast cornering, riders of motorcycles and scooters, especially motorcycle racers, are forced to lean their motor vehicles in an inclined position as to safely corner at the highest speed possible. 
     Through continued developments in tire technology, it is possible in recent times to take greater lean angles resulting in much higher cornering speeds than previously possible. To achieve this, a cornering style has been developed which involves contact between the rider&#39;s forearm and knee with the road or ground surface on the inside of the corner or curve. 
     The motorcycle racer will thereby consciously seek contact with the ground or road to find the support necessary for top speed when corning during motor sports. 
     Existing protection devices currently are generally made of plastic molding. The use of these existing devices for high speed cornering is not optimal, because the friction generated between the plastic and road surface is substantial and the road contact acts as a brake during cornering and causes rider discomfort. To avoid this “stick-slip” effect, riders often avoid touching the ground. 
     Ground contact has a stabilizing effect, permitting better control of the motorcycle through the cornering maneuver. The present invention is designed to provide the necessary support while also reducing the “stick-slip” braking effect. The abrasion resistant bearing encased balls of the present invention allow riders to seek the support of the ground while cornering, but without the significant friction and performance reduction of prior art devices. Allowing the devices at both the forearm and shin provides the maximum cornering incline and grounds support. The abrasion resistant casing can withstand impact with the ground, but the deformable base with slits cut in it provide the rider with a secure fit around their arm or leg. The glider device can be attached with Velcro, hook and loop or other suitable attachment methods. 
     Description of Background Art 
     Prior art devices include slider pads for motorcycling that include a variety of configurations of slider pads. These devices all utilize pads that create substantial friction when making contact with the ground. 
     Other prior art devices include a variety of clothing items with built in padding and sliders but these devices have the same friction issue described above and solved by the present invention. 
     Other variations of prior art devices include knee rollers designed for use while working on the ground (on one&#39;s knees) rather than riding a motorcycle. These do include rollers, but not rollers designed for high speed low friction operation and not substantially wear resistant for durability when making contact with the ground at high speed. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a motorcycle glider for the shin and forearm. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a motorcycle glider that provides support during high speed cornering with a minimum of friction. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a motorcycle glider that provides improved support during cornering and improved rider comfort. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a motorcycle glider with improved durability. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a motorcycle glider with improved rider fit. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a motorcycle glider with multiple attachment means to the rider&#39;s clothing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to motorcycling and devices that facilitate high speed cornering for motorcycle riders, particularly in motorcycle racing. Motorcycle riders lean into turns while cornering with increasing lean angles dependent on the speed and radius of the corner. Improved tire compounds allow increased cornering angles for riders. Riders typically provide support during cornering by dropping their knees and forearms to the ground. Prior art pads exist to protect riders during these cornering maneuvers but have the significant drawback of substantial friction between the ground and the pad. This friction slows the rider, impacts the cornering geometry and creates rider discomfort. 
     The present invention seeks to solve these problems by providing a forearm and shin glider for motorcycle cornering. The claimed invention includes a deformable base with slits that allow secure and comfortable fit to the rider&#39;s arm or leg. An deformable casing is attached to the base. This casing holds a set of abrasion resistant balls made of high speed smooth abrasion resistant ceramic. The abrasion resistant balls are located by bearings, also manufactured of ceramic. The bearings are located by an abrasion resistant ring. This device allows the rider to make contact with the ground for support during tight cornering maneuvers with substantially reduced and minimized friction. The abrasion resistant balls move smoothly within the bearings and casing and roll when contacting the ground, creating minimal friction but also providing substantial rider support. The glider device is attached to the rider&#39;s clothing using Velcro or hook and loop attachment devices. The preferred embodiment also includes a locating wire to provide additional grip and support to the device as it&#39;s worn around the rider&#39;s leg or arm. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a view of a motorcyclist cornering at a significant lean angle. 
         FIG. 2  shows a view of the glider device with the casing in place. 
         FIG. 3  shows a view of the glider device with the casing removed and the bearings visible. 
         FIG. 4  shows a side view of the glider with the casing removed 
         FIG. 5  shows a side view of the glider with the casing in place. 
         FIG. 6  shows a side view of the glider with the slits closed to show deformability. 
         FIG. 7  shows a vertical side view of the glider with the casing removed. 
         FIG. 8  shows a vertical side view of the glider with the casing in place. 
         FIG. 9  shows a cross section exploded view of the glider. 
         FIG. 10  shows curved and flattened views of the glider and the locating wire. 
         FIG. 11  shows a cross section of the glider in a semi-circle with the casing removed. 
         FIG. 12  shows the glider in a semi-circle with the casing in place. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following detailed description outlines the preferred embodiment of the claimed invention. There may be many other configurations that comport with the attached claim language and this description is in no way limiting to the scope of the invention. 
       FIG. 1  shows an image of a motorcycle rider leaning into a turn at a significant angle. In this figure, rider  1  is located on motorcycle  2  traveling over road surface  3 . The rider&#39;s leg  4  and arm  5  are visible in the figure. Forearm glider  6  is attached to the rider&#39;s clothing at their arm  5  and shin glider  7  is attached to the rider&#39;s clothing between their knee and shin to protect leg  4 . In this figure, forearm glider  6  and shin glider  7  will contact road surface  3  to provide support for rider  1  as they corner their motorcycle at high speed. While the preferred embodiment shows motorcycle  2 , the present invention is suitable for use for any two wheeled vehicle where support of the shin and forearm would be helpful during cornering like scooters, etc. 
       FIG. 2  show the road contact side of forearm glider  6 . Forearm glider  6  and shin glider  7  have similar compositions and structures so while forearm glider  6  is described in detail, the description applies to shin glider  7  as well. Abrasion resistant balls  8  contact the road surface  3  (not shown in this figure) to provide support but also roll to avoid friction that slows the rider or pulls the rider toward the ground or into the turn. Prior art motorcycle sliders create significant friction and thus slow the rider or change the cornering geometry in a negative way. In the preferred embodiment, abrasion resistant balls  8  are made of high speed wear resistant smooth ceramic. This material provides wear resistance, durability and low friction, however many other suitable materials could be used like wear resistant, durable plastics and various metals, like high carbon steel and stainless steel. Glider casing  10  is deformable so that it can bend when the glider is bent around the rider&#39;s leg or arm. In the preferred embodiment, casing  10  is made of rubber but could be made out of other suitable materials such as flexible plastic, various flexible metals or other flexible and deformable materials. Attachment device  11  is shown and in the preferred embodiment would be Velcro attached to the rider&#39;s clothing at the suitable location. Other suitable attachment methods include hook and loop fasteners known in the art or zippers, snaps and buttons. 
       FIG. 3  shows the road contact side of the forearm glider  6  with casing  10  removed. In this view, abrasion resistant ball  8 , made of ceramic materials, is located by bearing  9  on the top, bottom and both sides. Bearings  9  are also manufactured out of high speed wear resistant smooth ceramic. These bearings rotate on their axis to allow abrasion resistant ball  8  to rotate quickly with a minimum of friction. Bearings  9  also locate abrasion resistant ball  8  so each stays in place during the stress of high speed cornering where the ball  8  comes into contact with road surface  3 . Attachment device  11  is also shown in this view. 
       FIG. 4  shows a lateral side view cutaway view of forearm glider  6 . Abrasion resistant ball  8  is shown located by bearings  9 . As previously discussed, in the preferred embodiment, these items are made of high speed wear resistant smooth ceramic. Casing  10  is shown as is attachment device  11 . Slit  12  are cuts in the material that allow the unit to be deformed to fit securely around the rider&#39;s arm or leg. When these slits collapse, it allows the device to fit the curve of the user&#39;s extremity. The slits can be made in any formation, but in the preferred embodiment they are formed vertically. Base  14  is made out of a deformable material that can be molded to the user&#39;s leg or arm, in the preferred embodiment hard rubber. This deformable material also provides better user comfort. 
     In the preferred embodiment, casing  10  is attached to base  14  using either adhesive known in the art or stitching. Another possible method for attaching casing  10  to base  14  is using clips that snap in place in a matching location in the base to securely attach the two items. The clip mechanism also allows the user to replace the casing as it becomes worn and to inspect, clean and replace the abrasion resistant balls  8  or bearings  9 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a side view of the forearm glider  6  with casing  10  in place around the device. In this view, the slits  12  are visible in their open position, prior to having the device installed on the rider&#39;s leg or arm. Base  14  is made of a deformable material, in the preferred embodiment, hard rubber to enable the user to mold the device to their extremity, either arm or leg. Installation device  11  is also shown. 
       FIG. 6  shows the glider  6  bent in an arc with slits  12  closed so that the device can be molded to the rider&#39;s arm or leg. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  show vertical views of the glider device. In cutaway view  FIG. 7 , abrasion resistant ball  8  is located by bearings  9 . This installation allows the abrasion resistant ball to rotate with a minimum of friction but also to be firmly installed in the device. In the preferred embodiment, abrasion resistant balls  8  and bearings  9  are made of high speed wear resistant ceramic. Casing  10  is shown in both figures, as is slit  12  and base  14 . 
       FIG. 9  shows a cross section of layers for an alternate preferred embodiment. Casing  10  is made of a deformable material that encloses abrasion resistant balls  8  and bearings  9 . Both abrasion resistant balls  8  and bearings  9  are made of high speed wear resistant smooth ceramic but could be made of other suitable low friction, wear resistant materials such as various metals including stainless steel, titanium and others. Base  14  is also made of a deformable material such as rubber that allows it to be formed around the arm or leg of the rider. Other deformable materials could also be used such as flexible plastic. Locating wire  15  is a thin wire made of bendable metal. This wire will be built into the base  14  to provide additional grip and support for the device around the rider&#39;s arm or leg. The locating wire  15  will run horizontally across the glider so that it can be wrapped around the circumference of the rider&#39;s arm or leg. The rider will simply wrap the device around their arm or leg and locating wire  15  will form a contour to match the shape of the arm or leg and provide support for the device in that shape. Installation device  11  is shown as a layer here and is made of Velcro in the preferred embodiment. This layer attaches the device to the rider&#39;s clothing. The combination of locating wire  15  and installation device  11  provide secure attachment and support for the device as the user wears it and as it contacts the ground during cornering. 
       FIG. 10  shows a view of the glider  6  and locating wire  15  with the glider  6  flat or bend in a semi-circle to be wrapped around the rider&#39;s arm or leg.  FIG. 10  additionally shows locating wire removed from the glider device. Locating wire  15  is manufactured from high tensile steel in the preferred embodiment but can be manufactured out of any suitable flexible and high strength metal such as stainless steel, titanium or other suitable materials such as flexible plastic, well known in the art. 
       FIG. 11  provides a cross section view of glider  6  with it formed in a semi circle to be worn around the rider&#39;s arm or leg. In this view, the deformable casing  10  is shown, abrasion resistant balls  8  and bearing  9  are all visible. 
       FIG. 12  shows the same view as  FIG. 11  but with casing  10  in place and covering the glider  6 . 
     The present figures display the preferred embodiment of the claimed invention and are not meant to limit the scope of the claims. Many other configurations and embodiments are possible within the scope of the present claims.