Patent Abstract:
The motorcycle foot support assembly has a foot support member, a rotation arm, a monolithic motorcycle-mounting bracket, and a releaseable bracket-to-arm locking mechanism. The rotation arm is attached between the inner surface of the foot support and the motorcycle-mounting bracket. The monolithic motorcycle-mounting bracket has a motorcycle-attachment portion and an arm-attachment portion, the latter portion for engagement with the rotation arm. The releaseable bracket-to-arm locking mechanism has an engagement pin that selectively engages with one of a plurality of predetermined stop holes whereby the releaseable bracket-to-arm locking mechanism may be selectively engaged to stop the relative rotation between the arm-attachment portion and the rotation-arm first end.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention is related generally to motorcycles and, more particularly, to passenger foot supports. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Larger motorcycles are frequently designed for long-distance touring. When used in a touring mode, a passenger frequently rides along with the operator of the motorcycle. 
   To provide a modicum of passenger comfort, touring motorcycles are typically provided with passenger pegs which allow the passenger to have a foot support upon which to rest his or her feet while riding on a touring motorcycle. 
   Unfortunately, such foot pegs are placed at a generic location preselected during the manufacturing process and irrespective of the needs of a particular passenger. Such foot pegs, obviously do not take into account relative leg length differences extent within the general population. It would be valuable to provide a passenger foot support which is customizable with regard to height, longitudinal direction, and foot angle. 
   OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the invention to provide an improved passenger floorboard overcoming some of the problems and shortcomings of the prior art, including those referenced above. 
   It is an object of the invention to provide a passenger floorboard with a position easily customizable. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a passenger floorboard that is easily repositionable. 
   It is yet another object of the invention to provide a passenger floorboard that may be locked in place. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a passenger floorboard which allows a passenger to choose from several discrete height adjustments. 
   It is yet another object of the invention to provide a customizable passenger floorboard that allows for discrete longitudinal positioning with respect to the motorcycle. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide a passenger floorboard that can be retracted to a stored position when not in use by a passenger. 
   It is another object of the invention to provide passenger floorboard that allows for customization of the foot-repose angle with respect to the horizontal. 
   How these and other objects are accomplished will become apparent from the following descriptions and from the drawings. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   One embodiment of the invention involves a motorcycle foot support assembly. The motorcycle foot support assembly comprises a foot support member, a rotation arm, and a motorcycle-mounting bracket. The foot support member has an upper surface and an inner surface. The rotation arm is typically elongated having two ends, which are typically opposite and remote from each other. One of the ends of the rotation arm is attached with respect to the inner surface of the foot support. The motorcycle-mounting bracket is monolithic. The motorcycle-mounting bracket has a motorcycle-attachment portion and an arm-attachment portion. The arm attachment portion is pivotably attached with respect to the other end of the rotation arm. 
   In certain desired embodiments, the motorcycle foot support assembly further comprises a releaseable bracket-to-arm locking mechanism. Through engagement of this bracket-to-arm locking mechanism, the relative rotation between the arm-attachment portion and the rotation-arm first end may be selectively stopped and held in that particular position for the comfort of the riding passenger. 
   In some highly preferred embodiments, the locking mechanism has an engagement pin with a pin shape that selectively engages with one of a plurality of predetermined stop holes of a stop-hole shape complementary to the pin shape of a portion of the engagement pin. 
   In particular embodiments, at least three of the predetermined stop holes are arcuately located. 
   In other particular embodiments, the locking pin member is potentially biased to be engaged. In this way, to change the position of the locking arm with respect to the bracket, positive energy must be applied to the locking pin to disengage. 
   With these embodiments, it is preferred that the upper surface is substantially planar with a longitudinal dimension and a lateral dimension. In such embodiments, longitudinal dimension is parallel with a major axis of the motorcycle. By “major axis of the motorcycle” Applicant means the line running lengthwise from front to back of the motorcycle centered laterally with respect to the motorcycle, and generally running through the center of mass. In certain of these embodiments, it is highly preferred the longitudinal dimension is greater than the lateral dimension. 
   In other highly preferred embodiments, there is a rotation mechanism located between the second end and the foot-support inner surface. With these embodiments, it is more highly preferred to have a rotation-arresting mechanism for selectively arresting the rotation of the foot support member with respect to the rotation arm. 
   In another preferred embodiment, the rotation-arresting mechanism has an engagement peg with a peg shape that selectively engages with one of a plurality of predetermined stop apertures. The stop apertures have a stop-aperture shape complementary in shape to a portion of the peg. It is more preferred to have the engagement peg potentially biased to be engaged. 
   In other highly preferred embodiments, there is a rotatable retracting member between the inner surface and the rotation arm. In this way, the angle between a foot-support plane (described by the upper surface of the foot support member) and a motorcycle plane may be selectively decreased. As used herein, either of the terms “motorcycle plane” or “major motorcycle plane” refer to the plane that would contain both of the rotating wheels of the motorcycle when the motorcycle was being operated in an upright manner in a linear direction on a flat road surface, and to which the axes of rotation for each of the wheels would be perpendicular. 
   It is more preferable in certain applications for a portion of the upper surface to be non-slip. Such non-slip surfaces would include, but not be limited to, a rough surface created on the upper surface of the foot support through machining or through the application of material, such as rubber, to the surface or extending up through the upper surface. 
   In another preferred embodiment, the motorcycle foot support assembly also comprises a rotation mechanism. In such cases, it is preferable for the rotation mechanism to be located between the second end of the rotation arm and the inner surface of the foot support. It desirable in such application to have a rotation-arresting mechanism for selectively arresting the rotation of the foot support member with respect to the rotation arm. The rotation-arresting mechanism may be of the type using an engagement peg to selectively engage one of a plurality of predetermined stop apertures. In such cases the peg has a peg shape and the stop aperture has a stop-aperture shape that is complementary in shape to a portion of the peg. 
   It is a preferred embodiment for the engagement peg to be potentially biased to be engaged with the stop aperture. 
   It is another aspect of the invention to provide a repositionable footboard for motorcycles. The repositionable footboard comprises a footboard portion, an elongated crank, and a bracket member. The footboard portion has a planar upper surface. The planar surface of the footboard further has a longitudinal dimension parallel to the motorcycle plane and a lateral dimension. The lateral dimension that is not greater than the longitudinal dimension. The footboard also has an inner surface. The elongated crank has a first end and a second end. The second end of the crank is rotatably attached with respect to the inner surface of the footboard such that the footboard may rotate about a footboard axis of rotation that is substantially orthogonal to the major motorcycle plane. The bracket member is configured for attachment to the motorcycle. The bracket member is rotatably attached with respect to the first end in a manner such that it may rotate about a crank axis of rotation substantially orthogonal to the major motorcycle plane. 
   Some preferable embodiments further comprise a crank-to-bracket positioning mechanism and a crank-to-footboard position mechanism. The crank-to-bracket positioning mechanism selectively and releasably locks the rotation of the crank with respect to the bracket. The crank-to-footboard position mechanism selectively and releasably locks the rotation of the footboard with respect to the crank. 
   It is more preferable in certain embodiments for the footboard to describe a major footboard plane, which is at a footboard-to-motorcycle angle with respect to the major motorcycle plane. In these embodiments, a footboard retraction mechanism is provided, which allows the footboard to be selectively pivoted to change the footboard-to-motorcycle angle. Such position may then be locked. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The drawings illustrate preferred embodiments which include the above-noted characteristics and features of the invention. The invention will be readily understood from the descriptions and drawings. In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a footboard unit of the current invention mounted on a motorcycle. 
       FIG. 2A  is a top view of the mounting bracket. 
       FIG. 2B  is a front view of the mounting bracket of  FIG. 2A  (normal to the mounting portion front surface). 
       FIG. 2C  is a front view of the mounting bracket of  FIG. 2A  (normal to the connecting surface). 
       FIG. 2D  is a back view of the mounting bracket of  FIG. 2A . 
       FIG. 3A  is a front view of the positioning arm. 
       FIG. 3B  is a back view of the positioning arm of  FIG. 3A . 
       FIG. 4A  is a back view of the horizontal positioning collar. 
       FIG. 4B  is a side view of the horizontal positioning collar of  FIG. 4A . 
       FIG. 4C  is a front view of the horizontal positioning collar of  FIG. 4A . 
       FIG. 4D  is a top view of the horizontal positioning collar of  FIG. 4A . 
       FIG. 5  is a back view of the footboard. 
       FIG. 6  is a side cross-sectional view of the footboard/horizontal positioning collar combination. 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of the footboard unit. 
       FIG. 8A  is a front view of the footboard unit. 
       FIG. 8B  is a side view of the footboard unit depicted in  FIG. 8A . 
       FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of the footboard unit. 
       FIG. 9B  is a perspective view of the footboard unit. 
       FIG. 10A  is a front view of the footboard unit in a particular configuration. 
       FIG. 10B  is a front view of the footboard unit in a different configuration than depicted in  FIG. 10A . 
       FIG. 10C  is a front view of the footboard unit configured in a way different than depicted in  FIGS. 10A and 10B . 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the footboard unit with the footboard rotated out of horizontal. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the footboard unit  10  is attached to the right side of a motorcycle  12 . It will be noted at the outset that the description herein is for a footboard unit  10  configured for installation on the right side of motorcycle  12 . It is expected that such footboard units  10  will be sold in pairs for installation on the right and left side of motorcycles  12  to accommodate the right and left legs of a passenger. It is easily observable to anyone skilled in the art from the diagrams and discussions herein that a footboard unit  10  configured for the left side of the motorcycle  12  will be a mirror image of that described and illustrated herein. 
   Footboard unit  10  may be grossly described as having four rigid components: footboard  20 , horizontal positioning collar  22 , positioning arm  24 , and mounting bracket  26 . 
   As seen in  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B, and  2 C, mounting bracket  26  has a mounting portion  28 . Mounting portion  28  is roughly trapezoidal in shape. Mounting portion  28  is generally plate-like with a front surface  30  and a back surface  32 . Extending through mounting portion  28  are two mounting holes  34 . Mounting holes  34  have countersunk portion  36  on the front end of holes  34 . In this way, bracket  26  may be affixed to motorcycle  12  through a bolt (not shown) extending through mounting hole  34  to thread into motorcycle  12 . The circumference of countersunk portion  36  is large enough to accommodate the bolt head and any tools (e.g., hexhead socket) necessary to tighten bolt head into engagement with motorcycle  12 . 
   Integral with mounting portion  28  is connecting portion  38 . As best seen in  FIG. 2C , connecting portion  38  is substantially cylindrical. Moreover, connecting portion  38  has a connecting-portion front face  40 . Connecting-portion front face  40  makes an angle a 1  with mounting-portion front face  30 . Angle a 1  dispenses footboard  20  of assembled footboard unit  10  laterally from the side of motorcycle  12 . It has been found that angle a 1  is advantageously fixed at 10°. 
   It is preferable that connecting portion  38  and mounting portion  28  be a solid casting from one piece of metal, but it will be easily recognized that the two portions could be of different pieces mechanically joined. Moreover, it is preferable that the piece be unitarily cast from aluminum for this metal&#39;s cost, weight, and polishability characteristics. 
   Turning to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , positioning arm  24  is illustrated. Positioning arm  24  has a positioning-arm front surface  42  and positioning-arm back surface  44 . Extending into positioning-arm back surface  44  is bracket-to-arm receiving hole  46 . Bracket-to-arm receiving hole  46  is threaded. Positioning arm  24  is attached to bracket  26  by means of an Allen-head stub bolt  47 . Allen-head stub bolt  47  is of the type having a flat hex-slot head with a smooth, unthreaded throat extending between the head and the threaded tail. Allen-head stub bolt  47  is configured such that when bolt is extended through bracket-to-arm aperture  48  on mounting bracket  26  Allen-head stub bolt  47  may be securely screwed into bracket-to-arm receiving hole  46  while the smooth throat may slide along interior surface  50  of bracket-to-arm aperture  48 . Head of Allen-head stub bolt  47  remains totally below mounting-portion back surface  32  due to back surface countersink  52 . 
     FIGS. 4A ,  4 B,  4 C, and  4 D depict horizontal-positioning collar  22 . Horizontal-positioning collar  22  has a horizontal-positioning-collar front surface  54  and a horizontal-positioning-collar back surface  56 . 
   Horizontal-positioning-collar back surface  56  is substantially circular. Extending into horizontal-positioning collar  22  at the center of horizontal-positioning back collar surface  56  is arm-to-collar receiving hole  58 . Arm-to-collar receiving hole  58  is threaded. As best seen in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , extending through positioning arm  24  is a arm-to-collar aperture  60 . Arm-to-collar aperture wall  62  is smooth. At the back entry of arm-to-collar aperture  60  is arm-countersunk well  64 . 
   In a manner similar to attachment of positioning arm  24  to mounting bracket  26  described above, horizontal-positioning collar  22  is attached to positioning arm  24  by means of an Allen-head stub bolt  65 . Allen-head stub bolt  65  is urged through arm-to-collar aperture such that it may be threaded into engagement in arm-to-collar receiving hole  58 . Allen-head stub bolt  65  is tightened in a manner such that the Allen-head is within the arm countersunk well  64  and is below positioning arm back surface  44 . The attachment is configured such that a smooth portion  67  of the Allen-head stub bolt  65  will be adjacent to smooth arm-to-collar aperture walls  62  and will allow rotation of positioning arm about Allen-head stub bolt  65 . 
   As seen in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , footboard  20  is substantially plate-like having an upper surface  66  and a footboard lower surface  68 . Footboard  20  is typically made of metal. To provide a non-slip surface for a passenger&#39;s foot, neoprene strips  70  are inlaid into complementary-shaped depressions in the footboard upper surface  66 . As best seen in  FIG. 5A , neoprene strips  70  extend up above footboard upper surface  66 . In this way, the passenger&#39;s foot mainly encounters the non-skid surface provided by neoprene strips  70 . It will be easily understood that the neoprene surface does not have to be provided in strip-like portions but could be provided in a continuous sheet. Moreover, it is easily recognized that other surface materials and configuration will make the surface non-skid. Moreover still, it will be easily recognized that the functionality of certain aspects of this invention are not dependent on the presence of a non-skid surface. Extending inwardly (laterally toward the motorcycle) from an inner side  72  are two attachment ears  74 . Extending through each attachment ear  74  is footboard-pivot-rod channel  76 . Pivot rod  78  extends through the footboard-pivot-rod channels  76  of both attachment ears  74  and positioning-collar-pivot-rod channel  80  (best seen  FIGS. 4A–4D ) thereby pivotably attaching footboard  20  to horizontal-positioning collar  22 . Pivot rod  78  is retained in footboard-pivot-rod channel  76  and positioning-collar-pivot-rod channel  80  by cotter pins  81  at each end of pivot rod  78 . 
   In the preferred embodiment illustrated, as best seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , when in a fully-deployed position, the general plane of the footboard  20  described by the footboard upper surface  66  is perpendicular to the horizontal-positioning collar front surface  54 . Although the angle illustrated is 90°, the angle can be selectively determined by adjusting the manner of contact between footboard inter-ear surface  82  and horizontal-positioning collar front surface  54 . In a like manner, footboard  20  may be rotated about pivot rod  78  into a retracted position such that the plane described by the footboard upper surface  66  in retracted position is parallel with horizontal-positioning collar front surface  54 , which in turn is in parallel to the major motorcycle plane. 
   To maintain the retracted position of footboard  20  when motorcycle  12  is in operation from inadvertent deployment, provided are two stop pins  84  within stop-pin channels  86 . Stop pins  84  have a spherical head portion  88  and a cylindrical tail portion  90 . Stop pins  84  are potentially-loaded by spring  92  in a manner to push spherical head portion  88  out of stop-pin channels  86 . 
   As best seen in  FIGS. 4B ,  4 C, and  4 D, horizontal positioning collar  22  has a horizontal-positioning-collar upper surface  94 , which is perpendicular to horizontal-positioning-collar front surface  54 . Despite the perpendicularity of the surfaces  54 ,  94 , there is an arcuate transition-region surface  96 . Into horizontal-positioning-collar upper surface  94  are two pin-receiving concavities  98 . Pin-receiving concavities  98  have a spherical profile of radius similar to the radius of spherical head portion  88  to provide a receiving depression complementary in shape to spherical head portion  88 , but less than hemispherical in scope. 
   In operation, when footboard  20  is deployed, most of spherical head portions  88  are restrained within stop-pin channels  86  by horizontal-positioning-collar front surface  54 . As footboard  20  is rotated about pivot rod  78 , spherical head portions  88  remain restrained in stop-pin channels  86  by arcuate transition-region surface  96  and then by horizontal-positioning-collar upper surface  94  as spherical head portions  88  smoothly slide along arcuate transition-region surface  96  toward footboard retraction position. As footboard  20  reaches retracted position, spherical head portions  88  are forced into interaction with pin-receiving concavities  98  by springs  92 . The interaction between spherical head portions  88  and pin-receiving concavities  98  is sufficient to hold footboard  20  in the retracted position. Spring is chosen such that when it is desired to deploy footboard  20 , hand pressure applied to footboard upper surface  66  is sufficient to force spherical head portions  88  out of interactive engagement with pin-receiving concavities  98 , and urge footboard  20  into the deployed position. 
   As described above, positioning arm  24  rotates with respect to mounting bracket  26  about Allen-head stub bolt  47  connecting the two components. To stop the rotation at discrete points, a positioning-arm-to-mounting-bracket locking mechanism is provided. Positioning-arm-to-mounting-bracket locking mechanism includes threaded, position-arm spring-loaded lynch pin  100   a . Position-arm spring-loaded lynch pin  100   a  has an L-shaped pin member  102  with a handle portion  104  and a connecting portion  106  perpendicular to the handle portion  104 . Threaded, position-arm spring-loaded lynch pin  100   a  is threaded into arm locking aperture  108 . Arm-locking aperture  108  is threaded to receive threaded, position-arm spring-loaded lynch pin  100   a . Threaded, position-arm spring-loaded lynch pin  100   a  is inserted into positioning arm  24  such that handle portion  104  is on the position arm front surface side and connecting portion  106  extends through positioning arm  24  to engage one of arm locking holes  110   a–g  on connecting portion  38  (as best seen in  FIGS. 2B and 2C ); connecting portion  106  and arm locking holes  110   a–g  are of complementary shape. Arm locking holes  110   a–g  are each figured to slidingly engage connection portion  106  in a manner such that connecting portion  106  may be slidingly engaged and disengaged from arm locking holes  110   a–g  in a longitudinal direction along connection portion  106 , but will resist any shear pressure (and hence rotational motion of positioning arm  24  with respect to mounting bracket  26 ). L-shaped pin member  102  is potentially biased to be in engagement with arm locking holes  110   a–g.    
   In a similar manner, horizontal-positioning collar  22  rotates with respect to positioning arm  24  about Allen-head stub bolt  65  connecting the two components. To stop this rotation at discrete points, a horizontal-positioning-collar-to-positioning-arm locking mechanism similar to positioning-arm-to-mounting-bracket locking mechanism is provided. Horizontal-positioning-collar-to-positioning-arm locking mechanism also includes threaded, collar spring-loaded lynch pin  100   b . Collar spring-loaded lynch pin  100   b  is as described above with regard to position-arm spring-loaded lynch pin  100   a , with L-shaped pin member  102  with a handle portion  104  and connecting portion  106 . Threaded, collar spring-loaded lynch pin  100   b  is threaded into collar locking aperture  112 . Collar-locking aperture  112  is threaded to receive threaded, collar spring-loaded lynch pin  100   b . Threaded, collar spring-loaded lynch pin  100   b  is inserted into horizontal positioning collar  22  such that handle portion  104  is on the horizontal positioning collar front surface side and connecting portion  106  extends through horizontal positioning collar  22  to engage one of collar locking holes  114   a–m  on positioning arm  24 . Connecting portion  106  and collar locking holes  114   a–m  are of complementary shape. Collar locking holes  114   a–m  are each figured to slidingly engage connection portion  106  in a manner such that connecting portion  106  may be slidingly engaged and disengaged from collar locking holes  114   a–m  in a longitudinal direction along connection portion  106 , but will resist any shear pressure (and hence rotational motion of horizontal-positioning collar  22  with respect to positioning arm  24 ). L-shaped pin member  102  is potentially biased to be in engagement with arm locking holes  114   a–m.    
   In operation, footboard unit  10  is bolted to motorcycle  12 . A passenger selects the preferred location of footboards (for both the right and left sides of motorcycle). Due to the particular design illustrated, the planes of rotation of horizontal-positioning collar  22  with respect to positioning arm  24  and of positioning arm  24  with respect to mounting bracket  26  are substantially coplanar, and coplanar with the general plane of motorcycle  12 , and hence are vertical with respect to the roadway surface when motorcycle is in operation in a forward motion. This design allows passenger to choose both height and longitudinal position (front to back with respect to motorcycle  12  along the major motorcycle axis). It will be readily understood that deviating the plane of rotation of horizontal-positioning collar  22  with respect to positioning arm  24  through design, passenger will have the added positioning option of lateral position, although such option will in some usages give the motorcycle a wider lateral aspect, which may not for specific motorcycles be advantageous. 
   After choosing the position of footboard  20 , positioning-arm lynch pin  100   a  is released allowing position arm to rotate about Allen-head stub bolt  47  joining position arm to mounting bracket, until position arm  24  is in the desired position. Once position arm  24  is in desired position, positioning-arm lynch pin  100   a  is re-engaged with the nearest arm locking hole  110   a–g . Horizontality of footboard  20  is then obtained by passenger horizontality adjustment. To obtain horizontality, passenger releases collar lynch pin  100   b  to allow collar to rotate about Allen-head stub bolt  65  joining collar to position arm. Once horizontality of footboard  20  is obtained, collar lynch pin  100   b  is re-engaged with the nearest collar locking hole  114   a–m . as illustrated, each of the twelve collar locking hole  114   a–m  is situated 30° from its nearest neighbor. 
     FIGS. 1 ,  8 A,  8 B,  9 A,  9 B,  10 A,  10 B, and  10 C illustrate passenger-chosen placements. In  FIGS. 8A ,  8 B, and  9 A, positioning-arm lynch pin  100   a  engages arm locking hole  110   b  and collar lynch pin  100   b  engages arm locking hole  114   k . In this orientation, footboard  20  is placed in the most forward position available from this design illustrated. In  FIGS. 9B and 10B , an intermediate position is illustrated such that footboard  20  is at neither maximum height nor maximum forward position. In this position, positioning-arm lynch pin  100   a  engages arm locking hole  110   c  and collar lynch pin  100   b  engages arm locking hole  114   l.    
   In  FIG. 1 , positioning-arm lynch pin  100   a  engages arm locking hole  110   e  and collar lynch pin  100   b  engages arm locking hole  114   g , to obtain maximum height of positioned footboard  20 . 
   In  FIG. 10A , an intermediate position is illustrated such that footboard  20  is at neither maximum height nor maximum rearward position. In this position, positioning-arm lynch pin  100   a  engages arm locking hole  110   g  and collar lynch pin  100   b  engages arm locking hole  114   b.    
   In  FIG. 10C , an intermediate position is illustrated such that footboard  20  is at a forward position, 30° below the horizon (for a longer-legged passenger). In this position, positioning-arm lynch pin  100   a  engages arm locking hole  110   a  and collar lynch pin  100   b  engages arm locking hole  114   j.    
     FIG. 11  illustrates another orientation possibility from this design. In instances in which for passenger&#39;s comfort, horizontality of footboard  20  is not desired, footboard plane may be set at an angle from the horizontal. Illustrated is a position combination in which positioning-arm lynch pin  100   a  engages arm locking hole  10   c  and collar lynch pin  100   b  engages arm locking hole  114   d . In this manner, a 30° angle is obtained, allowing for flexion of the ankle, while the foot is in a position of repose on footboard  20 . Of course, an orientation producing extension of the ankle while the foot is reposed on footboard  20  is available. 
   While the principles of the invention have been shown and described in connection with but a few embodiments, it is to be understood clearly that such embodiments are by way of example and are not limiting.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1