Abstract:
The invention involves a storage bracket for a motorcycle windshield. The bracket is generally for the type of motorcycle windshield which is removably attached to a motorcycle by slotted couplings. The bracket comprises a base member with longitudinal dimension and at least one nub attached with respect to the base member extending laterally from the base member. The nub is configured and arranged to snugly engage at least one of the slotted couplings on the windshield.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention is related generally to storage brackets for storing components on vertical surfaces and, more particularly, to brackets for storing motorcycle components.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    For a variety of reasons, motorcycle ownership and operation have been increasing in popularity. Among other reasons, the motorcycle provides the operator with motive power, quick acceleration, and speed, with very good fuel economy. In addition to functional aspects of transportation, there is a pleasure aspect of utilizing the power to have the wind in one&#39;s face.  
           [0003]    Premium motorcycles come equipped with windshields to provide comfort and safety to operators while in use, especially when used for touring purposes.  
           [0004]    In order to enhance the pleasurable aspects of a motorcycle ride, it is desirable, especially on short trips and recreational rides, to operate the motorcycle without the windshield. Manufacturers have recognized this and made their products convertible by designing their windshields to be replaceably removable easily by the operator.  
           [0005]    The convertibility also allows for removal of the windshield for other purposes such as for access to the console, washing of the motorcycle, and aesthetics.  
           [0006]    Once the windshield has been removed from the motorcycle, it is desirable to safely store the windshield while the operator otherwise uses the motorcycle.  
           [0007]    Horizontal storage on the ground is not desirable. Such horizontal storage takes up unnecessary space. Horizontal storage allows for objects to accidentally be dropped onto the shield. Such storage also exposes the edges of the shield to damaging sideways strikes.  
           [0008]    Another undesirable arrangement is the placement of the windshield on the ground leaned nearly vertically against a wall. Such floor storage subjects the windshield to potential damage due to sliding and bumping. Floor storage adds to an unkempt look of the overall storage space. Moreover, as many motorcycle storage spaces have a concrete or other water-permeable composition floor, floor storage facilitates corrosion.  
           [0009]    A storage bracket facilitating easy, attachable and detachable storage of a motorcycle windshield safely and off the ground would be an important improvement in the art.  
         OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    It is an object of the invention to provide an improved storage bracket overcoming some of the problems and shortcomings of the prior art, including those referred to above.  
           [0011]    Another object of the invention is to provide a storage bracket for removable motorcycle windshield assemblies.  
           [0012]    Another object of the invention is to provide a storage bracket to store motorcycle windshields on a wall off the floor.  
           [0013]    Still another object of the invention is to provide a bracket for storing motorcycle windshield assemblies in an orderly manner.  
           [0014]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide a bracket for storing motorcycle windshields when detached from the motorcycle in a manner such that they will be safe from damage.  
           [0015]    Another object of the invention is to provide a storage bracket for motorcycle windshields that receives and releases the windshield easily from its storage position.  
           [0016]    It is yet another object of the invention to provide a bracket which is unobtrusive when not in use holding a windshield.  
           [0017]    Still another object of the invention is to provide a bracket for storing motorcycle windshields that is easy to manufacture.  
           [0018]    Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a bracket for storing motorcycle windshields that is easy to install.  
           [0019]    Another object of the invention is to provide a method for storing a motorcycle windshield of the type that is detachable from the motorcycle, that is simple to use and effective for the protection of the windshield.  
           [0020]    How these and other objects are accomplished will become apparent from the following descriptions and the drawings.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0021]    The invention involves a storage bracket for a motorcycle windshield. The bracket is generally for the type of motorcycle windshield which is removably attached to a motorcycle by slotted couplings. The bracket comprises a base member with longitudinal dimension and at least one nub attached with respect to the base member extending laterally from the base member. The nub is configured and arranged to snugly engage at least one of the slotted couplings on the windshield.  
           [0022]    It is preferable that the storage bracket has at least two nubs. The nubs are dispensed vertically with respect to each other on the base member. The nubs are spaced apart on the base member a distance equal to the distance between the slotted couplings on the windshield. The two nubs provide greater support to the windshield while it is being stored. In addition, the two-nub arrangement helps prevent rotational torque that might otherwise affect the motorcycle windshield stored on a one-nub system without additional structure such as a stop.  
           [0023]    In one embodiment of the invention, the storage bracket has a base member that is L-shaped. In this embodiment, both the transverse portion and the lateral portion are longitudinally-running. In such an arrangement, it is preferable that the two nubs of the storage bracket extend laterally out from the transverse portion.  
           [0024]    It is even more preferable for the L-shaped storage bracket to have a wall-engaging arrangement. The wall-engaging arrangement can be as simple in design as a hole extending transversely through the lateral portion to receive a screw, bolt, or other connector which can hold the bracket to the lateral surface onto which it will be mounted.  
           [0025]    It is desirable to provide a snug fit between the slotted coupling and the storage bracket. In the storage bracket having at least one nub, it is preferable for the nub to have a resilient gasket to engage the slotted coupling. It is more preferable wherein the resilient gasket is rubber. Non-deformable nubs that are custom-fit to the slotted coupling are advantageous, as are other deformable nubs which fit themselves to the slotted coupling.  
           [0026]    Another aspect of the invention is a method for storing a motorcycle windshield of the type having at least two slotted couplings laterally displaced, on a wall. The method comprises a variety of steps, including (1) obtaining a first device having a longitudinally vertical base member, and at least one nub attached with respect to the base member extending laterally from the base member, configured and arranged to snugly engage at least one slotted coupling, (2) anchoring the device to a wall, sliding the motorcycle windshield onto the nub, and (3) sliding the at least one slotted coupling of the motorcycle windshield onto the at least one nub.  
           [0027]    It is more preferable wherein the at least one nub of the device is two nubs. The two nubs are dispensed vertically on the base member a distance equal to a distance between the slotted couplings on the windshield assembly.  
           [0028]    It is preferable if the device used in the method has an L-shaped base member, with a longitudinally-running transverse portion and a longitudinally-running lateral portion. It is more preferable wherein the two nubs of the device used in the method extend laterally out from the transverse portion of the base member.  
           [0029]    It is preferable for the storage bracket used in the method to have a wall-engaging arrangement for mounting the bracket to the wall. It is one preferred embodiment for the wall-engaging arrangement to be a hole extending transversely through the lateral portion. The hole could receive a screw, bolt, or other mounting device to hold the bracket to the wall.  
           [0030]    It is a preferable embodiment for the storage bracket of the method to have a nub with a resilient gasket. It is yet more preferable for the resilient gasket to be rubber.  
           [0031]    In a preferred version of the method, at least two of the bracket devices are used. The bracket devices are both mounted on a wall at a specified, lateral distance. This lateral distance is equal to the windshield mount distance. The windshield mount distance is the distance between two slotted couplings on either side of the windshield.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0032]    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:  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bracket holding a motorcycle windshield.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 2 is a backside view of a typical detachable motorcycle windshield.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 3 is a side view of one of the two mounting-slot assemblies of the motorcycle windshield of FIG. 2.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 4 is a face view of two brackets mounted on a wall.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a bracket of this invention  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 6 is a top view of the bracket of FIG. 5.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 7 is a side view of the bracket of FIG. 5.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 8 is a side view of a motorcycle windshield disengaged from a bracket mounted on a wall.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 9 is a side view of a motorcycle windshield partially engaged with a bracket mounted on a wall.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 10 is a side view of a motorcycle windshield engaged with a bracket mounted on a wall.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 11 is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the invention.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 12 is a front view of yet another alternate embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0045]    While the principles of the invention have been shown and described in connection with specific embodiments, it is to be understood that such embodiments are by way of example and are not limiting.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment a bracket system  10 . The bracket system  10  consists of two identical brackets  12  (better seen in FIGS. 4 through 7) oriented such that they have mirror symmetry. The system  10  is holding a motorcycle windshield  20 . Motorcycle windshields  20  have a front side  22  to engage the wind when in operation on a moving motorcycle, and a backside  24 , facing the rider. Motorcycle windshields  20  most benefitted by this invention are of the type easily detachable from and then re-attachable to a motorcycle, by a user; examples of such windshields are the quick detachable windshields provided by Harley-Davidson, Inc. with many of the premium motorcycle models that company sells.  
         [0047]    As seen in FIG. 2, extending vertically down along backside  24  are two vertical windshield support members  26 . Vertical windshield support members  26  are dispensed along the left and right sides of windshield  20 . For purposes of orientation, the terms “left” and “right” are taken from the perspective of looking at the windshield from a position forward of the front side of windshield  22 .  
         [0048]    Toward base of each vertical windshield support member  26  are shield mounting mechanisms  28 .  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 3 is a side view of one of the mounting mechanisms  28  cut away from vertical windshield support member  26  of the vertically erect windshield  20  of FIG. 2. Shield mounting mechanism  28  has base member  30 . Extending into base member  30  are top slot  32  and bottom slot  34 .  
         [0050]    Top slot  32  has a circularly profiled inner, top-slot grommet-engaging portion  36  and outer, top-slot grommet-entry portion  38 . In a similar manner, bottom slot  34  has bottom-slot grommet-engaging portion  40  and bottom slot, grommet-entry portion  42 . Respective grommet-engaging portions  36 ,  40  are of circular shape complementary to a grommet (not shown) on motorcycle by which windshield  20  is affixed to motorcycle. In a similar manner, respective grommet entry portions  38 ,  42  are sized to permit grommet to enter the slot and engage grommet engaging portions  36 ,  40 .  
         [0051]    Many shield mounting mechanisms  28  also include a spring-action locking clip. Once grommet-engaging portions  36 ,  40  engage grommet, locking clip prevents spontaneous release of grommet back through entry portions  38 ,  42 .  
         [0052]    When seen in the upright manner, the top of top-slot grommet-engaging portion  36  and the top of bottom-slot grommet-engaging portion  40  define a distance of H1.  
         [0053]    As seen in FIGS. 4, 5,  6 , and  7 , the device of this invention is elongated with an “L”-shaped cross-section along its length. It has a transverse leg  50  and a lateral leg  52  perpendicular to the transverse leg.  
         [0054]    Extending transversely through the lateral leg are two wall-mounting holes  54 . Anchor bolts  56  are driven through wall-mounting holes  54  (best seen in FIG. 5) into a solid vertical surface  58  (as seen in FIG. 1). For most windshields  20 , a 2½ inch fluted drywall screw driven through wall-mounting holes  54  of lateral portion  52  into a solid vertical surface support such as a 2×4 pine stud, may be used as anchor bolt  56 , thereby providing enough horizontal force to withstand the torque generated by the gravitational forces exerted by the weight of the windshield when it engages the brackets  12 . Extending laterally through the transverse portion  50  are two gasket-bolt-receiving holes  64 . Gasket  66  abuts bracket  12 . Holding bolt  70  extends laterally through transverse portion  50 , gasket  66 , and washer  72  before being locked into place by holding-bolt nut  74 . In this particular embodiment, holding-bolt nut  74  engages bracket  12  on the inside surface  76  of transverse portion  50 .  
         [0055]    Gasket  66  has an inner section  80 , an outer section  82  (“inner” and “outer” in this respect refer to position relative to the transverse portion  50 ), each of a radius R1 and a central section  83  of radius R2. Radius R2 is less than radius R1 thereby establishing a depth of channel  84  between the inner perimeter and outer perimeter  80 ,  82 . Channel  84  has a lateral floor  86  with a width configured to snugly engage the either top slot or bottom slot  32 ,  34 . To provide the snug engagement, a resilient material, such as rubber or urethane, is desirable for the gasket  66 .  
         [0056]    Two gasket-receiving holes  64  are dispensed along transverse portion  50  such that the tops of the lateral floors  86  of channels  84  of upper gasket  66   a  and lower  66   b  define a distance H2 such that H2 is substantially equal to H1.  
         [0057]    As shown in FIG. 4, brackets  12  are installed in pairs to create system  10 . To accommodate windshield mounting mechanism  28 , when installed on vertical surface  58 , upper gaskets are canted toward each other. The closest distance between lateral floors  86  of top gaskets  66   a  is W2, while the closest distance between lateral floors  86  of lower gaskets  66   b  is W3. W2 is substantially the same dimension as the distance W4 (as seen in FIG. 2) between top-slot grommet-engaging portions  36 . In a like manner, W3 is substantially the same dimension as the distance W5 (also seen in FIG. 2) between bottom-slot grommet-engaging portions  40 .  
         [0058]    [0058]FIGS. 8, 9, and  10  illustrate a method for storing a motorcycle windshield  20  on a wall or other vertical surface  58  safely out of the way of harm. Two brackets  12  as described above are installed on a vertical surface  58  as described.  
         [0059]    Windshield  20  is initially placed such that back side  24  is facing vertical surface  58 . Windshield  20  is inclined in a manner such that the front side  22  begins to point downward to a point such that lower finger  88  on each side of the right and left vertical windshield support members  26  may enter the respective spaces between lower gaskets  66   b  and lateral portions  52  while channels  86  may be positioned within the respective bottom slot, grommet-entry portions  42 .  
         [0060]    As best seen in FIG. 9, the windshield is rotated up about gasket  66   b  such that central section  83  of upper gasket  66   a , may enter top-slot, grommet-entry portions  38 , at which time a final motion of upper finger  90  toward wall  58  and down will cause upper gasket  66   a  to engage top-slot, grommet-engaging portions  36  and bottom gaskets  66   b  to engage bottom-slot grommet-engaging portions  40 . If a spring-action locking clip is supplied with the windshield by the windshield manufacturer, spring clip (not shown) can further engage upper gasket  66   a  to removably lock gasket  66   a  into placement with upper top-slot, grommet-engaging portions  36 .  
         [0061]    To remove the windshield from the bracket assembly, if spring-action locking clip was supplied, it is depressed, unlocking top slot  32  from upper gasket  66   a . Once unlocked, lower finger  88  is urged toward vertical surface  58 , thereby moving lower gasket  66   b  down bottom slot  34  from bottom-slot grommet-engaging portion  40  toward bottom-slot grommet entry portion  42 . Simultaneously, upward and outward force is applied to the windshield  20  away from vertical surface  58  thereby moving upper gasket  66   a  along top slot  32  from top-slot grommet-engaging portion  36  toward top-slot grommet entry portion  38 . Further rotation of windshield  20  back down and away from vertical surface  58  releases windshield  20  from brackets  12 .  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 11 shows an alternate embodiment of the device  10 . Upper spacer  92  and lower spacer  94  are placed between left and right brackets  12  to assure proper dimensioning W2, W3 (as seen in FIG. 4). In such embodiment, replacing bolts  70  are rods. For illustration, only lower rod  96  is shown in partial cut-away. Upper and lower rods (only lower rod  96  is shown) are each threaded at both ends to extend through gaskets  66 , washers  72  and engage holding bolt nuts  74 . Upper and lower spacers  92 ,  94  are preferably made of polyvinylchloride for weight, strength, and cost considerations. With such an embodiment, only one bracket  12  needs be anchored to vertical surface  58 .  
         [0063]    [0063]FIG. 12 shows yet another embodiment of the system  10 . Two brackets  12  each having a transverse portion  50  and lateral portion  52  are provided. Presence and locations of wall-mounting holes  54  and gasket-bolt-receiving hole  64  are as described above.  
         [0064]    In this embodiment, however, gasket-holding bolt  70  extends from the inside surface  76  laterally through transverse member  50  through gaskets  66  and washer  72  into locking engagement with holding bolt nut  74 . In this way, gaskets  66  are in contact with outside surface  98 . This would be of particular benefit if more clearance is necessary for lower finger  88  when engaging gaskets  66  for storage of windshield  20 .  
         [0065]    While the principles of the invention have been shown and described with but a few embodiments, it is to be understood clearly that such embodiments are by way of example and are not limiting.