Abstract:
An insulating motorcycle seat accessory is disclosed for use by a rider when the motorcycle will be at a standstill for a relatively long period. The accessory protects the rider&#39;s legs from becoming overheated when the motorcycle engine is not being cooled adequately.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION 
   The application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/528,658, filed on Dec. 11, 2003, the entirety of which is incorporated herein. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a device for use on a motorcycle, and more particularly, relates to a device that protects the motorcycle rider&#39;s legs from heat produced by the motorcycle. 
   2. Discussion of the Related Art 
   In ordinary use, the heat produced by a motorcycle is not noticeable to the rider of the motorcycle. This is because in ordinary use, i.e. driving on highways and most streets, the rider&#39;s legs are not in close proximity with the heat producing portions of the motorcycle. In addition, during ordinary use, the heated portions of the bike are cooled by air passing thereover. 
   However, in some situations, this is not the case. Specifically, in parades, rallies, and heavy traffic, where the rider is stopped for periods of time with the engine on, the rider&#39;s feet are touching the ground. As a result, during those time periods, the rider&#39;s legs may be adjacent a heat producing portion of the motorcycle not being cooled by air flow, and may become uncomfortably hot. Naturally, the degree of heat produced near the rider&#39;s legs is dependent on the design of the motorcycle. Nevertheless, it is known that some cycles are designed such that stop-and-go riding can overheat the inside of the rider&#39;s thighs during the stopped periods. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is a motorcycle seat accessory that protects the rider&#39;s thighs from the heat produced by the cycle for use in settings when the rider will be on the bike, with the engine running, but the bike will be at a standstill for relatively long periods of time. One preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a device having a right side and left side with a middle connection portion. The right and left sides have a top layer, middle layer, and bottom layer, while the middle connection portion has only a top layer and bottom layer. The middle layer of the right and left sides preferably comprises an insulating material. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  shows a preferred embodiment of the device of the present invention in use on a motorcycle; 
       FIG. 2  is a closer view of the device as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the device; 
       FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of the device; and 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the device taken along  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   As seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the device  20  of the present invention is designed to be removably placed over the seat  22  of a motorcycle  24 . As best seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , device  20  comprises a strip of material approximately 28 inches long having a padded left end or side  26  and a padded right end or side  28  each of which is about 6 inches wide. Device  20  further comprises a middle connection portion  30  that is about half as wide as ends  26 ,  28 . Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , it can be seen that connection portion  30  is placed over seat  22  of motorcycle  24  such that right end  28  and left end (not shown) hang on either side of cycle  24 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , it can be seen that padded left end  26  and padded right end  28  comprise a top layer  34 , a middle insulating layer  36 , and a bottom layer  38 . The top and bottom layers  34 ,  38  may be comprised of any suitable material. Leather is the material used in the preferred embodiment because of its durability, good looks, and coordination with other motorcycle accessories and gear, in which leather is an oft-used material. As seen in  FIG. 1 , top layer  34  faces outward, toward the user, while bottom layer  38  faces inward, toward motorcycle  24 . 
   Middle layer  36  is preferably comprised of an insulating material that will prevent heat from motorcycle  24  from being reflected onto the leg of the rider. The insulation used in the preferred embodiment is a fire-retardant automotive insulation made of about 99% aluminum to reflect radiant heat at temperatures up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit. However, any suitable material may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention, so long as the rider&#39;s legs are substantially prevented from absorbing the heat of the cycle during idle periods. 
   In its preferred embodiment, the invention is stitched together and may have a decorative element placed on top layer  24  prior to being stitched. Naturally, any number of ways of connecting top and bottom layers  34 ,  38  to enclose the middle layer  36  are possible and are within the scope of the present invention. The addition of a decorative element or elements and the manner of so doing are matters of personal preference and manufacturing ease and the invention should not be considered limited to any particular decorative element or manner of introducing such an element. 
   It should also be noted that the design shown and described herein may be varied depending on the motorcycle for which the protector is made. For example, the design shown herein may be suitable for a particular model of Harley-Davidson cycles but may not be appropriate for other models. Even cycles having water-cooled engines can become uncomfortable under the operating conditions discussed herein, and the protector shown herein may not fit other such bikes without modification. Of course, any variety of changes can be made to the dimensions of the various parts to adapt the device for use on particular vehicles. Any modifications or design changes based on differing motorcycle configurations should therefore be considered within the scope of the present invention. 
   Finally, it should be obvious that modifications in the design of device  20  may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, connection portion  30  need not be comprised of top layer  34  and bottom layer  38  as shown in the drawings of the preferred embodiment, and need not even be integrally formed with top and bottom layers  34 ,  38  of left and right ends  26 ,  28 . It may prove more economical, durable, or adaptable for left and right ends  26 ,  28  to be fully stitched around their perimeters and a single or double layer of material be stitched between the ends  26 ,  28  for placement over seat  22 . An elasticized or rubberized material may provide better fit or grip, or a single layer of leather may prove to decrease production costs. Modifications of this type should also be considered within the scope of the invention.