Abstract:
A motorcycle accessory allows a user to rest their leg in a cradle, the leg cradle supported by a body which body is in turn clamped to the frame, crash bars, forks or other parts of the motorcycle. The leg cradle may be hinged so that it can be moved between a position for supporting the leg to a position allowing the rider to put their foot onto the body in a manner similar to a highway peg. The device may be made of aluminum, metal, polymer and so on, and may be customized with indicia. Padding on the leg cradle may increase the user&#39;s level of comfort.

Description:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY FUNDED RESEARCH 
     This invention was not made under contract with an agency of the US Government, nor by any agency of the US Government. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d). 
     CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     N/A 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to motorcycle accessory devices, and specifically to motorcycle frame leg rest devices. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Motorcycle riding over long distances, or when a rider is injured, can present surprising challenges to the rider&#39;s endurance. Any rider will suffer leg cramps and discomfort during a long highway ride. Riders suffering from a disability, such as a leg injury requiring a wrapping or cast, are at additional disadvantages: it can be difficult merely to support one&#39;s leg on a motorcycle, even if the controls have been modified to allow proper operation without use of one set of pedals. In addition, deep vein thrombosis, a problem common on airline flights, can also occur on long motorcycle rides. This problem occurs specifically because of an inability to alter posture and leg position. 
     In an effort to add to the comfort level of long rides, many riders resort to “highway pegs”: pegs or fixed pedals custom installed on the frame of the motorcycle at a convenient location to allow the rider to place their feet on the pegs. Usually such pegs are installed forward of the manufacturers&#39; pedals, so that the rider may have a choice of postures for the long ride. The reach from the rider and seat to the highway pegs allows the rider to straighten their legs and later their entire posture as well, thus increasing comfort and safety. 
     However, since the highway pegs are in fact merely projections from the motorcycle, there is little utility or comfort in placing anything except the sole of a riding boot on the peg. 
     It would be preferable to provide a device allowing riders to rest their legs and thus increase safety and comfort on long rides, and to allow additional postures for comfort. 
     It would further be preferable to provide a device allowing riders with injured legs or feet to rest a leg, dressing, or cast on the motorcycle. 
     A search in the collection of the United States Patent and Trademark Office reveals little that is useful in providing additional options beyond highway pegs. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,025,369 issued Apr. 11, 2006 to Sine, teaches a stirrup vaguely similar to the type used for horse-back riding. It does not teach anything away from supporting the foot of the user. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,893,038 to Egan on May 17, 2005, teaches a heel rest for a highway peg: the rest can swing in a horizontal plane. It does not teach anything away from supporting the foot of the user. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,663,129 to Smith on Dec. 16, 2003, teaches a highway peg which rotates but does not otherwise differ from known highway pegs. It does not teach anything away from supporting the foot of the user. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,451,057 to Lawson on May 29, 1984 teaches an elongated “running board” for a motorcycle, which is identified as a “foot rest”. It does not teach anything away from supporting the foot of the user. 
     U.S. Pat. No. d338643 to Fuller et al on Aug. 24, 1993 teaches a “heelrest” vaguely similar in shape to a pedal for a motorcycle, but as it is identified as a “heelrest”, it does not teach anything away from supporting the foot of the user. 
     Thus, for reasons of comfort, safety, and for assistance to disabled or injured motorcycle riders, it would be advantageous to provide a device teaching support of a leg, rather than a foot, on a motorcycle frame, crash bar, or other motorcycle structure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     General Summary 
     The present invention teaches that a motorcycle accessory may allow a motorcycle rider to rest their leg in a cradle. The cradle may be dimensioned and configured to comfortably support the rider&#39;s leg either having a width dimensioned for the average rider&#39;s leg in pants or chaps, or may have a width sufficient to support a rider&#39;s leg in medical dressings. 
     The leg cradle is in turn supported by a sturdy body support, which may take the form of a projection from the axis of the motorcycle. The body, padding, and other parts may have thereon indicia in the form of incising, stitching, decals, stickers, painting, printing and any other type, which indicia may include the rider&#39;s name, product or corporate names or logos, political or social statements, interesting or eye-catching designs or the like. 
     The body support is in turn clamped to the frame, crash bars, forks or other parts of the motorcycle. The leg cradle may be hinged so that it can be moved between a position for supporting the leg to a position allowing the rider to put their foot onto the body in a manner similar to a highway peg. The device may be made of aluminum, metal, polymer and other strong materials suitable for vehicle use. 
     Padding on the leg cradle may increase the user&#39;s level of comfort. 
     SUMMARY IN REFERENCE TO CLAIMS 
     It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the invention, in addition to those discussed previously, to provide a motorcycle accessory for use by a motorcycle rider, the motorcycle accessory comprising: 
     a body support having first and second ends and having a first attachment at or near the first end and a second attachment; 
     a leg cradle secured by the second attachment to the body support, the leg cradle dimensioned and configured to support a leg of the motorcycle rider; 
     the first attachment dimensioned and configured to secure the motorcycle accessory to a motorcycle. 
     It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the invention to provide a motorcycle accessory wherein the second attachment further comprises: a hinge 
     It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the invention to provide a motorcycle accessory wherein the hinge further has at least a first position in which the leg cradle is disposed on a top side of the body support and oriented to support the motorcycle rider&#39;s leg, and a second position in which the leg cradle is disposed on a side of the body support and not oriented to support the motorcycle rider&#39;s leg. 
     It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the invention to provide a motorcycle accessory wherein the hinge further comprises: 
     a spring, the spring urging the hinge into the first position. 
     It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the invention to provide a motorcycle accessory wherein the leg cradle further comprises: 
     padding. 
     It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the invention to provide a motorcycle accessory wherein the first attachment further comprises: 
     a clamp dimensioned and configured to engage such motorcycle. 
     It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the invention to provide a motorcycle accessory further comprising: 
     decorative indicia on the body support. 
     It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the invention to provide a motorcycle accessory further comprising: 
     decorative indicia on the padding. 
     It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the invention to provide a motorcycle accessory further comprising a metal material for the leg cradle and body support. 
     It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the invention to provide a motorcycle accessory wherein the metal further comprises: aluminum. 
     It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and embodiment of the invention to provide a motorcycle accessory further comprising a polymer material for the leg cradle and body support. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a partial front view of a motorcycle equipped with the device of the invention on the outside of both crash bars. 
         FIG. 2  is a partial front view of a motorcycle equipped with the device of the invention on the inside of both crash bars. 
         FIG. 3  is a partial side view of a motorcycle equipped with the device of the invention on the frame of the motorcycle. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the body support (which may itself also function as a highway peg). 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of the leg cradle of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the leg cradle of the invention, showing details of the leg cradle which cooperate with the hinge to secure the leg cradle to the body support. 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of the invention showing the leg cradle and body support in the normal position of use, with the leg cradle mounted in straight alignment. 
         FIG. 8  is also a front view of the invention showing the leg cradle and body support, however, this view shows the device of the invention in an alternative position of use with the leg cradle folded forward, thus also partially displaying the hinge which connects the leg cradle and body support. 
         FIG. 9  is a partially cross-sectional side view of the device showing details of the hinge and bolts which attach the leg cradle and body support. 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view of a clamp suitable for attaching the device of the invention to a motorcycle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a partial front view of a motorcycle equipped with the device of the invention on the outside of both crash bars. Motorcycle  100  is simplified for clarity. Crash bar  102  and crash bar  104  are in the position shown for mounting in  FIG. 1 : the crash bars  102  and  104  have attached thereto respective clamps  106  and  108 . These clamps (discussed later in reference to  FIG. 10 ) may encircle the crash bars and have a very strong frictional engagement thereto (be clamped thereto). Respective body support  110  and body support  112  project from the motorcycle connection points (crash bars, frame, etc) and support respective leg cradles  114  and  116 . Body supports  110 ,  112  may each have two attachments. The first is at the end and connects the device to the clamp, or more broadly, is the tang and clamp. The second attachment may be elsewhere on the body support and connects the body support to the leg cradle. 
     Most of the structural members of the device may be made of aluminum, other metals, composites, polymers, or combinations thereof. 
       FIG. 2  is a partial front view of a motorcycle equipped with the device of the invention on the inside of both crash bars. Motorcycle  100  again is simplified, with extraneous parts not shown. Crash bar  102  and crash bar  104  customarily stand out from the side of the motorcycle  100  by a large distance (exaggerated for clarity in the  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), but this allows clamp  106  and clamp  108  to be used to secure body support  110  and body support  112  on the inside of the area traced by the crash bars  102  and  104 . This in turn means that respective leg cradles  114  and  116  are actually located on the inside of the crash bar&#39;s area, allowing riders to rest their legs on the leg cradles at an angle considerably closer to the axis of the motorcycle  100  and a seat  101 . 
       FIG. 3  is a partial side view of a motorcycle equipped with the device of the invention on the frame of the motorcycle. Motorcycle  100  has been very greatly simplified for clarity in this case, and is shown only from the seat  101  forward. Seat  101  is obviously the location at which the rider will sit, while foot rest/pedal  103 ,  105  is an example of the pedal controls of a motorcycle and the location at which a rider may advantageously place their feet while involved in driving requiring frequent use of the pedal controls. (Note that motorcycle controls do actually vary a bit, and thus not all foot rests are necessarily controls.) 
     A frame  107  of the motorcycle  100  may provide various advantageous positions for the location of the device of the invention, thus allowing for example, leg cradle  114  to be disposed and attached at various positions relative to the axis of the motorcycle. 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the body support  110 ,  112  (only body support  110  is shown for clarity) which may itself also function as a highway peg. Body support  110  has a first attachment portion tang  109  at one end, which cooperates with a clamp (for example, clamp  106 ) to secure the device to the motorcycle  100 . Aperture  111  may have a bolt or other fastener passed therethrough in order to effect this attachment to the clamp. 
     It will be noted that when the leg cradles discussed below are moved to a position clear of the normal top/front of the device, the body support functions as a highway peg, that is, the user can easily rest the sole of their boot on the device. Holes, projections, tabs, treads and the like may serve to increase the friction of the boot sole on the body support, for example, the small tab seen in the diagrams. 
       FIG. 5  is a front view of the leg cradle  114 , 116  of the invention (only leg cradle  114  is shown for clarity). Leg cradle  114  has a bottom portion  113  and two raised areas, upright  115  and upright  117  which together define interior space  118 . Interior space  118  may be dimensioned and configured to support a calf of a motorcycle rider&#39;s leg. By this means, the body support  110  may be positioned at a convenient location to serve as a highway peg, yet the leg cradle  114  atop it may allow the user an alternative posture with their leg fully extended and the foot considerably past (forward of) the device, the calf resting comfortably on the leg cradle. The leg cradle may also be dimensioned and configured to allow a user having their leg in a dressing or cast to use the leg cradle in the exact same way: widening of the leg cradle will fit this definition of the term “dimensioned and configured to support the rider&#39;s leg”. By this means an incapacitated individual may ride a motorcycle with relative safety (leg secured and supported) while an individual without any disability may ride the motorcycle in a choice of at least two postures (actually three): a first posture with the feet on pedals, a second posture with the feet on the device and the device serving as a highway peg, and a posture with the leg supported by the leg cradle. 
       FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the leg cradle  114 ,  116  of the invention (only leg cradle  114  is shown for clarity), showing details of the leg cradle which cooperate with the hinge to secure the leg cradle to the body support. Pivot-point aperture  120  is a first aperture through which a fastener such as a bolt or rivet may pass, securing the leg cradle to the body support. This fastener then serves as a pivot point about which the leg cradle and body support may rotate relative to one another. It will be appreciated that the body support is more firmly attached to the motorcycle and does not substantially pivot relative to the motorcycle (at least, not in the horizontal plane, the device may rotate vertically to be out of the way). By allowing the leg cradle to rotate horizontally relative to the body support and vehicle, however, the device allows the user to find a comfortable angle of the leg cradle relative to the vehicle. Adjustment apertures  121 ,  122  and  123  then may be selected by the user/installer for passage of a second fastener (rivet, bolt, etc), thus fixing in place the desired angle. A single arcuate aperture may also be employed instead of multiple apertures, as may a slide, track, rail, race and so on and so forth. 
     Spring end grooves  124  and  125  are very small scores in the undersurface of the leg cradle, in place to allow the spring ends to rest below the level of the surface of the leg cradle. This is necessary in order to achieve a closer, more secure fit of the leg cradle to the body support: if not used, the spring has ends which project from the hinge and prevent the leg cradle and body support from resting on one another. Again, in place of the arcuate scores shown, multiple apertures, slides, tracks, rails, races and so on may be employed instead. 
       FIG. 7  is a front view of the invention showing the leg cradle  114  and body support  110  in the normal position of use, with the leg cradle  114  mounted in straight alignment. Padding  126  may cover leg cradle  114  on every side except the bottom surface  119  (leaving bottom surface  119  free so as to create a solid rest on the body support  110 ), or the padding  126  may be partial or may be omitted entirely. 
     Indicia  127  may be the marks or trademarks of motorcycle makers, sports teams, beverages or any other consumer product, identification with political, sports, media figures and so on, may be common symbols such as skulls and crossed bones, roses, revolvers and so on. It may be stitched, adhesive decal, dye transfer, applique and so on and so forth. 
       FIG. 8  is also a front view of the invention showing the leg cradle  114  and body support  110 , however, this view shows the device of the invention in the alternative position of use with the leg cradle  114  folded forward, thus also partially displaying the hinge which connects the leg cradle  114  and body support  110 . 
     Fasteners  128  and  129  may be seen: fastener  128  passes through the pivot aperture (hidden) while fastener  129  passes through one of the adjustment apertures (hidden). (For discussion of these apertures, see the discussion of  FIG. 6 ). Hinge flap  130 , a portion of the hinge connecting the body support and leg cradle, may be seen obscuring portions of the bottom surface  119 . 
     Indicia  131  may be seen on the body support, and may be etched, enameled, welded thereto and so on. Indicia  131  may have any common indicia meaning or content, as may indicia  127 . 
     It is important to understand the difference between  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
       FIG. 7  shows the device with the leg cradle in a first position, the position allowing a leg to rest therein.  FIG. 8  shows the device from the exact same view point as  FIG. 7 , however, the leg cradle has been rotated (by means of the hinge) into a second position such that the leg cradle is now out of the way of the user&#39;s boot, which may be placed on the body support like a highway peg. 
     Thus, of the three user postures discussed previously in reference to  FIG. 5 , the position of the device of  FIG. 7  would correspond to the third rider posture (leg supported, foot extending beyond the device) while the position of the device shown in  FIG. 8  would correspond to the second rider posture (foot on the device like a highway peg). None of the prior art show a device having multiple postures (or even leg cradles at all) for motorcycle riders. 
       FIG. 9  is a partially cross-sectional side view of the device showing details of the hinge and bolts which attach the leg cradle and body support. Hinge  132  is visible along with spring  133 , which will tend to urge the device into one position or the other. Hinge bed  134  is a space cut into the body support  110  so as to make room for the hinge  132 . Hinge flap  135  is secured to the body support  110  by means of fastener  136 , which projects all the way through and well into the body support  110 . On the other hand, hinge flap  137  (previously seen as hinge portion  130  of  FIG. 8 ) is secured to leg cradle  114  by means of the fastener  138 , which does not project into the body support  110  but rather into the leg cradle  114 . Note that if the head of fastener  138  is selected carefully, so as not to disturb the ride of the leg cradle  114  on the body support  110 , then it becomes possible to have the fastener  138  project the opposite direction, that is, from the hinge flap  137  upward into the leg cradle  114 . 
     Hinge  132  thus serves as a second attachment, that of the body support  110  to the leg cradle  114 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts the position shown in  FIG. 7 , that is, the leg cradle deployed for leg resting posture. 
       FIG. 10  is an exploded view of a clamp  106 ,  108  (only clamp  106  is shown for clarity) suitable for attaching the device of the invention to a motorcycle. Clamp  106  will pass about motorcycle frame  107 , crash bars  102  and  104  or other parts, while clamp extension  139  has an aperture allowing clevis bolt  140  to pass therethrough and into clevis  141 , thus simultaneously securing the clevis  141  to the clamp  106  and also clamping the clamp  106  about whatever vehicle part passes through the interior space of the clamp  106 . Tang bolt  142  will pass through the aperture  111  of tang  109  of body support  110  of  FIG. 4 , and into or through tang bolt nut  143 , thus serving as a first attachment of the body support  110  to the motorcycle. 
     The disclosure is provided to allow practice of the invention by those skilled in the art without undue experimentation, including the best mode presently contemplated and the presently preferred embodiment. Nothing in this disclosure is to be taken to limit the scope of the invention, which is susceptible to numerous alterations, equivalents and substitutions without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is to be understood from the appended claims.