Patent Application
20060244284
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of motorized scooters. In particular, the present invention relates to a hard top for motorized scooters which can function as both a convertible top and a removable top, depending upon the operator's needs.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Motorscooters and similar two-wheeled motorized vehicles are cyclic-type vehicles in which the operator and its passengers, if any, are usually exposed to the elements. These elements, including rain, can significantly restrict the usage of the vehicles or impact the comfort of the riders. A typical prior art motorscooter generally includes a passenger compartment with a partial windscreen at the front of the passenger compartment, and passenger seat disposed within the passenger compartment. Some motorscooters may also include a storage compartment behind the passenger seat. In most cases, motorscooters of the prior art do not include any type of top or covering over the passenger compartment.
There have been several attempts in the prior art to provide tops for these vehicles. However, for the most part, such tops all suffer from deficiencies which limit their usefulness according to certain situations.
More specifically, the prior art teaches fixed hard tops, removable hard tops, and convertible tops made of fabric. One example is the BMW C1 which provided a fixed frame and hard top over the passenger compartment and was marketed as having enhanced safety features over open compartment motorscooters. However, fixed hard tops are not very appealing to motorscooter enthusiasts who desire the “outdoor” experience associated with motorscoooters and the like. In other words, the feel of riding a motorscooter is significantly diminished.
Likewise, removable hard tops suffer deficiencies. While these tops provide more flexibility than fixed hard tops to the extent they can be utilized during inclement weather to protect a motorscooter's riders, and such tops can be fully removed to permit the aforementioned “outdoor” experience, removable hard tops are typically bulky, requiring complicated installation and removal procedures as well as a place to store said tops when not in use. In this regard, because of their bulky nature, the tops must typically be stored in a garage or similar storage facility. As such, they do not lend themselves to removal upon a whim, or readily manipulated with the changing weather. They require advance planning and are time consuming to manipulate. One cannot simply step outside at any moment and decide to remove (or install) such tops. Thus, in the brief periods of bad weather, a rider is likely to find oneself without any protection from the elements. On the other hand, should the weather clear, the rider is likely to find himself on the road and unable to enjoy the “outdoor” experience due to the drawbacks of removal and storage of the top.
Convertible fabric tops solve some of the problems associated with the fixed hard tops and removable hard tops. They allow the operator to have the top up when needed and allow the operator to have the top down when desired. Typically such fabric convertible tops retract for storage in a compartment on the vehicle. However, a major disadvantage of the fabric convertible top is that it is relatively easily torn or damaged as a result of which, it has a relatively short life span. This is particularly true of fabric convertible tops utilized for motorscooters and the like, where the top secures to the motor scooter only along a back edge and a front edge adjacent the windscreen such that the passenger compartment is not fully enclosed. In this case, the top is much more exposed and subject to various elements, such as drag forces placed on the inside of the top as the vehicle is moving. In a similar vein, while a convertible fabric top may shield the passenger compartment from the elements, it offers little protection to the passenger compartment from a safety standpoint and is likely to easily collapse under the application of an external force. Another problem with convertible fabric tops is that they occupy precious cargo space when they are in the stored position. As those skilled in the art will understand, cargo space is at a premium on small motor vehicles such as motorscooters. In the case where a motorscooter incorporates a fabric convertible top, the motorscooter operator may not be able to store necessary cargo if he elects to ride with the top in a retracted, stored configuration. Alternatively, if the operator utilizes the fabric convertible top storage space for cargo, the operator will not be able to retract the top.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the prior art tops are after-market tops. To the extent the prior art teaches tops for motorscooters, these tops are integral components of the original motorscooters to which they are attached. As described above, to the extent prior art motorscooters without tops incorporate windscreens at all, the windscreens typically only partially protect the passenger compartment. In other words, the windscreens do not extend fully to a height above the head of an individual riding within the passenger compartment.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a motorscooter with a hard top that is removable.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a motorscooter with a hard top that is retractable as a convertible.
It is another object of the invention to provide a motorscooter with a storage compartment that can be used to contain cargo and/or a retractable hard top.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel, convertible/removable hard top which is of relatively simple construction and design and which is durable and reliable in operation.
These, and other, objects and advantages of the present invention will become more clear after careful consideration is given to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment.
The invention disclosed and claimed is directed to a removable, convertible hard top for motorscooters and the like which can be raised and lowered as desired by the operator. The convertible hard top is also detachably mounted so that it can be removed and stored when needed. Alternatively, the convertible hard top can be collapsed into a motorscooter's cargo or storage compartment without detaching it from the motorscooter, preferably while retaining at least a portion of the storage space for cargo. The hard top has a much longer life span than a fabric top and, when deployed, provides much greater protection to the passenger compartment than a fabric top. In one embodiment, the invention provides an after-market kit for retrofitting prior art motorscooters with a removable/retractable convertible hard top.
The convertible/removable hard top has a back portion and a top portion. The back portion of the convertible/removable hard top includes a transparent section which is inserted into the back portion, thus allowing it to function as a rear window. This transparent section is secured to the back portion but is removable for repairs, replacement or as otherwise desired. In the preferred embodiment, this transparent is a polycarbonate material, such as Lexan, or glass. The back portion of the convertible/removable hard top detachably engages rear mounts which are mounted to the frame, of the motorscooter behind the passenger compartment. The top portion of the convertible/removable hard top is secured to the back portion of the convertible/removable hard top at a trailing edge and the windshield of the motorscooter at a leading edge.
The after-market kit further includes a substitute windshield assembly that is designed to accommodate the foregoing convertible/removable hard top. The windshield assembly provides a full windscreen with a height that extends sufficiently above the passenger compartment so as to provide an attachment point to which the convertivle/removable hard top can be latched. In most cases, because of their limited height, windscreens of the prior art require little or no frame. The windshield assembly that comprises a part of the convertible/removable hard top conversion kit has a full rigid frame that supports the windshield. In addition to functioning at a point of attachment for the top of the invention, such a frame is needed because of the force of the wind on windshield.
The convertible/removable hard top may operate in three different configurations. In the first configuration, the convertible/removable hard top is in a deployed or “up” position. This configuration will allow the top to partially enclose the passenger compartment of the motorscooter, protecting passengers from exposure to elements such as rain. The convertible/removable hard top may also operate in a stored configuration. Preferably, the top is stored behind the rider in the rear storage compartment. This position allows the passengers to enjoy the ride and the “outdoor” experience of riding a motorscooter while still allowing the possibility of raising the hard top if desired, such as in the case of bad weather. Finally, in a third configuration, the convertible/removable hard top may be completely removed from the motorscooter. This configuration allows the rider to enjoy the “outdoor” experience of riding a motorscooter while maximizing available cargo space in the storage compartment. This position would be most desirable on trips where cargo is required and the weather is good.
In the detailed description of the invention, like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout. Various items of equipment, such as fasteners, fittings, etc., may be omitted to simplify the description. However, those skilled in the art will realize that such conventional equipment can be employed as desired.
With reference to
With reference to
In
In one embodiment, the invention is a conversion kit for retrofitting prior art motorscooters having windscreens. The kit includes a full windshield assembly 54 and a removable/retractable convertible hard top 20. Windshield assembly 54 can quickly be substituted for a windscreen on a prior art scooter. With windshield assembly 54 accordingly attached, the motorscooter is disposed for use with removable/retractable convertible hard top 20.
As depicted in
Illustrated at 62 is convertible/removable hard top 20 is convertible/removable hard top 20 being moved to a stored or retracted position. When in a stored position, the convertible/removable hard top 20 is stored behind the rider in the rear storage compartment 52 by releasing clamps 46 from windshield assembly 54, folding the top portion 40 into the back portion 30, and collapsing the assembly into storage compartment 52 by pivoting top 20 on rear mounts 58. Rear mounts 58 are positioned adjacent storage compartment 52 so as to permit top 20 to be collapsed into storage compartment 52 without detaching top 20 from rear mounts 58. In this way, top 20 can be quickly deployed from its position within storage compartment 52. In one preferred embodiment, the storage compartment 52 is of sufficient volume to accommodate top 20 while still providing space for some cargo.
Alternatively, the convertible/removable hard top 20 may be completely removed from the motorscooter 50. The convertible/removable hard top 20 may be removed by releasing the clamps 46 located where the top portion 40 releasably attaches to the windshield assembly 54, folding the top portion 40 into the back portion 30, and further disengaging back portion 30 from the rear mounts 58.
The convertible/removable hardtop 20 solves many of the prior art shortcomings. The main advantage, among others, of the current invention is that the convertible/removable hardtop 20 can be operated in three different configurations, which include a deployed position, a stored position and a removed position. The advantage of having the convertible/removable hardtop 20 in the deployed position is that the motorscooter operator and its passenger may use the vehicle when exposure to the elements is undesirable, such as during rain. The advantage of having the convertible/removable hardtop 20 in the stored or retracted position is that the motorscooter operator and its passenger can enjoy the ride and experience the true “outdoor” feel of riding a motorscooter while maintaining the option of raising the convertible/removable hard top 20 in case of inclement weather or the like. The advantage of having the convertible/removable hardtop 20 in the removed position is that the motorscooter operator and its passenger can enjoy the ride and experience the true “outdoor” feel of riding a motorscooter while maximizing the capacity of storage compartment 52. This position would be useful on trips where some cargo is required and the weather is good. Additionally, the advantage of having a convertible/removable top which is a hardtop is that the hardtop is more durable than a fabric top, such that it will last longer than a fabric top. Additionally, the hard top will provided a higher degree of protection to the operator and its passenger than fabric tops.
While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described, it is appreciated that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the following claims.
