1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved footpeg for straddle-type vehicles, such as motorcycles, for example.
2. Description of the Related Art
Straddle-type vehicles, such as motorcycles, ATV's and the like, often employ a pair of footpegs placed on opposing sides of the vehicle for a rider of the vehicle to place his or her feet. In some cases, the foot pegs may include a serrated upper surface to provide better “grip” for the rider. That is, the teeth of the serrated surface of the footpeg tend to dig into the sole of the footwear, such as a boot, worn by the rider. Accordingly, it is easier for the rider to maintain his or her feet on the footpegs despite the forces acting on the rider due to accelerations of the vehicle or traversing bumps or other obstacles, for example.
One type of vehicle footpeg includes a plurality of set screws coupled to, and extending in an upward direction from, the upper surface of a base portion of the footpeg. In such an arrangement, the set screws perform the function of the teeth, or serrations, described above. In addition, the set screws may be replaced when worn.
One aspect of the present invention is the realization that the height adjustment and/or replacement of the set screws in the above-described embodiment is time consuming and tedious. In addition, only a limited number of set screws may be placed on the upper surface of the footpeg base due to space restraints. Furthermore, set screws may loosen and become separated from the footpeg due to vibrations or other forces acting on the set screws. Thus, there exists a need for an improved footpeg design.
Another aspect of the present invention addresses the realization that providing a design that can be manufactured by commonly known casting or molding techniques would lower the production costs. However, because there is a wide range of vehicles that the present footpeg is designed to mount to, each vehicle potentially having different mounting interface requirements, there is great difficulty in designing a mass producible molded footpeg without incurring the significant cost of building many casting patterns specific to each vehicle's mounting interface requirements. Thus, there exists a need for an improved moldable footpeg design.
One non-limiting embodiment of the footpeg of the present invention includes a base that is connectable to a vehicle, such as a motorcycle, for example. A foot support is connectable to the base and, when so connected, defines a foot support surface of the footpeg. Generally, the foot support surface faces in a generally upwardly direction (when the footpeg is mounted to a straddle-type vehicle, such as a motorcycle, for example). In other applications, however, the foot support surface may face in a direction other than upward, such as when used in connection with a go-kart or other similar vehicle, for example. The foot support may include a plurality of teeth, or other forms of serrations, to improve grip. The foot support preferably is available in various heights, so that an individual rider may choose an appropriate height of the foot support according to the rider's physical characteristics (e.g., height) or structural characteristics of the vehicle.
Another non-limiting embodiment of the footpeg of the present invention includes a footpeg base that is connectable to a vehicle, and a foot support connectable to the base that, when so connected, defines a foot support surface of the footpeg. Generally, the base, as well as the mounting features of the base that interface with the mounting features of the foot support, face in a generally upwardly direction such that the main portion of the base can be easily formed in a two piece mold without requiring significant subsequent machining or other processing. Further, the flange that connects the footpeg base to the vehicle will have a vehicle specific design depending on the vehicle's interface requirements. Accordingly, the flange of this embodiment of the footpeg is preferably formed in a third mold portion having a vehicle specific design and that is connectable to the previously described two mold portions such that the entire footpeg base (or a pattern for the footpeg base) is simultaneously formed in the mold cavity defined by the three mold portions, each of which is interchangeable.
The above-mentioned and other features of the inventions disclosed herein are described below with reference to the figures of preferred embodiments. The figures of preferred embodiments are intended to illustrate and not to limit the present invention. The drawings contain 9 figures.
a-3c are side views of embodiments of foot supports of the present invention having various height dimensions.
The embodiment of the footpeg base 12 illustrated in
The footpeg 10, including the footpeg base 12 and/or the foot support 14 may be formed from a metal alloy including steel or aluminum, from a composite material, or from any suitable material that provides the desired strength and rigidity. A benefit of the arrangement of the footpeg 10 illustrated in
The footpeg base 12 preferably also defines a generally planar base surface or support surface 22 configured to receive and support the foot support 14. The support surface 22 may contact all or a portion of a corresponding surface of the foot support 14. In the illustrated arrangement, the support surface 22 is a shelf-like structure which extends partially or entirely around the perimeter of the footpeg base 12. If desired, the support surface 22 may be disposed both at the perimeter of the footpeg base 12, as well as within an interior portion of the footpeg base 12. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the support surface 22 may be entirely within a perimeter of the footpeg base 12.
The footpeg base 12 may include an upwardly-extending wall 24 that is generally perpendicular to the support surface 22. In the illustrated arrangement, the support surface 22 and the wall 24 cooperate to contact a bottom surface and an interior side surface, respectively, of the foot support 14. If desired, however, an intermediate member may be positioned between the foot support 14 and the footpeg base 12, such as a shock absorbing or vibration damping member, for example. If such a member is included, the foot support 14 may be mounted to the footpeg base 12 in a manner to permit some relative motion therebetween, as will be appreciated by one of skill in the art.
The illustrated footpeg base 12 also includes at least one, and preferably a plurality of mounting tabs or bosses 26, each of which defines an opening 28 configured to accommodate a fastener. In the illustrated arrangement, the fastener is a threaded fastener 29, such as a bolt or screw. However, any suitable fastening means may be used to fasten the foot support 14 to the footpeg base 12. The opening 28 may be threaded to cooperate with the threaded fastener 29. In other arrangements, other types of fasteners may be used. For example, rivets may be used in one embodiment. However, in some embodiments, fasteners that are more easily removable than rivets may be desirable to permit easy replacement of the foot support 14. In the illustrated arrangement, seven bosses 26 are provided, with three on each of the forward and rearward sides of the footpeg base 12 and one on an outboard side of the footpeg base 12. However, other numbers and placements of bosses 26 may also be used.
The illustrated foot support 14 is substantially U-shaped in top plan view. The open end of the U-shape is configured to correspond with an inboard end of the footpeg base 12, or the end adjacent to the vehicle. However, in other arrangements, the foot support 14 may define a fully closed perimeter and may be generally rectangular, oval in shape, or any other suitable shape. In addition, although the illustrated embodiment is configured to cooperate with a peripheral portion of the footpeg base 12, in other arrangements, the foot support 14 may also include an interior portion which cooperates with an interior portion of the footpeg base 12, such as the struts 20, for example.
The foot support 14 preferably includes openings 30 in a side wall of the body of the foot support 14. The openings 30 are configured to cooperate with the openings 28 of the bosses 26 of the footpeg base 12. In particular, one or more of the openings 28 are in registration with an associated one of the openings 30 when the foot support 14 is positioned on the footpeg base 12. Preferably, one opening 30 is provided for each opening 28 of the bosses 26.
Preferably, the foot support surface 16 of the foot support 14 includes a plurality of teeth 32 such that the foot support surface 16 defines a serrated shape to improve grip. The teeth 32 may be generally triangular in shape, or may be other suitable shapes or sizes to provide a desired amount of grip. In some embodiments, the foot support surface 16 may be generally smooth and/or may be provided with a friction and/or cushioning material, such as a rubber or rubber-type coating, for example.
With reference to
In
The embodiment of the footpeg base 52 illustrated in
The footpeg base 52 preferably also defines a support surface 62 configured to receive and support the foot support 54. The support surface 62 may contact all or a portion of a corresponding surface of the foot support 54. In the illustrated arrangement, the support surface 62 is a channel-like structure which extends partially or entirely around the perimeter of the footpeg base 52. If desired, the support surface 62 may be disposed both at the perimeter of the footpeg base 52, as well as within an interior portion of the footpeg base 52. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the support surface 62 may be entirely within a perimeter of the footpeg base 52.
As illustrated, especially in
The illustrated footpeg base 52 also includes at least one tab 66, but preferably a plurality of tabs 66, each of which defines an opening 68 configured to accommodate a fastener, such as a bolt or screw. In the illustrated arrangement, four tabs 66 are provided, with two on each of the forward and rearward sides of the footpeg base 52. However, other numbers and placements of tabs 66 may also be used. The foot support 54 preferably includes openings 72 in a side wall of the body of the foot support 54. The openings 72 are configured to cooperate with the openings 68 defined in the tabs 66 of the footpeg base 52 as described above. Preferably, one opening 72 is provided for each opening 68 located in the tabs 66 of the footpeg base 52. The opening 68 preferably is unthreaded but, optionally, may be threaded to cooperate with a threaded fastener.
In the arrangement illustrated in
However, any suitable fastening means may be used to fasten the foot support 54 to the footpeg base 52. For example, the foot support 54 can also have struts (not illustrated) similar to the struts 60 of the footpeg base 52, wherein the struts on the foot support 54 have one or more openings that are aligned with one or more openings defined in the struts 60 or tabs 66 in the footpeg base 52. In this configuration, the foot support 54 could be removably fastened to the footpeg base 52 by bolting the footpeg base 52 and the foot support 54 together by inserting one or more bolts through the aligned openings. However, any suitable fastening means may be used to fasten the foot support 54 to the footpeg base 52. In other arrangements, other types of fasteners such as screws, rivets, adhesives, or other suitable components or materials may be used.
The illustrated foot support 54 is substantially U-shaped in top plan view. The open end of the U-shape is configured to correspond with an inboard end of the footpeg base 52, i.e., the end adjacent to the vehicle. However, in other arrangements, the foot support 54 may define a fully closed perimeter and may be generally rectangular, oval in shape, or any other desirable shape. In addition, although the illustrated embodiment is configured to cooperate with a peripheral portion of the footpeg base 52, in other arrangements, the foot support 54 may also include an interior portion which cooperates with an interior portion of the footpeg base 52, such as the struts 60.
Preferably, the foot support surface 56 of the foot support 54 includes a plurality of protrusions 78 such that the foot support surface 56 defines a serrated surface to improve grip. Desirably, the plurality of protrusions 78 are integrally formed in the foot support 54. The protrusions 78 may be generally conical, triangular, or rectangular in shape, or may be other suitable shapes or sizes to provide a desired amount of grip. In some embodiments, the foot support surface 56 may be generally smooth and/or may be provided with a friction and/or cushioning material, such as a rubber or rubber-type coating, for example.
As with the embodiment of the foot support 14 illustrated in
The footpeg 50 arrangement described herein advantageously permits relatively quick and simple adjustment of a height of the footpeg 50, or provides the ability to simply and relatively quickly replace the foot supports 54 to provide a new foot support surface 56, for example in the event that the protrusions 78 become worn.
The footpeg 50, including the footpeg base 52 and/or the foot support 54, may be formed from a metal alloy including steel or aluminum, from a composite material, or from any suitable material that provides the desired strength and rigidity. A benefit of the arrangement of the footpeg 50 illustrated in
Another readily recognizable benefit of the arrangement of the footpeg 50 illustrated in
The embodiment of the mold 80 illustrated in
The mold portions 80a, 80b, or 80c are preferably interchangeable such that a wide range of footpeg base configurations can be manufactured by interchanging differently configured mold portions 80a, 80b, or 80c. For example, a manufacturer may have just one set of upper and lower mold portions 80a, 80b, but a plurality of lateral mold portions 80c, each of which is configured to be interchangeable with the of upper and lower mold portions 80a, 80b, to accommodate differing flange 74 designs. This enables the portion of the footpeg 50 that is formed in the set of upper and lower mold portions 80a, 80b to be attached to a wide range of different vehicles. By adding additional sets of upper and lower mold portions 80a, 80b that are also interchangeable with each of the plurality of lateral mold portions 80c, the manufacturer can easily produce a very wide range of differently configured footpegs to fit any desired vehicle.
Foot support 56 is may be formed by stamping a bar or sheet of steel, aluminum, or other suitable alloy plate and bending the stamped plate into the desired shape. The openings 70 are preferably formed as part of the stamping operation, but can also be formed during a subsequent machining operation. In addition, other suitable methods for creating the foot support 56 may also be used.
Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In particular, while the present footpeg has been described in the context of particularly preferred embodiments, the skilled artisan will appreciate, in view of the present disclosure, that certain advantages, features and aspects of the system may be realized in a variety of other applications, many of which have been noted above. Additionally, it is contemplated that various aspects and features of the invention described can be practiced separately, combined together, or substituted for one another, and that a variety of combination and subcombinations of the features and aspects can be made and still fall within the scope of the invention.
This application is related to, and claims the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/801,773, filed May 19, 2006, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of the present disclosure.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60801773 | May 2006 | US |