a. Field of Invention
The invention relates generally to motorcycle fender extensions for use on the leading or trailing end of a fender of a vehicle having one or more a definitive fenders, such as on the end of motorcycle, bicycle, or all-terrain vehicle fender. By “definitive fender” is meant a fender that has a defined shape that is distinguishable from the other body aspects of a vehicle. For example, autos generally have wheel wells without definitive or distinct fenders, whereas bicycles, tricycles, all-terrain vehicles, scooters and motorcycles do have definitive fenders. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vehicle fender extension that does not require any welds or physical modifications to a vehicle fender to attach the fender extension. Further, it requires the simplest if installation efforts due to the attachment mechanism, including a fender front end receiving shoe built into the present invention fender extension. The present invention is most favorably useful with motorcycles to achieve both appearance and performance improvements (extended fender look with increased water splash protection and tire protection).
b. Description of Related Art
The following patents are representative of the field pertaining to the present invention:
United States Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0079156 A1 to Ichihara describes a motorcycle rear fender assembly that includes a rear fender mounted on a vehicle frame structure above a vehicle rear wheel, which fender is divided, in a forward and rearward direction, into three components, including an anterior rear fender subassembly forming a front portion of the rear fender, an intermediate rear fender subassembly forming an intermediate portion of the rear fender, and a posterior rear fender subassembly forming a rear portion of the rear fender.
United States Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0284407 A1 to Iverson et al. describes the drilling of new holes into a vehicle fender fold is avoided by providing a mud flap with a rotating clamping member. A clamping arm of the rotating clamping member is rotated from a disengaged position to an engaged position behind the fender fold, and is then drawn forwardly on the threads of an attachment bolt to clamp the fender fold between the rotating clamping member and a stationary clamping member in-molded into the mud flap. A visual indicator may be provided to show whether the rotating clamping member is behind the vehicle fender fold to which the mud flap is to be attached.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,191,912 to Andrew Serbinski, the inventor herein, describes a motorcycle fender extension component for drilless assembly to the leading or trailing end of a motorcycle fender that includes a main body structure and a plurality of clamping elements. The main body structure has a top, bottom, front, back and first and second sides with downwardly extending flanges. The main body has a central axis that is arcuate with a radius, width and taper approximately equal to those of the motorcycle fender. At least three orifices are located on the first and second flange and main body. The at least three clamping elements are positioned at the at least three orifices on the first and second flange and on the main body away from the sides. The main body structure of the motorcycle fender extension component may be placed on a motorcycle fender and attached by fastening the clamps to sandwich the motorcycle fender between clamping elements and the main body structure. In other embodiments of the present invention motorcycle fender extension component the motorcycle fender is also included.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,422,659 to Nebu describes a rear fender structure for a motorcycle having a frame comprises a fender body fixedly attached to the motorcycle frame and a fender member removably joined to the fender body to provide easy access for removal of the rear wheel. The fender body can be hingedly connected to mounting means fixedly supported by the frame such as a tail bracket. The fender body can be removably secured to the tail light bracket.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,169,608 to Logan describes the specification discloses fender extensions which have inner flanges fitting inside and fastening to the inwardly turned flanges of motor vehicle fenders. The inner flanges press edges of outer, cover portions of the extensions tightly against the sides of the fenders. In an alternate embodiment, the inner flange is stepped to provide a shoulder abutting the side of the fender as an aid for proper positioning.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,934,900 to Wilson describes a combined fender and splash guard for a motorcycle comprises a single member injection molded of polypropylene and has a main fender portion and at least on splash guard integrally formed with the fender. The fender and splash guard can be doubled back on itself in a collision or spill without damage. Means are provided to attach the fender and integral splash guard to the motorcycle.
U.S. Design Pat. No. Des. 635,496 S to Andrew Serbinski, the inventor herein shows a motorcycle fender extension component utilizing three fastening clamp orifices.
U.S. Design Pat. No. Des. 293,312 to Stahel illustrates a motorcycle front fender extension. It has planar inside surfaces with no provision or direction for drilless attachment.
Notwithstanding the prior art, the present invention is neither taught nor rendered obvious thereby.
The present invention is directed to a vehicle fender extension component for drilless assembly to either a leading end or trailing end of a vehicle with definitive fender(s). It includes a main body structure, the main body structure having a top, a bottom, a front, a back, a first side and a second side. Each of the first side and the second side has a downwardly extending flange. The main body structure has at least a portion with a central axis that is arcuate at a radius approximately equal to a radius of a vehicle fender to which it is attachable and has a width and taper approximately equal to the width and taper of the fender to which it is attachable. The main body structure has at least two orifices for receiving clamping elements, one of the at least two orifices is located on the first side flange, one of the at least two orifices is located on the second side flange. It also includes at least one fender-receiving shoe located on the main body structure away from the sides to receive and secure a fender end. A plurality of clamping elements is connected to the main body structure, including at least a first clamping element and a second clamping element. The first clamping element is positioned at the orifice on the first side flange and the second clamping element is positioned at the orifice on the second side flange.
In use, the main body structure of the fender extension component may be placed on a fender to which it is attachable, and the clamps may be fastened thereto so as to sandwich the fender between the clamping elements and the main body structure of the fender extension. The first clamping component is attached to a first side of the fender, the second clamping component is attached to a second side of the fender, and a fender end of the fender is inserted into and secured with the fender receiving shoe. In practice, it is the shoe that is first fitted onto the fender and then the clamping elements are secured.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention fender extension component for drilless assembly to either a leading end or trailing end of a vehicle fender, the clamping elements each include a threaded receiving nut positioned at a main body structure orifice, a threaded fastener in and through the orifice and a clasp connected to one of the nut and the threaded fastener.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention vehicle fender extension component for drilless assembly to either a leading end or trailing end of a vehicle fender, the clasp has distal claw and is connected to and integral with the nut.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention vehicle fender extension component for drilless assembly to either a leading end or trailing end of a vehicle fender, the main body structure further includes an open area at said fender receiving shoe to expose an end of said fender during insertion thereof into said shoe.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention vehicle fender extension component for drilless assembly to either a leading end or trailing end of a vehicle fender, the main body structure side flanges are recessed side flanges to enhance positioning of the vehicle fender extension component on the vehicle fender to which it is attachable to render it self-positioning.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention vehicle fender extension component for drilless assembly to either a leading end or trailing end of a vehicle fender, the main body structure is symmetrical relative to the central axis.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention vehicle fender extension component for drilless assembly to either a leading end or trailing end of a vehicle fender, the main body structure further includes an aerodynamically positioned pair of wings, one of each being located on the first side and the second side of the main body structure.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention vehicle fender extension component for drilless assembly to either a leading end or trailing end of a vehicle fender, the pair of wings extends outwardly and upwardly from the main body structure.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention vehicle fender extension component for drilless assembly to either a leading end or trailing end of a vehicle fender, the pair of wings has inside surfaces that are flat and form angles of about zero to about seventy five degrees when measured from an imaginary traversing line crossing through the sides of the main body structure at a right angle to the central axis.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention vehicle fender extension component for drilless assembly to either a leading end or trailing end of a vehicle fender, the pair of wings has inside surfaces that are flat and form angles of about twenty to about sixty degrees when measured from an imaginary traversing line crossing through the sides of the main body structure at a right angle to the central axis.
In some other preferred embodiments the present invention is directed to, in combination, a motorcycle fender and a motorcycle fender extension component for drilless assembly to either a leading end or trailing end of the motorcycle fender. It includes a motorcycle fender having a top, a bottom and a front with a leading edge, a back with a trailing edge, a first side and a second side. It has at least a portion with a central axis that is arcuate at a predetermined radius and a predetermined width and a predetermined taper tapering away from the central axis. The motorcycle fender extension component attaches to one of the leading end and the trailing end of the motorcycle fender. The motorcycle fender extension component includes a main body structure. The main body structure has a top, a bottom, a front, a back, a first side and a second side. Each of the first side and the second side has a downwardly extending flange. The main body structure has at least a portion with a central axis that is arcuate at a radius approximately equal to the radius of the central axis of the motorcycle fender and has a width and taper approximately equal to the width and taper of the motorcycle fender. The main body structure has at least two orifices for receiving clamping elements, one of the at least two orifices is located on the first side flange, one of the at least two orifices is located on the second side flange. It also includes at least one fender-receiving shoe located on the main body structure away from the sides to receive and secure a fender end. A plurality of clamping elements is connected to the main body structure, including at least a first clamping element and a second clamping element. The first clamping element is positioned at the orifice on the first side flange and the second clamping element is positioned at the orifice on the second side flange. In use, the main body structure of the motorcycle fender extension component may be placed on a motorcycle fender to which it is attachable, and the clamps may be fastened thereto so as to sandwich the motorcycle fender between the clamping elements and the main body structure. The first clamping component is attached to a first side of the motorcycle fender, the second clamping component is attached to a second side of the motorcycle fender, and a fender end of the motorcycle fender is inserted into and secured with said fender receiving shoe.
Other features and details described above may be included in this combination of the motorcycle fender and a motorcycle fender extension component for drilless assembly to either a leading end or trailing end of the motorcycle fender.
Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention may be set forth, included or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the invention as claimed.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the detail description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
Referring now in detail to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, various embodiments of the present invention are shown.
Figures parts list, indicating the reference number and corresponding part:
1—wheel
3—fender
5—side of fender
7—leading edge
9—fender top
11—fender extension component
13—front
15—back
17—fender extension left side
19—fender extension leading edge
21—fender extension right side
23—left wing section
25—right wing section
27—fender receiving shoe
29—receiving shoe cover
31—right side flange
33—left side flange
35—left side clamping element orifice
37—left side clamping element fastener
39—receiving shoe structural ribs
41—fender extension back edge
43—right side clamping element orifice
45—left side clamping element clasp
47—right side clamping element threaded fastener
49—space at receiving shoe
51—right side clamping element clasp
300—clamping element
301—clasp
303—threaded receiving nut
305—threaded fastener
In the Figures, the motorcycle fender extension component 11 is attached to the motorcycle fender 3 in some of the
Significant to the present invention is the use of at least one fender receiving shoe 27. This reduces the number of orifices needed for attachment of the extension to a fender, reduces the hardware needed, reduces labor and utilizes the shoe for both alignment and attachment, making attachment very user friendly and easy to do. In this embodiment, shoe 27 is centrally located to receive the center of the fender leading or trailing edge, in this case fender leading edge 7, but it can now be seen that two or more symmetrically positioned shoes could alternatively be used. Shoe 27 has a top or cover 29, similar to the forward upper section of a foot shoe. The leading edge 7 force fits into or slides into the extension between shoe 27 and cover 29. Then the clamping elements are affixed to complete the simple assembly. In the back views, such as
The present invention sample extension 11 also has optional wings 23 and 25, to enhance the extension 11 appearance, and is aerodynamically designed to enhance performance. In some other preferred embodiments of the present invention vehicle fender extension component, the wings described in the above paragraphs are not aerodynamically designed. The wings may continue the shape of the underlying fender in some preferred embodiments, or may take on another shape that is not necessarily aerodynamically shaped. In yet other embodiments, the wings are completely eliminated from the present invention vehicle fender extension component.
Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those particular embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.