WEARABLE MOTORCYCLE HEAT-SHIELD

Abstract

A one-size-fits-all wearable motorcycle heat-shield, intended for use by a rider in order to prevent burns from the exhaust pipes of the motorcycle is disclosed. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield is comprised of a planar centered heat-shield with planar regions disposed on either side. The planar regions are temporarily attachable through the use of hook-and-loop fasteners, or other temporary fastening means. The heat-shield is comprised of an outer cover fabricated from a woven water-, flame-, and heat-resistant fabric covering an inner heat-resistant layer.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to the class of apparel and the sub-classes of apparel for legs and guards or protectors. Specifically, this invention relates to a wearable heat-shield for a motorcycle rider.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention is a wearable motorcycle heat-shield. The present invention is intended to fill a need in the motor sports market—namely, the hazard of burning one's leg on or near the motorcycle exhaust pipe. Most motorcycles have an exposed exhaust pipe. Many makes and models are notorious for having hot exhaust pipes, which are in all cases uncomfortable and which can, in some cases, burn a rider. Several popular models of motorcycles have exhaust pipes that are in excess of 500° F. in close proximity to the leg of either the rider or passenger. In order to prevent burns, riders can wear expensive, bulky, and hot full-body protective suits. Although such a solution prevents burning, it is very uncomfortable in warm weather. Many riders and their passengers rely on denim or other heavy pant material to prevent the hazard of exhaust burns on the leg, but this solution is prone to failure. Additionally, many heavy pant materials are uncomfortable in the warm summer months.

What the market is seeking is a wearable heat-shield to prevent burns on the motorcycle muffler, with the following attributes: light-weight, one-size-fits-all, easily removable, comfortable, and not unduly warm. There is currently no product on the market that adequately fills this market need. The present invention is a light-weight and durable wearable heat-shield that is localized, allowing the rider to wear it on the part of the leg most likely to be burned by the exhaust—the rider's leg. The present invention is easily wearable and storable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is intended to disclose the present invention, a wearable motorcycle heat-shield. The embodiments and descriptions are used to illustrate the invention and its utility, and are not intended to limit the invention or its use. The present invention is a wearable motorcycle heat-shield, intended to be worn by a motorcycle rider or passenger. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield is intended to be temporarily worn by a motorcycle rider or passenger, (“User”) in order to reduce or eliminate the risk of burning the User's leg(s) on the motorcycle exhaust.

The wearable motorcycle heat-shield has an integral base layer. A heat-shield is centered on the integral base layer, resulting in three identifiable regions: a central heat-shield with a first region disposed on one side and a second regions disposed on the opposite side. The integral base layer is constructed from a stretchable and perforated synthetic fabric or polymer. In the preferred embodiment, the integral base layer is constructed from a blend of Styrene-Butadiene Rubber and chloroprene (“SBR Neoprene”). This material stretches without experiencing undue thermal creep. The integral base layer may be perforated in order to improve breathability of the invention. Other excellent formulations include SBR impregnated polyester and blends of SBR, Neoprene, and nitrile rubber.

The integral base layer has an outer surface and an inner surface. The heat-shield is centered on, and attached to, the outer surface of the integral base layer, resulting in a first region and a second region of the integral base layer. The integral base layer and heat-shield are planar. The first region and the second region may be equal in size, but that is not a limitation of the present invention. The outer surface of the heat-shield is intended to be disposed towards the source of heat when worn by the User. The heat-shield is attached to, and durably joined with, the integral base layer at a top seam, a bottom seam, a side seam with the first region, and a side seam with the second region. Both the first region and the second region have a top edge, a bottom edge, and an outer side edge.

In the preferred embodiment, the outer cover of the heat-shield is flame-retardant and heat-resistant woven fabric blend of oxidized polyacrylonitrile (“Oxidized PAN”) and aramid fibers. This can be attached directly to the integral base layer through stitching, gluing, or heat staking. The heat-shield also includes an inner, heat resistant layer. In the preferred embodiment, the inner, heat resistant layer is fabricated from ¾″ of 15 shore durometer volcanized silicon. Other inner, heat resistant layer materials are possible, including heat resistant industrial felts, foils, and laminates of felts and foils.

The present invention contains fasteners, such as hook-and-loop fasteners, on both the first and second region. A user wraps the wearable motorcycle heat-shield around their leg and fastens it with the hook-and-loop fasteners. Because the integral base layer is constructed from SBR Neoprene, the User can stretch the wearable motorcycle heat-shield when wrapping it around their leg, relying on the restoring tension within the SBR Neoprene to provide a snug fit. The User can adjust how tight the wearable motorcycle heat-shield is wrapped around their leg by further stretching or loosening the material before fastening the hook-and-loop fasteners. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield, as presented herein, will mold itself easily to the contours of the User's leg, whether it is worn on the thigh, knee, calf, or ankle. When using the present invention, a User's leg can remain within 3″ of a 500° F. heat source, indefinitely, without being burned.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated with 8 drawings on 5 sheets.

FIG. 1 is a lateral view of the outer surface of the present invention, a wearable motorcycle heat-shield in a longitudinally extended configuration.

FIG. 2 is a lateral view of the present invention, a wearable motorcycle heat-shield in a partially enclosed configuration.

FIG. 3 is a lateral view of the present invention being used, in situ, by a user.

FIG. 4 a lateral view of the present invention, a wearable motorcycle heat-shield, in a circular enclosed configuration.

FIG. 5 is an isolation top view of the radiant-heat-resistant layer of the heat-shield laminate.

FIG. 6 is an isolation top view of the thermally resistive felt layer of the heat-shield laminate.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the present invention in a partially enclosed configuration.

FIG. 8 is a lateral view of the inner surface of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following descriptions are not meant to limit the invention, but rather to add to the summary of invention, and illustrate the present invention, a wearable motorcycle heat-shield. The present invention is illustrated with a variety of drawings showing various aspects of the invention, including a currently preferred embodiment.

Motorcycle mufflers often burn motorcycle riders and passengers (“User”). FIG. 1 is a lateral view of the outer surface of the present invention 1, a wearable motorcycle heat-shield 1; FIG. 8 is a lateral view of the inner surface of the present invention 1, a wearable motorcycle heat-shield 1. FIG. 2 is a lateral view of the present invention 1 in a partially enclosed configuration. FIG. 3 is a lateral view of the present invention 1 on a User's 100 leg 101, 102, 104. Although FIG. 3 shows a user 100 using the present invention 1 on their calf, between the knee 102 and the ankle 104, it is understood that the present invention 1 can be worn anywhere on a user's 100 leg 101, 102, 104. The present invention 1, a wearable motorcycle heat-shield 1, is intended to be temporarily worn by a User 100, in order to reduce or eliminate the risk of burning the User's 100 leg 101, 102, 104 on the motorcycle exhaust. The present invention 1, a wearable motorcycle heat-shield 1, is one-size-fits-all.

In the preferred embodiment, the wearable motorcycle heat-shield 1 has an integral base layer 300 that is planar. The integral base layer 300 is fabricated from a blend of Styrene-Butadiene Rubber and chloroprene (“SBR Neoprene”). This material stretches without experiencing undue thermal creep. Other excellent formulations for the integral base layer include SBR impregnated polyester and blends of SBR, Neoprene, and nitrile rubber. The integral base layer 300 can be fabricated from any water-proof, stretchable material that will conform to the User's 100 leg 101, 102, 104. The integral base layer 300 is perforated 499.

The integral base layer 300 has an outer surface 330 and an inner surface 440. In FIG. 1, a heat-shield 110 is centered on, and attached to, the outer surface 330 of the integral base layer 300, resulting in a first region 11 and a second region 12. The heat-shield 110 is planar. The first region 11 and the second region 12 are drawn to be equal in size, but that is not a limitation of the present invention 1. The heat-shield 110 has a surface 10 that is disposed on the outside, toward the motorcycle's exhaust when worn. The heat-shield 110 is attached to, and durably joined with, the integral base layer at a top seam 26, a bottom seam 24, a side seam 23 with the first region 11, and a side seam 25 with the second region 12. The first region 11 has a top edge 21, a bottom edge 17, and an outer side edge 22. The second region 12 has a top edge 20, a bottom edge 18, and an outer side edge 19. As shown in FIG. 8, the integral fabric base layer 300 may contain perforations 499 to dissipate heat away from the User's 100 leg 101, 102, 104.

In the preferred embodiment, the outer cover 10 of the heat-shield 110 is fabricated from a woven water-, flame-, and heat-resistant blend of oxidized polyacrylonitrile (“Oxidized PAN”) and aramid fibers. The outer cover 10 of the heat-shield 110 may be durably joined to the integral fabric base layer 300 using adhesive, thermal bonding, or stitching.

The first region 11 has an outer surface 31 and an inner surface 41. The second region 12 has an outer surface 32 and an inner surface 42. Like the first and second regions 11, 12, the heat-shield region 110 has an outer cover 10, and an opposed inner surface.

The first and second regions 11, 12 of the wearable motorcycle heat-shield 1 have adjustable fasteners disposed opposite one another, so that the wearable motorcycle heat-shield 1 may be temporarily worn by a user 100. In the example shown in FIG. 1, two strips of a hook-and-loop fasteners 13, 14, 15, 16, 43, 44, 45, 46 are configured on each of the outer and inner surfaces 31, 32, 41, 42 of the first and second regions 11, 12. The outer surface 31 of the first region 11 has two strips of hook-and-loop fasteners 13, 14; the outer surface 32 of the second region 12 has two strips of hook-and-loop fasteners 15, 16; the inner surface 41 of the first region 11 has two strips of hook-and-loop fasteners 43, 44; and the inner surface 42 of the second region 12 has two strips of hook-and-loop fasteners 45, 46. The strips of hook-and-loop fasteners 13, 14, 15, 16, 43, 44, 45, 46 are arranged so that no matter how a user 100 wraps the present invention 1 around the user's 100 leg 101, 102, 104, the present invention will remain in place until removed by the user 100.

Now referencing FIG. 3, the strips of hook-and-loop fasteners 13, 14 on the outer surface 31 of the first region 11 mate with the strips of hook-and-loop fasteners 45, 46 on the inner surface 42 of the second region 12. Alternately (not shown in FIG. 3), the strips of hook-and-loop fasteners 15, 16 on the outer surface 32 of the second region 12 mate with the strips of hook-and-loop fasteners 43, 44 on the inner surface 41 of the fabric region 11. In this way, the wearable motorcycle heat-shield 1 can be wrapped in either direction about the leg 101, 102, 104 of the User 100. The configuration of the hook-and-loop fasteners 13, 14, 15, 16, 43, 44, 45, 46 on the inner 41, 42 and outer surface 31, 32 are arranged lengthwise in the example in FIG. 1. This means that the strips of hook-and-loop fasteners 13, 14, 15, 16, 43, 44, 45, 46 are parallel with the top edge 26 of the heat-shield 110, the top edge 21 of the first region 11, the top edge 20 of the second region 12, the bottom edge 24 of the heat-shield 110, the bottom edge 17 of the first region 11, and the bottom edge 18 of the second region 12. The configuration of the hook-and-loop fasteners 13, 14, 15, 16, 43, 44, 45, 46 on the inner 41, 42 and outer surface 31, 32 could also be arranged widthwise. The configuration of the hook-and-loop fasteners 13, 14, 15, 16, 43, 44, 45, 46 on the inner 41, 42 and outer surface 31, 32 makes the present invention 1 one-size-fits-all. The present invention 1 fits between the User's knee 102 and ankle 104, commonly called the calf region, terminating above the user's 100 shoe 103. Alternately, the present invention 1 also fits on the User's thigh 101.

FIG. 4 shows the present invention 1 wrapped with its inner surfaces 41, 42 exposed. FIG. 7 shows the present invention 1 partially enclosed, with both the inner surfaces 41, 42 and outer surfaces 31, 32 exposed. The outer cover 10 of the heat-shield is visible in FIG. 7. Previously discussed elements are visible in FIG. 4 such as the top edge 26 of the heat-shield 110, the top edge 21 of the first region 11, the top edge 20 of the second region 12, the bottom edge 24 of the heat-shield 110, the bottom edge 17 of the first region 11, the bottom edge 18 of the second region 12, and the strips of hook-and-loop fasteners 43, 44, 45, 46.

FIGS. 5-6 show the planar materials of the heat-shield 110. FIG. 5 shows the outer layer of the heat-shield, a blend of Oxidized PAN and aramid fiber 10. This can be attached directly to the integral base layer 300 through stitching, gluing, or heat staking. FIG. 6 shows the inner, heat resistant layer 211 of the heat-shield 110. In the preferred embodiment, the inner, heat resistant layer 211 is fabricated from ¾″ of 15 shore durometer volcanized silicon. Other inner, heat resistant layer 211 materials are possible, including heat resistant industrial felts, foils, and laminates of felts and foils.

The present invention 1, a wearable motorcycle heat-shield, as presented herein, will mold itself easily to the contours of the user's 100 leg, whether it is worn on the thigh 101, on the knee 102, or on the calf, between the knee 102 and the ankle 104. The present invention 1 is flame resistant and heat resistant. The outer layer 10 of the heat-shield 110 is a high-performance, woven, flame resistant material. The inner heat resistant layer 211 is made from a reinforced silicon material that is flexible, moldable, and does not creep when heated. The integral base layer 300 is fabricated from a stretchable SBR Neoprene, that is perforated 499 in order to keep the user 100 cool. When using the present invention 1, a user's 100 leg 101, 102, 104 can remain within 3″ of a 500° F. heat source, indefinitely, without being burned.

Claims

1. A wearable motorcycle heat-shield device comprised of a planar integral base layer fabricated from a blend of styrene butadiene rubber (“SBR”) and chloroprene, and having an outer surface and an inner surface,a planar heat-shield durably attached to the outer surface of the integral base layer, the planar heat-shield having an outer cover and an inner, heat resistant layer, where the outer cover of the heat-shield is fabricated from a woven blend of oxidized polyacrylonitrile (“Oxidized PAN”) and aramid fibers; andthe inner, heat resistant layer is fabricated from 15 shore durometer volcanized silicon;the planar heat-shield defining a first region and a second region of the integral base layer, the first region having at least one adjustable fastener on its inner surface and at least one adjustable fastener on its outer surface and the second region having at least one adjustable fastener on its inner surface and at least one adjustable fastener on its outer surface, wherein the adjustable fasteners of the first region are so configured as to securely attach to the adjustable fastener of the second region so that a user, having a leg, may temporarily wear the wearable motorcycle heat-shield device on the user's leg.

2. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield device of claim 1, wherein the inner, heat resistant layer is more than ½″.

3. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield device of claim 2, wherein the inner, heat resistant layer is ¾″.

4. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield device of claim 3, wherein the adjustable fasteners are strips of hook-and-loop fasteners.

5. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield device of claim 4, wherein the strips of hook-and-loop fasteners are arranged lengthwise with respect to the integral base layer.

6. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield device of claim 4, wherein the strips of hook-and-loop fasteners are arranged widthwise with respect to the integral base layer.

7. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield device of claim 4, wherein the strips of hook-and-loop fasteners are arranged so that the hook-and-loop fastener on the outer surface of the first planar fabric region mates with the hook-and-loop fastener on the inner surface of the second planar fabric region.

8. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield device of claim 4, wherein the strips of hook-and-loop fasteners are so arranged that the hook-and-loop fastener on the outer surface of the second planar fabric region mates with the hook-and-loop fastener on the inner surface of the first planar fabric region.

9. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield device of claim 4, wherein the configuration of the hook-and-loop fasteners on the first and second planar regions allows the wearable motorcycle heat-shield device to be adjusted to accommodate any sized user.

10. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield device of claim 4, wherein the integral base layer is perforated in order to dissipate heat.