Heel rest on operator footboard

Abstract

The invention involves a motorcycle footboard accessory. The motorcycle footboard accessory comprises: a footboard; an upstanding support member; and a heel-encounter projection. The heel-encounter projection has an inner portion attached to the upper outer surface. The heel-encounter projection also has projection lateral and longitudinal dimensions. The heel-encounter projection is dispensed above the footboard upper surface. It is another aspect of this invention to present an improvement to motorcycles of the type having at least one laterally extending, substantially horizontal surface defining a horizontal plane, designed for receiving at least a portion of an operator's foot while the motorcycle is in operation. The improvement comprises: a projection configured and arranged to receive at least a rearward portion of the operator's foot. The projection extends laterally with respect to the motorcycle, and is located above the horizontal plane such that the foot can encounter the horizontal surface and the projection, simultaneously

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention is related generally to motorcycles and, more particularly, to operator footboards. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Certain motorcycle design elements are well known within the industry. For example, for a touring motorcycle, a low profile is desirable to minimize top-heavy torquing aspects inherent in bodies which have to points of contact with the ground. Moreover, placement of some components on a lower lateral sides of the motorcycle are prohibited due to tilting of the motorcycle from vertical when cornering. Moreover still, due to the compact nature of a motorcycle, lateral surfaces of a motorcycle must be efficiently used. With design criteria such as these, touring motorcycles typically have footpegs upon which an operator may rest his feet generally below his body with placement of a rear brake shift lever on the rights side of the motorcycle in front of the foot rest for foot activation. Although to maintain horizontal on a f...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] It is another aspect of this invention to present an improvement to motorcycles of the type having at least one laterally extending, substantially horizontal surface defining a horizontal plane, designed for receiving at least a forward portion of an operator's foot while the motorcycle is in operation. The improvement comprises: a projection configured and arranged to receive at least a rearward portion of the operator's foot. The projection extends laterally with respect to the motorcycle, and is located above the horizontal plane such that the foot can encounter the horizontal surface and the projection, simultaneously.

[0009] The motorcycle improvement embodiment is preferred wherein the operator's foot and the operator's calf define a foot-calf angle greater than 90° when the operator's foot encounters the projection and the horizontal surface, simultaneously. It is more preferred in the motorcycle improvement for the projection has a projection lateral dimension to be dimensioned to be less than a horizontal-surface lateral dimension of the horizontal surface. It is even more highly preferred for the motorcycle improvement embodiment for the horizontal surface to have a laterally-extending midline located between a horizontal-surface front end and a horizontal-surf

Problems solved by technology

Moreover still, due to the compact nature of a motorcycle, lateral surfaces of a motorcycle must be efficiently used.

Although to maintain horizontal on a footpeg, the foot is flexed about the ankle toward the shin, which would cause discomfort and cramping when maintained, due to the minimal longitudinal dimension of a footpeg, during a tour, the motorcycle operator has general freedom of movement of the foot sole about the peg thereby varying the positioning of the ankle.

Inherently through the use of these large muscles, the braking activity requires large muscular effort and lack of precision in pressure application.

By way of example, while encountering the brake, if the foot is otherwise unsupported, should the motorcycle go over a bump, there is a tendency to unintentionally apply additional pressure to the brake causing unintended consequences.

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