Footrest for a motorcycle

Abstract

Footrest (1) for a motorcycle, comprising: a two-part footrest body for supporting the foot of a motorcyclist, wherein the footrest body - an upper part (2) comprising a profiled tread surface (3) as a support surface for the motorcyclist's foot and - a connecting element (10) for connecting the footrest (1) to the motorcycle as a lower part, wherein the connecting element (10) - a base (11) with two receptacles (12) for two connecting bolts (15) for connecting the upper part (2) of the footrest body to the connecting element (10) and - includes a separate fastening element (14) for attaching the footrest (1) to the frame of the motorcycle; characterized in that at least one rubber bearing is arranged between the upper part (2) of the footrest body, which encompasses the footplate (3) of the rider, and the connecting element (10), wherein the at least one rubber bearing is designed to absorb vibrations of the motorcycle and / or shocks from uneven terrain.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a footrest for a motorcycle with improved suspension and damping functionality. In particular, a two-part footrest with at least one rubber bearing is described, which is arranged between the rider's footrest and the connecting element that establishes the connection to the motorcycle. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] The state of the art includes conventional footrests that are rigidly connected to the motorcycle frame. These rigid footrests offer limited options for absorbing shocks from uneven terrain and the motorcycle's fundamental vibrations, which can lead to an uncomfortable riding experience. For example, DE 10 2004 017 263 A1 describes such a rigid footrest.

[0003] The subject of US Patent No. 9,132,876 B2 is an omnidirectional vibration-isolating footrest. The footrest features an adjustable rigid mounting platform from which a rigid support arm protrudes cantilevered. The support arm is inserted into and secured in an internal opening of a bushing filled with a vibration-isolating material. The bushing itself is mounted in a receptacle integrated into the footrest body.

[0004] US 6,390,488 B1 describes a multi-part shock- and impact-absorbing footrest. The footrest has a rigid mounting platform including a mounting plate, from which a rigid support protrudes outwardly as a footrest. The footrest has a flat upper contact surface and supports a foot pad made of an elastically compressible elastomer material. A tread plate is arranged above the foot pad. The tread plate, foot pad, and footrest are connected to each other by through-bolts. The tread plate has a variable relationship to the footrest and can move both toward the footrest and laterally relative to the footrest to cushion the rider's foot against shocks and impacts.

[0005] Based on this prior art, the aim of the present application is to offer a footrest for a motorcycle which has advantages over the prior art and not only has damping properties individually tailored to the needs of the rider, but also has a rocking or tilting function which adapts to the rider's foot movements, thereby improving riding comfort and safety. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The problem is solved by a footrest according to claim 1.

[0007] The present invention relates to a footrest for a motorcycle with improved suspension and damping functionality. In particular, a footrest with at least one rubber mount is described, which is arranged between the rider's footrest and the connecting element that connects to the motorcycle frame. The rubber mount is designed to absorb fundamental vibrations of the motorcycle and shocks from uneven terrain.

[0008] The two-piece footrest includes an upper section with a footrest on which the rider rests their feet. This footrest is shaped and sized to ensure a secure grip and comfort for the rider.

[0009] The rubber mount, which represents the core feature of the present invention, is located between the upper part of the footrest body, which houses the rider's footrest, and the connecting element to the motorcycle frame. This rubber mount is made of an elastic material with shock-absorbing properties. By placing the rubber mount between the footrest and the connecting element, the transmission of vibrations and shocks from the motorcycle frame to the rider is effectively reduced.

[0010] Another advantage of the rubber mount is that it is interchangeable. This allows the driver to use different hardness levels of the rubber mount to adjust the absorption behavior according to individual preferences and driving conditions. By choosing the appropriate rubber mount, the ride comfort and stability of the vehicle can be significantly improved.

[0011] The footrest for a motorcycle according to the invention comprises a two-part footrest body for supporting the foot of a motorcyclist, wherein the footrest body has an upper part comprising a profiled tread as a support surface for the foot of the motorcyclist and a connecting element for connecting the footrest to the motorcycle frame as the lower part.

[0012] The connecting element comprises a connecting arm as a base with two receptacles for two connecting bolts for connecting the upper part of the footrest body to the connecting element and a separate fastening element for attaching the footrest to the frame of the motorcycle.

[0013] At least one rubber bearing is arranged between the upper part of the footrest body, which comprises the rider's footrest, and the connecting element, wherein the at least one rubber bearing is designed to absorb vibrations of the motorcycle and / or shocks from uneven terrain.

[0014] The footrest's tread can be tilted forwards, backwards and, to a certain extent, sideways depending on the rider's weight shift, whereby the forward and backward tilting movement is possible with an inwardly curved tilting joint arch arranged on the upper part of the footrest body along a corresponding outwardly curved support arch arranged parallel to the direction of travel of the motorcycle on the connecting element.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the profile of the tread has a structure made up of individual prongs, wherein the prongs are arranged at an angle tapering towards the underside of the tread.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment, the individual prongs are broken up into further smaller sub-prongs, wherein the respective smaller sub-prongs also have an angle tapering towards the underside of the support surface.

[0017] With this innovative design, the upper part of the footrest body, which encompasses the support surface, offers high stability with a sporty, elegant aesthetic and low material consumption.

[0018] The at least one rubber mounting is preferably constructed from two interchangeable rubber elements that are combined to form the desired rubber mounting. The rubber mounting is additionally designed to allow tilting movements of the tread surface relative to the connecting element. The at least one rubber mounting can have different degrees of hardness to enable different absorption behaviors and improve ride comfort.

[0019] The at least one rubber bearing is preferably made of an elastomer material that is highly resistant to weather influences and wear.

[0020] To connect the two parts of the footrest, the upper part of the footrest body comprises two receptacles for receiving rubber elements forming at least one rubber bearing on both sides, and connecting bolts for connecting the upper part of the footrest body to the connecting element. The rubber bearings are embedded in the receptacles in a form-fitting manner so that the upper part of the footrest body is elastically mounted above the base of the connecting element. The upper part of the footrest body is embedded between at least two rubber elements with no play, the annular rubber bearings being designed such that the upper part of the footrest body has no direct contact with the base of the connecting element and is freely movable independently of it within the scope of the degrees of freedom predetermined by the elasticity of the rubber bearings.

[0021] A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides that the connecting element is pivotable, wherein a separate fastening element forms the connection axis to the vehicle frame and is advantageously combined with a vehicle-specific footrest joint, which enables a movement of the footrest in the horizontal and / or vertical direction and thus an inclination correction of the basic inclination angle, whereby the connecting element enables a movement of the footrest according to the weight shifts of the driver during the ride.

[0022] Overall, the proposed footrest with rubber mounts offers improved suspension and damping compared to conventional rigid footrests. It helps minimize the effects of vibrations and shocks on the rider, thus ensuring a more comfortable riding experience. The interchangeable rubber mounts allow the footrest to be adapted to the rider's individual needs and preferences. The two-part design of the footrest, combined with the rubber mounts arranged between the two parts of the footrest, allows for tilting movements of the footrest, further increasing riding comfort and safety. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In the following, the proposed footrest is explained in detail using a selected example and drawings. It is to be understood that this example is in no way limiting, but merely serves to explain the basic principle of the present invention. Fig. 1 an exploded view with all components of a footrest, Fig. 2 a perspective top view of the footrest from Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a side view of the footrest Fig. 1, Fig. 4 a top view of the top of the footrest Fig. 1, Fig. 5 a top view of the underside of the footrest Fig. 1, Fig. 6 a rear view of the footrest Fig. 1, Fig. 7 a front view of the footrest Fig. 1, Fig. 8 a cross-section of the footrest body Fig. 1 along the plane A1-A2, Fig. 9 a longitudinal section of the footrest Fig. 1 along the plane B1-B2, Fig. 10 different perspectives of a rubber element for rubber mounting and Fig. 11 a rear view of the footrest Fig. 1 in different tilt positions.

[0024] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective exploded view of a footrest 1, showing all components of the footrest 1. The footrest body is constructed in two parts and consists of an upper part 2 with a tread 3 as a support surface for the motorcyclist's foot, and a connecting element 10 as the lower part. The connecting element 10 serves as a support for the upper part 2 of the footrest 1 with the tread 3 and connects them to the frame of the motorcycle. The connecting element 10 comprises a connecting arm as a base 11 for receiving the upper part 2 and a separate fastening element 14 for attaching the footrest 1 to the frame of the motorcycle. The fastening of the upper part 2 on the base 11 of the connecting element 10 itself is carried out by means of two connecting bolts 15 and two corresponding countersunk screws 20, which are inserted through the provided receptacles 4 and 12 in the upper part 2 of the footrest body orin the connecting element 10 and then screwed together. The receptacles 4 in the upper part 2 of the footrest body are provided for the play-free and form-fitting reception of rubber elements 19, which are inserted into the receptacles 4 from above and below before assembly of the footrest body, wherein the rubber elements 19 are designed such that the upper part 2 of the footrest body is elastically mounted above the base 11 of the connecting element 10, wherein the rigid connection between the two parts of the footrest 1 is interrupted by the rubber bearings. The rubber elements 19 are applied in the conventional way by slipping on and screwing and can optionally be glued. Fig. 1, a section plane A1-A2 is drawn for a cross section through the upper part 2 of the footrest body. The cross section is shown in the Fig. 8 and explained in more detail later.

[0025] In the Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective top view of the tread 3 of a fully assembled footrest 1. This illustration gives the viewer an idea of ​​the design of the tread 3, which is not formed as a continuous surface, but is made up of individual prongs 21 that cover the entire edge area of ​​the tread 3. The prongs 21 themselves are additionally broken up into smaller sub-prongs 22, ensuring extremely reliable slip protection, so that the rider has excellent footholds and can concentrate fully on the road. From this perspective, only the area of ​​the connecting element 10 facing the motorcycle is visible, including the fastening element 14, which acts as the horizontal axis for the footrest 1. The base 11 itself, above which the upper part 2 of the footrest body is positioned, is concealed by the latter.In the center of the upper part 2 of the footrest 1, the heads 16 of the connecting bolts 15 can be seen. Fig. 2, a section plane B1-B2 is additionally drawn for a longitudinal section through the entire footrest 1, which will later be cut with the help of the Fig. 9 is explained in detail.

[0026] Subject of the Fig. Figure 3 is a side view of the footrest 1, which clearly shows the two-part construction of the footrest body. The upper part 2 of the footrest body is arranged with its underside 6 above the narrow base 11 of the connecting element 10, which forms the lower part of the footrest body. This illustration also provides a further good impression of the design of the footrest surface 3, which is composed of individual, spaced prongs 21, which in turn are divided into sub-prongs 22. The fastening element 14 forms the horizontal axis of the footrest 1 and is connected to the frame of the motorcycle.

[0027] The Fig. Figure 4 shows a top view of the footrest 1 and provides an impression of the design of the upper part 2 of the footrest body, which is characterized by the tread 3 designed as a tread edge and the lateral recesses 9 extending to the tread edge, as well as the connecting webs 8, which support the receptacles 4 for the connecting bolts 15 and simultaneously stabilize the upper part 2 of the footrest body. This illustration also highlights the size ratio of the wide, upper part 2 of the footrest body and the relatively narrow base 11, which can be seen through the recesses 9 below the tread 3.

[0028] The Fig. 5 is the corresponding plan view of the underside of the footrest body with a view of the underside 6 of the upper part 2 of the footrest body and the connecting element 10 with the underside of the base 11 and the countersunk screws 20 screwed into it, with which the footrest body is held together.

[0029] Further selected side views of the footrest 1 are shown in the Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, where the Fig. 6 shows the rear side of the two-part footrest 1 facing the motorcycle, with the upper part 2 of the footrest body and the connecting element 10, which forms the lower part of the footrest 1. From this perspective, the tread 3 with the prongs 21, the underside 6 of the upper part 2, and the fastening element 14 can also be seen.

[0030] Corresponding to Fig. 6 shows the Fig. 7 the front of the footrest 1 with the upper part 2 of the footrest body together with the tread 3, the teeth 21 and the underside 6 as well as the base 11, above which the upper part 2 of the footrest body is arranged.

[0031] The Fig. 8 has already been described in the description of the Fig. 1. This figure is a cross-section through the upper part 2 of the footrest body along the section plane A1-A2 from Fig. 1. This illustration was chosen to illustrate the special design of the upper part 2 of the footrest body. The prongs 21 of the tread 3 are arranged at a tapered angle, which not only gives the footrest body a particularly sporty look but also guarantees high strength with minimal material consumption. Furthermore, the individual prongs 21 are divided into many additional smaller prongs 22, which are also arranged at an acute angle, thus ensuring extremely secure slip protection.

[0032] The Fig. Figure 9 is of particular importance for understanding the present invention. It is a longitudinal section along the section plane B1-B2 of Fig. 2, which shows details that are hidden in a normal view. In particular, it can be seen in detail here how the upper part 2 of the footrest 1 and the connecting element 10 as the lower part are operatively connected to one another. The two parts of the footrest body are held together by the two connecting bolts 15, which are guided through the receptacles 4 of the upper part 2 of the footrest body and then inserted with their plug-in feet 18 into the receptacles 12 of the base 11 and fixed there from below with the help of the countersunk screws 20, whereby they sit on the base 11 at the same time as the bolt cylinder 17. In the receptacles 4 of the upper part 2 of the footrest body, the connecting bolts 15 are each mounted in the two annular rubber elements 19 that form the rubber bearing, whereby the connecting bolts 15 have no direct contact with the upper part 2 of the footrest body.The rubber elements 19, which form a cone 28 with an upper cylindrical collar 27, are inserted into the receptacle 4 on both sides with the cone 28 and meet in the center of the receptacle 4 with their receiving surfaces 25. The rubber elements 19 enclose the inserted connecting bolt 15 and rest with the cylindrical collar 27 and the support surfaces 26 against the flat underside of the bolt head 16 and the base 11 of the connecting element 10.The upper part 2 of the footrest body with the tread 3 is held solely by the rubber bearings and is freely movable in relation to the rigid connecting element 10 according to the elasticity of the rubber, so that the tread 3 can be tilted forwards, backwards, or sideways depending on the weight shift, with the concave tilting joint 5 of the upper part 2 of the footrest body moving above the convex support arch 13 of the connecting element 10 about the axis formed by the fastening element 14. Due to the free suspension of the upper part 2 of the footrest 1 in the rubber bearings, a lateral tilting movement is also possible, which, however, is significantly less than the forward and backward tilting movements due to the design of the footrest 1 with two connecting bolts 15 arranged next to one another.

[0033] In the Fig. 10 are in addition to the Fig. 9 different representations of the rubber element 19 are summarized, which, in a double pack with another rubber element 19, forms the rubber bearing, which is to be considered the core of the present invention. On the left side, a cylindrical ring with a conical tapering towards the top is visible in perspective. At the top, the cylinder terminates in a narrow bearing surface 25. The top view in the middle of the Fig. Figure 10 shows the wide support surface 26 of the underside of the rubber element 19, while the cross-section shown on the right compares the lengths, widths, and thicknesses, resulting in a height ratio of approximately 3.0 to 4.25 between the cylindrical collar 27 of the rubber element 19 and the conical area 28. The height of the collar 27, which is exposed after the formation of the rubber bearing in the footrest 1, is ultimately decisive for the mobility of the upper part 2 with the tread 3 mounted therein.

[0034] The tilting movements forward and backward are in the Fig. 11, in which three different positions S0, S1 and S2 of the upper part 2 of the footrest body with the tread 3 in relation to the rigid connecting element 10 can be seen. In the basic position S0, the tread 3 is evenly loaded and is horizontal. The positions S1 and S2 correspond to the maximum tilt angles 23 forwards or backwards. Overall, this results in a cumulative tilt angle 24 which specifies the range within which a tilting movement is possible depending on the weight shift and adjustment by the rubber bearings. In practice, the tilt angle 23 is preferably a maximum of 12° forwards or backwards, while the lateral tilting movement outwards, which is not shown in the figure, is preferably limited to 3°.The forward and backward tilting movement is made possible by the design of the two parts of the footrest 1 with the concave tilting joint arch 5 of the upper part 2 of the footrest 1, which can be moved above the convex support arch 13 of the connecting element 10 around the axis formed by the fastening element 14.

[0035] With the Fig.1 to 11 merely describe one exemplary embodiment of a footrest 1, which, however, is not to be understood as a limitation. Based on the claims, the description, and the detailed example explained, a person skilled in the art should be able to easily find and implement corresponding modifications and alternatives. For example, rubber elements of varying hardness can naturally be used, allowing the footrest to be adapted to the rider's individual needs. The dimensions of the rubber elements or the connecting bolt can also vary, altering the distance between the two parts of the footrest, which naturally influences the damping and tilting behavior of the footrest. The rubber material used is preferably durable, and its service life can be further extended by applying external protective layers.

[0036] The key advantages of the footrest according to the invention lie primarily in the damping properties and the rocking or tilting behavior of the tread, which, together with the special design of the tread, has an extremely positive effect on driving safety and comfort. The design of the tread with prongs and sub-prongs allows for exceptionally high grip, preventing slipping from the tread even in particularly critical driving situations with wet or muddy shoes. The rocking behavior of the footrest makes the foot brake pedal easier to reach, and the rocking brake technology enables more sensitive brake control.The core of the present invention lies in the two-part construction of the footrest, whereby the rigid connection between the two parts of the footrest is interrupted by an intermediate layer consisting solely of rubber bearings, which enables the properties described above. A further advantage is that the footrest is designed in such a way that the rubber bearings can be easily and quickly replaced by simply loosening the countersunk screws connected to the connecting bolts. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1 footrest 2 Upper part (footrest body) 3 Tread 4 Mounting (tread) 5 tilting joint arch (concave) 6 Bottom (upper part) 7 Top (upper part) 8 connecting bridge 9 Recess 10 Connecting element (lower part of the footrest body) 11 Base (connecting arm) 12 Recording (Basic) 13 Support arch (convex) 14 Fastening element 15 connecting bolts 16 Bolt head 17 bolt cylinders 18 Insert foot 19 Rubber element 20 countersunk head screws 21 points 22 lower teeth 23 Tilt angle 24 cumulative tilt angle 25 Support surface (top) 26 Support surface (underside) 27 collars 28 cone QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2004 017 263 A1

[0002] US 9,132,876 B2

[0003] US 6,390,488 B1

[0004]

Claims

[1] Footrest (1) for a motorcycle, comprising: a two-part footrest body for supporting the foot of a motorcyclist, wherein the footrest body - an upper part (2) comprising a profiled tread (3) as a support surface for the motorcyclist's foot and - a connecting element (10) for connecting the footrest (1) to the motorcycle as the lower part, wherein the connecting element (10) - a base (11) with two receptacles (12) for two connecting bolts (15) for connecting the upper part (2) of the footrest body to the connecting element (10) and - comprises a separate fastening element (14) for fastening the footrest (1) to the frame of the motorcycle; characterized bythat at least one rubber bearing is arranged between the upper part (2) of the footrest body comprising the rider's footrest (3) and the connecting element (10), wherein the at least one rubber bearing is designed to absorb vibrations of the motorcycle and / or shocks from uneven terrain. [2] Footrest (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the tread (3) of the footrest (1) can be tilted forwards or backwards depending on the weight shift of the driver, wherein the tilting movement is possible with an inwardly curved tilting joint arch (5) arranged on the upper part (2) of the footrest body along a corresponding support arch (13) arranged on the connecting element (10) and aligned parallel to the direction of travel. [3] Footrest (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the profile of the tread (3) has a structure made up of individual prongs (21), wherein the prongs (21) are arranged at an angle tapering towards the underside (6) of the tread (3). [4] Footrest (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the individual prongs (21) are broken up into further smaller sub-prongs (22), wherein the respective smaller sub-prongs (22) also have an angle tapering towards the underside (6) of the support surface (3). [5] Footrest (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one rubber bearing is constructed from two rubber elements (19), wherein the rubber bearing is additionally provided to enable tilting movements of the tread surface (3) relative to the connecting element (10). [6] Footrest (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the at least one rubber bearing consists of replaceable rubber elements (19), wherein the at least one rubber bearing can have different degrees of hardness in order to enable different absorption behaviors. [7] Footrest (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the rubber elements (19) consist of an elastomer material which has a high resistance to weather influences and wear. [8] Footrest (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the upper part (2) of the footrest body comprises two receptacles (4) for receiving rubber elements (19) and connecting bolts (15) for connecting the upper part (2) of the footrest body to the connecting element (10), wherein the rubber elements (19) are embedded in the receptacles (4) in a form-fitting manner on both sides, so that the upper part (2) of the footrest body is elastically mounted above the base (11) of the connecting element (10). [9] Footrest (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the upper part (2) of the footrest body is embedded without play between two rubber elements (19) forming a rubber bearing, [10] Footrest (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the connecting element (10) is a pivotable connection, wherein the fastening element (14) forms the connection axis to the vehicle frame and is combined with a vehicle-specific footrest joint which enables a movement of the footrest (1) in the horizontal and / or vertical direction and thus an inclination correction of the basic inclination angle.

Images