US5634685A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflatable/deflatable motorcycle seat cushion
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1995-03-20
•
Granted: 1997-06-03
•
Expires: 2015-03-20
Abstract
Abstract An inflatable/deflatable cushion system adapted for installation onto a motorcycle seat may be operated either manually or electrically operated. In the latter case, an electrically operated air compressor is supported on the motorcycle and connected in a pneumatic path to an air port on the cushion. An electrical switch in electrical communication with a source of electrical power on the vehicle includes a first position activating the air compressor, causing the cushion to inflate, and a second position causing the cushion to deflate. In the preferred embodiment the cushion is generally U-shaped and attached to the motorcycle seat such that the rounded section of the U is most rearward on the seat with the ends of the U pointing forwardly.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles Herring
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 00:17
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62J; B62J1/00; B62J1/18; B62J1/26; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S297/00; Y10S297/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
An inflatable/deflatable cushion for a motorcycle seat having a rear portion and an upper surface with a perimeter, comprising: a single, generally U-shaped bladder having an air port for inflation and deflation thereof, wherein, with the bladder properly positioned, the two ends of the U are oriented forwardly and the rounded section of the U is oriented rearwardly and shaped for conformal agreement with the rear portion of the motorcycle seat for a single rider thereon; means to permanently hold the bladder against the upper surface of the motorcycle seat; and means to inflate and deflate the bladder once positioned.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
An inflatable/deflatable cushion for a motorcycle seat having a rear portion and an upper surface with a perimeter, comprising: a single, generally U-shaped bladder having an air port for inflation and deflation thereof, wherein, with the bladder properly positioned, the two ends of the U are oriented forwardly and the rounded section of the U is oriented rearwardly and shaped for conformal agreement with the rear portion of the motorcycle seat for a single rider thereon; means to permanently hold the bladder against the upper surface of the motorcycle seat; and means to inflate and deflate the bladder once positioned.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The inflatable/deflatable cushion of claim 1, wherein the bladder is disposed beneath a layer of upholstery material covering the bladder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The inflatable/deflatable cushion of claim 1, wherein the means to permanently hold the bladder against the upper surface of the motorcycle seat includes a pair of opposing straps which attach to one another underneath the seat, rendering such attachment inaccessible with the seat in place for use.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
98 words
An inflatable/deflatable cushion system for a motorcycle having a saddle with lower and upper levels to accommodate a driver and a passenger, respectively, each level having an upper surface with a specifically shaped perimeter, the system comprising: two shaped bladders, each having its own air port for inflation and deflation thereof, the shape of each bladder being adapted to conform to at least a portion of the perimeter of the respective level upon which it is installed; independent means for holding each bladder in place on its respective level; and independent means to inflate and deflate each bladder.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
98 words
An inflatable/deflatable cushion system for a motorcycle having a saddle with lower and upper levels to accommodate a driver and a passenger, respectively, each level having an upper surface with a specifically shaped perimeter, the system comprising: two shaped bladders, each having its own air port for inflation and deflation thereof, the shape of each bladder being adapted to conform to at least a portion of the perimeter of the respective level upon which it is installed; independent means for holding each bladder in place on its respective level; and independent means to inflate and deflate each bladder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
143 words
An inflatable/deflatable cushion system adapted for installation onto a motorcycle having a source of electrical power and a seat having an upper surface with a perimeter, comprising: a shaped bladder having an air port for inflation and deflation thereof, the outer shape of the bladder being adapted to conform to at least a portion of the perimeter of the seat; means to attach the bladder to the upper surface of the seat; an electrically operated air compressor with means for mounting the compressor to the motorcycle, the compressor including an air output connected in a pneumatic path to the air port on the bladder; and an electrical switch adapted for electrical connection to the source of electrical power, the switch having a first position activating the air compressor and causing the bladder to inflate, and a second position causing the bladder to deflate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
143 words
An inflatable/deflatable cushion system adapted for installation onto a motorcycle having a source of electrical power and a seat having an upper surface with a perimeter, comprising: a shaped bladder having an air port for inflation and deflation thereof, the outer shape of the bladder being adapted to conform to at least a portion of the perimeter of the seat; means to attach the bladder to the upper surface of the seat; an electrically operated air compressor with means for mounting the compressor to the motorcycle, the compressor including an air output connected in a pneumatic path to the air port on the bladder; and an electrical switch adapted for electrical connection to the source of electrical power, the switch having a first position activating the air compressor and causing the bladder to inflate, and a second position causing the bladder to deflate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The cushion system of claim 5 wherein the air compressor may be operated alternatively in a pressurization and suction mode at its output, the second position of the switch causing the compressor to operate in suction mode so as to deflate the cushion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The cushion system of claim 5 further including an electrically operated pneumatic valve, and wherein the first position of the switch causes air to flow from the compressor to inflate the cushion, and the second position enables air to be expelled from the cushion, thereby deflating it.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cushion system of claim 5 further including a manually operated valve for deflating the cushion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The cushion system of claim 5 further including manually operated means for inflating the cushion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The cushion system of claim 9, the manually operated means for inflating the cushion including a bulb-type hand pump connected in a pneumatic path with the air port.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
GB189316004A
Cited
GB189414628A
Cited
GB189720032A
Cited
US1288445A
Cited
US1678972A
Cited
US3558187A
Cited
US3997214A
Cited
US3758153A
Cited
US3836196A
Cited
US3867732A
Cited
US3940166A
Cited
US4319781A
Cited
US4427214A
Cited
CA1146460A
Cited
US4459714A
Cited
US4504089A
Cited
US4799276A
Cited
US5046205A
Cited
US5005904A
Cited
US4786104A
Cited
US4952439A
Cited
US5152579A
Cited
US5022385A
Cited
US5022385B1
Cited
US5143390A
Cited
US5280993A
Cited
US5318344A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-06-02 | 2000-12-02 | 2001-06-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-06-02 | 2004-12-02 | 2005-06-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-06-02 | 2008-12-02 | 2009-06-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |