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CONCEPT AND PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
The MAPS Concept is to provide safety and protection for motorcycle riders by partially enclosing motorcyclist with a light-weight, see-through, shatter-proof, airbag equipped, protection system; similar to a large broadened motorcycle fairing. MAPS may be attached permanently or temporarily to new or older motorcycles and may also be towed behind the motorcycle. Airbags may be positioned anywhere within the system and Figure 1 shows the MAPS with airbag strips, in three locations, horizontally positioned within the system. In a crash situation, the horizontally positioned airbag strips will deploy similarly to automobile airbags within the inner walls of the shell and hence provide airbag protection completely around the motorcyclist. The deployed airbags will a) provide protection for the motorcyclist head and upper body, mid-body, and lower body and leg areas, b) reduce motorcyclist impact with moving or stationary objects, and hence c) reduce motorcyclist injuries and fatalities. The MAPS in Figure 1 below is shown without doors, openings, and accessories.
Entrance and exit doors and access ports may be positioned in various positions about the MAPS based upon MAPS style, type, and design. The MAPS may be raised and lowered, removed, or may include portal-type opening and closing mechanisms (including hard or soft portal covers).
The MAPS may be connected permanently to the motorcycle frame. The motorcycle frame and the MAPS may also be made into a single structure during construction. The MAPS may be attached to new or used motorcycles temporarily and may be detached when not in use. The MAPS may be physically attached to different areas of the motorcycle (depending on MAPS and motorcycle design, style and type) including the frame, body, handle bars, wheels, fairing, leg guards, runners, accessories, seats, and other motorcycle parts. Portions of the MAPS may be attached to the motorcycle in a similar fashion as are presently used fairings, frame parts, leg guards, body parts, handle bars, wheels, runners, accessories, seats, and other motorcycle parts.
The MAPS may be made of light-weight, one-way or two-way see-through, shatter-proof, lighted or visibility enhanced material. Such materials may include, but are not limited to, lexan, polycarbon, acrylic, plexiglass, plastic, glass, and other transparent or visibility allowing material. The MAPS may be tinted or may be of various colors.
Figure 1. The Motorcycle Airbag Protection System (MAPS) *See Bottom of this web page.
DESIGNS
The MAPS may be designed with many varying shapes and styles, sizes, and colors. The MAPS will be made to fit different types of motorcycles including street bikes, off-road bikes, and racing bikes. The MAPS is designed to be safe, stylish, and attractive. The design will dependent upon MAPS usage or application including usage by law enforcement and other government agencies and the general consumer. The MAPS may also be used in general business and utility applications. The MAPS may be designed to provide protection from chemicals, projectiles, or other potential hazards. The MAPS is also available in specialty designs. The MAPS may be designed with, but is not limited to, various types of reflectors, light fixtures, mirrors, windshield wipers, defrost devices, entrance and exit ports and openings, item holders, ash trays, chrome, audio/audiovisual equipment, horns, communication devices, and Global Positioning Systems.
NEW MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AND PROTECTION EQUIPMENT
The MAPS is a great addition to the safety and protection equipment (presently) available for motorcyclists. Attachment 1 provides additional information about present motorcycle safety and protection equipment.
-Motorcyclist safety equipment (presently) includes, and is not limited to:
-Helmets, leather clothing and accessories (pants, jackets, gloves, etc.), an airbag jacket, eye protection (goggles/glasses, fairings, helmet face shields, etc.), seatbelts and crash bars, boots, reflective tape, horns, lights, front and rear light modulators, and LED lighting
The MAPS is a great addition to the environmental protection equipment (presently) available to motorcyclists. Undesirable environmental conditions and hazards may include rain, sun glare, snow and falling ice, cold and heat, etc. Attachment 2 provides additional information about environmental protection equipment.
-Motorcyclist environmental protection equipment (presently) includes, and is not limited to:
-helmets, leather clothing and accessories (pants, jackets, gloves, etc.), leg and foot protection, and eye protection (goggles/glasses, fairings, helmet face shields, etc.).
The MAPS improves motorcycle visibility for other motorists and therefore contributes to a potential reduction in crash and accident situations associated with lack of, or reduced, motorcycle visibility.
PICTURES
The 3-Dimensional MAPS images show the basic concept of the system including the protective enclosure without the entrance ports as well as the location of the airbag systems (i.e. dark, thin horizontal lines within the MAPS). The images also show the MAPS detached from the motorcycle along with one style of the MAPS towing trailer. The MAPS is protected while in tow or non-usage with the MAPS storage cover.
Figure 1. Front quarter view of the MAPS. *See Bottom of this web page.
Figure 2. The MAPS detached from the motorcycle and the MAPS on the towing trailer with the storage cover. *See Bottom of this web page.
BENEFITS
Safety
MAPS will reduce motorcyclist fatalities and injuries in crash and accident situations. MAPS is made of see-through, light-weight, non-shattering material and conventional type airbags that may be placed at any position within the MAPS.
Motorcyclist Fatalities and Injuries (USDOT, NHTSA, 2003): See Attachment 3 for additional information.
-3,661 motorcyclists were killed in 2003
-67,000 were injured in traffic crashes in 2003
-In 2002, the fatality rate for motorcyclists was 65.35 per 100,000 registered vehicles
-and the injury rate was 1,293 per 100,000 registered vehicles in 2002
-Note: 5,004,156 registered vehicles (2002)
Motorcyclist Fatalities and Injuries (Schneider, 2003): See Attachment 4 for additional information.
-Motorcycle deaths are increasing considerably each year
-3,181 motorcyclists were killed in 2001; up from 2,116 in 1997
-Factors contributing to the rate of fatal motorcycle crashes:
-Increase in the number of motorcycles on the highway, increase in motorcyclist age, increase in motorcycle engine size, and a weakening in mandatory motorcycle helmet laws.
-The fatality rate (fatalities per 100 crashes) has nearly doubled from 1997 to 2002.
-Motorcycle fatalities in Louisiana (for example) increased by 170% from 1997 to 2002 and injuries increased by 58%
Visibility
With the MAPS attached to the motorcycle, the visibility of the motorcyclist by other motorists will be greatly enhanced. Lights and reflecting devices may also be positioned about the MAPS. Reduced or lack of visibility of the motorcyclist has contributed to motorcycle crashes and accidents.
Environmental Protection
MAPS will provide motorcyclists with comfort and protection from rain, wind, temperatures, snow, falling ice, sun glare, poor air quality, and other undesirable weather or environmental conditions. The environmental protection is provided with the MAPS see-through, light-weight, shatter-proof, airbag equipped shell. MAPS may be made of material which will allow or deter varying forms of light or energy in or out of the system. MAPS may be equipped with temperature and environmental control systems. MAPS will provide motorcycle companies and motorcycle sales organizations a means to promote, advertise, and sell motorcycles for protection against undesirable weather and environmental conditions.
Appearance
MAPS may be made with varying designs, shapes, colors, sizes, and tints. MAPS may also be made with one-way or two-way visibility from within and outside the system.
Reduced Costs for injuries and fatalities
MAPS will reduce the cost of motorcyclist fatalities and injuries for insurance companies and the public.
Motorcyclist Fatality and Injury Costs
The costs associated with motorcycle accident related injuries and fatalities are extremely high. See Attachment 5 for additional information.
-The average cost per person for fatal crashes, severe and moderate injuries, and complaints for the year 2000 was $1,020,889, $754,427, $132,111, and $6,542, respectively.
-The average cost per person for fatal crashes, severe and moderate injuries, and complaints for the year 2000 including loss of quality of life was $3,516,866, $1,637,346, $246,634, and $79,386, respectively.
-46 driver fatalities and the 73 severe driver injuries in Louisiana in 2000 cost the citizens of Louisiana an additional $47 million and $55 million, respectively. Considering the loss of quality of life through pain and suffering, these amounts were $163 million and $120 million, respectively.
-The total cost for motorcycle drivers (i.e. drivers without passengers) not wearing helmets and that for loss of quality of life for Louisiana over the last four years was $102 million and $283 million, respectively.
-The total cost for motorcycle crashes (including passengers) over the last four years was $745 million in direct costs and $1.9 billion including pain and suffering.
MARKETING
Motorcycle Sales
MAPS will contribute to the development of a new market for motorcycle sales in that sales will now include motorcycles with the MAPS safety and protection systems; i.e. sales for the purpose of motorcyclist safety and protection. Potential customers include the referenced 1,000,000 new motorcycle purchases for 2005, the millions of motorcyclist riding used (i.e. as opposed to brand new) motorcycles, and new motorcyclists purchasing motorcycles with MAPS for the purpose of safety and protection. Monetary profits from MAPS sales has an astronomical potential; even with sales only to a very small percentage of new motorcycle purchases (not including MAPS purchases for used motorcycles).
MAPS will increase the sale of safer motorcycle products. See Attachment 6 for additional motorcycle sales information.
-996,000 motorcycle units sold in 2003 and sales anticipated to exceed one million units for the first time in two decades (Motorcyclist Magazine).
-Sales for 2004 are a 4.4 percent increase from 2003 unit sales.
-As a note, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (2004) reported 651,021 motorcycle sales and an additional 1,225,356 motorcycles exported as of November 2004
Potential Customers
Potential customers for MAPS sales vary and depend on the type of sale activity, including patent licensing, patent sale, and product sales. Product sales may also be associated with business development for the purpose of such sales.
Patent Licensing and Sales Customers
Motorcycle Companies
Insurance Companies
Motorcycle Accessory Companies
Motorcycle Safety and Protection
Companies
Other Investor Interests
Product Sales and Business Development Customers
Individuals
Law Enforcement Agencies
Department of Defense, Justice
Department, government agencies, etc.
Employment Related Organizations
Entertainment Activities
Profits
Similarly to the dependency of potential MAPS sales on potential customers, profits are dependent on the type of business transaction.
Potential Profit Areas:
From ownership of the patent
From licensing of the patent
From partnerships
From investors
From direct sales of the
product/technology
Similar Products and Product Sales Feasibility
One product has been marketed that is similar to the MAPS. BMW Motorcycles (International) marketed a similar product called the C-1 in Cologne, Germany. The C-1 series of covered motorscooters uses seatbelts and a bracket or bar to protect the motorcyclist in crash and accident situations. The MAPS uses airbags to protect motorcyclist in crash and accident situations as opposed to the seatbelts and bracket or bar used in the C-1. The sale of the BMW C-1 in Germany suggests a feasible market for the MAPS in other regions of the world including the U.S. The sales associated with the MAPS, unlike the C-1, will not be, in any way, solely predicated upon the legislative passage of manditory motorcycle seatbelt or airbag policy. Considering the number of motorcyclist fatalities and injuries in the U.S., there is a very apparent need for the MAPS. MAPS is the only patent of this type in the U.S as well as in the USPTO internationally recognized countries. Also see www.motorcycle.com/mo/mcbmw/c1.html, www.bmw.com, or www.bmwworld.com/models/concepts/c1.htm for more information about the BMW C-1. Note that 10,614 C-1s were sold on Cologne, Germany during the initial year of sales, 2001.
APPENDIX
Attachment 1: Present motorcyclist safety equipment.
Motorcyclist safety equipment protects the motorcyclist in crash situations and from harmful conditions. Present motorcyclist safety equipment includes, and is not limited to, helmets, leather clothing and accessories (pants, jackets, gloves, etc.), elbow and knee pads, an airbag jacket, eye protection (goggles/glasses, fairings, helmet face shields, etc.), seatbelts, boots, reflective tape, horns, lights, front and rear light modulators, and LED lighting. Helmets are the most important motorcyclist safety equipment and provide head protection in crash situations. Leather clothing and accessories provide protection for the upper and lower bodies and the airbag jacket protects the upper body. Seatbelts and protective bars prevent motorcyclist from falling from the vehicle and protect the motorcyclist head. Boots provide protection of feet, reflective tape, lights, modulators, and LED lighting improve motorcycle visibility, and horns provide sound warnings and awareness. Some motorcycles are equipped with leg and foot protection equipment or accessories.
Sgt. Richard S. Titiusy (December 2000), www.ridesafer.com, states that some of the above described safety equipment is recommended and some is mandatory for the military and for motorcyclists on military installations.
Attachment 2: Present motorcyclist environmental protective equipment.
Motorcyclist environmental protective equipment protects the motorcyclist in undesirable environmental conditions. Such conditions may include, but are not limited to, rain, snow and falling ice, cold and heat, and glare from the sun. Present motorcyclist environmental protection equipment includes, and is not limited to, helmets, leather clothing and accessories (pants, jackets, gloves, etc.), and eye protection (goggles/glasses, fairings, helmet face shields, etc.). Helmets and leather clothing and accessories provide a very limited degree of protection from rain, snow and falling ice, cold and heat. Eye protection, including goggles/glasses, fairings, and helmet face shields, provide a limited degree of protection of the face and eyes from rain, snow and falling ice, and (possibly) glare from the sun.
Attachment 3: Motorcyclist Fatalities and Injuries (NHTSA).
In 2003, 3,661 motorcyclists were killed and an additional 67,000 were injured in traffic crashes in the United Sates, 12 percent more than the 3,270 motorcyclist fatalities and 4 percent more than the 65,000 motorcyclist injuries reported in 2002 (USDOT, NHTSA, 2003). In 2002, the fatality rate for motorcyclists was 65.35 per 100,000 registered vehicles with 5,004,156 registered vehicles and the injury rate was 1,293 per 100,000 registered vehicles (USDOT, NHTSA, 2003).
Presently, the most important motorcycle safety equipment is the helmet. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 1,158 motorcyclists lives were saved by helmets. Even with such equipment, motorcyclists are 27 times as likely as a car occupant to be killed in a traffic crash considering per vehicle miles. As a note, three states have no motorcycle helmet law requirements, 27 states have age specific helmet laws, and 20 states and the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have helmet requirement laws for motorcycle operators and passengers. In 2002, the fatality rate for motorcyclists was 4.1 times that of passenger car occupants per registered vehicle. Since 1966, more than 123,000 motorcyclists have died in traffic accidents. Motorcycles accounted for 9 percent of total traffic fatalities in 2003, 25% of motorcycles involved in fatal crashes collided with fixed objects, 9% of injury crashes involved fixed objects, and there were 1,675 two-vehicle crashes involving motorcycles and another vehicle. In the same year, approximately one-half of motorcycles involved in fatal crashes collided with another vehicle and 78% of the motorcycles were impacted in the front in two-vehicle crashes. In 2003, seven states including California, Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, New York, Illinois, and Ohio accounted for 45% of all motorcyclist fatalities. The above information in this Attachment is from USDOT, NHTSA, 2003.
Attachment 4: Motorcyclist Fatalities and Injuries (Schneider)
Motorcycle deaths are increasing considerably each year. 3,181 motorcyclists were killed in 2001; up from 2,116 in 1997 according to the NHTSA. One of the contributing factors to the rising death toll is the increase in the number of motorcycles on the road. Additionally, three factors have contributed to the rate of fatal motorcycle crashes including the increase in motorcyclist age, increase in motorcycle engine size, and a weakening in mandatory motorcycle helmet laws. Motorcycle fatalities in Louisiana increased by 170% from 1997 to 2002 and injuries increased by 58%.
In 1997 motorcycles were overrepresented by a factor of about 7 because motorcycles represented 2.3% of all vehicle fatalities in crashes but only represented 0.31% of all vehicles in crashes; motorcycles are overrepresented by a factor of 15 today. The fatality rate (fatalities per 100 crashes) has nearly doubled from 1997 to 2002. The above information in this Attachment is from Schneider, 2003.
Attachment 5: Costs associated with motorcyclist crash fatalities and injuries.
Considering costs associated with motorcyclist fatalities and injuries, all citizens, including the motorcycle drivers and occupants, are affected. These costs are reflected in higher taxes, higher insurance premiums, and highway delays. The average cost per person in fatal crashes, severe and moderate injuries, and complaints for the year 2000 were $1,020,889, $754,427, $132,111, and $6,542, respectively. The average cost per person in fatal crashes, severe and moderate injuries, and complaints for the year 2000 including loss of quality of life were $3,516,866, $1,637,346, $246,634, and $79,386, respectively. Considering the 46 driver fatalities and the 73 severe driver injuries in Louisiana in the same year cost the citizens of Louisiana an additional $47 million and $55 million, respectively. Considering the loss of quality of life through pain and suffering, these amounts were $163 million and $120 million, respectively. The total cost for motorcycle drivers (i.e. drivers without passengers) not wearing helmets and that for loss of quality of life for Louisiana over the last four years was $102 million and $283 million, respectively. The total cost for motorcycle crashes (including passengers) over the last four years was $745 million in direct costs and $1.9 billion including pain and suffering. The above information in this attachment is from Schneider, 2003.
Attachment 6: Motorcycle sales data.
Motorcyclist Magazine, in its article Motorcycle Sales Set To Top One Million Units This Year, described 996,000 motorcycle units sold in 2003 with sales anticipated to exceed one million units for the first time in two decades. The growth in unit sales for 2004 is a 4.4 percent increase from 2003 unit sales. As a note, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (2004) reported 651,021 motorcycle sales and 1,225,356 motorcycles exported as of November 2004. The Motorcycle & Moped Industry Council (2003) reported 3,003 motorcycles sold in the month of October 2003 (alone) in Canadian provinces.
References
1. U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2003. Traffic Safety Facts 2003, DOT HS 809 764, www.nhtsa.dot.gov.
2. Schneider, Helmut, 2003. An Analysis of Motorcycle Crashes 1996-2002, Louisiana State University, Louisiana Traffic Crash Reports, http://lhsc.lsu.edu, or http://isds.bus.lsu.edu
3. Motorcyclist Magazine, U.S. Motorcycle Sales Set to Top One Million Units This Year and the Motorcycle Industry Council.
4. Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA), 2004. Current Statistics, www.jama.org or www.jama.org/statistics/quickstats/
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