US20130031704A1

US20130031704A1 - Knee-Mounted Air Deflector For Motorcyclist

Info

Publication number: US20130031704A1
Application number: US13/569,415
Authority: US
Inventors: Jerry H. Bigalke
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-10-17
Filing date: 2012-08-08
Publication date: 2013-02-07

Abstract

An air deflector is mounted to the area of the knee of a motorcyclist to prevent a stream of air from striking the motorcyclist's face. A mounting plate is used to attach the deflector to the motorcyclist's knee. The deflector comprises a deflector plate, which is pivotably connected to the mounting plate by a hinge mechanism. The hinge mechanism allows the deflector plate to pivot from a closed position, wherein it is substantially parallel to the mounting plate, to a ready position, wherein it is free to move to an open position. When the motorcycle is in motion, the air flow impacts the deflector plate, forcing the deflector to extend upward from the ready position to the open position. In one embodiment the deflector plate is perforated by a series of louvered openings, which reduce the force of the air against the deflector plate and provide a supply of fresh air to the front of the motorcyclist's torso.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 12/587,813, filed Oct. 14, 2009, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 12/288,244, filed Oct. 17, 2008, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A serious problem for motorcyclists is that a blast of air impacts their neck, face and eyes while they are moving. This problem is illustrated in FIG. 1, which is a side view of a motorcyclist 10 on a motorcycle 12. As shown, an air stream 14 flows below the windshield 16, up the front side of the torso of motorcyclist 10 and hits the neck and face of motorcyclist 10. This air stream is annoying, particularly on long journeys. It is also noisy and may carry bugs and rain drops. Most importantly, the air stream presents a safety hazard, as it may distract the motorcyclist's attention from the road and from other vehicles.
U.S. Published Application No. 2004/0244087 suggests blocking this air stream with a deflector worn on the chest of the motorcyclist. This solution is not satisfactory, in part because a chest-worn deflector may impair the movement of the upper body and arms of the motorcyclist. In addition, the deflector cannot be easily removed and is unsightly. If mounted to a jacket, the jacket must be made of heavy material and fit tightly enough to hold the deflector in place during operation. This may be uncomfortable, particularly in warm weather.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These problems are solved with a deflector of this invention. According to this invention, a forward-extending deflector is mounted to the knees of the motorcyclist. The deflector extends into the air stream and effectively prevents a large portion of the air stream from reaching the neck, face and eyes of the motorcyclist. The deflector of this invention does not interfere with the movement of the motorcyclist's arms and other upper body parts.
The deflector may be formed in a variety of sizes and shapes. In one embodiment, for example, the deflector is in the form of a visor of a cap. The deflector may be strapped to the knees of the motorcyclist. Typically, the deflector extends in a forward direction about 3-6 inches. For example, in one embodiment the deflector extends forward about 5¼ inches.
In another embodiment, the deflector is pivotally mounted to the motorcyclist's knee such that it is extended by the air flow when the cycle is in motion and collapses against the motorcyclist's leg when the cycle is stationary.
This invention also includes a method of blocking an air stream from the neck and face of a motorcycles motorcyclist by mounting a deflector to the motorcyclist's knees.
In yet another embodiment the air deflector includes a mounting plate that is held against the motorcyclist's knees by a fastening member, for example by straps, and a deflector plate that is connected to the mounting plate by a pivot mechanism. The pivot mechanism allows the mounting plate to rotate from a closed position to a ready position and then to an open position. In the releasable closed position the deflector plate is held so that as main axis of the mounting plate is parallel to a main axis of the deflector plate. From the closed position the motorcyclist can release the deflector plate to the ready position wherein the deflector plate is inhibited from returning to the closed position but is free to be rotated further by the air stream flowing past the motorcyclist's knee until the deflector plate reaches the open position.
In one embodiment the pivot mechanism comprises a cam and a cam surface, at least one of the cam and cam surface being made of a resilient material that deforms on contact with the other of the cam and cam surface.
The deflector plate preferably comprises a plurality of louvered openings with slanted edges that direct a portion of the air stream against the abdomen and lower chest of tire motorcyclist.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating how an air stream flows against the face and neck of a motorcyclist.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an air deflector of this invention mounted to the knee of a motorcyclist,

FIG. 3 is a close-up side view of the deflector mounted to the knee.

FIG. 4 is a close-up front view of the deflector mounted to the knee.

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the defector showing the strap used to mount it to a knee.

FIG. 6 is a close-up side view of the deflector with links to provide it with support against the air stream.

FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate a collapsible deflector that lies flat against the motorcyclist's leg when not in use.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a deflector in the form of a half-visor.

FIGS. 9A and 98 show a perforated deflector.

FIG. 10 is view of another embodiment according to the invention.

FIG. 11 is a view of the embodiment of FIG. 10 showing the deflector in its extended condition.

FIG. 12 is a view of the embodiment of FIG. 10 showing the deflector in its collapsed condition.

FIGS. 13A-13C illustrate side views of another embodiment of an air deflector in the closed, ready and open positions respectively.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the air deflector in the ready position.

FIG. 15 is a top view of the air deflector.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the air deflector in the open position.

FIGS. 17A-17E is a sequence of views of a pivot mechanism as the deflector plate moves from the closed position to the ready position.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are views of an alternative pivot mechanism with the deflector plate in the closed and ready positions, respectively.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken through the louvered openings in the deflector plate.

FIG. 20 illustrates an alternative means of connecting the strap to the mounting plate of the air deflector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, the term “knee,” whether used in the singular or plural, refers to the kneecap (patella) as well as the portion of the shin that is located directly below the kneecap.
FIG. 2 illustrates an air deflector 20 of this invention. Deflector 20 is mounted to the knee of motorcyclist 10, who is seated in a riding position, with his or her knees flexed, on motorcycle 10. As shown, deflector 20 extends forward from the knee of motorcyclist 10 and protrudes into and deflects air stream 14 so as to prevent a large part of air stream 14 from impacting the neck and face of motorcyclist 10. Air stream 14 flows up the front side of the torso of motorcyclist 10 towards the neck and face of motorcyclist 10.
FIG. 3 is a more detailed view showing that deflector 20 is in the form of a cap visor and mounted to the knee 22 of motorcyclist 10 by means of a strap 24. FIG. 4 is a front view of the deflector 20 mounted to the motorcyclist's knee. Preferably, deflector 20 is mounted against the knee cap of motorcyclist 10 but it could also be mounted slightly above or slightly below the knee cap. As shown in FIG. 4, deflector 20 contains an inner cap visor 21A, which is fastened to the outer cap visor 21B in some manner (e.g., by stitching or gluing) to increase the extension of deflector 20, thereby allowing deflector 20 to block more air. The extension of deflector 20 in this embodiment is about 5 inches.
FIG. 5 illustrates deflector 20 alone, showing strap 24 with a buckle 28, allowing deflector 20 to be easily mounted to and removed from the knee area of motorcyclist 10. As shown, strap 24 is looped back against itself through an opening 30 in buckle 28, making, the length of strap 24 adjustable to fit the leg of the motorcyclist. Deflector 20 includes a mounting surface 32 which presses firmly against the knee of the motorcyclist when buckle 28 is secured.
The defector 60 shown in FIG. 6 is similar to deflector 20 except that defector 60 contains links 62 extending from strap 64 to visor 66 to prevent visor 66 from being forced backward by the force of the air stream. Links 62 could be in the form of strings, elastic thread or webbing.
A possible problem with air deflectors is that they can be cumbersome and unsightly. FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C illustrate a collapsible deflector 70. Deflector 70 is pleated so that it folds down against the leg of the motorcyclist when it is not being used to block an air stream. FIG. 7A shows deflector 70 in its collapsed condition, lying downward against the motorcyclist's leg. FIG. 7B is a front view of deflector 70 in its open condition when is it blocking an air stream. FIG. 7C is a side view of deflector 70 in its open condition.
FIG. 8 shows a top view of a deflector 80 that is in the shape of a half-visor, allowing the deflector to fit snugly against the gas tank 82 and improving the efficiency of deflector 80 in blocking air. Typically, deflector 80 extends about 4 inches from the strap 24.
In some cases, it may be desirable to perforate the defector. FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate deflector 90 that has a hole 92 adjacent the knee 22 of the motorcyclist. A tube 94 extends backward from hole 92 and to the side so as to direct the air that flows through hole 92 away from the face of the motorcyclist.
FIGS. 10-12 show another embodiment of a deflector according to the invention that collapses when not in use. As shown in FIG. 10, deflector 100 includes a pivotable deflector plate 102, a hinge mechanism 104, a mounting plate 106 and a flexible support web 108. Mounting plate 106 is attached to a strap 110. A Velcro pad 110 a at one end of strap 110 mates with a Velcro pad 110 b on the other side of strap 110 to attach deflector 100 to the motorcyclist's leg. In other embodiments, strap 110 could be secured with snaps, buckles or other mechanisms, in place of or in addition to Velcro.
FIG. 11 shows deflector 100 strapped to the leg of a motorcyclist while the motorcycle is moving. As shown by the arrows, the air flow forces deflector 100 upward into its extended condition, with support web 108 in tension. In this embodiment, support web 108 is taut when the angle between deflector plate 102 and support plate is approximately 100 degrees. Strap 110 is wrapped around the motorcyclist's leg just below the kneecap to hold mounting plate 106 against the motorcyclist's leg. FIG. 12 shows deflector 100 in its collapsed condition when the motorcycle is not in motion.
In one embodiment, deflector 100 is constructed by wrapping a cloth material such as denim around internal plates to form deflector plate 102, mounting plate 106 and hinge mechanism 104. The cloth between deflector plate 102 and mounting plate 106 functions as the hinge mechanism 104. Support web 108 is also made of denim, and strap 110 is attached to mounting plate 106 by stitching or gluing. In other embodiments, leather, vinyl or other materials could be used in place of cloth, or the mounting, and deflector plates and hinge mechanism could be made of entirely different materials.
As shown in FIG. 10, support web 108 is attached to mounting plate 106 along an edge 108 a and to deflector plate 102 along an edge 108 b. Support web 108 is trapezoidal in shape, and edges 108 a and 108 b are attached at acute angles to the side edges of mounting plate 106 and deflector plate 102, respectively, such that support web 108 tends to push the air flow outward around the outside of the motorcyclist's leg. Edges 108 a and 108 b in this embodiment function as lines of attachment between support web 108 and mounting plate 106 and deflector plate 102, respectively. It will be understood that there are numerous other ways of constructing deflector 100. Moreover, although deflector plate 102 and mounting plate 105 are shown as planar in FIGS. 10-12, they may be contoured or shaped in various ways. Although support web 108 is shown as a single piece of material, it may be perforated in various was or may comprise one or more strands of a tensile member such as string, cord or wire.
In other embodiments, the air deflector includes a deflector plate that is connected to a mounting plate by means of a pivot mechanism, which allows the defector plate to move between a closed position, a ready position and an open (or operational) position.
FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13C are side views of an air deflector 200 that includes a mounting plate 202, a deflector plate 204 and a pivot mechanism 206. FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of air deflector 200, and FIG. 15 shows it top view of air deflector 200, showing the curved shape of mounting plate 202 that allows mounting plate 202 to be mounted to or held against the knee of a motorcyclist. In this embodiment, mounting plate 202 is mounted to the knee of a motorcyclist by means of a strap that is threaded through slots 208 in mounting plate 202. One of slots 208 is shown in FIGS. 13A-13C and 14. It will be understood that a corresponding slot 208 is positioned on the opposite side of mounting plate 202 from the slot 208 shown in these drawings.
FIGS. 13A and 15 show air deflector 200 with deflector plate 204 in the closed position, wherein an angle α (alpha) between a main axis 210 of mounting, plate 202 and a main axis 212 of deflector plate 204 ( axes 210 and 212 are shown in FIG. 13B) is close to zero (preferably in the range of zero to 5 degrees). Deflector plate 204 has a free end 204B and a second end 204A. Mounting plate 202 has a free end 202B and a second end 202A. The second end 204A of deflector plate 204 and the second end 202A of mounting plate 202 are connected by the pivot mechanism 206.
In the ready position, shown in FIGS. 13B and 14, deflector plate 204 is inhibited from returning to the closed position, i.e., deflector plate 204 is prevented from returning to the closed position unless the motorcyclist takes some action to return deflector plate 204 to the closed position. Otherwise, a stop in pivot mechanism 206 prevents deflector plate 204 from returning to the closed position. Thus deflector plate 204 is held in the ready position by the force of gravity. In the ready position, an angle β (beta) between the main axis 210 of deflector plate 204 and main axis 212 of mounting plate 202 is in the range of 55 to 75 degrees (for example, 65 degrees).
In the ready position, while deflector plate 204 is prevented from returning to the closed position (absent some action by the motorcyclist). Deflector plate 204 is free to rotate further upward to the open (or operational) position, shown in FIGS. 13C and 16. In the open position, an upper edge 214 of deflector plate 204, shown in FIG. 13B, comes into contact with a stop 216 in mounting plate 202, and this contact prevents deflector plate 204 from pivoting further upward with respect to mounting plate 202. Otherwise, deflector plate 204 is free to return to the ready position when it is in the open position. In the open position, an angle γ (gamma) between the main axis 210 of deflector plate 204 and main axis 212 of mounting plate 202 is in the range of 115 to 135 degrees (for example, 125 degrees).
In practice, a motorcyclist will normally keep deflector plate 204 releasably locked in the closed position when he or she is either dismounted from the motorcycle or is riding at such a slow speed that wind is not a problem. When preparing to accelerate, the motorcyclist moves deflector plate 204 from the closed position to the ready position. As his or her speed increases, the force of the air stream 14 lifts air deflector 204 from the ready position to the open position. As he or she slows down, the reduced speed and force of air stream 14 allows deflector plate 204 to return to the ready position, and prior to dismounting from the motorcycle the motorcyclist can move deflector plate 204 from the ready position to the closed position.
Persons of skill will understand that pivot mechanism 206 may be constructed in a wide variety of ways. One possible structure of pivot mechanism 206 is illustrated in FIGS. 17A-17E. In this embodiment, a shaft 230 is formed as a projection from mounting plate 202, and shaft 230 is inserted in a slot 232 formed in a slotted member 234, which is firmly attached to deflector plate 204. Shaft 230 and slot 232 form the pivotal connection between mounting plate 202 and deflector plate 204. Also affixed to deflector plate 204 is a cam 236, which includes an interior flange 238 (shown in dashed lines to indicate that it projects away from the reader in FIGS. 17A-17E). Affixed to mounting plate 202 is a stop 240 (shown partially in dashed lines to indicate that stop 240 is partially obscured from view by cam 236 in FIG. 17A.
FIG. 17A illustrates pivot mechanism 206 when deflector plate 204 is in the closed position. Shaft 230 is at the upper end of slot 232 and flange 238 abuts stop 240, thereby preventing deflector plate 204 from rotating with respect to mounting plate 202.
To release deflector plate 204 from the closed position, the motorcyclist lifts (transposes) deflector plate 204 upward (arrow 231) with respect to mounting plate 202. The resulting condition of pivot mechanism 206 is illustrated in FIG. 17B. Shaft 230 is now at the lower end of slot 232 and flange 238 has been lifted out of contact with stop 240. As a result, deflector plate 204 is free to rotate counter-clockwise with respect to mounting plate 202.
The motorcyclist then pivots deflector plate 204 outward, counter-clockwise with respect to mounting plate 202 (arrow 233)) until deflector plate 204 reaches the position shown in FIG. 17C. Cam 236 is sized so that cam 236 clears stop 240 during this rotational motion when shaft 230 is in the lower end of slot 232.
The motorcyclist pulls deflector plate 204 outward (arrow 235) until shaft 230 is in the left (formerly upper) end of slot 232, as shown in FIG. 17D. With shaft 230 in the left end of slot 232, cam 236 will not clear stop 240. Thus when the motorcyclist releases deflector plate 204 so as to allow deflector plate 204 to rotate clockwise with respect to mounting plate 202 (arrow 237), cam 236 comes into contact with stop 240, as shown in FIG. 17E, and deflector plate 204 is then in the ready position, with the main axes 210 and 212 of mounting plate 202 and deflector plate 204, respectively, at the angle β.
In the ready position shown in FIG. 17E, deflector plate 204 is free to rotate further in a counterclockwise direction with respect to mounting plate 202 to the open position, as airstream 14 lifts deflector plate 204.
As noted above, the pivot mechanism may take numerous forms. FIGS. 18A and 18B show a pivot mechanism 250 in an embodiment wherein a mounting plate 262 and a deflector plate 264 are made of a relatively soft plastic or silicone material and are thus resilient and deformable. Except as noted below, mounting plate 262 and deflector plate 264 may be similar in structure and shape to mounting plate 202 and deflector plate 204.
A rotatable cap 252 fits over an end of a shaft (not visible in FIGS. 18A and 18B) which projects from a side of mounting plate 262. A cam 254 protrudes from mounting plate 262. An upper surface of cam 254 mates with a cam surface 256 of deflector plate 264. When deflector plate 264 is in the closed position, shown in FIG. 18A, a bump 258 on cam 254 abuts a projection 260 on cam surface 256, retaining deflector plate 264 in the closed position.
Since both cam 254 and cam surface 256 comprise a resilient material, however, the motorcyclist is able to rotate deflector plate 264 counter-clockwise with respect to mounting plate 262, thereby temporarily deforming bump 258 and projection 260.
Cam surface 256 comprises a second projection 270, which also deforms temporarily as the motorcyclist rotates projection 270 past bump 258. When protection 270 has rotated past bump 258, the motorcyclist releases deflector plate 264 allowing deflector plate 264 to rotate backward in a counter-clockwise direction which brings projection 270 into contact again with bump 258. At this point deflector plate 264 is subject to the force of gravity and this is not sufficient to deform bump 258 or projection 270. Therefore, deflector plate comes to rest in the ready position, with projection 270 abutting the right side of bump 258.
In other embodiments, only one of the cam 254 and the cam surface 256 (bumps 258 and projection 270) is made of a resilient material that deforms on contact with the other of the cam 254 and cam surface 256.
Deflector plate 264 is free to rotate further in a counter-clockwise direction to the open position when it is lifted by air stream 14.
Referring again to FIGS. 14 and 16, it will be noted that deflector plate 204 comprises a plurality of louvered openings 280. FIG. 19 (which is not necessarily drawn to scale) is a cross-sectional view of deflector plate 204 through the louvered openings 280, taken at cross-section A-A shown in FIG. 16.
The edges 282 of louvered openings 280 are slanted in such a way that edges 282 form an angle δ (delta) with the main axis 212 amounting plate 202. The angle δ is preferably in the range of 80 to 100 degrees.
When the motorcyclist is riding with deflector plate 204 in the open position, a portion of air stream 14 passes through louvered openings 280 and is directed by the edges 282 towards the abdomen and lower chest of the motorcyclist. It has been found that the louvered openings 280 reduce the force against deflector plate 204 and improves the performance of air deflector 200. The louvered openings 280 also allow an abundant supply of fresh air to be supplied to the front area of the rider's torso.
The embodiments of this invention described above are illustrative and not limiting. Many different and alternative embodiments will be apparent from the above descriptions. For example, while the deflectors described above are mounted to the motorcyclist's leg by means of a strap, it is also possible to mount the deflector by sewing it or otherwise attaching it to the motorcyclist's pants. Moreover, the strap may be connected to the mounting plate in various ways that will be obvious to persons of skill in the art. For example, in one alternative embodiment the mounting plate has three slots on each side, and the strap is threaded through the outermost and middle slots, as shown in FIG. 20, and then inserted into the innermost slot and folded back on itself through the outermost slot. Threading the strap through the three slots allows the motorcyclist to make adjustments to the strap length in fitting the air deflector to his or her leg.
The following claims are to be interpreted broadly to include all such alternative embodiments.

Claims

1. An air deflector for attachment to a knee of a motorcyclist, the air deflector comprising a mounting plate, a deflector plate and a fastening member for attaching the mounting plate to the knee of a motorcyclist, the deflector plate being connected to the mounting plate by a pivot mechanism, the pivot mechanism being structured so as to allow the deflector plate to pivot with respect to the mounting plate between a closed position, a ready position and an open position, a main axis of the mounting plate and a main axis of the deflector plate forming an angle α in the closed position, an angle β in the ready position and an angle γ in the open position, wherein α<β<γ and wherein the deflector plate is releasably held in the closed position and the deflector plate is inhibited from returning to the closed position but is free to pivot to the open position when the deflector plate is in the ready position.

2. The air deflector of claim 1 wherein the angle α is in the range of zero to 5 degrees, the angle β is in the range of 55 to 75 degrees, and the angle γ is in the range of 115 to 135 degrees.

3. The air deflector of claim 1 wherein the pivot mechanism comprises a cam and a cam surface, at least one of the cam and cam surface being made of a resilient material that deforms on contact with the other of the cam and cam surface.

4. The air deflector of claim 1 wherein the pivot mechanism is structured so as to allow the deflector plate to be released from the closed position when the deflector plate is transposed in a direction parallel to the mounting plate.

5. The air deflector of claim 1 wherein the pivot mechanism is structured so as to allow the deflector plate to be released from the closed position when a rotational force is applied to the deflector plate.

6. The air deflector of claim 1 wherein the fastening member comprises a strap.

7. The air detector of claim 6 wherein the strap is threaded through slots in the mounting plate.

8. The air deflector of claim 1 wherein the deflector plate comprises a plurality of louvered openings.

9. The air deflector of claim 8 wherein the louvered openings have canted edges, the canted edges being oriented so as to direct a flow of air towards the abdomen and lower chest of a motorcyclist when the mounting plate is attached to the knee of the motorcyclist and the deflector plate is in the open position.

10. The air deflector of claim 8 wherein the louvered openings have canted edges, the canted edges being oriented at an angle δ in the range of 80 to 100 degrees with a main axis of the mourning plate when the deflector plate is in the open position.

11. An air deflector for attachment to a knee of a motorcyclist, the air deflector comprising a mounting plate, a deflector plate and a fastening member for attaching the mounting plate to the knee of a motorcyclist, the deflector plate comprising a plurality of louvered openings.

12. The air deflector of claim 11 wherein the louvered openings have canted edges, the canted edges being oriented so as to direct a flow of air towards the abdomen and lower chest of a motorcyclist when the mounting plate is attached to the knee of the motorcyclist and the deflector plate is in the open position.

13. The air deflector of claim 11 wherein the louvered openings have canted edges, the canted edges being oriented at an angle δ in the range of 80 to 100 degrees with a main axis of the mourning plate when the deflector plate is in the open position.

14. An air deflector mounted to the knee of a motorcyclist, the motorcyclist being seated in a riding position on a motorcycle, the air deflector comprising a deflector plate, the deflector plate extending forward from the knee of the motorcyclist and being positioned so as to protrude into and deflect an air stream flowing up the front side of the torso of the motorcyclist, the deflector plate comprising a plurality of louvered openings, the louvered openings having canted edges, the canted edges being oriented so as to direct a portion of the air stream towards the abdomen and lower chest of a motorcyclist.

15. An air deflector mounted to the knee of a motorcyclist, the motorcyclist being seated in a riding position on a motorcycle, the air deflector comprising a deflector plate and a mounting plate, the mounting plate being held against the knee of the motorcyclist, the deflector plate extending forward from the knee of the motorcyclist and being positioned so as to protrude into and deflect an air stream flowing up the front side of the torso of the motorcyclist towards the face of the motorcyclist, the deflector plate comprising a plurality of louvered openings, the louvered openings having canted edges, the canted edges being oriented at an angle δ in the range of 80 to 100 degrees with a main axis of the mounting plate when the deflector plate is in the open position.

16. An air deflector mounted to the knee of a motorcyclist, the air deflector comprising a deflector plate, a mounting plate, the mounting plate being held against the knee of the motorcyclist and pivotably connected to the deflector plate, the deflector plate being held by gravity in a ready position and being freely movable to an open position, a main axis of the mounting plate and main axis of the deflector plate forming an angle β in the range of 55 to 75 degrees when the deflector plate is in the ready position and an angle γ in the range of 115 to 135 degrees when the deflector plate is in the open position.

17. A method of preventing an air stream from striking the thee of a motorcyclist, the motorcyclist being mounted in a riding position on a motorcycle, the air stream flowing up the front side of the torso of the motorcyclist towards the face of the motorcyclist, the method comprising mounting an air deflector to the knee of the motorcyclist, the air deflector comprising a deflector plate, the deflector plate extending forward from the knee of the motorcyclist and protruding into and deflecting the air stream so as to prevent the air stream from striking the lace of the motorcyclist, the deflector plate comprising a plurality of louvered openings, the louvered openings having canted edges, the canted edges being oriented so as to direct a portion of the air stream towards the abdomen and lower chest of a motorcyclist.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the canted edges are oriented at an angle δ in the range of 80 to 100 degrees with a main axis of the mounting plate.