Patent Application
20060104738
The present invention relates to transportation racks for motorcycles.
Transporting disabled motorcycles, the motorcycles are generally very heavy and difficult to maintain in an upright position unless fully strapped in place. This procedure is labor intensive requiring a person to maintain the motorcycle in an upright position while securing straps separately on either sides of the motorcycle. Devices to load and transport motorcycles are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,630,849 of Clary for a ramp assembly in combination with a winch where in the front wheel of the motorcycle is held between two v-shaped members comprising each a horizontal member and an oblique forward member. However, in Clary '849 the device primarily prevents forward movement of the motorcycle and does not have a means for preventing the motorcycle from rolling rearward other then physical attachments and a horizontally extending transverse bar. However the horizontally transverse bar is fixed in place which then requires lifting the heavy motorcycle upward to advance up and over the transverse bar for release. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,739,823 of Shirvell a motorcycle loading and unloading apparatus includes a u-shaped member to prevent forward movement of the front motorcycle wheel. However, to stop the motorcycle from rolling rearward a transverse and upwardly extending wedge shaped rear stop is provided to prevent rolling of the motorcycle rearward. However, in order to remove the motorcycle, the motorcycle would be rolled over the upward extending wedge or the upwardly extending wedge must be removed.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,565 of Frenchuk a motorcycle loading and support assembly for carrying a motorcycle on a truck includes a channeled ramp end portion which is angled upwardly relative to the horizontal main channel and a pivotable rear channel at the rear end winch moves the motorcycle up the ramp to the flatbed of a truck for transportation. The rear end of the channel and upwardly extending curved back portion is used for preventing rearward movement of the rear wheel. Fasteners are used for securing the motorcycle in place upon the bed of the truck.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,109,494 of Pilmore describes a motorcycle transport system comprising a clamp for clamping the lower end of the frame of the motorcycle between the wheels to a bracket.
A motorcycle transport load for a flatbed truck is sold under the name Drag-on™ for a wheeled u-shaped channel having an upright member and a horizontal channel for inserting a front wheel of a motorcycle therein. However, in order to prevent rearward movement, the motors front wheel must be secured in place by supplementary fasteners. A further motorcycle wheel retainer known as MC100 of AW Direct Towing Accessories of Berlin, Conn. includes a winch shaped member including space plate and an obliquely extending tubular bar to prevent forward movement of the motorcycle wheel. Additional tie downs are required to secure the motorcycle in place such as motorcycle ratchet tie downs, motorcycle sling straps and motorcycle hooks.
Similar motorcycle dolly is described also in AW Direct as PD-300 which includes a ramped channel with an obliquely and upwardly extending front plate to prevent forward movement of the front wheel. However, this motorcycle dolly requires tie down straps for holding the motorcycle in place and preventing rearward rolling thereof.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a motorcycle transport rack which cradles the front wheel in a position which prevents rearward rolling while at the same time provides easy access for rolling the motorcycle in place.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide a motorcycle transport rack with a front cradle which moves from a wheel insertion position to a wheel securing system.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide a motorcycle transport rack which allows for rearward rolling of the motorcycle without lifting the motorcycle over a upwardly extending impediment.
In keeping with these objects and others, which may become apparent, the present invention includes a motorcycle transport rack which includes a longitudinally extending bar having a pivotable crescent shaped channeled cradle which pivots upon a forward movement of a motorcycle wheel in place from a flat wheel insertion position to a rotated locking position wherein a forward portion of the crescent prevents forward movement of the wheel and the rearward portion of the crescent holds the wheel in place preventing rearward movement in place.
Although the motorcycle can be held in place with just the rear of the front wheel being cradled by the crescent shape channeled cradle, preferably a rear guide base member is provided for the rear wheel to provide additional support. The bar upon which the motorcycle sits may be moved longitudinally forward or rearward depending on the length of the motorcycle being transported.
Hence it is possible to move the motorcycle in place without having to lift it over impediment and to secure it in place and then for release to merely roll the motorcycle rearward without having to also lift it over an impediment.
Auxiliary straps can be used for further securing.
However, the motorcycle does not need to be supported during the strap insertion by auxiliary means, since it is held in place within the crescent shaped channel securing the front wheel thereof.
The crescent shaped channel preferably has a maximum an arc of 180° to permit the front wheel to be inserted therein. Any degree of arc may be employed so long as the portion of the tire is held in place upon pivotable rotation of the crescent shaped channel. The channel is between 10° of arc and 180° degrees of arc, preferably between 90° and 120°.
The crescent shaped channel may be a smooth arcuate curve or it may be a series of welded flat base members joined together to form a relatively curved ark. The side channel extends upward preferably about 2 to 6 inches to secure the wheel in place to prevent lateral movement thereof.
The motorcycle transport rack of the present invention can be adapted to a tow truck wrecker tow bar assembly wherein the pivotable crescent channel member pivots from an open position on the longitudinally extending horizontal bar (which is pivoted, slanted downward for upward rolling of the motorcycle in place); the crescent-shaped member then pivots into a transport position forwardly against a oblique or other forward extending member of the motorcycle wrecker assembly, where it is securely latched.
However, it is also known that the motorcycle transport rack can be a self enclosed unit for a routine transportation of motorcycles wherein the longitudinally extending bar includes a hitch assembly for attachment to a standard hitch attached at the rear end to a vehicle such as a pick-up truck, sports utility vehicle or truck or automobile.
It is further known that other two wheeled vehicles can be transported such as bicycles, moto-cross racing bicycles, or rough terrain dirtbike bicycles.
The present invention can best be understood in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown in drawings, in which:
Although a pivoted smooth crescent channel segment is perhaps the ideal shape for the front motorcycle tire holder, this is difficult to fabricate in practice. The preferred material of these accessories for this invention is aluminum or steel diamond plate which is cut, bent, and welded to form the desired shapes. However, smoothly curved front tire retaining channel members may also be used.
In the drawings, the parts are shown as if fabricated of a smooth plate for clarity.
For example,
In the foregoing description, certain terms and visual depictions are used to illustrate the preferred embodiment. However, no unnecessary limitations are to be construed by the terms used or illustrations depicted, beyond what is shown in the prior art, since the terms and illustrations are exemplary only, and are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention.
It is further known that other modifications may be made to the present invention, without departing the scope of the invention, as noted in the appended Claims.
