Material or article handling – Wheel and wheel-type article handler and transporter
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-24
2001-02-13
Bratlie, Steven A. (Department: 3652)
Material or article handling
Wheel and wheel-type article handler and transporter
C414S427000, C414S428000, C280S043170
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186727
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A motorcycle (called “cycle” throughout this patent application) is often a very heavy thing. When the cycle is not in operation it is very difficult or impossible for one man to load it onto a truck (typically a tow truck).
There are different situations when it is desired to load a nonfunctioning cycle onto a truck. For example, the cycle may have a front wheel that is damaged and accordingly not rotating properly, so that it is desired to take the cycle to a repair shop. As another example, it may be desired to pick up a cycle that is not operating because it is turned off and is locked. This occurs when an attempt is being made to impound the cycle, repossess the cycle, etc.
A big problem with prior-art apparatus for use in transporting cycles is that it is often large, bulky and heavy. Thus, it is difficult to store, transport, load, unload and use. For example, the single operator of a tow truck used to pick up disabled cycles does not want to have a large heavy apparatus permanently mounted on that truck so as to be readily available when needed. Instead, he wants an apparatus that is knocked down or collapsed, yet substantially ready for use at any desired time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present apparatus and method, a combination chock and cradle apparatus is provided around the lower part of a cycle wheel and is associated with a collapsible dolly that is adapted to substitute for the cycle wheel in supporting one end of the cycle.
Six “bootstrap” connector elements are provided between the chock/cradle apparatus and five or more portions of the cycle body. In the preferred embodiment, one or two “bootstrap” connector elements ensure that the wheel (if it is the front wheel) does not turn about a vertical axis (that is to say, flop).
The chock/cradle apparatus is then lifted off the ground, thus making the dolly wheels fully operative to be employed in moving the cycle to a desired location, such as the bed of a tow truck. In the preferred form, the elevation of the chock/cradle apparatus off the ground is effected by a mechanism on the dolly, and by the “bootstrap” connector apparatus that is shortened to provide a lifting action.
The lifting action relative to the cycle wheel is much facilitated by lever action. Furthermore, the chock/cradle apparatus may be formed from a tubular frame to reduce the cost of manufacturing the chock/cradle apparatus and weight.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, these and other objectives are accomplished by providing a rear chock adapted to associate with the back side of a first wheel of the cycle; a front chock adapted to associate with the front side of the first wheel of the cycle, said front chock releasably coupled to said rear chock; a dolly releasably coupled to said rear chock, said dolly having a rotatable actuator and a pair of arms each having a pivotal end and a free end, each of said arms adapted to link to said actuator; and a pair of wheels coupled to respective free ends of said arms; wherein when said actuator is linked to said pair of arms and said actuator is activated, said pair of arms extend to cause the pair of wheels to come in contact with the floor, thereby raising the transporting assembly along with the first wheel of the cycle which is strapped into the transporting assembly, whereby said cycle secured to said transporting assembly may be maneuvered.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, one of the methods of accomplishing the above objectives is by providing a transporting assembly including a rear chock, front chock, a pair of side bars, and a dolly, wherein the dolly has an actuator and a pair of arms, wherein each of said arms have a pivotal end and a free end, said pivotal end of each of said arms pivotally coupled to the actuator and the free ends have a wheel, wherein rotation of said actuator causes said pair of arms to extend to raise the transporting assembly; placing the rear chock behind a first wheel of a motorcycle; placing the front chock on the front side of the first wheel of the motorcycle; coupling the front and rear chocks with the pair of side bars with the first wheel of the motorcycle within the rear and front chocks and the pair of side bars; coupling the dolly to the pair of side bars on the front chock side of the pair of side bars; strapping the motorcycle to the transporting assembly; and rotating the actuator to raise the transporting assembly along with the first wheel of the motorcycle, whereby the transporting assembly and the motorcycle may be moved by applying force to the transporting assembly.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1650031 (1927-11-01), Nash
patent: 2436499 (1948-02-01), Williams
patent: 2551483 (1951-05-01), Bartoe
patent: 2807380 (1957-09-01), Boehnke
patent: 3378154 (1968-04-01), Mousel
patent: 3740074 (1973-06-01), Coil
patent: 3963129 (1976-06-01), Clayton
patent: 4690605 (1987-09-01), Coccaro
patent: 4696484 (1987-09-01), Casey
patent: 5735538 (1998-04-01), Mosher et al.
patent: 1526694 (1968-04-01), None
patent: 1043074 (1983-09-01), None
Bratlie Steven A.
Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly LLP
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