Implements or apparatus for applying pushing or pulling force – Single throw lever – Special engaging feature
Reexamination Certificate
1998-02-03
2001-05-22
Watson, Robert C. (Department: 3723)
Implements or apparatus for applying pushing or pulling force
Single throw lever
Special engaging feature
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234452
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to jacks, and more particularly to portable jacks or supports for elevating at least one of the two ends of a motorized two-wheel vehicle such as a motorcycle.
BACKGROUND
The need has existed ever since motorized two-wheel vehicles were first developed for a convenient way to service the wheel and related components at one end of the vehicle. Although ramps or lifts may be helpful. they generally take up a large amount of space. Furthermore, the motorcycle may require emergency servicing at a location remote from the bulky ramps and lifts. as when a mechanical failure occurs while the motorcycle is on the road.
Attempts have also been made to rely on the motorcycle kickstand to support the cycle while servicing it. However, the kickstand, although attached directly to the frame of the cycle itself and therefore extremely portable, has a relatively pointed end that may dig into sand, grass or blacktop resulting in unstable support for the motorcycle. Additionally. using the kickstand will not lift the front or rear wheel of the cycle off the ground.
Devices are also known for elevating automobiles by engaging an axle of the vehicle. However, motorcycles lack a suitably exposed axle, and the adaptation of such devices to motorcycles have resulted in the risk of scratching or damaging the surface of the motorcycle frame with the lift.
A compact motorcycle stand is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,067 issued to Robert C. Johnson. The motorcycle stand includes a support roller (
12
) pivotably mounted to a base assembly (
18
) by means of an axle (
56
and
58
), with the axle fixedly attached to the support roller by a pair of brackets (
14
and
16
) and rotatably extending through a pair of bearings (
50
and
52
) secured to the base assembly. One end of the axle extends a distance beyond the base assembly for permitting rotation of the axle between a clearance position (forward of the base assembly) and a support position (above the base assembly) with a wrench (
86
) and appropriately sized socket (
88
).
While the motorcycle stand disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,067 represents a significant advance, a continuing demand exists for still further improved motorcycle stands.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is a compact, hand-operable stand for quickly and easily elevating one end of a motorcycle. The basic stand includes (i) a longitudinally elongated base assembly, (ii) a mounting assembly pivotably attached to the base assembly, and (iii) a support assembly secured to the mounting assembly for pivoting in combination with the mounting assembly. The mounting assembly and support assembly can be pivoted between a clearance position (i.e., mounting assembly and support assembly pivoted downward for permitting the stand to be slid underneath the frame of a motorcycle), and a support position (i.e., mounting assembly and support assembly pivoted upward for permitting the support assembly to contact the frame of a motorcycle and elevate at least one end of the motorcycle above grade).
The basic stand includes one or more additional features selected from (iv) configuring and arranging the base assembly and mounting assembly so that the mounting assembly bears against the base assembly when in the support position for preventing continued pivoting of the support assembly beyond the support position, (v) providing a means for repositionably attaching the support assembly to the mounting assembly at a plurality of different positions relative to the base assembly, with each position providing a different distance between the support assembly and the base assembly and thereby changing the height to which the stand is capable of elevating a motorcycle, (vi) providing a flange extending from a first longitudinal end of the base assembly effective for being engaged by a user's foot so as to stabilize the stand during pivoting of the support assembly between the clearance and support positions, and (vii) configuring and arranging the mounting assembly and support assembly to provide at least two longitudinally spaced engagement elements with relatively thin longitudinal profiles capable of independent longitudinal repositioning for alignment of each engagement element with a structural element of a motorcycle frame so as to accommodate motorcycles with a recessed frame (e.g., the engine extends lower than the frame).
REFERENCES:
patent: 1171049 (1916-02-01), Jeffery
patent: 1307600 (1919-06-01), Rose et al.
patent: 1354529 (1920-10-01), Alexander
patent: 1492461 (1924-04-01), Howe
patent: 2543276 (1951-02-01), Buechler
patent: 4113235 (1978-09-01), Hartman
patent: 4180253 (1979-12-01), Ivers et al.
patent: 4193582 (1980-03-01), Neilsen
patent: 4324384 (1982-04-01), Elser
patent: 4348010 (1982-09-01), Baxter
patent: 5139232 (1992-08-01), Bailey
patent: 5518224 (1996-05-01), Anderson
patent: 5639067 (1997-06-01), Johnson
patent: 5769396 (1998-06-01), Tischendorf
Sherrill Michael S.
Watson Robert C.
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