Motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle mounted tie down bracket

Details Motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle mounted tie down bracket Motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle mounted tie down bracket

2002-09-10

2004-10-19

Gordon, Stephen (Department: 3612)

Freight accommodation on freight carrier

Particular article accommodation

Wheeled vehicle

C410S007000, C410S012000, C410S023000, C410S100000, C410S102000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06805522

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to accessories for motorcycles and the like and, more specifically, to a Motorcycle and All-Terrain Vehicle Mounted Tie Down Bracket
2. Description of Related Art
Many devices are known for tying down a motorcycle or ATV for transporting on a trailer or truck. Examples in the field include: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,078,821, 4,243,243, 4,852,779, 5,529,448, 5,326,202, 4,752,177, 4,441,736 and 4,072,257. These references discuss a variety of utility trailers, stabilizing hitches, racks, hand grip mounts, strapping systems and suspension wear reducers for towing or carrying a motorcycle or ATV.
For reference purposes,
FIG. 1
is provided.
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a conventional dirt bike
10
. The typical arrangement for mounting the front wheel
12
to the conventional dirt bike
10
(as well as ATV's and ATC's) is via a fork assembly
14
. The fork assembly
14
generally consists of a left fork tube
16
, a right fork tube
18
and a handlebar pivot tube
20
. These three tubes
16
,
18
and
20
are interconnected by an upper triple clamp
22
A and a lower triple clamp
22
B.
To transport motorcycles or ATV's, tie down straps are typically used to secure the transported vehicle in the bed of a truck, box van, trailer or other transporting vehicle.
FIG. 2
is a perspective view of a conventional tie-down strap
50
. Tie-down straps typically consist of a pair of nylon straps
52
A and
52
B interconnected by a tensioning device
54
, such as a clamp or ratcheting assembly. Hooks
56
A and
56
B are attached to the distal ends of the straps
52
A and
52
B. In use, the typical practice is to place one hook
56
on the motorcycle or ATV steering handle bar, and attach the other hook to an eyelet or other attachment point on the transporting vehicle—at an approximate angle of 45 degrees. This method is repeated using a second tie-down strap on the opposite side of the motorcycle or ATV. When tension is applied to both tie-down straps, the vehicle's front suspension is compressed, creating retaining force against the surface of the transporting vehicle. This spring-like tension holds the motorcycle or ATV securely in place for transport.
Utilizing the motorcycle's or ATV's handlebar as an attachment point for a tie-down strap has several, disadvantages. When the vehicle is transported, vibration and motion will cause the nylon strap or hook to rub against various components on the motorcycle or ATV, potentially causing damage at these locations. Damage to electrical wires, control cables, body fairings and even the handlebars themselves is common, creating additional operating expense as well as potential safety hazards due resulting from component failure. Furthermore, the tie-down hook
56
can slide along the handlebar, thus loosening the tensioning force and creating the possibility of losing the transported vehicle.
None of the aforementioned references solve these problems adequately. In fact, U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,821 includes hose clamps
109
and a pin
107
which, when secured to the frame member
93
of the motorcycle, will scratch the paint and possibly even create a dent. What is needed, therefore, is a restraint device and system for motorcycles and ATV's that provides reliable security without causing damage to the motorcycle or ATV.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In light of the aforementioned problems associated with the prior devices and methods, it is an object of the present invention to provide a Motorcycle and All-Terrain Vehicle Mounted Tie Down Bracket. The device should easily attach to a conventional cycle or vehicle “triple clamp” and remain there during normal use of the cycle or vehicle. The device should include a portion for bolting to the cycle or vehicle as well as a portion for hooking a conventional tie-down strap through. The tie-down portion should be bent out respective to the mounting portion in order to make it easier to reach the tie-down portion.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4072257 (1978-02-01), Hall
patent: 4078821 (1978-03-01), Kitterman
patent: 4243243 (1981-01-01), Edmisten
patent: 4441736 (1984-04-01), Shedden
patent: 4752177 (1988-06-01), Zenna
patent: 4842458 (1989-06-01), Carpenter
patent: 4852779 (1989-08-01), Berg
patent: 5326202 (1994-07-01), Stubbs
patent: 5529448 (1996-06-01), Kosma
patent: 5823723 (1998-10-01), Finch
patent: 6065914 (2000-05-01), Fotou
patent: 6171034 (2001-01-01), Burgoon et al.
patent: 6331094 (2001-12-01), Burrows
patent: 6524041 (2003-02-01), Voiculescu
patent: 6641342 (2003-11-01), Girardin
patent: 2003/0059269 (2003-03-01), Bosley
patent: 2003/0103831 (2003-06-01), Alderman
patent: 2003/0143051 (2003-07-01), Jackson
patent: 2003/0152436 (2003-08-01), Trauthwein

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