Material or article handling – Wheel and wheel-type article handler and transporter
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-10
2001-09-11
Bratlie, Steven A. (Department: 3652)
Material or article handling
Wheel and wheel-type article handler and transporter
C414S430000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06287069
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to motorcycle accessories and more particularly concerns a dolly usable to support a motorcycle for storage, long distance transport, maintenance and repositioning in tight quarters.
A free-standing motorcycle is generally supported by its kickstand with the motorcycle leaning at a considerable angle from the vertical. As a result, the motorcycle takes up significantly more space than it occupies in a vertical position. If the motorcycle is stored or transported in a limited space environment such as a shed, garage, trailer or flat bed of a pick-up truck, space is at a premium. Furthermore, it is very difficult to maneuver the motorcycle in such confined storage and transport areas. In addition, maintenance of a motorcycle supported by the kickstand can be clumsy and inconvenient because the parts being worked on are angled in relation to the workman.
A motorcycle dolly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,461, issued on Mar. 11, 1997 to Bruce A. Lichtenberg, does increase the maneuverability of a free-standing motorcycle. However, the dolly disclosed in that patent supports the motorcycle in its kickstand position and, therefore, solves none of the difficulties resulting from the angled position of the motorcycle on its kickstand.
It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a motorcycle dolly which supports a motorcycle in an upright position without the use of a kickstand. Another object of this invention is to provide a motorcycle dolly which allows a motorcycle to be manipulated over a 360° range of motion. Another object of this invention is to provide a motorcycle dolly onto which a motorcycle can be driven. A further object of this invention is to provide a motorcycle dolly which is capable of supporting motorcycles of varying size. It is also an object of this invention to provide a motorcycle dolly which supports a motorcycle in a position facilitating maintenance of the motorcycle. And it is an object of this invention to provide a motorcycle dolly which enables a motorcycle to be locked in its upright position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A motorcycle dolly is provided which includes a carriage for conveying the motorcycle parallel to a first plane and a prop mounted on the carriage for supporting the motorcycle in symmetrical orientation with respect to a second plane perpendicular to the first plane. In normal use, the first plane will be horizontal and the second plane vertical. The carriage consists of a chassis mounted on a plurality of casters. Preferably, the casters have 360° turn capability and a locking mechanism for preventing rotation of their wheels. Preferably, a first pair of casters is symmetrically displaced from the vertical plane on a first axle at the front end of the chassis and a second pair of casters is symmetrically displaced from the vertical plane on a second axle proximate a rear end of the chassis. Most preferably, the second axle is located at approximately a rear quarter point of the chassis. In its preferred embodiment, the chassis is an elongated rigid frame consisting of a channel having a web wider than the width of the widest wheel of the motorcycle, the web being parallel to the first plane. A ramp slopes downwardly and away from the rear end of the channel to facilitate driving the motorcycle onto the web of the channel. The prop consists of a fork having tines spaced to receive the front wheel of the motorcycle therebetween. Preferably, the tines consist of a pair of plates parallel to the second plane. A mechanism is provided for varying the distance between the pair of plates so as to clamp the front wheel of the motorcycle in a vertical condition between the plates. Most preferably, the prop consists of a channel fixed to the carriage with the web of the channel perpendicular to the first and second planes and the flanges of the channel aligned to receive the front wheel of the motorcycle therebetween. At least one pair of resiliently flexible elongated plates is fixed to the inside walls of each of the flanges proximate one end of the plates. At least one pair of flexing mechanisms is mounted on each of the flanges and engageable with one of the plates. Each flexing mechanism cooperates with its associated flange to vary the distance between the other end of the plate and its flange. Two pairs of plates and flexing mechanisms are preferred, one pair of plates extending in a direction parallel to the first plane and the other pair of the plates extending in a direction perpendicular to the first plane. The preferred flexing mechanism consists of a shaft threadedly engaged through its respective flange in the chassis channel or prop channel and having a head at one end thereof butted against its respective plate. The shaft also has a knob at its other end to facilitate manual rotation of the shaft in its threaded engagement.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2610750 (1952-09-01), Hulbert
patent: 3625545 (1971-12-01), Somers et al.
patent: 3979137 (1976-09-01), Lipscomb, Jr. et al.
patent: 4032167 (1977-06-01), Chereda
patent: 5228712 (1993-07-01), Speier
patent: 5234307 (1993-08-01), Scott
patent: 5462398 (1995-10-01), Hymer
patent: 5570898 (1996-11-01), Albert
patent: 5609461 (1997-03-01), Lichtenberg
patent: 5674044 (1997-10-01), Ranes
Oliphant Ward M.
Wilson Michael B.
Bratlie Steven A.
Catalano Frank J.
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