Material or article handling – Vehicle attached auxiliary carriers
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-03
2001-06-12
Krizek, Janice L. (Department: 3652)
Material or article handling
Vehicle attached auxiliary carriers
C224S521000, C280S402000, C414S563000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244813
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to land vehicles and, more particularly, to apparatus for single end suspension of a towed vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hauling motorcycles has never been a particularly easy task. In the past, special trailers were employed which were bulky, heavy, not fuel efficient, and required a costly license to tow. In the alternative, motorcycles were pushed up ramps onto the beds of pickup trucks for transport-a risky undertaking with motorcycle upset being an ever-present danger. Recently, devices capable of lifting one wheel of a motorcycle off the ground for towing behind a land vehicle have been proposed.
The known wheel-raising devices lift the front wheel of a motorcycle off the ground and rely on the motorcycle's pivoting front fork to negotiate turns. These devices have not seen great commercial success since no motorcycle manufacturer recommends towing a motorcycle by its front wheel because such a towing arrangement forces the belt, chain, drive shaft and/or gears of a motorcycle to turn without adequate lubrication. The motorcycle engine must be running in order for the motorcycle's oil pump to lubricate these vital engine components. A need, therefore, exists for a device capable of towing a motorcycle by its rear wheel and able to compensate for the inability to use the front fork of the motorcycle to negotiate turns.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In light of the problems associated with the known equipment for towing motorcycles behind land vehicles, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a device capable of towing a motorcycle by its heavy rear wheel and pivoting to permit the towed motorcycle to negotiate turns. It is believed that such a device will prolong the useful life of may towed motorcycles.
It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in a motorcycle towing device for the purposes described which is lightweight in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and dependable in use.
Briefly, the motorcycle towing device in accordance with this invention achieves the intended objects by featuring an adapter portion including for secure fastening to a conventional trailer hitch at the rear of a land vehicle. A base portion is secured to the adapter portion and has a platform member and an upright member affixed perpendicularly to the rear end of the platform member. A lifting portion is carried by the base portion and includes an elevator adapted to slide up-and-down upon the upright member in response to movements of a jackscrew atop the platform portion. The elevator has a head tube with bearings at its top and bottom. A pivot member is carried by the head tube and, by means of pivot arms, turns upon the bearings. A pair of motorcycle tie-down arms extending outwardly and rearwardly from the pivot member and a pair of wheel engagement arms, for supporting a motorcycle wheel, extend rearwardly from the pivot member. A roller is affixed between the wheel engagement arms at a distance from the pivot member for engagement with the bottom of a motorcycle wheel.
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2726777 (1955-12-01), Wiley
patent: 3721356 (1973-03-01), McNeill
patent: 3776572 (1973-12-01), Bane
patent: 4111449 (1978-09-01), Hancock
patent: 5011361 (1991-04-01), Peterson
patent: 5145308 (1992-09-01), Vaughn et al.
patent: 5366338 (1994-11-01), Mortensen
patent: 5560628 (1996-10-01), Horn
patent: 5620197 (1997-04-01), Howes
patent: 5984613 (1999-11-01), Motilewa
patent: 438044 (1967-11-01), None
patent: 2515585 (1983-05-01), None
Greiner Stephen R.
Krizek Janice L.
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