Material or article handling – Wheel and wheel-type article handler and transporter – Ramp-type truck
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-27
2003-04-01
Werner, Frank E. (Department: 3652)
Material or article handling
Wheel and wheel-type article handler and transporter
Ramp-type truck
C211S024000, C211S020000, C134S123000, C193S037000, C193S0350SS, C015S268000, C414S426000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06540470
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a rollered ramp device that enables the cleaning and maintenance of motorcycle or vehicle wheels without raising the machine.
The cleaning of wheels on motorcycles in the past has been accomplished by way of pushing the motorcycle by hand forward or backward any number of times. This is time consuming and a hassle for the person cleaning. Hands are scraped and knuckles skinned by trying to clean as far as possible under the fender, frame, belt or chain, and mufflers. By cleaning as much of the wheel as possible, you reduce the number of times the motorcycle has to be moved.
Another method is to jack the motorcycle off the ground. However, motorcycles are heavy and often in excess of 500 pounds. This method is unsafe and time consuming. The expense of the motorcycle jack is prohibitive. This invention is inexpensive and safe to use.
Another aspect of this invention is to rotate to wheel and tire for inspection or maintenance purposes. If you have a maintenance problem with rubbing of the tire on the frame or perhaps the chain or belt hitting against the frame or swing arm, this invention allows turning of the wheel without jacking up the motorcycle. With the frame raised and the swing arm staying stationary the rubbing or hitting would not be detectable. Turning the wheel with the frame and wings arm in the riding position would allow you to detect the problems area. This invention allows you to achieve this.
There is much prior art pertaining to bicycle testing and training equipment. Applicant has not been able to find any prior art pertaining to a wheel roller used to clean wheels or for maintenance. The closest prior art is two patents, U.S. Pat. No. 3,905,597, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,026,546. Both are for bicycle peddling stands and do not achieve the same results as this invention. They both use rollers, but that is where the similarity ends. There are many patents that refer to rollers and the use of rollers, but none that refers to the use of a ramp, an adjustable roller, and a stationary roller.
This invention allows an easier and safer method for cleaning motorcycle wheels without the danger of the motorcycle falling over or falling off a jack. The ease of turning the wheel prevents the need to reach up behind the sprocket, chain, swings arm and brakes to get as much clean as possible without moving the motorcycle as many times. This prevents skinned knuckles, bruised hands and broken fingernails.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,910,201 discloses a tire changing aid having a wire frame with rollers for supporting a tire. However, the patent discloses that the wire frame flexes, which would not be suitable for supporting a motorcycle wheel attached to a motorcycle. In addition, the spacing between the rollers is not adjustable.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,273 discloses a tire inspection apparatus to facilitate the loading of heavy tires. The apparatus has many components, is not unitary and is very complicated. However, there is no disclosure of supporting a vehicle such as a motorcycle. Furthermore, there is no disclosure of making the device portable. The jacking apparatus disclosed would prevent the device from being made portable. Furthermore, the spacing between the rollers is not adjustable.
This invention is a simple device that could be used by thousands of motorcycle riders throughout the world. Almost every rider cleans his own motorcycle. For example, Harley Davidson, BMW, Yamaha, Honda and Kawasaki riders can use this invention to clean their wheels and tires. No more skinned knuckles and bruised hands for riders trying to clean their wheel and tires. No more jacking up a motorcycle to clean the wheels and tires. The safety issue is extremely important relating to this invention. The possibility of a motorcycle falling off the jack is highly probable and could cause serious injury or possibly death. The skinned knuckles can become infected and are painful.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The motorcycle wheel washing ramp comprised of a frame including opposing sidewalls and at least one incline wall substantially perpendicular to the sidewalls. The sidewalls have opposing apertures to adjustably receive parallel aligned rollers to permit the motorcycle wheel to advance upward onto the ramp and over the two parallel rollers after which the wheel may be manually turned for washing, cleaning and/or polishing.
A principle object and advantage of the present invention is that the motorcycle's front or rear wheel may be driven onto the ramp after which the wheel may be spun by hand to clean the hub spokes, rim and tire.
Another object and advantage of the present invention is that the motorcycle no longer needs to be consecutively moved to expose a particular portion of the wheel to be cleaned or otherwise jacked up off the ground to permit free-wheeling movement of either wheel. Another object and advantage of the principle invention is that the rollers of the ramp are adjustably movable to accommodate wheels of various diameters.
Another object and advantage of the present invention is that the unitary ramp is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture and readily stores in a small, compact space.
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patent: 5513938 (1996-05-01), Chambers
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patent: 6325082 (2001-12-01), Schlueter
Advertisement for Wheel Easy Cleaning Stamd.
Johnson Timothy R.
Smith Gerald F.
Briggs and Morgan
Capes Nelson R.
Helget Gerald E.
Werner Frank E.
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