Abstract:
A slide locking kick arm includes a shaft connectable to an engine kick starter and a foot pedal which fits over the free end of the shaft for stowage and slides to the free end of the shaft where it can be pivoted outboard away from the engine to deploy. The shaft includes an offset as necessary to avoid interference by engine-mounted or vehicle mounted parts. A spring-loaded locking pin with one or more alignment plates may be incorporated to provide positive engagement.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to, copending U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 11/657,980 filed Jan. 24, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference into this Application. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Applicant&#39;s slide locking motorcycle kick arm relates to apparatus for manually starting small internal combustion engines. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Motorcycle kick arms are used to manually turn the crank of an internal combustion engine over such that the engine will start. Kick arms are also commonly used on other vehicles and apparatus with smaller engines where battery powered starters are undesirable due to weight, space or cost considerations, such as snowmobiles, all terrain vehicles, scooters, and other apparatus. Kick arms utilize a pedal connected to the kick arm, which the user actuates to force the kick arm to turn the engine over. Some motorcycles are equipped with electric starters which perform this function, and some motorcycles have both an electric starter and the option to start the engine manually by use of a kick arm. Kick arms are currently available but make use of a pedal rotationally connected to the kick arm, which when not in use is pivoted to a storage position. Current kick arm pedals are prone to drift from the storage position due to vibration or wind when the motorcycle is in use. This poses usability and safety problems for the operator of the motorcycle. Thus there is a need for kick arms that prevent the kick arm pedal from drifting from the storage position when the motorcycle is in use or when the kick arm is not in use. 
         [0004]    A number of devices have provided motorcycle kick arms, but the art has not addressed these problems. The following represents a list of known related art: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
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                 U.S. Pat. No. 3,533,389 
                 Harker 
                 Oct. 13, 1970 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0005]    The teachings of each of the above-listed citations (which do not itself incorporate essential material by reference) are herein incorporated by reference. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the slide locking kick arm as claimed. U.S. Pat. No. 3,533,389 to Harker teaches a fairly conventional layout for a kick arm, where the foot pedal rotates out of the way, but is prone to drift due to vibration. 
         [0006]    Thus, there is a need for a slide locking kick arm apparatus that stows completely out of the way, such that there is no danger of the pedal drifting out to interfere with the operator. There is also a need for a slide locking kick arm apparatus which can be operated with one hand and does not require tools to use. There is also a need for a slide locking kick arm apparatus which is designed to clear engine air filter and exhaust components. Still other features would be desirable in a motorcycle kick arm, such as the ability to lock or prevent the kick arm pedal from drifting from the storage position when not in use. 
         [0007]    Thus, while the foregoing body of art indicates it to be well known to have a motorcycle kick arm, the art described above does not teach or suggest a motorcycle kick arm which has the desirable feature of preventing the kick arm pedal from drifting from the storage position when not in use. 
       SUMMARY AND ADVANTAGES 
       [0008]    A slide locking kick arm comprises a shaft connectable to an engine kick starter and a foot pedal which fits over the free end of the shaft for stowage and slides to the free end of the shaft where it can be pivoted outboard away from the engine to deploy. The shaft includes an offset as necessary to avoid interference by engine-mounted or vehicle mounted parts. A spring-loaded locking pin with one or more alignment plates may be incorporated to provide positive engagement. 
         [0009]    A slide locking kick arm includes a foot pedal, a shaft having a first end connectable to a kick starter, the shaft including an elongated portion extending to a free end; first connecting means for connecting the shaft to an engine kick starter; second connecting means for slidably attaching the foot pedal to the shaft elongated portion, the second connecting means including rotating means for rotating the pedal approximately ninety degrees outboard only when the pedal is moved proximal to the free end; and, locking means for locking the pedal in its outboard rotated position. 
         [0010]    A slide locking kick arm includes a shaft having a first portion connectable to a motorcycle kick starter, a second offset portion extending from the first portion at an angle to prevent interference with engine-mounted parts, and a third portion extending from the offset portion to a free end; and, a foot pedal including a first interior cavity having a closed end and an open end receiving at least a portion of the shaft third portion therein, and further including a pivot engagement portion slidingly engagable to the shaft third portion along at least a portion of the length of the shaft third portion and pivotable outboard at a location proximal to the free end of the shaft third portion. 
         [0011]    A slide locking kick arm includes the shaft third portion including an enclosed slot disposed along at least a portion of the shaft third part; and, the pivot engagement portion comprises an axel extending transversely through the foot pedal and the enclosed slot. 
         [0012]    A slide locking kick arm includes the shaft third portion including a first channel disposed along at least a portion of the length of the shaft third part; and, the pivot engagement portion comprises a first bearing projecting into the interior of the foot pedal cavity and engaging the first channel. 
         [0013]    A slide locking kick arm includes the shaft third portion further including a second channel, the first and second channels parallel and disposed along opposing sides of at least a portion of the length of the shaft third portion; and, the pivot engagement portion further comprising a second bearing projecting into the interior of the foot pedal cavity and engaging the second channel. 
         [0014]    A slide locking kick arm includes the first bearing including a ball bearing and a spring acting on the ball bearing to urge the ball bearing into the first channel. 
         [0015]    A slide locking kick arm includes each of the first and second bearings comprising a ball bearing and a spring acting on the ball bearing to urge the first and second ball bearings into the first and second channels, respectively. 
         [0016]    A slide locking kick arm includes wherein each of the ball bearings and springs is retained within a corresponding hollow insert within a wall of the pedal, each of the hollow inserts including an exterior lip for engaging an interior wall of the pedal, and an internal retaining lip for retaining the ball bearing against the spring within the hollow insert. 
         [0017]    A slide locking kick arm includes wherein the foot pedal further includes: a locking pin having first and second ends and a locking pin handle connected to the first end, the locking pin slidably insertable through the closed end of the foot pedal through the first cavity and beyond the first cavity open end; a fixed support plate fixedly connected to the locking pin and positioned within the first cavity of the foot pedal; a locking pin spring disposed within the first cavity acting between the fixed support plate and the first cavity closed end; and, the kick arm shaft third portion further comprises a first locking pin receiving hole through the free end extending into the length of the shaft third portion, and a second locking pin locking hole extending transversely into the shaft third portion proximal to the shaft third portion free end. 
         [0018]    A slide locking kick arm includes a sliding support plate slidably attachable to the locking pin between the fixed support plate and the second end of the locking pin. 
         [0019]    A slide locking kick arm includes a sliding support plate spring extending along the locking pin between the fixed support plate and the sliding support plate. 
         [0020]    A slide locking kick arm includes wherein the locking pin handle is a closed loop. 
         [0021]    A slide locking kick arm includes wherein the foot pedal further comprises a raised retaining lip extending radially outward from the closed end of the foot pedal. 
         [0022]    A slide locking kick arm includes wherein the foot pedal further includes a treaded outer surface. 
         [0023]    A slide locking kick arm includes wherein the foot pedal further comprises a second cavity extending from the open end the first cavity, the second cavity comprising: a posterior wall; a posterior lip; two opposing lateral walls extending from the posterior wall, each of the lateral walls including a penetration for receiving a pivot engagement portion; and, an anterior lip connecting the two lateral walls, the anterior lip located opposite from the posterior lip across the open end of the first cavity; such that, when the foot pedal is extended to the free end of the shaft third portion, the foot pedal can be rotated outboard about the pivot engagement portion, thereby resting the posterior wall against the free end of the shaft third portion, and resting the anterior lip against an exterior surface of the shaft third portion, and engaging the shaft third portion free end against the posterior lip. 
         [0024]    A slide locking kick arm includes the shaft third portion including an enclosed slot disposed along at least a portion of the shaft third part; and, the pivot engagement portion comprises an axel extending transversely through the sidewall penetrations and enclosed slot. 
         [0025]    A slide locking kick arm can include a locking pin and locking pin handle, wherein the locking pin extends from the handle slidably through the closed end of the foot pedal, down the length of the first cavity, and partly into the second cavity, a fixed support plate fixedly connected to the locking pin, positioned within the first cavity of the foot pedal, a locking pin spring within the first cavity extending along the locking pin between the fixed support plate and the closed end of the first cavity, a sliding support plate slidably attachable to the locking pin between the fixed support plate and the distal end of the locking pin; and further wherein, the kick arm shaft second part further comprises a locking pin receiving hole through the distal endwall and a locking pin locking hole through a sidewall of enclosed slot. 
         [0026]    Applicant&#39;s motorcycle kick arm for turning over internal combustion engines such that the engine starts, includes an arm attached perpendicular to the transmission kick shaft, a pedal rotatably connected to the kick arm, where said pedal contains a hollow portion such that when not in use the pedal can slide over the kick arm so as to be out of the way and prevent the pedal from drifting during operation of the motorcycle. In one embodiment, the kick arm contains a channel along the length of the kick arm allowing the pedal to slide into the storage position where said pedal slides over the kick arm longitudinally and allowing the pedal to slide out of the storage position and rotate perpendicular to the kick arm such that rotation of the kick arm about the kick shaft axis is achieved when the user applies force to the pedal. The pedal is secured to the kick arm by a bolt. In another embodiment the pedal is secured to the kick arm by a spring and bolt housed internal to the pedal and longitudinal to the kick arm when the pedal is in the storage position. The spring applies force to the pedal to keep it in the storage position when not in use. 
         [0027]    Applicant&#39;s slide locking motorcycle kick arm presents numerous advantages, including: (1) the ability to secure the pedal in the storage position and (2) the ability to prevent the pedal from drifting from the storage position when not in use. Additional advantages will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Further benefits and advantages of the embodiments of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, which specify and show preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of Applicant&#39;s slide locking motorcycle kick arm and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles and implementations of the invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of a kick arm shaft of a first embodiment with an enclosed slot. 
           [0030]      FIG. 1A  shows a side view of a pivot engagement portion axle of a first embodiment. 
           [0031]      FIG. 1B  shows a side view of a foot pedal of a first embodiment. 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view a foot pedal cavity of a first embodiment. 
           [0033]      FIG. 3  shows a slide locking kick arm of a first embodiment in the engaged position attached to a motorcycle. 
           [0034]      FIG. 4  shows a slide locking kick arm of a first embodiment in the collapsed position attached to a motorcycle. 
           [0035]      FIG. 5  shows a side view of a kick arm shaft with side channels of a second embodiment. 
           [0036]      FIG. 5A  shows cutaway end-view of a kick arm shaft with side channels of a second embodiment. 
           [0037]      FIG. 5B  shows a side view of a foot pedal of a second embodiment. 
           [0038]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view a foot pedal cavity of a second embodiment. 
           [0039]      FIG. 6A  shows a cutaway side view of a pedal connector of a second embodiment. 
           [0040]      FIG. 7  shows a side view of a kick arm shaft of a third embodiment. 
           [0041]      FIG. 7A  shows a side view of a pivot engagement portion axle of a third embodiment. 
           [0042]      FIG. 7B  shows an interior side view of a foot pedal with a locking pin mechanism of a third embodiment. 
           [0043]      FIG. 7C  shows a side view a foot pedal locking pin mechanism of a third embodiment. 
           [0044]      FIG. 7D  shows a cutaway side view of a slide locking kick arm with a locking pin mechanism in the engaged position of a third embodiment. 
           [0045]      FIG. 7E  shows a cutaway side view of a slide locking kick arm with a locking pin mechanism in the stowed position of a third embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0046]    Before beginning a detailed description of the subject invention, mention of the following is in order. When appropriate, like reference materials and characters are used to designate identical, corresponding, or similar components in differing figure drawings. The figure drawings associated with this disclosure typically are not drawn with dimensional accuracy to scale, i.e., such drawings have been drafted with a focus on clarity of viewing and understanding rather than dimensional accuracy. 
         [0047]    In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It will, of course, be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made in order to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with application- and business-related constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
         [0048]    The slide locking kick arm is most useful for motorcycles with engine kick starters, but is applicable to similar motorized apparatus which use engine kick starters, such as scooters, snowmobiles, and three-wheel or four-wheel all-terrain-vehicles (ATV&#39;s). Therefore, where claims read “motorcycle” this term includes scooters, snowmobiles, and ATV&#39;s with kick starters. 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , a slide locking kick arm includes a kick arm shaft  10  having a first portion  12  connectable to an engine kick starter or transmission (T) and an elongated portion  16  extending to a free end  80 , first connecting means  42  and  46  for connecting shaft  10  to kick starter T, and a foot pedal  26  slidably attached to elongated shaft portion  16  using pedal engaging means  44  connected through enclosed slot  18 . 
         [0050]    Referring again to  FIGS. 1-4 , a first embodiment of a slide locking kick arm includes a first portion  12  connectable to an engine starter or transmission T through opening  46 , a second offset portion  14 , and a third elongated portion  16  extending from offset portion  14  to a free end  80 . Foot pedal  26  slidingly attachable to the kick arm shaft third portion  16  with axel  44 . Third portion  16  includes an enclosed slot  18  to receive axel  44 . As seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , foot pedal  26  can be pivoted outboard to a position approximately normal to an engine starter T to accept the foot of an operator when foot pedal  26  is slid to the extended distal position along kick arm shaft  10 . 
         [0051]    In the embodiment, a slide locking kick arm has a kick arm shaft  10  with a second angled portion  14  connected to an elongated third portion  16  with enclosed slot  18 , distal end wall  20 , distal locking corner  22 , and distal rounded corner  24 . Angled portion  14  provides an offset sufficient that foot pedal  26  will clear air filter F and the motorcycle exhaust components. The required offset varies depending on the motorcycle layout but easily determined by simple measurements. On motorcycle models not requiring this offset, offset shaft portion  14  and third shaft portion  16  can form a continuous straight shaft, or a continuous straight shaft angled out from connecting end  12 . 
         [0052]    Foot pedal  26  has a first cavity  30  which is open at one end and closed at the other end. The internal cross section of first cavity  30  approximates the cross section of the shaft second part  16 , which in this embodiment is rectangular, to prevent foot pedal  26  from spinning. Other cross section shapes could be used to achieve the same effect, including other polygonal shapes or eccentric cross sections. In the embodiment, first cavity  30  opens to a second open cavity  82  bounded by posterior wall  36 , lateral sidewalls  40 , posterior lip  34 , and anterior lip  32 . Foot pedal  26  preferably includes a retaining lip  28  at the closed end to prevent the operator&#39;s foot from sliding off. Foot pedal  26  can also flare out around the opening of the second cavity to prevent the operator&#39;s foot from sliding in that direction. Foot pedal  26  can include tread hatchings embedded into the exterior surface, or alternatively a slip-resistant material, such as rubber or epoxy “nonskid”, can be applied. In another alternative, a removable rubber tread could be used. Foot pedal attachment means  44  includes axle  44   a , which passes through lateral sidewall holes  38  and enclosed slot  18 . In the embodiment, axle  44   a  is a shoulder bolt held in place by retaining bolt  44   d , with washers  44   b  and  44   c  providing smooth rotation. Retaining bolt  44   d  is preferably a locknut. Different styles of bolts, rivets, or shafts known to those of skill in the art could also be used to achieve the same results. 
         [0053]    In operation, a first embodiment is shown in its collapsed position in  FIG. 4 , attached to a Harley Davidson™ motorcycle. The slide locking kick arm is attached to the kick starter T through attachment hole  46  using fastener  42 . Motorcycles typically use a square shaft to connect a kick arm to kick starter T, in order to prevent slip. Foot pedal  26  resides vertically, out of the way, enclosing kick arm shaft elongated third portion  16 . The operator pulls foot pedal  26  vertically to its extended position, proximal to free end  80 , causing axle  44   a  to slide within enclosed slot  18  until proximal to endwall  20 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , foot pedal  26  is then rotated away from the motorcycle to its engaged position, approximately normal to the motorcycle itself. In this position, posterior wall  36  is contacting against distal endwall  20 , and posterior lip  34  is locked against distal locking corner  22 . Anterior lip  32  is resting against the exterior wall of enclosed channel  18 . Thus, foot pedal  26  is locked in place and can accept the force of an operator&#39;s foot pushing down to crank the motorcycle engine. Distal rounded corner  24  is radiused to allow smooth rotation of foot pedal  26 . 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIGS. 5-6 , a second embodiment is shown which is similar in many respects to the previously described embodiment, but incorporates side channels  118  rather than an enclosed slot  18 . In the embodiment, a slide locking kick arm includes a kick arm shaft  110  which is attachable to a motorcycle kick starter T at first end  112  through hole  146 . Shaft  110  includes offset portion  114  and elongated third portion  116  with at least one exterior lateral channel  118  disposed along at least a portion of shaft third portion  116 . In the embodiment, first and second parallel channels  118  are provided on opposing sides for more reliable operation, but a single channel could be used. Additionally, multiple channels could be provided on a single side or opposing sides of shaft  116 , depending on desired operating characteristics and manufacturing considerations known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Shaft third portion  116  fits snugly within foot pedal first cavity  130  when collapsed. 
         [0055]    Foot pedal  126  is slidingly attached to kick arm shaft  110  using two pivot engagement portions  148  on either side. In the embodiment, pivot engagement portions  148  include ball bearings  148   b  contained in round-headed hollow shaft studs with external retaining lips  148   c  engaging the internal sidewall  140  of second cavity  182 , and internal retaining lips  148   d  retaining ball bearings  148   b  within the stud insert. The external lips lock the stud against lateral sidewalls  140 , while the internal lips retain ball bearing  148   b  against spring  148   a . Springs  148   a  urge ball bearings  148   b  to engage and ride within channels  118 , while the protrusion of lips  148   c  into channels  118  prevents foot pedal  126  from coming completely off shaft  116  during use. Lips  148   c  can be formed by pressing or by using a rivet gun, by threading each of pivot engagement portion  148  together from two parts, or other commonly known methods. Side channels  118  are preferably part-round cross sections to allow smooth operation of ball bearings  148   b . Alternatively, pivot engagement portions s could simply consist of one or more studs or bolts extending into corresponding channels  118  as simple bearings, without ball bearings, to save costs. 
         [0056]    In operation, the second embodiment operates similarly to the first embodiment. The slide locking kick arm is attached to the kick starter T through attachment hole  146  using a fastener. Foot pedal  126  stows vertically, out of the way, enclosing kick arm shaft third portion  116 . The operator pulls foot pedal  126  up vertically from its stowed position. The operator pulls foot pedal  126  vertically to its extended position, causing pivot engagement portions  148 , with ball bearings  148   b , to slide within opposing side channels  118 . Foot pedal  126  is then pivoted away from the motorcycle to its engaged position, approximately normal to the motorcycle itself. In this position, posterior wall  136  is contacting against distal endwall  120 , and posterior lip  134  is locked against distal locking corner  122 . Anterior lip  132  is resting against the side of shaft  116 . Thus, foot pedal  126  is locked in place and can accept the force of an operator&#39;s foot pushing down to crank the motorcycle engine. Distal rounded corner  124  is radiused to allow smooth rotation of foot pedal  126 . 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIGS. 7-7E , a third embodiment is shown. In a third embodiment foot pedal  226  is internally similar to the previous described embodiments. Locking pin  250  is provided to ensure the foot pedal remains locked in the engaged position during operation by acting through locking hole  238  through a sidewall of enclosed channel  218 . Locking pin  250  includes a first end  284  and a second end  286 , and a handle  252  connected at first end  284 . In the embodiment, locking pin handle  252  forms a closed loop. A closed loop is easier to grip with fingers than a post, or alternatively the operator could use a small hook, perhaps kept on a key ring, to grab the pin. Other convenient shapes could be used for handle  252  which are known to those of skill in the art. Locking pin  250  fits slidingly through the closed end  288  of foot pedal  226 , extending through first cavity  230  and partly into the second cavity opening out from first cavity  230 . Fixed support plate  258  is rigidly attached to locking pin  250 . Locking pin spring  260  is positioned between fixed support plate  258  and the closed end of cavity  230 , while sliding support plate  254  is slidably attached to locking pin  250  on the other side of fixed support plate  258 , allowing it to travel freely up and down the length of locking pin  250 . In the embodiment, a weak sliding support plate spring  256  is included to ensure sliding plate  254  operates properly during use. Sliding support spring  256  should be selected so that the spring force when fully compressed does not exceed the weight of foot pedal  226  in order to prevent foot pedal  226  from inadvertently lifting. Alternatively, sliding support plate spring  256  could be eliminated for simplicity. 
         [0058]    In the embodiment, shaft third portion  216  includes a first locking pin receiving hole  268  extending lengthwise into shaft third portion  216  and a second locking pin receiving hole  262  extending transversely into shaft third portion  216  proximal to free end  280 . 
         [0059]    Referring again to  FIG. 7E , in the collapsed (i.e. vertical) condition, locking pin  250  extends through distal endwall  220  through first locking pin receiving hole  268  and extends into enclosed slot  218 . Sliding support plate  254  rests against distal endwall  220 , and locking pin spring  260  is not fully compressed. To engage and lock foot pedal  226 , the operator pulls up on locking pin  250 , thereby causing fixed support plate  258  to act against locking pin spring  260  and lift foot pedal  226  up, with foot pedal pivot engagement portion axle  244   a  sliding within enclosed channel  218 . When axle  244   a  reaches the top of enclosed channel  218  (making contact with distal endwall  220 ) continued pulling force on locking pin  250  compresses locking pin spring  260 , so that locking pin  250  clears first locking pin receiving hole  268  allowing foot pedal  226  to pivot away from the motorcycle. 
         [0060]    When foot pedal  226  is in the engaged position, approximately normal to the motorcycle, the operator releases locking pin  250 , allowing locking pin spring  260  to force locking pin  250  through second locking pin receiving hole  262  by acting against fixed support plate  254 . As foot pedal  226  is lifted, sliding support plate  254  slides down locking pin  250  by force of gravity, assisted by sliding support plate spring  256  if it is present, to ensure locking pin  250  remains properly aligned to engage second locking pin receiving hole  262 . Locking pin  250  could also be made long enough to pass completely through both sidewalls of enclosed slot  218  for more support. Posterior wall  236  rests against distal endwall  220 , anterior lip  232  rests against the side of shaft  216 , and posterior lip  234  locks distal locking corner  222  in place. At this point the operator can put his boot on foot pedal  226 , crank the engine, stow foot pedal  226  by reversing the above steps, and ride off into the sunset, without the possibility that the kick arm pedal will drift out and catch their leg. 
         [0061]    Locking pin  250  can easily be assembled using a shaft with a threaded end. Fixed support plate  258  can be tack welded at the desired position, determined by the desired amount of travel of locking pin  250  and compression characteristics of locking pin spring  260 . Alternatively support plate  258  could be glued or pressed in place, or fixed by other methods known in the art. Locking pin spring  260  can then be placed over the shaft, which is then inserted into the foot pedal cavity and through the closed endwall, at which point handle  252  can be threaded onto the protruding end of the locking pin shaft. Other methods could also be used. 
         [0062]    A locking device can be included to prevent foot pedal  226  from inadvertently being lifted. A locking device would preferably be a simple spring-loaded lever at the open end of foot pedal  226 . The spring-loaded lever includes a hook which engages a raised lip on the side of shaft  216 , or a tooth engaging a detent on the side of shaft  216 . A transverse axle at approximately the midpoint of the lever allows the lever to rock, similar to a see-saw. A spring positioned under the upper half of the lever, where the operator&#39;s thumb would be positioned, biases the lever to the locked position—i.e. causing the hook or tooth to engage the raised lip or detent respectively. By pressing the upper half of the lever in, against the spring bias, the hook or tooth is disengaged, allowing the foot pedal  226  to be extended and engaged. Equivalent devices are known in the art, such as sliding locks, interrupted thread twist locks, and friction locks. The use of a locking device also allows for using a stronger sliding support plate spring  256 , thereby assisting the operator in lifting foot pedal  226 . 
         [0063]    A slide locking kick arm shaft is preferably fabricated with stainless steel or chrome plated conventional or tool steel for strength, durability, corrosion resistance, and visual appeal. However, a slide locking kick arm could be made from any material with suitable strength and toughness characteristics, including aluminum and composites. The dimensions of a slide locking kick arm can be varied to accommodated riders of different sizes and different models of motorcycle or other motorized apparatus using kick starters. 
         [0064]    Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous modifications and changes may be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. It will, of course, be understood that modifications of the invention, in its various aspects, will be apparent to those skilled in the art, some being apparent only after study, others being matters of routine mechanical, chemical and electronic design. No single feature, function or property of the preferred embodiment is essential. Other embodiments are possible, their specific designs depending upon the particular application. As such, the scope of the invention should not be limited by the particular embodiments herein described but should be defined only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.