Motorcycle dolly

A dolly includes a first platform that has a central longitudinal axis and monolithically formed outer and inner side portions extending outwardly and at an oblique angle therefrom. The side portions further extend along a length of the axis for retaining a motorcycle upon the first platform. Rectilinear arms have opposed ends wherein one end of each arm is conjoined to the first platform, and converges outwardly therefrom. A trapezoidal shaped second platform is spaced from the first platform and has a surface area less than a surface area of the first platform. The second platform is conjoined to another end of the arms such that the first and second platforms maintain a fixed spatial relationship. Coextensive casters are conjoined to the first and second platforms respectively. Mechanism is included for locking selected casters, preventing the dolly from freely articulating about a predetermined arcuate path.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

This invention relates to dollies and, more particularly, to a motorcycle dolly for assisting an operator in turning a motorcycle 180 degrees in tight places such that the direction of the motorcycle can be reversed.

2. Prior Art

Motorcycles, like automobiles, are commonly stored within garages. Generally the garage is of sufficient size to store both a motorcycle and an automobile. The motorcycle is normally maneuvered by the rider to a position alongside a sidewall of the garage so as to provide adequate room for the storage of the automobile. At times, it is difficult to maneuver a motorcycle to the desired location within the garage.

Some motorcycles are quite large in size and inherently quite heavy in weight. The maneuvering of such a large sized and heavy motorcycle is difficult for most individuals, especially for an individual who is not particularly strong. A variety of dolly constructions have been provided in the prior art for supporting and moving upright structures, such as vertical or upright pianos, a stack of boxes and the like. Such dollies have also been employed to facilitate the movement of large and cumbersome motorcycles.

Unfortunately, the motorcycle dollies provided in the prior art still have a number of critical shortcomings. One example shows a motorcycle dolly that is only capable of moving in forward and backward directions, but is not capable of rotational movement. This is inconvenient in the sense that a user is required to completely remove the motorcycle and dolly from the garage, dismount the motorcycle, and then has to return the dolly to the garage. Obviously, this is a time and energy consuming process.

A further disadvantage seen in the motorcycle dollies of the prior art is the fact that their wheels cannot be locked in place. Thus, should the dolly, with a motorcycle thereon, be stored at an incline, there is considerable risk for the dolly and motorcycle to roll and possibly tip over or hit other valuable objects, like a car, in the garage. Having no means to lock the wheels in place also increases the difficulty of mounting and dismounting the motorcycle onto and off of the dolly respectively.

Accordingly, a need remains for a motorcycle dolly in order to overcome the above-noted shortcomings. The present invention satisfies such a need by providing a motorcycle dolly that is convenient and easy to use, increases the user's safety, and provides protection to the motorcycle and other items stored in its vicinity. Such a motorcycle dolly allows a user to quickly turn the motorcycle 180° in confined spaces. This in turn saves the time and effort of the motorcycle owner, while also preventing possible muscle strains and fatigue. The ability to lock the wheels of the dolly in place greatly reduces the risk of same toppling over while holding a motorcycle thereon. Such a motorcycle dolly is reliable, easily adaptable to a variety of motorcycles, and attractively styled for appeal to a wide consumer base.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a motorcycle dolly. These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are provided by a rotatable motorcycle dolly for assisting an operator in turning a motorcycle 180 degrees in tight places such that the direction of the motorcycle can conveniently be reversed.

The dolly includes a first platform that has a centrally disposed longitudinal axis. Such a platform includes monolithically formed outer and inner side portions extending outwardly and at an oblique angle therefrom. The side portions further extend along a length of the axis for conveniently and effectively retaining a motorcycle upon the first platform. The first platform preferably has a textured top surface for effectively and conveniently maintaining frictional contact with a motorcycle and preventing slippage when torque is applied to the dolly.

A plurality of rectilinear arms has opposed end portions. One of the end portions of each arm is directly conjoined to the first platform and converges outwardly therefrom.

A second platform is spaced from the first platform and has a surface area less than a surface area of the first platform. Such a second platform is directly conjoined to another end portion of the arms such that the first and second platforms conveniently and effectively maintain a fixed spatial relationship during operating conditions. The second platform has a substantially trapezoidal shape.

A plurality of coextensive casters is directly conjoined to the first and second platforms respectively. Selected ones of the casters may be statically attached to the outer side portion and other ones of the casters may be statically attached to the inner side portion. The casters are fixed at predetermined oblique angles such that the dolly may conveniently be rotated 180 degrees for enabling a user to advantageously easily maneuver a stationary motorcycle. Further selected ones of the casters are preferably statically attached to the second platform and fixed at a predetermined oblique angle offset from a central latitudinal axis for effectively defining a turning radius.

The present invention preferably further includes mechanism for locking selected ones of the casters, advantageously preventing the dolly from freely articulating about a predetermined arcuate path. The locking mechanism includes first and second shafts including a plurality of brake pads directly conjoined thereto.

A pedal is pivotally and directly connected to the first and second shafts and is adjustable between locked and open positions. Such a first shaft extends orthogonal from the pedal and parallel to the axis. The second shaft extends orthogonal from the pedal and oppositely away from the first shaft such that the first and second shafts extend in axially opposed directions along the outer side portion of the first platform. The brake pads are positioned adjacent to selected ones of the casters and directly engage the selected casters for advantageously preventing rotation thereof when the pedal is pivoted to a locked position. Such brake pads are disengaged from the selected casters when the pedal is pivoted to an open position such that the selected casters are effectively allowed to rotate along the predetermined arcuate path.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The assembly of this invention is referred to generally inFIGS. 1–3by the reference numeral10and is intended to provide a motorcycle dolly. It should be understood that the assembly10may be used to support and rotate many different types of objects and structures and should not be limited in use to only supporting and rotating motorcycles.

Referring initially toFIGS. 1 and 2, the assembly10includes a first platform20that has a centrally disposed longitudinal axis. Such a platform20includes monolithically formed outer21A and inner21B side portions extending outwardly and at an oblique angle therefrom. The side portions21further extend along a length of the axis, which is essential for conveniently and effectively retaining a motorcycle11upon the first platform20. The first platform20has a textured top surface22that is critical for effectively and conveniently maintaining frictional contact with a motorcycle11and preventing slippage when torque is applied to the dolly10. This feature advantageously prevents the motorcycle11from toppling off of the dolly10, which could result in serious injury to the user and damage to the motorcycle11, respectively. Furthermore, a user can more easily mount and dismount a motorcycle11onto and off of the assembly10with the textured top surface22, since the motorcycle's wheels12have improved grip compared to the grip on a smooth top surface.

Referring toFIGS. 1 through 3, a plurality of rectilinear arms23have opposed end portions24. One of the end portions24A of each arm23is directly conjoined, with no intervening elements, to the first platform20and converges outwardly therefrom.

Still referring toFIGS. 1 through 3, a second platform30is spaced from the first platform20and has a surface area less than a surface area of the first platform20. Such a second platform is directly conjoined, with no intervening elements, to another end portion24B of the arms23, which is important such that the first20and second30platforms conveniently and effectively maintain a fixed spatial relationship during operating conditions. The second platform30has a substantially trapezoidal shape for allowing a support stand13of the motorcycle11to be conveniently supported thereon during operating conditions. Thus, the motorcycle11advantageously assumes a similar resting angle as when parked on the ground, which is vital for limiting the possibility of the motorcycle11tipping over. Of course, the second platform30may be produced in a variety of different shapes and sizes, as is obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of coextensive casters31are directly conjoined, with no intervening elements, to the first20and second30platforms respectively. Selected ones31A of the casters31are statically attached to the outer side portion21A and other ones31B of the casters31are statically attached to the inner side portion21B. The casters31A,31B are fixed at predetermined oblique angles, which is important such that the dolly10can conveniently be rotated 180 degrees for enabling a user to advantageously easily maneuver a stationary motorcycle11within an enclosed space. This feature conveniently allows a user to easily rotate and face the motorcycle11in an appropriate direction for exiting the storage area instead of having to exit in a reverse fashion. Further selected ones of the casters31C are statically attached to the second platform30and fixed at a predetermined oblique angle offset from a central latitudinal axis that is vital for effectively defining a turning radius.

Still referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention further includes a mechanism40for locking selected ones of the casters31, which is essential and advantageous for preventing the dolly10from freely articulating about a predetermined arcuate path. Thus, once the motorcycle11is loaded onto the assembly10, a user can lock same in place and have peace of mind knowing that the assembly10will not roll and hit another object located in the vicinity thereof. The locking mechanism40includes first41and second42shafts including a plurality of brake pads43directly conjoined, with no intervening elements, thereto.

Again referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, a pedal44is pivotally and directly connected, with no intervening elements, to the first41and second42shafts and is adjustable between locked and open positions. The pedal can advantageously be used to engage and disengage the locking mechanism40with the user's foot, thus eliminating the need to bend up and down in order to do so, eliminating strain on a user's back. Such a first shaft41extends orthogonal from the pedal44and parallel to the axis.

The second shaft42extends orthogonal from the pedal44and oppositely away from the first shaft41such that the first and second shafts extend in axially opposed directions along the outer side portion21A of the first platform20. The brake pads43are positioned adjacent to selected ones of the casters31A and directly engage, with no intervening elements, the selected casters31, which is essential and advantageous for preventing rotation thereof when the pedal44is pivoted to a locked position. Such brake pads43are disengaged from the selected casters31A when the pedal44is pivoted to an open position such that the selected casters31A are effectively allowed to rotate along the predetermined arcuate path.

In use, the assembly10is positioned within a garage, shed or other storage area. Once positioned in a predetermined and desired location, a user can easily and safely pull the motorcycle11onto the assembly10, which is further assisted by the locking mechanism40and the textured top surface22of the first platform20. When use of the motorcycle is required again, the locking mechanism40is released, the entire assembly10is easily rotated a 180°, the locking mechanism is engaged again, and the motorcycle11is driven directly off of the assembly10. Although the assembly10can be used with any motorcycle11, it is particularly helpful with larger, heavier motorcycles11.