Motorcycle transport inflatable protector

Inflatable bumper system that stabilizes and protects one or more motorcycles during transport by applying force on both sides of each motorcycle and the walls of the truck or trailer, securing each motorcycle in an upright position, and absorbing any forces resulting from poor road conditions or abrupt driving actions.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to protecting motorcycles from damage during transport in trucks or trailers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Motorcycle(s) are often transported in trucks or trailers and are frequently damaged when road conditions or abrupt driving actions cause the motorcycles to move and come into contact with each other or the structure or other contents of the trucks or trailers.

The existing practice to attempt to prevent such damage during transport is to secure each motorcycle to the truck or trailer in an upright position by strapping the front handlebars to anchor points on the floor of the truck or trailer. When the straps are tightened, the front suspension of the motorcycle compresses and the applied force holds the motorcycle in an upright position. The front wheel is also typically held in place on the floor by a wheel chock or clamp. Because there is no compression point in the rear of a typical motorcycle, the rear is either left untethered or tied to the truck bed or trailer to keep it in line with the front tire and restrict lateral movement.

This existing practice often fails to prevent damage to motorcycles due to faulty installation or road conditions or driving actions resulting in forces that compromise the straps, attachments, and clamps, or movement of other contents in the trucks or trailers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an inflatable and nonabrasive bumper having the shape, dimensions, strength, and flexibility when secured to motorcycle(s) and inflated to create forces necessary to stabilize the motorcycle(s) during transport and prevent the motorcycle(s) from moving and coming into contact with other motorcycle(s) or the structure or other contents of the truck bed or trailer.

This invention can be used on its own or as a secondary or backup protective measure in conjunction with the existing practice described above of strapping the motorcycle(s) to anchor points on the truck or trailer.

This invention protects motorcycles from damage during transport to a further degree and extent than any product or method known in the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

There are many possible embodiments of the invention, some of which are described below.

Referring now to the embodiments of the invention inFIGS. 1-8, in more detail, there is shown inflated bumper(s)10, harness loop(s)10a, harness strap(s)10b, air valve(s)10c, motorcycle(s)11, front suspension(s)11a, front strap(s)12, rear strap(s)13, anchor points(s)14, truck/trailer floor15, truck/trailer vertical wall(s)16.

In further detail, referring toFIG. 1A-E, three inflated bumpers10are positioned and apply force on either side and in between two motorcycles11and the opposing truck/trailer vertical walls16to stabilize the two motorcycles in an upright position. The inflated bumpers10are nonabrasive and flexible to the contours of the motorcycles11and secured to the motorcycles by harness straps10band harness loops10a. The typical manner known in the art in which motorcycles have been secured for transport prior to this invention is shown by the front strap12compressing the motorcycle front suspension11athrough tension to the anchor points14.

In further detail, referring toFIG. 2, three inflated bumpers10apply force on either side and in between two motorcycles11and the opposing truck/trailer vertical walls16to stabilize the two motorcycles11in an upright position. The inflated bumpers10are nonabrasive and flexible to the contours of the motorcycles11and secured to the motorcycles by harness straps10band harness loops10a. The typical manner known in the art in which motorcycles have been secured for transport prior to this invention is shown by the front strap12compressing the motorcycle front suspension11athrough tension to the anchor points14.

In further detail, referring toFIG. 3, two inflated bumpers10inflated through air valves10capply air pressure force on either side of a motorcycle11and the opposing truck/trailer vertical walls16to stabilize the motorcycle11in an upright position. The inflated bumpers10are nonabrasive and flexible to the contours of the motorcycle11and are secured to the motorcycle by harness straps10band harness loops10a. The typical manner known in the art in which motorcycles have been secured for transport prior to this invention is shown by the front strap12compressing the motorcycle front suspension11athrough tension to the anchor points14, and the rear straps13holding the rear of the motorcycle11from lateral movement.

In further detail, referring toFIG. 4, two inflated bumpers10inflated through air valves10capply air pressure force on either side of a motorcycle11and the opposing truck/trailer vertical walls16to stabilize the motorcycle11in an upright position. The inflated bumpers10are nonabrasive and flexible to the contours of the motorcycle11and are secured to the motorcycle by harness straps10band harness loops10a. The typical manner known in the art in which motorcycles have been secured for transport prior to this invention is shown by the front strap12compressing the motorcycle front suspension11athrough tension to the anchor points14, and the rear straps13holding the rear of the motorcycle11from lateral movement.

In further detail, referring toFIGS. 5,6,7, and8, respectively, there is shown enlarged top, front, and side perspectives of the the inflated bumper10, harness loop10a, harness strap10b, and air valve10c.

In one embodiment of the invention, the inflatable bumper10is constructed of rubber.

In one embodiment of the invention, the inflatable bumper10is constructed of plastic.

In one embodiment of the invention, the inflatable bumper10is constructed of kevlar.

In one embodiment of the invention, the inflatable bumper10is constructed of a composite material.

In one embodiment of the invention, the inflatable bumper10has an outer surface layer that will not scratch the paint or chrome on the motorcycle11.

In one embodiment of the invention, the inflatable bumper10has an outer surface layer of fabric.

In one embodiment of the invention, the inflatable bumper10is constructed of a material resistant to ultra-violet rays.

In one embodiment of the invention, the inflatable bumper10is constructed of a material resistant to chemical agents.

In one embodiment of the invention, the inflatable bumper10has seam welds of at least an inch overlap.

In one embodiment of the invention, the inflatable bumper10remains inflated with at least one ton of dead weight applied.

In one embodiment of the invention, the valve10cis a presta valve.

In one embodiment of the invention, the valve10cis a schrader valve.

In one embodiment of the invention, the valve10cis a combination schrader and presta valve.

In one embodiment of the invention, the shape and dimensions of the fully inflated inflatable bumper10are calculated and custom fit to fill the void of space created by a given model of motorcycle when positioned in a given truck or trailer.

In one embodiment of the invention, the dimensions of the inflatable bumper10are approximately twenty inches long by ten inches high by twenty-four inches wide when fully inflated.

In one embodiment of the invention, a process and method for securing motorcycle(s)11is to place into position and inflate the inflatable bumper10after motorcycle(s)11are secured for transport in the typical manner by the front strap12compressing the motorcycle front suspension11athrough tension to the anchor points14, and the rear straps13holding the rear of the motorcycle11from lateral movement.

In one embodiment of the invention, a process and method for releasing motorcycle(s)11is to first partially deflate the inflatable bumper10by opening the valve10cand second release the harness strap(s)10band any other straps securing the motorcycle(s)11.

In one embodiment of the invention, the inflatable bumper10may be deflated and compactly stored.

The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, unprecedented protection of motorcycles from damage during transport, a method and process that is simple and requires only a few minutes, and convenience of deflating the inflatable bumper for easy storage.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of these specific embodiments. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiments, but shall include all embodiments within the scope and spirit of the invention.