Anchoring system

An anchoring system utilized in securing and transporting a motorcycle or other vehicle includes a strap, a ratchet and at least one anchor device securable to the bed of a transport mechanism. An embodiment herein includes a remote anchor device that attaches at one end to the strap ratchet and at another end to the bed of a transport mechanism.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This present invention relates to an anchor system for securing a vehicle (typically a motorcycle, ATV, etc.) for transport.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During transport of a vehicle (motorcycle, ATV, etc.) the forces incurred vary greatly, both in severity and direction, depending upon various factors. These include road conditions, driving habits, construction and condition of the transport mechanism and the user's understanding of the various methods of securing a vehicle for transport.

One of the known securing systems includes tying a motorcycle down with two separate ropes, one from each handle bar, which cause excessive wearing of motorcycle parts such as handle bar covering and gas tank paint. This method is also inherently difficult as it requires balancing the tension equally on the different tie downs.

Another system includes two interconnected straps with soft cuffs engaging the grips of the handle bar. This method reduces the damage to the handle bar covering and gas tank paint. However, the soft cuff design of the system allows handlebar grips to be exposed to a lateral pull that sometimes results in an inward “bunching” of the grips if the grips are not sufficiently glued to the throttle tube (on the right side) and handlebar (on the left side). In addition, under certain conditions this strapping system would contact with switch gear (horn, turn signal, and start buttons) causing unnecessary wearing of motorcycle parts.

Other tie down systems contain complex components that are difficult and expensive to install and are cumbersome to operate. In addition, many contain components that must be permanently affixed to the bed of a truck or transport vehicle/mechanism and adversely affect the use of the transport mechanism. Some also require an excessive amount of space in the transport vehicle for an operator to adjust and affix the tie down system whereas space is always at a premium in transport vehicles/mechanisms.

The anchoring system disclosed herein provides solutions to problems inherent in the related art.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a new and improved anchoring system for securing vehicles (typically motorcycles or ATVs) for transport that reduces damage during the transport and provides greater vehicle stability. Embodiments of the present invention overcome certain undesirable properties inherent in the related art, while providing better overall results.

Embodiments of the invention include a securing strap that has engagement means on at least one end. The engagement means may be a loop, hook, shackle, or other device useful for attaching the strap to a frame member or interfacing component of the vehicle to be transported at a first end of the strap. A frame member or interfacing component is any substantial (sufficiently strong) bracketry or hardware that can act as a tie down point of the vehicle being transported, including, but not limited to, floor board and foot peg mounting hardware, engine mounting brackets or hardware, foot rests and frame components. The strap is attached to a ratchet assembly at a point away from the first end of the strap. The ratchet assembly is utilized to provide tensioning of the strap. The ratchet assembly is connected to an anchor that is typically secured directly to the bed of a truck, trailer, or other transport mechanism or vehicle.

Two embodiments disclosed herein are referred to as the “direct anchor” and the “remote anchor” versions. The direct anchor system utilizes a strap attachable to a vehicle frame member or interfacing component at a first end of the strap and a ratchet assembly attached to the strap away from the first end. The ratchet assembly is attached to an anchor device that is secured to a transport mechanism (a truck is illustrated). Typically there is a strap and ratchet for the left side of the vehicle being transported and another strap and ratchet for the right side of the vehicle.

The remote anchor version also utilizes a strap attachable to a frame member or interfacing component of a vehicle at a first end of the strap, and a ratchet assembly attached to the strap away from the first end. The remote anchor version utilizes two anchor devices. The first anchor device is the same anchor device utilized in the direct anchor embodiment and is used to position the strap in relation to the frame member or interfacing component (ex. a foot rest for a motorcycle) and provide support for the strap. The second (remote) anchor device is used to secure the ratchet assembly to a truck bed (for example) at the front, side or rear of the bed of the transport vehicle/mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

InFIG. 1, a direct anchor anchoring system in accordance with the present invention is shown securing a motorcycle to the bed of a truck.FIG. 2shows an anchoring system utilized with a remote anchor attached at the rear of a truck bed. It should be noted that two anchoring assemblies are typically used (one on the right side and one on the left side of the vehicle being transported) to secure the vehicle to the transport mechanism as shown inFIG. 2.

The components of the direct anchor anchoring system10are more clearly shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 7. The direct anchor system includes a strap12, a strap ratchet14and a universal anchor yoke16. The strap12is connected to the foot rest of a motorcycle via engagement means (a loop15for example) at a first end and to a strap ratchet14away from the first end. The strap ratchet is attached directly to an anchor yoke assembly (in the direct anchor embodiment) which includes a yoke portion16and an anchor portion19.

The universal yoke has a horizontal base section and two upright arms20extending from the opposite ends of the base section. The securing component18is affixed to and extends from the bottom of the base section of the yoke portion. The securing component18is typically a bolt or pin. The securing component18is rotatably connected to the anchor component19that penetrates (and is anchored to) the bed of the truck (or similar transport mechanism). A threaded insert (fitted into the truck bed) can be utilized in some instances. In the direct anchor version, the universal yoke assembly (yoke portion16and anchor portion19) are utilized as a direct anchor.

The strap ratchet14is typically connected to the universal yoke16via a pin22and/or bolt inserted through holes in the upright legs20of the yoke portion16. A sleeve24can also be utilized. The strap ratchet is utilized to adjust the tension of the strap and secure the strap in position.

FIGS. 4 and 5show the components of the remote anchor version of the anchoring system. In the remote anchor system the strap is attached to a frame member or interfacing component (a foot rest of a motorcycle is shown). The strap is routed through (and connected to) the universal yoke16between the horizontal base section of the yoke and, for example, a sleeve24fitted over the bolt or pin22. The strap continues towards the rear of the truck bed where it is connected to a strap ratchet14. The strap ratchet is connected to a remote anchor plate30at the cylindrical end38of the remote anchor plate via fastener39. The opposite end of the remote anchor plate is attached to the rear of the truck bed.

The remote anchor plate device30has a horizontal leg or portion32and a vertical leg or portion34substantially orthogonal to each other as shown inFIG. 6. One end of the horizontal leg has a formed, substantially hollow cylindrical configuration38which, when fitted between the ends of the ratchet bracket, can contain a bolt or pin passing through the ratchet bracket. Thus the strap ratchet can be secured to the remote anchor via a bolt or pin or similar securing mechanism. The vertical portion has a marking and securing component36attached to the bed-facing (inner) side of the leg. The marking and securing component (typically of cylindrical configuration) has a tapered point37at the end that can be utilized to mark the placement of a hole to be drilled into the front, side or back edge of a truck bed (for example). The securing component is then inserted into the drilled hole and the strap ratchet can be connected and adjusted to secure the vehicle to be transported.

FIG. 8shows the remote anchor version of the anchor system installed at the rear of the bed of a transport mechanism.FIG. 9shows the remote anchor version of the anchor system installed at the side and the rear of the bed of a transport mechanism. The orientation (40) of the yoke is parallel to the foot peg when the remote anchor is connected at the rear of the bed as shown inFIG. 8. The orientation (42) of the yoke is perpendicular to the foot peg when the remote anchor is connected at the side of the bed as shown inFIG. 9. The ability to utilize the remote anchor version from any side of the bed while utilizing the same rotatable yoke (and anchor) is a unique characteristic of embodiments of the invention.

CONCLUSIONS, OTHER EMBODIMENTS, AND SCOPE OF INVENTION

Although the illustrations show embodiments of the invention utilized to secure a motorcycle for transport, the embodiments can be used to secure any vehicle that has frame members or interfacing components to which a strap can be attached. The embodiments allow a user to quickly attach the components of the invention to the bed of a truck (or other forms of transport) and quickly adjust the tension of the straps to secure a motorcycle (or other vehicle) to the bed of the transport means.

The components utilized in embodiments of the present invention are easily installed and easily removed. The universal anchor yoke assembly can be quickly installed on the bed of a truck (or other transport means) utilizing the anchor portion19. Typically the anchor portion/component19is first secured to the bed of a transport mechanism. The anchor portion19can be fitted through a hole in the bed of the transport mechanism and securely attached utilizing washers and nuts as seen inFIG. 7. The outside of the anchor component19can be threaded if desired. In one embodiment, the interior of the anchor component can include a threaded section to accept threads of the securing component18of the universal yoke16.

As noted, the anchor component19would first be attached to the bed of the transport vehicle. The yoke16could then be connected to the anchor portion by rotating the yoke members16,18to screw them into the anchor portion19. When the universal yoke is hand tight, the user can adjust the yoke so that the bolt22or sleeve24is approximately parallel (FIGS. 1,3) or perpendicular (FIG. 9) to the frame member or interfacing component. Thus, the yoke can be rotatably connected to the bed of the transport mechanism via the anchor portion. Other embodiments are contemplated that allow the yoke portion to be rotatably connected to the anchor portion without utilizing a threaded connection. In all embodiments only a hole or insert will remain in the bed of the transport mechanism upon removal of the yoke. The hole or insert can be capped when not in use.

The components of the direct anchor version can be utilized with additional components to comprise a remote anchor version of the anchoring system. The additional components could include a cylindrical bearing or roller and a remote anchor device. In the direct anchor version, the universal yoke is utilized to directly connect the strap and strap ratchet to the bed of a truck or trailer. In the remote anchor version, the universal yoke is utilized to redirect the path of the strap (from vertical to horizontal) and affect the forces accordingly. The universal yoke acts in part as a positioning anchor in the remote anchor version. Thus the ratchet is indirectly connected to the universal yoke16via the strap and the pin, bolt22or sleeve24of the yoke.

Thus the remote anchor version utilizes a universal yoke and a remote anchor plate. The remote anchor is inserted into a hole at the front, side, or back end of a transport mechanism. The remote anchor plate can also be easily removed when not in use and only a small, unobtrusive opening will remain. This opening can also be capped if desired. The horizontal surface of the bed of the transport mechanism does not have to be altered or modified to accept a remote anchor. The remote anchor plate is fitted into a hole in the edge surface of the bed at the front, side or back end.

The strap ratchet is indirectly connected to the direct anchor via the strap for the remote anchor embodiment. Attachment of the strap to the strap ratchet occurs at a point (or points) away from the first end of the strap. In other words, the strap-to-strap ratchet connection occurs away from the first end but not necessarily at the second end of the strap. The strap ratchet is used to adjust the tension of the strap on frame member or interfacing component and also utilized to lock the strap in position to secure the vehicle to the transport mechanism.

The orientations of various components have been described herein as being substantially parallel or substantially orthogonal to other components. The term “substantially” used herein means that a deviation of up to 30 degrees is contemplated. In addition, placement of an anchor component below a foot rest, for instance, does not necessitate placement of the component directly underneath the foot rest (or suitable frame member). For example a left side anchor component could be placed to the front of a foot rest and a right side anchor component could be placed to the rear of a foot rest for stability and meet the requirements of being below the foot rest (or frame member).

Typically the transport mechanism will be a truck. However other transport mechanisms are suitable including, but not limited to, trailers, boats, barges, trains, etc.

The above description presents the best mode contemplated in carrying out the invention. However, it is susceptible to modifications and alternate constructions from the embodiments shown in the drawings and accompanying description. Consequently it is not intended that the invention be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, sizes and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of embodiments of the invention.