Motorcycle righting apparatus

The invention includes a righting and kickstand device to support a motorcycle by connection with a lower intermediate frame section of the motorcycle with the device angled downwardly toward the ground to support the motorcycle tilted at an angle toward the device. In the preferred embodiment, the device includes a fluid actuated cylinder connected to the motorcycle with a pivot connection device. A piston rod extends from the cylinder with a foot device structurally attached to the lower end of the piston rod with the foot device designed to rest on the ground. A fluid pressure device is provided to supply fluid pressure to the cylinder to force the piston rod to its downward position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a motorcycle righting apparatus, and more particularly, a device installed unobtrusively on a motorcycle that upon actuation raises a fallen motorcycle hands-free to its normal upright position.

2. Prior Art

Motorcycles vary in size and weight. For heavy motorcycles, a rider may be unable to lift the motorcycle if it should fall over, or at least such a person could expose himself or herself to personal injury and to injury to the motorcycle in attempting to right the motorcycle.

Previous devices designed to right a fallen motorcycle have involved a kickstand. However a kickstand would appear to be not useful unless the motorcycle falls on the side where the kickstand is located. It is also of little use if the kickstand cannot be easily rotated to its support position for actuation of the righting device. It also raises the motorcycle only partially and requires the user to complete the righting through the user's own lifting effort.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that raises a motorcycle that has fallen or has tipped over to its upright position. It is also an object that the apparatus be functional regardless of which side the motorcycle has fallen. It is a further object that the apparatus be unobtrusively installed such that the general aesthetic appearance of the motorcycle not be diminished. It is yet a further object that the apparatus right the motorcycle to a fully upright position without any lifting effort of the rider. It is a final object that the apparatus lift and support the motorcycle in its fully upright position from both sides of the motorcycle

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention includes a righting device that lifts a motorcycle hands-free from either side of the motorcycle and then supports the motorcycle from both sides. The device connects to the motorcycle frame primarily using bolts at the engine motor mount. The device installs intermediate the motorcycle between the motor and the front wheel, approximately below the handlebar neck. The device includes a member that moves substantially vertically to move another member downward against the ground simultaneously on both sides of the motorcycle to provide support for lifting the motorcycle and for preventing the motorcycle from falling over onto the other side as a result of being lifted, all hands-free. Representative of the vertically moving member is a hydraulic cylinder. In the primary embodiment, the member moving against the ground has the general form of an engine guard, also sometimes referred to casually as an engine guard. However, unlike an engine guard, the member is mounted pivotably at its lowest point and upon actuation moves away from its releasable connection at his highest point as it rotates at its bottom connection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The motorcycle righting apparatus10of the present invention comprises an engine guard as a support member12on each side of the motorcycle. (In the following description, because in the primary embodiment support member is an engine guard, the two terms “support member” and “engine guard” are used together or interchangeably unless clearly indicated otherwise.) The lower, or first end14of each support member12of the motorcycle left and right sides rotates on a pivot bolt16that is substantially horizontal. The pivot bolt16is low at approximately the lowest level of the motorcycle frame18so the support member (engine guard)12can lift the motorcycle from the pivot bolt16close to the ground but not lower than the motorcycle frame18, which would unnecessarily introduce a road clearance problem during travel. The pivot bolt16is located forward of the engine20and rearward from the front wheel22of the motorcycle, approximately under the motorcycle handle bar neck24. The support members12rotate on the pivot bolt16under control of a single actuator26. An actuator frame28is secured to the motorcycle frame18typically at the engine motor mounts (not shown) to not compromise or alter the motorcycle frame18. (It is important not to modify the motorcycle frame; doing so would likely nullify a warranty on the motorcycle.) The actuator26is secured to a vertical portion of the actuator frame28and the pivot bolt16is secured low in the actuator frame28. The actuator26moves substantially vertically. The actuator26in this primary embodiment is typically a hydraulic cylinder27with a rod29as an actuator member32extending from the hydraulic cylinder. The actuator26may also be a threaded rod33driven by an electric motor35to rotate in a matching threaded nut37as the actuator member32moves upward on the bolt or threaded or rod33, the threaded tube or nut then being similar in affect to the hydraulic cylinder rod29. The actuator26may also be an electric motor in combination with gears and a rod with a rack of matching teeth that move the rod vertically also (not shown). These and other mechanisms that effect a substantially vertical movement of an actuator member32are all deemed included in this description. They are all known in the art and do not require a further description. For ease of description, all of these mechanisms are represented by the rod and hydraulic cylinder and for these purposed all such mechanisms are deemed included in this invention.

A brace bar34is connected between the actuator member32on a brace bar first end36and a position38intermediate the support member, engine guard12on the lower, or first end40of the engine guard12on a brace bar second end42. Thus, when the actuator member32is lowered the engine guard12also is lowered as the brace bar34pushes against it. In moving downward from a travel position suitable for motorcycle travel, the engine guards12rotate on the pivot bolt16through a substantially vertical plane into engagement with the ground and then further downward thereby lifting the motorcycle as the engine guard12pushes against the ground. As both support members12move from their respective travel positions simultaneously, one support member rights the motorcycle, and the other support members12prevents the motorcycle from tipping over again on the other side. Thus, the user can right his or her motorcycle hands free, that is, without intervention or lifting action of the user. All the user need do is turn a switch to cause the actuator26to be actuated.

The engine guard12extends outward from the motorcycle side with an engine guard lower, or first end44connected to the pivot bolt16. The engine guard second end46curves back toward the motorcycle and abuts against the actuator frame28in the engine guard travel position48. With the extended nature of the engine guard12, the engine guard12supports the motorcycle when the motorcycle is on its side and rights the motorcycle as the engine guard first end44moves away from the actuator frame23and pushes against the ground. Typically, a horizontal bar49intermediate the actuator member32and the respective support members12laterally extends the connection of the brace bar first ends36to the actuating member32with its center51attached to the actuator member32and its ends53attached to first ends36of the brace bars34, thereby orienting the brace bar34more vertically. To stabilize the engine guard second end46in its travel position a centering post50on each motorcycle side extends substantially horizontally from the actuator frame28. The engine guard second end46is tubular and receives the centering post50. In practice, the entire engine guard12is tubular except at its lower end where it attaches to the pivot bolt16.

In an alternate embodiment, the motorcycle frame comprises a substantially vertical frame leg52on each motorcycle side and the support member12′ is substantially straight except at its lower end54where it curves to meet the pivot bolt16. The straight portion56comprises a channel58that receives a portion of the frame leg52therein.

Thus the support member12′ is stabilized in its travel position against the motorcycle frame and as important, it is inconspicuous and disguised and is thus aesthetically pleasing.