MOTORCYCLE LIFT

Abstract: The present invention is organized about the concept of providing a lift to which an off road motorcycle or other vehicle is firmly attached so as to permit a user to work while standing. The stability of the present invention is attributed to the fact that the lift is firmly attached to a floor or stable platform while in turn, the vehicle is secured to the lift via a mounting plate (30). The off road motorcycle lift includes a lifting, stabilizing, and support assembly (12, 14, 16, 18) which is raised and lowered by a manual hydraulic pump (74) is adjacent to this assembly and is perpendicularly disposed upon the base plate (10) as well. A hollow tube (86) extending between the hydraulic pump and the lifting, stabilizing, and support assembly facilitates the functional engagement between these integral elements of the present invention.

Description: MOTORCYCLE LIFT FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to a lift for off road motorcycles and other off road vehicles such as three-wheelers, four wheelers, or snowmobiles. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Historically, working on motorcycles and off-road vehicles while standing has been problematic. Typically, motorcycles are balanced on milk crates or any number of stands or hydraulic lifts of a similar height such as products produced by Harley Davidson as well as the Suzuki model number RM250. The problem with these stands and lifts is that the fixed height of approximately 18 to 20 inches requires the person working on the vehicle to be in the uncomfortable position of bending down. In contrast, the present invention permits the user to raise the vehicle to any desired height up to about 38 inches, so that the mechanic is always standing up, not bent over, thereby saving his back and knees from unnecessary stress. Yet another major drawback of the stands and lifts in use currently, is that the motorcycle is not fixed in any way to the stands or lifts. Gravity is the only force keeping the vehicle in place. In contrast, the present invention will permit work to be done which requires pushing or pulling on the frame of the vehicle; because, the bike is attached to the off road motorcycle lift and will not fall over. For example, when a bike is using only gravity to keep it balanced upon the milk crates, stands, or lifts currently used by the industry, and a bolt is frozen or tight, one hand must hold the bike steady while the other is turning a stuck bolt. If the bike is not held, it can fall over. In contrast, the present invention permits the use of both hands. This is extremely desirable if one has to free a frozen bolt. Additionally, because the vehicle is attached to the lift, body weight can be used as leverage to turn a wrench or use other tools without the fear of having the vehicle fall over. Moreover, the improvement of having the bike attached to the lift allows work to be done that requires the removal of the wheels, engine, fenders, suspension and anything else on the vehicle that attaches to the main frame. Since the frame is attached by "U" bolts or "J" bolts it will remain on the lift as various pieces are removed. Thus, with this invention the entire bike can be disassembled down to the basic frame as would be done in a complete restoration of the motorcycle. A table lift produced under the trade name bike jacker is available to raise a motorcycle to a height of about 36 inches. However, the motorcycle must be attached to the table lift by its wheels. Therefore, in contrast with the present invention, the user cannot do extensive service or restoration of the vehicle which requires wheel removal or suspension repair; because, the bike is resting on the table lift through its wheels. Yet another major drawback to this table lift is that the table interferes with the user's access to the bike. In contrast, the present invention has a width in the range of about 8 to 12 inches and a length in the range of about 12 to 20 inches. Advantageously, the user of the present invention will in no way be impeded from reaching any desired part of the off road motorcycle. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide an off road motorcycle lift that raises the vehicle to a height sufficient so that the user does not have to be in an uncomfortable bent position while working. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an off road motorcycle lift that firmly attaches the vehicle to the lift by a method other than gravity so that the user may safely employ the vigorous forces necessary in order to repair, service or restore an off road motorcycle. It is a further object of the present invention to optimize the engagement of stabilizer bars with both anti-rotation keys and clamping handles to provide an off road motorcycle lift with superior stabilizing and safety features. It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an off road motorcycle lift having a manual hydraulic system configured to regulate the flow of hydraulic oil in a manner superior to related lifts. These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from a review of the description provided below. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is organized about the concept of providing a lift to which an off road motorcycle or other off road vehicle is firmly attached so as to permit a user to work while standing as opposed to the uncomfortable position of bending down. Various support, stabilizing, and lifting means enable the user of the present invention to safely employ vigorous pulling and twisting forces while repairing, servicing, or disassembling an off road vehicle. In particular, the stability of the present invention is attributed to the fact that the lift is firmly attached to a floor or stable platform while in turn, the vehicle is secured to the lift. The off road motorcycle lift includes a lifting, stabilizing, and support assembly which is raised and lowered by a manual hydraulic pump. The lifting, stabilizing, and support assembly is perpendicularly disposed upon a base plate. The manual hydraulic pump is adjacent to this assembly and is perpendicularly disposed upon the base plate as well. A hollow tube extending between the hydraulic pump and the lifting, stabilizing, and support assembly facilitates the functional engagement between these integral elements of the present invention. Preferably, the lifting, stabilizing, and support assembly of the present invention generally includes: a base plate having a structural tube perpendicularly disposed thereon which serves as a housing for a lifting cylinder likewise in perpendicular orientation to the base plate; a guide bar support plate with bores formed therein disposed upon the top of the structural tube; stabilizer bars aligned with the bores in the guide bar support plate; a lifting piston positioned between the stabilizer bars and aligned with a complementary bore formed within the guide bar support plate such that when the present invention is lowered, the lifting piston is housed within the lifting cylinder and the stabilizer bars are housed within two spaces defined by the lifting cylinder inside the structural tube; and perpendicularly disposed upon the top ends of the stabilizer bars and lifting piston is a bar upon which a mounting plate is firmly affixed. The mounting plate secures the off road motorcycle or vehicle in place so that it may be worked upon. Thus, the off road motorcycle secured to the mounting plate is raised or lowered to a desired height as a consequence of the raising or lowering of the lifting piston and stabilizer bars. In the preferred embodiment, activation of the manual hydraulic pump creates pressure which in turn drives hydraulic oil to the lifting cylinder causing the lifting piston and stabilizer bars to be raised in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. When compared to lifts currently used by the off road vehicle industry, the present invention possesses several stabilizing and support features that contribute significantly to an improved efficient and safe operation of the off road vehicle lift. For example, the bottom end of each stabilizer bar has a keyway formed therein within which an anti- rotation key may be inserted. When a stabilizer bar is in a raised position, insertion of the anti-rotation key into the keyway causes the key to be in frictional engagement with the stabilizer bar. Engagement of the key with the stabilizer bar diminishes unstable torque motion of the stabilizer bar within its complementary bore located in the guide bar support plate. Another example of a novel feature which contributes to the stability of the present invention includes the use of clamping handles which lock the stabilizer bars in any desired position, so that the user does not have to depend solely on the hydraulic pump to sustain the position of the lift. In the present invention, stability and safe operation of the off road motorcycle lift may also be achieved by inserting a bolt into a clearance hole drilled into the top end of the lifting piston. Insertion of a bolt through the clearance hole creates a frictional engagement between the bolt and the lifting piston. As a consequence, the lifting piston is locked into place, and the present invention cannot be lowered suddenly should the hydraulic pump be released accidentally. Also in the present invention, the hydraulic pump advantageously possess features and a unique arrangement of its structural parts unknown to the motorcycle industry, which contribute to the efficient operation of the hydraulic pump. In particular, the hydraulic pump has an air bleed system as well as a release valve system which serve to regulate the hydraulic pressure within the off road motorcycle lift. As is known to those skilled in the art, regulation of the hydraulic oil pressure within a hydraulic pump affects the speed at which the hydraulic pump may raise or lower a hydraulic lift. Further features and advantages of the present invention as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other objects, features, and advantages, reference should be made to the following description of the » present invention which should be read in conjunction with the following figures wherein like numerals represent like parts: FIG. 1 is a partial sectional side view of an exemplary off road motorcycle lift in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an exemplary mounting plate of the off road motorcycle lift shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial sectional side view of a preferred manual hydraulic system in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial sectional side view of a preferred stabilizer bar having anti- rotation key and clamping handle stability elements in accordance with the present invention; and FIG. 5 is a partial sectional side view of an alternative embodiment of the lifting, stabilizing, and support assembly in accordance with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION ■ The present invention will be described herein in connection with its use as a lift for off road motorcycles. It is to be understood, however, that this apparatus, or one modified for a specific application could be used to lift other off road vehicles such as three-wheelers, four-wheelers, or snowmobiles. In fact, such modifications would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art. With reference to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the motorcycle lift will be described in general terms with a more detailed description to follow. FIG. 1 illustrates a partial sectional side view of an exemplary off road motorcycle lift in accordance with the present invention. The off road motorcycle lift includes novel support, stabilizing, and lifting means for the vehicle which is raised and lowered by a manual hydraulic lift system. In turn, the configuration and operation of the manual hydraulic system is in itself unique to those skilled in the art. Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a preferred hydraulic lift for raising off-road motorcycles according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the lifting, stabilizing and support assembly for the off road vehicle being lifted according to the present invention generally includes: a base platelO; fasteners 94; a structural tube 12; a lifting cylinder 14; stabilizer bars 16(a) and 16(b); anti rotation keys 20(a) and 20(b); clamping handles (not shown); a guide bar support plate 64; at least one lifting piston 18; a bar 60; and a mounting plate 30. Referring again to FIG. 1, beginning with components located closest to the bottom of the off road motorcycle lift, the base plate 10 may be mounted securely via fasteners 94 to the user's floor for stationary use. Advantageously, the off road motorcycle lift is also portable, for the base plate may be mounted appropriately to a portable, stable platform via fasteners 94 for use away from the workshop such as at a race track before, during, and after a race. In the preferred embodiment the base plate 10 has at least four holes through which fasteners 94 are inserted to anchor the lift to the user's work surface. In the preferred embodiment the base plate 10 may be composed of steel and the fasteners 94 are bolts. However, it will be apparent to anyone skilled in the art that the base plate 10 may be composed of any comparably strong metal alloy as well as composites such as a reinforced fiber glass resin, reinforced plastic, or a carbon fiber composite. It should be recognized by those skilled in the art that the composite examples would be suitable for mass .production of the structural parts of the present invention via either an injection molding or extrusion production system. As shown generally in FIG. 1, perpendicularly disposed upon the base plate 10, is a structural tube 12 for housing the stabilizer bars 16(a), 16(b) when the present invention is in a lowered position. This structural tube 12 may be secured to the base plate 10 via any number of means familiar to those skilled in the art. Affixed upon the base plate 10, and housed within the structural tube 12 is a block 76 with an opening 50 formed therein of sufficient size to permit the bottom end 70 of a lifting cylinder 14 to extend into the opening 50. In the preferred embodiment, the lifting cylinder 14 defines two spaces 12(a), 12(b) within the structural tube 12 which are of sufficient dimension to house the stabilizer bars 16(a), 16(b) when the off road motorcycle lift is in its lowered position. Like the structural tube 12, the lifting cylinder 14 is also in a perpendicular orientation with respect to the base plate 10, and it houses the lifting piston 18 when the off road motorcycle lift is in its lowered position. Both the stabilizer bars 16(a), 16(b) as well as the lifting piston 18 and its associated lifting cylinder 14 may have any number of complementary cross-sectional shapes such as but not limited to round, square, hexagonal, etc. Referring yet again to FIG. 1, the lifting, stabilizing, and support assembly for an off road vehicle in the present invention further includes a guide bar support plate 64 held in intimate contact with the top end 38 of the structural tube 12 in any number of means such as but not limited to welding, adhesive bonding, or fasteners in a manner familiar to those skilled in the art. The guide bar support plate 64 has bores 36(a), 36(b) formed therein which align with the stabilizer bars 16(a) and 16(b) as well as the lifting piston 18 respectively such that the stabilizer bars 16(a) and 16(b) and the lifting piston 18 may move up and down so that the hydraulic lift may attain a desired height. In particular, the bottom ends 40(a), 40(b) of the stabilizer bars 16(a), 16(b) are inserted into the guide bar support plate 64, and similarly, the bottom end 54 of the lifting piston 18 is in mating engagement with the top end of the lifting cylinder 52. In the illustrated embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the stabilizer bars 16(a), 16(b) have top ends 44(a), 44(b) which align with bores 66(a), 66(b) extending through both a bar 60 and a mounting plate 30, such that the stabilizer bars are engaged with both the bar 60 and the mounting plate 30 which are positioned in a perpendicular orientation relative to the stabilizer bars 16(a), 16(b). Likewise, the lifting piston 18 has a top end 56 which aligns with a bore 72 formed within the bar 60 such that the lifting piston is in mating engagement with the bar 60. Unlike the top ends 44(a), 44(b) of the stabilizer bars 16(a), 16(b), the top end 56 of the lifting piston 18 does not extend through the bar 60 to the mounting plate 30. As shown, the mounting plate 30 may be secured upon the top of the bar 60 via any number of means familiar to those skilled in the art. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), wherein the structural components of the instant invention are composed of extrudeable materials, the bar 60, and the mounting plate 30 may be one contiguous piece. The described engagement of the stabilizer bars 16(a), 16(b), and the lifting piston 18 with the bar 60 permits the mounting plate 30 to be raised or lowered when the lifting piston is engaged or disengaged respectively. As shown more particularly in FIG. 2, the mounting plate 30 serves as a support and securing means for the off road vehicle by permitting a motorcycle to be affixed securely to the mounting plate 30. In addition, a urethane rubber coating (not shown) may be applied to the top of the plate to protect the underside of a motorcycle or off road vehicle from getting scratched. In the preferred embodiment, the mounting plate 30 has been perforated with apertures 200, 202 of various sizes suitable for accommodating fasteners (not shown) which are used to secure the vehicle to the mounting plate 30. Advantageously, the apertures 200, 202 have been distributed symmetrically in the mounting plate 30 so as to permit the user to have great flexibility in securing the vehicle, which in turn creates a balanced center of gravity and greater stability. In an exemplary embodiment made in accordance with the present invention, the frame of the vehicle is attached to the mounting plate 30 via "U" bolts (not shown) or "J" bolts (not shown). Advantageously, as shown in the preferred embodiment, the size, placement, and number of apertures 220, 202 gives the user great flexibility with regard to what parts of the vehicle the user wishes to secure to the off road motorcycle lift. It is obvious to those skilled in the art, that smaller parts of the vehicle frame would require smaller bolts, while larger parts of the motorcycle frame would correspondingly larger fasteners. Moreover, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the number, size, and placement of the apertures 200, 202 may be varied to give the user great flexibility with regard to securing the vehicle to the lift. Finally, in yet another embodiment, one of the apertures 200,202 may be used to secure a tool tray (not shown) to the mounting plate 30. For example, a tool tray (not shown) may have a member (not shown) extending there from having a distal end (not shown) to which a second member (not shown) is perpendicularly attached. In turn, the second member (not shown) may be inserted into one of the apertures 200, 202 located in the mounting plate 30, thus allowing the tool tray to be connected to the mounting plate 30 for the convenience of the user of the present invention. The novel feature of securing the vehicle to the lift via the mounting plate 30 prevents the motorcycle from falling over, or sliding off the lift when great force is used to manipulate components of the motorcycle. Additionally, any significant change in the center of gravity due to removal of wheels, or the suspension will not destabilize the motorcycle; because it has been secured to the lift which in turn is secured to a stable work surface such as the floor. Employing the novel concept of using a securing means for the off road vehicle provides a simple, elegant, and inexpensive solution to the identified, dangerous instability problems inherent in prior art lifts where the vehicle relies on gravity as the only means for remaining on an off road lift or stand. Additional novel stabilizing and support means for the present invention are more particularly illustrated in FIG. 4 which is an enlarged partial sectional side view of one of the two stabilizer bars 16 (a), 16(b) used in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. It is to be understood that the configuration described in detail below is also present in the stabilizer bar 16(b) not depicted in the drawing. At the bottom end 40(a) of each stabilizer bar 16(a) is a keyway 58(a) into which is inserted an anti-rotation key 20(a). When the stabilizer bar 16(a) is in its uppermost position, the anti-rotation key 20(a) has unimpeded cooperative contact with the guide bar support plate 64 via the keyway 58(a). In particular, when the anti-rotation key 20(a) is in mating engagement with the keyway 58 (a), the head of the key (not shown) is biased into frictional engagement with the stabilizer bar 16(a). Engagement of the key 20(a) prevents any twisting motion of the stabilizer bar 16(a) in the bore 36(a) formed within the guide bar support plate 64. Advantageously, the off road vehicle has greater support and stability when the user is working on it due to this cummishment in unstable torque motion. Additional stability of the present invention is also achieved via the use of clamping handles that lock the stabilizer bars into place. Advantageously, the clamping handles permit the off road motorcycle to be held in any position within the extension range of the lift. In the preferred embodiment, the lift extends from a lower position of about 16 inches to a highest position of about 38 inches. The clamping handle feature provides an additional means for sustaining the position of the vehicle so that the user does not have to rely solely on the hydraulic system when working on a vehicle. Turning again to FIG. 4, the clamping handle 500 has a threaded shank 502 which is rotated into a correspondingly threaded bore 504 formed within the guide bar support plate 64. Rotation of the clamping handle 500 drives the threaded shank 502 into its associated threaded bore 504 within the guide bar support plate 64 such that the threaded shank 502 biases a soft piece of metal 506 against the stabilizer bar 16(a). Biasing the soft metal 506 against the stabilizer bar 16(a) creates frictional contact that serves to lock the stabilizer bar 16(a) into place. The soft metal may be composed of any soft alloy such as but not limited to brass or aluminum so that the frictional contact with the piece of soft metal 506 will not damage or mar the stabilizer bar 16(a). Those skilled in the art will recognize that the length and size of the clamping handle 500 and its corresponding bore 504 may be adjusted to account for a clamping mechanism appropriate for any particular application that falls within the scope of the present off road vehicle lift. Yet another novel feature contributing to the stability of the present invention is also depicted in FIG. 1. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the periphery 32(a), 32(b) of the mounting plate 30 is bent in a perpendicular orientation when compared with the rest of the mounting plate 30. Advantageously, this bent configuration gives the mounting plate 30 more structural rigidity, thereby providing increased strength with respect to the off road motorcycle Uft's ability to support and stabilize an off road vehicle such as a motorcycle. Turning now to the hydraulic system employed by the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, affixed in a perpendicular orientation to the base plate 10, is a foot operated hydraulic pump 74 with one hollow tube 86 connecting the hydraulic pump 74 to the block 76 in which the bottom end 70 of the lifting cylinder 14 is enclosed. Operation of the off road motorcycle lift employs simple hydraulic principles. Hydraulic oil is carried under pressure from the pump 74 to the lifting cylinder 14 to raise the off road motorcycle. When pressure is released, the hydraulic oil is carried back from the lifting cylinder 14 to the hydraulic pump 74 causing the lift to lower the off road motorcycle. Uninterrupted communication between the hydraulic pump 74 and the lifting cylinder 14 is achieved via the placement of two openings. The first opening 78 extends from the bottom of the lifting cylinder 14 through a sufficient portion of the block 76 so that the first opening 78 may intersect with a second opening 80 which in turn extends through the block 76 to a first end 82 of the one hollow tube 86. In the preferred embodiment the first opening 78 and the second opening 80 are screw holes. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the connecting purpose served by these two screw holes 78, 80 could also be accomplished by an elbow shaped structure composed of any number of materials of suitable strength, size and circumference for a particular desired hydraulic application. The configuration and operation of the hydraulic pump 74 is more particularly illustrated in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the manual hydraulic pump generally includes a base 88 with oil ports drilled therein and a release valve system. A pump cylinder 26 is threaded to fit into the base of the hydraulic pump 88. Housed within the pump cylinder 26 is a pump piston 90. The bottom end 92 of the pump piston 90 is fitted with a delrin bearing (not shown) and a "U" cup seal (not shown). The top of the pump piston rides in a scraper seal (not shown) installed in the pump cylinder 26. As shown more particularly in FIG. 3, the center of the pump piston 90 is drilled almost its entire length to create an opening 304 to house a spring 24 that will return the pump piston 90 to the up position to be ready for another downward stroke of a pump foot handle 302. Referring again to FIG. 3, the opening 304 housing the spring 24 in the pump piston has a top end 306. An air bleed hole (not shown) is cross-drilled through the pump cylinder 26 and the pump piston 90 to the top end 306 of the opening 304 in the pump piston. The cross-drilled air bleed hole (not shown) is tapped for an air bleed screw 28 to permit easy air bleeding. During operation of the hydraulic off road motorcycle lift, air in the hydraulic system will eventually accumulate in the opening 304 of the pump piston 90 wherein the spring 24 is housed. If the pump piston 90 is pushed down, while the air bleed screw 28 opens, air will rush out until there is none left and the system bleeding is complete. Referring still again to FIG. 3, the pump foot handle has a proximate end 310 that is in pivotal engagement with the top end 312 of the pump piston 90 via a pivotal groove (not shown). The motion of the pump foot handle 302 is limited by a bushing 306 that is disposed around the top end 308 of the pump cylinder 26. In the preferred embodiment, the foot pump handle shall have at least two pivot points (not shown) to overcome the increasing force required in order to pump the hydraulic lift should the user wish to work with heavier vehicles, thus providing the present invention with yet another advantage. The hydraulic reservoir 400 is a small closed tube threaded to the back of the base of the hydraulic pump 88 with a port 402 for exiting the hydraulic oil situated about 3/8 of an inch to about 3/4 of an inch above the bottom of the reservoir 404. Advantageously, locating the hydraulic oil exit port 402 above the bottom of the reservoir 404 prevents settled dirt or other contaminants from going into the hydraulic pump 74 and the lifting cylinder 14. The location of the reservoir separate from the hydraulic pump 74 and the lifting cylinder 14 is a configuration unique for the motorcycle and off-road vehicle industry. Advantageously, this configuration allows for ease of repair of the pump without incurring the inconvenience of disassembling the lifting mechanism. Moreover, separating the reservoir from the lifting cylinder and the pump allows the user to easily service the reservoir. Referring yet again to FIG. 3, the release valve system for the hydraulic pump consists of a linkage 300 having a proximate end 342 pivotally engaged with the top 340 of the release valve system. The linkage 300 is operated by the user's foot. As is known to those skilled in the art, the present invention may be readily modified so that the hydraulic pump may be operated by a user's hand. The release valve system is engaged in order to lower the off road motorcycle lift by removing hydraulic oil from the lifting cylinder (not shown) back to the reservoir 400. Depression of the linkage 300 causes a rod 344 to be raised away from a check ball 350, thereby releasing the check ball 350. The check ball in turn 350 regulates the flow of the hydraulic oil under pressure. Thus, releasing the check ball 350 allows hydraulic oil to flow past the check ball through a drilled hole 352 below the check ball 350 which in turn acts as an orifice through which the oil can flow through back to the reservoir 400. The releases valve system thus serves to limit the speed of descent for the off road motorcycle lift. In the preferred embodiment, the descent time for the lift from its highest to lowest point is in the range of about 6 seconds to 8 seconds. Advantageously, this slow descent rate provides another safety feature for the operator, in that the instant off road motorcycle lift will not suddenly collapse while it is in use. In contrast, when the release valve system is disengaged, the spring 346 prevents the linkage 300 from raising the rod 344 away from the check ball 350. Thus, hydraulic oil can be dispensed from the reservoir 400 through the one hollow tube 86 to the lifting cylinder 14, and the lifting piston 18 can raise the off road motorcycle lift in a manner familiar to those in the art. Still another novel safety feature for the present invention is depicted in FIG 1. A clearance hole 34 is cross-drilled into the top end 56 of the lifting piston 18. A bolt (not shown) may be inserted into this clearance hole 34 such that the head of the bolt (not shown) is in frictional engagement with the lifting piston 18. Engagement of the bolt (not shown) with the lifting piston 18 serves to lock the lifting piston 18 in place. Advantageously, the insertion of a bolt through the clearance hole 34 serves as a precautionary safety feature. In the event that the hydraulic pump 74 is accidentally released, the lift will not suddenly lower. Another exemplary embodiment of the off road motorcycle lift according to the invention is illustrated in FIG. 5. As shown, the stabilizing means for the off-road motorcycle lift has been readily modified. A structural tube 602 is perpendicularly disposed upon the base plate 600. This structural tube 602 may be secured to the base plate 600 via any number of means familiar to those skilled in the art. Affixed to the top end 604 of the structural tube 602 is a brace 606. The brace 606 is held in intimate contact with the top end 604 of the structural tube 602 in any number of means such as but not limited to welding, adhesive bonding, or fasteners in a manner familiar to those skilled in the art. The brace 606 has a bore (not shown) formed therein of complementary shape and size with a ring 612 such that the ring 612 may be inserted into the brace 606. In turn, a single tube 608 has a bottom end 610, which is inserted inside the ring 612, such that the ring 612 is positioned circumferentially around the bottom end 610 of the single tube 608. In this alternative embodiment, alignment of the bore (not shown) in the brace 606, with the ring 612 and the single tube 608 permits the single tube to move up and down as the lift is raised or lowered. When the alternative embodiment to the off-road motorcycle is lowered, the single tube 608 is housed within the structural tube 602. Referring again to FIG. 5, the alternative embodiment further includes a lifting piston 614 housed within the single tube 608. The lifting piston 614 and the single tube 608 are in a concentric relationship with one another. Consequently, hydraulic engagement of the lifting piston 614 simultaneously causes the single tube 608 to move as well. The lifting piston 614 is secured to the base plate 600 of the off road motorcycle lift in a manner discussed previously for the preferred embodiment. Specifically, affixed upon the base plate 600, is a block (not shown) with an opening (not shown) formed therein of sufficient size to permit the bottom end (not shown) of a lifting cylinder (not shown) to extend into the opening (not shown). The lifting cylinder (not shown) is in a perpendicular orientation with respect to the base plate 600, and it has a top end (not shown) in mating engagement with the bottom end (not shown) of the lifting piston 614. This mating engagement of the lifting cylinder (not shown) and the lifting piston 614 permits the lifting piston 614 to move up and down as the off road motorcycle lift is raised or lowered. The lifting cylinder (not shown) houses the lifting piston 614 when the off road motorcycle lift is in its lowered position. In this alternative embodiment, the single tube 608 and the lifting piston 614 have top ends (not shown) which align with concentric bores extending through both a bar (not shown) and a mounting plate (not shown) such that the single tube 608 and the lifting piston 614 are engaged with both the bar (not shown) and the mounting plate (not shown) which are positioned in a perpendicular orientation relative to both the single tube 608 and the lifting piston 614. The mounting plate (not shown) may be secured upon the top of the bar (not shown) via any number of means familiar to those skilled in the art. The described engagement of the single tube 608 and the lifting piston 614 with the bar (not shown) and the mounting plate (not shown) permits the mounting plate (not shown) to be raised or lowered when the lifting piston 614 is engaged or disengaged respectively. Referring yet again to FIG. 5, also inserted into the ring 612 is at least one keyway (not shown) into which is inserted at least one anti-rotation key (not shown). Engagement of the anti rotation key (not shown) with the ring 612 which in turn is in cooperative contact with the bottom end 610 of the single tube 608 prevents any rotation of the single tube 608 within the ring 612. Advantageously, this anti-rotation feature provides greater stability to the present invention, which in turn allows the user to safely apply the vigorous force required to disassemble a motorcycle. It should be noted that this alternative embodiment shares all of the same features as were discussed previously in the preferred embodiment with respect to the mounting plate's support and securing features as well as the configuration and operation of the manual hydraulic system. Yet another alternative embodiment envisioned for the off road motorcycle lift would generally consist of a base plate, a structural tube having a bottom end affixed to the top of the base plate and a top end upon which a brace is disposed. As was discussed previously with the first alternative embodiment, this embodiment would have a single tube in mating engagement with the brace such that the single tube could be raised or lowered as the hydraulic lift is engaged or disengaged respectively. When the lift is lowered, the single tube would be housed within the structural tube. As in the previous alternative embodiment, perpendicularly disposed upon the top end of the single tube is a bar with a bore therein in which the top end of the single tube is inserted. Likewise, affixed to the top of the bar is a mounting plate with a bore in alignment with the bore in the bar so that the top end of the single tube extends through both the bar and the mounting plate. However, the top end of the single tube would extend no further than the top surface of the mounting plate. Unlike the previous embodiments, this off road vehicle lift would have neither a lifting piston nor its related lifting cylinder. Instead, a rod fitting closely with the inside diameter of the single tube would have a bottom end affixed to the base plate of the lift and a top end in cooperative engagement with a cap inserted within the brace which is affixed upon the top end of the structural tube. The bottom end of the rod would have a rod seal. Hydraulic oil is introduced to the bottom of the rod in a manner analogous to that, which was described in the preferred embodiment. The rod has a vertical hole extending its entire length, thereby permitting the hydraulic oil to travel from the bottom end of the rod to the top end of the rod. Activation of the foot operated manual hydraulic pump creates pressure, which in turn drives hydraulic oil from a reservoir to the rod, causing the single tube to be raised. Release of pressure causes the hydraulic oil to be drained from the rod back to the reservoir, thereby lowering the single tube. The embodiments which have been described herein, however, are but some of several which utilize this invention, and are set forth here by way of illustration but not of limitation. It is obvious that many other embodiments, which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, may be made without departing materially from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims and the equivalents thereto.

Claims: What is claimed is: 1. An off road motorcycle or vehicle lift comprising: a base plate; a lifting, stabilizing, and support assembly perpendicularly disposed upon said base plate, having a mounting plate for securing an off road motorcycle or vehicle to said off road motorcycle or vehicle lift disposed upon a top end of said lifting, stabilizing, and support assembly; a hydraulic pump positioned adjacent to said lifting, stabilizing, and support assembly and perpendicularly disposed upon said base plate; and a hollow tube extending between said lifting, stabilizing, and support assembly and said hydraulic pump for permitting the flow of hydraulic oil between said lifting, stabilizing, and support assembly and said hydraulic pump. 2. The off road motorcycle or vehicle lift according to claim 1 , wherein said lifting, stabilizing, and support assembly further includes: a structural tube perpendicularly disposed upon said base plate; a lifting cylinder in perpendicular orientation to said base plate and housed within said structural tube; a guide bar support plate held in intimate contact with a top end of said structural tube, and having at least two bores formed therein; at least two stabilizer bars having bottom ends aligned with said at least two bores formed within said guide bar support plate; a lifting piston having a bottom end in mating engagement with a top end of said lifting cylinder; and a bar positioned in perpendicular orientation relative to said at least two stabilizer bars and said lifting piston having bores formed within which align with a top end of said lifting piston and top ends of said at least two stabilizer bars, and upon which is secured said mounting plate. 3. The off road motorcycle or vehicle lift according to claim 2, wherein a bottom end of said lifting cylinder is extended into an opening formed within a block affixed to said base plate. 4. The off road motorcycle or vehicle lift according to claim 1 , wherein said mounting plate includes apertures suitable for accommodating fasteners which are used to secure the off road motorcycle or vehicle to said off road motorcycle or vehicle lift. 5. The off road or motorcycle lift according to claim 4, at least one of said apertures of said mounting plate further including a member inserted therein for attaching a tool tray to said mounting plate. 6. The off road motorcycle or vehicle lift according to claim 2, said bottom ends of said at least two stabilizer bars further comprising keyways into which are inserted anti rotation keys for preventing twisting motion of said at least two stabilizer bars within said at least two bores formed within said guide bar support plate. 7. The off road motorcycle or vehicle lift according to claim 2, wherein said guide bar support plate has at least two additional bores for receiving clamping handles which when rotated into said at least two additional bores cause said clamping handles to bias a piece of soft metal against said at least two stabilizer bars, thus locking said at least two stabilizer bars into place. 8. The off road motorcycle or vehicle lift according to claim 1, wherein said base plate has bores formed within suitable for fasteners used to secure said base plate to a user's work surface. 9. The off road motorcycle or vehicle lift according to claim 1, said hydraulic pump further comprising a release valve system and an air bleed system. 10. The off road motorcycle or vehicle lift according to claim 9, wherein said air bleed system further includes: a pump cylinder threaded within a base of said hydraulic pump; a pump piston housed within said pump cylinder; an opening drilled almost the entire length of said pump piston to house a spring; and an air bleed hole cross drilled through said pump cylinder and said pump piston to a top end of said opening in said pump piston. 11. The off road motorcycle or vehicle lift according to claim 9, wherein said release valve system further includes: a reservoir for housing hydraulic oil threaded to the back of said base of said hydraulic pump having a port for exiting hydraulic oil situated about 3/8 of an inch to about 3/4 of an inch above a bottom of said reservoir; a linkage having a proximate end pivotally engaged with a top end of said release valve system; a rod connected to said linkage; a check ball for regulating the flow of hydraulic oil located below said rod; and a drilled hole positioned below said check ball which acts as an orifice through which hydraulic oil can flow back to said reservoir. 12. An off road motorcycle or vehicle lift comprising: a base plate secured with fasteners to a user's work surface; a structural tube perpendicularly disposed upon said base plate; a brace held in intimate contact with a top end of said structural tube, said brace having a bore formed therein; a ring inserted into said bore within said brace; a single tube having a bottom end inserted into said ring such that said ring is positioned circumferentially around said bottom end of said single tube; a lifting piston housed within said single tube and affixed to said base plate via a lifting cylinder; a bar disposed upon a top end of said single tube and a top end of said lifting piston having concentric bores within for receiving said top end of said lifting piston and said top end of said single tube; a mounting plate affixed to said bar for securing an off road motorcycle or vehicle to said off road motorcycle or vehicle lift, having concentric bores formed therein, which align with said concentric bores in said bar for receiving said top end of said lifting piston and said top end of said single tube; a hydraulic pump positioned adjacent to said structural tube and perpendicularly disposed upon said base plate; and a hollow tube extending between said lifting cylinder and said hydraulic pump for permitting the flow of hydraulic oil between said lifting cylinder and said hydraulic pump. 13. The off road motorcycle or vehicle lift according to claim 12, wherein said ring includes at least one keyway into which is inserted an anti rotation key for preventing twisting motion of said single tube within said ring. 14. A method of lifting, stabilizing, and supporting an off road motorcycle or vehicle with an off road motorcycle or vehicle lift comprising the steps of: (A) providing a base plate having bores formed within for accommodating fasteners to be used to secure an off road motorcycle or vehicle lift to a user's work surface; (B) providing a structural tube being perpendicularly disposed upon said base plate; (C) providing a lifting cylinder being in perpendicular orientation to said base plate and housed within said structural tube; (D) providing a guide bar support plate intimately in contact with a top end of said structural tube and having at least two bores formed therein; (E) providing at least two stabilizer bars having bottom ends aligned with said at least two bores formed within said guide bar support plate; (F) providing a lifting piston having a bottom end being in mating engagement with a top end of said lifting cylinder; (G) providing a bar being positioned in perpendicular orientation relative to said at least two stabilizer bars and said lifting piston having bores formed within which align with a top end of said lifting piston and top ends of said at least two stabilizer bars; (H) securing a mounting plate upon said bar; (I) positioning an hydraulic pump adjacent to said structural tube, and perpendicularly disposing said hydraulic pump upon said base plate; and (J) providing a hollow tube extending between said lifting cylinder and said hydraulic pump for permitting the flow of hydraulic oil between said lifting cylinder and said hydraulic pump. 15. The method according to claim 14, said method further including the step of providing said bottom ends of said at least two stabilizer bars with keyways for inserting anti-rotation keys for preventing twisting motion of said at least two stabilizer bars within said at least two bores formed within said guide bar support plate. 16. The method according to claim 14, said method further including the step of providing said guide bar support plate with at least two additional bores for receiving clamping handles which when rotated into said at least two additional bores cause said clamping handles to bias a piece of soft metal against said at least two stabilizer bars, thus locking said at least two stabilizer bars into place. 17. The method according to claim 14, said method further including the step of perforating said mounting plate with apertures suitable for accommodating fasteners which in turn are used for securing the off road motorcycle or vehicle to said off road motorcycle or vehicle lift. 18. The method according to claim 17, said method further including the step of attaching a tool tray to said mounting plate, said tool tray having a member extending therefrom for inserting said member into at least one of said apertures of said mounting plate. 19. The method according to claim 14, said method further including the step of providing said hydraulic pump with a release valve system and an air bleed system. 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein providing said air bleed system further includes the steps of: threading a pump cylinder within a base of said hydraulic pump; housing a pump piston within said pump cylinder; drilling an opening almost the entire length of said pump piston to house a spring; and cross drilling an air bleed hole through said pump cylinder and said pump piston to a top end of said opening in said pump piston. 21. The method according to claim 19, wherein providing said release valve system further includes the steps of: providing a reservoir for housing hydraulic oil with a port for exiting hydraulic oil situated about 3/8 of an inch to about 3/4 of an inch above a bottom of said reservoir; threading a reservoir to the back of said base of said hydraulic pump; providing a linkage having a proximate end pivotally engaged with a top end of said release valve system; connecting a rod to said linkage; locating a check ball for regulating the flow of hydraulic oil located below said rod; and drilling a hole below said check ball, said hole acting as an orifice through which hydraulic oil can flow back to said reservoir. 22. An off road motorcycle or vehicle lift comprising: a base plate; a structural tube having a bottom end affixed to said base plate; a brace held in intimate contact with a top end of said structural tube, said brace having cap inserted within; a single tube in mating engagement with said brace; a rod housed within said single tube, said rod having a bottom end affixed to said base plate, and a top end in cooperative engagement with said cap inserted within said brace; a bar disposed upon a top end of said single tube, said bar having a bore therein for receiving said top end of said single tube; a mounting plate affixed to said bar for securing an off road motorcycle or vehicle to said off road motorcycle or vehicle lift, having a bore in alignment with said bore in said bar such that said top end of said single tube extends through said bar and said mounting plate; and a hydraulic pump positioned adjacent to said structural tube and perpendicularly disposed upon said base plate. 23. The off road motorcycle or vehicle lift according to claim 22, wherein said rod includes a vertical hole extending the length of said rod for permitting the flow of hydraulic oil from said bottom end of said rod to said top end of said rod. 24. A method of lifting, stabilizing, and supporting an off road motorcycle or vehicle with an off road motorcycle or vehicle lift comprising the steps of: (A) providing a base plate having bores formed within for accommodating fasteners to be used to secure an off road motorcycle or vehicle lift to a user's work surface; (B) providing a structural tube being perpendicularly disposed upon said base plate; (C) providing a brace being held in intimate contact with a top end of said structural tube, said brace having a bore formed therein; (D) inserting a ring into said bore within said brace; (E) providing a single tube having a bottom end inserted into said ring such that said ring is positioned circumferentially around said bottom end of said single tube; (F) housing a lifting piston within said single tube; (G) affixing said lifting piston to said base plate via a lifting cylinder; (H) disposing a bar upon a top end of said single tube and a top end of said lifting piston, said bar having concentric bores within for receiving said top end of said lifting piston and said top end of said single tube; (I) affixing a mounting plate to said bar for securing an off road motorcycle or vehicle to said off road motorcycle or vehicle lift; (J) positioning a hydraulic pump adjacent to said structural tube, and perpendicularly disposing said hydraulic pump upon said base plate; and (K) providing a hollow tube extending between said lifting cylinder and said hydraulic pump for permitting the flow of hydraulic oil between said lifting cylinder and said hydraulic pump. 25. The method according to claim 24, said method further including the step of providing said ring with at least one keyway into which is inserted an anti rotation key for preventing twisting motion of said single tube within said ring. 26. A method of lifting, stabilizing, and supporting an off road motorcycle or vehicle with an off road motorcycle or vehicle lift comprising the steps of: (A) providing a base plate; (B) providing a structural tube having a bottom end affixed to said base plate; (C) providing a brace being held in intimate contact with a top end of said structural tube, said brace having cap inserted within; (D) providing a single tube in mating engagement with said brace; (E) housing a rod within said single tube, said rod having a bottom end affixed to said base plate, and a top end in cooperative engagement with said cap inserted within said brace; and wherein said rod includes a vertical hole extending the length of said rod for permitting the flow of hydraulic oil from said bottom end of said rod to said top end of said rod; (F) disposing a bar upon a top end of said single tube, said bar having a bore therein for receiving said top end of said single tube; (G) affixing a mounting plate to said bar for securing an off road motorcycle or vehicle to said off road motorcycle or vehicle lift, said mounting plate having a bore in alignment with said bore in said bar such that said top end of said single tube extends through saidbar and said mounting plate; and (H) positioning a hydraulic pump adjacent to said structural tube and perpendicularly disposing said hydraulic pump upon said base plate.

Inventors: MILLER RODNEY A, POLLINI RICHARD J, MILLER, RODNEY, A., POLLINI, RICHARD, J.
Applicants: MILLER RODNEY A, POLLINI RICHARD J, MILLER, RODNEY, A., POLLINI, RICHARD, J.
Application year: 2001
Main classification: B66F7
IPC codes: B66F7