Abstract:
An auxiliary wheel conversion assembly for a motorcycle comprises a frame having side members on opposite sides of a receiving space to receive the rear drive wheel of the motorcycle when connected thereto. The assembly has a pair of wheels having a common axis but each being independently mounted to a side member opposite the receiving space, and the pair of wheels substantially in contact with the ground surface at all speeds and is not adapted to selectively lift the wheels. The frame also is substantially at or below the axis of rotation of the rear wheel of the motorcycle.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to the field of auxiliary wheel conversion assemblies for motorcycles whereby they can be converted from a conventional two wheel motorcycle into a tricycle type of vehicle. The conversion assembly in this case can be easily and quickly connected to a motorcycle for use as a tricycle type vehicle, then just as easily and quickly disconnected for use as a conventional two wheel motorcycle.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Prior art of which the inventor is aware include the devices and assemblies which are shown and described in the following United States patents:  
           [0003]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,141 for a kit for converting a motorcycle to a tricycle  
           [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,689 for a motorcycle conversion rear axle mounting system  
           [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,659 for a vehicle fraction attachment  
           [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,287,960 for a motorcycle conversion kit  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,133,402 for a two wheel motorized vehicle side wheel outrigger assembly  
           [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,767,000 for a motorcycle with auxiliary wheel  
           [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,419,098 for a three wheeled automotive vehicle  
           [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,889,891 for auxiliary wheel supports for vehicles  
           [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 1,956,319 for a convertible motorcycle chassis  
           [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 1,933,102 for a motor tricycle  
           [0013]    U.S. Pat. No. 1,279,070 for a tractor attachment  
           [0014]    U.S. Pat. No. 1,152,821 for a motor vehicle  
           [0015]    Prior art conversion kits and assemblies for converting a two wheel motorcycle into a tricycle type vehicle have a number of disadvantages. Many of them require removal of the rear drive wheel of the motorcycle and connection of the drive mechanism to the wheels of the conversion assembly. Others require extensive connection of the conversion assembly to the motorcycle making it difficult if not impractical to change back for use as a conventional two wheel motorcycle. Some of the prior art devices require permanent connection of the conversion kits to the motorcycle, with pivot arm assemblies to pivot the auxiliary wheels out for use of the auxiliary wheels and to pivot them back alongside the motorcycle when it is desired to use as a two wheel motorcycle. In such cases, the auxiliary wheels must of necessity be smaller than the auxiliary wheels so they do not come into contact with the ground when pivoted to their out-of-use position alongside the motorcycle.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0016]    The auxiliary wheel conversion assembly in accordance with the present invention is constructed in such a way that it can be quickly and easily connected to and disconnected from a motorcycle. The auxiliary wheels can be and are as large as the rear drive wheel of the motorcycle, and are preferably the same size as the motorcycle&#39;s rear drive wheel.  
           [0017]    The conversion assembly is of lightweight and simplified construction, comprising a frame having a pair of spaced apart side members, which extend parallel to each other on opposite sides of a receiving space for the rear drive wheel of the motorcycle, then having diagonal portions which extend forwardly from that point to converge toward each other, terminating at forward ends which are spaced apart more closely than the rearwardly facing ends of the side frame members. A cross-bar extends across the rear of the conversion assembly from the rearward facing end of one side member to the rearward facing end of the other.  
           [0018]    A connection plate is mounted to the lower and forward portion of the motorcycle frame, having laterally extending tubular insert members. Corresponding sleeve members are provided at the forward ends of each side frame member to receive the insert members of the connection plate secured to the motorcycle frame, thereby connecting the conversion assembly to the motorcycle. Locking pins are provided to screw into an internally threaded portion of the sleeve members, such locking pins having shaft portions which extend into cylindrical bores of the tubular insert members of the connection plate received in the sleeves at the ends of the side frame members of the conversion assembly.  
           [0019]    Additional coupling lugs are connected to a portion of the motorcycle frame just forward of the rear drive wheel and on each side of the motorcycle, and lug coupling or lug receiving brackets are connected to the inside of each side frame member of the conversion assembly, extending inwardly thereof far enough to come into registration with the coupling lugs when the rear drive wheel of the motorcycle is received in the receiving space of the conversion assembly. The lug receiving brackets are secured to the side frame members at a location thereon which will seat the coupling lugs in the brackets at such time as the rear drive wheel of the motorcycle is received in the said receiving space and the insert members on the forwardly positioned connection plate are in registration with the sleeve members at the forward ends of the side frame members of the conversion assembly for reception therein.  
           [0020]    The conversion assembly has its own braking system, including a brake pedal which is positioned to lie adjacent the brake pedal of the motorcycle when the conversion assembly is connected to the motorcycle. Thus, both can be depressed at the same time to apply the brakes of the motorcycle and of the auxiliary wheel conversion assembly simultaneously.  
           [0021]    A more detailed description of the auxiliary wheel conversion assembly in accordance with this invention is set forth in the description of preferred embodiment section hereinbelow. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0022]    [0022]FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a motorcycle having an auxiliary wheel conversion assembly in accordance with this invention connected thereto.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the auxiliary wheel conversion assembly shown disconnected from the motorcycle.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a motorcycle to illustrate the cooperative connection members secured to the motorcycle to enable quick releasable connection of the auxiliary wheel conversion assembly to the motorcycle.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the auxiliary wheel conversion assembly in position behind the motorcycle just prior to bringing the two together for connection of the conversion assembly to the motorcycle.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 5 is a larger side elevation view of the auxiliary wheel conversion assembly to more clearly show the parts thereof that can be seen from the left-hand side;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-section of a connection sleeve member of the auxiliary wheel conversion assembly and of one of the insert ends of the connection assembly which is secured to the frame of the motorcycle, the insert end shown received in the sleeve member of the conversion assembly.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 7 is an enlarged end view from the front of one of the U-shaped brackets of the auxiliary wheel conversion assembly connected to one of the conversion assembly&#39;s side frame members (shown in section).  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the U-shaped bracket shown in FIG. 7.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 9 is an end view from the front of the lug supporting bracket connected to one of the motorcycle&#39;s rear wheel mounting frame side legs (shown in section), and showing the connecting lug on such bracket which is received in the U-shaped bracket shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 of the conversion assembly when it is connected to the motorcycle.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 10 is a view of one of the wheels of the auxiliary wheel conversion assembly showing the inwardly facing side which faces inwardly of the conversion assembly, showing the wheel support shaft in section which connects the wheel to the conversion assembly.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 11 is a partial end view from the front of the right-hand side wheel of auxiliary wheel conversion assembly to more clearly show its connection to the frame of the conversion assembly.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0033]    A tricycle conversion assembly  2  for a motorcycle  4  in accordance with this invention comprises a generally U-shaped frame  6  having a pair of outboard auxiliary wheels  8  which can be easily connected to and disconnected from the motorcycle to convert it into a tricycle type vehicle when connected and to return to a conventional two wheel motorcycle when disconnected.  
         [0034]    The U-shaped frame  6  includes a laterally extending cross-bar  10  across the rear of the conversion assembly  2 , a first longitudinally extending side leg  12  which extends along the left hand side of the motorcycle when connected, and a second longitudinally extending side leg  14  which extends along the right hand side of the motorcycle when connected thereto. The rear drive wheel  16  of the motorcycle is received in the receiving space  18  of the frame  6  between the spaced apart side legs  12  and  14  when the conversion assembly  2  is connected to the motorcycle  4 .  
         [0035]    Each side leg  12  and  14  extend forwardly from opposite ends of the cross-bar  10  in substantially parallel relationship for a distance somewhat greater than the diameter of the rear drive wheel  16  whereupon they converge inwardly toward their respective connection points with a connection assembly  20  secured to the lower mid-portion of the motorcycle frame  22 .  
         [0036]    Side leg  12  includes the inwardly converging diagonal leg portion  24  and side leg  14  includes the inwardly converging diagonal leg portion  26 . The diagonal leg portions  24  and  26  each terminate forwardly with an integrally formed laterally extending connecting sleeve  28  having a through passageway  30  to receive corresponding insert end  32  of laterally extending, tubular connection bar  34  of connection assembly  20  secured to the lower mid-portion of the motorcycle frame  22 .  
         [0037]    The integrally formed connecting sleeves  28  at the forward end of the diagonal side leg portions  24  and  26  are cylindrical. The inner diameter of their through passageway  30  corresponds to the outer diameter of the insert ends  32  of the tubular connection bar  34  for snug reception of the insert ends  32  into respective ones of the through passageway  30  of the connecting sleeves  28 . The connecting sleeves are preferably about two to three inches long from end to end, and the insert ends  32  extend into the sleeves  28  most of that distance.  
         [0038]    However, the outer end  36  of each connecting sleeve  28  includes an integrally threaded portion  38  for threaded engagement with the externally threaded portion  40  of connecting and locking pins  42 . The connection bar  34  and its insert ends  32  are cylindrical and include a bore or through passageway  44  therethrough. The connecting and locking pins  42  each include a cylindrical insert shaft  46  which extends into the bore  44  of each insert end  32  when each locking pin  42  is screwed into threaded engagement of its externally threaded portion  40  with internally threaded portion  38  of the connecting sleeves  28 .  
         [0039]    Each locking pin  42  includes a handle  48  pivotally connected to its outer end.  
         [0040]    The U-shaped frame  6  also includes a front cross-bar  50  extending across between the diagonal side leg portions  24  and  26  and secured thereto at a location inwardly a short distance from their forward ends.  
         [0041]    The frame  6  of the conversion assembly is additionally connected to the motorcycle by a pair of U-shaped brackets  52  on the conversion assembly with their open ends facing forwardly to receive a corresponding pair of connecting lugs  54  extending laterally outwardly from opposite sides of the motorcycle&#39;s rear wheel mounting frame  56 .  
         [0042]    The U-shaped brackets  52  are each connected to respective ones of the side legs  12  and  14  by a connecting bar  58  extending laterally and inwardly thereof into the receiving space  18  between the side legs  12  and  14 , and at a location rearwardly from the inwardly converging diagonal side leg portions  24  and  26 .  
         [0043]    The corresponding pair of connecting lugs  54  are connected to respective ones of the longitudinally extending side arm members  60  of the rear wheel mounting frame  56  by a bracket  62  bolted thereto and from which the lugs  54  project laterally and outwardly.  
         [0044]    The auxiliary wheels  8  are connected to the frame  6  of the converging assembly  2  as follows. A pair of wheel support shafts  64  project outwardly from respective ones of the side legs  12  and  14  at a location thereon about midway between the rear cross-bar  10  and the beginning of the inwardly converging diagonal side leg portions  24  and  26 . A cylindrical brake drum assembly  66  is secured to each of the wheel support shafts at a location radially offset from the center of the brake drum assembly on a radius which extends vertically and downward from the center.  
         [0045]    A rotatable axle  68  extends outwardly from each of the brake drum assemblies  66  on which respective ones of the pair of auxiliary wheels  8  are mounted for rotation.  
         [0046]    The conversion assembly  2  includes its own separate braking system to brake the auxiliary wheels  8 , including a separate auxiliary brake pedal  70  which is positioned on the conversion assembly in such a way that it lies next to the motorcycle brake pedal  72  when the conversion assembly is connected to the motorcycle. The rider can then depress both brake pedals  70  and  72  at the same time with his foot to apply braking force simultaneously to the auxiliary wheels  8  and rear drive wheel  16  of the motorcycle.  
         [0047]    The braking system of the conversion assembly includes a fluid pressure assembly  74 , tubular supply lines  76  leading from the fluid pressure assembly  74  to the brake drum assemblies  66 , a piston rod  78  extends from said fluid pressure assembly, and a connecting shaft  80  connected at one end to piston rod  78  and at the other end to the auxiliary brake pedal  70  for operating the piston to apply fluid pressure to the brake drum assemblies  66  for braking the auxiliary wheels  8  when the brake pedal  70  is depressed and to release the braking pressure when pressure on brake pedal  70  is released.  
         [0048]    A hand grasp  82  is provided along the diagonally extending side leg portion  24  of side leg  12  of the conversion assembly frame  6 , extending laterally outward for a user to grasp and pull the conversion assembly forward into position for connecting to the motorcycle.  
         [0049]    The tricycle conversion assembly  2  in accordance with the present invention is easily connected to and disconnected from a motorcycle.  
         [0050]    To connect to a motorcycle, the conversion assembly is pulled up behind the rear drive wheel  16  of the motorcycle with the forward spaced apart ends of the side legs  12  and  14  of conversion assembly frame  6  facing the rear drive wheel  16  and positioned to receive it therebetween into the receiving space  18  between the frame side legs  12  and  14 .  
         [0051]    The connection assembly  20 , if not previously connected, is then connected to the lower portion of the motorcycle frame  22 . The connection assembly  20  comprises a laterally extending plate  84  which extends across from frame member  86  to frame member  88  of the motorcycle frame  22  when positioned in place at the forward lowermost portion of the motorcycle frame  22 . A flange  90  extends upwardly from the plate  84  at each opposite end in facing relationship to respective ones of the frame members  86  and  88  of the motorcycle frame  22  to secure the connection assembly  20  thereto by tightening the bolts  92  which extend through respective ones of the frame members  86  and  88  and through respective ones of flanges  90 .  
         [0052]    Also, if not previously connected to the motorcycle, the connecting lugs  54  and their brackets  62  are secured to respective ones of the side arm members  60  of the rear motorcycle wheel mounting frame  56 , at the location thereon which will seat the connecting lugs  54  in the receiving recesses of respective ones of the U-shaped brackets  52  extending inwardly from side legs  12  and  14  of the conversion assembly frame  6  when the insert ends  32  of connecting bar  34  of the connection assembly  20  secured to a forward portion of the motorcycle frame are in position for reception in the connecting sleeves  28  at the forward ends of the conversion assembly side legs  12  and  14 .  
         [0053]    The rear wheel  16  of the motorcycle is then backed over the front cross-bar  50  of the conversion assembly frame  6  into the receiving space  18  between the side legs  12  and  14  of the conversion assembly frame until the rear wheel  6  of the motorcycle is substantially in axial alignment with the auxiliary wheels  8  of the conversion assembly  2 . The person connecting the assembly to the motorcycle then grasps the hand grasp  82  to move the conversion assembly forwardly or rearwardly whatever slight amount necessary for the connecting sleeves  28  at the forward ends of the conversion assembly side legs  12  and  14  to line up with the insert ends  32  of the connecting bar  34  on the connection assembly  20  secured to the motorcycle frame  22 . The insert ends  32  are then inserted into the connecting sleeves  28  at which time the connecting lugs  54  secured to the side arm members  60  on each side of the rear motorcycle wheel mounting frame  56  become seated in the receiving recesses of the U-shaped brackets  52  extending inwardly from a rearward portion of the conversion assembly side legs  12  and  14 .  
         [0054]    Each of the connecting and locking pins  42  are then screwed in place, by inserting their insert shaft  46  in the bore of respective ones of the tubular insert ends  32  of connecting bar  34  and by threadedly engaging the external threaded portion  40  of the locking pins  42  with the internally threaded portion  38  of respective ones of the connecting sleeves  28 .  
         [0055]    The tricycle conversion assembly  2  is now securely connected and ready for operating the motorcycle as a tricycle type vehicle, powered by the rear drive wheel  16  of the motorcycle. A luggage carrier  94  is mounted at the rear of the conversion assembly  2  by legs  96  connected at their lower end to the rear cross-bar  10  and to the carrier platform  98  at the their upper end.  
         [0056]    To disconnect the conversion assembly  2  from the motorcycle is equally quick and easy to do. The locking pins  42  are unscrewed and the connecting sleeves  28  are separated from the insert ends  32  of the connecting bar  34  on the connection assembly  20  secured to the motorcycle frame. The motorcycle can then be moved forwardly whereupon the connecting lugs  54  secured to each side of the motorcycle rear wheel mounting frame  56  forwardly of the rear drive wheel  16 , slip out from the receiving recesses of the U-shaped brackets  52  on the inward sides of the conversion assembly side legs  12  and  14 . The motorcycle is then completely disconnected from the conversion assembly  2  for use as a conventional two wheel motorcycle.  
         [0057]    The connection assembly  20  and the connecting lugs  54  can remain connected to the motorcycle when being used as a conventional two wheel motorcycle. The conversion assembly  2  can then be quickly and easily re-connected to the motorcycle when it is desired to use it as a tricycle type vehicle.  
         [0058]    When the conversion assembly  2  is connected to the motorcycle as described, no additional connecting braces or other connecting members are required. The spaces between the rear drive wheel  16  of the motorcycle and the side legs  12  and  14  of the conversion assembly  2  spaced apart on opposite sides of the rear drive wheel are in fact unobstructed. There is nothing across such spaces that has to be connected and disconnected when connecting and disconnecting the conversion assembly to and from the motorcycle.