Abstract:
The present invention is a motorcycle restraint system utilizing a trailing member linking the rear axle of the motorcycle to the floor of the transport vehicle via two hinge joints, allowing for automatic height adjustment. The restraint system allows the motorcycle to be transported without the use of tension straps, allowing both tires to rest on the floor of the transport vehicle against only the weight of the motorcycle.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to systems for restraining motorcycles during transport. More particularly, this invention pertains to systems of restraining a motorcycle in a trailer or other vehicle (hereafter collectively referred to as transport vehicle) without the use of straps. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    There are generally three prior systems of restraining a motorcycle in a transport vehicle, which are described below. 
         [0003]    The first system is commonly referred to as the Chock and Strap System. The customary system of restraining a motorcycle involves a chock to prevent forward motion, and straps (usually two or four) that simultaneously pull the motorcycle forward into the chock and downward compressing the motorcycle tires and springs of the front and rear motorcycle suspension. The motorcycle tire pressures and springs of the motorcycle suspension help restrain the motorcycle by providing a relatively constant force on the straps. 
         [0004]    The disadvantages of the chock and strap system are: i) the straps are relatively time consuming to install and involve manually holding the motorcycle upright while putting the straps into place; ii) careful routing and placement of the straps are required to prevent damage to motorcycle parts including cosmetic parts as well as safety-related parts such as throttle cables and brake lines; iii) heavy compression of the spring suspension system of the motorcycle puts undo stress on the motorcycle suspension and causes premature wear of suspension parts and/or misalignment of suspension and/or chassis components; iv) reduction of tire pressure (i.e., flat or partially flat tire) during transport reduces strap tension, causing the motorcycle to be restrained less-securely; and v) improper routing of straps (i.e., straps not routed at proper angle to form adequate triangulation) might allow the motorcycle to tip over under adverse road conditions. 
         [0005]    The second prior system is commonly referred to as a Locking Chock. This second system of restraining a motorcycle for transport includes a more sophisticated front wheel chock, which cradles the wheel in a way that holds the motorcycle upright and prevents forward and backward motion. The chocks operate with a principal of over-center lock and/or a positive lock. In a static situation (i.e., the transport vehicle is not moving), this system will hold a motorcycle upright with no straps to aid in stability. Two straps are recommended to complete this system in order to: i) prevent tip-over of the mated motorcycle/chock (assuming the chock is not attached to the floor of the transport vehicle); and ii) to prevent the front wheel of the motorcycle from hopping out of the chock due to adverse road conditions. This system is an improvement over the chock and strap system since it is generally easier and quicker to stabilize the motorcycle for transport. 
         [0006]    The disadvantages of the locking chock system are: i) straps are required to ensure that the motorcycle stays in place in the event of adverse driving conditions causing additional stress on the motorcycle suspension and increasing the time required to restrain the motorcycle; and ii) reduced tire pressure (i.e., flat or partially flat tire) decreases how securely the motorcycle is held in place during transport. 
         [0007]    A third prior system is referred to as the Rear Axle Stand. This third system of restraining a motorcycle for transport is shown in two examples of prior art, one of which is sold by Strapless Stands. The second example was previously developed by the Assignor of the present invention and is referred to as the Trailer Restraint Stand, which has been in use since February 2004. These two examples share the following characteristics: i) they both restrain the motorcycle with a rod inserted through its hollow rear axle; ii) they both are capable of holding a motorcycle upright with the rear tire just above the floor in a static situation; and iii) the framework of these systems are fixed to brackets that are permanently fixed to the floor of the transport vehicle. These systems hold the motorcycle in place with no additional augmentation such as straps for all occasions except rollover of the transport vehicle. The front wheel of the motorcycle is held in place by the weight of the motorcycle. This system puts no undo stress into the suspension or chassis of the motorcycle since tension straps are not used and is not dependent on constant tire pressure for its integrity (i.e., a flat tire will not affect how snugly the motorcycle is held). 
         [0008]    Disadvantages of the third system includes: i) the motorcycle generally must first move forward, then backward into its stored location which means there must be additional space in front of the motorcycle before it is secured to the floor; and ii) the framework of these two embodiments are not inherently adaptable to varying heights of the motorcycle wheel so provisions must be made to accommodate an unusually large, or small diameter wheel. 
         [0009]    To overcome some or all of the disadvantages outlined herein, an embodiment of the present invention is provided that pertains to a motorcycle restraint system that restrains the motorcycle with a rod inserted through the hollow rear axle of the motorcycle like the third prior system, above. But unlike the existing systems, the present invention has a framework assembly that trails behind the motorcycle. The framework assembly is fixed to the motorcycle axle. The motorcycle is then rolled forward until the framework system is trapped by a receiver assembly fixed to the floor of the transport vehicle. The receiver assembly is then positively locked to the framework assembly. When restrained, the system has a hinge point at the motorcycle rear axle and at the lower aft end of the framework assembly where it is trapped by the receiver assembly. In combination, the two hinge points angle the framework assembly to adjust to varying heights of motorcycle wheels and adjust to a tire that flattens during transport. The size and proportions of the system and its components can be altered to fit various applications. Details of the embodiment of the invention can be varied without varying the concept of the invention. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention is a restraint system for transporting motorcycles on or within a transport vehicle. It is distinguished from the most common motorcycle restraint systems in that it does not require the use of tension straps to restrain the motorcycle. It is also distinguished from other trailer restraint systems in that it allows both tires of the motorcycle to rest on the floor of the transport vehicle under the weight of the motorcycle alone. In one embodiment of the invention a rod is inserted through a portion of a framework assembly of the system and the rear axle of the motorcycle. The framework assembly generally trails behind the motorcycle and is trapped by a receiver assembly that is permanently, or semi-permanently, attached to the floor of the transport vehicle. Positive locking of: i) the motorcycle to the framework assembly, ii) the framework assembly to the receiver assembly, and iii) the receiver assembly to the floor ensures safe transport of the motorcycle. In one embodiment two hinge joints are formed resulting in an automatic, or passive, height adjustment capability to accommodate various wheel diameters and to adapt to the change of the effective wheel diameter due to reduced tire pressure (i.e., a flat or flattening tire). Operating this system involves the following steps: i) attaching the framework assembly to the motorcycle by inserting a rod through arms defined by the framework assembly and through the rear axle of the motorcycle, ii) pushing the motorcycle to a stowed location in the transport vehicle so that a trailing bar of the framework assembly is trapped by the receiver assembly in the floor of the vehicle at which time the receiver assembly captures the trailing bar; and iii) positively securing locking assemblies defined by the receiver assembly to restrain the trailing bar. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a restraint system for use with a motorcycle in a transport vehicle having a floor, wherein the motorcycle has a rear wheel positioned on a rear axle. The restraint system includes a framework assembly and a receiver assembly. The framework assembly has a rod for insertion through the rear axle of the motorcycle and has ends that are captured by arms, which extend upwardly from a trailing bar. The framework assembly is preferably positioned such that the trailing bar is behind the rear wheel of the motorcycle. The receiver assembly is attached to the floor of the transport vehicle and has at least one locking assembly that mates to the trailing bar of the framework assembly, thereby securing the motorcycle to the floor of the transport vehicle. 
         [0012]    In yet still other embodiments, the framework assembly may include (1) a handle that extends outwardly from the trailing bar; (2) locking pins positioned on the ends of the rod that extend past the arms; (3) a pair of openings separately positioned on each arm for storing a strap; (4) arms separately spaced by a predetermined distance to accommodate for the rear wheel of the motorcycle; and (5) a trailing bar that has at least one rotatable guide. 
         [0013]    In other embodiments, the receiver assembly may include (1) a base plate attached to the floor of the transport vehicle; (2) a pair of locking assemblies that are positioned and separately secured to the base plate by a predetermined distance apart from each other; (3) a locking assembly that includes a latch positioned between a pair of brackets that defines a lateral opening through the brackets and latch, the lateral opening being positioned for receiving and securing an end of the trailing bar between the brackets and latch, whereby the motorcycle is secured to the floor of the transport vehicle through the framework assembly and receiving assembly; (4) a pin for insertion through holes defined by the latch and pair of brackets that align at least when the trailing bar is positioned in the lateral opening. 
         [0014]    Various embodiments of the invention have potential for wide spread applications including restraining and/or transporting vehicles or objects other than motorcycles. Other details and advantages of the present system are apparent in the following description, accompanying drawings and the claims. 
         [0015]    Numerous other advantages and features of the invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims and the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    A fuller understanding of the foregoing may be had by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an embodiment illustrating the entire system restraining a motorcycle on the floor of a transport vehicle; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2A  is an isometric view of the embodiment from  FIG. 1  detailing the receiver showing its relation to the floor of the transport vehicle and to the trailing bar; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2B  is an isometric view of  FIG. 2A  showing a cross section of a lock preventing a locking assembly from moving in the y-axis; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is side view of the embodiment from  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a rear view of the embodiment from  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a side view showing the framework assembly mated to the motorcycle prior to the framework assembly being captured by the receiver assembly; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a side view showing the trailing bar of the framework assembly as it is being captured by the receiver assembly; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a side view showing a latch defined by the receiver assembly rotated to allow the framework assembly and motorcycle to be de-mated from the receiver assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    While the invention is susceptible to embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein, in detail, the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the spirit or scope of the invention and/or claims of the embodiments illustrated. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , there is shown a restraint system  100  used for restraining a motorcycle  20  securely and easily to the floor  10  of a transport vehicle (not shown). The restraint system  100  includes a framework assembly  110  removably secured to the motorcycle  20  and removably secured to a receiver assembly  150 . The receiver assembly  150  may be either permanently or semi-permanently mounted to the floor  10  of the transport vehicle. 
         [0027]    The framework assembly  110  includes a rod  112  that is placed through the rear axle  22  of the motorcycle  20 . The rod  112  may include knobs  114  and/or pins that are secured to ends of the rod  112 , preventing the rod  112  from sliding out of the rear axle  22  on its own. The knobs  114  may be threaded onto the rod  112  or other securing means may be employed. The framework assembly  110  further includes a pair of arms  116  extending outwardly from a trailing bar  118 . The ends  117  of each arm  116  have a bore or aperture  119  to accommodate the rod  112 . The arms  116  are spaced apart from each other such that the rear wheel  24  of the motorcycle  20  can adequately fit therebetween. As discussed further below, the trailing bar  118  has a predetermined length with ends  122  that extend past the placement of the arms  116 . 
         [0028]    A handle  120  extends away from the trailing bar  118  at a different direction from the extending arms  116 . The placement of the handle  120  along the trailing bar  118 , while shown as being approximately in the center of the two arms  116 , may be moved without changing the scope of the embodiment. The handle  120  provides various benefits to the framework assembly as described below. 
         [0029]    As mentioned above, the framework assembly  110  is removably secured to the receiver assembly  150 . The receiver assembly  150  includes a base plate  152  either permanently attached or semi-permanently attached to the floor  10  of the transport vehicle via mushroom bolts  154 . On either end of the receiver assembly  150  are locking assemblies  160 , which as further described below lock the framework assembly  110  thereto. Each locking assembly  160  includes one or more keyhole slots  162  to accommodate the mushroom bolts  154 , which aids in securing the locking assemblies  160  to the floor  10  of the transport vehicle. The base plate  152  will thus serve as a drill template to ensure the locking assemblies  160  are spaced and mounted to the floor  10  of the transport vehicle in correct locations. The base plate  152  may further be stamped or cut with a target mark or notch  153  to guide the user when moving the motorcycle  20  into place. Once the locking assemblies  160  engage the mushroom bolts  154 , the receiver assembly  150  is ready to receive the framework assembly  110 . 
         [0030]    The guides  124  positioned near the ends  122  of the trailing bar  118  prevent y-axis movement when the framework assembly  110  is secured to the receiver assembly  150 . When not in use, the receiver assembly  150  can remain attached to the floor of the transport system or be removed if only semi-permanently attached. 
         [0031]    Each locking assembly  160  includes a lower plate  166  that has one or more of the keyhole slots  162  defined therein to secure the mushroom bolts  154 . Referring to  FIG. 2B , the locking assemblies  160  are further prevented from moving in the y-axis by locks  164 , or shear pins. The locks  164  have a spring  185  that forces a lower portion  186  down into an opening  189  in the base plate  152 , preventing the lower plate  166  from moving in the y-axis in relation to the base plate  152 . To release the lower plate  166 , the user grabs and pulls upwardly on a ring  187 , which compresses the spring  185  and pulls the lower portion  186  out of the opening  189 . 
         [0032]    A pair of U-shaped brackets  168  are secured to the lower plate  166  and are arranged such that the openings  170  defined thereby are positioned to receive the ends  122  of the trailing bar  118 . Positioned between the two brackets  168  is a latch  172 . The latch  172  includes a first end defined as a handle  174 . At a second end  175 , the latch  172  is pivotally secured between the two brackets  168 . The latch  172  also includes a lower protruding member  176  that aligns to close off the opening  170  in the brackets such that the end  122  of the trailing bar  118  fits in the opening  170  between the lower protruding member  176  and the brackets  168 . Once the trailing bar  118  is secured in the locking assemblies  160 , a pin  180  can be inserted through aligned apertures  182  and  184  in the brackets  168  and the latch  172 , respectively (best seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ). In addition, a lanyard  183  may be used to restrain the pin  180  with the lock  164 . 
         [0033]    To operate the restraint system  100 , the user normally attaches the framework assembly  110  to the motorcycle  20  by inserting the rod  112  though the aperture  119  on the ends  117  of the arms  116  and through the rear axle  22  of the motorcycle  20  and then securing the rod  112  with a locking knob  114 , pin  115 , or other secure locking device. This can generally be done while the motorcycle  20  is on its side stand or center stand, or on a maintenance stand. Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the user then pushes the motorcycle  20  into the transport vehicle with the framework assembly  110  trailing behind the motorcycle  20 . The guides  124 , which could also be rotatable or wheels, would allow the trailing bar  118  to glide smoothly across the ground without being scratched. When the motorcycle  20  reaches its stowed position, the trailing bar  118  is captured by one or more locking assemblies  160 .  FIG. 6  shows the latch  172  in the process of capturing the trailing bar  118 . Because of the profile of the protruding member  176  defined by the latch, the user does not have to raise the latch  172  in order to secure the trailing bar  118 . As the trailing bar  118  moves forward the trailing bar will move the latch  172  upwards and gravity will cause the latch  172  to move downwardly once the trailing bar has moved into the opening  170  defined by the U-shaped brackets  168 . The user then secures the latch  172  with a safety pin  180  or other secure locking device. There are many combinations of passive and active latches and the intent of this invention should not be limited to the preferred embodiment. 
         [0034]    To remove the motorcycle  20  from the restraint system  100 , the user generally releases the safety pin  180  and rotates the latch  172  to disengage the trailing bar  118  as shown in  FIG. 7 . The motorcycle  20  and framework assembly  110  are backed out of the receiver assembly  150 . The knob  114  is then removed from the rod  112  such that the rod  112  may be removed from the rear axle, de-mating the framework assembly  110  from the motorcycle. 
         [0035]    For convenience, a strap or bungee cord  190  can be stowed on the framework assembly  110  between the two arms  116 . The strap can be connected at one end to the rear of the motorcycle  20 . This will hold the trailing end of the framework assembly  120  off the ground while the user is pushing the motorcycle. 
         [0036]    In addition, the rod  112  inserted through the motorcycle rear axle  22  and framework assembly  110  is free to rotate, forming a hinge joint. The trailing bar  118  is likewise captured by the receiver assembly  150  in a way that is free to rotate, also forming a hinge joint. The combination of the two hinge joints described provides a passive means of accommodating varying heights of motorcycle rear axles that can vary based on the diameter of the motorcycle wheel and/or tire and the amount of air pressure in the motorcycle tire. 
         [0037]    The primary configuration for the present invention is for the motorcycle  20  to face forward in the transport vehicle (i.e., motorcycle moving in the same direction as the transport vehicle) with the framework assembly  110  of the restraint system  100  trailing behind it and the motorcycle pushed forward into the back of the transport vehicle by the user. Due to space constraints, transport vehicle configuration, loading procedures or personal preference, it might be desirable to configure the motorcycle in configurations involving combinations of the following: i) motorcycle pushed into transport vehicle forward vs. backward; ii) motorcycle facing frontward vs. backward vs. perpendicular vs. diagonal with respect to travel of transport vehicle; iii) restraint system framework trailing vs. leading motorcycle; and iv) restraint system framework attached to motorcycle rear axle vs. front axle vs. any other structurally sound feature such as an engine mount, foot peg, or suspension pivot bolt. 
         [0038]    The preferred embodiment of the rod  112  is to be one-piece and insert completely through the rear axle  22  of the motorcycle. Due to varying configurations of motorcycles, the following methods might also be necessary: i) two separate rods, or pins, inserted through the framework assembly on each side and partially penetrate the motorcycle axle on each side; or ii) two separate cups inserted through the framework assembly on each side and a hex nut, or similar feature on the end of the axle on each side. 
         [0039]    The motorcycle, when restrained by the present invention, is restrained in the yaw  200 , pitch  210 , and roll  220  rotational axes and the x  225 , y  215 , and z  205  translational axes. Yaw, roll, forward x and y motion is limited by the rigidity of the restraint system  100 . Forward pitch and downward z motion is limited by the floor of the transport vehicle. Backward pitch and backward x and upward z motion are limited by the weight of the motorcycle  20  and the handle  120  attached to the trailing bar  118 . The handle  120  will prevent this upward and backward motion of the motorcycle  20  (or flipping motion about the rear motorcycle wheel  24 ) because as the motorcycle  20  begins to flip, the handle  120  will move downwardly striking the floor  10  of the transport vehicle. As soon as the handle  120  strikes the floor  10  the flipping motion of the motorcycle will stop. Given the small distance between the handle  120  and the floor  10 , the rear end of the motorcycle  20  will not be able to flip or move much off the ground if at all. 
         [0040]    Additional uses of the invention include the following: i) restraining a motorcycle to any relatively flat, horizontal surfaces for purposes such as maintenance or storage, and ii) without the base plate or receiver assemblies, a strap or bungee cord can be stretched between the framework assembly and some point on the motorcycle to hold the motorcycle upright. 
         [0041]    From the foregoing and as mentioned above, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concept of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific methods and apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.