Abstract:
A strapping system for positioning and transporting a motorcycle or similar vehicle in an upright position include two interconnected straps with reinforced cuffs. The cuffs have a cylindrical body and strap attachment housing contiguously formed and a reinforcement ring substantially enclosed within the walls of the cylindrical body and strap attachment housing.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/148,947 filed Jan. 31, 2009. The contents of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/148,947 are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This present invention relates to a strapping system for securing motorcycle or similar vehicle in an upright position for transport. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Motorcycles are two wheeled vehicles that vary in size and shape depending on the model. However, there is general similarity in the shape of motorcycles, which allows embodiments of the present invention to be applicable to different models of motorcycles and other vehicles of similar shape. 
     During transport of a motorcycle the forces incurred vary greatly, both in severity and direction, depending upon various factors. These include road conditions, driving habits, construction and condition of the vehicle used for transport, and the user&#39;s understanding of the various methods of securing a motorcycle for transport. 
     One of the present strapping systems includes tying a motorcycle down with two separate ropes, one from each handlebar, which cause excessive wearing of motorcycle parts such as handlebar covering and gas tank paint. This method is also inherently difficult as it requires balancing the tension equally on the different tie downs. 
     Another strapping system includes two interconnected straps with soft cuffs engaging the grips of the handlebar. This method reduces the damage to the handlebar covering and gas tank paint. However, the soft cuff design of the system allows handlebar grips to be exposed to a lateral pull that sometimes resulted in an inward “bunching” of the grips if the grips are not sufficiently glued to the throttle tube (on the right side) and handlebar (on the left side). In addition, under certain conditions this strapping system would contact with switch gear (horn, turn signal, and start buttons) causing unnecessary wearing of motorcycle parts. 
     Yet another strapping system includes hard cuffs that are susceptible to failure due to exposure from the elements. The new improved motorcycle tie down system and method for transport of motorcycles provides solutions to these problems inherent in the related art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a new and improved strapping system for securing motorcycles for transport in a vertical upright position, which also reduces damage during the transport and provides greater motorcycle stability. Embodiments of the present invention overcome certain undesirable properties inherent in the related art, while providing better overall results. 
     The embodiment of the invention comprises two identical securing straps that are connected to a cuff on one end and have a sewn loop on the other end. The sewn loop is useful for attaching the hook of a tie-down strap which is then attached to the towing or hauling vehicle. Two straps can be interconnected in such a way that they represent mirror images of one another. 
     This invention uses a molded cuff (rather than a soft cuff sewn from fabric as in known designs). The molded cuff incorporates a closed end which acts as a “stop” to prevent the cuff from migrating inward under tension and either “bunching” the grips or contacting any switchgear. The molded cuff can also incorporate “ribs” that reinforce the closed end of the cuff. This provides added strength to the cuff and helps keep the cuff intact. It can also further prevent “bunching” of the grips. 
     Each cuff contains a strap attachment housing that allows engagement of securing straps. The strap attachment housing provides a reinforced attachment device for one strap and provides a pathway between the strap attachment housing and the cylindrical portion of the cuff through which the second strap may pass. The orientation of the cuffs in use on a vehicle allows one end of a securing strap to be attached to the housing portion of the cuff and the other end of the strap passes through the slot in the opposing cuff (between the housing and cylindrical body). 
     The cuff also incorporates a support ring that at least partially is embedded into the cylindrical body of the cuff and the body of the strap attachment housing. The support ring does not have to be contained solely within the raised boss sections of the cylindrical cup and the strap attachment housing. The position of the support ring with respect to the strap attachment housing and cylindrical cup is unique. In addition, the latest technologies in plastics are being incorporated in the design of the molded cuffs to ensure resistance to breakage, distortion, and UV degradation to improve the quality of service and extend the service life of this securing strap system. The support ring is typically made of metal but is not limited to a metallic composition. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The invention is illustrated in the following drawings. 
         FIG. 1  schematically shows a single molded grip cuff with an opening at one end. 
         FIG. 2  is a section view of a cuff showing the metal ring imbedded into the cylindrical body of the cuff and the cuff strap attachment housing. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic view of two grip cuffs incorporated into the motorcycle tie-down system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  presents a view of a grip cuff from the open end of the cuff. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , which shows the general features of a preferred embodiment of the invention, the grip cuff  10  is comprised of a cylindrical cup  12  and a strap attachment housing  14 . The strap attachment housing includes a raised boss section  15 . The cylindrical body also includes a raised boss section  13 . 
       FIG. 2  is a cutaway section view that shows the open end  16  of the cuff cylinder and the closed end  18 . A metal ring  20  is encased within the grip cuff structure as shown. 
       FIG. 3  shows a strapping system in accordance with present invention. A first grip cuff  22  is shown interconnected with a second grip cuff  24 . The strapping system includes a first securing strap  26  that passes through the aperture in the first grip cuff  22  and is connected to the strap attachment housing of the second grip cuff  24 . Both securing straps pass through an anti-chaffing guard  30  that is a padded tube that protects against chaffing damage. In operation, both grip cuffs will have the same orientation with the cylindrical cup on the top and the strap attachment housing underneath. Strap crossing can occur within the anti-chaffing guard. 
       FIG. 4  is a view of a grip cuff from the open end  16  of the cylinder. The interior of the closed end of the cylinder can contain reinforcing ribs  32  to keep the closed end intact. The support ring  20  is visible at several cutout sections  38  of the device. These exposed sections of the support ring are typically coated for protection. The dotted lines represent the approximate position of the support ring  20  within the grip cuff. There is adequate cuff material between the inside edge  34  of the ring and the inside edge of the cylindrical cup as well as between the inside edge of the ring and the inside edge of the strap attachment housing  14 . 
     Similarly there is adequate and substantial cuff material between the outside edge  36  of the support ring and the outside edge of the cylindrical body and the strap attachment housing with the exception of the small cutaway areas  38 . The raised sections of the cylinder and strap attachment housing in the vicinity of the support ring are referred to as the boss area(s) and are clearly shown in the drawings. The cylindrical cup boss section  13  and the strap attachment housing boss section  15  are shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . Cutouts  38  in the boss sections provide view sites for verification of the existence of the support ring  20 . 
     CONCLUSIONS, OTHER EMBODIMENTS, AND SCOPE OF INVENTION 
     The support ring is typically made of metal but non-metallic support rings may be applicable. When metal support rings are utilized, sections of the support rings that are not enclosed by the cuff can be protected by a coating of suitable material. The tie-down cuffs are made from suitable moldable materials. If raised boss sections are utilized on the strap attachment housing and cylindrical body components, breaks in the boss section are typically included. 
     The above description presents the best mode contemplated in carrying out my invention. However, it is susceptible to modifications and alternate constructions from the embodiments shown in the drawings and accompanying description. Consequently it is not intended that the invention be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, sizes and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention or the equivalents thereof.