Patent Publication Number: US-2003233958-A1

Title: Vehicle carousel

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The present invention relates to parking of motor vehicles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a structure to park a motor vehicle, such as a motorcycle, where the vehicle may be rotated at the discretion of the vehicle operator.  
       BACKGROUND INFORMATION  
       [0002] Motor vehicles, particularly motorcycles, are increasingly common forms of transportation. The common motorcycle has many advantages over other forms of transportation. Better fuel economy, less capital cost and relative freedom of the rider often attracts riders of varying ages and skill levels. As a result, a large demand for motorcycles exists for the general public.  
       [0003] Manufacturers of motorcycles have responded to increased demand by producing many models with varying physical features. While some motorcycles remain relatively small and compact, others may weigh in excess of 1000 pounds.  
       [0004] As motorcycle enthusiasts know, several key aspects of the motorcycle hobby have detracted from the overall motorcycle riding experience. Parking the motorcycle is especially challenging as the relative size of the motorcycle and reduction in speed requires the rider to maintain a careful balance to avoid tipping over. If a rider shifts balance too much, the center of gravity of the motorcycle, coupled with the weight, can result in the rider dropping the motorcycle on its side damaging farings, exhaust pipes, handle bars, and other equipment. The result of a drop can be financially expensive and repairs are often needed.  
       [0005] Therefore, there is a need to allow a motor vehicle, especially a motorcycle, to be easily parked such that upon restart, the rider may easily remove the motorcycle from the parking spot.  
       [0006] There is also a need to allow rotation of the motor vehicle through the manual actions of a single person.  
       [0007] There is a further need to rotate a motor vehicle in both existing structures and in new construction.  
       [0008] There is still further need to have a motor vehicle be rotated at several different locations in a common structure.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device which will allow a vehicle operator to rotate a vehicle after parking such that the vehicle may be positioned in a 180° degree rotation from an original parking position.  
       [0010] It is also an object of the present invention to allow rotation to occur through manual pushing of a single person.  
       [0011] It is a further object of the present invention to allow the device to be installed in an existing garage or to be installed in a new garage.  
       [0012] It is a still further object of the present invention to allow the device to be portable such that it may be moved by a user.  
       [0013] These and other objects of the invention, which will become apparent from the following detailed description, are achieved as described. The invention provides a vehicular carousel comprising a base structure defining an interior volume and a plate cutout, a support member arranged in the interior volume, a series of rolling members supported by the support member, and a platform supported in the plate cutout by the series of rolling members, wherein the vehicular carousel is configured to support and rotate a vehicle.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0014]FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a vehicle carousel according to the present invention.  
     [0015]FIG. 2 is a side view of the support member of the vehicle carousel of FIG. 1.  
     [0016]FIG. 3 is a side view of the leading edge of FIG. 1.  
     [0017]FIG. 4 is a side view of handle of FIG. 1.  
     [0018]FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the platform of FIG. 1. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0019] Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicular carousel  10  in conformance with the invention is shown. The vehicular carousel  10  is comprised of a base structure  12 , a rotating platform  14 , a support member  24  and a series of rolling members  26 .  
     [0020] The base structure  12  is configured to support a vehicle and to allow rotation of the platform  14  once the vehicle is fully positioned upon the platform  14 . The base structure  12  may be made of metal with an appropriate thickness to support anticipated vehicle weights. The material may be, for example, checker plate with a slip-limiting surface to allow traction on the structure  12  for both users and vehicles. The base structure  12 , in the example shown, is configured such that bending from supported loads is limited. The base structure  12  is configured to define an interior volume  58  and define a plate cut out  54 . The plate cut out  54  is configured with a round geometry to limit potential pinch-points for a moving platform  14 , however, other configurations are possible. The structure  12  is constructed of non-corrosive material such as stainless steel to provide a long lasting unblemished appearance. As will become apparent to those skilled in the art, other materials such as A36 carbon steel may also be used facilitating easy fabrication. The structure  12  may be fabricated from plates, for example, welded together.  
     [0021] A rotating platform  14  is located in the plate cut out  54  of the base structure  12 . The platform is supported by the support member  24  and rolling members, see FIG. 2, (described later). Again referring to FIG. 1, the rotating platform  14  may be configured from a metal material similar to the base structure  12 . The platform  14  may be configured with a slip-resistant surface to allow superior traction of vehicles and riders on the structure  12 . In the example, the embodiment platform  14  is configured with lift points  52  to allow the platform  14  to be installed and/or removed from the base structure  12  in an efficient manner. In the configuration illustrated three lift points  52  are located through the platform  14 . As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, varying numbers of lift points  52  may be used to facilitate removal of the platform  14 .  
     [0022] A stripe  16  may be located on the base structure  12  and the platform  14  to allow visual identification of the position of the platform  14  by a user. The stripe  14  may be painted on the exterior of the base structure  12  and the platform  14 . The stripe  14  may also be produced by metal working techniques such that the stripe  14  is a chrome surface with the remainder of the exterior of the base structure  12  and the platform  14  being a non-shiny/chrome surface. The stripe  14  may be applied such that the stripe  14  does not affect the slip resistant capabilities of the base structure  12  and the platform  14 .  
     [0023] A handle  18  may be placed in conjunction with the base structure  12  to allow the base structure  12  to be lifted and moved if required. Differing configurations of handles  18  may be used, and as such the example embodiment shown should not be considered limiting. In the example embodiment shown, referring to FIG. 4, a handle  18  may be configured as a “U” shaped structure with threaded ends  44  penetrating the base structure  12 . The base structure  12  may be formed such that the handle  18  when in a retracted state is flush with the surface of the base structure  12 . The handle  18  may be configured with substantial length such that in an extended position, the handle  18  allows an offset  48  sufficient to allow access for lifting the base structure  12 . Resistence to pull out of the handle  18  may be accomplished through use of nuts  46  which bind on the underside of the structure  12 . The threaded end  44  of the handle  18  and the nuts  46  may have corresponding threaded complimentary connections allowing transfer of load from the handle  18  through the nut  46  to the structure  12 . The threads per inch of the nut  46  and the threaded end  44  connection may be chosen to allow for sufficient load carrying capability with a factor of safety, for example, of 4.  
     [0024] Referring to FIG. 1, an interlock  20  is configured to allow a user to engage and disengage the platform  14  rotation. In a disengaged state, the interlock  20  allows movement of the platform  14  in a circular geometry. In an engaged state, the interlock  20  prevents movement of the platform  14 . The interlock  20  may be configured such that the interlock  20  is flush with the exterior surface of the structure  12  and the platform  14  or may protrude from the exterior surface of the structure  12  and the platform  14 . In the example configuration, the interlock  20  is configured as a foot pedal with a “step on release” mechanism, allowing rotation of the platform  14 . The interlock  20  may be painted to allow easy identification of the interlock position. The interlock  20  may also be configured, if arranged as a protruding mechanism, such that the interlock  20  will not extend sufficiently to damage an undercarriage of a vehicle if driven over the interlock  20 .  
     [0025] A label area  22  may be configured on the base structure  12 . The label area  22  allows attachment of labels and/or warning information to the base structure  12  alerting users and others to operational use restrictions. The label area  22  may be brightly colored and contain wording or pictograms for instructional conveyance. The label area  22  may be formed as a recessed area, limiting contact upon the labels, consequently extending service life.  
     [0026] Sheer pins  40  may be installed through tabs  42  or similar structural members to allow the vehicle carousel  10  to take horizontal impact loads when a vehicle is driven upon the carousel  10 . The sheer pins  40  may be constructed from high strength metal or similar material to prevent sliding of the carousel  10 . The pins  40  may be removable to allow the carousel  10  to be moved at the discretion of the user.  
     [0027] Referring to FIG. 5, the underside of the platform  14  is shown. The underside of the platform  14  may be constructed with a mating surface  50  which allows the platform  14  to ride upon the rolling members  26 . The mating surface  50  may be configured as a circular shaped channel with an exterior diameter chosen to limit drift of the platform  14  under rotating conditions. The platform  14  may also be configured with trusses  56  which provide structural rigidity to the platform  14 . The trusses  56  may be attached to the platform  14  through a welded or bolted connection. The trusses  56  may be configured such that the ends of the trusses  56  do not inhibit the rotation of the platform  14 .  
     [0028] Referring to FIG. 2, a support member  24  with attached rolling members  26  is placed in the interior volume of the base structure  12 . The support member  24  allows for transfer of a vehicle load from the vehicle wheels through the platform  14  to the rolling member  26 , the support member  24 , ultimately transferring the weight to the floor through a floor contact surface  30 . The support member  24  may be configured as a structural member, such as a channel or a beam with coping to allow transfer of the forces. The rolling members  26  may be in the form of wheels or other suitable arrangements. The member  26  may be constructed from rubber, nylon or other material for limiting slip and for compressive capacity. The rolling member  26  is constructed such that the wheel contact point  32  has an elevation above the support member  24  to allow rolling to occur. The center of the rolling member  26  may be configured with a bearing  28  to allow relative rotation. Any bearing  28  used for rotational purposes may be used including for example, ball, roller and tapered roller bearings. The bearings are self lubricating items, for example, thus limiting maintenance.  
     [0029] Referring to FIG. 3, a side view of a leading edge  34  of the base structure  12  is shown. A leading edge  34  of the base structure  12  allows a user in a vehicle to drive upon the vehicle carousel  10  without difficulty due to the angle  36  of the leading edge  34 . As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the angle  36  may be modified to allow for an abrupt or gradual change in elevation from a floor resting position to the top of the base structure  12 . The leading edge  34  also may be eliminated in a configuration where the base structure  12  is directly placed in a floor slab eliminating a need for a change in elevation. In an embodiment where a leading edge  34  is necessary, the leading edge  34  may be reinforced to allow impact loading to occur without damage to the carousel  10 . An exterior support  38  may be configured around the perimeter of the base structure  12  to add structural strength. The exterior support  38  may be constituted by a channel, beam or other structural member to allow load transfer. Typical loading may include loads from a motorcycle, a car or a sport utility vehicle.  
     [0030] Operationally, the user, in the present example a motorcycle rider, visually identifies the stripe  16  of the vehicle carousel  10  and its relative position. After visually identifying the stripe  16  and its position in an unrotated position, the rider rides the motorcycle up the leading edge  34  of the base structure  12  and onto the platform  14 . The user then shuts off the engine of the motorcycle and engages a stand on the motorcycle. When the rider desires to ride the motorcycle once again, the rider may disengage the interlock  20  to allow rotation of the platform  14  to a 180° position from the originally parked position. The rider may then engage the interlock  20  to stop possible rotation of the platform  14 . The rider then starts the engine of the motorcycle and, with the motorcycle now headed in an opposite direction relative to the original starting position, drives the motorcycle off the carousel  10 .  
     [0031] The current invention allows a user to rotate a vehicle, such as a motorcycle without requiring the user to “back out” of a parking spot. In a “built in the floor slab” embodiment, the carousel  10  allows a rotation of the vehicle without excessive vertical space taken up by the carousel  10 . Loadings normally present in the garage environment may be directly imparted onto the carousel  10  without detrimental effect. The compact size of the invention, in either a “built in” configuration or a movable configuration, allows rotation functionality without severely impacting available garage floor space. In the case of motorcycle riders, especially novice riders, the carousel  10  allows for rotation of the motorcycle without the rider having to precariously support the weight of the motorcycle. Thus, the carousel  10  prevents human error and both the physical and financial consequences of dropping the motorcycle. In a mobile configuration, the carousel  10  may be quickly installed of a person of limited mechanical skill to provide the needed functionality. The carousel  10  may be removed easily as well, allowing garage floor space to be used for other purposes if desired.  
     [0032] In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The specification and drawings are accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.