Patent Publication Number: US-2007096070-A1

Title: Motorcycle rear stand

Description:
EARLIER FILED APPLICATION  
      This application is a division of application Ser. No. 11/042,425 filed Jan. 25, 2005. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates to a motorcycle rear stand.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      A motorcycle rear stand functions to move the rear end of a motorcycle between a first position in which both wheels of the motorcycle are on the ground and a second position in which the rear end of the motorcycle including the rear wheel are elevated above the ground. A problem associated with motorcycle rear stands is that motorcycles normally are retained in an upright position by a kickstand, which causes the motorcycle to lean over in the direction of the kickstand. One prior art motorcycle rear stand has a pair of spaced L-shaped side bars with wheels mounted at the vertex of the side bars and V- or U-shaped bike engagement members at the outer ends of the side bars, adapted to engage opposite sides of a motorcycle rear axle. The L-shaped side bars are connected by a U-shaped member which joins the upper ends of the side bars and attaches to the bases of the L-shaped side bars to thereby interconnect the side bars and to space them a fixed distance equal to the distance between opposite sides of the motorcycle rear axle. A handle member attaches to the ends of the L-shaped side bars remote from the bike engagement members.  
      In order to use the prior art motorcycle rear stand, the U- or V-shaped bike engagement members are aligned in close proximity to the rear axle projections on opposite sides of the motorcycle prior to lifting the rear end of the motorcycle.  
      Because a motorcycle leans at an angle such that the vertical axis of the motorcycle is not perpendicular to the ground when the cycle is supported on a kickstand, the prior art motorcycle rear stand cannot properly align the bike engagement members with the rear axle projections on opposite sides of the motorcycle prior to lifting the bike inasmuch as the angled position of the motorcycle causes the rear wheel axle projection on the kickstand side of the motorcycle to be lower in elevation above the ground than the motorcycle rear axle projection on the opposite side of the motorcycle. Consequently, the prior art rear stand cannot commence to elevate the rear of a motorcycle on a kickstand because it can securely engage only the lower, kickstand side axle projection and has little or no control over the opposite rear wheel axle projection. Lifting the motorcycle in this condition could cause it to tip over.  
      To remedy this situation, a user typically inserts a shim, which may be a block of wood, between the base of the kickstand and the ground to thereby move the leaning, vertical off-center motorcycle to a nearly vertical position. After this has been accomplished, the U- or V-shaped bike engagement members at the ends of the L-shaped side bars can be aligned with the motorcycle rear wheel axle projections on both sides of the motorcycle to thereby lift the motorcycle rear wheel from the ground. In order to safely return the rear end of the motorcycle to the ground, extreme caution must be exercised to ensure that the base of the kickstand engages the shim as the motorcycle is lowered to ensure that the rear stand user can retain control of the motorcycle. Thereafter, the shim must be removed and the motorcycle leaned onto the kickstand.  
      Some motorcycles have rear suspensions which utilize a single swing ARM and have rear wheel axles which have a central axial bore. Preferably these motorcycles are lifted by means of a pin inserted into the axle bore. When these motorcycles are supported on a kickstand, the axis of the rear wheel is non-parallel to the ground, making it difficult for a pin on a rear stand to engage the axle bore.  
      The instant invention solves the problem of lifting a motorcycle leaning on a kickstand from the ground, to a position with the rear wheel spaced from the ground and the motorcycle in a nearly vertical condition and thereafter returning the vehicle rear end to the ground and leaning the motorcycle back onto its kickstand while retaining control of the motorcycle at all times.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      A motorcycle rear stand for lifting the rear end of a motorcycle having a pair of rear end lift pivot points and supported on a kickstand having first and second lift arms having inner and outer ends and a connector member connecting the first and second lift arms. Bike engagement members at the outer ends of each of the first and second lift arms are adapted to pivotally engage one side of a pair of motorcycle rear end lift pivot points. A side support member having a base member at one end and a pivot connection at the opposite end is connected pivotally to the outer end of the first lift arm to thereby enable the first and second lift arms to pivot relative to the side support members when the handle is moved.  
      A method of lifting the rear end of a motorcycle having a pair of rear end lift pivot points and supported on a kickstand from a parked position on a lifting surface where the rear wheel axle axis is angled relative to the lifting surface to a position where the rear end of the motorcycle is elevated above the lifting surface and the rear wheel axle axis is parallel to the lifting surface comprises the steps of aligning first and second bike engagement members mounted on respective first and second lift arms with a pair of motorcycle rear end lift pivots and moving one end of the lift arms in a downward arc to cause the first lift arm to rotate about a side support member pivot and a corresponding lift arm bike engagement member to rotate upwardly in a fixed radius arc, thereby lifting one side of the motorcycle while simultaneously causing a second lift arm to move upwardly about a lower lift arm support pivot while rotating about the side member pivot axis, causing the second lift arm bike engagement member to move upwardly to lift the other side of the motorcycle and simultaneously causing the first and second lift arms to pivot transversely about the base of the side support member causing both sides of the motorcycle to be elevated above the lifting surface to a secured position.  
      A motorcycle rear stand for lifting the rear end of a motorcycle having a rear end lift pivot member and supported on a kickstand has a support frame with a stop surface at one end of the frame. A first pivot is on one side of the frame positioned forwardly of the stop surface a first distance, and a second pivot is on the other side of the frame forwardly of the stop surface a second distance. A lift arm is mounted on the frame projecting upwardly therefrom and a bike engagement member is attached to the outer end of the lift arm. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a right side view of a motorcycle supported on a kickstand showing the first embodiment of the motorcycle rear stand of the instant invention positioned behind the motorcycle;  
       FIG. 2  is a right side elevational view of the motorcycle rear stand of the instant invention in its aligned position with the rear end of the motorcycle shown in phantom;  
       FIG. 3  is a front view of  FIG. 2 ;  
       FIG. 4  is a left side elevational view of the motorcycle rear stand shown with the rear end of the motorcycle in a lifted position;  
       FIG. 5  is a front view of  FIG. 4 ;  
       FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 5  of an alternate embodiment of the invention shown with motorcycle swing arm lift pins functioning as bike engagement pivot points and a tubular lateral pivot at the bottom of a side support member;  
       FIG. 7  is a right side elevational view of the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 6  with the motorcycle rear stand in an aligned position;  
       FIG. 8  is a perspective new of a further embodiment of a motorcycle rear stand adapted to lift a motorcycle supported on a kickstand having a hollow rear axle;  
       FIG. 9  is a left side view of the rear stand of  FIG. 8  shown engaged with the hollow rear axle of a rear wheel of a motorcycle in a lowered position;  
       FIG. 10  is a rear view of the rear stand as shown in  FIG. 9 ;  
       FIG. 11  is a left side view of the rear stand of  FIG. 8  shown engaged with the. hollow rear axle of a rear wheel of a motorcycle in a lifted position; and  
       FIG. 12  is a rear view of the rear stand depicted in  FIG. 11 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       FIG. 1  shows a motorcycle MC supported on a kickstand K which projects from the lower, central portion of the left side of the motorcycle to a lifting surface or ground G. The rear end of the motorcycle has a rear wheel W mounted on an axle A which is supported in and projects from opposite sides of frame mounted swing arms S on opposite sides of the rear wheel W. The swing arms S have laterally projecting lift pivot points which may be pins P or lower lift arm surfaces L adapted to be engaged by bike engagement members mounted on a motorcycle rear stand  10  of the instant invention and described in detail herein below. Opposite ends of axle A also function as lift pivot points.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 5  of the drawings, it may be seen that motorcycle rear stand  10  has a frame  11  comprising a pair of spaced legs  12  and  14 , each having distal ends  12 ′ and  14 ′ and proximal ends  12 ″ and  14 ″. Lift arms  16  and  18  having inner ends  16 ′ and  18 ′ and outer ends  16 ″ and  18 ″ respectively are attached at substantially right angles to motorcycle rear stand legs  12  and  14  by having their inner ends  16 ′ and  18 ′ affixed as by welding to leg distal ends  12 ′ and  14 ′. It should be noted that the legs  12  and  14  and respective lift arms  16  and  18  may be formed as integral unitary elements. This description will refer to legs  12  and  14  and lift arms  16  and  18  as separate elements.  
      Bike engagement members  20  and  22  are attached to the lift arm outer ends  16 ″ and  18 ″ by threaded fasteners  24  which pass through elongated slots, not shown, in the members  20  and  22 . The slots provide a lateral adjustment for member  20  and  22 . The bike engagement members  20  and  22  have laterally projecting pins  20 ′ and  22 ′ at one side thereof and U- or V-shaped recessed openings  20 ″ and  22 ″ at the opposite side thereof The bike engagement members  20  and  22  are adapted to be rotated about the fasteners  24  such that pins  20 ′ and  22 ′ are utilized when the motorcycle rear stand  10  is used in connection with a motorcycle MC where swing arm lower lift arm surfaces L function as the motorcycle rear end lift pivot points as depicted in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , and the U- or V-shaped recessed openings  20 ″ and  22 ″ are utilized when the motorcycle rear stand  10  is used in connection with a motorcycle where the rear end lift pivot points consist of lateral pins P projecting from motorcycle swing arms as depicted in  FIGS. 2 through 5 . The U- or V-shaped recessed openings  20 ″ and  22 ″ of the bike engagement members  20  and  22  also would be utilized where the motorcycle rear stand  10  engages end portions of the rear wheel axle which function as motorcycle rear end lift pivot points.  
      A lateral brace  28  is attached such as by welding to leg proximal ends  12 ″ and  14 ″ to securely connect legs  12  and  14  and lift arms  16  and  18  and to provide the proper spacing for the bike engagement members  20  and  22  of lift arms  16  and  18 . A central, longitudinally extending hand engagement member or handle  30  extends upwardly from lateral brace  28  of motorcycle rear stand  10 . Lateral brace  28  alone or in combination with hand engagement member  30  functions to move legs  12  and  14  between raised or lowered positions as described herein below. The bottom surface  29  of lateral brace  28  functions as a stop or stop surface. The frame would not need separate handle member  30  or lateral brace  28  if proximal ends  12 ″ and  14 ″ of the legs  12  and  14  were joined together. In this instance the proximal ends  12 ″ and  14 ″ of the legs  12  and  14  could function both as a brace  28  and as a handle  30 . Additionally, although not shown, a lateral brace alone could act as a frame member or connector to directly connect the inner ends  16 ′ and  18 ′ of lift arms  16  and  18 .  
      Motorcycle rear stand  10  is supported on one side by a telescoping side support member  32  having a laterally extending pivot or pivot member  34  which is rigidly secured to the outer end  16 ″ of lift arm  16 . Pivot member  34  may be a pin which engages an opening in lift arm  16  or a tube which receives a pin which projects laterally from lift arm outer end  16 ″ or any similar functioning member. The length of telescoping side support member  32  may be adjusted by inserting fasteners  33  in various combinations of aligned bores formed in the side support telescoping members. A generally horizontal or longitudinally extending base member  36  having a bottom surface lateral pivot which may be a wheel  38  at each end thereof is affixed to the bottom of side support member  32 . From the above, it may be seen that lift arm  16  is pivotally mounted and rotatable about pivot member  34  on side support member  32  and that as lift arm  16  rotates, bike engagement member  20  at the outer end thereof also rotates upwardly or downwardly depending upon the rotation direction of lift arm  16 .  
      A lower support element which may be a rotatable member and which acts as a pivot such as a bracket-mounted wheel  40  is attached to the inner end  18 ′ of lift arm  18  by fasteners  42  which pass through aligned openings in the bracket  41  and in lift arm  18 . Wheel bracket  41  and the inner end  18 ′ of lift arm  18  have a plurality of spaced bores. Thus, the length of lift arm  18  and its associated pivotal lower support element  40  may be adjusted by selecting different bore combinations in wheel support bracket  41  and lift arm  18 . This enables the length of lift arm  18  and its associated bike engagement member  22  to be adjusted. In a similar manner, the length of telescoping side support member  32  may be adjusted as mentioned above to effectively change the length of lift arm  16  supported thereon and its associated bike engagement member  20 . Adjusting the length of lift arms  16  and  18  enables motorcycle rear stand  10  to accommodate and safely lift a motorcycle supported on a kickstand leaning at an angle with respect to lifting surface G as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3 .  
      Prior to operating motorcycle rear stand  10  to lift a motorcycle MC, the legs  12  and  14  and the inner ends  16 ′ and  18 ′ of the lift arms  16  and  18  are raised or rotated to a full upright position as depicted in  FIGS. 1 through 3  and the motorcycle rear stand  10  is moved in close proximity to the motorcycle rear end lift pivot points, which are illustrated as laterally projected pins P affixed to the lower ends of a pair of motorcycle swing arms S mounted on opposite sides of the motorcycle. Of course, as mentioned above, the motorcycle rear end lift pivot points also may be rear axle ends A which, like lateral pins P, are accommodated in the recessed openings  20 ″ and  22 ″ of bike engagement members  20  and  22 . Alternatively, bike engagement member lateral pins  20 ′ and  22 ′ may be used to engage the lower surfaces L of the motorcycle swing arms which also act as rear end lift pivot points. Subsequent to the motorcycle rear stand  10  being moved such that bike engagement members  20  and  22  are in close proximity to swing arm lateral pins P, the length of telescoping side support member  32  is adjusted such that lateral pin P is received within bike engagement member recessed opening  20 ″ as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Similarly, wheel support bracket  41  is adjusted at the inner end  18 ′ of lift arm  18  such that the laterally projecting pin P on the kickstand side of the bike is received within bike engagement member  22 ′ of lift arm  18 , also illustrated in  FIG. 2 . In this position, the motorcycle is leaning on the kickstand at an angle with respect to lifting surface G as noted by the angled dotted line CL representing the centerline of the motorcycle rear axle in  FIG. 3 . Additionally, in this position, the lift arms  16  and  18  and their respective legs  12  and  14  on opposite sides of the rear stand  10  frame are raised from the lift surface G, and pivot member or wheel  40  at the inner end  18 ′ of lift arm  18  is behind wheels  38  which support telescoping side support member  32 , as the rear stand  10  is viewed from the side as shown in  FIG. 2 .  
      As frame legs  12  and  14  and the inner ends  16 ′ and  18 ′ of lift arms  16  and  18  are moved downwardly toward lifting surface G several things occur simultaneously. Bike engagement members  20  and  22  at the outer ends of lift arms  16  and  18  rotate upwardly in a counterclockwise arc, as viewed in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , about telescoping side support member pivot  34 , and the kickstand side lift arm  18  moves upwardly as lower support element (wheel pivot  40 ) is moved rightwardly, as viewed in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Lift arm  18  and its associated bike engagement member  22  are free to move upwardly from a position lower in height than that of the bike engagement member  20  on arm  16  adjacent side support member  32  to a position in which lift arm bike engagement member  22  is substantially equal in height to that of bike engagement member  20  of lift arm  16  because lift arm  18  is not constrained from vertical movement by pivot member  34  of side support member  32  as is lift arm  16  which is directly connected to pivot member  34 . In order to accomplish this, as the lift arms  16  and  18  are rotating and lift arm  18  is moving upwardly, the motorcycle rear stand assembly  10  must pivot laterally about a lateral pivot surface of base member  36  (the outer surfaces of wheels  38 ) and the outer surface of pivot wheel  40  to cause telescoping side support member  32  to assume a vertical orientation with respect to lifting surface G, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . It may be seen that when the stop  29  of hand engagement member  28 ,  30  engages lifting surface G, frame legs  12  and  14  are lowered in close proximity to lift surface G, bike engagement members  20  and  22  are at a maximum elevation above lift surface G and pivot wheel  40  is moved from a position remote from or to the rear of wheels  38  of side support base member  36 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , to a position in which it is between wheels  38  of base member  36 . As viewed in  FIG. 4 , wheel pivot  40  has moved from a position to the right of the right most wheel  38  of base member  36  to a position between the base member wheels  38 .  
      Additionally, referring again to  FIG. 4 , it may be seen that in this position of lift arms  16  and  18 , the outer end  18 ″ of lift arm  18 , bike engagement member  22 ″ and pin P have rotated over center, i.e., bike engagement member  22 ″ and pin P have rotated from about the 10 o&#39;clock position to about the 1 o&#39;clock position with respect to side support pivot member  34  as viewed in  FIG. 4 . Although not shown, bike engagement member  20 ″ of lift arm  16  and the lateral pin P captured thereby also have moved over center to secure the elevated motorcycle rear end in a stable position above the ground, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . In this position, the center line CL of the motorcycle rear axle and lateral rear pins P are substantially parallel with lifting surface G.  
      In order to again lower the rear end of motorcycle MC to the ground, legs  12  and  14  and the inner ends  16 ′ and  18 ′ of lift arms  16  and  18  of the motorcycle rear stand  10  are raised from lift surface G or pivoted counterclockwise from the lifted position, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , or clockwise to the motorcycle lowered position, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . As legs  12  and  14  and the inner ends  16 ′ and  18 ′ of lift arms  16  and  18  are raised, the lower support element or pivot wheel  40  at the inner end of lift arm  18  is moved to the right, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , or to the left, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . As this occurs, lift arm  18  moves downwardly and the motorcycle rear stand  10  pivots laterally about the outer surface of wheels  38  at the lower end of base member  36  and the outer surface of pivot wheel  40  at the inner end  18 ′ of lift arm  18 . At the same time, the bike engagement members  20  and  22  at the outer end of lift ants  16  and  18  rotate downwardly in an arc about side support pivot member  34 . This action continues until the motorcycle rear wheel and kickstand engage the lifting surface G. In this position, the pivot axis of the bike engagement members  20  and  22  is angled and at a minimum elevation above the lifting surface G.  
      From the above, it may be seen that during pivotal movement of legs  12  and  14  and lift arms  16  and  18  of motorcycle rear stand  10  in either direction several things occur simultaneously. The bike engagement members  20  and  22  at the outer ends of the lift arms  16  and  18  rotate in an arc about pivot member  34  of side support member  32  and kickstand side lift arm  18  moves upward or downward. Also, the motorcycle rear stand  10  pivots laterally about the lateral pivot surface on the bottom of side support base member  36  and about the lower support element (wheel pivot  40 ) at the inner end of the kickstand side lift arm  18 .  
       FIGS. 6 and 7  depict an alternate embodiment of a lateral pivot surface on the bottom of side support base member  36 . In this embodiment, a longitudinally extending base member  46  affixed to the bottom of telescoping side support member  32  is illustrated as a tube having an curved bottom surface as opposed to a longitudinal member having a pair of wheels. The tube  46  functions in the same manner as the wheels  38  in that it allows lateral pivotal movement of the motorcycle rear stand  10  assembly when hand engagement member  28 ,  30  is moved between the vertical upright and the horizontal ground engagement positions.  
      Another embodiment of the instant invention is depicted in  FIGS. 8 through 12 . These Figures illustrate a motorcycle rear stand  100  adapted to be utilized in connection with lifting the rear end of a motorcycle having a single swing arm rear suspension member and a rear wheel axle A′ having a central axial bore formed therein. Rear stand  100  has a generally U-shaped frame  102  partially defined by a pair of unequal length side members  104  and  106  each having a proximal end  104 ′ and  106 ′ and a distal end  104 ″ and  106 ″. From the drawings, it is apparent that side member  104  is longer than side member  106 . A lateral member  108  connects the proximal ends  104 ′ and  106 ′ of the side members  104  and  106  to form the generally U-shaped frame. A lateral reinforcing brace  110  extends parallel to lateral member  108  and connects to side members  104  and  106 . Pivots  112  and  114  are affixed to the distal ends  104 ″ and  106 ″ of the side members  104  and  106 . Although pivots  112  and  114  are shown as wheels, they may be rollers, bearings, or any other low friction member capable of acting as pivots for rear stand  100 .  
      A lift arm  116  extends upwardly from frame  102  adjacent side member  106  which is the shorter of the two side members  104  and  106 . Lift arm  116  also may be mounted directly on side member  106 . A bike engagement member  118  having a laterally extending pin  120  is mounted at the outer end of lift arm  116 . A pair of reinforcing arms  122  and  124  extend upwardly from frame  102  to assist lift arm  116  in supporting bike engagement member  118 . With the proper choice of geometry and materials, reinforcing arms  122  and  124  would not be necessary.  
      A hand engagement member or handle  126  projects rearwardly and somewhat upwardly from the rear of frame  102 . A stop surface  128  is formed on the bottom of lateral member  108 . When stop surface  128  and pivots  112  and  114  engage the ground or other lift surface G′, the outer end of hand engagement member  126  is somewhat above the lift surface.  
      As mentioned above, motorcycle rear stand  100  is utilized to lift the motorcycle having a rear suspension with a single swing arm S′ and an axle A′ having a central longitudinally extending axial bore formed therein where the motorcycle is supported on a kickstand mounted centrally on the left side thereof. In this position of the motorcycle, the center line CL′ of the rear wheel axle A′ is angled with respect to the ground or lift surface G′ as best shown in  FIG. 10 . In order to cause the frame-mounted bike engagement member  118  and its associated pin  120  of motorcycle rear stand  100  to enter the longitudinally extending bore of axle A′, bike engagement member  118  must be lowered and the rear stand  100  tilted to cause the axis of the bike engagement member pin  120  to become aligned with the axis of the bore of axle A′. To accomplish this, handle  126  is raised such that stop surface  128  is moved away from the lift surface G′ and the motorcycle rear stand  100  is pivoted on pivots  112  and  114  in a clockwise direction as the rear stand  100  is seen in  FIG. 8  and in a counterclockwise direction as the rear stand  100  is viewed in  FIG. 9 . As the upward movement of handle  126  progresses, pivot  112  is moved rearwardly towards pivot  114  to thereby raise side member  104  with respect to shorter side member  106  to thereby angle or tilt frame  102  and simultaneously lower bike engagement member  118  and its associated pin  120  toward the ground or lift surface G′ to the position shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . This movement causes the axis of bike engagement member pin  120  to become aligned with the axis CL′ of the bore of motorcycle rear wheel axle A′. When the axis of bike engagement member pin  120  is aligned with the center line CL′ of axle A′, the rear stand  100  is moved sideways to cause pin  120  to enter the bore of axle A′. Additionally, in this position, frame sides  104  and  106  are raised and angled with respect to lift surface G′ and the axis of pin  120  is parallel to the axes of pivots  112  and  114 .  
      Thereafter, hand engagement member  126  is pivoted clockwise on pivots  112  and  114  from the upright position depicted in  FIGS. 9 and 10  where the motorcycle rear wheel W′ is in the lowered position on ground G′ to a position in which frame stop surface  128  engages lift surface or ground G′ and the motorcycle rear wheel is in a lifted position as illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . As the rear portion of frame  102  is rotated clockwise, pivot  112  moves away from the rear of frame  112  and extends forwardly of pivot  114 . As this occurs, frame side  104  is lowered and ultimately assumes a position in which it is parallel to side member  106  and to ground G′. Simultaneously, lift arm  116  and bike engagement member  118  are rotating clockwise to elevate rear wheel W′ to a lifted position. When rear wheel W′ is lifted and frame stop surface  128  engages the lift surface or ground G′, the center line CL′ of rear wheel axle A′ generally is parallel to the ground or lift surface G′, as depicted in  FIG. 12 . Also, in this position, pivot  112  and  114  are adjacent the ground or lift surface G′. Additionally, in this position, the axes of rear wheel axle A′ and bike engagement member  118  and pin  120  have moved over center such that the axes are between the axes of pivots  112  and  114  and stop surface  128 . In other words, the weight of rear wheel W′ is directed downwardly to press stop surface  128  towards lift surface G′.  
      In order to return motorcycle rear wheel W′ to the lowered position depicted in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , hand engagement member  126  is rotated counterclockwise from the position shown in  FIG. 11  to cause pivot  112  to move rearwardly towards pivot  114  to cause side arm  104  to be raised and frame  102  to become angled and the bike engagement member pin  120  to become aligned with angle of rear wheel axle A′ when the motorcycle is again supported by its kickstand.