Abstract:
A compact and sturdy stationary stand for a motorbike which is capable of being used as both a rear axle stand and a center-mount stand. The stand can be inserted into the rear axle and the motorbike can simply be rocked back onto the stand to lock the bike in an upright position. The motorbike remains in a fixed upright position, and the chain can be removed or lubricated with ease. When used as a center-mount stand, the motorbike simply rests or balances on the stand, and the motorbike can be positioned such that one wheel is always on the ground, allowing the other wheel (elevated) to be worked on or removed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a motorbike stand assembly, and more particularly, to a motocross motorbike rear axle and downpipe stationary stand assembly. 
         [0002]    Some of the most popular motorbike stands on the market for maintenance are box stands. Generally, the prior art of center maintenance stands resemble just structurally reinforced cubes that the motorbike&#39;s frame&#39;s downpipes rest on. Box stands or any center mount stand have a distinct advantage over other models in that both of the motorbike&#39;s wheels can be raised off the ground, allowing work on one or both wheels, while allowing the drive train to remain rotationally free for maintenance. The downside to box stands, is that the motorbike must be lifted onto the stand. Since most motorbikes exceed 250 pounds, this balancing and lifting requires two people. 
         [0003]    There are stands on the market that have addressed this lifting issue, but these stands require levers that often malfunction and these stands are quite expensive. Additionally, there are motorbike stands that function like wheel chock restraint systems. The disadvantages of these stands are that they have numerous, adjustable parts that are prone to failure, and maintenance on the motorbike is an issue, since one wheel is restrained and the other wheel is on the ground. 
         [0004]    The present invention is a geometrically configured steel bar assembly that can be placed adjacent the frame&#39;s downtubes or into the rear wheel axle where the motorbike can easily be urged into a stationary position of central or rear suspension. There is no balance point and the motorbike is stable from tipping from all directions. To move the motorbike in any direction from the stand requires the bike to be physically lifted upward. The stand also has a multi directional activation feature that allows the motorbike to be placed on the stand by a forward or rearward rocking and lifting motion, and allows the motorbike to be removed from the stand by another forward or rearward rocking and lifting motion (when in the rear axle mount position) regardless of which direction the prior motion was. Conventional motorbike stands must be engaged in one directional motion only (usually rearward) and the disengagement motion is in the reverse direction. 
         [0005]    Henceforth, a dual center-mount and rear axle stand, would fulfill the long felt need in the motocross motorbike industry. This new invention utilizes and combines both known and new technologies in a unique and novel configuration to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a motocross motorbike stand capable of supporting the motorbike via the rear axle or the bottom location of the downtubes such that one of the motorbike&#39;s wheels is off the ground. 
         [0007]    Another objective of the present invention is to provide an easy method for a lone person to arrange the support of a motorbike in a upright position without having to lift the motorbike. 
         [0008]    Yet another objective would be to provide a stand to display an identifying placard for the motorbike rider. 
         [0009]    The present invention has the advantages mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new motocross stand which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
         [0010]    The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, both the organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like elements. Other objects, features and aspects of the present invention are discussed in greater detail below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of preferred embodiment motorbike stand; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a motocross motorbike with the stand inserted in the rear axle before the motorbike has been rocked back onto the stand; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a motocross motorbike with the stand mounted in the rear axle; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a motocross motorbike center-mounted on the stand; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a rear view of only the rear wheel assembly of a motorbike with the stand mounted in the rear axle; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a front view of the alternate embodiment of the stand; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7A  is a top view of the preferred embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7B  is a front view of the preferred embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7C  is a side view of the preferred embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7D  is a back view of the preferred embodiment; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of the sleeve. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    The preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Support means  2  (stand) is shown, comprising a generally planar bottom support portion  4 , an upraised middle portion  6  integrally connected to the bottom support portion  4 , and a generally horizontal upper portion  8 , integrally connected to said middle portion  6 . The upper portion  8  comprises a single rearward extending linear peg  10 . 
         [0023]    The planar bottom support portion  4  and the upraised middle portion  6  are constructed from a first bent metal bar  12  and a substantially similar second bent metal bar  14 . First bent metal bar  12  has an upper portion  12   a  and a lower portion  12   b . Similarly, second metal bar  14  has an upper portion  14   a  and a lower portion  14   b . The upper portion  12   a  of the first bar  12  converges with the upper portion  14   a  of second metal bar  14  at a juncture where the linear peg  10  is attached and extends therefrom so as to form upraised middle portion  6 . 
         [0024]    The lower portion  12   b  of bent metal bar  12  and the lower portion  14   b  of bent metal bar  14  are integrally connected along the planar bottom support portion  4  via cross-bar  16 . For additional support a second cross-bar  18  integrally connects the upper portion  12   a  of the first bent metal bar  12  and the upper portion  14   a  of the second bent metal bar  14 , forming a generally enclosed triangular region between the second cross-bar  18 , upper portion  12   a  and upper portion  14   a.    
         [0025]      FIG. 2  illustrates how the present invention is positioned when about to be used as a rear axle mount for a motorbike. The linear peg  10  of stand  2  is angularly inserted into the hollow recess of the rear axle  20  of motorbike  22 , such that only the lower portion  12   b  of the first bent metal bar  12  is touching the ground (not visible in  FIG. 1 ). With this positioning an individual can simply roll the motorbike backwards (that is in the direction of the stand  2 ) to mount the motorbike  22  on stand  2  as seen in  FIG. 3 . Note, that this stand also has a multi directional activation feature that allows the motorbike to be placed on the stand by a forward or rearward rocking and lifting motion, (depending on which side of the rear tire the stand is positioned when engaged in the rear axle) and allows the motorbike to be removed from the stand by another forward or rearward rocking and lifting motion regardless of which direction the prior motion was. Conventional motorbike stands must be engaged in one directional motion only (usually rearward) and the disengagement motion is in the reverse direction. 
         [0026]    In this process of mounting motorbike  22  in the rear axle position on stand  2 , lower portion  12   b  (or  14   b ) is placed on the ground while the linear peg  10  is engaged in the rear axle recess  20 . As the motorbike  22  is rolled backwards (or forwards depending upon the placement of the support means) all the weight normally on the rear wheel  23  is transferred to one of the bent metal bars ( 12  or  14 ), thereby increasing that bar&#39;s friction with the ground surface and preventing any unwanted sliding of the stand  2  along the ground surface. The friction generated is large enough to allow the forward or rearward push of the motorbike  22  to vertically raise the motorbike  22  onto the locked “secured” rear axle position. The kinetic energy developed in rolling the motorbike backwards is enough to raise the rear wheel off of the ground as the stand  2  pivots about lower portion  12   b  until lower portion  14   b  comes to rest on the ground. In this manner a single person may easily develop the kinetic energy to raise the motorbike on the stand  2  without the strenuous effort that lifting the motorbike would require. 
         [0027]    Using stand  2  as a rear axle mount allows the motorbike  22  to remain in the upright position, positions the rear wheel  23  off of the ground and gives the rider full access to the chain  30  (See  FIG. 5 ) as well as the ability to rotate the chain  30  and attenuated gearing. It is to be noted that this design allows for the unidirectional mounting and dismounting of the motorbike  22  on and off the support means. The motorbike may be lifted and pushed forward to raise it in the real axle stand mode, and it can be pushed forward again to lower it out of the real axle stand mode. Similarly, this can be accomplished in the rear direction, depending upon which side of the rear axle the support means is placed on. 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  illustrates how stand  2  can also be used as a center-mounted stand. To use stand  2  as a center-mount stand the down tubes of the frame  25  of motorbike  22  simply rest on the lower portion  12   b  of first bent metal bar  12  or the lower portion  14   b  or second bent metal bar  14  (not visible in  FIG. 3 ). That is, in order to employ stand  2  as a center-mount stand the orientation of stand  2  must change by 90 degrees from how it is utilized as a rear axle stand; the linear peg  10  must reside on the ground for two reasons. First, the linear peg is too short to span the downtubes in all motorbikes, and second because it lacks support at both of it ends, whereas lower portion  12   b  (or lower portion  14   b ) is supported at both of its ends. One individual can also mount motorbike  22  in the center-mount by placing stand  22  between the front wheel  24 , and the frame  25 , and lifting the rear wheel  23  off of the ground, slightly moving the motorbike  22  forward (that is in the direction of the stand  2 ) until the stand  2  is caught under the frame  25  of the motorbike  22 . If the motorbike is positioned such that it&#39;s center of mass is located approximately above whichever lower portion the downtubes are residing upon, shifting the motorbike ever so slightly to the rear or front changes which wheel touches the ground. Thus, using stand  2  as a center-mount stand allows the user to position the motorbike so that either wheel is off the ground and allows for access to the engine and drive train and also allows removal of whichever wheel is positioned off of the ground. 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  illustrates an alternate embodiment in which the generally triangular region between the second cross-bar  18 , the upper portion of first bent metal bar  12   a , the upper portion of the second bent metal bar  14   a , and the linear peg  10  has a generally planar placard  26  mechanically affixed within said area. This allows the rider to place his or her riding number or sponsorship advertisements on stand  2 . 
         [0030]      FIGS. 7A-7D  illustrate the various views; top, front, side, and back, respectively of the preferred embodiment. 
         [0031]      FIG. 8  illustrates a hollow cylindrical sleeve  40  that is slid over linear peg  10  so as to increase the diameter. There is a small but suitable difference between the outer diameter of peg  10  and the inner diameter of sleeve  40  so as to allow a slidable frictional engagement between these parts. This enables the stand  2  to be used with motorbikes having differing diameters on their rear axle. 
         [0032]    In the preferred embodiment the material that comprises the stand will be a solid metal or steel bar that is welded at both ends of the first cross-bar  16 ; both ends of the second cross-bar  18 ; and at the juncture formed from the convergence of the first bent metal bar  12 , the second bent metal bar  14 , and the linear peg  10 . However, it is known that with proper bending or extrusion techniques the stand  2  can be made from only two pieces; second crossbar  18 ; and a consolidated peg  10 , upper portion  12   b , lower portion  12   a , first crossbar  16 , lower portion  14   a  and upper portion  14   b.    
         [0033]    It is to be noted that when motorbike  22  is mounted on stand  2 , in either the rear axle mount position or the center-mount position, the motorbike  2  cannot tip over in the forward, rear, left side or right side directions without an applied force that vertically raises the bike. Thus to tip the motorbike over, and excessive force must be applied. 
         [0034]    The above description will enable any person skilled in the art to make and use this invention. It also sets forth the best modes for carrying out this invention. There are numerous variations and modifications thereof that will also remain readily apparent to others skilled in the art, now that the general principles of the present invention have been disclosed.