Abstract:
A strapping system for positioning and transporting a motorcycle in an upright position including two interconnected straps with cylindrical cuffs closed on one end so as to preclude sliding of the cuffs while engaging the grips of the handle bar.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Original Patent Application Stubbs U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,202 Tie Down System For Motorcycles. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not Applicable  
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC  
       [0003]     Not Applicable  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0005]     The present invention relates to a strapping system for securing motorcycle in an upright position for transport.  
         [0006]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0007]     Motorcycles are two wheel vehicles that vary in size and shape depending on the model. However, there is general similarity in the shape of motorcycles, which allows the present invention to be applicable to different models of motorcycles and other vehicles of similar shape.  
         [0008]     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 users understanding of the various methods of securing a motorcycle for transport.  
         [0009]     One of the present strapping systems include tying a motorcycle down with two separate ropes, one from each handle bar, which cause excessive wearing of motorcycle parts such as handle bar covering and gas tank paint. This method is also inherently difficult as it requires balancing the tension equally on the different tie downs.  
         [0010]     Another strapping system includes two interconnected straps with soft cuffs engaging the grips of the handle bar. This method reduces the damage to the handle bar 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.  
         [0011]     The new improved motorcycle tie down system and method for transport of motorcycles provides solutions to these problems inherent in the related art.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     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. The present invention overcomes certain undesirable properties inherent in the related art, while providing better overall results.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     The invention comprises two identical securing straps that have a cuff on one end and a securing means (hereinafter defined as a hook, shackle, or other device useful for attaching strap  11  to a floor, ring, other connector or aperture) on the other end. Two straps are interconnected in such a way that they represent mirror image of one another.  
         [0014]     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.  
         [0015]     Each of the securing straps is attached to a slot molded into the cuff and pass through the slot molded into the opposing cuff.  
         [0016]     The latest technologies in plastics are being incorporated in the design of 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.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     The invention is illustrated in the following drawings:  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  schematically shows the motorcycle tie-down system of the present invention attached to a motorcycle.  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of the motorcycle tie-down system of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view of a grip cuff incorporated into the motorcycle tie-down system of the present invention. 
     
    
       [0021]     In  FIG. 1 , a strapping system in accordance with present invention is shown attached to motorcycle  2 . The strapping system includes a first securing strap  11  having at one end securing means  13  (as defined hereinabove) and at the second end first grip cuff  12 .  
         [0022]     The first securing strap  11  is interconnected with identical second securing strap  21 . Second securing strap  21  has at one end a securing means  23  identical to securing means  13 , and at its second end second grip cuff  22 . First securing strap  11  is passed through the slot molded into second grip cuff  22  and second securing strap  21  is passed through the slot molded into first grip cuff  12  so that the two straps are permanently interconnected.  
         [0023]     The first grip cuff  12  has been slipped onto the left grip bar  5  and the first securing strap  11  extends across the center of the motorcycle to pass through the slot molded into the second grip cuff  22 . Then, first securing strap  11  is secured to the surface of the transport vehicle or trailer via securing means  13 .  
         [0024]     Similarly second grip cuff  22  has been slipped onto the right grip bar  6  and second securing strap  21  extends across the center of the motorcycle to pass through the slot molded into first grip cuff  12 , which has been slipped over the left grip. Then, second securing strap  21  is secured to the surface of the transport vehicle or trailer via securing means  23 .  
         [0025]     Padded anti-chaffing bumper  31  made from the soft material is positioned between the two grip cuffs and cylindrically encloses a portion of the first and second securing straps. Anti-chaffing bumper  31  is a padded tube and not essential for operation of the invention but provides protection against chaffing damage if the straps  11  and  21  contact the motorcycle parts between the left and the right grip.  
         [0026]      FIG. 2  represents a schematic view of the present invention. The securing straps  11  and  21  can be fashioned from commercial grade rigging straps, which come in different strength. These straps are typically ¾ inches in width by 1/10 inch in depth, and about 40 inches in overall length.  
         [0027]     The grip cuffs  12  and  22  are made from a hard material, such as breakage resistant plastic or similar material. First securing strap  11  is fixedly attached to the pin formed by molded slot  41  of first grip cuff  12  and is passed through the molded slot  40  of second grip cuff  22  in such a way that it may slide therein. Likewise, second securing strap  21  is connected to the pin formed by molded slot  40  on second grip cuff  22  and is similarly passed through molded slot  41  on the first grip cuff  12 .  
         [0028]     As better seen in  FIG. 3 , the grip cuff  33  (representing grip cuffs  12  and  22 ) is cylindrical in shape with closed end  35 , and open end  36  so that it may fit onto the handle bars. The molded slot  45  (representing molded slots  40 ,  41 ) is positioned inward from open end  36  of the cuff so that it allows the stress points to be on the bar rather than on the bar-end weights since the weights are seldom capable of withstanding the forces generated in tying down a motorcycle. The molded slots  45 ,  40  and  41  create an opening for securing straps  11  and  21  to pass through the grip cuffs close to the handle bar, which closeness is important for fairing clearance.  
         [0029]     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 invention, as expressing in the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.