Abstract:
An apparatus for loading a motorcycle onto another vehicle. The motorcycle loader comprises a wheel saddle positionable on a bed of the vehicle, a yoke assembly connectable to front forks of the motorcycle, an auxiliary winch mounted on the wheel saddle and having a cable connected to the yoke assembly, and a remote control switch for controlling the winch. The remote control may be temporarily clamped nto the handlebars of the motorcycle, and an operator sitting on the motorcycle may energize the auxiliary winch by alternately pressing and releasing a push-button switch on the remote control. The winch thus gradually pulls the front wheel of the motorcycle into the wheel saddle so that the motorcycle can be subsequently tied down to the bed of the vehicle. A strap retainer for retaining a loose end of a strap in the yoke assembly is also provided.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to apparatus for loading a motorcycle onto or into another vehicle, such as onto the flat bed of a tow truck, and more particularly, to a motorcycle loading apparatus which can be used by a single operator to load a motorcycle, including one which is damaged or otherwise inoperable. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     There are many occasions when it is necessary or desirable to load a motorcycle onto another vehicle. For example, motorcycles are frequently loaded onto trailers, singly or with other motorcycles, for transportation to another location. Another frequent application of motorcycle loading is when the motorcycle has become inoperable or has been damaged, such as in an accident, and it must be loaded onto a towing vehicle. Still another application is when a vehicle is impounded. 
     In the past, motorcycles have been loaded in a variety of ways. First of all, an operable motorcycle can be simply ridden onto the vehicle on which it is to be loaded if a ramp is available or if the bed of the trailer or truck itself can be tilted so that it engages the ground. However, loading a motorcycle by riding it onto another vehicle may be impossible if the motorcycle is damaged, and even if the motorcycle is not damaged, if the person is not trained in riding motorcycles. Also, once the motorcycle is actually loaded, assistance is required to attach tie-down straps to the motorcycle to hold it in place for transportation. 
     One prior art apparatus used to make it easier to load and position a motorcycle onto a flat bed of a truck includes a wheel saddle having a pivotal rear member. The wheel saddle is held in place on the bed of the truck by the main winch on the truck, and the front wheel of the motorcycle is maneuvered to engage the pivoted rear member. As the motorcycle front wheel is moved forwardly, the pivoting member pivots. The forward part of the motorcycle front wheel eventually engages an upwardly extending rail portion, and another rail portion on the pivoting member pivots upwardly so that it engages a rear portion of the motorcycle front wheel to hold the wheel in place. With this device, it is necessary for a trained motorcycle rider to ride the motorcycle into the saddle which may be difficult or impossible to do if the motorcycle is not operable or is damaged. Also, motorcycle owners may not leave the keys, and some wrecker operators will not start the motorcycle as a matter of policy, so, it is usually necessary to have assistance to push the motorcycle into position. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus which can be used to load a motorcycle onto another vehicle by a single operator, even if the motorcycle is damaged or is not operable. The present invention meets this need by providing means for pulling the motorcycle into the wheel saddle of the prior art and which may be operated by remote control by a person sitting on the motorcycle. It is not necessary for the motorcycle to be operable or undamaged to utilize this system. Also, the present invention may be operated by a person who is not skilled in riding motorcycles. All that is necessary is for the operator to balance the motorcycle as it is being pulled into place. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The motorcycle loading apparatus of the present invention is adapted to load a motorcycle easily and quickly onto another vehicle by a single operator, regardless of whether the motorcycle is operable or damaged. The apparatus is portable and relatively lightweight. 
     The motorcycle loading apparatus of the present invention comprises a wheel saddle positionable on the bed of the vehicle and adapted for receiving a wheel of the motorcycle therein, yoke or harness means for attaching to the motorcycle, and winch means disposed on the saddle and connectable to the yoke means for pulling the motorcycle such that the wheel is positioned in the saddle. 
     The yoke means is preferably characterized by a yoke or harness assembly comprising a strap for connection to a member of the motorcycle, and a spreader such that portions of the strap may be disposed on opposite sides of the front wheel of the motorcycle. The member may be a fork, frame, footpeg, or other portion of the motorcycle. The strap is adjustable in length and may include first and second straps so that the harness may be said to comprise a first strap engagable with a first fork or first member of the motorcycle, a second strap engagable with a second fork or second member of the motorcycle, and a spreader engaged with at least one of the first and second straps to maintain at least a portion of the straps in spaced relationship to one another. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the harness further comprises a first hook attached to the first strap at an intermediate location thereon, a first ring attached to an end of the first strap, a second hook attached to the second strap at an intermediate location thereon, and a second ring attached to an end of the second strap. The first strap may be wrapped around the first member of the motorcycle, and the first ring may be engaged with the first hook. The second strap may be wrapped around the second member of the motorcycle, and the second ring may be engaged with the second hook. 
     The wheel saddle comprises a lower track, a front stop extending upwardly from said lower track, and a bracket extending from said front stop. The winch means is attached to the bracket. 
     The winch means, which also may be referred to as a means for applying tension to the yoke or harness means, is characterized in the preferred embodiment by an electric winch having a cable engagable with the yoke means. 
     The apparatus may further comprise remote control means attachable to the motorcycle for controlling the winch means wherein the remote control means is operable by an operator sitting on the motorcycle. The remote control means preferably comprises a clamp for attachment to a portion of the motorcycle, such as the handlebar, and a switch mounted on the clamp. The switch is a push-button switch which makes the electrical connection when depressed and breaks the electrical connection when released. The clamp has a biasing means for biasing it to a clamping position. 
     The apparatus additionally comprises retaining means for retaining a loose end of a strap on the yoke or harness assembly. This retainer means is preferably characterized by a retainer assembly comprising a spool portion, a jaw portion hingingly connected to the spool portion and having an open position wherein the strap may be wrapped around the spool portion and a closed position for grippingly engaging a portion of the strap wrapped around the spool portion, and a clip for locking the jaw portion in the closed position thereof. A plurality of teeth are defined on a surface of the jaw portion facing the strap and are adapted for engaging the portion of the strap when the jaw portion is in the closed position thereof. A notch is defined in longitudinal ends of the spool portion, and the jaw portion and spool portion are preferably integrally formed. The retainer assembly is usable in other applications in addition to retaining a portion of a strap in a motorcycle loading apparatus. 
     Numerous objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment is read in conjunction with the drawings which illustrate such embodiment. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows the motorcycle loading apparatus of the present invention as positioned on the bed of a flat bed tow truck and also illustrates a motorcycle being loaded onto the apparatus. 
     FIG. 2 shows a partial vertical cross section and side elevational view of the apparatus with a motorcycle wheel in a loaded position. 
     FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a wheel saddle portion of the apparatus. 
     FIG. 4 shows a plan view of a yoke portion engaged with forks of a motorcycle front wheel. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a remote control switch. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a strap retaining device used in the motorcycle loading apparatus. 
     FIG. 7 is a cross section taken along lines  7 — 7  in FIG.  6 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, the motorcycle loading apparatus of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the numeral  10 . Apparatus  10  is adapted for use in loading a motorcycle onto a surface of another vehicle, such as bed  12  of a flat bed tow truck  14 . Tow truck  14  is of a kind known in the art and operates such that bed  12  thereof may be tilted and rolled back until it engages a ground surface  16  at a rearward end  18  of the bed as seen in FIG.  1 . 
     The illustrated tow truck  14  has a substantially flat bed surface  20  of bed  12  which is normally adapted for receiving a car or the like. Use of apparatus  10  enables the truck to be used to load a motorcycle  22  on bed surface  20 . 
     In conjunction with a ramp, apparatus  10  could also be used to load a motorcycle into a van, pickup, or other type of vehicle as well. 
     At the forward end of bed  12  of tow truck  14  is a main winch  24  of a kind known in the art. Winch  24  includes a cable  26  with a hook  28  on an end thereof. Hook  28  is adapted for engagement with anything that needs to be pulled onto bed  12  which is normally a car. In most cases, main winch  24  is a powered device which allows the car to be pulled onto the bed. As will be further described herein, main winch  24  is used to hold a portion of apparatus  10  in place, but the main winch is not used to move motorcycle  22  directly. 
     Referring also to FIG. 2, motorcycle loading apparatus  10  comprises a wheel saddle assembly  30 , generally just referred to as wheel saddle  30 . Wheel saddle  30  includes a forward portion  32  with a rearward portion  34  connected thereto by a pivot  36 . That is, rearward portion  34  is adapted to pivot with respect to forward portion  32  of wheel saddle  30 . 
     Forward portion  32  includes a lower track  38  which is adapted for substantially flat engagement with bed surface  20  of tow truck bed  12 . Extending upwardly and forwardly from lower track  38  is a front stop or track  40 . A pair of side walls  42  extend along both sides of lower track  38  and both sides of front stop  40 . It will thus be seen that a track is formed into which a front wheel  44  of motorcycle  22  may be positioned, as will be further described herein. Side walls  42  prevent side-to-side movement of front wheel  44  when it is positioned in forward portion  32  of wheel saddle  30 . 
     Forward portion  32  of wheel saddle  30  also includes a downwardly and slightly forwardly extending tab  46  which is attached to, or integral with, lower track  38 . Tab  46  is adapted to fit in a slot  48  cut into bed  12  of tow truck  14 . Slot  48  is the only modification of tow truck  14  which is necessary to use apparatus  10 . Slot  48  is normally centered transversely on bed  12 . However, additional slots may be spaced transversely from centered slot  48  to allow off-center positioning of wheel saddle  30  to accommodate a motorcycle with a sidecar or the use of a plurality of wheel saddles  30  to accommodate multiple motorcycles. 
     Forward portion  32  of wheel saddle  30  further includes a D-ring  50  attached to the front side of front stop  40 . 
     Rearward portion  34  of wheel saddle  30  includes a first track  52  and a second track  54  which extend angularly from one another. Pivot  36  connects rearward portion  34  to forward portion  32  at an intermediate position on the rearward portion between first and second tracks  52  and  54 . Extending along both first and second tracks  52  and  54  are a pair of side walls  56  which act to prevent side movement of motorcycle front wheel  44  in a manner similar to side walls  42  of forward portion  32 . 
     When wheel saddle  30  is in a loading position, as shown in FIG. 1, rearward portion  34  is pivoted rearwardly with respect to forward portion  32  such that first track  52  is positioned generally flat along bed surface  20 , and second track  54  extends forwardly and upwardly from the first track. As motorcycle front wheel  44  is moved into first track  52  between side walls  56 , it will be seen by those skilled in the art that further forward movement of the front wheel of the motorcycle will bring it into engagement with second track  52  and cause rearward portion  34  to be pivoted forwardly (or clockwise as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) until it reaches the loaded position shown in FIG.  2 . In this loaded position, front wheel  44  of motorcycle  22  is thus located between first track  52  which now extends upwardly and front stop  40 , in addition to being disposed between facing side walls  42  and facing side walls  56 . Preferably, motorcycle  22  just clears rearward end  18  of bed  12 . 
     Wheel saddle  30  as just described is admitted prior art and has been previously developed and sold by the inventor of the present invention. 
     Apparatus  10  of the present invention includes a modification of wheel saddle  30  from that of the prior art. In apparatus  10 , a bracket  58  is attached to the upper forward end of front stop  40  of forward portion  32 . Bracket  58  extends in a plane substantially parallel with lower track  38 . Bracket  58  may be attached to front stop  40  in any manner known in the art. For example, bracket  58  may be temporarily attached by bolts or permanently attached by welding. 
     A winch  60  is attached to bracket  58 . Winch  60  may also be referred to as an auxiliary winch  60  since it is used in addition to main winch  24  which is part of tow truck  14 . Auxiliary winch  60  also includes a cable  62  with a hook  64  on an end thereof. Auxiliary winch  60  has a power cable  66  adapted for connection to a power supply or connection  68  on tow truck  14 . Power supply  68  is shown schematically in FIG.  1  and may include the battery and electric system of tow truck  14  to which any power cable, such as power cable  66 , may be connected in a manner known in the art. A portable power supply could also be used. Auxiliary winch  60  may thus be a powered winch. 
     The next main component of motorcycle loading apparatus  10  which will be discussed is a harness or yoke assembly  70  which is adapted for connection to front forks  72  or other members of motorcycle  22 . See FIGS. 1,  2  and  4 . As will be further described herein, by connecting hook  64  on cable  62  of auxiliary winch  60  to yoke assembly  70 , motorcycle  22  may be pulled into engagement with wheel saddle  30 . 
     Yoke assembly  60  includes a spreader  74 , a first strap  76  and a second strap  78 . First and second straps  76  and  78  are preferably made of a flexible material. Spreader  74  is preferably made of a more rigid material, such as metal. 
     As best seen in FIG. 4, spreader  74  includes a central portion  80  with an end portion  82  extending angularly therefrom at each end of central portion  80 . As seen in FIG. 2, each end portion  82  defines a hole  84  therein. 
     A D-ring  86  is attached to central portion  80  and extends forwardly therefrom. 
     First strap  76  is positioned through holes  84  and end portions  82  of spreader  74  and also through D-ring  86  so that the first strap wraps around most of the outer portion of spreader  74 , as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4. At one end of first strap  76  is a ring  88 . In operation, first strap  76  is wrapped around fork  72 A of motorcycle  22 , as seen in FIG. 4, and ring  88  is engaged with a hook  90  attached at an intermediate location on first strap  76 . An opposite end of first strap  76  is connected to an end of second strap  78  by a strap connector  92 . 
     The other end of second strap  80  has a ring  94  thereon. Second strap  78  is wrapped around another fork  72 B of motorcycle  22  and engaged with a hook  96  attached to an intermediate location on second strap  78 . 
     First and second straps  76  and  78  are attached to one another by strap connector  92 , the first and second straps essentially act as a single strap, the overall length of which may be adjusted by the positioning of strap connector  92 . Preferably, the combined lengths of first and second straps  76  and  78  are adjusted so that spreader  74  is positioned in front of front wheel  44  of motorcycle  22 . Yoke assembly  70  may thus be adjusted to fit any size wheel of a motorcycle. 
     Any loose ends of first strap  76  or second strap  78  may be wrapped around and retained by a strap retainer  97 . The details of strap retainer  97  will be further discussed herein. 
     Hook  64  on cable  62  of auxiliary winch  60  is connected to D-ring  86  on central portion  80  of yoke assembly  70 . As tension is applied to cable  62  by auxiliary winch  60 , it will be seen that first and second straps  78  of yoke assembly  70  are also placed in tension. By the engagement of rings  88  and  94  with hooks  90  and  96 , respectively, it will thus be seen that the load may be applied to forks  72 A and  72 B by auxiliary winch  60 . 
     Control of auxiliary winch  60  is provided by a remote switch assembly  98  which is adapted for temporary attachment to a handlebar  100  of motorcycle  22 , as seen in FIG.  1 . Remote switch assembly  98  is connected to auxiliary winch  60  by an electric cable  102 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 5, the details of remote switch assembly  98  are shown. Remote switch assembly  98  includes a spring loaded clamp portion  104  with an electrical switch  106  attached thereto. Electric switch  106  is preferably a push button type having a button  108  thereon. In the preferred embodiment, switch  106  is closed (makes an electrical connection) when button  108  is depressed and is open (breaks the electrical connection) when button  108  is released. 
     Clamp portion  104  includes a pair of clamping bars  110  which extend from a central pivot portion  112 . A pair of handles  114  extend in an opposite direction from pivot portion  112 . A biasing means, such as spring  116 , is provided for biasing handles  114  apart and clamping bars  110  toward one another to a clamping position. Thus, by squeezing on handles  114 , clamping bars  110  are separated so that they may be positioned over handlebar  100 . When handles  114  are released, biasing means  116  moves clamping bars  110  into clamping engagement with handlebar  100 . Thus, electrical switch  106  may be quickly and temporarily attached to motorcycle  22 . When so positioned, the operator can actuate switch  106  with his or her thumb while keeping his or her hands on handlebars  100 , thus providing control of auxiliary winch  60  and the motorcycle. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, details of strap retainer  97  will be discussed. Strap retainer  97  includes a spool portion  118  having a pair of notches  120  formed in opposite longitudinal ends thereof and a slot  121  between the notches. 
     A pair of jaw portions  122  are connected to spool portion  118  by hinge portions  124 . Preferably, spool portion  118 , jaw portions  122  and hinge portions  124  are integrally formed such as by molding them as a single plastic component with hinge portions  124  being relatively thin so that they may flex easily to open and close jaw portions  122  relative to spool portion  118 . However, the invention is not intended to be limited to plastic construction. 
     A free end of a strap, such as first strap  76 , may be inserted into slot  121  and then the strap may be wrapped around spool portion  118  such that the strap wraps through notches  120 , as best seen in FIG.  6 . During this wrapping, jaw portions  122  are pivoted away from spool portion  118  to an open position. When the wrapping is completed, jaw portions  122  may be pivoted to a closed position so that they engage first strap  76  as best seen in FIG.  7 . Teeth  126  may be provided on jaw portions  122  to help the jaw portions grippingly engage the strap. A spring clip  128  is snapped over the strap, jaw portion  122  and hinge portion  124  to hold the jaw portions in their closed positions in gripping engagement with the strap, as best seen in FIG.  7 . 
     Thus, by using strap retainer  97 , no long portions of first strap  76  will be loose, but rather only a short controlled end  130  of strap  76  will be left. In this way, the strap cannot become entangled with motorcycle  22  or any other portions of apparatus  10 . 
     Operation Of The Invention 
     A description of the operation of motorcycle loading apparatus  10  now follows. Only a single operator is necessary. 
     The operator of tow truck  14  actuates the necessary controls on the tow truck to tilt bed  12  into the loading position shown in FIG.  1 . 
     Wheel saddle assembly  30  is positioned on bed surface  20  such that tab  46  extends into slot  48 . Cable  26  of main winch  24  is extended so that hook  28  on cable  26  may be engaged with D-ring  50  of wheel saddle  30 . Main winch  24  is then actuated to apply tension to cable  26  which pulls wheel saddle assembly  30  forwardly with respect to the tow truck such that tab  46  is lockingly engaged with the forward side of slot  48 . Since tab  46  angles forwardly, upward forces on wheel saddle  30  will not result in disengagement thereof with bed surface  20 . In other words, wheel saddle  30  is locked in place. 
     Next, rearward portion  34  of wheel saddle  30  is pivoted rearwardly to the loading position shown in FIG.  1 . Yoke assembly  70  is connected to forks  72 , an electrical connection is made between auxiliary winch  60  and power supply  68  by power cable  66 , and remote switch assembly  98  is clampingly engaged with handlebar  100  of motorcycle  22 , all as previously described. Also, cable  62  is extended from auxiliary winch  60  so that hook  64  at the end of cable  62  may be engaged with D-ring  86  of yoke assembly  70 . The actual order of the steps described in this paragraph is not critical. 
     The operator manually positions motorcycle  22  adjacent to rear end  18  of bed  12 . Ordinarily, this is most easily accomplished by the operator sitting on the motorcycle so that it is easily balanced. Button  108  on switch  106  is depressed to energize winch  60  so that cable  64  is retracted into the auxiliary winch. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, tension is thus applied to cable  62  and to yoke assembly  70  which causes motorcycle  22  to be pulled forwardly by forks  72  toward tow truck  14 . By proper positioning of remote switch assembly  98 , the actuation of button  18  may be accomplished with the operator&#39;s hands still on handlebars  100  of motorcycle  22 . Thus, it is easy for the operator to maintain complete control over the motorcycle and to control forward movement thereof by depressing and releasing button  108  as necessary, thus energizing and de-energizing auxiliary winch  60 . Motorcycle  22  is thus moved gradually forwardly so that its front wheel  44  engages rearward portion  34  of wheel saddle  30 , and further forward movement of the motorcycle will result in rearward portion  34  being pivoted forwardly so that front wheel  44  of the motorcycle is brought into the loaded position shown in FIG.  2 . 
     At this point, the operator can put down the kick stand on the motorcycle to support the motorcycle on bed surface  20 . The combination of the use of the kick stand with the tension still in cable  62  allows the operator to dismount the motorcycle and still leave it in position. 
     At this point, the operator can then attach normal tie-down straps (not shown) to securely attach the motorcycle to bed  12 . The use of such tie-down straps is well known in the art and will not be elaborated upon here. After the motorcycle has been thus secured, the kick stand on the motorcycle may be raised so that it cannot slip on bed  12 . 
     Auxiliary winch  60  can be locked in position to keep tension on cable  62  to add further security to tying down motorcycle  22 . Bed  12  can then be tilted back to its horizontal traveling position so that motorcycle  22  may be transported on truck  14  to the desired location. 
     Unloading of the motorcycle is carried out by substantially reversing the above-described loading steps. 
     It will be seen, therefore, that the motorcycle loading apparatus of the present invention is well adapted to carry out the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. While a presently preferred embodiment of the apparatus has been described for the purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes in the arrangement and construction of parts may be made by those skilled in the art. All such changes are encompassed within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.