Abstract:
Inflatable bumper system that stabilizes and protects one or more motorcycles during transport by applying force on both sides of each motorcycle and the walls of the truck or trailer, securing each motorcycle in an upright position, and absorbing any forces resulting from poor road conditions or abrupt driving actions.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to protecting motorcycles from damage during transport in trucks or trailers. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Motorcycle(s) are often transported in trucks or trailers and are frequently damaged when road conditions or abrupt driving actions cause the motorcycles to move and come into contact with each other or the structure or other contents of the trucks or trailers. 
         [0003]    The existing practice to attempt to prevent such damage during transport is to secure each motorcycle to the truck or trailer in an upright position by strapping the front handlebars to anchor points on the floor of the truck or trailer. When the straps are tightened, the front suspension of the motorcycle compresses and the applied force holds the motorcycle in an upright position. The front wheel is also typically held in place on the floor by a wheel chock or clamp. Because there is no compression point in the rear of a typical motorcycle, the rear is either left untethered or tied to the truck bed or trailer to keep it in line with the front tire and restrict lateral movement. 
         [0004]    This existing practice often fails to prevent damage to motorcycles due to faulty installation or road conditions or driving actions resulting in forces that compromise the straps, attachments, and clamps, or movement of other contents in the trucks or trailers. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention is an inflatable and nonabrasive bumper having the shape, dimensions, strength, and flexibility when secured to motorcycle(s) and inflated to create forces necessary to stabilize the motorcycle(s) during transport and prevent the motorcycle(s) from moving and coming into contact with other motorcycle(s) or the structure or other contents of the truck bed or trailer. 
         [0006]    This invention can be used on its own or as a secondary or backup protective measure in conjunction with the existing practice described above of strapping the motorcycle(s) to anchor points on the truck or trailer. 
         [0007]    This invention protects motorcycles from damage during transport to a further degree and extent than any product or method known in the prior art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0008]      FIGS. 1A-E  show the method of loading, positioning, securing, and protecting two motorcycles in a trailer with inflatable bumpers according to one possible embodiment of the invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is an overhead view of two motorcycles positioned, secured, and protected with inflatable bumpers in a trailer according to one possible embodiment of the invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is an overhead view of one motorcycle positioned, secured, and protected with inflatable bumpers in a trailer according to one possible embodiment of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one motorcycle positioned, secured, and protected with inflatable bumpers in a trailer according to one possible embodiment of the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of the inflated bumper of one possible embodiment of the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged overhead view of the inflated bumper of one possible embodiment of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged side view of the inflated bumper of one possible embodiment of the invention in a partially deflated state; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged perspective view of the deflated bumper of one possible embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    There are many possible embodiments of the invention, some of which are described below. 
         [0017]    Referring now to the embodiments of the invention in  FIGS. 1-8 , in more detail, there is shown inflated bumper(s)  10 , harness loop(s)  10   a , harness strap(s)  10   b , air valve(s)  10   c , motorcycle(s)  11 , front suspension(s)  11   a , front strap(s)  12 , rear strap(s)  13 , anchor points(s)  14 , truck/trailer floor  15 , truck/trailer vertical wall(s)  16 . 
         [0018]    In further detail, referring to  FIG. 1A-E , three inflated bumpers  10  are positioned and apply force on either side and in between two motorcycles  11  and the opposing truck/trailer vertical walls  16  to stabilize the two motorcycles in an upright position. The inflated bumpers  10  are nonabrasive and flexible to the contours of the motorcycles  11  and secured to the motorcycles by harness straps  10   b  and harness loops  10   a . The typical manner known in the art in which motorcycles have been secured for transport prior to this invention is shown by the front strap  12  compressing the motorcycle front suspension  11   a  through tension to the anchor points  14 . 
         [0019]    In further detail, referring to  FIG. 2 , three inflated bumpers  10  apply force on either side and in between two motorcycles  11  and the opposing truck/trailer vertical walls  16  to stabilize the two motorcycles  11  in an upright position. The inflated bumpers  10  are nonabrasive and flexible to the contours of the motorcycles  11  and secured to the motorcycles by harness straps  10   b  and harness loops  10   a . The typical manner known in the art in which motorcycles have been secured for transport prior to this invention is shown by the front strap  12  compressing the motorcycle front suspension  11   a  through tension to the anchor points  14 . 
         [0020]    In further detail, referring to  FIG. 3 , two inflated bumpers  10  inflated through air valves  10   c  apply air pressure force on either side of a motorcycle  11  and the opposing truck/trailer vertical walls  16  to stabilize the motorcycle  11  in an upright position. The inflated bumpers  10  are nonabrasive and flexible to the contours of the motorcycle  11  and are secured to the motorcycle by harness straps  10   b  and harness loops  10   a . The typical manner known in the art in which motorcycles have been secured for transport prior to this invention is shown by the front strap  12  compressing the motorcycle front suspension  11   a  through tension to the anchor points  14 , and the rear straps  13  holding the rear of the motorcycle  11  from lateral movement. 
         [0021]    In further detail, referring to  FIG. 4 , two inflated bumpers  10  inflated through air valves  10   c  apply air pressure force on either side of a motorcycle  11  and the opposing truck/trailer vertical walls  16  to stabilize the motorcycle  11  in an upright position. The inflated bumpers  10  are nonabrasive and flexible to the contours of the motorcycle  11  and are secured to the motorcycle by harness straps  10   b  and harness loops  10   a . The typical manner known in the art in which motorcycles have been secured for transport prior to this invention is shown by the front strap  12  compressing the motorcycle front suspension  11   a  through tension to the anchor points  14 , and the rear straps  13  holding the rear of the motorcycle  11  from lateral movement. 
         [0022]    In further detail, referring to  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  7 , and  8 , respectively, there is shown enlarged top, front, and side perspectives of the the inflated bumper  10 , harness loop  10   a , harness strap  10   b , and air valve  10   c.    
         [0023]    In one embodiment of the invention, the inflatable bumper  10  is constructed of rubber. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment of the invention, the inflatable bumper  10  is constructed of plastic. 
         [0025]    In one embodiment of the invention, the inflatable bumper  10  is constructed of kevlar. 
         [0026]    In one embodiment of the invention, the inflatable bumper  10  is constructed of a composite material. 
         [0027]    In one embodiment of the invention, the inflatable bumper  10  has an outer surface layer that will not scratch the paint or chrome on the motorcycle  11 . 
         [0028]    In one embodiment of the invention, the inflatable bumper  10  has an outer surface layer of fabric. 
         [0029]    In one embodiment of the invention, the inflatable bumper  10  is constructed of a material resistant to ultra-violet rays. 
         [0030]    In one embodiment of the invention, the inflatable bumper  10  is constructed of a material resistant to chemical agents. 
         [0031]    In one embodiment of the invention, the inflatable bumper  10  has seam welds of at least an inch overlap. 
         [0032]    In one embodiment of the invention, the inflatable bumper  10  remains inflated with at least one ton of dead weight applied. 
         [0033]    In one embodiment of the invention, the valve  10   c  is a presta valve. 
         [0034]    In one embodiment of the invention, the valve  10   c  is a schrader valve. 
         [0035]    In one embodiment of the invention, the valve  10   c  is a combination schrader and presta valve. 
         [0036]    In one embodiment of the invention, the shape and dimensions of the fully inflated inflatable bumper  10  are calculated and custom fit to fill the void of space created by a given model of motorcycle when positioned in a given truck or trailer. 
         [0037]    In one embodiment of the invention, the dimensions of the inflatable bumper  10  are approximately twenty inches long by ten inches high by twenty-four inches wide when fully inflated. 
         [0038]    In one embodiment of the invention, a process and method for securing motorcycle(s)  11  is to place into position and inflate the inflatable bumper  10  after motorcycle(s)  11  are secured for transport in the typical manner by the front strap  12  compressing the motorcycle front suspension  11   a  through tension to the anchor points  14 , and the rear straps  13  holding the rear of the motorcycle  11  from lateral movement. 
         [0039]    In one embodiment of the invention, a process and method for releasing motorcycle(s)  11  is to first partially deflate the inflatable bumper  10  by opening the valve  10   c  and second release the harness strap(s)  10   b  and any other straps securing the motorcycle(s)  11 . 
         [0040]    In one embodiment of the invention, the inflatable bumper  10  may be deflated and compactly stored. 
         [0041]    The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, unprecedented protection of motorcycles from damage during transport, a method and process that is simple and requires only a few minutes, and convenience of deflating the inflatable bumper for easy storage. 
         [0042]    While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of these specific embodiments. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiments, but shall include all embodiments within the scope and spirit of the invention.