AU2008100811A4 - A centre stand for a two wheeled vehicle - Google Patents

Description

00 A CENTRE STAND FOR A TWO WHEELED VEHICLE Field of the Invention: The present invention relates to two wheeler stands. In particular, this invention _relates to a centre stand for two wheelers.

00 oO Background: 00oo All two wheeled vehicles when not being driven by a rider are parked using a stand. There are two types of stands commonly used to park a two wheeler.

One of these stands is a side stand, provided generally between the wheel centers. To park a two wheeler using a side stand, the leg unit of the stand has to be swiveled to an open position and the vehicle tilted to one side to achieve a parked stationary position.

The other type of stand is a centre stand provided between the two wheels or at the rear axle of the wheel. The centre stand of a two wheeler keeps the vehicles while parked, in plane normal to the ground level as compared to a slightly tilted position achieved while using a side stand. Both these stands are provided with stoppers to limit the movement of the stand with reference to the vehicle frame.

The centre stand elevates one of the wheels of the vehicle above the ground level while keeping the other wheel in contact with the ground. A two wheeler parked on its center stand is in a more stable position as compared to a twowheeler parked using its side stand.

A typical center stand for a two wheeler consists of bracket adapted to be fastened to the frame of the vehicle, between the front wheel and rear wheels.

The bracket is provided with a pivoted joint consisting of a swiveling leg assembly and a stationary housing rigidly fitted to the bracket. The leg assembly consists of two spaced apart but inter connected leg elements, each of the leg elements are provided with bottom rest plate. A stopper arrangement 00 O is provided on the bracket to limit the swiveling movement of the leg assembly with reference to the bracket. A spring is used to keep the leg assembly in a substantially horizontal position raised and away from the ground level, to prevent the stand from accidentally opening whilst the vehicle is in motion.

_To use either of these stands a rider has to get off the vehicle, balance the 0 vehicle by holding the handle bar or the body of the vehicle and use his/her foot C to push the stand to an open position. Once the centre stand has been released 0 from its folded position, the rider has to position one of his/her foot on the side O 10 edge of the lower most portion of the stand, to prevent backward sliding of the vehicle, and pull the vehicle towards the rear. This produces a relative movement of the vehicle with reference to the hinged pin of the centre stand and the stand comes to a rest against the stopper. The rider has to maintain the balance of the vehicle from the time he/she gets off from the vehicle till the time the stand comes to rest against its stopper as otherwise the vehicle could have fallen to its side on the ground.

Balancing a two wheeler, while standing with both feet on one side of the vehicle is not very easy. Engaging a centre stand of a heavy two wheeler, while maintaining proper balance of the vehicle, is beyond the skill level of most of the elderly and female riders.

Existing Knowledge: To make the operation of parking a two wheeler easier several attempts have been made. For instance: US Patent 3591202 discloses a "Motor cycle ride-off stand". This stand is fitted on the frame towards the front end of the vehicle. This type of centre stand does not elevate the rear wheel off the ground. Both the wheels remain in contact with the ground. Although this stand offers reasonable side wise stability of a 00 0 O vehicle, forward movement of the vehicle is unrestrained and therefore is not suitable for parking the vehicle in a gradient.

r- US Patent 3658360 discloses a "Motorcycle stand". This stand consists of a pair

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of plates for attachment to the forward part of the frame of a motorcycle providing a pair of bushings on the transverse axis through which bearings the 00 cross-bar of a U-shaped assembly is passed. This device is a typical center 0 Sstand for a motorcycle and the leg unit has to be pushed down to achieve 00 ground contact and the vehicle pulled back to achieve a stable parked 0 0 10 condition. Maintaining proper balance of the vehicle, while operating the stand, is difficult and requires practice and skills.

US Patent 4084656 discloses a "Motorcycle stand with safety switch". This device prevents starting of the engine of a two-wheeled motorcycle, unless the stand is in an inoperative position. A stand switch is opened by the stand when the latter is in a neutral position so that the ignition circuit for the engine cannot be rendered operative, thereby preventing actuation of the engine. This safety device is suitable for a side stand but does not reduce the effort and balance required in deploying the stand or taking the motorcycle from a parked position to a ready to ride position.

US Patent 4095823 discloses an "Automatic side stand retreating device for motorcycle'. This device is suitable for automatically folding a side stand of a motorcycle when the motorcycle is started but not suitable for a centre stand of the motorcycle.

US patent 4580804 discloses a "Jack stand for motorcycles". In this device retractable leg assemblies are used for raising the frame of a motorcycle from the ground to permit servicing the motor cycle. Each leg assembly includes a pair of telescopically engaged members having a cooperating pin and slot arrangement which enables them to be extended and locked simply by extending and twisting the same. Latching mechanisms are provided for 00 O release-ably retaining the leg assemblies in either the retracted position for riding or the extended position for jacking. The motorcycle has to be rocked side ;to side for extending the leg assemblies. This device enables stable positioning of the motorcycle even in an uneven terrain but the effort required to rock the motorcycle is beyond the capacity of most of the users.

00oo US Patent 4671374 discloses a "Main stand device for two-wheeled 0 0 motorcycle". This device consists of a main stand pivotally secured to the body 00oo frame, an actuator coupled with the main stand, a drive source coupled to the 0 S 10 rotational shaft so as only to transmit a drive force from the source to the shaft for rotatably driving the shaft. The actuator is manually operated to bring the stand from its closed position to a partly open position to touch the ground. At this stage the rider has to operate a drive source to rotate the stand by means of both the force of a drive source and the manual force or only by the drive force to bring the main stand into a standing position. This device has to be operated after the rider has disembarked from the vehicle and in two stages to bring the vehicle to a stable parked state.

US Patent 4817977 discloses a "Stand for motorcycle". This device has a housing having a telescopingly extendible and retractable leg carried by the frame of a motorcycle. A camming mechanism which drives the leg is secured to a reversible motor through a limited torque coupling whereby the extension of the leg is automatically terminated upon firm contact with the ground. Switching circuitry provides that the motor is manually actuated by the operator of the vehicle. The disadvantage of using such a device fitted to a two-wheeler is that two such units have to be fitted on either side of the vehicle to achieve tilt free positioning of the vehicle.

US Patent 4971347 discloses a "Motorcycle kick stand attachment". This device is a side stand with increased ground contact surface area which prevents penetration of the kick stand into the ground and does not reduce the effort involved in parking a two-wheeler.

tbUS Patent 5358265 discloses a "Motorcycle lift stand and actuator". This device ;uses upper and lower stand units on each side of the motorcycle and linear actuator consisting of concentric telescoping members. Ball screw linear actuators are precisely machined and assembled units and are expensive.

oo US Patent 5886349 discloses an "Automatic motorcycle stand having a photoelectric sensor". This device consists of a gear box driven by a reversible 00oO DC motor set, a set of gears driven by the reduction gear box to move the stand of the motorcycle. Two limit switches and a photoelectric sensor control the sequence of operation of the stand. Motor unit will be bulky and draw power from a battery provided on the two-wheeler. Also brush type DC motors require frequent maintenance.

US Patent application 2005/0236805 discloses a "Powered stand device for motorcycle". This device depends on a motorized gear wheel transmission system to operate the stand unit. The stand unit is dropped from its original back place and propped up by leverage on operating the electric motor. Such a motor unit will be bulky and draw power from a battery provided on the twowheeler. Also brush type DC motors require frequent maintenance and replacement of brushes.

In view of the above draw backs in the prior art there is a need to develop a better and efficient centre stand for a two-wheeler.

Objects of the invention: One of the objects of this invention is to provide a centre stand for a twowheeler that is operable by an unskilled person.

00 Another object of this invention is to provide a centre stand for a two-wheeler that requires very little muscle power to operate the stand, from its retracted and not in use position to an extended and in use position.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a centre stand for a twowheeler that can be operated by a rider without dismounting.

00 Yet another object of this invention is to provide a centre stand for a twoo wheeler that is robust.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a centre stand for a twowheeler that is easy to use.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a centre stand for a twowheeler that consumes negligible amount of power from the battery.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a centre stand for a twowheeler that has very few parts that require frequent servicing.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a centre stand for a twowheeler that is long lasting.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a centre stand for a twowheeler that can be retrofitted to any two-wheeler.

Summary of the Invention: According to the invention there is provided a centre stand for a two wheeled vehicle; said stand comprising: support means adapted to position said vehicle on a ground surface in an operative vertical position; 00 S(ii) displacement means adapted to displace said support means from an inoperative folded, retracted configuration to an ;inoperative unfolded, retracted configuration and further to an operative unfolded, extended configuration and vice versa in one continuous movement; (iii) guided locking means adapted to lock said support means in 00oo said operative configuration; 0 (iv) switching means located remotely from said support means; 00 said switching means adapted to operate said displacement S 10 means; and fitting means adapted to fit said stand to frame of a two wheeled vehicle.

Typically, said displacement means is adapted to actuate said guided locking means between a locked and an unlocked configuration during said continuous movement to displace said support means between the operative and the inoperative configuration.

Typically, said support means comprises: pair of spaced apart telescopic outer leg elements adapted to slide in and out of a pair of complementary inner leg elements; main bracket and clamp plates adapted to space apart said inner leg elements; said main bracket provided with a slot; said outer leg elements provided with a connecting plate; said connecting plate adapted to link said displacement means and guided locking means; said outer leg elements being provided with foot rests.

Typically, said displacement means comprises: a double acting hydraulic cylinder and piston unit; a pump unit adapted to circulate pressurized fluid in said cylinder on either side of said piston; a power source for driving said pump; said piston provided with a piston rod; free end of said piston rod pivotably connected to a connecting plate of said support means.

00 O Typically, said guided locking means comprises: a locking pin pivotably connected to said piston rod and said connecting plate; a locking plate provided ;with an inclined notch on a side edge thereof and a guide pin adapted to be in sliding contact in said slot; said locking plate adapted to be angularly displaced with reference to a main bracket of said support means from an inoperative unlocked condition to an operative locked condition of said support means; in oo said operative locked configuration said locking pin being nested in said inclined Onotch.

00 oO S 10 Alternatively, said displacement means comprises: a double acting pneumatic cylinder and piston unit; air pump unit adapted to circulate pressurized air in said cylinder on either side of said piston; a power source for driving said pump; said piston provided with a piston rod; free end of said piston rod pivotably connected to a connecting plate of said support means.

Alternatively, said displacement means comprises: a threaded screw; a slider unit; a motor unit; a power source for driving said motor; said motor unit adapted to reverse-ably rotate said threaded screw; said slider unit adapted to be linearly displaced by said threaded screw; free end of said slider unit pivotably connected to said connecting plate of support means.

Alternatively,said displacement means comprises: a sliding rack; a stationary pinion; a motor unit; a power source for driving said motor; said motor unit adapted to reverse-ably rotate said pinion; said sliding rack adapted to be linearly displaced by said pinion; free end of said sliding rack pivot-ably connected to said connecting plate of support means.

Typically, said displacement means is pivot-ably attached said stand means and guided locking means.

Typically, said guided locking means is a solenoid operated retractable pin adapted to controllably prevent relative movement of inner and outer leg 00 O element with reference to one another from an inoperative unlocked condition to tban operative locked condition of said support means.

Typically, said guided locking means is a spring loaded lever adapted to

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controllably prevent relative movement of inner and outer leg elements of said support means with reference to one another from an inoperative unlocked 00oo condition to an operative locked condition of said support means.

00oO Typically, said telescopic outer leg elements are made of a material selected from a group of materials consisting of iron, stainless steel, aluminum alloys, and synthetic polymers.

Typically, said telescopic inner leg elements are made of a material selected from a group of materials consisting of iron, stainless steel, aluminum alloys, and synthetic polymers.

Typically, said telescopic leg elements are provided with complimenting cross sectional profiles selected from a group of cross sectional profiles consisting of square, rectangular, circular, semi-circular, oval, triangular and polygonal.

Typically, the centre stand for a two wheeled vehicle is adapted to be retrofitted to a two wheeled vehicle.

Typically a two wheeled vehicle is fitted with a centre stand as per this invention.

Brief Description of the drawings: All the aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent with the description of the preferred, non-limiting embodiment, when read together with the accompanying drawings, in which: 00 0 O Figure 1 is a side elevation of a two-wheeler fitted with a centre stand in b1 accordance with the present invention; r- Figure 2 is a schematic view of the hydraulic power pack, piston and electrical

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components of the centre stand of this invention shown in figurel; oo Figure 3 is a side elevation of the hydraulic power pack unit of the centre stand of this invention shown in figurel; 00oO Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the mechanical components of the

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centre stand for a two-wheeler stand of this invention shown in figurel; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the assembly of mechanical components in a swiveled shut and retracted leg position of the centre stand of this invention shown in figurel; Figure 6 is another perspective view of the assembly of mechanical components in a swiveled shut and retracted leg position of the centre stand of this invention shown in figurel; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the assembly of mechanical components in a partly swiveled open and fully retracted leg position of the centre stand of this invention shown in figurel; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the assembly of mechanical components in a fully swiveled open and fully retracted leg position of the centre stand of this invention shown in figure1; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the assembly of mechanical components in a fully swiveled open and partly extended leg position of the centre stand of this invention shown in figurel; 00 Figure 10 is a perspective view of the assembly of mechanical components in a 0 fully swiveled open and further extended leg position of the centre stand of this invention shown in figurel; and Figure 11 is a perspective view of the assembly of mechanical components in a fully swiveled open and extended leg position of the centre stand of this 00oo invention shown in figurel.

00 Detailed Description: Referring to figure 1 a two wheeler fitted with the centre stand of this invention 26 is shown. A switch unit 22 fitted on the handle of the two wheeler operates the stand unit 26.

The schematic layout of the center stand unit (refer figure 2) operating arrangement is indicated generally by reference numeral 10. A hydraulic power pack 12 is connected to a battery 20 through switch unit 22. A double acting hydraulic cylinder 14 is connected to the power pack by pipe lines 18. The centre stand unit 26 is fitted on the two wheeler frame (not specially shown) and connected to the hydraulic cylinder 14 by a hinged pin joint 24.

The hydraulic power pack 12 (refer figure 3) consists of DC motor 28 coupled to an oil pump 40 surrounded by oil tank 44. The DC motor 28 is reversible and the pump 40 circulates hydraulic oil 46 through inlet and outlet manifolds (48A and 48B) in both the directions. When the power pack unit 12 is switched on, the DC 28 motor rotates and the pump unit 40 pumps high pressure hydraulic oil 46 through the cylinder 14 extending the piston forward till the end of the stroke. When the direction of the DC motor 28 is reversed the pump 40 rotates in the opposite direction retracting the piston into the cylinder 14.

An exploded perspective view of the components of the center stand unit for a two wheeler excluding power pack, oil pipe line and electrical components are 00 O indicated generally (refer figure 4) by reference numeral 110. The center stand Sunit 110 consists of main support pipe 50 adapted to be fitted to the main frame (not specially shown) of a two wheeler with threaded pin 52. A cylinder holder 54 is rigidly fitted to the main support pipe 50 and a hydraulic cylinder 14 is pivot-ably fitted to the cylinder holder 54 with threaded pins 58. Hydraulic port connections (not specially shown) of the cylinder 14 are provided on the front oO end block 60 of the cylinder 14. The piston rod 62 of the cylinder 14 is provided with a lug type end connector 64 and a locking pin 66 is pivot-ably connected to o00 the end connector 64. A main bracket 68, provided with a slot 70 is used to rigidly clamp a pair of inner leg pieces 72. The leg pieces 72 are rigidly fixed to end pieces 74. The end pieces 74 are clamped on to the main bracket 68 by bolts (not specially numbered) and clamp plates 76. The inner leg pieces72 are slidingly fitted into a pair of outer leg pieces 78 and are spaced apart by a connecting plate 80. The connecting plate 80 is provided with a central clevis 82 having slots 84. The locking pin 66 is pivot-ably fitted in the slots 84 of clevis 82 and also mounts the outer leg pieces to the piston rod end 64. A sears locking plate 86 is provided with a slide pin 88 adapted to slidingly engage the slot provided on the main bracket 68. A guide pin 90 also provided on the sears locking plate 86 limits the angular movement of the sears plate 86 with reference to the main bracket 68. A sleeve 92 provided on the sears locking plate 86 is used to connect the connecting plate 80 using threaded bolt 94. A Ushaped notch 98 is provided on the side edge of the sears locking plate 86. The outer leg pieces 78 are provided with foot rests 96 to improve ground contact area and stability in a parked condition of the two-wheeler.

When the two-wheeler is being ridden or it has been taken off the centre stand, the stand unit is in a fully retracted and swiveled close position as shown in figures 5 and 6. In this position the outer legs 78 are fully retracted and the leg assembly is substantially parallel to the ground level. The foot rests 96 are not in contact with the ground and the two-wheeler can easily be pushed or maneuvered for parking and or starting.

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O To park the two-wheeler on the centre stand, the user maneuvers the vehicle to a suitable place while being seated on the vehicle, and operates the park button of the switch 22 (refer figure 1) provided on the handle bar. On operating the switch, the hydraulic pump 40 (refer figures 2 and 3) starts pumping hydraulic oil 46 in to the cylinder 14 and the piston rod 62 begins to move outward.

oo As the piston rod 62 moves out of the cylinder 14,(refer figures 5 and 6) the C cylinder undergoes a swiveling movement with reference to the threaded pin 58, 00 holding the cylinder 14 and cylinder holder 54. This swiveling movement of the cylinder with reference to the pivot point is limited by the clearance 56 provided on the cylinder holder 54. This swiveling movement of the cylinder 14 aligns the locking pin 66 to the edge of the slots 84 provided on the clevis 82 and applies a turning moment on the leg sub assembly consisting of foot rest 96, outer leg pieces 78, inner leg pieces 72, main bracket 68 and sears locking plate 86.

The leg subassembly begins to swivel from a closed inoperative position as shown in figures 5 and 6. As the piston rod 62 moves further out of the cylinder, the leg sub assembly swivels further and reaches a fully swiveled open position as shown in figure 8.

An in-between position of the stand in a partly swiveled position is shown in figure 7.

Further outward movement of the piston rod 62 of the cylinder 14 causes the locking pin 66, which is pivot-ably attached to the piston rod end connector 64, to push the clevis 82 provided on the connecting piece 80 to move downwards.

As the outer leg pieces 78 and footrest 96 are rigidly connected to the connecting piece 80, the outer leg piece begins to slide out of the inner leg piece 72. A partly extended view of the outer leg pieces 78 of the center stand is shown in figure 9. The downward movement of the connecting piece 80 is transferred to the sears locking plate 86 through the threaded bolt 94 and the sleeve 92. This movement of the connecting piece 80 causes the sliding pin 88 of the sear locking plate 86 to move sideways in the slot 70 of the main bracket 00

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O 68. The sears locking plate 86 is displaced angularly with reference to the central axis of the threaded bolt 94 and the sleeve 92 and is guided by the sliding pin 88 moving within the slot 70. The locking pin 66 is in sliding contact with the U shaped notch 98 provided on the side edge of the sear plate 86. The downward movement of the locking pin 66 due to the movement of the piston _rod 60 causes the locking pin 66 to enter the U shaped notch 98 as shown in 00 figure 9. Further downward movement of the outer leg pieces 78 and angular 0 Sdisplacement of the sears plate causes the locking pin to further slide into the U 00 shaped notch 98 as shown in figure 10. Towards the end of the movement of 0 10 the piston rod 60 with reference to the cylinder 14, the locking pin 66 abuts the

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end of the U shaped notch 98 as shown in the fully extend position of the outer legs 78 of the center stand. The locking pin 66 prevents backward movement of the connecting plate 80 and accidental or unintentional release of the center stand leg from its fully extended position.

To prevent accidental or unintentional activation of the piston movement and for controlled operation of the center stand the following safety aspects are provided.

1. A hydraulic oil bypass valve is provided between the manifolds to prevent excessive pressure built-up in the pipe line and pistons.

2. The switch unit controlling the hydraulic power pack unit is operatively linked to speedometer lever to prevent activation of the center stand while the two-wheeler is in motion.

3. The switch unit is provided with a button system requiring simultaneous operation of a master button and another button to deploy or retract the Scentre stand unit.

4. The switch unit controlling the hydraulic power pack unit is also operatively linked to a brake operated lever permitting operation of centre stand unit only when the brake is depressed and the wheels are at standstill position.

00 A bypass switch is provided which permits deployment and retraction of 0 the centre stand without the need to posses and or operate the main ;ignition switch of the vehicle.

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the various components of the preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that many 00 alterations can be made and that many modifications can be made in the 0preferred embodiment without departing from the principles of the invention.

00 These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

Claims (4)

1. A centre stand for a two wheeled vehicle; said stand comprising: support means adapted to position said vehicle on a ground surface in an operative vertical position; said support means oO comprising a pair of spaced apart telescopic outer leg elements adapted to slide in and out of a pair of complementary inner leg elements; main 00oo bracket and clamp plates adapted to space apart said inner leg elements; said main bracket provided with a slot; said outer leg elements provided with a connecting plate; said connecting plate adapted to link said displacement means and guided locking means; said outer leg elements being provided with foot rests. (ii) displacement means adapted to displace said support means from an inoperative folded, retracted configuration to an inoperative unfolded, retracted configuration and further to an operative unfolded, extended configuration and vice versa in one continuous movement; (iii) guided locking means adapted to lock said support means in said operative configuration said displacement means being pivot-ably attached said stand means and guided locking means, said guided locking means being selected from between a solenoid operated retractable pin adapted to controllably prevent relative movement of inner and outer leg element with reference to one another from an inoperative unlocked condition to an operative locked condition of said support means and a spring loaded lever adapted to controllably prevent relative movement of inner and outer leg elements of said support means with reference to one another from an inoperative unlocked condition to an operative locked condition of said support means. 00 O O (iv) switching means located remotely from said support means; said switching means adapted to operate said displacement means; and fitting means adapted to fit said stand to frame of a two wheeled vehicle. 00

2. A centre stand for a two wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein 0 Ssaid displacement means is adapted to actuate said guided locking means 00oo between a locked and an unlocked configuration during said continuous 0 0 10 movement to displace said support means between the operative and the inoperative configuration.

3. A centre stand for a two wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said displacement means comprises: a double acting hydraulic cylinder and piston unit; a pump unit adapted to circulate pressurized fluid in said cylinder on either side of said piston; a power source for driving said pump; said piston provided with a piston rod; free end of said piston rod pivotably connected to a connecting plate of said support means.

4. A centre stand for a two wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said guided locking means comprises: a locking pin pivotably connected to said piston rod and said connecting plate; a locking plate provided with an inclined notch on a side edge thereof and a guide pin adapted to be in sliding contact in said slot; said locking plate adapted to be angularly displaced with reference to a main bracket of said support means from an inoperative unlocked condition to an operative locked condition of said support means; in said operative locked configuration said locking pin being nested in said inclined notch. A centre stand for a two wheeled vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said displacement means comprises at least one of a double acting pneumatic cylinder and piston unit; air pump unit adapted to circulate pressurized air in said cylinder on either side of said piston; a power source for 18 0 driving said pump; said piston provided with a piston rod; free end of said piston 3j rod pivotably connected to a connecting plate of said support means (ii) a threaded screw; a slider unit; a motor unit; a power source for driving said motor; said motor unit adapted to reverse-ably rotate said threaded screw; said slider unit adapted to be linearly displaced by said threaded screw; free end of said slider unit pivot-ably connected to said connecting plate of support means oo (iii) a sliding rack; a stationary pinion; a motor unit; a power source for driving said motor; said motor unit adapted to reversably rotate said pinion; said sliding 00 rack adapted to be linearly displaced by said pinion; free end of said sliding rack 0 10 pivot-ably connected to said connecting plate of support means. ("A