AU2020202506B2

AU2020202506B2 - Fully adjustable motorcycle fork support and the extending method thereof

Info

Publication number: AU2020202506B2
Application number: AU2020202506A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Shaun Michael Hickson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-04-14
Filing date: 2020-04-14
Publication date: 2021-08-12
Anticipated expiration: 2040-04-14
Also published as: AU2020202506A1

Abstract

An adjustable motorcycle fork support including an outer shaft, a nut and an inner shaft. The nut engages the outer shaft and the inner shaft upon rotation of which it moves them relatively longitudinally with respect to each other. When positioned between a motorbike frame and the motorbike tyre the fork support locks the two in a constant position with respect to each other. 2/3 10 10 Fig 4 Fig 5 28 14 12 Fig 6

Description

2/3

10 10

Fig 4 Fig 5

28

14 12

Fig 6

Fully adjustable motorcycle fork support and the extending method thereof

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to motorcycle and bike accessories and

particularly to a fully adjustable motorcycle fork support in motorcycle transportation and the extending method thereof.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Motorcycle riding as a sport and pastime often calls for the requirement of a

motorcycle to be transported by road/sea/air on the back of or inside a trailer, truck, utility, van, plane or boat. The motorcycle is generally attached to the conveying item with tie

down straps which, when pulled down correctly, can place excessive pressure on motorcycle

forks and suspension thus causing damage. When travelling, due to the fork and suspension being able to move up and down, there is also a possibility for a motorcycle to jump and

move around when going over bumps which could lead to the motorcycle coming loose.

[0003] Current fork supports that lock the bike to the wheel from moving up and down

on the suspension available have set heights and therefore cannot be extended to reach the full height of the forks and are limited in the types and sizes of motorcycles they can be used

on.

[0004] The object of this invention is to provide a motorcycle fork support to address

the above shortcomings. Another object of the present invention is to provide an alternative

fork support for a motorcycle fork that prevents the forks and front suspension from being compressed and decompressed therefore reducing motorcycle movement in transportation

and reduces the possibility of damage to the forks and suspension. Another object of the present invention is to provide a fork support that is able to be adjusted to different lengths

of the forks. Another object of the present invention is to provide a fork support allowing it to suit a broad range of motorcycles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] In a first aspect the invention comprises an adjustable motorcycle fork support

comprising; an outershaft,a nutand aninnershaft; the nut engaging the outer shaft and the inner shaft upon rotation of which it moves them relatively longitudinally with respect to each other; wherein when positioned between a motorbike frame and the motorbike tyre it locks the two in a constant position with respect to each other.

[0006] In preference the nut includes a collar engaging a rib on the outer shaft.

[0007] In preference the outer shaft has a plurality of spaced apart ribs.

[0008] In preference the bottom of the threaded shaft includes a plate adapted to engage the motorcycle tyre.

[0009] In preference the plate is curved to follow the contours of the tyre.

[0010] In preference the outer shaft is dividable into several smaller shafts.

[0011] In preference the outer shaft can be cut below the rib to reduce its length and

where the inner shaft is cut to remove the same length to make the fork support adaptable for smaller motorbikes.

[0012] In preference the fork support is made of plastic, nylon, glass fibre or metal variations.

[0013] The fork support for motorcycle fork of the present invention prevents the forks and front suspension from being compressed and decompressed therefore reducing

motorcycle movement in transportation and reduces the possibility of damage to the forks

and suspension. The present invention uses a thread and nut combination therefore allowing it to be extendable and allowing it to suit a broader range of motorcycles. The

current invention also has the ability to be easily modified to suit smaller motorcycles or motorcycles with lower suspensions.

[0014] It should be noted that any one of the aspects mentioned above may include any of the features of any of the other aspects mentioned above and may include any of the

features of any of the embodiments described below as appropriate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for

those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The

Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows.

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic three-dimensional view of the fork support embodying

the invention;

[0017] Figure 2 is a schematic three-dimensional view of the inner shaft of the fork

support embodying the invention;

[0018] Figure 3 is a schematic three-dimensional view of the nut of the fork support embodying the invention;

[0019] Figure 4 is a schematic three-dimensional view of the assembled fork support embodying the invention before being adjusted;

[0020] Figure 5 is a schematic three-dimensional as in Figure 4 but when the fork support is in the lowered position;

[0021] Figure 6 is a schematic cross section view of the fork support on a motorbike;

[0022] Figure 7 illustrates adjusting the other shaft of the invention;

[0023] Figure 8 illustrates adjusting the inner shaft of the invention; and

[0024] Figure 9 illustrates the assembled fork support when it has been reduced in height.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying

drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration.

[0026] Referring to the Figures 1, the fork support 10 embodying the invention is

positioned on the top of the front tyre 12 between the front forks 14 of a motorcycle. The fork support 10 includes an outer shaft 16 and an inner threaded shaft 18 that is attached to

a plate 20 to extend over tyre 12.

[0027] The outer shaft includes a plurality of ribs 22 that are engaged by nut 24. The

nut has internal threads 26 that engage the threaded shaft to pull the outer shaft 16 up and down the threaded shaft 18. Thus when placed on the motorbike the nut allows for

adjustment of the fork support to lock the tyre to the forks into place.

[0028] It can thus be extended using the thread and nut combination to rest firmly against the underside of the mudguard 26 between the front forks of the motorcycle. The

fork support of the present invention is used when a motorcycle, but not limited to a motor vehicle, is transported by road or sea or air on the back of or inside a trailer, truck, utility,

van, plane, boat or any other transportation wherever it needs securing or being tied down firmly.

[0029] The present invention is an extendable fork support which consists of three pieces of elements that, once assembly, become one piece that does not come apart unless

dis-assembled.

[0030] The nut 24 includes a collar 30 that engages a rib 22 which ensures the outer shaft 16 remains attached to the inner shaft 18 and the nut 24.

[0031] Figure 2 is a schematic three-dimension view of the outer shaft 10 of the fork support embodying the invention. The outer shaft 10 consists of a long hollow shaft 12

which slides up and down the inner shaft 30 when the nut 20 is twisted. The outer shaft 16 has the male aspect of a key-way 32 which, when lined up with a slit 34 on the inner shaft

18, stops the outer shaft 16 from spinning when assembled. The outer shaft 16 has a plate 36 that sits under the front mudguard of the motorcycle. The outer shaft has several ribs 22

on the outside of the outer shaft 10.

[0032] To accommodate various distances between the mudguard and tyre of a

motorbike the fork support length can be adjusted further by cutting the outer shaft 16 and inner threaded shaft 18. This is illustrated in Figures 7-9. The outer shaft is cut below a

desired rib 22 so that it can engage the nut. The inner shaft is then cut to reduce its length by the same as that cut off from the outer shaft.

[0033] There are no pre-determined set heights for the fork support of the present invention. Instead it utilises a thread and nut combination, allowing full adjustment for a

appropriate fit which also reduces the likelihood of it falling out.

[0034] The fork support provided by the present invention is placed between a

motorcycles front forks and rests on the front tyre, the nut is then rotated which in turn

raises the outer shaft to reach the underside of the motorcycles front mudguard. Once in place the motorcycle is then tied down firm and the fork support is held in firmly whilst

stopping any movement of the front forks or suspension.

[0035] In some embodiments, an extending method of the fork support provided by the

present invention includes that the nut 20 is twisted clockwise and the outer shaft 10 lowers while the nut 20 is twisted anti-clockwise and the outer shaft 10 shaft rises.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, when the fork support of the present invention is in a lowered position, the length from the flat larger surface of the outer shaft 10 to the base

of the inner 30 should be shorter than the distance from the front mudguard and the tyre so

that the fork support can be placed on the tyre between the fork. The extending method includes following steps.

[0037] (a) the outer shaft 16 is slid into the collar 30 of the nut 24;

[0038] (b) the inner shaft 18 is screwed into the nut 24 through rotating the nut 24

clockwise;

[0039] (c) the fork support is placed between a motorcycles front forks and rests on

the front tyre;

[0040] (d) the inner shaft 18 is extended out from the outer shaft 16 through twisting the nut 24 anti-clockwise.

[0041] Due to the varying lengths of motorcycle forks, the fork support provided by the present invention is able to be fully adjusted to specifically fit any length due to the thread

and nut combination. The design also allows for the ability of the fork support to be easily cut down and customised to further to suit smaller motorcycles or motorcycles with lower

suspension.

[0042] The method for fork support modification for smaller bikes is as follows.

Measure from the front tyre to under the mudguard. Then determine below which category the measurement falls into. Using a hacksaw or appropriate cutting device, cut the outer

shaft 10 on the lower side of the ring of the cutting points, whereat the rib 11 will become

the base ofthe outershaft10.

[0043] In some embodiments, the cutting points of the outer shaft vary according to

the measurements of the fork support from the front tyre to under the mudguard support, which will go from the shortest to the longest.

[0044] In a variant embodiment of the present invention, the outer shaft 16 is dividable into several lengths removably connected by screw or bayonet to each other (not shown).

However, any removable connection means in prior art can be used here which does not affect the implementation of the present invention or not intend to limit the scope of the

present invention.

[0045] The motorcycle fork support can be made of plastic, nylon, glass fibre or metal variations. The use of any kind of material for making the fork support does not limit the

scope of the present invention.

[0046] The fork support of the present invention reduces the stress placed on

motorcycle fork seals whilst in transportation as a result of excessive pressure when the motorcycle is tied down. It also reduces any movement in the forks or suspension whilst in

transit and as a result alleviates the possibility of the bike moving or coming loose from the transportation vehicle. It does this by extending the full length of the height from the top of

the front tyre to the underside of the mudguard between the front forks thus providing a firm support for the front of the bike to be pulled down onto.

[0047] The reader will now appreciate the present invention which provides a fully adjustable motorcycle fork support and the using method whereof.

[0048] Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and

described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention,

which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. Any discussion

of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission

that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in this field.

[0049] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but

does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

LIST OF COMPONENTS

fork support

12 tyre

14 forks

16 outer shaft

18innerthreaded shaft

plate

22 ribs

24 nut

26 internal threads

28 mudguard

collar

32 male key-way

34 slit

36 plate

Claims

1. An adjustable motorcycle fork support comprising; an outershaft,a nutand aninner threaded shaft;

the nut engaging the outer shaft and the inner shaft upon rotation of which it moves them relatively longitudinally with respect to each other;

wherein when positioned between a motorbike frame and a motorcycle tyre it locks the two in a constant position with respect to each other;

the bottom of the threaded shaft including a plate adapted to engage the motorcycle tyre.

2. The fork support of claim 1, wherein the nut includes a collar engaging a rib on the

outer shaft.

3. The fork support as in clam 2 wherein the outer shaft has a plurality of spaced apart

ribs.

4. The fork support as in claim 1 wherein the plate is curved to follow the contours of

the tyre.

5. The fork support as in claim 3, wherein the outer shaft is dividable into several

smaller shafts.

6. The fork support as in claim 2 wherein the outer shaft can be cut below the rib to

reduce its length and where the inner shaft is cut to remove the same length to

make the fork support adaptable for smaller motorbikes.

7. The fork support of any one of claim 1 to 6, the fork support is made of plastic,

nylon, glass fibre or metal variations.

Fig 1 1/3

Fig 3 Fig 2

Fig 4 2/3

Fig 6 Fig 5

Fig 8 3/3

Fig 7

Fig 9