CA2406487A1 - Motorcycle jack - Google Patents
Motorcycle jack Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2406487A1 CA2406487A1 CA 2406487 CA2406487A CA2406487A1 CA 2406487 A1 CA2406487 A1 CA 2406487A1 CA 2406487 CA2406487 CA 2406487 CA 2406487 A CA2406487 A CA 2406487A CA 2406487 A1 CA2406487 A1 CA 2406487A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- motorcycle
- jack
- engagement
- fixture
- bore
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62H—CYCLE STANDS; SUPPORTS OR HOLDERS FOR PARKING OR STORING CYCLES; APPLIANCES PREVENTING OR INDICATING UNAUTHORIZED USE OR THEFT OF CYCLES; LOCKS INTEGRAL WITH CYCLES; DEVICES FOR LEARNING TO RIDE CYCLES
- B62H3/00—Separate supports or holders for parking or storing cycles
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
- B25H—WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT, e.g. FOR MARKING-OUT WORK; STORAGE MEANS FOR WORKSHOPS
- B25H1/00—Work benches; Portable stands or supports for positioning portable tools or work to be operated on thereby
- B25H1/0007—Work benches; Portable stands or supports for positioning portable tools or work to be operated on thereby for engines, motor-vehicles or bicycles
- B25H1/0014—Work benches; Portable stands or supports for positioning portable tools or work to be operated on thereby for engines, motor-vehicles or bicycles for motorcycles or bicycles
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66F—HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD
- B66F3/00—Devices, e.g. jacks, adapted for uninterrupted lifting of loads
- B66F3/08—Devices, e.g. jacks, adapted for uninterrupted lifting of loads screw operated
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Vehicle Cleaning, Maintenance, Repair, Refitting, And Outriggers (AREA)
Abstract
A telescopic jack adapted to raise either wheel of a parked motorcycle by lifting and rotating a fixture located on the motorcycle's right side and over the pivot line formed between the tip of its kickstand and the ground contact point of one of its wheels.
The telescopic jack assembly is comprised of a tube member engaged at its upper end to the motorcycle via a socketed engagement fixture. The tube member's lower end threadingly receives a coaxial jackscrew. The jackscrew's pointed lower end is engaged to the ground via a socketed foot member, said foot member also serving as a thrust bearing when the jackscrew is turned. A perpendicular hole through the jackscrew near its lower end permits the user to insert a rod and apply turning force. The user engages the socket of the upper engagement fixture under a bolt-head fixture or similar protrusion affixed to the motorcycle. When its jackscrew is turned, the jack assembly telescopes, thereby raising the motorcycle's nearest wheel off the ground. Means for blocking the motorcycle's wheels and adjusting its lean angle are also disclosed. Various upper engagement fixtures are also disclosed for adapting the jack to lift different vehicles.
The telescopic jack assembly is comprised of a tube member engaged at its upper end to the motorcycle via a socketed engagement fixture. The tube member's lower end threadingly receives a coaxial jackscrew. The jackscrew's pointed lower end is engaged to the ground via a socketed foot member, said foot member also serving as a thrust bearing when the jackscrew is turned. A perpendicular hole through the jackscrew near its lower end permits the user to insert a rod and apply turning force. The user engages the socket of the upper engagement fixture under a bolt-head fixture or similar protrusion affixed to the motorcycle. When its jackscrew is turned, the jack assembly telescopes, thereby raising the motorcycle's nearest wheel off the ground. Means for blocking the motorcycle's wheels and adjusting its lean angle are also disclosed. Various upper engagement fixtures are also disclosed for adapting the jack to lift different vehicles.
Description
BACKGROUND
Motorcyclists must periodically raise one of their vehicle's wheels in order to change tires or perform drive chain maintenance. Motorcycles equipped with a two-legged "center stand" facilitate such maintenance because, when parked, the rear wheel is typically supported above ground level. However, such center stands cannot be used to support the vehicle's front wheel offthe ground for tire changes or other front-end maintenance. Furthermore, high-performance motorcycles are usually equipped with only a "kickstand" or "side stand": a folding prop that pivots out from the motorcycle (typically from its left side). Side stands are compact and lightweight however they require ground support at both the front and rear wheels in order to achieve stable support geometry, thereby rendering both front and rear wheel maintenance difficult.
Various jacks have been devised for raising the wheels of motorcycles having only a side stand. Professional mechanics may use hydraulic platform lifts that raise the motorcycle's entire midsection, thereby suspending both front and rear wheels offthe ground. A less expensive alternative is to use a "paddock stand" comprised of a pair of large curved levers joined into a unitary frame. The user engages both tips of the paddock stand underneath the motorcycle's rear swing arm assembly and then levers the rear wheel offthe ground. Manufacturers sometimes provide "spool" fixtures projecting from both sides of the swing arm assembly to facilitate engagement of such paddock stands. The paddock stand is effective however it is too bulky for motorcyclists to carry with them for roadside maintenance. Furthermore, its large frame structure is expensive and must be specially adapted to engage the rear swing arm dimensions of different motorcycles. Paddock stands may also be adapted to lift the front wheel, either by lifting both sides of the front axle or by lifting under the steering head. Front paddock stands are even more complex and costly than rear paddock stands.
When parked on its side stand, a motorcycle is supported fore-and-aft by its front and rear wheels and side-to-side by the tip of its side stand (typically located on the ..~ .. _,........, ._. ...._..... , .....". ~..~"...,._...... _..._..... .....
_.._..,.......~.-,.._ .,~......,...~."......m..,".....-..."._..... ,. ..
motorcycle's left side). This triangular support geometry presents a simple method of raising either wheel. By lifting up and forward onto a point on the right side of the vehicle's rear-wheellswing-arm assembly, the entire motorcycle tilts forward and further over to the left, thereby lifting the rear wheel offthe ground. The same general technique can be used to lift the front wheel. Lift up and back onto the right front portion of its motor and the motorcycle will tilt backwards over the line between the rear wheel and the kickstand, thereby raising the front wheel offthe ground. To increase stability, the motorcycle can be prevented from rolling backwards or forwards; either by chocking one of its wheels or by lashing one of its brake lever controls.
This manual lifting maneuver costs nothing to perform however it has several disadvantages: lifting either end of a motorcycle requires great physical strength.
Furthermore, care must be taken to not lift the wheel so far that the motorcycle's center of gravity topples past the support offered by its kickstand and opposite wheel.
An improvement to the tilting technique is to employ a prop member: simply tilt the motorcycle up and then prop up a raised portion to prevent the wheel from falling back down. Such a prop can be both compact and inexpensive: a simple wooden stick cut to an appropriate length will suffice. Once in place, such a prop permits maintenance work to be done at leisure however, lifting the motorcycle in order to insert the prop under either the swing arm or motor is still a strenuous task requiring great dexterity to perform safely. One person is typically required to tilt and hold up the motorcycle while another person inserts or removes the prop.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive motorcycle jack that a single person can use to safely lift either end of a motorcycle. It is a further object to provide a motorcycle jack that is compact and light enough to be transported with the motorcycle. It is a further object to provide a motorcycle jack that includes versatile engagement fixtures adapted to fit a wide variety of motorcycles as well as small "ATV" style vehicles having three or four wheels. Still further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A telescopic jack adapted to lift either wheel of a motorcycle by raising a lifting point located on the right side of said motorcycle towards the pivot line formed between the tip of the motorcycle's extended kickstand and the ground contact point of one of its wheels.
The telescopic jack assembly is comprised of a tube member engaged at its upper end to the motorcycle via a socketed engagement fixture fitted into the top of said tube.
Said upper tube member threadingly receives a coaxial jackscrew, said jackscrew being threadingly engaged inside the tube member's lower end. In a preferred embodiment, only the bottom portion of said tube member is threaded, said threaded portion being included in a detachable threaded fixture that is fitted over the lower end of a smooth-bored tube member.
The pointed lower end of said jackscrew is engaged to the ground via a socketed foot member, said foot member also serving as a thrust bearing when said jackscrew is turned. The user engages the socket of the upper engagement fixture under a bolt-head fixture or similar protrusion on the motorcycle, said protrusion being a solid lifting point .. _ . ..._.,.w....~_...._..._. , ..
i affixed to the motorcycle's right side. The substantially pointed lower end of said jackscrew is inserted in the foot member's socket and the assembly is then oriented vertically to form a telescopic lifting strut onto said lifting point. When its jackscrew is turned, said jack assembly telescopes, thereby raising the motorcycle's nearest wheel off the ground. Means for improving the jack's stability by blocking the motorcycle's wheels and adjusting its lean angle are also disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a conceptual motorcycle having the motorcycle jack positioned to lift its rear wheel.
FIG. 2 is an oblique view of a conceptual motorcycle having the motorcycle jack positioned to lift its front wheel.
FIG. 3 is a large-scale view of FIG. l, showing the motorcycle jack lifting onto a fixture located on the rear swing arm.
FIG. 4 is a large-scale view of FIG. 2, showing the motorcycle jack lifting onto a fixture located on the motor.
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the motorcycle jack assembly.
FIG. 6 is a detail view illustrating the internal bores of tube thread fixture 15.
FIG. 7 is a detail view illustrating jackscrew 9.
FIG. 8a and 8b are detail views illustrating engagement fixture 16.
FIG. 9 is a detail view illustrating a cradle fixture used to engage the jack onto vehicles not easily fitted with suitable bolt-head fixtures.
FIG. 10 is an oblique view of an embodiment utilizing an engagement fixture that threadingly engages to the jackscrew and self centers under the motorcycle's lifting point via an engagement socket that is eccentric to the jackscrew's axis.
FIG. 11 is an oblique view of the cradle fixture illustrated in FIG. 9 engaged to a frame member of a motorcycle or All Terrain Vehicle.
FIG. 12 is an oblique view of a conceptual motorcycle having the motorcycle jack positioned to lift its front wheel and further including a tensioned cable between the kickstand and foot member to prevent side slipping of the motorcycle.
FIG. 13 is an oblique view of a conceptual motorcycle having a first motorcycle jack positioned to lift its front wheel and a second motorcycle jack positioned to prevent side slipping of the motorcycle.
Motorcyclists must periodically raise one of their vehicle's wheels in order to change tires or perform drive chain maintenance. Motorcycles equipped with a two-legged "center stand" facilitate such maintenance because, when parked, the rear wheel is typically supported above ground level. However, such center stands cannot be used to support the vehicle's front wheel offthe ground for tire changes or other front-end maintenance. Furthermore, high-performance motorcycles are usually equipped with only a "kickstand" or "side stand": a folding prop that pivots out from the motorcycle (typically from its left side). Side stands are compact and lightweight however they require ground support at both the front and rear wheels in order to achieve stable support geometry, thereby rendering both front and rear wheel maintenance difficult.
Various jacks have been devised for raising the wheels of motorcycles having only a side stand. Professional mechanics may use hydraulic platform lifts that raise the motorcycle's entire midsection, thereby suspending both front and rear wheels offthe ground. A less expensive alternative is to use a "paddock stand" comprised of a pair of large curved levers joined into a unitary frame. The user engages both tips of the paddock stand underneath the motorcycle's rear swing arm assembly and then levers the rear wheel offthe ground. Manufacturers sometimes provide "spool" fixtures projecting from both sides of the swing arm assembly to facilitate engagement of such paddock stands. The paddock stand is effective however it is too bulky for motorcyclists to carry with them for roadside maintenance. Furthermore, its large frame structure is expensive and must be specially adapted to engage the rear swing arm dimensions of different motorcycles. Paddock stands may also be adapted to lift the front wheel, either by lifting both sides of the front axle or by lifting under the steering head. Front paddock stands are even more complex and costly than rear paddock stands.
When parked on its side stand, a motorcycle is supported fore-and-aft by its front and rear wheels and side-to-side by the tip of its side stand (typically located on the ..~ .. _,........, ._. ...._..... , .....". ~..~"...,._...... _..._..... .....
_.._..,.......~.-,.._ .,~......,...~."......m..,".....-..."._..... ,. ..
motorcycle's left side). This triangular support geometry presents a simple method of raising either wheel. By lifting up and forward onto a point on the right side of the vehicle's rear-wheellswing-arm assembly, the entire motorcycle tilts forward and further over to the left, thereby lifting the rear wheel offthe ground. The same general technique can be used to lift the front wheel. Lift up and back onto the right front portion of its motor and the motorcycle will tilt backwards over the line between the rear wheel and the kickstand, thereby raising the front wheel offthe ground. To increase stability, the motorcycle can be prevented from rolling backwards or forwards; either by chocking one of its wheels or by lashing one of its brake lever controls.
This manual lifting maneuver costs nothing to perform however it has several disadvantages: lifting either end of a motorcycle requires great physical strength.
Furthermore, care must be taken to not lift the wheel so far that the motorcycle's center of gravity topples past the support offered by its kickstand and opposite wheel.
An improvement to the tilting technique is to employ a prop member: simply tilt the motorcycle up and then prop up a raised portion to prevent the wheel from falling back down. Such a prop can be both compact and inexpensive: a simple wooden stick cut to an appropriate length will suffice. Once in place, such a prop permits maintenance work to be done at leisure however, lifting the motorcycle in order to insert the prop under either the swing arm or motor is still a strenuous task requiring great dexterity to perform safely. One person is typically required to tilt and hold up the motorcycle while another person inserts or removes the prop.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive motorcycle jack that a single person can use to safely lift either end of a motorcycle. It is a further object to provide a motorcycle jack that is compact and light enough to be transported with the motorcycle. It is a further object to provide a motorcycle jack that includes versatile engagement fixtures adapted to fit a wide variety of motorcycles as well as small "ATV" style vehicles having three or four wheels. Still further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A telescopic jack adapted to lift either wheel of a motorcycle by raising a lifting point located on the right side of said motorcycle towards the pivot line formed between the tip of the motorcycle's extended kickstand and the ground contact point of one of its wheels.
The telescopic jack assembly is comprised of a tube member engaged at its upper end to the motorcycle via a socketed engagement fixture fitted into the top of said tube.
Said upper tube member threadingly receives a coaxial jackscrew, said jackscrew being threadingly engaged inside the tube member's lower end. In a preferred embodiment, only the bottom portion of said tube member is threaded, said threaded portion being included in a detachable threaded fixture that is fitted over the lower end of a smooth-bored tube member.
The pointed lower end of said jackscrew is engaged to the ground via a socketed foot member, said foot member also serving as a thrust bearing when said jackscrew is turned. The user engages the socket of the upper engagement fixture under a bolt-head fixture or similar protrusion on the motorcycle, said protrusion being a solid lifting point .. _ . ..._.,.w....~_...._..._. , ..
i affixed to the motorcycle's right side. The substantially pointed lower end of said jackscrew is inserted in the foot member's socket and the assembly is then oriented vertically to form a telescopic lifting strut onto said lifting point. When its jackscrew is turned, said jack assembly telescopes, thereby raising the motorcycle's nearest wheel off the ground. Means for improving the jack's stability by blocking the motorcycle's wheels and adjusting its lean angle are also disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a conceptual motorcycle having the motorcycle jack positioned to lift its rear wheel.
FIG. 2 is an oblique view of a conceptual motorcycle having the motorcycle jack positioned to lift its front wheel.
FIG. 3 is a large-scale view of FIG. l, showing the motorcycle jack lifting onto a fixture located on the rear swing arm.
FIG. 4 is a large-scale view of FIG. 2, showing the motorcycle jack lifting onto a fixture located on the motor.
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the motorcycle jack assembly.
FIG. 6 is a detail view illustrating the internal bores of tube thread fixture 15.
FIG. 7 is a detail view illustrating jackscrew 9.
FIG. 8a and 8b are detail views illustrating engagement fixture 16.
FIG. 9 is a detail view illustrating a cradle fixture used to engage the jack onto vehicles not easily fitted with suitable bolt-head fixtures.
FIG. 10 is an oblique view of an embodiment utilizing an engagement fixture that threadingly engages to the jackscrew and self centers under the motorcycle's lifting point via an engagement socket that is eccentric to the jackscrew's axis.
FIG. 11 is an oblique view of the cradle fixture illustrated in FIG. 9 engaged to a frame member of a motorcycle or All Terrain Vehicle.
FIG. 12 is an oblique view of a conceptual motorcycle having the motorcycle jack positioned to lift its front wheel and further including a tensioned cable between the kickstand and foot member to prevent side slipping of the motorcycle.
FIG. 13 is an oblique view of a conceptual motorcycle having a first motorcycle jack positioned to lift its front wheel and a second motorcycle jack positioned to prevent side slipping of the motorcycle.
FIG. 14 is an oblique view of a "shoe" fitted under the kickstand that facilitates tethering the jack to prevent side slipping of the motorcycle.
FIG. 15 is an oblique view of a stick-on fixture attached to the underside of the swing arm to provide a lifting point for the motorcycle jack.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate the present invention operatively engaged to a motorcycle within a conceptual overview, said overview being comprised of the jack assembly 8, the motorcycle's front wheel 2, its rear wheel 1, its motor 3, its deployed kickstand 5 and its swing arm 6. A V-twin motor configuration is shown conceptually however the present invention is adaptable to a wide variety of engine and frame configurations. A host of motorcycle components such as seat, gas tank, controls etc are not illustrated, as they are not relevant to understanding the operating principles of the motorcycle jack.
In FIG. 1, bolt head 7 or similar lifting point, protrudes from the motorcycle's right side, aft of its center of gravity. When telescopic jack assembly 8 is extended, said lifting point raises the rear wheel as the motorcycle rotates about pivot line 100, drawn between the ground contact points of front wheel 2 and kickstand 5.
Similarly in FIG. 2, bolt head 4 or similar lifting point protrudes from the motorcycle's right side, forward of its center of gravity. When telescopic jack assembly 8 is extended, the lifting point 4 raises the front wheel as the motorcycle rotates about pivot line 101, drawn between the ground contact points of rear wheel 1 and kickstand 5.
While parkred on its kickstand 5, the motorcycle is tilted substantially towards the Left. If the motorcycle is moved closer to the vertical prior to engaging and extending jack assembly 8, its fully raised position will be more vertical, more stable and more comfortable to work on. Furthermore, the more vertical the motorcycle, the more equal its weight distribution will be onto kickstand 5 and jack assembly 8; thereby reducing bending forces in the kickstand and its supporting frame members. Parking on sloped terrain may provide adequate righting towards the vertical however a sloping work environment is not always available. Therefore, kickstand shim block 21 may be provided for insertion under the tip of kickstand 5 to bring the motorcycle closer to the vertical prior to raising its wheel. Optional kickstand shim block 21 is typically 1 to 3 inches high and may have a wedge shape that enables the user to make fine adjustments to the motorcycle's tilt angle.
To fi.~rther enhance stability, wheel-chock 22 may also be provided to prevent any forward or backward movement of the motorcycle while its front or rear wheel is raised.
In a preferred embodiment, the functions of wheel-chock 22 and kickstand shim block 21 are performed by a combined shim/chock block having a shape and size that enables it to adequately serve as either as a shim under kickstand prop 5 or as a wheel chock in front of wheel 2 or behind wheel 1.
When disassembled, jack assembly 8 is compact enough to be stored in the motorcycle's toolkit however wheel chock 22 is a bulky part that detracts from the jack's portability. Therefore, an alternate means for immobilizing either wheel may be provided that is compact enough to carry in the motorcycle's toolkit. Said means for immobilizing the front wheel is comprised of an elastic lashing (not illustrated) that permits the user to bind the front brake lever against the handlebar in its "on" position. Said means for immobilizing the rear wheel is comprised of a bag (not illustrated) that the user hangs from the end of the rear brake pedal and loads with a weight such as gravel, thereby holding the lever in its "on" position.
FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are larger scale views of FIG. l and FIG. 2 respectively.
The jack assembly is comprised of tube member 13 engaged at its upper end to the motorcycle via socketed engagement fixture 16, said fixture being fitted into the top of said tube. Tube member 13 threadingly receives coaxial jackscrew 9, said jackscrew being engaged inside the lower portion of said tube's bore (thread detail not illustrated).
Internally threaded tube 13 and its socketed upper end 16 may be formed as a single monolithic piece (not illustrated).
For ease of manufacture as well as to enable disassembly for compact storage, the socket function, the support function and the threaded jacking function may be provided by three discrete components rather than a single monolithic piece. Referring to the embodiment detailed in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8a and FIG. 8b, the bore of tube member 13 is not threaded and its smooth bore is slightly larger than the outer thread diameter of jackscrew 9, thereby permitting unconstrained relative rotation but fully constraining any bending moments applied to the mated jackscrew and tube member.
Tube thread fixture 15 is engaged to the lower end of tube member 13. To effect said engagement, a smooth cylindrical bore 111 is formed axially in the upper portion of tube thread fixture 1 S such that it may be snuggly fitted over the lower end of said tube member to a depth sufficient to constrain both axial and bending loads.
Typically, tube member 13 and tube thread fixture 15 are disengaged for storage by simply pulling them apart. Threaded or magnetic means for mating the two parts may also be used (not illustrated).
A threaded bore 110 matching the thread on jackscrew 9 is formed axially through the lower portion of tube thread fixture 15 such that, jackscrew 9 may threadingly telescope with respect to said fixture and the bore of its engaged tube member 13. The outer surface of fixture 15 may be a textured cylinder (not illustrated), thereby providing a high friction surface that the user can grip to prevent rotation when jackscrew 9 is turned. Alternatively, the fixture's outer form may be mufti-faceted as shown, thereby providing both a comfortable handhold and suitable engagement surfaces for holding with a wrench.
Multiple instances of tube member 13 may be supplied with jack assembly 8, each of said tube members being cut to a different length. When assembling jack 8, the user may thereby select a tube that provides the correct jack extension to suit the particular lifting task being undertaken. For example, in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, a short tube member 13 is used in jack assembly 8, thereby permitting the jack to fit onto lifting point 7 located on the low swing arm assembly 6. In FIG. 2 and FIG.4, a longer tube member 13 is used in jack assembly 8, thereby permitting the jack to fit onto li$ing point 4 located high up on the front of motor 3. In a preferred embodiment, the difference in length between the longer and shorter of said tube members 13 is less than the usable travel of fixture 15 along jackscrew 9, thereby permitting continuous adjustment of the jack's height throughout its total range.
Jackscrew 9 is typically pierced transversely near its lower end by at least one torque lever bore 12. Torque lever 11 is a bar fitted through said bore, thereby permitting the user to turn jackscrew 9 against considerable axial load. Bore 12 is typically sized such that a common screwdriver may be inserted through it to apply the required torque, thereby eliminating the need to carry dedicated torque lever 11 as part of jack assembly 8.
Multiple instances of torque lever bore 12 may be provided, thereby permitting the user to choose a comfortable height at which to apply torque to the jack. Other hand-operated means for applying torque to jackscrew 9 may be used. For example, a knob might be incorporated near the lower end of jackscrew 9 or a hexagonal portion might be provided to facilitate turning it with a wrench (not illustrated).
The lower end of threaded jackscrew 9 has a substantially pointed shape with a rounded tip, thereby forming thrust-bearing point 10. Bearing point 10 engages into rounded socket 20, said socket being formed in the upper surface of foot member 19.
The somewhat rounded tip of bearing point 10 forms a ball and socket joint that permits said jackscrew to rotate at various orientations with respect to foot member 19. Said ball and socket joint's small contact area also serves to reduce friction when the jackscrew is turned under heavy axial load. Typically, foot-member 19 is substantially disk shaped, having a diameter sufficient to adequately distribute the motorcycle's weight onto the ground and having socket 20 formed concentric to the disk.
The lower surface of foot member 19 may include a textured surface I 14 to increase ground friction. The upper surface of said foot member may include graphical user instructions that indicate which direction to turn the jackscrew in order to raise or Lower the motorcycle (not illustrated).
Other embodiments of ball and socket joint 10, 20 may be used. For example, the lower end of jackscrew 9 might terminate in a spherical protrusion that is rotateably captured within socket 20. Such an embodiment (not illustrated) provides the convenience of permanently mating components 9 and 19 within jack assembly 8.
Another embodiment that facilitates assembling and using said ball and socket joint utilizes a magnet centrally embedded in foot member 19 that attracts the rounded bottom end 10 of jackscrew 9 (also not illustrated).
The open, upper end of tube member 13 receives engagement fixture 16. Said engagement fixture is comprised of a substantially cylindrical body having a narrow engagement portion 112 formed with a diameter that fits snuggly within the upper bore of tube member 13 and a wide engagement portian 1 I6 formed with a diameter that is somewhat too large to fit inside said bore. Engagement socket 17 is formed into the upper surface of fixture 16, said socket having a dished shape suitable for self centering engagement under a protruding bolt head or similar lifting point (4, 7). FIG.
8a illustrates an engagement fixture having a first narrow portion I 12 that inserts directly into the open upper end of tube member 13 where it is retained by friction. Socket 17 is formed in the upper surface of second narrow portion I 17, thereby permitting the fixture to be inserted with either its socketed end exposed or its flat end exposed. Bore 118 may be formed axially through fixture 16, thereby permitting it to be selectably affixed to the cradle fixture described below and illustrated in FIG. 9. FIG. 8b illustrates an engagement fixture having threaded fixation means rather than fictional fixation means.
Magnetic fixation means (not illustrated) may also be used. In FIG. 8b, it is evident that, if bore 118 is provided for selectably affixing a cradle fixture, the mating surface between said parts will be the socketed end rather than the flat end adjacent threaded portion 112.
Tube member 13 and engagement fixture 16 may also be formed as a single monolithic piece (not illustrated), comprised of a tube with one closed end and a socket formed in the outer surface of said closed end.
FIG. 3 illustrates engagement fixture 16 lifting onto rear lifting point 7. In this particular case, lifting point 7 is comprised of a standard, hexagonally headed bolt protruding from a threaded hole already provided with the motorcycle. Standard Allen head bolts may also be used (not illustrated). The projecting portion of said bolt is affixed using one or more locknuts, such that lifting point 7 has sufficient clearance from swing arm 6 to permit reliable engagement of its head portion within socket 17. The illustrated bolt hole in swing arm 6 is often supplied on sport-oriented motorcycles for affixing the "spools" used to engage a paddock stand. An uninstalled example of such a spool 24 is illustrated near the bolt head used to form lifting point 7. The engagement socket 17 used to capture lifting point 7 may have a radius of curvature sufficient to self center onto such a spool's outer edge as well as onto a conventional bolt head used to form lifting point 7 (see spool 24 in FIG.3).
Other suitable sites for installing rear lifting point 7 may be found on typical motorcycles. For example; the rear brake typically includes an anti-torque arm along the right side of the motorcycle, its front end being bolted through a pivot point on the swing arm and its rear end being bolted through the brake caliper housing (not illustrated). Both ends of said torque arm may be suitable sites for installing a bolt or similar fixture to form rear lifting point 7. Similarly, a typical motorcycle's exhaust system (not illustrated) includes several mounting bolt locations behind the motorcycle's center of gravity suitable for receiving an extended bolt and locknut for use as lifting point 7.
FIG. 4 illustrates engagement fxture 16 lifting onto front lifting point 4. In this illustration, lifting point 4 is comprised of a specially manufactured, spherical-headed bolt and locknut that provides a smooth mating surface between the jack and motorcycle.
Motorcycle motors typically include a bolted exhaust header clamp at the illustrated location. An exhaust header bolt or similar fastener located forward of the motorcycle's center of gravity might therefore be replaced with a longer bolt having either a conventional head or spherical head (as illustrated), thereby forming tilting point 4 that can be captured within dished socket 17. If the motorcycle utilizes studs instead of bolts to affix its exhaust header, then any exposed stud threads may be capped with an 'acorn nut" or similar fixture to act as a rounded lifting point 4. Other locations forward of the motorcycle's center of gravity are also suitable for receiving a bolt that could serve as lifting point 4. For example, front motor-mounts are typically bolted to a threaded or smooth bore through the frame. Various engine cover bolts might also be used to adapt the motorcycle for use with the present invention (not illustrated).
FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment of lifting point 4 or 7 that can be used to engage the jack assembly to a motorcycle having no bore suitable for receiving a bolt fixture. Fixture plate 123 includes a domed protrusion on its lower side for engagement into the upper socket of said jack. A "peel-and-stick" adhesive backing is typically provided to facilitate mounting plate 123 to a lower surface of the motorcycle such as the underside of swing arm 6.
Other variants of the bolt protrusion that comprises lifting points 4 or 7 may be used. For example, a large washer with a suitable eccentric protrusion might be captured under a rear wheel axel bolt or a front engine-mounting bolt (not illustrated). Some motorcycles have a hollow rear axle that permits an extension plug to be temporarily inserted to act as a lifting point (not illustrated). To provide a motorcycle jack that is adaptable for use with a wide variety of different motorcycles, an embodiment of jack assembly 8 includes a selection of suitable bolt fixtures that can be installed to serve as lifting points 4,7 on virtually any motorcycle.
The illustrated embodiments of lifting points 4 or 7 are typically retrofitted to existing motorcycles. However, newly manufactured motorcycles may also be equipped and optimized for use with the present invention. To accomplish this, the components that comprise the jack assembly are included in the motorcycle's standard toolkit. Lifting points (not illustrated) may also be integrated into the motorcycle's swing arm and motor during their manufacture. For example, the engine casing and right swing arm may be modified to provide fore and aft lifting points similar in configuration to lifting point 123 shown in FIG. 15. The location of kickstand 5 may also be located with respect to said lifting points such that the jack's support geometry is optimized for lifting either front or rear wheel with minimum effort.
In another similar embodiment (not illustrated), the order of components in the jack assembly is inverted such that the threaded jackscrew telescopes from the upper end of the tube member rather than from its lower end. The dished engagement socket is formed in the jackscrew's upper end and the tube member's lower end engages the ground. Since the lower portion of the jack does not turn, the tube member's lower end may rest directly against the ground without the need for a thrust bearing. To improve weight distribution onto the ground, the tube's lower end may be closed or include an articulated foot member similar to that shown in FIG. 3. While slightly simpler than the preferred embodiment described above, this embodiment is somewhat less desirable because its dished socket rotates with respect to the lifting point on the motorcycle. If the lifting point is a hex headed bolt then there will be undesirable friction and scoring where it rubs inside the dished socket. Therefore, use of a ball-headed bolt such as illustrated in FIG. 4 is typically required in order to achieve smooth operation. This inverted embodiment also requires larger diameter components in order to mate with typically sized lifting point bolts.
Certain motorcycles are not equipped with any boltholes suitable for conversion to lifting point 4 or 7. In such cases, a cradle embodiment of engagement fixture 16 (illustrated in FIG. 9) may be used. Cradle engagement fixture 16 may include a threaded hole 118 that permits cradle adaptor 25 to be affixed to its lower surface. Cradle adaptor 25 is a detachable platform or "U" shaped member having dimensions suitable for fitment under a motorcycle's swing arm or similar frame member. To insure good mating to the motorcycle, the top of cradle 25 may include a layer of cushioning material such as rubber (not illustrated).
In order to facilitate engagement to different types of motorcycle, the shape of cradle 25 may deviate somewhat from the orthogonal co~guration illustrated in FIG. 9.
For example (not illustrated), a socket indentation may be formed on the cradle's main upper surface to form a combination "cradle/socket". The socket portion of this cradle/socket may be engaged onto lifting points such as bolt heads as described above while the U shaped cradle portion may be used to engage under tubular members such as certain swing arms. Another variation of cradle 25 (not illustrated) is to provide a more rounded cradle shape having concentric side ridges, thereby permitting the cradle to securely engage onto the raised edge of a common paddock stand spool.
Referring now to FIG. 11, the cradle embodiment of engagement fixture 16 also permits the motorcycle jack to be used to raise a wheel of other vehicles such as three or four wheeled All Terrain Vehicles. To raise the wheel of an ATV, the user engages cradle fixture 25 under the vehicle's axle 115 near one of its wheels and then extends the jack assembly as described above.
FIG. 10 illustrates an alternate embodiment in which the motorcycle's lifting point engages the jack assembly at a location that is eccentric to the jackscrew's axis.
Lifting platform 26 is a cantilevered platform having a threaded bore that engages to the threads on jackscrew 9. Dished socket 17 is formed in the upper surface of lifting platform 26 and self centers under the motorcycle's front or rear lifting point 4,7.
Referring now to FIG. 12: if the axis of the jack assembly is not vertical when lifting onto the motorcycle, the tip of kickstand 5 may slide sideways in response to the horizontal component of the force exerted by the jack as it is extended. To prevent such side-slippage, tether cable 102 may be provided having loop 103 and 105 formed at either end. Alternatively, a chain (not illustrated) may be used having large links that serve as end loops 103 and 105. Foot member 19 includes post 104 protruding from its upper surface. Post 104 may be an integral part of foot member 19 or else a removable component comprised of a bolt threaded into a hole in said foot member. To prevent side slippage, the user engages loop 105 around the tip of kickstand 5 and loop 103 around post 104. As the jack assembly is extended and the motorcycle starts to sideslip, tension in tether cable 102 prevents the motorcycle from slipping further away from foot member 19, thereby arresting the side-slippage and insuring reliable lifting of wheel 2.
The shape of the tip of kickstand 5 varies substantially from one motorcycle to the next and some models are not easily secured within tether loop 105. FIG. 14 illustrates kickstand riser block 119 that also facilitates tethering different kickstands to the jack.
Riser block 119 may include a plurality of apertures 121 in its upper surface that receive stop-pin 120, said pins protruding above the top surface of said riser block.
By selectively inserting a plurality of stop-pins I 20 near the outboard edge of riser block 119, the user configures a barrier that prevents the tip of kickstand 5 from sliding off said edge. Another stop pin 120 is located on riser block 119 where is effectively serves as an engagement pin over which loop 105 is placed to tether kickstand 5 to foot member 19.
Ground engagement spikes 122 may be provided to improve the traction of riser block I I9. In many cases, the inclusion of such spikes will improve the traction of riser block 119 such that tethering kickstand 5 to the jack assembly to prevent side slippage is not required.
FIG. 13 illustrates an alternate method of preventing side-slippage. Second jack assembly 106 is used in conjunction with first jack assembly 8. Jack assembly 106 is shown engaged to a lower lifting point (not visible) rather than the lifting point 4 used by jack assembly 8 however any jack placement that forms a triangular support geometry will suffice. As both first and second jack assemblies 8, 106 are extended, side forces are balanced and front wheel 2 is raised without any side-slippage.
Side-slippage problems are simply unconstrained motion due to a combination of Iow friction between the tip of kickstand 6 and the ground, coupled with too large a horizontal force vector imparted by jack assembly 8. The tethering means described above effectively constrain the tip of the kickstand from sliding however said means require expensive and cumbersome components. A simpler, more compact and more cost-effective means of constraining the kickstand from sliding may be to provide a high-friction pad (not illustrated) that the user places under the kickstand's tip.
The upper and lower surfaces of said pad are made of high friction material such as rubber or sand paper, thereby constraining the kip of kickstand 5 from slipping. Furthermore, to reduce the side force applied onto the motorcycle, the user is instructed to orient jack assembly 8 near the vertical, thereby minimizing the jack's horizontal force vector.
If the motorcycle jack is being incorporated into a newly manufactured motorcycle, the tip of kickstand 5 may be shaped to aid in the prevention of side-slipping (not illustrated). To accomplish this, the Iower surface of the kickstand may include a ground engagement spike and an engagement post may project at an appropriate angle to receive loop 105, thereby performing the functions of riser block 119 shown in FIG. 14.
The preceding embodiments all use a threaded jackscrew as the telescoping mechanism that lifts the jack's upper engagement socket away from its lower foot member. In another embodiment (not illustrated) the telescoping mechanism is a hydraulic ram coupled at its upper end to an engagement socket and at its lower end to a foot member.
This description contains much specificity that should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but merely provides illustrations of some of its embodiments.
Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their IegaI equivalents rather than by the examples given.
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FIG. 15 is an oblique view of a stick-on fixture attached to the underside of the swing arm to provide a lifting point for the motorcycle jack.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate the present invention operatively engaged to a motorcycle within a conceptual overview, said overview being comprised of the jack assembly 8, the motorcycle's front wheel 2, its rear wheel 1, its motor 3, its deployed kickstand 5 and its swing arm 6. A V-twin motor configuration is shown conceptually however the present invention is adaptable to a wide variety of engine and frame configurations. A host of motorcycle components such as seat, gas tank, controls etc are not illustrated, as they are not relevant to understanding the operating principles of the motorcycle jack.
In FIG. 1, bolt head 7 or similar lifting point, protrudes from the motorcycle's right side, aft of its center of gravity. When telescopic jack assembly 8 is extended, said lifting point raises the rear wheel as the motorcycle rotates about pivot line 100, drawn between the ground contact points of front wheel 2 and kickstand 5.
Similarly in FIG. 2, bolt head 4 or similar lifting point protrudes from the motorcycle's right side, forward of its center of gravity. When telescopic jack assembly 8 is extended, the lifting point 4 raises the front wheel as the motorcycle rotates about pivot line 101, drawn between the ground contact points of rear wheel 1 and kickstand 5.
While parkred on its kickstand 5, the motorcycle is tilted substantially towards the Left. If the motorcycle is moved closer to the vertical prior to engaging and extending jack assembly 8, its fully raised position will be more vertical, more stable and more comfortable to work on. Furthermore, the more vertical the motorcycle, the more equal its weight distribution will be onto kickstand 5 and jack assembly 8; thereby reducing bending forces in the kickstand and its supporting frame members. Parking on sloped terrain may provide adequate righting towards the vertical however a sloping work environment is not always available. Therefore, kickstand shim block 21 may be provided for insertion under the tip of kickstand 5 to bring the motorcycle closer to the vertical prior to raising its wheel. Optional kickstand shim block 21 is typically 1 to 3 inches high and may have a wedge shape that enables the user to make fine adjustments to the motorcycle's tilt angle.
To fi.~rther enhance stability, wheel-chock 22 may also be provided to prevent any forward or backward movement of the motorcycle while its front or rear wheel is raised.
In a preferred embodiment, the functions of wheel-chock 22 and kickstand shim block 21 are performed by a combined shim/chock block having a shape and size that enables it to adequately serve as either as a shim under kickstand prop 5 or as a wheel chock in front of wheel 2 or behind wheel 1.
When disassembled, jack assembly 8 is compact enough to be stored in the motorcycle's toolkit however wheel chock 22 is a bulky part that detracts from the jack's portability. Therefore, an alternate means for immobilizing either wheel may be provided that is compact enough to carry in the motorcycle's toolkit. Said means for immobilizing the front wheel is comprised of an elastic lashing (not illustrated) that permits the user to bind the front brake lever against the handlebar in its "on" position. Said means for immobilizing the rear wheel is comprised of a bag (not illustrated) that the user hangs from the end of the rear brake pedal and loads with a weight such as gravel, thereby holding the lever in its "on" position.
FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are larger scale views of FIG. l and FIG. 2 respectively.
The jack assembly is comprised of tube member 13 engaged at its upper end to the motorcycle via socketed engagement fixture 16, said fixture being fitted into the top of said tube. Tube member 13 threadingly receives coaxial jackscrew 9, said jackscrew being engaged inside the lower portion of said tube's bore (thread detail not illustrated).
Internally threaded tube 13 and its socketed upper end 16 may be formed as a single monolithic piece (not illustrated).
For ease of manufacture as well as to enable disassembly for compact storage, the socket function, the support function and the threaded jacking function may be provided by three discrete components rather than a single monolithic piece. Referring to the embodiment detailed in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8a and FIG. 8b, the bore of tube member 13 is not threaded and its smooth bore is slightly larger than the outer thread diameter of jackscrew 9, thereby permitting unconstrained relative rotation but fully constraining any bending moments applied to the mated jackscrew and tube member.
Tube thread fixture 15 is engaged to the lower end of tube member 13. To effect said engagement, a smooth cylindrical bore 111 is formed axially in the upper portion of tube thread fixture 1 S such that it may be snuggly fitted over the lower end of said tube member to a depth sufficient to constrain both axial and bending loads.
Typically, tube member 13 and tube thread fixture 15 are disengaged for storage by simply pulling them apart. Threaded or magnetic means for mating the two parts may also be used (not illustrated).
A threaded bore 110 matching the thread on jackscrew 9 is formed axially through the lower portion of tube thread fixture 15 such that, jackscrew 9 may threadingly telescope with respect to said fixture and the bore of its engaged tube member 13. The outer surface of fixture 15 may be a textured cylinder (not illustrated), thereby providing a high friction surface that the user can grip to prevent rotation when jackscrew 9 is turned. Alternatively, the fixture's outer form may be mufti-faceted as shown, thereby providing both a comfortable handhold and suitable engagement surfaces for holding with a wrench.
Multiple instances of tube member 13 may be supplied with jack assembly 8, each of said tube members being cut to a different length. When assembling jack 8, the user may thereby select a tube that provides the correct jack extension to suit the particular lifting task being undertaken. For example, in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, a short tube member 13 is used in jack assembly 8, thereby permitting the jack to fit onto lifting point 7 located on the low swing arm assembly 6. In FIG. 2 and FIG.4, a longer tube member 13 is used in jack assembly 8, thereby permitting the jack to fit onto li$ing point 4 located high up on the front of motor 3. In a preferred embodiment, the difference in length between the longer and shorter of said tube members 13 is less than the usable travel of fixture 15 along jackscrew 9, thereby permitting continuous adjustment of the jack's height throughout its total range.
Jackscrew 9 is typically pierced transversely near its lower end by at least one torque lever bore 12. Torque lever 11 is a bar fitted through said bore, thereby permitting the user to turn jackscrew 9 against considerable axial load. Bore 12 is typically sized such that a common screwdriver may be inserted through it to apply the required torque, thereby eliminating the need to carry dedicated torque lever 11 as part of jack assembly 8.
Multiple instances of torque lever bore 12 may be provided, thereby permitting the user to choose a comfortable height at which to apply torque to the jack. Other hand-operated means for applying torque to jackscrew 9 may be used. For example, a knob might be incorporated near the lower end of jackscrew 9 or a hexagonal portion might be provided to facilitate turning it with a wrench (not illustrated).
The lower end of threaded jackscrew 9 has a substantially pointed shape with a rounded tip, thereby forming thrust-bearing point 10. Bearing point 10 engages into rounded socket 20, said socket being formed in the upper surface of foot member 19.
The somewhat rounded tip of bearing point 10 forms a ball and socket joint that permits said jackscrew to rotate at various orientations with respect to foot member 19. Said ball and socket joint's small contact area also serves to reduce friction when the jackscrew is turned under heavy axial load. Typically, foot-member 19 is substantially disk shaped, having a diameter sufficient to adequately distribute the motorcycle's weight onto the ground and having socket 20 formed concentric to the disk.
The lower surface of foot member 19 may include a textured surface I 14 to increase ground friction. The upper surface of said foot member may include graphical user instructions that indicate which direction to turn the jackscrew in order to raise or Lower the motorcycle (not illustrated).
Other embodiments of ball and socket joint 10, 20 may be used. For example, the lower end of jackscrew 9 might terminate in a spherical protrusion that is rotateably captured within socket 20. Such an embodiment (not illustrated) provides the convenience of permanently mating components 9 and 19 within jack assembly 8.
Another embodiment that facilitates assembling and using said ball and socket joint utilizes a magnet centrally embedded in foot member 19 that attracts the rounded bottom end 10 of jackscrew 9 (also not illustrated).
The open, upper end of tube member 13 receives engagement fixture 16. Said engagement fixture is comprised of a substantially cylindrical body having a narrow engagement portion 112 formed with a diameter that fits snuggly within the upper bore of tube member 13 and a wide engagement portian 1 I6 formed with a diameter that is somewhat too large to fit inside said bore. Engagement socket 17 is formed into the upper surface of fixture 16, said socket having a dished shape suitable for self centering engagement under a protruding bolt head or similar lifting point (4, 7). FIG.
8a illustrates an engagement fixture having a first narrow portion I 12 that inserts directly into the open upper end of tube member 13 where it is retained by friction. Socket 17 is formed in the upper surface of second narrow portion I 17, thereby permitting the fixture to be inserted with either its socketed end exposed or its flat end exposed. Bore 118 may be formed axially through fixture 16, thereby permitting it to be selectably affixed to the cradle fixture described below and illustrated in FIG. 9. FIG. 8b illustrates an engagement fixture having threaded fixation means rather than fictional fixation means.
Magnetic fixation means (not illustrated) may also be used. In FIG. 8b, it is evident that, if bore 118 is provided for selectably affixing a cradle fixture, the mating surface between said parts will be the socketed end rather than the flat end adjacent threaded portion 112.
Tube member 13 and engagement fixture 16 may also be formed as a single monolithic piece (not illustrated), comprised of a tube with one closed end and a socket formed in the outer surface of said closed end.
FIG. 3 illustrates engagement fixture 16 lifting onto rear lifting point 7. In this particular case, lifting point 7 is comprised of a standard, hexagonally headed bolt protruding from a threaded hole already provided with the motorcycle. Standard Allen head bolts may also be used (not illustrated). The projecting portion of said bolt is affixed using one or more locknuts, such that lifting point 7 has sufficient clearance from swing arm 6 to permit reliable engagement of its head portion within socket 17. The illustrated bolt hole in swing arm 6 is often supplied on sport-oriented motorcycles for affixing the "spools" used to engage a paddock stand. An uninstalled example of such a spool 24 is illustrated near the bolt head used to form lifting point 7. The engagement socket 17 used to capture lifting point 7 may have a radius of curvature sufficient to self center onto such a spool's outer edge as well as onto a conventional bolt head used to form lifting point 7 (see spool 24 in FIG.3).
Other suitable sites for installing rear lifting point 7 may be found on typical motorcycles. For example; the rear brake typically includes an anti-torque arm along the right side of the motorcycle, its front end being bolted through a pivot point on the swing arm and its rear end being bolted through the brake caliper housing (not illustrated). Both ends of said torque arm may be suitable sites for installing a bolt or similar fixture to form rear lifting point 7. Similarly, a typical motorcycle's exhaust system (not illustrated) includes several mounting bolt locations behind the motorcycle's center of gravity suitable for receiving an extended bolt and locknut for use as lifting point 7.
FIG. 4 illustrates engagement fxture 16 lifting onto front lifting point 4. In this illustration, lifting point 4 is comprised of a specially manufactured, spherical-headed bolt and locknut that provides a smooth mating surface between the jack and motorcycle.
Motorcycle motors typically include a bolted exhaust header clamp at the illustrated location. An exhaust header bolt or similar fastener located forward of the motorcycle's center of gravity might therefore be replaced with a longer bolt having either a conventional head or spherical head (as illustrated), thereby forming tilting point 4 that can be captured within dished socket 17. If the motorcycle utilizes studs instead of bolts to affix its exhaust header, then any exposed stud threads may be capped with an 'acorn nut" or similar fixture to act as a rounded lifting point 4. Other locations forward of the motorcycle's center of gravity are also suitable for receiving a bolt that could serve as lifting point 4. For example, front motor-mounts are typically bolted to a threaded or smooth bore through the frame. Various engine cover bolts might also be used to adapt the motorcycle for use with the present invention (not illustrated).
FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment of lifting point 4 or 7 that can be used to engage the jack assembly to a motorcycle having no bore suitable for receiving a bolt fixture. Fixture plate 123 includes a domed protrusion on its lower side for engagement into the upper socket of said jack. A "peel-and-stick" adhesive backing is typically provided to facilitate mounting plate 123 to a lower surface of the motorcycle such as the underside of swing arm 6.
Other variants of the bolt protrusion that comprises lifting points 4 or 7 may be used. For example, a large washer with a suitable eccentric protrusion might be captured under a rear wheel axel bolt or a front engine-mounting bolt (not illustrated). Some motorcycles have a hollow rear axle that permits an extension plug to be temporarily inserted to act as a lifting point (not illustrated). To provide a motorcycle jack that is adaptable for use with a wide variety of different motorcycles, an embodiment of jack assembly 8 includes a selection of suitable bolt fixtures that can be installed to serve as lifting points 4,7 on virtually any motorcycle.
The illustrated embodiments of lifting points 4 or 7 are typically retrofitted to existing motorcycles. However, newly manufactured motorcycles may also be equipped and optimized for use with the present invention. To accomplish this, the components that comprise the jack assembly are included in the motorcycle's standard toolkit. Lifting points (not illustrated) may also be integrated into the motorcycle's swing arm and motor during their manufacture. For example, the engine casing and right swing arm may be modified to provide fore and aft lifting points similar in configuration to lifting point 123 shown in FIG. 15. The location of kickstand 5 may also be located with respect to said lifting points such that the jack's support geometry is optimized for lifting either front or rear wheel with minimum effort.
In another similar embodiment (not illustrated), the order of components in the jack assembly is inverted such that the threaded jackscrew telescopes from the upper end of the tube member rather than from its lower end. The dished engagement socket is formed in the jackscrew's upper end and the tube member's lower end engages the ground. Since the lower portion of the jack does not turn, the tube member's lower end may rest directly against the ground without the need for a thrust bearing. To improve weight distribution onto the ground, the tube's lower end may be closed or include an articulated foot member similar to that shown in FIG. 3. While slightly simpler than the preferred embodiment described above, this embodiment is somewhat less desirable because its dished socket rotates with respect to the lifting point on the motorcycle. If the lifting point is a hex headed bolt then there will be undesirable friction and scoring where it rubs inside the dished socket. Therefore, use of a ball-headed bolt such as illustrated in FIG. 4 is typically required in order to achieve smooth operation. This inverted embodiment also requires larger diameter components in order to mate with typically sized lifting point bolts.
Certain motorcycles are not equipped with any boltholes suitable for conversion to lifting point 4 or 7. In such cases, a cradle embodiment of engagement fixture 16 (illustrated in FIG. 9) may be used. Cradle engagement fixture 16 may include a threaded hole 118 that permits cradle adaptor 25 to be affixed to its lower surface. Cradle adaptor 25 is a detachable platform or "U" shaped member having dimensions suitable for fitment under a motorcycle's swing arm or similar frame member. To insure good mating to the motorcycle, the top of cradle 25 may include a layer of cushioning material such as rubber (not illustrated).
In order to facilitate engagement to different types of motorcycle, the shape of cradle 25 may deviate somewhat from the orthogonal co~guration illustrated in FIG. 9.
For example (not illustrated), a socket indentation may be formed on the cradle's main upper surface to form a combination "cradle/socket". The socket portion of this cradle/socket may be engaged onto lifting points such as bolt heads as described above while the U shaped cradle portion may be used to engage under tubular members such as certain swing arms. Another variation of cradle 25 (not illustrated) is to provide a more rounded cradle shape having concentric side ridges, thereby permitting the cradle to securely engage onto the raised edge of a common paddock stand spool.
Referring now to FIG. 11, the cradle embodiment of engagement fixture 16 also permits the motorcycle jack to be used to raise a wheel of other vehicles such as three or four wheeled All Terrain Vehicles. To raise the wheel of an ATV, the user engages cradle fixture 25 under the vehicle's axle 115 near one of its wheels and then extends the jack assembly as described above.
FIG. 10 illustrates an alternate embodiment in which the motorcycle's lifting point engages the jack assembly at a location that is eccentric to the jackscrew's axis.
Lifting platform 26 is a cantilevered platform having a threaded bore that engages to the threads on jackscrew 9. Dished socket 17 is formed in the upper surface of lifting platform 26 and self centers under the motorcycle's front or rear lifting point 4,7.
Referring now to FIG. 12: if the axis of the jack assembly is not vertical when lifting onto the motorcycle, the tip of kickstand 5 may slide sideways in response to the horizontal component of the force exerted by the jack as it is extended. To prevent such side-slippage, tether cable 102 may be provided having loop 103 and 105 formed at either end. Alternatively, a chain (not illustrated) may be used having large links that serve as end loops 103 and 105. Foot member 19 includes post 104 protruding from its upper surface. Post 104 may be an integral part of foot member 19 or else a removable component comprised of a bolt threaded into a hole in said foot member. To prevent side slippage, the user engages loop 105 around the tip of kickstand 5 and loop 103 around post 104. As the jack assembly is extended and the motorcycle starts to sideslip, tension in tether cable 102 prevents the motorcycle from slipping further away from foot member 19, thereby arresting the side-slippage and insuring reliable lifting of wheel 2.
The shape of the tip of kickstand 5 varies substantially from one motorcycle to the next and some models are not easily secured within tether loop 105. FIG. 14 illustrates kickstand riser block 119 that also facilitates tethering different kickstands to the jack.
Riser block 119 may include a plurality of apertures 121 in its upper surface that receive stop-pin 120, said pins protruding above the top surface of said riser block.
By selectively inserting a plurality of stop-pins I 20 near the outboard edge of riser block 119, the user configures a barrier that prevents the tip of kickstand 5 from sliding off said edge. Another stop pin 120 is located on riser block 119 where is effectively serves as an engagement pin over which loop 105 is placed to tether kickstand 5 to foot member 19.
Ground engagement spikes 122 may be provided to improve the traction of riser block I I9. In many cases, the inclusion of such spikes will improve the traction of riser block 119 such that tethering kickstand 5 to the jack assembly to prevent side slippage is not required.
FIG. 13 illustrates an alternate method of preventing side-slippage. Second jack assembly 106 is used in conjunction with first jack assembly 8. Jack assembly 106 is shown engaged to a lower lifting point (not visible) rather than the lifting point 4 used by jack assembly 8 however any jack placement that forms a triangular support geometry will suffice. As both first and second jack assemblies 8, 106 are extended, side forces are balanced and front wheel 2 is raised without any side-slippage.
Side-slippage problems are simply unconstrained motion due to a combination of Iow friction between the tip of kickstand 6 and the ground, coupled with too large a horizontal force vector imparted by jack assembly 8. The tethering means described above effectively constrain the tip of the kickstand from sliding however said means require expensive and cumbersome components. A simpler, more compact and more cost-effective means of constraining the kickstand from sliding may be to provide a high-friction pad (not illustrated) that the user places under the kickstand's tip.
The upper and lower surfaces of said pad are made of high friction material such as rubber or sand paper, thereby constraining the kip of kickstand 5 from slipping. Furthermore, to reduce the side force applied onto the motorcycle, the user is instructed to orient jack assembly 8 near the vertical, thereby minimizing the jack's horizontal force vector.
If the motorcycle jack is being incorporated into a newly manufactured motorcycle, the tip of kickstand 5 may be shaped to aid in the prevention of side-slipping (not illustrated). To accomplish this, the Iower surface of the kickstand may include a ground engagement spike and an engagement post may project at an appropriate angle to receive loop 105, thereby performing the functions of riser block 119 shown in FIG. 14.
The preceding embodiments all use a threaded jackscrew as the telescoping mechanism that lifts the jack's upper engagement socket away from its lower foot member. In another embodiment (not illustrated) the telescoping mechanism is a hydraulic ram coupled at its upper end to an engagement socket and at its lower end to a foot member.
This description contains much specificity that should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but merely provides illustrations of some of its embodiments.
Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their IegaI equivalents rather than by the examples given.
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Claims (13)
1) A jack for raising a wheel of a motorcycle parked on its side stand, said jack being comprised of:
.cndot. a threaded rod having a rounded lower end;
.cndot. hand operated torque application means for rotating said threaded rod about its axis;
.cndot. a foot member having a dished socket formed in its upper surface, said socket being rotateably engaged over the lower end of said threaded rod;
.cndot. an engagement fixture for operative engagement of the jack to said motorcycle, said fixture having a threaded bore engaged to a portion of said threaded rod and a dished engagement socket formed in its upper surface;
.cndot. a lifting point affixed to the side of said motorcycle, said lifting point including a lower projection formed for self-centering into said dished engagement socket.
.cndot. a threaded rod having a rounded lower end;
.cndot. hand operated torque application means for rotating said threaded rod about its axis;
.cndot. a foot member having a dished socket formed in its upper surface, said socket being rotateably engaged over the lower end of said threaded rod;
.cndot. an engagement fixture for operative engagement of the jack to said motorcycle, said fixture having a threaded bore engaged to a portion of said threaded rod and a dished engagement socket formed in its upper surface;
.cndot. a lifting point affixed to the side of said motorcycle, said lifting point including a lower projection formed for self-centering into said dished engagement socket.
2) The jack described in Claim 1 wherein said lifting point is comprised of a bolt protrusion, said bolt protrusion being threadingly engaged through a bore on the motorcycle.
3) The jack described in Claim 1 wherein said lifting point is comprised of a rounded protrusion with a stick-on backing for fixation to a lower surface on the motorcycle.
4) The jack described in Claim 1 wherein said engagement fixture is comprised of a substantially horizontal plate member having its dished engagement socket cantilevered at a distance from its threaded bore.
5) The jack described in Claim 1 wherein said engagement fixture is an assembly of three axially mating members comprised of:
.cndot. a plain, smooth bored tubular member having an inner diameter just slightly larger than the outer thread diameter of said threaded rod;
.cndot. a threaded bore member comprised of a threaded bore portion and a contiguous, coaxial, smooth-bore portion, said threaded bore portion being mating to said threaded rod and the diameter of said smooth bore portion being sized to fit snuggly over an end of said tubular member;
.cndot. a socketed member inserted into an end of said tubular member, said socketed member being comprised of an inserted portion having a diameter that fits snuggly into the bore of said tubular member, a shoulder portion having a diameter too large to fit into the bore of said tubular member and a dished socket formed into the exposed end surface of said socketed member's uninserted portion.
.cndot. a plain, smooth bored tubular member having an inner diameter just slightly larger than the outer thread diameter of said threaded rod;
.cndot. a threaded bore member comprised of a threaded bore portion and a contiguous, coaxial, smooth-bore portion, said threaded bore portion being mating to said threaded rod and the diameter of said smooth bore portion being sized to fit snuggly over an end of said tubular member;
.cndot. a socketed member inserted into an end of said tubular member, said socketed member being comprised of an inserted portion having a diameter that fits snuggly into the bore of said tubular member, a shoulder portion having a diameter too large to fit into the bore of said tubular member and a dished socket formed into the exposed end surface of said socketed member's uninserted portion.
6) The engagement fixture described in Claim 3 wherein a plurality of said tube members are provided with said jack, each tube member having a different length.
7) The engagement fixture described in Claim 3 wherein said socketed member includes a cradle fixture that can engage the underside of a frame member of the motorcycle.
8) The jack described in Claim 1 further comprising a high friction shim block fitted under said side stand.
9) The jack described in Claim 1 further comprising a wheel chock.
10) The shim block described in Claim 5 formed such that it may also serve as a wheel chock.
11) The jack described in Claim 1 further comprising a lashing for locking one of the motorcycle's brakes.
12) The jack described in Claim 1 wherein the hand operated torque application means for rotating said threaded rod is comprised of at least one bore formed at right angles thorough said threaded rod and a lever fitted through said bore.
13) A jack for raising a wheel of a motorcycle parked on its side stand, said jack being comprised of ~ a threaded rod having a dished socket formed in its upper end for engagement to the motorcycle;
~ hand operated torque application means for rotating said threaded rod about its axis;
~ a tubular member, threadingly engaged at its upper end over the lower portion of said threaded rod and frictionally engaged to the ground at its lower end;
~ a lifting point affixed to the side of said motorcycle, said lifting point being comprised of a bolt protrusion, said bolt protrusion being threadingly engaged through a bore on the side of the motorcycle, said bolt protrusion being formed such that its bottom side may self center into said dished socket.
~ hand operated torque application means for rotating said threaded rod about its axis;
~ a tubular member, threadingly engaged at its upper end over the lower portion of said threaded rod and frictionally engaged to the ground at its lower end;
~ a lifting point affixed to the side of said motorcycle, said lifting point being comprised of a bolt protrusion, said bolt protrusion being threadingly engaged through a bore on the side of the motorcycle, said bolt protrusion being formed such that its bottom side may self center into said dished socket.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2406487 CA2406487A1 (en) | 2002-10-17 | 2002-10-17 | Motorcycle jack |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2406487 CA2406487A1 (en) | 2002-10-17 | 2002-10-17 | Motorcycle jack |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2406487A1 true CA2406487A1 (en) | 2004-04-17 |
Family
ID=32399695
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2406487 Abandoned CA2406487A1 (en) | 2002-10-17 | 2002-10-17 | Motorcycle jack |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2406487A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2016149803A1 (en) * | 2015-03-25 | 2016-09-29 | Basil Paul Andrews | Motorcycle jack |
-
2002
- 2002-10-17 CA CA 2406487 patent/CA2406487A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2016149803A1 (en) * | 2015-03-25 | 2016-09-29 | Basil Paul Andrews | Motorcycle jack |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |