GB2481378A - Motorcycle and bicycle stabilising unit. - Google Patents

Abstract

A unit to increase the stability of a motorcycle or bicycle during transportation on another vehicle consists of a body 1, 2 with an aperture 3 into which a side stand or jiffy stand 13 can be inserted and braced by mechanism 4. Attachment point 7 allows the unit to be attached to a point such as the frame 10 on the motorcycle or bicycle using a separate strap 14 to create an upward force on the unit thereby creating a downward force at the other end of the unit, pivoting about the point where the foot of the stand presses against the inside of the base of the unit on the ground. Attachment points 7, 8 provide means to attach the unit to the motorcycle or bicycle wheels by means of straps (15-18, figure 5) to prevent independent movement of the unit. The body may comprise two sections 1,2 which telescope together.

Description

Motorcycle and bicycle stabilising unit.

This stabilising unit has been created primarily, but not exclusively, for the transportation of motorcycles on the vehicle decks of ferries. It is also suitable for bicycles (ideal for heavily loaded touring bicycles) even though all of the text that follows refers to motorcycles only; all of the parts of a motorcycle that are referred to in the text in explaining and demonstrating the installation and operation of the stabiliser presented herein also exist on, and are relevant to, bicycles.

Motorcycles have poor stability when travelling on a ferry due to the limited support offered by factory fitted or after market side stands (jiffy stands) or centre stands -these stands are not sufficient to prevent a motorcycle from falling over when subjected to the rolling and jolting nature of a moving ferry. Currently the only method to stabilise a motorcycle in such an environment is to strap it down to the deck or other solid, fixed structures -this is not always possible due to the lack of facilities, space and suitable attachment points on the ship; expensive damage can be caused to a motorcycle if it is not secured to purposefully designed immobilising apparatus and subsequently falls over. The solution to the problem is this device which requires no permanent attachment to the motorcycle, is light and compact enough to be transported on the luggage rack or seat of a motorcycle, is installed and removed from use in very little time, and vastly increases the stability of a motorcycle in transit on a ferry. Although a telescopic example of the stabiliser is shown, the unit could equally be of a fixed size.

The stabiliser is put into operation by placing it fully extended on the ground between the motorcycles two wheels and at right angles to them and putting the motorcycle on its side stand (side stand pointing downwards) with the foot of the side stand inserted into the opening in the top of the unit. In this manner the weight of the motorcycle through the centre stand is placed upon the inside surface of the bottom of the stabilising unit. When correctly attached to the motorcycle using separate straps, an upward force is created on the unit on the same side as the side stand, resulting in a downward force applied to the other end of the unit, thus preventing the motorcycle from falling in a direction opposite to the one in which it is leaning on its stand.

Further attachments to the motorcycle from points on the stabilising unit prevent the side stand from moving, and prevent any movement of the motorcycle independent of the unit; so should the movement of the ferry on which the motorcycle is being transported cause the motorcycle to move, it will be accompanied by the stabilising unit.

A number of feature options are capable of achieving the same results within the structure of the stabiliser, these are presented here.

Although the schematics show a mechanism for bracing the side stand as a ioop pivoting in the body of the stabilising unit, this could be presented as a straight stop bar bolted through the body casing at any number of angles or even as an additional element welded to the bottom or the sides of the unit, or indeed a strap or a clamping mechanism. The essential factor being that the side stand is braced by the stabilising unit in such a manner as to prevent independent movement of the side stand.

The telescopic design of the unit enables it to be of a more compact nature, although a non telescopic version operates in exactly the same manner. The locking bars for the telescopic element may be a simple bolt, stud, pin or strong wire loop of a sprung or non sprung nature. The essential element being that when fully extended the telescopic extension has the ability to be locked into place relative to the main body of the unit.

Although the body and telescopic element of the stabiliser are shown as being constructed of a box section or square section material, as long as the base of the unit is stable on the ground, and as long as there is an internal flat surface for the foot of the side stand to rest upon securely, any section of material can be used in the construction of the body of the unit.

The attachment points on the unit that are designed to provide a fixing point for a strap or other such linking method that ties the unit to the motorcycle, are shown as fixed loops bolted or screwed or riveted to the body of the unit. These attachment points on the unit could also be presented as straight or angled bars fixed to the body, as bars cut into the body of the unit, as pivoting or fixed rings bolted or welded onto the body, or any other such strong attachment devices. Only two attachment points are shown in the schematics although any number of attachment points could be provided on the unit.

The schematics listed below (which accompany this document) and the text thereafter describes the particular characteristics of the stabilising device and its operation.

Figure 1 displays a 3-dimensional view of the telescopic unit fully extended.

Figure 2 displays a 2-dimensional view of the telescopic unit fully extended and viewed from above.

Figure 3 displays a 3-dimensional view of the telescopic unit fully retracted.

Figure 4 displays a 3-dimensional view of the unit in operation as seen from behind a motorcycle (the back of the rear tyre can be seen in the foreground).

Figure 5 displays a 2-dimensional view of the unit in operation as seen from above, between the two wheels of a motorcycle.

Figures 1 to 3 display the design features of the stabilising unit, and Figures 4 and 5 display its functionality. The stabilising unit consists of a main body 1 and an extending element to the main body 2 which can be locked into a retracted or extended position by means of the locking pegs 5 positioned through pre drilled holes 6 (some holes 6 are not visible as the schematics show the locking bars inserted through them). An aperture 3 cut into the top of the main body of the unit allows a motorcycle side stand 13 (Figure 4) to be inserted and for the foot of the side stand to rest on the inside surface of the bottom of the unit with the weight of the motorcycle resting on it; a looped bar 4 fixed through the main body of the unit and which is able to pivot about the axis of the holes through which it is fixed to the main body of the unit braces the motorcycle side stand relative to the stabilising unit when the side stand is firmly pushed against it. An attachment point 7 on the unit provides for a ratchet operated strap 14 (Figure 4) to attach the unit to a point on the motorcycle, such as the frame 10 (Figure 4) above the mounting point of the side stand on the motorcycle. Attachment point 7 also allows for independent straps 15 and 17 (Figure 5) to connect the stabilising unit to the front and rear wheels 11 and 12 (Figure 5); attachment point 8 allows for the other end of the stabilising unit to be attached to the front and rear wheels 11 and 1 2 (Figure 5) using independent straps 16 and 1 8. The straps 15, 16, 17, 18 restrict movement of the motorcycle independent of the stabilising unit.

When straps are attached between the stabilising unit and the motorcycle in the manner prescribed above, horizontal and vertical movement of the stabilising unit independent of the motorcycle is restricted enabling a permanent stabilising effect to be exerted upon the motorcycle.

The body 1 and 2 of the motorcycle and bicycle stabilising unit is designed to be placed on the ground fully extended and locked into it's extended position using the two extension locking bars 5, at right angles to the motorcycle, between the two wheels 11 and 12, and with the aperture 3 in the main body 1 positioned on the side of the motorcycle where the side stand 1 3 is fitted (usually on the left hand side of the motorcycle). With the motorcycles' side stand 13 in its downward position (vertical position relative to the motorcycle) the foot of the side stand 1 3 is inserted into the aperture 3 of the main body 1 and is brought to rest on the inside surface of the base of the main body of the unit 1 by leaning the motorcycle over as would be necessary to use the side stand 13 in any other situation; it is also necessary at this stage to push the side stand 13 firmly against the side stand stop bar 4 in order to brace the side stand 13 and thus restricting its movement relative to the stabilising unit as a whole. One end of a strap 14 (such as a ratchet operated strap) is then looped around the motorcycle frame 10 (or indeed another fixed point on the motorcycle) in a position on the same side of the motorcycle as its side stand 13 but above the point at which the side stand 1 3 is fixed to the motorcycle, and the other end of strap 14 is connected to the attachment point 7 on the main body of the stabilising unit 1 and tightened. In attaching and tensioning strap 14 in the prescribed manner the weight of the motorcycle is maintained on the stabilising unit, and an upward force is applied to the body of the stabilising unit at the location of attachment point 7; this upward force results in a downward force being exerted towards the ground at the opposite end of the stabilising device, the fulcrum of this leverage being at the point at which the foot of side stand 13 is in contact with the inside surface of the body of the main unit 1. The motorcycle is thus stabilised on one side by its side stand 13 and on the other side by the body 1 and 2 of the stabilising device itself. Further straps can be added to restrict horizontal movement of the motorcycle independent of the stabilising device: firstly from attachment point 7 strap 1 5 is looped around the front wheel and tensioned thereby preventing the side stand 13 from pivoting upwards towards its vertical position and pulling the stabilising device with it should the motorcycle move in a forward direction (for example due to the movement of the ferry on which the motorcycle is travelling); secondly from attachment point 7 strap 17 is looped around the rear wheel and tensioned; thirdly from attachment point 8 strap 16 is looped around the front wheel and tensioned; fourthly from attachment point 8 strap 18 is looped around the rear wheel and tensioned. The four straps 15, 16, 17 and 18 are necessary in order to overcome the effects of the movement that a ferry might have upon the positioning of the stabilising device relative to the motorcycle.

Stability can be further enhanced by ensuring that the motorcycle is in gear to lock the rear wheel, and a strap is placed around the throttle and front break lever to immobilise the front wheel.

Claims (13)

1. CLAIMS1. A portable motorcycle stabilising unit comprising of a main body, a mechanism to engage a motorcycle side stand or jiffy stand when in a downward pointing position, and attachment means in order to attach the device to a motorcycle.
2. 2. A motorcycle stabilising unit according to claim 1 incorporating a telescopic element to the main body in order to increase the overall length of the unit.
3. 3. A motorcycle stabilising unit according to claims 1 and 2 incorporating a locking element to the telescopic element of the main body when not extended.
4. 4. A motorcycle stabilising unit according to claims 1 and 2 incorporating a locking element to the telescopic element of the main body when extended.
5. 5. A motorcycle stabilising unit according to claim 1 incorporating an aperture in the top of the main body of the unit in which to insert the foot of a motorcycle side stand or jiffy stand so that the foot of the motorcycle stand or jiffy stand rests on the inside of the bottom of the unit which is placed on the ground.
6. 6. A motorcycle stabilising unit according to claims 1 and 5 incorporating a mechanism attached to the main body of the unit to prevent the side stand or jiffy stand from moving relative to the main body of the unit when stationary.
7. 7. A motorcycle stabilising unit according to claims 1 and 6 where the mechanism that is capable of preventing the side stand or jiffy stand from moving relative to the main body of the unit when stationary is capable of rotating about an axis in the main body of the stabilising unit.
8. 8. A motorcycle stabilising unit according to claim 1 incorporating a mechanism located at both ends of the stabilising unit for the purpose of attaching it to multiple points on a motorcycle.
9. 9. A motorcycle stabilising unit according to claims 1 and 8 on which an attachment point located at the end of the unit and on the same side of the unit as the aperture in which the side stand or jiffy stand inserts is primarily attached to the motorcycle at a secure point on the motorcycle, such as the frame, above where the side stand or jiffy stand pivots around its mounting point on the motorcycle to create an upward force at that end of the stabilising unit and thereby create a downward force at the other end of the stabilising unit pivoting about the point where the foot of the side stand or jiffy stand is in contact with the inside of the base of the stabilising unit that is placed upon the ground, thus preventing vertical movement of the stabilising unit.
10. 1O.A motorcycle stabilising unit according to claim 9 which when positioned on the ground, between the two wheels of the motorcycle and at right angles to them and attached to the motorcycle in the prescribed manner, is stabilised by the forces applied to each end of the stabilising unit.
11. 11.A motorcycle stabilising unit according to claim 9 incorporating attachment points which are used to attach the unit to various locations on the motorcycle in order to prevent horizontal movement of the unit independent of the motorcycle.
12. 12.A motorcycle stabilising unit according to claims 9 and 10 whereby the method of attaching the stabilising unit to the motorcycle may be with the use of any strong materials capable of being put under tension, such as a ratchet strap.
13. 13. A stabilising unit according all of the claims above which may be used to stabilise a bicycle in exactly the same way as prescribed to stabilise a motorcycle.AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS1. A portable motor bicycle/bicycle stabilising unit comprising of a main body which is of a tubular nature (having at least one flat side in order for it to be placed upon the ground without rolling), and has a length which exceeds its height and width, and has a hole machined out of one of its surfaces that is adequate in size for the foot of a motor bicycle/bicycle side stand that is fully extended to its substantially vertical position to pass through it in such a manner as to come to rest upon the inside surface of the tube directly below the hole when the stabilising unit is placed upon the ground, thereby clamping the tube to the ground with the full weight of the motor bicycle/bicycle as normally exerted through the side stand without the tube in any way being fixed to the side stand or to the ground.2. A portable motor bicycle/bicycle stabilising unit according to claim 1 incorporating an adjustable mechanism to prevent the side stand slipping relative to the stabilising unit in the direction of lean of the motor bicycle/bicycle, without being fixed to the side stand in any way.3. A motor bicycle/bicycle stabilising unit according to claims 1 and 2 where the mechanism that is capable of preventing the side stand or jiffy stand from slipping relative to the main body of the unit when stationary is capable of rotating about an axis in the main body of the stabilising unit for the purpose of adjustment to suit different types of side stand.4. A motor bicycle/bicycle stabilising unit according to claim 1 incorporating a telescopic element to the main body in order to increase the overall length of the unit when in normal use for stabilising the motor bicycle/bicycle, and for C) decreasing the overall length of the unit for ease of transportation when not in Q use.5. A motor bicycle/bicycle stabilising unit according to claim 4 incorporating a locking element to the telescopic element of the main body when in a fully C) extended position.6. A motor bicycle/bicycle stabilising unit according to claim 4 incorporating a locking element to the telescopic element of the main body when in a retracted position.7. A motor bicycle/bicycle stabilising unit according to claim 1 on which an attachment point (located at the end of the unit and on the same side of the unit as the machined hole in which the side stand or jiffy stand inserts) is used to attach the stabilising unit to the motor bicycle/bicycle at a secure point on the motor bicycle/bicycle, such as the frame, above where the side stand or jiffy stand pivots around its mounting point on the motor bicycle/bicycle, to create an upward force at that end of the stabilising unit and thereby create a downward force at the other end of the stabilising unit pivoting about the point where the foot of the side stand or jiffy stand is in contact with the inside of the base of the stabilising unit that is placed upon the ground, thus preventing vertical movement of the stabilising unit. With the unit placed between the two wheels of the motor bicycle/bicycle and at right angles to them and attached to the motor bicycle/bicycle in the prescribed manner, the motor bicycle/bicycle is stabilised by the forces applied to each end of the stabilising unit.8. A motor bicycle/bicycle stabilising unit according to claims 1 or 7 incorporating additional attachment points located at least at both extremities of the stabilising unit for the purpose of using ratchet type straps to attach the stabilising unit to various locations on the motor bicycle/bicycle, such as the wheels in order to prevent horizontal movement of the unit independent of the motor bicycle/bicycle. C') C)*::r: INTELLECTUAL 8 . ... PROPERTY OFFICE Application No: GB 1010330.7 Examiner: Mr Philip Osman Claims searched: 1-13 Date of search: 26 October 2010 Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17 Documents considered to be relevant: Category Relevant Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance to claims X 1,5,6 US2009/322056A1 (LITTER) See abstract and figures A -JP2006188096A (TAKAHASHI) See English language abstract and figures A -GB2334704A (JONES) See abstract and figures Categories: X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive A Document indicating technological background and/or state step of the art.Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if P Document published on or after the declared priority date but combined with one or more other documents of before the filing date of this invention.same category.& Member of the same patent family E Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:Search of GB, EP. WO & US patent documents classified in the following areas of the UKCX Worldwide search of patent documents classified in the following areas of the IPC B62H The following online and other databases have been used in the preparation of this search report EPODOC, WPI International Classification: Subclass Subgroup Valid From B62H 0003/00 01/01/2006 Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk