GB2507028A

GB2507028A - Motorcycle hoist

Info

Publication number: GB2507028A
Application number: GB201210065A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Hennessy
Original assignee: ROY FENLATOR MILLER
Current assignee: ROY FENLATOR MILLER
Priority date: 2012-06-07
Filing date: 2012-06-07
Publication date: 2014-04-23
Anticipated expiration: 2032-06-07
Also published as: GB2507028B; GB201210065D0

Abstract

A motorcycle hoist comprises a generally horizontal rigid bar 3 suspended at a lifting point 4 in a central part of the bar. A front strap 6 for suspending the front of the motorcycle is attached to a first hanger 9 in a first end region of the bar 3. A rear strap 7 for suspending the rear of the motorcycle is attached to a second hanger 10 in a second end region of the bar. A cross strap 8 extends obliquely from one of the straps to the other or to the bar. The hoist may include a mechanism for adjusting the relative distances between the lifting point and the first hanger and the lifting point and the second hanger. The mechanism preferably comprises a worm gear (11, fig. 2) and may be configured to move the bar relative to the lifting point.

Description

HOIST

Background to the Invention

[0001] This invention relates to a motorcycle hoist.

[0002] A known hoist for motorcycle maintenance includes a hook that can be raised, for example using a hydraulic mechanism. One or more straps can be suspended from the hook. In particular, a front strap can be passed around the front forks of a motorcycle and a rear strap can be attached at a more rearward point! for example beTow the seat.

[0003] Whilst this known strap arrangement can be used to lift the motorcycle to an acceptabTe height, swinging or instability can occur. In parhcular the motorcycle is observed to remain in its own general plane but to swing within that plane. Also, the position of the motorcycle when lowered back to the ground will differ from the position form which it was lifted.

[0004] The present inventor notes that this problem is due to the centre of gravity of the motorcycle being closer to the rear strap than to the front strap.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides a motorcycle hoist comprising a generally horizontal rigid bar suspended at a lifting point in a central part of said bar, a front strap for suspending a motorcycle at a front part thereof, being attached to a first hanger in a first end region of the bar, a rear strap for suspending the motorcycle at a rear part thereof, being attached to a second hanger in a second end region of the bar, and a cross strap extending obliquely from one of the front and second straps or a point adjacent thereto to the other of the front and second straps or to the bar.

[0006] In an embodiment of the invention, a mechanism is provided for adjusting the relative distances between the lifting point and the first hanger on the one hand and between the lifting point and the second hanger on the other hand. In particular, the mechanism, which may be a worm gear, may be arranged to move the bar in the direction of its length relative to the lifting point, the first and second hangers being constrained to move with the bar. At the lifting point a laterally stationary holder, arranged to lift the bar, may include bearings allowing the bar to move therethrough. The holder may include a threaded bore extending parallel to the bar and engaging the worm gear, and a hook or eye for suspension from a hoisting mechanism.

[0007] Either or both of the first and second hangers may simply comprise one or more projections or hooks on the bar. If so, then two first hangers may be provided, projecting on opposite sides of the bar. Similarly two second hangers may be provided, projecting on opposite sides of the bar. Alternatively, the first hanger and/or the second hanger can be pivotable with respect to the bar, for example comprising side plates pivoted on respective sides of the bar and an elongate, e.g. cylindrical, member disposed substantially parallel to the bar below the side plates, such that the front or rear strap can pass over the elongate mem ber.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] Particular embodiments of the invention will be described below by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0009] Figure 1 schematically shows a hoist according to the invention and a motorcycle suspended from the hoist; [0010] Figure 2 shows a detail of the hoist of Figure 1; [0011] Figure 3 shows a holder of the hoist; [0012] Figure 4 shows an embodiment of hanger for the hoist; [0013] Figure 5 shows an alternative hanger; [0014] Figure 6 is a side view of another alternative hanger; [0015] Figure 7 is an end view of the hanger of Figure 6; and [0016] Figure 8 is a schematic view of the rear strap of the hoist.

Detailed Description of Particular Embodiments

[0017] Figure 1 shows a hoist 1 suspending a motorcycle 2. The hoist comprises a horizontal box-section bar 3 having a lifting holder 4 including an eye 5. The eye can be hung from a hook 30 of a commercially available hoisting unit (not shown), which may for example incorporate a hydraulic mechanism, a winch or a block and tackle.

[0018] A front strap 6 is suspended from a first end of the bar 3 and a rear strap 7 is suspended from a second end. The front strap 6 may be formed from a length of material with two closed loops, one at each end, for suspension by the bar as described below. This strap is passed around the motorcycle frame near the front forks. The rear strap 7 may comprise one loop of material suspended from the bar 3 and with loop ends that pass around one or more frame tubes 40 of the motorcycle. A cross strap 8 is attached to an upper part of the front strap 6 and extends obliquely to a frame cross tube 41 of the motorcycle adjacent the lowermost point on the rear strap 7. The straps 6, 7, 8 are of suitable strong, flexible material such as nylon webbing.

[0019] Figure 2 shows the bar 3 in more detail. The bar has a first hanger 9 for suspending the front strap 6, the holder 4 with its eye 5 near the centre of the bar, and a second hanger 10 for suspending the rear strap 7.

[0020] A worm gear 11 having a handle 12 is mounted above the bar 3 and carried by brackets 13 at the ends of the bar 3. The worm gear engages a threaded bore 14 provided in an upper projection 15 of the holder 4, which is shown in more detail in Figure 3.

[0021] A rail 16 extends along the underside of the bar 3. Bearings 17 are provided within the holder 4 at the bottom thereof on either side of the rail, allowing smooth relative movement between the bar 3 and the holder 4.

[0022] Figure 4 shows one form of hanger usable as the first hanger 9 or the second hanger 10. This comprises a pair of brackets 18, bolted to the bar 3, one on each side. A hook 19 is fixed to each bracket, only one of the hooks being shown here. This hanger is particularly suitable for the first hanger as the loops at the end of the front strap 6 can simply be hung from the hooks 19.

[0023] An even simpler embodiment is shown in Figure 5. This comprises a pair of lateral projections 18a with enlarged heads 18b bolted to the bar 3, one on each side, and from which the ends of the strap 6 can be hung.

[0024] Figures 5 and 6 show a form of hanger which could be used at either end of the bar 3 but is particularly suitable for the second hanger 10. This comprises a hanger bracket 20, pivotably bolted to the bar by side plates 21 of the U-shaped upper part of the bracket that receive the bar 3. Below this are two transverse plates 22 between which a rolTer 23 extending paralTel to the bar 3 is bolted.

[0025] As shown in Figure 8, the rear strap 7 can be suspended by passing it twice over the roller 23, looping it around opposed rear frame tubes 40 of the motorcycTe, and securing it using a buckle 42.

[0026] To use the hoist, the motorcycle is suspended therefrom in the manner shown in Figure 1. The hoist is then raised by operating the hydraulic or other hoisting mechanism to raise the bar 3 by the holder 4, lifting the motorcycle to a desired height.

[0027] When a motorcycle is lifted by a known form of hoist that uses two flexible straps, apart from being unstable, the motorcycle will assume an inconvenient angled position with one wheel higher than the other. The invention soTves this problem. By turning the handle 12 to operate the worm gear 11, the position of the holder 4 can be shifted forwardly or rearwardly along the bar. The holder is moved towards whichever of the wheels is lower. Once the holder 4 is aligned with the centre of gravity of the motorcycle, the latter wiTI be in the desired horizontal position. AdditionalTy, the cross strap 8 prevents the rear strap 7 from moving further away from the first hanger 9 and therefore the motorcycle does not swing in a rearward dh-econ, as it otherwise would.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A motorcycle hoist comprising a generaTly horizontal rigid bar suspended at a lifting point in a central part of said bar, a front strap for suspending a motorcycle at a front part thereof, being attached to a first hanger in a first end region of the bar, a rear strap for suspending the motorcycTe at a rear part thereof, being attached to a second hanger in a second end region of the bar, and a cross strap extending obliquely from one of the front and rear straps or a point adjacent thereto to the other of the front and second straps or to the bar.
2. A motorcycle hoist according to claim 1, including a mechanism for adjusting the relative distances between the lifting point and the first hanger on Cl) the one hand and between the lifting point and the second hanger on the other hand.o
3. A motorcycle hoist according to claim 2, wherein the mechanism LID comprises a worm gear.0
4. A motorcycle hoist according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the mechanism is arranged to move the bar in the direction of its length relative to the lifting point, the first and second hangers being constrained to move with the bar.
5. A motorcycle hoist according to any preceding claim, wherein at the lifting point a laterally stationary holder, arranged to lift the bar, includes bearings alTowing the bar to move therethrough.
6. A motorcycle hoist according to claim 5, wherein the holder includes a threaded bore extending parallel to the bar and engaging the worm gear, and a hook or eye for suspension from a hoisting mechanism.
7. A motorcycle hoist according to any preceding claim, wherein the first hanger comprises one or more projections or hooks on the bar.
8. A motorcycle hoist according to claim 7, wherein two first hangers are provided, projecting on opposite sides of the bar.
9. A motorcycle hoist according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first hanger is pivotable with respect to the bar.
10. A motorcycle hoist according to claim 9, wherein the first hanger comprises side plates pivoted on respective sides of the bar and an eTongate member disposed substantially parallel to the bar below the side plates, such that the front strap can pass over the elongate member.
11. A motorcycle hoist according to any preceding claim, wherein the second hanger comprises one or more projections or hooks on the bar.
12. A motorcycle hoist according to claim 11, wherein two second hangers are C') provided, projecting on opposite sides of the bar.
13. A motorcycle hoist according to any one of cTaims 1 to 10, wherein the 0 second hanger is pivotable with respect to the bar.
14. A motorcycle hoist according to claim 13, wherein the second hanger comprises side plates pivoted on respective sides of the bar and an eTongate member disposed substantially parallel to the bar below the side plates, such that the rear strap can pass over the elongate member.
15. A motorcycle hoist, substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings, as modified by at least one of Figure 4, Figure 5, or Figures 6 and 7.