WO2002036311A1

WO2002036311A1 - Device for lifting a motorcycle and maintaining it lifted

Info

Publication number: WO2002036311A1
Application number: PCT/FR2001/003372
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alain Henri Faux
Original assignee: Alain Henri Faux
Priority date: 2000-10-30
Filing date: 2001-10-30
Publication date: 2002-05-10
Also published as: FR2815922B1; FR2815922A1; AU2372602A

Abstract

The invention concerns a device wherein the actuating lever (8) is secured, through its lower end, to the hinge link (6) which is opposite the user and forms a projection thereof oriented towards the user, intersecting the other hinge link (7) and overlapping the latter on the user side, while stop means (21a) are provided limiting the downward tilt, while maintaining the bearing structure in raised neutral position at a distance from the ground (H) close to, but less, than the motorcycle ground clearance.

Description

DEVICE FOR LIFTING A MOTORCYCLE AND HOLDING IT RAISED.

The invention relates to a device for lifting a motorcycle and keeping it raised. Such a device is more particularly intended for motorcycles designed to operate on any terrain, having a high ground clearance, for example greater than 280 millimeters, having a mass less than 140 kilograms and not having a center stand for reasons of weight, space and security. Such a device, although more particularly intended for cross, trial or enduro motorcycles, can be used with other motorcycles of the same weight and ground clearance.

The absence of a center stand on the motorcycle means that alternative means must be found to keep it in balance and, possibly, lift it off the ground when maintenance or mechanical repair operations are required, such as adjustment, lubrication, replacement of a tire or spark plug.

Apart from the use of a tripod, a stool or any support that requires lifting the motorcycle to place it on such a base, there are many other means such as sliding supports, winch jibs, lifting tables and articulated supports.

The invention relates more particularly to the articulated supports, usable by motorcyclists, and possibly by garage owners, and composed: a) of a support structure on the ground, generally in the form of a plinth or base, b) d '' a motorcycle carrying structure, in the form of a plate, cradle or fifth wheel, c) connecting rods each articulated on the two aforementioned structures, forming with them at least one deformable parallelogram, d) means d actuation acting on at least one of the links to bring the carrying structure from a rest position to a high carrying position in which it lifts the motorcycle, at least partially, e) and abutment means wedging the structure of portage in the high portage position, after the links have exceeded the vertical. The articulated supports described in patents US-5518224 and

5979878 are designed so that their links pivot in a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal median plane of the motorcycle, from a low rest position in which the links are almost parallel to the ground and the carrying structure is close to the ground.

With this configuration, the motorcycle must be brought by rolling on the device, previously put in the rest position. This positioning operation can be thwarted, because nothing prevents the support from sliding relative to the ground, by reaction to the forces transmitted by the rolling of the motorcycle on it.

In US patent 5518224, the actuating means ensuring the straightening of the parallelogram from its rest position to its high carrying position are constituted by a lever, linked to a single link, and which, by an articulation, can be brought into a actuation position in which it forms a projection directed opposite the parallelogram towards the user.

To lift the motorcycle, the user must first grasp the lever, then placed near the ground, then straighten it, and this while holding the motorcycle with the other hand, which places that user in an awkward and awkward situation. Then, and to lift the carrying structure while holding the motorcycle, the user must exert with the foot a push on the end of the lever.

Due to the distance between the end of the lever and the motorcycle, the user must extend the leg to the side, taking an awkward position and placing his foot in a position where he cannot provide maximum effort. In addition, and precisely so as not to bring the end of the lever into a vertical and lateral position increasing the discomfort of the straightening operation, the length of this lever is limited, which leads to a lever arm offering a multiplier effect. insufficient, increasing the resistant effort that the operator must overcome to lift the motorcycle. Finally, the lateral and offset position of this lever and its connection with a single link generates, in the support, torsional stresses, generating instability and play.

The device described in US Pat. No. 5,979,878 has the same drawbacks in positioning the motorcycle, but comprises, as means for actuating the parallelogram, two links whose posterior ends are hooked to the upper ends of the two links anterior of this parallelogram, and whose anterior ends are hooked to a thrust ramp. The base of this ramp is articulated on a transverse horizontal axis of the ground support structure.

In the loading position, this ramp extends substantially vertically in the path of movement of the motorcycle. Thus, when the user brings the motorcycle to the device, the front wheel of the latter comes into contact with the ramp and, under the effort of advancing the motorcycle, makes this ramp pivot down, ensuring, by the two links, the straightening of the parallelogram and the positioning of the carrying structure in use. In practice, this maneuver is difficult to carry out because the longitudinal force communicated to the motorcycle tends to move the support, all the more easily since the front wheel tends to climb on the ramp. In addition, when the motorcycle is lowered from the support, the motorcycle has a significant backward movement, difficult to control and which may cause the motorcycle to fall to the ground. In other articulated supports with transverse insertion under the motorcycle, the parallelogram links pivot in a plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal median plane of the motorcycle, from a low rest position in which the links are almost parallel to the ground and the carrying structure is close to the ground. This is the case, for example, for the device described in US Pat. No. 5,769,396, a device in which the bases of the two links close to the user are connected by a fitting in the middle of which is fixed one end of a actuation lever. This lever forms a projection directed opposite the links and the motorcycle and towards the user. An examination of the motor and resistance forces when the lever is actuated on the stroke necessary for the straightening of the carrying structure, between its rest position and its high position, shows that, due to the vertical position of the end lever, its location and its short length, the effort that the user must exert by pressing his foot on said free end, is incompatible, in position and intensity with what can be provided by a human being in a such a contortion position.

To remedy this, the actuation means of the device of the same structure described in US 6050546 comprise a screw jack whose tubular barrel is inserted between the two sets of rods of the parallelogram and is articulated on the support structure on the ground , on the side opposite to that where the user and the crank for actuating this jack are placed. This crank is linked in rotation with a screw, wedged in translation in the barrel and screwed into a slide, itself linked, by a hinge, to a fitting connecting the two rods close to the user.

The jack has a multiplier effect which reduces the efforts to be provided by the user to raise the support and lift the motorcycle, but on the other hand, it leads to a slow and inconvenient installation. Indeed, the user must, at the same time as he holds the motorcycle with one hand, actuate the crank of the jack with the other hand and this by following the inclination of the jack which gradually tilts towards the ground. The object of the present invention is to remedy these various drawbacks by providing an articulated support which, of the type with transverse insertion under the motorcycle, is very easy to set up, adapted to the morphology and to the energy which can be provided by a human foot, that is to say avoiding any contortion of the user, is reliable, resistant, and inexpensive. To this end, in the device according to the invention, the actuation lever is linked by its lower end to the set of rods which is opposite to the user and forms a projection directed towards the user, crossing the other set of rods and protruding therefrom on the side of the user, while abutment means are provided to limit the tilting downward while maintaining the carrying structure in the raised position of rest at a distance from the ground which is close, but lower than the ground clearance of the motorcycle.

With this arrangement, when the device is in the raised rest position, the links form with the ground an angle of substantially 30 °, so that the carrying structure is not close to the ground, as in the devices of the state of the art, but in elevation thereof by a distance allowing it to pass under the frame of the motorcycle, without contact with it. In addition, the actuation lever, by its connection with the set of rods furthest from the user, forms in the direction of the user a smaller projection than in the devices of the prior art, while allowing 'increase its length and the multiplier effect of human effort, without its free end taking a position incompatible with the morphology of the user holding the motorcycle. Therefore, the user can set foot on it, without any contortion, and making the best use of the human effort that can be provided. In other words, the presence of additional stop means giving the carrying structure a rest position in heightening with respect to the ground, combined with the particular arrangement of the actuating lever making it possible to increase its length to obtain a better multiplying effect, without however increasing the vertical level of the end of this lever forming support for the foot, improves the ergonomics of the device and allows maximum use of the energy that can be provided by human capabilities.

The stop means in the raised rest position of the device can take different forms depending on the applications.

In a preferred embodiment, each set of rods is composed only of a rod forming with, respectively, its neighbor, the support structure and the carrying structure, a single deformable parallelogram and these two rods are arranged in the median plane of the device, while the actuation lever is composed of two elements, arranged on either side of the rods. This construction has the advantage of using few elements, of being compact, and of being able to give the rods a large section increasing the resistance and the reliability.

Advantageously, the actuation lever is linked to the link opposite the user by a partially removable link to allow the lever to tilt between an active position, in which it is linked to the link and is substantially perpendicular thereto, and a position in which the lever is folded against the support structure, opposite the rods thus offering the possibility of reducing the overall size of the device facilitating its storage or packaging. This arrangement allows, with simple means, to quickly switch the device from an operating configuration to a storage and packaging configuration, in which it occupies a smaller footprint, or vice versa.

Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the description which follows with reference to the appended schematic drawing representing several embodiments of the device according to the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of this device for lifting a motorcycle, when it is in the raised rest position, FIG. 2 is a side view in elevation and on an enlarged scale of the device of FIG. 1, when in the high carrying position, Figures 3, 4 and 5 are perspective views of an alternative embodiment of the device of Figure 1, when it is respectively in the raised rest position, in the high carrying position, and in the storage and packaging position, 6 and 7 are side views showing two other embodiments of the stop means defining the raised rest position of the carrying structure, the lever being raised,

FIGS. 8, 10 and 11 are side views in partial section of other embodiments of the abutment means in the raised rest position,

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the device of Figure 8, when folded.

The device shown is essentially composed of a support structure on the ground 2, a carrying structure 3 able to come into contact with the frame 4 of a motorcycle 5, two sets of rods 6 and 7 and a actuation lever 8.

In the embodiments shown, the support structure on the ground 2 is constituted by a base having in cross section a "U" shape, while the carrying structure 3 is constituted by a fifth wheel having, in cross section, an inverted U shape. These two structures can be made of metal, plastic, or composite material. According to the embodiments, the harness may include flanges 3a intended to prevent the fall of the motorcycle, an opening 3b allowing access to the mechanical elements of this motorcycle, as well as additional reported elements, not shown, such only hooks to link the motorcycle to this harness.

FIGS. 3 to 5 clearly show that the width and the length of the base 2 are greater than the same dimensions of the upper fifth wheel 3, so as to guarantee good stability of the device during the movements of the links.

In the embodiments shown, each set of rods consists only of a single rod, and these two rods are arranged so that their pivot plane is substantially in the longitudinal median plane of the device. Each of the links 6 and 7 is linked, respectively to the base 2 and to the harness 3, by an articulation respectively 10 and 12 constituted, for example, by cylindrical axes transversely welded to the ends of each link and journalling in bores of the wings of the base 2 and of the harness 3. On these cylindrical axes are clipped plastic or metallic profiles with open section, ensuring between the links 6 and 7 and the wings of the base 2 and of the fifth wheel 3 of the stops in translation.

As in the prior art, the links 6 and 7, the base 2, the harness 3 and the joints 10 and 12 form a deformable parallelogram, the deformation of which is controlled by the lever 8.

The lever 8 is secured, by its end opposite its free end, to the set of links or, as shown, to the link 6 which is opposite to the user. It thus forms a projection which crosses the link 7, or the set of links, and extends in the direction of the user.

This particular arrangement of the actuating lever 8, which makes it possible to lengthen the length of the lever, without however moving its free end from the ground too much when the device is in the raised rest position, constitutes one of the essential characteristics of the invention.

In the embodiments shown, the lever 8 is composed of two elements 8a, 8b arranged on either side of the rods 6, 7. These two elements are linked to each other, on the one hand and at their free end, by a part 13 forming a support pedal, and, on the other hand and by their other end, to the rod 6 which is opposite the user. To reduce the overall size of the device, for example for its storage or packaging, as shown in Figure 5, the connection between the lever 8 and the or the linkage set 6 is removable, in part or completely. In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2, the connection of the two elements 8a, 8b of the lever 8 with the rod 6 is ensured by two connecting members 14,15, such as bolts, pins, pins, at least one is removable. It is necessary to remove one of the two members 14 and 15 ensuring the connection of the lever 8 with the link 6, so that the other member, for example that 14, constitutes a pivot axis allowing the lever 8 to be folded against the 'base 2, opposite the links 6 and 7.

In the embodiments shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, the connection of the two elements 8a and 8b of the lever 8 with the rod 6 is ensured by embedding in a groove 11. This groove 11 is produced by removal or addition of material on the rod 6. Its width is slightly greater than the height of the elements 8a and 8b of the lever 8. A connecting member removable 27, preferably manipulable by hand, cross-type button with threaded rod, housed through the elements 8a and 8b of the lever 8 and the link 6 completes this connection. The tilting of the lever 8, between an active position, in which it is substantially perpendicular to the link 6 and a storage position in which the lever 8 is folded against the support structure 2, opposite the links 6 and 7 is done by loosening the connecting member 27 and taking advantage of the elastic deformation of the elements 8a and 8b of the lever 8.

According to another characteristic of the invention, this device is equipped with stop means defining the raised rest position of the harness 3, so that, in this position, the harness is at a distance H from the ground (FIG. 3), having a value similar to but less than the ground clearance of an all-terrain motorcycle. Thus, for example, if this ground clearance is of the order of 300 millimeters, the stop means in the low position of the fifth wheel 3 maintain the latter at a height greater than 270 millimeters and less than 290 millimeters, so that said harness can be easily engaged under the frame of the motorcycle.

These stop means can take different forms. In Figures 1 to 2, these means consist of a finger 16, projecting transversely from the lever 8 and, for example, extending between the two elements 8a, 8b of this lever. This finger is positioned on the two elements 8a, 8b, so that, at the end of the lowering, it comes to an abutment surface 16a of the rod 7, arranged on the side of the user, to wedge it in the raised position shown in Figure 1, where the rods are inclined at substantially 30 ° relative to the horizontal plane. In the embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 5, these abutment means in the raised rest position consist of a finger 21, projecting transversely, at least on one side of the rod 7, and by at least one face of stop 21a, formed on the edge opposite the lever 8, and in particular of one of the elements 8a, 8b. FIG. 3 shows that this arrangement makes it possible to obtain an elevated rest position identical to that previously described. The choice between different positions for the finger 21 makes it possible to offer an adjustment of the raised rest position of the device.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the finger 21 is constituted by an extension 12a of the axis 12 ensuring the articulation of the link 7 on the harness 3. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, these stop means in the raised position are constituted by two studs 17, 18 projecting respectively from the rods 6 and 7 in the direction of the other rod. These pins are arranged on the rods, so as to come into contact with one another. In a variant not shown, at least one of the tenons 17,

18 is linked to the corresponding rod 6, 7 by a thread allowing, by screwing or unscrewing, to modify the position of the abutment face of the post relative to the rod, and consequently, to modify the inclination of the rods and the vertical position of the harness 3, in its raised rest position to adapt it to the ground clearance of the motorcycle.

In FIG. 7, these abutment means consist of protrusions 19, projecting from the lower ends of the rods 6 and 7 and coming to bear on the bottom of the base 2.

To lift the motorbike 5 with this device, then in the raised rest position, that is to say with the harness 3 raised relative to the ground, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, it suffices to introduce the harness under the transverse the frame 4 of the motorcycle, as shown in Figure 1. This has the effect of approaching the pedal-shaped part 13 of the motorcycle and the foot of the user who holds the motorcycle in both hands. In a device using two links having a center distance of articulation of 20 cm, inclined at 30 ° in the raised rest position, and a lever of 50 cm fixed at 12 cm cm from the lower end of the link 6, when the harness 3 is centered under the frame 4 of the motorcycle 5, the pedal 13 is located transversely at approximately 25 centimeters from the motorcycle and vertically at 50 centimeters from the ground, that is to say occupies a position which does not oblige the user to contort and allowing the human energy developed to be used in excellent ergonomic conditions.

By exerting a vertical force on the pedal 13, the user transmits to the deformable parallelogram a righting torque which causes the lifting of the harness 3, first coming into contact with the frame 4, then lifting the motorcycle 5.

During this lifting, the two links 6, 7 pivot and reach a vertical position which they slightly protrude to be stopped by stop means. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, these abutment means are constituted by a pin 20, integral with the lever 8 and projecting transversely to it near its free end to come into contact with the ground.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9, these means consist of a finger 22 projecting transversely from the rod 7 and coming in the tilting path of the lever 8 or one or more two elements 8a, 8b of this lever.

In this high carrying position, the upper face of the harness 3 is at a distance from the ground of the order of 400 millimeters, a distance which is sufficient for at least one of the wheels of the motorcycle to no longer touch the ground. , facilitating mechanical maintenance, lubrication or cleaning.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the stop means in the high position of the carrying structure are arranged to give the actuating lever 8, a position in which its free end is distant from the ground by a distance D, close but greater than the height of the end of a motorcycle boot, and for example of the order of 7 cm.

Thus, after maintenance or repair of the motorcycle, to bring it back to the ground, the user only has to engage the end of his boot under the end of the lever 8, then slightly lift this lever until the two links 6 and 7 return to a vertical position, then pass this position. From there, the weight of the motorcycle is sufficient to provide the energy returning the harness to the raised rest position, shown in Figure 3, without the user having to let go of the motorcycle. As a result, during this maneuver, the motorcycle remains maintained and its movements are controlled. As soon as the motorcycle touches the ground, it is the inertia of the movement which brings the harness 3 back into its rest position allowing the device to be extracted from under the motorcycle.

In one embodiment, the device also comprises a locking device in the high position of the carrying structure.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 4, this device comprises a removable finger 25, such as a pin, and a bore 26 formed in the set of links or the link 7 which is disposed on the side of the user . This bore 26 is arranged vertically so as to be above the actuation lever 8, when the harness 3 is in the high position, defined by the high stop means. To return the harness to the low position, simply remove the finger or the pin 25, before slightly lifting the lever 8. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, the lever 8 is composed of two cheeks 28a, 28b which are linked to the link 6, by a through pin 29 and by a cross button 30 whose rod passes through one cheeks and the rod 6, and whose threaded end is screwed into the other cheek. This arrangement makes it possible, after removing the button 30, on the one hand, to fold down on one side the lever 8 on the structure 2 and to tilt the links 6, 7 on the other side, to lower the carrying structure 3 and reduce the overall dimensions of the motorcycle lift, as shown in Figure 9, to facilitate its storage. In FIG. 8, the two cheeks 28a, 28b are arranged so that, in the raised rest position of the device, their upper edges 32 come into abutment contact on an abutment profile 33 formed on the harness 3, and for example with one of its edges 3a.

In FIG. 11, one or both cheeks 28a, 28b extend at 34 beyond the rod 6 to form at their end 35, the stop means which, coming into contact with the sole 2, or the ground, defines the raised position of rest.

Claims

1. Device for lifting a motorcycle and keeping it raised, comprising: a) a structure (2) for supporting the ground, generally in the form of a base or base, b) a structure (3) for carrying the motorcycle , in the form of a plate, cradle, or fifth wheel, c) rods (6, 7) or set of rods each articulated on the two structures (2, 3) mentioned above, forming with them at least one deformable parallelogram , d) actuating means (8) acting on at least one of the links to bring the carrying structure (3) from a rest position, in which it can be inserted transversely under the frame (4) of the motorbike, in a high carrying position, in which it lifts the motorbike (5) at least partially, e) and abutment means wedging the carrying structure in the high carrying position, after the links (6, 7) have beyond the vertical, characterized in that the actuating lever (8) is linked by its lower end ure, to the set of links (6) which is opposite to the user and forms a projection directed towards the user, crossing the other set of links (7) and projecting therefrom, on the side of the user, while stop means (16a, 21, 18, 19, 32) are provided to limit the tilting downwards, by maintaining the carrying structure (3) in the raised rest position at a distance from the ground (H) which is close to, but less than, the motorcycle's ground clearance

(5).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that each set of rods is composed only of a rod (6, 7) forming, respectively, with its neighbor, the support structure (2) and the structure of carrying (3), a single deformable parallelogram and these two links (6, 7) are arranged in the median plane of the device, while the actuation lever (8) is composed of two elements (8a, 8b) arranged on the side and other of the rods.

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the abutment means in the raised position of rest of the carrying structure (3) consist of two pins (17, 18) each projecting from one of the links or set of links (6, 7) in the direction of the other link or set of links, and capable of coming into contact with the other tenon.

4. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the abutment means in the raised position of rest of the carrying structure (3) consist of a finger (16) projecting transversely from the actuating lever (8) and coming against an abutment face (16a) of the link or of the set of links (7) disposed on the side of the user when the latter is lowered.

5. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the abutment means in the raised rest position of the carrying structure (3) consist of a finger (21), projecting transversely at least on one side of the link or the set of rods (7) disposed on the side of the user, and by a stop face (21a), formed on the edge opposite the lever (8).

6. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the stop means in the high position of the carrying structure (3) are arranged to give the actuating lever (8) a position in which its free end is remote from the ground by a distance (D) close to, but greater than, the height of the end of a motorcycle boot.

7. Device according to Claim 6, characterized in that the abutment means in the high position of the carrying structure (3) consist of a tenon (20) projecting transversely downwards and near the end of the lever (8 ).

8. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the abutment means in the high position of the carrying structure (3) consist of a finger (22) projecting transversely from the link or the set of links (7) and coming in the lever tilting path (8).

9. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuation lever (8) is linked to the link or to the set of links (6) opposite the user by two connecting members (14, 15) including at at least one is removable to allow the other to constitute a hinge pin when the lever (8) is tilted between an active position, in which it is linked to the link or to the set of links (6) and is substantially perpendicular, and a packaging and storage position, in which the lever (8) is folded against the support structure (2), opposite the links or sets of links (6, 7).

10. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuation lever (8) is linked to the link or to the set of links (6) opposite the user, on the one hand, by embedding with a groove ( 11), produced by removing or adding material to the link or set of links (6), and on the other hand, by a removable connecting member (27), which can be manipulated by hand, of the cross button type with threaded rod , housed through the lever (8) and the link or the link set (6).

11. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a device (25) for locking in the high position of the carrying structure (3) constituted by a removable finger (25) positioned in a bore (26) formed in the set of links or the link (7) arranged on the side of the user, said bore (26) being arranged vertically so as to be above the actuating lever (8) when the carrying structure is in the high position of portage.

12. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the abutment means in the raised rest position of the carrying structure (3) are constituted by the upper edges (32) of the cheeks forming the lever (8), edges coming in abutment on an abutment profile (33) of the carrying structure (3).

13. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the abutment means in the raised position of rest of the carrying structure (3) are constituted by an extension (12a) of the articulation axis (12) of the link (7) on the harness (3).

14. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the abutment means in the raised position of rest of the carrying structure (3) consist of an extension (34) of the elements (28a, 28b) composing the lever (8) , extension whose end (35) cooperates either with the base (2) or with the ground.