GB2460498A - Motorcycle tow carriage with detachable ramp - Google Patents

Abstract

A motor cycle tow carriage with a removable loading ramp 7 in which the front wheel of a motor cycle is positioned within the tow carriage framework 6, and located and retained in position by front and rear retaining pockets 12, adjustable by a threaded bar 16 and handle 15. A tow ball and socket assembly is attached to the front end plate 23 of the framework 6, having the socket attached to the carriage, with the ball assembly attached to a towing vehicle. In this position the rear wheel will be in direct contact with the road surface. Tie-straps are attached to the handle bars at either side of the motor cycle, with the outer ends made captive on the framework restraining points 13. Tie-straps are also secured to either side of the foot rests to provide additional stability.

Description

Motorcycle tow carriage with detachable ramp

Field of the Invention

Towing of Motorcycles and the like, have been designed and produced in several ways over the last number of years.

One such method or model type, is that of a two wheeled trailer, whereupon one or more motorcycles can be loaded on to the trailer, in readiness for towing purposes at the rear of a motor vehicle using a conventional tow bar with ball and catch arrangement.

The main disadvantages being that of loading the said motor cycles within the trailer, and storage of the said trailer when not in use.

Other types are that of lightweight compact devices, usually consisting of framework like carriages designed and manufactured utilising the actions and suspension of a motorcycle, whereby the carriage is fitted with a conventional tow bar with a catcbment to receive the tow bar ball There are two design types employed, one whereby a motorcycle is loaded onto the carriage with the Handlebars and front wheel being restrained and captive within the carriage, allowing the rear wheel in contact with the road surface/ground level.

The secondary method is that whereby the attitude is reversed, with the rear wheel loaded and secured within the said carriage, leaving the front wheel in contact with the road surface, employing various methods to constrain and restrict movement of handle bars and front wheel steering.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tow carriage and removable loading Ramp, for motorcycles and the like.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will allow a single person of average strength, to easily load motorcycles of various sizes and weights into position on the carriage, using the said ramp. Having the front wheel contained within the carriage, the handlebars and front wheel are then constrained and held captive in position.

Commercially available Tie-Straps, are attached to the handle bars at either side of the motorcycle and the outer ends of the said straps are made captive on restraint points fitted to the framework. This will provide pre-loading of the front suspension springs causing tensioning of the said straps. Tie-. straps are also secured to either side of the footrests to provide additional stability. The rear wheels of the motor cycle are in direct contact with the road surface Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1. Side elevation.

Fig. 2. Side elevation and plan view.

Fig. 3. Side elevation and plan view.

Fig. 4. Plan view.

Fig, 5. Side elevation of Tow Bar assembly.

Fig. 6. Front, side and plan elevation.

Item 6 Fig. 1 is an outline of the Tow carriage framework, and for this description only is manufactured from weld fabricated R. H. S., (Rolled Hollow Steel Section).

Having a square section of 25millimetres and a wall thickness of 14's s.w.g. (0.080 inches). One main reason for using the said section size is that a square section of R. H. S. sized 20 millimetres, will provide a close slide-fit within the square bore of the said 25 millimetres section.

Item 7 fig. 1 shows part of the removable loading ramp at the outer end of the framework 6, and is attached by a latch arrangement (not shown). Item 8 is the front wheel ejector lever, fitted to either side of the framework sides 6a, having pivot points 9.

Fig. 2. Is an outline of the Tow carriage framework showing in outline only the front wheel of a motorcycle item 10. Items ii are out-riggers from the framework sides 6a., and will be described in greater detail at a later stage of the description.

Fig. 3. is a side elevation and plan view showing the front wheel retaining pockets items 12 (and for this description only are flat steel bars), welded in position at the front and rear of the framework 6.

Items 11 Fig's 2 and 4 are now to be described as indicated earlier in the description text. The outriggers are an integral part of the carriage framework item 6 Fig. 1.

Outrigger extensions items 11 a are slotted in positions shown, within the outriggersl 1, this is achieved by using 20 millimetres square R. H. S. contained and made captive within the extensions items ii a. having a protruding portion extending beyond the length of the R.H.S. tube, depicted by the dimensions L' and LI', thus enabling the outrigger extensions to be a close slide-fit within the outer ends of the outriggers ii. When not in use the said extensions are stored in pockets 6b fig. I. Items 13 fig 4 are the restraint points for securing the tensioning straps (not shown), referred to in the "Summary of the invention on page 1" of the description.

Item 14 fig. 4 is an outline only of the front wheel of a motorcycle, positioned and constrained in position by the front and rear retaining pockets items 12. If necessary, depending on the wheel size of the said motorcycle, additional securing of the wheel can be effected by turning the handle item 15 fig. 4. Which is attached to a threaded bar item 16, with a compatible thread within the collar item 17 fig. 4.

The said collar is secured rigidly to the carriage framework allowing the front pocket 12 to move inwards against the tyre wall (not shown), causing compression by resistance of the said tyre and wheel and further resistance by the front pocket 12.

Linear movement forward and rearward denoted by the arrow X' can be effected and controlled by two side guides items 18 fig.4 (not shown in detail).

Fig. 5 shows an enlarged view of the Tow bar assembly. Item 19 is a commercially available Tow ball and secured in position to a steel plate 20 by screw fastening means (not shown). At the lower end of the plate 20 captive within the housing item 21 fig.5 is a circular dowel item 22. The plate 20 having a plurality of circular holes (not shown) enables the said plate to be positioned and secured to a motor vehicle by screw fastening means.

Item 23 fig 5 is a secondary plate attached by weld to the carriage framework 6 fig's 1 and 3. Item 24 fig. 5 is a closed end socket fabricated and secured by screw fastening means (not shown) to the plate item 23.

Item 25 fig. 5 is a steel housing assembly having a sintered metal self-lubricating bush, and for this description only, is commercially available as a Glacier Bearing.

The said bush! bearing having a bore compatible with the dowel diameter item 22 fig. 5. The said housing 25 is secured in position on the plate item 23' by screw fastening means (not shown).

It is critical that both the vertical centre-lines of both the socket 24 and the housing are in-line, likewise that of the Tow ball and dowel, such that when the carriage framework is in position behind the vehicle in readiness for towing, both the Tow ball and dowel locate accurately in their final towing positions.

A hole 26 through the diameter of the upper part of dowel 22 fig. 5, will enable a pad-lock (not shown) to be locked in position, thus preventing disengagement of the said Dowel and Tow ball during towing operations.

As an alternative to the said pad-lock, a external circlip or R' clip could be used.

Finally it is intended that in addition to the Towing operation of a motorcycle, other functions can be achieved, these are briefly described as follows.

1. Item 27 (Two in quantity will be required) shown in scrap detail in fig. 1 can be inserted within the outer open ends 28 of the framework item 6, and will enable the carriage to be used as a Bike stand. A steel plate item 29 having holes provided within the said plate will enable the frame work to be bolted, if deemed necessary to the floor of garage or the like when storage is required. It will be necessary to provide a similar provision at the front end of the carriage framework item 6 fig. 1. Item 30 fig. 6 is a typical framework that will provide the necessary provision required at the aforesaid front end of the carriage.

Item 30 fig. 6 is a sub-frame assembly manufactured from the R. H. S. size 25 millimetres square section, for compatibility with the carriage framework item 6.

Having two upper members item's 31, at both outer sides. Additional 20 millimetres square section extension pieces items 32 are held captive within the members 31 fig 6.

This will permit the sub-frame item 30 to be inserted into location within the open ends of the carriage framework 6 fig's 2 and 3, indicated by the arrows 33The steel plates items 34 flg.6 having holes for fastening means, as described herein before for the plates items 29 fig 1. The height represented by the dimension'H' fig's 1 and 6 will be equal in length, such that the carriage item 6 is horizontal relative to ground level.

2. In addition to the aforesaid description in item 1, whereby the carriage can be adapted for use as a motorcycle stand, additional uses can be provided and incorporated as hereby described. An additional sub-frame assembly identical to that of item 30 fig. 6, whereby two sets of swivel wheels / castors with fitted brake assemblies are attached to the plates items 34 fig. 6. Likewise two additional members items 27 fig 1, will be required with the said wheel assemblies fitted to the plates items 29.

This will provide versatile and articulate manouverability when storing within restricted areas.

To remove the motorcycle from within the Tow carriage framework it is necessary to fit a cranked foot operated ejector pedal (not shown) within the open end of the hollow framework 6 fig.1, denoted at the position 35 as shown. This will cause the lever item 8 to move in a radial movement in the direction of the arrow R' fig. 1, this will push against the lower area of the tyre causing the wheel to be released.

It is important to note that the entire carriage framework as herein before described, including the removable loading ramp, can be easily stored and transported in the boot of a motor vehicle.

Claims (5)

1. Claims I. A motor cycle Tow Carriage having a fabricated steel framework with a removable loading ramp, front wheel locating pockets (12) are located at the front and rear of the said framework, a commercial type Tow Ball and socket assembly is attached to the front end of the carriage framework, having the said socket attached to the carriage and the ball unit attached to a towing vehicle.
2. 2. A motor cycle Tow Carriage as claimed in claim 1, whereby variation in the front wheel size when positioned and constrained within the said pockets can be compensated by the hand wheel (15) and screw thread arrangement which will allow radial movement of the handle, to cause the front pocket to move forward and inwards against the lyre and front wheel of a motor cycle, causing compression by resistance of the said lyre and wheel, and additional resistance of the rear pocket (12), Linear movement forward and rearward is denoted by the arrow X' (Fig. 4), controlled by two side guides (18).
3. 3. A motor cycle Tow Carriage as claimed in claims 1 and 2, whereby the motor cycle can be easily removed, by firstly ensuring the loading ramp (7) is in position at the rear of the carriage, it is then necessary to release compression on the motor cycles front tyre and wheel by using the handle (15), by fitting a removable cranked foot pedal in position within the open end of the hollow framework denoted by 35 (Fig. 1), this will cause the lever ( 8) Fig Ito move in a radial direction denoted by the letter ( R' ) causing upwards pressure to the underside of the front wheel releasing the said wheel from position within the front pocket.
4. 4. A motor cycle Tow Carriage as claimed in claims 1-3, whereby in addition to the operation of towing, the said carriage can be easily adapted and used for other * ** additional and useful purposes for example a bike stand, as described in detail in * section 1, page 3, versatile and articulate manoeuvrability when storing within * 1 restricted areas, can also be easily achieved as described in detail in section 2.Page 4. * S ***
5. 5. A motor cycle Tow Carriage as claimed in any preceding claim and substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings a.., *5*S