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Transport holding device for transporting motorcycles and other similar vehiclesRelated Patent Categories: Supports: Racks, Special Article, Velocipede Type, Tire Or WheelTransport holding device for transporting motorcycles and other similar vehicles description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060237376, Transport holding device for transporting motorcycles and other similar vehicles. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to a transport/carrier device for securing and transporting motorcycles or other similar vehicles from one location to another and, more particularly, to a portable device which utilizes a plurality of plate members to capture or otherwise secure the front wheel of a motorcycle or other vehicle therebetween. The present device may be attached to a hauling trailer, truck bed, or any other vehicle which can be used for transporting motorcycles and the like and it is portable so that it can be removably attached to a wide variety of different hauling vehicles. [0002] When transporting motorcycles and other two or three wheeled vehicles, it is desirable to safely and easily secure such vehicles in an upright stable position in a transport type vehicle such as a trailer or truck bed. However, this is difficult due to the significant forces generated when the hauling vehicle encounters bumps and turns en route to its final destination. In the past, this problem was typically solved through the use of straps or other devices. Typically, motorcycles and the like were held upright in the trailer or other hauling vehicle by securing and cinching the straps in and around the motorcycle and the hauling vehicle. Straps, however, are time consuming to attach to both the motorcycle and the sides of the trailer or other hauling vehicle and they have a tendency to come loose during movement. In addition, straps and other cinching/rachet type mechanisms do not allow the user to securely lock the motorcycle in place in order to prevent theft. [0003] Other devices have been developed to secure motorcycles, bicycles and the like during transport. Many of these devices utilize a wide variety of different types of complicated structures and complicated clamping mechanisms for holding a motorcycle in an upright position during transportation. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,437,597 discloses a device for securing a motorcycle in the bed of a truck wherein a plurality of U-shaped members are pivotally engaged with the front wheel of a motorcycle at spaced locations therealong. This device is not adjustable to accommodate and compensate for different tire widths and, since different types of motorcycles have different types and sizes of tires associated therewith, the use of this device is limited to a narrow range of motorcycle wheels. Also, the clamping force on the front wheel is not adjustable to accommodate the size of the vehicle. [0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,921,152 discloses another device for securing a motorcycle within the cargo space of a pick-up truck. This device utilizes two spaced apart storage compartments serving as a receiving zone for the front wheel of a motorcycle and further utilizes a rod or shaft that is placed through the spokes of a motorcycle wheel in order to secure the motorcycle relative to the spaced compartments. Again, there are no adjustable means to accommodate different tire sizes and different bike sizes; the rod can damage or scratch the motorcycle wheel; and it is difficult to tightly secure the motorcycle with this device. [0005] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2004/0084491 likewise discloses a carrier for bicycles and other cargo wherein the front wheel of a bicycle is captured between a pair of plates which are movable along a track system formed in a base plate member which extends the full width of a truck bed. The plate members are manually moved along the track system via a pair of mounting blocks which likewise mount to the base plate member. One side of the base plate member bears against one wall of the truck bed while an adjustable stop mechanism associated with the other end of the base plate member is adjustable to bear against the opposite truck bed wall to allow the carrier to be installed in trucks having different bed widths. An adjustment screw extends between the plate members and through the spokes of the front wheel behind the rim to likewise hold the bicycle between the plate members. This mechanism is complicated, and the design and construction of the plate members are not adaptable for securely holding the weight of a typical motorcycle as compared to a bicycle in an upright stable position during transportation. [0006] Still further, U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,410 discloses a stand for a vehicle wheel such as a motorcycle which utilizes a clamping mechanism for engaging both the front and rear portion of the front wheel of the vehicle. A pair of upright arm members are connected to a pivot shaft such that as the weight of the front tire of a motorcycle acts upon a lever which applies downward pressure to a ramp, the ramp will be caused to pivot thereby causing shafts to rotate bringing the front tire engaging support mechanisms into engagement therewith. Again, there is no mechanism for adjusting the clamping force against the front tire of the vehicle depending upon its size and weight. [0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,402 likewise discloses a stand for motorcycles which utilizes compression means in the form of plate members for clamping the front wheel of a motorcycle in an upright position. The front wheel capture mechanism includes a pair of plates which are movable on a rod via the use of a spring action for clamping the front tire therebetween. Translation of the plate members is accomplished by the spring action and location of a pair of compressible pivot rods. A second, upper engagement shoe cooperates with the front tire to insure that the tire is fully captured. [0008] Still other devices have been developed to securely hold a motorcycle in an upright position for a wide variety of other reasons such as lift devices for performing work on a motorcycle, storage devices and the like. Many of these types of repair racks, lifts and dolly constructions utilize clamping means in some fashion so as to stabilize the motorcycle or other two wheeled vehicle in an upright position. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,287,069; 6,193,078; and 6,092,787 all disclose repair racks or lift type mechanisms which utilize a clamping means for clamping the front wheel of a motorcycle into a fixed upright position while work is being performed on the vehicle. None of these clamping devices are designed to withstand the forces generated in transporting a motorcycle or other vehicle on a trailer or other device from one location to another. In addition, these clamping mechanisms are complicated and are designed only to hold the motorcycle in place in a static environment on a lift, or while the motorcycle is being repaired or worked on. Again, these devices are not designed to withstand the significant forces generated from a moving trailer or truck bed while a motorcycle is being transported from one location to another. [0009] As a result, the known prior art devices suffer from a wide variety of different shortcomings and disadvantages as explained above when it is necessary to safely transport a motorcycle or other similar vehicle from one location to another. It is therefore desirable to provide a portable transport/carrier device for motorcycles and other two or three wheeled vehicles which is quickly and easily attachable, detachable and reattachable to a wide variety of different types of hauling or transport devices such as a hauling trailer, a truck bed, or other similar vehicles; a device which is compact and does not take up a lot of space in the hauling trailer, truck bed or other hauling device; a device which is adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of different types of two and three wheeled vehicles including a wide variety of different types and sizes of motorcycles; a device which is easy to operate; and a device wherein the clamping force can be varied depending upon the size and weight of the motorcycle or other two or three wheeled vehicle being transported. [0010] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a portable transport/carrier holding device that safely and securely holds a motorcycle or other similar vehicle in a stable, upright position while in transport and which overcomes many of the problems set forth above as well as others that will be understood by one skilled in the art. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0011] The present invention teaches the construction and operation of a portable transport device for securing, holding and transporting motorcycles and other vehicles in an upright stable position from one location to another. Typically, the device would be mounted to the floor of a hauling trailer, truck bed or other similar hauling vehicle, and it is designed to provide a fast, economical and safe method for quickly and easily positioning and securing a motorcycle or other similar vehicle in a hauling vehicle for transport. [0012] In one aspect of the present invention, the present device includes two stationary plate members fixedly attached to a base plate member which can be bolted or otherwise attached to the floor of the hauling vehicle. Positioned in spaced apart parallel relationship to the stationary plates is a movable plate member which can be selectively positioned between the spaced apart stationary plate members at any location therebetween by means of threaded members in cooperative engagement with a chain, sprocket and handle mechanism. The movable plate member is driven between the two stationary plate members through the use of, preferably, at least two threaded members which are fed through threaded openings associated with the movable plate member. One end of each of at least two threaded members includes a sprocket mechanism for receiving a chain member whereby rotation of the handle member rotates the threaded members and threadedly moves the movable plate member back and forth between the two stationary plate members. Guide pin members may also be positioned between the two stationary plate members and extending through the movable plate members so as to help guide movement of the movable plate member back and forth therebetween. These guide pin members help to keep the movable plate member in a straight aligned position as it moves back and forth between the stationary plate members so as to avoid binding or shifting of the movable plate members during movement. Any number of guide pin members and/or threaded members can be used depending upon the size and weight of the overall device. [0013] In operation, the front wheel of a motorcycle or other two wheeled or three wheeled vehicle is positioned between one of the stationary plate members and the movable plate member. Once the front wheel is so positioned, the handle member is rotated so as to move the movable plate member into engagement with one side of the front wheel of the motorcycle. Rotation of the handle member is continued until the front wheel member is pinched, clamped or captured between one of the stationary plate members and the movable plate member, similar to a vice or other clamping apparatus. It is the clamping nature of the two plate members which holds the entire motorcycle or other vehicle in a stationary, fixed upright position and the clamping force can be varied and adjusted depending upon the size and weight of the motorcycle or other vehicle. No straps or other mechanisms are needed to securely hold the motorcycle in proper hauling position on a trailer or other hauling device other than tightly securing the movable plate member against one side of the front wheel of the motorcycle. Once the front wheel is clamped or captured between the movable plate member and the stationary plate member, a locking pin or other locking mechanism can be used with the handle member or with one or more of the rotatable threaded members to secure the position of the handle member or threaded members in a fixed position. [0014] At least one of the threaded members used to drive the movement of the movable plate member includes handle attachment means, preferably, on both sides thereof, so as to enable the handle member to be easily attached to either side of the overall device depending upon where that device is positioned on the hauling vehicle. This facilitates access to the rotatable threaded member from both sides of the device for rotatably moving the movable plate member relative to one of the stationary plate members regardless of where the overall device is positioned in a particular trailer or other hauling vehicle, and regardless of where other items are positioned on the trailer or other hauling vehicle for transportation in conjunction with the motorcycle or other similar vehicle. [0015] In another aspect of the present invention, one of the two stationary plate members is eliminated and the present device includes a single stationary member fixedly secured to a base plate member and a movable plate member positioned in spaced apart parallel relationship to the stationary plate member. Similar to the three plate embodiment, the movable plate member in this particular embodiment can likewise be selectively positioned in spaced apart relationship to the single stationary plate member by means of a similar chain, sprocket and handle mechanism. The movable plate member is again driven through the use of threaded members as previously described which are fed through threaded openings associated with the movable plate. In all other respects, the two plate embodiment operates in a substantially similar fashion as the three plate embodiment including the use of guide pin members to help guide movement of the movable plate member as it is moved relative to the single stationary plate member except that the threaded members and guide pin members extend beyond the periphery of the movable plate member since no second stationary plate member is positioned and located on the opposite side of the movable plate member to hold and shield such members on that particular side of the present device. In all other respects, the operation of the two plate embodiment is substantially similar to the operation of the three plate embodiment. [0016] These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0017] For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings. [0018] FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of one embodiment of the present transport device constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. [0019] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the transport device of FIG. 1. [0020] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the transport device of FIG. 1. [0021] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the transport device of FIG. 1 without the handle member attached thereto. Continue reading about Transport holding device for transporting motorcycles and other similar vehicles... 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