Rack for securing a vehicle

Abstract

A cycle rack is provided for securing and transporting cycles particularly motorcycles. The rack includes a base and an upward support. In addition, the rack includes a pair of partially circular clamping members which are sized and positioned to engage the sidewalls of a cycle's tire. Preferably, the clamping members extend circumferentially at least 90 degrees about a circle. Even more preferably, the clamping members extend 180 degrees or more about a circle. To move the clamping members relative to one another, the rack preferably includes a pair of fulcrum assemblies. Each of the fulcrum assemblies include a lever arm which is moved downwardly to force the clamping members towards each other, while the lever arms are moved upwardly to force the clamping members away from one another.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to racks for supporting vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for securing and supporting cycles, such as motorcycles and bicycles. The present invention further relates to a device for locking the wheels of a cycle and supporting such cycle for storage, maintenance or transportation.

Hauling motorcycles has never been a particularly simple or easy task. In the past, various attempts have been made including employing special trailers which are bulky, heavy and require a license to tow behind a car or truck. In the alternative, motorcycles have been pushed up ramps onto the beds of a pick-up truck for transport. Unfortunately, devices for supporting the motorcycle in the back of a pick-up have included simple ropes or straps which make the transport of the cycle a risky undertaking. Moreover, the installation of such straps and other similar devices are time-consuming to secure upon the front wheel of a cycle. In addition, novices not used to carrying motorcycles in the beds of their pick-up truck typically face high anxiety as they are provided no instruction or education as to what amount of straps is sufficient to properly secure their motorcycle.

Recently, devices capable of lifting one wheel of a motorcycle off the ground for towing behind a car or truck have been developed. Unfortunately, such devices rely on the motorcycle's front fork pivoting in order to negotiate turns which places unwanted stress upon the front fork of the motorcycle. Moreover, these devices are not accepted by most motorcycle manufacturers because the towing arrangement forces the belt, chain, drive shaft and/or gears to turn without adequate lubrication. Since the motorcycle engine must be running to lubricate these parts, damage can be done utilizing such towing constructions. There are also several bicycle racks on the market which suffer from a variety of deficiencies. For example, many bicycle racks require that the front wheel be removed in order to secure the bicycle to the rack. This construction provides the disadvantage associated with removing the wheel and the problem with where to store it. Of course, such constructions are typically not appropriate for storing a motorcycle as removal of the front wheel of a motorcycle is a much more difficult procedure.

There are also a variety of devices for transporting motorcycles and bicycles which lift the cycle off the ground for transportation behind a car or truck. Such a construction is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,084,736. Unfortunately, these lifting racks are cumbersome and mechanically intricate devices. The constructions are expensive to build and often difficult to disassemble, so they cannot be stored easily when not in use.

Thus, there is a significant need for a rack for supporting cycles, such as motorcycles and bicycles.

Preferably, the rack would be suitable for supporting a cycle within the bed of a pick-up truck.

Even more preferable, the rack would be lightweight, easy to use and inexpensive to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, in accordance with the invention, I provide a rack for securing and transporting cycles, particularly motorcycles and bicycles. The rack includes a frame and a pair of circular clamping members which are sized to engage and secure the wheel of a vehicle.

The frame includes a base for resting upon a flat surface. In addition, the frame includes an upright support. The base and upright support include any number of horizontal, vertical and lateral beams for providing a sufficiently stiff frame for supporting the cycle to be supported.

The clamping members are substantially “C” shaped and have a substantially circular form with an open end to form a partial circle. The circular clamping members are positioned parallel to one another and are connected to the rack's frame. Preferably, though not necessarily, one of the clamping members is fixed firmly in place and is immovable relative to the frame. Meanwhile, preferably the second clamping member is moveably connected to the frame so as to move inward and outward relative to the first clamping member so as to be able to clamp and release a vehicular tire.

To moveably connect the second clamping member to the frame, the rack of the present invention further include a series of linkages which may take various forms. However, in a preferred embodiment, the second clamping member is affixed to the frame in two places by sliding support members. The sliding support members are preferably welded directly to the second clamping member at one end. Meanwhile, the sliding support members are slidably attached to the frame by brackets having a slot extending in the direction that the clamping member moves. The support members are affixed to the slotted bracket utilizing a nut and bolt combination, or similar fastener, that allows the support members to slidably connect to the slotted brackets.

To force the second clamping member inward and outward relative to the first clamping member, the rack of the present invention includes a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may take various forms as can be determined by those skilled in the art. However, a preferred locking mechanism includes a pair of fulcrum assemblies which are connected both to the rack's frame and to the clamping members. The fulcrum assemblies preferably include a lever arm which pivotally attaches to the frame so that rotation of the lever arm causes the second clamping member to move inward and outward relative to the first clamping member.

In operation, the tire of a cycle, such as the front tire of a motorcycle, is positioned between the two circular clamping members. The lever arms are rotated so as to force the clamping members together so as to engage and compress the tire of the cycle. To release the tire, the lever arms are rotated in opposite direction to force the clamping members apart so as to disengage the sidewalls of the cycle's tire.

Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a rack for the carrying and transporting cycles.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a cycle rack which is inexpensive to manufacture and simple to use.

It is still an additional object of the present invention to provide a cycle rack which can be used within the bed of a pick-up truck.

These and other specific objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a review of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cycle rack of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cycle rack of the present invention illustrating its operation in securing the tire of a cycle;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the cycle rack of the present invention securing a cycle within the bed of a pick-up truck;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the cycle rack of the present invention with the clamping members positioned in a non-clamping condition; and

FIG. 5 is a front view of the cycle rack of the present invention with the clamping members positioned in a clamping condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the present invention is susceptible to embodiment in various forms, as shown in the drawings, hereinafter will be described the presently preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention and it is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.

With reference to the figures, the cycle rack 1 of the present invention includes a pair of partially circular clamping members 21 and 23 which are supported by a frame 3. The clamping members may be any size in diameter. However, it is preferred that the clamping members have the same size and diameter and that they be positioned parallel to one another. Moreover, it is also desirable that each of the clamping members be constructed in the form of a partial circle having an opening so as to appear substantially “C” shaped. In addition, it is preferred that the clamping members be sized to engage the sidewall of a tire to be supported. Thus, a cycle rack of the present invention for supporting a bicycle would have clamping members much smaller than a cycle rack intended to support a motorcycle.

The partially circular clamping members may also extend circumferentially from just a few degrees around the circle to 360 degrees about a circle. However, it had been found that clamping members of less than 90 degrees suffers from significant deficiencies in securing a tire. Accordingly, it is preferred that the clamping members of the present invention extend circumferentially at least 90 degrees about a circle. Moreover, it has been found that clamping members extending more than 180 degrees are even more preferable for grasping and securely affixing a cycle's tire. Accordingly, it is preferred that the clamping members extend 180 degrees or more circumferentially around the circle. Preferably, the clamping members do not extend 360 degrees about a circle as the clamping members would interfere with a cycle's front fork.

The cycle rack's frame 3 may be constructed in various manners as can be determined by those skilled in the art in order to maintain the clamping members vertically parallel to one another and allow the clamping members to move horizontally so as to grasp a cycle's wheel. As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the preferred frame 3 includes a plurality of horizontal 9, vertical 11 and lateral 13 beams. The various beams form the frame's base 5 which is intended to grasp or mount to any flat surface such as within a garage or upon the bed of a pick-up truck (as shown in FIG. 3). The various horizontal, vertical and lateral beams also form an upright support 7 which can be affixed or placed against any vertical surface such as the wall formed behind the cab of a pick-up truck. To facilitate affixing the frame 3 to vertical or horizontal surfaces, preferably the lateral beams 13 include one or more attachment holes 17 sized for receipt of fasteners, such as rivets or bolts.

As would be understood by those skilled in the art, both clamping members 21 and 23 may be moveable within the horizontal plane relative to the frame for grasping a tire. However, as shown in the figures, it is preferred that a first clamping member 21 is welded or permanently affixed to the frame with no lateral movement. Meanwhile, the second clamping member 23 is preferably moveably connected to the frame so as to move laterally inward or outward relative to the first clamping member 21 for clamping and releasing a tire therebetween. To provide lateral movement, the rack of the present invention preferably includes a pair of brackets 29 having internal slots 31. The rack further includes horizontal and vertical support members 25 and 27 which extend from the clamping member 23 to slidably engage brackets 29. The horizontal and vertical support members 25 and 27 slidably connect to the brackets 29 using standard nut and bolt fasteners which allow the support members to rotatably and slidably engage the brackets.

Various constructions can be utilized to control movement and locking of the clamping members relative to one another. As shown in the figures, a preferred mechanism, though not necessarily the only mechanism, includes a pair of fulcrum assemblies 33 and 41 which cause the second clamping member 23 to slide laterally inward or outward relative to first clamping member 21. A first fulcrum assembly includes a pair of brackets 35, a tension member 39 and a lever arm 37. As understood by those skilled in the art, rotation of the lever arm in a downward manner, as shown in FIG. 2 and 5, causes the upper portion of the second clamping member 23 to move inwardly toward clamping member 21. Conversely, rotation of the lever arm in opposite direction, such as shown in FIG. 4, causes the upper portion of the second clamping member 23 to move away from the first clamping member 21.

Again with reference to FIGS. 1-5, the cycle racks second fulcrum assembly 41 is positioned to rest upon the base 5. The second fulcrum assembly 41 includes a bracket 43, a compression member 47 and a lever arm 45. As understood by those skilled in the art, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, depression of lever arm 45 forces compression member 47, vertical support 27, and correspondingly, the bottom portion of the clamping member 23 to move laterally inward towards the first clamping member 21. Conversely, movement of the lever arm upwardly in reverse manner causes the compression member 47, vertical support 27 and bottom portion of the second clamping member 23 to move laterally away from the first clamping member 21.

As shown in FIG. 4, in operation, the lever arms 37 and 45 are moved upwardly so as to force parallel clamping members 21 and 23 away from each other. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tire 51 of a cycle 49 is then rolled and positioned between the clamping members so that the clamping members engage the tire's sidewalls. Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the lever arms 37 and 45 are depressed downwardly to force the clamping members towards each other so as to clamp and secure the vehicle's tire.

Although particular preferred embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it is to be understood that variations may be made in the construction, materials and shape of the cycle rack without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Having described the invention in such terms to enable those skilled in the art to make and use it, and having identified the presently preferred embodiments thereof, I claim:

Claims

1. a rack for securing a vehicle comprising:

a frame including a base for resting upon a support surface;

a first partial circular clamping member connected to said frame, said first circular clamping member extending at least 90 degrees about the circle and sized to engage the sidewall of a vehicular tire;

a second partial circular clamping member positioned substantially parallel to said first clamping member and moveably connected to said frame so as to move inward and outward relative to said first clamping member for clamping and releasing a tire between said first and second clamping members, said second circular clamping member also extending at least 90 degrees about the circle and sized to engage the sidewall of a vehicular tire; and

a locking means for moving said first and second clamping members inward and outward with respect to one another for clamping and releasing a vehicular tire.

2. The rack of claim 1 wherein said clamping means wherein said first clamping member is not moveable relative to said frame and said second clamping member is moveable relative to said frame for clamping and releasing a tire between said first and second clamping members

3. The rack of claim 1 wherein said clamping means includes a fulcrum and lever arm.

4. A rack for securing a vehicle comprising:

a frame including a base for resting upon a support surface;

a first partial or fully circular clamping member connected to said frame, said first circular clamping member extending at least 180 degrees about the circle and sized to engage the sidewall of a vehicular tire;

a second partial or fully circular clamping member positioned substantially parallel to said first clamping member and moveably connected to said frame so as to move inward and outward relative to said first clamping member for clamping and releasing a tire between said first and second clamping members, said second circular clamping member also extending at least 180 degrees about the circle and sized to engage the sidewall of a vehicular tire; and

a locking means for moving said first and second clamping members inward and outward with respect to one another for clamping and releasing a vehicular tire.

5. The rack of claim 4 wherein said clamping means wherein said first clamping member is not moveable relative to said frame and said second clamping member is moveable relative to said frame for clamping and releasing a tire between said first and second clamping members

6. The rack of claim 4 wherein said clamping means includes a fulcrum and lever arm.