US3805984A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Motorcycle carrier
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-02-12
•
Granted: 1974-04-23
•
Expires: 1993-02-12
Abstract
Abstract A motorcycle carrier attachable to a motor vehicle includes a motorcycle support assembly that is detachably coupled to a hitch member on the motor vehicle for removal and reinstallation without tools. The motorcycle support assembly includes a loading and support member that can pivot about the hitch member in seesaw fashion during loading and unloading of a motorcycle on and from the support member. Frictional members associated with the hitch member and support member are held in forcible contact by the weight of the motorcycle on the support member, thereby establishing a frictional drag force on the support member when it is pivoted. The drag force restrains free pivotal movement of the support member and facilitates motorcycle loading and unloading on and from the support member.
Inventors
- 👤 G Schwarz
- 👤 J Friederich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 17:39
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R9/00; B60R9/08; B60R9/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A motorcycle carrier for attachment to a motor vehicle at hitch means provided on said motor vehicle, said motorcycle carrier comprising support means for holding a motorcycle, a first brace member connected to said support means, means for coupling said first brace member to said hitch means such that said first brace member is pivotally movable about said hitch means, and a second brace member secured to said motor vehicle for contact with said first brace member when said coupling means has coupled said first brace member to said hitch means, said contact between said first and second brace members limiting pivotal movement of said first brace member about said hitch means in a first direction toward said second brace member, while simultaneously permitting sliding contact between the first and second brace members as the first brace member and support means swing about said hitch means in a second direction normal to the first direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A motorcycle carrier for attachment to a motor vehicle at hitch means provided on said motor vehicle, said motorcycle carrier comprising support means for holding a motorcycle, a first brace member connected to said support means, means for coupling said first brace member to said hitch means such that said first brace member is pivotally movable about said hitch means, and a second brace member secured to said motor vehicle for contact with said first brace member when said coupling means has coupled said first brace member to said hitch means, said contact between said first and second brace members limiting pivotal movement of said first brace member about said hitch means in a first direction toward said second brace member, while simultaneously permitting sliding contact between the first and second brace members as the first brace member and support means swing about said hitch means in a second direction normal to the first direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A motorcycle carrier as claimed in claim 1 wherein said second brace member is secured to said motor vehicle at said hitch means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A motorcycle carrier as claimed in claim 1 wherein said coupling means is rigidly connected to said first brace member and coupled to said hitch means such that said first brace member and said coupling means are jointly movable aboUt said hitch means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
85 words
A motorcycle carrier as claimed in claim 3 wherein said support means comprise an elongated ramp member secured to said first brace member for joint movement with said first brace member and said coupling means about said hitch means, said ramp member being pivotable to an inclined position wherein one end of said ramp member is in contact with the ground, said ramp member being pivotable from said inclined position to a first limit position wherein said ramp member is substantially parallel with the ground.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
A motorcycle carrier as claimed in claim 4 wherein one of said brace members include a stop member engageable with the other said brace member when said ramp member is in said first limit position, said engagement limiting further ramp movement beyond said first limit position away from said inclined position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
98 words
A motorcycle carrier as claimed in claim 5 wherein said hitch means is a fulcrum for said ramp member and said ramp member is of a predetermined length to permit positioning of said motorcycle on said ramp member such that the center of gravity of said motorcycle is offset a predetermined amount from said hitch means such that the weiht of said motorcycle causes a resultant moment on said ramp member about said hitch means that maintains said ramp member in said first limit position whereby said stop member and said other said brace member are forcibly engaged.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A motorcycle carrier as claimed in claim 3 wherein said first and second brace members respectively include oppositely disposed first and second friction members, contact between said first and second brace members causing said first and second friction members to bear against each other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
113 words
A motorcycle carrier as claimed in claim 7 wherein said first brace member is pivotable about said hitch means in opposite directions substantially parallel to said second friction member, said support means being secured to said first brace member such that said first brace member, said support means and said coupling means jointly move in one of said opposite directions when the motorcycle is loaded onto said support means, said first brace member and said coupling means jointly moving in the other said opposite direction when said motorcycle is unloaded from said support means, the weight of said motorcycle on said support means forcing said first friction member against said second friction member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
83 words
A motorcycle carrier as claimed in claim 8 wherein said support comprise comprie an elongated ramp member pivotable about said hitch means between a first limit position wherein said ramp member is substantially parallel to the ground and a second inclined position wherein one end of said ramp member contacts the ground, said first and second friction members being in forcible contact when said motorcycle is on said ramp member and said one end of said ramp member is spaced from the ground.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
A motorcycle carrier as claimed in claim 9 wherein one of said brace members include a stop member engageable with the other said brace member when said ramp member is in said first limit position, engagement of said stop member with the other said brace member preventing the other said brace member and said ramp member from being moved in said one of said opposite directions beyond said first limit position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A motorcycle carrier as claimed in claim 9 wherein said ramp member is detachably secured to said first brace member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A motorcycle carrier as claimed in claim 1 wherein said coupling means are detachably secured to said first brace member and include latch means for detaching said coupling means from said hitch means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
A motorcycle carrier as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support means comprise a pair of channels, one end portion of one of said channels being detachably secured to one end portion of the other said channel such that said one channel forms a continuation of the other said channel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3720333A
Cited
US3724694A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-04-22 | 1977-10-22 | 1978-04-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-22 | 1981-10-22 | 1982-04-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-22 | 1985-10-22 | 1986-04-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |