US3997186A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Motorcycle towing devices of fifth wheel type
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-06-23
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Granted: 1976-12-14
•
Expires: 1995-06-23
Abstract
Abstract Various motorcycle towing devices are presented wherein the connection between the towing vehicle and a motorcycle or a carrier therefor is of a fifth wheel type inclusive of king bolt and turning plate or bolster plate components that permit turning movements about the vertically oriented king bolt while movements about horizontal axes are limited and controlled by the positioning of the bolster plate and the horizontal pivot support provided thereby. Separate embodiments provide a rigid connection from the bolster plate pivot support to the frame of a motorcycle or to the front axle thereof while the rear wheel of the motorcycle remains in contact with the ground to provide trailed support therefor; or alternately, the bolster plate pivot support is used with a trailer component having separate support wheels and a pivot linked frame that receives, supports and carries the motorcycle. All embodiments provide compact storage advantages with the trailer-carrier embodiment providing additional motorcycle handling advantages when the motorcycle and carrier combination is to be stored. The trailer-carrier itself further provides freestanding, folded, compact and upright storage features.
Inventors
- 👤 Marsh Pottorff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:22
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R9/00; B60R9/08; B60R9/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
333 words
A fifth wheel type of towing device for trailing motorcycles behind a towing vehicle wherein the motorcycle has a main frame associated with the pneumatic tired rear wheels thereof and a front assembly inclusive of front forks and wheel that normally moves pivotally with respect to said main frame comprising a turn plate for disposition on the towing vehicle and providing a flat surface disposed in a horizontal position, a bolster element positioned for contact with the flat surface of said turn plate, a king bolt at a normal disposition with respect to said turn plate and bolster and providing a vertically disposed turning axis for permitting relative rotation between said turn plate and bolster about said vertical axis, journals on said bolster establishing a horizontal turning axis adjacent said turning plate and king bolt, a pivot support element for engagement to said journals and providing therewith rotational freedom of movement about the journal axis, a first frame element for said towing device extending rearwardly from said pivot support with said first frame element, accordingly, being rotatably movable about the journal positioned horizontal axis and the king bolt positioned vertical axis, clamp means for interengaging said first frame element and the main frame of said motorcycle whereby the main frame of said motorcycle is constrained to move with said first frame element, means constraining the front assembly of said motorcycle to prevent the normal pivotal movements thereof whereby the motorcycle is constrained to follow said pivot support, a rear frame for said towing device, a cross pivot for pivotally interconnecting said first frame element and said rear frame, support wheels for said rear frame to provide a trailing device of trailer configuration, and means on said rear frame for engagement beneath the rear tire and wheel of said motorcycle for the support thereof whereby the complete rear suspension system of said motorcycle inclusive of the pneumatic tire and the support wheels of said rear frame cooperatively withstand road shocks that might be encountered.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
333 words
A fifth wheel type of towing device for trailing motorcycles behind a towing vehicle wherein the motorcycle has a main frame associated with the pneumatic tired rear wheels thereof and a front assembly inclusive of front forks and wheel that normally moves pivotally with respect to said main frame comprising a turn plate for disposition on the towing vehicle and providing a flat surface disposed in a horizontal position, a bolster element positioned for contact with the flat surface of said turn plate, a king bolt at a normal disposition with respect to said turn plate and bolster and providing a vertically disposed turning axis for permitting relative rotation between said turn plate and bolster about said vertical axis, journals on said bolster establishing a horizontal turning axis adjacent said turning plate and king bolt, a pivot support element for engagement to said journals and providing therewith rotational freedom of movement about the journal axis, a first frame element for said towing device extending rearwardly from said pivot support with said first frame element, accordingly, being rotatably movable about the journal positioned horizontal axis and the king bolt positioned vertical axis, clamp means for interengaging said first frame element and the main frame of said motorcycle whereby the main frame of said motorcycle is constrained to move with said first frame element, means constraining the front assembly of said motorcycle to prevent the normal pivotal movements thereof whereby the motorcycle is constrained to follow said pivot support, a rear frame for said towing device, a cross pivot for pivotally interconnecting said first frame element and said rear frame, support wheels for said rear frame to provide a trailing device of trailer configuration, and means on said rear frame for engagement beneath the rear tire and wheel of said motorcycle for the support thereof whereby the complete rear suspension system of said motorcycle inclusive of the pneumatic tire and the support wheels of said rear frame cooperatively withstand road shocks that might be encountered.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The towing device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said clamp means are disposed at said cross pivot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The towing device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said rear frame extends rearwardly past said support wheels, and said rear frame and first frame element are of substantially equal lengths and foldable about said cross pivot whereby the towing device may be stored in upright position with the support wheels out of ground support contact.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The towing device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means constraining the front assembly of said motorcycle comprises front fork support elements disposed on said first frame element for contact the front assembly of said motorcycle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The towing device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said fork support elements are adjustably movable along the length of said first frame element whereby motorcycles of various size may be accommodated.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
98 words
The towing device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said clamp means are disposed at said cross pivot and are engaged to the main frame of said motorcycle and further comprising fasteners for joining said front fork support to the front assembly of said motorcycle whereby pivotal movement between said front frame element and rear frame about said cross pivot is limited and the towing device can alternately be used to carry said motorcycle when attached to the fifth wheel assembly and the towing vehicle or to conveniently move the motorcycle to storage positions when detached therefrom.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
235 words
A towing device for trailing motorcycles behind a towing vehicle wherein the motorcycle has a main frame associated with the pneumatic tired rear wheels thereof and a front assembly inclusive of front forks and wheel that normally moves pivotally with respect to said main frame comprising a hitch element for engagement to the towing vehicle and providing a pivot support for said towing device, a first frame element for said towing device extending rearwardly from said pivot support with said first frame element, accordingly, being rotatably movable about said hitch element, clamp means for interengaging said first frame element and the main frame of said motorcycle whereby the main frame of said motorcycle is constrained to move with said first frame element, means constraining the front assembly of said motorcycle to prevent the normal pivotal movements thereof whereby the motorcycle is constrained to follow said pivot support hitch element, a rear frame for said towing device, a cross pivot for pivotally interconnecting said first frame element and said rear frame, support wheels for said rear frame to provide a trailing device of trailer configuration, and means on said rear frame for engagement beneath the rear tire and wheel of said motorcycle for the support thereof whereby the complete rear suspension system of said motorcycle inclusive of the pneumatic tire and the support wheels of said rear frame cooperatively withstand road shocks that might be encountered
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
235 words
A towing device for trailing motorcycles behind a towing vehicle wherein the motorcycle has a main frame associated with the pneumatic tired rear wheels thereof and a front assembly inclusive of front forks and wheel that normally moves pivotally with respect to said main frame comprising a hitch element for engagement to the towing vehicle and providing a pivot support for said towing device, a first frame element for said towing device extending rearwardly from said pivot support with said first frame element, accordingly, being rotatably movable about said hitch element, clamp means for interengaging said first frame element and the main frame of said motorcycle whereby the main frame of said motorcycle is constrained to move with said first frame element, means constraining the front assembly of said motorcycle to prevent the normal pivotal movements thereof whereby the motorcycle is constrained to follow said pivot support hitch element, a rear frame for said towing device, a cross pivot for pivotally interconnecting said first frame element and said rear frame, support wheels for said rear frame to provide a trailing device of trailer configuration, and means on said rear frame for engagement beneath the rear tire and wheel of said motorcycle for the support thereof whereby the complete rear suspension system of said motorcycle inclusive of the pneumatic tire and the support wheels of said rear frame cooperatively withstand road shocks that might be encountered
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The towing device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said clamp means are disposed at said cross pivot.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
The towing device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said rear frame extends rearwardly past said support wheels, and said rear frame and first frame element are of substantially equal lengths and foldable about said cross pivot whereby the towing device may be stored in upright position with the support wheels out of ground support contact.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
The towing device as set forth in claim 7 wherein the means constraining the front assembly of said motorcycle comprises front fork support elements adjustably movable along the length of said first frame element for contact with the front assembly of said motorcycle whereby motorcycles of various size may be accommodated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
98 words
The towing device as set forth in claim 10 wherein said clamp means are disposed at said cross pivot and are engaged to the main frame of said motorcycle and further comprising fasteners for joining said front fork support to the front assembly of said motorcycle whereby pivotal movement between said front frame element and rear frame about said cross pivot is limited and the towing device can alternately be used to carry said motorcycle when attached to the fifth wheel assembly and the towing vehicle or to conveniently move the motorcycle to storage positions when detached therefrom.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-12-14 | 1980-06-14 | 1980-12-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-12-14 | 1984-06-14 | 1984-12-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-12-14 | 1988-06-14 | 1988-12-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |