Trailer for transporting motorcycles

Claim 1

A trailer for transporting motorcycles comprising a. a rigid frame having a horizontal load-supporting bed; b. a pair of ground-engaging wheels mounted on aligned stub axles which are carried by and project from opposite sides of the frame, the axles being centered at an elevation above that of the bed; c. at least one elongated, channel-shaped main track supported on the bed and extending forward from the rear margin thereof, the main track serving to receive and closely confine the tires of a motorcycle; d. a wheel well fixed in place at the forward end of the main track and serving to receive a portion of the front wheel of a motorcycle, the well comprising side panels which extend along the sidewalls of the cycle tire in both the upper and lower front quadrants of the wheel, and a front panel which engages the tire tread in both of those quadrants, whereby turning, forward and vertical motion of the front cycle wheel is prevented; e. a channel-shaped auxiliary track section pivotally connected with the frame at the rear end of the main track and forming a longitudinal extension of the main track, the auxiliary track section being free to swing about a horizontal axis and having a loading position, in which it engages the ground and forms a ramp for leading a motorcycle onto the main track, and a clamping position, in which it engages the tread of the rear tire of the cycle stored on the main track at a point in the upper rear quandrant of the cycle wheel; f. deck means fixed to the frame and extending longitudinally along both sides of the main track, and deck means providing secure footing for a driver guiding a cycle onto the trailer under power; and g. clamping means for interconnecting the frame and the auxiliary ramp section when the latter is in said clamping position and for pressing that track section tightly against the rear tire of a cycle stored on the main track, h. whereby the stored cycle is compressed longitudinally between the front panel of the wheel well and the auxiliary track section and is retained in place solely by the action of the clamping means.