Transport holding device for transporting motorcycles and other similar vehicles

Abstract

A transport device for securing and transporting motorcycles or other similar vehicles from one location to another including a base plate member attachable to the floor of a hauling vehicle, at least one stationary plate member secured to the base plate member, a movable plate member adaptable for movement relative to the at least one stationary member and being selectively positionable so as to capture the front wheel of a motorcycle or other vehicle therebetween, and a mechanism for selectively moving the movable plate member relative to the at least one stationary plate member so as to secure and hold a motorcycle or other vehicle in an upright stable position. The capturing or clamping force exerted against the front wheel can be varied and adjusted depending upon the size and weight of the motorcycle or other vehicle.

1 . A transport device for use with motorcycles and other vehicles wherein the motorcycle or other vehicle includes a front wheel comprising: 
 a base plate member;    a pair of spaced apart stationary plate members fixedly secured to said base plate member;    a movable plate member positioned between said stationary plate members adaptable for movement therebetween, said movable plate member being selectively positionable so as to capture a front wheel of a motorcycle or other vehicle between said movable plate member and one of said stationary plate members; and    means for selectively moving said movable plate member between said stationary plate members.    
   
   
       2 . The transport holding device of  claim 1  wherein said means for selectively moving said movable plate member includes at least one threaded member positioned through a threaded opening in said movable plate member whereby rotation of said at least one threaded member causes said movable plate member to threadedly move along said at least one threaded member.  
   
   
       3 . The transport holding device of  claim 2  wherein said means for selectively moving said movable plate member includes a chain and sprocket mechanism associated with said at least one threaded member.  
   
   
       4 . The transport holding device of  claim 2  further including a handle member attachable to said at least one threaded member wherein rotation of said handle member rotatably moves said at least one threaded member.  
   
   
       5 . The transport holding device of  claim 4  wherein said at least one threaded member includes opposed end portions, said handle member being rotatably attachable to either opposed end portion of said at least one threaded member.  
   
   
       6 . The transport holding device of  claim 1  further including at least one guide pin member extending between said stationary plate members and through said movable plate member to help guide said movable plate member in its movement between said stationary plate members.  
   
   
       7 . The transport holding device of  claim 1  including a stop plate member attachable to said base plate member, said stop plate member preventing a front wheel of a motorcycle or other vehicle from rolling off of said base plate member while a user is moving said movable plate member into engagement therewith.  
   
   
       8 . The transport holding device of  claim 4  further including aligned openings positioned and located in said movable plate member, in at least one of said stationary plate members and in said handle member, and a locking member slidably extendable through said aligned openings for preventing rotation of said handle member.  
   
   
       9 . The transport holding device of  claim 2  including locking means for preventing the rotation of said at least one threaded member, said locking means including: 
 a substantially planar flange portion associated with one end portion of said at least one threaded member, said planar flange portion including an opening extending therethrough;    an eyelet fixedly attached to one of said stationary plate members in close proximity to said planar flange portion; and    a securing device positioned so as to extend through said eyelet and through said opening in said planar flange portion so as to prevent rotation of said at least one threaded member.    
   
   
       10 . The transport holding device of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of said movable plate member and at least a portion of one of said stationary plate members which capture a front wheel of a motorcycle or other vehicle therebetween is coated with a polymer coating.  
   
   
       11 . The transport holding device of  claim 1  wherein said means for selectively moving said movable plate member includes two threaded members positioned and located so as to extend through non-threaded openings in said stationary plate members and a threaded opening in said movable plate member whereby rotation of said two threaded members causes said movable plate member to threadedly move along said threaded members.  
   
   
       12 . The transport holding device of  claim 11  wherein said means for selectively moving said movable plate member includes a sprocket mechanism associated with each of said threaded members for receiving a corresponding chain member, movement of said chain member causing said threaded members to rotate in unison with each other.  
   
   
       13 . The transport holding device of  claim 11  including a handle member removably attachable to at least one of said threaded members, wherein rotation of said handle member causing rotation of said threaded members.  
   
   
       14 . The transport holding device of  claim 13  wherein said threaded members include opposed end portions, said handle member being removably attachable to either opposed end portion of said at least one threaded member.  
   
   
       15 . The transport holding device of  claim 14  including aligned openings extending through said movable plate member, through said two stationary plate members, and through said handle member, and a locking member which is slidably extendable through the aligned openings in said movable plate member and said stationary plate members such that a portion thereof will extend beyond the peripheral limits of either stationary plate member, the extension portion of said locking member engaging the aligned opening in said handle member thereby preventing the rotation thereof.  
   
   
       16 . The transport holding device of  claim 11  including locking means for preventing the rotation of at least one of said threaded members, said locking means including: 
 a substantially planar flange portion associated with at least one terminal end portion of one of said threaded members, said planar flange portion including an opening extending therethrough;    an eyelet fixedly attached to at least one of said stationary plate members in close proximity to the planar flange portion associated with one of said threaded members; and    a securing device positioned through said eyelet and through the opening end said substantially planar flange portion so as to prevent said at least one threaded member from rotating.    
   
   
       17 . A transport device for use with motorcycles and other vehicles wherein the motorcycle or other vehicle includes a front wheel comprising: 
 a base plate member;    a stationary plate member fixedly secured to said base plate member;    a movable plate member adaptable for movement relative to said stationary plate member, said movable plate member being selectively positionable so as to capture a front wheel of a motorcycle or other vehicle between said movable plate member and said stationary plate member; and    means for selectively moving said movable plate member relative to said stationary plate member.    
   
   
       18 . The transport holding device of  claim 17  wherein said means for selectively moving said movable plate member includes at least one threaded member positioned through a threaded opening in said movable plate member whereby rotation of said at least one threaded member causes said movable plate member to threadedly move along said at least one threaded member.  
   
   
       19 . The transport holding device of  claim 18  wherein said means for selectively moving said movable plate member includes a chain and sprocket mechanism associated with said at least one threaded member.  
   
   
       20 . The transport holding device of  claim 18  further including a handle member attachable to said at least one threaded member wherein rotation of said handle member rotatably moves said at least one threaded member.  
   
   
       21 . The transport holding device of  claim 20  wherein said at least one threaded member includes opposed end portions, said handle member being rotatably attachable to either opposed end portion of said at least one threaded member.  
   
   
       22 . The transport holding device of  claim 17  further including at least one guide pin member extending from said stationary plate member and through said movable plate member to help guide said movable plate member in its movement relative to said stationary plate member.  
   
   
       23 . The transport holding device of  claim 17  further including a stop plate member attachable to said base plate member, said stop plate member preventing a front wheel of a motorcycle or other vehicle from rolling off said base plate member while a user is moving said movable plate member into engagement therewith.  
   
   
       24 . The transport holding device of  claim 20  further including aligned openings positioned and located in said movable plate member, in said stationary plate member, and in said handle member, and a locking member slidably extendable through said aligned openings for preventing rotation of said handle member.  
   
   
       25 . The transport holding device of  claim 18  further including locking means for preventing the rotation of said at least one threaded member, said locking means including: 
 a substantially planar flange portion associated with one end portion of said at least one threaded member, said planar flange portion including an opening extending therethrough;    an eyelet fixedly attached to said stationary plate member in close proximity to said planar flange portion; and    a securing device positioned so as to extend through said eyelet and through said opening in said planar flange portion so as to prevent rotation of said at least one threaded member.    
   
   
       26 . The transport holding device of  claim 17  wherein at least a portion of said movable plate member and at least a portion of said stationary plate member which capture a front wheel of a motorcycle or other vehicle therebetween is coated with a polymer coating.  
   
   
       27 . The transport holding device of  claim 17  wherein said means for selectively moving said movable plate member includes two threaded members positioned and located so as to extend through non-threaded openings in said stationary plate member and threaded openings in said movable plate member whereby rotation of said two threaded members causes said movable plate member to threadedly move along said threaded members.  
   
   
       28 . The transport holding device of  claim 27  wherein said means for selectively moving said movable plate member includes a sprocket mechanism associated with each of said threaded members for receiving a corresponding chain member, movement of said chain member causing said threaded members to rotate in unison with each other.  
   
   
       29 . The transport holding device of  claim 27  further including a handle member removably attachable to at least one of said threaded members, wherein rotation of said handle member causing rotation of said threaded members.  
   
   
       30 . The transport holding device of  claim 29  wherein said threaded members include opposed end portions, said handle member being removably attachable to either opposed end portion of said at least one threaded member.  
   
   
       31 . The transport holding device of  claim 30  further including aligned openings extending through said movable plate member, through said stationary plate member, and through said handle member, and a locking member which is slidably extendable through the aligned openings in said movable plate member and said stationary plate member such that a portion thereof will extend beyond the peripheral limits of said stationary plate member, the extension portion of said locking member engaging the aligned opening in said handle member thereby preventing the rotation thereof.  
   
   
       32 . The transport holding device of  claim 27  further including locking means for preventing the rotation of at least one of said threaded members, said locking means including: 
 a substantially planar flange portion associated with one terminal end portion of one of said threaded members, said planar flange portion including an opening extending therethrough;    an eyelet fixedly attached to said stationary plate member in close proximity to the planar flange portion associated with one of said threaded members; and    a securing device positioned through said eyelet and through the opening in said substantially planar flange portion so as to prevent one of said threaded members from rotating.