Method and apparatus for supporting a motorcycle

Abstract

Aspects of the invention are directed to methods and apparatus for supporting a motorcycle. In one aspect, a motorcycle stand for supporting a motorcycle in an upright position, the motorcycle stand includes a base to support a wheel of the motorcycle, a pivot member fixedly coupled to the base, and a stop coupled to the base. The pivot member may be constructed and arranged to enable the base to move from a first position in which the base is adapted to receive the wheel of the motorcycle and a second position in which the base is adapted to support the motorcycle in an upright position.

1 . A motorcycle stand for supporting a motorcycle in an upright position, the motorcycle stand comprising: 
 a base to support a wheel of the motorcycle;    a pivot member fixedly coupled to the base; and    a stop coupled to the base.    
   
   
       2 . The motorcycle stand of  claim 1 , wherein the pivot member is constructed and arranged to enable the base to move from a first position in which the base is adapted to receive the wheel of the motorcycle and a second position in which the base is adapted to support the motorcycle in an upright position.  
   
   
       3 . The motorcycle stand of  claim 2 , wherein the stop is adapted to stop the base upon reaching the second position.  
   
   
       4 . The motorcycle stand of  claim 2 , further comprising an arm adapted to assist a movement of the base from the second position to the first position.  
   
   
       5 . The motorcycle stand of  claim 4 , wherein the arm comprises a rod fixedly attached to the support.  
   
   
       6 . The motorcycle stand of  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises an arc-shaped support having a surface upon which the wheel of the motorcycle rides.  
   
   
       7 . The motorcycle stand of  claim 6 , wherein the base further comprises bracing members to provide lateral support to the wheel of the motorcycle.  
   
   
       8 . The motorcycle stand of  claim 6 , wherein the pivot member extends in a direction generally transverse to a direction of the support of the base.  
   
   
       9 . The motorcycle stand of  claim 8 , wherein the pivot member is fixedly attached to a surface of the support opposite the surface upon which the wheel of the motorcycle rides toward one end of the support.  
   
   
       10 . A motorcycle stand for supporting a motorcycle in an upright position, the motorcycle stand comprising: 
 a base to support a wheel of the motorcycle; and    a pivot member fixedly coupled to the base, wherein the pivot member is constructed and arranged to enable the base to move from a first position in which the base is adapted to receive the wheel of the motorcycle and a second position in which the base is adapted to support the motorcycle in an upright position.    
   
   
       11 . The motorcycle stand of  claim 10 , further comprising a stop, wherein the stop is adapted to stop the base upon reaching the second position.  
   
   
       12 . The motorcycle stand of  claim 10 , further comprising an arm adapted to assist a movement of the base from the second position to the first position.  
   
   
       13 . The motorcycle stand of  claim 12 , wherein the arm comprises a rod fixedly attached to the support.  
   
   
       14 . The motorcycle stand of  claim 10 , wherein the base comprises an arc-shaped support having a surface upon which the wheel of the motorcycle rides.  
   
   
       15 . The motorcycle stand of  claim 14 , wherein the base further comprises bracing members to provide lateral support to the wheel of the motorcycle.  
   
   
       16 . The motorcycle stand of  claim 14 , wherein the pivot member extends in a direction generally transverse to a direction of the support of the base.  
   
   
       17 . The motorcycle stand of  claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of bases and pivot members to support a plurality of motorcycles, wherein each of the bases are coupled together to allow independent rotation of each of the bases.  
   
   
       18 . A method of supporting a motorcycle, the method comprising: 
 pushing a wheel of a motorcycle onto a base of a stand;    further pushing the wheel to cause the base to rotate from a first position to a second position, such that in the second position, the motorcycle is supported in the stand.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 moving the stand from the second position to the first position to release the motorcycle from the stand.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein moving the stand from the second position to the first position includes pressing on an arm of the stand.