IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR MANEUVERING PARKED MOTORCYCLES AND MOTOR SCOOTERS

Abstract

A dolly for supporting a tyre of a motorcycle or motor scooter off the ground is provided. The dolly comprises: axially aligned wheels supported by a frame which has a frame part forward of the wheels and a frame part behind the wheels, the forward frame part having an open end being such that the motorcycle or motor scooter tyre can locate in the open end, at least one tyre gripping member on the forward frame part and adapted to wedge the tyre when the forward frame part is lifted and release the tyre when the forward frame part is lowered, and a wheel on the frame part behind the wheels.

Claims

1. A tyre interfacing dolly adapted to lift and support a tyre of a motorcycle or motor scooter off the ground, the dolly comprising: axially aligned wheels; a frame which has a front frame part forward of the wheels and a rear frame part behind the wheels, the front frame part having an open end such that the motorcycle or motor scooter tyre can locate in the open end; at least one tyre supporting member adjacent the open end and adapted to support the tyre when the front frame part is lifted to lift the motorcycle or motor scooter tyre off the ground and release the tyre when the front frame part is lowered, and; at least one wheel on the rear frame part.

2. The dolly of claim 1, wherein the front frame part and the rear frame part are rigidly connected and angled relative to each other whereby lowering of rear frame part causes said lifting of front frame part.

3. The dolly of claim 1, comprising a pair of tyre supporting members each having a ramped face adapted to wedge against each side of the tyre upon lifting of the front frame part.

4. The dolly of claim 1, wherein the wheels are omni-directional wheels, permitting motion in any horizontal direction.

5. The dolly of claim 1, wherein the rear frame part includes a location stop for the tyre.

6. A combination comprising a dolly according to claim 1 adapted to support a first wheel of a motorcycle or motor scooter and a second dolly adapted to support the second wheel of a motorcycle or motor scooter.

7. The combination of claim 6, wherein the dolly is adapted to support the front wheel of a motorcycle or motor scooter and the second dolly is adapted to support the rear wheel of a motorcycle or motor scooter.

8. The combination of claim 6, wherein the second dolly comprises a frame having first and second arms adapted in use to extend along each side of a motorcycle wheel, and an interconnecting spacing member; first and second uprights wherein the first and second arms are coupled respectively to the first and second uprights; first and second dolly wheels coupled to lower portions of the first and second uprights respectively and arranged for placement on opposite sides of the motorcycle and coaxial and aligned with the major axis parallel with the axes of the motorcycle wheels; a motorcycle engagement assembly coupled to the frame, and; a third dolly wheel mounted to the spacing member and including peripheral rotatable ground contact members for motion parallel to the major axis of the wheel.

9. The combination of claim 8, including a handle mounted to the spacing member for assisting in rotating the dolly about the first and second dolly wheels in use to lift the wheel.

10. The combination of claim 8, including an anti-tipping member to prevent inadvertent tipping of the motorcycle into an unstable condition.

11. The combination of claim 10, wherein the anti-tipping member comprises a U shaped member on at least one of the first and second uprights.

12. The combination of claim 11, wherein the U shaped member comprises a handle mounted to the spring member for assisting in rotating the dolly about the first and second dolly wheels in use to lift the wheel wherein the handle is removed from the spacing member after the wheel has been lifted by the dolly and placed on at least one of the first and second uprights to become the anti-tipping member.

13. The combination of claim 8, wherein the motorcycle engagement assembly includes opposed cradles for respectively supporting handling pins on the motor cycle, at least one cradle being provided with a capture member formed over the cradle to provide a closed loop to capture a said motorcycle handling pin in use.

14. The combination of claim 8, wherein the motorcycle engagement assembly includes opposed cradles for respectively supporting handling pins on the motor cycle, at least one said cradle being supported by a lateral shaft, the shaft being slideable in a sleeve in a said upright, and a friction member to frictionally engage the shaft in a desired position, where the frictional force is provided by a spring or elastic element.

15. The combination of claim 6, wherein the second dolly comprises a frame having first and second arms adapted in use to extend along each side of a motorcycle wheel, and an interconnecting spacing member; first and second dolly wheels coupled to ends of the first and second arms respectively and arranged for placement on opposite sides of the motorcycle and coaxial and aligned with the major axis parallel with the axes of the motorcycle wheels; a third dolly wheel mounted to the spacing member and including peripheral rotatable ground contact members for motion parallel to the major axis of the wheel; a motorcycle engagement assembly coupled to the frame and comprising a stem mounted above a said first or second arm by at least one bracing member, the stem adapted for insertion into an axial recess of a wheel of the motorcycle.

16. The combination of claim 15, including a handle mounted to the spacing member for assisting in rotating the dolly about the first and second dolly wheels in use to lift the wheel.

17. The combination of claim 15, including an anti-tipping member to prevent inadvertent tipping of the motorcycle into an unstable condition.

18. The combination of claim 17, wherein the anti-tipping member comprises a U shaped member at least partially one said bracing member.

19. The combination of claim 18, wherein the U shaped member comprises a handle mounted to the spacing member for assisting in rotating the dolly about the first and second dolly wheels in use to lift the wheel wherein the handle is removed from the spacing member after the wheel has been lifted by the dolly and placed on at least partially one said bracing member to become the anti-tipping member.

20. The combination of claim 6, wherein the second dolly comprises a cart having a channel including a platform and side walls, the side walls supporting wheels, the platform having a recess for receiving a portion of a motorcycle wheel, a retaining member disposed between forward ends of the side walls to prevent the wheel of the motorcycle from rolling out of the cart should it inadvertently be displaced from the recess, and a ramp for assisting in rolling the motorcycle onto the platform.

21. The combination of claim 6, wherein all said wheels comprise omni-directional wheels for motion in any horizontal direction.

22. A dolly adapted to lift and support a tyre of a motorcycle or motor scooter off the ground, the dolly comprising: a frame having first and second arms adapted in use to extend along each side of a motorcycle wheel, and an interconnecting spacing member; first and second uprights wherein the first and second arms are coupled respectively to the first and second uprights; first and second dolly wheels coupled to lower portions of the first and second uprights respectively and arranged for placement on opposite sides of the motorcycle and coaxial and aligned with the major axis parallel with the axes of the motorcycle wheels; a motorcycle engagement assembly coupled to the frame, and; a third dolly wheel mounted to the spacing member, wherein all said wheels comprise omni-directional wheels for motion in any horizontal direction.

23. A dolly adapted to lift and support a tyre of a motorcycle or motor scooter off the ground, the dolly comprising: a frame having first and second arms adapted in use to extend along each side of a motorcycle wheel, and an interconnecting spacing member; first and second dolly wheels coupled to ends of the first and second arms respectively and arranged for placement on opposite sides of the motorcycle and coaxial and aligned with the major axis parallel with the axes of the motorcycle wheels; a third dolly wheel mounted to the spacing member; a motorcycle engagement assembly coupled to the frame and comprising a stem mounted above a said first or second arm by at least one bracing member, the stem adapted for insertion into an axial recess of a wheel of the motorcycle, wherein all said wheels comprise omni-directional wheels for motion in any horizontal direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0072] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

FIGS. 1-5 Tyre Interfacing Dolly

[0073] FIG. 1 depicts a dolly according to a further aspect of the invention.

[0074] FIGS. 2-5 depict use of the dolly of FIG. 1 to support a motorcycle front wheel.

[0075] FIG. 5 depicts the dolly of FIGS. 1-4 but with more traditional caster wheels instead of omni-directional wheels.

FIGS. 6-14 Double Sided Dolly

[0076] FIG. 6 is a first view of a dolly according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a first configuration.

[0077] FIG. 6A is a second view of the dolly of FIG. 6 in a second configuration.

[0078] FIG. 7 depicts a variation of the dolly of FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0079] FIG. 7A depicts the friction leaf spring mechanism of the dolly of FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0080] FIG. 8 is a view of one side of the dolly of FIG. 1 in usethe closed loop outrigger.

[0081] FIG. 9 is detail of a portion of FIG. 8.

[0082] FIG. 10 a view of a second side of the dolly of FIG. 6 in use.

[0083] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing initial stages of use of the dolly of FIG. 6

[0084] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the dolly of FIG. 6 in use with a rear of a motorcycle supported thereon in a stable over center configuration.

[0085] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the dolly of FIG. 6 in use with handle located on a forward portion of the dolly and reacting with the ground to prevent inadvertent tipping of the dolly.

[0086] FIG. 14 is a further view of the dolly in the state shown in FIG. 13.

FIGS. 15-19C Single Sided Dolly

[0087] FIG. 15 depicts a single sided dolly.

[0088] FIG. 16 depicts the dolly of FIG. 15 in a second configuration.

[0089] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing initial stages of use of the dolly of FIG. 15.

[0090] FIG. 18 shows the dolly of FIG. 16 in use supporting a rearward portion of the motorcycle.

[0091] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the dolly of FIG. 16 in use with handle located on a forward portion of the dolly and reacting with the ground to prevent inadvertent tipping of the dolly.

[0092] FIG. 19A shows the use of the dolly of FIG. 16 with a forward wheel of the motorcycle.

[0093] FIG. 19B illustrates a further anti-tipping assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0094] FIG. 19C illustrates another anti-tipping assembly according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 20-23 Cart Dolly

[0095] FIG. 20 depicts a cart dolly for a wheel of a motorcycle.

[0096] FIG. 21 shows the cart of FIG. 20 in use.

[0097] FIG. 22 depicts a second embodiment of a cart for wheel of a motorcycle.

[0098] FIG. 23 shows the cart of FIG. 22 in use supporting a wheel of a motorcycle.

FIGS. 24-27 Combination of Front and Rear Dollies

[0099] FIGS. 24A-C, and 25-27 depict combinations of dollies for maneuvering a motorcycle and including the dolly of FIGS. 1-5

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0100] In the embodiments of the invention described below, the wheels are preferably all of an omni-directional type, an example of which is a Rotacaster wheel manufactured by Rotacaster Wheel Pty Limited having the Australian Business Number ABN 37 100 342 256.

[0101] Referring initially to FIGS. 1-5, there is illustrated a first embodiment of the invention which comprises illustrate a dolly 410 which can be used to support the front or rear wheel of a motorcycle or motor scooter or other two wheeled vehicle that can benefit from this type of dolly.

[0102] Dolly 410 has a pair of axially aligned wheels 411 412 supported by a frame/chassis 413. The frame has a frame part 414 forward of the wheels and a frame part 415 behind the wheels. Forward frame part 414 has an open end 427 partially defined by a pair of parallel or otherwise aligned spaced apart frame arms 416, 417. The spacing between the frame arms is such that the raised dolly (see FIG. 2) can be wheeled into position about a tyre 418 with the tyre locating between the frame arms 416,417 (alternatively, the motorcycle/scooter can be rolled into position between the frame arms).

[0103] Ramped tyre supporting members 419,420 are positioned on arms 416,417. These members are sized and shaped to allow the dolly to be wheeled into the initial position (see FIG. 2) without needing to lift the wheel of the motorcycle and when the tyre is in position (see FIG. 2A) the members are closely spaced from the tyre. Members 419, 420 are removeably fixed to the respective frame arms 416,417 and can be replaced with larger or smaller members to fit the tyre profile. Alternatively, in another embodiment of the invention the gripping members may be formed integrally with the arms 416, 417.

[0104] The rear part 415 of the frame contains frame arms 423, 424 which are continuous with frame arms 416, 417. An interconnecting member 422 is provided which provides rigidity to the frame and provides a location stop and support for the tyre.

[0105] In use, the dolly 410 is positioned in the tyre engaging position as illustrated in FIG. 2A. The dolly is then pushed down, for instance, by pushing down on the small extension member (handle) 425 as indicated in FIG. 2B. During this process, the front part 414 of the frame will lift. As it does, the motorcycle/scooter tyre will wedge between the gripping members 419,420 and the wheel will be lifted. As the wheel is freewheeling and as the gripping members 419,420 wedge against the wheel tyre and as the pushing down action creates a small forward motion to the dolly, all these actions cause the front of the dolly to lift and move under the wheel to the position illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0106] In this position, the wheels 411, 412 pass under the centre position of the motorcycle wheel axle 433. The tyre is now supported between members 419,420 and, 422 and no longer contacts the floor.

[0107] The overcentre position of the wheel places the wheel weight on the rear part 415 of the dolly which prevents the dolly from returning to the position of FIG. 2A.

[0108] When in the use position as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the third wheel 426 of the dolly is floor engaging. The wheel supporting dolly 410 is free to move in all directions by virtue of the omni-directional wheels.

[0109] The use of omni-directional wheels in all locations 411, 412 and 426 permits the movement of the dolly in any horizontal direction.

[0110] Extension member (handle) 425 may be retractable within members 423 and 424 and can have an extended position and a retracted position. The extended position provides mechanical advantage when lifting and the retracted position provides for conservation of space when manoeuvring the motorcycle/scooter. However, the handle can also be fixed and non-extendible.

[0111] FIG. 5 illustrates a variation of the dolly of FIGS. 1-4 where the omnidirectional wheels have been replaced with more conventional castor wheels 500.

[0112] An important advantage of the dolly 410 (which might also be called a tyre lifting device) is that it interfaces with the motorcycle/motor scooter tyre, rather than the forks, fork clamps, or any other part of the motorcycle/scooter chassis or body. No initial fastening or attachment is required.

[0113] The dolly may be used by itself or in conjunction with a rear wheel dolly, a Centre Stand device, or a Side Stand Device. The dolly may hold the motorcycle/motor scooter in an upright position by itself. The dolly may be used on the rear wheel to provide manoeuvrability for the rear of the motorcycle/scooter. Dollies may be used simultaneously on the front wheel and rear wheel for added manoeuvrability.

[0114] Referring to FIGS. 25-27, dolly 410 can be used on the front wheel and/or the rear wheel of a scooter which again illustrates the versatility of the dolly. Furthermore, the dolly 410 is compact and lightweight in design and can therefore be easily used and also easily stored when not required. This is in contrast with large heavy wheeled dollies which support the entire motorcycle/scooter and which are more difficult to manoeuvre and store when not required.

[0115] Thus, another advantage of the invention is the ability to use various separate easy to use dollies in any suitable combination or in isolation to provide great versatility in supporting motor scooters, motorcycles and the like.

[0116] The dolly as described above can be used to support one wheel of a motorcycle or motor scooter and a second different dolly can be used to support the other wheel of a motorcycle or motor scooter.

[0117] FIGS. 6-23 illustrate various other second dollies that can be used with the dolly as described above to allow a parked motorcycle or motor scooter to be easily maneuvered and which are easy to use and store when not required. Generally (but not always), the dolly as described above will be used on the front wheel and the second dolly will be used on the rear wheel.

[0118] Referring now to FIGS. 6, 6A, 7 and 7A, there is depicted a first type of second dolly 2 to support the rear wheel of a motorcycle or motor scooter. This can be seen as a double sided dolly as it supports each side of the motorcycle.

[0119] The dolly 2 includes a frame 4 having first and second arms 6, 8 separated by a spacing member 10. The first and second arms 6, 8 are integrally formed with a spacing member 10 therebetween. The first and second arms 6, 8 and the spacing member 10 are, in the presently described embodiment, formed of bent steel tubing.

[0120] The frame 4 further includes first and second uprights 12, 14 which are fastened to forward ends of arms 6, 8. Stub axles 16, 18 extend laterally from lower portions of the first and second uprights 12, 14, respectively. The stub axles 16, 18 support first and second dolly wheels 20, 22.

[0121] The first and second arms 6, 8 and hence the uprights 12, 14 are sufficiently spaced apart for placement on opposite sides of a rearward end of the motorcycle.

[0122] The first and second dolly wheels 20, 22 each include peripheral rotatable ground contact members in the form of rollers 24 for motion in direction 26, i.e. parallel to the major axis 28 of each wheel. Consequently, the dolly wheels 20, 22 are able to roll, by means of rollers 24, in direction 26 and also in the conventional manner in direction 30 by rotating about the stub axles 16, 18 and in any direction between axis 26 and 30 (see FIG. 6). Such wheels can be seen as omni-directional wheels and may be purchased from Rotacaster Wheel Limited of Unit 2, 2 Revelation Close Tighes Hill, NSW, 2297, Australia.

[0123] A third, rear dolly wheel 23 may also be provided which is mounted to a stub axle 25 that extends from the spacing member 10. The third dolly wheel 23 is also of a type that includes peripheral rotatable ground members in the form of rollers 24.

[0124] This combination of the omni-directional wheels 20, 22 and 23 allow the dolly to move in any horizontal direction.

[0125] The dolly 2 further comprises first and second motorcycle engagement sub-assemblies 32, 34, respectively coupled to upper portions of the first and second uprights 14, 12. In use the first and second motorcycle engagement sub-assemblies 32, 34 engage handling pins or stubs located on opposed sides of the motorcycle.

[0126] The first and second motorcycle engagement sub-assemblies 32, 34 include opposed cradles 36, 38 for respectively supporting the motorcycle's handling pins.

[0127] The opposed cradles 36, 38 extend from inner ends of respective lateral shafts 40, 42 which slide in sleeves 44, 49 formed through the first and second uprights 14, 12.

[0128] The lateral shafts/beams 40, 42 may be retained in a desired position by respective fasteners in the form of hand turned clamps 45, 46 (see FIG. 6). Alternatively, the respective fasteners may comprise other arrangements such as spring loaded retainers for example in FIG. 7. FIG. 7A illustrates the arrangement of a suitable spring loaded retainer which makes use of a spring 47 for placement between the lateral shafts 40, 42 and the sleeves 44, 49.

[0129] The spring 47 provides sufficient friction between the shafts and their respective sleeves to retain the shafts at the user selected positions while allowing for the user to easily make adjustments as desired.

[0130] One of the opposed cradles, i.e. the first cradle 36 may be suitably provided with a capture member 48 formed over the cradle 36 to capture a respective motorcycle handling pin in use. Optionally, cradle 36 may be of the open ended design, the same as cradle 38.

[0131] It is preferred that the dolly includes a handle 50 for assisting in rotating the dolly about the first and second dolly wheels 20, 22 in operations. The handle 50 extends from the rear of the spacing member 10 of the frame 4.

[0132] Referring now to FIG. 6A and 7, handle 50 detachably mounts to rearward posts 52, 54 that extend from the spacing member 10.

[0133] A forward portion of the frame, namely a forward face of the second upright 12, is fitted an upper post 56 and a lower tube 58 in FIG. 6A (or a cutout in the bottom of upright 12 in FIG. 7) which respectively engage opposed ends of the U-shaped handle 50. As will be explained further, when the handle 50 is mounted to the rearward portion of the frame, as shown in FIG. 6, it provides additional mechanical advantage for rotating the frame about the first and second wheels 20, 22 with the motorcycle loaded to thereby bring the frame to a stable, over center configuration. Once in the over center configuration the handle 50 is removed from the reward position shown in FIG. 6 and attached to the front of the frame as shown in FIGS. 6A or 7.

[0134] Once attached to the front of the frame 4 the handle 50 will be brought into ground contact should the frame inadvertently tend to move out of the over-center configuration during maneuvering of the motorcycle. Accordingly, when in the forward location that is shown in FIG. 7 the handle 50 acts as an anti-tipping member. That is, it provides a safety measure to maintain the frame in the stable over center configuration, wherein the motorcycle is safely engaged.

[0135] FIG. 7 illustrates a variation of dolly 2 in that cradle 36A has a pair of opposed closed loop like portions 36B and 36C as opposed to a single portion illustrated in FIG. 6. Portions 36B and 36C are not equally spaced from the central axis; instead, one portion (36B in FIG. 24C) is spaced away from the axis by a greater distance. The choice of portions 36C, 36B to be uppermost can be selected by inserting the lateral shaft/beam 42 in the correct orientation. Similarly, cradle 38 in FIG. 6 is modified to have a pair of opposed cradles 38A, 38B which are also spaced from the axis in a manner similar to that described with reference to 36B, 36C. The choice of which cradle is uppermost is again selected by inserting the lateral shaft/beam 40 in the correct orientation.

[0136] This accommodates motorcycles having pins 62 at different heights above the floor.

[0137] Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, in use, the dolly 2 is brought around to the rear of motorcycle 60 with the handle 50 attached to the rear spacing member 10 of the frame 4. The handle 50 is raised as shown so that the uprights 14, 12 tilt forward about the axles of first and second dolly wheels 20, 22.

[0138] Accordingly, the motorcycle support assemblies 32 34 are brought to about the level of the motorcycle handling pins 62, 64 (visible in FIG. 10) which extend laterally from the rear wheel swing arms 66, 68 (visible in FIG. 10) of the motorcycle 60.

[0139] The cradle 36, which includes capture member 48 is firstly located over the pin 62. The capture member 48 comprises an arcuate member that over arches the remainder of the cradle and is integrally formed therewith. The capture member 48 makes it easier for a user to locate the cradle 36 on the pin 62 by virtue of the operator not needing to balance the motorcycle in the upright position whilst simultaneously engaging the dolly with the motorcycle.

[0140] The pin 62 is formed somewhat as a sheave with an enlarged head so that once it has been captured by the cradle 36 it is unlikely to inadvertently come free unless due to deliberate action. Now that the pin 62 has been captured in the cradle 36, the operator tilts the motorcycle to the upright position and the dolly 2 is positioned to bring the opposite pin 64 into cradle 38, as shown in FIG. 10.

[0141] Now that the motorcycle handling pins 62, 64 are both positioned within the support cradles 36, 38, the handle 10 is forced downward by the operator as indicated by arrow 72 in FIG. 11 thereby bringing the first and second dolly wheels 20, 22 beneath and then past the handling pins 62, 64 until the third dolly wheel 23 rests upon the ground. The action of swinging the handle 50 downward causes the uprights 12 and 14 to in turn swing upward thereby raising the pins 62, 64 and so the swing arms 66, 68 thereby bringing the motorcycle's rear wheel 70 off the ground. The uprights 12, 14 continue to swing as the handle 50 is brought downward until coming to the over center resting position shown in FIG. 12.

[0142] Once in the position shown in FIG. 12 the handle 50 is detached from its rearward position and mounted on the forward end of the upright 12 as shown. Consequently, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the handle now acts as an anti-tipping mechanism to prevent the dolly from inadvertently being brought from the stable over center resting position that is shown in FIG. 12.

[0143] For example as shown in FIG. 13, in order to move the dolly and hence the motorcycle a translation force 53 is applied to the motorcycle. Consequently the dolly and the motorcycle move forward. However, upon the wheel 24 encountering an obstacle 51 there is a tendency for the dolly to tip forward, i.e. counter clockwise. In that case the anti-tipping member in the form of handle 50 reacts with the ground to counter the potential tipping. Without the anti-tipping feature, if the dolly were to continue to tip forward, pins 62, 64 would pass through the vertical plane through the axis of the first and second dolly wheels 20, 22, and the motorcycle would be in an unstable position.

[0144] When in the configuration shown in FIG. 12, the rear wheel of the motorcycle is clear of the ground so that the rear of the motorcycle can now be moved in any horizontal direction on the dolly's omni-directional wheels. The front wheel of the motorcycle moves as normal and the motorcycle is supported in an upright position. A person handling the motorcycle is not required to hold it upright since the dolly 2 maintains the motorcycle upright. Consequently the motorcycle can be readily maneuvered in a tight space such as an internal storage area, workspace and the like.

[0145] Referring now to FIG. 15, there is depicted a different type of second dolly 100 which can be seen as a single sided dolly as it supports the motorcycle from only one side of the wheel. The dolly 100 has a stem 102. The stem is arranged for insertion into an axial recess of a rear wheel of motorcycle. Not all motorcycles are equipped with handling pins. Rather in some cases motorcycles, particularly motorcycles that have only a one sided rear wheel swing arm, are provided with an axial recess. Accordingly, various embodiments of the invention are provided to accommodate for both types of motorcycle handling arrangements.

[0146] The stem 102 is mounted above the second arm 8 by angled bracing members 104 and 106. It is also coupled to the first arm 6 by a transverse bracing member 108.

[0147] The first and second dolly wheels 20 and 22 are coupled to forward end portions of the first and second arms 6, 8 respectively by stub axles 16, 18. The operation of the dolly 100 is analogous to that of the dolly 2 of the first embodiment. In particular, the handle 50 may be detached from the rearward spacing member 10 of the frame 4 and reattached to the front of the frame to a stub 56 extending from the front of the members 106 or 108 and a recess 58 mounted to the forward end of the second arm 8 of the frame 4.

[0148] As shown in FIG. 17, once the stem 102 of the dolly 100 has been inserted into the axial recess of the rear wheel of the motorcycle force is applied to push handle 50 downward thereby raising the motorcycle rear wheel until the dolly 100 attains the stable over center position shown in FIG. 18 wherein the handle 50 has been repositioned to the front of the dolly 100 as shown. In order to move the dolly and hence the motorcycle a translation force 112 is applied to the motorcycle. Consequently the dolly and the motorcycle move forward. However, upon the wheel 22 encountering an obstacle 51 there is a tendency for the dolly to tip forward, i.e. counter clockwise.

[0149] In that case the anti-tipping member in the form of handle 50 reacts with the ground to counter the potential tipping.

[0150] It is possible that the dolly 100 may be used with a front wheel of the motorcycle. Such a scenario is illustrated in FIG. 19A which illustrates a situation wherein the dolly 100 has been fitted to the front wheel of the motorcycle. If desired two such dollies 100 may be used, one for the front wheel and one for the rear wheel. Similarly, a dolly 2 could also be used on the front wheel, and a dolly 2 or dolly 100 used on the rear wheel.

[0151] Referring now to FIG. 19B, a further embodiment of the invention is illustrated which includes an anti-tipping assembly 81. The anti-tipping assembly 81 includes a mounting arm 82 that is fast with a forward side of the upright 12. An anti-tipping member 83 is attached to mounting arm 82 by means of hinge 84. The anti-tipping member 83 is pivoted about the hinge 84 to a stowed position when the dolly is placed under the motorcycle and the motorcycle lifted. When the motorcycle is being moved, the anti-tipping member 83 is deployed (it is spring loaded by means of spring 85 over-center, so the arm is either placed in the stowed position, or in the full extended anti-tipping position). A remote end of the anti-tipping member 83 is fitted with a ground contact member in the form of wheel 86. Should the dolly wheels strike an obstacle (e.g. a crack in the ground) thereby causing the dolly to tip forward, the wheel 86 contacts the ground and prevents the motorcycle from going over-center on the dolly and falling over. Wheel 86 is however optional.

[0152] FIG. 19C illustrates a further embodiment of the invention which includes a further type of anti-tipping assembly 87. The anti-tipping assembly 87 includes a tube 88 that receives an anti-tipping member in the form of a shaft 89. The shaft 89 may be telescoped forwardly from the tube 88. A ground contact member (optionally in the form of a wheel 90) is mounted to a forward end of the shaft 89. The shaft 89 may be retracted so that the wheel 90 is stowed when operating the dolly to lift the motorcycle. The shaft 89 is extended forwardly to an anti-tipping position when moving the dolly and motorcycle so that the wheel 90 will contact the ground and prevent tipping in the event of the dolly wheels encountering an obstacle 51.

[0153] Referring now to FIG. 20, there is shown a cart 150. The cart 150 is for supporting a wheel of a motorcycle clear of the ground in order to assist in maneuvering the wheel in conjunction with, or separate to, the use of a another dolly as described above. The cart may be used on the front wheel.

[0154] The wheels 152,154,156,158 of the cart are omni-directional wheels of the same type previously described above. That is, each wheel includes peripheral rotatable ground contact members in the form of rollers 24 for motion parallel to a major axis of each wheel.

[0155] The cart 150 is comprised of a channel that includes a floor or platform 160 and side walls 162, 164. The side walls 162, 164 have wheel axles fixed thereto which couple each of the wheels to the side walls.

[0156] The support platform 160 includes a formation for locating the wheel of the motorcycle in the form of a cutout 166 for receiving a portion of the wheel. Furthermore, a retaining member 168 is disposed between the forward ends of the side walls 162, 164 which prevents the wheel of the motorcycle from rolling out of the cart should it inadvertently be displaced from the cutout 166.

[0157] The cart 150 includes a rearward ramp 170 for assisting in rolling the front of the motorcycle onto the platform 160. With reference to FIG. 21, once the wheel 79 has been rolled up the ramp 170 and located in the cart 150 then the ramp 170 may be raised so that it cooperates with the retaining member 168 to capture the wheel 79 in the cart.

[0158] Referring now to FIGS. 22 and 23 there is depicted a further embodiment of the cart 200. The cart 200 includes rear wheel mounting assemblies 202, 204 that are arranged swing between a raised wheel configuration and a lowered wheel configuration so that the rearward pair of the wheels of the cart can be raised in order to lower a rearward edge 206 of the platform to thereby assist in progressing the wheel 79 of the motorcycle onto the platform 160. Once the wheel is on the platform 160 as shown in FIG. 23, the mounting assemblies 202, 204 are rotated to lower the rear wheels and thereby raise the rear edge 206 of the cart 200 from the ground.

[0159] Referring now to FIGS. 24A-C, a motorcycle dolly assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes both a front wheel dolly, for example dolly 410 and a rear wheel dolly such as dolly 2 as shown or dolly 100. The figures also illustrate two versions of the single-side rear stand as motorcycles with a single-sided swing arm may have the hole in the rear wheel hub on either the right hand side or left hand side. FIGS. 25-27 illustrate a combination as above with a motor scooter 428 supported by the dollies.

[0160] It will therefore be realised that embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus for assisting in the convenient stowage of motorcycles since they provide apparatus that facilitate the raising of the rear wheel and/or the front wheel of the motorcycle and the manoeuvring of the motorcycle both laterally and longitudinally and in directions therebetween.

[0161] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. The term comprises and its variations, such as comprising and comprised of is used throughout in an inclusive sense and not to the exclusion of any additional features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[0162] The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

[0163] Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term substantially or about will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms.

[0164] Any embodiment of the invention is meant to be illustrative only and is not meant to be limiting to the invention. Therefore, it should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.