Claims:We Claim:

1. A fixture (10) for holding and conveying a two-wheeler (20), the fixture (10) comprising:
an elongated frame (105) for enclosing the wheels (110) of the two-wheeler (20), a rear portion (115) of the frame (105) connected by a hinge (120) to the frame (105) and capable of being actuated to alternate between an open position and a closed position;
a set of support members (125) for supporting the wheels (110) of the two-wheeler (20) connected to the elongated frame (105);
a front roller (130) and a rear roller (135) attached to the fixture (10) for enabling movement of the fixture (10) with the two-wheeler (20); and
an electronic control unit (140) for controlling the hinge (120) to actuate the rear portion (115) of the frame (105).

2. The fixture (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the set of support members (125) are a set of thrust bearings.

3. The fixture (10) as claimed in claim 2, the set of thrust bearings comprises two thrust bearings in a front end (145) of the frame (105) for supporting a front wheel (150) of the two-wheeler (20) and two thrust bearings in a rear end (155) of the frame (105) for supporting a rear wheel (160) of the two-wheeler (20).

4. The fixture (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of the set of thrust bearings comprises an associated proximity sensor located adjacent the thrust bearing, the proximity sensor connected to the electronic control unit (140).

5. The fixture (10) as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the fixture (10) comprises a holder (165) for securing a connection to a guide vehicle for moving the fixture (10).
, Description:Complete Specification:

The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
Field of the invention
[0001] This invention relates to a fixture for holding and conveying a two-wheeler.

Background of the invention
[0002] Today’s cities are becoming very congested and the rate of urbanization is growing, leading to more urban centers being generated. More urbanization attracts more vehicles and this brings about many problems, the key being vehicle parking. Parking challenges are multifold in nature. Finding a space to park one’s vehicle is an issue, leading to a lot of stress. Finding a proper parking space also involves time, thereby leading to additional stress and time. 216/CHE/2004 discloses a multilevel two-wheeler parking facility with a provision for automatic parking and retrieval into and from selected slots. This discloses a platform on which the two-wheeler is loaded and conveyed for parking. There exists problems such as loading and unloading the two-wheeler and also support for the two-wheeler while being conveyed. Therefore, there exists a need to mitigate the problems with the current parking systems in use.

Brief description of the accompanying drawing
[0003] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic of a fixture holding a two-wheeler;

[0004] Figure 2 illustrates a front view of the fixture; and

[0005] Figure 3 illustrates a top view of the fixture.

Detailed description of the embodiments
[0006] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic of a fixture 10 holding a two-wheeler 20. Figure 1 shows a motorcycle and a scooter being held by the fixture 10. Figure 2 illustrates a front view of the fixture 10 and Figure 3 illustrates a top view of the fixture 10. The fixture 10 and the working of the same will be described hereinafter.

[0007] The fixture 10 for holding and conveying the two-wheeler 20 comprises an elongated frame 105 for enclosing the wheels 110 of the two-wheeler 20. A rear portion 115 of the frame 105 is connected by a hinge 120 to the frame 105 and capable of being actuated to alternate between an open position and a closed position. The rear portion 115 is opened to allow entry to the two-wheeler 20. Once the two-wheeler 20 is inside the frame 105, the rear portion 115 is closed, which will be explained hereinafter. The fixture 10 comprises a set of support members 125 for supporting the wheels 110 of the two-wheeler 20 and connected to the elongated frame 105. The fixture 10 also comprises a front roller 130 and a rear roller 135 attached to the fixture 10 for enabling movement of the fixture 10 with the two-wheeler 20. The fixture 10 also comprises an electronic control unit 140 for controlling the hinge 120 to actuate the rear portion 115 of the frame 105. In the instant example or arrangement of the fixture 10, the set of support members 125 are a set of thrust bearings. The set of thrust bearings comprises two thrust bearings in a front end 145 of the frame 105 for supporting a front wheel 150 of the two-wheeler 20 and two thrust bearings in a rear end 155 of the frame 105 for supporting a rear wheel 160 of the two-wheeler 20. Each of the set of thrust bearings comprises an associated proximity sensor (not shown) located adjacent the thrust bearing, the proximity sensor connected to the electronic control unit 140. The fixture 10 further comprises a holder 165 for securing a connection to a guide vehicle (not shown) for moving the fixture 10.

[0008] As soon as the two-wheeler 20 is brought to the parking lot for parking, a signal is sent to the control unit 140 to operate the fixture 10. The signal can be sent either from a control center in the parking lot or by any other means. The control of the fixture 10 can be manual or automatic. The control unit 140 in the fixture 10 actuates the rear portion 115 of the fixture 10 to bring the rear portion 115 to an open position. Once the rear portion 115 is opened, the driver pushes the two-wheeler 20 inside the frame 105. Once the two-wheeler 20 is fully inside the frame 105, the proximity sensor picks up the signals and transmits the signals to the control unit 140. Once the control unit 140 receives the signals from the proximity sensors, the control unit 140 actuates the rear portion 115 of the frame 105 to bring the same to the closed position. The two-wheeler 20 is supported or held by the thrust bearings positioned near the front wheel 150 and the rear wheel 160. In other words, the load from the two-wheeler 20 is borne by the four thrust bearings in the fixture 10.

[0009] Once the two-wheeler 20 is inside the frame 105 and ready to be rolled into the parking space in the parking lot, a guide vehicle is connected to the holder 165. The guide vehicle pulls the fixture 10 with the two-wheeler 20. The front roller 130 and the rear roller 135 and the front wheel 150 and the rear wheel 160 of the two-wheeler 20 rotates when the fixture 10 is being pulled by the guide vehicle.

[0010] When the two-wheeler 20 is retrieved from the parking space, the fixture 10 along with the two-wheeler 20 is pulled by the guide vehicle and the control unit 140 actuates the rear portion 115 to bring it into an open position and the driver or the user of the two-wheeler 20 pulls the two-wheeler 20 out of the frame 105.

[0011] The benefits of this arrangement is that it is easy to use with no requirement of any loading or unloading of the two-wheeler 20 on or from any platform.

[0012] It should be understood that embodiments explained in the description above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this invention. Many such embodiments and other modifications and changes in the embodiment explained in the description are envisaged. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.