Centre Stand for a Motorcycle

Field of the Invention:

The present invention relates to a "Centre Stand for a Motorcycle" and more particularly to a centre stand for supporting a motorcycle in its upright position.

Background of the Invention:

Motorcycles are generally provided with centre stands to hold them in an, at rest vertical position, with typically rear wheel off the ground. Since now a day's motorcycles are heavier than the prior motorcycles, it has become increasingly difficult to operate the centre stands, that is to lower them to the ground to support the motorcycle in a vertical at rest position.

A conventional centre stand comprises a pair of spaced legs pivotally connected at one end to the lower frame of the motorcycle in the approximate centre of the motorcycle. The legs of the stand are held in an upper non functional position by a spring connected at one end to one of the legs and at its other end to the frame. A cross member or bridge usually interconnects the spaced legs for added strength and stability and the lower ends of the legs include foot pads for distribution of weight on the ground. On one side of the leg a stopper is provided allowing limited pivotal movement. An operating lever is fastened to one part of the leg portion in such a manner that it protrudes outwardly to facilitate erection of the stand by an operator. In this position the motorcycle has a three point contact with the ground.

With the above mentioned construction parking the motorcycle on centre stand is strenuous and complex, coordinated procedure is required from the rider to lift the motorcycle and put in on stand with rear wheel suspended above the parking surface.

When the centre stand is being used, so much of weight is exerted on the parking surface because of the raised rear end of the motorcycle that, if the surface is not sufficiently hard, the stand will penetrate in to the parking surface. This often causes the motorcycle to fall over on to the ground damaging the motorcycle and potentially injuring any by standers. As with parking the motorcycle, removing it from the centre stand can also be hazardous since it too requires a certain amount of strength and timed coordination.

With limitations in the prior art in mind, it is an object of the present invention, to provide a centre stand which always keeps the motorcycle in a balanced upright configuration or orientation.

Summary of the Invention:

To overcome the above problem, according to the invention a centre stand for a motorcycle is provided for supporting a motorcycle in its upright position.

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved mechanism in the centre stand so that the motorcycle can be easily raised to be supported on its centre stand.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a centre stand for a motorcycle which will permit four contact points with the ground during parking condition thereby providing more stability to the vehicle on parking condition.

Yet another object of the present invention is to permit minimum amount of energy to be spent while parking the vehicle since centre of gravity lifting is minimum.

Further object of the present invention is to provide a centre stand which can be operated smoothly.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter.

However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Brief description of the Drawings:

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional two wheeler.

FIG. 2 shows the centre stand according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows the front view of the centre stand mounted to vehicle frame according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows the perspective view of the centre stand mounted to vehicle frame according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings:

Embodiments of the present invention now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "right", "left" and "bottom" represent directions viewed from the perspective of the vehicle rider.

Drawing reference to Figure. 1 a motorcycle comprises of a frame (101), front fork102) attached to a pivot tube (103) of the vehicle frame, a front wheel (104) attached to these front forks (102), a handle bar (105) connected to the front forks
(102), a fuel tank (106) attached so as to straddle an upper part of the vehicle frame, a seat (107) attached to the upper rear portion of the vehicle frame, an engine unit (108) attached to the lower front section of the vehicle frame, a swing arm (109)
attached to a lower rear section of the vehicle frame, suspended by a rear shock absorber (not shown in the drawing) from the vehicle frame and a rear wheel (110) attached to a rear end of swing arm (109). The intake system of the engine comprises of a carburettor (117), intake duct and an air cleaner. The exhaust system of the engine comprises of exhaust pipe and a muffler. The motorcycle is also provided with a side cover (111) for covering a side section of the vehicle frame, a seat cover for covering a rear section of the vehicle frame below the seat, a front fender (112) for covering an upper part of the front wheel (104), and a rear fender (113) for covering an upper part of the rear wheel (110). The drive from the engine (108) is transmitted from the engine to the driven wheel sprocket mounted on the rear wheel hub mounted on the rear wheel assembly.

Referring to figure 2 and figure 4, a centre stand (201) is provided at the lower frame of the motorcycle at the substantially middle portion of the motorcycle. The said centre stand (201) is a weldment which includes a pivot tube (202) and two legs I
(203, 204) (left leg and right leg). The said pivot tube (202) is configured to receive an existing axle (205) of the motorcycle for parking the said centre stand (201). The said two legs (203, 204) of the centre stand (201) are primary support and balance
members of the stand (201) and are interconnected with a supporting bridge (206).

Between the pivot tube (202) and the said supporting bridge (206), a sliding tube (207) is provided. The construction of the said sliding tube (206) is such that a inner tube (207 a) slides inside a outer tube (207 b). Therefore it's actually the said outer tube (207 b) which is fixed to the said pivot tube (202) and the said inside tube (207 a) is fixed to the said supporting bridge (206). In the said sliding tube (207), a spring (208) is provided on the top of the said inner tube (207 a), whereby the said inner tube (207 a) slides inside the said outer tube (207 b) against the spring force of the said spring (208). Two guides (209, 210) are provided around the said sliding tube (207) to arrest any rotary motion or imbalance. These said guides (209, 210) are fixed with the help of nuts and bolts to the supporting bridge.

Figure 2 refers to the centre stand (201) when fixed to the frame of the vehicle. A spring (301) is fixed from the said supporting bridge (206) to the frame of the motorcycle.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the said centre stand (201) mounted to the frame of the vehicle.

When the loaded motorcycle is parked with the present invention centre stand construction, it allows the motorcycle to have four contact points on the ground that is front wheel, rear wheel, and centre stand pads left and right, thereby providing more stability to the vehicle. In the parking condition, the said spring (208) inside the sliding tube (207) gets compressed and the outer tube (207 b) of the said sliding tube (207) comes down, thereby preventing the parking stand from penetrating into the parking surface.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the centre stand comprises of a pivot tube, two legs interconnected with a supporting bridge and two tubes connecting the pivot tube and supporting bridge. Each of the said two tubes will have inner and outer tubes. Here also the outer tubes are fixed to the pivot tube and the inside tubes are fixed to the said supporting tube. In both the tubes, the inner tube provided with a spring on its top, whereby the inner tube slides inside the outer tube against the spring force. This construction does not require any guide arrangement.

Even though the characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, those skilled in the art should understand that the disclosure is illustrative only, and they could make various design changes, permutations and adjustments herein, especially in matters of shape, size, arrangement and number of projections and the corresponding slots, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest from.

We Claim:

1. A centre stand for two wheelers comprising:

a pivot tube for receiving an existing axle of vehicle;

a supporting bridge interconnecting two legs ;

at least one sliding tube connecting the pivot tube and supporting bridge;

at least one guide for sliding tube fixed to the supporting bridge; and

at least one spring connecting the supporting bridge to vehicle frame.

2. The centre stand as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said sliding tube comprises:

an outer tube;

an inner tube;

at least one spring fixed to the inner tube;

wherein the inner tube slides inside the outer tube against the spring force of the said spring.