This invention is directed to a lifting device and is particularly directed to a lifting device to lift motorcycles off the ground and is particularly directed to a simple mechanical lifting device that uses a lever arm to provide the lifting force. The invention will be described with reference to a lifting device for lifting motorcycles but it should be appreciated that no particular limitation is meant thereby. In particular, the term"motorcycle"is meant to include two wheel motorcycles, but also the four wheel"all terrain"motorcycles and other similar small road vehicles.

Background Art.

Motorcycles and particularly heavy motorcycles need to be lifted off the ground for maintenance. A variety of devices to lift a motorcycle off the ground is known. It is well-known to provide an electric winch to lift the motorcycle off the ground. It is also well-known to provide a hydraulic or pneumatic ram. Mechanical jacks are also known. It is also known to provide various lifting devices that are basically car jacks to lift the motorcycle.

There are a number of disadvantages with these existing devices.

Firstly, electric, hydraulic or pneumatic devices are relatively inexpensive and complicated. Most jacks are designed to lift only one part of the motorcycle off the ground and are not really designed to lift both wheels of the motorcycle off the ground. Other devices are rather unstable and the motorcycle needs additional supports to stop the motorcycle from tipping. Other devices have a rather small ground"footprint"and are therefore prone to moving or falling when knocked. Some lifting devices have a relatively complicated lever arm arrangement that needs to be initially kicked into an upright position and only then can the lever arm be used to lift the motorcycle.

Therefore, there would be an advantage if it were possible to provide a simple lifting device which can lift a motorcycle entirely off the ground and which

does not require any electric, hydraulic or pneumatic devices and which provides a good stability.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

Object of the Invention.

It is an object of the invention to provide a lifting device particularly suited for lifting motorcycles and which may at least partially overcome some of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

In one broad form, the invention resides in a lifting device, the lifting device comprising a base portion and a support portion adapted to support the motorcycle (or other load), the support portion being movable between a retracted position and an extended load supporting position, the base portion comprising a pair of spaced-apart elongate members which are connected relative to each other, the support portion comprising a pair of spaced-apart elongate members which are connected relative to each other, a first rigid link member which connects one of the elongate members on the base portion with one of the elongate members on the support portion, a second rigid link member which connects the other of the elongate members on the base portion with the other of the elongate members on the support portion, a lever arm which is movable between a substantially raised position and a substantially lowered position, the lever arm being connected to the base portion and the support portion, whereby movement of the lever arm from the raised position to the lowered position causes the support portion to move from the retracted position to the extended position.

Typically, the base portion is adapted for ground contact or sits on a platform to provide mobility. The platform, where provided, may be moveable and may be provided with wheels or the like.

Typically, the elongate members comprise tubular members and typically the tubular members will comprise cylindrical members. It is however envisaged that the elongate members may be solid or a substantially solid. It is also envisaged that the elongate members may not be cylindrical and may comprise a rectangular cross-section, an oval cross-section, etc. The invention in an embodiment will however be described with reference to the elongate members comprising tubular members.

The term"pair of spaced-apart elongate members"is not to be limited only to two members, and may comprise three members, four members or even more.

Similarly, the lifting device may comprise more than a first rigid link member and a second rigid link member.

The lifting device is ideal to lift two-wheel motorcycles entirely off the ground, or at least to lift part of the motorcycle off the ground. The lifting device is also ideal to lift four-wheel motorcycles (all terrain vehicles) or other small engine vehicles off the ground. The lifting device can be used with maintenance of the vehicle, but can also be used to display the vehicle for instance in a showroom, etc.

The above arrangement of mechanical parts allows a motorcycle to be lifted off the ground and supported by the support platform upon the lowering of the lever arm. There is no requirement for any electric motor or any hydraulic or pneumatic parts.

Another advantage is that the lever arm can be moved only once from the extended to the retracted position to lift the motorcycle off the ground and it is therefore not necessary to have an arrangement like a carjack that has a handle that requires multiple movements to operate the carjack.

Broadly, the lifting device can be seen as having a"parallelogram"type link assembly together with a large lever arm to provide a simple yet highly effective

device.

Another advantage of the device is that when the support portion is in the lowered position, it is substantially against the base portion to provide a compact and relatively flat arrangement. This is in contrast to many other lifting devices which are rather bulky. This allows the lifting device, when in the lowered position, to be easily stored, transported, etc.

The base portion of the lifting device typically comprises a pair of spaced-apart tubular members that are connected relative to each other. It is envisaged that the base portion may comprise more than a pair of spaced-apart tubular members.

Suitably however a single pair of tubular members is provided. Each tubular member may comprise an elongate steel tube and the tube may have a length of between 20- 100 centimetres. Although it is preferred that the tubular members are made of steel, no particular limitation is meant thereby and the tubular members may be made of other strong material such as other metals, strong plastics, composite materials and the like.

Each tubular member may have a diameter of between 1-5 centimetres and it is preferred that the tubular member is entirely hollow and therefore may have a wall thickness of between 2-10 millimetres although again no particular limitation is meant thereby. It is preferred that each tubular member is about the same length and dimension as each other tubular member. The pair of spaced-apart tubular members is connected relative to each other. Suitably, interconnecting members are provided and these may comprise metal strut members, a metal plate, or any other type of interconnecting means. The tubular members may be spaced apart by a distance of between 10-50 centimetres to provide a good stable support for the lifting device.

The support platform may be somewhat similar to the base platform and therefore may again comprise a pair of spaced-apart tubular members which are connected to each other. These tubular members may be similar in size etc. to that described above with respect to the base portion.

As the support platform will typically directly contact the base of the motorcycle or other load that is to be raised, it is preferred that this contact area is padded to prevent scratching or other damage to the motorcycle. Any type of suitable padding can be used and one particular type of padding comprises a thick rubber sleeve that is passed over each tubular member. Of course, other types of paddings are envisaged including a wraparound type of padding, padding which is made of cloth, plastics, canvas, cushioning material and the like.

The tubular members of the support portion may be interconnected by strut members which may be the same as the strut members described with reference to the base portion.

The base portion and the support portion are interconnected in a manner that enables the support portion to rise and fall relative to the base portion.

Typically, one of the tubular members on the base portion is connected to one of the tubular members on the support portion by a first rigid link member. It is envisaged that a first rigid link member may be provided at each end of the tubular member which means that a pair of first rigid link members is provided. The first rigid link member may have a length of between 10-50 centimetres although no particular limitation is meant thereby.

Similarly, the other of the tubular members on the base portion can be connected to the other of the tubular member on the support portion by a second rigid link member which may be substantially the same as the first rigid link member.

The lifting device has a lever arm. The lever arm will typically comprise a rigid elongate member which can be made of steel or other suitable material and which will typically have a length of between 1-4 metres. It is preferred that the lever arm can be decoupled from the remainder of the lifting device.

Any of the members provided in the device according to an aspect of

the invention may typically be provided with a locking mechanism to enable the device to be locked in either the extended position or retracted positions (or positions between the extended position or retracted positions). Typically, the locking mechanism may be a pin and slot configuration in which an opening on adjacent members may be aligned and a pin placed through the aligned openings. Any other configuration may be used in the alternative. Where a pin and aligned slot configuration is used, it is preferred that the pin be biased into the locked position, using a typical biasing means such as a spring or the like.

Brief Description of the Drawings.

An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a lifting device in the"retracted"position and positioned next to a motorcycle.

Figure 2 illustrates the lifting device of Figure 1 in the"lifting"position but still positioned next to the motorcycle.

Figure 3 illustrates a side view of the lifting device in the retracted position.

Figure 4 illustrates a view from the other side of the lifting device now in the extended (lifting) position.

Figure 5 illustrates a top view of the lifting device in the retracted position.

Figure 6 illustrates a top view of the lifting device in the lifting position.

Figure 7 illustrates the device underneath the motorcycle and in the retracted position.

Figure 8 illustrates the device underneath the motorcycle and in the lifting position with the motorcycle having been lifted off the ground.

Figure 9 is a close-up view of the device underneath the motorcycle in the lifting position.

Figure 10 is a close-up view of the device from the other side and underneath the motorcycle and in the lifting position.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the device underneath the motorcycle and in the lifting position.

Figures 12-16 illustrate a second version of the invention which contains a top plate which is removeably attached.

Figures 17-25 and 31 illustrate a third version of the invention which can include a wheeled base.

Figures 26-30 illustrate a fourth version of the invention.

Figures 32-33 illustrates a fifth version of the invention which includes a damping system.

Figure 34 illustrates the fifth version of the invention but now particularly also illustrating a steel plate to provide extra strength.

Figures 35-36 illustrates a sixth version of the invention which includes a damping system.

Best Mode.

Referring to the illustrations, and initially to figures 1-6, there is illustrated a lifting device 10 which is made of simple mechanical parts which utilises a lever action to enable a heavy motorcycle to be lifted entirely off the ground.

Lifting device 10 comprises a base portion 11, a support portion 12 (see figure 2) and a single lever arm 13.

Base portion 11 comprises a pair of spaced apart tubular members 14, 15 which are probably best illustrated in figures 3-6. Each tubular member 14, 15 has a length of approximately 50 centimetres, a diameter of approximately five centimetres and is made of steel. The tubular members 14,15 are spaced apart and are parallel to each other and are spaced apart by a distance of about 20 centimetres. The tubular members 14,15 are interconnected by steel strut members 16, and in the particular embodiment, three such strut members 16 are provided. Thus, the base portion comprises a substantially rectangular arrangement which is rigid and which comprises two tubular members interconnected by three strut members.

The support portion 12 is in many ways similar to the base portion 11 and support portion 12 is able to move between a retracted position where the support portion is adjacent the base portion (see for instance figure 1 and figure 3) and an extended position (see figure 4, figure 2 and figure 6) where the support portion is raised and is able to lift a motorcycle off the ground. Support portion 12 is probably best illustrated in figure 4 and figure 6 and comprises a pair of spaced-apart tubular members 17,18 which are interconnected by strut members 19. Each tubular member 17,18 is cushioned by a thick sleeve of rubber 20 to protect the motorcycle. The support portion therefore comprises a rigid substantially rectangular frame assembly comprising the tubular members 17,18 interconnected by strut members 19.

The support portion is connected to the base portion by means of rigid link members which will be described hereafter. Best illustrated in figure 3 and figure 5, tubular member 15 on the base portion 11 is interconnected with tubular member 17 on support portion 12 by a pair of first rigid link members 21. Link members 21 are connected to smaller diameter tubes 22 which slide within the larger diameter tubular member 15 and tubular member 17.

Similarly, tubular member 14 on base portion 11 is connected to tubular member 18 on support portion 12 by a second rigid link member 23 (see figure five) which is again connected to a smaller diameter tube that slides within tubular member 14 in tubular member 18 in a manner similar to that described with reference to the first rigid link members 21.

This arrangement enables the support portion 12 to be raised and lowered relative to base portion 11.

Lever arm 13 is connected to tubular member 18 and to tubular member 14 via an attachment means. The attachment means comprises a tubular extension member 25 extending from support portion 12 and the tubular extension member 26 extending from base portion 11. A triangular bracket assembly 27 (see figure 4) interconnects tubular extension member 25 to tubular extension member 26

and bracket assembly 27 includes a small stub 28 to which lever arm 13 is connected.

Thus, lever arm 13 can be removed from the remainder of the lifting device.

In use, the lifting device is placed under the motorcycle (see figure 7) with lever arm 13 in the upright position which causes support portion 12 to be collapsed and to lie against or adjacent base portion 11. Once the lifting device is placed under the motorcycle, lever arm 13 is pulled down to the ground position (see figure 8) which causes support portion 12 to rise and to lift the motorcycle of the ground.

Referring to figures 12-16, there is illustrated a second version of the lifting device. This device is more compact than the device illustrated in figures 1-11 but still functions to enable vehicles to be lifted. This device is particularly suited for the smaller four-wheel motorcycles (sometimes called all terrain vehicles). Figure 13 illustrates the lifting device in the lowered position and figure 12 illustrates the lifting device in the raised position. Specifically, the lifting device again comprises a base portion 30 and a support portion 31. Base portion 30 is again formed from a pair of spaced-apart tubular members interconnected by struts 32. Similarly, support portion 31 is formed from a pair of spaced-apart tubular members interconnected by struts 33 (see particularly figure 15). A lever handle 34 can be moved from a substantially vertical position illustrated in figure 13 to a substantially horizontal position illustrated in figure 12 to cause the support portion to move between the lowered position illustrated in figure 13 and the raised position illustrated in figure 12. In this particular embodiment, lever handle 34 can be foot-operated and therefore contains a foot pedal 35 at the end of the lever handle. Also, lever handle 34 sits within a socket 36 and can be removed from the socket to make the entire device more portable. A spacing bolt 37 is provided adjacent the end of the lever handle and this can be adjusted to adjust the degree of movements of the lever handle 34.

The lifting device has a top plate 38 which extends over the upper part of support portion 31. The top plate 38 can be of any suitable shape but will typically be rectangular. The top plate 38 is removable from support portion 31 (see figure 15

and figure 16). The top plate 38 can be made of metal, metal coated with a rubber or plastic, a strong plastic material, fibreglass, wood, or any combination thereof.

The lifting device also has a vertical adjustment means to enable the height of top plate 38 to be adjusted from the ground level and therefore to make the lifting device particularly suited for use with virtually all types of smaller vehicles.

The adjustment means will typically comprise a means of mechanism that enables the support portion 31 to be extended and retracted over and above operation of lever handle 34. In the particular embodiment, this is achieved by having the link members 39 which link the base portion to the support portion adjustable in length. For instance, the link members 39 may comprise a pair of plates which can slide relative to each other to extend or retract the length of the link member. The pair of plates can be locked together using strong bolts 40.

Figure 17-25 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the lifting device is positioned on a tray 43 which is on the wheels 44 to enable the lifting device to be wheeled around. This lifting device again contains a base portion 45 and a support portion 46 (see figure 18). The base portion comprises a pair of spaced-apart horizontal tubular members similar to that described above which are interconnected by struts 47 (see figure 17). The support portion 46 again comprises a pair of spaced-apart tubular members 48 which are interconnected by struts 49 (see figure 18). Attached to the top of support portion 46 is a platform assembly 50 which comprises a top plate 51 and four depending vertical struts 52 which attach to the tubular members 48. The platform assembly can be removeably attached relative to the tubular members 48.

The lifting device is operated by a lever handle (not illustrated) in a manner similar to that described above. The lever handle (not illustrated) can slide within either of two sockets 53 which are spaced on each side of the lifting device (see figure 17). This enables the lifting device to be operated from either side of the vehicle (or other device) which is to be lifted.

Figure 17 shows the lifting device in the erect position (with the lever handle removed). Figure 18 is an edge view of the lifting device in the erect position.

Figure 19 is a side view from the top of the lifting device in the erect position. Figure 20 is a side view of the lifting device in the erect position. Figure 21 is an upper side view of the lifting device in the lowered position and with the platform assembly 50 removed from the lifting device. Figure 22 is an edge view of the lifting device in the lowered position and with the platform assembly 50 removed from the lifting device.

Figure 23 is a view similar to that of figure 22 except that the platform assembly 50 has been reattached. Figure 24 is an edge view from the top of the lifting device in the lowered position. Figure 25 is a perspective view of the lifting device of figure 24.

Referring to figures 26-30 there is illustrated another embodiment of the invention which is similar to that described above. Again, the lifting device 55 comprises a base portion 56 and a support portion 57. The base portion 56 comprises a pair of spaced-apart tubular members 58 interconnected by strut members 59.

Similarly, support portion 57 comprises a pair of spaced-apart tubular members 16 interconnected by strut members 61.

A removable platform 62 can be attached over the top of tubular members 60 to provide better support for a motorcycle (see figure 27). Base portion 56 and the support portion 57 are interconnected by link members 63. Each tubular member 58,60 is similar to that described above and basically comprises an outer tubular housing 67 (see figure 28) and an inner tubular rod 66 (see figure 28) with the inner tubular rod being rotatable within the outer tubular housing. The outer tubular housing is rigidly connected to the strut members 59, while the link members 63 are rigidly connected to the inner tubular rod.

A lever arm in the form of a foot pedal 64 is attached to the device to enable the device to be move between the raised position illustrated in figure 27 and figure 30 and the lowered position illustrated in figure 29. Foot pedal 64 can be removed from the remainder of the device. Specifically, figure 27 shows the foot pedal attached, while figures 26,29 and 30 show the foot pedal removed. Figure 28

shows the foot pedal 64 lying adjacent the remainder of the lifting device. Foot pedal 64 can be pushed into and pulled out of a socket 65 which is best illustrated in figure 28. Socket 65 is rigidly attached relative to link member 63 and therefore also relative to the inner tubular rod 66. When the device is in the raised position (see figure 27), socket 65 is substantially horizontal which is best illustrated in figure 28. Conversely, when the device is in the lowered position (see figure 29), socket 65 is in the substantially vertical position.

To provide additional stability to the arrangement, stabilising plates 68 are fitted to the base portion.

To prevent the device from rotating"anticlockwise"to the lowered position instead of rotating"clockwise"to the lowered position (see figure 29), a pair of stop lugs 69 are welded to link members 63. Figure 29 illustrates one stop lug 69 and figure 30 illustrates the pair of stop lugs 69. When the lifting device is in the raised position (figure 30), the stop lugs 69 abut against the ground or a floor plate to prevent the lifting device from collapsing in an anticlockwise manner.

Referring to figures 32-33 there is illustrated a small lifting device which is similar to that described with reference to figures 26 and 30. The principal difference however is that the lifting device illustrated in figures 32-33 includes a damping system which in the particular embodiment comprises a ram 70. Ram 70 is positioned between the upright link members 71,72, and a ram is positioned on each side of the lifting device which means that this particular lifting devices has two rams.

The ram is in the retracted state when the lifting device is collapsed (see figure 33) and is in the extended state when the lifting device is in the lifting position (see figure 32). The function of the ram is to allow the lifting device to move at least from the lifting position to the retracted position (e. g. from the position illustrated in figure 32 to the position illustrated in figure 33) in a controlled manner. Otherwise, there is a possibility that handle 73 could move to the upright position (see figure 33) very quickly (especially if the motorbike or the vehicle on the lifting device is very heavy) and this could cause a striking injury.

Figures 35-36 illustrates a lifting device similar to that described with reference to figure 1, this lifting device being particularly suited for the very heavy motorbikes. Again, in this particular embodiment, a ram 75 is positioned on each side of the lifting device to enable the lifting device to move to the retracted position (figure 36) without the handle 76 moving upwards to quickly. Of course, ram 75 in this embodiment and the previous embodiment can also be used to facilitate a smooth lifting of a motorcycle as well.

Figure 34 illustrates the lifting device similar to that illustrated in figures 32-33 and figure 34 may also be identical to the lifting device illustrated in figures 32-33 and particularly now illustrates a plate member 77 which will typically comprise a steel plate extending between a pair of upright link members. The steel plate gives extra strength to the lifting device but also provides a surface to enable numbers or advertising material to be attached to the lifting device.

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.

Throughout the specification and the claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term"comprise", or variations such as"comprises"or "comprising", will be understood to apply the inclusion of the stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described herein. For instance, it may be necessary to modify the shape and configuration of the support portion depending on the body of the motorcycle. To explain, some types of motorcycles have an exhaust pipe extending underneath the motorcycle and it may be necessary to modify the shape of the support portion to not damage or crush the exhaust pipe when lifting the motorcycle. This can be achieved by having a profile in the support portion to accommodate the exhaust pipe. This can also be achieved by having raised portions to support the motorcycle in places other than the exhaust pipe etc.