The present invention relates to a stand for a motorcycle comprising a lock.

When motorcycles are stationary, they are commonly supported in an upright position by use of a pivotably mounted arm attached to the motorcycle known as a kickstand. In such cases, the motorcycle is usually inclined when supported by the kickstand and, if the motorcycle is accidentally knocked or the kickstand fails, significant damage to the motorcycle can occur.

To overcome this problem, motorcycle stands having wheel engaging shoes or plates which support a motorcycle in the upright position in a more stable manner are known; for example a device of this type is disclosed in EP0832930.

Theft of motorcycles is a problem in modern society, and it is often desirable to lock motorcycles to immovable objects. Common types of lock devices known in the art include those of a chain or shackle type. Clamp type motorcycle locks are also known; see for example WO2007/076573. In that case the lock is preferably secured to the ground, for example by securing the lock to a plate bolted to the ground.

Securing of motorcycles to stands can be problematic and time consuming for the motorcyclist, requiring careful orientation of the motorcycle in the stand and threading of a chain or bolt through a wheel of the motorcycle. As a result, the wheel of the motorcycle can suffer damage on account of contact with a locking chain or bolt. The present invention provides an improved stand for a motorcycle comprising a lock which is simple and efficient to use, and which alleviates or overcomes many of the problems associated with the above devices.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a stand for a motorcycle comprising

a) a lock mechanism for a wheel comprising (i) at least one wheel-retaining arm that is movable between a first open position and a second closed position, and (ii) an actuation member arranged when depressed to move the wheel-retaining arm from the first position to the second position, and

b) a wheel guide arranged to guide a wheel of the motorcycle at least downwardly to cause depression of the actuation member. Since the weight of the wheel is guided downwards by the wheel guide, gravity assists closure of the lock mechanism. Preferably, the wheel guide is arranged to guide a wheel of the motorcycle along and downwardly to cause depression of the actuation member. The motorcycle wheel is thus guided into the correct position as it moves into the stand, and lock activation failure is reduced.

Preferably, the stand is arranged so that the wheel contacts the actuation member.

Alternatively, the wheel guide may contact the actuation member

Preferably, the lock mechanism is arranged so that depression of the actuation member locks the motorcycle in the stand. Alternatively, the device may be manually locked once the at least one wheel-retaining arm has closed.

Preferably, the wheel guide comprises a pivotable wheel guide member, the wheel guide member comprising a floor. Preferably, the floor has a bent configuration when viewed from the side. Preferably, the floor has forward and rearward sections which respectively extend forwardly and rearwardly of the pivot axis of the floor, the forward section being of greater length and/or weight than the rearward section. In that case, the wheel guide member is biased so that, when no motorcycle is in the stand, the forward section is substantially horizontal and the wheel guide member is ready to receive a motorcycle wheel. Preferably, the wheel guide member comprises side plates, which assist in guiding a wheel of a motorcycle into the correct position, and assist in retaining the motorcycle in the stand.

Alternatively, the wheel guide may comprise a ramp comprising inclined and declined sections.

Preferably, the actuation member comprises a tyre-contacting face that faces at least upwards. Positioning of the actuation member in this manner facilitates simple activation of the lock mechanism. More preferably, the tyre-contacting face faces upwards and back along in the direction of the wheel guide. Still more preferably, the tyre-contacting face has a normal in a direction of from 30 degrees to 60 degrees from the horizontal. Yet more preferably, the tyre-contacting face has a normal in a direction of 45 degrees from the horizontal.

Preferably, the stand comprises at least one wheel support member, which assists in retaining a motorcycle in the stand. This may be mounted on an upwardly extending bar supported by a support bar. Preferably, the at least one wheel support member may be positioned at a plurality of heights on the upwardly extending bar and/or the upwardly extending bar is positionable at a plurality of positions on the support bar, enabling the stand to accommodate motorcycles having wheels of different sizes.

Preferably, the stand comprises a lock mechanism comprising at least one movable wheel-retaining arm, wherein the at least one wheel-retaining arm comprises a wheel-retaining portion that is arcuate along at least part of its length.

Preferably, the stand comprises a lock mechanism that comprises a pair of wheel- retaining arms that are each connected to the actuation member.

Preferably, the stand comprises a lock mechanism comprising

a) a ratchet member, and

b) a locking rod comprising a plurality of indentations along part of its length, wherein the locking rod is rotatable about its axis between

i) a first orientation in which the indentations are aligned with and engage the ratchet member so that movement of the locking rod along its axis with respect to the ratchet member is permitted by the ratchet member in only one direction, and

ii) a second orientation in which the indentations are not aligned with the ratchet member and movement of the locking rod along its axis in the opposite direction is not prevented. This type of lock mechanism enables a motorcycle to be locked in the stand simply by depression of the actuation member.

More preferably, the locking rod also comprises a guide channel comprising: i) a locking path portion which runs along at least part of the length of the locking rod,

ii) a return path portion which is spaced from the locking path portion along part of its length and which converges at one of its ends with the locking path portion, and iii) a linking path portion which links the other end of the return path portion with an end of the locking path portion, and

the lock mechanism comprises a pin which is arranged to protrude within the guide channel, the pin thereby orientating the locking rod about its axis as the locking rod moves along its axis.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a lock mechanism comprising a) a ratchet member, and

b) a locking rod comprising a plurality of indentations along part of its length, wherein the locking rod is rotatable about its axis between i) a first orientation in which the indentations are aligned with and engage the ratchet member so that movement of the locking rod along its axis with respect to the ratchet member is permitted by the ratchet member in only one direction, and

ii) a second orientation in which the indentations are not aligned with the ratchet member and movement of the locking rod along its axis in the opposite direction is not prevented.

Preferably, the locking rod also comprises a guide channel comprising

i) a locking path portion which runs along at least part of the length of the locking rod,

ii) a return path portion which is spaced from the locking path portion along part of its length and which converges at one of its ends with the locking path portion, and iii) a linking path portion which links the other end of the return path portion with an end of the locking path portion, and

the lock mechanism comprises a pin which is arranged to protrude within the guide channel, the pin thereby orientating the locking rod about its axis as the locking rod moves along its axis.

More preferably, the lock mechanism comprises

(i) at least one arm that is movable between a first open position and a second closed position, and

(ii) an actuation member arranged when depressed to move the arm from the first position to the second position, and to move the locking rod along its axis with respect to the ratchet member.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a motorcycle stand and a motorcycle. The motorcycle may be in the stand.

An example of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred stand in accordance with the invention with a motorcycle wheel.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the stand with a motorcycle wheel moving into the stand. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the stand with a motorcycle wheel retained in the stand.

Figures 4 to 6 are side views of the stand and wheel as shown in Figures 1 to 3 . Figure 7 is a perspective view of the stand.

Figure 8 is a side view of an alternative stand in accordance with the invention.

Figure 9 is a perspective view from above of a preferred lock mechanism in accordance with the invention mounted on a front wall of a housing

Figure 10 is a perspective view from below of the lock mechanism in accordance with the invention mounted on the front wall of the housing.

Figures 1 1 to 15 are perspective views of a preferred lock mechanism in accordance with the invention.

Figure 16 is a perspective view of a locking rod having a guide channel in accordance with the invention.

Figures 17 and 18 are transparent perspective views of the preferred lock mechanism that show internal components of the mechanism.

In the preferred example of the invention, which is shown in Figure 1 , the motorcycle stand 1 comprises a housing 10 containing a lock mechanism 20, and a wheel guide 30. The lock mechanism 20 includes a pair of wheel-retaining arms 21 extending from the housing which are movable between a first open position and a second closed position. In the open position, shown in Figure 1 , the distance between the ends of the wheel-retaining arms 21 is wide enough to receive a portion of the tyre and rim of the wheel 40 of a motorcycle. In the closed position, shown in Figure 3, the distance between the ends of the wheel-retaining arms 21 is smaller than the rim width of a motorcycle wheel. Standard rim widths of motorcycle wheel are typically in the range of from 90 mm to 210 mm. The rim width of a motorcycle front wheel is typically in the range of from 90 mm to 120 mm, for example 1 10 mm or 120 mm. The rim width of a motorcycle rear wheel is typically in the range of from 160 mm to 210 mm, for example, 160 mm, 180 mm or 200 mm.

The lock mechanism also includes an actuation member 22 that protrudes from the housing 10. Depression of the actuation member 22 causes the wheel-retaining arms 21 to move from the open position to the closed position. The arms are automatically locked in that position thereby preventing removal of the motorcycle.

The wheel guide 30 comprises a pivotable wheel guide member 31 mounted on lateral rod 32. The lateral rod is free to rotate about its axis so as to allow pivotable movement of the wheel guide member 31. The wheel guide member 31 comprises a floor plate 33 and side plates 34. Floor 33 has forward and rearward floor sections 35 and 36 (as indicated in Figure 4) and is of a bent configuration (in particular the floor is V- shaped when viewed in cross-section taken in a vertical plane through the longitudinal axis of the wheel guide member). As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the wheel guide member 31 is pivotable between a first receiving position in which the forward section 35 of the floor is substantially horizontal and is ready to receive a motorcycle wheel (see Figures 1 and 4), and a second retaining position in which the rearward section 36 of the floor is substantially horizontal and the wheel guide member 31 is positioned so as to support a motorcycle wheel, and thereby the motorcycle, in an upright position (see Figures 3 and 6).

As a motorcycle is moved into stand 1, the wheel guide 30 serves to guide the wheel 40 of the motorcycle downwardly so as to cause depression of the actuation member. Since the weight of the wheel is guided downwards by the wheel guide, gravity assists closure of the wheel lock mechanism. In the preferred example, the wheel 40 is guided in an arc along and downwardly into contact with the actuation member 22. The motorcycle wheel is thus guided into the correct position by the wheel guide as it moves into the stand, and lock activation failure is reduced. The wheel guide 30 also assists in retaining the motorcycle in the stand, since the wheel must be moved upwardly and away from the stand in order to free the motorcycle from the stand.

As shown in Figures 1 and 4, before use the wheel guide member 31 is in a receiving position ready to receive a motorcycle wheel 40, namely the forward section 35 of the floor is substantially horizontal (it being, for example, heavier than the rearward section). Also, the wheel-retaining arms 21 are in an open position. A motorcycle is rolled towards wheel guide member 31 until motorcycle wheel 40 passes along the forward section 35 of the floor of the wheel guide member 31. Further movement of the motorcycle causes the wheel 40 to contact the rearward section of the floor 36 and the wheel guide member 31 then pivots, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, so that the wheel is moved along whilst moving initially up and then down so that it comes into contact with and depresses the actuating member 22. As a result, wheel-retaining arms 21 move to the closed and locked position, and the motorcycle cannot be removed from the stand (this position is shown in Figures 3 and 6). The wheel guide member 31 is now in the retaining position that was noted above.

To release the motorcycle, the lock mechanism 20 is unlocked, releasing the wheel retaining arms. The motorcycle can be moved upward and away and as the weight of the wheel on the actuation member is removed the wheel retaining arms open (the mechanism of which is described later below). The wheel guide member 31 then pivots back to the receiving position as the motorcycle is removed further from the stand.

In an alternative example, as shown in Figure 8, the wheel guide 30 does not include a pivotable wheel guide member but instead takes the form of a ramp 310 having inclined and declined sections. A motorcycle wheel that moves over the ramp is guided downwardly into contact with the actuation member. The ramp may have side plates (not shown) which guide the wheel towards the actuation member.

In the preferred example shown in Figure 1 , the stand is arranged so that the Wheel contacts the actuation member. However, in an alternative embodiment the wheel guide member may contact the actuation member (in that case, the actuation member may be positioned underneath the rearward section of the wheel guide member so that the wheel guide member contacts the actuation member as it pivots to the retaining position). More generally, other ways of harnessing the motion of the motorcycle so that the actuation member is depressed are within the scope of the invention.

The stand is suitable for supporting and locking a wheel of a motorcycle (i.e. the front or rear wheel). Preferably, the motorcycle stand is suitable for supporting and locking at least the front wheel of a motorcycle, since motorcycles are most easily manoeuvred by the front wheel.

Returning to the preferred example of Figure 1, the side plates 34 that form part of the wheel guide member 31 also serve to guide a motorcycle wheel by preventing lateral slippage of the wheel as the wheel guide member moves it towards the actuation member. They also support the wheel so that the motorcycle is supported in an upright orientation.

It is also possible, in the preferred example of Figure 1, the example with the ramp, and other examples, for the guiding function of the side plates to be provided for in other ways. For example side plates or rails mounted on another suitable part of the stand may be provided, for example on a frame on which the wheel guide is mounted.

Returning again to the preferred example, as indicated in Figures 2 and 7, the housing 10 has a base 11, a wheel-facing front wall 12, opposing side walls 13, and rear wall 14. The base 11 of housing 10 includes a removable access panel (not shown) to enable installation of and access to internal components of the lock mechanism 20. The wheel-facing wall 12 is inclined in this example.

The stand also has a wheel support assembly 50 that comprises a support bar 51 that extends rearwardly from housing 10, an upwardly extending bar 52 that is supported by support bar 51, and a wheel support member 53 mounted on the upwardly extending bar 52. The centre of the wheel support member 53 is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the floor 33 of the wheel guide member 31, so that a motorcycle wheel moving into the stand is received by the wheel support member 53.

The wheel support member comprises a base section 54 by which the wheel support member is secured to the upwardly extending bar 52, and two side portions 55 which extend forwardly from the base section 54. The wheel support member 53 may be curved in cross-section when viewed from above (e.g. C-shaped or U-shaped), the side portions may be straight or curved and may be parallel or divergent. The base section 54 of the wheel support member 53 and the upwardly extending bar 52 each have holes 56 and 57 which are used to fix them together using any suitable fixing means (e.g. nuts and bolts). Preferably, upwardly extending bar 52 comprises a plurality of holes 57 at different heights or one or more slots so that the wheel support member 53 may be positioned at a range of different heights, depending on the size of the wheel of the motorcycle that is to be retained in the stand. The upwardly extending bar 52 has a base portion 58 having one or more holes 59. Support bar 51 preferably comprises a plurality of holes or one or more slots 590 that enable the upwardly extending bar 52 to be positioned at a range of different positions on the support bar 51, again depending on the size of the motorcycle wheel.

As shown in Figures 2 and 4, when a motorcycle wheel is retained by the stand, the wheel is supported by the wheel support member and by the wheel guide. The motorcycle stand may comprise additional wheel support members. For example, an additional wheel support member may be mounted on the support bar, or may be mounted on the housing. Alternatively the stand does not comprise a support bar or upwardly extending bar but a wheel support member is instead located on the housing. It is also possible not to have any separate wheel support member, in which case, the motorcycle wheel is supported in the stand by the wheel guide alone, its side plates being sufficient.

As shown in Figure 7, the rear wall 14 of housing 10 is attached to a lateral anchorage bar 61 which extends laterally of housing 10. Two longitudinal bars 62 are attached to the housing 10 and extend forwardly therefrom and are spaced apart side by side. The longitudinal bars 62 support the wheel guide 30.

In the preferred example shown in Figures 1 to 7, the lateral rod 32 carrying wheel guide member 31 is mounted laterally between longitudinal bars 62. The lateral rod is free to rotate about its long axis. The longitudinal bars 62 each have holes 63 which permit connection of the lateral rod 32 to the longitudinal bars. Fixing means such as tamper proof screws or security fasteners pass through each of holes 63 and into threaded holes in the two ends of lateral rod 32.

In an alternative embodiment, the lateral rod comprises an outer tube fixed to the wheel guide member and an inner rod which is secured to the longitudinal bars, about which the outer tube rotates.

As shown in Figure 7, the longitudinal bars have multiple pairs of laterally aligned holes 63 to permit positioning of the wheel guide in a plurality of positions, in order to accommodate motorcycle wheels of different sizes.

In the preferred example, as indicated in Figure 4, the wheel guide member has a floor and has side plates, and the floor has forward and rearward sections, which respectively extend forwardly and rearwardly of the pivot axis of the floor. The forward section 35 of the floor is preferably of greater length and/or weight than the rearward floor section 36, so that the wheel guide member 31 is biased towards the receiving position. The floor may have a bent configuration, such as an angled or curved configuration in a vertical cross-section along the longitudinal axis of the wheel guide member. Alternatively, the floor may be straight in cross-section (i.e. in that case the wheel guide resembles a traditional see-saw). As shown in Figures 1 to 7, side plates 34 may extend upwardly from the sides of floor 33 at or near forward and rearward ends of the floor. The side plates 34 may be outwardly inclined. Preferably, housing 10 having wheel-facing front wall 12, and lock mechanism 20 and in particular actuating member 22, are positioned so that the force of a wheel approaching along the path prescribed by the wheel guide 30 is transferred onto the actuating member 22 at the tyre-contacting face of the actuating member 22. In other words, the tyre- contacting face of the actuating member 22 preferably faces at least upwards, more preferably upwards and along in the direction of the wheel guide 30. Preferably, the tyre-contacting face of actuating member 22 has a normal in a direction that is between 30 degrees to 60 degrees from the horizontal, more preferably between 40 degrees to 50 degrees from the horizontal, still more preferably at 45 degrees from the horizontal. Positioning of the actuating member 22 in this manner and delivery of the wheel by the wheel guide 30 facilitates simple activation of the lock mechanism 20, and reduces wheel lock activation failure due to misaligned or feeble contact of the wheel with the actuating member 22.

Housing 10, lateral anchorage bar 61 and longitudinal bars 62 form a ground- contacting base. Lateral anchorage bar 61 and longitudinal bars 62 have vertical holes 64 and 65 that allow the stand to be secured to a surface with which it is in contact. The motorcycle stand may be secured to the surface (e.g. a concrete surface) by means of concrete anchors, bolts or other fixings. Optionally, the stand may additionally comprise at least one horizontal plate (not shown) that may be positioned between the longitudinal bars. Each horizontal plate has one or more vertical holes which provide additional means that allow the stand to be secured to a surface. The horizontal plate is positioned between the longitudinal bars such that when a motorcycle is retained in the stand, the location of the wheel of the motorcycle and of the wheel guide inhibit access to anchors, bolts or other fixing means located in those holes.

A preferred example of a lock mechanism used in the motorcycle stand is shown in Figures 9 to 18. The lock mechanism is contained within housing 10 with the pair of wheel-retaining arms 21 and actuation member 22 extending from the housing (shown in Figures 9 and 10). Wheel-facing front wall 12 of housing 10 has a slot at or near the ends of which the lock mechanism 20 is mounted by means of a pair of pivot assemblies 23. Each pivot assembly 23 comprises a pair of mounting blocks 24 connected via a cylindrical pivot rod 25. One of the pair of wheel-retaining arms 21 is mounted on each cylindrical pivot rod 25. Each wheel-retaining arm 21 comprises a wheel-retaining portion 26, a pivot-engaging portion 27 by which the wheel-retaining arm 21 is mounted on its pivot rod 25, and on the other side of the pivot an actuation member-engaging portion 28. The wheel-retaining portion may be arcuate along at least part of its length and/or may be angled.

As shown in Figure 10, each wheel-retaining arm 21 passes through the slot in housing 10 so that the wheel-retaining portion 26 is external to the housing, and the actuation member-engaging portion 28 is located within the housing. Each pivot assembly 23 is orientated so as to allow pivotable movement of the pair of wheel- retaining arms 21 in a clamping manner, i.e. between the first open position and the second closed position.

The actuation member-engaging portions 28 of the two wheel-retaining arms 21 are connected by actuation member 22. The actuation member 22 is an upside-down L- shape in cross-section when viewed from the side and comprises a tyre-contacting portion 29 and an arm-engaging portion 210 which join at the right angle of the L. The actuation member 22 passes through the slot in housing 10 so that the tyre-contacting portion 29 is external to the housing. The tyre-contacting portion 29 has a tyre-contacting face which in this example is orientated to face in substantially the same direction as the wheel- facing front wall 12 of housing 10. The arm-engaging portion 210 of actuation member 22 has two horizontal slots 211 near its respective ends, respectively through which each wheel-retaining arm 21 is connected.

The actuation member-engaging portion 28 of each wheel-retaining arm 21 has a channel 212. An end of the arm-engaging portion 210 of actuation member 22 is located within each channel 212. The actuation member 22 is linked to each wheel -retaining arm 21 by means of a slider 213 that spans each respective channel 212 and which is secured to the actuation member-engaging portion 28 of each wheel-retaining arm 21. Each slider 213 passes through one of the slots in actuation member 22 and prevents separation of the wheel -retaining arm 21 and actuation member 22, but permits rotation of each wheel- retaining arm 21 and movement of each wheel -retaining arm along the length of its respective slot.

The actuation member-engaging portion 28 of each wheel-retaining arm 21 also has a protrusion 214 between which is stretched a helical tension spring 225 which biases the wheel-retaining arms 21 towards the open configuration. Alternatively, the biasing means may be an elastomeric band. The biasing means may alternatively connect any other suitable components of the lock mechanism 20, or may connect a suitable part of the lock mechanism to the housing (e.g. one or each of the wheel-retaining arms may be connected to a wall of the housing by its own spring).

The lock mechanism 20 also comprises a locking-unlocking assembly 215. A first locking rod guide 216 is mounted on the actuation member-engaging portion 28 of one wheel-retaining arm 21. A second locking rod guide 217 is mounted on the actuation member-engaging portion of the other wheel-retaining arm 21. Each of the first and second locking rod guides contains a bore hole. A common cylindrical locking rod 218 is located within the bore holes and is slidable along and rotatable around within the locking rod guides 216 and 217. The first locking rod guide comprises a pin (not shown) that protrudes from the internal surface of the first locking rod guide 216 into its bore hole. The first locking rod guide also comprises an additional bore that is perpendicular to and intersects with the bore hole. Attached to the first locking rod guide 216 is a housing 219 containing a compression spring which biases a ratchet member so that, in the absence of opposing force, it protrudes through the additional bore into the bore hole.

Locking rod 218 comprises a plurality of indentations 222 on one side along part of its length, the indentations having a bevelled edge and a straight edge. The locking rod is rotatable about its axis between a first orientation in which the indentations are aligned with with the ratchet member, and a second orientation in which the indentations are not aligned with the ratchet member. In the first, aligned, orientation, the locking rod is slidable over the ratchet member. When the part of the length of the locking rod that does not have indentations (i.e. that part of the surface is smooth) slides past the ratchet member, movement of the locking rod along its axis is possible in both directions.

However, when the part of the length of the locking rod having indentations slides over the ratchet member, the ratchet member engages the indentations and movement of the locking rod along its axis with respect to the ratchet member is permitted in only one direction. In the second orientation, movement of the locking rod along its axis in the opposite direction is not prevented, since the ratchet member is not aligned with the indentations and cannot engage them.

Along part of the opposite side of locking rod 218 is a recessed guide channel 223 having a locking path portion which runs along at least part of the length of the locking rod, a return path portion which is spaced from the locking path portion along part of its length and which turns to converge at one of its ends with the locking path portion, and a linking path portion which links the other end of the return path portion with an end of the locking path portion. The locking rod 218 is positioned in the first and second locking rod guides 216 and 217 so that the pin protrudes within the guide channel 223. In use, the pin orients the locking rod about its axis as the locking rod moves along its axis (see later below for further details).

At or near one end of locking rod 218 is a first protruding lug or block 224 that extends radially outwardly from the locking rod. A keyed unlocking device (not shown) extends inwardly of the housing. The unlocking device comprises a second protruding lug or block that is rotated when a key is turned in the unlocking device. The unlocking mechanism is positioned so that the second protruding lug or block engages with the first protruding block 224.

A stop plate (not shown) may be mounted on the internal face of tyre-facing front wall of the housing.

When the pair of wheel -retaining arms 21 are in the open position, the actuation member-engaging portions 28 are positioned so that each slider 213 abuts an inward face of its respective slot 211, and the actuation member 22 is orientated so that the tyre- contacting portion 29 protrudes outwardly from the wheel-facing front wall 12 of housing 10. The pin is located within the locking path portion of guide channel 223 and the ratchet member is aligned with the indentations 222, but is in contact with the part of the length of the locking rod that is smooth. Depression of the tyre-contacting portion 29 of actuation member 22 by a motorcycle wheel causes an associated movement of each slider 213 along its respective slot and causes the wheel-retaining arms 21 to pivot to the closed position. At the same time, first and second locking rod guides 216 and 217 move away from each other so that the locking rod 218 slides along its axis with respect to the locking rod guides and the ratchet member. The pin moves along the locking path portion of the guide channel, and prevents rotation of the locking rod 218 about its axis so that the ratchet member remains aligned with the indentations 222 during the locking process. As the part of the locking rod 218 having indentations slides over the protruding ratchet member, the ratchet member engages the indentations. In other words, the ratchet member moves away from the locking rod as it slides out of one indentation along its bevelled edge and then springs back into the next indentation via its straight edge in a ratchet effect. Movement of the locking rod along its axis with respect to the ratchet member in the reverse direction is prevented by the straight edges of the indentations, into one of which indentations the ratchet member protrudes.

The lock mechanism 20 may continue to move in this manner until the sliders 213 abut the outward face of their respective slots 211 and/or until the actuation member 22 contacts the stop plate. The wheel-retaining arms 21 are now in a closed position and are prevented from returning to the open position by the location of the ratchet member within one of the indentations 222.

Preferably, the wheel-retaining arms 21 are not in contact with the wheel of the motorcycle when they are in the closed position (as shown in Figures 3 and 6), and the wheel 40 is not supported in position by the wheel-retaining arms 21. This prevents marking or damage to the tyre or rim of the wheel.

To unlock the lock mechanism 20, a key is turned in the unlocking device causing rotation of the second protruding block. The second protruding block engages the first protruding block 224 and causes rotation of the locking rod 218 within the locking rod guides 216 and 217. Rotation of the locking rod about its axis is permitted, since the pin is now located at the junction of the linking path portion and the locking path portion of the guide channel. The linking path portion runs around part of the circumference of the locking rod, and links the locking path portion and the return path portion. Following rotation of the locking rod 218, the indentations are no longer aligned with the ratchet member, and the pin is now located within the return path portion of the guide channel. As the motorcycle wheel is lifted from the actuation member, tension spring 225 causes the actuation member-engaging portions 28 of each wheel-retaining arm 21 to move towards each other, the wheel-retaining arms 21 return to the open position, actuation member 22 returns to its original position in which it protrudes outwardly from housing 10, and the locking rod 218 slides within the locking rod guides 216 and 217 back past the ratchet member, guided by the movement of the pin along the return path portion (i.e. the indentations miss the ratchet member). When the pin is located within the part of the return path portion that turns to converge with the locking path portion, as the locking rod continues moving back along its axis with respect to the ratchet member, it is guided by the pin so that it rotates about its axis and that the indentations are again aligned with the ratchet member (i.e. the mechanism returns to its original position).

In an alternative embodiment, only one movable wheel-retaining arm is required. Depression of an actuation member causes the movable wheel-retaining arm to move towards a fixed wheel-retaining arm or other retaining element. In a further embodiment, the wheel-retaining arm or arms are not required to be pivotably movable. For example, the wheel-retaining arm or arms may be slidable so that they can move towards and away from each other, i.e. between a first open position and a second closed position.

In another embodiment, the ratchet member is not required to be located in a housing attached to a locking rod guide. Instead, the ratchet member may be attached to any component of the lock mechanism, so long as it is positioned so that it is engageable with indentations on the locking rod.

The lock mechanism may comprise alternative means by which it is unlocked. For example, rather than turning a key a number code may be inputted which, when inputted correctly, permits rotation of a rod having a first protruding block which engages with the second protruding block and causes rotation of the locking rod.

In a further alternative embodiment, unlocking of the device is not caused by rotation of the locking rod so that the indentations are no longer aligned with the ratchet member. Instead, the ratchet member may be retractable from the indentations. In that case, (when a motorcycle has been locked in the stand and the ratchet member is engaged in one of the indentations) turning of a key in a lock from a first position to a second position causes movement of the ratchet member away from the indentations. As the motorcycle is removed from the stand, the locking rod moves past the ratchet member under the action of a tension spring or other biasing means. The key can then be turned back to its original position, which causes movement of the ratchet member back towards the indentations, and resets the locking-unlocking mechanism.

In the preferred example described above, the guide channel comprises a linking path portion that links the locking path portion and return path portion. Alternatively, the guide channel may comprise a plurality of linking path portions, that link the locking path portion and return path portion at different points along their lengths. In that case, the linking path portions are positioned so that when the ratchet member engages any one of a number of indentations (i.e. the device is in one of several possible locked configurations), the pin is located at a junction of the locking path portion with one of the linking path portions. Thus, the lock mechanism may be unlocked from a plurality of locked configurations (in which the ratchet member engages one of a plurality of indentations) by rotation of the locking rod (e.g. in the event that the actuation member is not fully depressed by the wheel of the motorcycle).

As described above, in the preferred example of the lock mechanism, depression of the actuation member 22 locks the motorcycle in the stand (i.e. no turning of a key or use of other means is required to prevent removal of the motorcycle from the stand). In that example, a key is required solely to unlock the lock mechanism. In an alternative to that, the device has no ratchet but is manually locked once the wheel retaining arms have closed. For example, the locking-unlocking mechanism may comprise a key- or number code-operated mechanism that includes a block which, when the lock is turned to the locked position, moves the block so that it prevents movement of the wheel-retaining anus (e.g. by acting as a stop preventing motion of those arms directly, or indirectly by preventing motion of another component such as the actuation member).

The lock mechanism is also suitable for use in devices that require locking and unlocking other than the motorcycle stand described above. For example, the lock mechanism may be used with other types of motorcycle stands, stands for other vehicles, or by itself as a lock. In some embodiments, the lock includes at least one movable arm as described above. In other embodiments, the lock mechanism does not have at least one movable arm. In that case, movement of the locking rod along its axis provides the locking function (e.g. as the locking rod moves along its axis, an end of the locking rod is received in a recess, and movement or separation of objects is prevented).

The present invention also encompasses motorcycle stands having alternative lock mechanisms to those described above that are still movable between a first open position and a second closed position. Examples known from the prior art include those in which the wheel-retaining arms are mounted on pivots that are internal to the housing and/or may protrude from separate openings in the housing. The wheel-retaining arms are connected by a linkage extending between the wheel-retaining arms externally of the housing, so that when a part of the linkage is depressed the wheel-retaining arms move from an open position to a closed position. In another example, the wheel-retaining arms are pivotally mounted on an actuation member which is mounted within the housing, and which actuation member has a tyre- contacting portion protruding from the housing. In that example, the side walls of an opening in the housing abut the outward sides of the wheel-retaining arms. When the actuation member is pushed into the housing, the wheel- retaining arms move from an open splayed configuration to a closed configuration, due to the width of the opening in the housing constraining the width of the wheel-retaining arms as they move backwards into the housing.

The motorcycle stand may be constructed from any suitable strong and durable materials, for example steel. Components of the stand may be constructed using known techniques. By way of example, housing 10 or wheel guide member 31 may be prepared by folding of a planar metal precursor. Alternatively, separate sections may be fastened together, e.g. they may be welded or bolted together.