Hitch connectable motorcycle transport

Abstract

A lift for a motorcycle, with the lift being useable with a hitch receiver. The lift comprises a connector engageable with the hitch receiver, and a guide rail having a first end portion coupled to the connector and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. A carriage is operatively coupled to the guide rail and is traversable between a first position and a second position, the carriage moving toward the second end portion of the guide rail as the carriage moves from the first position toward the second position. A platform is coupled to the carriage and is engageable with the motorcycle and capable of supporting the weight of the motorcycle when engaged therewith and as the carriage is moved from the first position toward the second position, causing the motorcycle to be lifted from the ground.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lift for a motorcycle, the lift being useable with a hitch receiver, the lift comprising:
 a connector engageable with the hitch receiver;   a guide rail having a first end portion coupled to the connector and a second end portion opposite the first end portion;   a carriage operatively coupled to the guide rail and traversable between a first position and a second position, the carriage moving toward the second end portion of the guide rail as the carriage moves from the first position toward the second position; and   a platform coupled to the carriage and engageable with the motorcycle and capable of supporting the weight of the motorcycle when engaged therewith and as the carriage is moved from the first position toward the second position, causing the motorcycle to be lifted from the ground.   
     
     
         2 . The lift recited in  claim 1 , wherein the carriage includes an opening, the guide rail being received within the opening. 
     
     
         3 . The lift recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a first bearing coupled to the carriage and interfacing with a first side of the guide rail. 
     
     
         4 . The lift recited in  claim 2 , further comprising a second bearing coupled to the carriage in opposed relation to the first bearing, the second bearing interfacing with a second side of the guide rail opposite the first side of the guide rail. 
     
     
         5 . The lift recited in  claim 1 , the platform and the carriage comprising at least a portion of a support assembly, the lift further comprising:
 a spool coupled to the guide rail and rotatable relative to the guide rail about a rotation axis; and   a cable operatively coupled to the spool and the support assembly, the cable defining an exposed portion as that portion of the cable extending between the spool and the support assembly, the exposed portion of the cable decreasing as the carriage moves from the first position toward the second position, the exposed portion of the cable increasing as the carriage moves from the second position toward the first position.   
     
     
         6 . The lift recited in  claim 5 , further comprising an electric motor coupled to the spool to effectuate rotation of the spool. 
     
     
         7 . The lift recited in  claim 6 , further comprising an electric connector coupled to the electric motor and connectable to an electrical port on a vehicle to electrically connect the electric motor to an electronic power source on the vehicle. 
     
     
         8 . The lift recited in  claim 6 , further comprising a controller in operative communication with the electric motor, the controller being capable of receiving manual inputs from a user to allow for user control of the electric motor. 
     
     
         9 . The lift recited in  claim 5 , further comprising a crank lever coupled to the spool to effectuate manual rotation of the spool. 
     
     
         10 . A hitch-mountable lift for lifting a first vehicle, the hitch-mountable lift comprising:
 a first assembly engageable with a hitch receiver and including a rail;   a second assembly engageable with the first vehicle and including a sleeve defining an opening, the rail extending through the opening, the first and second assemblies being moveable relative to each other, with the sleeve moving along the rail; and   the second assembly being capable of supporting the weight of the first vehicle when engaged therewith and as the second assembly is moved relative to the first assembly, causing the first vehicle to be lifted from the ground.   
     
     
         11 . The hitch-mountable lift recited in  claim 10 , wherein the second assembly further includes a first bearing coupled to the sleeve and interfacing with a first side of the rail. 
     
     
         12 . The hitch-mountable lift recited in  claim 11 , wherein the second assembly further includes a second bearing coupled to the sleeve in opposed relation to the first bearing, the second bearing interfacing with a second side of the rail opposite the first side of the rail. 
     
     
         13 . The hitch-mountable lift recited in  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a spool coupled to the rail and rotatable relative to the rail about a rotation axis; and   a cable operatively coupled to the spool and the second assembly, the cable defining an exposed portion as that portion of the cable extending between the spool and the second assembly, the exposed portion of the cable decreasing as the second assembly moves toward the spool, the exposed portion of the cable increasing as the second assembly moves away from the spool.   
     
     
         14 . The hitch-mountable lift recited in  claim 13 , further comprising an electric motor coupled to the spool to effectuate rotation of the spool. 
     
     
         15 . The hitch-mountable lift recited in  claim 14 , further comprising a controller in operative communication with the electric motor, the controller being capable of receiving manual inputs from a user to allow for user control of the electric motor. 
     
     
         16 . The hitch-mountable lift recited in  claim 14 , further comprising an electric connector coupled to the electric motor and connectable to an electrical port on a second vehicle to electrically connect the motor to an electronic power source on the second vehicle. 
     
     
         17 . The hitch-mountable lift recited in  claim 13 , further comprising a crank lever coupled to the spool to effectuate manual rotation of the spool. 
     
     
         18 . A method of transporting a motorcycle, the method comprising the steps of:
 supporting a motorcycle on a lift comprising:
 a connector engageable with a hitch receiver; 
 a guide rail having a first end portion coupled to the connector and a second end portion opposite the first end portion; 
 a carriage operatively coupled to the guide rail and traversable between a first position and a second position, the carriage moving toward the second end portion of the guide rail as the carriage moves from the first position toward the second position; and 
 a platform coupled to the carriage and engageable with the motorcycle and capable of supporting the weight of the motorcycle when engaged therewith and as the carriage is moved from the first position toward the second position, causing the motorcycle to be lifted from the ground; and 
   moving the carriage along the rail to raise the motorcycle off the ground.   
     
     
         19 . The method recited in  claim 18 , wherein the moving step includes actuating a motor coupled to the carriage to move the carriage along the rail. 
     
     
         20 . The method recited in  claim 19 , wherein the moving step includes rotating a crank lever operatively coupled to the carriage to move the carriage along the rail.