COMBINED BACKREST AND STORAGE CONTAINER ASSEMBLY FOR A VEHICLE

COMBINAISON DOSSIER ET ESPACE DE RANGEMENT POUR VEHICULE

English Abstract

The assembly (10) comprises a rigid container shell (32), which constitutes a
frame
providing rigidity to the assembly (10). The container shell (32) comprises a
rear access
opening (32a) which may be closed by a removable lid (40) and is embedded in a
resilient stuffing. The container shell (32) and the stuffing are covered by
an outer layer
(22). The invention provides another closed and hidden storage location (30)
within the
exiting elements of a snowmobile (12) or any other kinds of vehicles having a
shortage
of storage locations, without affecting the exterior aspect of the vehicle.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A combined backrest and storage container assembly for a snowmobile, the
assembly having a front side and a rear side, the assembly comprising:
a substantially rigid container shell provided with an access opening on a
rear
side thereof,
a resilient stuffing set at least in front of the container shell to create a
cushioned
backrest portion at the front side of the assembly;
an outer layer covering the stuffing and the container shell;
a lid adapted to close the access opening of the container shell;
means for removably securing the lid over the access opening of the container
shell; and
at least one support arm having one end connected to the container shell and
another end connected to the snowmobile.
2. A combined backrest and storage container assembly according to claim 1,
wherein the means for removably securing the lid over the access opening of
the
shell comprise an articulated joint extending between one edge of the lid and
a
corresponding location on the assembly.
3. A combined backrest and storage container assembly according to claim 2,
wherein the means for removably securing the lid over the access opening of
the
shell comprise Velcro® bands having one portion located on the rear side
of
assembly and another opposite portion located on the lid.
5

4. A combined backrest and storage container assembly according to claim 1,
wherein there are two support arms, each connected to a respective side of the
container shell.

Description

CA 02306195 2000-04-19
1
COMBINED BACKREST AND STORAGE CONTAINER ASSEMBLY
FOR A VEHICLE
The present invention relates to combined backrest and storage container
assembly that
may be used on a vehicle such as a snowmobile, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), a
motorcycle or any other vehicle on which a backrest may be useful.
Storage locations are always very convenient on any kind of vehicle,
especially on a
vehicle which is not provided with a closed cockpit for the occupants. Among
existing
vehicles, snowmobiles are known to have very few closed storage locations to
store
objects such as a snowmobile cover, safety equipments, tools, etc. As a
result, it is only
possible to store a very restricted volume of objects. Yet, the use of
removable bags
or boxes on the exterior body of snowmobiles is not always a desirable
solution to many
owners because they are found to be unattractive and costly. There is thus a
need to
provide more storage locations within the exiting elements of a snowmobile. A
similar
need is also felt with other kinds of vehicles that have the same shortage of.
storage
locations.
It has been found that one solution to the above-identified problem is to
provide a
storage containerwithin the backrest that is provided on many open-cockpit
vehicles like
snowmobiles, particularly up market snowmobiles. Backrests found on other
vehicles
can also take advantage of the present invention. .
More particularly, the present invention relates to a combined backrest and
storage
container assembly for a vehicle. The assembly comprises substantially rigid
container
shell provided with an access opening on a rear side thereof. A resilient
stuffing is set
at least in front of the container shell to create a cushioned backrest
portion at the front
side of the assembly. The assembly further comprises an outer layer covering -
#he
stuffing and the container shell. A lid is adapted to close the access opening
of the
container shell. Means are used for removably securing the lid over the access
opening
of the shell.

CA 02306195 2000-04-19
2
The present invention will be better understood from the following description
and
appended figures in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the upper rear side of a typical snowmobile
and which
is provided with a combined backrest and a storage container assembly
according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a front elevation view of the combined backrest storage container
assembly
shown in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the assembly, as taken along line 3-3 in
Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of the upper rear end of the snowmobile
and the
assembly in Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure.4, showing the lid of the assembly in a
closed
position.
Figures 1 to 5 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a combined backrest and
storage
container assembly (1.0) mounted on the upper rear end of a typical snowmobile
(12).
It should be noted that the present invention may be used with other kinds of
vehicles,
such as all terrain vehicles (ATV), motorcycles or the like.
When viewed from the exterior, the assembly (10) is very similar, if not
identical, to a
conventional backrest. The assembly (10) has a front side (10a) and a rear
side (10b).
The reference to the front or rear is made in reference with the normal travel
direction
of the snowmobile (12). The front side (10a) includes a backrest portion
(10c). The -
exterior shape of the backrest portion (10c) is generally curved with
reference to a
vertical axis. Like some conventional backrests, the assembly (10) may be sold
as an
after-market product to be installed on an existing vehicle. It is therefore
not limitedto
new vehicles.

CA 02306195 2002-10-23
3
The present invention features a storage container (30) located inside the
outer limits
of the assembly (10). The storage container (30) includes a substantially
rigid container
shell (32) provided with a rear access opening (32a). The container shell (32)
can have
any suitable shape but a rectangular shape is preferred. The container shell
(32) is
concealed inside a resilient stuffing (20) and provides the rigidity of the
whole backrest.
The position and configuration of the container shell (32) with reference to
the backrest
portion (10c) has to be such that it does not create discomfort to a user. The
stuffing
(20) may be a foam, a gel or any other suitable material having the desired
properties.
Finally, the stuffing (20) and the container shell (32) are covered by an
outer layer (22)
of vinyl or another durable material.
In the illustrated snowmobile (12), the assembly (10) is slidably connected to
its frame
by means of a pair of support arms (14) projecting from the bottom side
thereof. The
upper end of the support arms (14) is connected to a respective side of the
container
shell (32) and the bottom end of the support arms (14) is slidably connected
to a
corresponding rail (12b) that is provided on a respective side (12a) of the
snowmobile
(12). One of the advantages of having such slidable connection is that the
assembly
(10) may be moved forward and used by the driver when there is no passenger on
the
rear seat. A slide lock mechanism (16) is used on each side to hold the
assembly (10)
at the selected position. Moreover, the illustrated assembly (10) is provided
with a
mechanism (18) to adjust the tilt angle between the backrest and the support
arms (14),
according to the specific needs of the user. This last feature is only
optional.
Figures 4 and 5 show a lid (40) that is adapted to close the access opening
(32a) in
order to protect and isolate items in the storage container (30) from the
outside
environment. The lid (40) is preferably rigid and substantially splash-proof
or even
water-proof to prevent water or other contaminants to enter in the container
shell (32).
Means are used for removably securing the lid (40) over the access opening
(32a).
Preferably, the lid (40) completely hides the opening (32a) of the rear side
of the
assembly (10). It comprises an articulated joint (42) extending between one
edge of the
lid (40) and a corresponding location on the assembly (10). The articulated
joint (42)
can be a two-part hinge or, for instance, a resilient section in the plastic
material, if such
material is used. The articulated joint (42) can extend horizontally or
vertically. The

CA 02306195 2000-04-19
4
means for removably securing the lid {40) over the access opening (32a)
preferably
comprise Velcro~ bands (44) having one portion located on the rear side (10b)
of the
assembly (10) and another opposite portion located on the periphery of the lid
(40).
Once the lid (40) is closed, the external appearance of the assembly (10)
would be very
similar to that of a conventional backrest. Whenever someone wants to gain
access to
the storage container (30) and its content, the lid (40) may be open by
forcing the
opposite portions of the Velcro~ bands (44) away from each other.
Alternatively, the means for removably securing the lid (40) may only comprise
the
Velcro~ bands (44) and no articulated joint. The lid (40) could then be
completely
removed. Other kinds of removable connections can also be used, such as a
zipper,
snaps, hooks, etc. The lid (40) can be flexible instead of rigid. For
instance, it is
possible to use of a lid in the form of a piece of fabric or even a mesh if it
is not
necessary to fully close the access opening (32a).
Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail
herein
and illustrated in the accompanying figures, it is to be understood that the
invention is
not limited to this precise embodiment and that various changes and
modifications may
be effected therein without departing from the scope or spirit of the present
invention.

Representative Drawing