Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02353914 2001-07-13
BACKGROUND
Due to their minimalist structure, motorcycles are ill equipped for
transporting
their passengers' luggage. One common solution is to use elastic shock cords
or "bungee
cords" to strap luggage items across the pillion portion of the motorcycle's
seat. To
accommodate this mode of luggage transportation, motorcycle manufacturers
typically
affix several "bungee hooks" along each side of the frame, below the pillion
rider's seat
cushion. The rider uses bungee cords affixed to these fixation points to
secure bags,
boxes or other luggage items onto the motorcycle's pillion seat. Using bungee
cords is
simple, inexpensive and leaves the motorcycle unaltered when luggage is not
being
transported. However, installing the bungee cords is tedious, and can pose a
safety
hazard if the cords are not precisely placed onto the luggage articles.
Furthermore,
luggage articles carried in this manner are exposed to the elements and are
prone to theft
when the motorcycle is parked.
To mitigate these problems, various carrying containers have been devised for
motorcycles that more adequately constrain and protect the luggage articles.
Both soft-
sided containers and hard-sided containers are commonly available. Typically,
these
luggage-carrying systems include mounting fixtures attached to the sides
andlor tail
section of the motorcycle's frame. The luggage container includes fixtures
that mate with
their corresponding fixtures on the motorcycle, thereby permitting the
container to be
quickly and securely mounted and dismounted. These types of luggage systems
provide
secure stowage space for luggage items and discourage theft, particularly in
the case of
hard sided containers. However, the mounting fixtures attached to the
motorcycle are
unsightly when the luggage container is not attached to the motorcycle.
Furthermore, the
mounting fixtures add significantly to the cost of the luggage carrying system
and must
be custom manufactured to fit each different model of motorcycle.
Soft-sided luggage bags may use external straps and buckles to attach the bag
directly to the motorcycle's bungee hooks, thereby providing a less expensive
system,
and leaving the motorcycle's appearance unaltered when the bag is dismounted.
However, it is generally not easy to load or retrieve luggage items through
the flaps of
such soft-sided bags. Furthermore, the bag's external attachment straps and
buckles are
easily tampered with, thereby compromising the security of the luggage.
Furthermore,
when these straps and buckles are cinched tight, the excess strap material is
unsightly and
must be secured against blowing in the wind.
CA 02353914 2001-07-13
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a motorcycle
luggage
container that eliminated the disadvantages noted in the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A rigid luggage box tension mounted upon the pillion rider's portion of a
motorcycle seat. The luggage box is comprised of an open-topped lower
container
selectably closed by an upper lid.
At least one tensioned attachment cord passes closely through at least one
aperture made near both the left and the right lower edges of said luggage
box. The
lower extremity of each cord is secured around a frame member or one of the
motorcycle's supplied bungee hooks. Jam cleats are affixed to inside walls of
the
luggage box that selectably clamp onto each cord, thereby adjusting each
cord's length to
securely tension the bottom of the luggage box against the motorcycle's seat
cushion.
A padlock hasp may be provided that permits the lid portion to be secured to
the
lower container portion. A metal cable having closed loops formed at both ends
may be
provided that secures around one of the motorcycle's frame members at one end
and
locks inside the padlock's shackle at the other, thereby preventing
unauthorized removal
of the container. An electronic motion sensor may also be provided to
discourage
tampering or theft.
The attachment cords may also include means for configuring two shoulder strap
loops, thereby permitting the box to be carned as a backpack.
The carrying capacity of the luggage container may be augmented either by
forming a U shaped box that hangs down along both sides of the seat or by
attaching
auxiliary side boxes. The upper inside walls of said auxiliary boxes are
affixed to the left
and right sides of the main luggage container. Each auxiliary box may include
a support
strut that projects down along the inner side of the box to a clamp that
affixes onto one of
the pillion rider's foot pegs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side view of typical sport motorcycle having suitable fixation
points for the
present invention.
FIG. 2 is a top view of typical sport motorcycle having suitable fixation
points for the
present invention.
FIG. 1 is a side view of typical sport motorcycle mounting the luggage box.
FIG. 2 is a top view of typical sport motorcycle mounting the luggage box.
FIG. 3 is a rear view of typical sport motorcycle mounting the luggage box.
FIG. 4 is a side view of typical sport motorcycle mounting both the luggage
box and two
auxiliary side boxes.
CA 02353914 2001-07-13
FIG. 5 is a top view of typical sport motorcycle mounting both the luggage box
and two
auxiliary side boxes.
FIG. 6 is a rear view of typical sport motorcycle mounting both the luggage
box and two
auxiliary side boxes.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the luggage box illustrating cord-holes and
jam cleats.
FIG. 8 is a large-scale perspective view of the front, right jam cleat shown
in FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the luggage box with side extensions that
increase its
carrying capacity.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the luggage box with deep side extensions and
side-
release jam cleats positioned to provide adequate cord tensioning geometry.
FIG. 11 is a large-scale perspective view of FIG. 10 showing detail of a side-
release jam
cleat.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, typical motorcycle 1 includes a
pillion
rider's seat cushion 7, folding pillion rider's foot pegs 8, a pillion rider's
grab-rail 9,
bungee hooks 5 and an operator's seat 10. As illustrated, the pillion rider's
seat 7 and
operator's seat 10 are separate units however many motorcycles combine the
front and
rear cushions into a single cushion that serves both riders (not illustrated).
The present
invention attaches in a similar manner to both of these seat configurations.
Rear
bodywork 6 is often provided to hide the motorcycle's underlying frame
members.
BOX CONSTRUCTION:
Luggage box 2 and its lid 3 are formed of rigid material such as plastic or
metal.
The box may have substantially orthogonal edges or somewhat rounded edges as
illustrated. The curved edges may be asymmetrically formed to provide a more
aerodynamic and attractive shape (not illustrated).
The side-to-side dimension of luggage box 2 is typically wide enough that its
rigid lower surface cantilevers out from both sides of rear seat 7. Its for-
aft dimension is
approximately the same as that of a typical pillion rider's seat cushion 7 and
its height is
typically tall enough that the closed box can accommodate a full-face
motorcycle helmet.
Closed box dimensions of approximately 600 mm wide by 400 mm long by 300 mm
high
are therefore useful however significantly larger or smaller box dimensions
may also be
used successfully.
Luggage box 2 and its lid 3 may have one or more reinforcing webs protruding
from either their inside or outside surfaces (not illustrated). The
reinforcement webs
serve to lighten the box and concentrate structural integrity near high stress
areas such as;
corners, hinges, locking clasps, cord attachment points, carrying handles,
etc.
CA 02353914 2001-07-13
One or more external carrying handles may be affixed to the exterior of box 2
or
its lid 3 (not illustrated). Said handles may be shaped and located so as to
receive bungee
hooks or rope lashings used to secure additional luggage items such as tents,
sleeping
bags etc to the box's exterior surface. Dedicated hooks or eye fixtures may
also protrude
from the box's exterior surface to provide anchor points for said lashings.
The six principal faces of the closed luggage box 2, 3 may be substantially
flat as
illustrated in FIG l, FIG 2 and FIG 3. The front face of luggage box 2 may
also include a
concave portion, ergonomically shaped to rest comfortably against the back of
the rider
(not illustrated). A padded cushion on the front face of luggage box 2 may
also be
provided to enhance the comfort of a rider leaned back against it (also not
illustrated).
The front or bottom face of box 2 may include fixtures for attaching a pair of
shoulder straps (not illustrated) that permit box 2 to be worn as a backpack.
In the case
of using the box's bottom face to contact the wearer's back, said shoulder
straps may be
configured using the same cords 4, jam-cleats and cord-holes 16 used to affix
the luggage
box to the motorcycle (described below). In order for cords 4 to serve as
comfortable
shoulder straps, said cords may be substantially longer than required for
attaching box 2
to motorcycle 1. A wide strap of cushion material having cord insertion slots
at each end
may also be provided, thereby permitting the user to increase the wearability
of cords 4
when configured as shoulder straps.
Box 2 may include local indentations that permit the box to fit around rear
turn
signals, mufflers or other structural element of a particular motorcycle (not
illustrated).
The bottom face of luggage box 2 may include a textured surface or layer of
high
friction material such as rubber (not illustrated). When tension mounted
against seat
cushion 7, the increased friction impedes box 2 from shifting its position on
pillion seat 7.
Soft rubber bumpers that prevent the box from damaging the motorcycle may
cover the edges of luggage box 2 (not illustrated). For example, the box may
be axed
to seat 7 with its lower rear edge in contact grab rail 9, thereby aiding to
stabilize it
against movement. In this example, a rubber bumper covering the rear edge of
box 2
serves to prevent the box from abrading grab rail 9.
Lid 3 is typically hinged to box 2 along one of its edges. The mating surface
between box 2 and lid 3 may include suitable weatherproofing means such as a
gasket or
interlocking edges. Typically, lid 3 will include latch fixtures that enable
the lid to
hermetically seal against box 2 (not illustrated).
Lid 3 may incorporate a transparent membrane, held tightly across the lid's
upper
surface (not illustrated). The transparent membrane includes an opening along
one side
to form a pouch. The user may insert printed material such as a map into said
pouch such
that the printed material is more easily viewed than if it were folded and
stored inside of
box 2. The map pouch may also be affixed to the inside of lid 3 so that the
rider can
easily view its contents simply by opening the lid.
FIXATION MEANS:
A plurality of tensioned cords 4 are used to secure box 2 to seat 7. The upper
end
of each cord 4 is affixed inside of box 2 using one of the tensioning/fixation
means
described below. The lower extremity of each cord 4 is typically terminated
with a loop
or hook that can be engaged around one of the motorcycle's bungee hooks 5. If
no
CA 02353914 2001-07-13
bungee hooks are conveniently located, the lower end of cord 4 may be engaged
around
one of the motorcycle's frame members.
Figures 1 to 3 illustrate the use of four cords 4 connecting the luggage box
to the
four bungee hooks provided on the particular motorcycle 1 being used for
illustration.
The location of bungee hooks 5 or other suitable attachment points can vary
significantly
from one motorcycle to another, therefore, the present invention supports a
variety of
attachment cord configurations. Figures 1 to 3 illustrate an embodiment in
which, on
each side of box 2 a single cord 4 is immovably affixed to the box at one of
its ends. The
single cord 4 passes down from said attachment point, across the motorcycles
bungee
hooks 5 and then loops back up into to box 2 where its other end is adjustably
affixed
using an internal jam-cleat (described below). Since only one cord 4 is used
to secure
each side of box 2, only one tension adjuster at one end of cord 4 suffces to
apply equal
tension to both the front and rear lower corners of box 2. Cords 4 are shown
attached
near the outer edge of the bottom surface of box 2. If the width of box 2 is
narrower than
pillion seat 7 then the cord attachment points may be located near the lower
edge of the
sides of box 2 (not illustrated).
In an alternate embodiment (best illustrated in FIG 7) a plurality of separate
attachment cords 4 are used to affix box 2 to pillion seat 7. Four cords 4
hang from the
boxes lower corners for affixment to the motorcycle at their lower ends using
loops or
hooks. This embodiment permits tension to be adjusted independently onto each
bungee
hook 5, thereby permitting the rider to better balance pressure of box 2 onto
pillion seat 7.
FIG 7, FIG 8 and FIG 9 are perspective views that illustrate a preferred
embodiment of a tensioning/attachment means for affixing the upper end of each
cord 4
to the inside of box 2. At each point of fixation between a cord 4 and box 2,
cord-hole 16
pierces box 2 near one of its lower corners. Each cord-hole 16 is sized such
that cord 4
can be passed closely through it for affixment inside the box. Jam-cleats 15
are affixed to
or integrahy molded to inside surfaces of said box and used to affix each cord
4 to box 2.
Jam-cleats are cord fixation means commonly used aboard sailboats. Jam cleats
may be comprised of a cylindrical bore sized to receive the cord and a V
shaped opening
along one side of said bore (in FIG 8, cord 4 is shown artificially thin in
order to better
illustrate said V groove). When the cord is aligned inside the jam-cleat's
bore, it may be
moved freely along the bore's axis in both directions. However, when the cord
is
tensioned and then pulled sideways into the V groove, the groove's edges grip
the cord to
prevent it from being withdrawn back through the cleat's bore.
Other types of jam-cleats are commonly available and may also be used in the
present invention. Sorne jam-cleats employ one or more spring-loaded cams that
permit
only unidirectional travel of the cord (not illustrated). Other cam-based jam
cleats
employ a lever-operated cam that pinches the cord to immobilize it (not
illustrated).
Other common jam-cleats employ multiple V shaped teeth and an open sided
structure
(illustrated in FIG. 10). These open sided jam-cleats facilitate fast
disengagement of the
cord from the cleat. They also afford greater flexibility than tube-type
cleats since their
gripping axis may be mounted at right angles to cord-hole 16. Other simple
cord
clamping mechanisms for preventing withdrawal of tensioned cord 4 back through
cord-
hole 16 will be apparent to those practiced in the art.
To mount box 2 to pillion seat 7, the user positions the box and attaches the
lower
end of each cord 4 to a bungee hook or similar mounting point on the
motorcycle. The
CA 02353914 2001-07-13
user then reaches inside the box, pulls each cord to the desired tension and
cinches each
cord into its respective jam-cleat. The slack ends of each cord may be left
loose inside
box 2 to be covered over with luggage items, as they are loaded.
To provide optimal tensioning properties, cords 4 are typically elastic
"bungee
cords" comprised of an inner core of parallel rubber fibers encased within a
woven
sheathing material made of inelastic fibers. When stretched, such cords
elongate until the
inelastic outer sheathing bears all increased load, thereby arresting further
elongation.
Since the pillion cushion 7 also has some degree of elasticity that can
maintain
cord tension, inelastic cords 4 such as nylon rope or plastic covered wire
rope may also
be used in place of elastic bungee cords. Plastic covered wire rope may also
be used as
an anti-theft measure since such cords are difficult for would-be thieves to
cut through.
If elastic bungee cords are used, then each cord's diameter deceases as it
becomes
fully stretched, thereby opening a space through cord-hole 16 that could
permit dirt or
water to penetrate into box 2. Therefore, deformable sealing grommets may be
used to
block the space around each tensioned cord (not illustrated). Said sealing
grommets may
be foam inserts formed within cord-hole 16. Said sealing grommets may also be
comprised of a concentric ring of elastic sealing material that slides along
each cord.
Once cord 4 is tensioned, the user slides said sealing grommet along it until
it contacts
either the inside or outside surface of box 2, thereby sealing cord-hole 16.
If a slidable
sealing grommet is used, it may include a slit through one side that permits
it to be taken
on or off the side of a tensioned cord.
In another embodiment, elastic cords are affixed to box 2 with a constant
length
hanging below the cord-holes 16 (i.e. without any length/tension adjustment
means
provided inside of box 2). The fixed length of each cord is such that the user
can stretch
it far enough that its lower end can reach over a bungee hook and yet still
provide enough
tension to securely affix box 2 against pillion seat 7. Such fixation of cords
4 to box 2
may be made by threading cord 2 up through cord-hole 16 and then tying a knot
at the
appropriate location inside box 2 (not illustrated). The knot is large enough
to prevent
cord 4 from sliding back through cord-hole 16. Other simple means for affixing
cords 4
at a fixed length will be obvious to those practiced in the art. While less
expensive to
produce than embodiments using adjustable length cords, this embodiment of the
luggage
box is somewhat more cumbersome to mount and dismount, somewhat less rigidly
mounted and somewhat easier for a thief to remove from the motorcycle. Further
more,
this embodiment cannot be readily readjusted to fit different models of
motorcycle.
Some motorcycles are equipped with a carrying rack cantilevered behind pillion
seat 7, thereby permitting baggage to be carried when two riders are mounted
(not
illustrated). The present invention may be used in conjunction with said racks
by placing
box 2 onto said rack instead of seat 7 and then affixing cords 4 to the rack
instead of the
motorcycle's bungee hooks 5.
By locating jam-cleats or similar cord length adjustment means on the inside
of
box 2, the exterior appearance of luggage box 2 remains uncluttered.
Furthermore, any
loose cord ends are shielded from blowing in the wind and thieves do not have
access to
the proper means for dismounting the box from the motorcycle. Nevertheless, a
useful
luggage box can be configured using external cord attachment means. Therefore
in a
preferred embodiment, no cord-holes 16 are provided and cords 4 are affixed to
the
CA 02353914 2001-07-13
exterior of box 2 using the same cord attachment and/or length adjustment
fixtures
described above (not illustrated).
To prevent tensioned cords 4 from abrading against bodywork 6, anti-abrading
patches (not illustrated) may be provided. The user affixes said patches to
the
motorcycle's bodywork underneath each cord's contact path. These protective
patches
are typically made of clear plastic membrane with an adhesive backing.
AUGMENTING TES LUGGAGE BOX' S CARRYING CAPACTTY:
The bottom face of luggage box 2 may include a central arched portion
(illustrated in FIG. 9). This arched bottom surface forms a saddle-shaped box
2 with
interior side pockets that hang outboard of seat cushion 7 and bodywork 6,
thereby
increasing the box's carrying capacity. The upper surface of the arched
portion of box 2
may be asymmetrically shaped to conform to the general curve of a typical
pillion rider's
seat cushion 7. The two side surfaces of the arched portion of box 2 are
shaped to
provide adequate side-clearance between the inside of the arch and the
motorcycle.
Since the box's side pockets are relatively shallow, cord-holes 16 are still
located
higher than a typical motorcycle's bungee hooks. The jam-cleats 15 may
therefore be
mounted to the inside arch of box 2 and cord-holes 16 may be pierced through
the
bottommost surface of box 2 and still provide adequate tensioning geometry
with respect
to the bungee hooks 5. Alternatively, the jam-cleats 15 may be positioned on
the
outermost sidewalls of box 2 with cord-holes 16 located near the box's
outermost corners
(not illustrated).
FIG. 10 illustrates a U shaped box 2 having much deeper interior side pockets
than that shown in FIG 9. If the cord-holes 16 were pierced through the
bottommost
surface of box 2, then the tensioned cords would be too low with respect to
the bungee
hooks to force the box against the motorcycle's pillion seat. To retain
adequate cord
tensioning geometry, cord-holes 16 and open-sided jam-cleats 15 are located on
the upper
arched portion of box 2. FIG. 11 better illustrates the structure of an open-
sided jam-
cleat. To tension cord 4, the user pulls it straight up through cord-hole 16
and then
moves it horizontally until it lies across the jam-cleat's V teeth. When hand
pressure is
released, the cleat's V teeth grip the cord securely until the its loose end
is re-tensioned
and pulled back vertically.
FIG 4, FIG 5 and FIG 6 illustrate another preferred embodiment that selectably
augments the carrying capacity of luggage box 2. An auxiliary luggage box 11
and its lid
12 are affixed to the left and right sides of box 2. Bolts or similar fixation
means 13 are
used to affix the upper inside surface of each box 11 to the two outermost
side surfaces of
box 2. When auxiliary boxes 11 are not mounted to box 2, plugs may be supplied
for use
in blocking any holes related to attaching said boxes together.
Since the two auxiliary luggage boxes 11 will typically carry weight at a
significant distance below luggage box 2, additional support fixtures 14 may
be provided
near the lower extremity of each box 11. Such fixtures 14 may be comprised of
clamps
that grip onto the motorcycle's rear foot pegs 8 coupled to a flange bracket
affixed to the
lower portion of auxiliary luggage box 11. Various clamping mechanisms for
gripping
rear foot pegs 8 will be obvious to those practiced in the art. When clamped
to both foot
pegs 8, the assembly comprised of main luggage box 2 and its two attached
auxiliary
boxes 11 becomes more rigidly affixed to motorcycle 1.
CA 02353914 2001-07-13
THEFT PREVENTION;
To prevent theft of the luggage box and/or its contents, multiple theft
prevention
means are provided (not illustrated). Individually, each measure may not be
sufficient to
prevent theft however their cumulative effect provides significant security.
The first level of security may be provided by a lock that selectively secures
lid 3
to luggage box 2 (or lid 12 to auxiliary luggage box 11 ). Said lock may be a
key or
combination lock integrated into the lid's latch mechanism. In a preferred
embodiment,
lid 3 and box 2 incorporate a mating hasp which the user may secure with a
common
padlock, thereby preventing the box from being opened.
A second level of security may be provided by a metal security cable having a
loop formed at both ends (not illustrated). The user loops one end of said
cable around
fixation points such as grab rail 9 or a frame member located under seat 7 or
bodywork 6.
The other end of the security cable is locked within the shackle of the same
padlock used
to lock lid 3 to box 2, thereby preventing the locked box from being
dismounted.
A third level of security may be provided by using jam-cleats 15 to fully
tension
cords 4, thereby preventing a thief from stretching said cords far enough to
release them
from bungee hooks 5.
A fourth level of security may be provided an electronic alarm system that
detects
shocks when the motorcycle is parked and sounds an audible alarm, thereby
discouraging
thieves attempting to cut through cords 4. A warning label may be applied to
the outside
of box 2 to alert would-be thieves that any tampering will sound said alarm.
