MOUNTING SYSTEM FOR ACCESSORY ON A MOTORCYCLE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a fixing system for fixing an accessory, being a bag, to a motorcycle, which allows readily fixing said accessory to any motorcycle model.Background of the Invention

[0002] One of the problems faced by motorcycle or bicycle riders is the lack of space for placing personal objects in the motorcycle or bicycle. To that end, the use of backpacks and bags fixed to the body of the motorcycle or bicycle and which allow placing objects therein is known.

[0003] One type of these bags is particularly designed for placing a mobile telephone or GPS, and to that end the bag comprises a transparent window, so that the user can see the telephone or GPS through same.

[0004] One problem with bags of this type is that they must be placed in a position allowing easy visual access for the user, and the use of fixing systems which allow fixing a bag on the fuel tank of the motorcycle, taking advantage of said tank's cap for placing the fixing means, is known.

[0005] Two of these fixing systems are described in patent documents DE102010037912A1 and WO2011098893A1. These fixing systems comprise a complex adapter that is placed on the fuel tank, which is complementary with a fixing element on the bag.

[0006] These fixing systems have the drawback that each adapter or ring is special for each type of motorcycle or bicycle, which raises the manufacturing cost since many different types of adapters have to be manufactured.

[0007] Furthermore, when the bag is not placed in the use position, said adapter is bulky, which is uncomfortable for the user and affects the aesthetic appearance of the motorcycle.

[0008] NL1017090C2 discloses a luggage holder for a vehicle, e.g. motorcycle or motor scooter, has quick-fit coupling formed by pins on the vehicle for engaging with lock plates on the holder. This document discloses the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0009] US2013307470A1 discloses a wireless charging structure to wirelessly charge a mobile information terminal in a vehicle includes a mobile information terminal case, a support, a receiving coil, a reception controller, a transmitting coil, and a transmission controller.

[0010] EP2371687A1 discloses an electrical accessory mounting device capable of adjusting an electrical accessory to the position viewable from a rider. The mounting device of the navigation apparatus mounted on the steering stem pipe of the saddle-type vehicle comprises the fixture mounted on the saddle-type vehicle, the bracket holding the navigation apparatus.

[0011] Therefore, one objective of the present invention is to provide a fixing system for fixing an accessory to a motorcycle that allows making the most of its use in different motorcycle models and which furthermore neither impairs nor affects the appearance of the motorcycle when the bag is not placed in the use position.Description of the Invention

[0012] The fixing system of the invention solves the mentioned drawbacks, providing other advantages that will be described below.

[0013] The fixing system for fixing an accessory to a motorcycle according to the present invention is defined in claim 1, and it comprises coupling means for coupling the accessory to the motorcycle, and said coupling means comprise a plurality of protrusions placed in the motorcycle which are coupled with a plurality of complementary holes of said accessory.

[0014] As a result of this feature, the coupling is very simple and the impact of said protrusions on the motorcycle is minimal when the accessory is not placed in the use position, since such protrusions do not bother the user when driving the motorcycle nor do they have any aesthetic effect either.

[0015] According to the claimed embodiments, said protrusions comprise a threaded stem and a head. For example, said protrusions can be screws, with their stem being completely or partially threaded, formed from one or more parts.

[0016] Said protrusions are placed in threaded holes of a fuel tank cap of the motorcycle, i.e., they are placed in conventional threaded holes for fixing screws.

[0017] Furthermore, said complementary holes are arranged in a plate fixed to the accessory, each plate being adapted to each motorcycle model, for example, depending on the arrangement of the threaded holes in the fuel tank cap. Therefore, the entire fixing system of the present invention will be identical for all motorcycle models, except this plate, which entails significant costs savings in manufacturing the fixing system.

[0018] Preferably, said holes have an elongated shape, defining a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being wider than the second portion. The protrusions are therefore introduced in the holes through their wider first portion and upon moving the bag, the protrusions are placed in the narrower second portion, preventing them from accidentally coming out.

[0019] To lock the protrusions in their complementary holes, the fixing system also comprises a locking element moving between a locking position of the protrusions and a release position of the protrusions against the action of an elastic element, such that in the locking position said protrusions are located in the second portion of said holes.

[0020] To allow removing the accessory, said locking element is associated with a pushing element, the operation of which moves the locking element from the locking position to the release position against the action of the elastic element.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, said locking element, said pushing element and said elastic element are placed between an upper cover and a lower cover, said plate being fixed to the outer portion of the lower cover.

[0022] Furthermore, the assembly defined by the upper cover and the lower cover is placed inside a cavity of said accessory.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] To better understand the preceding description, a set of drawings is attached in which a practical embodiment is schematically depicted in a non-limiting manner. Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the components of the fixing system according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a lower plan view of a bag provided with the fixing system according to the present invention; Figure 3 is a section view along line III-III indicated in Figure 2 of the bag provided with the fixing system according to the present invention; and Figure 4 is a plan view of a plate provided with holes with a different configuration of holes. Description of a Preferred Embodiment

[0024] It must first be indicated that the present description is made in relation to the fixing system for fixing a bag to a motorcycle. However, it is obvious that the bag is only one example of an accessory, since it could also be a backpack or the like. Furthermore, the fixing system is also applicable to any suitable vehicle, such as a tricycle for example.

[0025] Figure 1 shows the elements forming the components of the fixing system according to the present invention for fixing a bag 1 to a motorcycle (not depicted). In particular, the bag 1 is fixed on the fuel tank of a motorcycle, such that the driver can have ready access to said bag, for example, to look at a mobile phone or GPS in said bag 1 through a transparent window of said bag 1.

[0026] The bag 1 is fixed to the motorcycle by means of a plurality of protrusions 2 which are mounted on the motorcycle. For example, said protrusions 2 comprise a threaded stem, which can be completely or partially threaded, and a head, and are housed in the threaded holes provided for the screws of the fuel tank cap of the motorcycle.

[0027] It should be pointed out that the protrusions can be conventional screws, provided that a portion thereof projects in the use position and they can be formed from one or more parts.

[0028] In the use position, said protrusions 2 are housed in holes 3 of said bag 1, the protrusions 2 being locked inside said holes 3, as will be described below.

[0029] The holes 3 are preferably elongated and each hole 3 comprises a first portion 31 and a second portion 32, the first portion 31 being wider than the second portion 32, as can be seen in the drawings.

[0030] Said holes 3 are made in a plate 4 fixed to the bag 1, and each plate 4 will be specific for an arrangement of holes for the screws of the fuel tank cap of the motorcycle, which differs from one motorcycle model or brand to another. Therefore, by simply changing the plate 4, the fixing system of the present invention will be suitable for any type of motorcycle, the rest of the components remaining the same. By way of example, two plates with different configurations of holes 3 are shown in Figures 1 and 4.

[0031] To assure that the protrusions 2 are locked inside the holes 3, the fixing system according to the present invention comprises a locking element 5 which moves between a locking position of the protrusions 2 and a release position of the protrusions 2 against the action of an elastic element 6. The locked position is shown in Figure 3, where it can be seen that the locking element 5 is in contact with the protrusions 2, particularly with the head thereof, locking them in the holes 3, said protrusions 2 being located in the second portion 32 of said holes 3.

[0032] Furthermore, in the fixing system according to the present invention, said locking element 5 is associated with a pushing element 7, the operation of which moves the locking element 5 from the locking position to the release position against the action of the elastic element 6. Said movement is depicted by means of the arrow in Figure 3.

[0033] To be placed in a cavity 10 of the bag 1, the assembly of the locking element 5, said pushing element 7 and said elastic element 6 are placed between an upper cover 8 and a lower cover 9, said plate 4 being fixed to the outer portion of the lower cover 9.

[0034] The bag 1 is fixed to the motorcycle in a very simple manner. To that end, the user has to place the bag 1 on the motorcycle, on the fuel tank, such that the protrusions 2 are housed in the first portion 31 of said holes 3.

[0035] From this position, the bag 1 is moved so that the protrusions 2 are placed in the second portion 32 of the holes 3, the width of the second portion 32 being less than the width or diameter of the head of the protrusions 2. In this position, the locking element 5 will lock said protrusions 2, preventing them from accidentally coming out of the holes 3, and fixing the bag in the use position.

[0036] Removing the bag 1 is also is very simple, as it is only necessary to pull the pushing element 7 against the action of the elastic element 6, unlocking the protrusions 2 and allowing said protrusions 2 to move from the second portion 32 to the first portion 31 and removing the bag 1.

[0037] Despite having made reference to a specific embodiment of the invention, it is obvious for a person skilled in the art that the described fixing system is susceptible to a number of changes and modifications, and all the mentioned details can be replaced with other technically equivalent ones, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the attached claims.

Claims

1. Fixing system for fixing an accessory to a motorcycle, comprising coupling means for coupling the accessory (1) to the motorcycle, said coupling means comprising a plurality of protrusions (2) placed on the motorcycle which are coupled with a plurality of complementary holes (3) of said accessory (1), said protrusions (2) comprising a threaded stem and a head, the protrusions being formed from one part or two parts, said holes (3) being arranged in a plate (4) fixed to the accessory (1) and said threaded stem of said protrusions (2) being placed in threaded holes of a fuel tank cap of the motorcycle, characterized in that the accessory (1) is a bag, the plate (4) being fixed to the bag, and the plate (4) is changeable, being specific for an arrangement of threaded holes for the screws of the fuel tank cap of the motorcycle.

2. Fixing system according to claim 1, wherein said holes (3) have an elongated shape, defining a first portion (31) and a second portion (32), the first portion (31) being wider than the second portion (32).

3. Fixing system according to claim 1, also comprising a multiple locking element (5) moving between a locking position of the protrusions (2) and a release position of the protrusions (2) against the action of an elastic element (6).

4. Fixing system according to claim 3, wherein in the locking position said protrusions (2) are located in the second portion (32) of said holes (3).

5. Fixing system according to claim 3, wherein said locking element (5) is associated with a pushing element (7), the operation of which moves the locking element (5) from the locking position to the release position against the action of the elastic element (6).

6. Fixing system according to claims 3 and 5, wherein said locking element (5), said pushing element (7) and said elastic element (6) are placed between an upper cover (8) and a lower cover (9).

7. Fixing system according to claims 1 and 6, wherein said plate (4) is fixed to the outer portion of the lower cover (9).

8. Fixing system according to claim 6, wherein the assembly defined by the upper cover (8) and the lower cover (9) is placed inside a cavity (10) of said accessory (1).