Motorcycle with removable side bag having fasteners

Abstract

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising a frame (1), to a saddle (3) movable relative to the frame (1) and to at least one removable bag comprising at least one hook-like element insertable into a corresponding opening (11) in the frame (1) and adapted to cooperate with a portion of said saddle (3) to stably connect said bag to said frame (1).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of motorcycles, more particularly to the technical field of fasteners for removable motorcycle bags, in particular to motorcycles. [Background technology]

[0002] In particular, bikes generally include a removable bag that is attached to the side of the frame, and although single bag configurations exist, typically there are two, one attached to each side of the frame.

[0003] In prior art solutions, such bags are typically removably attached to the frame by a key lock mechanism to prevent unauthorized removal. Figure 1 shows an example utilising a fastening subframe 13 integral to the bike.

[0004] While these solutions perform their tasks well, they are still not optimal: in fact, the addition of a locking mechanism not only increases costs in terms of parts and maintenance, but also creates inconvenience for the user by having to carry an additional key.

[0005] On the other hand, release mechanisms already exist on motorcycles that can be locked / unlocked by a key or button activated by an electronic transponder device that recognizes a security code carried by the user. Think, for example, of steering locks or saddle-opening locks. It would therefore be advantageous to be able to use these mechanisms for fastening the bag as well.

[0006] From document US5655694A it is known that the bag can be connected to the saddle of the vehicle, and from document DE29706896 it is also known that it is possible to fasten the bag to the vehicle by means of a fastening system present in the frame, preventing access to the fastening means by placing the vehicle saddle in a closed position.

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a bike with a fastening mechanism for a removable bag which is simple, inexpensive, easy to use and does not require the use of significant safety equipment in addition to those normally found in known types of bike set-ups. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention achieves the object by a motor vehicle comprising a frame, a saddle movable relative to the frame, and at least one removable bag. Typically, the saddle, adapted to accommodate both a driver and a passenger or only a passenger, is connected or connectable to the frame and configured to have an open position in which the saddle is at least partially removed from the frame and a closed position in which the saddle is fully restrained to the frame. The removable bag is characterized in that it includes at least one hook-like element insertable into a corresponding opening in the frame and adapted to cooperate with a portion of the saddle to stably connect the bag to said frame when the saddle is in the closed position.

[0009] In one embodiment, the part of the saddle cooperating with the hook-like element comprises a projection projecting below the saddle, which when the saddle is in the closed position closes a first part of the opening in the frame and leaves a second part of the opening free, and when the saddle is in the open position, said opening is completely free.

[0010] The hook-like element may advantageously include a base and an end having a width greater than the width of the base, the base being configured to at least partially fill a first portion of said opening when the saddle is in the closed position, and the end of the hook-like element being configured not to pass through the first portion of said opening when the saddle is in the closed position.

[0011] Typically, the frame has two openings, a first opening toward the right side of the vehicle and a second opening toward the left side of the vehicle, so that the bag can be mounted on one or both sides of the vehicle.

[0012] Additional mounting brackets and / or supports for attaching the at least one removable bag to the vehicle, for example support brackets for the passenger's legs, may be provided to increase clamping strength.

[0013] Further features and improvements are the subject of the dependent claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the figures shown in the attached drawings, in which:

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a case fixed to a subframe of a motorcycle by a hook with a fixed lock according to the prior art. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a bike frame (FIG. 2a) with a mounting seat for a bag (FIG. 2b) according to a second embodiment of the invention. [Diagram 3] Shows a perspective view of the bike with the bag in place and the saddle locked. [Figure 4] Showing the same view as the previous one, but with the saddle unlocked to open. [Diagram 5] A side cross-sectional view (Figure 5a) and a front view (Figure 5b) of the passenger saddle in the unlocked position are shown. Figures 6-8 show details of mounting the bag to the bike frame in the three operating positions. [Figure 6] The bag is shown with the mounting hardware in the locked position and the saddle in the open position. [Figure 7] The bag is shown moved into position so that the mounting bracket can be removed from the seat. [Figure 8] Shows the bag removed.

[0016] The following description of exemplary embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. The following detailed description does not limit the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] As shown in Figure 2, the frame 1 of the bike according to the first embodiment of the invention includes a seat or opening 11, 11' for mounting the bag 2. Said opening 11, 11' is formed in a part of the frame 1 or in an element integrally connected to the frame 1.

[0018] In the specific example shown in the drawings, there are three seats represented by two openings 11, 11' in the side of the bike and tabs 122 carried by brackets 12 supporting passenger pedals 123. The openings 11, 11' are shaped and adapted to allow bayonet coupling of corresponding hook-like projections 21, 21' provided on one side of the bag 2, and the tabs on the support brackets 12 of the pedals 123 are adapted to be engaged, from bottom to top, in side guides 22 of the bag 2 having an inverted U-shaped structure.

[0019] There may be different configurations, such as a crank support bracket, one opening only, or multiple openings that pull out from the fitting. There may also be coupling projections with the corresponding bag seats on other parts of the frame, for example at the rear end or on specially provided brackets, to strengthen the fastening of the bag. It is also possible to use a fitting subframe as a prior art solution.

[0020] Here we can see in detail the mechanism by which the bag is attached to the frame of the bike by means of a lug / opening fitting, which is particularly advantageous as it allows the bag to be locked in place utilizing a locking device on a saddle, such as a passenger saddle, mounted on the bike without the use of an additional lock.

[0021] Figure 3 shows a pair of bags mounted on a motorcycle according to one embodiment of the invention. In this case, a bike is shown with an open passenger saddle 3 so that the bag locking mechanism is associated with the saddle. Obviously, the bag locking mechanism may be associated with the rider's saddle 4 or with a single open saddle shaped to accommodate both a rider and a passenger, depending on the type of set-up.

[0022] Actuation of the lock 13 releases the passenger saddle 2 so that it moves upwards as shown by the arrow in Figure 3. Figure 4 shows the same configuration as in Figure 3, but with the saddle unlocked.

[0023] As can be seen from Figure 5, the passenger saddle 3 is hinged at the rear with a recess 31 and at the front is provided with a pair of spring-loaded buttons 32 that lift the saddle upwards after being unlocked by the lock 13. The saddle 3 further includes teeth 34 designed to cooperate with the locking mechanism 13 to lock the saddle 3 to the vehicle.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 6, the saddle has a pair of protrusions 33 (also called segments) arranged on opposite sides of the frame of the bike. A single protrusion 33 may also be present in a single bag setup. Each protrusion 33 is arranged to engage a portion of the opening 11 to interfere with a hook-like element 21 of the bag. Although not visible in the drawing, there is an additional opening 11, 11' on the right side of the bike, adapted to receive a corresponding hook-like element 21, 21'. Furthermore, the additional protrusion 33 of the saddle 3 is arranged to partially engage the opening 11 to interfere with the hook-like element 21 of the right removable bag 2. In effect, the mechanism of the present invention can be used on both sides of the bike.

[0025] Although not shown in the drawings, it will be further understood that the opening into which projection 33 partially engages may be in rear projection 11' rather than in front projection 11.

[0026] For this purpose, the openings 11, 11' have a first transverse extension 111 followed by a longitudinal portion 112, thereby forming an L-shaped conformed space, whereas the elements 21, 21' comprise a base 211 and an end 212 having a width greater than the width of the base 211, forming a hook-shaped element.

[0027] When the saddle 2 is closed, the projection 33 partially blocks the first extension of the opening 11, so that the base 211 cannot move vertically, as shown in FIG.

[0028] When the saddle is opened, the projection 33 releases the first extension of the opening 11, allowing the base 211 to move along the longitudinal axis of the bike and be pulled out of the opening 11, as shown in Figure 7. In fact, the base 211 is also free to move laterally out of the opening 11, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, allowing the bag to be removed from the bike frame.

[0029] As might be expected, there may be configurations having two or more protrusions that engage with corresponding openings on the same side of the frame or on opposite sides of the frame to increase the strength of the locking mechanism.

[0030] When the hook-like element 21 is locked by the protrusion 33 of the saddle 3, the base 211 abuts the lateral extension of the opening 11 and the end 212 abuts the longitudinal extension 112 of the opening 11. In effect, backward movement of the hook-like element 11 is prevented and the bag 3 remains firmly restrained to the vehicle frame 1 until the saddle 3 is lifted or removed.

[0031] For the hook-like element 21 to maintain this locked position, there is no corresponding part of the saddle 3 to hold it in this position, but the other hook-like element 21' is also locked in a corresponding opening 11'.

[0032] When the openings 11 are disengaged from the projections 33 of the saddle 3, both hook-like elements 21 and 21' are disengaged and withdrawn from the corresponding openings 11, 11'.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising a frame (1), a saddle (3) movable relative to the frame (1), and at least one removable bag (2), the removable bag (2) being insertable into corresponding openings in the frame (11, 11') and including at least one hook-like element (21, 21') adapted to cooperate with a portion (33) of the saddle (3) to securely connect the bag (2) to the frame (1).

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the saddle portion is a projection (33) that protrudes below the saddle (3).

3. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the saddle (3) is connected to or connectable to the frame (1) and is configured to have an open position in which the saddle (3) is at least partially removed from the frame (1) and a closed position in which the saddle (3) is fully constrained to the frame (1).

4. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the saddle (3) is in the closed position, the projection (33) closes the first portion (111) of the opening (11) of the frame (1) and leaves the second portion (112) of the opening (11) free, and when the saddle (3) is in the open position, the opening (11) is completely free.

5. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hook-shaped element (21, 21') includes a base (211) and an end (212) having a width greater than the width of the base (211).

6. The vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the base (211) is formed to at least partially fill the first portion (111) of the opening (11) when the saddle (3) is in the closed position.

7. The vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the ends (212) of the hook-shaped elements (21, 21') are formed so as not to pass through the first portion (111) of the opening (11) when the saddle (3) is in the closed position.

8. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, having two openings: a first opening facing the right side of the vehicle and a second opening facing the left side of the vehicle.

9. A vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising additional mounting brackets and / or support parts (122) for attaching at least one removable bag (3) to the vehicle.

10. The vehicle according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the additional mounting brackets is provided on a support bracket (12) for the passenger's feet.

11. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the saddle (3) is a saddle formed to accommodate both a driver and a passenger, or a saddle formed to accommodate only a passenger.

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