AU8036787A

AU8036787A - Improvements in carriers for motorcycles

Info

Publication number: AU8036787A
Application number: AU80367/87A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Ado Sigal
Original assignee: SIGAL A
Current assignee: SIGAL A
Priority date: 1986-10-02
Filing date: 1987-09-30
Publication date: 1988-04-21
Also published as: GB8623713D0; EP0413684A1; JPH02500018A; GB2195595A; WO1988002330A1; GB8722954D0

Description

Improvements in Carriers for Motorcycles

The invention relates to an enclosed carrier primarily for motorcycles. Carrying boxes currently available on the market for fitting to motorcycles are bulky, not easily removed or fitted and not aerodynamic thus increasing fuel consumption.

One object of this invention is to provide a carrier box for the rear of a motor cycle, for example, which takes up little space and which is attractive, element proof and aerodynamic. The carrier preferably is to be readily detaehably secured to the motorcycle, typically to the pillion seat.

According to this invention there is provided a carrier for a motorcycle comprising a container with means to secure the base thereof to a motorcycle and a casing hingedly connected therewith and arranged to be pivotable so as to lie over and enclose the container.

Preferably the container includes an aperture in an upper portion and the casing fits closely around the container. A double skinned construction is thus provided offering impact resistance, security and a high degree of weatherproofing.

In a preferred construction the external profile of the container and the internal profile of the casing are arranged so that the casing may pivot through 90° or so about the hinge connection from a position wherein the casing overlies and closely surrounds the container on all upper surfaces, to a position where the container is exposed.

Preferably the sides of the container converge upwardly in. a direction away from the base, the upper part of the container being truncated and being provided with an aperture through which articles may be inserted therein, the internal surfaces of the casing having complementary convergence whereby when the casing is located over and secured to the container the mutually facing surfaces thereof are in face contact.

According to this invention there is also provided a carrier for a motorcycle comprising a container having a base with fastening means to attach same to a motorcycle, the sides of the container converging upwardly from the base and being truncated to provide a surface including an aperture through which articles may be inserted, a casing comprising a shell-like member having an internal profile complementary to the external profile of the container and with a side thereof incorporating a hinge connection with a lower side edge of the container, the casing being pivotable from a position wherein it lies over and fully encloses the container to a position wherein the aperture in the container is exposed, a fastening means being provided to secure the casing to the container, the base of the container incorporating strap members enabling same to be secured to a motorcycle.

An embodiment is shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows the carrier in side view and closed, Figure 2 shows the carrier in perspective view and open, Figure 3 shows an underneath plan, Figure 4 shows a longitudinal section in the closed position, and open position, and Figures 5a- and 5b show scrap views of the hinge closed and open respectively. Referring to the drawings, the carrier comprises a container 1 of which the underside is adapted in profile to fit a selected part of a motorcycle, e.g. the pillion seat 5. Means such as elastic cords 4 may be provided to secure the container to the pillion seat. The container 1 is totally enclosed on all sides by an outer casing 2 which is hingedly connected at 7 to the container at the rearmost bottom edge as more specifically shown in Figures 4 and 5.

A fastening means such as a latch 3 or buckle fastener is provided to secure the casing 2 to the container 1.

In the invention, a particular feature of the construction is the arrangement of the inner container 1 which is securable to the motorcycle with the outer casing 2 locating thereover to fully cover same and being provided with a required aerodynamic shape.

Broadly, therefore, the invention herein is concerned with an arrangement of securing a container to a motorcycle and thereafter securing a casing forming a canopy or outer cover to the container with a preferred arrangement incorporating a hinged connection.

The hinged connection 7 as shown in Figures 4 and 5 may conveniently comprise an angular lip 8 on the cas'ing 2 which engages a recess 9 at the rear lower edge of the container 1. Figure 4 shows a longitudinal sectional view through the carrier with the outer container shown in the closed position (full lines) and also in the open position (broken lines).

In a modification (not shown) the hinge arrangement 7 is replaced by a strap or two spaced straps which serve to retain the casing 2 on the container 1 (preferably detachably). The fastening means 3 may comprise a strap also. When the hinge 7 and fastening means comprise straps they may be arranged with D-rings or connectors so that further straps may be connected and the carrier can then be used as a rucksack.

The base of the container 1 may be provided with a foam insert.

In this preferred construction according to the invention the following criteria are met; . a) the carrier is hard, aerodynamically designed and may fit any current make of motor cycle; b) a simple negative fitting mould is provided for the underside of the container to fit any part of the motorcycle, such as the seat, fuel tank or rear mudguard; c) a double interlocking shell using single point close fitting fastening device is provided with a hinge, constituted by a lip and groove whereby the casing stays attached to the container while in use on the motorcycle, but the casing is completely removable when not in use if required. This makes the arrangement safe whilst in use on the road and convenient whilst not in use on the motorcycle. The casing may also have a handle for ease of carrying off the motorcycle; d) the carrier is easily fitted by means of flexible straps and is removable for portability; e) the carrier can be injection moulded in various materials or vacuum formed.

Claims

CLAIMS.

1. A carrier for a motorcycle comprising a container with means to secure the base thereof to a motorcycle and a casing hingedly connected therewith and arranged to be pivotable so as to lie over and enclose the container.

2. A carrier in accordance with Claim 1, wherein the container has an aperture in an upper portion.

3. A carrier in accordance with Claim 1 or 2, wherein the casing fits closely around and over the container.

4. A carrier in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein a hinge coupling is provided along a lower side edge between the container and the casing.

5. A carrier in accordance with Claim 4, wherein the hinge coupling enables the casing to be detached from the container.

6. A carrier in accordance with Claim 5, wherein the hinge coupling comprises a lip on the casing engaging a recess in the container or vice versa.

7. A carrier in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein catch means are provided to secure the casing to the container.

8. A carrier in accordance with any preceding claim wherein strap means are provided to secure the base of the container to a motorcycle.

9. A carrier in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the external profile of the container and the internal profile of the casing are arranged so that the casing may pivot through about 90° about the hinge connection from a position wherein the casing overlies and closely surrounds the container on all upper surfaces, to a position where the container is exposed.

10. A carrier in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the container and the casing are moulded from plastics materials.

11. A carrier in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the sides of the container converge upwardly in a direction away from the base, the upper part of the carrier being truncated and being provided with an aperture through which articles may be inserted therein, the internal surfaces of the casing having complementary convergence whereby when the casing is located over and secured to the container the mutually facing surfaces thereof are in face contact.

12. A carrier for a motorcycle comprising a container having a base with fastening means to attach same to a motorcycle, the sides of the container converging upwardly from the base and being truncated to provide a surface including an aperture through which articles may be inserted, a casing comprising a shell-like member having an internal profile complementary to the external profile of the container and with a side thereof incorporating a hinge connection with a lower side edge of the container, the casing being pivotable from a position wherein it lies over and fully encloses the container to a position wherein the aperture in the container is exposed, a fastening means being provided to secure. he casing to the container, the base of the container incorporating strap members enabling same to be secured to a motorcycle.

13. A carrier in accordance with any preceding claim wherein the profile of the casing is arranged to be aerodynamic.

14. A carrier for a motorcycle substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.