CA2353914A1 - Luggage box for a motorcycle - Google Patents

Abstract

A rigid luggage box, 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 a lid. At least one cord passes closely through at least one aperture made near both the left and the right lower edges of the box. The lower end of each cord is secured to a frame member of the motorcycle. Jam-cleats are affixed to the inside of the luggage box that clamp onto each cord, thereby adjustably tensioning the bottom of the luggage box against the motorcycle's seat cushion. Means are also disclosed for minimizing the risk of theft, expanding its luggage carrying capacity and configuring the luggage box as a backpack.

Description

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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 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.

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.

Claims