EP4669568A1

EP4669568A1 - PLATE FOR TOP BOX, LUGGAGE RACK AND ASSOCIATED VEHICLE

Info

Publication number: EP4669568A1
Application number: EP24709511.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Walter Rosellini; Alberto Gracci; Nicola BERNARDINI
Original assignee: Piaggio and C SpA
Current assignee: Piaggio and C SpA
Priority date: 2023-02-23
Filing date: 2024-02-16
Publication date: 2025-12-31
Also published as: CN120731162A; WO2024176071A1; EP4669566A1; CN120787203A; WO2024176070A1; WO2024175958A1; CN120731163A; EP4669567A1

Abstract

A mounting base (1) for connecting a top box (20) to a luggage carrier (30) of a rideable saddle vehicle (40) comprising: an upper portion (3) shaped to interlock onto the top box (20); a lower portion (4) shaped to interlock onto the luggage carrier (30); anchoring means (2) configured to move between a locking position, in which the base (1) may not be disconnected from the luggage carrier (30), and an unlocking position, in which the base (1) may be disconnected from the luggage carrier (30). A luggage carrier (30) for a rideable saddle vehicle (40) comprising a support surface (31) on which a plurality of openings (32, 33) is obtained, said openings (32, 33) being shaped so as to have a front part (32A, 33A) wider than a rear part (32B, 33B). A vehicle (40) comprising said luggage carrier (30).

Description

PLATE FOR TOP BOX, LUGGAGE CARRIER AND RELATIVE VEHICLE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates in general to the field of rideable saddle vehicles, and more specifically, it relates to the technical field of fastenings for removable top boxes for rideable saddle vehicles, scooters in particular.

BACKGROUND ART

[002] On certain types of rideable saddle vehicles, in particular but not exclusively scooters with two or more wheels, it is common to use a top box which usually is applied to or integrated in the rear part of the vehicle. Known top boxes conventionally comprise a base and a cover hinged to the base. A storage compartment is defined between the base and the cover by virtue of which objects may be transported during the operation of the vehicle or in which the helmet may be placed, for example, when the vehicle is not being used.

[003] It is known to fasten top boxes to luggage carriers which in turn are installed on the vehicle. The luggage carrier is an element which protrudes from the rear of the vehicle, usually made of metal. Conventionally, the top box is attached to the luggage carrier of the vehicle by means of an interface plate. This interface plate is fastened to the luggage carrier by means of screws and backplates. The top box is therefore fastened to the plate. The plate and the top box are generally shaped to couple to each other so as to create a stable connection which, in any case, is reversible. An example in such sense is described in document EP3674187 and in document IT102014902317956. This solution includes an interface plate through which the top box may be coupled to the vehicle.

[004] There are also solutions which eliminate the use of the plate and allow a quick and reversible coupling of the top box directly to the luggage carrier. Solutions in this sense are described in documents EP1661799, EP3153387 and JP2019-119333. In these solutions, the top box is interlocked directly onto the motorcycle luggage carrier. In fact, the need to provide top boxes which may be associated with a motorcycle and which are designed and developed together with the vehicle is increasingly felt. For this reason, vehicle manufacturers prefer standardizing the attachment of the top box to the vehicles thereof, thus protecting the shape of the coupling between the top box and the luggage carrier. [005] A further solution is known from patent document US20200231239, which includes a top box to which a counter-plate is removably connected. This counter-plate may be associated with a plate, which in turn may be connected to the luggage carrier of a motorcycle. This solution, in addition to the motorcycle and the top box, thus includes two connection components, i.e., a counter-plate and a plate, which may be connected to each other and may be connected to the top box and the vehicle, respectively. This solution, instead of simplifying the connection between the top box and the vehicle, complicates it. In fact, the interface elements between the top box and the motorcycle increase. The installation of such top box is complex and also complicates the creation of the top box, resulting in higher production costs.

[006] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a plate which allows any top box to be connected to a luggage carrier designed for top boxes with a standardized coupling. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a plate which is simple and therefore economical to make.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[007] It is a first object of the present invention to provide a mounting base for connecting a top boxto a luggage carrier of a rideable saddle vehicle comprising: an upper portion shaped to interlock onto the top box; a lower portion shaped to interlock onto the luggage carrier; anchoring means configured to move between a locking position, in which the base may not be disconnected from the luggage carrier, and an unlocking position, in which the base may be disconnected from the luggage carrier. The mounting base thus conceived allows to connect a top box to a luggage carrier of the standardized type in a stable manner.

[008] The upper portion and the lower portion may be the upper side and the lower side of an element made in one piece. Thereby, the mounting base may be created by means of molding in a cost-effective and fast manner. Alternatively, the upper portion and the lower portion are two halfshells connected to each other. Thereby, the upper portion may be customized to any top box, to adapt it to a specific standardized luggage carrier.

[009] The lower portion may comprise at least one lower-front coupling element and at least one lower-rear coupling element shaped to project downwards from the base and to interlock into corresponding openings of the luggage carrier. This type of coupling allows to adapt to a specific luggage carrier in a stable, safe, but reversible manner. [010] Said lower couplings may comprise a head connected to a stem, in which the head is at least in part wider than the stem. This shape of the lower couplings allows fora quick coupling of the base to the luggage carrier.

[Oil] The lower couplings may comprise a closed front portion. This portion provides a stroke end for the translation of the base on the luggage carrier.

[012] The lower portion may comprise a plurality of elastic spacers, which allow the vibrations between the base and the luggage carrierto be eliminated when these are connected to each other. [013] The upper portion may comprise at least one upper-front coupling element and at least one upper-rear coupling element, shaped to protrude upwards from the base and interlock into corresponding contours of the top box. This shape of the upper portion allows for a quick and reversible connection between the top box and the mounting base.

[014] The anchoring means may comprise a tooth adapted to come out from a passage on the lower portion. This tooth prevents the backward translational motion of the mounting base with respect to the luggage carrier when they are connected together.

[015] The anchoring means may comprise a plate to which the tooth is connected. This plate makes the movement of the tooth with respect to the mounting base easier.

[016] Said plate may be connected in a stable manner to the base by means of connection means such as, for example, an eyebolt or a bolt. Thereby, the plate may be connected stably and reversibly to the mounting base.

[017] A second object of the present invention comprises a support surface on which a plurality of openings is obtained, said openings being shaped so as to have a front part wider than a rear part. A luggage carrier thus conceived is a luggage carrier of the standardized type which only allows the connection of a top box or mounting base having a specific shape of the lower side thereof.

[018] The openings may comprise at least one front opening and at least one rear opening, and where the openings are preferably three. With a plurality of openings, it is possible to create a stable connection between a mounting base or top box and the mounting base.

[019] The support surface may comprise a recess positioned in a manner which does not coincide with said openings, preferably said recess comprises a closed bottom. This measure allows to prevent the backward translational motion of the mounting base or top box with respect to the luggage carrier. [020] The luggage carrier may be substantially V-shaped and comprises portions for coupling to the vehicle and handles. The luggage carrier thus conceived is easier to adapt to any type of scooter or motorcycle. Furthermore, the handle allows the passenger to have a support to hold on to.

[021] It is a third object of the present invention a rideable saddle vehicle comprising a luggage carrier in accordance with what is specified above.

[022] These and other advantages will become more apparent from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of non-limiting indication, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[023] In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a top axonometric view of a mounting base in accordance with the present invention in which the anchoring means are in the unlocking position;

Figure 2 shows a bottom axonometric view of a mounting base in accordance with the present invention in which the anchoring means are in the unlocking position;

Figure 3 shows a top axonometric view of a mounting base in accordance with the present invention in which the anchoring means are in the locking position;

Figure 4 shows a bottom axonometric view of a mounting base in accordance with the present invention in which the anchoring means are in the locking position;

Figure 5 shows an axonometric view of a luggage carrier in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 6 shows a top view of a luggage carrier in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 7 shows a top view of a mounting base connected to a luggage carrier in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 8 shows a bottom view of a mounting base connected to a luggage carrier in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 9 shows a front view of a mounting base connected to a luggage carrier in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 10 shows a side view of a mounting base during the step of connecting to a luggage carrier in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 11 shows the mounting base and the luggage carrier of Figure 10 sectioned longitudinally with a vertical plane passing through the centerline of the luggage carrier; Figure 12 shows a sectional view of the mounting base when the latter is anchored and connected to the luggage carrier in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 13 shows a top box connected to a mounting base, connected in turn to the luggage carrier according to the present invention;

Figure 14 shows a top box connected to a mounting base, connected in turn to the luggage carrier, connected in turn to a rideable saddle vehicle according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[024] The following description of one or more embodiments of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings identify identical or similar elements. The object of the invention is defined by the appended claims. The technical details, structures, or features of the solutions described below can be mutually combined in any manner. [025] In Figures 1-4 a mounting base is shown with reference numeral 1.

[026] As shown in Figures 7-12, the mounting base 1 may be reversibly installed on a luggage carrier 30. In Figures 5-6 the luggage carrier 30 is shown in detail.

[027] The top box 20 may be connected to the mounting base 1 when the mounting base 1 is connected to the luggage carrier 30, as shown in Figure 13. The luggage carrier 30 is also a component which is installed on a rideable saddle vehicle 40, as shown in Figure 14.

[028] The mounting base 1 may be connected to the luggage carrier 30 and, once it is fastened to the latter, a top box 20 may be reversibly connected to the mounting base 1. The mounting base 1 acts as an interface between the top box 20 and the luggage carrier 30.

[029] In the Figures, Cartesian axes are shown indicating the front-back (F-B), right-left (R-L) and top-bottom (T-D) directions.

[030] The mounting base 1 comprises a lower portion 4, i.e., the side thereof which, during normal use, faces downwards, which is shaped so as to comprise at least one lower-front coupling element 5 and at least one lower-rear coupling element 6. Specifically, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, two lower-front couplings 5 and one lower-rear coupling 6.

[031] The lower couplings 5, 6 are shaped to project downwards from the base 1 and interlock into corresponding openings 32, 33 of the luggage carrier 30, better shown in Figures 5 and 6.

[032] The openings 32,33 and the lower couplings 5,6 are shaped so as to create an interlock.

[033] In particular, the lower couplings 5, 6 have a stem 5B, 6B to which a head 5A, 6A is connected, the head 5A, 6A of which is wider than the stem 5B, 6B. As clarified above, the head 5A, 6A is wider than the stem 5B, 6B. This means that the head 5A, 6B has an extension in the right-left R-L direction that is greater with respect to the stem 5B, 6B. In practice, by imagining sectioning a lower coupling 5, 6 along a vertical plane oriented in the right-left R-L direction, it would be T-shaped or mushroomshaped.

[034] The lower couplings 5, 6 may also extend in the front-back F-B direction, as those of Figures 3, 4, the heads 5A, 6A of which project at the rear with respect to the stems 5B, 6B.

[035] The lower couplings 5, 6 may also have a flat front portion 5C, 6C which closes the side grooves created between the head 5A, 6A and the stem 5B, 6B. These front portions 5C, 6C serve to limit the sliding of the mounting base 1 with respect to the luggage carrier 30, thus acting as a limit stop for the translation of the base 1 on the luggage carrier 30.

[036] The luggage carrier 30 comprises openings 32, 33 which serve to create the interlock between the base 1 and the luggage carrier 30.

[037] The luggage carrier 30 comprises a support surface 31, i.e., an abutment surface on which the base 1 rests. The support surface 1, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, is a portion of the upper side of the luggage carrier 30.

[038] This support surface 31 has openings 32, 33 which are shaped so as to receive the lower couplings 5, 6.

[039] In particular, the openings 32, 33 are shaped so as to have a front part 32A, 33A which is wider than the rear part 32B, 33B. Also in this case, the fact that the front part 32A, 33A of the openings 32, 33 is widerthan the corresponding rear part 32B, 33B, means that the extension of the front part 32A, 33B in the right-left R-L direction is greater than the extension of the rear part 32B, 33B. In practice, by observing the openings 32, 33 from above, as shown in Figure 6, these are a T- shaped or L-shaped, with the part oriented towards the rear 32B, 33B being narrowerthan the front part 32A, 33A.

[040] As shown in Figures 5, 6, the openings 32, 33 are divided into two front openings 32 and one rear opening 33. The openings 32, 33 are therefore equal in number to the number of lower couplings 5, 6. Furthermore, in the front-back F-B and right-left R-L directions, the openings 32, 33 and the lower couplings 5, 6 are positioned two by two in the same places, so as to achieve the following.

[041] In practice, the front part 32A of the front opening 32 is shaped so as to allow the head 5A of the lower-front coupling 5 to pass therethrough, so that said head 5A may project beyond the support surface 31. The rear part 32B of the front opening 32 is instead shaped so that the width thereof, in the R-L direction, is greater than the width of the stem 5B of the lower-front coupling 5, but less than the width of the head 5A of the lower-front coupling 5 itself. Thus, when the lower- front coupling 5 slides backwards inside the opening 32, once the head 5A has crossed and passed the front part 32A thereof, the width of the head 5A itself prevents it from coming out of the opening 32 in the top-down T-D direction through the rear part 32B of the opening 32.

[042] In a completely similar manner, the front part 33A of the rear opening 33 is shaped so as to allow the head 6A of the lower-rear coupling 6 to pass therethrough, so that said head 6A may project beyond the support surface 31. The rear part 33B of the rear opening 33 is instead shaped so that the width thereof, in the R-L direction, is greater than the width of the stem 6B of the lower- rear coupling 6, but less than the width of the head 6A of the lower-rear coupling 6 itself. Thereby, when the lower-rear coupling 6 slides backwards inside the opening 33, once the head 6A has crossed and passed the front part 33A thereof, the width of the head 6A itself prevents it from coming out of the opening 33 in the top-down T-D direction through the rear part 33B of the opening 33.

[043] By virtue of this shape of the openings 32, 33, which may be customized for each vehicle 40 or for each manufacturer of ridable saddle vehicles 40, only a specific type of mounting base 1 may interlock onto a specific luggage carrier 30.

[044] The luggage carrier 30 further comprises a recess 36, which does not coincide in position with the openings 32, 33, which is shaped to receive a tooth 10 of the anchoring means 2 of the mounting base 1.

[045] This recess 36 may be blind at the bottom, i.e., it may comprise a closed bottom 37, as better shown in Figure 8.

[046] The mounting base 1 comprises anchoring means 2 which serve to prevent/allow a translation in the front-back F-B direction of the mounting base 1 with respect to the luggage carrier 30.

[047] In practice, once the lower couplings 5, 6 are interlocked into the corresponding openings 32, 33 as described above, i.e., by inserting the heads 5A, 6A of the lower couplings 5,6 into the openings 32, 33 and by sliding the base 1 backwards with respect to the luggage carrier 30, as shown in Figures 11, 12, the opening 11 aligns with the recess 36 and the tooth 10 can enter therein.

[048] The opening 11 is a hole in the base 1 through which the tooth 10 may come out to protrude downwards. [049] The tooth 10 is rigidly connected to a plate 12 which is shaped to fit into a pocket 38 suitably made in the upper portion 3 of the base 1.

[050] The plate 12 is configured to fasten to the mounting base 1 by means of connection means, which in the Figures is an eyebolt 13. The eyebolt 13 screws onto the base 1 and passes through a hole in the plate 12. By screwing the eyebolt 13 to the base 1, as shown in Figure 3, the plate 12 is fastened to the base 1 and the tooth 10 remains in the locking position, as shown in Figures 4, 12. By unscrewing the eyebolt 13, the plate 12 may be moved away from the base 1, as shown in Figures 1, 10, 11, and therefore the tooth 10 comes out from the opening 11 and from the cavity 36.

[051] Other systems for lowering/raising the tooth 10 with respect to the base 1 are possible, without thereby departing from the present invention. The fact that the tooth 10 comes out vertically from the bottom of the base 1 allows the anchoring means 2 to be made safer. The tooth 10 is in fact always capable of coming out from the cavity 36 even if dirt were to accumulate therein, thus always allowing the base 1 to be removed from the luggage carrier 30. At worst, the tooth 10 will not fit into the cavity 36 if dirt has accumulated in the cavity 36.

[052] On the lower portion 4, a plurality of elastic spacers 9 are there, which serve to limit the vibrations between the base 1 and the luggage carrier 30 when the latter are connected to each other. These elastic spacers 9 may be rubber pads connected to the base 1.

[053] The mounting base 1, in addition to the lower portion 4, comprises an upper portion 3. The upper portion 3 is shaped to create quick couplings with the top box 20.

[054] The upper portion 3 and the lower portion 4 may be two sides, respectively the upper one and the lower one, of a single element, as shown in Figures 1-4. Alternatively, the upper portion 3 and the lower portion 4 may be two half-shells which connect to each other to create the body of the base 1 (version not shown).

[055] The upper portion 3 shown in Figures 1 and 3 comprises two upper-front coupling elements 7 and one upper-rear coupling element 8. Specifically, the upper-front coupling elements 7 are hook-shaped elements protruding at the top, which interlock onto complementary elements (not shown) of the top box 20. The upper-rear coupling element 8 is instead a slot-shaped element protruding at the top, within which a mobile coupling/uncoupling element (not shown) of the top box 20 connects to lock/release the top box 20 to/from the base 1.

[056] In a further embodiment not shown, the upper portion 3 is shaped to connect to the top box 20 by means of screws which connect the bottom of the top box 20 to the base 1. [057] The luggage carrier 30 may have a shape which resembles a V, as shown in Figure 6, where the elongated side elements help to recall the shape of the letter V, which, in the specific case of Figure 6, is rotated by 90 degrees to the left.

[058] The elongated side elements act as handles 34, to which a passenger of the vehicle 40 may hold on when the vehicle 40 is in motion.

[059] The luggage carrier 30 may be rigidly connected to the vehicle 40 by means of coupling portions 35 of the luggage carrier 30, as shown in Figures 5-9, 14. By means of these coupling portions 35 and the bolt, the luggage carrier 30 is fastened to the vehicle 40, as shown in Figure 14. [060] Key:

1 mounting base

2 anchoring means

3 upper portion

4 lower portion

5 lower-front coupling

5A head (of the lower-front coupling)

5B stem (of the lower-front coupling)

5C front portion (of the lower-front coupling)

6 lower-rear coupling

6A head (of the lower-rear coupling)

6B stem (of the lower-rear coupling)

6C front portion (of the lower-rear coupling)

7 upper-front coupling

8 upper-front coupling

9 elastic spacer

10 tooth

11 passage

12 plate

13 connection means

20 top box

30 luggage carrier

31 support surface

32 front opening A front part (front opening)B rear part (front opening) rear opening A front part (rear opening) B rear part (rear opening) handle coupling portion recess bottom (of the recess) pocket (of the upper portion) rideable saddle vehicle

Claims

1. A mounting base (1) to connect a top box (20) to a luggage carrier (30) of a rideable saddle vehicle (40) comprising:

- an upper portion (3) shaped to connect to the top box (20);

- a lower portion (4) shaped to interlock onto the luggage carrier (30);

- anchoring means (2) configured to move between a locking position, in which the top box (1) may not be disconnected from the luggage carrier (30), and an release position, in which the base (1) may be disconnected from the luggage carrier 30.

2. A mounting base (1) according to claim 1, wherein the upper portion (3) and the lower portion (4) are the upper side and the lower side of an element made in one piece.

3. A mounting base (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower portion (4) comprises at least one lower-front coupling element (5) and at least one lower-rear coupling element (6), shaped to project downwards from the base (1) and to fit into corresponding openings (41) of the luggage carrier (30).

4. A mounting base (1) according to claim 3, wherein said lower couplings (5,6) comprise a head (5A, 6A) connected to a stem (5B, 6B), wherein the head (5A, 6A) it is at least in part wider than the stem (5B, 6B).

5. A mounting base (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the lower couplings (5, 6) comprise a closed front portion (5C, 6C).

6. A mounting base (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower portion (4) comprises a plurality of elastic spacers (9).

7. A mounting base (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper portion (3) comprises at least one upper-front coupling element (7) and at least one upper-rear coupling element (8), shaped to protrude upwards from the base (1) and interlock into corresponding contours of the top box (20).

8. A mounting base (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the anchoring means

(2) comprise a tooth (10) adapted to come out from a passage (11) on the lower portion (4).

9. A mounting base (1) according to claim 8, wherein the anchoring means (2) comprise a plate (12) to which the tooth (10) is connected.

10. A mounting base (1) according to claim 9, wherein said plate (12) may be connected in a stable manner to the base (1) by means of connection means (13) such as, for example, an eyebolt or a bolt.

11. A luggage carrier (30) for a rideable saddle vehicle (40) comprising a support surface (31) on which a plurality of openings (32, 33) is obtained, said openings (32, 33) being shaped so as to have a front part (32A, 33A) wider than a rear part (32B, 33B).

12. A luggage carrier (30) according to sentence 11, wherein the openings (32, 33) comprise at least one front opening (32) and at least one rear opening (33), and wherein the openings (32, 33) are preferably three.

13. A luggage carrier (30) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the support surface (31) comprises a recess (36) positioned in a manner not coinciding with said openings (32, 33), preferably said recess (36) comprises a closed bottom (37).

14. A luggage carrier (30) according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the luggage carrier (30) is substantially V-shaped and comprises portions (35) for coupling to the vehicle (40) and handles (34).

15. A rideable saddle vehicle (40) comprising a luggage carrier (30) according to any one of claims 10 to 14.