GB2569348A

GB2569348A - Tail pack

Info

Publication number: GB2569348A
Application number: GB1720880.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: A Williams Hugh
Original assignee: Triumph Designs Ltd
Current assignee: Triumph Motorcycles Coventry Ltd
Priority date: 2017-12-14
Filing date: 2017-12-14
Publication date: 2019-06-19
Anticipated expiration: 2037-12-14
Also published as: GB201720880D0; GB2569348B

Abstract

A motorcycle tail pack comprises a first 102 and second 105 attachment means for securing the tail pack in a fixed position. The first attachment means comprises a wedge-shaped member 102 configured to be inserted between an attachment surface of the motorcycle, such as the pillion seat 106, and a securing member such as a pillion strap 201 attached to the motorcycle thereby restricting movement of the tail pack in an upward direction and in one horizontal direction. The second attachment means (105a, 105b, figure 2) comprises a fastening means configured to fasten the tail pack to the motorcycle thereby restricting movement of the tail pack in an opposite horizontal direction. The second attachment means may be a combination of a webbing loop 105b and a G-hook (105a, figure 2).

Description

This invention relates to luggage packs (otherwise known as tail packs) for attachment to motorcycles and means for attaching such luggage packs to motorcycles.

Background

Tail packs are typically attached to a rear surface of a motorcycle such as a pillion seat. It is desirable for tail packs to be detachable and allow for a rear passenger to be carried on the rear seat when a tail pack is not attached. Tail packs are typically mounted using one of two solutions. The first solution is to have a harness fixed to the seat base, with the tail pack then zipped to the seat base. The second solution is to have luggage straps fixed to the underside of the seat base which are then hooked onto using straps which can either be attached to the bag or as an addition. These straps are used to tension down the bag.

These solutions allow the pillion seat to remain usable by rear passengers (pillions), but often leave visible mounting hardware such as dangling straps or an exposed zipper. It can be cumbersome to attach pillion seats by aligning zips or attaching multiple straps as is typically taught by these solutions.

US6354476B1 proposes further solution where a pillion seat is removed and replaced with a tail pack that is detachably secured using latching receptacles. This has the disadvantage of requiring separate seat and tail pack components that may not be practically transported together. When the pillion seat is not available (for example when it has not been brought on a journey) then it will not be possible to transport pillions.

It is an object of this invention to provide a tail pack that can be easily mounted on a rear surface of a motorcycle with reduced visibility of any mounting hardware.

Summary of Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is disclosed a motorcycle tail pack comprising a first and second attachment means. The first attachment means comprises a wedge-shaped member configured to be inserted between an attachment surface of the motorcycle and a securing member attached to the motorcycle thereby restricting movement of the tail pack in an upward direction and in a horizontal direction. The second attachment means comprises a fastening means configured to fasten the tail pack to the motorcycle thereby restricting movement of the tail pack in an opposite horizontal direction.

The horizontal direction may be a rearward direction relative to the motorcycle.

The wedge-shaped member (sometimes referred to as a “Quick Release Component”) provides a secure attachment in upward and rear directions since any movement in these directions will be prevented by the securing member acting on an inclined side of the wedge-shaped member once it has been inserted. Movement in a forward direction will be prevented by the second attachment means. The terms “rearward”, and “forward” may refer to any direction in relation to the attachment surface of the motorcycle onto which the tail pack is to be fastened to. Typically, these directions will be in relation to the direction of travel of a motorcycle.

Attachment of the tail pack merely requires a first motion of inserting the wedge-shaped member, and a second motion of fastening the second attachment means. Therefore it is easy and simple to attach the tail pack securely.

The wedge-shaped member may be configured to be inserted when the securing member is a securing strap linked across the attachment surface of the motorcycle.

The only attachment hardware clearly visible on the surface of the motorcycle is the securing member that may be a soft strap being unobtrusive and inconspicuous when not in use. The attachment surface may be a rear pillion seat, and therefore a pillion may ride on the pillion seat by sitting on top of the securing member when it is not in use without incurring discomfort.

It will be appreciated that the attachment surface is not necessarily a seat, but may be any substantially flat surface on the motorcycle.

A motorcycle tail pack according to claim 1 wherein the first attachment means is configured to apply tension to the securing member when the tail pack is in the fixed position.

Tension in the securing member ensures that the first attachment means provides a secure attachment.

The wedge-shaped member may comprise two or more upwardly extending portions each configured to provide a tensioning point to act upwardly against the securing member.

The motorcycle tail pack may comprise a luggage portion, wherein the wedge-shaped member is connected to a base of the luggage portion via one or more connection points located on the luggage portion or the wedge-shaped member. It will be appreciated that the luggage portion could comprise any object capable of carrying luggage such as a rucksack, or a purpose built luggage holder for use on a motorcycle.

A base of the luggage portion may comprise a ramped section comprising a first inclined portion disposed at least partially in between the upwardly extending portions. The upwardly extending portions may each comprise a second inclined portion. The first and second inclined portions may overlap and be at opposing angles.

The wedge-shaped member may comprise a pair of upwardly extending portions, and, the ramped section may sit in between the pair of upwardly extending portions.

The tension applied to the securing member may be applied in an upwards direction by the upwardly extending portions of the wedge-shaped member, and, a downwards direction by the ramped section of the luggage portion.

When the ramped section sits at least partially in between the upwardly extending portions, the securing member will become wedged in between the ramped section and surfaces of the wedge-shaped member. The opposing angles of the ramped section and upwardly extending portions provide for the securing member to become more tightly wedged in between these sections depending on how far the wedge-shaped portion is inserted between the securing member and surface. Therefore, a user is able to ensure that the securing angle is particularly tightly wedged (and therefore prevented from moving upward) by manually pulling the tail pack rearward.

The fastening means of the second attachment means may comprise a fastening strap attached to a buckle, the buckle configured to detachably connect to a buckle strap extending from the motorcycle.

The buckle may be a G-hook.

Hardware on a motorcycle for attachment to the fastening means of the second attachment means may be visible when the tail pack is not in use, although any visibility will be minimal. For example the fastening means may be configured to attach to a buckle strap extending from the rear of a pillion seat to a small degree. Such a buckle strap is not necessarily in contact with the surface and may be soft. The fastening means therefore has minimal impact on aesthetics and usage of the surface (such as for a seat) when the tail pack is not in use.

The buckle strap might also be able to be stored away under the pillion seat when not in use so that it is not visible. In this case there may be no visible fastening means on the motorcycle.

The use of a buckle provides for easy attachment to a buckle strap whilst allowing a user to apply tension on the buckle by pulling the fastening strap upwards. Such tension provides for the second attachment means to be more secure.

The plan shape of the wedge-shaped member may narrow towards the leading edge of the wedge-shaped member in order to provide for easier insertion by a user as there is more lateral space for the wedge-shaped member to be inserted into available space between the surface strap and the surface. Furthermore, the resulting change in width of the wedge-shape member provides for tension to be additionally provided to the seat strap in a lateral direction as the wedge-shaped member is inserted.

The one or more connection points may be located on an upper surface of the substantially flat portion.

The one or more connection points may comprise holes for receiving male connectors.

The base of the luggage portion may be detachably attachable to the wedge-shaped member, and, may be attachable via a plurality of connection points configured to provide for attachment of the luggage portion at a plurality of positions relative to the wedge-shaped member.

The plurality of positions may comprise secondary positions forward of an initial position. The secondary positions provide for impingement of the ramped member with the securing member when there is a lesser degree of insertion of the wedge-shaped member than when the luggage portion is attached at the initial position.

The connection points provide for the location of the luggage portion relative to the wedge-shaped member to be adjusted. This is useful to ensure that any looseness in the securing member (particularly if the securing member is a strap) is accounted for. There may be looseness in the securing member if the fixed position of the tail pack is not rearward relative to the securing member by a sufficient amount to provide tension in the securing member.

In this instance, the position of the luggage portion relative to the wedge-shaped portion can be moved rearward to a secondary position. Therefore, the ramped section of the luggage portion will provide an increased amount of tension in the securing member when the tail pack is in the fixed position due to impingement of the securing member with the ramped section.

The ramped section may be a plastic moulding

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a motorcycle tail pack kit comprising a tail pack and a buckle strap attachable to a motorcycle and having connecting means for connecting the buckle strap to the fastening means of the tail pack to the motorcycle.

The connecting means may be attachable to a buckle.

The buckle strap may be supplied as a separate component to the tail pack (but part of a kit comprising the tail pack) and be attached to a motorbike via an under-seat connecting point accessible by lifting the rear seat. Alternatively, the tail pack can be configured for use with an existing buckle strap attached to a motorcycle.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a pillion seat assembly comprising a pillion seat having an upper surface wherein each of two ends of a securing member are linked to a pillion seat on opposing sides of the pillion seat thereby crossing the upper surface and configured to provide a gap in between the securing member and upper surface for receiving the wedge-shaped member of a tail pack or tail pack kit.

The securing member may be a pillion seat strap.

The securing strap may be non-stretch.

The securing member may be constructed of webbing and vinyl in order to provide non-stretch properties.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of mounting a tail pack to a motorcycle comprising the steps of inserting a wedge-shaped member between a surface of a motorcycle and a securing member thereby restricting movement of the tail pack in an upward direction and in a horizontal direction; and fastening the tail pack to the motorcycle to restrict movement of the tail pack in the opposite horizontal direction.

The step of fastening may comprise tensioning a fastening strap through a buckle.

Tightening of the fastening strap of the second attachment means (such as by sliding the fastening strap through the buckle) provides for the tail pack to be secured via the second attachment means in an ergonomic and easy manner for a user. Furthermore, tightening the fastening means may further secure the tail-pack in the fixed position since tension in the securing member of the first attachment means is increased.

Summary of Drawings

Figure 1 shows a side cross-sectional view of a tail pack according to the present invention in a fixed position on a pillion seat of a motorcycle, and, a buckle strap of a tail pack kit according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows the embodiments of Figure 1 from a rear view.

Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional rear view of a tail pack according invention in a fixed position on a pillion seat of a motorcycle.

to the present

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of figures 1 to 3.

Figure 5 shows a plan version of a wedge of a tail pack according invention.

to the present

Figure 6 shows a plan version of a wedge of a tail pack according invention including example positioning of connecting members.

to the present

Detailed Description

With reference to Figure 1 there is shown a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the invention. Tail pack 100 is secured in a fixed position on pillion seat surface 106 of the pillion seat 202 of a motorcycle 300. Tail pack 100 is secured via wedge-shaped member 102 and rear fastening means comprising buckle 105a, buckle strap 105b and buckle tensioning strap 105c.

The tail pack 100 comprises a luggage portion 101 connected to wedge 102. Attached to the underside of the luggage portion 101 is a ramped section 103, which is connected to wedge 102 via a plurality of connecting members 109 (one shown) that may connect using a snap-fit connection or similar. The wedge 102 is configured to sit on a pillion seat surface 106 of a motorcycle, as will be described further below.

Referring also to Figure 1, when the ramped section 103 and wedge 102 are connected, an inclined, downward facing (as shown in Figures 1 and 4) surface 103a of the ramped section 103 is inclined in an opposite direction to opposing, upwardly extending portions (as shown in Figures 3 and 4) 102a, 102b, of the wedge 102. The downward facing inclined surface 103a of the ramped section 103 is located between the upwardly extending portions 102a, 102b of the wedge 102. The wedge 102 has a leading edge 102c at its narrow end, which is spaced from the underside of the luggage portion 101. As shown, away from the leading edge 102c, the opposing inclined surfaces of the ramped section 103a and of the upwardly extending portions 102a, 102b cross over such that, further away from the leading edge 102c the inclined surface 103a of the ramped section 103 is below the upper surfaces of the upwardly extending portions 102a, 102b.

A pillion strap 201 wraps around the pillion seat 202 laterally and is connected to the motorcycle at strap connectors 204 (one shown). A motorcycle 300 may be supplied with a pillion seat strap 201 pre-attached. When the tail pack 100 is not in use, the pillion strap may remain situated on the pillion seat surface 106. In use, the leading edge 102c of the wedge 102 is inserted between pillion seat strap 201 and pillion seat surface 106. The tail pack 100 is then pushed so that the leading edge 102c of the wedge 102 is moved beyond the pillion strap 201, which becomes trapped between the ramped section 103 and the wedge 102, and tensioned by the opposing inclined surfaces of the ramped section 103a and the upwardly extending portions 102a, 102b of the wedge 102. The engagement of the pillion strap 201 with the wedge 102 and ramped section 103 restricts movement of the tail pack 100 in a rearward and upward direction. This engagement is referred to as a first attachment means.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the fastening strap 105c is fastened to a buckle 105a using a tensional connection. The buckle 105a is hooked to a loop in buckle strap 105b (this arrangement is viewable from a different perspective in Figure 2, which shows the embodiment of Figure 1 with the luggage portion 101 attached to the wedge from a rear viewpoint.). The attachment of buckle 105a to buckle strap 105b restricts movement of the tail pack 100 in the forward direction. This attachment is referred to as a second attachment means. The combination of the first and second attachment means provides for restricted movement of the tail pack in upward, rearward and forward directions. Therefore the tail-pack is secured to the pillion seat surface 106.

A user can optionally pull buckle tensioning strap 105c upwards to provide tension to the buckle component 105a. In turn, this provides tension to the pillion seat strap 201 as the tail pack 101 is pulled rearwards due to increased tension in the buckle 105a and fastening strap 105c. Increased tension in the buckle 105a and pillion seat strap 201 provides for the tail pack to be more securely set in a fixed position.

Use of only the first and second attachment means provides for a simplified manner of securing a tail pack firmly whilst not requiring substantial mounting hardware situated on the motorcycle.

Buckle strap 105b is detachably connected to an underside of pillion seat 202. In the shown embodiment, buckle strap 105b is attached to the motorcycle via hook-strap fixing 203. Hook-strap fixing 203 may be accessible by detaching the pillion seat 202 from the motorcycle 300. The buckle strap 105b may be supplied with the tail pack and attached by a user to the motorcycle prior to attaching the tail pack 100. The buckle strap 105b is unobtrusive and may remain attached to the motorcycle when the tail pack 100 is not attached.

On other embodiments, the buckle strap may not be detachably connected. Instead, the second attachment means may be configured to attach to a buckle that is attached to a motorcycle during manufacture of the motorcycle.

Tension in pillion strap 201 applies a forward and downward force to the tail pack 100 by acting on the ramped section 103 and the wedge-shaped member 102. The downward force is desirable in order to press the tail pack 100 into the pillion seat surface 106 thereby fixing the tail pack 100 to the seat. The fastening strap 105c connected to buckle 105a serves to counteract the forward force applied by the pillion seat strap 201 by restricting forward movement of the tail pack 100. It will be appreciated that without the attachment provided by fastening strap 105c, and buckle 105a, the tail pack 100 would be free to glide forwards of the pillion seat.

It is particularly advantageous that there is minimal mounting hardware attached to the pillion seat to enable the shown tail pack 100 to be attached to the pillion seat 202. Only the pillion seat strap 201 and buckle strap 105b are required to attach the tail pack 101. These components are unobtrusive and allow a pillion passenger to straddle the pillion seat 202 when the tail pack 101 is not attached.

In order for a user to attach the tail pack 101, he merely has to firstly wedge the wedgeshaped member in between the pillion strap 201 and pillion seat surface 106, and secondly, clip buckle to buckle strap 105b. The user can optionally apply tension to fastening strap 105c and pillion seat strap 201 by pulling fastening strap 105c in an upwards direction.

Figure 3 shows the embodiment of the previous figures from a rear cross-sectional view. Ramp section 103 is shown separated from the rest of the luggage portion 101. Ramped section 103 is attached to the rest of the luggage portion using rivets 108. Upwardly extending portions 102a and 102b of the wedge 102 are at either side of a flat surface of the wedge that sits on pillion seat surface. This configuration provides for a space for ramped section 103 to sit and engage with pillion seat strap 201. Furthermore, pillion seat strap 201 is depressed downwards between upwardly extending portions 102a and 102b by the ramp section 103. This provides for greater tension to be more easily applied to the pillion seat strap 201 in a smaller volume by manual movement of the tail pack rearward. Tension is applied to the pillion strap in two directions, namely an upwards direction due to interaction with the upwardly extending portions 102a, 102b, and, a downwards direction due to interaction with the ramped section 103. In other words, further tension is created by the ramped section as the pillion strap is forced in two directions.

From Figure 3 it can be seen that pillion seat strap 201 is fastened to a motorbike at strap connection points 203a and 203b underneath pillion seat 202. Pillion seat strap 201 is linked across the attachment surface of the motorcycle. In the shown embodiment, the pillion seat strap 201 is wrapped around the seat laterally.

In the preferred embodiment described above the tail pack is mounted by inserting the wedge 102 of the first attachment means in a rearward direction (with respect to the orientation of the motorcycle) and then securing the tail pack with the second attachment means so that the tail pack is prevented from moving in a forward direction. However, it would be possible, though less preferred, to mount the tail pack in a different direction. For example the forward and rearward directions could be reversed. Alternatively the first attachment means could be configured to mount the tail pack in a sideways direction - e.g. left-to-right - and then secure it with the second attachment means to prevent right-to-left movement.

Figures 5 and 6 show a plan view of the wedge 102. Wedge holes 107 provide for connection to the connecting members 109 (as shown in Figure 1). In the shown embodiment there are three possible positions along longitudinal axis A for the luggage portion to be connected to the wedge. In each longitudinal position, the luggage portion is connected via three wedge holes 107 that longitudinally correspond. Figure 5 shows an example positioning of connecting members 109 in wedge holes 107 such that the luggage portion 101 is secured in a forward position relative to the wedge 102. Varying the position of the luggage portion 101 with respect to the wedge 102 provides for tension to be increased in the pillion seat strap 201 as discussed above. It will be appreciated that varying the longitudinal position of the luggage portion with respect to the wedge member can be accomplished using a variety of attachment methods and configurations without departing from the scope of the invention.

Figures 5 and 6 also show that the plan shape of the wedge narrows towards the edge of the wedge that is initially inserted between the pillion seat and the seat strap. This provides for easier insertion by a user as there is more lateral space for the wedge to be inserted into the available space between the pillion seat and seat strap. As the wedge is inserted further, impingement of the edges of the wedge with the seat strap will guide the wedge (and therefore tail pack) to a desirable central position on the seat.

Claims

1. A motorcycle tail pack comprising a first and second attachment means for securing the tail pack in a fixed position;

wherein the first attachment means comprises a wedge-shaped member configured to be inserted between an attachment surface of the motorcycle and a securing member attached to the motorcycle thereby restricting movement of the tail pack in an upward direction and in a horizontal direction; and wherein the second attachment means comprises a fastening means configured to fasten the tail pack to the motorcycle thereby restricting movement of the tail pack in an opposite horizontal direction.

2. A motorcycle tail pack according to claim 1 wherein the horizontal direction is a rearward direction relative to the motorcycle.

3. A motorcycle tail pack according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the wedgeshaped member is configured to be inserted when the securing member is a securing strap linked across the attachment surface of the motorcycle.

4. A motorcycle tail pack according to any preceding claim wherein the first attachment means is configured to apply tension to the securing member when the tail pack is in the fixed position.

5. A motorcycle tail pack according to claim 4 wherein the wedge-shaped member comprises two or more upwardly extending portions each configured to provide a tensioning point to act upwardly against the securing member.

6. A motorcycle tail pack according to claim 5 comprising a luggage portion, wherein the wedge-shaped member is connected to a base of the luggage portion via one or more connection points located on the luggage portion or the wedge-shaped member.

7. A tail pack according to claim 6 wherein:

a base of the luggage portion comprises a ramped section comprising a first inclined portion disposed at least partially in between the upwardly extending portions; the upwardly extending portions each comprise a second inclined portion; and the first and second inclined portions overlap and are at opposing angles.

8. A tail pack according to claim 7 wherein the wedge-shaped member comprises a pair of upwardly extending portions, and, the ramped section sits in between the pair of upwardly extending portions.

9. A tail pack according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the tension applied to the securing member is applied in an upwards direction by the upwardly extending portions of the wedge-shaped member, and, a downwards direction by the ramped section of the luggage portion.

10. A motorcycle tail pack according to any of claim 6 to claim 9 wherein the one or more connection points are located on an upper surface of the substantially flat portion of the wedge-shaped member.

11. A motorcycle tail pack according to claim 10 wherein the one or more connection points comprise holes for receiving male connectors.

12. A motorcycle tail pack according to any of claims 6 to 11 wherein the base of the luggage portion is detachably attachable to the wedge-shaped member, and, is attachable via a plurality of connection points configured to provide for attachment of the luggage portion at a plurality of positions relative to the wedge-shaped member.

13. A motorcycle tail pack according to claim 12 wherein the plurality of positions comprise secondary positions forward of an initial position.

14. A motorcycle tail pack according to any preceding claim wherein the fastening means comprises a fastening strap attached to a buckle, the buckle configured to detachably connect to a buckle strap extending from the motorcycle.

15. A motorcycle tail pack according to claim 14 wherein the buckle strap is configurable to be stored under a pillion seat.

16. A tail pack according to any preceding claim wherein the plan shape of the wedge-shaped member narrows towards the leading edge of the wedge-shaped member.

17. A motorcycle tail pack kit comprising the tail pack according to any preceding claim and a buckle strap attachable to a motorcycle and having connecting means for connecting the buckle strap to the second attachment means of the tail pack.

18. The motorcycle tail pack kit of claim 17 wherein the connecting means is attachable to a buckle.

19. A pillion seat assembly comprising a pillion seat having an upper surface wherein each of two ends of a securing member are linked to the pillion seat on opposing sides of the pillion seat thereby crossing the upper surface and configured to provide a gap in between the securing member and upper surface for receiving the wedge-shaped member of a tail pack according to claims 1 to 16 or the wedge shaped member of a tail pack kit according to claims 17 or 18.

20. A pillion seat assembly according to claim 19 wherein the securing member is a securing strap.

21. A pillion seat assembly according to claim 19 or 20 wherein the securing member is non-stretch.

22. A pillion seat assembly according to any of claims 19 to 21 wherein the securing member is constructed of webbing and vinyl.

23. A method of mounting a tail pack to a motorcycle comprising the steps of;

inserting a wedge-shaped member between an attachment surface of a motorcycle and a securing member thereby restricting movement of the tail pack in an upward direction and in a horizontal direction; and fastening the tail pack to the motorcycle to restrict movement of the tail pack in the opposite horizontal direction.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the wedge-shaped member is detachably connected to a luggage portion in a first position, and the method further includes before the step of inserting, the step of detaching the wedge-shaped member from a luggage portion, reattaching the wedge-shaped member to the luggage portion in a

5 second position.

25. The method of claim 23 or claim 24 wherein the step of fastening comprises tensioning a fastening strap through a buckle.