Package and article carriers – Vehicle attached – Carrier attached cycle
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-16
2002-11-19
Cronin, Stephen K. (Department: 3727)
Package and article carriers
Vehicle attached
Carrier attached cycle
C190S117000, C206S335000, C224S413000, C224S428000, C224S433000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06481605
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to a transport case comprising:
a base part arranged to be detachably fitted to a motorbike or a carrier plate mounted on a motorbike (the term “motorbike” as used in this specification encompasses motor scooters);
a lid part hinged to the base part such that the lid part can be pivoted away from the base part to open the transport case and pivoted toward the base part to close the transport case;
a locking mechanism, preferably operable by a key, said locking mechanism arranged to selectively assume a first state locking the lid part to the base part and a second state unlocking the lid part from the base part; and
a handle articulated to the transport case, in particular to the base part thereof, in such a manner that the handle can be pivoted between a retracted position and a projecting position.
A transport case of this type is described in EP-B1-0517 265. As has been well-known in the art, transport cases that can be fitted detachably to a motorbike provide versatility in that the user may employ such a case either separately from a motorbike, e.g. while walking as a pedestrian or working in an office, or in a fitted state, i.e, when driving a motorbike to which the transport case has been fitted so that the user does not have to hold the case manually.
While conventional detachable transport cases thus provide considerable convenience, it is an object of the application to further enhance the functionality, comfort and safety of motorbike transport cases.
According to the invention, this object is achieved by the following additional features:
the locking mechanism comprises retaining means for retaining the handle in the retracted position thereof, and
the locking mechanism is arranged to selectively assume a release state in which the retaining means release the handle from the retracted position thereof.
The additional features advantageously utilize the locking mechanism to fulfil a novel function in that the handle is selectively locked in its retracted position and released therefrom. The novel function provides a number of advantages, in particular as worked out below:
(a) The handle cannot move inadvertently to its position projecting from the transport case. A locked handle thus avoids traffic safety hazards that a projecting handle might present to pedestrians, for example, when the transport case has been fitted to a motorbike.
(b) The locked handle cannot be moved to its projecting position by an authorized person (because operation of the locking mechanism typically requires some special tool, mechanical key, combination code number, electronic key or the like). Therefore, the locked handle can be used as an additional means of protection against unauthorized opening and/or detachment of the transport case from a motorbike. For example, further control elements (e.g. an opening pushbutton) may be hidden behind the locked handle in the retracted position thereof.
(c) The locked handle may be selectively released operating the locking mechanism (with the help of a mechanical key, for example). When a legitimate user of the transport case (e.g. a user having such a key) operates the locking mechanism to unlock the handle, this unlocking operation can be utilized to concurrently eject the handle automatically to its projecting position. In this manner, the user' comfort can be enhanced because the user can immediately grip the handle (without having to pull it out of its retracted position), and/or can immediately access any further control element (e.g. push button) that may have been covered by the retracted handle.
In the broadest aspect of the present invention, the release state of the locking mechanism may be identical to the second state thereof, i.e., the handle may be unlocked at the same time as the locking mechanism unlocks the lid part from the base part of the transport case.
In a presently preferred embodiment, however, the release state of the locking mechanism is a third state thereof, and the retaining means are arranged to retain the handle in the retracted position when the locking mechanism is in its first and second states. In other words, the locking mechanism preferably has a first state in which both the opening mechanism of the transport case and the handle are locked, a second state in which the transport case can be opened (without having to be opened) but the handle is still locked, and a third state in which the transport case can be opened (without having to be opened) and the handle is released, or unlocked.
A three-state locking mechanism provides enhanced versatility and separate control in that the user does not have to release the handle when he only wishes to open or detach the transport case. When the handle is in its projecting position, it can be pivoted back (to the retracted position) at any time to be& caught by the retaining means.
The concept of locking and unlocking the handle can be implemented by the locking mechanism irrespectively of whether the locking mechanism acts directly or indirectly on the lid part of the transport case to selectively lock the lid part to the base part and unlock the lid part from the base part. In the presently preferred embodiment, indirect locking and unlocking of the lid part is preferred, i.e. the locking mechanism preferably comprises: a closing mechanism arranged to selectively assume a first position holding the lid part to the base part and a second position not holding the lid part to the base part; and
a lock member, preferably operable by a key, said lock member arranged to selectively assume a first state locking the closing mechanism in the first position thereof, and a second state unlocking the closing mechanism from the first position thereof. In accordance with the invention, the lock member comprises a release state (releasing the handle from the retracted position) which may be identical to the second state or may be a third state of the lock member, in analogy of the preceding paragraphs.
Preferably, the handle is advantageously (spring-)biased to its projecting position so that when the locking mechanism or lock member is brought to the release state, the biasing force releases the handle automatically to the projecting position thereof. In other words, the handle is ejected by the biasing force. This effect facilitates both the handle usage and user access to any control element that may be covered by the handle in the retracted position thereof.
In a preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism or lock member, respectively, assumes its release state against a resilient element, e.g. against the force of a resilient element of the retaining means. In this manner, the locking mechanism or lock member returns to its previous state (e.g. the second state) as soon as the user stops urging the locking mechanism or lock member to its third state. In other words, as soon as the user stops urging the locking mechanism or lock member to its third state, the locking mechanism or lock member is ready again to catch and lock the handle in the retracted position thereof (once the user pushes the handle back).
In another preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism or lock member, respectively, is operable by a mechanical key arranged to be turned selectively from a first or locking angle to a second or unlocking angle and to a releasing angle achieving the first, second and release states of the locking mechanism or lock member, respectively. However, it is pointed out that the invention can be carried out using any alternative type of lock operating means, such as a mechanical combination lock comprising numbered thumb wheels, any mechanical special tool, or an electric or electronic key (e.g. a chip card) in combination with mechanical control elements.
Preferably, the lock receiving the key is arranged such that the key has to be rotated through a large angle, e.g. approximately 90 or 180, in order to switch the locking mechanism or lock member from the first or locking state to the second or unlocking state. In this manner, slight rotation of the ke
Brevard Maerena W.
Cronin Stephen K.
GI. VI S.r.l.
Summa & Allan P.A.
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