Package and article carriers – Vehicle attached – Carrier attached cycle
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-10
2001-09-25
Vidovich, Gregory M. (Department: 3727)
Package and article carriers
Vehicle attached
Carrier attached cycle
C224S413000, C224S429000, C224S431000, C224S547000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06293450
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to saddlebags and, more specifically, to motorcycle saddlebags.
2. Description of the Related Art
A motorcycle may have saddlebags for carrying the riders personal gear, repair tools or other items. One saddlebag is typically mounted to a bracket attached to the frame rearward of the rider's seat on each side of the motorcycle.
Although many saddlebags are made of leather, others are made of fiberglass or a similar rigid material.
Saddlebags generally must be removed to perform any significant maintenance on the motorcycle. Removing a saddlebag may be inconvenient and time consuming because the saddlebag is often bolted to the mounting bracket, which in turn is bolted to the frame of the motorcycle. For example, to remove each saddlebag from the HARLEY-DAVIDSON HERITAGE ® motorcycle, one must unscrew four bolts to detach the saddlebag from the mounting bracket and unscrew three bolts to detach the mounting bracket from the frame. The bolts that attach the bracket to the frame are typically received in internally threaded cylindrical studs that abut the frame and have a threaded shank that extends through a hole in the frame and is secured to the frame with a nut.
Mounting mechanisms that promote removability of motorcycle saddlebags have been developed. Most of these mechanisms are intended by their manufacturers to be retrofitted to the original saddlebags, i.e., the saddlebags normally provided by the motorcycle manufacturer as part of the motorcycle. One such mechanism includes a bracket having several protrusions or clips, each with a U-shaped slot. The mechanism further includes a corresponding number of studs that replace the existing or original studs. Each stud has a groove that receives the edges of the U-shaped slot of the corresponding clip when the bracket is mounted on the motorcycle. Each clip has a set screw that can be used to secure the clip on the stud. To remove a saddlebag, one loosens the set screw and lifts the saddlebag until the clips disengage the studs. Another such mechanism includes saddlebags that are intended to replace the original saddlebags. The mechanism also includes studs. When the saddlebag is mounted on the motorcycle, each stud extends through a hole in the saddlebag and is retained by a spring clip inside the saddlebag. To remove the saddlebag, one must reach inside the saddlebag, remove the spring clip from each stud, and lift the bag off the studs. A disadvantage of this design is that such parts protruding into the saddlebag can catch on items stored there. It may also be cumbersome to reach into the saddlebag to access the spring clip. Other mechanisms have been included in motorcycles by the original equipment manufacturer (i.e., the motorcycle manufacturer) to mount fiberglass or similar hard-sided saddlebags in a removable manner. One such mechanism includes a so-called “aircraft pin,” which is a removable pin that extends through a hole in the saddlebag and is received in a spring clip mounted to the frame. To remove the saddlebag, one must reach inside to remove the pin.
It would be desirable to provide a motorcycle saddlebag release mechanism that is quick and easy to use and that does not include parts that protrude into the interior of the saddlebag. These problems and deficiencies are clearly felt in the art and are solved by the present invention in the manner described below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a quick-release mounting system for a motorcycle saddlebag and a method for retrofitting a motorcycle with the system. The system includes two or more couplings with which one can retrofit a motorcycle by replacing each bolt of the original mounting system with one of the couplings. Each coupling comprises a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion that can be removably coupled and uncoupled with one another in a quick-release manner.
To retrofit the motorcycle with the system, one first removes each bolt and corresponding nut that secures the saddlebag assembly to the motorcycle frame. One then inserts the threaded shank of each second coupling portion through one of the holes in the frame that formerly received a bolt and secures it with a nut. Then, one inserts the threaded shank of the first coupling portion through one of the mounting openings in the saddlebag assembly and secures it with a nut. The saddlebag can then be reattached to the motorcycle by mating each of the first coupling portions with one of the second coupling portions.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, each coupling comprises a first coupling portion, a second coupling portion, and a pin. The first coupling portion has a threaded shank extending along an axis, a socket extending coaxially from the shank, and a pin hole extending transversely through the socket with respect to said axis. The second coupling portion has a threaded shank extending along an axis, a plug extending coaxially from the shank and coaxially mateable with the socket of the first coupling portion, and a pin hole extending transversely through the plug with respect to the axis. The pin is extendable simultaneously through the pin hole of the first coupling portion and the pinhole of the second coupling portion when said plug is mated with the socket.
To attach the saddlebag assembly, one orients the saddlebag assembly such that the plug of each second coupling portion is coaxially aligned with the socket of one of the first coupling portions. One then moves the saddlebag closer to the motorcycle until each plug is fully inserted in one of the sockets and the pin holes of the first and second coupling portions are aligned. A pin is then inserted through the aligned pin holes to retain the coupling portions together. The saddlebag can be removed by reversing these steps.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, each coupling comprises a first coupling portion having a slot and a second coupling portion having an enlarged bolt head with a shape corresponding to that the slot. The first coupling portion has a threaded shank extending along an axis and a has a body extending from said shank. The slot, which is generally elongated in shape, is located in a sidewall of the body. The slot has an enlarged head area closer to said threaded shank than a remaining tail area of the slot that is axially more distant from the threaded shank. The second coupling portion has a threaded shank extending along an axis and has a retaining bolt that is transversely mateable with the slot of the first coupling portion by engaging the bolt head in the slot from a direction transverse to the axis of the first coupling portion.
To attach the saddlebag assembly, one orients the saddlebag assembly such that each second coupling portion is adjacent to each first coupling portion and their axes are parallel with one another. For example, the saddlebag assembly may be held such that each second coupling portion is slightly above each first coupling portion. One can then lower the saddlebag until the bolt head of each second coupling portion is fully received in the slot of one of the first coupling portions. The saddlebag assembly does not tend to slip off of the motorcycle because the enlarged head is captured in the slot. The saddlebag assembly can be removed by reversing these steps.
The foregoing, together with other features and advantages of the present invention, will become more apparent when referring to the following specification, claims, and accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2553739 (1951-05-01), Ashdowne
patent: 2577560 (1951-12-01), Ashdowne
patent: 2783927 (1957-03-01), Harley
patent: 3346156 (1967-10-01), Jones
patent: 3390897 (1968-07-01), Moore
patent: 4096980 (1978-06-01), Clow
patent: 4163513 (1979-08-01), Kramer
patent: 4274181 (1981-06-01), Schaller
patent: 4295586 (1981-10-01), Shockley
patent: 5176465 (1993-01-01), Holsted
patent: 5379912 (1995-01-01), Wolf
patent: 5762249 (1998-06-01), Han
Brown Martin Haller & McClain LLP
Vidovich Gregory M.
LandOfFree
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