Abstract:
Side-opening, removably attachable motorcycle luggage is provided in which one or both of the sides of the luggage can be opened to access the main interior compartment of the luggage. The interior surfaces of the sides may be provided with pockets, key rings and other storage features and may be provided with a mirror. The luggage is further provided with an expandable pocket for securably engaging the seat back or sissy bar of a motorcycle. The expandable pocket is configured to be disposed on a variety of different sized sissy bars and/or makes and models of motorcycles. The pocket is easily collapsible to facilitate transport of the luggage. The motorcycle luggage is also provided with an integral rain cover for protection of the luggage in bad weather. The luggage may be optionally provided with a retractable handle and wheels for easy transport of the luggage.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of and claims priority benefit from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/764,197, filed on Jan. 23, 2004, entitled “Removably Attachable Motorcycle Luggage,” which is incorporated herein by reference 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates generally to travel luggage, and more specifically to motorcycle luggage that is removably attachable to the seat backs of a variety of types, makes and models of motorcycles.  
         [0004]     A significant number of motorcycle owners engage in long distance or cross country touring on their motorcycle each year. Unlike car or airplane travel, one of the most significant problems with motorcycle touring is the limited amount of storage space for carrying personal belongings. Further, motorcycle luggage must be secure, durable and able to withstand variable weather conditions and high speeds without damage to its contents. Importantly, motorcycle luggage must be attachable to the bike without interfering with the driver and without interfering with the center of gravity or balance of the motorcycle.  
         [0005]     A number of different motorcycle luggage designs have been developed to deal with the problems of storage on board a motorcycle. These designs include bags that attach to several locations on the motorcycle, such as, bags that rest on the gas tank, saddle bags that hang down on to the sides of the motorcycle, or panniers that hang down on either side of the rear wheel. These designs, however, are bulky, and difficult to remove from the motorcycle. A number of other designs utilize the sissy bar of the motorcycle, a seat back that serves as a back rest for the passenger or the rider, for attachment of travel luggage to the motorcycle.  
         [0006]     Previous motorcycle luggage designs that utilize the sissy bar or seat back of the motorcycle lack the ability to easily attach and secure to a number of different types and sizes of motorcycle designs. As a result, manufactures must custom fit each piece of luggage to fit each type/size of sissy bar, making the manufacture of luggage expensive and inefficient. In addition, these designs render luggage ownership a significant expense for riders that possess several different types of motorcycles.  
         [0007]     More recently, luggage designs have been developed that may be fitted onto various seat backs or sissy bars; however, these designs require the use of exchangeable or removable pockets and/or extendable, exchangeable straps—rendering them time-consuming and problematic to fit, attach and remove the luggage from the motorcycle. In addition, these designs are typically used with awkwardly shaped and bulky bags, which are ascetically unappealing and unsophisticated.  
         [0008]     It is accordingly the primary objective of the present invention to provide high-quality, attractive motorcycle luggage that can be easily adjusted to accommodate a number of different makes, models and designs of motorcycles. It can be a related object of the present invention to provide soft motorcycle luggage that is securely fit to a motorcycle sissy bar, easily removed from the motorcycle, and readily transported from location to location, similar to conventional luggage systems.  
         [0009]     It can be another objective of the present invention to provide soft, yet rugged motorcycle travel luggage that is capable of withstanding high speeds without exhibiting vibration or interference with the balance or safety of motorcycle operation. It is a related objective of the present invention to provide motorcycle luggage that is able to withstand poor weather conditions without damage to the motorcycle bag or its contents.  
         [0010]     The motorcycle luggage of the present invention must also be of construction which is both durable and long lasting, and it should also require little or no maintenance to be provided by the user throughout its operating lifetime. In order to enhance the market appeal of motorcycle luggage should also be of inexpensive construction to thereby afford it the broadest possible market. Finally, it is also an objective that all of the aforesaid advantages and objectives be achieved without incurring any substantial relative disadvantage.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The disadvantages and limitations of the background art discussed above are overcome by the present invention. With this invention, motorcycle travel luggage is provided including a novel luggage mounting system for securing the luggage to a motorcycle. The luggage mounting system includes an adjustable pocket affixed to the luggage for tightly securing the luggage to the sissy bar of a motorcycle. The adjustable pocket is expandable to fit sissy bars having a wide variety of dimensions and is easily collapsible to a flat or closed position when the luggage is not mounted to the motorcycle.  
         [0012]     The adjustable pocket of the motorcycle luggage of the present invention includes a fastening mechanism that allows expansion of the pocket to its maximum volume/fully open position and that also permits collapsing the pocket to its fully closed position. The fastening mechanism provides the pocket with variable dimensions such that the pocket is able to receive and retain sissy bars of different sizes and shapes. Thus, the size of the pocket depends on the degree of closure of the fastening mechanism, which is in turn determined by the size of the sissy bar accommodated therein. Preferably, the fastening mechanism includes one or more zippers.  
         [0013]     The motorcycle luggage of the present invention can include tightening straps for securing the pocket around the sissy bar. The straps are adjustable, depending on the size of the sissy bar positioned within the expandable pocket. The motorcycle luggage of the present invention can also include hold down straps that wrap around the frame of the motorcycle to provide added security to the luggage. The hold down straps are provided with quick release fastening mechanisms to easily secure the luggage in place on the motorcycle and to quickly release the luggage when desired.  
         [0014]     Optionally, the motorcycle luggage of the present invention can be provided with wheels and an extendable handle to assist in the transport of the luggage. When mounted to the motorcycle, the handle can be retracted and stored within a compartment located at the top of the luggage.  
         [0015]     In addition, the motorcycle luggage of the present invention can be provided with a rain cover that completely encloses the luggage for motorcycle travel in bad weather. The rain cover can be integrally connected to the luggage in order to avoid loss of the cover when travelling at high speeds. When not needed, the rain cover can be folded and completely stored within a storage compartment without taking up valuable space within the internal compartment of the luggage itself. The rain cover may, alternatively, be provided separately from the luggage and can be merely stored in a compartment within the luggage.  
         [0016]     The motorcycle luggage can include a variety of pockets, pouches and storage compartments. For example, the luggage can include cellular phone compartments, change holders, key hooks, glasses cases or any other storage configuration that would be useful for travel. The internal storage compartment of the luggage can include other items such as mirrors, shelves, hanger hooks, or retaining straps to facilitate packing and unpacking the luggage.  
         [0017]     The motorcycle luggage of the present invention is of a construction which is both durable and long lasting, and which will require little or no maintenance to be provided by the user throughout its operating lifetime. The motorcycle luggage of the present invention is also of inexpensive construction to enhance its market appeal and to thereby afford it the broadest possible market. Finally, all of the aforesaid advantages and objectives are achieved without incurring any substantial relative disadvantage. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]     These and other advantages of the present invention are best understood with reference to the drawings, in which:  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a first embodiment of the motorcycle luggage of the present invention shown being installed on a motorcycle sissy bar;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a front isometric view of the motorcycle luggage shown in  FIG. 1 , secured to the motorcycle sissy bar;  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a rear isometric view of the motorcycle luggage shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , illustrating a self-contained rain cover and compartment for retaining same;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a rear isometric view of the motorcycle luggage shown in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , illustrating the rain cover disposed over the motorcycle bag;  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a rear elevational of the motorcycle luggage shown in  FIGS. 1 through 4 , with first and second side ends of the motorcycle bag opened;  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the motorcycle luggage shown in  FIGS. 1 through 5 , illustrating the internal structure of the motorcycle bag;  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  is a front isometric view of a second embodiment of the motorcycle luggage of the present invention, shown secured to a motorcycle sissy bar;  
         [0026]      FIG. 8  is a rear isometric view of the motorcycle luggage shown in  FIG. 7 , illustrating a self-contained rain cover and compartment for retaining same;  
         [0027]      FIG. 9  is an isometric view of the motorcycle luggage shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , illustrating the rain cover disposed over the motorcycle bag;  
         [0028]      FIG. 10  is a rear elevational view of the motorcycle luggage shown in  FIGS. 7 through 9 , shown with the luggage compartment of the motorcycle luggage opened; and  
         [0029]      FIG. 11  is a front isometric view of the motorcycle luggage shown in  FIGS. 7 through 10 , shown with a handle extended. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0030]      FIG. 1  illustrates the motorcycle luggage  20  (“motorcycle bag”) of the present invention configured to securely and removably attach onto the back rest or sissy bar  22  of a motorcycle  24 . The motorcycle bag  20  may rest on the rear frame  26  of the motorcycle  24 . The motorcycle bag  20  of the present invention is adaptable to fit a number of different motorcycle sissy bars  32  of various sizes and dimensions and is easily installed and removed from the motorcycle  24 .  
         [0031]     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the motorcycle bag  20  generally comprises a front side  28 , a back side  30 , a top side, indicated generally at  32 , a bottom side, indicated generally at  34 , and side ends  36  and  38 , defining an enclosure for storing personal belongings. When the motorcycle bag  20  is installed onto the sissy bar  22 , the front side  28  of the bag will be oriented towards the front of the motorcycle  24  and the back side  30  will be oriented towards the back of the motorcycle  24 . The bottom side  34  of the motorcycle bag will preferably rest on the rear frame  26  of the motorcycle  24 .  
         [0032]     The motorcycle bag  20  is constructed, at least in part, of a durable, flexible material that is preferably water resistant, giving the exterior surfaces of the motorcycle bag a “soft” luggage appearance. However, the motorcycle bag  20  may be constructed of any material known in the art for the construction of durable luggage, including “hard” luggage construction materials.  
         [0033]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an expandable receptacle or pocket  40  is located on the front side  28  of the motorcycle bag  20  and is adapted to securely engage the motorcycle&#39;s sissy bar  22 . As described herein, the pocket  40  is preferably dimensioned to fit/receive the sissy bars of various models and sizes of motorcycles.  
         [0034]     The pocket  40  comprises a flap indicated generally at  42  having a top portion  44 , a bottom portion  46  and side edges  48 . The top portion  44  is securely attached to the front side  28  of the motorcycle bag  20 . Side panels  50  connect each of the side edges  48  of the flap  42  to the front side  28  of the bag  20 . As illustrated in the figures, the side panels  50 , the flap  42  and the front side  32  of the motorcycle bag  20  form an opening for accommodating the sissy bar  22  of the motorcycle. Each side panel  50  is sized to permit the bottom portion  46  of the flap  42  to extend any distance away from the front side  28  of the motorcycle bag  20 , depending on the size pocket  40  desired. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the side panels  50  can be of any size necessary to accommodate the dimensions of a large number of sissy bar sizes.  
         [0035]     The pocket  40  may be constructed and attached to the front side  28  of the motorcycle bag  20  by any means known to those skilled in the art, such as sewing, sonic welding, gluing, tacking or otherwise permanently securing the pocket to the front side  28  of the bag  20 . It is consistent with the broader aspects of the present invention, however, that the pocket  40  may be constructed and attached to the front side  28  of the motorcycle bag  20  utilizing less permanent methods of attachment, such as snaps, hooks or Velcro type fastening mechanisms.  
         [0036]     Consistent with the broader aspects of the invention, the internal surfaces of the expandable pocket  40  including the flap  42 , side panels  50  and/or a portion of the front side  28  of the motorcycle bag  20  (i.e. the portions of the pocket  40  that are in direct contact the sissy bar) may be covered or constructed of a rubberized, non-slip and/or high-friction material. Such a construction provides the motorcycle bag  20  with added protection against slipping.  
         [0037]     Zippers  54  located on each of the side edges  48  of the flap  42  secure the flap  42  to the front side  28  of the bag  20  and allow the pocket  40  to be varied in size/volume, depending on the sissy bar to be accommodated. The zippers  54  extend from the top portion  44  of the flap  42  to the bottom portion  46  of the flap  42  and are oriented such that when the zippers  54  are zipped completely closed, the bottom portion  46  of the flap  42  lies flat against the front side  28  of the bag  20 . Thus, when the motorcycle bag  20  is not secured to the motorcycle  24 , the pocket  40  is flat. In this configuration, the pocket  40  is collapsed down to a minimum volume that does not interfere with the rider moving or carrying the bag and that provides a clean, sharp look to the exterior surface of the motorcycle bag  20 .  
         [0038]     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , when the motorcycle bag  20  is to be installed onto the sissy bar  22 , the zippers  54  may be partially or completely unzipped, expanding the pocket  40  (and increasing the volume of the pocket  40 ) in order to accommodate the sissy bar  22 . To secure the motorcycle bag  20  in place, the zippers  54  of the expandable pocket  40  are zipped closed over the sissy bar  22  as far as possible to snugly enclose the sissy bar  22  therein. Thus, depending on the size of the sissy bar  22 , the zippers  54  permit the expandable pocket  40  to adjust to securely fit a number of different sized seat backs/sissy bars.  
         [0039]     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the zippers  28  may be replaced by any type of fastening or closure mechanism known to those skilled in the art. However, the fastening mechanism utilized should be of the type that would permit the pocket  40  to have a variable volume dimension, i.e., the fastening mechanism should be of the type to have multiple closure positions.  
         [0040]     Side tightening straps  56  are located on each side of the expandable pocket  40 . Each side tightening strap  56  includes an adjustment mechanism  58  so that the strap  56  may be tightened to supplement the pocket  40  in securing motorcycle bag  20  in place on the sissy bar  22 . As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, the side tightening straps  56  can be adjusted to accommodate any size sissy bar  22  within the pocket  40  and will be appropriately tightened to secure the motorcycle bag  20  in place. For example, the pocket  40  can be used to securely mount the motorcycle bag  20  to a sissy bar that may be narrower than the pocket  40  by adjusting the side tightening straps  56  to tightly secure the sissy bar before closing the zippers  82 . The side tightening straps  56  may be constructed to be detachable from the motorcycle bag  20  for easy storage when use of the straps  56  is not required.  
         [0041]     The motorcycle bag  20  also includes hold down straps  60  that wrap around the frame of the motorcycle&#39;s sissy bar  22  to additionally secure the motorcycle bag  20  in place. As best illustrated in  FIG. 1 , each hold down strap  60  includes a first segment  62  attached at one end to the bottom portion  46  of the flap  42  and a second segment  64  attached at one end to the front side  28  of the motorcycle bag  20 . Alternatively the second segment  64  of the hold down strap  60  may be attached to the bottom side  34  of the motorcycle bag  20 . A quick release fastening mechanism  66  is attached to each of the first and second segments  62 ,  64  of each hold down strap  60  on the free end thereof, releasably joining each first segment  62  to each second segment  64 . The fastening mechanism  66  may be a buckle, clasp, snap or any other quick release fastening mechanism known to those skilled in the art. The hold down straps  60  may be constructed to be detachable from the motorcycle bag  20  for easy storage when not in use.  
         [0042]     As described above, the motorcycle bag  20  of the present invention is easily secured to the motorcycle&#39;s sissy bar  22  by means of the expandable pocket  40 , and straps  56  and  60 . This mounting system provides for luggage that will not vibrate or otherwise interfere with operation of the motorcycle during travel. Further, the motorcycle bag  20  of the present invention is also easily removed from the motorcycle for transport from location to location and conveniently carried via a handle  67  located on the top side  32  of the bag  20 . The expandable pocket  40  and straps  56  and  60  are readily collapsed and/or stored out of the way to facilitate transport of the motorcycle bag  20 .  
         [0043]     Referring next to  FIG. 3 , the back side  30  of the motorcycle bag  20  is shown. The back side  30  includes a pocket  68  for storing additional items. Straps  70  are also included for securing the pocket  68  closed and for attaching additional items to the motorcycle bag  20  during travel. Consistent with the broader aspects of the present invention, the pocket  68  can be replaced with any type or sized pouch or receptacle for storing items.  
         [0044]     The back side  30  of the motorcycle bag  20  also includes a zippered compartment  72  that retains a rain cover  74 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . When not in use, the rain cover  74  can be folded up and completely stored within the compartment  72 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . An element  76  connects the rain cover  74  within the compartment  72  and secures the rain cover  74  to the motorcycle bag  20 . Preferably, the element  76  is constructed of a resilient or elastic material to facilitate positioning of the rain cover on to the motorcycle bag  20 . Alternately, the rain cover  74  can be entirely separate from the motorcycle bag  20 , but stored within the compartment  72 . The rain cover  74  also includes drawstring or elastic portion  78  that can be used to tighten and secure the rain cover  74  around the motorcycle bag  20  when the rain cover  74  is installed.  
         [0045]      FIG. 4  best illustrates the rain cover  74  installed over the motorcycle bag  20 . As illustrated, the rain cover  74  completely covers the motorcycle bag  20  protecting the motorcycle bag  20  and the personal belongings of the rider from damaging weather conditions.  
         [0046]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a storage pocket  80  is located on the side end  36  of the motorcycle bag  20  for storing items on the exterior of the motorcycle bag  20 . Alternatively, the pocket  80  can be replaced with any type or sized pouch or receptacle for storing items on the exterior surface of the motorcycle bag  20 .  
         [0047]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , in addition to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the motorcycle bag  20  can be opened for packing and unpacking the motorcycle bag  20  using zippers  82  that are provided on the side end  36 . As best shown in  FIG. 6 , the side end  36  completely opens exposing an interior compartment  84 . In addition, the side end  36  has an interior surface  86  including a mirror  88  and a pouch  90  for convenient access by the user.  
         [0048]     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a pouch  92  is located on the side end  38  of the motorcycle bag  20  for storing additional items on the exterior surface of the motorcycle bag  20 . Alternatively, the pouch  92  can be replaced with any type or sized pocket or receptacle for storing items on the exterior surface of the motorcycle bag  20 .  
         [0049]     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , in addition to  FIG. 3 , the motorcycle bag  20  can be opened for packing and unpacking the motorcycle bag  20  using zippers  94  that are provided on the side end  38 . Like the side end  36 , the side end  38  completely opens exposing the interior compartment  84 . The side end  38  has an interior surface  96  including a plurality of storing and retaining devices, such as a key hook  98 , change compartments  100 , glasses case  102 , cellular phone compartment  104  and clips  106  for convenient access by the user. As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the internal surfaces  86  and  96  may include any type and/or configuration of pockets, pouches, compartments, clips, hooks and/or storage means known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0050]     As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the interior compartment  84  is configured to efficiently accommodate a large volume of personal belongings. Accordingly, the interior compartment a shelf  108 , a retaining strap  110  and a retaining panel to hold the cargo in place. The interior compartment  84  may contain any type of storage configuration known to those skilled in the art, including shelves and straps that can be rearranged by the user to meet a specific need.  
         [0051]      FIGS. 7 through 11  illustrate an alternate embodiment of the present invention. Similar corresponding parts to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 through 6 , will be shown incremented by  100  in  FIGS. 7 through 11 .  
         [0052]     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the expandable pocket  140  is located on the front side  128  of the motorcycle bag  120  and is adapted to securely engage the motorcycle&#39;s sissy bar  22 . As described herein, the pocket  140  may be manufactured in a number of sizes to fit the sissy bars of various models and sizes of motorcycles. The first and second side ends  136  and  138  of the motorcycle bag  120  can include internal pockets  248  which can be used to store detachable straps, such as the hold down straps  160  or the tightening straps  156  when not in use.  
         [0053]     The back side  130  of the motorcycle bag  120  is illustrated in  FIGS. 8 through 10 . The back side  130  includes an internal compartment  252  which contains a rain cover  174 . When not in use, the rain cover  174  can be folded up and completely stored within the compartment  252  which can be sealed closed by a zipper  250 , as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 10 . The element  176  connects the rain cover  174  within the compartment  252  and secures the rain cover  174  to the motorcycle bag  120 . Preferably, the element  176  is constructed of a resilient or elastic material to facilitate positioning of the rain cover on to the motorcycle bag  120 . The rain cover  174  also includes drawstring or elastic portion  178  that can be used to tighten and secure the rain cover  174  around the motorcycle bag  120  when the rain cover  174  is installed.  FIG. 9  illustrates the rain cover  174  installed on the motorcycle bag  120 .  
         [0054]     To access the contents of the motorcycle bag  120 , the back side  130  also includes an access panel  254  which is retained closed by zipper  256 . As best shown in  FIG. 10 , opening the access panel  254  reveals an internal storage compartment  258  of the motorcycle bag  20  for retaining the personal belongings of the rider. In addition, the access panel  254  has an internal surface  260  which contains change compartments  262 , glasses case  264 , cellular phone compartment  266  and clips  268 . As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the internal surface  260  may include any type and/or configuration of pockets, pouches, compartments, clips, hooks and/or storage means known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0055]     To facilitate mobility of the motorcycle bag  120  when not secured to the motorcycle  24 , the motorcycle bag  120  also includes wheels  270  located in the bottom side  134  of the motorcycle bag  120  near the front side  128  of the bag  120 . A pocket  272  including a zipper  274  is included on the top side  132 /front side  128  of the bag  120  for containing a pull-out handle  276  (as shown in  FIG. 11 ). Thus, the motorcycle bag  120  of the present invention can be conveniently used as a “pull behind” piece of luggage. It can easily be transported when not attached to the motorcycle, and can be easily taken into hotels or checked onto an airplane, similar to conventional pieces of luggage.  
         [0056]     Although an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described with reference to particular embodiments and applications thereof, it will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that a number of changes, modifications, or alterations to the invention as described herein may be made, none of which depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention. All such changes, modifications, and alterations should therefore be seen as being within the scope of the present invention.