Articulated luggage carrier

A luggage carrier is disclosed herein mountable on the rear rack of a motorcycle which includes a base frame for supporting an article of luggage and an articulated frame which is selectively movable between a first position and a second position. A backrest is resiliently carried on the articulated frame so that the backrest may either support the back of a passenger when the frame is in its first position or support the driver's back when the frame is in its second position. The articulated frame includes an over-the-center toggle mechanism for resiliently and yieldably maintaining the frame and the backrest in its selected position. Releasable fasteners hold the articulated frame in its first position and a releasable locking mechanism holds the backrest in its respective operative positions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to articulated luggage carriers and more 
particularly to a novel such carrier having a backrest which is adapted to 
support the back of either a passenger or a driver of a motorcycle 
depending upon the position of the articulated carrier. 
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
In the past, it has been the conventional practice to attach a variety of 
luggage supports or carriers onto the frame of motorcycles or the like so 
that a variety of personal luggage and equipment can be carried thereon. 
Usually, conventional luggage carriers are fixedly supported to the frame 
of the motorcycle immediately behind the seat so that the weight of the 
luggage or equipment being carried is substantially over the rear wheel of 
the vehicle. Sometimes, the passenger, who sits on the seat immediately 
behind the driver, may use the luggage as a back support during travel of 
the motorcycle. In other instances, fixed bars are carried on the 
motorcycle frame against which the passenger may lean so as to support his 
back. 
Although such arrangements have been successful for their intended 
purposes, it is obvious that the back of the driver cannot be supported by 
either the luggage, fixed bars or the like since a substantial distance is 
defined between the luggage carrier and the back of the driver. Such space 
is usually occupied by the passenger and when unoccupied, no useful 
purpose is served. 
Some attempts have been made to provide a back support for the driver which 
take the form of extendable rods or mechanisms which are supported from 
the luggage rack and which include a cushioned backrest against which the 
driver may bear. However, such extendable mechanisms suffer from the 
difficulty that the backrest is too rigid for comfortably supporting the 
driver's back. Also, such extensions do not readily accommodate the 
holding of any additional luggage or equipment. 
Therefore, a longstanding need has existed to provide a new luggage rack 
for motorcycles or the like which not only is adapted for supporting 
additional pieces of luggage or equipment, but which will provide a 
backrest for either the passenger or the driver so that either rider is 
comfortably supported. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, the above problems and difficulties are obviated by the 
present invention which provides a novel luggage carrier adapted to be 
carrier on the rear rack of a motorcycle which includes a base frame for 
supporting a first article of luggage and an articulated frame movably 
carried thereon for supporting a second article of luggage. The 
articulated frame is selectively movable between a first position and a 
second position while an overdash center toggle mechanism is employed for 
yieldably biasing the articulated frame in either of the two positions. 
Backrest means are resiliently carried on the articulated frame so that 
the backrest means may either support the back of a passenger when the 
frame is in its first position or supports the driver's back when the 
frame is in its second position. Releasable fastener means and locking 
means are provided for the articulated frame and the backrest means for 
releasably holding the articulated frame and the backrest means in their 
respective operative positions. 
Therefore, it is among the primary objects of the present invention to 
provide a novel articulated luggage carrier for motorcycles or the like 
which permits the inclusion of additional pieces of luggage or equipment 
to be carried on the motorcycle. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel articulated 
luggage carrier which includes backrest means adapted to be positioned for 
use by either the driver or his passenger. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel articulated 
luggage carrier for motorcycles which may be readily mounted on the frame 
of the motorcycle and which includes an articulated frame adapted to be 
positioned for supporting the back of the driver or his passenger. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel 
articulated luggage carrier which includes a backrest means adapted to be 
extended between a position for supporting the back of a passenger and a 
position for supporting the back of the driver. 
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a novel 
articulated luggage carrier for motorcycles which is useful for carrying 
additional items of luggage, serves as a backrest for either the passenger 
or the driver and which may be readily mounted on a conventional carrier 
rack included on the frame of a motorcycle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional motorcycle is illustrated in the 
general direction of arrow 10 which includes a conventional frame 11 for 
rollably supporting a front wheel 12 and a rear wheel 13. The front wheel 
12 is carried on the frame via a front steering means generally indicated 
by numeral 14 and which includes a windshield 15 and a set of handlebars 
16. The top of the frame is employed for supporting an elongated seat 17 
so that a driver 18 may sit on the front portion thereof and a passenger 
20 may sit on the rear portion thereof. 
As is the convention practice, side luggage is carried on side racks 21 
which are rigidly supported to a portion of the frame 11 and the luggage 
is illustrated by numeral 22. It is to be understood that luggage 22 may 
take the form of storage boxes, suitcases, bedrolls or other pieces of 
luggage or equipment intended to be carried on the motorcycle 10 by means 
of the side racks 21. Also, it is to be noted that an additional storage 
box or luggage indicated by numeral 23 is supported on a fixed rack 24 
which is firmly secured to the frame 11 in addition to the side racks 21. 
The luggage rack 24 includes a side rail 25 extending around the periphery 
thereof for supporting the sides of the storage box 23. The side rail 25 
includes an upwardly projecting extension 26. 
In accordance with the present invention, an articulated frame indicated in 
the general direction of arrow 30 is carried on the fixed frame 24 by 
means of fixed links 31 on each side of the frame 24 which are pivotally 
mounted to moving links 32 which, in turn, merge with a rack portion 33. A 
rack portion 33 may be employed for supporting additional luggage and it 
can be seen, in FIG. 1, that the articulated frame 30 may be maintained in 
its position shown in solid lines so that a backrest means 34 can support 
the back of passenger 20 or the articulated frame 30 may be moved to the 
position shown in broken lines so that the backrest means 34 will support 
the back of the driver 18. 
Referring now in detail to FIG. 2, the novel articulated luggage carrier of 
the present invention is illustrated in broken lines wherein the 
articulated frame is in position so that the headrest means 34 supports 
the driver while the articulated frame is in solid lines when the backrest 
means is in position for supporting the back of the passenger. The fixed 
or stationary frame 24 extends from one side around the end and to the 
other side of the vehicle and the railing 25 follows the same contour and 
shape. Standoffs 35 and 36 maintain the rail in fixed spaced apart 
relationship with respect to the frame 24 and reflectors 38 and 39 may be 
incorporated thereon. The adjacent ends of the rail 25 and the frame 24 
terminate in a fitting 40 associated with one side of the venhicle and 
fitting 41 associated with the opposite side. Each fitting is joined to 
the respective portion of the frame 11 via a curved portion 42 and the 
fittings 40 and 41 also are connected to the frame 24 via a U-shaped 
bracket 43 which is connected to the frame 24 via support piece 44. A pair 
of support bars 45 and 46 are connected to the sub-frame or brace 43 so 
that they are arranged in fixed spaced apart relationship and may be 
readily available for supporting a piece of luggage or other equipment 
intended to be carried thereon. 
With respect to the articulated frame 33, it can be seen that the frame 
comprises an endless tube construction which is formed in a rectangular 
geometry and that a plurality of support bars 47, 48, 49 and 50 are 
arranged in fixed parallel spaced apart relationship across the width of 
the rectangular frame. Also, a luggage support 51 is provided which 
includes an elongated bar 51 which is carried on the rear length of the 
frame by means of standoffs 52 and 53. Therefore, when luggage is placed 
on top of the articulated frame, it may bear against the support bar 51. 
A downwardly depending U-shaped member 54 is carried on the rear length of 
the frame 33 and includes a releasable latch or lock means 55 which is 
releasably engagable with the upwardly projecting extension 26. When the 
articulated frame 30 is in the position shown in solid lines, the latch 
means 55 is in engagement with the extension 26 so that a rigid support 
and construction is produced. 
Fixed links 31 and moving links 32 support the opposite end of the 
articulated frame and by means of an overcenter toggle mechanism broadly 
indicated by numeral 60, the links are maintained in either the position 
shown in solid lines or the position shown in broken lines. The details of 
the overcenter toggle mechanism will be described later. 
The backrest means 34 includes a cushioned pad 61 carried on a vertically 
disposed plate 62 via a sliding link construction indicated by numeral 63. 
A pair of springs 64 and 65 permit resilient movement of the cushioned pad 
61 with respect to the fixed structure of the frame so that the back of 
either the passenger or the driver of the vehicle will be adequately 
supported even though the curvature of the backs may differ or the person 
being supported moves slightly. The support plate 62 is carried on a 
rotatable member 66 which is pivotally carried in a yoke defined by the 
opposite ends of a U-shaped structure broadly identified by numeral 67. A 
crossbar 68 supports a screw mechanism 69 suitable for holding the 
rotatable element 66 in one of two positions. Such construction and the 
positions will be described later. As shown in solid lines, when the 
U-shaped structure 67 is in the upright position, support is given by a 
movable bracket 70. 
Referring now in detail to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the releasable attachment of 
the articulated frame 33 to the fixed frame 24 is illustrated wherein it 
can be seen that the releasable fastener 55 detachably connects with the 
upwardly projecting extension 26 carried on the fixed frame rail 25. As 
illustrated in FIG. 3A, attachment is achieved by a semi-circular portion 
71, as shown in FIG. 3B, which is received over a tube portion 72 so that 
sliding latches 73 and 74 associated with opposite sides of the connection 
can project into the bore of the tube forming the frame 54. As shown in 
FIG. 3B, the latches 73 and 74 have been retracted into the tube 72 so 
that they are removed from the bore of the tubing forming frame 54. This 
releases the U-shaped member 54 carried on frame 33 so that the frame 33 
can be pivoted. 
In FIG. 4, the latch 73 is illustrated and the latch is in position with 
the member 54 so as to prevent movement of the frame 33. The latch 73 
includes a nob 75 which slides through a notch in the tube 72 by manual 
operation. A spring 76 is incorporated into the construction for normally 
biasing the latch 73 into engagement with the member 54. When the nob 75 
is moved in the direction of arrow 77, the nob will be in the position 
shown in broken lines against the expanding tension of the spring 76 and 
the latch 73 will be removed from engagement with the member 54. 
Referring now in detail to FIG. 5A, an enlargement of the overcenter toggle 
mechanism is illustrated wherein it can be seen that the fixed link 31 is 
secured at one end to the fitting 40 and is pivotally attached to one end 
of the movable link 32 by means of pivot 80. The opposite end of movable 
link 32 is fixedly attached to the frame 33 so that the frame and the 
moving link 32 move as a unit. Moving link 32 incorporates a centrally 
located slot 83 which slidably receives one end of a member 84. A similar 
member 85 is pivotally attached to the fixed member 31 by means of pivot 
85. A rod 86 is mounted between the members 84 and 85 and a spring 87 is 
contracted between the opposite ends of the members 84 and 85 about the 
rod 86. A spring 88 is coupled at one end to the end of member 84 and at 
its opposite end to a pin 89 carried on the end of link 32 adjacent to its 
fixed connection with the frame 33. Therefore, it can be seen that the 
members 84 and 85 along with springs 87 and 88 form an overcenter biasing 
mechanism which operates in conjunction with the links 31 and 32 to bias 
the links into a first position as shown in FIG. 5A or a second position 
as shown in FIG. 5B. In the former position, the articulated frame 33 is 
as shown in solid lines in FIG. 2 while the latter position is the 
position of the articulated frame 33 in the broken lines showing in FIG. 
2. 
FIG. 6 more clearly shows the construction of the members 84 and 85 and the 
spring 86 which is mounted on the rod 87. Also, it can be seen that 
movement is limited by means of a stop pin 100 which is carried on the rod 
86 and moves through the length of a slot 101. Movement is limited by 
engagement of the pin 100 with the opposite ends of the slot defined by 
the member 85. 
Referring now to FIG. 7, it can be seen that the backrest means 34 includes 
the yoke 67 which is pivotally carried on a rod 102 extending between the 
support bars 48 and 49. The yoke is biased by means of spring 103 and, as 
noted previously, the yoke is maintained in an upright position as shown 
in solid lines in FIG. 2 by means of the brace 70 which incorporates a 
hook at one end that is engaged with a pin 104 outwardly projecting from 
the yoke 67. When it is desired to lower the yoke 67, the brace 70 is 
unhooked from the pin 104 and pivoted downwardly between the support bars 
48 and 49. At this time, the slide pin 105 is actuated so that the yoke 
will fit between the bars and when the slide is released, the end 106 of 
the slide pin will enter a corresponding hole in support bar 48 so that 
the yoke will be maintained in the down position. 
It is also to be noted that the cushion 61 can be rotated between the legs 
of the yoke 67 wherein the legs are identified by numerals 107 and 108 
respectively. The rotatable member 66 is pivotally arranged between the 
yoke legs 107 and 108 and when it is desired that the cushion 61 be in the 
position shown in solid lines in FIG. 2, the rotating pin 69 is positioned 
into a corresponding end of hole 110 in the rotatable member 66. However, 
when it is desired that the cushion 61 be placed in the position shown in 
broken lines in FIG. 2, the pin 69 is removed from its hole and the 
rotating member 66 is rotated until 180 degrees the opposite opening to 
the hole is in alignment with the pin 69 so that engagement can take 
place. Such engagement will then hold the cushion 61 in the position 
indicated in broken lines in FIG. 2. 
In FIG. 8, the arrangement of the hole is such that the opposite openings 
to the hole 110 alternately relieve pin 69. Therefore, it can be seen that 
when the rotatable member 66 is rotated between the yoke legs 107 and 108, 
the user can turn the thumb nut of the pin 69 so as to introduce the pin 
into either end of the hole depending on the desired position of the 
articulated frame and the backrest 61. 
For example, when it is desired to employ the backrest means 34 for 
supporting the back of the passenger, the articulated frame 30 is in the 
position shown in solid lines in FIGS. 1 and 2 wherein the member 54 is 
attached to the upwardly projecting extension 26 of the fixed frame 24. 
The backrest cushion 61 is positioned to the solid line showing in FIG. 9 
with the yoke 67 in its upright position and supported by the brace 70. 
The pin 69 is introduced into the aperture or hole 110 as shown in FIGS. 7 
and 8. However, when it is desired to move the articulated frame 30 into 
its extended or second position, the backrest means 34 must be 
re-positioned so as to properly support the back of the driver 18. 
Therefore, the brace 70 is removed by unhooking the brace from its in 
connection with the yoke 67 and rotated in the direction of arrow 111 so 
that the brace is out of the way. Secondly, the pin 69 is removed from 
hole 110 and the rotating member 66 is rotated to align the pin 69 with 
the opposite opening of the hole followed by the fastening of the pin 69 
into the hole to retain the rotating member and the cushion 61 in the 
position shown in broken lines in FIG. 9. The headrest has now been moved 
in the direction of arrow 112. At this time, the yoke 67 is moved in the 
direction of arrow 113 so that the yoke is positioned between the 
supporting bars 48 and 49 and secured thereto by means of pin 106. The 
cushion 61 now assumes the position as shown in FIG. 10 and is ready to 
support the back of the driver 18. 
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and 
described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and 
modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its 
broader aspects and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover 
all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and 
scope of this invention.