Motorcycle saddlebag lock

A motorcycle saddlebag lock that can be used to lock a soft saddlebag having a body, a lid coupled to the body, and a strap interconnecting the lid to the body. The lock is attached to the strap when in a strapped position to inhibit the strap from being moved to an unstrapped position. Preferably, the saddlebag includes a retaining member (e.g., a buckle) attached to the body to define an opening through which the strap is received when in the strapped position. In this embodiment, the retaining member is positioned between the lock and the lid, and the lock is larger than the retaining member to thereby prevent the strap from being pulled through the retaining member. The lock includes a body having an opening adapted to receive the strap, and an engaging member coupled to the body and movable relative to the body between an unlocked position out of the opening and a locked position in the opening. When in the locked position, the engaging member preferably is inserted into one of a plurality of holes in the strap. In one embodiment, the engaging member is coupled to a locking mechanism that allows movement of the engaging member only with the use of a key.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
 The present invention relates generally to motorcycle saddlebags. More
 specifically, the present invention relates to a lock that can be used to
 secure motorcycle saddlebags.
 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
 Some motorcycles include bags, such as saddlebags, for storing items.
 Saddlebags are commonly mounted to the motorcycle on opposing sides of the
 passenger seat, near the rear wheel. Saddlebags are usually made of a body
 and a lid hinged to the body to facilitate access to the interior of the
 body.
 Motorcycle saddlebags usually fall within one of two categories: hard or
 soft. Hard saddlebags have a relatively hard shell that protects the
 stored items. These saddlebags are usually made from plastic, fiberglass,
 or a similar material. Because the body and lid are made of a hard
 material, it is relatively easy to fit hard saddlebags with a lock that
 required a key to access the interior.
 Soft saddlebags have been used for many years, and are commonly made from
 leather. These saddlebags typically have at least one strap and a
 corresponding buckle to allow the lid to be secured closed when access is
 not required. The strap and buckle are also desired from an aesthetic
 standard due to their classic look. One drawback from the soft saddlebag
 design is that it is difficult to provide such a saddlebag with a lock
 that limits access to the interior.
 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
 The present invention provides a motorcycle saddlebag lock that can be used
 to lock a soft saddlebag. More specifically, the present invention can be
 used to lock a saddlebag comprising a body having an opening, a saddlebag
 lid coupled to the body, and a strap interconnecting the lid to the body.
 The lock is attached to the strap when in a strapped position to inhibit
 the strap from being moved to an unstrapped position.
 The strap can be attached to either the body or the lid, but is preferably
 attached to the lid. In addition, the saddlebag can further include a
 retaining member attached to the body to define an opening through which
 the strap is received when in the strapped position. In this embodiment,
 the retaining member is positioned between the lock and the lid, and the
 lock is larger than the retaining member to thereby prevent the strap from
 being pulled through the retaining member. In one embodiment, the
 retaining member comprises a buckle that is adapted to engage one of a
 plurality of holes in the strap.
 The lock includes a body having an opening adapted to receive the strap,
 and an engaging member coupled to the body and movable relative to the
 body between an unlocked position out of the opening and a locked position
 in the opening. When in the locked position, the engaging member
 preferably is inserted into one of a plurality of holes in the strap. In
 one embodiment, the engaging member is coupled to a locking mechanism that
 allows movement of the engaging member only with the use of a key.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
 The illustrated saddlebag lock 10 includes a base 12 and a lock assembly 14
 positioned within the base 12. The lock assembly is designed to be coupled
 to a saddlebag 16 having a body 18, a lid 20, a strap 22, and a retainer
 member in the form of a buckle 23, as described below in more detail. As
 used herein, the terms "body" and "lid" refer to any two portions of a
 saddlebag that are movable relative to each other to allow access to the
 interior of the saddlebag.
 Referring to FIGS. 3-6, the base 12 includes a recess 24 dimensioned to
 receive the lock assembly 14. A side opening 26 provides access to the
 recess 24 to facilitate securing the lock assembly 14 in the base 12, as
 described below in more detail. The base 12 further includes an opening in
 the form of a closed slot 28 that is dimensioned to receive the strap 22
 of the saddlebag 16. The portion of the base 12 adjacent the slot includes
 a beveled edge 30 that facilitates insertion of the strap 22 into the slot
 28. A bottom opening 32 provides access between the recess 24 and the slot
 28, and a lower opening 34 is provided in alignment with the bottom
 opening 32.
 Referring to FIG. 7, the lock assembly 14 is dimensioned to fit in the
 recess 24. The lock assembly 14 can be secured in the recess 24 by a
 securing member 36 positioned through the side opening 26 and into the
 lock assembly 14. For example, the securing member 36 can be a rivet, set
 screw, or other appropriate securing device. The illustrated lock assembly
 14 includes an engaging member in the form of a plunger 38 that is
 moveable relative to the base 12 between a locked position (broken lines
 in FIG. 7) and an unlocked position (solid lines in FIG. 7). Movement of
 the plunger 38 is performed using an appropriate key 40 (FIG. 2). For
 example, in the illustrated embodiment, the lock assembly 14 is a tubular
 lock, and movement of the plunger 38 is performed using a matching tubular
 key.
 The saddlebag lock 10 further includes fingers 50 that define an open slot
 52. The fingers are designed to engage a buckle loop 54 on the saddlebag
 16. More specifically, the buckle loop 54 of the saddlebag 16 holds the
 buckle 23 in position, and is designed to be inserted into the open slot
 52 so that the saddlebag lock 10 maintains engagement with the saddlebag
 16 even when the saddlebag lock 10 is not engaged with the strap 22.
 In operation, the saddlebag lock 10 is designed to be engaged with the
 buckle loop 23 of the saddlebag 16 before the strap 22 has been inserted
 through the buckle 23 (FIG. 1). The strap 22 is then inserted through the
 buckle 23 and through the closed slot 28. With the strap 22 properly
 buckled, the saddlebag lock 10 should be positioned approximately at the
 second hole below the buckle 23. The key is then inserted into the lock
 assembly 14 and rotated, thereby causing the plunger 38 to insert through
 a hole in the strap 22 and into the lower opening 34. The key is then
 removed, thereby locking the saddlebag lock 10 to the strap 22. Because
 the saddlebag lock 10 is larger than the buckle, the strap 22 cannot be
 pulled through the buckle.
 An alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG.
 8. In this embodiment, the fingers of the previous embodiment have been
 replaced by a tongue that is riveted to the saddlebag 16. This design
 results in a more secure relationship between the saddlebag lock 10 and
 the saddlebag 16. However, this design will require permanent
 modifications to the saddlebag 16 (e.g., insertion of a rivet through the
 saddlebag 16).
 The foregoing description of the present invention has been presented for
 purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, the description is
 not intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein.
 Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above
 teachings, and the skill or knowledge of the relevant art, are within the
 scope of the present invention. The embodiments described herein are
 further intended to explain best modes known for practicing the invention
 and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in such,
 or other, embodiments and with various modifications required by the
 particular applications or uses of the present invention. It is intended
 that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments
 to the extent permitted by the prior art.