Streamline storage system

Disclosed is a streamlined storage system for use with a motorcycle or other similar vehicle seat that does not detract from the riding experience, that is easy and convenient for the rider to access while riding, and that does not substantially increase the overall cost of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Riders of motorcycles or other similar vehicles know how inconvenient it is to carry practically any item while riding unless they choose to ride “Baggers”. Riders of motorcycles and other similar vehicles often find they need small “everyday items” such as a pair of sun glasses, a wallet, or even sunscreen, but are hampered from carrying such items while riding if they choose certain styles of motorcycles. Riders do have the option carrying the items in vests or in back packs, but the added extra weight and awkwardness take away from the enjoyment of the riding experience. Bungee cords or luggage racks are other options to secure items such as water bottles on vehicles, but may result in an item scratching or damaging parts of the vehicle.

What is need is a solution to having storage on a motorcycle or other similar vehicle that does not detract from the riding experience, that is easy and convenient for the rider to access while riding, and that does not substantially increase the overall cost of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed is a new and improved vehicle seat with a pouch system. Preferably the pouches are big enough for storing miscellaneous everyday items such as ID cards, wallets, sun glasses, sun screen, water bottles, etc., yet small enough to be hidden when not in use. Preferably, the pouch system is connected to the interior of the vehicle seat, more preferably the pouch system is connected to the vehicle seat within an interior pocket of the vehicle seat via a side opening, and most preferably the interior pocket is large enough to completely store the pouch attachment when not in use securing items. The pouch attachment system does not detract from the riding experience, are easy and convenient storage for small “everyday items” that a rider can access while riding, and installation of such a pouch attachment system into a vehicle seat will not substantially increase the overall cost of the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Riders of motorcycles and other similar vehicles have had a long time need for a convenient, on-the-go streamline storage on their vehicles that can be easily accessed when needed, and then folded away when not needed. Convenient on-the-go streamline storage would allow a rider to enjoy riding a fun and sportier bike (rather than, a “Bagger”) without themselves or their passenger wearing a back pack for carrying items or trying to somehow secure items directly to the vehicle, where there is a substantial risk of an item flying off during the riding trip. Disclosed is a vehicle seat with a pouch system that can be used with any ATV, motorcycle (including choppers), or marine vehicle. Preferably the pouch system is connected to the interior of the vehicle seat, more preferably the pouch system is connected to the vehicle seat within an interior pocket of the vehicle seat, and most preferably the interior pocket is large enough to completely store the pouch system when not in use as storage. Pouch systems can be constructed of any durable material including but not limited to leather, various forms of nylon (Rip-stop, Packcloth, Cordura®), canvas, or denim. Pouch system material may or may not be treated with a water-proofing chemical or treated to reduce friction for easy insertion or extraction. Pouches may or may not comprise a means to close said pouch such as a zipper, Velcro®, or a drawstring design. Most preferably the pouch systems can be folded or rolled up and then folded into the interior pocket of a vehicle seat via a side opening when not in use. Most preferably while folded inside the pouch systems do not add a bump or in any way alter the seating area of a vehicle seat. Whether being stored in the interior or whether splayed out and carrying items, the pouch system is designed to stand up to the abuse that will typically occur with on and off-road riding. Pouch systems can be used on a variety of vehicle seat design including but not limited to motorcycle seats such day tripper, touring, solo, vintage, and cobra styles and are sized to carry “everyday items” such as a pair of sun glasses, a wallet, or sunscreen.

FIGS. 1 and 2show a top view and a side view respectively of an embodiment of a seat of this disclosure shown with pouches hanging out. Seat1is comprised of an anterior2and a posterior3. Pouches4with tabs5are hanging out via slit opening formed by outer flaps6that are part of seat cover9. Though the pouches4are shows here as a preferred contoured shape, any feasible shape is contemplated by this disclosure, for example, squarish or rounded pouches which might work better-with alternative seat designs. Typical motorcycle seat covers are skin tight and outer flaps6provide some give to allow the pouches4to more easily be inserted and extracted from an interior storage of seat1. Having tabs5as webbed straps are preferred; however, this disclosure contemplates pouches with no tabs or any functional style of tabs known to those skilled in the art. Tabs5can be placed anywhere on pouches4and allow the user to easily grasp and pull out the pouches when they stored in the interior of the seat1. Tabs5may also be long enough to attach pouches4to vehicle to reduce pouch movement. Pouch opening8in pouches4can be made more secure by using Velcro, a drawstring, a zipper, or any securing system known to those skilled in the art. The pouch interior can have additional compartments, such as plastic inserts as a non-limiting example, for holding smaller items such as driver's licenses, credit cards, cash bills, etc. Ultimately the size of the pouches used will depend on the actual seat design with which they are being used and practically speaking the pouches need to be sized to be clear of the moving vehicle parts such as belts. Preferably the pouches4will be sized to 20 oz. drink bottle and other items that people generally put in their pockets while traveling-keys, wallets, cell phone, etc.

Actual placement of the pouch system in the vehicle seat will depend on the specific seat design desired. It is preferred that the pouch system is placed in the portion of the vehicle seat that does not accommodate the rider. For example, in these Figures is depicted a day tripper seat design wherein the pouch system is installed in the rising rear portion, because it is more convenient, conducive, and less disruptive to rider. But front seat insertion designs that will not interfere with rider are also contemplated by this disclosure. Preferably there are two pouches, one for either side, but only a single pouch on one side or a plurality of pouches on one or both sides is also contemplated.

FIG. 3shows the same embodiment asFIGS. 1 and 2wherein the pouches4(not seen) are folded in the interior of the seat1with outer flaps6in a closed positon. Preferably slit openings7are secured when outer flaps6are in the closed position giving a hidden effect. Slit openings7can be secured by zipper, Velcro, snaps, or any other type of securing mechanism known in the art. Preferably the pouches4are folded in such a way that the tabs5will easily be accessed and used by rider to pull out the pouches4when stored inside the seat1.

Though shown here is a day tripper style, this disclosure contemplates the pouch system to be adaptable to any style of motorcycle seat or other vehicle seats including ATVs and marine vehicles.

FIG. 4is an open side view of the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1-3with the seat cover2removed to reveal the interior. Pouch system14is comprised of horizontal attachment10which is connected to side flaps15which are comprised of pouches4with openings8. Horizontal attachment10attaches to seat pan13by any means known in the art, though preferably rivets are used as the attachments because they distribute the pressure on the fabric being used so as to not cut up or rip through the material. Sleeve11holding foam12sits atop of horizontal attachment10. When pouches4are in the storage configuration, they sit in between sleeve11and horizontal attachment10. It is preferred that the foam of the vehicle is surrounded by a sleeve or an equivalent, such that is easier to insert pouches into and extract pouches out of the interior of a vehicle seat. Sleeve11creates a barrier from the foam12so that pouches4do not bind up when being extracted or being pushed back in for storage. Sleeve11also protects the foam12from being exposed to and harmed by weather, fingernails, rings, etc.

FIG. 5is an open rear view of the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1-4with the seat cover9removed to reveal the interior of the posterior3if the seat. In this view sleeve11holding foam12(not seen) is flipped up to reveal interior pocket16. Foam12is inserted into or surrounded sleeve11in such a way that it is contoured to form the interior pocket16of seat1. For practical use, it is most logical to fold the side flaps15with the pouches4and insert into the seat1so that tab5rests on outer edge near the outer flaps6making it easier for a user and pull to extract pouches4from the interior pocket16.

FIGS. 6A-Bdepicts a sideview of an embodiment of a seat of this disclosure being used to secure large cargo on the posterior.FIG. 7depicts the attachment assembly27separately. Rather than, using the pouches18to hold small items, the rider can select to use the pouches18to secure larger cargo17on the posterior19of seat20as shown here. Fastening rings21are fastened to horizontal attachment28(which in turn is connected to seat pan22) by strap25. Depicted here strap25is connect via a rivet system, but any attachment known in the art is contemplated by this disclosure. Fastening rings21serve as an attachment for first securing member24. As depicted here fastening rings21are D rings, however any shape of fastening ring is contemplated by this disclosure. Each strap25is attached to the horizontal attachment28such that the fastening ring21can protrude through the slit opening29. First securing member24can a bungee or other fastening means known in the art. On the rear side of pouches18is are loops23. Though loops23are shown here preferably the backside of the pouch18, this disclosure also contemplates loops on the front side of the pouch18. To secure cargo17pouches18are flipped over cargo17and second securing member26is inserted in the loops23attached to the backside of pouches18and attached at fastening rings21securing cargo17; keeping cargo17from sliding side to side or from front to back.

Herein is also disclosed a kit to install the pouch system on any non-streamlined storage system equipped seat with the requirement some seat modification. Preferably a kit is comprised of the pouch assembly comprised of pouches and the horizontal attachment with anchor points for the mounting hardware supplied, such as rivets. Optionally a seat cover with a corresponding slit for the more common seat designs may be provided. Optionally D rings to be anchored by a strap for as described above will be supplied.

The foregoing description merely illustrates the invention is not intended to be limiting. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the inventive concept.