A LUGGAGE CONTAINER

Abstract: Luggage container, the side walls (3) of which are flexible and at one end fixed to a top rim (2) and at the other end to the bottom (1) of the container, a limiting device (6) being detachable to and across the open top rim (2), strap members (5) being secured to the top rim (2) being securable to a base, thereby securing the container as such to a base as well as compressing the limitation device (6) and the side walls (3) together with the content of the container.

Description: A luggage container The present invention is related to a luggage con- tainer, especially adapted for use as aftmounting on motorcycles and as a rucksack. For most motorcyclist it is a disadvantage that bags and containers mounted or strapped to the motorcycle occupies the same space whether they are filled or empty. In cases where little luggage is brought along, such containers create turbulence and high air resistance. At high speed situations may occur when the motorcycle becomes unstable. On the market are available bags or containers, soft as well as hard, but there are no product combining the advantage with hard containers as such may be completely watertight. They also normally very easily can be loaded as simply a cover is opened without taking the container off the motorbicycle. Soft containers or bags assume small space when the load is little, but seams and zippers are not quite watertight. it is often also more difficult to load soft bags when they are strapped to the bicycle. The container according to the present invention combines advantages of soft and hard bags or containers, thereby avoiding the disadvantages. This is achieved with the container according to the present invention as described with the features stated in the claims. The drawing discloses in figure 1 a sideview of the container according to the invention, in the collapsed position, figure 2 discloses the container in figure 1 in a medium-filled position, figure 3 discloses a groundview into the container when the lid is removed, and figure 4 discloses a sideview corresponding to figures 1 and 2 with the lid half-opened. The motorcycle container according to the present invention primarily is developed for sport and touring motor- cycles, are however well suited also for other types of motorcycles. As disclosed in figure 1, the container comprises a bottom 1 with a surrounding rim. To the rim is secured a flexible fabric wall or bellow 3 and on top of the bellow i secured a top 2 rim 2. A lid 4 is hinged to the top rim 2 and a locking device 7 is adapted to secure the lid 4 in the closed position. Strap members 5 are connected with the top rim 2, enabling strapping of the container as such to the motorcycle in a suitable way, depending on the motorcycle type. The bottom 1 preferably is made of hard rubber with cells to provide a good set against the motorcycles, avoid scratches and also provide a comfortable surfaces against the back of the motorcyclist in cases where the motorcyclist carries the container as a rucksack. The shape of the bottom 1 and the material also ensures that the container as such will not fall backwardly on and cover the rear lights on the motorcycle, especially in cases where the container as such is longer than the passenger seat on the motorcycle. Principly, the size and shape of the bottom 1 correspondence with the shape of the top rim 2, whereas the size of the top rim 2 is a little larger than the bottom 1, in such a way that when the top rim 2 is at its lowest position, it surrounds the bottom 1. The container according to the invention is filled-up with luggage or what is needed and the top rim 2 is lifted according to the amount of luggage, whereby the fabric or bellow 3 will rise to a height corresponding with the amount of luggage. When all luggage is placed in the bellow 3, a net 6 secured to the top rim 2 is pulled across the luggage and secured. Thereafter the strap members 5, two on each sides of the motorcycle, are connected with suitable parts on the motorcycle and tightened, which means that the luggage is tightened against the motorcycle by the net 6 and the bellow 3. Instead of a net 6 another arrangement may be used as the upper wall of the container, such as a rigid plate or other suitable arrangement, to be secured to the rim 2. By use of the net 6 it is avoided that the load will move during driving and also that the load will press against the lid 4 when the container is strapped to the motorcycle, thereby avoiding the risk that the lid 4 opens during driving. The lid 4 preferably has an aerodynamic shape, more or less like a semi droplet and being hinged at the front end of the lid to the top rim 2. The shape of the lid 4 ensures that the air 3 resistance due to turbulence behind the back of the motorcyclist, is minimized. The container according to the present invention may be secured to the motorcycle on the passengers seat or on other suitable devices, depending on which motorcycle is in use. The container according to the present invention, may be used as a rucksack as the strap members 5 have been given a length and shape enabling such a use. In cases where the motorcyclist drives with the container according to the invention on his back as a rucksack, the container also provides for a security should the motorcyclist fall of the motorcycle and land on his back.

Claims: Patent Claims 1. Luggage container, CHARACTERIZED IN the side walls 5 (3) of the container being flexible and at one end fixed to a top rim (2) and at the other end to the bottom (1) of the container, a limiting device ( 6 ) being detachable to and across the open top rim ( 2 ) , strap members ( 5 ) being secured to the top rim ( 2 ) being securable to a base, thereby securing the container as such to o a base as well as compressing the limitation device ( 6 ) and the side walls (3) together with the content of the container. 2. Container according to previous claim, CHARACTERIZED IN a lid ( 4 ) being securable to the outside of the top rim ( 2 ) , the lid (4) thereby having a semi droplet form, thereby adapting s the container to be used as an aftmounted container on motorcycles, the lid (4) being lockable to the top rim (2). 3. Container according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED IN the container being adapted to be use as a rucksack, the strap members ( 5 ) thereby being used as shoulder straps. o 4. Container according to previous claims, CHARAC¬ TERIZED IN the flexible wall ( 3 ) being made of a flexible material such as a fabric or being formed as a bellow. 5 Container according to previous claims, CHARACTERIZED IN the limitation device (6) being a net, a plate or 5 other device, to be securable across the opening of the rim (2) thereby withstanding the forces by which luggage in the container being pressed upwardly when the strap members ( 5 ) are pressing the rim (2) towards the bottom (1) of the container.

Inventors: DOELER THORBJOERN, JAMES OLE, DOELER, THORBJOERN, JAMES, OLE
Applicants: DOELER THORBJOERN, DYHRE GISLE, JAMES OLE, MYRVOLL PER, DOELER, THORBJOERN, DYHRE, GISLE, JAMES, OLE, MYRVOLL, PER
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B62J9
IPC codes: A45C7, B62J9