Abstract:
A pannier ( 10 ) comprises a container portion ( 11 ) accommodating items. A connection system ( 12 ) is connected to the container portion ( 11 ) and releasably secures the container portion ( 11 ) to a rod-like member (A). The connection system ( 12 ) comprises connectors ( 22 ) each having a hook portion ( 32 ) to hook onto the rod-like member (A) and a cam portion ( 34 ) positioned with respect to the hook portion ( 32 ). The cam portion ( 34 ) is displaceable between an opened position to allow the hook portion ( 32 ) to hook onto the rod-like member (A), and a locking position in which the cam portion ( 34 ) is adapted to press against the rod-like member (A) to lock the rod-like member (A) in the hook portion ( 32 ). A biasing member ( 35 ) biases the cam portion ( 34 ) to the locking position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present patent application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/821,409, filed on Aug. 4, 2006. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE APPLICATION 
       [0002]    The present application generally relates to a connection system for securing bags to frames or racks of bicycles, motorcycles and like vehicles. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE ART 
       [0003]    The ever-increasing popularity of touring on two-wheel vehicles and live vehicles, such as bicycles and motorcycles, and the use of such vehicles for urban transportation means, has caused an advance in the equipment used to carry luggage and items. For instance, in the bicycling industry, panniers, also called bike bags, are typically secured to different portions of the bike or to racks added to the bikes. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,833, issued on Oct. 7, 1997 to Ortlieb, discloses a device for holding bags in which fastening clips close around a rod of carrier racks, handle-bars or struts of bicycles (hereinafter rod). The clips enclose the rod. A spring is provided to force the clips into the locking position. 
         [0005]    Considering that the fastening clips enclose and accommodate the rod, the device of Ortlieb requires shims that will shape the fastening clips to the geometry of the rod. As there are various dimensions of rods for frames, the device of Ortlieb must provide various shim dimensions to ensure that the device will be suitably connected to the rods of the frame so as to limit rattling resulting from play between the clips and the rods. 
       SUMMARY OF THE APPLICATION 
       [0006]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a connection system for panniers that addresses issues associated with the prior art. 
         [0007]    Therefore, in accordance with a first embodiment, there is provided a pannier comprising: a container portion adapted to accommodate items; a connection system connected to the container portion and adapted to releasably secure the container portion to a rod-like member, the connection system comprising at least one connector with a hook portion adapted to hook onto the rod-like member and with a cam portion positioned with respect to the hook portion and being displaceable between an opened position to allow the hook portion to hook onto the rod-like member, and a locking position in which the cam portion is adapted to press against the rod-like member to lock the rod-like member in the hook portion, and a biasing member biasing the cam portion to the locking position. 
         [0008]    Further in accordance with the first embodiment, the cam portion of the at least one connector rotates about an axis substantially transverse with respect to the rod-like member. 
         [0009]    Still further in accordance with the first embodiment, the connection system has two of the connectors. 
         [0010]    Still further in accordance with the first embodiment, the cam portions of the two connectors are oriented so as to rotate in opposite directions when concurrently rotating to the opened position and to the locking position. 
         [0011]    Still further in accordance with the first embodiment, a carrying strap interrelates the two cam portions, such that a pull on the carrying strap displaces the cam portions away from their locking position toward their opened position. 
         [0012]    Still further in accordance with the first embodiment, the connection system has a track, the two connectors being slidingly mounted to the track such that a position of the two connectors on the track is adjustable as a function of a shape of the rod-like member. 
         [0013]    Still further in accordance with the first embodiment, each of the connectors has a locking mechanism to lock the connectors on the track in selected positions. 
         [0014]    Still further in accordance with the first embodiment, a line between said axis and a contact point between the cam portion and the rod-like member is not perpendicular to the rod-like member when the cam portion is in the locking position. 
         [0015]    Still further in accordance with the first embodiment, the cam portion has a concave surface accommodating a portion of the rod-like member when the cam portion is in the locking position. 
         [0016]    Still further in accordance with the first embodiment, the cam portion has a shim in said concave surface to press against the rod-like member, the shim being made of a material having a greater friction coefficient than a remainder of the cam portion. 
         [0017]    Still further in accordance with the first embodiment, an abutment insert in the hook portion defines a contact surface for the hook portion against the rod-like member. 
         [0018]    Still further in accordance with the first embodiment, the cam portion presses solely against the rod-like member to lock the rod-like member in the hook portion. 
         [0019]    In accordance with a second embodiment, a method for installing a pannier to a rod-like member, comprising: providing a pannier with a pair of connectors actuatable by a carrying strap; lifting the carrying strap with respect to a remainder of the pannier so as to simultaneously open the connectors; hooking the opened connectors onto the rod-like member; and releasing the strap whereby the connectors press solely against the rod-like member. 
         [0020]    Further in accordance with the second embodiment, the method comprises adjusting a position of the pair of connectors on the pannier prior to installing the pannier on the rod-like member. 
         [0021]    Still further in accordance with the second embodiment, the method comprises adding abutment inserts in the connectors prior to installing the pannier on the rod-like member. 
         [0022]    Still further in accordance with the second embodiment, the method comprises providing a biased hook on a bottom end of the pannier, and further comprises connecting the biased hook to a structure associated with the rod-like member. 
         [0023]    In accordance with a third embodiment, there is provided a pannier comprising: a container portion adapted to accommodate items; a connection system comprising at least two connectors each comprising a hook portion adapted to hook onto the rod-like member, a cam portion positioned with respect to the hook portion and being displaceable between an opened position to allow the rod-like member to reach the hook portion, and a locking position in which the cam portion is adapted to press against the rod-like member to lock the rod-like member in the hook portion, and a biasing member biasing the cam portion to the locking position; a carrying strap connected to the cam portion of both of the connectors, the carrying strap being positioned with respect to the container portion in a grasping position such that a pulling action on the carrying strap displaces the cam portions to the opened position; and a retaining strap connected to at least one of the connection system and the container portion, and arranged so as to maintain the carrying strap in the grasping position. 
         [0024]    Further in accordance with the third embodiment, the connection system has a track between the container portion and the at least two connectors, the two connectors being slidingly mounted to the track such that a position of the two connectors on the track is adjustable as a function of a shape of the rod-like member. 
         [0025]    Still further in accordance with the third embodiment, the track is secured to the container portion by a pair of fasteners at opposed ends of the track, with the retaining strap being connected at opposed ends to the fasteners between the track and the container portion. 
         [0026]    Still further in accordance with the third embodiment, the fasteners are positioned with respect to the track so as to limit the translation of the connectors along the track. 
         [0027]    Still further in accordance with the third embodiment, the cam portion of the at least two connectors rotate each about an axis substantially transverse with respect to the rod-like member. 
         [0028]    Still further in accordance with the third embodiment, the cam portions of the two connectors are oriented so as to rotate in opposite directions when concurrently rotating to the opened position by the pulling action on the carrying strap. 
         [0029]    Still further in accordance with the third embodiment, a grasping tube is provided on the carrying strap. 
         [0030]    Still further in accordance with the third embodiment, an elastic is connected at opposed ends to the connection system, and a hook is on the elastic, the hook being connected to a structure associated with the rod-like member to stabilize the pannier on the structure. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of a pannier having a connection system constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of a connector of the pannier of  FIG. 1 , illustrating a cam in a locking position; 
           [0033]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 2 , with the cam in an opened position; 
           [0034]      FIG. 4  is an assembly view of one of the connectors of the pannier of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the pannier of  FIG. 1 , with a carrying strap subjected to a manual pulling action; 
           [0036]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 4 , with the cam abutted in the opened position; 
           [0037]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged perspective view of the pannier of  FIG. 1 , as mounted on a bike rack; 
           [0038]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged perspective view of the pannier and bike rack of  FIG. 7 , showing the cam against a rod of the rack; 
           [0039]      FIG. 9  is an enlarged perspective view of the pannier and bike rack of  FIG. 7 , showing the stabilizing elastic system cooperating with the bike rack; and 
           [0040]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged assembly view of the pannier of  FIG. 1 , showing a relation between a track and a retaining strap. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0041]    Referring to the drawings and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , a pannier in accordance with a first embodiment is generally shown at  10 . The pannier  10  has a container portion  11 , such as bag as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and a connection system  12 . 
         [0042]    The container portion  11  is provided to accommodate items of any type to be transported by the pannier  10 . Although a bag is illustrated as container portion  11 , other types of containers may be used in the pannier  10 , such as a basket, a rigid container, etc. 
         [0043]    The connection system  12  is provided to secure the container portion  11  to a rack, or other vehicle component, such as handlebar, strut, etc. For simplicity purposes, the pannier  10  will be described hereinafter as being connectable to a rod/rod-like member of a bike rack, although it may also be connected to other members of other types of vehicles (.e., tricycles, motorcycles, etc.) 
         [0044]    The connection system  12  optionally has a track  20 . The track  20  is the interface between the connection system  12  and the container portion  11 . The track  20  defines a channel  21  supporting a pair of connectors  22  such that the connectors  22  are slidingly displaceable along the channel  21 . Accordingly, a position of the connectors  22  on the track  20  is adjustable to adapt the connection system  12  to different lengths of rods, or to different rod configurations. For instance, some panniers are mounted on racks having transverse rods, whereby the position of the connectors  22  is adjusted on the pannier  10  to avoid such transverse rods. Stops  21 ′ are provided at opposed ends of the channel  21  to limit movement of the connectors  22  in the channel  21 . The connectors  22  will be described in further detail hereinafter. 
         [0045]    A carrying strap  23  is connected at opposed ends to the connectors  22 , and forms a loop projecting upwardly from a top surface of the container portion  11 . In this grasping position, the carrying strap  23  forms a handle by which the pannier  10  is manually carried around. A tube  23 ′ is provided in the loop for additional ergonomy in grasping the strap  23 . As an alternative to a single carrying strap  23 , it is considered to provide a strap for each connector  22 . 
         [0046]    A retaining strap  24  extends along the track  20 . The retaining strap  24  ensures that the loop of the carrying strap  23  is always in a position for being grasped, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Moreover, the retaining strap  24  generally preserves the position of the ends of the carrying strap  23  as wrapped around the cams  34 , which position is required to ensure that the cams  34  are actuated in a single pulling action of the carrying strap  23 . The tube  23 ′ helps in ensuring that the loop of the carrying strap  23  remains in position with respect to the retaining strap  24 . 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , it is shown that the retaining strap  24  is secured at opposed ends (one of which is shown) to the bolts that are part of the stops  21 ′. The bolts of the stops  21 ′ are also used to secure the track  20  to the container portion  11 . 
         [0048]    A stabilizing elastic system  25  is optionally provided on the pannier  10  and has a hook  26  and an elastic  27 . The biased hook  26  is maintained against a rear surface of the container portion  11  by way of a strip of material  28 . The strip of material  28  presents more than one slot (i.e., three in the illustrated embodiment) in which the hook  26  may be received. The slot is selected as a function of the desired position of the pannier  10  on the rack. A foremost slot is selected to position the pannier  10  as rearwardly as possible, to avoid having the pannier  10  impede the heel of the rider during the pedaling motion. It is contemplated to provide alternatives to the stabilizing elastic system  25 . As seen in  FIG. 10 , the elastic  27  is secured to the bolts of the stops  21 ′ by way of loops of material. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , each connector  22  has a base member  30  by which the connector  22  is slidingly connected to the track  20 . The base member  30  is held captive in the channel  21  of the track  20 , thereby forming a translational joint therewith. A fastener  31 , illustrated as a bolt in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , is generally perpendicular to the track  20  and is tightenable using a tool (e.g., screwdriver, Allen key ratchet, etc.) to hold the cam  34  in pivoting engagement onto the base member  30 . Although a bolt is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , other fasteners and like devices may be used as alternatives. 
         [0050]    Each connector  22  has a hook portion  32 . In the first embodiment, the hook portion  32  is integral with the base member  30 . An abutment insert  33  covers the hook portion  32 . The insert  33  is typically made of a polymeric material to prevent damaging the rack finish (e.g., scratching the paint), and the hook portion  32 , as part of the base member  30 , is made of a rigid material such as a metal (e.g., aluminum, polymeric material, and the like). The abutment insert  33  is also provided to prevent the premature wear of the hook portion  32 . In the first embodiment, the abutment insert  33  is slidingly engaged into the concavity of the hook portion  32 , and defines a contact surface  33 ′ of generally arcuate cross-section. Other configurations are considered for the hook portion  32 , such as having a polymeric material molded onto a metallic base, or one integral member made of a polymeric material combining the abutment insert  33 , the hook portion  32  and the base member  30 . 
         [0051]    In each of the connectors  22 , a cam  34  is pivotally mounted to the base member  30 . In the first embodiment, the fastener  31  serves as pivot for the cam  34 . The cam  34  has a contact surface  34 ′ as best seen in  FIG. 3 . The contact surface  34 ′ may be generally smooth, but it is contemplated to provide a concavity in the contact surface  34 ′. In such a case, the surface of contact between the cam  34  and the rod is increased, whereby the friction therebetween is enhanced to limit movement of the connectors  22  along or about a rod. The cam  34  is made of a rigid material, such as polymeric material (e.g., having a relatively high friction coefficient in a material similar to that of the insert  33 ) or a metal such as aluminum. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , it is considered to provide a shim  34 ″ in the concavity of the contact surface  34 ′. The shim  34 ″ is used to increase a friction coefficient between the rod-like member A ( FIG. 9 ) and the cam  34 . 
         [0052]    Accordingly, the material used for the shim  34 ″ is selected amongst materials having relatively high friction of coefficient, such as a rubber (e.g., a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer or the like). Moreover, the concavity of the contact surface  34 ′ defines a pair of abutment walls on both sides of the shim  34 ″, creating structural members reducing the risk of unhooking of the rod-like member A from the hook portion  32 /cam  34 . The radius of curvature of the concavity is optionally selected as a function of the diameter of the rod-like member A, with a smaller diameter of the concavity selected for smaller rod-like members, for the concavity to encapsulate the rod-like member. It is considered as an option to align the shim  34 ″ along the abutment wall of the cam  34  that is adjacent to a free end of the hook portion  32 , as the rod-like member has a tendency in some instances to lean against this free end of the hook portion  32 . 
         [0053]    The cam  34  is displaceable between a locking position as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , and an opened position, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The cam  34  is biased toward the locking position so as to lock a rod therein. In the first embodiment, in order to be biased, the cam  34  houses a biasing member  35  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The biasing member  35  is illustrated as being a torsion spring having projecting ends  35 ′, only one of which is visible in  FIG. 4 . One of the projecting ends  35 ′ is received in an extension  30 ′ of the fastener hole of the insert  33 , which fastener hole is provided for the fastener  31 . The other end  35 ′ is accommodated in a bore (not shown) in the cam  34 . 
         [0054]    It is pointed out that washers  36  are optionally provided to limit the amount of play between the fasteners  31  and the cams  34 . The fasteners  31  and the cams  34  are sized such that the locking of the fasteners  31  does not impede the rotation of the cams  34 . Accordingly, in instances there might be some play between the head of the fasteners  31  and the cams  34 , whereby the washers  36  reduce the play. Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the cams  34 , which are mirror images of one another, are shown being connected to opposed ends of the carrying strap  23 . In the first embodiment, the strap  23  is bolted to the cams  34 , but other ways of securing the ends of the strap  23  to the cams  34  are also considered (e.g., self-tapping screws, rivets and the like). The carrying strap  23  is connected to the cams  34  in such a way that a pulling action of sufficient magnitude on the strap  23  will move the cams  34  against the action of the biasing member  35  to reach the opened position of  FIG. 3 . Moreover, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a single pulling action on the carrying strap  23  will cause both cams  34  to reach the opened position. 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , it is shown that an abutment  37  of the base member  30  limits the displacement of the cams  34  to the opened position upon the pulling action on the carrying strap  23 . 
         [0056]    In order to lock the connectors  22  on the track  20  in a given position, a set screw  38  or like locking mechanism is provided in the base member  30  as is shown in  FIG. 6 . The set screw  38  is simply screwed whereby a portion of the screw  38  will press against the track  20  to block the translational movement between the connector  22  and the track  20 . As an alternative, it is considered to use the fasteners  31  ( FIG. 2 ) to lock the connectors  22  to the track  20 , by having the fasteners  31  extend through the base member  30  of the connectors  22 . 
         [0057]    When the cams  34  are in the opened position, the pannier  10  may be mounted to a bike rack. Referring concurrently to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the pannier  10  is shown mounted in a secured manner to a rod-like member A of a bike rack B. It is shown that the hook portion  32  of the connectors  22  are hooked on the rod-like member. As seen in  FIG. 7 , the inserts  33  marry the shape of an upper portion of the rod-like member A, and thereby prevent lateral movement between the rod-like member A and the connectors  22 . When the hook portions  32  are engaged onto the rod-like member A, the carrying strap  23  is released, causing the cams  34  to contact the rod-like member A. 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , one of the cams  34  is shown having returned to the locking position to lock the pannier  10  to the rod-like member A. It is observed that the cam  34  is biased into contact against the rod-like member A. Therefore, the connectors  22  effectively lock the rod-like member A by the cams  34  being biased directly against the rod-like member A. In one embodiment illustrated by  FIG. 8 , it is seen that an imaginary line between a pivot center (i.e., center of the fastener  31 ), and the contact surface or point between the cam  34  and the rod-like member A is close to being vertical, but remains slightly angled, as illustrated by angle θ. In an embodiment, the angle θ ranges between &gt;0 and 20 degrees. 
         [0059]    At this orientation of the cams  34  locking the pannier  10  to the rack B, a major portion of the downward vertical force of the rod-like member A against the cams  34  (e.g., when the vehicle is on bumpy roads) is along a radial vector V 1 , whereas a minor portion of the force is along a tangential vector V 2  which is opposed by the force of biasing member  35  and by friction between the rod-like member A and both the insert  33  and the cam  34 . This results in substantial structural interference reducing/preventing vertical movement between the connectors  22  and the rod-like member A. Against the force of vector V 2 , the connection system  12  opposes the biasing action of the biasing member  35  ( FIG. 4 ), as well as friction between the rod-like member A and the connectors  22 . 
         [0060]    It is considered to have the imaginary line reaching the vertical. This results in a greater amount of force being required to move the cams  34  to their opened position when pulling on the carrying strap  23 , as the friction at the position is at its greatest level. However, it is desired to limit the amount of force required to open up the cams  34 , whereby it is preferred to keep the angle θ between &gt;0 and 20 degrees, as discussed previously. 
         [0061]    When the vehicle comes to a stop or accelerates, inertial forces may result in the pannier  10  moving forward or backward along the rod-like member A. In the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 to 10 , it is seen that the pair of connectors  22  are mirror images of one another. Accordingly, a longitudinal translation of the pannier  10  along the rod-like member A will cause a longitudinal frictional force on the connectors  22  (i.e., along the rod-like member). As the cams  34  are mirror images of one another, one of the cams  34  will have its biasing member  35  ( FIG. 4 ) urging it in the direction of the longitudinal force (i.e., reducing the angle θ toward 0 degrees). As such, the friction force of that connector  22  on the rod-like member A increases as angle θ nears 0 degrees, resulting in greater opposition to the translation of the pannier  10  along the rod-like member A. 
         [0062]    The materials used for the connector  22  are typically selected as a function of their respective coefficients of friction. The coefficients of friction of the materials, the force of the biasing members  35  and the angle θ are selected so as to minimize rattling between the pannier  10  and the rod-like member A, while also minimizing the effort required in the pulling action on the carrying strap  23  to open the connectors  22 . 
         [0063]    In bike racks such as bike rack B, the rod-like member diameters are within a given range, namely between 7 and 15 mm. Accordingly, a radius of 7.5 mm for the contact surface  33 ′ of the inserts  33  is well suited to accommodate the rod-like members having diameters within standard ranges. This range of rod diameters is considered when positioning the cam  34  with respect to the hook portion  32 , so as to have angle θ at a desired value (e.g., about 15 degrees). 
         [0064]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , the stabilizing elastic system  25  is shown cooperating with the bike rack B to limit movement of the pannier  10  with respect to the bike rack B. More specifically, the hook  26  is hooked on a loop C in the bike rack B or on another part of the vehicle (e.g. axle bolt fitting), thereby opposing a force against rotation of the pannier  10  about the rod-like member A. Moreover, the stabilizing elastic system  25  opposes a force against translation of the pannier  10  along the rod-like member A. Therefore, for the pannier  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the hook  26  is pulled into engagement with the loop C, prior to the pannier  10  being mounted on the rod-like member A. The carrying strap  23  is then pulled upward, and the combination of gravity and, if applicable, the tension in the elastic  27  will cause the cams  34  to reach their opened position such that the hook portions  32  accommodate the rod-like member A. The carrying strap  23  is then released to have the cams  34  lock the connectors  22 . 
         [0065]    To remove the pannier  10  from the bike rack B, the carrying strap  23  is pulled upwardly, whereby the cams  34  reach their opened position ( FIG. 3 ). The pannier  10  is then slightly pulled up vertically and laterally away from the rod-like member A. If the pannier  10  has a stabilizing elastic system  25 , the hook  26  is then released from the loop C, by lowering the pannier  10 . 
         [0066]    It is considered to have a single one of the connectors  22  on the pannier  10 . Such a configuration is used with smaller panniers  10 , and is typically combined with a hook portion  32  of greater width for stability of the pannier on the bike rack. Likewise, for larger panniers a plurality of the connectors  22  may be used. 
         [0067]    In the first embodiment, the pivot axis of the cams  34  is generally normal to a plane in which both the cams  34  and the rod-like member A lie. It is also considered to have the pivot axis parallel to this plane, or in other suitable orientations, but is generally preferred that the pivot axis of the cams  34  be generally transverse an axis of the rod-like member A, from a top plan view. 
         [0068]    In one embodiment, the connection system  12 , including the retaining strap  24 , is connected to the container portion  11  by way of the bolts of the stops  21 ′, as are previous connection systems. Therefore, the connection system  12  is retrofittable on some existing panniers.