Abstract:
A baggage system including a first bag supported by a rigid frame may be secured by anchoring straps to a luggage rack or a passenger&#39;s back rest of a motorcycle with wrap-around straps. In addition, fasteners are provided on a surface of the first bag to provide corresponding attaching points to fasteners on a second bag. As a result, two-bag system is formed and secured around the passenger seat rest of a motorcycle. Each of the first and the second bag provides attachment structures for attaching front pouches, side pouches and cold-drink pouches. The cold-drink pouch is insulated for cold drinks.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a novel baggage system for a motorcycle. 
     2. Discussion of the Related Art 
     Bags known as “tank bags” have been used with motorcycles, and are often magnetically mounted onto the body of the motorcycle. However, improperly mounted tank bags may damage the paint on the motorcycle. Other bags known as “saddle bags” have also been used with motorcycles. Saddle bags are typically affixed behind a motorcycle seat and are draped on either side of the motorcycle. However, saddle bags may damage the seat to which it is affixed. The storage capacities of these bags are also minimal because of their limited size. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, the present invention provides one or more bags with options for front pouches, side pouches, and cold drink pouches. The bags may be secured onto a luggage rack of a motorcycle by anchor-straps, which prevent the bag from lifting up off the luggage rack. The bags may also be secured to the passenger&#39;s back rest of a motorcycle by wrap-around straps, which prevent the bags from sliding in the direction of motion of the motorcycle. The bags may include a primary bag and a secondary bag secured to each other by metal clips. 
     Each bag of the present invention may also include one or more front pouches secured to the front panel of the bag through front-straps, and one or more side pouches secured to the side panel of the bag through side-straps. Each bag may also include one or more cold drink pouches for storing or holding a cold drink. Self-repairing zipper may be used to provide access and to secure contents of each bag or pouch. Each bag may also include a carrying handle. 
     While the bags of the present invention are most suited for use in motorcycles, such bags can also be used with any motor vehicle that has a luggage rack or a seat with a passenger&#39;s back rest. 
     The present invention is better understood upon consideration of the detailed description below in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other features of the present invention are described in reference to the certain exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings: 
         FIG. 1  show rigid frame  100  which provides structural support for a bag, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 2(   a )- 2 ( c ) show side, front and back panels of primary bag  200 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 3(   a )- 3 ( c ) show side, front and back panels of secondary bag  300 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 4(   a )- 4 ( b ) show front and side views of a single front pouch, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 5(   a )- 5 ( b ) show front and side views of a dual-compartment front pouch, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 6(   a )- 6 ( c ) show front, side and top views of single-component side pouch  600 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 7(   a )- 7 ( c ) show front, side and top views of dual-compartment side pouch  700 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 8(   a )- 8 ( c ) show front, side and top views of cold-drink pouch  800 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows rigid frame  100  that provides structural support for a bag in the baggage system of the present invention. Rigid frame  100  is preferably formed using 0.25-inch solid aluminum rods, with top rounded corners  101 - 104 . Rigid frame  100  is sewn between the outer material of the bag and the waterproof inside lining of the bag. 
       FIGS. 2(   a )- 2 ( c ) show side, front and back panels of primary bag  200 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, for example, primary bag  200  has dimensions 17 inches by 13 inches by 9 inches. Other suitable sizes are possible. As shown in  FIG. 2(   c ), primary bag  200  includes handle  201 , anchor-straps  202   a  and  202   b , and wrap-around straps  203   a - 203   e . Anchor-straps  202   a  and  202   b , which are provided for wrapping around the metal bars of a baggage rack of a motorcycle, prevent the bag from lifting up off the luggage rack. Wrap-around straps  203   a - 203   e  (preferably formed of webbing material) are designed for wrapping around a passenger&#39;s back rest of a motorcycle to prevent the bag from moving in the direction of travel. Self-repairing zipper  204 , which is provided across the front panel and the side panels of primary bag  200 , allows access to the inside of primary bag  200  and secures its contents while in motion. In one embodiment, the outer material of primary bag  200  is preferably lamb skin leather. Inside the bag, a waterproof lining is preferably provided. A suitable material for the waterproof lining may be, for example, plastic. As discussed above, a rigid frame (e.g., rigid frame  100  of  FIG. 1)  provides structural support for primary bag  100 . 
     Both side panels of primary bag  200  may be made substantially the same. As shown in  FIG. 2(   a ), each side panel of primary bag  200  is provided side-strap  205  for securing one or more side pouches to a side panel of primary bag  200 . As shown in  FIG. 2(   b ), on the front panel, front-straps  206   a  and  206   b  are provided to secure front pouches. Side strap  205  and 15 front-straps  206   a  and  206   b  are preferably made from webbing material. As shown in  FIG. 2(   c ), a ring ( 215   a ,  215   b ,  215   c ,  215   d ) is attached to each corner of the back panel of the primary bag  200  to allow a secondary bag to be attached by means of clips (preferably, metal clips). 
       FIGS. 3(   a )- 3 ( c ) show side, front and back panels of secondary bag  300 , in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As in primary bag  200 , a rigid frame (e.g., rigid frame  100 ) is sewn between the outer material (e.g., lamb skin leather) and the waterproof (e.g., plastic) inside lining of secondary bag  300 . In this embodiment, both side panels of secondary bag  300  are substantially the same. As shown in  FIG. 3(   c ), secondary bag  300  includes handle  301  and material  302 , which is attached along the top and bottom edges of the back panel of secondary bag  300  to create a cavity between material  302  and the back panel of the secondary bag  300 . Material  302  is preferably lamb skin leather. Wrap-around straps  203   a - 203   e  of the primary bag  200  pass through the cavity behind material  302 , so that secondary bag  300  may be secured on the passenger&#39;s back rest along with the primary bag, and thereby prevents secondary bag  300  from sliding in the direction of travel. Self-repairing zipper  304 , which is provided across the front panel and the side panels of secondary bag  300 , allows access to the inside of secondary bag  300  and secures its contents while in motion. 
     In this embodiment, both side panels of secondary bag  300  are substantially the same. As shown in  FIG. 3(   a ), each side panel of secondary bag  300  is provided side-strap  305  for securing one or more side pouches to the side panel. As shown in  FIG. 3(   b ), on the front  35  panel, front-straps  306   a  and  306   b  are provided to secure front pouches. Side strap  305  and front-straps  306   a  and  306   b  are preferably made from webbing material. As shown in  FIG. 3(   c ), a clip ( 316   a ,  316   b ,  316   c ,  316   d ) is provided at each corner of the back panel of the secondary bag  300  to help secure secondary bag  300  to a primary bag (e.g., primary bag  200  of  FIGS. 2(   a )- 2 ( c )) and to prevent secondary bag  300  from rotating around the passenger&#39;s back rest. The clips are preferably made of metal. 
     The front and side panels of the primary and the secondary bags are equipped to support additional pouches that may be attached.  FIGS. 4(   a )- 4 ( b ) show front and side views of single front pouch  400 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIGS. 4(   a ) and  4 ( b ), single front pouch  400  has dimensions 13 inches by 14 inches by 2.5 inches. Other suitable sizes are also possible. Single front pouch  400  may be attached to either a primary bag or a secondary bag. As shown in  FIG. 4(   b ), back panel  401  of single front pouch  400  is provided by a stiff backing material (e.g., a stiff cowhide) on which solid pieces of material  402   a  and  402   b  (e.g., lamb skin leather) are attached. Each solid piece of material is attached to back panel  401  along its top and bottom edges to create a cavity between the material and back panel  401  through which one of front-straps of the primary or secondary bag (e.g.,  206   a  or  206   b  of primary bag  200 , or  306   a  or  306   b  of secondary bag  300 ) may pass through to secure front pouch  400  to the primary or secondary bag. Flap  403  is provided to cover single compartment  404  and to provide access to the inside of front pouch  400 , which is preferably lined by a waterproof plastic material. 
       FIGS. 5(   a ) and  5 ( b ) show front and side views of dual-compartment front pouch  500 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIGS. 5(   a ) and  5 ( b ), dual-compartment front pouch  500  includes compartments  504   a  and  504   b . Front pouch  500  may be attached to either a primary bag or a secondary bag. As shown in  FIG. 5(   b ), back panel  501  of front pouch  500  is provided by a stiff backing material (e.g., a stiff cowhide) on which solid pieces of material  502   a  and  502   b  (e.g., lamb skin leather) are attached. Each solid piece of material is attached to back panel  501  along its top and bottom edges to create a cavity between the material and back panel  501  through which one of front-straps of the primary or secondary bag (e.g.,  206   a  or  206   b  of primary bag  200 , or  306   a  or  306   b  of secondary bag  300 ) may pass through to secure front pouch  500  to the primary or secondary bag. Flaps  503   a  and  503   b  are provided to cover and to provide access to the inside each of compartments  504   a  and  504   b  of front pouch  500 , which is preferably lined by a waterproof plastic material. 
       FIGS. 6(   a )- 6 ( c ) show front, side and top views of single-compartment side pouch  600 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. Side pouch  600  had dimensions 6 inches by 14 inches by 2.5 inches and may be attached to the side of either a primary bag or a secondary bag (e.g., primary bag  200  of  FIG. 2  or secondary bag  300  of  FIG. 3) . Back panel  601  may be formed out of the same stiff backing material (e.g., cowhide) as the back panel  501  of  FIG. 5(   b ). Solid piece of material  602  (e.g., lamb skin leather) is attached along the left and right edges of back panel  601  to create a cavity between material  602  and back panel  601 , allowing a side-strap (e.g., side-strap  205  of  FIG. 2  or side-strap  305  of  FIG. 3)  to pass through, so as to secure side pouch  600  to the side panel of a primary bag or a secondary bag. Flap  603  covers the top of the single compartment of side pouch  600  in order to safely secure the contents inside. 
       FIGS. 7(   a )- 7 ( c ) show front, side and top views of dual-compartment side pouch  700 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. Side pouch  700  may be attached to the side of either a primary bag or a secondary bag (e.g., primary bag  200  of  FIG. 2  or secondary bag  300  of  FIG. 3) . Back panel  701  may be formed out of the same stiff backing material (e.g., cowhide) as the back panel  501  of  FIG. 5(   b ). Solid piece of material  702  (e.g., lamb skin leather) is attached along the left and right edges of back panel  701  to create a cavity between material  702  and back panel  701 , allowing a side-strap (e.g., side-strap  205  of  FIG. 2  or side-strap  305  of  FIG. 3)  to pass through, so as to secure dual-compartment side pouch  700  to the side panel of a primary bag or a secondary bag. Flaps  703   a  and  703   b  cover the top and bottom compartments of side pouch  700  in order to safely secure the contents inside. 
       FIGS. 8(   a )- 8 ( c ) show front, side and top views of cold-drink pouch  800 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. Cold-drink pouch  800  may be attached to the side of either a primary bag or a secondary bag (e.g., primary bag  200  of  FIG. 2  or secondary bag  300  of  FIG. 3) . Back pane  801  may be formed out of the same stiff backing material (e.g., cowhide) as the back panel  501  of  FIG. 5(   b ). Solid piece of material  802  (e.g., lamb skin leather) is attached along the left and right edges of back panel  801  to create a cavity between material  802  and back panel  801 , allowing a side-strap (e.g., side-strap  205  of  FIG. 2  or side-strap  305  of  FIG. 3)  to pass through, so as to attach cold-drink pouch  800  to the side panel of a primary bag or a secondary bag. Self-repairing zipper  805  is provided at near the top of cold-drink pouch  800  along the top surface and the side surfaces to provide access to contents of cold-drink pouch  800 . The inside of cold-drink pouch  800  may be lined by a waterproof plastic and thermally insulated from the outside. 
     The above detailed description is provided to illustrate specific embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to be limiting. Numerous variations and modifications of the present invention are possible. The present invention is set forth in the accompanying claims.