Abstract:
An assembly for easily inserting, removing and carrying a motorcycle battery. The assembly comprises a ligature disposed about a motorcycle battery. Engaged with the ligature is an upper member that can be used to carry and guide the motorcycle battery. A pull member, or multiple pull members, can be engaged with the assembly for efficiently guiding the battery once the assembly is engaged thereto, such as in inserting or removing the battery from a battery compartment, and in carrying the battery. A support member can be used in combination with a ligature.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    A motorcycle battery must store enough physical energy to start a power-hungry engine at a moment&#39;s notice. However, it also must be of a size modest enough to fit in the confined space of a sleek motorcycle body. As a result, a motorcycle battery tends to be a heavy item that must be slipped into and out of a confined area. Installing and removing a motorcycle battery is a process that can be time-consuming, cumbersome and has the potential of damaging the housing containing the battery, and a process that can also make its mark on fingers and feet of motorcycle mechanics and enthusiasts. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0002]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of an example battery cuff in accord with various embodiments. 
           [0003]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of an example battery cuff, engaged with an example battery, in accord with various embodiments. 
           [0004]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of an example battery cuff, and example pull member, in accord with various embodiments. 
           [0005]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of an example battery cuff, and example multiple pull members, in accord with various embodiments. 
           [0006]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of an example battery cuff, and support member, in accord with various embodiments. 
           [0007]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of an example battery cuff, and support member, engaged with an example battery, in accord with various embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0008]      FIG. 1  depicts an example motorcycle battery cuff  110 . In an embodiment, battery cuff  110  can include an upper member  120 . Upper member  120  can assist with lifting and carrying a battery  210  engaged with battery cuff  110 . (An illustration of an example battery  210  engaged with battery cuff  110  can be seen in  FIG. 2 ). Upper member  120  can comprise material such as a synthetic polymer, natural material, combination of the two, or any other material suitable for engaging a battery  210 . Upper member  120  can comprise a single strip of material secured at junction  122  and junction  124  with ligature  130 . Upper member  120  can comprise two or more connected strips of material. The securing can be accomplished by forming a loop of material comprising one end of upper member folded back on itself and then stitched or fastened by another mechanism at a junction. The material of upper member  120  can be substantially flexible (such that it can, among other things, be tucked next to the battery  210  during operation) but must be strong enough, in conjunction with the rest of the structures, to handle the weight of a battery. 
         [0009]    Upper member  120  can have a portion on which a grip member (not shown) can be disposed. The grip member can comprise a structure placed on and/or around upper member  120  which can enhance ability to lift, carry, or otherwise manipulate a battery  210 . 
         [0010]    Upper member  120  can be in engagement with ligature  130 . In an added embodiment, one or both of proximal and distal ends of upper member  120  (here shown in the area of junctions  122 ,  124  respectively) can be attached to and detached from ligature  130  with a mechanism therefore. 
         [0011]    Ligature  130  can be disposed about the sides of battery  210  such that ligature  130  forms a closed connection upon itself. Ligature  130  can be formed of a durable polymeric substance or another substance that can support the weight of a battery  210  and engage with battery  210 . Ligature  130  can be integrally formed and slipped onto the battery from the base toward top casing  250 . Alternatively, ligature  130  can be a strip of material that is engaged with battery  210 , and the two ends of the material can be secured one to the other. Such securing can be done by bonding, as by a knot, cable tie, or other mechanism. In additional embodiments securing can be done by engaging one or both ends of ligature  130  to a structure on the battery. 
         [0012]    In an embodiment, ligature  130  can be positioned in contact with or closely adjacent to lip  260 . Lip  260  can be found proximal to the top casing of battery models. So positioned, ligature  130  can help form a load-bearing mechanism that, with upper member  120 , can assist in inserting, removing and carrying battery  210 . 
         [0013]    Upper member  120  can be configured so junctions  122 ,  124  are substantially opposite each other, relative to the position of the battery, for adequate carrying capacity and load-bearing. Alternatively, one junction only may be used between upper member  120  and ligature  130 . 
         [0014]    Ligature  130  can be placed at a position not closely adjacent to lip  260 . In this embodiment, ligature  130  grasps battery  210  firmly. 
         [0015]      FIG. 2  depicts an example battery  210  used in conjunction with an embodiment of battery cuff  110 . The battery casing can include a side casing  220  and side casing  230  (and other side casings, not shown). There can be a top casing  250  (and bottom casing, not shown). There can be a terminal  240  and terminal  242 . Battery cuff  110  can supportably engage relevant portions of side casing  220  and side casing  230  (and other side casings not shown), and/or lip  260 . Battery cuff  110  can leave open, and not interfere with, top casing  250  including terminals  240 ,  242 . 
         [0016]    Battery cuff  110  engaging battery  210  can be slipped into the motorcycle body battery compartment (not shown) in which the battery is housed during normal motorcycle operation. 
         [0017]      FIG. 3  depicts an embodiment of a battery cuff  110  that includes a pull member  310 . Pull member  310  can have a generally loop-shaped configuration. Pull member  310  can be integrally formed, or can be formed from one strip of material or multiple strips. Also, pull member  310  can be secured to ligature  130  such that battery cuff  110  can be pulled or guided. Pull member can be immovably fastened to ligature  130 . The fastening may be done by stitching or other mechanism. Alternatively, pull member may comprise a moveable loop that can slide along ligature  130 . 
         [0018]    A motorcycle battery is typically housed in a compartment that is a top-replace or side-replace. With a top-replace, in general the seat can be removed for access to the battery compartment. Then the battery can be lifted upwards and away from the motorcycle. With a side-replace, the compartment can be accessible from the side of the motorcycle. The battery can then be slid laterally out of the motorcycle. Pull member  310  can be used for both top-replace and side-replace compartments. Pull member  310  can assist with the close navigation and control associated with top replacement of a battery. Pull member  310  can also assist in lateral removal of a battery from the battery compartment, where the battery compartment is accessible from the side of the motorcycle frame or body. Accordingly, pull member  310  can be used to guide and/or support battery cuff  110  during insertion or removal of battery cuff  110  from the battery compartment of a motorcycle. Pull member  310  can also be used in carrying and other handling of the battery cuff  110 , into which a battery  210  has been inserted, outside a motorcycle. 
         [0019]    As seen in  FIG. 4 , multiple pull members may be used. For example, pull member  310  may be positioned engaging ligature  130 , and pull member  330  may also be positioned engaging ligature  130 . Multiple pull members can even further enhance versatility by enabling the battery to be pulled out by either or both of pull member  310  and/or pull member  330 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 5  illustrates an example of a battery cuff  110  further comprising a support member  140 . Support member  140  can be used in combination with ligature  130  further to enhance support and navigational efficiency. Support member  140  can comprise material such as a synthetic polymer, natural material, combination of the two, or any other material suitable for engaging a battery  210 . Support member  140  can comprise a single strip of material secured at junction  142  and junction  144  with ligature  130 . Support member  140  can comprise two or more connected strips of material. The securing can be accomplished by forming a loop of material comprising one end of support member  140  folded back on itself and then stitched or fastened by another mechanism at a junction. The material of support member  140  can be substantially flexible (such that it can, among other things, be tucked next to the battery  210  during operation) but must be strong enough, in conjunction with the rest of the structures, to handle the weight of a battery. Support member  140  can also engage with upper member  120 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 6  depicts an example battery  210  used in conjunction with an embodiment of battery cuff  110 , and support member  140 . The battery casing can include a side casing  220  and side casing  230  (and other side casings, not shown). There can be a top casing  250  (and bottom casing, not shown). There can be a terminal  240  and terminal  242 . Battery cuff  110  can supportably engage relevant portions of side casing  220  and side casing  230  (and other side casings not shown), and/or lip  260 . Battery cuff  110  can leave open, and not interfere with, top casing  250  including terminals  240 ,  242 . Support member  140  can aid in supporting battery  210 . 
         [0022]    The disclosures herein relate to a motorcycle battery. However, the disclosures herein can also be applied to a battery of another vehicle or device requiring a battery, such as but not limited to an automobile, boat, jet ski, snowmobile, lawnmower, recreational vehicle, all-terrain vehicle, or construction equipment. 
         [0023]    In the description hereof, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate several embodiments of the present invention. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and mechanical, compositional, structural, and other operational changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the embodiments of the present invention is defined only by the claims of the issued patent. 
         [0024]    While the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and illustrative figures, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments or figures described. 
         [0025]    The examples presented herein are intended to illustrate potential and specific implementations of the present invention. It can be appreciated that the examples are intended primarily for purposes of illustration of the invention for those skilled in the art. No particular aspect or aspects of the examples are necessarily intended to limit the scope of the present invention. For example, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the structures for securing described herein (e.g., forming the junctions) may be replaced or supplemented by other suitable securing means including a variety of other types of mechanical securing devices (e.g., nails, rivets, or others). In another example, a particular choice of construction material (e.g., polymeric, etc.) may be replaced or supplemented by another type of material which is suitable for the same or similar structure or function. 
         [0026]    Any element expressed herein as a means for performing a specified function is intended to encompass any way of performing that function including, for example, a combination of elements that performs that function. Furthermore the invention, as may be defined by such means-plus-function claims, resides in the fact that the functionalities provided by the various recited means are combined and brought together in a manner as defined by the appended claims. Therefore, any means that can provide such functionalities may be considered equivalents to the means shown herein. 
         [0027]    It will be appreciated that, for convenience and clarity of disclosure, terms describing relative orientation or spatial positioning such as “vertical,” “horizontal,” “up,” “down,” “top,” “front,” “back,” or “bottom,” may be used at times herein with respect to the drawings and text description in association with various embodiments of the invention. However, such terms are primarily used for illustrative purposes and are not necessarily intended to be limiting in nature. 
         [0028]    It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, other elements. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, however, that these and other elements may be desirable. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements is not provided herein. It should be appreciated that the figures are presented for illustrative purposes and not as construction drawings. Omitted details and modifications or alternative embodiments are within the purview of persons of ordinary skill in the art. For example, there may be variations to these diagrams or the operations described herein without departing from the spirit of the invention. 
         [0029]    It can be appreciated that, in certain aspects of the present invention, a single component may be replaced by multiple components, and multiple components may be replaced by a single component, to provide an element or structure or to perform a given function or functions. Except where such substitution would not be operative to practice certain embodiments of the present invention, such substitution is considered within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0030]    While the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and illustrative figures, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments or figures described. 
         [0031]    Therefore, it should be understood that the invention can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It should be understood that the invention can be practiced with modification and alteration and that the invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.