Abstract:
An apparatus for use with motorcycles is adapted to cooperate with an opening that is provided in a fairing, fuel tank, cowling, trunk, saddlebag or other accessory item of the motorcycle. A frame structure of the apparatus includes a front face plate and two side members that are in a parallel spaced apart relationship with respect to each other. Each of the two side members is attached to an opposite side of the face plate and perpendicular with respect thereto. The face plate includes an opening that is closed when a hinged door is pivoted into a first closed position. Various methods of securing the apparatus in the opening are disclosed, some of which do not modify, mar, or otherwise damage any portion of the motorcycle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention, in general relates to motorcycles and, more particularly, to a storage device for use on a motorcycle. 
   Motorcycles are well known devices that have, in general, a severely limited storage capacity. Certain motorcycles have a recessed opening that is provided in a fairing or in a console area where an operator of the motorcycle may place gloves or similar items. Select model Harley Davidson brand motorcycles include this type of the recessed opening. Also accessory items, like fairings, that may be purchased and then attached to the motorcycle may also include a suitable type of the recessed opening. 
   A problem is that during riding, wind and vibration can cause items placed therein to be expelled and lost along the highway. This tends to make the recessed opening of little practical value. 
   Furthermore, the opening is, of itself, unsightly. 
   Also, not a minor consideration is that because the appearance of a motorcycle is usually quite important to the owner, he or she may be reluctant to incorporate any accessory item that could potentially cause permanent damage or modification to the existing structures of the motorcycle. 
   Owners prefer to add an accessory item that is fastened in such manner that, if later removed, the appearance of the motorcycle can be returned to normal. 
   Accordingly, there exists today a need for a hinged glove box door for motorcycles that helps ameliorate the above-mentioned problems and difficulties. 
   Clearly, such an apparatus would be useful and desirable. 
   2. Description of Prior Art 
   Motorcycles and open recessed areas in motorcycles are, in general, known. While the structural arrangements of the known prior devices may, at first appearance, have similarities with the present invention, they differ in material respects. These differences, which will be described in more detail hereinafter, are essential for the effective use of the invention and which admit of the advantages that are not available with the prior devices. 
   OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a hinged glove box door for motorcycles that is adapted to cooperate with a recessed area and provide a door that is attached to the area. 
   It is also an important object of the invention to provide a hinged glove box door for motorcycles that provides a rigid hinged door that covers an opening. 
   Another object of the invention is to provide a hinged glove box door for motorcycles that does not require the use of tools to install the device in certain applications. 
   Still another object of the invention is to provide a hinged glove box door for motorcycles that is versatile. 
   Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a hinged glove box door for motorcycles that is inexpensive to manufacture. 
   Yet another important object of the invention is to provide a hinged glove box door for motorcycles that is visually attractive. 
   Still yet another important object of the invention is to provide a hinged glove box door for motorcycles that provides a secure retention of items that are placed in a recessed area of the motorcycle. 
   A first continuing object of the invention is to provide a hinged glove box door for motorcycles that is adapted for different size openings. 
   A second continuing object of the invention is to provide a hinged glove box door for motorcycles that includes a latch attached to the door sufficient to retain the door in a closed position. 
   A third continuing object of the invention is to provide a hinged glove box door for motorcycles that increases the storage capacity of a motorcycle during use. 
   A fourth continuing object of the invention is to provide a hinged glove box door for motorcycles that can be attached to certain motorcycles without modification or causing damage to an existing structure of the motorcycle. 
   A fifth continuing object of the invention is to provide a hinged glove box door for motorcycles that, if added and then later removed, will permit return of certain motorcycles to their original condition. 
   Briefly, a hinged glove box door for motorcycles is constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention has a frame that is inserted into a recessed opening in a fairing, dashboard, trunk, saddle bag, or other part of the motorcycle. The frame is disposed inside of the recessed opening and is attached thereto, either by a mechanical fastener or by a snap-in-place type of fit that latches the frame in position in the recessed opening. A front face of the frame may be disposed outside of the recessed opening. The frame includes a rear end that is disposed maximally in the recessed opening and distally with respect to the front face. The front face is disposed at a front end of the frame. A door is hingedly attached to the front face and adapted to pivot from a first closed position where access into the recessed opening is blocked into a second open position where access into the recessed opening is provided. The door includes a latch for securing it in the first closed position. Various ways of attaching the device to the recessed opening are described. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a view in perspective of a hinged glove box door for motorcycles showing two types of attachment. 
       FIG. 2  is a view in perspective of a first hinged glove box door for motorcycles showing another two types of attachment 
       FIG. 3  is a view in perspective of the hinged glove box door for motorcycles attached to a fairing of a motorcycle. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIG. 1  is shown, a hinged glove box door for motorcycles, identified in general by the reference numeral  10 . 
   The hinged glove box door for motorcycles  10  includes a front face (plate)  12 , a first side member  14  and a second side member  16 . The front face  12 , first side member  14 , and second side member  16  together form a frame. 
   The frame  12 ,  14 ,  16  is inserted into a recessed opening  18  (shown in dashed lines) in a fairing, dashboard, trunk, saddle bag, cowling, or any other part of the motorcycle. 
   The front face  12  includes a center opening  13  to allow access to the recessed opening  18 . 
   The front face  12  may be disposed in the recessed opening  18  or it may be disposed outside of it, or part of the front face  12  may be disposed in the recessed opening  18  and part of it may extend out from the recessed opening  18 , as desired. The first side member  14  and the second side member  16  are disposed in the recessed opening  18 . 
   When inserted in the recessed opening  18 , either the first side member  14  or the second side member  16  is attached to some portion of an interior of the recessed opening  18  by any of a variety of ways, some of which are described herein. 
   Attachment need only be sufficient to retain the hinged glove box door for motorcycles  10  in the recessed opening  18  when the motorcycle is operated (i.e., when it is driven). 
   The first side member  14  includes a keyhole-shaped opening  20  through which a pair of pins  22  (dashed lines) are shown extending. The pins  22  are included in certain Harley Davidson brand motorcycles and are presumably included to provide electrical power (or some other purpose) if a stereo or other accessory item is placed in the recessed opening. The pins  22  are disposed on both sides of the recessed opening  18  near a back (deep) portion thereof. The pins  22  can include portions of bolts or screws or other types of protrusions. 
   When the first side member  14  is included as a preferred type of attachment, it may also be included on the other side of the face plate  12  as well as a mirror of the first side member (not shown), instead of the second side member  16 . If the first side member  14  and the mirror of the first side member are both included, the following description of installation of the hinged glove box door for motorcycles  10  in the recessed opening  18  is simultaneously accomplished on both sides of the face plate. 
   As the hinged glove box door for motorcycles  10  is inserted progressively further into the recessed opening  18  from the outside, the rear of the first side member  14  (and the mirror of the first side member) is urged toward the center of the recessed opening  18  sufficient to clear the pins  22 . 
   To displace the first side member  14  inward, a door  24  is opened by depressing a latch button  26  to release the door  24  from a closed position in which a latch mechanism  27  secures one edge of the door  24  to the face plate  12 . The door pivots from a first closed position into a second open position as shown by arrow  28  about a pair of hinges  30 . 
   When the door  24  is disposed in the first closed position, the center opening  13  is blocked (obstructed). When the door  24  is disposed in the second open position, the center opening  13  is open and an interior of the recessed opening  18  is accessible. 
   After the hinged glove box door for motorcycles  10  has been fully inserted in the recessed opening  18 , the first side member  14  is released and it naturally extends back to a position perpendicular with respect to the front face  12 . 
   In that normal, quiescent position, the pins  22  pass through the keyhole-shaped opening  20  and retain the hinged glove box door for motorcycles  10  in position even when the motorcycle is driven. 
   Other shapes are of course possible for the keyhole-shaped opening  20 , providing they can engage with the pins  22  of the recessed opening  18  sufficient to retain the hinged glove box door for motorcycles  10  in the opening  18 . 
   If it ever becomes desirable to remove the hinged glove box door for motorcycles  10  from the recessed opening  18 , the door  24  is opened and the first side member  14  (and the mirror of the first side opening, if included) are urged inward sufficient to clear the pins  22 . The hinged glove box door for motorcycles  10  is then pulled out of the recessed opening  18 . 
   No damage or modification to the recessed opening  18  was required. 
   For all versions of the hinged glove box door for motorcycles  10  the first side member  14  and the second side member  16  can include different types of fastening systems, as shown or they can be repeated and each mirror the other side. Therefore, for the remainder of possibilities disclosed, only one side (either the first side member  14  or the second side member  16 ) are described and it is to be understood that the opposite member thereof can be a mirror of that which is being described, if preferred, or it can include a different fastening approach, as shown. 
   The second side member  16  is short and does not need to penetrate deep into the recessed opening  18 . Rather, a hole  32  is provided through which a self-tapping screw  34  is screwed into a surrounding portion of the recessed opening  18  to secure the hinged glove box door for motorcycles  10  in position. Of course, the door  24  must first be opened before the screw  34  can be accessed and tightened. This fastening approach is well suited for applications that do not include the pins  22 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a modified first side member  36  includes a question mark-shaped member  38  at a distal end thereof. The question mark-shaped member  38  is disposed over at least one of the pins  22  sufficient to engage with a portion of one of the pins  22  and to retain a modified hinged glove box door for motorcycles, identified in general by the reference numeral  40 , in position in the recessed opening  18  (not shown in this illustration). 
   During insertion of the modified hinged glove box door for motorcycles  40  into the recessed opening  18 , the modified first side member  36  can again be urged inward as previously described for the first side member  14  or the modified first side member  36  can be forced up and over the pin  22  as it is inserted into the opening  18  until an arcuate portion of the question mark-shaped member  38  is able to urge down and over the pin  22 . 
   A modified second side member  42  includes an “L-shaped” protrusion  44  that extends outward away from the face plate  12 . If an opening is provided in a side of the recessed opening, the L-shaped protrusion  44  is adapted to enter into the opening sufficient to retain the modified hinged glove box door for motorcycles  40  in the recessed opening  18 . 
   The modified second side member  42  is urged inward prior to any insertion into the recessed opening  18  sufficient to allow it to enter therein. When the modified hinged glove box door for motorcycles  40  is urged into in the recessed opening  18  a sufficient amount, the L-shaped protrusion  44  automatically expands into the opening and secures the modified hinged glove box door for motorcycles  40  in position. 
   To remove the modified hinged glove box door for motorcycles  40  from the recessed opening  18 , the door  24  is opened and the modified second side member  42  is urged inward sufficient for the L-shaped protrusion  44  to clear the opening in the recessed opening sidewall. Then, the modified hinged glove box door for motorcycles  40  is simply pulled outward. 
   A modified pair of hinges  30   a  are shown at the top of the modified hinged glove box door for motorcycles  40 . When the modified pair of hinges  30   a  is used the latch button  26  and the latch mechanism  27  are preferably disposed at the bottom of the door  24 . The door  24  in this view is not shown attached to the modified pair of hinges  30   a.    
   An advantage of placing the modified pair of hinges  30   a  at the top of the face plate  12  is to allow the force of gravity to lower the door  24 , thereby helping to close it. Of course, magnetic or other types of latching devices (not shown) can be used with the door  24  regardless of whether the pair of hinges  30  or the modified hinges  30   a  are used. 
   A weather-strip seal  45  is shown around a perimeter of the face plate  12 . The weather-strip seal  45  is optional and it can be used around the rear or outer perimeter of the face plate  12  or any other portion of the modified hinged glove box door for motorcycles  40  or the hinged glove box door for motorcycles  10 . 
   When included, the weather-strip seal  45  prevents rain and debris from entering into the recessed opening  18 . It also provides the unexpected benefit of preventing play by the hinged glove box door for motorcycles  10  or by the modified hinged glove box door for motorcycles  40  within the recessed opening  18 . Play can occur anywhere as provided by manufacturing tolerances and especially around the area of the pin  22 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a portion of a motorcycle, identified in general by the reference numeral  50 , is shown. A few parts of the motorcycle  50  that are shown include a windscreen  52 , a handlebar  54 , a fuel tank  56 , and a console  58 . The door  24  and face plate  12  are in parallel alignment with a surface plane of the console  58 . The remainder of the hinged glove box door  10  or the modified hinged glove box door  40  is disposed in the recessed opening  18  (not shown in this view) that is provided in the console  58 . 
   A neat, pleasant appearance coincides with a practical device for storage of items. 
   Modifications are, of course, possible after having had benefit of the instant invention. For example, the latch button  26  may be replaced with a key operated latch button  26   a  that permits locking of the door  24  in a closed position, thereby providing a secure storage compartment for the recessed opening  18 . 
   The invention has been shown, described, and illustrated in substantial detail with reference to the presently preferred embodiment. It will be understood by those skilled in this art that other and further changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which is defined by the claims appended hereto.