Patent Publication Number: US-2011057007-A1

Title: Motorcycle Carrying Device with Reversed Rake

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY 
     The disclosed technology relates generally to a carrier for transporting a golf bag on a motorcycle and more specifically to a rear-positioned carrier having the ability to be positioned opposite to the rake of the bike. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY 
     When a person travels to a destination, often they must bring luggage along for the trip. While automobiles provide ample luggage storage space for most individuals and families, this isn&#39;t the case with smaller vehicles. For example, a golfer traveling to the golf course will often want to bring his clubs with him. Likewise, a skier may want to bring his own skis to the slopes. A hunter may wish to bring along his shotgun for the hunt, and a fisherman may want to bring his bait and tackle. While driving by motorcycle has many benefits, such as less use of gas, lower toll costs, excitement, easier parking, and enjoyment of a nice day, as well benefits to the greater community such as producing less green house gases, their cargo space is limited. Each of the individuals described above will likely not choose to take his motorcycle to his destination because his cargo simply will not fit. 
     Therefore, motorcyclists are left with a choice of doing without bringing their own goods, e.g. golf clubs, skis, guns, and the like, or simply resorting to the use of an automobile having greater storage space. While prior art devices add luggage or storage space to motorcycles, safety with motorcycles is a huge concern. Further, the need to modify the motorcycle itself, including costly and sometimes irreversible modifications, cause damage to the hull of the bike, limit the usefulness of such devices, and may further compromise safety. Still further, many prior art devices are diagonally, horizontally, or high mounts which are unstable because the weight is off-center or the center of gravity of the bike is raised further from the ground. 
     For example, U.S. Patent Publication 2005/0258207 to Sadler discloses a rear golf bag support engageable with a seat back of a motorcycle. While Sadler discloses a carrying device for a motorcycle, such a device requires modification to the motorcycle itself, including removing of a rear seat allowing for less passenger space, which may offset any gains in storage space. Safety of such a device is also a concern, as the addition of any rear storage compartment (including the Sadler device) may effect the factory balancing of weight of a motorcycle, thus making the bike less stable. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,286,891 to Jones, Jr. discloses a carrier attachment for two wheel vehicles attaching at the rear via rearly disposed brackets, again, having the safety issues described above, and further requiring substantial and permanent modification (e.g. new screw holes) into the body of a motorcycle. Making modifications to a motorcycle is often undesired, decreases value of the bike, hurts the aesthetic appeal of the bike and makes it difficult to add/remove such an attachment, as needed. 
     There is a need in the art to provide the benefits of motorcycles along with the benefits of greater storage space found in larger vehicles. There is further a need to provide this greater storage space without compromising on safety or causing damage/undue modification to the motorcycle itself. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY 
     It is therefore an object of the disclosed technology to provide a safe carrying device for carrying luggage, such as golf clubs, on a motorcycle that without requiring permanent modification to the motorcycle. 
     It is a further object of the disclosed technology to provide a carrying device for a motorcycle which maintains stability and balance of the motorcycle. This is accomplished by having a lower profile (and thereby, lower center of gravity) and centered position of the carrying device. 
     Embodiments of the disclosed technology provide an article carrier for a motorcycle comprising two spaced apart supporting arms. Each of the supporting arms has a proximal region fixedly attached to a basket of the article carrier, and a distal region comprising a mounting finger extending angularly, such as at an acute angle, from each supporting arm. Each mounting finger is adapted for engagement with a passenger rest slot of the motorcycle. Kicker supports extending substantially at converging angles from proximal and distal regions of supporting arms join at a mounting flange. Each mounting flange is adapted for support by a rear bolt in the fender strut. 
     An embodiment of the enclosed technology further comprises a support extending from near the proximal region of the supporting arms and fixedly attached to a minimum of three spaced apart spindles, forming a shelf. A further embodiment of the disclosed technology comprises an accessory rack, where the accessory rack comprises at least three supports extending between the supporting arms. 
     In a further embodiment of the disclosed technology, the article carrier is elongated and may hold golf clubs. An attached article carrier forms an angle, measured counterclockwise from a vertical access of the motorcycle when viewing the left side of a motorcycle, that is substantially congruent to the rake angle of the motorcycle. The article carrier has two opposite ends separated by a plurality of spindles, where one of the ends is open and the other end is closed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a side view of a motorcycle with carrier in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. 
         FIG. 2  shows a side perspective view of a carrier in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. 
         FIG. 3  shows a connecting region of the carrier of  FIG. 2  from a reverse angle. 
         FIG. 4  shows a side view of a rear portion of a motorcycle with carrier attached in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. 
         FIG. 5  shows a perspective of a rear portion of a motorcycle with carrier attached in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. 
         FIG. 6  shows a rear view of a carrier attached to a motorcycle in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. 
         FIG. 7  shows a rear view of a carrier in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. 
         FIG. 8  shows a left side view of a carrier in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. 
         FIG. 9  shows a top perspective view of a carrier in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. 
         FIG. 10  shows a bottom perspective view of a carrier in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY 
     Embodiments of the disclosed technology comprise a rear-positioned carrier positioned at an angle substantially congruent to a rake of the motorcycle when the angle is measured counterclockwise from a vertical axis of the motorcycle when viewing a left side of the motorcycle. For purposes of this disclosure, substantially congruent is defined as being equal in magnitude with an error within 1, 2, 5, or 10 degrees. When the angle of the article carrier is equal or substantially equal in offset from the vertical axis of a motorcycle to the rake angle (e.g. congruent), the motorcycle is optimally balanced symmetrically and aesthetically. The sides of the carrier, in embodiments of the disclosed technology, extends outward from the motorcycle either no greater than the body of the bike itself, or at least not greater than the far lateral reaches of the front wheel when in a fully turned condition. This adds to the stability, balance, and rideability of the motorcycle, thereby promoting safety. 
     Furthermore, an embodiment of the disclosed technology comprises two supporting arms further comprising mounting fingers which connect to a passenger rest slot. In this manner, each of the mounting flanges engage with and secure into an aperture of a rear fender strut, such as the left and right rear fender struts, of the motorcycle. When the mounting fingers are secured into the passenger rest slot, the article carrier is fixedly, but removably, attached to a motorcycle without a need for permanent modifications to the hull of same. 
     The disclosed technology will become clearer in light of the description of the figures. 
       FIG. 1  shows a side view of a motorcycle with carrier whereby the motorcycle rake and carrier comprise congruent angles in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. In the example displayed in  FIG. 1 , the article carrier  100  is attached to a motorcycle  200 . The article carrier  100  comprises a cylindrical basket region  180  for carrying luggage. The motorcycle has a rake angle  50  (meaning, label  50  and not necessarily a 50 degree angle) which, as is known in the art of motorcycle geometry, is an angular measurement of the length of a steering axis  280  clock-wise from a vertical axis of the motorcycle when viewed from the left side of a motorcycle. The carrier  100  is connected to the motorcycle at an angle  50  that is substantially congruent to the rake angle  50 . The angle of the article carrier is measured from the longitudinal axis of the article carrier (which is parallel to the length of a basket region  180 ) counter-clockwise from a vertical axis when viewed from the left side of a motorcycle. For an embodiment of the disclosed technology, substantially congruent is defined as two angles being equal in magnitude with an error within 1, 2, 5, or 10 degrees. The rake angle  50  of the motorcycle/angle  50  of the article carrier  100 , may be any acute angle, using the y-axis as a reference line. 
     It should be understood that the leather strapping shown in the figures and wrapped around elements of the article carrier is optional. It may be added for aesthetic purposes, such as to match the aesthetic characteristics of the motorcycle, or otherwise. 
       FIG. 2  shows a side perspective view of a carrier in an embodiment of the disclosed technology, and  FIG. 3  shows a connecting region of the carrier of  FIG. 2  from a reverse angle. In an embodiment of the disclosed technology, the article carrier  100  has two spaced apart parallel or substantially parallel supporting arms  110 . Substantially parallel is defined as appearing parallel to a casual observer of the article carrier or within an acceptable tolerance level known in the art. Each supporting arm  110  is comprised of a distal region and a proximal region. (The distal region is closer to a motorcycle and the proximal region is further from the bike when the article carrier is attached to a motorcycle. In embodiments of the disclosed technology, the supporting arms are constructed of solid or hollow metal or other applicable solids or composites. An embodiment of the disclosed technology comprises a supporting arm which may be constructed out of ¾ inch by 1 inch hollow metal stock. 
     In an embodiment of the disclosed technology, as displayed in the example shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , comprises proximal regions of the left and the right supporting arms  110  forming a unitary structure with a basket region  180  of the article carrier. Furthermore, an embodiment comprises a support  130  extending perpendicularly from the proximal region of each supporting arm  110 , and connecting the left and the right supportive arm. 
     In an embodiment of the disclosed technology, the left and right supporting arms comprise respective left and right front kicker supports  114 ,  113  and left and right rear kicker supports  112 ,  111  converging towards each other (e.g. at converging angles whereby the non-shared sides of the adjacent angles converge at respective vertices, the mounting flanges  115  and  116 ). Each of the left kicker supports  112  and  114  terminate at a left mounting flange  116  and each of the right kicker supports  111 ,  113  terminate at a right mounting flange  115 . In an embodiment of the disclosed technology, the mounting flange is capable of attachment to a rear fender strut of a motorcycle with out requiring permanent modifications to the motorcycle. That is, the carrier is attached to a bike in a permanent modificationless manner. A mounting flange, such as flange  115  and  116 , has the a style that is either raised face, flat face, tongue and groove, ring joint, a combination thereof, or other styles as are known in the art. 
     A left mounting finger  119  and a right mounting finger  118  extend angularly from a distal region of a left and right supportive arm. In an embodiment of the disclosed technology, as shown in the example in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , at an end of the distal region (furthest away from the basket  180  of the article carrier), mounting fingers  118 ,  119  extend angularly therefrom and are adapted for engagement with corresponding left and right passenger rest slots of the motorcycle  200 . In embodiments of the disclosed technology, the angle between the length of a mounting finger  118 ,  119  and the length of an adjacent supporting arm  110  is such that the length of the supporting arm is substantially parallel to a horizontal axis of the motorcycle  200  when the mounting fingers  118 ,  119  are attached to a passenger rest slot of a motorcycle. The length of each mounting finger  118  or  119  is substantially perpendicular to the length of a support  130 , in embodiments. Substantially parallel and substantially perpendicular are defined as appearing parallel and perpendicular, respectively, to a causal observer of the article carrier  100  or within an acceptable tolerance level known in the art. 
     An embodiment of the disclosed technology comprises a supporting arm  110  constructed out of ½ inch width hollow metal, kicker supports  111 ,  112 ,  113 ,  114  constructed out of ⅜ inch diameter metal, a mounting flange  115 ,  116  made from ⅛ inch metal, and mounting fingers  118  and  119  constructed out of ½ inch width metal. 
     In an embodiment of the disclosed technology, the basket region  180  is comprised of a plurality of spaced apart spindles  112  and has two ends, wherein a first end is closed and an opposite second end is either fully or partially open. Furthermore, in an example of the disclosed technology, the lower end of a basket region is a closed end and it is comprised of a pan  120  for the purpose of securing luggage. Furthermore, a pan  120  may be solid, contain weep holes or other breaks, be weaved, made from fabric or leather, a combination thereof, or the like. 
       FIG. 4  shows a side view of a rear portion of a motorcycle with carrier attached in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.  FIG. 5  shows a perspective of a rear portion of a motorcycle with carrier attached in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. In the carrier shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the carrier  100  is holding luggage  190 , which is a golf bag. In further embodiments of the disclosed technology, luggage  190  may comprise any one of golf clubs, a carrying case, guns, skis, sports equipment, and the like. 
     In an embodiment of the disclosed technology, a left and right supporting arm  110  each contain two kicker supports that converge at a mounting flange  115 ,  116  which is connected to a respective left and right rear fender strut of a motorcycle. In  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the mounting fingers  118  and  119  are implanted into a passenger rest slot of the motorcycle  200 . 
     In embodiments of the disclosed technology, as displayed in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , the luggage  190  is supported by a pan  120  of the basket region  180 . In an embodiment of the disclosed technology, the luggage is further secured laterally by a plurality of substantially parallel spindles  122 . In further embodiments of the disclosed technology, the luggage may be secured laterally or otherwise by securing belts, straps, buckles, chains, gates, coverings, enclosures, spindles  122 , or a combination thereof. 
       FIG. 6  shows a rear view of a carrier attached to a motorcycle in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. The basket  180  is attached to a motorcycle  200  by a support extending from near the proximal region of the supporting arms that is attached to at least three spaced apart spindles  122  or other components that comprises the basket. In an embodiment of the disclosed technology, the basket  180  is further secured within the article carrier  100  by attachment to a support  130  (see  FIG. 3 ). In the example displayed in  FIG. 6 , the spindles  122  are attached to a support  130  and a proximal region of a supporting arm  110  by either elastic, fabric, bandage, leather, hardware fasteners, a combination thereof, or the like. 
     Furthermore, in an embodiment of the disclosed technology, as displayed in  FIG. 6 , a pan  120  is attached to a plurality of spindles to provide support for luggage  190  that is placed within the article carrier. 
       FIG. 7  shows a rear view of a carrier in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. Furthermore,  FIG. 8  shows a left side view of a carrier in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. In an embodiment of the disclosed technology, a proximal region of the supporting arms  110  forms a unitary structure with at least three spindles  122  of a basket  180 . A basket further comprises of a pan  120  for support of luggage  190 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a left side view of a carrier in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. Referring to  FIG. 8 , and in addition,  FIG. 3 , the distal region of the left and right supporting arms  110 , are fixedly attached to respective left and right front kicker supports  111 ,  112  and a left and right rear kicker supports  113 ,  114 . Each of the left kicker supports  112  terminate at a left mounting flange  115  and each of the right kicker supports  114  terminate at a right mounting flange  116 . In an embodiment of the disclosed technology, the mounting flange is capable of attachment to a rear fender strut of a motorcycle in a modificationless manner (with no need for permanent modifications to the motorcycle). 
       FIG. 9  shows a top view of a carrier in an embodiment of the disclosed technology, and  FIG. 10  shows a bottom perspective view of a carrier in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. In an embodiment of the disclosed technology, a basket  180  is displayed that comprises of a pan  120  and surrounding spindles  122  formed in a cylindrical shape for a purpose of carrying luggage such as golf clubs and/or other objects. The basket  180  forms a unitary structure with a proximal region of two supporting arms. The distal region of a supporting arm  110  is comprised of kicker supports  112 , a mounting flange  114 , a mounting finger  116  extending angularly, and a plurality of supports. 
     In a further embodiment of the disclosed technology, an article carrier further comprises of an accessory rack, which further comprises at least three supports  130  extending between the supporting arms. In an embodiment of the disclosed technology, an accessory rack is capable of holding materials of a driver of a motorcycle, such as luggage, sporting equipment, tools, a combination thereof, and the like. 
     Referring again to the Figures in general, and more specifically, to  FIGS. 4 ,  6  and  9 , a securing strap  142  and securing strap holder  140  are shown. In embodiments of the disclosed technology, the securing strap holder  140  may or does form an integral part of the carrier  100  and is fixedly attached to the spindles  122 , adding stability and support to them. Further, the securing strap holder  140  allows for a securing strap  142 , which may be a leather or other generally flexible strap to attach to the carrier  100  and be wrapped around an article of luggage, such as is shown in  FIG. 4 . In this manner, the luggage is held securely to the article carrier during transport. 
     While the disclosed technology has been taught with specific reference to the above embodiments, a person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and the scope of the disclosed technology. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. Combinations of any of the methods, systems, and devices described hereinabove are also contemplated and within the scope of the disclosed technology.