Patent Publication Number: US-2022234670-A1

Title: Attachment system for attaching a storage container to a vehicle

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
     The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/877,170, filed on Jul. 22, 2019, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present technology relates to attachment systems for attaching a storage container to a vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Storage can be an important design consideration for vehicles, in particular for smaller vehicles which have limited storage to begin with, such as three-wheeled motor vehicles and motorcycles for example. For this reason, these vehicles are sometimes provided with a removable storage container which is selectively detachable from the vehicle. 
     A lock is typically provided to secure such a removable storage container to the vehicle. However, such locks can be susceptible to user error as the user may incorrectly apply the lock thus failing to properly secure the removable storage container to the vehicle, or in some cases the user may even entirely forget to apply the lock resulting in the removable storage container not being secured to vehicle Improperly securing the removable storage container to the vehicle can in turn result in the storage container falling off the vehicle or, in some cases, in theft of the storage container. 
     There is therefore a desire for an attachment system for attaching a storage container to a vehicle that addresses at least some of these drawbacks. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is an object of the present technology to ameliorate at least some of the inconveniences present in the prior art. 
     According to one aspect of the present technology, there is provided an attachment system for attaching a storage container to a vehicle. The attachment system includes a passive attachment device for securing the storage container to the vehicle. The passive attachment device automatically secures the storage container to the vehicle when the storage container is positioned in place on the vehicle. The attachment system also includes an active attachment device manually operable by a user to selectively lock the storage container in place on the vehicle when the storage container is secured to the vehicle via the passive attachment device. The active attachment device prevents motion of the storage container relative to the vehicle when the active attachment device is engaged so as to lock the storage container in place on the vehicle. 
     In some embodiments, when the storage container is secured to the vehicle by the passive attachment device and that the storage container is unlocked from the vehicle by the active attachment device, the storage container has a limited range of motion relative to a frame of the vehicle. 
     In some embodiments, the passive attachment device includes a movable member configured to be movably connected to a bottom side of the storage container. The movable member is movable relative to the storage container between a latched position and an unlatched position. In the latched position, the movable member restricts removal of the storage container from the vehicle. In the unlatched position, the movable member is free of engagement with the vehicle so that the storage container is removable from the vehicle. 
     In some embodiments, the passive attachment device also includes at least one post configured to be connected to the vehicle. The movable member defines at least one post-receiving recess, each of the at least one post-receiving recess being configured to receive therein a respective one of the at least one post. Each of the at least one post-receiving recess has a first dimension at a first portion thereof and a second dimension at a second portion thereof. In the latched position of the movable member, each of the at least one post is disposed in the first portion of a respective one of the at least one post-receiving recess. In the unlatched position of the movable member, each of the at least one post is disposed in the second portion of the respective one of the at least one post-receiving recess. The at least one post-receiving recess is sized such that: when the at least one post is in the first portion of the at least one post-receiving recess, the at least one post cannot be disengaged from the at least one post-receiving recess; and when the at least one post is in the second portion of the at least one post-receiving recess, the at least one post is disengageable from the at least one post-receiving recess. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one post is a plurality of posts, and the at least one post-receiving recess is a plurality of post-receiving recesses. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one post is two posts, and the at least one post-receiving recess is two post-receiving recesses. 
     In some embodiments, the movable member is configured to be slidably connected to the bottom side of the storage container. 
     In some embodiments, the passive attachment device also includes a biasing element configured to be mounted between the storage container and the movable member to bias the movable member toward the latched position. 
     In some embodiments, the biasing element is a spring. 
     In some embodiments, the movable member is automatically moved from the latched position to the unlatched position as the storage container is being positioned in place on the vehicle. 
     In some embodiments, when the storage container is being positioned in place on the vehicle, the at least one post interacts with the movable member to cause the movable member to move from the latched position to the unlatched position so as to receive the at least one post in the at least one post-receiving recess. 
     In some embodiments, the movable member forms a handle for the user to move the movable member from the latched position to the unlatched position in order to remove the storage container from the vehicle. 
     In some embodiments, when the storage container is secured to the vehicle by the passive attachment device and that the storage container is unlocked from the vehicle by the active attachment device, the storage container has a limited range of motion relative to a frame of the vehicle. The handle of the movable member is accessible via a gap formed between the storage container and the frame of the vehicle when the storage container has the limited range of motion. 
     In some embodiments, the movable member is configured to be connected to the storage container by a plurality of fasteners; and the movable member defines a plurality of guide slots for receiving respective ones of the fasteners therein for slidably connecting the movable member to the storage container. The fasteners are movable along the guide slots. 
     In some embodiments, the active attachment device includes: a quick-connect actuator configured to be handled by the user; and a locking member operatively connected to the quick-connect actuator. The locking member is configured to be inserted into a lock opening defined by the vehicle. The quick-connect actuator and the locking member are configured to be mounted to the storage container. The locking member is displaceable by the user between a locked position and an unlocked position via the quick-connect actuator. In the locked position of the locking member, the locking member is irremovable through the lock opening defined by the vehicle such that the active attachment device locks the storage container in place on the vehicle. In the unlocked position of the locking member, the locking member is removable through the lock opening defined in by the vehicle such that the active attachment device unlocks the storage container from the vehicle. 
     In some embodiments, locking member is rotatable between the locked position and the unlocked position. 
     In some embodiments, when the passive attachment device secures the storage container to the vehicle and the locking member the locking member is displaced to the unlocked position, the storage container remains secured to the vehicle via the passive attachment device. 
     In some embodiments, the locking member of the active attachment device is configured to protrude from a bottom side of the storage container and be inserted into the opening defined by the vehicle. The quick-connect actuator is configured be accessible via an interior space defined by the storage container. 
     In some embodiments, also includes: a first connection structure configured to be connected to the vehicle; and a second connection structure configured to be connected to the storage container. The second connection structure is engaged with and supported by the first connection structure when the storage container is positioned in place on the vehicle. The first and second connection structures are shaped complementarily so as to prevent the second connection structure from being lifted upwardly when the second connection structure is engaged with the first connection structure. 
     In some embodiments, the first connection structure is one of a shaft assembly and a hook connector. The second connection structure is an other one of the shaft assembly and the hook connector. 
     In some embodiments, the second connection structure is pivotable about an axis defined by the first connection structure. 
     According to another aspect of the present technology, there is provided a vehicle. The vehicle includes: a frame; at least one front ground-engaging member operatively connected to the frame; at least one rear ground-engaging member operatively connected to the frame; a seat supported by the frame; and a storage container supported by and secured to the frame. The vehicles also includes a passive attachment device securing the storage container to the frame. The passive attachment device automatically secures the storage container to the frame when the storage container is positioned in place. The vehicle also includes an active attachment device manually operable by a user to selectively lock the storage container in place when the storage container is secured to the frame via the passive attachment device. The active attachment device prevents motion of the storage container relative to the frame when the active attachment device is engaged so as to lock the storage container in place. 
     In some embodiments, when the storage container is secured to the frame by the passive attachment device and that the storage container is unlocked from the frame by the active attachment device. The storage container has a limited range of motion relative to the frame. 
     In some embodiments, the passive attachment device includes a movable member movably connected to a bottom side of the storage container. The movable member is movable relative to the storage container between a latched position and an unlatched position. In the latched position, the movable member restricts removal of the storage container with a remainder of the vehicle. In the unlatched position, the movable member is free of engagement with the vehicle so that the storage container is removable from the remainder of the vehicle. 
     In some embodiments, the passive attachment device also includes at least one post connected to the frame. The movable member defines at least one post-receiving recess, each of the at least one post-receiving recess being configured to receive therein a respective one of the at least one post. Each of the at least one post-receiving recess has a first dimension at a first portion thereof and a second dimension at a second portion thereof. In the latched position of the movable member, each of the at least one post is disposed in the first portion of a respective one of the at least one post-receiving recess. In the unlatched position of the movable member, each of the at least one post is disposed in the second portion of the respective one of the at least one post-receiving recess. The at least one post-receiving recess is sized such that: when the at least one post is in the first portion of the at least one post-receiving recess, the at least one post cannot be disengaged from the at least one post-receiving recess; and when the at least one post is in the second portion of the at least one post-receiving recess, the at least one post is disengageable from the at least one post-receiving recess. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one post is a plurality of posts, and the at least one post-receiving recess is a plurality of post-receiving recesses. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one post is two posts, and the at least one post-receiving recess is two post-receiving recesses. 
     In some embodiments, the movable member is slidably connected to the bottom side of the storage container. 
     In some embodiments, the passive attachment device also includes a biasing element mounted between the storage container and the movable member to bias the movable member toward the latched position. 
     In some embodiments, the biasing element is a spring. 
     In some embodiments, the movable member is automatically moved from the latched position to the unlatched position as the storage container is being positioned in place. 
     In some embodiments, when the storage container is being positioned in place, the at least one post interacts with the movable member to cause the movable member to move from the latched position to the unlatched position so as to receive the at least one post in the at least one post-receiving recess. 
     In some embodiments, the movable member forms a handle for the user to move the movable member from the latched position to the unlatched position in order to remove the storage container from the remainder of the vehicle. 
     In some embodiments, when the storage container is secured to the vehicle by the passive attachment device and that the storage container is unlocked from the frame by the active attachment device, the storage container has a limited range of motion relative to the frame. The handle of the movable member is accessible via a gap formed between the storage container and the frame when the storage container has the limited range of motion. 
     In some embodiments, the movable member is connected to the storage container by a plurality of fasteners, and the movable member defines a plurality of guide slots receiving respective ones of the fasteners therein for slidably connecting the movable member to the storage container. The fasteners are movable along the guide slots. 
     In some embodiments, the active attachment device includes: a quick-connect actuator configured to be handled by the user and a locking member connected to the quick-connect actuator. The quick-connect actuator and the locking member are mounted to the storage container. The frame defines a lock opening, and the locking member being inserted through the lock opening. The locking member is displaceable by the user between a locked position and an unlocked position via the quick-connect actuator. In the locked position of the locking member, the locking member is irremovable through the lock opening such that the active attachment device locks the storage container in place. In the unlocked position of the locking member, the locking member is removable through the lock opening such that the active attachment device unlocks the storage container from a remainder of the vehicle. 
     In some embodiments, the locking member is rotatable between the locked position and the unlocked position. 
     In some embodiments, the locking member of the active attachment device protrudes from a bottom side of the storage container; and the quick-connect actuator is accessible via an interior space defined by the storage container. 
     In some embodiments, the vehicle also includes a first connection structure connected to the frame. The storage container includes a second connection structure engaged with and supported by the first connection structure. The first and second connection structures are shaped complementarily so as to prevent the second connection structure from being lifted upwardly when the second connection structure is engaged with the first connection structure. 
     In some embodiments, the first connection structure is one of a shaft assembly and a hook connector. The second connection structure is an other one of the shaft assembly and the hook connector. 
     In some embodiments, the second connection structure is pivotable about an axis defined by the first connection structure. 
     In some embodiments, the one of the shaft assembly and the hook connector is the shaft assembly. The other one of the shaft assembly and the hook connector is the hook connector. The storage container has a front wall, a rear wall, a left side wall and a right side wall. The hook connector extends forwardly from the front wall of the storage container. 
     In some embodiments, the shaft assembly includes two shaft sections coaxially aligned with one another. The hook connector includes two hooks, each hook being supported by one of the two shaft sections of the shaft assembly. 
     In some embodiments, the storage container is disposed rearward of the seat. 
     In some embodiments, the storage container has a lid enclosing at least in part an interior space of the storage container. At least part of the active attachment device is accessible from the interior space of the storage container. 
     According to another aspect of the present technology, there is provided a storage container assembly for a vehicle. The storage container assembly includes a storage container defining an interior space. The storage container has a bottom side. The storage container assembly also includes a passive attachment device for securing the storage container to the vehicle. The passive attachment device is connected to the bottom side of the storage container. The passive attachment device automatically secures the storage container to the vehicle when the storage container is positioned in place on the vehicle. The storage container assembly also includes an active attachment device manually operable by a user to selectively lock the storage container in place on the vehicle when the storage container is secured to the vehicle via the passive attachment device. The active attachment device prevents motion of the storage container relative to the vehicle when the active attachment device is engaged so as to lock the storage container in place on the vehicle. 
     For purposes of this application, terms related to spatial orientation such as forward, rearward, upward, downward, left, and right, as they are used in this document refer to general directions as would be understood by a driver of a vehicle sitting in a driver seat of the vehicle and facing in a straight forward driving direction. Terms related to spatial orientation when describing or referring to components or sub-assemblies of a vehicle separately from the vehicle should be understood as they would be understood when these components or sub-assemblies are mounted to the vehicle, unless specified otherwise in this application. 
     Embodiments of the present technology each have at least one of the above-mentioned object and/or aspects, but do not necessarily have all of them. It should be understood that some aspects of the present technology that have resulted from attempting to attain the above-mentioned object may not satisfy this object and/or may satisfy other objects not specifically recited herein. 
     Additional and/or alternative features, aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present technology will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of the present technology, as well as other aspects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be used in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where: 
         FIG. 1  is a left side elevation view of a vehicle; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view, taken from a front, left side, of a part of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 , including a passenger seat and storage containers of the vehicle; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view, taken from a front, left side, of the part of the vehicle of  FIG. 2 , with the passenger seat removed to expose an underlying portion of a frame of the vehicle; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view, taken from a rear, left side, of the part of the vehicle of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view, taken from a rear, left side, of the part of the vehicle of  FIG. 3 , with a top storage container of the vehicle removed; 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the part of the vehicle of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view, taken from a front, left side, of the top storage container of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view, taken from a rear, bottom, right side, of the top storage container of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view, taken from a top, rear, left side, of a base portion of the top storage container of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the base portion of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a bottom plan view of the top storage container of  FIG. 7 , with a movable member of a passive attachment device connected thereto shown in a latched position; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of part of the top storage container, the movable member and part of the frame of the vehicle when the movable member is in the latched position; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of part of the top storage container and the movable member taken along a guide slot of the movable member when the movable member is in an unlatched position; 
         FIG. 14  is a bottom plan view of the top storage container of  FIG. 7 , with the movable member shown in the unlatched position; 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of part of the top storage container, the movable member and part of the frame when the movable member is in the unlatched position; 
         FIG. 16  is a bottom plan view of the top storage container of  FIG. 7 , with a locking member of an active attachment device connected thereto shown in an unlocked position; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view, taken from a top, rear, left side, of a quick-connect actuator of the active attachment device, with the locking member in the unlocked position; 
         FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of the active attachment device, with the locking member shown in a locked position; 
         FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of the active attachment device, with the locking shown in the unlocked position.; and 
         FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view of part of the top storage container, the movable member, and part of the frame, with the movable member shown in the latched position and at a maximum range of motion thereof. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present technology will be described herein with respect to a three-wheeled straddle-type vehicle  100 . It is contemplated that the present technology could also be implemented with vehicles that have two, four, or more wheels, as well as with other types of vehicles including, but not limited to, snowmobiles. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , the vehicle  100  has a front end  102 , a rear end  104 , and a longitudinal centerplane (not shown) defined consistently with the forward travel direction of the vehicle  100 . The vehicle  100  has a frame  108  for supporting the various components of the vehicle  100 , and left and right front wheels  110  (the left front wheel being shown in  FIG. 1 ) mounted to the frame  108 . In particular, the left front wheel  110  is mounted to the frame  108  on a left side thereof by a left front suspension assembly (not shown), while the right front wheel  110  is mounted to the frame  108  on a right side thereof by a right front suspension assembly (not shown). More specifically, the left and right front wheels  110  are rotatably mounted to left and right steering knuckles which are supported by the left and right front suspension assemblies. A single rear wheel  118  is mounted to the frame  108  at a rear end thereof by a rear suspension assembly  120 . The left and right front wheels  110  and the rear wheel  118  each have a tire secured thereto. The front wheels  110  are disposed equidistant from the longitudinal centerplane, and the rear wheel  118  is centered with respect to the longitudinal centerplane. 
     In this embodiment, each front suspension assembly is a double A-arm type suspension, also known as a double wishbone suspension, and includes a corresponding shock absorber. It is contemplated that other types of front suspensions, such as a McPherson strut suspension, or swing arm could be used. The rear suspension assembly  120  includes a swing arm  126  and a shock absorber (not shown). The shock absorber is connected between the swing arm  126  and the frame  108 . It is contemplated that other types of rear suspensions could be used. 
     The vehicle  100  has a driver seat  130  mounted to an upper portion of the frame  108  and disposed along the longitudinal centerplane. The vehicle  100  also has a passenger seat  134  disposed rearward of the driver seat  130 . As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the passenger seat  134  has a seat portion  135  and a backrest portion  136  for supporting the back of a passenger in the passenger seat  134 . The seat portion  135  of the passenger seat  134  is supported by and connected to a rear upper frame member  114  of the frame  108 , as shown in  FIG. 3  which illustrates a rear part of the vehicle  100  with the passenger seat  135  removed therefrom. In this embodiment, the driver and passenger seats  130 ,  134  are straddle seats. 
     Driver footrests  132  are disposed on both sides of the vehicle  100  to support the driver&#39;s feet. The driver footrests  132  are connected to a lower portion of the frame  108 . In this embodiment, the driver footrests  132  are in the form of footboards extending longitudinally forward of the driver seat  130 . The vehicle  100  is also provided with passenger footrests  137  disposed rearward of the driver footrests  132  on both sides of the vehicle  100 , for supporting the passenger&#39;s feet. A brake pedal (not shown) is connected to the right driver footrest  132  for braking the vehicle  100 . 
     As schematically illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the vehicle  100  has a power pack, including a motor  138  and a transmission assembly  140 . The power pack is supported by and is housed within the frame  108 . The transmission assembly  140  includes a semi-automatic transmission. The motor  138  is in the form of an internal combustion engine. It is however contemplated that the motor  138  could be other than an internal combustion engine, for example an electric motor, a hybrid or the like. It is also contemplated that the transmission assembly  140  could be of another type, such as a manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The motor  138  is operatively connected to the rear wheel  118  via the transmission assembly  140  to drive the rear wheel  118 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the vehicle  100  has a steering system  142  that includes a handlebar assembly  143 , a steering column assembly (not shown) connected to the handlebar assembly  143 , and a plurality of linkages operatively connecting the steering column assembly to the steering knuckles. 
     The handlebar assembly  143  includes a handlebar  144  which is disposed forward of the driver seat  130 . A left hand grip is placed around the left side of the handlebar  144  near the left end thereof and a right hand grip is placed around the right side of the handlebar  144  near the right end thereof. The right hand grip has a twist-grip type throttle control. It is contemplated that a different type and/or position of throttle control could be used. The handlebar  144  is operatively connected to the front wheels  110  via the steering column assembly. The steering system defines a steering axis about which the handlebar  144  rotates with respect to the frame  108 . The handlebar  144  is turned by the driver about the steering axis to steer the front wheels  110  and thereby steer the vehicle  100 . 
     It should be understood that the front wheels  110  are one example of steerable ground-engaging members with which embodiments of the steering system  142  could be used. It is contemplated that embodiments of the steering system  142  could be used on vehicles where the steerable ground-engaging component(s) is/are skis or endless tracks for example. 
     The vehicle  100  also has a plurality of fairings  148  that enclose the motor  138  and the transmission assembly  140 , thereby providing an external shell that not only protects the engine  138  and the transmission assembly  140 , but also make the vehicle  100  more aesthetically pleasing. The fairings  148  include a hood  149  and one or more side panels which can be opened to allow access to the motor  138  and the transmission assembly  140  when required, for example for inspection or maintenance thereof. A windshield  146  is connected to the fairings  148  near the front end  102  of the vehicle  100 . The windshield  146  acts as a windscreen to lessen the force of the air on the driver while the vehicle  100  is moving. 
     The vehicle  100  includes various other components which are known in the art and therefore will not be described in detail herein. 
     In this embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the vehicle  100  is also provided with lateral side storage containers  145  disposed at either lateral side of the vehicle  100 , near the rear end  104  of the vehicle  100 . The side storage containers  145  may also be referred to as “saddlebags”. As shown in  FIG. 2 , each saddlebag  145  extends on either lateral side of the seat portion  135  of the passenger seat  134  and is supported by the frame  108 . Each saddlebag  145  has an access door  151  on an outer lateral side thereof which can be selectively opened to access an interior space defined by the saddlebag  145 . 
     The vehicle  100  is also provided with a top storage container  150 , commonly referred to as a top case  150 , which is disposed rearward of the seat portion  135  of the passenger seat  134  and laterally centered on the vehicle  100 . More specifically, the top storage container  150  is received on the rear upper frame member  114 . The top storage container  150  is selectively removable from the remainder of the vehicle  100 . The top storage container  150  has a base portion  154  and a lid portion  156  hingedly connected to the base portion  154  about a hinge  157  ( FIG. 7 ). The lid portion  156  can be opened (i.e., pivoted about the hinge  157 ) to access an interior space  155  ( FIG. 9 ) defined by the storage container  150 . A key-receiving member  159  ( FIG. 4 ) is provided to receive a key to unlock the lid portion  156  from the base portion  154 . With reference to  FIGS. 3, 4 and 8 , the top storage container  150  has a front wall  158 , a rear wall  160 , a left side wall  162  and a right side wall  164 , a top wall  166  and a bottom wall  168 . Each of the walls  158 ,  160 ,  162 ,  164 ,  166 ,  168  is formed by one or both of the base portion  154  and the lid portion  156 . 
     In this embodiment, the top storage container  150  has two speakers  152  on a front side thereof and positioned such that one of the speakers  152  is on either lateral side of the passenger seat  134 . Furthermore, the backrest portion  136  of the passenger seat  134  is connected to the front wall  158  of the storage container  150 . As such, the backrest portion  136  of the illustrated embodiment may be provided only when the top storage container  150  is provided on the vehicle  100 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , a container connection structure  170  is connected to the storage container  150  and is configured to engage a complementary frame connection structure  172  that is connected to the frame  108  of the vehicle  100  such as to be supported thereby when the storage container  150  is positioned in place on the vehicle  100 . More specifically, as will be described below, the connection structures  170 ,  172  are shaped complementarily so as to contribute to preventing the container connection structure  170  from being lifted upwardly when the connection structures  170 ,  172  are engaged with one another. 
     In particular, in this embodiment, the container connection structure  170  is a hook connector  170  that extends forwardly from the front side of the storage container  150 . In this embodiment, the hook connector  170  includes two arms  174  and two hooks  176  disposed at the ends of the arms  174 . Each of the hooks  176  has two prongs  178  for hooking onto the frame connection structure  172 . Furthermore, with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , in this embodiment, the frame connection structure  172  is a shaft assembly  172  including two shaft portions  180  which extend laterally and are longitudinally aligned with one another to define an axis A 1  ( FIG. 6 ). More specifically, the shaft portions  180  are disposed in respective recesses  181  defined by the rear upper frame member  114  of the frame  108 . The hook connector  170  is pivotable about the axis A 1  defined by the shaft assembly  172 . 
     The connection structures  170 ,  172  are the parts that are first engaged with one another in order to install the storage container  150  onto the vehicle  100 . In particular, in order to install the storage container  150  on the vehicle  100 , the hooks  176  are engaged with the shaft portions  180  and the storage container  150  is then pivoted downwards about the axis A 1 . 
     It is contemplated that, in other embodiments, the connection structures  170 ,  172  may be inversed such that the hook connector  170  is connected to the frame  108  while the shaft assembly  172  is connected to the storage container  150 . 
     As will be described below, an attachment system is provided for attaching the storage container  150  to the frame  108  of the vehicle  100  in conjunction with the connection structures  170 ,  172 . More specifically, the attachment system includes two separate and distinct attachment devices  200 ,  250  for securely attaching the storage container  150  to the vehicle  100 . The first attachment device  200  will be hereinafter referred to as a “passive attachment device” as the device  200  is automatically actuated when the storage container  150  is positioned in place on the frame  108  of the vehicle  100 , without requiring user operation thereof. In contrast, the second attachment device  250  will be hereinafter referred to as an “active attachment device” as the device  250  is operable by the user to lock the storage container to the frame  108  of the vehicle  100 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 8 , the passive attachment device  200  includes a movable member  210  that is movably connected to the bottom side of the storage container  150 . More specifically, as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 14 , the movable member  210  is fastened to the bottom side of the storage container  150  via fasteners  202 ,  205 . The movable member  210  is slidable relative to the storage container  150  between a latched position (illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 ) and an unlatched position (illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 15 ). In the latched position, the movable member  210  restricts removal of the storage container  150  from the vehicle  100 . On the other hand, in the unlatched position, the movable member  210  is free of engagement with the vehicle  100  so that the storage container  150  is removable from the vehicle  100 . The manner in which the movable member  210  moves from the unlatched position to the latched position and vice-versa will be described in greater detail below. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , in this embodiment, the movable member  210  is generally U-shaped, having two arm portions  212  and a central portion  214  interconnecting the arm portions  212 . The central portion  214  forms a handle  215  for the user to move the movable member  210  from the latched position to the unlatched position to remove the storage container  150  from the vehicle  100 , as will be described in greater detail below. The handle  215  is shaped and dimensioned to be easy to engage by a hand of the user. The movable member  210  also has two longitudinal extensions  216  extending from the central portion  214  in the same direction as the arm portions  212 . The movable member  210  is symmetrical about a plane extending through the central portion  214 . 
     In order to connect the movable member  210  to the storage container  150 , the movable member  210  defines four guide slots  218  extending longitudinally and configured to receive fasteners  205  attached to the storage container  150 . Two central ones of the guide slots  218  are defined in the longitudinal extensions  216  while two outer ones of the guide slots  218  are defined near the ends of the arm portions  212 . 
     The manner in which the movable member  210  is connected to the storage container  150  will now be described with reference to  FIG. 13 . In this embodiment, the fasteners  205  are bolts which are fixedly connected to the bottom wall  168  of the storage container  150 . The bolts  205  are received within respective guide protrusions  207  extending downwardly from the bottom wall  168  of the storage container  150 . The guide protrusions  207  thus act as sleeves for the bolts  205 . A head of each bolt  205  is lodged by an inner shoulder formed at the base of each guide protrusion  207  so that each bolt  205  is fixed in place. Each guide protrusion  207  is received in a corresponding guide slot  218  for guiding movement thereof. A portion of each bolt  205  extends beyond the end of the corresponding guide protrusion  207 . A washer  203  is placed around the portion of each fastener  205  and sandwiched by a nut  202  against the distal end of the corresponding guide protrusion  207 . The washers  203  thus prevent the nuts  202  from entering the guide slots  218  and the movable member  210  from separating from the remainder of the storage container  150 . The guide protrusions  207  and the movable member  210  are sized and shaped such that the movable member  210  is connected to the storage container  150  while simultaneously allowing motion of the movable member  210  with respect thereto. In particular, in this manner, the engagement of the guide slots  218  with the guide protrusions  207  and the bolts  205  allows sliding motion of the movable member  210  relative to the storage container  150 , as guided by the guide slots  218 . 
     The movable member  210  also defines two post-receiving recesses  220  in the arm portions  212 , laterally adjacent to respective ones of the outer guide slots  218 . As will be described in greater detail below, the post-receiving recesses  220  are configured to receive therein respective posts  230  ( FIGS. 5, 6 ) that are connected to the frame  108  of the vehicle  100 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 5 and 12 , each post  230  extends upwardly from the rear upper frame member  114  of the frame  108  and has a stem  231  and a head  232  disposed at the upper end of the stem  231 . The head  232  has a diameter that is greater than a diameter of the stem  231 . The posts  230  can be connected to the frame  108  in any suitable way. For instance, in this embodiment, the lower end of the stem  231  of each post  230  is threaded and held in place on the rear upper frame member  114  by a nut  233  ( FIG. 12 ). As best seen in  FIG. 12 , a skirt  236  of the post  230  is provided at a predefined distance from the lower end of the stem  231  such that the head  232  of the post  230  protrudes at a set height from the rear upper frame member  114 . 
     The configuration of the post-receiving recesses  220  and their interaction with the posts  230  will now be described. The post-receiving recesses  220  are identical to one another, therefore a single one of the post-receiving recesses  220  will be described herein. It is to be understood that the same description applies to both post-receiving recesses  220 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 11 and 14 , the post-receiving recess  220  is shaped and dimensioned such that when the corresponding post  230  is received in one portion of the post-receiving recess  220  (i.e., when the stem  231  of the post  230  extends through that portion of the post-receiving recess  220 ), the post  230  cannot be disengaged from the post-receiving recess  220 , while on the other hand, when the post  230  is received in another portion of the post-receiving recess  220 , the post  230  is disengageable from the post-receiving recess  220 . In particular, in this embodiment, the post-receiving recess  220  is generally keyhole shaped and has an oversized portion  222  and an undersized portion  224 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , the oversized portion  222  has a dimension D 1  that is sized to permit the head  232  of the post  230  to pass therethrough. In contrast, the undersized portion  224  has a dimension D 2  that is sized to prevent the head  232  of the post  230  from passing therethrough. In this embodiment, the oversized and undersized portions  222 ,  224  are partially circular (i.e., shaped as a part of a circle defining a radius) and thus the dimensions D 1 , D 2  are diameters. The oversized and undersized portions  222 ,  224  may have any other suitable shapes. 
     Thus, as can be understood, when the post  230  is received in the oversized portion  222 , the post  230  is disengageable from the post-receiving recess  220  as the diameter of the head  232  of the post  230  is smaller than the diameter D 1  of the oversized portion  222 . On the other hand, when the post  230  is received in the undersized portion  224 , the post  230  cannot be disengaged from the post-receiving recess  220  as the diameter of the head  232  of the post  230  is greater than the diameter D 2  of the undersized portion  224 . The oversized and undersized portions  222 ,  224  thus correspond to the unlatched and latched positions of the movable member  210  respectively. Notably, when the movable member  210  is in the unlatched position, the post  230  is disposed in the oversized portion  222  of the post-receiving recess  230 , as illustrated for reference in dashed lines in  FIG. 14  and also shown in  FIG. 15 . When the movable member  210  is in the latched position, the post  230  is disposed in the undersized portion  224  of the post-receiving recess  220 , as illustrated for reference in  FIG. 11  and also shown in  FIG. 12 . 
     The movable member  210  is configured to interact with the posts  230  such that the movable member  210  is automatically moved from the latched position to the unlatched position as the storage container  150  is being positioned in place on the vehicle  100 . More specifically, each post-receiving recess  220  is shaped such that when the storage container  150  is being positioned in place on the frame  108  of the vehicle  100  by pivoting the storage container  150  downward about the axis A 1 , the movable member  210  is forced into the unlatched position to accept the posts  230  therein. To that end, as shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , in this embodiment, the undersized portion  224  of each post-receiving recess  220  is bounded by a sloped surface  235  that surrounds the undersized portion  224 . In this embodiment, the sloped surface  235  is formed by a rounded edge which defines the undersized portion  224  of the post-receiving recess  220 . As will be described in greater detail below, when the sloped surface  235  encounters the head  232  of the corresponding post  230 , the movable member  210  is pushed towards the unlatched position and such as to receive the post  230  into the oversized portion  230  of the post-receiving recess  220 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 11 to 14 , the passive attachment device  230  also includes two biasing elements  226  for biasing the movable member  210  toward the latched position. The biasing elements  226  are thus provided to ensure that the movable member  210  is naturally retained in the latched position so that removal of the storage container  150  from the vehicle  100  is restricted unless, as will be described further below, the user purposely intervenes to cause disengagement of the movable member  210  from the posts  230 . In addition, the biasing elements  226  ensure that after the movable member  210  has been pushed towards the unlatched position by the heads  232  of the posts  230  and the heads  232  of the posts  230  have passed through the oversized portions  222  of the post-receiving recesses  220 , the movable member  210  will return to the latched position. In this embodiment, the biasing elements  226  are springs which are connected between the movable member  210  and the storage container  150 . It is contemplated that any other suitable type of biasing element may be used instead of a spring. 
     As best seen in  FIG. 13  which illustrates the movable member  210  in the unlatched position, for each spring  226 , one end  227  thereof is connected to an end of a corresponding one of the arms  212  of the movable member  210  while the opposite end  228  thereof is connected to a one of the guide protrusions  207  that extend from the bottom wall  168  of the storage container  150 . In this manner, the springs  226  apply a biasing force on the movable member  210  to bias the movable member  210  toward the latched position. 
     Thus, when the storage container  150  is installed onto the vehicle  100 , the movable member  210  is in the latched position due to biasing force applied thereto by the springs  226 . As such, as the storage container  150  is lowered onto the rear upper frame member  114 , the heads  232  of the posts  230  abut the surfaces of the movable member  210  surrounding the undersized portions  224  of the post-receiving recesses  220 . In particular, sloped surfaces of the heads  232  of the posts  230  (specifically, in this embodiment, a conical surface of the truncated conical shape of the head  232  of each post  230 ) abut the sloped surfaces  235  bounding the undersized portions  224  of the post-receiving recesses  220 . Due to the angular disposition of the sloped surfaces  235 , as well as the sloped surfaces of the heads  232 , as the storage container  150  is forced downward, either by gravity (i.e., the load applied by the weight of the storage container  150 ) or by the user, the posts  230  apply a force on the movable member  210  having a component in an opposite direction of the biasing force of the springs  226 . In particular, when the load applied on the storage container  150  is sufficiently strong, the force applied by the posts  230  on the sloped surfaces  235  overcomes the biasing force of the springs  226 , thus causing the movable member  210  to slide forwardly relative to the storage container  150 . The movable member  210  is thus moved from the latched position to the unlatched position, whereby the posts  230  are aligned with and enter the oversized portions  222  of the post-receiving recesses  220 . When the force that is applied by the posts  230  on the sloped surfaces  235  has ceased (i.e. when the heads  232  of the posts  230  pass through the oversized portions  222  of the post-receiving recesses  220 ), the movable member  210  slides back into the latched position in response to the now unopposed biasing force of the springs  226 . The movable member  210  is therefore latched onto the vehicle  100  and is not removable therefrom unless the user purposely intervenes to disengage the movable member  210  from the posts  230 . Notably, in order to disengage the movable member  210  from the posts  230  when the movable member is in the latched position, the user pushes the movable member  210  forward via the handle  215  which displaces the movable member  210  into the unlatched position, thus allowing the posts  230  to exit the post-receiving recesses  220 . 
     It is contemplated that the heads  232  of the posts  230  may have a shape other than a truncated conical shape in order to define a sloped surface thereof. For example, the head  232  of each post  230  may be dome-shaped to define the sloped surface thereof. 
     The active attachment device  250  will now be described with particular reference to  FIGS. 8, 9 and 17 to 20 . The active attachment device  250  is manually operable by the user to selectively lock the storage container  150  in place on the vehicle  100 . Since, as described above, the passive attachment device  200  automatically engages the storage container  150  with the frame  108  of the vehicle  100  when the storage container  150  is positioned in place on the vehicle  100 , the storage container  150  is locked in place on the vehicle by the active attachment device  250  once the storage container  150  is already secured to the vehicle  100  via the passive attachment device  200 . However, the active attachment device  250  additionally prevents motion of the storage container  150  relative to the vehicle  100  when the active attachment device  250  is engaged so as to lock the storage container  150  tightly in place on the vehicle  100 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5, 6, 8 and 9 , the active attachment device  250  is affixed to the bottom side of the storage container  150  and is configured to engage a lock opening  115  defined in the rear upper frame member  114 . The active attachment device  250  has a quick-connect actuator  252  and a locking member  254  operatively connected to the quick-connect actuator  252 . The quick-connect actuator  252  and the locking member  254  are mounted to the storage container  150 . The quick-connect actuator  252  is configured to be handled by the user and is accessible via the interior space  155  of the storage container  150 , as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . As such, the active attachment device  250  cannot be unlocked when the lid portion  156  of the storage container  150  is locked to the base portion  154 . More specifically, in this embodiment, the quick-connect actuator  252  has a circular body  256  and a lever  258  formed on the body  256 . As shown in  FIG. 18 , the body  256  is inserted in a circular recess  182  defined in an inner bottom surface  183  of the storage container  150 . The lever  258  is grasped by the user to operate the active attachment device  250 . In particular, the lever  258  is handled by the user to rotate the quick-connect actuator  252  such as to lock or unlock the active attachment device  250 , as will be described in more detail below. As shown in  FIG. 17 , inscriptions  253  are provided in the inner bottom surface  183  of the storage container  150  to indicate if the active attachment device  250  is locked and unlocked. An indicator  217  provided on the quick-connect actuator  252  is aligned with a given one of the inscriptions  253  to lock or unlock the active attachment device  250 . In this embodiment, the quick-connect actuator  252  is rotated by a quarter-turn (i.e., 90°) to move the locking member  254  from the unlocked position to the locked position and vice-versa. In order to limit the rotation of the quick-connect actuator  252  to a quarter-turn, a structure (not shown) is formed on the inner bottom surface  183  of the storage container  150  which prevents the body  256  of the quick-connect from turning beyond the quarter-turn in each direction. 
     It is contemplated that the lever  258  may be substituted by any other suitable structure which can be handled by the user (e.g., a handle). 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 18 and 19 , the locking member  254  is provided on the opposite side of the bottom wall  168  from the quick-connect actuator  252  such that the locking member  254  protrudes from the bottom side of the storage container  150 . The locking member  254  is connected to the quick-connect actuator  252  by a central fastener  255  that extends across the opposite sides of the bottom wall  168  of the storage container  150 . A spring  260  is received in a central recess  262  defined by the locking member  254  and surrounds part of the fastener  255  extending in the central recess  262 . A nut  263  is threadedly engaged to an end of the fastener  255  and compresses the spring  260  in the central recess  262 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 18 , the locking member  254  has a hub portion  270  and an end portion  272 . The hub portion  270  is inserted into an aperture  274  defined by a protruding base  275  formed by the bottom wall  168  of the storage container  150 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , the end portion  272  has an elongated hexagonal shape. Similarly, the protruding base  275  has an elongated hexagonal shape. The end portion  272  thus has an elongated dimension measured along the elongated direction thereof. The dimension of the end portion  272  measured perpendicularly to the elongated direction thereof is thus smaller than the elongated dimension. 
     The locking member  254  is displaceable by the user, via the quick-connect actuator  252 , between a locked position (shown in  FIG. 18 ) and an unlocked position (shown in  FIG. 19 ). More specifically, the locking member  254  is rotatable together with the quick-connect actuator  252  between the locked and unlocked positions. 
     Thus, in order to secure the storage container  150  to the vehicle  100  via the active attachment device  250 , the locking member  254  is inserted into the lock opening  115  of the rear upper frame member  114 . Specifically, the storage container  150  is placed on the rear upper frame member  114  to place the protruding base  275  and the end portion  272  of the locking member  254  into the lock opening  115 . The lock opening  115  has an elongated hexagonal shape similar to that of the protruding base  275  and is dimensioned to receive the protruding base  275  therein. Once in position in the lock opening  115  of the rear upper frame member  114 , when the locking member  254  is in the locked position, the locking member  254  is irremovable through the lock opening  115  as the elongated dimension of the end portion  272  of the locking member  254  is aligned with a section of the lock opening  115  that has a smaller dimension. The active attachment device  250  thus locks the storage compartment  250  in place on the vehicle  100 . Moreover, in the locked position of the locking member  254 , the end portion  272  has no appreciable vertical range of motion as the end portion  272  is prevented from moving vertically by a lower surface of the rear upper frame member  114 . Therefore, in the locked position of the locking member  254 , the storage container  150  does not have any appreciable range of motion and is locked in place on the vehicle  100 . However, when the locking member  254  is in the unlocked position, the locking member  254  is removable from the lock opening  115  as the elongated dimension of the end portion  272  of the locking member  254  is aligned with a section of the lock opening  115  that has a greater dimension. The active attachment device  250  thus unlocks the storage compartment  150  from the vehicle  100 . 
     When the storage container  150  is secured to the vehicle  100  by the passive attachment device  200  and that the storage container  150  is unlocked from the vehicle  100  by the active attachment device  250 , the storage container  150  has a limited range of motion relative to the frame  108  of the vehicle  100 . More specifically, even when the active attachment device  250  is in the unlocked position and thus does not lock the storage container  150  in place, the passive attachment device  200  allows some pivoting of the storage container  150  about the axis A 1  via the connector structures  170 ,  172 . In particular, as shown in  FIG. 20 , in this embodiment, when the storage container  150  is secured to the vehicle  100  by the passive attachment device  200  and that the storage container  150  is unlocked from the vehicle  100  by the active attachment device  250 , the storage container  150  has a vertical range of motion of about 20 mm before being stopped by engagement between the movable member  210  and the heads  232  of the posts  230 . This limited range of motion thus allows a gap  280  ( FIG. 20 ) to be formed between the bottom wall  168  of the storage container  150  and the rear upper frame member  114 . The handle  215  of the movable member  210  is accessible via the gap  280  to allow the user to disengage the movable member  210  from the posts  230  in the manner described above. 
     Therefore, to attach the storage container  150  to the vehicle  100 , the hook connector  170  is first engaged with the shaft assembly  172 . The storage container  150  can then be pivoted about the axis A  1 . As the storage container  150  is lowered towards the rear upper frame member  114 , the movable member  210  will engage the posts  230  thereby automatically latching the passive attachment device  200  and securing the storage container  150  to the vehicle  100  thereby. With the storage container  150  now in place, sitting atop the frame member  114 , the locking member  254  (which is in the unlocked position) enters the lock opening  115  at the same time. The quick-connect actuator  252  is then actuated by the user to move the locking member  254  to the locked position, thereby further and completely securing the storage container  150  to the vehicle  100 . 
     As will be understood by the reader, the passive attachment device  200  functions as a backup to the active attachment device  250 . Notably, since the passive attachment device  200  is automatically engaged when the storage container  150  is disposed into its designated position on the vehicle  100  irrespective of whether the active attachment device  250  has been actuated or not by the user, the passive attachment device  200  retains the storage container  150  to the vehicle  100  even in scenarios where the active attachment device  250  has not been actuated by the user. Thus, for instance in a scenario where the active attachment device  250  should fail or the user forgets to lock the storage container  150  to the frame  108  of the vehicle  100  via the active attachment device  250 , the passive attachment device  200  will still secure the storage container  150  to the vehicle  100  and prevent the storage container  150  from detaching from the vehicle  100 . 
     Furthermore, the active attachment device  250  is operated by the user without using any tools (i.e., toollessly) which simplifies the process of locking or unlocking the active attachment device  250 . Moreover, since the passive attachment device  200  engages the movable member  210  automatically when the storage container  150  is in place on the vehicle  100 , the passive attachment device  200  also securely engages the storage container  150  with the frame  108  of the vehicle  100  without using any tools. Therefore, the overall attachment system including both attachment devices  200 ,  250  securely engages the storage container  150  to the vehicle  100  without requiring the use of any tools, while simultaneously providing a failsafe in case the active attachment device  250  should not be properly engaged. 
     It is contemplated that the storage container assembly including the storage container  150  and the passive and active attachment devices  200 ,  250  could be provided as an aftermarket accessory. While the posts  230  have been described as forming part of the passive attachment device  200 , it is contemplated that, for instance in embodiments in which the storage container assembly is provided as a standalone product separate from the vehicle  100 , the passive attachment device  200  of the storage container assembly includes only the movable member  210  connected to the storage container  150 . 
     While the attachment system for the storage container  150  has been described herein in the context of the three-wheeled vehicle  100 , it is contemplated that the attachment system could be user for a storage container for other types of vehicles. For example, a motorcycle may also benefit from such a storage container and attachment system. Marine vehicles (i.e., watercraft) may also be provided with such a storage container and attachment system. 
     Modifications and improvements to the above-described embodiment of the present technology may become apparent to those skilled in the art. The foregoing description is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting.