Patent Publication Number: US-2018037287-A1

Title: Motorcycle rack gas can

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/371,604 which was filed on Aug. 5, 2016. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Motorcycles typically have relatively small gas tanks that may provide a couple hundred miles of travel per tank. Therefore, when travelling longer distances, there is oftentimes a risk that the motorcycle may run out of gas. As a result, many riders store a gas can in the saddle bag as an emergency source of gas. Doing so, however, results in the contents of the saddle bag taking on the smell of gas. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The present invention extends to a gas can that is configured to be secured to a rack of a motorcycle. The gas can of the present invention may also have a generally flat profile so that the rack may still be used to transport luggage or other items even when the gas can is secured to it. 
     In some embodiments, the present invention is configured as a gas can that includes a container having generally flat top and bottom surfaces and a first bracket and a second bracket that are secured to the bottom surface at opposing sides. Each bracket includes a J hook that is configured to extend underneath a bar of a rack to secure the gas can to the rack. The first bracket includes a sliding portion that can be slid to reposition the corresponding J hook thereby allowing the gas can to be removed from the rack. 
     In other embodiments, the present invention is configured as a gas can that includes a container having top and bottom surfaces a first bracket and a second bracket that are secured to the bottom surface at opposing sides. Each bracket includes a bar securing component that is configured to extend underneath a bar of a rack to secure the gas can to the rack. The first bracket includes a sliding portion that can be slid to reposition the corresponding bar securing component thereby allowing the gas can to be removed from the rack. 
     In another embodiment, the present invention is implemented as a gas can that includes: a container having top and bottom surfaces and opposing sides that extend between the top and bottom surfaces, the bottom surface being substantially flat; and a first set of one or more brackets secured to one side and a second set of one or more brackets secured to the opposing side. Each bracket houses a pin of a latch that is configured to be secured to a handle of a motorcycle rack. 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the gas can in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the gas can of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the gas can showing the securing mechanism in a closed position of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the gas can showing the securing mechanism in an open position of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the gas can when separated from the rack of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the gas can of  FIG. 1  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a bottom view of another gas can in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a side view of the gas can of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the gas can of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a bracket that includes a sliding portion that can be employed on the gas can of  FIG. 7  to allow the gas can to be selectively mounted to a rack; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a recessed bottom surface of the gas can of  FIG. 7  within which the bracket of  FIG. 10  can mount; 
         FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate cross-sectional views of the gas can of  FIG. 7  when the bracket of  FIG. 10  is in an extended and compressed position respectively; 
         FIGS. 14A and 14B  also illustrate cross-sectional views of the gas can of  FIG. 7  when the bracket of  FIG. 10  is in an extended and compressed position respectively; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a coupling plate that can be used with the gas can of  FIG. 7  when the bars of the rack have an unconventional spacing; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates the coupling plate of  FIG. 15  in isolation; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the gas can of  FIG. 7  when coupled to a rack via the coupling plate of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates how a J hook of a bracket can include a slot for receiving a tab of the coupling plate of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 19A  illustrates a version of the gas can of  FIG. 7  that is configured for use on racks that have handles rather than bars; 
         FIG. 19B  illustrates a bracket and butterfly latch that can be employed on the gas can of  FIG. 19A ; 
         FIG. 20  illustrates another bracket that can be employed on the gas can of  FIG. 19A ; and 
         FIG. 21  illustrates a plate that can be employed on the gas can of  FIG. 19A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1-6  each depict a gas can  100  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Gas can  100  comprises a hollow container  101  that has a generally flat top surface and that includes opposing protrusions  104   a,    104   b  that extend from a bottom surface. As shown in  FIG. 3 , in some embodiments, protrusions  104   a,    104   b  may only extend along a portion of the width of gas can  100 . In some embodiments, one corner of gas can  100  may be angled to provide a surface for spout  103 . Accordingly, gas can  100  can have a generally flat rectangular shape to allow it to be secured atop a motorcycle rack  110  while still providing a surface on which other items may be stacked. 
     Gas can  100  can include a securing mechanism which functions to secure the gas can to motorcycle rack  110 . This securing mechanism can be formed by overhanging components  105   a,    105   b  which extend inwardly from protrusions  104   a,    104   b  respectively. As best shown in  FIG. 2 , because protrusions  104   a,    104   b  extend downwardly from the bottom surface of gas can  100  and because overhanging components  105   a,    105   b  extend inwardly from protrusions  104   a,    104   b,  opposing channels are formed within which bars of rack  110  can be secured thereby securing gas can  100  to rack  110 . 
     The distance between protrusions  104   a,    104   b  can be configured to substantially correspond to the distance between two bars of rack  110 . However, because different racks may employ different spacing between bars, in some embodiments, overhanging components  105   a,    105   b  may have a greater length (i.e., they may extend further inward) than what is shown in the figures so that gas can  100  can be secured to a number of different racks that employ different bar spacing. 
     To allow gas can  100  to be secured to rack  110 , overhanging component  105   a  may be repositionable. For example, in  FIG. 4 , overhanging component  105   a  is shown in an open position in which it does not extend inwardly beyond protrusion  104   a.  In contrast,  FIG. 3  shows overhanging component  105   a  in the closed position in which it extends inwardly beyond protrusion  104   a.  Gas can  100  can include a lever  102  that is positioned at the top surface of the gas can and that functions to move overhanging component  105   a  between the open and closed position. Lever  102  can be coupled to overhanging component  105   a  in any suitable manner including via a screw or rod  102   a.    
     To secure gas can  100  to rack  110 , overhanging component  105   a  can first be moved to the open position. With overhanging component  105   a  in the open position, overhanging component  105   b  can be hooked underneath a first bar of rack  110  and gas can  100  can be placed flat on top of the rack such that a second bar is positioned immediately inside protrusion  104   a  as is shown in  FIG. 4 . Then, lever  102  can be pivoted to cause overhanging component  105   a  to move into the closed position underneath the second bar as is shown in  FIG. 3 . These steps can be performed in reverse to remove gas can  100  from rack  110  as is represented in  FIG. 5 . 
     Lever  102  can be configured to lock in this closed position in any suitable manner. For example, a top surface of gas can  100  may include raised ridges which prevent lever  102  from opening without substantial force. In some embodiments, overhanging component  105   a  may also be configured to move from a downward to an upward position as it moves into the closed position. In other words, lever  102  can cause overhanging component  105   a  to be pulled upwardly against the second bar of rack  110  as it is closed. In this way, overhanging component  105   a  can be tightened against the rack. 
     Although the figures depict overhanging component  105   b  as a separate component from container  101  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 6 ), in some embodiments, overhanging component  105   b  could be integrally molded with container  101 . Also, although lever  102  and overhanging component  105   a  are configured to operate via a rotating motion, in some embodiments, lever  102  may be coupled in a manner that causes overhanging component  105   a  to pivot when lever  102  is moved in an upward or downward direction. Accordingly, lever  102  can be configured in any suitable manner which will allow it to pivot overhanging component  105   a  from the open to the closed position. 
       FIGS. 7-14B  illustrate another gas can  200  that is configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Gas can  200  is substantially similar to gas can  100  except that gas can  200  employs a different securing mechanism for securing gas can  200  to rack  110 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , gas can  200  includes a container  201  that is generally flat and a spout  203 . However, the securing mechanism employed on gas can  200  is comprised of brackets  204   a  and  204   b  which each include an outwardly facing J hook  205   a  and  205   b  respectively. Although J hooks are shown in the figures, the “bar securing component” of the bracket could be another similarly structured component that can extend around a bar of a rack to secure the gas can to the rack. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , bracket  204   a  can include a number of mounting holes to allow the relative position of bracket  204   a  to be adjusted to thereby accommodate differently sized/spaced racks. Alternatively, a lengthened mounting slot could be employed for the same purpose. Although not shown, bracket  204   b  could also include similar mounting holes or lengthened mounting slots to allow the relative position of bracket  204   b  to also be adjusted. In other words, brackets  204   a  and  204   b  can be repositionable to customize the space between J hooks  205   a  and  205   b  for a particular rack. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a cross-sectional view of gas can  200  when mounted to rack  110 . As shown, J hooks  205   a  and  205   b  can extend underneath different bars of rack  110  to secure gas can  200  to rack  110 . To attach and release gas can  200  from rack  110 , a portion of bracket  204   b  (i.e., the portion that includes J hook  205   b ) can be configured to slide inwardly along container  201 .  FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate one example configuration of bracket  204   b  and the corresponding underside of container  201  within which bracket  204   b  is mounted. 
     Bracket  204   b  can include a sliding portion  221  that is biased in an extended position by one or more springs  220 . Sliding portion  221  can include extensions  222  for forming a surface against which springs  220  can be biased when sliding portion  221  is slid inwardly. The underside of container  201  can be recessed to accommodate brackets  204   a  and  204   b  and the recessed portion corresponding to bracket  204   b  can include slots  220   a  into which extensions  222  and springs  220  can insert when bracket  204   b  is mounted to container  201 . By recessing the underside of container  201 , the securing mechanism can be incorporated into container  201  while still allowing container  201  to lie flat on rack  110 . This recess can also reinforce bracket  204   b  to minimize the likelihood that sliding portion  221  may become separated from bracket  204   b.  Sliding portion  221  can include an indentation  221   a  which can facilitate gripping sliding portion  221 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a cross-sectional view of bracket  204   b  when mounted to container  201  and when in the extended position. In contrast,  FIG. 13  illustrates a cross-sectional view of bracket  204   b  when mounted to container  201  and when in the compressed (or unlatched) position. Springs  220  can bias sliding portion  221  into the extended position so that J hook  205   b  is maintained underneath (and therefore secured to) a bar of rack  110  such as is shown in  FIG. 14A . Then, to unlatch J hook  205   b  from the bar, sliding portion  221  can be slid inwardly into the position shown in  FIG. 13 . This inward sliding will in turn move J hook  205   b  beyond the bar of rack  110  such as is shown in  FIG. 14B  thereby allowing gas can  200  to be lifted away from rack  110 . Therefore, bracket  204   b  allows gas can  200  to be quickly and easily removed from rack  110 . In some embodiments, J hooks  205   a  and  205   b  can be rubber coated to enhance their grip on rack  110 . Although only bracket  204   b  is shown as including a sliding portion  221 , in some embodiments, both brackets  204   a  and  204   b  may include sliding portions to allow either or both J hooks to be slid inwardly to remove the gas can from the rack. 
     Containers  101  and  201  can be configured with any desired size. However, in preferred embodiments, the length and width of containers  101  and  201  can be selected such that a portion of the bars of rack  110  remain exposed around the perimeter of the container. This would allow the portion of the bars to remain accessible for securing other items to the rack which may be stacked on top of gas can  100  or  200 . As indicated above, due to its flat profile, the use of gas can  100  or  200  will not greatly minimize the ability to secure additional items to rack  110 . Alternatively or additionally, container  101  or  201  could include hooks that protrude from the sides of the container. For example, container  201  is shown as including four hooks  250 . Hooks  250  can be employed to secure other items to rack  110  when gas can  200  is also secured to rack  110 . Although not shown, gas can  100  could include similar hooks. 
     With some racks, the spacing between bars and/or the size of the rack may prevent gas can  200  from being coupled to the rack. To address such cases, the present invention may include a coupling plate that mounts to the rack and functions as an interface for coupling gas can  200  to the rack.  FIGS. 15-17  illustrate an embodiment of a coupling plate  1500  that can function in this manner. 
     In  FIG. 15 , coupling plate  1500  is coupled to rack  110  via pairs of coupling components  1501   a,    1501   b.  Coupling component  1501   b  can be positioned above a bar of rack  110  while coupling component  1501   a  can be positioned below the bar in alignment with coupling component  1501   b.  Multiple pairs (e.g., four) of coupling components  1501   a,    1501   b  can be employed and spaced apart to provide a surface on which coupling plate  1500  may rest. As shown in  FIG. 16 , coupling plate  1500  can include a number of holes  1500   c  in various patterns which will allow coupling plate  1500  to be coupled to racks with various different bar spacings and orientations. In addition to securing coupling plate  1500  to rack  110 , coupling component  1501   b  can also function as a spacer to elevate coupling plate  1500  away from the bars of rack  110 . For example,  FIG. 17  shows that coupling component  1501   b  causes J hooks  205   a,    205   b  to be positioned above (and to therefore not interfere with) the bars of rack  110  when secured to coupling plate  1500 . 
     As best seen in  FIG. 16 , coupling plate  1500  includes a channel  1500   b  at one end and a tab  1500   a  at the opposing end. The spacing between channel  1500   b  and tab  1500   a  can correspond with the spacing between J hooks  205   a,    205   b  to thereby allow gas can  200  to be secured to coupling plate  1500 . It is noted that coupling plate  1500  could alternatively be configured with a second channel, similar to channel  1500   b,  in place of tab  1500   a.  In cases where tab  1500   a  is used, J hook  205   a  can be modified to include a slot  1800  as is shown in  FIG. 18 . To secure gas can  200  to coupling plate  1500 , tab  1500   a  can first be inserted through slot  1800  to position the outer ends of tab  1500   a  inside J hook  205   a  such as is shown in  FIG. 17 . Then, J hook  205   b  can be slid backwards until it inserts through channel  1500   b.  The biasing force of springs  220  will then retain J hooks  205   a,    205   b  in this interlocked configuration with coupling plate  1500 . 
     One benefit of employing tab  1500   a  rather than a second channel is that it allows J hook  205   a  to be relatively wide without requiring coupling plate  1500  to be wider than J hook  205   a.  The additional width of J hook  205   a  can enhance the stability of the coupling between gas can  200  and rack  110 . This stability can be further enhanced in some embodiments by including notches on the sides of J hooks  205   a,    205   b.  For example, in  FIG. 18 , J hook  205   a  includes opposing notches  1801  within slot  1800 . Notches  1801  align with protrusions  1500   a   1  on the neck of tab  1500   a.  When tab  1500   a  is contained within J hook  205   a,  protrusions  1500   a   1  will be contained within notches  1801 . The bottom and top surfaces of protrusions  1500   a   1  will contact the corresponding surfaces of notches  1801  to limit the side-to-side rocking of gas can  200 . Although not shown, J hook  205   b  can include similar notches (albeit on its outer surfaces) that interface in a similar manner with protrusions  1500   b   1 . 
     In addition to the depicted embodiment where coupling plate  1500  is a single component, in other embodiments, coupling plate  1500  could be formed of two separate pieces. For example, coupling plate  1500  could be split down the middle so that channel  1500   b  is formed in one piece and tab  1500   a  is formed on another piece. Configuring coupling plate  1500  as two separate pieces can enable coupling plate  1500  to be used on an even wider variety of rack shapes and sizes. 
       FIG. 19A  illustrates another embodiment of a gas can  1900  that is substantially similar to gas can  200 . Although not visible, gas can  1900  could be configured for brackets  204   a  and  204   b  but may not include them if desired. Unlike gas can  200 , gas can  1900  includes brackets  1950  which are adapted to house a pin  1951   a  of a butterfly latch  1951 . The body of butterfly latch  1951  can therefore pivot around pin  1951   a.  An opposing end of butterfly latch  1951  can form a hook  1951   b  that may insert under a handle  1910   a  of a rack  1910 . Rack  1910  is an example of a type of rack that is oftentimes employed on BMW motorcycles. Accordingly,  FIG. 19A  represents one way in which gas can  200  can be adapted for use on such BMW motorcycles. 
     Because brackets  1950  serve as the primary connection point for mounting gas can  1900  to rack  1910 , brackets  1950  can be configured to extend across the full height of the side of gas can  1900  and can be coupled (e.g., via screws) at both the top and bottom of the bracket. Accordingly, gas can  1900  can be molded to include top and bottom mounting holes for coupling bracket  1950  to gas can  1900 .  FIGS. 20 and 21  illustrate alternative brackets  2050 ,  2150  respectively that could be used in place of brackets  1950 . Bracket  2050  includes a slot that could be used to tie down gas can  1900  to handle  1910   a.  In contrast, bracket  2150  forms a flat surface and can be employed when gas can  1900  will be secured via brackets  204   a,    204   b.  Another benefit of brackets  1950 ,  2050 , and  2150  is that they provide reinforcement to gas can  1900  which may be molded as top and bottom pieces. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description.