Abstract:
A motorcycle saddlebag storage system employs a specially configured shelf that enables a user to segment a saddlebag interior into multiple sections, each for holding articles (e.g. tools, gloves, supplies).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to motorcycles and motorcycle panniers or saddlebags. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved motorcycle saddlebag apparatus featuring a pair of saddlebags, each having an interior for storing articles and a specially configured shelf that removably attaches to the interior walls of the bag. The shelf is configured to be used alone or with other shelves to separate a motorcycle saddlebag into a plurality of compartments. 
     Many motorcycles are equipped with saddlebags or panniers. These bags are typicallypositioned next to the rear wheel and on opposing sides of the motorcycle frame. Motorcycle riders carry various objects in these saddlebags including tools, containers, gloves, and the like. When riding, these tools and other objects must be layered one on top of the other creating a disorganized storage environment. Items that are loose (such as various tools) can rattle when they contact each other. This annoys the operator of the motorcycle. Such loose articles can damage one another when they make contact. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The present invention provides a saddlebag apparatus that can be filled to any height. The saddlebags each provide a storage lid that will lock down on the items that have been stored. A shelf is specially configured to function as a divider for segmenting the motorcycle saddlebag into different storage sections or areas. Multiple of these shelves or lids can be used in the same saddlebag. These shelves or lids aide in keeping a rider&#39;s gear organized and secure on road trips. 
     The installation of the shelf and bag apparatus employs a locking arrangement that can be in the form of a Velcro® fastener. One strip of Velcro® material such as the loop material is preferably affixed to the inside front surface of the saddlebag. The adjustable storage covers or lids or shelves can then be installed in between the saddlebag bottom and the open top. 
     In one embodiment, only an attachment on one forward end of the shelf or lid is locked in place whereas the remaining portion of the storage shelf or lid rests upon items that are stored below it. In one embodiment locking arrangements or tabs can be included on front and rear sections of the shelf or lid. In one embodiment locking arrangements or tabs can be included on all four sides of the shelf or lid 
     The apparatus of the present invention can employ a panel such as, for example, Luan Plywood. In other embodiments the panel can be plastic, fiberglass, metal, or a composite material. 
     The panel or shelf can be sized and shaped to exactly fit a horizontal section through the saddlebag. The panel is preferably covered with a carpet material on an upper surface and a foam rubber material on the bottom surface. A Velcro® strip (hook material or hook side) is applied to the front top surface of the panel which provides one side of the lock. A one inch wide, six inch long piece of nylon web strap can be used to provide a loop or handle for removing and installing the shelf. This strap is inserted through a hole in the top of the panel and attached to the bottom. A grommet or other fastener can be used to install over the strap. A molding or border such as 5/32 inch hose can be installed along the edge of the panel. This molding or border material provides a cushion and a tight fit in between the panel and the walls of the saddlebag when the panel is installed on the saddlebag. A one inch wide by eight inch strip of Velcro® (first side or loop side) acts as the other part of the lock. It can be installed in the front center inside wall of the saddlebag. 
     The present invention thus provides an improved motorcycle bag apparatus. In one embodiment, the motorcycle bag apparatus can include the motorcycle having a frame. 
     The apparatus can include a pair of saddlebags attached to the frame, each bag having a plurality of wall panes, such as a bottom panel, front and real panels, and a pair of side panels. 
     Each saddlebag provides an open top and interior and a lid that removably attaches to the wall panels to closed the top of the interior. 
     One or more shelves are provided that are each removably attachable to the saddlebag interior in a generally transverse or horizontal position. Each shelf enables articles to be stored under or to rest upon the shelf. 
     Each shelf has a periphery and connectors at the periphery that connect with one or more panels of the saddlebag. 
     In one embodiment, hook and loop portions connect to attach the shelf to a wall panel of the saddlebag. 
     In one embodiment, one of said shelf and said wall panel has a hook portion and the other has a loop portion. 
     In one embodiment, the forward panel of the saddlebag is inclined and has an inclined inner surface with either hook or loop material thereon. The shelf would have a connecting material such as the opposite of the loop or hook material applied to the inner surface of the saddlebag. 
     In one embodiment, the front panel and rear panel are each inclined and wherein each have an inner surface with either hook or loop material to which the shelf will connect. In any case, if the inside panel or panels of the saddlebag have loop material, the shelf will be provided with hook material. Conversely, if an inside or inside surfaces of the saddlebag are provided with hook material, the shelf or shelves will be provided with loop material. 
     In one embodiment, the shelf has a peripheral border or mold material that engages the saddlebag wall panels. This peripheral material can be flexible material such as silicone. 
     The present invention also provides a method of storing articles on a motorcycle. The method includes the providing of a motorcycle and a pair of saddlebags, each saddlebag with an outer wall comprised of a plurality of outer wall panels and an interior. 
     A shelf is attached to the saddlebag, the shelf segmenting the saddlebag interior into upper and lower chambers. 
     The method includes providing cooperating connecting portions on the saddlebag and the shelf, which enable the shelf to be placed at any one of multiple, different elevational positions within the saddlebag interior. 
     A handle or loop is provided on the shelf next to a connector so that a user can easily manipulate the shelf when attaching it to or removing it from the saddlebag interior. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side fragmentary view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a view taken along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a view taken along lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view taken along lines  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial perspective, partially cutaway view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a plan fragmentary view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is another fragmentary view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a side partially cutaway view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 10  is a side partially cutaway view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1-10  show the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral  10 . Motorcycle saddlebag apparatus  10  can be used with the saddlebags  17 ,  18  of the motorcycle. In  FIG. 1 , the motorcycle  11  typically provides a frame  12 , front wheel  13 , rear wheel  14 , engine  15 , and driver&#39;s seat  16 . Left bag  17  and right bag  18  are saddlebags mounted on opposing sides of frame  12  and on opposing sides of rear wheel  14 . 
     Each bag  17 ,  18  provides a bag open top  19  and a lid  20  that can be pivotably or removably attached to the selected bag  17  or  18 . Each bag  17 ,  18  has a bottom panel  21 . Each bag can provide a front panel  22  and a rear panel  23 . In one embodiment, these front and rear panels  22 ,  23  are inclined as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . Each saddlebag  17 ,  18  provides side panels  24 ,  25 . The front panel  22  provides an inside surface that is preferably lined with a fabric or loop material  26 . Similarly, the rear panel  23  has an inside surface that is lined with a fabric or loop material  27 . 
     A shelf  28  is configured to fit inside of either of the bags  17 ,  18 . Each shelf  28  provides a panel  29  that can be for example a plywood material or other structural material such as plastic or metal. Shelf  28  can provide a lower layer (e.g. foam layer)  30  and an upper layer of fabric/carpet  31 . 
     Panel  28  can have a trim, border or molding  32 . This trim/border/molding is used to form a snug fit between each shelf  28  and the inside surfaces of the front  22 , rear  23 , side  24 , and side  25  panels. In one embodiment the trim, border or molding can be comprised of form fitting rubber (e.g., extruded), plastic, leather, and/or vinyl. 
     Shelf  28  has a handle or loop  33  affixed to one end of the shelf  28  as shown in  FIG. 3 . In one embodiment handle or loop  33  can be a woven strapping, or cloth, leather, vinyl, plastic, or nylon. 
     Hook material  34  is provided on shelf  28  next to loop  33  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The shelf  28  can be about 6-7 inches wide and about 21-22 inches long as an example. The loop  33  is preferably about 3 inches long and has a width of about 1 inch. The hook material  34  is preferably about 1-2 inches wide. A recess  39  is exemplary of a shape that is provided to conform to the inner surface of a saddlebag side panel  24  or  25 . 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  show an alternate construction for a shelf, designated by the numeral  35 . The shelf  35  has a panel  36  that is of wood material. The panel  36  can be stained or varnished to provide an aesthetic, pleasing look. The panel  36  can be provided with a border, piping or trim  37  as with the shelf  28 . A handle or loop  38  can be provided at one end as with the shelf  28 . Hook material  34  is provided as with the shelf 
       FIG. 8  shows a shelf  40  having a pair of handles or loops  41 ,  42  at opposing end portions of the shelf  40 . For each of the handles or loops  41 ,  42 , there is provided a connecting hook material portion at  43  and  44  as shown in  FIG. 8 . For the shelf shown in  FIG. 8 , both the front panel  22  and the rear panel  23  of the saddlebags  17 ,  18  form a connection to the shelf  40 . 
     Notice in  FIGS. 9 and 10  that the front panel  22  has a cloth or loop material  26  as does the inside surface of the rear panel  23 . The inside surface of the rear panel  23  is provided with cloth or loop material at  27 . For the shelf  40 , the hook material  43  connects with the loop material  26 . The hook material  44  connects with the loop material  27 . 
     Handles or loops  41 ,  42  enable a user to life or lower the shelf to a selected elevational position within a saddlebag  17  or  18  and then affix the shelf  40  to the saddlebag interior. 
     By providing continuous loop material at  26 ,  27  for connection to the hook material  43 ,  44  of the shelf  40 , the shelf  40  can be affixed relative to the saddlebag  17  or  18  at virtually infinite elevational positions. This feature enables a user to segment the saddlebag  17 ,  18  interior to custom fit the articles to be carried. Notice in  FIG. 1  that a single shelf  28  is used for carrying bulky articles. In  FIG. 9 , two shelves  40  segment the bag interior into three sections or compartments  46 ,  47 ,  48 . Examples of articles stored in  FIGS. 9-10  are tool box  49 , motor oil containers  50 , water bottle  51 , gloves  52 , first aid kit  53  and folded tarps or sheets  54 ,  55 . 
     In  FIG. 10 , the sheet  28  functions as a false bottom so that valuables can be contained below it in hidden space  45 . In such a case, panel  28  can have a color and texture that matches the color and texture of the interior surfaces of the saddlebag  17 ,  18 . 
     The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 PARTS LIST 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Part Number 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 10 
                 motorcycle saddlebag apparatus 
               
               
                 11 
                 motorcycle 
               
               
                 12 
                 frame 
               
               
                 13 
                 front wheel 
               
               
                 14 
                 rear wheel 
               
               
                 15 
                 engine 
               
               
                 16 
                 seat 
               
               
                 17 
                 left saddlebag 
               
               
                 18 
                 right saddlebag 
               
               
                 19 
                 bag open top 
               
               
                 20 
                 lid 
               
               
                 21 
                 bottom panel 
               
               
                 22 
                 front panel 
               
               
                 23 
                 rear panel 
               
               
                 24 
                 side panel 
               
               
                 25 
                 side panel 
               
               
                 26 
                 fabric/loop material 
               
               
                 27 
                 fabric/loop material 
               
               
                 28 
                 shelf 
               
               
                 29 
                 panel 
               
               
                 30 
                 lower layer/foam layer 
               
               
                 31 
                 upper layer/fabric/carpet 
               
               
                 32 
                 trim/border/molding 
               
               
                 33 
                 loop/handle 
               
               
                 34 
                 hook material 
               
               
                 35 
                 shelf 
               
               
                 36 
                 panel/wood 
               
               
                 37 
                 piping/tape/border 
               
               
                 38 
                 loop/handle 
               
               
                 39 
                 recess 
               
               
                 40 
                 shelf 
               
               
                 41 
                 loop/handle 
               
               
                 42 
                 loop/handle 
               
               
                 43 
                 hook material 
               
               
                 44 
                 hook material 
               
               
                 45 
                 hidden compartment 
               
               
                 46 
                 lower compartment 
               
               
                 47 
                 middle compartment 
               
               
                 48 
                 upper compartment 
               
               
                 49 
                 tool box 
               
               
                 50 
                 oil containers 
               
               
                 51 
                 water bottle 
               
               
                 52 
                 gloves 
               
               
                 53 
                 first aid kit 
               
               
                 54 
                 tarp/folded sheet 
               
               
                 55 
                 tarp/folded sheet 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise. The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.